INTRODUCTION.

In the summer of 1822 a gentleman, who was travelling with his children in the south of England, spent a few weeks at the house of a particular friend of mine in the neighbourhood of London. This gentleman had likewise a large family of young people, who were educated beneath the paternal roof, and under the superintendence of a fond mo ther who devoted her time entirely to their improvement; therefore it is not surprising that they made rapid progress in the various branches of education, and experienced at an early age the benefit arising from maternal instruction. They were taught to consider the acquisition of knowledge and virtue as more desirable than any thing else, and were ac

customed to prefer those pursuits in which amusement and instruction are blended together.

Every field flower which they gathered in their walks, every pebble which they picked up in the road, was a source of new ideas to their tender minds. They would examine it carefully, discover its name, nature, and properties, and while engaged in contemplating the admirable skill displayed in its formation, their thoughts were insensibly directed to the Great Artist whose finger formed every pebble and every green leaf. Curiosity was thus awakened, turned to its proper objects, and so judiciously gratified as to lay the foundation of a love of knowledge, the first step to all improvement.

Thus engaged, sometimes in acts of benevolence, and at others in rational pursuits, the young people at Carwood

spent their time, happy in themselves, and beloved by all around them.

About this time, as I said before, the family of Mr. Lloyd spent a few weeks at Carwood, while their father was making a little tour upon the Continent, and, being equally desirous with the Stanleys of gaining information and knowledge, they soon assimilated together, and began to take a lively interest in each other's studies, so much so indeed, that on. Mr. Lloyd's return they parted with mutual regret, and a promise of punctual correspondence was made by all parties, in the hope that this would compensate in some degree for the pain of separation.

Being acquainted with each family, I had permission to look over the letters that passed between the children, and as those of the Lloyds describe the objects and the scenery they saw on their jour

ney, and those of the Stanleys their favourite amusements and pursuits, they are here transcribed in the hope that some of my juvenile friends, who are not unfrequently heard to exclaim, "Oh, it is impossible! quite impossible!-indeed I cannot write a letter!I do not know what to say!" with many similar lamentations, may be convinced that it is neither so very difficult, nor so very impossible as they are apt to imagine, to heighten their own pleasures by communicating them to their friends at a distance.