The Confessions of Harry Lorrequer

The Confessions of Harry
Lorrequer, Complete
by
Charles James Lever (1806-1872)

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Title: The Confessions of Harry Lorrequer, Complete
Author: Charles James Lever (1806-1872)
Release Date: October 27, 2006 [EBook #5240]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ASCII
*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HARRY
LORREQUER, COMPLETE ***

Produced by Mary Munarin and David Widger

[NOTE: There is a list of bookmarks, or pointers, at the end of the file
for those who may wish to sample the author's ideas before making an
entire meal of them. D.W.]

THE CONFESSIONS OF HARRY LORREQUER, Volume 1
[By Charles James Lever (1806-1872)]
Dublin
MDCCCXXXIX.
[Note: Though the title page has no author's name inscribed, this work
is generally attributed to Charles James Lever.]

Volume 1. (Chapters I. to X.)
"We talked of pipe-clay regulation caps-- Long twenty-fours--short
culverins and mortars-- Condemn'd the 'Horse Guards' for a set of raps,
And cursed our fate at being in such quarters. Some smoked, some
sighed, and some were heard to snore; Some wished themselves five
fathoms 'neat the Solway; And some did pray--who never prayed
before-- That they might get the 'route' for Cork or Galway."

To Sir George Hamilton Seymour, G.C.H. &c. &c.
My Dear Sir Hamilton,
If a feather will show how the wind blows, perhaps my dedicating to
you even as light matter as these Confessions may in some measure
prove how grateful I feel for the many kindnesses I have received from
you in the course of our intimacy. While thus acknowledging a debt, I
must also avow that another motive strongly prompts me upon this
occasion. I am not aware of any one, to whom with such propriety a

volume of anecdote and adventure should be inscribed, as to one,
himself well known as an inimitable narrator. Could I have stolen for
my story, any portion of the grace and humour with which I have heard
you adorn many of your own, while I should deem this offering more
worthy of your acceptance, I should also feel more confident of its
reception by the public.
With every sentiment of esteem and regard, Believe me very faithfully
yours, THE AUTHOR Bruxelles, December, 1839.

PREFATORY EPISTLE.
Dear Public,
When first I set about recording the scenes which occupy these pages, I
had no intention of continuing them, except in such stray and scattered
fragments as the columns of a Magazine (FOOTNOTE: The Dublin
University Magazine.) permit of; and when at length I discovered that
some interest had attached not only to the adventures, but to their
narrator, I would gladly have retired with my "little laurels" from a
stage, on which, having only engaged to appear between the acts, I was
destined to come forward as a principal character.
Among the "miseries of human life," a most touching one is spoken
of--the being obliged to listen to the repetition of a badly sung song,
because some well-wishing, but not over discreet friend of the singer
has called loudly for an encore.
I begin very much to fear that something of the kind has taken place
here, and that I should have acted a wiser part, had I been contented
with even the still small voice of a few partial friends, and retired from
the boards in the pleasing delusion of success; but unfortunately, the
same easy temperament that has so often involved me before, has been
faithful to me here; and when you pretended to be pleased, unluckily, I
believed you.
So much of apology for the matter--a little now for the manner of my

offending, and I have done. I wrote as I felt--sometimes in good spirits,
sometimes in bad--always carelessly--for, God help me, I can do no
better.
When the celibacy of the Fellows of Trinity College, Dublin, became
an active law in that University, the Board proceeded to enforce it, by
summoning to their presence all the individuals who it was well known
had transgressed the regulation, and among them figured Dr. S., many
of whose sons were at the same time students in the college. "Are you
married, Dr. S-----r?" said the bachelor vice-provost, in all the dignity
and pride of conscious innocence. "Married!" said the father of ten
children, with a start of involuntary horror;--"married?" "Yes sir,
married." "Why sir, I am no more married than the Provost." This was
quite enough--no further questions were asked, and the head of the
University preferred a merciful course