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 towards 

 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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