Author's Preface.
This miscellaneous collection has been hastily compiled to supply an urgent demand. So many Sunday Schools have now adopted "CHIRPS" for their recitations, that the two former volumes have most unexpectedly been quite sold out. A few of the pieces in this volume appeared in former ones, but the great majority are new, and I hope will prove as acceptable to the public, and as suitable for Sunday School platform and family circles as did the former volumes. In future volumes, care will be taken to make a better classification of subjects, and I beg the kind forbearance of readers for having solid moral subjects mixed with pieces written in "lighter vein." I was glad to get them through the press in any order, they were so urgently required. With many thanks for past liberal patronage, and with an earnest desire that I may deserve and receive as generous support in the future, I dedicate this little work to the public of Victoria, and remain yours very truly, John Rae. State School, Port Melbourne, March 29th, 1887.
