The Roman Traitor (Vol. 1 of 2) - The UK Mirror Service

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vi The Roman Traitor (Vol. 1 of 2)
Having determined on trying my success in classical fiction,
the conspiracy of Cataline appeared to me, a theme particularly
well adapted for the purpose, as being an actual event of vast importance,
and in many respects unparalleled in history; as being
partially familiar to every one, thoroughly understood perhaps
by no one, so slender are the authentic documents concerning it
which have come down to us, and so dark and mysterious the
motives of the actors.
It possessed, therefore, among other qualifications, as the
ground-work of a historical Romance, one almost indispensable—that
of indistinctness, which gives scope to the exercise of
imagination, without the necessity of falsifying either the truths
or the probabilities of history.
Of the execution, I have, of course, nothing to say; but that I
have sedulously avoided being overlearned; that few Latin words
will be found in the work—none whatsoever in the conversational
parts, and none but the names of articles which have no direct
English appellation; and that it is sufficiently simple and direct
for the most unclassical reader.
I hope that the costume, the manners of the people, and the
antiquarian details will be found sufficiently correct; if they be
not, it is not for want of pains or care; for I have diligently
consulted all the authorities to which I could command access.
To the history of the strange events related in this tale, I have
adhered most scrupulously; and I believe that the dates, facts,
and characters of the individuals introduced, will not be found
in any material respect, erroneous or untrue; and here I may
perhaps venture to observe, that, on reading the most recently
published lectures of Niebuhr, which never fell in my way until
very lately, I had the great satisfaction of finding the view I
have always taken of the character and motives of Cataline and
his confederates, confirmed by the opinion of that profound and
sagacious critic and historian.
I will only add, that it is hardly probable that "the Roman