OCEAN-BORN is the sixth and last volume of THE YACHT CLUB SERIES, and, following the plan of its predecessors in the series, the author has made it an independent story, having no necessary connection with the preceding books of the series. Perhaps the incidents are somewhat more romantic than those of the other volumes, but the author thinks they are not very improbable, or extravagant, though they do not often occur in the experience of real life. They would hardly excite the interest of the reader if they often happened in his daily life. A reverend and distinguished gentlemen, himself an author of reputation and character, has said that there are only about half a dozen different plots used by writers of fiction. Doubtless there are only about this number of _elements_ in all the plots; but by the arithmetic of permutations, even six would make a very considerable number of stories. Probably this story is one of this vast combinations, for it is hardly possible to add a new element to the material for story writing, any more than it would be to add a new element to the chemical ingredients of nature.

Though the hero sails on the ocean in a steam yacht, he is a young man of high aims and noble purposes. His character is worthy the respect and imitation of the reader. Both the Yacht Club and the Dorcas Club are introduced in this story, in order that in this, the last volume of the series, “the conclusion of the whole matter” may be properly reached.

Thanking his many and partial readers for the favor they have extended to this story, the author hopes that this book and its companions in the same box will contribute to their moral elevation, as well as to their pleasure and amusement.

TOWERHOUSE, BOSTON, March, 12, 1875.