Thus, the Author is made to say that the "aristocracy" of New Orleans were "well known by that elegance and etiquette which distinguish the _parvenu_ of society." Now the intention, as well as the words of the author, represented the "aristocracy" in quite a different light.

That line should have read "that elegance and etiquette which distinguish _the well-bred_ from the _parvenu_ of society, etc." Nevertheless, the whole sense of the sentence is destroyed by the omission of the _italicised_ words, and the reader is left to infer that the aristocracy of New Orleans are the _parvenu_ of society; rather, we must admit, a doubtful compliment, and quite in accordance with the following words, which go on to speak of "the vulgar but wealthy class of citizens with which this country is infested." Now we do not pretend for a moment to believe that our readers would imagine that we meant the sentence quoted in the sense it appears, and they may, perhaps, pass it over without noticing the errors complained of; but when such errors should not exist they become a source of much annoyance to the author, and could they have been rectified before it was too late, they should never have appeared in print.

In fact, after discovering that an error of so gross a nature existed in the first pages of the book, the author would have had the entire "form" reprinted, had not the extravagant price of paper, and its great scarcity, precluded the possibility of such an idea being carried into effect.

The errors, therefore, remain, and for them we would claim indulgence, although readily admitting that none is deserved.
And now we desire to say a few words relative to the work you have just completed reading.

It may appear to you a wild and extravagant tale of hardships and privations which existed only in the imagination of the author.