University of Virginia Library

INTRODUCTION.

The great degree of favour with which a series of
Sketches, similar to those embraced in the present
volume, was received by the public and the press last
year, has induced the publishers to add another volume
of the same character and style to their "Library of
American Humorous Writers."

As "The Big Bear of Arkansas, and Other Tales,"
which were more especially intended to illustrate character
and incident in the south and south-west, appear
to have been unusually popular, the Editor trusts that
the present volume, which includes a wider range of
the peculiarities and characteristics of "the Universal
Yankee Nation," will not be deemed less entertaining
by the public generally.

The different Sketches in this volume have nearly
all appeared in the columns of the New York "Spirit

of the Times," where most of them were published
originally. If they afford as much satisfaction in their
present shape as when first given to the world, the
Editor will enjoy the consciousness of having been the
means of alleviating the dulness and ennui of many a
weary hour, and of having added his mite in contributing
to the amusement and gratification of "the million."