JAN 23 1896 
4S463 
TO OUR READERS. 
It has been written—• 
None, if they had power to choose, 
(Or I’ll resign my charter), 
For twenty warmest “ How d’ye do’s ” 
One kind “ Good bye ” would barter. 
Now, this may be all very well for a poet, but as Editor, about to commence a new 
volume, we most emphatically—because truthfully—say, that we shall prefer one cheering 
“ How d’ye do/’ to any number of the most blandly expressed “ Good bye’s ” that can be 
given;—in fact, we do not wish to hear one of them. This, however, is a vain wish, 
for we have had one farewell, and it is so original that we give it entire :—“ Why are 
you going to improve The Cottage Gardener? I am quite contented with it as it is; 
and I will not be forced to have forty additional double numbers, even for a halfpenny each 
additional.” Well, there is one subscriber irretrievably gone; and we receive even his 
“ Good bye ” with regret, for he is a sterling specimen of the nearly extinct race of the 
venerable Stand-stills, and we are grateful even for his past approval. 
However, we have the consolation of a budget of greetings to out-balance this counter¬ 
check. A Norfolk clergyman writes thus : — 
“ Permit me, in fine, to add my humble but sincere testimony to that of thousands, in praise of 
the work which you superintend. The very valuable information which it imparts so plainly and 
so practically, is only equalled by the sound lessons of religion which it inculcates. And to see 
many of my poorer neighbours stealing a peep into its pages, whenever their few leisure moments 
will permit (for it delights me to give them this little privilege), is a significant proof that it fulfils 
its mission well. I could wish that, instead of the demoralising trash of infidel journalists so commonly 
to be found in our village ale-houses, each took in a copy of The Cottage Gardener.” 
From among our artisan friends, we have this from Halifax :— 
“ I have been a subscriber to your valuable periodical for upwards of nine months, and have had 
great pleasure in reading its pages. I first met with it in the library of our respected masters, the 
Messrs. James Akroyd and Sons, which is free of expense to the work-people, and then became a 
subscriber, and have continued up to the present, I frequently recommend it among my shopmates; 
and when they tell me it is too dear, I say, * It is only the price of a pint of ale, and there is no head¬ 
ache attending it, and you see what is going on in the horticultural and floral world. ’ ” 
When, in addition to these onward cheers, we call to remembrance that our aristocratic 
contemporary. The Quarterly Review, says that the contents of our pages are as suitable 
for the cottage of gentility, with double coach-house, as for that usually tenanted by 
the labourer, we hope our clerical friend does not express too much when he says. The 
Cottage Gardener “ fulfils its mission well.” That it shall continue to do so, no labour, 
no expense, will be spared; and when another volume closes, we hope to have deserved, 
and to receive as few “ Good bye’s,” and as many “ How d’ye do’s,’, as on the present 
occasion. 
