One day while sitting in my garden at my country-seat in New York State, from which, by looking at the title, you will see I have a fine view of the high bridge across the Harlem River, one of my favorite little granddaughters came running to me, just as I had seated myself in my old garden-seat, and earnestly begged me to again read her book to her. But, as I thought she had heard those stories so often, I supposed she would like to hear some new ones much better, so I related to her two or three. With these, and with others that I told her during the holydays which she was spending with me, she was so much pleased, that I thought my numerous juvenile friends throughout the country would also like to possess them. I have accordingly collected them into a volume, which my publishers have made very attractive by the addition of twenty-eight beautiful engravings; and it is now offered as a Christmas and New Year’s Present, to amuse and instruct you, by your friend,

Grandfather Merryman.

Philadelphia, December, 1848.