among us but what could afford to breed a pair of Pigeons. Who ever heard of 

 a man taking his own life on account of a Pigeon ? What awful accounts have 

 we read on account of a Race-horse! 



It is almost more than flesh and blood can endure, by way of governing or 

 commanding my temper, when I think of those Splatherers, who (as Solomon 

 beautifully observes, " you may bruise in a mortar, and yet you cannot obtain 

 gumption out of them ") ridicule the Pigeon. It may be pardonable in some of 

 these, simply because they are void of brains, not having been handed down to 

 them; or they may have received an injury on a "large pimple," growing out 

 at the top of the neck, which will never come to a head. « 



I am at a loss, also, to find language to express my gratitude to the gentlemen 

 of the Press, for the very high testimonials they have thought fit to give upon 

 my former Works (which are inserted at the end of the Work), with these 

 flattering testimonials, combined with many entreaties from Fanciers of all parts 

 of the country to whom I have applied for their observations, &c. &c., urging 

 me to bring out the Work, 1 have hinted to them. 



Solomon says there is nothing new under the sun. You will find there is 

 something new in thi? Work. Some of you might be desirous of having a Pre- 

 face to the Work. I have thought fit to put one at the end of the Work (pro- 

 vided you have time and inclination to read it), so as to bring you sooner to the 

 point, " as the Lifeguardsman said to the Chinaman." 



I shall, as before, in my former Work, take Mr. John Moore's Work, Colum- 

 barium, or the Pigeon-Huuse, for my text, who I consider the pre-eminent of all 

 Pigeon Fanciers. I shall call in the aid of professional men, who declare there 

 is nothing like leather, and determined, like me, to stick to the last. 



I have promised you great things — I believe not more than true. I will 

 endeavour to cater and glean for you. I have taken a high standard t should I 

 find I have taken too high a standard, or the Work is too big for me, it would be 

 cowardly and a want of wisdom on my part to abandon it, and leave the young 

 Fancier without a Work. Therefore, I hope you will accept the will for the 

 deed. I have endeavoured to glean and cater for you, my inexperienced brother 

 Fancier, and believe me, I am as ever thine, to serve thee, a brother Fancier, 

 who has devoted time, care, and attention to the subject. 



With grateful acknowledgments for past favours, 



The Author, 

 JOHN MATTHEWS EATON. 



8], Upper Street, Islington, 

 Late 7, Islington Green, 

 London (N.). 



5th March, 1868. 



