as perfect ignorance of their meaning as when I set out. It is delightful to see the literati of a circulating library get hold of one of these difficult periods! Their praise of the performance is exactly commensurate with its obscurity. Every body knows that to seem wise is the first requisite in a great man.

A common word in the mouths of all reviewers, readers of magazines, and young ladies, when speaking of novels, is « keeping; and yet there are but few who attach the same meaning to it. I belong, myself, to the old school, in this particular, and think that it applies more to the subject in hand, than to any use of terms, or of cant expressions. As a man might just as well be out of the world as out of « keeping,» I have endeavoured to confine myself, in this tale, strictly to its observance. This

is a formidable curb to the imagination, as, doubtless, the reader will very soon discover; but, under its influence, I have come to the conclusion, that the writer of a tale, who takes the earth for the scene of his story, is, in some degree, bound to respect human nature. Therefore I would advise any one who may take up this book, with the expectation of meeting gods and goddesses, spooks or witches, or of feeling that strong excitement that is produced by battles and murders, to throw it aside at once, for no such interest will be found in any of pages.

its

I have already said, that it was « mine own humour, that suggested this tale; but it is a humour that is deeply connected with feeling. Happier periods, more interesting events, and, possibly, more beautiful scenes, might have been selected to exemplify my

subject; but none of either that would be so dear to me. I wish, therefore, to be judged more by what I have done, than by my sins of omission. I have introduced one battle, but it is not of the most Homeric kind. As for murders, the population of a new country will not admit of such a waste of human life. There might possibly have been one or two hangings, to the manifest advantage of the « settlement; » but then it would have been out of « keeping» with the humane laws of this compassionate country.

The << Pioneers» is now before the world, Mr Wiley, and I shall look to you for the only true account of its reception. The critics may write as obscurely as they please, and look much wiser than they are; the papers may puff or abuse, as their changeful humours dictate; but if you meet me

with a smiling face, I shall at once know that all is essentially well.

If you should ever have occasion for a preface, I beg you will let me hear from

you in reply.

Yours, truly,

New-York, January 1st, 1823.

THE AUTHOR.