THE FATE OF OUR VENTURE. 



11 



our supreme felicity. Like him, also, we joy in the 

 possession of a quiet retreat, and prefer to uplift our voice 

 from behind a screen. 



We have now set forth quite as much of our design, and 

 revealed as much of our personality as have come connected 

 with our immediate subject, and from the scattered grains of 

 intimation already dropt, some prying reader may even now 

 have gleaned more about the Cricket's ways and whereabouts 

 than we have thought it expedient to reveal. Something more 

 of them may be disclosed hereafter. Meanwhile, surmise what 

 thou wilt, good gossip ! but, above all, we entreat thee to 

 bear in mind that, alike in our proper and our emblematic 

 character, we most heartily rejoice in all that warms and all 

 that cheers. Remember this, dear reader and be kind ! try 

 to look sunbeams, or fire-light, on these our weak and broken 

 chirrups, for according as thy smile shall encourage, or thy 

 frown repress, they may speedily sink into silence, or rise into 

 a more powerful and grateful song. 



i3_-- / 



; ( -aiioc>"bff'.tlifn tiiru sfiaU'lir caUYb" 

 i. . . > - (. 



