University of Virginia Library

I have two reasons for desiring to inscribe this
book to you. The first is, that you are likely to be on
a much better footing with posterity than may ever be
my fortune; seeing that, some years gone by, you
carelessly sat down and wrote a little book, which
has, doubtless, surprised yourself by the rapidity with
which it has risen to be a classic in our country.
I have sat down as carelessly, to a like undertaking,
but stand sadly in want of the wings that have borne
your name to an enviable eminence. It is natural,
therefore, that I should desire your good-will with
the next generation.

My second reason is, that I have some claim upon
your favour in the attempt to sketch the features of
the Old Dominion, to whose soil and hearts your fame
and feelings are kindred. In these pages you may
recognize, perhaps, some old friends, or, at least,
some of their customary haunts; and I hope, on that

score, to find grace in your eyes, however I may lack
it in the eyes of others.

I might add another reason, but that is almost too
personal to be mentioned here: It is concerned with
an affectionate regard for the purity and worth of your
character, with your genius, your valuable attainments,
your many excellent actions, and, above all,
with your art of embellishing and endearing the relations
of private life. These topics are not to be discussed
to your ear,—and not, I hope, (to their full
extent,) for a long time, to that of the public.

Accept, therefore, this first-fruit of the labours
(I ought rather to say, of the idleness) of your trusty
friend,