The book of Saint Nicholas

Obvious typographical errors have been silently corrected.
The cover was prepared by the transcriber and is placed in the public domain.
TRANSLATED FROM THE ORIGINAL DUTCH
DOMINIE NICHOLAS ÆGIDIUS OUDENARDE.
NEW-YORK: HARPER & BROTHERS, 82 CLIFF-ST. 1836.
MOST DEAR AND WORTHY ASSOCIATES,
In obedience to the command of the good saint who is equally an object of affectionate reverence to us all, as well as in due deference to the feelings of brotherhood which attach us irrevocably to those who honour his name, his virtues, and his country, I dedicate this work to you all without discrimination or exception. As descendants, in whole or in part, from that illustrious people who, after conquering nature by their industry and perseverance, achieved liberty by their determined valour, and learning and science by their intellectual vigour, I rejoice to see you instituting bonds of union, for the purpose of preserving the remembrance of such an honourable lineage, and the ties of a common origin. While we recollect with honest pride the industry, the integrity, the enterprise, the love of liberty, and the heroism of old “_faderland_,” let us not forget that the truest way to honour worthy ancestors is to emulate their example.
That you may long live to cherish the memory of so excellent a saint, and such venerable forefathers is the earnest wish of
Your associate and friend, NICHOLAS ÆGIDIUS OUDENARDE.
Nieuw-Amsterdam, July, 1827.
WHICH IS EARNESTLY RECOMMENDED TO THE ATTENTIVE PERUSAL OF THE JUDICIOUS READER.
You will please to understand, gentle reader, that being a true descendant of the adventurous Hollanders who first discovered the renowned island of Manhattan—which is every day becoming more and more worth its weight in paper money—I have all my life been a sincere and fervent follower of the right reverend and jolly St. Nicholas, the only tutelary of this mighty state. I have never, on any proper occasion, omitted doing honour to his memory by keeping his birthday with all due observances, and paying him my respectful devoirs on Christmas and Newyear's eve.