vi PREFACE. 



ing bird. Those who are indifferent to the 

 crow — but, stay, do such exist ? I trow^ not. 

 They are mere figments of the brain, shadowy 

 forms, which have no terror for even the timid 

 writer. 



Gentle reader, is it necessary for me to say 

 that this wordy effusion lias led, step by step, 

 line upon line, to the irresistible conclusion 

 that no one can afford to be without this little 

 book ? 



Madkas, April Id^ 1905. 



