University of Virginia Library

PREFACE
TO THE SECOND EDITION.

There are few subjects upon which men are so apt to
mistake, as their motives, and the character of their
own actions. This tale was written under a sincere
conviction of its beneficial tendency. If this be a delusion,
it is one which still influences the mind of the
writer, who cannot but believe that it is this circumstance
which has chiefly contributed to the satisfaction
derived from the indulgent and liberal reception with
which this humble effort has been so kindly greeted.

The objections which have been made to the moral
and religious character of this book, the writer cannot
comprehend, and therefore will not undertake to refute.
Religious cant and sanctimonious pretence have existed
in most ages of the world, and have ever been
deemed legitimate objects of satire; and the writer of
the New England Tale, would rather court than avoid

an imputation (if it be such), which must be equally
shared with Butler, Cowper, and Crabbe, and could
only wish that there had been a similar participation
of talent and genius.

If the writer could suppose that any reader of intelligence
and candour could consider this tale as a
designed attack upon the character of any class of
Christians, such an object would be distinctly disavowed;
and, it is confidently believed, might be clearly
refuted from the tale itself. To exhibit our religion in
its uncorrupted state, and in such a form as to interest
the affections and influence the conduct, is a right and
a duty which the writer has attempted to exercise and
perform; and if any degree of success has attended
that effort, it must bring with it its own reward. In
the mode of doing this, mistakes may have been committed,
and, if so, will be matter of sincere regret.

Every person of generous sentiments who has been
led to treat of morals or religion, must have felt with
peculiar force the sentiment so beautifully expressed
in the often quoted lines of the master-poet of our
language:

But, from the constitution of human nature, it is,
and ever will be, impossible to make any attack upon

folly, vice, or error, which shall not be susceptible of
an application to classes of men, and even to individuals;
and if any one shall insist upon making
such an application of any thing in this book, the
writer must reply to the supposed antagonist in the
words of the same poet—that he

But there is a charge of a graver cast which may
be fairly made against this book, and to which the
writer seizes with avidity the first opportunity to plead
guilty. If, as its title must seem to denote, the book
be considered as a representation of the general character
of the people of New England, it is not sufficiently
favourable. In that character no one feels a deeper
interest or a higher pride than the writer, who thinks
that there is to be found in it, if not so much to adorn
human life, yet perhaps even more than is fitted to
subserve the great interests of mankind, than in any
other portion of the world. If this sentiment be deemed
narrow or prejudiced, it must be put to the account

of early education, and that ground will meet with
indulgence. With such an opinion, however, can it be
supposed that the writer could consent to publish a
libel upon the whole people?

As a mistake has been committed, the best correction
may perhaps be found in an honest avowal of its
cause.

It is stated in the preface to the first edition, that
the book was written without any definite plan — and
an intelligent reader would probably have made the
same observation without the suggestion of the author.
There certainly was no design either in the plan or
execution of the work, of furnishing an estimate of the
intellectual, moral, or religious character of the people
of New-England, and when finished, its title was rather
inconsiderately adopted at the suggestion of a friend.

It is not known whether there be any precedent for
changing the title of a book, yet the author has thought
proper, in this edition, to retrench a part of it, which is
at least superfluous.