THE PREFACE. HE apology which is in some measure due to the public for presenting herewith another compilation of poems, consists in the fact that among the many now in existence, there did not seem to be one which answered the demands of our daily professional work. We have been desirous of impressing the children, from their earliest school-days, with the exceptional beauty and richness of their own language, and the ease with which it lends itself in sound and rhythm to the expression of the most varied emotions, and the loftiest aspirations. Starting with the principle that no poems should be admitted except those which had borne the test of time, and whose right to a place in the domain of true art had been conceded, we have only in a few cases departed from it. These exceptions will be found principally, however, in the first part, which comprises the poems designed to be learned by children from six to ten years of age. In this department, the range from which to select is very limited. With regard to the whole, it may be remarked that to compile from a mass of poetical litera ture which extends in an unbroken line for more than four hundred years, is no easy task, nor do we suppose that any critic will be entirely satisfied. We hope, however, that the members of our own profession may find the volume to supply a want which has been for many years recognized. The arrangement may possibly call for a word of explanation. It is based upon the practical wants of the school-room. The poems may be learned in the order in which they stand, without the monotony arising from arranging all the poems of one author together. The double index will make it easy to refer to any author or any selection, when desired. Our acknowledgments are due and are hereby gratefully tendered to all those authors and publishers who have at once and freely, given us the right to use poems. Though, as has been said, the volume is especially designed for the use of schools, it is hoped and believed that it will be found of practical value in the family and home. 9 West 39th St., New York City. March, 1876. A. C. B. BROWNING, ROBERT How they brought the Good News The Pied Piper of Hamelin John Barleycorn My Heart's in the Highlands To a Field Mouse To a Mountain Daisy BYRON, LORD |