But believing, as I do, that the less laboured writings of an author are among the surest indices of his thought and the best tests of his genius, I have omitted nothing that I thought would assist the real student of Literature, and its ministers--literary men--to a true estimate of my Father--whether as an author or a man; holding always in recollection that quaint wise saying of Selden’s, anent similar trifles--“Take a straw, and throw it up into the air, you may see by that which way the wind is; which you shall not do by casting up a stone.” Wherever I have been able to find anything of interest bearing upon the works, I have added it as briefly as possible in my notes--giving any alterations of the text, any fragments connected with or relating to portions of it and such explanations of allusions contained in it, as seemed advisable. As far as lies in my power, I have left out nothing that may interest the thoughtful and studious, while I have endeavoured not to weary the cursory reader with long annotations. I have no wish, and indeed no need to deprecate criticism--for whenever it has been my task to prepare anything connected with my Father for publication, I have always met with a reception that proved to me how fully my critics have understood the difficulties which I have encountered. The kindly spirit in which the “Memorials” of my Father were received, encourages me to hope that my sincere desire to perform what I really feel as a sacred duty and responsibility, will be looked on with the same indulgence; for it should be remembered that many, nay most of those contemporaries of my Father, who could have pointed out where his scattered writings were to be found, are dead. To those intimate acquaintances of his who survive, and who have assisted me most materially in my arduous yet most grateful undertaking, as well as to numerous friends,--many unknown to me in the flesh,--who have so readily answered my appeals, through the public press, for information and assistance, I tender my most heartfelt thanks, And am, Very truly theirs, THOMAS HOOD. [Illustration: THE MERRY THOUGHT.] PREFACE: BEING AN INAUGURAL DISCOURSE ON A CERTAIN SYSTEM OF PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY. COURTEOUS READER! Presuming that you have known something of the Comic Annual from its Child-Hood, when it was first put into half binding and began to run alone, I make bold to consider you as an old friend of the family, and shall accordingly treat you with all the freedom and confidence that pertain to such ripe connexions. How many years is it, think you, “since we were first acquent?”