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The text of Alida is given twice. First it is presented “straight”, as printed. This is followed by the same text, shown in parallel with its sources where known; some significant errors of fact are also noted. Page numbers link between equivalent pages in the two versions.
Footnotes are in the original.
French and Italian quotations are shown as printed, retaining obvious errors. Most English spellings are unchanged, including:
fulfil; mattrass; visiter; pourtray; Genessee; wo
The use of “filial” for “parental” and the random variation between “meantime” and “mean time” are also unchanged. In Chapter XXVII, “team-boat” is not an error. Typographical errors are shown in the text with mouse-hover popups.
[Contents]
[Alida (text only)]
[Poems and Subscribers]
[Notes and Sources]
[Parallel Text]
Having read the new work entitled “Alida,” or Miscellaneous Sketches of Occurrences during the late American War, which abounds with elegance of language, sublime poetry, and useful lessons—as an American, I have a pride in saying, that our press has seldom been honoured with a work as improving and interesting to the reader, and as well written as any to be found either among the older or modern authors.
J. H. Hardenbrook.
It may be here proper to rectify a slight mistake in two of the complimentary pieces written on the contents of Alida, in which the work was innocently stated to have been expressly written for the aid of benevolent purposes; instead of which it should have read [expressly printed] for the aid of benevolent purposes. The truth is, some part was written as a journal of incidents, and to amuse leisure hours somewhat usefully; other parts to commemorate some particular facts for the gratification of the author and near relatives, not expecting any other eye to meet a single line of it. But on being looked over by an affectionate pious friend, the author was solicited to allow it to be printed. It was at length acceded to, on the ground that the proceeds, however little over the expenses attending it, should be appropriated to charitable purposes.