Peter Schlemihl in America

riendships, and a home endeared by the recollection of unnumbered happy hours. I have been compelled to look in upon myself for society and occupation, which, till recently, have always been supplied from the pleasant circles by which it has been my happiness to be surrounded?a conjuncture which must be felt to be understood. When I began Peter Schlemihl in America, I had no thought of extending the story beyond three numbers for some magazine. A distinguished literary friend read the story when it had reached the second number, and on being told it would be wound up in the third and last, he remonstrated against such merciless dispatch of my dramatis personse, and urged me to make a book of it. The idea seemed, at the moment, an impossibility: but finding pleasure in the labor, I continued to write, and found the work grew under" my hands. The publication of the series was commenced in the Knickerbocker, but the restrictions necessarily imposed by the requirements of a monthly magazine were not at all fitted for the license of one accustomed to take seven leagues at a step; and with mutual kindness and no lack of friendship on the part of the " Old Knick." the series was discontinued. But the advice of those whose opinions I respect, and the solicitation Xii PETER S LETTER TO HIS FRIENDS. of those I love, induced me to resume my labor, and changing my plan, the work has reached its present shape. It has been my purpose to present, in a form likely ...