INTRODUCTION. 



A FEW days before I embarked for America, 

 being in a coffee-house with some friends, 

 and discoursing of things relative to that 

 country, an elderly gentleman advancing tow^ards 

 the box where we were sitting, addressed himself to 

 me in the following manner: ''Sir," said he, "you 

 "are young, and just entering into the world; I am 

 "old, and upon the point of leaving it: allow me 

 "therefore to give you one piece of advice, which is 

 "the result of experience; and which may possibly, 

 "some time or other, be of use to you. You are 

 "going to a country where every thing will appear 

 "new and wonderful to you; but it will appear so 

 "only for a while; for the novelty of it will daily wear 

 "off; and in time it will grow quite familiar to you. 

 "Let me, therefore, recommend to you to note in 

 "your pocket-book every circumstance that may 

 "make an impression upon you; for be assured, sir, 

 "though it may afterward appear familiar and un- 

 " interesting to yourself, it will not appear so to your 



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