ADVERTISEMENT.
The following desultory papers are
part of a series written in this country,
but published in America. The author
is aware of the austerity with which the
writings of his countrymen have hitherto
been treated by British critics: he is
conscious, too, that much of the contents
of his papers can be interesting only in
the eyes of American readers. It was
not his intention, therefore, to have them
reprinted in this country. He has, however,
observed several of them from time
to time inserted in periodical works of
merit, and has understood that it was
probable they would be republished in a
collective form. He has been induced,
therefore, to revise and bring them forward
himself, that they may at least
come correctly before the public. Should
they be deemed of sufficient importance
to attract the attention of critics, he solicits
for them that courtesy and candour
which a stranger has some right to claim,
who presents himself at the threshold of
a hospitable nation.
