Bibliothèque mondiale du cheval

« Bishop Burnet’s narrative of the remarkable passages in the life of the very celebrated Earl of Rochester has been greatly valued, not only as an elegant composition, but as a lesson of instruction to all mankind. The latter of these honours, to a certain extent, I may venture to claim as the result of this sketch —at all events such is, in part, its design; and as no subject is so interesting to man, as man, I have a good theme for my pen, inasmuch as there is one present to my mind whose equal, as a private English gentleman, the world never before saw, neither is it, for some reasons, desirable the world should ever again see. My only fear is, that, I may be deficient in strength of pencil to draw the picture to the life, and to represent the anomaly in human nature which the character of the late John Mytton presents. At one time, an honour to his nature ; at another, a satire on humanity; what more can be done, than to strike the balance with an even hand ? and as the brightness of the sun hides its blemishes, let me hope the greater part of his faults will be lost amidst the virtues with which they are mingled. At all events, I am not going to hold up the torch to the failings of my old and never-forsaken friend—my chief object being to account Sor them, and leave his virtues to speak for themselves. […] » Présentation de l’éditeur (1835)