TO THE READER.
If aught here painted to thy soul or sight
Of moral truth or natural scenes delight,
Welcome! for thou art straight a comrade grown,
Who oft before hath walked with me unknown.
Yet, if thy taste reject a thoughtful book,
Forbear upon these pictures even to look;
Seek not to know me, lest, thy labor o'er,
We grow more perfect strangers than before.
