This is a revised edition of a book which has already been received with
considerable favour at home and abroad. It has been reprinted in various
forms in America; translations have appeared in Dutch and French, and
others are about to appear in German and Danish. The book has, doubtless,
proved attractive to readers in different countries by reason of the variety of
anecdotal illustrations of life and character which it contains, and the
interest which all more or less feel in the labours, the trials, the struggles,
and the achievements of others. No one can be better aware than the
author, of its fragmentary character, arising from the manner in which it was
for the most part originally composed,—having been put together
principally from jottings made during many years,—intended as readings for
young men, and without any view to publication. The appearance of this
edition has furnished an opportunity for pruning the volume of some
superfluous matter, and introducing various new illustrations, which will
probably be found of general interest.
