go; hear all, see all, and, by evidence, judging all, form his own resolutions and conclusions.
I may truly say, that throughout the whole of this enterprize, I have been, in a great degree, influenced by a sense of patriotic duty. The same sentiment impels me to the completion of my task, in the hope that the truth, so long perverted [ix] and concealed, may contribute to destroy the illusions of transatlantic speculation, and to diffuse solid, home-bred satisfaction amongst my industrious countrymen. Deeply sensible, as I am, of all the kindness which I met with in the United States, and fond, as its natives are proverbially known to be, of unmixed praise, I shall yet speak of them and their country, as I, from first impressions, corrected by subsequent reflection, thought, found, and felt, alternately and impartially blaming and praising, where I believe censure and encomium to be honestly due.
To my many subscribers in both the old world and the new, some apology for the delay which has taken place in the publication of this volume, may be thought necessary. It is simply this; and found in one circumstance, over which I had no control—a long and painful paralysis, contracted in America, which seemed, for some time, to threaten my life.
Throughout the work. I have studiously avoided every thing which might savour of systematical or methodical arrangement: it being my wish [x] to give, as nearly as practicable, my Journal, as it was begun, progressively continued, and ended; and thus to make plain delineations and convey correct impressions—Pictures from life—Things as they are!
Somersham.
June, 1823.
