lfare of society, rather
than to aspire to callings, not so laborious
perhaps, yet more deceptive and uncertain in
substantial remuneration, and far less calculated to
promote public good.

This object the author successfully
accomplishes. No reader can arise from a perusal of
his pages, without feeling a higher respect for
such pursuits as benefit the world, and a stronger
inclination to avoid the more showy and
worthless callings into which too many are disposed
to crowd. The story is most happily conceived,
and is narrated in a style highly finished and
attractive. There is nothing insipid or
over-wrought, in the frame-work or filling up; but
all is natural and lifelike. The witty, the lively,
the startling, are finely interwoven with the
more grave and instructive. A fertile and vivid
imagination has enabled the author to bring
characters upon his stage which represent almost
every phase in human nature, and to indulge in
personal and scenic descriptions, whether in
painting a landscape, or delineating some
humorous or some noble quality of the heart, of
the most charming character. The reader is
enamored with the quiet enjoyments of rural life,
and disgusted with the schemes of hackneyed
sharpers. A high moral tone runs throughout
the narrative. Vice is rebuked and punished--virtue
is commended and rewarded. The idle,
the vicious, the unprincipled schemer and
deceiver, are painted to the life, and placed in
such a light, as to act as examples of warning
to the inexperienced, while the industrious, the
wise and good, stand forth in the true nobleness
of their nature, to the admiration of all.

To those who would discountenance the puerile
and trashy novels, full of debasing and
licentious tendencies, with which our country is
flooded, I would earnestly recommend this work.
It can be placed in the hands of the youthful
not only with safety, but with the utmost
confidence that it will exert a highly salutary
influence upon them.

I understand the present is the first of a series
of volumes on the various leading Occupations
of Life. The author would discountenance the
frivolous and demoralizing light reading of the
day, and place in the hand of young men and
women, works which shall induce and aid them
to work out a great and noble life.

J. M. AUSTIN.

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

I.

GOING FROM HOME TO BUILD A HOME

II.

HOME IN THE BACKWOODS

III.

A BEAR HUNT