TO KATHARINEWITH WHOM THESE THINGS HAVEBEEN TALKED OVER
TO KATHARINE
WITH WHOM THESE THINGS HAVE
BEEN TALKED OVER
PREFACE
PREFACE
THERE is a well-grounded prejudice against a volume which exhibits no marks of design and which turns out to be only a fortuitous collection of essays. It is felt that the chapters brought together under the cover of a single book should have something in common. When one sees a number of subjects, each standing aloof from the others, he predicts infelicity. It suggests incompatibility of temper.
The essays brought together in “the Pardoner’s Wallet” have at least a certain community of interest. They treat of aspects of human nature which, while open to friendly criticism, are excusable. If the author sometimes touches upon the foibles of his betters, he at least has the grace to know that they are his betters.