The New York “Constellation,”[6] was the only journal expressly devoted to wit and humour; but “The Spirit of the Times” soon became the general receptacle of all these fugitive productions. The ability with which it was conducted, and the circulation it enjoyed, induced the proprietors of other periodicals to solicit contributions similar to those which were attracting so much attention in that paper. Of the latter kind are the three articles from the pen of McClintoch, which originally appeared in the “Portland Advertiser.” The rest of the series by the same author, I have not been able to procure, as they have shared the fate of many others of no less value, that appeared in the daily press of the United States. To collect, arrange, and preserve these specimens of American humour, and present them to the British reader, in an unobjectionable shape, is the object of this compilation. To such of the numbers contained in these volumes as I could trace the paternity, I have appended the names of the authors, and shall now conclude, by expressing to those gentlemen the very great gratification I have experienced in the perusal of their admirable sketches. DECEMBER, 1851. ----- [1] See Introduction to Biglow’s Papers, p. xix. [2] See Introduction to Dictionary of Americanisms, p. xxiv, and Biglow’s Papers. [3] See Introduction to Biglow’s Papers, p. xxiv. [4] Introduction to Dictionary of Americanisms. [5] See Dictionary of Americanisms. [6] See Porter’s account of “The Spirit of the Times.” C O N T E N T S O F T H E F I R S T V O L U M E. I. PAGE MY FIRST AND LAST SPEECH IN THE GENERAL COURT 1 II. HOSS ALLEN, OF MISSOURI 17 III. THE WIDOW RUGBY’S HUSBAND 21 IV. THE BIG BEAR OF ARKANSAS 41 V. JOHNNY BEEDLE’S COURTSHIP 66 VI. THE MARRIAGE OF JOHNNY BEEDLE 76 VII. JOHNNY BEEDLE’S THANKSGIVING 98 VIII. AUNT NABBY’S STEWED GOOSE 107 IX. DECLINE AND FALL OF THE CITY OF DOGTOWN 115 X. THE COON-HUNT; OR, A FENCY COUNTRY 125 XI. A RIDE WITH OLD KIT KUNCKER 131