Sketches of Natural History, Or, Songs of Animal Life

it for a place in their new series of Juvenile Art-Books, and to present it as a worthy companion of the Author's "Birds and Flowers." For this purpose, they committed the task of illustrating them to one of the most distinguished of modern artists, H. GIACOMELLI, who is now so well known by his illustrations of "The Bird" and "Nature," and his share in M. Gustave Doré's "Bible." It is not for them to assume the functions of the critic, but they may be pardoned for expressing their conviction that Children's Books are seldom enriched with Engravings so poetical in conception and so finished in execution. If carefully studied by the juvenile reader, they must materially assist in educating his or her artistic taste.

It is the hope of the Publishers that the combined labours of Mary Howitt and H. Giacomelli have resulted in the production of a welcome addition to the stores of Juvenile Literature.

T. NELSON AND SONS.

NOTE BY THE AUTHOR.

My kind Publishers, in their preliminary Note to the present edition of this work, have expressed themselves in such obliging terms in relation to it, that I feel some diffidence in complying with their desire that I would myself add a few words before finally dismissing it from the press.

I may, however, avail myself of this opportunity of acknowledging the gratification I feel in seeing my book brought out in so beautiful a manner, and illustrated and embellished by M. Giacomelli, an artist who has studied Nature so carefully, and who possesses so peculiar a power of delineating her works, not only with rare fidelity, but, at the same time, both gracefully and poetically.

All honour has thus been done to these simple verses, which, in themselves, can but claim to be as the wild-flowers by the wayside, or the songs of the birds in the bushes; and very great pleasure does it afford me to see it permitted thus to enjoy, as it were, a second springtime.

MARY HOWITT.