ABSTRACT
I have heard it remarked, that he who writes his own history, ought to possess Irish humour, Scotch prudence, and English sincerity, – the first, that his work may be read; the second, that it may be read without injury to himself; the third, that the perusal of it may be profitable to others. I might, perhaps with truth, declare, that I possess only the last of those qualifications. But, besides that my readers will probably take the liberty of estimating for themselves my merits as a narrator, I suspect, that professions of humility may possibly deceive the professor himself; and that, while I am honestly confessing my disqualifications, I may be secretly indemnifying my pride, by glorying in the candour of my confession.
