THE POCKET AND THE STUD. 



INTRODUCTION. 



THE AUTHOR'S APOLOGY TOR INSTRUCTING HIS READERS. 

 ADVANTAGES OF EXPERIENCE. OBSTACLES IN THE WAY 

 OF PROFITING BY IT. NECESSITY OF THEIR REMOVAL. 



Prologue precedes the piece, in mournful verse, 

 As undertakers walk before the hearse." 



IN these words commences the prologue to a 

 play : why should they not serve for an introduc- 

 tion to this volume, not being so inapt to the 

 subject as they may at first appear? First, then, 

 in commencing a preface, I am an undertaker; 

 and in beginning the work, I am an undertaker 

 still. There is, however, this difference between 

 us-, I endeavour to make my work go on as 

 cheerfully as I possibly can my brother under- 

 taker makes his proceed as mournfully as possible. 

 He feels it is duty to walk before his work ; where- 

 as I see no advantage in my walking before mine, 

 though I shall feel much flattered if others will 

 only be kind enough to walk after it ; not that in 



B 



