BOOK SIXTH.
CHAPTER I.
Being an Address to the Reader.
Seeing the length to which this World has already run, and the space it must yet occupy in the columns of Maga, it is but fair to the Reader to correct any inconsiderate notion that the Author does not know "what he will do with it." Learn, then, O friendly reader, that no matter the number of months through which it may glide its way to thine eyes—learn that with the single exception of the chapter now respectfully addressed to thee, THE WHOLE OF THIS WORK HAS BEEN LONG SINCE COMPLETED AND TRANSFERRED FROM THE DESK OF THE AUTHOR TO THE HANDS OF THE PUBLISHER.
On the 22d of January last—let the day be marked with a white stone!—the Author's labors were brought to a close and "What he will do with it" is no longer a secret—at least to the Editor of Maga.
May this information establish, throughout the rest of the journey to be traveled together, that tacit confidence between Author and Reader which is so important to mutual satisfaction!
Firstly.—The Reader may thus have the complaisance to look at each installment as the component portion of a completed whole; comprehending that it cannot be within the scope of the Author's design to aim at a separate effect for each separate Number; but rather to carry on through each Number the effect which he deems most appropriate to his composition when regarded as a whole. And here may it be permitted to dispel an erroneous idea, which, to judge by current criticism, appears to be sufficiently prevalent to justify the egotism of comment. It seems to be supposed that, because this work is published from month to month in successive installments, therefore it is written from month to month, as a newspaper article may be dashed off from day to day. Such a supposition is adverse to
