TO WILLIAM CHARLES MACREADY, Esq.
My Dear Sir,
There are few moments in a man's life more happy than
that in which he first indulges the hope of discharging a
portion, however small, of a heavy debt of gratitude. With
such feelings I long since, in fancy, dedicated this Play to
you; yet now I falter under a sense of the unworthiness of
the offering. Let me, however, hope that as your kindness
encouraged, your judgement corrected, and your genius filled
up the imperfect outline, so your friendship may accept
the completed work, whose greatest value to me is, that it
enables me to declare how truly I am,
My Dear Sir,
Your ever Obliged
And Most Grateful Servant,
THE AUTHOR.