This volume, like the four others in the same series, was suggested at
the Librarians’ Congress in Boston. It has been prepared in the wish to
teach boys and girls how to use themselves the treasures, now at their
hands, in public libraries. The public spirit, the munificence often,
with which these libraries have been sustained ought to be loyally
followed up by the friends of young people by careful effort to give
them good habits in finding and enjoying the books they contain. It is
not reasonable to throw on the librarians the work of introducing these
books to young readers; but it is the duty of all those who are in any
way charged with the interests of education to show to such readers how
they can choose for themselves.
It will be seen, therefore, that my object is not to rewrite the tales
of adventure, here referred to, nor is it my wish to present them in
such form as to satisfy the reader. Rather I have hoped that he may not
be satisfied. I should be glad, as Sam Weller was, to make him wish for
more, trusting that then, like Oliver Twist, he may go and ask for more.