must decide whether these humble attempts of my 'prentice hand, shall be
numbered with writings that have been forgotten, or whether their
author shall be encouraged to strike his lyre in a higher key, to
accompany his Muse, while she tries to sing in a loftier strain.

In passing an opinion on my literary venture, of course the youthful
state of our country will be taken into consideration, for it is a
state which necessarily tinges all of our productions, literary or
otherwise, with a certain amount of crudity. Consequently, reasonable
men will not expect that felicity of expression, and that ripeness and
happiness of thought, which would be expected in the productions of an
older country, although they may be aware that true poetry is not the
result of education, or even the refinements of a nation long civilized.

With these words by way of introduction and explanation, I dedicate this
little book of mine to the Canadian public, hoping that whatever they
may think of me as a poet, they will not forget that I am a loyal
Canadian, zealous in behalf of anything that may tend to refine,
instruct and elevate my country, and anxious to see her take an
honourable stand among the other nations of the earth.

THE AUTHOR.

PORT ALBERT, March, 1887.

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CONTENTS

Canada