tender pathos, that never at any time verges on the affected or
theatrical;" his "quaint, delicate, delightful humour;" his "broader
humour, that is not afraid to provoke the wholesome laughter of
mankind by dealing with common and familiar ways and manners and men;"
his "choiceness of diction;" his "lightness and grace of touch, that
lend a charm even to" his "ordinary hack work."

* * * * *

The reprint which is here presented is a photographic facsimile of
the earliest complete copy that we have been able to procure. Judging
from fragments of earlier editions in the possession of the
publishers, it would appear to be printed from exactly the same types
as the original issue of April 1765. The copy from which the reprint
is made was kindly lent to the publishers by Mr Ernest Hartley
Coleridge, whose collection at the South Kensington Museum of
eighteenth century books for children is well known. The actual size
of that book is 4 inches by 2-3/4, but it has been thought better to
print on somewhat larger paper. The original is bound in the once
familiar Dutch flowered and gilt pattern paper, and we had hoped to
present the reprint in a similar cover, but it was found impossible,
as nothing like it could be procured, nor could the manufacturers of
the present day exactly reproduce it.

[Footnote A: Essays from the _Times_. Robert Southey. By Samuel
Phillips, pp. 168-169, vol. i.]

[Footnote B: _See_ "The Works of Charles Lamb." By Percy
Fitzgerald, M.A., F.S.A. Vol. 1. Page 420. London: E. Moxon & Co.,
1876.]