INTRODUCTION. "He who in any way shows us better than we knew before, that a lily of the fields is beautiful, does he not show it as an effluence of the Fountain of all Beauty-as the handwriting made visible there of the Great Maker of the Universe? He has sung for us, made us sing with him, a little verse of a sacred psalm." Criticism on Hero Worship. IN introducing my kind readers to the work now presented to their notice, I feel bound to enlighten them respecting its aim and character. To begin with a few negative qualifications; our manual is not exactly a guide book, neither is it a road book; nor a continued narration of personal adventures;-it wants the sober solidity of the one; the accurate measurement of the other; and the piquant interest of the third: and yet it is somewhat composed of all three. To find an appropriate term, we may call it an odd volume,-one that will probably be cast out from the library, to lie on the drawing-room table; or be transferred from thence to the summer's seat;-and we wish for our "Home Scenes" no higher station than the familiar haunts of domestic life. If this little work prove attractive, a large proportion of the credit must be ascribed to 1 the Publisher, the skill and good taste of the Artist, and to the valuable contributions of literary and scientific friends. It is doubtful if my part will be acceptable to all who read. The sketches are disjointed, imperfect, like the notches on Robinson Crusoe's stick; they have been composed at intervals, in snatches of time caught from more toilsome avocations. I have only been able to proceed gradually, adding here a little and there a little, as my memory or my leisure furnished me with materials. It would perhaps be wrong to anticipate criticism by saying the book is incomplete; but in my estimation of the things described I find it to be so. Yet if it should have contributed to render one individual more satisfied with the world about him; or have excited one feeling of gratitude for the blessings which a bounteous Providence has lavished around us, the desire of the authoress will not have been unfulfilled, nor her labor have been in vain. It is her full persuasion that we may find scenes at home as lovely as those we seek abroad. The Almighty has not created a fairer land than our own. It may fail in sublimity; but it loses, in comparison with others, nothing in beauty. The peculiar charm of English scenery,-that air of propriety and comfort which harmonizes the features of the landscape, and hallows our home, is more felt than acknowleged. We take pleasure in that which we know not of,-and often forget our transient real happiness in the business and cares of daily life. "The world is too much with us; late and soon, We have given our hearts away, a sordid boon." But this may not be; we must return to the peaceful enjoyments of nature- "Knowing that she never did betray The heart that loved her. She can so impress With quietness and beauty, and so feed With lofty thoughts, that neither evil tongues, Nor greetings where no kindness is, nor all Shall e'er prevail against us, or disturb Our cheerful faith, that all which we behold WORDSWORth. One word with regard to the rhymes which are scattered through this volume. On being requested to write the book, I was intreated, to render it entertaining, to introduce amusing passages which might enliven the tedium of the way. In having followed up this direction, I may have deviated too far from the prescribed track, and have laid myself open to censure from those who never stop to gather the flowers in their path. For this, and all other errors, I crave forgiveness, subscribing myself, with due submission, the Reader's most humble and obedient servant, R. E. Dated, Parkwood. CONTENTS. SECOND WALK.-Mount Tavy, Coxtor, Petertavy, THIRD WALK.-Walreddon-confluence of the 1 |