University of Virginia Library

PREFACE.

It is, perhaps, unfortunate that the period and, in some degree,
the scene of my present work, coincide nearly with those of
the most magnificent and gorgeous of historical romances, Sir
Walter Scott's Ivanhoe.

It is hoped, however, that—notwithstanding this similarity,
and the fact that in both works the interest turns in some degree
on the contrast between the manners of the Saxon and Norman
inhabitants of the isle, and the state of things preceding the fusion
of the two races into one—notwithstanding, also, that in
each a portion of the effect depends on the introduction of a judicial
combat, or “Wager of Battle”—the resemblance will be
found to be external and incidental only, and that, neither in
matter, manner, nor subject, is there any real similarity between
the books, much less any imitation or absurd attempt, on my
part, at rivalry with that which is admitted to be incomparable.
It will be seen, at once, by those who have the patience to peruse
the following pages, that I have aimed at something more
than a mere delineation of outward habits, customs, and details
of martial or pacific life; that I have entered largely into the
condition of classes, the peculiar institution of Serfdom, or
White Slavery, as it existed among our own ancestors—that
portion of whom, from which our blood is in the largest degree
descended, being the servile population of the island—in the
twelfth century, and the steps which led to its gradual abolition.

In doing this, I have been unavoidably led into the necessity
of dealing with the ancient jurisprudence of our race, the common
law of the land, the institution of Trial by Jury, and that
singular feature in our old judicial system, the reference of cases

to the direct decision of the Almighty by Wager of Battle, or,
as it was also called, “the Judgment of God.”

I will here merely observe that, while the gist of my tale
lies in the adventures and escape of a fugitive Saxon Slave
from the tyranny of his Norman Lord, my work contains no
reference to the peculiar institution of any portion of this country,
nor conceals any oblique insinuation against, or covert attack
upon, any part of the inhabitants of the Continent, or any
interest guaranteed to them by the Constitution. Nevertheless,
I would recommend no person to open a page of this volume,
who is prepared to deny that slavery per se is an evil and a
wrong, and its effects deteriorating to all who are influenced by
its contact, governors alike and governed, since they will find
nothing agreeable, but much adverse to their way of thinking.

That it is an evil and a wrong, in itself, and a source of serious
detriment to all parties concerned, I can not but believe; and
that, like all other wrongs and evils, it will in the end, by God's
wisdom, be provided for and pass away, without violence or
greater indirect wrong and evil, I both believe and hope.

But I neither arrogate to myself the wisdom of imagining how
this is to be peacefully brought about in the lapse of ages, nor
hesitate to dissent from the intemperance of those who would
cut the Gordian knot, like Alexander, with the sword, reckless
if the same blow should sever the sacred bonds that consolidate
the fabric of the Union.