KC3067 HARVARD COLLEGE LIBRARY FROM THE LIBRARY OF University Press, Cambridge: Stereotyped and Printed by Welch, Bigelow, & Co. INTRODUCTORY. MAY the reader, in turning over these pages, have a pleasure as pure as the compiler had in arranging the Pictures, and gathering the Flowers. In regard to some of the extracts, it may be remarked, that, although it might seem almost like sacrilege to take detached portions of some beautiful poems, it was required by the nature of the plan, namely, the presenting of exquisite and touching pictures of infancy and childhood. A volume combining such a range of selections bearing upon these subjects it is believed cannot fail to be acceptable wherever the influence of childhood has been felt; to kindle an interest in these "lords of the household and monarchs of the heart," where it has not. |