PREFACE. FIVE years have rolled away since first we launched our little bark on the world's broad waters, to follow its own humble path amidst the many argosies of periodical literature. Once again we draw the inventory of her cargo, and close up one portion of her adventures. As we do so, our mind seems to follow her track, and strives to realize her progress. Whither has she found her way? Where has she presented her freight? Whom has she enriched? Who has bid her welcome, and helped to speed her way? To drop our metaphor,—five years of humble effort have passed away, what has been the result? We may add, truly, that we never expect to know this. It cannot be that seed so broad-cast should always spring up before the sower's eye. Enough for us if we can indulge the hope that here and there the harvest does appear, though One alone can know the hand that spread the grain. But what would we have ?-what results do we aim at? We have boasted of no new discoveries, no infallible system of education, no fresh principles, no startling theories. |