Chapter I: Preface

To the CENTURY COMPANY of New York, in the pages of whose magazine, then known as "_Scribner's Monthly_," the first of the following essays originally appeared in July, 1880, the thanks of the writer are due for permission to re-publish in the present form. For a like courtesy on the part of the proprietors of LIPPINCOTT'S MAGAZINE, in which the second paper was first published [Aug., 1884], the writer desires to make due acknowledgment.