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Preface.

In presenting this Christmas Story to the public, the Author hopes for welcome as much from the kindly feeling engendered by the time, as from any merit of the work itself. It has long been a matter of surprise to him, that Christmas in this and other Colonies should have been so often allowed to pass without some literary effort being made to recognise its genial influence. If the publication of this book serves as a link in the chain that binds the hearts of residents in the Colonies to their home-lands, his ambition will be satisfied.

The Author desires to thank Mr. N. Chevalier for the generous readiness with which he has contributed, by his artistic pencil, towards the success of this Christmas Story. Had the Author's acquaintance with page ii Mr. Chevalier been of longer duration, the reader would certainly have had the benefit of a larger number of Illustrations.

The Author must cease to speak of his work and of himself, but, in doing so, he would earnestly repeat the words addressed to millions of readers by a greater writer than the Colonies can hope to produce—“May we meet again!”