The Works of G. P. R. J, revised and corrected by the Author. With an introductory preface

Front matter

THE WORKS OF G. P. R. J A M E S, E S Q. VOL. XV. THE LITTLE BALL 0' FIRE. THE 'IV ffi i ' " ' lÆ B Younp" It rOU DO HOT DISTANTLY QUIT ME SIR" SHE EXCLAIMED I1T A^LOUD AND VEHEMENT VOICE JI WILL CALL THOSE "WHO CAN AND WIT.L PROTECT ME AGAINST YOTXE DARIUG TNSOLENCK RISE SIR, RISE:" sage 76. LONDON; PAR11Y & C? LEADKNHAJJ, ' : THE WORKS OF G. P. R. JAMES, ESQ REVISED AND CORRECTED BY THE AUTHOR. WITH AN INTRODUCTORY

Preface

. " D'autres auteurs l'ont encore plus avili, (le roman,) en y m£lant les tableaux degoutant du vice ; et tandis que le premier avantage des fictions est de rassembler autour de l'homme tout ce qui, dans la nature, peut lui servir de le^on ou de modele, on a imagine qu'on tirerait une ut Hit lquelconque des peintures odieuses de mauvaises mœurs ; comme si elleS pouvaient jamais laisser le cœur qui les repousse, dans une situation aussi pure que le cœur qui les aurait toujours ignorees. Mais un roman tel qu'on peut le concevoir, tel que nous en avons quelques modules, est une des plus belles productions de l'esprit humain, une des plus influentes sur la morale des indi vidus, qui doit former ensuite les mœurs publiques." — Madame de 8tael. Essaisur les Fictions. ** Poca favilla gran fiamma seconda : Forse diretro a me, con miglior voci Si pregher^i peixhe" Cirra risponda."

Dante. Paradiso, Canto I. VOL. XV. THE LITTLE BALL 0' FIRE. LONDON : PARRY AND CO., LEADENHALL STREET. MDCCCXLVIII, THE LITTLE BALL O'FIRE: OH, Œ&e %He ants &W)enturES or JOHN MAESTON HALL. BY G. P. R. JAMES, ESQ. AUTHOR OP "MARGARET GRAHAM," "THE LAST OP THE FAIRIES," ETC. "2B0 Did Cid^t i6t, i3t B.ac.ct: Sdjattm!" Oct) oon -Scdie^insen. LONDON : PARRY AND CO., LEADENHALL STREET. MDCCCXLVin. TO HER IMPERIAL MAJESTY ALEXANDKA FEODEBOWNA, EMPRESS OF ALL THE RUSSIAS. Madam, I should have confined myself to expressing, in terms of unfeigned admiration and respect, my gratitude for the interest which Your Imperial Majesty is pleased to take in the literature of my country, and in thc efforts of so humble an individual as myself, had I not felt that the work which you have permitted me to inscribe to your name is in every way unworthy of being presented to one, alike illus trious by talents and virtues, and by rank.

At the time that Your Imperial Majesty's gracious message M-as communicated to me, the following pages were not only written, but in the press ; and my strong desire to obey your commands without any delay, induces me to dedicate this work to you, although it is in some degree connected with a former production, already, I believe, in Your Majesty's possession. Under other circumstances, I might have laboured, though I certainly should have laboured in vain, to produce a work DEDICATION. worthy of your acceptance ; but I must then have delayed long what I M-as eager to perform promptly ; and, most assuredly, nothing that I could have written would have worthily testified the admiration and pleasure with which I have marked, from afar, the immense efforts of yourself and your Imperial Consort to encourage literature and science in your dominions, and to improve the moral and social con dition of your subjects.

That those efforts may be crowned with the most brilliant success, and repay you, to the last of your days, with the noblest recompence that monarchs can receive, — the bless ings of a happy and enlightened people, — is the sincere prayer of Your Imperial Majesty's most humble and most obedient Servant, George Payne Rainsford James. 0' FIRE: OB, JOHN MARSTON HALL.