Poems and prose composition...

Preface

I AM, indeed, well aware that this book, like all others, will be subject to criticism, but I feel sure that in the great heart of the generous public (notwithstanding the taunted jeers of a few heartless critics), they will, in their just conceptions of imperfect humanity, make due allowance, and be more noble in their charitable feelings than to try to suppress so humble an one, for doing something hundreds of others have done.

And I hope when they view, these pages through, They^'ll find the matter all original and' true; No flower of speech borrowed nor bought. And but few quotations from others sought.

The most cursory glance over its pages will at once convince the reader that a number of these pieces have been written in various circumstances, only slightly differing in style. Otherwise often diverging widely from each other, and even in some instances two pieces have been written on the same subject with significations quite^ opposite to each other. This, as a matter of fact, may be readily accounted for by the peculiarity of circumstances under which they have been written or composed.

" Many men of many kinds,"

Make a world of many minds.

Many writers of many books.

With a figurative genius of style and looks.

Perpetually talk of its phenomena and power; And in a flight of fancy they tower Far beyond the true passions of the soul, Into the mazes of a sylph or ghostly ghoul.

Time, place and age make a vast difference in writers' productions. In youth, when the mind and body are vigorous, fuU of vivacity, exhilarated with the fascinating pleasures of future hopes, the feelings, fervid and passionate, are unmistakably delineated in their writings. But how different at the noon-tide of life, when the mind and body have become fully matured, settled down on fixed and true principles, on the real substantial things of life, and can with the eye of age and experience look back o'er life's panaramo of the past, and realize the phantom hopes of ideal pleasures that are so animating to the youthful mind swept away by living realities. Hence a marked change in the writings of individuals in this period of life is observed to be more grave and sedate.

But oh! how sweet, at late eventide,

To gather youth's flowers by the way-side.

When the silvery frosts of old age

Is mantling the brow of the time-worn sage.

When amid worldly cares and strife, ♦

In the ever-changing scenes of life.

Beautiful gems of thought, like a sweet flower.

Awakens new life by its magic power.

Dear reader, in perusing the contents of this little volume, kindly remember that we are but human, liable to err, and that perfection is a rare blossom which seldom blooms this side of heaven.

Therefore, be not surprised errors to find, Not of the heart but of the mind.

MRS. E. F. PERKINS.