for these objections, matters not as far as the present volumes are concerned. They bear the title of Tales of Passion,' from its being necessary to give some collective name to a set of stories, the object of which has been to throw the interest upon the stronger feelings of human nature, rather than upon the complicated construction of the plot, or the melo-dramatic and picturesque character of the incidents. The tales have been written with the view to display the effects of strong passion, both in action and in its general influence upon character; and the progress of the narrative has been subservient to that intention. With this slight explanation, the author leaves his work to the candour of its readers. |