Excerpt from Ione, Vol. 1 of 2

My dear Mr. Swinburne,

One of my earliest novels was dedicated to my beloved "Father, " Walter Savage Landor. This, which must of necessity be among my latest, I dedicate to you, his faithful and loyal friend - as indeed you are the faithful and loyal friend of all to whom you have once given your trust and affection. I deeply feel the honour you do me in classing me among the number of those in whose sincerity you believe and whose friendship you return. Our original bond of union lies in the constant love and enduring thought we both have for our revered old Master, but we have others in our devotion to liberty, our belief in progress, our faith in humanity, and our want of fear. I am presumptuous in thus bracketing myself with you. You are one of the Captains of Thought, and I am only a humble foot soldier serving in the ranks. But just as captain and private follow the same banner and fight for the same good cause, so I dare to place myself by your side because of our common affection and our common aims. And you will forgive me that I thus link myself to immortality by coupling my name with yours.

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