  A SPANISH NOVEL. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1864,
TO Sir: I am honored with your permission to dedicate to you this translation of the best novel in the Spanish language. This honor I can well appreciate. The urbanity of your character, and your firm integrity as a gentleman, a merchant, and while so ably filling the civic chair of this great city, have rendered you both distinguished and respected. Glowing hopes and confident expectations were formed of your success in the performance of the arduous duties of Mayor, when, two years ago, you were inaugurated. Yesterday was a yet prouder day to yourself and to your friends, when the mantle of office fell gracefully from your shoulders, amid the applause and homage of citizens of all classes and shades of political opinion, the only strife among whom was, who should show to the courteous, impartial, and zealous retiring mayor the greatest respect. Well may the king of Israel have exclaimed: “Let not him that girdeth on his harness boast himself as he that putteth it off.” Your career has been marked by the most devoted patriotism, and you have stood forth at the period of the nation’s trials as an unflinching supporter of constitutional government, and throughout every loyal State in the Union will your name be revered as such. May, sir, at some far distant day, that tribute be paid to you which honored the memory of the immortal Pitt “Non sibi, sed pro patria vixit.” With great respect, 17 Lafayette Place, |
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