PREFACE.
The author addresses her readers in these words, by way of Preface to the Second Volume ofFern Leaves:—
“Six months since, I was in a deplorable state of ignorance as to the most felicitous style in which I could address my readers; at this lapse of time I find myself not a whit wiser. You will permit me, therefore, in pressing again your kindly hands, simply to say, that I hope my second offering ofFern Leaveswill be more worthy of your acceptance than the first.”
To this the Publishers of the English edition need only add, that the great popularity which this and the preceding series ofFern Leaveshave attained, both in England and America, has induced them to enter into arrangements with the proprietors of the copyright, whereby the present edition of this work might obtain the benefit of the author’s sanction and revision. To say anything by way of recommending so well-known a writer as the sister of N. P. Willis is quite unnecessary—the acute knowledge of the world,the womanly pathos and sympathy for the poor and neglected, the genial, almost masculine, sense of humour and force of language, the fearless expression of opinion, and the true wit and genius displayed in these Leaves from Fanny’s Portfolio, cannot fail to ensure for them a large and sympathising audience among the British public.
Amen Corner, Paternoster Row,August, 1854.
Amen Corner, Paternoster Row,August, 1854.
Amen Corner, Paternoster Row,August, 1854.
Amen Corner, Paternoster Row,
August, 1854.