TO M——, WITH A COPY OF “THE PETERKIN PAPERS.”
Reading edition
A Boston girl prefers a set of volumes that are uniform, In Syriac, Chaldaic, Sanskrit, Arabic, or Cuneiform, For these will test her paleontological ability, And not insult her culture by superfluous facility. She loves a scientific pedant, or, to use a synonyme, A specimen, with printed name and label fair to pin on him. Alas! I fear she will despise a book without a mystery, That never once alludes to Art, or Mediæval History; But as she is compelled each day to recognize and meet her kin, I trust she will accept at least this tale of Mrs. Peterkin.
