INTRODUCTORY WORDS.
The following pages were written more than twenty years since, and
were then published periodically in _Household Words._
In the original form of publication the Rogue was very favorably
received. Year after year, I delayed the republication, proposing, at the
suggestion of my old friend, Mr. Charles Reade, to enlarge the present
sketch of the hero\'s adventures in Australia. But the opportunity of
carrying out this project has proved to be one of the lost opportunities of
my life. I republish the story with its original conclusion unaltered, but
with such occasional additions and improvements as will, I hope, render it
more worthy of attention at the present time.
The critical reader may possibly notice a tone of almost boisterous
gayety in certain parts of these imaginary Confessions. I can only plead, in
defense, that the story offers the faithful reflection of a very happy time in
my past life. It was written at Paris, when I had Charles Dickens for a near
neighbor and a daily companion, and when my leisure hours were
joyously passed with many other friends, all associated with literature and
art, of whom the admirable comedian, Regnier, is now the only survivor.
The revising of these pages has been to me a melancholy task. I can only
hope that they may cheer the sad moments of others. The Rogue may
surely claim two merits, at least, in the eyes of the new generation--he is
never serious for two moments together; and he "doesn\'t take long to
read." W. C.
GLOUCESTER PLACE, LONDON, _March_ 6th, 1879.