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TO
DAVID WILKIE, ESQ. R.A.
MY DEAR SIR,

You may remember, that in the rambles
we once took together about some of the
old cities of Spain, particularly Toledo and
Seville, we remarked a strong mixture of
the Saracenic with the Gothic, remaining
from the time of the Moors; and were more
than once struck with scenes and incidents
in the streets, which reminded us of passages
in the “Arabian Nights.” You then urged
me to write something that should illustrate
those peculiarities, “something in the Haroun
Alrasched style,” that should have a
dash of that Arabian spice which pervades
every thing in Spain. I call this to your
mind to show you that you are, in some degree,
responsible for the present work, in
which I have given a few “Arabesque”
sketches from the life, and tales founded on

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popular traditions, which were chiefly
struck off during a residence in one of the
most Moresco-Spanish places in the Peninsula.

I inscribe these pages to you as a memorial
of the pleasant scenes we have witnessed
together in that land of adventure,
and as a testimonial of an esteem for your
worth which is only exceeded by admiration
of your talents.