FROM NEW YORK. SECOND SERIES. Mrs. Lydia (Francis) BY L. MARIA CHILD, AUTHOR OF PHILOTHEA, THE MOTHER'S BOOK, THE GIRL'S BOOK, "Every gift of noble origin Is breathed upon by Hope's perpetual breath." WORDSWORTH. "Music, by the fluent medium, the stimulus, and the upbearing elasticity it offers philosophy infers, this all-enfolding language declares." C. S. FRANCIS & CO., 252 BROADWAY. BOSTON: J. H. FRANCIS, 128 WASHINGTON STREET 1845. US 155 89.403 1883, Dec. 22. Croke beauist. Entered according to Act of Congress, if the year 1845, by C. S. FRANCIS & CO. In the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the Southern District of New-York. PRINTED BY MUNROE & FRANCIS, Boston. TO THE READER. I Do not call this volume Letters from New York, on account of the unexpected popularity of the first volume, or because I consider it altogether appropriate; but I can think of no better name, under which to arrange articles so miscellaneous and incongruous in their character. Many of them are now published for the first time, others have been scattered through various periodicals. I claim for them no other merit than that of being an honest record of my own views and impressions, on subjects which most interest me. If you discover faults in my premises, or errors in my conclusions, it may at least do you some good, by exciting your own mind to increased activity. That I see glorious truths in mere fragments, and utter even those with most inadequate expression, I am painfully conscious. But frankly and confidingly, as children do, I show you an image of my soul, as reflected in the mirror of its passing thoughts. I have written nothing from affectation, sectarian prejudice, or partisan zeal. Perhaps you will forgive my deficiencies, for the sake of my kind intentions, and sincere love of truth. L. M. C. |