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PREFACE.

"THERE are in the world," observes Macaulay, "people who find the society of old friends insipid, and who are always running after new companions," "-there are others as unreasonably attached to old associations. But our friends, we are proud to say, neither desert us in fickleness, nor adhere to us in folly. Amidst a thousand opposing attractions, they remember us with kindness and consideration, for they find in us all the spirit and flavour of "auld lang syne.”

To them it may be superfluous to say, that it has been, and is, our study to send out every Volume furnished with distinctive and complete features of its own, thus enabling it to stand alone as a separate work, whilst at the same time, in general tone, scope, and appearance, it ranges with the noble brotherhood of Volumes that have preceded it.

The completed portion of our task which is here presented for acceptance, has specific points of interest. It has incorporated with it a Magazine that for many years maintained a high reputation as a useful guide in household management. THE FAMILY FRIEND has long pursued a similar path to that taken by THE FAMILY ECONOMIST. Gradually it became evident that both were not needed-that, with them, union would be strength. Hence their happy ALLIANCE. Whatever was meritorious in THE FAMILY ECONOMIST has been continued in THE FAMILY FRIEND, which may be fairly said to represent in Literature the refinements and intellectual arts of Home Life.

The present Volume contains an entire illustrated Story by a writer of established reputation. In the continuation of "Ten Thousand Wonderful Things" are matters for much serious reflection, as well as the gratification of a laudable curiosity. The Needlework Patterns will be found quite up to the fashions and requirements of the day. To "Notes and Queries for Naturalists" we would particularly draw attention, as a means of gaining and imparting interesting information in the wide field of inquiry which the study of Natural History affords. Beside these features, we have stored

here an unusual variety of useful matter on topics connected with Education, Sanitary Aids, Poetry, Moral Stories for old and young, Gardening, Angling, gatherings from good Books, Household Receipts, and a multitude of other entertaining, useful, and improving subjects, all freely and expensively illustrated. For these reasons, we think that, independently of our old standing with the Public, we may fairly challenge comparison with the newest and most enterprising of New Serials now issuing from the press.

The

We are happy to be enabled to announce for the Volume commencing with the New Year, a Domestic Story of the Affections, of great power and interest, by the author of "Good as Gold," entitled "THE FIRESIDE FAIRY." We have also in preparation Celestial and Terrestrial Phenomena of the Months, and Illustrated Manners and Customs of all Nations. next Volume will also complete our Practical Papers on the "Physiology of Health," and those delightful Sketches of "Eastern Rambles." We purpose also to retouch here and there we trust with an improving hand— the lights and shadows filling up the established outlines of our Magazine, taking for the motto of our serious endeavours, Sir Philip Sidney's—

"High thoughts seated in a heart of courtesy ;"

and as for our lighter details, they will generally contain something to exercise and sharpen the mental faculties. Modern Pastime has partaken of Modern Progress; relaxation is a necessity which the voice of nature causes to echo through human life. Æsop's well-known saying still holds good—" The mind of man is like a bow; if always bent it would in the end lose its elasticity, and become useless." The present, and all future Volumes, will abundantly show that the maxim of the venerated sage has been carefully studied. From our first effort to our last, THE FAMILY FRIEND has been, and will be, devoted to innocent mirth, as well as to social wisdom.

Christmas, 1860.

INDEX.

DOMESTIC HINTS, continued.