A basket of chips

Front matter

QJnrnBU Untueraita Iltbrary

Stljara, New fnrk

FROM The

Preface

Mt Deae Public.

My publishers, with that delicious sangfroid so characteristic of the frigiferous class, have just intimated to me that they are " waiting for a Preface."

For a Preface ! good gracious ! was there ever such an absurdity ? A Preface ! why, the very term sounds to me far-oflf-ish and antediluvian. I had fondly imagined that, like the prologues to plays, Prefaces belonged now to the cocked-hat and shoe-buckle period.

But it appears that I am mistaken ; my publishers want a Preface, and publishers are uuappeasably despotic.

I am well aware that nobody reads the confounded thing ; and with that assurance and the thermometer so pertinaciously at 80, that there's a tidal mark on the glass wall of the instrument, you may imagine, my very dear public, with what amount of enthusiasm I set myself down for the undertaking.

Now, I have a kind of general idea what a good Preface should be, just as I have -■ tolerably shrewd notion of what a good dinner should consist. But unfortunately my resources, both mental and monetary, restrict me to the simple but unsatisfactory consciousness of the abstract knowledge.

A properly organized Preface should be more suggestive, than indicative, of that which is to follow, just as a tastefully ordered table with its plate and glass, its bouquets and snowy serviettes, prepares, instinctively the fortunate invitee, for a grammatical repast.

Indeed a Preface might even go as far as the ante-prandial " half dozen of Massachusetts Bays," with which the convives at Deljnonicoa are wont to stimulate the epigastric relations, smacking

PREFACE, VI

their lips upon the after-taste of the accompanying single glass of Chablis, with the double relish of present enjoyment and appetizing anticipation.

But inasmuch as I hare no intention of inviting you to such a

"FEAST or REASON,"

but simply ask you, in the earnestness of the broadest kind of hospitality, to drop in and take Pot Luck— why there is no necessity for so elaborate a preparation.

A Preface is usually either apologetic or explanatory, or both. Now, I have nothing that I am aware of to apologize for ; and the book I sincerely hope will explain itself.

It was not the urgent solicitation of flattering friends, which gently forced me to this evulgation. No, I have no hesitation in acknowledging the compromising fact, that I was partly propelled thereto by considerations of a merely mercenary nature ; added to which, I must do myself the justice to say, that I was also influenced by the hope that my Publishers might also be recompensed for the compliment they paid me in imagining that the scraps now set before you, would satisfy the least exigeante appetite.

" A Basket op Chips," is a somewhat dry and unpromising repast to ask any one to participate in, to be sure, and the unsavoriness of the name will, no doubt, be eagerly laid hold of by some of the critics. I know one who will hardly let the opportunity escape for saying a smart thing or two. Perhaps it might be as well in explanation of the title, to say that the random sketches contained in this volume, are but the sawdust and shavings accumulated during intervals of more laborious carpentry.

There ! I wonder if that will save me ? I'm really afraid not.

At all events I can at least be permitted to indulge a hope that the accompanying " Chips," may help to light a gloomy hour, and haply not decrease the brightness of a cheery one.

J. B.

Contents

rxaa

Some Passages in the Life of a Doo 9

The Opera op " La Fille du Regiment " — done into English. 80