A POPULAR ENCYCLOPEDIA of the Sports and Pastimes of Youth,a companion for all holidays,-THE BOY'S OWN BOOK,-unmixed with aught that was not highly interesting to himself, had long been a desideratum; to supply which, he was usually led to become his own caterer, and purchase publications of an objectionable character, merely because their low price placed them within his reach. The present Work was an attempt to obviate this inconvenience, by enabling those, who had the guardianship of youth, to present their young protegés, in the form of a Holiday or Birth-day Present, with a concentration of all that usually delights them, executed in such a manner as their own more matured judgment would approve, and much more amusing and instructive to the juvenile mind, than the cheap trash on which the hoarded shilling is usually expended. The event has fully justified the expectations of the Publishers; few works have met with so flattering a reception, from the press and the public; and this reception has stimulated them, as new editions have been called for, to increase the value of the work by successive improvements, and thus render it as distinguished for its execution as it was attractive for its novelty. Compared with the earlier editions, its present appearance is strikingly superior. A considerable quantity of extra matter, including several new subjects, has been introduced; many of the cuts have been re-engraved; the number of illustrations has been

increased; and, in short, neither labour nor expense has been spared to merit the extraordinary success with which the work has been honoured.

A wider field than has been taken cannot well be imagined. Our plan embraces the amusements of all minds, and of all seasons,-in winter and in summer,-at home and abroad. The robust and the delicate,the contemplative and the ingenious,-have each their tastes provided for. The sports and exercises of out-door enjoyment,-the pastimes of a winter's fire-side, and the recreations of science, are copiously detailed in our pages, which have been printed in a close type, that we might be enabled to compress a whole library of sportful lore in the brief compass of one little volume. We have attempted to please Seniors and Juniors,to unite the suffrages of grey-beard Wisdom, and blooming Adolescence; no easy task!-but we have succeeded; the MINOR-ity has given us a MAJORITY; and we boldly make our appearance at the bar of public opinion, assured that a host of advocates, appreciating our industry and our motives, would each cheerfully undertake, on our behalf, the task of

ADVERTISEMENT.

THE present volume consists of a selection of such portions of the BOY'S OWN BOOok as are more expressly suited for Little Boys; and will, it is hoped, serve as a pleasing prelude to the possession of the larger and more comprehensive work, when advancing years demand a more extended series of amusing and athletic sports.