This object the author successfully accomplishes. No reader can arise from a perusal of his pages, without feeling a higher respect for such pursuits as benefit the world, and a stronger inclination to avoid the more showy and worthless callings into which too many are disposed to crowd. The story is most happily conceived, and is narrated in a style highly finished and attractive. There is nothing insipid or over-wrought, in the frame-work or filling up; but all is natural and lifelike. The witty, the lively, the startling, are finely interwoven with the more grave and instructive. A fertile and vivid imagination has enabled the author to bring characters upon his stage which represent almost every phase in human nature, and to indulge in personal and scenic descriptions, whether in painting a landscape, or delineating some humorous or some noble quality of the heart, of the most charming character. The reader is enamored with the quiet enjoyments of rural life, and disgusted with the schemes of hackneyed sharpers. A high moral tone runs throughout the narrative. Vice is rebuked and punished--virtue is commended and rewarded. The idle, the vicious, the unprincipled schemer and deceiver, are painted to the life, and placed in such a light, as to act as examples of warning to the inexperienced, while the industrious, the wise and good, stand forth in the true nobleness of their nature, to the admiration of all. To those who would discountenance the puerile and trashy novels, full of debasing and licentious tendencies, with which our country is flooded, I would earnestly recommend this work. It can be placed in the hands of the youthful not only with safety, but with the utmost confidence that it will exert a highly salutary influence upon them. I understand the present is the first of a series of volumes on the various leading Occupations of Life. The author would discountenance the frivolous and demoralizing light reading of the day, and place in the hand of young men and women, works which shall induce and aid them to work out a great and noble life. J. M. AUSTIN. CONTENTS INTRODUCTION I. GOING FROM HOME TO BUILD A HOME II. HOME IN THE BACKWOODS III. A BEAR HUNT IV. A FEAST AND A STORY V. JULIA WILMER VI. THE NEW HOME AND SETTLEMENT VII. A CAPTIVE VIII. A LAMB LOST IX. SEEKING THE LOST LAMB IN VAIN X. THE SUGAR PARTY XI. FABENS PROMOTED TO HONOR XII. A LAW SUIT XIII. HAPPINESS XIV. THE COLD SEASONS XV. A WAR OF EXTERMINATION XVI. THE MINISTER XVII. THE MEETING XVIII. THE SECOND MEETING AND ITS FRUITS XIX. THE HARVEST LUNCH XX. MERCHANT FAIRBANKS XXI. THE HUSKING XXII. GEORGE LUDLOW AND ALMON FRISBIE XXIII. FAIRBANKS, FRISBIE, AND FABENS XXIV. A WEEK OF CASTLE BUILDING XXV. A WEEK OF REALITY XXVI. ANOTHER WEEK OF REALITY XXVII. SUNNY SKIES XXVIII. CONCLUSION SUMMERFIELD. I. GOING FROM HOME TO BUILD A HOME.