[1] The most casual observer will readily see that this strain of
remark can refer only to a far distant past. If our age is remarkable
for any one thing, it is for a delicate reticence regarding what is not
lawfully, and by divine right, its own.--_Note by Editor._
[2] A circumstance which at once relegates this story to the last
century.--_Note by Editor._
[3] Proof that this paper belongs to an age when people had time to
pronounce long words.--_Ed._
[4] This was in reference to Mr. Hunt's repeated injunctions that I
should write only books.
[5] The editor cannot allow this sentiment to go out into the world
unchallenged. To him few things are more marvelous than the amount of
provender which the ill-favored and lean-fleshed kine will consume
without giving any sign of feeding. Poverty, or incapacity, which
in this country is the almost inseparable companion of permanent
poverty--poverty is a sort of Chatmoss into which cart-loads of gravel
may be upset without giving any solid foundation to build on. Horace
Greeley was as true as the multiplication-table when he said that
people generally earn money as fast as they have the ability to expend
it judiciously.--_Ed._
[6] A "Common" is a tract of ground which belongs not to individuals
but to the public. Probably the bookstore referred to was on
the outskirts of the city, and the "Common" was the land as yet
unappropriated by builders, and on which, doubtless, sheep and cows
grazed undisturbed.--_Note by Editor._
[7] "The dickens!" is an exclamation of playful surprise. Probably
the word as here used, is a corruption of this phrase, and was merely
a strong way of expressing, on Mr. Hunt's part, that he had written
no other letter at all. But after so great a lapse of time it is
impossible to get at the exact truth.--_Note by Editor._
[8] The Editor trusts that it is not necessary for him to point out to
his youthful readers that this spirit is not presented to them for an
example.
[9] Here the narrative seems to deviate into prophecy.--_Note by Ed._
[10] The editor considers this levity highly unbecoming so solemn an
occasion.
[11] I think this matter in detail came up subsequently in connection
with the diminished price paid me for copyright, but as it belongs here
also, I put it in all at once.
[12] These letters do not appear in this publication.
[13] The "jubilee house" seems to be a reference to the institution
of the jubilee year among the Hebrews,--a year in which impoverished
families might redeem the property from which, at any time during
fifty years previous, they had been forced to part. Thus we are told
that if a man purchased of the Levites, the house that was sold should
go out in the year of jubilee. Such a house might long be known in
the neighborhood as the "jubilee house." The hammering spoken of was
probably connected with the repairing of some such lately redeemed
house, and seems to point to an Eastern origin and locality for this
narrative.--NOTE BY EDITOR.
Transcriber's Note.
Variable spelling and hyphenation have been retained. Minor punctuation
inconsistencies have been silently repaired.
Corrections.
The first line indicates the original, the second the correction.
p. 145:
Appropos to what?
Apropos to what?
p. 159:
Emeruit Danai;
Eruerint Danai;
Quanquam animus meminisse horret
Quamquam animus meminisse horret
p. 182:
Your book will keep, wont it?
Your book will keep, won't it?
p. 195:
to buy my my book!
to buy my book!
p. 278:
similtude of evil-minded
similitude of evil-minded
Footnote 8:
not presented to them for an ensample
not presented to them for an example