PREFACE. 



]S it is customary for an author to say a few 

 words to his readers by way of introduction, 

 before they become better acquainted with 

 one another, let me briefly state the reason why 

 this book is written, and why I felt some confidence 

 in undertaking the work. The magic lantern has 

 always been one of the most popular instruments 

 ever made. So popular has it been, that children by 

 the thousand recognise its charms, while many of more 

 mature years have a secret hankering after it, which 

 they would fain leave unacknowledged : " For it is but a 

 toy," think they, " and we have left toyland behind 

 us since we reached man's estate." Let me 

 sympathise with these feelings, and own for my part 

 a weakness for pantomimes and fireworks, which 

 weakness I have occasionally the opportunity of 

 indulging, on the plea of taking my children out for 

 a treat. But let me say at once that the magic lantern 



