An emigrant's home letters/Preface
PREFACE
In launching this little book upon the stormy waves of the sea of criticism I am not troubled by many fears. I believe that the name of Henry Parkes will yet be dear to the heart of every patriotic son of Federated Australia, and that all concerning him will be very precious in their eyes. The mistakes, the errors, and the failures of the last years of his life will be wiped away as one would brush dust from a beloved dead face. Who that is just will judge of him by the years between seventy and eighty? No! By the glorious aims, by the high hopes, by the great achievements, and the ringing eloquence of his grand manhood will he be judged; and when Australasia takes her place among the great nations of the world, his name will be inscribed in golden letters upon the annals of her history. And the very least of her sons may learn a lesson from his wondrous life, a lesson of high-souled courage, patient endurance, and marvellous perseverance. I send forth these pages to tell their simple story of how, in spite of bitter poverty, much hardship, and utter want of education, Henry Parkes fought his way to everlasting fame.
ANNIE T. PARKES.
Leichhardt, 11th July, 1896.