Preface.
The design of the series of volumes, entitled Marco Paul's Adventuresin the Pursuit of Knowledge, is not merely to entertain the readerwith a narrative of juvenile adventures, but also to communicate, inconnection with them, as extensive and varied information as possible,in respect to the geography, the scenery, the customs and theinstitutions of this country, as they present themselves to theobservation of the little traveler, who makes his excursions under theguidance of an intelligent and well-informed companion, qualified toassist him in the acquisition of knowledge and in the formation ofcharacter. The author has endeavored to enliven his narrative, and toinfuse into it elements of a salutary moral influence, by means ofpersonal incidents befalling the actors in the story. These incidentsare, of course, imaginary--but the reader may rely upon the strictand exact truth and fidelity of all the descriptions of places,institutions and scenes, which are brought before his mind in theprogress of the narrative. Thus, though the author hopes that thereaders who may honor these volumes with their perusal, will be amusedand interested by them, his design throughout will be to instructrather than to entertain.