PREFACE.

IN publishing the following "Annals of a Naval Family," I am most anxious to explain that many of the romantic incidents which I relate are involved in much obscurity. The names given to the principal actors in the gambling transactions and tragic death of Captain Thomas Christian are purely fictitious; they were never known to either my father or myself; the tender age of the only son he left at the time being probably the cause of their being wholly forgotten. All the events I have recorded were related to me by my father, Rear-Admiral Hood Hanway Christian, and firmly believed by him.

Trusting as I do entirely to my memory, in all the intimate relations of the family, I can only say that should any who kindly read them, find misstatements or inaccuracies, and will communicate with me, I will gratefully correct them. I venture to solicit indulgence for the imperfect manner in which I "tell the tale, as 'twas told to me."

The letters of His Majesty William IV. are strict copies of those in my possession, as are also those of Admirals Lords Howe and Hood, Sir Henry Martin, Sir Hugh Christian, etc, etc.

HARRIET MARGARET ANNE TRAHERNE.

Glan-y-Dur, Crickhowell,

May, 1873.