Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1835, By HARPER & BROTHERS, In the Clerk's Office of the Southern District of New-York. English 16-29-40 41854 74. PUBLISHERS' ADVERTISEMENT. THE Publishers of this first uniform edition of the writings of MR. JAMES K. PAULDING, encouraged by the favour with which the several works were received at the periods of their original appearance, and by the steadily advancing reputation of the Author, as well as by the successful issue of other similar undertakings in which they have engaged within the last two or three years, anticipate for it, from the American public, a reception that shall at once remunerate them for the large amount of capital employed in the enterprise, and afford the strongest proof, that the charge, once perhaps justly made, of indifference towards the productions of native writers, is now no longer applicable. The productions of Mr. Paulding, extending through a period of more than twenty-five years, have always ranked among those on which his countrymen rest their literary claims. He commenced his literary career at the same time, and in association with Mr. Washington Irving; and though, in after years, their course was pursued in different hemispheres, it is believed that the same point has been ultimately attained by both, namely, the respect and regard of their countrymen. It does not, perhaps, become the Publishers to announce their own opinions of any writings they may think proper to offer to the acceptance of the public. The fact of their undertaking the publication is sufficient evidence of their own estimation. But it is believed there can be no impropriety in adverting to one very prominent characteristic, by which it is universally conceded that the productions of Mr. Paulding are uniformly distinguished; their strikingly national character. The incidents, the personages, the descriptions, and the feelings, are decidedly American. Even in satire, which is by many considered his happiest vein, he is never so pungent, easy, and true, as when ridiculing the vain pretensions of originals from abroad, or the awkward imitations |