lization of the savage sex, and-for an instance-we are informed that far better than billet-artillery are the comforters which have been chrochetted for the disconsolate. Comforters -how cheerful a word and with use how significant ! We care not to be too particular in referring to the many grateful letters on this head alone-letters that speak of the occupation-in bowery nook or other hallowed trysting placeof slender fingers that need so little the companionship of careful eyes: labor so little interrupting serious commune: excuse so valid for a longer rest or a continued ramble. Whilst in sober life, what prettier sight than the young wife engaged in the mystery of some tiny cap, or some floating trophy to hang about our easy chair. And then to hear-by the cheerful fire while old dame Nature is working her crochet-patterns on the window pane— the girls all round with busy hand at serviette or sofa cover—to hear the voice of the youngest trembling over some love tale or taking up the graver tone of some quiet home-philosophy. Or as now, in the rosiest flush of Summer, when the Faeries are at work with nimble fingers in thicket and through fern, hanging festoons from flower to flower-throwing a gauzy veil over the radiant Queen-Rose, or gathering up the spider-hood of the demure daisy-how cheering to see the emulative hands of the more substantial charmers-those bustling Faeries of Drawing-Room and Parlour-all sedulously occupied in some happy and useful labor of love. We have wandered somewhat from our intention-which was simply, to thank our friends-far and near-for the enthusiasm with which they have, month after month, welcomed our work. At the close of our first Volume we have only unmixed gratitude to express-for the very Critics themselves have been most kind to us. For the Future we shall journey on together as merrily as before or if an occasional sigh arise, the healthful cause shall be that of our common humanity. And in our widening circle of Readers, which has pleasantly increased from the very beginning-we hope-with the graceful co-operation of the lady who has so tastefully presided over the crochet-hook—to pass many hours—in alleviating, it may be some moments of sadness-at any rate, in safely and cheerfully engaging the minds and fingers of many thousands of our gentle Countrywomen. London, July 1st, 1848. |