Publisher's Synopsis
From the PREFACE.
As nobody ever reads a "Preface," an author can, if he please, make use of that hay-mow in which to stick as many little lots of sharp points, laudations, and praises of himself and his useful "work " as he thinks the generous public will stand, but at the same time quite confident they will never be found to appear in judgment against him when on trial for his alleged vanity.
Besides, he can steal and plagiarize to his heart's content, from all his brilliant neighbors, and only give them credit in his " preface.'' The wily critic will soon discover the brilliant and useful extracts (showing the author's good sense) uncredited, and will come down on him like a buzzard on a mourning dove, and charge him before all the world with the plagiarism.
This is just what was expected. When the sharp critic has worked up the whole country into a savage and unrelenting disgust, and made things ripe to send the guilty culprit into pluto or oblivion, he turns the tables on his enemy by triumphantly referring to his "preface." There due credit is given to all. The criminal is acquitted in a blaze of glory. He has the public sympathy as a martyr. The just and generous public knew all the time he was not a common thief; and, priding themselves on their sound sagacity, they summarily squelch the crest-fallen critic, and - buy the book.
In this work the writer acknowledges his indebtedness to the late Leonard Case, whose modesty and merit were the rivals of his life; the Chicago Field, the London Field, the British Encyclopedia and the Bible.
From all these he has made such drafts as he felt sure the great public would accept, and - pay at sight - overlooking errors and applauding facts and truths, "with" charity and "without" malice.
He has endeavored to make the art of hunting and angling appear honorable and worthy of the true sportsman; to aid the beginner in shortening his path to success; to interest and assist the more experienced, and to give, in short, the best experience of a life passionately devoted to these sports.
Finally, if it be admitted that he has been the means of imparting some profitable suggestions and one pleasurable emotion to the heartfelt sportsman, all he hoped for has been accomplished by
-THE AUTHOR.
