about half of the sketches in these volumes have already appeared in print, in various periodical works. a part of the text of one tale, and the plots of two others, have been borrowed from french originals; the other stories, which are, in the main, true, have been written upon facts and characters that came within the author’s observation during a residence in paris.

as the remaining papers relate to public events which occurred during the same period, or to parisian art and literature, he has ventured to give his publication the title which it bears.

london, july 1, 1840.