Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1857, By M. W. Dodd, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for the Southern District of New York. 535795 TO THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW YORK AND BROOKLYN YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATIONS. GENTLEMEN, Without soliciting your permission, I have ventured to dedicate to you the present volume. I have judged that there is peculiar fitness in thus formally presenting to you a treatise on FASHIONABLE AMUSEMENTS, written, as I flatter myself it is, in a spirit congenial with your own, and in a style which will render it not unworthy of your acceptance. The subject is one of great interest both to yourselves personally, and to that large and important class of the community to whom it is your object to extend a salutary influence the young men of the cities of New York and Brooklyn; and the opinions which you may entertain, and the conduct which you may pursue in relation to it, will deeply affect both your own character and that of others, whom your opinions and example will extensively govern. If this little book shall be useful to you per sonally, or in your hands shall be made useful to others -if it shall correct error, remove doubts, confirm correct convictions, and strengthen virtuous purpose, I shall rejoice that I have written the volume, and that I have inscribed your name upon it. With many prayers that the smiles and benediction of the Great Head of the Church may rest upon you individually and collectively, that he may grant each one of you "in health and prosperity long to live," make your lives useful and honorable, and your death peaceful and happy, I am, Gentlemen, With sincere regard, NEW YORK, June, 1857. D. R. THOMASON. |