THE
LIFE AND BEAUTIES
OF
FANNY FERN.

Philadelphia:
T. B. PETERSON, NO. 306 CHESTNUT STREET,
GIRARD BUILDINGS, ABOVE THIRD.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year One Thousand EightHundred and Fifty-five, by H. LONG & BROTHER, in the Clerk'sOffice of the District Court of the United States, for the Southern Districtof New York

PREFACE.

In preparing for the press "The Life and Beautiesof Fanny Fern," we have given to the reader a statementof the most prominent incidents in her eventfulcareer, which is authenticated, not only by the testimonyof her nearest relatives, but by communicationsfrom her own lips. The lives of distinguished menor women have always been accounted public property,and, in narrating that of Fanny Fern, we have confinedourselves to simple facts, leaving the fancy-pictures tobe filled up by others.

In giving selections from her "Beauties," we presentthe reader with a bouquet of "Ferns," all freshlygathered. In so doing, we have infringed on no one'scopy-right; the sketches having been copied, in everyinstance, from the papers to which they were originallyivcontributed. A large proportion of them have neverbefore appeared within the covers of a book. Theselatter are the very articles upon which Fanny made herreputation. We have given quotations which do justiceto every variety of her versatile style. One pageflashes with the keen edge of satire, another brims overwith mirth, and a third is tearful with pathos.

We have shown Fanny at home, on the street, andin church, and have thus furnished a key which willunlock many of the mysteries of "Ruth Hall," and"Fern Leaves."

CONTENTS.

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