THE FATE OF OUK VENTURE. 



11 



our supreme felicity. Like him, also, we joy in the possession 

 of a quiet retreat, and prefer to uplift our voice from behind 

 a screen. 



We have now set forth quite as much of our design, and re- 

 vealed as much of our personality as have come connected 

 with our immediate subject, and from the scattered grains of 

 intimation already dropt, some prying reader may even now 

 have gleaned more about the Cricket's ways and whereabouts 

 than we have thought it expedient to reveal. Something more 

 of them may be disclosed hereafter. Meanwhile, surmise what 

 thou wilt, good gossip ! but, above all, we entreat thee to bear 

 in mind that, alike in our proper and our emblematic character, 

 we most heartily rejoice in all that warms and all that cheers. 

 Eemember this, dear reader and be kind ! try to look sun- 

 beams, or fire-light, on these our weak and broken chirrups, 

 for according as thy smile shall encourage, or thy frown 

 repress, they may speedily sink into silence, or rise into a 

 more powerful and grateful song. 



