Charles OMalley, vol 1 | Page 6

made me very grateful to know that his daily occupations were limited to blacking boots, and not polishing off authors.
I believe I have now done with my confessions, except I should like to own that this story was the means of according me a more heartfelt glow of satisfaction, a more gratifying sense of pride, than anything I ever have or ever shall write, and in this wise. My brother, at that time the rector of an Irish parish, once forwarded to me a letter from a lady unknown to him, but who had heard he was the brother of "Harry Lorrequer," and who addressed him not knowing where a letter might be directed to myself. The letter was the grateful expression of a mother, who said, "I am the widow of a field officer, and with an only son, for whom I obtained a presentation to Woolwich; but seeing in my boy's nature certain traits of nervousness and timidity which induced me to hesitate on embarking him in the career of a soldier, I became very unhappy and uncertain which course to decide on.
"While in this state of uncertainty, I chanced to make him a birthday present of 'Charles O'Malley,' the reading of which seemed to act like a charm on his whole character, inspiring him with a passion for movement and adventure, and spiriting him to an eager desire for a military life. Seeing that this was no passing enthusiasm, but a decided and determined bent, I accepted the cadetship for him; and his career has been not alone distinguished as a student, but one which has marked him out for an almost hare-brained courage, and for a dash and heroism that give high promise for his future.
"Thank your brother for me," wrote she, "a mother's thanks for the welfare of an only son; and say how I wish that my best wishes for him and his could recompense him for what I owe him."
I humbly hope that it may not be imputed to me as unpardonable vanity,--the recording of this incident. It gave me an intense pleasure when I heard it; and now, as I look back on it, it invests this story for myself with an interest which nothing else that I have written can afford me.
I have now but to repeat what I have declared in former editions, my sincere gratitude for the favor the public still continues to bestow on me,--a favor which probably associates the memory of this book with whatever I have since done successfully, and compels me to remember that to the popularity of "Charles O'Malley" I am indebted for a great share of that kindliness in criticism, and that geniality in judgment, which--for more than a quarter of a century--my countrymen have graciously bestowed on their faithful friend and servant,
CHARLES LEVER.
TRIESTE, 1872.

CONTENTS.
CHAPTER
I.
DALY'S CLUB-HOUSE II. THE ESCAPE III. MR. BLAKE IV. THE HUNT V. THE DRAWING-ROOM VI. THE DINNER VII. THE FLIGHT FROM GURT-NA-MORRA VIII. THE DUEL IX. THE RETURN X. THE ELECTION XI. AN ADVENTURE XII. MICKEY FREE XIII. THE JOURNEY XIV. DUBLIN XV. CAPTAIN POWER XVI. THE VICE-PROVOST XVII. TRINITY COLLEGE.--A LECTURE XVIII. THE INVITATION.--THE WAGER XIX. THE BALL XX. THE LAST NIGHT IN TRINITY XXI. THE PHOENIX PARK XXII. THE ROAD XXIII. CORK XXIV. THE ADJUTANT'S DINNER XXV. THE ENTANGLEMENT XXVI. THE PREPARATION XXVII. THE SUPPER XXVIII. THE VOYAGE XXIX. THE ADJUTANT'S STORY.--LIFE IN DERBY XXX. FRED POWER'S ADVENTURE IN PHILIPSTOWN XXXI. THE VOYAGE CONTINUED XXXII. MR. SPARKS'S STORY XXXIII. THE SKIPPER XXXIV. THE LAND XXXV. MAJOR MONSOON XXXVI. THE LANDING XXXVII. LISBON XXXVIII. THE RUA NUOVA XXXIX. THE VILLA XL. THE DINNER XLI. THE ROUTE XLII. THE FAREWELL XLIII. THE MARCH XLIV. THE BIVOUAC XLV. THE DOURO XLVI. THE MORNING XLVII. THE REVIEW XLVIII. THE QUARREL XLIX. THE ROUTE CONTINUED L. THE WATCH-FIRE LI. THE MARCH LII. THE PAGE LIII. ALVAS LIV. THE SUPPER LV. THE LEGION LVI. THE DEPARTURE LVII. CUESTA LVIII. THE LETTER LXIX. MAJOR O'SHAUGHNESSY LX. PRELIMINARIES LXI. ALL RIGHT LXII. THE DUEL LXIII. NEWS FROM GALWAY LXIV. AN ADVENTURE WITH SIR ARTHUR LXV. TALAVERA LXVI. NIGHT AFTER TALAVERA LXVII. THE OUTPOST

ILLUSTRATIONS BY PHIZ IN VOL. I
Etchings THE SUNK FENCE THE RESCUE CHARLES POPS THE QUESTION THE SKIRMISH
Illustrations in the Text MR. BLAKE'S DRESSING-ROOM THE ELECTION MR. CROW WELL PLUCKED FRANK WEBBER AT HIS STUDIES MISS JUDY MACAN THE ADJUTANT'S AFTER-DINNER RIDE THE RIVAL FLUNKIES MAJOR MONSOON AND DONNA MARIA THE SALUTATION A TOUCH AT LEAP-FROG WITH NAPOLEON MAJOR MONSOON TRYING TO CHARGE MR. FREE'S SONG THE COAT OF MAIL

CHARLES O'MALLEY.
THE IRISH DRAGOON.
* * * * *
CHAPTER I.
DALY'S CLUB-HOUSE.
The rain was dashing in torrents against the window-panes, and the wind sweeping in heavy and fitful gusts along the dreary and deserted streets, as a party of three persons sat over their wine, in that