To James Aitchison

[1821]

ALTHOUGH we are not natives of the same country, I feel that I can safely offer to your notice a work, which has been chiefly written with a view to induce love to my own. Attachment to the land of our nativity, is a sentiment so intimately blended with our best feelings, that should I have discovered any weakness in the exhibition of this national partiality, I feel confident, that you, at least, will not judge me harshly; for your liberality to this country is untainted with any irreverence for the institutions of the land of our common ancestors. If I find reasons, in your candor, to believe you will do justice to my merited eulogiums, I can equally hope for your lenity, where habit has blinded me to defects.

We have spent many pleasant hours together, and I hope, while perusing these pages, you may experience some portion of that satisfaction, which has, I trust, hitherto attended our association. With the best wishes for your welfare,

I remain,

Dear Sir,

Your assured friend,

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