Page:Complete Works of Lewis Carroll.djvu/529

 »»»»»>»»»»»»»»«««««««««««««< PREFACE Let me here express my sincere gratitude to the many Reviewers who have noticed, whether favorably or un- favorably, the previous Volume. Their unfavorable re- marks were, most probably, well-deserved; the favorable ones less probably so. Both kinds have no doubt served to make the book known, and have helped the reading Public to form their opinions of it. Let me also here assure them that it is not from any want of respect for their criticisms, that I have carefully forborne from reading any of them. I am strongly of opinion that an author had far better not read any reviews of his books: the unfavor- able ones are almost certain to make him cross, and the favorable ones conceited; and neither of these results is desirable. Criticisms have, however, reached me from private sources, to some of which I propose to offer a reply. One such critic complains that Arthur's strictures, on sermons and on choristers, are too severe. Let me say, in reply, that I do not hold myself responsible for any of the opinions expressed by the characters in my book. They are simply opinions which, it seemed to me, might prob- ably be held by the persons into whose mouths I put them, and which were worth consideration. Other critics have objected to certain innovations in spelling, such as "ca n't," "wo'n't," "traveler." In reply, I can only plead my firm conviction that the popular usage is wrong. As to "ca'n't," it will not be disputed 509