NOTE TO THE AUTHOR'S EDITION. 



Woodland Trees," now lying on the table before 

 me ; and allow me to say, sir, that your works 

 are as familiar to our school children and the com- 

 mon people as the writings of Charles Dickens 

 in dear old England most of our Public 

 Libraries having a complete set of your works on 

 their shelves. While reading your book " Our 

 Woodland Trees " and looking over the beautiful 

 engravings, so true to nature, I felt I was back 

 in the Old Land, roaming through its field- 

 paths and crossing the old rustic stiles ; then 

 through its quiet lanes with their leafy hedges of 

 Blackthorn in full bloom, and later, of Hawthorn. 

 I almost fancied I could inhale their delicate per- 

 fumes and almost unconsciously looked down to 

 my feet to make sure I was not treading on some 

 sweet cowslips or primroses, or crushing some 

 bluebells. Then views of the stately old oaks 

 reminded me of our rambles through the parks 

 and copses of Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire, 

 and the picturesque Isle of Wight all familiar 

 places to me in my youthful days. You cannot 

 conceive the pleasure such a book as yours gives 

 to me in a strange land, away from all my kindred 

 and the old scenes of childhood ; more especially 



