(*7 





I dedicate to thee what is really thine own : three books 

 of the fireside, sprung from our siveet evening talk, 



THE BIRD THE INSECT THE SEA. 



Thou alone didst inspire them. Without thee I 

 should have pursued, ever in my own track, the rude path 

 of human history. 



Thou alone didst prepare them. I received from 

 thy hands the rich harvest of Nature. 



And thou alone didst crown them, placing on the 

 accomplished work the sacred floiver which blesses them. 



J. MICHELET. 



