any entire class of persons never crossed my mind. But there are two points in the work, as published, which involve somewhat consideration from those under which the work, as a drama, may be looked at and these latter I must not let pass without some explanation.
In the preface by the Native author a passage occurs which apparently reflects on the conduct of two English newspapers and which, whatever may be its technical definition in the eye of the Law, and however clear it may be that no English reader will attach importance to such importation, or treat them otherwise than as contemptible, is certainly open to very grave objection and calculated to give great and just offence. Had my attention been attracted to the passage, or had I read it carefully, I certainly would not have allowed the book to go forth with that passage in it. As it is, the matter is past help. In fact, my attention had been directed to the drama rather than to the prefatory notices, and the passage escaped me. I can only express my sincere regret that it should have appeared in its place, and that I should have been instrumental in circulating it. In this avowal I adopt the course rightly followed in social intercourse whenever offence is unwillingly given; and it would not require the influence of a powerful Association to lead me to express my regret to any one person who might deem himself offended by any act originating in any inadvertence or carelessness of mine; nor on the other hand shall either the fear of misconstruction of its being supposed that the avowal proceeds from unworthy motives, or a dread of consequences, prevent me from making it.
But, for reasons stated at the head of this explanation, I have not, except in a short interview with Mr. Brett, the editor of the Englishman, on the 25th May, in which I did express my sincere regret that the passage should have appeared, had any opportunity of making any explanation of the kind.
I can only repeat that I deeply regret that this passage was ever translated and published.
The second point is the alleged imputation on the virtue of English women in portions of the drama itself. I can conscientiously say that until the point was strongly insisted on, I did not think there were any passages capable of any such construction, and a close inspection of a work consisting of 120 pages has not discovered to me more
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