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[15]

In speaking of events, I have, as far as possible, put them in juxta-position, and with such bearings upon each other that they shall consist, in so far as they may, of items of history, which may aid others to reach the truth, when the time has come in the far future for the truth of history to be exactly written.

I admit frankly that this book should have been written before, so as to reap the advantage of being able to apply to my compatriots in their lifetime, and to verify the facts, as far as necessary, herein described. But being still in active business in the ardent pursuit of my profession, which has always been the pleasantest occupation of my life, I could not find the time in which it could well be done. But the delay has one advantage: I have outlived most of my compatriots having to do with the events treated of, and my mind is free from almost every possible prejudice, and in a position where the temptation is strong to obey the maxim, de mortuis nil nisi bonum, so that I trust nothing will be said save where it is necessary to the cause of truth. For truth may be told, without interfering with that maxim, just as well as the facts concerning the life of Julius Caesar may be written.

Finally, I am conscious of but one regret for this delay, and that is that in the course of nature it is not probable I shall live so long as to be able to hear all the criticisms, as I am certain many will be made, upon this book, so that I can reply to them, attempting to correct everything that is wrong or mistaken in such criticisms, in justice to those that may be affected by such mistakes, as well as to answer any misstatements hereafter made against the matter of the book, or any attempted contradiction of any fact stated therein, or any new offshoot of calumny against the author.

I hope that my days may be prolonged for such a purpose.

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