to colonel william sykes, f.r.soc., m.r.g.soc., m.r.a.soc.,

and lord rector of the marischal college, aberdeen.

i do not parade your name, my dear colonel, in the van of this volume, after the manner of that acute tactician who stuck a koran upon his lance in order to win a battle. believe me it is not my object to use your orthodoxy as a cover to my heresies of sentiment and science, in politics, political economy and — what not?

but whatever i have done on this occasion, — if i have done any thing, — has been by the assistance of a host of friends, amongst whom you were ever the foremost. and the highest privilege i aim at is this opportunity of publicly acknowledging the multitude of obligations owed to you and to them. accept, my dear colonel, this humble return for your kindness, and ever believe me,

the sincerest of your well wishers,

richard f. burton.