Thaddeus of Warsaw | Page 5

post in a foreign service,
and who, I afterwards learned, was of the family of Kosciusko, whose
portrait he sent to me: for the letter was accompanied with a
curiously-wrought ring of pure gold, containing a likeness of that hero.
The letter was in French, and I transcribe it literally in the words of the
writer:--
"Madame!
"Un inconnu ose addresser la parole à l'auteur immortel de Thaddeus de
Warsaw; attaché par tent de liens à l'héros que vous avez chanté, je
m'enhardis à distraire pour un moment vos nobles veilles.
"Qu'il me soit permis de vous offrir, madame, l'hommage de mon
admiration la plus exaltée, en vous présentant la bague qui contient le
buste du Général Kosciusko:--elle a servi de signe de ralliment aux
patriots Polonois, lorsque, en 1794, ils entreprirent de sécouer leur
joug.
"Les anciens déposoient leurs offrandes sur l'autel de leurs divinités
tutélaires;--je ne fais qu'imiter leur exemple. Vous êtes pour tous les
Polonois cette divinité, qui la première ait élevée sa voix, du fond de
l'impériale, Albion, en leur faveur.
"Un jour viendra, et j'ose conserver dans mon coeur cet espoir, que vos

accens, qui ont retenti dans le coeur de l'Europe sensible, produiront
leur effêt célestial, en ressuscitant l'ombre sanglante de ma chère patrie.
"Daignez agréer, madame, l'hommage respectueuse d'un de vos
serviteurs le plus dévoué, &c. &c."
Probably the writer of the above is now returned to his country, his
vows having been most awfully answered by one of the most
momentous struggles she has ever had, or to which the nations around
have ever yet stood as spectators; for the balance of Europe trembles at
the turning of her scale.
Thus, then, it cannot but be that in the conclusion of this my, perhaps,
last introductory preface to any new edition of "Thaddeus of Warsaw,"
its author should offer up a sincerely heartfelt prayer to the King of
kings, the Almighty Father of all mankind, that His all- gracious Spirit
may watch over the issue of this contest, and dictate the peace of
Poland!
ESHER, May, 1831.

DEDICATION TO THE FIRST EDITION.
THADDEUS OF WARSAW
is inscribed to
SIR SIDNEY SMITH;
in the hope that, as
SIR PHILIP SIDNEY
did not disdain to write a romance,
SIR SIDNEY SMITH

will not refuse to read one.
SIR PHILIP SIDNEY CONSIGNED HIS EXCELLENT WORK TO
THE AFFECTION OF A SISTER.
I CONFIDE MY ASPIRING ATTEMPT TO THE URBANITY OF
THE BRAVE; TO THE MAN OF TASTE, OF FEELING, AND OF
CANDOR;
TO HIM WHOSE FRIENDSHIP WILL BESTOW THAT
INDULBENCE ON THE AUTHOR WHICH HIS JUDGMENT
MIGHT HAVE DENIED TO THE BOOK;
TO HIM OF WHOM FUTURE AGES WILL SPEAK WITH HONOR
AND THE PRESENT TIMES BOAST AS THEIR GLORY!
TO
SIR SIDNEY SMITH,
I SUBMIT THIS HUMBLE TRIBUTE OF THE HIGHEST RESPECT
WHICH CAN BE OFFERED BY A BRITON, OR ANIMATE THE
HEART OF HIS SINCERE FRIEND,
THE AUTHOR.

PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION.
Having attempted a narrative of the intended description, but written, in
fact, from the mere impulse of sympathy with its subject still fresh in
my own and every pitying memory, it is natural that, after having made
up my mind to assent to its publication, in which much time and
thought has been expended in considering the responsibility of so doing,
from so unpractised a pen, I should feel an increase of anxiety
respecting its ultimate fate.
Therefore, before the reader favors the tale itself with his attention, I

beg leave to offer him a little account of the principles that actuated its
composition, and in regard to which one of the most honored heads in
the author's family urged her "not to withhold it from the press;"
observing, in his persuasions, that the mistakes which many of my
young contemporaries of both sexes continually make in their estimates
of human character, and of the purposes of human life, require to have
a line of difference between certain splendid vices and some of the
brilliant order of virtues to be distinctly drawn before them. "And," he
remarked, "it appeared to be so done in the pages of my Polish
manuscript. Therefore," added he, "let Thaddeus of Warsaw speak
openly for himself!"
This opinion decided me. Though with fear and trembling, yet I felt an
encouraging consciousness that in writing the manuscript narrative for
my own private enjoyment only, and the occasional amusement of
those friends dearest around me, I had wished to portray characters
whose high endowments could not be misled into proud ambitions, nor
the gift of dazzling social graces betray into the selfish triumphs of
worldly vanity,--characters that prosperity could not inflate, nor
disappointments depress, from pious trust and honorable action. The
pure fires of such a spirit declare their sacred origin; and such is the
talisman of those