“An affair which might be deemed worthy of a note of a few lines in any general history has been here expanded to the size of a volume or large pamphlet. The smallness of the sca­size sca­le, and the singularity of the manners and events and many of le, the characters, considered, it is hoped that, in spite of its out­the out­landish subject, the sketch may find readers. It has been a task landish of difficulty. Speed was essential, or it might come too late to be of any service to a distracted country. Truth, in the midst of conflicting rumours and in the dearth of printed material, was often hard to ascertain, and since most of those engaged were of my personal acquaintance, it was often more than de­were de­licate to express. I must certainly have erred often and much; licate it is not for want of trouble taken nor of an impartial tem­it tem­per. And if my plain speaking shall cost me any of the friends per. that I still count, I shall be sorry, but I need not be ashamed.”