DEDICATION. To the Right Honourable the LORD ABERDARE, Late MY LORD, In asking your permission to dedicate to you the novel of Israel Mort, Overman,' permit me to give some explana tion. I am one of those who think they already see the advent of a time when our public men shall be judged, not by the conspicuousness or power of their position-by the bias of friend or enemy-by party triumphs or failures-not even mainly by mere reforms of the instrument of legislation, however necessary-but by the actual use they have made of their opportunities to promote the social well-being of their humbler fellow-men, and especially of those who most urgently needed help. When, my Lord, that day comes, I venture to predict your name will be most gratefully remembered in connection with the Act you succeeded in passing through Parliament, in spite of the most adverse influences: an Act which in itself, or in its developments, will prove to be the miner's Magna Charta.' I have the honour, my Lord, to subscribe myself, Your obedient Servant, JOHN SAUNDERS. |