Govinda Samanta or the History of a Bengal Raiyat: Vol. I

Gentle Reader, in case you have come with great expectations to the perusal of this humble performance, I deem it proper to undeceive you at the very outset; lest after going through it, or through a good bit of it, you are disappointed, and then turn round and abuse mo as a fellow who, with a view to attract customers, has put a misleading sign-board over the door of his shop. I therefore purpose, like a tradesman who, though anxious to turn a penny, wishes to obtain it in an honest way, to tell yon at once, in all sincerity and good faith, what you are to expect, and what you are not to expect, in this hall of refreshment; so that after being acquainted with the bill of fare, you may either begin to partake of the repast or not, just as you please, and thus save yourself the trouble of sitting down to a dinner not congenial to your taste, and me the abuse justly merited by a man who holds out expectations which ho cannot fulfill and, after the approved ...