Sketches of Life and Character

Introduction

This volume of Sketches and Stories, illustrative of Life and Character, is made up of articles which have already appeared in some of the Magazines and newspapers. Many of them were published anonymously, but are now reclaimed by the author and presented in a more permanent form.

In offering this volume to the public, the author believes that he is putting forth a book that all may read with profit, as well as with some degree of interest. In drawing pictures of life, he has, in no instance, knowingly exaggerated the truth in order to produce effect or startle the minds of his readers. He has endeavored to give nature as it is : and in exhibiting the evils, errors and weaknesses of humanity, has only done so in order to lead the mind to good. In the way he has chosen he is aware that the fame of a high literary excellence does not await him ; that he will not be much esteemed by those who regard either startling effect, brilliancy, or artistic beauty, as the chief merit in an author. But, as he has never aimed at acquiring a reputation ; nor sought to be known and admired as a writer, this idea brings no very unpleasant feeling. Authorship, as a profession, was not a matter of choice on his part. He wrote, at first, because it was a pleasure to write, and, afterwards, because circumstances made it necessary. His choice of subjects was from those that lay all around him in common life. He had but to open his eyes and see, and then to take up his pen and write of what he saw. From his own experience he has drawn largely, and much of the power he possesses lies in tho fact that he has himself erred in judgment, committed mistakes in the ordinary affairs of life, given way to weaknesses of character, and suffered much from these causes. When a man feels, he speaks more earnestly, and, in writing, gives truer pictures of nature.

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iv INTRODUCTION.

In presenting this volume, the author has two ends in view ; one to give a wider circulation, as well as a more enduring form, to certain illustrations of truth for the sake of good, than they have had in the ephemeral sources through which they first found their way to the public ; and the other that he may secure, if possible, some better return for his labor than he has heretofore received, in order to have more freedom from that daily pressure of care for the future which frets the mind and takes from it half its power.

If, in a generous spirit of reciprocity, every one who acknowledges himself to have been strengthened in good purposes by the author, turns toward, instead of from him, when his book is presented, he will receive fresh encouragement to walk in the way that opens before him ; will be able to write from the vigor of a new impulse. Unless natural life is adequately sustained, the higher life of the mind cannot come forth in its true power and usefulness.

Philadelphia , Sept. 1, 1849.