PREFACE]
MY DEAR LITTLE FRIENDS,
You will no doubt be surprised to find this book commencing with aperfectly serious poem, and one which probably some of you will finda little difficulty in understanding. When you have grown older,however, and happen to look at this little book again, you will beglad to be reminded of the historic event which the poem commemorates.Now, about ourselves, when I asked in my last book, _The MissingPrince_, for letters from my little readers, I had no idea that I hadso many young friends, and I can hardly tell you how delighted I havebeen at receiving such a number of kind letters from all parts of theworld.
I do hope that I have answered everyone, but really there have been somany, and if by mistake any should have been overlooked, I hope mylittle correspondents will write again and give me an opportunity ofrepairing the omission.
Such charming little letters, and all, I am happy to find, reallywritten by the children themselves, which makes them doubly valuableto me.
And how funny and amusing some of them were to be sure! And whatcapital stories some of you have told me about your pets.
Some pathetic incidents too; as, for instance, that of 'Shellyback,'the tortoise, whose little owner wrote a few months after her firstletter to say that poor 'Shellyback' was dead.
I have been very happy to notice how fond you all seem of your pets,for I have always found that children who make friends with animalsinvariably have kind and good hearts. And the poor dumb creaturesthemselves are always so ready to respond to any little act ofkindness, and are so grateful and affectionate, that I am sure it addsgreatly to one's happiness in life to interest oneself in them.
One of my correspondents, aged eight, has embarrassed me very muchindeed by suggesting that I should "wait for her till she grows up,"as she should "so like to marry a gentleman who told stories." I hopeshe didn't mean that I did anything so disgraceful; and besides, as itwould take nearly twenty-five years for her to catch up to me, she_might_ change her mind in that time, and then what would become ofme.
Some of my letters from abroad have been very interesting. One dearlittle girl at Darjeeling, in India, wrote a very nice descriptiveletter, and concluded by asking me to write "something about thestars," and speaking of new stories brings me to another subject thatI wish to talk to you about.
You know that I spoke in my last book about writing a school story,and one about animals. Well, when I found that so many of you wantedto hear "more about the Wallypug," I was obliged to put these twobooks aside in order to gratify your wishes. I hope that you will beas interested in hearing about his Majesty this time as you were last.
You will be sure to notice that the pictures are by another artist,but Mr. Harry Furniss has been away from England for some months, andso it has been impossible for him to illustrate this volume. Someother time, perhaps, Dorothy and he will give us more of their work;but in the meantime Mr. Alan Wright has been very interested indrawing pictures for this book, and I hope you will be pleased withhis efforts.
Now, about writing to me next time. When I asked you to address meunder care of my publishers, I did not realize that in the course ofbusiness I might find it necessary to change them sometimes, and so toavoid any possibility of confusion, will you please in future addressall letters to
MR. G. E. FARROW, c/o Messrs. A. P. WATT & SON, Hastings House, Norfolk Street, Strand.
What am I to do with all the beautiful Christmas and New Year's cardswhich I have received? Will you be vexed if, after having enjoyedreceiving them as I have done so much, I give them to the poor littlechildren at the hospitals to make scrap books with? I happen to knowhow much they value and appreciate gifts of this kind, and by allowingme to bestow them in this way, your pretty presents will be giving adouble happiness.
Well, I must conclude this rather long letter now, or I shall beaccused of being tedious; but really it gives me almost as muchpleasure to write to you, as it does to receive your letters.Good-bye. Don't forget that many of you have promised to write to meagain, and that I am always more than glad to welcome any new friends.
Believe me, dear Children, Yours affectionately, G. E. FARROW