A STORY OF AMERICAN LIFE. BY BAYARD TAYLOR. NEW YORK: G. P. PUTNAM; HURD AND HOUGHTON 1865. HARVARD COLLEGE LIBRARY GIFT OF EDWIN R. FAIRCHILD 3 Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1863, BY G. P. PUTNAM, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the CAMBRIDGE. FRINTED BY H. O. HOUGHTON AND COMPANY. TO GEORGE P. PUTNAM. MY DEAR FRIEND: WHEN I decided to write a brief letter of Dedication for this book, and thus evade a Preface-since all that need be said to the reader can be said just as well, if not better, to the friend-I began to cast about in my mind for the particular individual willing to stand by my side in this new literary venture, deserving of all the fleeting compliment which possible success may give, and too secure, in the shelter of his own integrity, to be damaged by whatever condemnation may fall upon the author. While various cherished names arose, one after the other, the cab in which I rode and meditated passed down Regent Street into Waterloo Place, and my eyes fell upon that door, where, seventeen years ago, I entered for the first time one dreary March afternoon-entered as a timid, desponding stranger, and issued thence with the cheer and encouragement which I owed to your unexpected kindness. The |