one day while sitting in my garden at my country-seat in new york state, from which, by looking at the title, you will see i have a fine view of the high bridge across the harlem river, one of my favorite little granddaughters came running to me, just as i had seated myself in my old garden-seat, and earnestly begged me to again read her book to her. but, as i thought she had heard those stories so often, i supposed she would like to hear some new ones much better, so i related to her two or three. with these, and with others that i told her during the holydays which she was spending with me, she was so much pleased, that i thought my numerous juvenile friends throughout the country would also like to possess[iv] them. i have accordingly collected them into a volume, which my publishers have made very attractive by the addition of twenty-eight beautiful engravings; and it is now offered as a christmas and new year’s present, to amuse and instruct you, by your friend,

grandfather merryman.

philadelphia, december, 1848.