PREFACE. 



BOYHOOD, forming Chapter I. of this little 

 book, now appears in print for the first 

 time. My desire in writing it was to en- 

 deavour to present to some of my friends 

 especially to those "in city pent" a picture of my 

 early life on a farm, a lovely ', picturesque old place 

 on the Welsh Borders. I am conscious that I have not 

 realized my ideal in this sketch of some of the incidents 

 of the first, shortest, and most happy years of my life. 

 It was a time of the most healthful, outdoor employ- 

 ment a time of active enjoyment of all good things 

 about me. I found 



" Tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, 

 Sermons in stones, and good in everything" 



Writing as a septuagenarian, I can with all thank- 

 fulness attribute the measure of good health which I now 

 enjoy, and the freedom from most of the infirmities 

 which too often accompany old age, to the pure air, con- 

 stant outdoor exercise, and wholesome life and living in 

 which I was trained in those early days. 



Doubtless it was the pleasant memories of these boyish 



