both with his readers
and reviewers, who will use their endeavours to convince him he has not
a correct knowledge of his own abilities. But if, like a well bred
man at court, he enters the drawing-room of literature in good taste,
neither too mean nor too gaudy, too bold or too formal, makes his bow
with the air and finish of a scholar and a gentleman, and passes on to
his place, unheedful of remark (because unconscious of offence), he is
sure to command respect, if he does not excite admiration.

Accept then, reader, this colloquial chapter, as the author's apology
for a preface, an imaginary short conference, or letter of introduction,
which brings you acquainted with the eccentric writer of this volume;
and as in all well regulated society a person is expected to give some
account of himself before he is placed upon terms of intimacy with
the family, you shall in the next page receive a brief sketch of the
characteristics of the author.

[Illustration: page013]

~13~~

A FEW THOUGHTS ON MYSELF.

The early biography of a man of genius is seldom, if ever, accurately
given to the public eye, unless, indeed, he is one of those _rara
avis_ who, with the advantages of great qualifications, inherits high
ancestral distinctions. But if, as is generally the case, from obscurity
of birth and humble life he rises into notice by the force and exertion
of his talents, the associates of his brighter fortunes know but little
of the difficulties which have obstructed his progress, or the toils and
fatigues he has endured, to arrive at that enviable point from which the
temple of Fame, and the road to fortune, may be contemplated with some
chance of enjoyment and success. Unwilling to speak of himself, lest he
should incur the charge of vanity or egotism, he modestly trusts to the
partial pen of friendship, or the conjectural pen of the commentator, to
do justice to events which no quill could relate so well as his own,
and which, if impartially and sensibly written, must advance him in the
estimation of society, and convince the world that with the mastery of
the great secret in his power, he was not more capable of appreciating
the characters of the age than familiar with the lights and shadows of
his own.

"Honour and shame from no condition rise;
Act well your part, there all the honour lies."

The reader will, no doubt, anticipate that the name of Bernard
Blackmantle is an assumed quaint cognomen, and perhap