“It’s a great deal easier to write a heap of nonsense than it is to put a good face on it after its rit--and I don’t know when I’ve had a job that puzzled me so much how to begin it. I’ve looked over a whole heap of books to see how other writers done, but they all seemed to be about the same thing. They all feel a monstrous desire to benefit the public one way or other; some is anxious to tell all they know about certain matters, just for the good of the public, some has been swaded by friends to give the book to the public, and others have been induced to publish their ritens just for the benefit of future generations,--but not one of ’em ever had an idea to make a cent for themselves! Now, none of these excuses don’t zactly meet my case. I don’t spose the public--cept it is them as is courtin--will be much benefited by readin my letters--I’m sure Mr. Thompson wouldn’t went to all the expense just to please his friends, and for my part I’m perfectly willin to let posterity write their own books. So I don’t see any other way than to jest come rite out with the naked truth--and that is, that _my book was made just a purpose to sell and make money_. Ther ain’t a single lie in the book, and I’m termined ther sha’n’t be none in the preface. “I hain’t got no very grate opinion of myself, but I’ve always tried to live honest, and what little character I is got I want to keep. When Mr. Thompson just writ me word, he was gwine to put my letters in a book, I felt sort o’ skeered, for fear them bominable criticks might take hold of it, and tare it all to flinders--as they always nabs a’most every thing that’s got a kiver on; but, when I come to think, there were two ways of gettin into the field--under and over the fence. Well, the criticks is like a pretty considerable high fence round the public taste, and books get into the world of letters jest as a boy does in a pertater patch--some over, and some under. Now and then one gets hung, and the way it gets peppered is distressin--but them that gets in under the fence is jest as safe as them that gits in over. Seein as I is perfectly satisfied with the under route, I don’t think the criticks will tackle my book--if they does, all I can say is, I give ’em joy with their small potaters.” After the success of Major Jones’ Courtship, Mr. Thompson issued other works from time to time. Major Jones’ Sketches of Travel appeared a few years later, and was followed by The Chronicles of Pineville. Mr. Thompson also wrote a farce entitled, The Live Indian, and a dramatization of The Vicar of Wakefield. Messrs. Carey & Hart, of Philadelphia, bought the copyright of Major Jones’ Courtship in 1848, for the paltry sum of $250. In 1856 Mr. Thompson prepared for the press, Hotchkiss’ Codification of the Statute Laws of Georgia, and in 1858 became connected with the Western Continent, a weekly illustrated paper published in Baltimore.