time should be devoted to elegant accomplishments, refined taste, and
gracefulness of manner, as can possibly be spared from holier and more
important duties. In this country it is peculiarly necessary that daughters
should be so educated as to enable them to fulfil the duties of a humble
station, or to dignify and adorn the highest. This is the reason why I
have mingled a little of every thing in the Girl's Own Book.
If the volume proves attractive, a large proportion of the credit must
be ascribed to the generosity of the publishers, and the skill and good taste
of the artists who have been employed. The drawings of the automata
were prepared by D. C. Johnson. The illustrations of the Games were
drawn by Mr. Graeter: to those who have been his pupils, nothing need
be said in praise of his spirited and graceful sketching.
Whether my share in the formation of this little book is deserving of
popular favor, I am extremely doubtful; I am only sure that it contains
nothing to corrupt or mislead.
P. S. To all my readers, little ones especially, a merry Christmas and
a happy New-Year.