_And if I have written anything to add to those stores of innocent and healthy amusement that are laid up in books for the children I love so well, it is surely something I may hope to look back upon without shame and sorrow (as how much of life must then be recalled!) when_ my _turn comes to walk through the valley of shadows._ _This Easter sun will rise on you, dear child, feeling your "life in every limb," and eager to rush out into the fresh morning air_--_and many an Easter-day will come and go, before it finds you feeble and gray-headed, creeping wearily out to bask once more in the sunlight--but it is good, even now, to think sometimes of that great morning when the "Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in his wings."_ _Surely your gladness need not be the less for the thought that you will one day see a brighter dawn than this--when lovelier sights will meet your eyes than any waving trees or rippling waters--when angel-hands shall undraw your curtains, and sweeter tones than ever loving Mother breathed shall wake you to a new and glorious day--and when all the sadness, and the sin, that darkened life on this little earth, shall be forgotten like the dreams of a night that is past!_ _Your affectionate friend_, _LEWIS CARROLL_. EASTER, 1876. * * * * * CHRISTMAS GREETINGS. [FROM A FAIRY TO A CHILD.] Lady dear, if Fairies may For a moment lay aside Cunning tricks and elfish play, 'Tis at happy Christmas-tide. We have heard the children say-- Gentle children, whom we love-- Long ago, on Christmas Day, Came a message from above. Still, as Christmas-tide comes round, They remember it again-- Echo still the joyful sound "Peace on earth, good-will to men!" Yet the hearts must childlike be Where such heavenly guests abide: Unto children, in their glee, All the year is Christmas-tide! Thus, forgetting tricks and play For a moment, Lady dear, We would wish you, if we may, Merry Christmas, glad New Year! LEWIS CARROLL. _Christmas, 1867._ * * * * * WORKS BY LEWIS CARROLL. PUBLISHED BY MACMILLAN AND CO., LONDON. ALICE'S ADVENTURES _IN_ WONDERLAND. With Forty-two Illustrations by TENNIEL. (First published in 1865.) Crown 8vo, cloth, gilt edges, price 6_s._ Seventy-eighth Thousand. AVENTURES D'ALICE AU PAYS DES MERVEILLES. Traduit de l'Anglais par Henri Bué. Ouvrage illustré de 42 Vignettes par JOHN TENNIEL. (First published in 1869.) Crown 8vo, cloth, gilt edges, price 6_s._ ALICE'S ABENTEUER IM WUNDERLAND. AUS DEM ENGLISCHEN, VON ANTONIE ZIMMERMANN. MITT 42 ILLUSTRATIONEN VON JOHN TENNIEL. (First published in 1869.) Crown 8vo, cloth, gilt edges, price 6_s._