Preface to the Second Edition
[1822]
THE AUTHOR of this work will not attempt to describe the satisfaction with which he listened to his publishers, when they informed him, that his interests required a second edition of the tale. He cheerfully commenced the task of correcting the errors, that from carelessness, in both himself and his printers, were admitted into the former edition;—he thinks this has been done.
The Author is grateful that he is not without a number of friends—at least if all who give him good advice are entitled to that appellation. He has been favored with numberless valuable hints, by the aid of which, the book might be made excellent. Some thought the preface ought to be omitted, and others have declared, the last chapter to be intolerable; several have hinted, that Sarah must certainly be married, and have given him the choice between Dr. Sitgreaves and Tom Mason. One very judicious friend took the author aside, and, in direct terms, and with an interest in the subject that was highly gratifying, said, that Betty must be killed and the lamentation come from the trooper. Not a few have pointed out a snug place where a chapter could be introduced, that might contain an account of the honeymoon of Frances, together with some little interesting particulars of her nursery. Numbers complain of Harper as an impious attempt to describe a character that would baffle the powers of Shakspeare, and add that the illustrious individual whom he is intended to represent, was never known to eat, drink, or sleep, during the whole war.
The Author has treasured all these valuable hints, and intends giving them to the world at a future day as an original work.
In the mean time, for the want of a better, he must offer the old subject to the public, written in his own manner, and without the aid of printer’s journeymen, who had much too large a hand in the first edition.
The Author believes that most of the good will, with which “The Spy” has been received is owing to “love of country.” If he has in any degree contributed to this feeling, his principal object is attained.