The Social War (novel)/Preface
PREFACE.
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F late years my enemies have driven me to
conclude that fixed truths are stumbling
blocks to the consummation of established
usages and modernized human life. Whenever I have advertised a lecture, sermon, book or
apparatus of a useful, scientific character, I have had
only a few patrons; but, when I made an impression,
by my advertisements, that I was going into the veriest mysteries of human nature, was going to teach the
public how to enjoy the feeling propensities without
danger of exposition, was going to shake the devil by
his horns and knock particular thunder out of ordinary things, I have always had an abundance of customers!
Therefore I have drawn a heavy picture in the novel before us; and, whilst all phases of humanity are portrayed, I think I have not overstepped the modesty of nature, nor left any thing undone to satiate all classes of people; whilst sensation, history, comedy and tragedy loom up truthfully, and I hope to the satisfaction of all who admire either devil, or nature and nature's God!
To furnish the reader with a diet that is palatable to his omnivorous taste, and yet to smother the most unpalatable though healthful dishes by his favorite hash, is the aim of this novel. By so doing, I am persuaded that the reader may learn, sooner or later, that the viand which was most distasteful was after all the most needful and desirable, and then he will distinguish truth from error, or a natural from an unnatural life. This done, and the masses will return to truth, nature, sound sense and solid logic. I have also dramatized this novel, and I hope and pray that my labors have not been in vain, but I trust that millions may be saved from all sorts of misery through this feeble effort to entertain and instruct the people.
The Author.