Just because a boy wishes to tell us about a day's tramping, it does not follow that he is compelled to mention the precise moment of his waking or the difficulties and the rapidity of his dressing. If he is to interest us in his trip, the sooner he gets under way the better. It is safe to make introductions brief and informal.

Irving begins his "Oliver Goldsmith" in this way:

There are few writers for whom the reader feels such personal kindness as for Oliver Goldsmith, for few have so eminently possessed the magic gift of identifying themselves with their writings.

Hawthorne opens "The House of the Seven Gables" with these words:

Halfway down a by-street of one of our New England towns stands a rusty wooden house, with seven acutely peaked gables, facing towards various points of the compass, and a huge, clustered chimney in the midst.

Exercises

475. Examine the introductory chapters of five stories. You may include "Ivanhoe," "The Last of the Mohicans," "The Vicar of Wakefield," "Silas Marner," and "The Alhambra." Take notes and give an oral report based on them.

476. Write an introductory paragraph of an account of a visit you once made.

477. Write introductory paragraphs for themes on two of the following subjects:

1. A Long Day.

2. A Delightful Ride.

3. A Morning's Drive.

4. An Old Friend (a person).

5. An Old Friend (an animal).

6. In the Train.

7. An Excursion.

8. A Short Evening.

9. A Tedious Hour.

10. A Stimulating Lecture.

478. Exchange papers. Condense and simplify the introductions as much as possible.