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ADVERTISEMENT.

As the author's stay in America extended from August, 1835, to August, 1836, it may be expected that he should give some reason for so great a delay in the appearance of his little work. He had taken notes, with a view to a much earlier publication; but immediately on his return to England, having received an urgent invitation to join in a speculation started by a newly-formed company in Belgium, his stay there, and some other hindrances nearer home, caused him to lay aside his first intention altogether. It so happened, however, that the person to whom the letters were addressed, having had for years a strong desire to settle in the United States, in which he was to be joined by several other individuals his acquaintances, having, like him, emigratory predilections, the author was asked to give his opinions at length on the subject, for their guidance: hence the more immediate origin of this volume. As so many take an interest in the subject, the author had been not a little applied to, from many other quarters, for information; and he is now sorry that he could not find leisure enough to extend his notes into their present shape long ago; he would thus have been able to reply to all importunities like a departed surgeon-who will be immortalised by his biscuits, as Madame de Maintenon has been by her cutlets-with the ready stop-query—“ Have you read my book?"

It will be seen that the complimentary terms usual in epistolary address have been retrenched, as taking up room uselessly. Nevertheless the following letters are strictly what they profess to be-familiar communications to an old and valued friend, for his behoof and

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that of others more intimate with him than with the writer. Without this understanding, the style adopted might justly be chargeable with undue familiarity.

Mention is made in Letter IX. of certain Addresses drawn up for the perusal of the workmen of the United States, but which did not see the light there. The auther's first intention was to subjoin them by way of appendix to this volume, as not inapplicable to existing circumstances among ourselves. On consideration, however, as they would form a good-sized pamphlet alone, he thought they would greatly increase the bulk without commensurately increasing the utility of the work. Nos. I. and II., however, he has given. That on Trades' Unions was at first selected, but rejected, partly on account of its length, and partly because a great deal of matter, similar to what is therein contained, has been anticipated by recent articles in the journals. But, indeed, much of what would have been new to the humbler class of enquirers in America, is to be found at sources of easy access among us: and therefore the suppression of most of these Addresses, at least for the present, will be of the less consequence to the English general reader.

One observation remains to be added: that the distinguished person to whom this small work is inscribed, knows nothing whatever of the writer, nor of his intention to make such a dedication.

February, 1838.

A. T.

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