ribed (1801) to Mrs William Douglas, a native of
Switzerland.]

[Footnote 189: Mount Pilate, on the Lake of Lucerne.]

[Footnote 190: Contrast between genuine liberty and the spirit of
Jacobinism.]

[Footnote 191: Gibbon completed his "Decline and Fall" in a summer-house
on the banks of this lake.]

THE

VILLAGER'S VERSE-BOOK.

PREFACE.

The following compositions were written originally to be learned by
heart by poor children of my own parish, who have been instructed
every Sunday through the summer, on the garden lawn before the
parsonage house, by Mrs Bowles. The object, which, to the best of
my knowledge, is entirely novel, was briefly to describe the most
obvious images in country life, familiar to every child; and in the
smallest compass to connect every distinct picture with the
earliest feelings of humanity and piety, in language which the
simplest might understand; but which, from the objects represented,
might be read, perhaps, with some interest by those whose minds
were more cultivated. About fourteen of these little poems were
composed with this view many years ago; but it was not thought of
extending their knowledge beyond the village circle, to which they
were originally limited, except by a very few copies given away. I
have now added to the number, and revised the whole; thinking that,
when early education is so greatly extended, they may be found upon
a wider scale to answer the purpose for which they were written.
They may also prove acceptable to mothers in a higher station of
life, who might wish to impress upon the memory of their children
as they grow up, a love of natural scenes, combined with the
earliest feelings of sympathy and religion. Some of these verses,
such as "The Mower," "The Swan," _etc._, are purposely designed for
the exercise of a more advanced intellect.

THE VILLAGER'S VERSE-BOOK.

PATH OF LIFE.

1 O Lord, in sickness and in health,
To every lot resigned,
Grant me, before all worldly wealth,
A meek and thankful mind!

2 As, life, thy upland path we tread,
And often pause in vain,
To think of friends and parents dead,
Oh, let us not complain!

3 The Lord may give or take away,
But nought our faith can move,
Whilst we to heaven can look and say,
Our Father lives above.