I cannot conclude without offering my sincere thanks for the cordial manner in which my serial offering has been received by the public, and noticed by the critical press, whose valuable columns have been so often opened to it in quotation; and, when it is considered how large an amount of intellect is employed in this particular department of literature, the highest names might be proud of such recognition. _London, 1st December_, 1842. The reprinting of the foregoing address, attached to the First Edition, sufficiently implies that my feelings and opinions respecting my country and my countrymen remain unchanged. So far, enough said. I desire, however, to add a few words to inform those who may, for the first time, read the story in this the Fourth Edition, that the early pages were written fifteen years ago, as a magazine article;--that the success of that article led to the continuation of the subject in other articles, and so on, till, eventually, twelve monthly numbers made up a book. A story thus originated could not be other than sketchy and desultory, and open to the captiousness of over-fastidious criticism: it was never meant to be a work of high pretension--only one of those easy trifles which afford a laugh, and require to be read in the same careless spirit of good humour in which they are written. In such a spirit, I am happy to say, "Handy Andy" _was_ read fourteen years ago, and has continued to be read ever since; and as this reprint, in a cheaper form, will open it to thousands of fresh readers, I give these few introductory words to propitiate in the future the kindly spirit which I gratefully remember in the past. SAMUEL LOVER. _London, 26th July_, 1854. LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS VOLUME ONE Andy Icing the Champagne _Frontispiece_ Andy's First Attempt at Music _Vignette on Title_ Andy's Introduction to the Squire _Page_ 6 An Irish Inquest " 80 Andy's Welcome Home " 102 The Reward of Humanity " 129 The Widow Flanagan's Party " 295 _Etched by W. H. W. Bicknell from drawings by Samuel Lover_ HANDY ANDY CHAPTER I Andy Rooney was a fellow who had the most singularly ingenious knack of doing everything the wrong way; disappointment waited on all affairs in which he bore a part, and destruction was at his fingers' ends; so the nickname the neighbours stuck upon him was Handy Andy, and the jeering jingle pleased them.