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There is a large class of readers who seek books for the sake of the amusement they afford. Many are not very fastidious as to the character of those they select, and consequently the press of the present day teems with works which are not only valueless, so far as imparting information is concerned, but actually deleterious in their moral tendency, and calculated to vitiate and enervate the mind. Such publications as pander to a prurient taste find a large circulation with a portion of society who read them for the same reason that the inebriate seeks his bowl, or the gambler the instruments of his vocation--for the excitement they produce. The influence of works of this description is all bad--there is not a single redeeming feature to commend them to the favor or toleration of the virtuous or intelligent. It cannot be expected that minds accustomed to such reading can at once be elevated into the higher walks of literature or the more rugged paths of science. An intermediate step, by which they may be lifted into a higher mental position, is required.

There is in the adventures of the daring and heroic, something that interests all. There is a charm about them which, while it partakes of the nature of Romance, does not exercise the same influence upon the mind or heart. When there are noble purposes and noble ends connected with them, they excite in the mind of the reader, noble impulses.

The object of the present compilation is to form a readable and instructive volume--a volume of startling incident and exciting adventure, which shall interest all minds, and by its attractions beget thirst for reading with those who devote their leisure hours to things hurtful to themselves and to community. We have endeavored to be authentic, and to present matter, which, if it sometimes fail to impart knowledge or instruction, or convey a moral lesson, will, at least, be innoxious. But we trust we have succeeded in doing more than this--in placing before the reading public something that is really valuable, and that will produce valuable results.

  Incident at Resaca de la Palma

  True Heroism

  Thrilling Incident

  Incident in the War of Mexican Independence

  Sketch from Life on the Ocean

  Escape from Shipwreck

 The Hunter's Wife

 Deaf Smith, the Texan Spy

  Escape from a Shark

  Adventure with Pirates

  A Sea-Fowling Adventure

  Adventure with a Cobra di Capello

  Combat of Wild Animals

  Perilous Incident on a Canadian River

  Leopard Hunting

 Hunting the White Rhinoceros

  A Leopard Hunt

  Life in California

  A Storm among the Icebergs

  Fall of the Rossberg

  The Rifleman of Chippewa

  Shipwreck of the Blendenhall

  Adventures of Sergeant Champe

  Adventures with Pirates

  Kenton, the Spy

 The Dying Volunteer

  Escape from a Mexican Quicksand

  Charged by a Rhinoceros

  Burning of the Erie

  Conflict with an Indian

  Fire on the Prairies

 The Captain's Story

  Tussle with a Wildcat

  Incident in Frontier Life

  Female Intrepidity

  Encounter with Robbers

  Shipwreck of the Monticello

  A Jungle Recollection

  Attack of Boonesborough

  Thrilling Incidents of Battle

  Family Attacked by Indians

  Thrilling Incident

  Adventures of Dr. Bacon

  A Battle with Snakes

 Estill's Defeat

  Incident at Niagara Falls

  Skater chased by a Wolf

  Our Flag on the Rocky Mountains

  Running the Canon

  The Rescue

  Shipwreck of the Medusa

  Hunting the Moose

  Perilous Escape from Death

  Fire in the Forest

  Pirates of the Red Sea

  General Jackson and Weatherford

  Cruise of the Saldanha and Talbot

 A Carib's Revenge

  Massacre of Fort Mimms

  The Freshet

 The Panther's Den

  Adventure with Elephant's

  The Shark Sentinel

  Hunting the Tiger

  Indian Devil

  Bear Fight

  The Miners of Bois-Monzil

  Ship Towed to Land by Bullocks

  Destruction of a Ship by a Whale

  Burning of the Kent