A NOTE EXPLANATORY.

FATHER TAYLOR died April the 6th, 1871. This note, the first in the book, but the last written, is being penned Dec. 15, 1871, eight months and nine days from that event. To collect, arrange, unite, and pass through the press, in so short a time, a collection of his sayings and doings, without help from a scrap of his own writing, or of any matter written to him, would be a work of no small labour, if no other duties had pressed their attention. But to inject this work into a crowded profession has necessitated unusual industry. Its many imperfections therefore, will, I trust, be pardoned under these circumstances.

To increase this burden, my friend Judge Russell, who had kindly offered to help me in the undertaking, was taken violently ill a few weeks after the death of Father Taylor, and left for Europe the middle of May, and again for Fayal the middle of October, so that his contributions were not as large as had been anticipated and desired. They were, however, of much value, and have been embodied in the text of several chapters. To Mrs. Dora Brigham, the eldest daughter of Father Taylor, especial thanks are due for her constant and liberal aid, both in contributions and in suggestions. Considerable portions of the chapters on her mother are from her pen.

ii.

A Note Explanatory.

I also acknowledge with great pleasure the generous cooperation of many other friends and admirers. Presbyterian, Methodist, Unitarian, Baptist, Universalist, and Congregationalist, from each of these bodies have come contributions to this volume. Most of the donors have been mentioned by name in the course of the volume. All of them, named and unnamed, are gratefully remembered for their valuable help.

How extensive that help was, may be gathered from a simple fact, that one chapter alone had sixteen different handwritings in its copy. The contributors were allowed to tell their stories in their own way; this course adding variety and piquancy to the narrative.

May this broken collection of remarkable words preserve an imperfect but not valueless picture of one of the most noticeable men of any age, whose praise the loftiest felt themselves honoured in proclaiming!

MALDEN, Dec. 15, 1871.

G. H.