Editor’s Note

This edition is based on the first edition, published by Mason Brothers, New York, 1855. Generally, all characteristics of the original has been preserved, including anomalies and inconsistencies with the exception that, to aid reading, open contractions, common at the time, have been modernized.

In addition, the following specific changes have been made:

1. Chapter I: “her’s” changed to “hers” (Had that craving heart of hers at length found)
2. Chapter II:"chiselled" changed to "chiseled" (and his chiseled lip quiver)
3. Chapter XXII: “its” changed to “it’s” (it’s an awful cold night to)
4. Chapter XXVL: “rouès” changed to “roués” (whister-dyed roués); “batchelor” changed to “bachelor” (bachelors, anxious to give their)
5. Chapter XXXIX: double “him” removed (and seating himself at what he)
6. Chapter XLVI: "pencilled" changed to "penciled," (on which was pencilled)
7. Chapter LIII: “christain” changed to “christian” (resignedly as a little christian)
8. Chapter LXIII: “stifly” changed to “stiffly” (peering out from behind a very stiffly-starched cap border)
9. Chapter LXIX: "despatched" changed to "dispatched" (This letter being despatched)
10. Chapter LXXIV: “gullability” changed to “gullibility” (only equalled by the gullibility of the dear public)
11. Chapter LXXXV: “sudlight” changed to “sunlight” (quenching the sunlight in many a happy home.)
12. Chapter LXXXV: ‘Floy’ changed to “Floy” (saying that ‘“Floy” lost her self-respect before she lost her friends.’)
13. Chapter XC: “opiuion” changed to “opinion” (In my opinion, nothing).

Paul L. Hebert
English Department, Queens College