Seriously speaking (or writing), however, I take leave to dedicate this volume to you, with the solemn assurance that my doing so must not be taken as-a Bit of Blarney. The book is Irish-to all intents and purposes, and is put forth with the least possible pretence. It contains Legendsfamiliar to me in my youth; Stories, which, more or less, are literally "founded upon facts;" recollections of Eccentric Characters, whose peculiarities it would have been difficult to exaggerate; and Sketches of the two great Irish leaders of the last and present century, Grattan, who won National Independence for Ireland, and O'Connell, who obtained Emancipation for the great majority of his countrymen. The Sketch of the great Agitator has extended almost to a biography—but I knew the man well, and write of him on that knowledge. In this volume he is certainly entitled to a niche, having been the greatest professor of " Blarney" these later days have seen or heard. Yours faithfully, R. SHELTON MACKENZIE NEW YORK, August 20, 1855. |