To the public:

We received so many kind assurances from friends in this neighbourhood and from gentlemen at a distance who had taken an interest in our first little work, that they induce us to issue this more comprehensive volume containing about one hundred new pieces. We have written a number of dairy odes recently; these and our patriotic songs composed during the last year we trust will make the work more interesting. We publish a few short pieces from the many letters and poems we received from friends. We hope the public will peruse the poems in a friendly spirit, as a kind feeling towards all of the nationalities forming this young and vigorous Dominion has prompted us to publish these selections from our poetic works.

James McIntyre, Ingersoll, Ont.

Prologue

My friends, we sing Canadian themes,
For in them we proudly glory;
Her lakes, her rivers and her streams,
Worthy of renown in story.
And in these leaves we hope is strewn
Some wheat among the chaff
And maple boughs, by rude axe hewn
Where one may find a rustic staff
To help him o'er the rugged lines.
Some see no beauties near to home,
But do admire the distant far -
They always love abroad to roam,
View glory in but far off star;
But, let it never be forgot
That distant hills, when closer seen,
Are after all a barren spot -
Not like your own hills, clad in green.
You'll find they are but idle dreams,
To search for happiness afar:
At home there's lovely lakes and streams,
Remain content now where you are.
At us we hope you will not rage
Because we sing of local charms
In each varied town and village,
As well as round our rural farms.
But our address it must be brief,
So we bid you now all adieu;
But, of our book, pray read each leaf,
Until the whole you have gone through;
Each one doth know it is not wise,
Though our song may not be vocal,
Chants of our home for to despise,
But prize them 'cause they are local.

From our experience of over a quarter of a century, writing themes on local subjects, we find they are preserved more carefully, and are more impressed on people's minds than prose articles on the same subjects. This has induced us to compile this little volume. Please accept this apology.

The Author