The Pearl of Days. “The Sundays of man’s life, Threaded together on Time’s string, Make bracelets to adorn the wife Of the eternal glorious King. On Sundays heaven’s door stands ope, Blessings are plentiful and rife, More plentiful than hope.” GEORGE HERBERT. [Illustration] THE PEARL OF DAYS: OR, THE ADVANTAGES OF THE SABBATH TO THE WORKING CLASSES BY A LABOURER’S DAUGHTER. WITH A SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR’S LIFE, BY HERSELF, AND A Preface by an American Clergyman. NEW-YORK: EDWARD H. FLETCHER, 141 NASSAU STREET. MDCCCL. [Illustration] TO THE =Queen’s Most Excellent Majesty=: Madam-- Humble as is this tribute of loyalty, it is not without significance. No sovereign ever presented stronger claims to the love and allegiance of her industrious subjects; and it tells how happy is our Constitution, and how condescending is our Monarch, that pages written by a labourer’s daughter should find a Patron in the Queen. Nor will the Tract itself be without its interest to your Majesty, to whose Royal Halls such glory is added by the piety, virtue, and domestic affections so often found in Britain’s lowliest homes. This Tract discusses the Temporal Advantages of the Sabbath Day. The same topic has recently engaged the pens of nearly a thousand working men. And it is not the least advantage of the Lord’s day, that every labourer who learns to keep it holy is another peaceful citizen gained to the community, and another added to those best subjects who, in their weekly assemblies, pray, GOD SAVE THE QUEEN. I have the honour to be Your Majesty’s Most obedient and very humble Servant, THE PROPOSER OF THE ESSAY. JULY, 1848. PREFACE TO THE AMERICAN EDITION. I have been requested by the publisher to introduce this little volume to the notice of American readers. “THE PEARL OF DAYS; _The Advantages of the Sabbath to the Working Classes_. By a Labourer’s Daughter.” How much is expressed in such a title-page! Does the book realize the hopes which at once suggest themselves to the intelligent and benevolent mind?