If this little family-book were likely to fall into the hands of strangers, an apologetic preface would be necessary. " Why should these families be signalized by a printed memoir?" There is no reason why they should; and if due weight were given to the principle which lies beneath this record, many a house would follow the example, and we should be relieved from the singularity. If it be right to put our household dates in the family Bible; if it is no breach of modesty to set up a tombstone; no act of notoriety to preserve the miniature and the lock of hair, then we may justify a larger, more liberal, and more lasting memento of those who, living or dead, are bound to us by ties which cannot be sundered, and which ought to be kept firm and bright. But this book is no publication; and this makes apology superfluous.