PREFACE.

THE contents of this book originally appeared in the columns of the Chicago Tribune, in the form of weekly letters, over the nom de plume of "Peregrine Pickle," devoted to matters of gossip and interest in the world of amusement. Necessarily, much of this matter was of an ephemeral nature, which perished with publication. Many of these letters, also, were devoted to topics of a purely local and temporary character, which, at this present date, would possess no interest. I have, therefore, taken care to preserve only such parts of them as have a general bearing, and have arranged them under appropriate heads, with dates at the end of each, as a matter of convenience and reference.

These letters were commenced in the early part of the winter of 1866-'67, and have, therefore, reached the very respectable age of nearly three years. Like other children, they are old enough to go alone, and I therefore send them out into the world, richly endowed with my blessings, which is all I have to give them. Should they succeed in the world, I shall be profoundly astonished, as they were born amidst the press and hurry of other editorial duties, and they came into the world scarce half made up. Should they fail, I shall at least have the gratification of showing that Lytton Bulwer was in error in regard to the lexicon of youth.

The characters—Old Blobbs and Mrs. Blobbs, Aurelia, Celeste, Mignon, Blanche, Boosey, Fitz-Herbert, and the Maiden Aunt—whom the reader will find in these pages, may be real or not, as the reader fancies. None of them are willing, however, to have me divulge their real names, as that would destroy the little mystery which envelopes our breakfast gatherings, and would put us ill at ease when talking with the reader, as we hope to do for some time to come, through the columns of the Tribune. Meanwhile, if the reader knows any large-hearted, large-handed man, who speaks very plainly and hates shams, it is quite possible that man is Old Blobbs. Mrs. Blobbs is a very good woman when she is severely let alone, and her ideas of etiquette are not shocked. Aurelia is a plain, practical, well-educated woman, who shed all her nonsense when her first baby made her appearance. Celeste is a little flighty, and would be a Girl of the Period, if that did not involve vulgarity. Mignon is the pet of our set, keenly alive to whatever is beautiful, always lively and always graceful, and Blanche is her companion—a quiet and lovable girl. Boosey is a good-hearted, weak-kneed young fellow, quite harmless and very self-opinionated, while Fitz-Herbert is an incapable we cannot shake off. The Maiden Aunt is not with us now, having gone to a better world than this. Perhaps the reader knows all these people. They are not difficult to find.

These pages may prove to you, oh! reader, but a garden overrun with weeds. Should you, however, find only one simple little flower worth laying away as a souvenir, my purpose will have been answered.

G. P. U.

Chicago, September 20, 1869.

CONTENTS.

The Season1

Sleeping in Church3

The Organ Grinder5

A Retrospect7

Whited Sepulchres9

Nothing and Babies13

The Circus18

Before the Wedding20

The Wedding29

Muscular Christianity37

The Boston Girl41

The Dead44

Our Thanksgiving50

Mrs. Grundy55

Behind the Scenes57

A Christmas Carol68

The New Year74

Ole Bull80

Small Talk82

Flat on the Back85

Getting out of Bed91

The Teapot96

A Masque101

The Miracle of Creation104

Fashionable Weddings107

April113

A Summer Reverie116

The Germans and Music119

The Old Story126

In Memoriam131

Lake Michigan135

Rip Van Winkle141

An Autumn Reverie149

The Best Woman in the World151

The School House153

A New Life157

Old Blobbs—His Speech160

Death of the Maiden Aunt163

The New Year167

Public Parties171

Aurelia's Baby176

The Quarrel182

A Woman not of the Period185

A Trip to Heaven187

Day Dreams193

Lent and Children196

Bells203

Tenors and Bassos207

A Child's Story—The Three Roses213

The Old222

Old Blobbs' Opinions232

Types237

Woman in Church245

The Mountains249

The Jubilee254

The Double Life291

Love and the Blue Flower298

Marriage307

Old Blobbs Redivivus322

A Trip to Hell329

L'Envoi339