PREFACE TO THE TENTH VOLUME.

This, the tenth volume, concludes the history on which for the last twelve years I have been engaged.

In stating the fact, I am doubtful whether I should ask the forgiveness, or the congratu- lations of my subscribers, that it has been extended to the length it has reached.

I have myself been guided by the opinion, that any national history is not to be judged by the brevity with which it is written, but rather by the thoroughness with which the events are recorded, and, what is more to be looked for, by its accuracy of information.

My feeling has been, that while I should present my narrative with conciseness and congruity, I should not fail from any insufficiency of fact.