IN these times, when the most extraordinary events press one upon another with strange rapidity, and the future looks dark and big with tempests, I hardly know whether these unstudied pages, alike devoid of exaggeration or ?attery, and dictated by a sense of justice alone, will be favourably received by the public. I hesitated and doubted much before giving them to the light, not only from a consciousness of my inexperience as an author, but from the fear of being judged presumptuous in calling the attention of others to details which frequently assume the impress of a personal narrative. I was induced, however, to overcome my natural timidity by the kind encouragement which I met with from many whom I consulted on this subject, and, above all, by the desire of lending my assistance.