The child's book : consisting of original articles : in prose and poetry

JJ CHILDREN'S BOOK

«p COLLECTION

LIBRARY OF THE

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA

LOS ANGELES

THE

CONSISTING OF

ORIGINAL ARTICLES,

PROSE AND POETRY

BY

MRS. L. H. SIGOURNEY.

N E W B U R G H, N. Y. :
PUBLISHED BY PROUDFIT & BANKS.

1847.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1844, "by

TURNER & HAYDEN,

in the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the Southern
District of New- York.

CONTENTS.

1. THE Pilgrims,

2. Spring,

3. Walking on the Sea,

4. The Bee and Butterfly,

5. Pocahontas,

6. The Infant's Prayer,

7. King Henry First,

8. Napoleon Bonaparte,

9. Letter from a Baby to her Neighbour, on his second birthday,

10. Setting out Trees,

11. Moses in the Bulrushes,

12. Cage on Waterloo Bridge,

13. War,

14. The Grape Vine,

15. Children's Letter to a Grandfather on his birthday,

16. The Apple Tree and the Thorn Bush,

17. Respect to Age,

18. The Raisin Seeds,

19. Law of Love,

20. The Prisoner Bird,

21. The Rainy Day,

22. Brother and Sister,

23. Industry,

24. Winter,

25. The Lady and the Poor Boy,

26. The Farm Yard,

27. The Dove,

28. Mother and Child,

29. Boy and Girl Talking,

30. The Log House,
31 The Elephant.

THE PILGRIMS.

THE first settlers of New-England are
often called Pilgrims, or Pilgrim Fathers.
They were an industrious, moral, and reli-
gious people. They were natives of Eng-
land, but had resided several years in Hol-
land, before they removed to this country.

You see here, a picture of them, about
to embark for the New Western World.

THE PILGRIMS.

Their pastor, the Rev. Mr. Robinson, is
praying for a blessing from that GOD, who
is alone able to protect them on the stormy
ocean, and bring them to their new home
in safety.

The man who kneels at his right hand,
with his head bowed down in deep devo-
tion, is Governor Carver, who died the first
year after their arrival in America. Near
him, is Elder Brewster, with an open Bible.
This holy Book' was their comfort in all
their affliction.

At his side, is his wife, with a poor, sick
child. She was sometimes sad, when she
gazed upon her drooping boy ; but in her
heart was that Christian meekness, which
says always, that GOD'S will is best.

Mr. and Mrs. Winslow are standing on

THE PILGRIMS.

the left of the picture. They have just
been married, and have on their wedding
garments. But the lovely bride was soon
to find a grave, in the far, wild country
where the Indians dwelt.

Near them, is a boy, leaning on the side
of the vessel. What are you thinking of,
boy ? The home, and the play-mates that
you leave behind? Long must you toss
upon the rough waters, and feel like a
stranger in a strange land. We hope you
are a good boy, that you may have peace
in your heart.

There is Captain Miles Standish, on the
other side of the picture. He was a sol-
dier, and fought many battles with the In-
dians. By his side, is his wife Rose. She
was a lovely woman, with a pleasant coun-
tenance, and mild, blue eyes.

THE PILGRIMS.

There were many other of the Pilgrims,
for which there is no room on this picture
There were more than one hundred who
embarked for the New World. After a
tedious voyage, they landed at Plymouth,
in Massachusetts, on the 22d of December,
1620.

The earth was covered with snow, and
the wilderness dreary around them. They
had no houses to shelter them from the
cold. Their food was coarse and scanty,
and many fell sick and died.

Some of the Indians were pitiful and

THE PILGRIMS.

friendly, and gave them corn. Others at-
tacked them as foes, and laid plans to des-
troy them. But in all their hardships, they
put their trust in GOD. He heard their
prayers, and made them the fathers of a
nation.

Amid the sufferings and toils of planting

a new colony
the wilder-
f ness, they did
|not forget to
^instruct their
I children. As
|soon it was
'possible, they
founded schools, and places for public
worship.

•They felt the value of learning, and in a
few years after their arrival, began to

THE PILGRIMS.

establish a college. Though they were
poor, they spared something for this. One
man, having nothing else to give, brought
a single bushel of corn, and said, " I give
this to the college."

The fathers of New-England were wil-
ling to make every effort in their power to
help the cause of education. May all the
children of our dear country, love know-
ledge and piety, and try to advance them,
as long as they live.

SPRING.

SPRING has come. She is full of gifts.
She has brought fresh leaves for the naked
trees, and for every bush that has so long
been brown. She makes the dry grass
green again, and sprinkles it with flowers.
The farmer is abroad in the fields, and the
gardener works with his shining spade.

The groves are merry with the flight of

SPRING.

birds. The blue jay is here, and the red-
breasted robin, and the crimson oricle,
whose wings are like living flame. Some
gather light sticks, and moss, with which
to build their nests. Others have a tuft of
cotton or down in their beak, to make a
soft lining for iheir little ones.

Birds, where have you been, through the
long, cold winter? If you slept, who took
care of you ? If you went to far countries,
who taught you the way through the wide
sk} , and brought you back to the same spot
where your old nests were ?

The birds answered with a song, "He
who made us, took care of us. He pointed
our path aright, through the trackless air
He brought us safely to our homes again
We rejoice to see them. We praise Him
who hath preserved us."

At the voice of Spring, the frost and ice,
which had so long ruled, vanished away.
A sound, like music, came up as from un-
der the ground It was the song of the
melting snow, working out its secret
course.

Soon the chains of ice that bound it were
broken, and fell away. Then it came forth
from its hiding place, — a little, dancing rill,
— and looked up gladly to the open sky,
like a child at play. On its banks, the tall
rushes grew up, and the purple iris, which
loves always the fresh, cool waters.

Many little rills ran to meet the brooks.
The brooks welcomed them, and rushed
onward to the rivers. The rivers poured
their fulness into the ocean, where the
ships ride. Who bade the brooks thus to
swell the rivers? — and the rivers to lose

SPRING.

themselves in the sea? Then the sea lifted
up a great voice, and answered, " GOD."

In the garden, early flowers have come
up and blossom-
ed. They are the
crocus, and the
daffodil; the vio-
let, and the hya-
cinth. Who kept
their fair colours
and their sweet
breath unchang-
ed for so long a time, under the cold fro-
zen earth? It was His hand, who will
bring again from the dark tomb those who
slumber there.

You have seen the fair babe, and the
lovely child, laid in the grave, with tears.
Their stiff limbs moved not ; their faces

were pale, and cold as marble. But they
shall awake again ; they shall arise from
the pit.

The trump of the angel shall sound, and
the dead be raised. Those who have done
good, shall come forth in new beauty, to
fade and to die no more. Pray that this
may be your blessed lot, dear children,
when the graves and the deep sea give up
their dead.

GOD heareth prayer. We will pray unto
Him when we lie down at night, and when
we awake from sleep, that we may so live,
and keep His law, that at the morning of
the resurrection, we may rise from the win
try tomb, in the glory of an eternal snri^^

WALKING ON THE SEA.

WALKING ON THE SEA.

CHILDREN, I '11 'tell a story of the sea,
And Him who walk'd upon it.

It was night, —

Dark night in Galilee, — and the loud winds
Howl'd to the mighty waves.

Yet o'er their heads

In all their pride and anger, JESUS came,
Calmly, as though the smooth, green grass
he trod.

WALKING ON THE SEA.

A ship lay tossing there, and the strain'd

eyes

Of the affrighted mariners were bent
On him astonish'd, for they did not know
Their master, in that hour.

But at the sound
Of bis blest voice, that
cheered their faint-
ing hearts,

Peter, with eager foot-
step,, hasted down
To meet his Lord. The
wild and boisterous

blast

Made him afraid, and the cold surge came up
Against his shuddering breast.

" Save me !" he cried, —
" Save, or I perish !"

Then the Saviour's hand

WALKING ON THE SEA.

Was stretch'd to succor him; even as it

plucks
The soul that trusts Him from the flood of

death,

And gives it victory. Safe on the deck,
Among the glad disciples, Peter stood,
Full of adoring gratitude, while all
Gave praise and glory to the Son of GOD.

So Peter learn'd he might not place his

foot

Upon the ocean's stormy face, and live.
Children, you know the reason. 'Tis not

given

To man to tread the sea. It riseth up
And sweeps him, like a feeble weed, away.

But GOD can do what man attempts in

vain ;

And He who made the sea, can bid its
waves,

WALKING ON THE SEA.

Ill all the madness of their stormy wrath,
Soread a smooth navement for his feet

THE BEE AND BUTTERFLY.

THE BEE AND BUTTERFLY

" COME, busy Bee," said Butterfly,
" And spend a playful hour,

For cloudless is the summer sky,
And fragrant every flower."

But, bent on industry, the Bee
Replied, with serious brow,

"I cannot leave my task, you see ;
I 'm not at leisure now.

THE BEE AND BUTTERFLY.

I think you 'd better toil a while,
To lay up food in store,

For summer has a fleeting smile,
And winter 's at the door."

" No, no," he said, "while

skies are fair,
I choose to gad and

play,
And not distress myself

with care
About a future day:

And so, wise neighbour Bee, good bye,"
But she, with thoughtful grace,

Scarce turn'd her head to see him fly
His wild and giddy race.

From flower to flower, from tree to tree,
She patient roam'd along,

THE BEE AND BUTTERFLY.

And cheer 'd her faithful industry
With her own pleasant song-.

But once, as from her hive she sped,

Beneath a frosty sky,
She saw, all desolate and dead,

The idle Butterfly.

POCAHONTAS.

POCAHONTAS.

POCAHONTAS was the daughter of Pow-
hatan, a powerful Indian king. When the
English first came to settle in Virginia, in
the spring of 1607, they found him bearing
rule over thirty tribes, or nations, and much
feared and respected.

POCAHONTAb.

At their first arrival, the princess Poca-
hontas was about twelve years of age. She
was always kind and friendly to the white
strangers. When they were in distress for
food, she would go through the thick woods
and carry them baskets of corn with her
own hands.

After a while, there was some trouble
between the white and the red men ; and
Captain Smith, one of the best and bravest
leaders of the colony, was taken prisoner,
and condemned to death. He was laid
upon the ground, and heavy clubs raised
over him, to dash out his brains.

Pocahontas, moved with pity, begged her
father to spare his life, but in vain. Just
as the fatal blow was about to descend, she
flew to him, and laid her head upon his.
She said, if the stroke fell, it must crush
her head firs*

POCAHONTAS.

The Indians always respect bravery.
The king was mo-
ved at the courage
of his child, and
bade the captive
rise, arid live. —
Thus, through her
intercession, onej
of the most valu- Jpl
able men was sav-
ed to the colony.

A plot was secretly laid to destroy all
the English at once, and at a time when
they least expected it. Again, tne young
princess proved a firm friend. Captain
Smith, in a letter to the Queen of England,
says, that " Pocahontas, the dearest jewel,
and daughter of the Indian king, came alone
through the thick woods, in the darkness of
the night, to warn them of their danger."

POCAHONTAS.

Afterward, this amiable princess became
a Christian. You see here a picture of her
baptism. It was performed by the Rev.
Mr. Hunt, the clergyman of the colony, in
the presence of her Indian relatives and
friends, and of the white people.

It took place in the first church that was
ever built in this western country. The
ruins of it may still be seen, at Jamestown,
about fifty miles above the mouth of the
James River, in Virginia.

POCAHONTAS.

In the same

church, in the

month of A-

pril,1613, the

princess Po

cahontas was

married to

young Eng-

lish gentleman of the name of Rolfe. This

marriage gave great delight to both whites

and Indians, as it proved a bond of peace

between them.

Three years afterward, Mr. Rolfe took
his wife and infant son to England. Here
she was treated with great attention, not
only by his friends, but by the Queen of
James First, and many noble ladies.

They admired the rich, flowing black
hair, and the gentle, ladylike manners of

POCAHONTAS.

the forest princess. They also remembered
with gratitude, that she had saved their
colony in America from famine and slaugh-
ter.

She spent a year happily in the native
land of her husband. When getting ready
to return, she was taken suddenly ill, and
died, at the age of twenty-two. She was
buried at Gravesend, twenty miles from
London, greatly lamented by all who knew
her.

Her aged father, king Powhatan, long
looked for his beloved daughter, but in
vain. He often sat upon a high hill, watch-
ing the waters, and hoping that every speck
which appeared among the mist, was the
vessel bearing her to his arms.

But he saw her no more. And the

FOCAHONTAS.

white-haired king mourned for her till he
died. The princess Pocahontas was amia-
ble, true-hearted, and pious, and her memo-
ry should be held in lasting honour.

THE INFANT'S PRAYER.

THE INFANT'S PRAYER.

THE west had shut its gate of gold

Upon the parted sun,
And through each window's curtaining fold

Lamps glirnmer'd one by one ;
And many a babe had gone to rest,
And many a tender mother's breast

Still lulled its darling care, —
When in a nursery's quiet bound,
With fond affections circled round,

T heard an infant's prayer.

THE INFANT'S PRAYEA.

Yes, there it knelt, its cherub face

Upraised with earnest air,
And well devotion's heaven-born grace

Became a brow so fair ;
But seldom at our Father's throne,
Such blest and happy child is known

So painfully to strive ;
For long, with tearful ardor fraught,
That supplicating lip besought,

" Please GOD, let Lilly live."

And still the imploring voice did flow,

That little couch beside,
As if for " poor, sick Lilly's" wo,

It could not be denied:
Even when the balm of slumber stole,
With soothing influence, o'er the soul,

Like moonlight o'er the stream,
The murmuring tone, the sobbing strife,
The broken plea for Lilly's life,

Mixed with the infant dream.

THE INFANT7S PRAYER.

So LILLY LIVED, — but not where time

Is measured out by woes ;
Not where cold winter chills the clime,

Or canker eats the rose :
And she, who for that darling friend
In agonizing love did bend,

To pour the simple prayer, —
Safe from the pang, the groan, the dart,
That wound the mourning parent's heart,

Lives with her Lilly there.

KING HENRY FIRST.

KING HENRY FIRST.

THERE is the picture of a king He wears
a crown upon his head. He bears rule over
his people. They obey his laws. In our
own country there are no kings. Our
chief ruler is called President of the United
States.

England is governed by a king or a
queen. The name of the king, whose pic-
ture you see here, is Henry. There have

KING HENRY FIRST.

been eight kings of that name in England.
He lived before any of them, so he is called
Henry the First.

He was born about eight hundred years
ago. He had much wealth and power, and
was called a wise man. But in one thing
he was not wise. When I have told you
what that was, I think you will say so too.

Henry the First, of Eng-
land, did not rule his ap-
petite. He was very fond
of a rich dish, made of a
kind of eels, called lampreys. One day he
eat so much of it as to make himself sick
and die. So this king, who was called
wise, died foolishly. Did he not ?

Children should not think too much about
eating. They should be content with plain

KING HENRY FIRST.

food, and what their parents, and older
friends, think best for them. If any nice
thing is given them, they should share it
with their brothers and sisters, or their
playmates and iriends. To devour dain-
ties alone, will make them selfish. No
selfish person can be happy.

.

.NAPOLEON BONAPARTE.

NAPOLEON BONAPARTE.

NAPOLEON BONAPARTE was born in the
island of Corsica. He went to school there.
He studied his lessons well, but was not
very amiable, and did not make many
friends among his school-mates.

In his winter sports, he liked to build
forts of snow, and to draw out the boys in
troops, as soldiers, to attack and defend

NAPOLEON BONAPARTE.

them. He was too fond of fighting, and had
rather have the fame of the warrior than
the quiet pleasure of doing good. This
was his temper of mind as long as he lived

When he grew to be a young man, he
went to live in France. There were many
troubles there. Neighbour fought against
neighbour, and friend against friend. This
is called civil war. It led to a revolution,
or change in the government. The head
of their king, Louis Sixteenth, was cut off,
and much blood was shed in the country.

Bonaparte was better pleased with these
things than he would have been to see the
people at peace. He was bold and fearless
as a soldier, and became a general. He
led armies into distant countries, and fought
many battles for what he called the glory
of France.

NAPOLEON BONAPARTE.

Burning of Moscow.

At length he was made Emperor of
France. But he could not be content with
all his power and wealth, unless he was
making war. He went with a very large
army to Russia. Here he was beaten, and
thousands of his poor soldiers, who were
obliged to retreat, were frozen or starved to
death. Fewr of that great army lived to
see their home or their friends again.

Bonaparte was not idle while he was

NAPOLEON BONAPARTE.

Emperor of France. When he was not at
war, he reared fine buildings, and bridges,
and arches, and did many things to make
Paris beautiful, and the nation great. Yet
he was always restless and ambitious, be-
cause the sweet spirit of peace was not in
him.

His last battle was fought at Waterloo.
There he was defeated by the English,
under the Duke of Wellington Then they
sent him to the island of St. Helena, where
he lived at a lonely place called Longwood,
and had plenty of time to look back upon
his past life.

Neither wife nor child, brother nor sister
went with him there. The great, hoarse
waves beat heavily against the rocky
shores, and he was not permitted to go
away from the island. His favourite trade

NAPOLEON BONAPARTE.

of war was over ; and he who had sat on a
throne, and ruled millions, was now a pri-
soner.

What did he think about during those
lonely years ? About the many thousands
he had caused to be slain? the cities he
had burned 1 the houses he had filled with
mourning ? parents weeping for their sons ?
and wives for their husbands? and chil-
dren for their fathers ?

Or did he only angrily repine for his lost
greatness? We cannot tell what his thoughts
were. But there he fell sick, and died.
His disease was a cancer in the stomach,
which gave him great pain. He was buried
in that solitary island, without a stone at
his tomb. About twenty years afterward,
his bones were taken up and removed to
Paris, and interred with great pomp.

NAPOLEON BONAPARTE.

We hope that in his years of solitude, in
that lonesome island, he was sorry for the
evils he had caused among men. We wish
he could have looked back upon more
deeds done in peace and love. Some men
are great without being good. But when
they come to die, and go before GOD, a
good man without fame is better than a
great man without goodness.

LETTER FROM A BABY

LETTER FROM A BABY TO HER NEIGH-
BOUR, ON HIS SECOND BIRTHDAY.

THE rolling earth,
Your day of birth

Brings fair and fleeting ;
And as a friend
I long to send

My simple greeting.

Yet almost fear
To have you hear

TO HER NEIGHBOUR

My poor inditing ;
Your critic smile
Must scorn my style

Of baby- writ ing.

Six months have shed
Upon my head

But little knowledge ;
While you are fit,
In sense and wit,

To enter college.

My mother said.

The map you'd spread

And show with ease,
All the globe boasts, —
Realms, isles, and coasts,

And lakes, and seas.

That you 'd describe
The four-legged tribe

LETTER FROM A BABY

Both great and small, —
Both \vild arid tam'd,
That Adam nam'd

In Eden, all.

Years, at this rate,
Will make you great,

Or I 'm mistaken.
Perhaps, with Locke,

TO HER NEIGHBOUR.

The crowd you '11 mock,
Or shine like Bacon,

With Franklin's zeal
The lightning steal,

And chain its rage ;
Or nobly write
Your name, like Dwight,

On heaven's own page

Our sex, I 'm told,
Are formed to hold

A lower place ;
Our powers of mind
Being far behind

Your lordly race.

I Ve understood

That " household good"

Was our enjoyment.
To cook and mend,

LETTER FROM A BABY

And babies tend,

Our chief employment.

'Tis very well,
I shan't rebel ;

And when I grow,
Shall like to make
Nice pies and cake,

And share, also.

But now good bye, —
'Tis time that I

TO HER NEIGHBOUR.

Your patience spare ;
May you, each day,
In love repay

A parent's care.

SETTING OUT TREES.

SETTING OUT TREES.

HERE is a boy, with a young tree in his
hand. He is going to set it out. He will
dig with his spade, a hole of a proper size
and depth. When he places it there, he
will take care that the roots are not crowd-
ed, but have room to stretch themselves
out.

Another boy will hold the tree upright
for him, while he fills the earth in around
it. He will not suffer stones or hard lumps
of clay to touch the roots, but lay the soft

SETTING OUT TREES.

earth gently around them in their new bed,
pouring on, now and then, a little water.

He will tread the earth firmly around the
young tree, and finish his work by making
a little hollow or basin near -its trunk, to
retain the moisture. He will water it every
day, about sunset, if it does not rain ; and
should the season be dry, will continue this
care until it has taken root and put forth
new leaves.

If it is a shade-tree, in a few years it
will lift a lofty head, and extend broad and

SETTING CUT TREES.

thick branches. The birds will build nests
there, and rear their young. The boy will
feel happy that he planted it. Perhaps he
may live to be an old man, and set under
its shadow, thinking gratefully of Him who
hath taken care of them both.

Boys should never break the boughs of
a young tree, or cut its trunk with their
knives. It is very wrong to injure the pro-
perty of others, or carelessly destroy such
a noble thing as a tree, which GOD has
created for use and for beauty.

In France, there are many public gardens
and squares adorned with trees and shrub-
bery. The French children never hurt
them, or think of breaking the smallest
plant or flower. They feel that they have
no right to do so ; and they take pleasure

SETTING OUT TREES.

and pride, in seeing them flourish and
bloom

In some countries, the father plants a
tree at the birth of each of his children. It
must be pleasant to the parents to walk in
the grove, where every tree bears the name
of a beloved child, and grows every year
more strong and beautiful.

There was once a boy, who set out, with
his own hand, every spring, several fruit
trees. When he became a man, they form-
ed a fine orchard. The fruit was fair, and
so abundant, that he had plenty to give to
his friends and neighbours.

He sometimes sent it to market, where
its excellence caused it to be sought after,
and to bring a high price. He said, " My
parents gave me much good advice when I

SETTING OUT TREES.

was young. I am thankful for it. I am
glad they taught me to plant trees, and
never to destroy any thing that GOD had
caused to grow for the comfort of my fel-
low-creatures."

MOSES IN THE BULRUSHES.

MOSES IN THE BULRUSHES.

THERE was a king of Egypt, and he made

A cruel law, that every infant son

Born to the Hebrew race, throughout his

realm,
Should be destroyed. Think ! what a cruel

law,
That those sweet, sinless infants should be

slain.

But one fond mother hid her babe away,

MOSES IN THE BULRUSHES.

So that they might not find him ; and she
went,

Silent, and gave him food, and when he
cried,

She softly hushed him, lest his voice should
lead

The murderers to their prey. So he be-
came

Exceeding fair, and health upon his cheek

Gleam'd like an opening rose.

Three months passed by,
And his glad eye grew brighter, when he

heard
His mother's footstep, though he did not

know
Why she would press her finger on her

lip,
To check his joyous mirth. With bitter

pang
She gazed upon the beauty of his smLe,

MOSES IN THE BULRUSHES.

And shuddering heard his laughter, for she

felt
She could no longer hide him.

So, one morn,

She wrapt him safely in a cradle-ark,
And with a hurried footstep, laid him down
Among the rushes by the river's brink.

Strangely the wild eye of the wondering

babe

Gazed on her from the water, and his arms
Stretched from their reedy prison, sought
in vain

MOSES IN THE BULRUSHES.

To twine about her neck. She turn'd away,
Breathing that prayer, which none but mo-
thers breathe
For their, endangered babes.

It was the Nile
On which she laid her son, in his slight

ark

Of woven rushes. She remembered well
The gaunt and wily crocodile, that loves
To haunt those slimy waters. But she

knew

That HE who made the crocodile could stay
His ravenous jaws. So, in His mighty arm
She put her trust. Close by the river's

brink

Her little mournful daughter staid to see
What would befal her brother, and her

voice

Did sweetly struggle with her grief, to sing
The hymn that soothed the child.

MOSES IN THE BULRUSHES

But then there came
Proud Egypt's princess, with her flowing

robes,
Walking that way. And when she saw

the ark
Among the flags, she bade her maidens

haste,
And bring it to her.

.Lo ! there lay a babe, —
A weeping babe ; and when she saw its brow,

MOSES IN THE BULRUSHES.

Polish'd and beautiful, all wet with tears,
And deadly pale, pity and love sprang up,
In her kind bosom, and she took the boy
To her own palace-home. Yet still he wept,
Like an affrighted stranger.

Then she bade

To call a nurse, and lo ! the mother came !
She who had sown in tears, did reap in joy.
And when she drew her nursling to her

breast,

And fondly lull'd him to a gentle sleep,
Know ye how warm the thrill of praise

went up
Unto the GOD of Israel ?

So this babe

Of the poor Hebrew, 'neath the royal dome
Of Egypt's monarch grew, in all the lore
Of that wise realm instructed. He became
A prophet, mighty, both in word and deed

MOSES IN THE BULRUSHES

And when 3 ou read, rny children, how he

broke
The yoke of bondage from his people's

neck,

And smote with awful rod the parting sea,
And brought pure water from the rock, and

stood

On Sinai with Jehovah, face to face,
You will bethink you of this simple tale, —
The ark of rushes, and the mother's prayer.

CAGE ON WATERLOO BRIDGE.

CAGE ON WATERLOO BRIDGE.

ONCE, as I was riding over Waterloo
Bridge, in London, a little bright-eyed girl
pointed out a large cage, or case, about five
feet square, which stood upon a bench.
She wished to look at it, and thanked us
for being so kind as to stop the carriage,
ind get out for that purpose.

We were all as much pleased as the

CAGE OH WATERLOO BRIDGE.

little girl, when we found animals and birds
of different natures, and who are often foes
to each other,
dwelling toge-
ther in peace.
There were
cats, rats, and
mice; rabbits, *"'
guinea pigi
and squirrels ; owls, hawks, pigeons, and
other birds, living in the same house, as
friends.

They often take their food from one dish,
and there is no growling or quarreling
among them The rats and mice seemed
fond of being near a large eat, and hiding
their heads in her furry sides. The birds
perched upon her head, and sometimes
slept there the whole night.

CAGE ON WATERLOO BRIDGE.

When she chooses she takes a walk, or
sets in the sun, upon the parapet of the
bridge, looking gravely down into the river
Thames. The birds also go forth, and
stretch their wings for exercise ; but all
return, of their own accord, to their home
and their friends.

They seem even to have some idea of
being polite to each other. We saw a
hawk take meat in his beak, and feed the
other birds, before he partook himself.
One would scarcely have expected a hawk
to be polite. But in this you can see what
good training will do.

The name of the man who has tamed
these animals, and taught them such good
habits, is Mr. John Austin. He has spent
more than twenty years, in this kind of
work, and enjoys it very much.

CAGE ON WATERLOO BRIDGE.

The secret of his art, is to be always
kind. He takes his pupils when quite
young, gives them plenty of food, and
takes pains to make them happy. By this
careful education they grow contented, so
that the strong never hurt the weak, and
the weak are not afraid of the strong.

It would be well if children, like this
kind-hearted man, would try to bring forth
the good properties of animals. The Arab
treats his horse so kindly, that he loves
him as a friend; and we all know how
strongly attached a dog is to his master.

Cruelty to animals is a great fault. The
child who likes to trouble an unoffending
cat, to frighten domestic fowls, to torture a
toad, to trea J upon a worm, or to hurt any
helpless and harmless thing, cannot have a
good heart.

CAGE ON WATERLOO BRIDGE.

A boy kills a bird. Perhaps it was a mo*
ther, seeking food for her young. Does he

remember how
her little ones
will mourn? —
how they will
shiver for the
want of her
shielding wing,
when night comes? — how they will pine
away with hunger, or fall from their nest
and die ?

What right has he to cause so much
misery ? What good has it done him ? On
the contrary, it has done him harm. It has
hardened his heart. GOD, who "heareth
the young ravens when they cry," and tak-
eth note of the falling sparrow, will take
note of him and of his deeds

CAGE ON WATERLOO BRIDGE.

The man who took care of the animals
on Waterloo Bridge, said he was very
happy. Yes, because he made others hap-
py. We cannot make even the humblest
creature more happy, without sharing in
that happiness. Try it and see.

If you are selfish, and indulge in bad
tempers, you may vex others, but you will
be still more unhappy yourselves. You
are nursing evil plants, which bear fruits
of bitterness. If you wrish to be happy,
take pains to make all around you, even
the animals, happy.

Children who are apt to quarrel with their
companions, to speak cross words to broth-
ers and sisters, or to destroy the comfort of
the animal creation, might take a lesson to
their profit from the school on Waterloo
Bridge, and from its amiable teacher.

WAR.

WAR is a wicked thing, —

It strikes the strong man dead,
And leaves the trampled battle-field

With blood and carnage red ;
While thousand mangled forms

In hopeless suffering bleed,
And vultures and hyenas throng

Upon their flesh to feed.

See, with what bitter grief

Those widowed ones deplore ;
And children for their father mourn,

Who must return no more.
And aged parents sink

In penury and despair,
And sorrow dwells in many a home, —

War makes the weeping there.

It comes with sins and woes, —

A dark and endless train ;
It fills the breast with murderous hate,

Where Christian love should reign :
It desolates the land,

With famine, death, and flame;
And those are in a sad mistake,

Who seek the warrior's fame.

Oh, may I guard my heart
From every evil thing;
From thoughts of anger and revenge,

Whence wars and fightings spring ;
And may the plants of peace

Grow up serene and fair,
And mark me as a child of heaven,

That I may enter there.

THE GRAPE VINE.

THE GRAPE VINE.

A BOY brought to his mother the slip of a
grape vmi that had been given him. He
asked her leave to set it out. They had
not much ground to spare, but she gave
him a spot under her window, and near the
wall of the house.

She was so kind as to teach him how to
dig and prepare the soil, and how to press
it closely around the slip, that it might not

THE GRAPE VINE.

feel as a stranger in its new home. This
was in the Spring, when plants and trees
best take root.

He set a fence of small sticks around his
_slip, to keep it from harm;
and when no rain fell, he
fgave it water at sun-set.
' With what delight did he
see it grow green at the top, and one or
two delicate leaves faintly unfold.

Another year, his vine grew so fast, that
he placed a slight frame for its support, and
took care to teach it where to climb. The
brick wall, near which his mother had in-
structed him to place it, sheltered it from
cold winds, and reflected warmly the rays
of the sun.

He was happy to see it reach out its

THE GRAPE VINE.

hands and take hold of the prop tnat he
had prepared for it. He stretched cords
across his mother's window, and caused it
to twine there, that she might enjoy the
cool shade of its beautiful leaves.

As she sat there, reading or working, she
was pleased to see how well the ,^
vine flourished, arid to inhale the
fragrance of its young flowers,^
which, through the open window,
filled the whole house with their
sweet breath.

As they fell off, little grapes appeared,
at first scarcely larger than a pin's head.
The boy was delighted to watch their
growth. If there was much rain, he raised
them from the damp wall with little forked
sticks, lest they might mould; and when

THE GRAPE VINE.

che weather was dry, he poured water
around the root.

In the morning, when he first arose, he
visited his vine, and was pleased to see the
small, pure dew-drops, hanging at each point
of its leaves like pearls. Sometimes, as he
came home from his school, he said to him-
self, " How glad I am that I planted this
beautiful vine."

One day, in autumn, he
came into his mother's room
with a smiling face. Open-
ing a basket, he showed her
a few clusters of fine, ripe

" My dear mother, accept the first fruits
of the vine, whick you taught me how to
rear." Then she thanked him, and said,

THE GRAPE VINE.

"My good boy, may your whole life be like
this fragrant vine, pleasing in His sight,
who causes the good seed sown in the heart
to spring up, and bear fruit."

CHILDREN'S LETTER, &c.

II

CHILDREN'S LETTER TO A GRANDFA-
THER, ON HIS BIRTHDAY.

A KISS of love, — your birthday morn,
We bring, grandfather dear, —

Fresh flowrets, and this letter too,
With tenderness sincere.

We 're glad to see you look so well.
And hear your pleasant voice;

And then to walk with -you to church,
We very much rejoice.

CHILDREN'S LETTER TO A

You call yourself an old, old man,
Of fourscore years and five ;

Yet still you grow more dear to us
For every year you live.

For we are taught the hoary head,
By time and wisdom crown'd,

Is blessed, — like the heart that sheds
A sweet example round.

Yes, blessed is the pious man,
Who meekly, humbly waits

The will of GOD, and cheerful looks
Toward heaven's unfolding gates.

We love to sit upon your knee,
And in the Bible read ;

And you to all our little wants
Are very kind indeed.

GRANDFATHER, ON HIS BIRTHDAY.

We pray that blessings on your head
May thro' this year be strew'd ;

And should we live to be as old,
That we may be as good.

THE APPLE TREE.

THE APPLE TREE AND THE
THORN BUSH.

How beautiful is that tree, with its load
of pink and white blossoms. They cover
all its boughs, and the air is filled with
their sweetness.

Ere long they will fade away. The
breeze will scatter* them, and the turf
around will be sprinkled with them, as a
carpet.

THE APPLE TREE

In their place, upon the same stems, will
be left small, green balls, which the sun
and rain will swell and ripen. After many
weeks, you will see large, fine apples, with
ruddy cheeks.

So this is an apple tree. What is that
growing by its side, so full of sharp, long
points ? Will it put forth flowers ? No.
Will it bear fruit ? No. Do not go too
near it. It may tear your clothes, or your
flesh.

Did they both come from the same kind
of seed ? No. He who plants
must take care to have good
seed, lest when he looks for a
fair tree, there should come up a bramble.

If you sow bad words, and evil deeds,
you will be apt to receive the same again.

AND THE THORN BUSH.

Thorns and thistles will they bring forth
unto you.

But if you sow right words, and loving
smiles, and kind ac-
tions, you will gather
the sweet fruits. The
Bible saith, " What- .
soever one sowethj
that shall he also
reap."

The apple tree and the thorn bush grow
side by side. One breathes its perfume
upon the other, and sheds its fair blossoms
into its bosom. But the thorns are as
sharp as ever.

The good tree waits in patience, and per-
fects its fruit, and learns no bad lessons
from its cross and idle neighbour. It brings

THE APPLE TREE, &C.

its riches into the store-house of its master
with gladness, while the end of the thorn
bush, is to be cut down and burned.

The good and the bad dwell together in
this world. They breathe the same air.
The same blue sky bends over them. The
merciful GOD causeth "His sun to shine on
the evil, and on the good, and sendeth rain
on the just and on the unjust."

But in the end there is a judgment. And
He who sitteth as judge, shall separate the
good from the evil, " as a shepherd divideth
the sheep from the goats," On the evil and
disobedient who repented not, He shall pro-
nounce a fearful doom, but receive the good
into life eternal.

RESPECT TO AGE.

RESPECT TO AGE.

IF, leaning on his staff,

Amid the crowded street,
With feeble step and wrinkled brow,

Some aged form I meet, —

However poor and weak,
Or ignorant and low,

RESPECT TO AGE.

I must respect the hoary head, —
For GOD hath told me so.

I love to see the hair

All venerably gray ;
A crown of glory 'tis to those

Who walk in Wisdom's way.

I love the reverend head,

With years and honours white ;

'Tis like the ripened fruit of heaven,
And angels bless the sight.

THE RAISIN SEEDS.

THE RAISIN SEEDS.

A LITTLE girl was eating some raisins.
She said, " They are so good, I will plant
their seeds in my little bed, in the garden,
and have raisin trees of my own."

" Raisins do not grow on trees," said her
older sister : " They are dried grapes, — the
fruit of a vine that flourishes in warmer

THE RAISIN SEEDS.

countries than this. The best ones that we
have, come from the south of Europe.

" When they are fully ripe, the people let
them hang1 on their

o

stalks still longer,
to dry. They strip
all the leaves from
the branches, that
the fruit may have
the full heat of the sun.

"When they begin to grow wrinkled,
they pluck the clusters, and dip them for a
moment in boiling water, where ashes and
lime have been steeped.

" They lay them to drain and to dry be-
neath the sumrner-sun, on frames of basket
work, for about two weeks Then they
pack them in casks and boxes, to be sent
in vessels to other lands.

THE RAISIN SEEDS.

" Now, little sister, you know all about
how grapes are made into raisins. But I
doubt whether the seeds which you have
saved will grow."

" I will try," said the child ; so she plant-
ed them in a bed of soft earth. Every day
she walked there, and watched the spot.
After a while, she saw a few tender shoots
of a lively green, breaking through the
brown mould.

Then the child rejoiced, and said, " Sis-
ter! you see now, that it is well not to
waste even a raisin seed, but to plant it in
hope, and to make the most of every little
bit of ground, where there is room for a
root to strike down, or a bud to put forth
its head.

LAW OF LOVE.

LAW OF LOVE.

WHEN JESUS CHRIST came into this
wprld, he taught the law of love. He said
to those who followed him, " By this shall
men know that ye are my disciples, if ye
love one another."

He was kind and gentle, and said, " When
ye enter into a house, salute it." He was
meek and lowly ; when he suffered wrong,

LAW OF LOVE.

he threatened not, neither was his voice
heard in the streets.

He taught not to return stroke for stroke,
nor railing for railing, and not to let the
sun go down upon our wrath. He chose
his lot with the poor of the world, and took
part in their sorrows.

He loved little children. Those who
stood around, forbade them to come near,
lest they should trouble him. But he com-
manded that they should be brought unto
him.

Then he took them in his arms, put his
hands on them, and blessed them. Great
honour was it for the little ones, that the
holy Son of GOD should fold them to his
breast, and give them his blessing.

LAW OF LOVE.

Let us try so to live here below, that
when we come to die, He may receive our
souls to his bosom, in heaven, to dwell with
the angels.

THE PRISONER BIRD.

THE PRISONER BIRD.

THERE you are, in your cage,

Little prisoner, I see,
Looking wishfully forth,

At the birds on the tree.

Gazing out all the day,

On your friends as they fly,

THE PRISONER BIRD.

With the song of the heart,
From the earth to the sky.

The gay butterflies,

And the beetles and bees,

Unfold their light pinions
And rove where they please.

But there you are shut,
With a close -folded wing,

And a pang at your breast,
Tho' you Ye trying to sing.

' Might I open your prison,

And bid you be free,
1 To build you a nest
On the bush or the tree ;

And see you enjoying
This bright summer day,

It would gladden my heart
As I go to my play.

THE RAINY DAY.

THE RAINY DAY.

"MOTHER, it rains,"" said a little girl, who
was looking out at the window. "I am so
sorry not to go and make that visit to Em-
ma. She invited me twice before but it
rained ; and now it is raining hard again."

• "I hope you will not be unhappy, rny
dear," said her mother. " I think I see tears
upon your cheeks. I will not say it is a
little thing, for the troubles of children

THE RAINY DAY.

seem great to them. But I trust you will
be patient, and wait pleasantly for good
weather."

" Mother, you have told me that GOD
knows everything, and that he is always
good. Then he certainly must know that
there is but one Saturday afternoon in the
whole week, and that this is all the time I
have to play with my little friends. He
must know that it has rained now these
three holidays, when I wished so much to
go abroad. And can he not make sunshine
wiienever he pleases T

"We cannot understand all the ways of
j GOD, my child, but the /
1 Bible tells us He is i
• wise and good. Look i
out into your little garden, and see how
happy the rose-buds are to catch the soft

THE RAINY DAY.

rain in their bosoms, and how the violets
lift up their sweet faces to meet it ; and as
the drops fall into the quiet stream, how it
dimples with gladness and gratitude.

"The cattle will drink at that stream
and be refresh-
ed. Should it dry
up, they would j
be troubled; and I
were the green 1H
grass to growTj
brown and die, they would be still more
troubled, and some of them might perish
for want of food."

Then the good mother told her. daughter
of the sandy deserts in the east, and of the
camel, who patiently bears thirst for many
days, and how the fainting traveller watch-
ed for the rain cloud, and blessed GOD

THE RAINY DAY.

when he found water. And she showed
her pictures of the camel, and of the cara-
van, and told her how they were sometimes
buried under the sands of the desert.

And she told her a story of the mother
who wandered in the wilderness with hei
son, and when the water was spent in the
bottle, she laid him under the shrubs to die,
and went and prayed in her anguish to
GOD. Then, how an angel brought her
water from heaven, and her son lived.

THE RAINY DAY.

She told her another story from the Bi-
ble ; how there fell no rain in Israel for
more than three years, and the grass dried
up, and the brooks wasted away, and the
cattle died; arid how the good prophet pray-
ed earnestly to GOD, and the skies sent
down a blessed rain, and the earth gave
forth her fruit.

Many other things this good mother said
to her child, — teaching and entertaining
her. Then they
sang together a
sweet hymn or
two, — and the
little girl was :
surprised to find '
the afternoon so
quickly spent, for the time passed pleasantly.

So she thanked her kind mother for the

THE RAINY DAY.

stories she had told, and the pictures she
had shown her. And she smiled, and said,
" What GOD pleases is best." Her mother
kissed her, and said, " Carry this sweet spi-
rit with you, my daughter, as long as you
live, and you will have gotten more wisdom
from the storm than from the sunshine "

J)

BROTHER AND SISTER.

EARLY one morning,

A boy said to his sister,

I was not good to you. yesterday, —

I was cross and unkind ;

I did not tell you that I was sorry.

BROTHER AND SISTER.

At night, I laid down to sleep, —
But I was not happy.
I dreamed that you lay on your bed,-
You were very pale and sick, —
I spoke, — but you did not answer ;
I feared that you would die.

When I awoke, I remembered
The text that we had learned, —
"Be kindly affectioned,

toward another,
Pin brotherly love."

I knew that my sleep was troubled,

Because I had done wrong.

I -am sorry that I was not good to you.

Dear sister, forgive me, —

I will try to be always kind.

BROTHER AND SISTER.

The little girl ran to her brother, —
She put her arms round his neck,
She kissed him, and said,
" I forgive you, — and I love you
Better than I did before."

INDUSTRY.

INDUSTRY.

THERE are many good things to be got-
ten out of the earth. But men must plough
and sow before they can reap, and plant
before they can gather fruit. If they would

INDUSTRY.

have coals to burn, they must dig them ,
and metals from the mine, they must worl
hard to get and to refine them.

There are riches in the wide sea.

the net must be spread ere
the fishes can be taken. The |

whale must be pursued into
the far, deep waters, to get
the oil for our lamps, and the
sperm candles, whose light is so pure.

In the large cities are many buildings.
But the stones and timber, the bricks and
boards, the iron and glass, of which they
are made, were procured with toil; and the
masons and joiners worked hard to put
them together, and sometimes risked their
lives upon high roofs and steeples.

From foreign climes we get many things ;

INDUSTRY.

sugars from the West India islands, and

teas from Chi-
na, and silks
from France.
—But ships
J must go forth
into distant
I seas, and the

poor sailor bear the storm, and climb the

mast in darkness, before they can be

brought to us.

There is much knowledge in books. But
learned men have laboured to gather and
put it there ; and the paper maker, and the
printer, and the binder, have worked hard
to preserve it. The young must study to
obtain it, and to store it in their minds.

It is so ordered in this world, that our
good things are gained bv industry. It is

our duty, and for our comfort, to make use
of the powers, and improve the time that
GOD has given us. The idle are never
happy.

WINTER.

WINTER has come. There are no flow-
ers in the garden, and instead of the fresh
turf, is a covering of snow. The brooks that
made a pleasant murmur are silent, and
the rivers hide themselves beneath the ice.
But the dark evergreens still lift their heads
beautifully from among the snow.

Many things seem to look sad, now the
cold has come. There is no more playing

of lambs, or peeping of young chickens.
The cattle of the farmer stand patiently
around the barn-yard, or the stacks where
they get their food The kitten, who has
never before seen snow, dips her paw in it,
and quickly draws back.

But, for us children, Winter has many
pleasures. It is a good time to play. We
can glide with our sleds down the steep
icy hills, or build houses of the new fallen
snow. The skater flies swiftly over the
frozen pond, making circles upon it with
his heel. The sleigh-bells ring merrily,
and people, wrapped in fur, enjoy their
ride.

Winter is a good time to study. In the
long evenings, we can set by the lamp, and
gather knowledge from books. After our
lessons are learned, we will find time to

WINTER.

read a story, or a chapter in the Bible, to
our parents and friends, if they desire it.

It is a time to remember the poor. We
know that in many small houses, are chil-

dren who suffer
from cold and
hunger. They
stand shivering
a little fire,
|and sometimes
lhave none at
all. The young-
er ones cling closely to the mother, and
beg for a piece of bread, which she has not
to give.

We will ask our parents if we have not
some clothing to* spare them, — a warm coat,
or shoes and stockings. We will ask if they
have any food which they think proper to

give ; and if they will allow us, we will
gladly carry it. For the thanks and bles-
sings of the poor, make our hearts cheerful.

Winter is a time to be grateful to GOD.
When we hear the hoarse wind howl, and
see it joile the drifted snow, and drive it in
the eyes of the poor wanderer, who has no
home, we will thank Him for our shelter and
our fire-side. When we are called around
the table, to partake of its comforts, we
will remember to praise Him in our hearts.

Winter is a time for hope. The plants
that have disappeared are not lost. Their
roots are safely locked up beneath the
snow. They will hear the voice of Spring
and put forth their heads. The flowers
will burst again into beauty, and the trees
put on their joyful garments.

We know that this bright season is corn-
ing, for the Bible has promised that " seed
time and harvest shall not cease." So,
while we enjoy the good things of the win-
ter, we expect, in due time, the smiles of
spring. To look forward to something
pleasant, is often as useful to the ho#rt, as
to possess it.

Winter is a good time to love each other.
So ought every season to
— be. But in winter we can-
not walk about among the
flowers. So we will tend those that grow in
the bosom, — gentleness, and patience, and
love. We will not think too much of our-
selves, for selfishness is more chilling than
cold or storm. We cannot hear the birds
sing. But we will sing a song of praise to
Him who has put music in the soul.

'

THE LADY AND THE POOR BOY.

THE LADY AND THE POOR BOY.

ONE cold day in winter,

A lady went to her door:

She saw a poor boy, —

His clothes were old and thin, —

Frost was upon his hair,

And he shivered, as he asked,

" Will you please to give me some work ?"

"You may come in, and warm you:
Do you not want something to eat ?"

THE LADY AND THE POOR BOY.

" I had rather work first :
1 do not wish to beg."
Then the lady gave him leave
To pile some wood in her yard.
He was quick at the work,
And took pains to do it well.

Then she gave him some breakfast.
He was hungry, yet he ate but little,
And asked, " Is this food mine ?"
"Yes," she said, "you have earned it."
" If you please, I will take it to my mother.
She is sick now :

THE LADY AND THE POOR BOY.

"She cannot leave her bed.
We were not so poor before.
She has told me not to beg,
But to ask for work :

I think she is the best woman in the
world."

" Take the food to her, my good boy.
Here, I will give you some wood,
That you may make a fire for her."
He thanked her, and went gladly home.

The same day, the good lady visited them ;
She found that he had told the truth :
His poor mother was sick and weak ;
He had made her a fire
With the wood that had been sent.
He was feeding her with some of the food
that he had warmed.

The next day the lady gave him more work ;

THE LADY AND THE POOR BOY.

She asked kindly after his sick mother,
And sent things for her comfort.
The boy looked thankfully at her,
And in his eyes were bright tears of joy.

So he worked willingly, — day after day,
And nursed and took care of his sick
mother.

His father was a sailor,

He was out upon the wide

sea,

He was to be gone many
months.

The boy prayed to GOD
That his dear mother might not die ;
He was always at her side,
To wait upon her and to comfort her, —
Only when he went out and worked,
To earn their food and the fuel that kept
them warm.

THE LADY AND THE POOR BOY.

Slowly the poor woman grew better;
When her husband returned, she was

almost well.

The good lady sent her son to school.
A part of every day he worked for her:
In the evening he read to his parents
Books, which she kindly lent him.

He was a good and obedient son ;
When he grew up to be a man,
He was respected by all.

THE LADY AND THE POOR BOY.

The blessing of GOD was with him, —
For he kept the commandment,
Which is given in His Holy Word,
" Honour thy father and thy mother."

THE FARM-YARD.

THE FARM-YARD.

I HEAR a noise in the farm-yard. What
is the harm there? The hen screams
loudly. Her young chickens fly to her,
and take shelter under her wings.

Has any strange dog got in to trouble
her ? No. I see only a bird hovering near,
with broad black wings. Why need she
fear a bird ? There are many birds in the
air, and she is larger than they.

THE FARM-YARD.

It is a hawk that you see, — a bird of
- prey. The hen knows
what it is, better than
you do. Have you
i not heard that it will
1 catch chickens, and
; bear them through the
air to its nest, and feed
upon them ? This is why we call the hawk
a bird of prey.

How did the hen learn that the hawk
was a bird of prey? Did any body tell
her? I am sure that she could not read in
any book, of the nature and doings of hawks.

He who made her hath told her. It was
His voice in her heart that taught her how
to take care of her young, and guard them
from evil. They heed her warning cry,
and are safe.

THE FARM-YARD.

Have you a mother, who tells you what
will be hurtful to you, — who warns you not,
to go with bad children, lest you should
learn their ways, but to walk in the paths
of goodness all the days of your life ? Do
you obey her ? Or are the chickens in the
farm-yard wiser than you ?

GOD did not give the fowls wisdom; but
he gave them instinct, and they follow it.
To you He gave the nobler gift of reason.
You understand what your teachers say,
and can read the Book which shows the
wav to heaven.

THE FARM-YARD.

When you are told anything will hurt
your soul, do you avoid it ? Arid when you
have done wrong, are you sorry, and resolve
to do so no more ? Or are you willing that
the fowls of the air should make a better
use of GOD'S gifts than you ?

m

THE DOVE.

THE DOVE.

THERE was a lonely ark,
That sail'd o'er waters dark ;

And wide around,
Not one tall tree was seen, -
Nor flower, nor leaf of gi^n ;

All, all were drown'd.

Then a soft wing was spread,
And o'er the billows dread,
A meek dove flew ;

THE DOVE.

But on that shoreless tide
No living thing she spied,
To cheer her view.

There was no chirping sound,
O'er that wide watery bound,

To soothe her wo.
But the cold surges spread
Their covering o'er the dead,

That slept below.

So to the Ark she fled,
With weary, drooping head,

To seek for rest :
'JL CHRIST is thy Ark, my love,
J^ Thou art the timid dove, —
Fly to his breast.

It

MOTHER AND CHILD.

MOTHER AND CHILD.

A CHILD had troubled his mother :
He was fretful and disobedient :
He went away to school :
He walked slowly, and thought
Of what he had said and done.

The morning sky was bright,
But he did not look up and smile.

MOTHER AND CHILD.

Flowers sparkled with dew,

But he did not enjoy their sweetness.

Birds sang from tree and bush,

But he did not love their song,

For the spirit of naughtiness

Lay heavy at his heart.

He entered the school-room :

The teacher read a lesson :

" Children, — a few years ago

You were little infants, —

Your hands were weak and helpless, —

Your feet unable to walk.

"Who held you tenderly in her arms?
And when you hungered, gave you food ?
When you cried, who had patience with

you?

Who smiled on your little plays,
And taught your little tongue its first

words ?

MOTHER AND CHILD.

"When you were sick, who nursed you ?
Who watched your cradle, thro' the long

night !
Who bowed down, with tears upon her

cheeks,

Fearing that you might die ?"
And the children answered,
"It was our mother."

The lesson went on:

" What then will you do for the mother

Who hath done so much for you ?

Who hath never forgotten you for a moment

MOTHER AND CHILD.

Who loveth you, night and day ?w
And the children said,
" We will love and obey herr
All the days of our life."

Then the child who had been bad at

home,

Held down his head with shame,
As soon as school was done,
He hastened back to his mother:
He kneeled down by her side, —
He hid his face in her lap, and said,
" I was naughty to you, and did not re-
pent.

I went to school, and was unhappy.
Mother, forgive me, —
That the flowers may be sweet to me

again,
And that I may look at the bright, blue

sky,
And be at peace."

MOTHER AND CHILD.

The mother said, " I forgive you, my dear

son, —

Ask GOD to forgive you, also,
That the voice in your bosom
May no longer blame you,
And you may be at peace with HIM.

BOY AND GIRL TALKING.

BOY AND GIRL TALKING.

A BOY and girl were walking along to
school. The grass was fresh and green
around them, and the skies bright, and they
talked pleasantly together, as all good chil-
dren should.

Some young birds chirped from a tree.
They looked up, and saw the nest. " I love
to hear the song of birds," said the boy.

BOY AND GIRL TALKING.

"I wonder how any one can wish them
harm."

The girl answered, "My teacher has told
us, that we must always be kind to what-
ever is smaller and weaker than we. I
know it is a good rule. We are happier
when we keep it.

"When I feed the young chickens ui
home, their little voices seem to thank HUJ
My sister and I scatter crumbs for the birds
and we are glad to see them so tame as to

BOY AND GIRL TALKING.

come near and eat them. But the pleas-
antest thing, is to amuse a young child, or,
if a babe cries, to soothe it, and lull it to
sleep in jour arms."

The boy said, "It is a good rule that
your teacher has given you. My mother
has given me one also : To take care of the
female sex, and not to be ashamed to be
polite to them, as some boys are.

" My mother says, that the greatest and
best men have always treated females with
> respect and kindness ; and that GOD intend-
ed the strong should protect the weak. I
believe that her rule is a good one, and
shall obey it now, and when I grow to be
a man."

THE LOG HOUSE.

THE LOG HOUSE.

You see a house built of logs. Large
trees are growing near it, and a small brook
runs by. It stands alone. Few people
pass that way. It is in one of the new
states, where there are but few inhabitants.
It has only one room. The floor of rough
* boards, has no carpet. There are a few
chairs, and a chest, and a pine table. In
one corner is a plain bedstead and a bed.
From underneath it, a small one, like a box
on wheels, is drawn out, where the children
sleep.

A little boy and girl are playing near the

THE LOG HOUSE.

large fireplace. It is filled with wood, and
casts a bright blaze around. Their cheeks
are ruddy, and their voices kind, as they
speak to each other. Their mother is pre-
paring the evening meal, and whatever she
says to them, they quickly mind.

Their father comes in from his work.
They run to meet him. The
little son takes the basket
in which he had been dig-
ging potatoes, andj)uts it in
its place, and the daughter^
draws a chair for him to the clean hearth. ,
They prattle pleasantly by his side, and
ask if they may go and help him work to-
morrow.

Soon the table is ready. Bowls of fresh
milk are upon it, and bread that the mother
has just baked, and eggs from the^r o"*n

THE LOG HOUSE.

poultry, and a cup of maple molasses.
The father asks Heaven's blessing upon
their food. Then, seated around, they par-
take it with cheerful hearts.

Soon after, sweet tones arise, as of birds
chirping in their
nests. The lit-
tle ones are sing-
ling the evening
I hymn that their
| mother taught
them. Then, with
her kiss upon their lips, and their father's
blessing, they retire to sleep. The parents,
seated by their single candle, talk lovingly
of their comforts, and of the friends who
are far away.

They have removed to this new country,
from the states which had been longer set-

THE LOG HOUSE.

tied. They once lived in large houses,
where were carpets, and sofas, and gilded
pictures, and rich furniture. But they never
complain for the want of these things.
They are content with their lot, because
the peace and love of GOD dwell in their
hearts.

They have brought from their home in
New-England, a
few books whichl
they highly prize, j
These the father
reads to his wife
at evening, while
she knits or spins
at his side ; and'
from them she instructs the children, when
he is at work in the fields, by day.

The one which they most value, is the

THE LOG HOUSE.

Bible, the Book of their Father in heaven
They teach its blessed words to their little
ones. They read it together, before the}
retire to rest, and then the father prays
GOD to protect and bless his family, and
make them at last a family in heaven.

The children who live in this log house
are happy, because they
are good arid obedient.
They are loving to each
other, and obey the
words of their kind parents. They are
thankful for simple comforts, and do not
expect fine clothes, or dainty food. They
are far more contented than many who pos-
sess these things.

They are happy, though they are not
rich. It is a mistake, to think that riches
always bring happiness. Those who live

THE LOG HOUSE.

in fine houses, and spend much money,
have many cares and troubles, as well as
others. They cannot be happy, unless they
live in love, and obey the commands of GOD.

The family in this log house are emi-
grants. We call those people emigrants,
who remove from the spot where they were
born, to reside in a distant land. Those
who settle in new countries, have many
hardships to bear, and ought to be patient
and industrious.

The trees must be cut down, and the
ar(} go^ ploughed, before
-.they can plant seed. Mills
must be built, to grind the
scorn of which their bread
is made. And they must learn to do with-
out many articles of food and dress, which
we buy of the merchant.

THE LOG HOUSE.

But when they see the school house and
the church built among them, and a neat
village rising where all was a tangled wood
before, they must be happy that they them-
selves had helped it grow. And if they
sow the seeds of honesty and piety in that
new land, and bring up a race to be bles-
sings to their country, their reward will be
great in Heaven.

THE ELEPHANT.

THE ELEPHANT.

THE Elephant is the largest animal that
now lives upon the earth. It sometimes
grows to twenty feet in heighth. Its young
are playful, and do not reach their full size
until they are more than twenty years old.
It is a native of Asia and Africa ; and from
its tusks or large teeth, we get the ivory of
which so many beautiful things are made.

Elephants are often brought to Europe

THE ELEPHANT.

and America in ships, and shown as curi-
osities. With their trunks they convey food
and water to their mouths, and defend
themselves when attacked. They can reach
with it to the distance of four or five feet,
and are able to give with it so severe a

blow, as to kill a horse.

«

They are very gentle when kindly treat-
ed. But they remember injuries, and re-
venge them. In thoughtfulness and wis-
dom, they approach nearer to the human
race than any other animal. You will find
many stories of their sagacity in books of
Natural History.

A large Elephant was once brought in a
vessel to New- York. From the wharf a
broad plank was placed for him to walk
upon to the shore. He put first one foot
upon it, — striking it with force, — then ano-

THE ELEPHANT.

ther ; then the third ; then the fourth and
last. When he had thus tried it, and was
sure that it was strong enough to bear his
whole weight, he walked boldly upon it to
the shore.

Elephants are fond of each other's com-
pany. In their wild state, large herds of
them are seen under the broad leaved palm
trees, or near the shady banks of rivers,
where the grass is thick and green. There
they love to bathe themselves, throwing
the water from their trunks over their whole
bodies, and enjoying a refreshing coolness.

They live to be more than a hundred
years old. When death approaches, it is
said, they retire to some lonely spot, under
lofty trees, or near a peaceful stream, where
others of their race have wandered, to die.
There they lie down, and breathe their last,

THE ELEPHANT.

among the bones of their friends, or their
ancestors.

These noble creatures are naturally mild
and brave. When tamed, they are obedi-
ent, and much attached to their keepers.
They are fond of their young, and kind to
each other. At a village in South Africa,
where some English missionaries dwelt, a
deep trench had been dug, which was not
at that time filled with water.

THE ELEPHANT.

One dark and stormy night, a troop of
elephants passed that way, and one of their
number fell into this deep pit. His compan-
ions did not leave him in distress, but tried
every method in their power to liberate
him. Some kneeled, others bowed down,
and lifted with their trunks.

They failed many times, but still contin-
ued their labours. It was not until the
morning had dawned, that they succeeded
in raising their unlucky friend from his sad
situation. The edges of the ditch, tracked
and indented with their numerous footsteps,
showed how hard they had toiled in their
work of kindness.

Children, if your playmates are in any
trouble, you must not turn aside and leave
them. Learn from these kind animals how
to show kindness to your own race. If

THE ELEPHANT.

your friend says or does what is wrong,
advise him to return to the right way ; for
the path of evil is worse than the deep pit
into which the poor elephant fell.