“It is a book to endear to us our native England; and, produced with all the elegance of the printer’s and binder’s art, will richly adorn the drawing-room table.”—_Daily News._ “It is by far the pleasantest book, certainly the most complete in design and execution, that has been published about the Thames for many years, and we can easily understand that in writing it the authors performed ‘a labour of love.’”—_Morning Post._ “This is one of the best in appearance of the ornamental works of the season which is just passed; the binding and the typography are excellent, and the style lively, superficial, and showy.”—_John Bull._ “A faithful as well as an agreeable guide to whatever of interest occurs along the entire course of the river. In short, it is a pleasant, well-written, and very handsome book on the pleasantest river an author could have to write about.”—_Literary Gazette._ IN THREE BINDINGS: Cloth 18s. Superbly gilt 21s. Morocco 26s. ARTHUR HALL, VIRTUE, & CO., 25, PATERNOSTER ROW. THE DAY OF SMALL THINGS. THE DAY OF SMALL THINGS. BY THE AUTHOR OF “MARY POWELL.” Young and old all brought their troubles, Small and great, for me to hear: I have often bless’d my sorrow, That drew others’ grief so near. ADELAIDE PROCTER. LONDON: ARTHUR HALL, VIRTUE & CO., 25, PATERNOSTER ROW. 1860. LONDON: PRINTED BY JAMES S. VIRTUE, CITY ROAD. DEDICATED TO MY TWO DEAR NIECES, FLORENCE AND ELLEN. THE DAY OF SMALL THINGS. “I think I have been laid up nearly two years on this sofa, Phillis?” said I. “Two years, come the 6th of October,” said Phillis. “And, during that time, what mercies I have received! what alleviations, what blessings!” “What sea-kale and early spare-o’-grass! what baskets of grapes and pottles of strawberries!” said Phillis. “What songs in the night, what in-pourings of strength!” said I. “So many pheasants, too, and partridges!” said Phillis. “Teal, woodcocks, and wild ducks!” “David might well say, the Lord maketh our bed in our sickness, Phillis,” said I. “Such a pretty bed as it is, too!” said Phillis. “So white, sweet, and clean! Russia sheets and Marseilles quilt, bleached on a heath common, close by a sweetbriar hedge!” “Not only that—” said I. “Not only that,” said Phillis, “but such pretty daisy-fringe to the curtains, and a clean tarletan blind to the window.” “Such a lovely view from the window!” said I. “‘Ever charming, ever new.’”