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I wished to have found some event in the real history of Ceylon, that might have served as a foundation for my Drama; but not proving successful in my search, which, circumstanced as I am, could not but be very imperfect, I have of necessity had recourse to imagination. But there is one person or character in it which is truly your own, though placed in an imaginary situation; and any country in the world might be proud to claim it.—"Remember," said the son of the first Adigar of the Candian country to his elder brother, who had clung for protection to his wretched mother, when she and all her children were condemned to death by a late king of Candy,—"remember that we are the sons of a brave man, and should die as becomes his sons; I will be the first to receive the stroke of the headsman." The land which hath produced a child so brave and noble, will also, under favourable circumstances, be fruitful of brave and noble men; and in proportion as her sons become generous and humane, they will also increase in valour and dignity. The little Samar, then, of my play, is what the son of the first Adigar would have been in his place, and as such I commend him to your favour and attention.

The views which I have given of the religion of Juan De Creda are true to all that you will find in the history and precepts of Jesus Christ, whenever you are inclined to read those books of our sacred Scripture which we call the Gospels; containing his history, and written by men who were his immediate followers and disciples, being eye and ear witnesses of all that they relate; and let no peculiar opinions or creeds of different classes of Christians ever interfere with what you there perceive plainly and generally taught. It was given for the instruction of the simple and unlearned; as such receive it.

Wishing you all prosperity, as a brave and virtuous people,— for brave ye are, and virtuous I hope ye will become,—I bid you farewell!