The Author’s Account of Himself

I was always fond of visiting new scenes,and observing strange characters and manners.Even when a mere child I began my travels,and made many tours of discovery into foreign parts and unknown regions of my native city,to the frequent alarm1 of my parents and the emolument2 of the town-crier.As I grew into boyhood,I extended the range of my observations.My holiday afternoons were spent in rambles3 about the surrounding country.I made myself familiar with all its places famous in history or fable.I knew every spot where a murder or robbery had been committed.