lighter tesselations in the track of life, when the heart and mind, loosed from the bands of external circumstances, rising and flowing onward in their own willingness, like the luxuriant vine, clasp themselves to the objects of their own selection. Thus it will appear that the mode of recreation which has been a favorite with me, I have chosen because I loved it; a motive which governs every man in the selection of his amusements. I have also chosen it, because I esteem the channel of influence presented in the popular press, an object that should not be overlooked by any, whose taste, temperament, and judgment at all incline to literary pursuits. I trust my choice will not prove baleful, but rather profitable to the interests of my readers. The favor with which many of the pieces have been received, which have been published from time to time, is a source of gratification which I delight to acknowledge, and operates as one inducement to present them to the public in the present form. Still, I publish them not without diffidence, and particularly at the solicitation of friends in whose judgment I am wont to place confidence. Fame I expect not ask not. My highest ambition is to do good; and should I satisfy myself that I have accomplished my object in any degree even to the lifting up of one reverential aspiration, or the calling forth of one emotion of benevolence in any one of my readers, I shall feel amply compensated for any labor that may have attended the collation of the contents of my portfolio. BOSTON, NOVEMBER 10, 1836. THE AUTHOR. |