INTRODUCTION. BORNE by the current of circumstances, rather than led by inclination, I was carried, like many others, to the infant metropolis of our country, at the time it became the seat of the federal government. By the same circumstances, I was placed in that circle of society, which introduced me to a personal acquaintance with most of the distinguished characters that appeared on the stage of public life. Among these, no one excited in my mind so ardent an enthusiasm as our venerable president, the wise and virtuous sage of Monticello, whom it was impossible to know, without loving for his virtues, and admiring for his talents. In choosing Washington as the scene of my story, and in attempting to describe its a 3 manners and society, his idea was inse rable from the social circle which his sence embellished, or the public events which his wisdom directed. Although I have no precedent for introducing a living character, by name, into a tale of fiction, I will make no apology for the licence I have used, since a life so consecrated to the public, a character so long displayed to general view, a name so long known to fame, belongs to the world; and the decencies and delicacies of domestic life and private feeling, are not violated by using it as I have done, to adorn and illustrate a tale of fancy. Of the truth of the anecdotes which I have interspersed through the following pages, the period in which they are published will be considered as sufficient proof of their authenticity. Those details are not the work of imagination, but faithful, though feeble sketches of the life and character of one too well known not to be recognised. I could, in this case, have no temptation to employ the powers of imagination. To copy from nature, is far easier than to create an original picture, and I have chosen that easy path. Opposition in political or religious opinions, is apt to produce prejudices, which even enlightened reason and general benevolence cannot always conquer. To minds under such influence, the portrait I have drawn will appear flattered and exaggerated, and, viewed through the medium of party spirit, the likeness will not be acknowledged. But there are those whose moral vision is so clear and penetrating, that they can discern virtue and talents, even through diversity and opposition of opinion; of a charity so universal and exalted, that it thinketh no evil, but hopeth and believeth all things. These will not be offended at the ardent enthusiasm which is displayed in these humble pages. The story is fictitious-the characters imaginary; but the descriptions of scenery and society are drawn with truth and fidelity, from the then existing circumstances of place and manners. I cannot hope to infuse into others the enthusiasm I felt on my first arrival in the metropolis of our empire-an enthusiasm excited rather by the association of ideas, than by the existing scene. The Tiber, the Capitol, were words which imparted a charm to every surrounding object; and never can I forget the emotions which I felt the first time I climbed the hill on which the Capitol is built-when I first surveyed the scenes extending wide around me. It was in the middle of May; the forest trees had just expanded their bright and tender foliage-the fruit trees and flowering shrubs filled the air with their fragrance, and adorned the landscape with their beauty. The wide-stretching meadows, and undulating plains, were clothed with the liveliest verdure. At the foot of the hill, the Tiber stole through the thick |