Mrs. Bundle (see p. 3).

Queen's Treasures Series

A Flat Iron For A
Farthing

or

Some Passages in the Life of
an only Son

by

Juliana Horatia Ewing

Illustrated by

M. V. Wheelhouse

George Bell & Sons

London

1908.

Dedicated

TO MY DEAR FATHER,

AND TO HIS SISTER, MY DEAR AUNT MARY,

IN MEMORY OF

THEIR GOOD FRIEND AND NURSE,

E. B.

OBIT 3 MARCH, 1872, ÆT. 83.

J. H. E.

[vii]

PREFACE

An apology is a sorry Preface to any book, however insignificant, andyet I am anxious to apologise for the title of this little tale. Thestory grew after the title had been (hastily) given, and so many otherincidents gathered round the incident of the purchase of the flat ironas to make it no longer important enough to appear upon the titlepage. It would, however, be dishonest to change the name of a talewhich is reprinted from a Magazine; and I can only apologise for anappearance of affectation in it which was not intended.

As the Dedication may seem to suggest that the character of Mrs.Bundle is a portrait, I may be allowed to say that, except infaithfulness, and tenderness, and high principle, she bears nolikeness to my father's dear old nurse.

It may interest some of my child readers to know that the steep streetand the farthing wares are real remembrances out of my own childhood.Though whether in these days of "advanced prices," the flat irons, thegridirons with the three fish upon them,[viii] and all those other valuableaccessories to doll's housekeeping, which I once delighted topurchase, can still be obtained for a farthing each, I have lived toolong out of the world of toys to be able to tell.

J. H. E.

[ix]

CONTENTS