Originally published in 1867, this was the first printing in book form of all the 22 papers in the volume, with an introductory Note by James T. Fields who collected these pieces for publication.

When Thackeray visited America, he had the pleasant habit of quoting to his friends phrases, and sometimes long paragraphs, from his earlier contributions to the English periodicals; and when asked why he had not included these magazine articles among his other miscellanies, he replied: "They are small potatoes," adding, at the same time, "but pretty good small potatoes, I believe." James T. Fields, the collector of these Thackeray-valuables, remembers also when he begged the author to bring together his scattered contributions to "Fraser" and "Punch," he replied: "Do it yourself, mon ami; write the preface, and I'll stand by you."