Scenes and legends of the north of Scotland

SCENES AND LEGENDS
THE NORTH OF SCOTLAND;
OR,
The Traditional History of Cromarty.
By HUGH MILLER,
AUTHOR OF ‘THE OLD RED SANDSTONE,’ ETC. ETC.
EIGHTH EDITION.
EDINBURGH: WILLIAM P. NIMMO. 1869.
DEDICATION TO SIR THOMAS DICK LAUDER
OF GRANGE AND FOUNTAINHALL, BARONET.
Honoured Sir,
I am not much acquainted with what Goldsmith has termed the ceremonies of a dedication. I know, however, that like other ceremonies, they are sometimes a little tedious, and often more than a little insincere. But it is well that, though dulness be involuntary, no one need deceive unless he wills it. There are comparatively few who seem born to think vigorously, or to express themselves well; but since all men may be honest, though all cannot be original or elegant, every one, surely, may express only what he feels. In dedicating this little volume to you, I obey the dictates of a real, though perhaps barren, gratitude; nor can I think of the kind interest which you have taken in my amusements as a writer, and my fortunes as a man, without feeling that, though I may be dull, I cannot be insincere.