PREFACE 

 TO THE ORIGINAL EDITION. 



The author gladly avails himself of the convenience 

 of a Preface for stating, that it will be seen at the close 

 of the work why he makes such a characterless character 

 as Mr. Sponge the hero of his tale. 



He will be glad if it serves to put the rising gene- 

 ration on their guard against specious, promiscuous 

 acquaintance, and trains them on to the noble sport of 

 hunting, to the exclusion of its mercenary, illegitimate 

 off-shoots. 



November, 1852. 



