Burton's bravery, his tenderness, his probity, his marvellous
industry, his encyclopaedic learning--but the picture would not have
been a true one had I entirely over-passed the monomania of his last
days. Hamlet must be shown, if not at his maddest, at any rate mad,
or he would not be Hamlet at all.

As regards Burton's letters, I have ruthlessly struck out every
sentence that might give offence.[FN#19] While I have not
hesitated to expose Sir Richard's faults, I have endeavoured to
avoid laying too much stress upon them. I have tried, indeed,
to get an idea of the mountain not only by climbing its sides,
but also by viewing it from a distance. I trust that there will be
found nothing in this book to hurt the feelings of any living person
or indeed of any body of persons. I have certainly tried my utmost
to avoid causing pain, and if the reader will kindly bear in mind
that it is as much a Christian duty to avoid taking offence as to
avoid giving offence, we shall amble along pleasantly together to
the very last page. Out of consideration for Catholics I have
suppressed a number of passages; and if I have allowed Sir Richard
in one or two instances to make a lunge at their church, I trust
they will notice that I have permitted him the same licence with
regard to the Church of England and Exeter Hall. Finally,
my impartiality is proved by my allowing him to gird at the
poet Cowper.

Wherever possible, that is to say, when I could do it without
ambiguity I have also out of courtesy used the term Catholic instead
of Roman Catholic; and in order to meet what I believe to be the
wishes of Lady Burton's executors, I have omitted all mention of
certain events that occurred after Sir Richard's death.