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 PREFACE.

iN sending forth a new edition of this cele- brated romance, it has been thought desirable to prefix the following explanatory remarks, having reference to the present tale, as well as to some of the other creations of the author's fancy, now known to the English public. They are extracted from the Postscript to the last edition of his Selected VVorks.^

An edition of the last hand ! It is a serious, weighty word for an author who, not accustomed to trifle with time and eternity, earnestly weighs and considers what needs to be weighed and considered.

And — God be praised! — this has been the manner of him who now addresses the reading world, for many years. It is, indeed, not exactly a parting salutation to the reading world that he hereby contemplates. There are still many arrows in his quiver, some ready ■forged, some in process of forging, some only thought of, but all without poisoUj which he purposes to send forth when the fit time shall come, or, perhaps, his survivors may do this when his own last hour shall have passed, and all time for him have va- nished. However this may be, the present task assumes

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' In 12 vols, liimo. Halle, 1S41.