Preface
Most of the adventures recorded in this book really occurred; one or two were experiences of my own, the rest those of boys who were schoolmates of mine. Huck Finn is drawn from life; Tom Sawyer also, but not from an individual—he is a combination of the characteristics of three boys whom I knew, and therefore belongs to the composite order of architecture.
Most of the adventures in this book really happened. One or two were my own experiences. The rest happened to boys who went to school with me. Huck Finn is based on a real person. Tom Sawyer is too, but not on just one person. He combines the traits of three boys I knew, so, architecturally speaking, he is a composite structure.
The odd superstitions touched upon were all prevalent among children and slaves in the West at the period of this story—that is to say, thirty or forty years ago.
The strange superstitions mentioned were all common among children and slaves in the West when this story takes place. That was thirty or forty years ago.
Although my book is intended mainly for the entertainment of boys and girls, I hope it will not be shunned by men and women on that account, for part of my plan has been to try to pleasantly remind adults of what they once were themselves, and of how they felt and thought and talked, and what queer enterprises they sometimes engaged in.
My book is mainly meant to entertain boys and girls, but I hope men and women won't avoid it for that reason. Part of my plan has been to give adults a pleasant reminder of what they were once like. I want to remind them of how they felt, thought, and talked, and the strange adventures they sometimes took on.
THE AUTHOR.
THE AUTHOR.
HARTFORD, 1876.
HARTFORD, 1876.