Five years have passed since the first edition of the "American Girls' Home Book of Work and Play" was prepared; and though there are many points in which it might be bettered, it has proved the safe and trusty companion of a good many girls who have studied the third part eagerly, and have found it, as they say, precisely the help they needed. Two chapters are added to the present edition : one on " Candy-Making," which has proved itself a practical and profitable home occupation; the other on "A New Home Industry," a new form of mosaic-work both pretty and practical.

Naturally in five years countless games have been invented, and have had their day, the old favorites calmly holding their own, and returned to always with the sense of satisfaction found in familiar and well-tested friends. It would be quite possible to make many alterations and additions, where this portion of the book is concerned, but the gain would be but trifling, since the children of each generation reproduce the games of the last, and are all, in this direction, conservatives of the first water. And so, having turned over the pages diligently, the author leaves them as they stand, knowing that other books will give the newest thing told in the newest way, but that she may still count upon friends for the old, as well as hope for new ones to come.

London, February, 1888.