William Herman's "The Dance of Death" is a fictional general literature. The author . An excerpt from the preface of the book read thus "On this score he is not disposed to be greatly troubled; and for these reasons: Firstly—he feels that he is performing a duty; secondly—he is certain that his sentiments will be endorsed by hundreds upon whose opinion he sets great value; thirdly—he relieves his mind of a burden that has oppressed it for many years; and fourthly—as is evident upon the face of these pages..."