PREFACE 



TO THE THIRD EDITION. 



In the introductory chapter to my last edition I 

 challenged the public to make good their title to 

 share the sarcasm of a witty friend, — " There go 

 two fools to the making of that book, — the man 

 who wrote it, and he who buys it." I feel most 

 grateful that the speedy call for this third edition 

 acquits me of the greater share of folly : indeed I 

 begin to doubt the authority of my caustic critic, 

 and to flatter myself that there is very little folly 

 on either side ! 



My adventures, as they become better known, 

 begin to entail some very whimsical inconveniences. 

 I alluded to a few of these in my last edition ; but 

 at the time it appeared, I had not yet experienced 

 one or two of a very peculiar character, that may 

 amuse my readers somewhat more than myself. 



" Do you know Caveat Emptor ?" inquired a fair 

 ladv of an intimate friend of mine. 



