THE LISTENER. BY CAROLINE FRY, weÊses AUTHOR OF 66 THE ASSISTANT OF EDUCATION," &c. IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL. 1. LONDON: JAMES NISBET, BERNERS STREET. M DCCC XXX. THE office of Listener is not one of very honourable note, especially when determined to tell what he hears but to deprecate the wrath of my readers against so treacherous an intermeddler with their studies and their sports, I intreat them to consider that good may be wrought of that with which we usually work evil. If I have the misfortune to have no business of my own, and a particular talent for observing other people's—if my sight is so keen, and my hearing so acute, as to perceive what is passing where I am not present, to see through the roof, and to hear through the walls-what can I do but endeavour to make the best use of so dangerous an endowment, and employ it for the benefit of others? I whisper no idle tale in gossips' ears- -I write no satires upon innocent mistakes-no dry 88K528 |
