NOTE.
The following pages need no Preface, with regard to their subject.
I am unwilling, however, to let the work go forth to the public without a renewed word of thanks, to those who have given me any sort of encouragement or assistance. My acknowledgments are especially due to the venerable daughter of Mr. James Swann, for the use of some letters; to the author of the “Handbook of Fictitious Names,” without whose apt teaching in the art of Bibliography, the work might have wanted the interesting appendix; to Mr. Job Swain, one of the last survivors of Cobbett’s personal friends, for some reminiscences; and to Mr. Ellis Yarnall, of Philadelphia, for copies of several letters, and for some suggestions which have enabled the author to throw additional light on the “Porcupine” days.
E. S.
London: November, 1878.
CONTENTS.
| PAGE | |
| [CHAPTER I.] 1762-1784. | |
| “I looked back with pride to my Waggon-driving Grandfather” | 1 |
| [CHAPTER II.] 1784-1791. | |
| “When I had the honour to wear a Red Coat” | 30 |
| [CHAPTER III.] 1792. | |
| “I have always shown my Enmity to every Species of Public Fraud or Robbery” | 56 |
| [CHAPTER IV.] 1793-1794. | |
| “I lived in Philadelphia” | 94 |
| [CHAPTER V.] 1794-1795. | |
| “Hearing my Country attacked, I became her Defender through thick and thin” | 107 |
| [CHAPTER VI.] 1796-1797. | |
| “Peter Porcupine, at your service!” | 146 |
| [CHAPTER VII.] 1797-1799. | |
| “At last got the better of all Diffidence in my own Capacity” | 180 |
| [CHAPTER VIII.] 1799-1800. | |
| “When I left them I certainly did shake the Dust off my Shoes” | 197 |
| [CHAPTER IX.] 1794-1800. | |
| “My Fame had preceded me” | 231 |
| [CHAPTER X.] 1800. | |
| “I resolved never to bend before them” | 247 |
| [CHAPTER XI.] 1800-1801. | |
| “I took the lead, in singing the Praises of Pitt” | 267 |
| [CHAPTER XII.] 1802. | |
| “The Thoughts of the Nation are like a Cork in the Middle of the Ocean” | 284 |
| [CHAPTER XIII.] 1803-1805. | |
| “I saw things in another light” | 308 |