OR SUNBEAMS IN THE CASTLE. BY MARGARET MARIA GORDON, AUTHOR OF "WORK, OR PLENTY TO DO AND HOW TO DO IT,' SUNBEAMS IN THE "Art thou forgetful? Wouldest thou remember Oh then, come hither! And lay my book, thy head and heart together." JOHN BUNYAN. EDINBURGH: EDMONSTON AND DOUGLAS. 1860. 24.9. v. 469. [The right of Translation is reserved.] PREFACE. IN sending out another volume, the result of many years' interrupted work and thought, the Authoress would do so with many fears and doubts were its "popularity" her aim and object. A work of didactic fiction destitute of all artistic pretensions is likely to offend the serious, because it is "light," the gay, because it is "heavy"—and the critic, because of its transgressions of the rules of art. She sends it forth, however, nothing fearing, because she has endeavoured to say what she had to say in the form she believed most suitable, and most according to her ability; and casting it in faith and with prayer "upon the waters," she looks for a blessing" after many days." |