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LONDON:

PRINTED BY H. TUCK, 16 & 17, NEW STREET, CLOTH FAIR,

WEST SMITHFIELD.

PREFACE.

We have been long enough on friendly terms with our Readers to dispense with formality. Our Preface is, therefore, little else than a letter, accompanying the presentation of a New Volume, to those who know us well, and who value our efforts.

We present this fresh result of our labours and good wishes to the Great Domestic Circle of England-not a circle like that in which the hapless Lady Jane Grey was reared-cold and austere, in which grown-up sons and daughters hardly dared to sit in the presence of their parents; and in which there was much ignorance, coarseness, cruelty, and intemperance, -but the Domestic Circle of the Victorian Era, which aims to be refined, intellectual, and enlightened; that blends duty with pleasure, and is as free as pure hearts and cultivated minds could wish it to be.

To such a circle we dedicate this offering of true friendship, an offering in which we have striven, by blending treasures with triflesthrowing poetic grace over the paths of Science-by opening up varied. sources of wholesome Amusement and Recreation-and by imparting reliable information on subjects of Taste and Utility, to minister to all the varied wants of the Great Family we strive to please. In short, it has always been our desire to give the contents of each Volume a permanent value, so that our Readers might take an interest in preserving it for future reference.

The large support we have so many years enjoyed from a discriminating public assures us that we are not over-estimating the nature of our work; and we are confident, that so long as we adhere to our first principles, namely, to treat of everything connected with HOME-of whatever is calculated to remove its discomforts and enhance its pleasures-to present every member of the household with a periodical amount of advice, information, instruction, and recreation-and to avail ourselves of the services of able writers to embody in the purest compositions the moral and practical

duties of every-day life-so long as we continue in these paths, we are sure we shall always take the highest literary rank in the Homes of England, and be accorded therein the welcome we covet as well as the position we seek to occupy.

The contents of the present volume may be taken as a fair sample of the subjects which receive special attention from us; our features include every variety of Plain and Fancy Needlework—the newest methods in the Culinary Art-Sterling Poetry and improving Tales-Intellectual Essays on Men and Manners-Rambles in Foreign Climes-Moral Stories for the Young-Biographies of men and women who have impressed "their footprints on the sands of time"-Marvels of Science-Wonders of the Animal Creation-Health, and the way to preserve it-Sickness, and the best means to avoid and remove it-Home AdornmentsManagement of Servants-Phenomena of the Seasons-Reviews and Outlines of Good Books-Helps and Aids in Gardening-Manners and Customs of all Nations-Useful Hints and Suggestions-New and Novel In-door Pastimes, and a variety of Out-door Recreations.

Besides the topics here enumerated, the present Midsummer Volume contains appropriate readings for Strolls by the Sea-beach, where

"The bridegroom sea

Is toying with the shore, his wedded bride;"

and Country Rambles, where the "sweet voice of Nature maketh the heart rejoice."

With regard to the future, we think the wise course will be to let our labours speak for themselves. Whatever improvements may be practicable or desirable we shall readily make, so as more and more to sustain our title "THE FAMILY FRIEND."

Midsummer, 1861.

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