The comic history of the United States, from a period prior to the discovery of America to times long subsequent to the present

Transcriber’s Note:
Full page illustrations were paginated, but most times occurred in mid-paragraph. These have been moved to the closest paragraph break, and the page number included parenthetically in the caption.
Any corrections are indicated using an underline highlight. Placing the cursor over the correction will produce the original text in a small popup.
Any corrections are indicated as hyperlinks, which will navigate the reader to the corresponding entry in the corrections table in the note at the end of the text.
CON-FRONT-US PIECE. The Company of Distinguished Comedians expressly engaged for this Performance.
FROM A PERIOD PRIOR TO THE DISCOVERY OF AMERICA
TO TIMES LONG SUBSEQUENT TO THE PRESENT.
By JOHN D. SHERWOOD.
“Quamquam ridentem dicere verum
Quid vetat?”
Horace, Satire I.
“A man may say a Wise thing though he say it with a Laugh.”