BOSTON:
JAMES R. OSGOOD AND COMPANY,

LATE TICKNOR & FIELDS, AND FIELDS, OSGOOD & Co.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1871, by

JAMES R. OSGOOD & COMPANY,

in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C.

"THE ALDINE PRESS."-James Sutton & Co., N. Y.

THE LITTLE PEOPLE.

A DREARY place would be this earth,
Were there no little people in it;
The song of life would lose its mirth,
Were there no children to begin it;

No little forms, like buds to grow,

And make the admiring heart surrender; No little hands on breast and brow,

To keep the thrilling love-chords tender.

The sterner souls would grow more stern, Unfeeling nature more inhuman,

And man to stoic coldness turn,

And woman would be less than woman.

Life's song, indeed, would lose its charm,
Were there no babies to begin it;
A doleful place this world would be,
Were there no little people in it.

PREFACE.

HAVING had occasion, some time since, to look over several volumes of selected verse intended for juvenile readers, and noticing in nearly all of them much that seemed lacking in literary merit or adaptation, it occurred to the compiler of this volume that, taking advantage of the merits as well as deficiencies of existing publications in this department, a selection might be made combining simplicity with a certain degree of literary excellence, without on the one hand descending to silliness, or, on the other rising above the average comprehension of childhood.

How far the present volume has made this thought a reality it is not for him to decide. He can only say that it is the result of a patient examination of the accessible juvenile literature of our own and other countries. Our English tongue is peculiarly rich in the lore of home and fireside; and the editor has availed himself of selections from the folk-songs and ballads of continental Europe. Where a doubt existed in regard to any particular poem he has not hesitated to take counsel of those whose judgment seemed to him reliable; and, in more than one instance, he has deferred to the instinctive and natural criticisms of childhood.

It is but just to acknowledge his obligations to kind friends whose valuable suggestions have materially aided him; and, in an especial manner, his indebtedness to LUCY LARCOM, SO well known in connexion with "OUR YOUNG FOLKS," who has given him the benefit of her cultivated taste and very thorough acquaintance with whatever is valuable in the poetical literature of Child-Life.

Doubtless all readers will miss some favorite pieces which the necessity of giving as great a variety as possible to the compilation compelled him to pass over. He trusts, however, that a very large proportion of all that is permanently valuable will be found in these pages. He hopes and believes that no well-grounded exceptions can be taken to the character of the selections in a moral and religious point of view. He has endeavored, avoiding everything like cant and sectarianism, to find expression for the reverence, love, and grateful trust, so natural and beautiful in those whom the Divine Teacher held up as examples to His disciples: "Of such is the kingdom of Heaven." The deep significance of His language is confirmed by the spiritual experience of all ages.

"The paths that lead us to God's throne

Are worn by children's feet."