OR THE ADVENTURES OF MILES WALLINGFORD. BY THE AUTHOR OF "THE TWO ADMIRALS," "PILOT," "WING "Home-keeping youth have ever homely wits." Two Gentlemen of Verona. IN TWO VOLUMES, VOL. I. PHILADELPHIA: PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR. Entered, according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1844, by J. FENIMORE COOPER, in the clerk's office of the district court for the Northern district of New York. J. Fagan, Stereotyper. C. Sherman, Printer. (2) PREFACE. THE writer has published so much truth which the world has insisted was fiction, and so much fiction which has been received as truth, that, in the present instance, he is resolved to say nothing on the subject. Each of his readers is at liberty to believe just as much, or as little, of the matter here laid before him, or her, as may suit his, or her notions, prejudices, knowledge of the world, or ignorance. If anybody is disposed to swear he knows precisely where Clawbonny is, that he was well acquainted with old Mr. Hardinge, nay, has often heard him preach-let him make his affidavit, in welcome. Should he get a little wide of the mark, it will not be the first document of that nature, which has possessed the same weakness. It is possible that certain captious persons may be disposed to inquire into the cui bono? of such a book. The answer is this. Everything which can convey to the human mind distinct and accurate impressions of events, social facts, professional peculiarities, or past history, whether of the higher or more familiar character, is of use. All that is necessary is, that the pictures should be true to nature, if not absolutely drawn from living sitters. The knowledge we gain by our looser reading, often becomes serviceable in modes and manners little anticipated in the moments when it is acquired. Perhaps the greater portion of all our peculiar opinions have their foundation in prejudices. These prejudices are |