PREFACE. THE title-page prefixed to this book bears a strong appearance of presumption; and the reader of these pages may, in the conclusion, pronounce the author both vain and futile. The only apology she has to offer may probably lead her yet deeper into error; yet she cannot resist saying something of herself, or rather of her motives. Celebs had appeared-it would be answered; but it must be answered directly a long life, even blessed with superior talents, would scarcely produce a work, whose intrinsic worth could class it with that performance. The The reader very naturally asks, why answer it at all?-There are many reasons which induce persons to write. Doctor Johnson has said of this species of writing, "that it requires that experience which can never be attained by solitary diligence, but must arise from general converse, and accurate observation of the living world." I believe it possible to glean a little worldly knowledge, without mixing in its haunts; and were such advantages indispensible in a writer, "How many would starve, who now are fed!" Extend your compassion towards this unfortunate class, courteous reader-consi der, that what is "sport to you, is death to us." It has, with much justice, been said, that "to tell the public you have written a book |