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never said so to you, I often said within myself (Harry don't "frown !") it is hard 

 when a man gets his monkey up, at the same time to look exceedingly pleasant ; 

 excuse me here while I pour myself out a glass of wine to drink your health, wish- 

 ing you a very large measure of good luck. I mentioned you would discover 

 inelegancies, more than that, "rude ideas "; I was driven to that, to keep near 

 my original ways, otherwise those that know my ways, would not have believed 

 the animal wrote it. I am aware it is not written after the style that Mayor in 

 his frontispiece has, which is taken from Baker's Natural History. Curiousity 

 and a fondness for novelty are implanted by Providence in the mind of man, to 

 make him observe and examine things attentively ; distinguish their various pro- 

 ductions, form and structure ; and admire their beauties, properties and use. 

 While he is doing this, he is improving his judgment, performing his duty and 

 making himself happy. 



For the unkindness I received from some few, prior to my writing my Almond 

 Tumbler, I promised them I would be a thorn in their sides, before I had done 

 with them, that was the thorn that stuck in their sides, my Almond Tumbler 1851. 

 My work on Tame, Domesticated and Fancy Pigeons 1852, stuck in their throats ; 

 the work I am bringing out now on Tame, Domesticated, Foreign and Fancy 

 Pigeons 1858, I expect will stick in their gizzards, for endeavouring to open the 

 eyes of the young and inexperienced, by instructing him to read, mark, learn and 

 inwardly to digest ; to open his eyes and look out of the windows of his under- 

 standing, to think for himself, not to believe all he hears at a Pigeon show gospel. 

 Although my Almond Tumbler has now been published seven years it has not 

 been answered. 



I cannot 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 works, the 

 Almond Tumbler, 1851, also my work on Tame, Domesticated and Fancy Pigeons, 

 1852, with these flattering testimonials, combined with many entreaties from 

 Fanciers from all parts of the country, urging me to bring out a work on Tame, 

 Domesticated, Foreign and Fancy Pigeons, and if possible to give a more lengthy 

 or greater amount of information on Toy and Foreign Pigeons ; do you think I am 

 to be cowed by unkindness ? If you do, you do not know what the little Bit of 

 Stuff that is writing is composed of. It is true I am too short for a Militia Man, 

 I know I am tall enough for a superior officer ; I believe many a brave soldier has 

 lost his life on field of battle, simply because he was not so short as I am. I ask 

 Do you think I am to be cowed by unkindness ? Certainly not ; it urges me on 

 to accomplish my undertaking, and as Mr. Moore beautifully observes in Paragraph 

 16, hoping it will have the desired effect of pushing on some abler pen, " I commit 

 it to the candid censure of mankind." 



Taken from Franklin's Way to Wealth, or Poor Richard Improved : — 

 " Experience keeps a dear school, but fools will learn in no other," as poor Richard 

 says, and scarce in that ; for it is true, ' ' We may give advice, but we cannot give 

 conduct." However, remember this, "They that will not be counselled, cannot 

 be helped ;" and further, that "If you will not hear reason, she will surely rap 

 your knuckles," as poor Richard says. 



Mr. Moore in his Work, Paragraph 5, says, "I have wisely learnt from it to 

 seek a proper refuge against any ill-natured censures." To this purpose I beg 

 leave to prefix your name, Sir William Stapleton, Bart., to this Work, and to 

 assure the World that you who have purchased Pigeons at very considerable prices 

 do not consider the subject below your regard. 



The question is where am I to fly for refuge against any ill-natured feelings, for 

 having brought out my Almond Tumbler, 1851, my Work on Tame, Domesticated 

 and Fancy Pigeons, 1852 ; also the present work on Tame, Domesticated, Foreign 

 and Fancy Pigeons, 1858 ; also a set of 6 matchless engraved colored Portraits, 

 " Life Size," viz. — The Almond, Black Mottled, Red Baldhead, and Yellow Beard 

 Tumblers, Blue-pied English Pouter, and Black Carrier ; also 3 different diagrams 

 of building or fitting up a Pigeonary. I repeat where am I to fly for refuge against 

 any ill-natured feelings. Simply I purpose screening myself, by throwing myself 

 upon the candour of true, honest, upright and experienced Fanciers, acknowledging 

 I owe an immense debt of gi-atitude to the following gentlemen who aided and 

 assisted me, as will be seen by the paragraphs : — Brent, Boys, Corker, and 

 ToNGE, Esquires ; especially to Brent and Boys, Esquires. Should you experience 

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