A Selection of Original Songs, Scraps, Etc., by Ned Farmer/Preface
Preface.
As some slight excuse for the heterogeneous matter of which the accompanying trifle is composed, it is necessary to observe, that it is purely and essentially what its title purports—it is my Scrap Book.
To escape the more serious imputation of daring to imagine, that it was at all likely to be tolerated by the general community for any merit it might possess, it is due to myself to explain the simple origin of the design.
I have, or fancy I have, many friends, (and it is a delusion I should very reluctantly part with, even if I am wrong in that supposition,) I am certain of possessing an almost unlimited circle of acquaintance, and I deemed it reasonable to imagine, that among the multitude, enough of purchasers might be found to render it a profitable speculation, and I have been long wedded to the belief, that any honest means by which the most money can be gotten in the least time, has the least of folly attached to it: beyond this, I had neither hope nor expectancy.
Its contents have been written within the last year or two, at various times and seasons, and, as the subjects will fully testify, under the influence of very different feelings.
No person can, by any possibility, be more acutely alive to the glaring folly of parading my "exalted doggrel" before the public than myself, and I have yet to learn whether I am about most to astonish those who know me, by attempting poetry at all, or those who do not, by the hardihood evinced in publishing it when written.
Whatever may be the errors and demerits of the Scrap Book, (and their name is "Legion,") I shall at least enjoy the very sincere satisfaction of knowing, that although no one may become either the wiser or better for having read it, yet can no person ever be a whit the worse for its perusal.
In conclusion, I am clearly of opinion that my wiser course is to plead "guilty" to the general folly of the transaction, and (in all due dread and humble hope,) throw myself upon the mercy of the court, and in doing which I beg most respectfully to subscribe myself
Their most obedient and very humble Servant,
Greet, November, 1846.