PREFACE. To blend rational entertainment with useful or interesting information, in the form of at CHRISTMAS PRESENT, or NEW YEAR'S GIFT, has been the aim of the following sheets. Such productions, whether as memorials of friendship between adults, or tokens of affection to young persons, have for some years been greeted with the strongest manifestations of public favour on the Continent. And it is hoped, that, neither in point of general contents, nor splendour of embellishment, will the present work be found unworthy to rank with the most distinguished German or French efforts of its kind. But the volume for 1825 is only the first of an intended series: let the Public and not the Author, therefore, speak its merits: and let its Readers only be respectfully assured that their smile will prove the best reward of these commencing labours, and the most encouraging stimulus to their continuance with increasing attraction. A |