The "Signale fuer die musikalische Welt," as well as the "Neue Zeitschrift fuer Musik," have published numerous essays from my pen under various titles.

The approval which they met with, at the time of their appearance, has induced me to undertake this larger work.

Several of those earlier writings are included in this book, but in a partially altered form.

The frequently recurring character, the teacher Dominie, originated with these essays; I need hardly say that he represents my humble self.

Those who are otherwise unacquainted with me will through him understand my character, and will moreover see that a man of such caustic brevity can be, by no means, a master of polished style.