PREFACE. 



IF in the perusal of this narrative it should 

 be objected that there is far too much of a 

 personal or private nature, the author's 

 excuse is, that it was commenced to gratify 

 a large circle, beyond whose limits it was 

 never intended to pass; but some friends, 

 thinking it worthy of a more extended 

 circulation, have induced him to offer it to 

 the public. 



If it should be found not altogether to 

 correspond with the title, and here and 

 there to treat of persons and things in a 

 manner not warranted by the position of 



