TO OUR READERS. 



There are periods when "we would not if we could be gay," and this is one of them. We huve 

 had to assort the letters accumulated during many years ; and as they were perused and placed 

 aside, the picture seemed realised of the old soldier returned to his boyhood's home, and, as be 

 etood within its open door, the admitted breeze 



" Caught the old dangling almanaclis behind, 

 And up they flew like banners in the wind ; 

 Then gently, singly — down — do\Tn — down they went. 

 And told of twentj' years ii-revocably spent." 



Each almanack in that series recalled events — some craped, some golden — and so was 

 it with our letters of years gone by. Many from friends now busied with life's sterner employ- 

 ments; others from those who have adopted "a home across the waters;" and not a few from 

 Beaton, and Errington, and Chitty, and Payne, and others whose life's work is finished. 



Now, though we would not be gay, yet we have yielded to this train of thought, because 

 we can add a record of those characteristics of life — merciful compensations. Many pens that 

 enriched our earliest numbers still add value to those now current. Many pens that once were 

 active for us in " the old country " still afford us aid — novel aid — from Canada, Australia, New 

 Zealand, and even the Isles of the Pacific ; and still more numerous year by year are the fresh 

 pens ably employed to add value to our columns. 



When we laid down the last of the accumulated letters of bygone years we observed, " What 

 kindly feeling pervades them all!" That sentence is now endorsed on each bundle; and when 

 at the end of future years we have to assort a fresh accumulation of letters, we have no fear that 

 the same sentence will not be appropriate, for all continue to be like spirited to those from 

 which we give these two extracts : — 



b' 



" Canada West. — Your kind and genial letter gladdened the heart of myself and wife more than anylliing in 

 tlie epistolary line ever received by us. Its thoroughly English tone and fraternal good wishes were particularly 

 enjoyable, and, withal, very seasonable ; for on the day of its receipt I was rather downhearted after discovering the 

 fearful liavoc made by those pests, field mice, among oui- young trees. We should be indeed dull without the weekly 

 gleams of sunshine brought by "' our Journal ;" but the additional warmth produced by your note will long be 

 maintained. 



" I trust that before long we may have the pleasure of shaking hands personally, although now we can do so 

 across the water. The idea, too, that my little scrawl will please " AVilthhire Rector " will, in our eyes, give 

 increased value to his ever-welcome contributions. On the day of the arrival of your letter another inspiriting event 

 occurred in our establishment. Some days previously, while in the bush, as it is here termed, I discovered under 

 the snow a small Hepatica, which I chopped out of its frozen suiToundiugs and brought into the house, and after 

 thawing it out, potted it. On the day above named it opened the iirst blossom, and I can assure you it is as liiglily 

 prized as the first Orchid in a great establishment.' 



The other extract, from a letter signed "A Poor Working Man," is as follows : — 



" The kindest thanks of myself and all my fellow worldng men are due to all those who have kindly interested 

 themselves in promoting, by then- wi'itings in your Journal, the instruction and comfort of the working man. All 

 honour to the noble band. May they live to write, and see tlie fruits of their labours in the improved condition, both 

 moral and social, of the poor and often neglected sons and daughters of toil." 



Every reader will join with us in chorusing that gratifying, cheering wish. We retain the 

 aid of that "noble band;" therefore we renew our advance cheerily. Yet there must occur 

 some oversights, so for our future volumes we will employ the words of the old herbalist Gerarde 

 — "Accept them, loving countreymen, as tokens of our good will; and we trust that the best and 

 well-minded wil not rashly condemne us, although some things have passed worthy reprehension." 



