PREFACE. THIS work is intended to provide a companion volume of a popular character to Chambers's Elocution, the new edition of which has been favourably received. The number of books for reciters is already very large; but the experience of the Editor has shown that there is always a demand for selections which are new, and not easily accessible to the average reader. The present volume-representing the gleanings of several years—is a further attempt to meet this demand. The pieces with the exception of a few by standard authors -have not before been included in books of a like kind, and they cover a wide range of feeling-sentiment, tenderness, pathos, and humour. It is claimed for the selections that all are well suited for recitation, no piece having been inserted merely as padding. Some of the extracts have been taken from the pages of Chambers's Journal, and are by writers of recognised merit. Hearty thanks are due to the various authors and owners of copyright for courteous permission to make use of selections from their works; likewise to Miss Emily Hickey and Mr G. Manville Fenn for their additional kindness in revising proofs of their poems. The Publishers crave the indulgence of any proprietors of copyright matter whose pieces may have been introduced without special leave. If any such appear without express sanction, it is only after every effort to identify their source has failed. |