Preface

Summary

In a far distant dependency, where the howling of the wind, the roar of the surf, and the whistle of wild fowl were night-sounds more familiar to the ear than was the voice of man, I lighted on the passage quoted on the fly-leaf, in Hain Friswell's “Gentle Life.”

During the stormy evenings of one long winter I endeavoured to carry out the idea of an author whose works have given an intellectual treat to readers of the present generation. If the selection prove successful, it will meet the requirements suggested; if not, I can only regret that the compilation was not made by a more skilful pen; but none will ever be made by one who has a deeper reverence for the writings of a poet whose knowledge of human passions in all their various phases has never been surpassed.

Often in the dusk of the evening on the banks of the Ganges the river is seen glittering with lights—a pretty superstition of the Indian girls, who commit little frail fire-ships, consisting of a small hollow gourd with oil and lighted wick, to the mighty swift stream; if the floating lamp sinks directly, the omen is disastrous; but if it sails down, still shining, for a considerable distance, then the omen is favourable.

So with this little labour of love. I push it down the stream of criticism, towards, as they say in Spain, the “honoured public.”