On this account it is that I reverence and respect them; and indeed I ought to do so, for I owe them the gratitude of a pretty long literary life.
Concerning this Edition, I must say something.

I have already stated that it was written rapidly and in a hurry.

On reading it over for correction, I was struck in my cooler moments by many defects in it, which were, kindly overlooked, or, perhaps, not noticed at all.

To myself, however, who had been brooding over this work for a long time, they at once became obvious.

I have accordingly added an underplot of affection between Fergus Reilly--mentioned as a distant relative of my hero--and the _Cooleen Bawn's_ maid, Ellen Connor.