English ways and by-ways; being the letters of John and Ruth Dobson written from England to their friend, Leighton Parks

Front matter

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COPYRIGHT DEPOSm

Preface

What this little book contains the reader must discover for himself. I shall not save him trouble by telling in the Preface anything about it. Nor shall I tell more than the letters themselves show as to the identity of John and Ruth.

It is a book with a Purpose. The purpose being to give the reader the same pleasure that I had in compiling it when debarred for a time from more serious work.

I am, however, not without hope that this humorous record of the impressions of two young and unconventional Americans of the England before the dreadful war may do a little to lessen the tension which the nervous strain of the last few years has unhappily produced, and so help to that mutual understanding and sympathy upon which the welfare of the world depends. The test of friendship is sympathetic banter, and is, moreover, a firmer cement than solemn speech.

My thanks are due to the Atlantic Monthly for permitting the use in book form of some passages in this chronicle which appeared as articles in that magazine.

L. P.

Contents

PAGE

I. The Legacy 3

II. The School of Instruction .... 9