scraps of paper on which I first wrote them. Now, if I mention this in my own name, no one will believe it, or it may be said, that I have no right to trouble the public with such hasty productions; besides, if I make known my name, many wise heads will shake in judgment over that name, formances for

and say,

"Very childish perof Trinity College."

By concealing my name, though the same opinions may be entertained, and I may hear them, still I remain unknown.

I must say a few more words on my strange little volume. The Tales are addressed chiefly to young grown-up persons. I am aware, that "The Childhood of Charles Spencer" may be deemed only fit for a child's perusal, but I am one of those who delight in observing children

and their manners. The mind turns to such simplicity and freshness, as the eye to the first daisies of spring, to the first green blades of young wheat. There is a truth even in the falsehoods of children, which is not to be found in the lie of after-life. With all its proneness to deceit, the mind has not yet learned the art of concealing falsehood: some inconsistent simplicity still lingers : habit has not given a second nature to natural sinfulness: the enemy may have sown tares with the wheat, but the tares are no higher than the tender blades, and they have not yet choked them with their rank and cumbrous growth.

I have been vain enough to introduce what has been hinted to me to be very

gentlemanly poetry; really though, in. this volume, it may modestly make its appearance; should it deserve notice, even here, it will not be passed over; should it not, at least nobody can say that I have much pretension.

On one point I must make a few more remarks. I have purposely interwoven Religion with every Tale. I do not say that I have succeeded in showing Religion in its true and happy light, but I have tried not to degrade the cause I have undertaken. I know, as I have somewhere else remarked, that Religion is like pure snow, to preserve its dazzling whiteness unsullied, it should be touched only by delicately clean fingers. The persons mentioned in my stories, would not to the world (if they should act as I mean, and

think they would) appear to obtrude Religion so as to disgust the careless and profane; their faith would be seen chiefly in its beautiful and happy effects, in its ennobling the least actions, and rendering its professors more disposed to make allowances for the failings of others. They would appear to the world as the outside of a watch, where the golden hands are moving regularly over the white dial. In my Tales, I would strive to point out the works of the watch, the spring of such beautiful order. I have seen such effects produced and preserved by that inner spring; and I cannot resist, even in this humble manner, attempting to prove how much real joy there is, even in the saddest trials of the Christian; a joy which is seen in its effects but partially by the

alas! not only now, but the time has ever been, to declare ourselves on the Lord's side. Men have been ever found, who have daringly and insidiously attacked the Religion of Jesus Christ; men, who have known how "to cast

"*O'er erring deeds and thoughts, a heavenly hue

Of words like sun-beams, dazzling as they pass'd

The eyes which o'er them shed tears feelingly and fast ;"

and a poor pitiful set have been more abundant, who resemble Spenser's

"Fruitful, cursed spawne of serpents small, The brood of Errour, which may encumber sore."

*Childe Harold.