Fifteen Years in Hell

Truth said Lord Byron is stranger than fiction. He was right for so it is. Another has declared that if any man should write a faithful history of his own career the work would be an interesting one. The question now arises does any man dare to be sufficiently candid to write such a work? Is there no secret baseness he would hide? - no act which proper to be told he would swerve from the truth to tell in his own favor? Undoubtedly many. Doubtless it is well that few have the resolution or inclination to chronicle their faults and failings. How many too would shrink from making a public display of their miserable experiences for fear of being accused of glorying in their past shame or of parading a pride that apes humility. I pretend to no talent but if a too true story of suffering may interest and at the same time alarm I can promise matter enough and unembellished too for no embellishment is needed as all my sketches are from the life. The incidents will not be found to be consecutive but set down as certain scenes occur to my recollection - heedless of order style or system.