PREFACE. IT has given "the Philosopher" pleasure to find that his story of his "School-boy Days" has been so universally acceptable to the young. That story is read on both sides of the Atlantic; and, thus encouraged, he gladly comes before his young readers again. He hopes that these tales of his "Youthful Companions" will be equally as acceptable as those of his old school-fellows. They have a similar object in view—that of pleasing and instructing the youthful mind-and, therefore, his "long face" assumes a complacent smile of confidence that they will meet with the same favour. It is the greatest pleasure of his life to be useful to his species, and there is no section of the community which he desires to benefit so much as the young. He would fain teach them all how to act so that they may be happy both in this world and in the next. This is the great object of these volumes, and "the Philosopher" has in contemplation yet several volumes having the same end in view. He has yet many tales to relate, of the friends and companions of his youth, for the amusement and instruction of his young readers: tales that will enliven and enlighten the mind, and that will pass "From grave to gay, from gay to grave." From his Study, |