Page:The crater; or, Vulcan's peak.djvu/14

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Vlii PREFACE. I also filled their time, and gone hence, it is to be hoped to a better world. Some few of the younger persons of our drama still exist, but it has been remarked of them, that they avoid conversing of the events of their younger days. Youth is the season of hope, and hope disappointed has little to induce us to dwell on its de ceptive pictures. If those who now live in this republic, can see any grounds for a timely warning in the events here recorded, it may happen that the mercy of a divine Creator may still preserve that which he has hitherto cherished and protected. It remains only to say that we have endeavoured to imitate the simplicity of Captain Woolston s journal, in writing this book, and should any homeliness of style be discovered, we trust it will be imputed to that circumstance.