PREFACE. THE following Poems have been written from time to time during the last twenty-seven years, and have many of them appeared in print before; but being for the most part now inaccessible to friends who kindly continue to ask for them, I have ventured to group them in this volume. Some of them are here published for the first time. The dates, which are affixed to most of the Poems, will enable the reader to assign the lighter pieces to my early home and college days. May He who directs the wind-borne seed to the genial soil only plant a few winged words in some hearts, where they shall not be wholly unfruitful, and my hopes will be abundantly fulfilled. E. H. B. CHRIST CHURCH VICARAGE, Hampstead, 1871. |