of that great Almighty and true friend of humanity to whom we, His children, taught by the Incarnation of Himself, look up and call, 'Our Father, which art in heaven.'

Every day and always I thank Him heartily for vouchsafing to us your dear lives. Who can estimate the effect of good parents on their children's future? The home training makes separately the man, the individual, and, collectively, the nation; insomuch that it has been truly and beautifully expressed that

'The hand that rocks the cradle

Rules the world.'

In that training, my dear parents, you have excelled by love, by example, and by precept; so that I can rise up and call you blessed.

Never did your fondness and love turn to foolishness by allowing me to have my way in everything;

But with reproof's strong hand

And counsels clear,

You trained my growing fancies

Year by year.

In thee, my dear father, I find amid thy many sterling qualities the attributes of true manhood. Thou art, as all who know and have known thee can testify, characteristically brave, lovable, and honourable.

As for thee, my dear mother, words fail me in expressing thy goodness of heart, thy patient gentleness, and thy pious, God-fearing, high principles. My father was blessed indeed when he married thee; and Maggie and I are thrice blessed in having you both.

We feel proud of you, and I gladly take this opportunity of confessing it, and proclaiming your worth to those who choose to read.

May the Almighty One spare your lives to us for many a year to come! is the earnest desire and prayer of Your ever-loving son,

BRAWBY LODGE, BRAWBY,

JOHN W. E. TAPPER.

PICKERING, YORKSHIRE, N.R.
December 8, 1897.

PREFACE.

LONGFELLOW, One of the sweetest of bards, thus sings:

'We want some humbler poet,

Whose songs gushed from his heart
As showers from the clouds of summer,
Or tears from the eyelids start.'

If, happily, the following songs and poems may be considered as applicable to the above description, and by their influence they soothe the restless spirit, and bring peace unto the tired and careworn mind, then shall I indeed feel well content.

BRAWBY LODGE,

December 8, 1897.

J. W. E. TAPPER.

THE GOLDEN BAR (1885)

THE SONG OF THE WATERS (1885)

THE EVENING BREEZE (1885)

THE OLD SCHOOLMASTER (1886)

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