he warbled his lay of delight, fluttering round the head of her who wore
the silver crown of Success.

* * * * *

And I now would gather around me my readers, to make them a little
address ere we part. I see them in my mind's eye--from the school-boy
with jacket and cap, who has thought it a condescension to read such
"childish stuff," to the little curly-headed urchin in tartan frock,
who, when taking a drive with mamma, asks whether the little stream
which he passes be not "the real brook Bother." There is the tall elder
sister, who only reads aloud "to amuse the children;" and the girl who
"hates all lessons;" and the little laughing fairy who expects some day
to see dwarf Alphabet standing at the door of a shop. It is not hard to
make a speech when no one can see the speaker. So, without blushing, or
coughing, or stammering, A. L. O. E. addresses her readers.

Have not you, my friends, been reading in my story of persons and scenes
with which you yourselves are familiar? Have you not each a nice little
head to furnish, and Time-money to pay for your purchases? And do not
all your best friends recommend you to go to the good town of Education?
Do not you know the muddy brook Bother? Have you not crossed it on the
plank of Patience; or have you never--pray pardon the question--gone
floundering right into the middle? I am pretty sure that you have paid
toll to Alphabet, the stout little dwarf; that you have felt how
troublesome and tedious it is to climb Multiplication staircase; that
you have examined Reading's fine shop; glanced at Arithmetic's grates
and fire-irons; and probably tumbled many a time from that awkward
ladder of Spelling. Have I not amongst my young audience a clever Dick,
a lazy Lubin, a silly Matty, and a lame little child like Nelly? Each
reader must judge for himself which character most resembles his own,
and let each kindly accept a suitable word of advice.

Clever reader! beware of Pride. Don't let him lurk behind your
door--don't let him lead you to cut either your fingers or your friends,
by attempting things for which you are not fitted, or by looking down
upon companions not gifted with powers like your own. Do not despise
Patience, or think that you are too clever to need it. It is not the
quickest or sharpest pupil that really spends Time to best purpose.
Often has the haughty, self-willed genius been found to forfeit the
crown of Success.

Lazy reader!