ΤΟ THE FIRM OF N. CORAH AND SONS, LEICESTER, THIS LITTLE VOLUME IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED, BY ONE TO WHOM THEIR KINDNESS HAS MADE LABOUR SWEET, AND A LONG SERVICE PLEASANT. PREFACE. GREAT poets have no need to write prefaces to their books; but it seems to me that the little singers, "the childish voices," as one calls them, who can only "utter tiny truths in tender syllables," ought to tell the reason why they ask the world to turn aside and listen to them. I publish a second time, chiefly because many friends who read my first attempt have assured me that they would like to hear from me again. I have faith in their professions; and if I should again succeed in pleasing them, it will be a great happiness to me. If I should gain a yet larger audience than these, especially among my own class, the busy workers, if any among them shall get pleasure or profit from my rhymes, I shall still further rejoice. May, 1868. |