Page:The Wanderer (1814 Volume 1).pdf/12

 mately, though only at odd intervals, I sketched the whole work; which, in the year 1812, accompanied me back to my native land. And, to the honour and, liberality of both nations, let me mention, that, at the Custom-house, on either—alas!—hostile shore, upon my given word that the papers contained neither letters, nor political writings; but simply as work of invention and observation; the voluminous manuscript was suffered to pass, without demur, comment, or the smallest examination.

A conduct so generous on one side, so trusting on the other, in time of war, even though its object be unimportant, cannot but be read with satisfaction by every friend of humanity, of either rival nation, into whose hands its narrative may, chance to fall.