MAIN COPYRIGHT, 1902, BY CUYLER REYNOLDS Published April, 1902 Ninth Edition A man will turn over half a library The Knickerbocker Press, New York B33 R4 1902a MAIN ΤΟ HON. ANDREW HAMILTON A friend whose qualities of mind combine Those graces which enchantment lend: The power to think, to wish, to act,-in fine In him all generous virtues blend. INTRODUCTION IT has been said that "a good wine needs no bush," and it may be as truly asserted that a good book requires no introduction. But it is recorded that the Bard of Avon did make fair Rosalind say, after her scene with fond friends in the Forest of Arden, "Yet to good wine they do use good bushes," which would seem that an introduction be proper if it be but good. To pen the foreword places one in the position of the bashful Rosalind, for "what a case am I in then," being neither a good introducer, nor cannot insinuate with you in the behalf of" a good book. Undoubtedly, in the days of Shakespeare, as now, it was known widely that a taste of certain liquors concocted with perspicuity prepares one's inner man the better for things to come than had the cork been allowed to remain cobwebbed to the bottle; so for an equally long time it has been thought mete that a good book, like the good dinner, receive encouragement afore it. Some persons compose their meal of a staple course, one that is substantial for the body's need, yet at times, dining with their friends, enjoy with relish the dinner whose chief ambition is of |