e on drawing-room
tables and be within the reach of everyone. I have nowhere mentioned the
subject by name, but I do not see how I could possible have avoided all
allusion to it. I have dwelt on Burton's bravery, his tenderness, his
probity, his marvellous industry, his encyclopaedic learning--but the
picture would not have been a true one had I entirely over-passed the
monomania of his last days. Hamlet must be shown, if not at his maddest,
at any rate mad, or he would not be Hamlet at all.

As regards Burton's letters, I have ruthlessly struck out every sentence
that might give offence. [19] While I have not hesitated to expose Sir
Richard's faults, I have endeavoured to avoid laying too much stress
upon them. I have tried, indeed, to get an idea of the mountain not only
by climbing its sides, but also by viewing it from a distance. I trust
that there will be found nothing in this book to hurt the feelings of
any living person or indeed of any body of persons. I have certainly
tried my utmost to avoid causing pain, and if the reader will kindly
bear in mind that it is as much a Christian duty to avoid taking offence
as to avoid giving offence, we shall amble along pleasantly together to
the very last page. Out of consideration for Catholics I have suppressed
a number of passages; and if I have allowed Sir Richard in one or two
instances to make a lunge at their church, I trust they will notice
that I have permitted him the same licence with regard to the Church
of England and Exeter Hall. Finally, my impartiality is proved by my
allowing him to gird at the poet Cowper.

Wherever possible, that is to say, when I could do it without ambiguity
I have also out of courtesy used the term Catholic instead of Roman
Catholic; and in order to meet what I believe to be the wishes of Lady
Burton's executors, I have omitted all mention of certain events that
occurred after Sir Richard's death.

The various works of Mr. W. H. Wilkins have been of great help to me,
and I cannot avoid paying a passing tribute to the excellent opening
passages [20] of the Preface of his edition of Lady Burton's Life of her
husband.

The illustrations in this book are of exceptional interest. They
include the Burton family portraits, the originals of which are in the
possession of Mr. Mostyn Pryce and Mrs. Agg. During the lifetime of Sir
Richard and Lady Burton they were the property of Lady and Miss Stisted;
but, owing to her difference with these