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Dedication.

In commencing to write this story, the Author was animated by the belief that its dedication to his Mother would afford her great pleasure; but he has, while writing, learned that Death has forbidden the fulfilment of his cherished project. Although the Author cannot commend his work to the partial love which would, he believes, have ensured for him praises of which a son might have been proud, he can, with reverence, dedicate it to

The Memory

of a

Beloved Mother.

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