municate with, unless indeed I had subjected myself, and the friends of the numerous highly distinguished officers who have honored me with their confidence, to a much greater delay in the production and perusal of this volume, than that already caused by long and severe illness, domestic affliction, and a formidable train of et ceteras.
I acknowledge without hesitation, and with thanks, my obligations to previous biographers and compilers: but though a considerable portion of my information has been drawn from those who have preceded me, I have even in this the merit of having so much abridged what I have taken, that though much original matter is added, and nothing material omitted, the whole is comprised in a small space. I apprehend, that, thus to have used the labours of my predecessors, requires no defence; and I trust it will be thought an improvement of the compilations from which I have borrowed, to have introduced many facts and anecdotes not to be found in them.
9, Beaufort Row, Chelsea,
May 3, 1823.
