My Dear Lord,

To experience the approbation of thepublic in general must ever be gratifying to theauthor of any literary work, however humblemay be its subject: such has been my fortunatelot as to the first two volumes of these lightsketches of incident and character.

But when my attempt also received the unqualifiedapprobation of one of the most able,learned, and discriminating official personagesthat England has, or probably will have to boastof, my vanity was justly converted into pride,and a value stamped upon my production whichI durst not previously have looked to.

Greatly indeed was my pleasure enhancedwhen your Lordship informed me that mySketches had “given me much repute here, wereread with general avidity, and considered as givingmuch insight into the original character of theIrish.”

Yet a still stronger testimonial of your Lordship’sfavour was reserved to augment my prideand pleasure—your Lordship’s note to me, stating,that my volumes “had afforded him muchamusement, and had given very general satisfaction;and that he was tempted to wish for athird volume composed of similar materials.”

Your wish, my Lord, is obeyed. A third volumeis composed, and if it should have the good fortuneto afford your Lordship an hour’s amusement,my gratification will be consummated.

After more than threescore and ten wintershave passed over the head of man, any increaseof mental faculty, or intellectual powers in awriter can never be expected; at the very besthe may be stationary. I can, therefore, onlyoffer you this volume, such as it is: receive it,then, my Lord, as the last and only souvenir Ican now tender to mark the sincerity, respect,and attachment, with which I am your Lordship’sfaithful servant,