arly to people whom I neither know nor care for
and am only to be completely won by long intimacy.

Besides, why should I have been sociable to the crowd of how-d'ye-do
acquaintances that flocked around me at my first appearance? Many were
merely attracted by a new face; and having stared me full in the title
page walked off without saying a word; while others lingered yawningly
through the preface, and, having gratified their short-lived curiosity,
soon dropped off one by one, but more especially to try their mettle, I
had recourse to an expedient, similar to one which, we are told, was used
by that peerless flower of chivalry, King Arthur; who, before he admitted
any knight to his intimacy, first required that he should show himself
superior to danger or hardships, by encountering unheard-of mishaps,
slaying some dozen giants, vanquishing wicked enchanters, not to say a
word of dwarfs, hippogriffs, and fiery dragons. On a similar principle did
I cunningly lead my readers, at the first sally, into two or three knotty
chapters, where they were most woefully belabored and buffeted by a host
of pagan philosophers and infidel writers. Though naturally a very grave
man, yet could I scarce refrain from smiling outright at seeing the utter
confusion and dismay of my valiant cavaliers. Some dropped down dead
(asleep) on the field; others threw down my book in the middle of the
first chapter, took to their heels, and never ceased scampering until they
had fairly run it out of sight; when they stopped to take breath, to tell
their friends what troubles they had undergone, and to warn all others
from venturing on so thankless an expedition. Every page thinned my ranks
more and more; and of the vast multitude that first set out, but a
comparatively few made shift to survive, in exceedingly battered
condition, through the five introductory chapters.

What, then! would you have had me take such sunshine, faint-hearted
recreants to my bosom at our first acquaintance? No--no; I reserved my
friendship for those who deserved it, for those who undauntedly bore me
company, in despite of difficulties, dangers, and fatigues. And now, as to
those who adhere to me at present, I take them affectionately by the hand.
Worthy and thrice-beloved readers! brave and well-tried comrades! who have
faithfully followed my footsteps through all my wanderings--I salute you
from my heart--I pledge myself to stand by you to the last; and to conduct
you (so