Preface: "In submitting the following work to the indulgent consideration of the Australian public, the Author has been actuated by a desire to produce a Colonial Monthly Novel which would stand favourable comparison with those issued, in the same manner, at home.
How far he has succeeded, or rather may succeed, in this arduous undertaking, is for others to decide. All he solicits is an impartial and patient trial.
It must not be forgotten that the facilities - leaving out the important item of literary ability - for producing a work of this class in England are numerous; in Australia they are very few, and the difficulties that have to be surmounted, in merely providing the raw material necessary to carry out a speculation of this kind, would somewhat astonish the uninitiated. However, the public will, no doubt, make every possible allowance, and, if they consider the effort worth encouragement, encourage it.
Comforted by this reflection, the Author will merely further premise that, though the first portion of Follow the Track, an Australian tale, is laid in England, those who have the inclination will speedily discover its right to its title."
28 Lonsdale Street East, Melbourne, 20th December 1861.
