This tale was published in successive parts in the "Atlantic Monthly," under the name of "The Professor's Story," the first number having appeared in the third week of December, 1859.

The critic who is curious in coincidences must refer to the Magazine for the date of publication of the chapter he is examining.
In calling this narrative a "romance," the Author wishes to make sure of being indulged in the common privileges of the poetic license.

Through all the disguise of fiction a grave scientific doctrine may be detected lying beneath some of the delineations of character.

He has used this doctrine as a part of the machinery of his story without pledging his absolute belief in it to the extent to which it is asserted or implied.
It was adopted as a convenient medium of truth rather than as an accepted scientific conclusion.

The reader must judge for himself what is the value of various stories cited from old authors.