Hence those who read this (if any do) will have a lingering notion that I can mean no one but the reader then and there present. ![]() The most virtuous! Nobody says he is the most virtuous but if we are to/Jldge people by the way they decide upon their n ighbors' misdemeanors, and by the way they ex- cuse themselves on every possible occasion, we have some grounds for assuming most of our acquaintances -not exclusive of ourselves-consider themselves as vastly superior to the world in which they live. ![]() Mighty will be the rush to catch this honor, even as at rustic fairs many hands are stretched out to seize the prize pig by its greased tail. TTis, I flatter myself, will cause a huge sensation. Vii vidual, causes me to spout out the following words- the substance of this immortal dedication: DEDICATED TO THE ONE TO VIRTUE MOST DEDICATED. to use a -playful expression) a very gassy indi- * "Quant i moy/ il me semble lire en plusieurs de ses exploicts une certaine resolution de se perdre, pour fuyr la honte d'estre vaincu." -'iss de Montaigne, liv. Therefore I again repeat that the Muse of Prose, the laurel-crowned Clio, the glory-celebrating daughter of Mnemosyne, who in- vented history, and who presides over the chronicles of Dreamland, is the one who inspires me with gas, such -, s once intoxicated the Pythoness, and, making me. As my present object is to be oracu- lar, and to achieve the glorious victory of winning every one without exciting jealousy (for, of course, there will be an immense competition to secure the honor of this dedication, equal to an American crowd of office seekers at the inauguration of a new Presi- dent), it behooves me, as a hero, to sink or swim, live or die, survive or perish at my post. ]Now I agree with Montaigne,* when he says he regards many of Csesar's exploits as indicative of a resolution to win or die and I concur with that cel- ebrated essayist in regarding it as a very great feature in any person's character, provided the thing to be won is worth dying for-a good saving clause, which will forever preserve me from any too practical application of my principle. Sir Oracle, I distinctly wish it understood that I do not commit Myself by any confession. But, at the same time, being inclined, as I before stated, to be. have considerable affection for myself, and am some- what interested in my own prospects in life. Page: vi-vii Switch to Image Mode CLOSE Page vi-vii vi DEDICATION. ![]() Some persons of insignificant position in the polite world may suppose I am here alluding to myself number one being usually the object of our tenderest regards. I would utter my Kpoto-o? AXvv Staf3ag JzeyaXflv apXnv KcaraXvaet -to puzzle my readers accordingly, so that each of my acquaintances who desire this great honor, may read this and say, "Bless my soul! the book is positively dedicated to me." Hence, as in the old game of forfeits, I wish it dis, tinetly understood that I inscribe this to-the prettiest, address it to the wittiest, and dedicate it to the one I love best. I AM excessively puzzled how to word my dedica- tion, for I wish to inmitate the oracles of old, and vie with the mystic revelations of Dodona, of Delphi, of the Macedonian Amphiaraus, and' the Caspian Na- barca. GRIFFIN, In the District Court of the United, States for the Southern District of New York. Page: 0 Switch to Image Mode CLOSE Entered, according to Actof Congress, in the year 1864, by EDMUND D. Page: 0 (TitlePage) Switch to Image Mode CLOSE (TitlePage) DREAMS WITHN DREAMS f' 3t 1 la ialtism OF THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY BEING, LIKE MOST VISIONS OF THE NIGHT, A MEDLEY OF OLD T HNGS A ND NEW. Publication Year: 1864 Source: New York : P.
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