This seems the most appropriate occasion to supplement, and--in some measure--to correct, the list of novels contributed to periodicals by Marryat, which I compiled from statements in _The Life and Letters_ by Florence Marryat (also tabulated in Mr David Hannay's "Life"), and printed on p. xix. of the General Introduction to this edition. TO THE METROPOLITAN MAGAZINE. (Edited by Marryat, 1832-1835.) _The Pacha of Many Tales_, May 1831--February 1833; and May 1834--May 1835. _Peter Simple_, June 1832--September 1833. The novel is not completed in the Magazine, but closes with an announcement of the three volume edition. _Jacob Faithful_, September 1833--September 1834. _Japhet in Search of a Father_, September 1834--January 1836. _Snarleyyow_, January 1836--January 1837. _Midshipman Easy._ One specimen chapter only. August 1835. TO THE NEW MONTHLY MAGAZINE. _The Privateersman_, 1845-1846. _Valerie_ (the first eleven chapters), 1846-1847. _The Phantom Ship_, 1838-1839. The bulk of this volume is reprinted from the first edition of _Olla Podrida_, in three volumes, Longman, Orme, Brown, Green, and Longmans, 1840. "The Gipsy," from the _Metropolitan Magazine_; "The Fairy's Wand," from the _New Monthly Magazine_; and "A Rencontre," from the first Edition of _The Poacher_, 1841. R. B. J. Author's Preface to the First Edition I have not yet ventured upon a Preface to any of my writings, and I did not expect that I should ever have written one. Except in a work of importance, which may demand it, a Preface is, generally speaking, a request for indulgence which never will be accorded, or an explanation to which the Public is indifferent. It is only when an explanation is _due_ to the Public, or to the Author's reputation, that he should venture to offer one. If a work is well written, the Public are satisfied; if not, they have just cause to feel otherwise; and if an Author obtains justice, he obtains all that he has a right to expect.