Knick-knacks from an Editor's Table

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HE present volume is given to its readers with

THE

the old excuse of first-book adventurers' solicitations of friends;' not however without the hope that it may be found in some degree tc justify their judgment, or palliate their partiality. During some nineteen years, sitting alone or with company in the sanctum' of the Knickerbocker Magazine, or circulating in the society of a great metropolis, or sojourning at intervals in the country, the writer has seen and heard much that has awakened mirth, and felt much that has elicited tears. Looking back now upon these records, many of them almost forgotten, the old emotions

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with which they were originally jotted down come back again freshly upon him. It has always been his belief, as it certainly is his experience, that any one man who feels and enjoys-who can neither resist laughter nor forbid tears, that must out, and will have vent—is in some sort an epitome of the public.

So thinking and so hoping, the writer has been induced to lay this, his first humble 'venture,' before his readers; relying more upon the expressed judgment of others in the matter, than upon his own. 'I am glad to hear'-writes an

American author whose favorable estimate would reflect honor upon a far worthier literary project than the present-'that you are preparing one or two volumes for publication from your 'Table.' You will perhaps remember that I once spoke to you upon the subject, and advised you to this course. I have often thought it a great pity that the sallies of humor, the entertaining incidents, and the touches of tender pathos, which are so

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frequently to be met with in your 'Gossip,' should be comparatively lost among the multitudinous leaves of a Magazine.'* Kindred sug

gestions have been received from similar flattering sources, and are at last acted upon.

Of one thing at least the reader of this volume may be assured-and that is, abundant variety. There are sad thoughts and glad thoughts recorded in these pages; influenced by all seasons, and jotted down at all seasons; scenes and incidents in town and country, and all over the country; familiar home-views,' anecdotes and 'stories' not a few; many and multifarious matters, in fine, original or communicated, that have made the writer laugh; and many, moreover, that have moistened his eyes, as he wrote and read and re-read them; the whole forming a dish of desultory 'GOSSIP,' in which it is hoped that every . body may find something that shall please, and no one any thing to offend him.

*WASHINGTON IRVING.

CONTENTS.

GOSSIP ABOUT CHILDREN: A Familiar Epistle...

NUMBER ONE.

PAGE.

A REVERIE of Boyhood and Political Economy: A New Era among Chris-

tians: Execution of Ground-Mice: An Hour in Sing-Sing Prison - MON-

ROE EDWARDS: Narcotic Influence-a Regular Bu'st': GEOFFREY

CRAYON and Old KNICK' in Sleepy Hollow - Hereditary Lightning: A

few thoughts on Death: Anecdote of JARVIS the Painter: A Ghost-

Story: Cool Reply to a Dunning-Letter: Children-Home Feeling in

Old Age: A Cute' Yankee Clock-Pedler: Autumn in the Country,