 | Lionel Lincoln, or, The leaguer of Boston |  |
PREFACE
TO
LIONEL LINCOLN.
In this tale there are one or two slight
anachronisms; which, if unnoticed, might,
with literal readers, draw some unpleasant
imputations on its veracity.—They relate
rather to persons than to things. As they
are believed to be quite in character, connected
with circumstances much more
probable than facts, and to possess all
the harmony of poetic colouring, the
author is utterly unable to discover the
reason why they are not true.
He leaves the knotty point to the instinctive
sagacity of the crities.
The matter of this “Legend” may be
pretty equally divided into that which is
publicly, and that which is privately certain.
For the authorities of the latter,
the author refers to the foregoing preface;
but he cannot dispose of the sources
whence he has derived the former, with
so little ceremony.
The good people of Boston are aware
of the creditable appearance they make
in the early annals of the confederation,
and they neglect no commendable means
to perpetuate the glories of their ancestors.
In consequence, the inquiry after
historical facts, is answered, there, by
an exhibition of local publications, that
no other town in the union can equal. Of
these means the author has endeavoured
to avail himself; collating with care,
and selecting, as he trusts, with some of
that knowledge of men and things which
is necessary to present a faithful picture.
Wherever he may have failed, he has
done it honestly.
He will not take leave of the `cradle of
liberty,' without expressing his thanks
for the facilities which have been so freely
accorded to his undertaking. If he has
not been visited by ærial beings, and
those fair visions that poets best love to
create, he is certain he will not be misconceived
when he says, that he has been
honoured by the notice of some resembling
those, who first inspired their fancies.
| Lionel Lincoln, or, The leaguer of Boston | |