Page:Poems of Nature and Life.djvu/40

 32 INTRODUCTION-

As for the newspapers, I am aware that their criticisms go for little, unless the sincerity of the authors of them is perfectly apparent. I suppose, however, that Mr. Hale of the "Advertiser" would be apt to take some notice of a work in which the fate of a near relative of his own forms an important subject. However, although the extensive mention of a book may do much toward hastening its diffusion, I feel sure that it must depend on its own merits at last. As for my own, I am willing to commit it to the care of time ; fortunately, it is not written with expecta- tion of profit. I am aware that there are many other forms of payment for literary labors more gratifying to an author than money, and it is pleasant to perpetuate what one does in an indestructible form. I shall distribute copies of my book among all my friends, as well as others who derive enjoyment from it, and shall feel repaid for my outlay, even if there are not a hundred copies sold. Still, I wish it a better fate, and I cannot help thinking that, out of five hundred copies, many must by degrees reach the hands of the intelligent. Whatever may be its fate, I propose, provided my funds hold out, that five more works shall succeed the present ; and for these the en- graving collection must go lean for a time, if necessary. The next in order has been long since dedicated to Frank, and I anticipate agreeable amusement this winter in completing it. That which I am now about to have printed I have, to save expense, diminished from 375 pages to about 250, and defer the rest to a succeeding collection. It is agreed that Mr. Jewett's name shall be attached as the publisher ; I hope in January to bring a copy with me to Beverly.

Mr. Peabody and his daughter called on me last week to look at prints. I find him no ordinary man. He grows

�� �