University of Virginia Library

PREFACE.

A few words are perhaps needed as an introduction to
a work of far more ambitious character, than any which
I have before attempted. In venturing to select a subject
from the history of Rome, during its earlier ages, undeterred
by the failure or, at the best, partial success of writers
far more eminent than I can ever hope to become, I
have been actuated by reasons, which, in order to relieve
myself from the possible charge of presumption, I will
state briefly.

It has long been my opinion, then, that there lay a vast
field, rich with a harvest of material almost virgin, for the
romancer's use, in the history of classic ages. And this,
at a period when the annals of every century and nation
since the Christian era have been ransacked, and reproduced,
in endless variety, for the entertainment of the
hourly increasing reading world, is no small advantage.

Again, I have fancied that I could discover a cause for
the imperfect success of great writers when dealing with
classic fiction, in the fact of their endeavouring to be too
learned, of their aiming too much at portraying Greeks and
Romans, and too little at depicting men, forgetful that under

all changes of custom, and costume, in all countries,
ages, and conditions, the human heart is still the human
heart, convulsed by the same passions, chilled by the same
griefs, burning with the same joys, and, in the main, actuated
by the same hopes and fears.

With these views, I many years ago deliberately selected
this subject, for a novel, which has advanced by slow
steps to such a degree of completeness as it has now attained.

Having determined on trying my success in classical fiction,
the conspiracy of Catiline appeared to me, a theme
particularly well adapted for the purpose, as being an actual
event of vast importance, and in many respects unparalleled
in history; as being partially familiar to every one,
thoroughly understood perhaps by no one, so slender are
the authentic documents concerning it which have come
down to us, and so dark and mysterious the motives of the
actors.

It possessed, therefore, among other qualifications, as the
ground-work of a historical Romance, one almost indispensable—that
of indistinctness, which gives scope to the exercise
of imagination, without the necessity of falsifying
either the truths or the probabilities of history.

Of the execution, I have, of course, nothing to say; but
that I have sedulously avoided being overlearned; that few
Latin words will be found in the work—none whatsoever
in the conversational parts, and none but the names of articles
which have no direct English appellation; and that
it is sufficiently simple and direct for the most unclassical
reader.

I hope that the costume, the manners of the people, and
the antiquarian details will be found sufficiently correct;
if they be not, it is not for want of pains or care; for I have
diligently consulted all the authorities to which I could
command access.

To the history of the strange events related in this tale,
I have adhered most scrupulously; and I believe that the
dates, facts, and characters of the individuals introduced,
will not be found in any material respect, erroneous or untrue;
and here I may perhaps venture to observe, that, on
reading the most recently published lectures of Niebuhr,
which never fell in my way until very lately, I had the
great satisfaction of finding the view I have always taken
of the character and motives of Catiline and his confederates,
confirmed by the opinion of that profound and sagacious
critic and historian.

I will only add, that it is hardly probable that “the Roman
Traitor” would ever have been finished, had it not
been for the strenuous advice of a friend, in whose opinion
I have the utmost confidence, Mr. Benjamin, to whom some
of the early chapters were casually shown, two or three
years ago, and who almost insisted on my completing it.

It is most fitting, therefore, that it should be, as it is,
introduced to the world under his auspices; since but for
his favourable judgment, and for a feeling on my own part
that to fail in such an attempt would be scarce a failure,
while success would be success indeed, it would probably
have never seen the light of day!

With these few remarks, I submit the Roman Traitor to

the candid judgment of my friends and the public, somewhat
emboldened, by the uniform kindness and encouragement
which I have hitherto met; and with some hope
that I may be allowed at some future day, to lay another
romance of the most famous, before the citizens of the
youngest republic.