The wood engravings in this book have been executed by the author's invalid son, who is afflicted with curvature of the spine, and consequently works in a recumbent position. This is his second appearance before the public as an engraver. As this seems to be the way which Providence has opened to him to earn his future livelihood, the author is the more desirous to encourage him in thus giving his imperfect pictures a place in these pages, believing that, as he manifestly loves the art, his future productions must gradually improve. This is a pressing reason why he publishes the present volume; and he earnestly commends his self-taught, persevering boy to the generous of his race. The author's reason for making this volume varied with song and story is, that he is desirous of meeting as far as possible the wishes and tastes of his patrons, as it is so important to sell his books. Many of the Prose Tales in this collection are founded on facts which have been related to the writer at the firesides of the people, subject of course to a change of name and the ordinary filling up. They have nearly all been previously printed in weekly serials, and have consequently had but a very brief existence. It is surely natural that an author should be ambitious enough to desire to collect his scattered compositions together from bye-ways and newspaper files; arrange them in order where they are perhaps more likely to survive; and clothe them in more attractive and enduring habiliments. This must be his apology for their present appearance; and he trusts that at least they may not be wholly unacceptable to the youth of his own country. Several of these sketches point to the desirability of cultivating the waste lands of the United Kingdom, which perhaps will become one of the important Government questions of the future, and would surely do more for the maintenance of England's prosperity than the magnifying of her armies or the enlargement of her arsenals and prisons. He again thanks his patrons and friends for their cheerful support, as well now as in the past; and trusts that his Tales. and Poems may receive a Christian welcome. Falmouth, Cornwall, September 12th, 1877. VALLEY watched by hills where the trees stood With signs for every season-a clear well Bubbling and bursting where the moss was bright, Green rushes kissed each other, and fair Tripped with their noontide pitchers-hawthorn bowers B And blossoms bowed their foreheads to the winds Whence the bells pealed when Sabbaths shut the forge have Then came the railway, and the scene was changed : One cottage was left standing, like an oak, |