Never fear, my good friend, replied the colonel. Depend upon it, you are in no danger.

Well! if you think so, said Philip, I will go to David Williams, and put my wife under a course of serenades directly: It may perhaps please the Lord, that they shall do her neither good nor harm.

So saying, Philip left the room, and Wilson went to superintend his workmen in the hall.

I here close the third book and first volume of my history, and, availing myself of the licence I have assumed in the two preceding books, I stop progress to look back upon what hitherto has been done: no mighty matter I confess; yet it has put me to the labour of turning over many a crabbed antiquated author to furnish out materials for these pages; and to what purpose? Wiser perhaps I had been to have followed the example of those easy gentlemen, who write without any pains what you read without any profit.

What recommendation would it be of this book, if humbly I should say, it can do no harm? But if vainly I avowed that it was my object and endeavour to do good, I might indeed speak the truth as to my wishes, but I should palpably disguise my expectations. It will do no good. Reformers are as unpopular as informers; the medicine, which nobody will take, can do nobody any service. When I witness the avidity, with which men will read a thing called a novel, wherein the characters of their friends are libelled, what folly would it be to suppose they will countenance an attempt to impress them with more kindness for their fellow-creatures than they are disposed to entertain, or will suffer themselves to be persuaded, that their fellow-creatures merit?

I have been too long acquainted with you, my dear candid readers, to trouble you with any compliments, or solicit you for any favours. I have only to say, that I am doing my utmost to amuse you, and if you shall lay down this volume with any appetite for the second, I hope you will not find that my exertions flag.

END OF THE FIRST VOLUME.
Wright, Printer, St. John’s Square.

Typographical errors corrected by the etext transcriber:
been mispent=> been misspent {pg 24} vaulted casmate so fortified=> vaulted casemate so fortified {pg 57} the same tranport=> the same transport {pg 166} bodily acheivements=> bodily achievements {pg 182} had recieved=> had received {pg 215}