The Publisher, when the foregoing preface was in type, and when, in the midst of active preparations to commence another volume, received a communication from the Author to the effect, that his pen was of no more service. How it has been taken away from him it can do the public no good to explain:—suffice it for the Publisher to assert that circumstances have been forced on, which are infinitely more painful than a want of ability, or material in the author; a want of encouragement from a kind and numerous public; or a want of determination on his own part to continue and extend the work.
The Author had intended, as will be seen in the preface, to write a series of historical scenes,—scenes of surpassing interest:—the Subscribers, numerous at the very first, were continually increasing, especially among the higher classes:—the Publisher was opening new agencies, receiving new congratulations, and employing new resources, when an event occured totally unexpected, which compels him, most reluctantly, to withdraw the pledge so often given, that other Legends were to issue from his press.
Wigan, May 22, 1841.
Transcriber’s Notes:
Page numbers 273 and 274 were used twice by the printer. The first set of pages is left unnumbered in this eBook.
Missing and extra punctuation probably introduced at printing corrected. Period punctuation, spelling and inconsistent hyphenation retained.
On page 30, “strange” changed to “stranger” ([health and safety of the stranger])
On page 53, missing hyphen added ([not to-night; the air is chill.])