INTRODUCTION. THE motives which induced my friend to travel on the Continent, for mere improvement, which she states to be the case, was not the only one: her own account of what passed, and the circumstances attendant on an attachment of no common cast, appeared to me to be matter worthy of forming a novel; and the more so, because truth is always preferable to fiction, and real life to imaginary existence. The occurrences of the moment, are, likewise, more attractive than those which have passed away; and whatever can give us a faithful picture of men and of manners, cannot be devoid of utility. My |