THE GEM OF THE SEASON: WITH TWENTY PLATES BY SARTAIN. EDITED BY JOHN HOLMES AGNEW. NEW-YORK: LEAVITT, TROW & COMPANY, 194 BROADWAY. 1846. 1176 こ AL 332128 HARVARD COLLEGE LIBRARY WILLIAM MCMICHAEL WOODWORTH Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1845, by LEAVITT, TROW & COMPANY, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Southern District of New-York. OHN F TROW & COMPANY, PRINTERS PREFACE. PREFACE. "THE GEM OF THE SEASON" is a new claimant for public favor: nor does it shrink from entering the lists to compete for the approbation of the wise and good. Its title might seem to indicate an expectation of peculiar regard; and, indeed, "The Gem" does pride itself on the number and beauty of its embellishments, and the chasteness and purity of its costume. It thinks the discerning public will award it the palm, and pronounce it worthy of its name, as excelling every other American book, and equalling the best English, in the general style of its execution, and especially in the superior elegance of its paper. It has been the object, in this volume, to weave a wreath of poetic beauty such as the most delicate and refined taste should not hesitate, nay should be ambitious, to wear. We send it forth, assured that it needs only to be seen, to be admired. |