Before the subjoined papers are submitted to the critical reader, the author desires most emphatically to protest against their being ranked in the same category of literature as his recently published volume on art magic. The autobiographical sketches now presented to the public were written, or rather collated from private memoranda, some four years Since, at the earnest request of Mrs. Emma Hardinge Britten, and that with the Simple design of contributing such a series of magazine papers to her admirable periodical, The Western Star, as would be in harmony with its general tone and design.