University of Virginia Library

ADVERTISEMENT.

The letter from Mr. S. Clapp which follows this announcement
will sufficiently explain to the reader the
manner in which the manuscripts from which the tales in
these volumes have been printed came into the possession
of the Publishers. Having obtained permission from Mr.
E. Clapp to take time for consideration, they were inclined
to believe on inspection that the handwriting of a portion
of the collection was not new to them. But on
applying to the quarter suspected, they obtained no admissions
or information which threw any light upon the
subject. They then submitted the whole to a select
committee of five gentlemen, distinguished in private
for their critical acumen. Their report was a singular
one; inasmuch as each one unequivocally condemned,
as un-typeworthy, four-fifths of the whole; but the
single and separate fifths which separately pleased each
of them, and on which each bestowed high commendations
(no two of them agreeing), made up the entire
fardel which Mr. Clapp wished to dispose of.

Under these circumstances they bethought themselves
of procuring an inspection of the books kept at the
Spa; and through the kind offices of a friend were enabled
to ascertain that among those whose names were
entered as having visited the new spring were Miss Sedgwick,
Messrs. Paulding, Bryant, Sands, and Leggett.
The name of G. C. Verplanck had been written, but a
line was drawn through it, as if the entry had been made
by mistake. There were no other names to whom suspicion

could attach; and the Publishers have been unable,
in reply to very polite inquiries, to obtain any light
from the parties mentioned. They disclaimed, however,
any right of property in the manuscripts, the contents
of which are now given to the public; sanctioned, in
the manner which has been mentioned, by the opinions
of five gentlemen of discriminating taste. That they
may afford pleasure to the reader, and some profit to
Mr. Clapp, who is ascertained to be a man of exemplary
character, and who has suffered so unexpectedly
from the late painful affliction with which the land has
been visited, is the sincere desire and hope of