We must tell our little readers something about this number of their
Library. It was sent to us by a very kind old uncle of ours, who, when
we were young, was so much from home, visiting various places in the
world, that we do not remember seeing him very often at that period. At
last, the old man, finding that he could not bear fatigue as he had done
when young, determined to come home; and we had heard so much about him
that we were quite anxious to see him. He came to our house one evening,
and appeared rather odd to us; but he was so good-natured, and told us
so many curious things, that we soon forgot his odd appearance.
The old gentleman brought home with him a very large number of books,
and a great many strange things which he had gathered in his travels,
such as stones, and dried insects, and leaves, and flowers, and stuffed
birds, and animals. He did not stay with us long, but went to the
village where he was born, and built a small house to which he carried
all his books and curiosities, and said that he should spend the rest of
his days there.
We sometimes pay him a visit. The last time we were there, we found him
talking to several children around him. In the beginning of the book
there is a picture of the old gentleman. After you have looked at it,
you may read the letter which he sent us, and learn how he came to write
this book.
Your friends,
The Publishers.