AUTHOR OF SKETCHES OF AMERICAN CHARACTER,' 'LADIES' "Bright-eyed Fancy, hovering o'er, Scatters, from her pictured urr, Thoughts that breathe, and words that burn.” BOSTON: MARSH, CAPEN, LYON, AND WEBB. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1840, by MARSH, CAPEN, Lyon, and WEBB, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Massachusetts. EDUCATION PRESS. 7184 3/11ano PREFACE. THERE is no need of commending this Volume to the attention of the reader, or the approbation of the public. The name of Mrs. Barbauld will be a sufficient guarantee of the worth of the selection. But, as this is the first attempt to bring the productions of her pen, more especially designed for the young, together, a few words on the subject may be expected. 6 The Evenings at Home' have long held a deservedly high place in all juvenile libraries; yet there was one drawback,-one thing lacking,-— and that was, a knowledge of the writer. It was understood, that Mrs. Barbauld and her brother had written the books; but which particular pieces were contributed, by the brother or sister, were not ascertained. It is always a pleasure, and we think quite an advantage, to youthful readers, to know the name and history of their favorite authors. To separate, therefore, the articles of these two writers, and give them each a volume, which should be authenticated, was our aim. Mrs. Barbauld's contributions to the Evenings at Home' were not sufficient to form a volume. |