They were originally composed for the writer’s own amusement; to beguile the tediousness of otherwise idle time. And not the least motive for this indulgence was a desire to abstract the mind from too near a contemplation of the dark side of that picture, which I have described as a panic. They were not written in the first place, with any view to publication, but as each chapter was successively read in the presence of friends, and principally for amusement, those friends at length advised their publication; and with their advice they have been submitted to the press, in the original manuscript, almost without correction. The writer has no claims to literary qualifications, and of course he seeks no reward of literary reputation. Were it otherwise the reader would at once convict him of his presumption. Those persons who are acquainted with the business of Wall-street, will be able to judge for themselves of the truth of the descriptions; and those who have not that opportunity of judging, are respectfully requested to consider the reflections and moralizing, occasionally introduced, as made in seriousness, and the rest as the truth in burlesque. That there is existing, at the present time, a demoralised condition of principle, feeling, and practice, pervading the country throughout, in regard to pecuniary transactions and engagements, deserving a severe castigation, will not I believe be denied by any one; and for the vindication of good faith and honesty, the writer could wish that the subject had been taken in hand, by some one more skilful than himself in the use of the scourge. The proper correction of public morals is public opinion; but so long as public opinion is indifferent to the innovations that have grown up, and so long as pecuniary credit, and the posts of honor, trust and profit, are so frequently accorded to the most successful in their negotiations or their intrigues, without regard to the principles, or practices, that have placed them where they are—so long we may expect nothing but the increase of those mischiefs, of which so many now complain. I confess, that were I to write the same pages over again, with a view to publication, I would alter, amend, and expunge much that is here. But as I am now engaged in something that will afford more pleasure in its pursuit, and more profit if attained, I have not time for this purpose at present. And since the present is a time, when men’s minds are alive to the subjects which I have endeavored to bring out in ridicule, I submit the whole for what it is worth.