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Contents

I. MY YOUTH
II. THE PRIESTHOOD
III. THE DIET
IV. THE WAR
V. THE FLIGHT
VI. PARIS
VII. MATHILDE
VIII. THE STRUGGLE
IX. THE VOYAGE
X. MY RETURN
XI. ILLNESS
XII. THE GREAT QUESTION
CONCLUDING CHAPTER. BY THE EDITOR

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Preface

Many writers of the most eminent talents have endeavoured to instruct as well as to entertain the world by romance. But in works of fiction, however brilliant the style, and however artfully constructed the plot, there is generally a point at which the story breaks down, from the absence of a logic which is only to be found in real life, and therefore fails to carry the moral intended home to the mind of the student. In real life, on the other hand, there are tales far more romantic than any work of imagination, and which are impressive from their very truth, without the aid of art or diction.

This is a true tale - a tale of exile, of woe, and of weakness - given to the world by one who knew the hero well. He was not perfect - not a hero of romance; but he was a man - human in his virtues and his frailties. To some it may seem an act of doubtful friendship to lay bare the life of a friend; but the Priest is dead and gone-all who could be pained by such disclosures are far removed - and we regard the laying of these pages before the public as a duty. Their merit consists in their being the faithful mirror of a life. Not a circumstance has been voluntarily omitted; still less has one, however insignificant, been added. Such as was the Priest, such is his tale.

Only in one respect, perhaps, has justice not been meted out with equal measure. One whom he loved with an attachment she never deserved, has been treated with the forbearance which the remembrance of a past affection ever claims; and thus he may appear to some to have trifled with her feelings, whereas he was, in reality, enduring all the bitterness of unrequited love. Her conduct, indeed, seemed for a while to denote vivid attachment; but it was rather the working of a lively imagination than of heartfelt feelings; for when her enthusiasm veered round with the changing breeze of public interest, she plighted heart and hand to another (and that one most unworthy), as she had to the Priest, when the light of public opinion shone upon his cause. His feelings, on the contrary, sprang from his heart, though, with his characteristic lightness of manner and phrase, he often sought to disguise what he most deeply felt.

In this respect, therefore, we would warn the reader, lest he award scanty justice to one who is now in his grave, and more than is due to another who still enjoys life and its blessings, utterly forgetful, perchance, of him who loved her well. In all other respects, these Confessions faithfully portray the man, his life, and his feelings. The reader may rest assured of the truth of every line.

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