ANNALS OF A QUIET NEIGHBOURHOOD.

BY GEORGE MACDONALD, LL.D.

NEW YORK






CHAPTER I.

DESPONDENCY AND CONSOLATION.





Before I begin to tell you some of the things I have seen and heard,
in both of which I have had to take a share, now from the compulsion
of my office, now from the leading of my own heart, and now from
that destiny which, including both, so often throws the man who
supposed himself a mere on-looker, into the very vortex of
events--that destiny which took form to the old pagans as a gray
mist high beyond the heads of their gods, but to us is known as an
infinite love, revealed in the mystery of man--I say before I begin,
it is fitting that, in the absence of a common friend to do that
office for me, I should introduce myself to your acquaintance, and I
hope coming friendship. Nor can there be any impropriety in my