It has been said, that" a preface filled with apologies is an acknowledgment of sins which a man deliberately determines to commit." I will therefore offer no apology for intruding my" Sketches" on the public eye; but can only trust that my presumption in hazarding this volume may be atoned for by the motives which have induced me to put it forth. On my return from Greece in the autumn of 1832, I was much surprised at the deficient and erroneous impressions which appeared to prevail, both in Parliament and in the country at large, respecting the condition, capacities, and character of the Greek people. In fact, there have been no sources of correct information on these points; and, with the