TO mii JAMES DKOOKK, K.aB., 



1IA.I\EI OF 8ARAWAK. 



BedJciilioiis ure, I believe, still ui fashion j iiud if ao, 

 many ftonsidcniMons dt^uide me to m-^l^^n ihk conspicuous pasitiori to 

 your imme. If it be in mcasuro ii ojinijlimcnt, ihcrt is none 

 to wliota I would ratber oiler it K it be a way of letting tlie 

 world know tbut one lias a wortb^ friend, jou sa^ the man. If it 

 be a mode of dnifliiig more attention to one's work tlwn its own 

 merits wtmkl secure, or of beppeiiking more indulgence for the 

 Siike of the patron than its unpratcctcti demerits would find — jours 

 ia still the name to wliich I would trust, 



I luLve one other reason ; namely, that four or five chaptcra of 

 mj book 4ire really devoted to a vindication, which certainly you 

 do not need J but which 1 eonid not s\iwn to offcn without luriiiiijj 

 out of the direct course of duty and of pleasure. Accept it oecordiug 

 to it* intention rather than its ability ; md believe me, 



My dear Jimoke, 



Your sinccrfi friend. 



lIKXia KEPPEk 



