PREFACE. 



Almost imperceptibly has another year passed away, and brouglit us 

 to the period of tendering, as we respectfully do, our very sincere 

 thanks to our readers for their continued support, and which we again 

 solicit the favour of in fiifui'e. 



When we closed the previous volume, we entered into engagements 

 as to the application of our labours in prosecuting the duties in con- 

 nexion with the present one. Eighteen years ago we stated what was 

 our aim in commencing the Magazine, and we have pursued the course 

 then marked out, viz., " to render it reaUij useful and interesting to 

 those for whom it was intended, and that no other subjects would be 

 admitted into its pages." To tlie best of our judgment we have so 

 conducted the publication, and our constant endeavour has been fully 

 to realize the promises ainiually made to our supporters and friends. 

 In referring to the present volume, we tliink we may say, without 

 ostentation, that it is equal, if not superior, to any that has preceded it. 

 We are very sensible of the obliging assistance which our contributors 

 have rendered us, thus enabling us to fulfil our promises. 



In infancy we lived among a profusion of flowers, and such has been 

 our privilege and enjoyment up to the present time. We always 

 admired and loved flowers, and the culture of them has been a source 

 of much delight. Tiie conducting of this Magazine has always yielded 

 us much pleasure, and we think tlie last volume tiie chiefest. 



