On the Death of Mrs. H. W. C., of Manchester, 67 The Evil Spirit in Disguise, On Visiting the Grave of a Friend, Cruelty to Dumb Animals, 76 78 80 Song of the Deceived Maiden, Ode for a S. S. Rural Celebration, To a Miniature of the Departed, The Impulsive Maiden, On the Sudden Death of Miss E. F. P. The Escape from Fire, Avarice, its Influence on the Heart, Jerusha Carter, and her Chosen Flower, Slanderers, Page. - 100 101 - 102 105 - 107 108 - 110 112 - 113 115 - 116 To the Hutchinson Family, The Welcome Messenger at Sea, 136 - 137 139 - 141 Beautiful Trees, To a Gay Young Friend, Page 151 152 153 166 Pleasant Visits: or, Kate and Lilla, The Bachelor's Excuse and Regret, King Alcohol to his Associates, Selfishness, Defamers of Character, Again is Summer Here, On Riches, Passing Away, - 167 168 - 170 172 - 174. 176 - 177 180 - 182 184 - 186 188 - 190 PREFA CЕ. IN presenting Leisure Thoughts to the public eye, the author is not so visionary or void of ordinary discernment, in this age of accomplished authors and countless books, as to hope or dream of fame or pecuniary favor in connection with his pen. It was at the suggestion of disinterested friends that he first conceived the idea of collecting some of his prose and verse pieces, and presenting them in the form of a book. He entertains, however, the common belief that while on life's active stage, every one-according to the means in his possession-is under moral obligation to do what he can in the cause of humanity and the general welfare of society. He is not unmindful of the fact that ability does not always accompany zeal, however honest and warm; and therefore should be prepared for any unpleasant consequences which might fall upon one who voluntarily placed himself within the influence of the public gaze. He trusts that he will not be accused of great vanity, in expressing a hope that the contents of this volume may be of some trifling benefit to many hearts, and of injury to none. To the unprejudiced and unbiased reader, the nature of the subjects generally chosen and the candid manner of expressing his ideas, may in some measure atone for deficiency of elegance in diction, and other palpable imperfections which may be found upon these pages. The whole book is the production of detached moments of time-as a relaxation from the study and perplexities of the profession of music, and from some degree of self-satisfaction in "Telling a tale, or singing a song, In praise of the right-in blame of the wrong." Should it be possible for a just and generous critic to deem such a book worth his perusal, the author would, from the critic's view of human nature, and the circumstances connected with this volume, willingly trust the work to his generosity. If, by the stern discipline of life's perpetual vicissitudes-with advantages that fortune has only bestowed with parsimonious hand upon the author-he has been successful in expressing a single thought or sentence worthy of preservation, may the sentiment be treasured in lasting and generous memory, according to its intrinsic merit. To the friends and pupils of the writer, is this volume affectionately inscribed. |