To my many friends who have been so lenient in their criticisms of my former work, and to the several editors and literary men who have given me so much encouragement, I wish to return my sincere thanks. All the request I have to make, is, that I hope my efforts this time will receive no more condemnation than my other. I take pleasure in launching my little volume upon the wide sea of literature. The author is fourteen years of age, but many of the poems were written at a much earlier age. Yours, most respectfully, THOMAS HALL SHASTID.