THE FERN PARADISE. 



torn ourselves to jog on in a round of monotonous 

 existence, when perhaps a slight, a very slight, 

 attention to the details of enjoyment would furnish 

 us with constant sources of pleasure, it will be 

 allowed that a most important object will be 

 secured if it be found possible successfully to 

 urge that such attention should be given to the 

 subject of which this volume treats. 



The Author feels that in this address to the 

 reader he has already trenched upon matters which 

 have been dealt with in another part of the volume ; 

 but he is anxious in this place to put forth a good 

 plea for the object which he desires to effect; for 

 unless he can do so, he is conscious that he can 

 have no claim, as he has already said, upon the 

 reader's indulgence. 



In conclusion, the Author would express the 

 earnest hope that his book may be the humble 

 means of increasing the popular taste for the 

 varied and exquisite forms of Fern life : a 

 taste which is certain to have a softening and 

 elevating influence on the popular mind. May 

 these graceful and feathery forms crowd in vast 

 numbers into our dwelling-houses, our gardens, 



34 



