Wolfert's Roost and Miscellanies

版权信息
COUNT VAN HORN WOLFERT'S ROOST
SLEEPY HOLLOW.
THE BIRDS OF SPRING.
RECOLLECTIONS OF THE ALHAMBRA.
THE ABENCERRAGE.
THE ENCHANTED ISLAND.
THE ADELANTADO OF THE SEVEN CITIES.
NATIONAL NOMENCLATURE.
DESULTORY THOUGHTS ON CRITICISM.
SPANISH ROMANCE.
LEGEND OF DON MUNIO SANCHO DE HINOJOSA.
COMMUNIPAW.
CONSPIRACY OF THE COCKED HATS.
A LEGEND OF COMMUNIPAW.
GUESTS FROM GIBBET-ISLAND.
THE BERMUDAS.
THE THREE KINGS OF BERMUDA.
PELAYO AND THE MERCHANT'S DAUGHTER.
THE KNIGHT OF MALTA.
THE GRAND PRIOR OF MINORCA
LEGEND OF THE ENGULPHED CONVENT.
THE COUNT VAN HORN.

　　Sir: I have observed that as a man advances in life, he is subject to a kind of plethora of the mind, doubtless occasioned by the vast accumulation of wisdom and experience upon the brain. Hence he is apt to become narrative and admonitory, that is to say, fond of telling long stories, and of doling out advice, to the small profit and great annoyance of his friends. As I have a great horror of becoming the oracle, or, more technically speaking, the "bore," of the domestic circle, and would much rather bestow my wisdom and tediousness upon the world at large, I have always sought to ease off this surcharge of the intellect by means of my pen, and hence have inflicted divers gossiping volumes upon the patience of the public. I am tired, however, of writing volumes; they do not afford exactly the relief I require; there is too much preparation, arrangement, and parade, in this set form of coming before the public. I am growing too indolent and unambitious for any thing that requires labor or display. I have thought, therefore, of securing to myself a snug corner in some periodical work where I might, as it were, loll at my ease in my elbow-chair, and chat sociably with the public, as with an old friend, on any chance subject that might pop into my brain.
　　In looking around, for this purpose, upon the various excellent periodicals with which our country abounds, my eye was struck by the title of your work—"THE KNICKERBOCKER." My heart leaped at the sight.