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attended-indeed, met with a success so far beyond my hopes and anticipations-that when subsequently requested to lecture elsewhere, I did not hesitate to repeat it, for the same object. And happily something far beyond my expectations accrued for those whom this terrible war has made widows and orphans. On the same grounds, and for the same purpose, I send forth this simple book for public approval. It has cost me time and some labour; if it succeeds, it will have been a labour of love.

The expenses of its publication paid, should any surplus accrue, it will be handed over to the Patriotic Fund. And I, who have been a practical soldier-I, who have heard the whistle of a shot in anger, and have known something of the miseries of war, and can consequently form some just estimate of the blessings of peace, shall have the happiness of knowing that I have endeavoured, at least,

to do something for my former brothers-in

arms.

Waterloo and Trafalgar, Vittoria and Salamanca, will henceforth be only remembered in the history of wars "lang syne," as records of chivalry alike glorious to the victors as the vanquished; the recollection of which will only tend to bind the people of England more firmly in a bond of respect and admiration to our noble and gallant allies of France; while Alma, Balaklava, and Inkermann,-to which, under God, we may hope soon to add Sebastopol,-battles of the soldier-aye, and of the sailor also-will rivet the chains of honourable friendship between the two greatest nations of the world, who with united sentiments and arms are marching onwards, alike to victory as to civilisation.

It is for the widows and orphans of the gallant soldiers and sailors, who, with a chivalry and valour unparalleled in ancient

and modern ages, have fallen in the recent most glorious yet bloody victories, that I put forth the following simple stories, which I have written with the hope of fairly depicting their characters, both at home and abroad.

And I shall have succeeded to my utmost if I am enabled to convince the minority that the common soldiers and the common sailors who fought in the late wars, as those who, in conjunction with our noble allies, have at present resisted the forces of the Barbarian Czar and his savage army on the heights of Inkermann, are as noble in war as are they, for the most part, at home, good husbands and fathers, generous and affectionate brothers, and Christian men.

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