They happened to a friend of mine, who naturally described them to me from his own personal point of view.

In producing my narrative from the recollection of what he told me some years since, I have supposed myself to be listening to him again, and have therefore written in his character, and, w henever my memory would help me, as nearly as possible in his language also.

By this means I hope I have succeeded in giving an air of reality to a story which has truth, at any rate, to recommend it.

I must ask you to excuse me if I enter into no details in offering this short explanation.

Although the persons concerned in my narrative have ceased to exist, it is necessary to observe all due delicacy toward their memories.