1. Dr. Forbes Rollinson's death occurred while these pages were in
preparation. This is not the place to add my tribute of affection and
appreciation to the many memoirs of him which have appeared in the public
prints. My first acquaintance with him dates but little more than three
years prior to his death; but the impression he produced upon me of
cordiality, culture, and ability will remain with me while I live. He was
a grand old gentleman of a school that is now bygone; a scholar of vast
attainments, and a Christian in heart and life, if not in profession.
Although he had far exceeded the ordinary span of life--he was born, I
believe, in the last century--he showed few signs of physical, and none of
mental infirmity; and his sudden and painless decease was quite
unexpected.
I subjoin extracts from a letter written to me on the subject of the
present narrative:
"WELLESLEY HOUSE, QUEEN'S GATE, W.
"MY DEAR H.: I must say I fail to perceive the force of your objections.
What is fiction, at best, but an imitation of truth--and a pretty poor
imitation, too, as a general thing?... You ought to be glad to be saved
the trouble of inventing.... In the matter of love-making and adventure I
have nothing to say, but scientific truths are not lightly to be tampered
with. 'Round off the corners' by all means, if you think fit, but do not
suffer your artistic proclivities to lead you into a misrepresentation of
the essential facts.... The people are all dead, and the estate is broken
up, so you need have no hesitation regarding names. Literary value aside,
the thing would be worth nothing if the means of verifying it were
withheld....
"Ever faithfully yours,
"June 3d, 1878. E. FORBES ROLLINSON."