The Companionship of Books and Other Papers

The author of The Companionship of Books and Other Papers makes this explanation with regard to the book he now presents to the reading public. The sentences and paragraphs and, in some instances, more lengthy articles which compose this work were written at various times, and many of them have been published in magazines and literary periodicals. To those already published have been added a number that here for the first time make their appearance in print. They sustain little or no relation to each other, and, therefore, admit of only a very general arrangement. The last page in the collection was finished two years ago, but the author did not feel that the work was completed, and could not bring himself to deliver the manuscript into the hands of his publisher. The generous reception, however, given to his Last Words of Distinguished Men and Women, and his Flowers of Song from Many Lands has encouraged him to place this book upon the list of his published works. Its preparation furnished to him many delightful hours in the library, and he now sends it forth with the hope that it may bring to others both pleasure and profit.