Publisher's Synopsis
Excerpt from Paul Jones, Vol. 1
Writing a preface is, or should be, like writing a letter to a friend, and the same feelings which shine through one should be involved in the other. They are both heart Offerings, and the former should be dictated in that spirit as earnestly as would necessarily be the case in the latter. The author of a successful publication feels thankful to his readers for their appreciation-of his labours, the kindness of which he may be certain Of, or the success would be paradoxical, and for that reward, the sweetest he can have, for the work of, perhaps, many a weary hour, he cannot but feel most grateful; his only mode of returning his thanks to those who are strangers, only personally, is by a preface, and he would be wanting in his duty, to use the mildest term, if he did not gladly avail himself Of the Opportunity thus afforded to him of te cording his sense of the favour conferred upon him.
This cannot apply to an author who finds the public will neither read nor buy his book. He may tax the multitude with a deficiency of sense and an ignorant apathy, and, in fact, never fails to do it but the want of success rather arises from some immeasurable dullness on his part than a want of perception on theirs. That this has not been my case I am most happy in averring, for to my works, and, therefore, to me, the public have been most generous - the sale of Robin Hood (especially), Wat Tyler, &c., having been most extensive and highly ?attering. I am, therefore, gentle Reader, humbly grateful for your patronage, ?attered by your good Opinion, rewarded by your approbation, and stimulated to endeavour to repay all your kindness by efforts which may enable me to place before you some work more worthy of your perusal and acceptance than any I have yet produced.
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