“who reads a preface?” many do not; but jump at once into the middle of a book. but it is well to know something about a book, before reading it; and who so likely to give you information respecting the contents of a book as the author himself? i wish to see the youth of my country come forward upon the stage of life, models of excellence, with characters formed for the times in which they are to act. how much influence my book may have, in securing such a result, i cannot tell; but my design in writing it has been, to contribute something toward forming the character of some of those who are to be our future electors, legislators, governors,[4] judges, ministers, lawyers, and physicians,—after the best model; and, from the kind reception of my former attempts to benefit american youth, i trust they will give a candid hearing to the few hints contained in the following pages. it is intended for boys,—or, if you please, for young gentlemen,—in early youth, from eight or ten to fifteen or sixteen years of age. it covers substantially the same ground occupied by a work for girls issued simultaneously with it; and some of the chapters are identical in the two books, while others are entirely different, and some partially so. it is the hope of the author, that every one who reads it, will strive to be a man, in the highest sense of the term.

january, 1847.