 | The gentle boy : |  |
PREFACE.
The Tale, of which a new edition is now offered to the Public, was among the earliest efforts of its Author's
pen; and, little noticed on its first appearance, in one of the Annuals, appears ultimately to have awakened the interest
of a larger number of readers, than any of his subsequent productions. For his own part, he would willingly have
supposed that a more practised hand, and cultivated fancy, had enabled him to excel his first inartificial attempts; and
there are several among his Twice told Tales, which, on re-perusal, affect him less painfully with a sense of imperfect
and ill-wrought conception, than The Gentle Boy. But the opinion of many (whose judgment, even in cases where
they and he might be equally unprejudiced, would be far preferable to his own,) compels him to the conclusion, that
Nature here led him deeper into the Universal heart, than Art has been able to follow. It was no gift within himself—
no effort that could be renewed at pleasure—but a Happiness that alighted on his pen, and lent it somewhat of power
over human sympathies, which he may vainly strive to snatch again.
No testimonial, in regard to the effect of this story, has afforded the Author so much pleasure as that which brings
out the present edition. However feeble the creative power which produced the character of Ilbrahim, it has wrought
an influence upon another mind, and has thus given to imaginative life a creation of deep and pure beauty. The
original sketch of The Puritan and The Gentle Boy, an engraving from which now accompanies the Tale, has received
—what the artist may well deem her utmost attainable recompense—the warm recommendation of the first painter in
America. If, after so high a meed, the Author might add his own humble praise, he would say, that whatever of
beauty and of pathos he had conceived, but could not shadow forth in language, has been caught and embodied in the
few and simple lines of this sketch.
| The gentle boy : | |