PREFATORY NOTE. It is now more than twenty years since the present Anthology first saw the light. That, after such a lapse of time, and after having run through several large editions, the little work notwithstanding, too, the competition of numerous publications of a similar character continues to obtain favour, and finds itself honoured by another edition being called for, cannot but give me the sincerest satisfaction, and it is with much pleasure that I have carefully revised it for the occasion. The illustrations with which the Publisher has embellished the new edition, will prove, it is hoped, a welcome accompaniment to the letter-press. July 1874. F. F. |