ng the elect, with regard to the merit of particular
jokes. To paraphrase an old adage, what is one man's laughter may be
another man's dirge. The Editor desires to make it plain, however, that
the responsibility in this particular instance is entirely his own. He
has made his selections without consulting any one, knowing that if a
consultation of experts should attempt to decide about the contents of a
volume of American humor, no volume would ever be published.

The reader will doubtless recognize, in this anthology, many old
friends. He may also be conscious of omissions. These omissions are due
either to the restrictions of publishers, or the impossibility of
obtaining original copies, or the limited space.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Acknowledgments are made herewith to the following publishers, who have
kindly consented to allow the reproduction of the material designated.

F. A. STOKES & COMPANY, New York: "A Rhyme for Priscilla,"
F. D. Sherman; "The Bohemians of Boston," Gelett Burgess; "A Kiss
in the Rain," "Bessie Brown, M. D.," S. M. Peck.

DODD, MEAD & COMPANY, New York: Four Extracts, E. W.
Townsend ("Chimmie Fadden").

BOWEN-MERRILL COMPANY, Indianapolis: "The Elf Child," "A
Liz-Town Humorist," James Whitcomb Riley.

LEE & SHEPARD, Boston: "The Meeting of the Clabberhuses,"
"A Philosopher," "The Ideal Husband to His Wife," "The Prayer of
Cyrus Brown," "A Modern Martyrdom," S. W. Foss; "After the
Funeral," "What He Wanted It For," J. M. Bailey.

BACHELLER, JOHNSON & BACHELLER, New York: "The Composite
Ghost," Marion Couthouy Smith.

D. APPLETON & COMPANY, New York: "Illustrated Newspapers,"
"Tushmaker's Tooth-puller," G. H. Derby ("John Phoenix").

T. B. PETERSON & COMPANY, Philadelphia: "Hans Breitmann's
Party," "Ballad," C. G. Leland.

CENTURY COMPANY, New York: "Miss Malony on the Chinese
Question," Mary Mapes Dodge; "The Origin of the Banjo," Irwin
Russell; "The Walloping Window-Blind," Charles E. Carryl; "The
Patriotic Tourist," "What's in a Name?" "'Tis Ever Thus," R. K.
Munkittrick.

FORBES & COMPANY, Chicago: "If I Should Die To-Night,"
"The Pessimist," Ben King.

J. S. OGILVIE & COMPANY, New York: Three Short Extracts,
C. B. Lewis ("Mr. Bowser").

THE CHELSEA COMPANY, New York: "The Society Reporter's
Christmas," "The Dying Gag," James L. Ford.