X PREFACE. 



Unaccustomed as I am to composition, 

 I readily admit that the critics may find 

 much to censure in the inelegancy of iny 

 style, and perhaps in the inaccuracy of my 

 language. I have not the vanity to think 

 that I am capable of communicating my 

 observations and ideas with perfect cor- 

 rectness, and while I endeavour to give my 

 narrative in as plain a manner as possible, 

 my only claim from the public is their 

 belief in the truth of what I describe. I 

 entertain no view of any emolument what- 

 ever from the present publication, on the 

 contrary all my wish is, that the reader 

 may derive as much amusement from the 

 perusal of this book as my private friends 

 have expressed themselves to have received 

 from my relation of the Anecdotes which it 

 contains. 



