The major, I must suppose, will not consider himself aggrieved, because, from his position, he was the only person whom I could conveniently make tributary to the information I wish to give; and, since he has so often asserted his courage, without fairly acknowledging his identity, he has no cause to complain at being assailed on that point.
The remark will generally hold true, that whatever requires to be explained, or excused, is always wrong; but, in this case, I think it will not apply. I would therefore be understood as excusing only the faults of the book, and not the object at which it is aimed.
And, lastly, the writer cannot help saying that, in the face of the trite remark that, “those who live in glass houses should not throw stones,” he will not deny, that, in the expressive language of Wall-street, he has himself been “flunked;” and, with this candid acknowledgement, which will, perhaps, satisfactorily account for the production of the book, in the minds of those who may please to consider it an effusion of spleen,—he subscribes himself—
Respectfully,
The Author.
N. B. It is perceived that a considerable number of errors have escaped notice and correction, in the following pages; but as they affect only the orthography and the grammar, without detracting from the truth, or the moral of the story, I have thought it best to leave their correction to the intelligent and good humored reader, rather than mar a page with a formidable list of errata—except, that, in one instance, as a mere friendly suggestion, I would request the substitution, on [129th page, 7th line], of “stewardship” for “friendship.”
CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTION.—THE ORIGIN OF JOINT STOCK COMPANIES AND BROKERS.
As the practice of some readers is to begin in the middle and read a book backwards, I respectfully request those who may open here, to begin at the beginning and read the preface first. In case of any captiousness of disposition on their parts, they may thereby save themselves a good deal of ill nature, and quarrelling with the author. But if any one is perverse, and chooses to go on without taking my advice, I will not hold myself accountable for the preservation of his temper, nor even of this book; for I am not sure but he may throw it in the fire, before he gets through the first or second chapter. But, should he even persevere and go through, until he receives my parting “salaam,” still I request him to turn back and read the preface, that he may see what the writer thinks of his own book.