THE IDLER,

A TREASURY

OF

Essay, Criticism, and General Literature.

STRENUA NOS EXERCET INERTIA."

LONDON:

HOULSTON AND STONEMAN, 65, PATERNOSTER ROW.

PREFACE.

THE IDLER returns his hearty thanks to his friends, literary and otherwise, for their contributions and support, and trusts that friendships thus begun may endure (as the Persians say) while the sun and moon endure.

The IDLER confesses that at times he may, perhaps, have been rayther more personal than pleasant, yet it was truth that barbed the arrow, and gave to every word its sting.

But however faulty or ill-advised, the IDLER thinks he can at least claim the merit of honestly endeavouring to give the public money's worth for money; and that the Volume now before the reader will bear comparison with works of greater weight perhaps, and more ambitious pretensions.

Remembering, however, that "brevity is the soul of wit," and that a short Preface is more likely to be read than a long one, the IDLER herewith makes his bow to his kind patrons, and begs to sign himself their most humble and obedient servant.