Charles OMalley, vol 1 | Page 6

in a party of wits. His criticisms
on my sketches of Irish character were about the shrewdest and the best
I ever listened to; and that I am not bribed to this by any flattery, I may
remark that they were more often severe than complimentary, and that
he hit every blunder of image, every mistake in figure, of my peasant
characters, with an acuteness and correctness which 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