XXI 



quently, be found rather a book of in- 

 formation than of mere amusement ; but 

 let the reader bear in mind, that it is 

 written on an amusing art, and he will 

 agree with me, that it would have been a 

 task of supererogation and of self-suffi- 

 ciency, to attempt " to paint the lily, to 

 gild refined gold." It is written in a plain, 

 straightforward style, suitable, I hope, to 

 the subject ; but of that I dare not judge. 

 I tremblingly see the critic's rod lifted up 

 before me ; but while he wields it, let 

 him lay it on mercifully, when he reflects 

 that his victim is a meek and modest 

 "brother of the rod." 



I hope that the different authors whose 

 names I have made use of, will perceive 

 that I have done so in a perfect spirit of 

 fairness, and with the laudable purpose of 

 disseminating as widely as possible a 

 knowledge and a love of the art we all 

 profess and are fond of. If I have done 

 any of them the slightest wrong, I shall 

 be ready, when it is pointed out to me 



