When authors attempt to explain such of their works as should explain themselves, it makes the case no better that they can say they do it on express invitation. And yet, though I think so, I am about to give some little account of two stories of mine which are connected together,--"Off the Skelligs," and "Fated to be Free." I am told that they are peculiar; and I feel that they must be so, for most stories of human life are, or at least aim at being, works of art,--selections of interesting portions of life, and fitting incidents, put together and presented as a picture is; and I have not aimed at producing a work of art at all, but a piece of nature. I have attempted to beguile my readers…
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