THE OPAL: A PURE GIFT FOR THE HOLY DAYS. MDCCC VIII. EDITED BY MRS. SARAH J. HALE. NEW YORK: J. C. RIKER, 129 FULTON STREET. PUBLIC LIBRARY ASTOR. LENOX AND 1899. ENTERED, ACCORDING TO ACT OF CONGRESS, By J. C. RIKER, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for the Southern District of New York. KNEELANDS' STEAM PRESS, TROY. PREFACE. A VERY pleasant thing it is for friends to meet, after a short separation. Two years have passed since the present Editor had the gratification of introducing the delightful pages of the OPAL to its host of readers; she therefore trusts to receive a most cordial welcome. cess. In the meantime, the liberal and enterprising Publisher has spared no pains or expense in his efforts to perfect this popular Annual; the unrivaled beauty of this present volume attests his sucNor must we omit to mention the Editor of the last two seasons,* whose fine taste was visible in the literary improvement; but the duties of business have withdrawn him from the Opal. We have, however, had the good fortune to retain the old contributors-and, also, have added to the list some of the best writers and most honored names in our country's literature. The plan of the Opal has, from the first, been distinct, and of a far more elevated tone than that of any other popular Gift Book, either American or European. To give a work of pure moral sen * MR. JOHN KEESE. timent, united with the most elevated literary character, has been the aim. Grace in the style, and refinement in the ideas, were inseparable from such a plan. Accordingly, the Opal has been, as its title signifies, "A Pure Gift for the Holydays"—and like the gem from which it derives its name, it combines the greatest variety of outward beauties, with the internal light that has always made it precious. The Plates in this volume are in a very superior style, designed expressly for the Opal, and engraved by an artist whose works will be his best praise. We feel confident these embellishments will give general satisfaction. In closing, we beg leave to tender our cordial thanks to the many gifted writers who have willingly contributed, from their intellectual wealth, to enrich and embellish the pages of the ever-favored OPAL. |