*r
i
CHILDREN'S BOOK
COLLECTION
LIBRARY OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
LOS ANGELES
Ex Libris
BERNARD M. MEEKS
THE
EMPEROR'S ROUT.
ILLUSTRATED BY COLOURED PLATES.
, LONDON:
CHARLES TILT, 86, FLEET STREET.
LONDON :
QIIADBURV AND EVANS, PRINTERS,
BOUVERIE STREET.
THE EMPEROR'S ROUT.
As the Emperor Moth l sat one evening in May,
Fanned by numberless wings in the moon's silver ray,
1 Saturnia pavonia minor. The caterpillars of these moths
are of a beautiful green, with blue spots, and after living toge-
ther for three weeks, they separate, and disperse themselves
in all directions. The Chrysalis is covered with a strongly
glutinous matter, which resists not only weather, but the per-
foration of other insects. The Pavonia Major is the largest
of European moths, and, according to Latreille, a manufactory
of silk from the cocoons has been established in Germany.
6 THE EMPEROR'S ROUT.
While around him the zephyrs breathed sweetest per-
fume,
Thus he spoke to his dwarf with the Ragged white plume : 2
" That vain Butterfly's Ball, I hear, was most splendid,
" And, as the world says, very fully attended,
" Though she never asked us, but assigned as a cause,
" We were all much too heavy to gallope and waltz.
" What impertinence this, want of grace to ascribe
" To the Lord of the whole Lepidopterous tribe ;
" I too'll give a ball, and such folks to chastise,
" I'll not be at home to these pert butterflies.
2 Pterophorus pentadactylus. Large White Plume. By
some called Ragged Robin. The moths of this genus have
their wings divided, or formed of feathers united at the base.
The chrysalis is black.
THE EMPEROR S ROUT.
" Bid the Empress 3 come hither, and we'll talk
about
" What arrangements to make for a capital rout."
The Empress obeyed her lord's summons with speed,
And proceeded her visiting tablets to read,
That those of her subjects, whose homage was booked
In that coveted record, might not be o'erlooked.
Then the Bufftip 4 began to write each moth a
card,
Having one for herself just by way of reward.
" First ask/' says the Emperor, "the Glory of Kent y &
" On having much beauty my mind is quite bent;
1 Female of the Saturnia pavonia minor.
1 Pygxra bucephala.
5 Endromis versicolor.
8 THE EMPEROR.S ROUT.
" The Belle, too, of B-rixton, 6 the Marvel du Jour, 7
" And the Peach-blossom s moth you'll invite, I am sure ;
"The Sphinx 9 too, shall come, who makes riddles so
well,
" And the Gipsey 10 be ready our fortunes to tell ;
6 Noctua catana.
7 Noctua aprilina.
8 Noctua batis.
9 The attitude of the caterpillars, resembling that of the
Sphinx, has given this name to the tribe. The moths of the
Sphinx have the peculiar power of erecting their wings, but
oven these cannot make them meet over the back as butterflies
do. Their chief food is the potatoe plant.
10 Liparis dispar. The caterpillars of the Gipsey are
very destructive to fruit trees, over which they wander during
the day, but at night retire into a web like that of a spider.
In 1731, they attacked and destroyed most of the oaks in
France.
THE EMPEROR'S ROUT. 9
'Mother Shipton n shall chap'rone the lovely Black /, 12
< And those awkward Greek girls, Lambda, 13 Gamma, M
and Chi; 13
' Hebrew Character, 16 too, who for routs has a passion ;
' And I'll ask Mrs. Gothic, n tliough she's out of
fashion,
11 Noctua mi. Called Shipton, from the profile of an
old woman which is marked on its upper wings.
19 Noctua I niger. The Roman character, I, is marked
on the wings of this moth.
13 14 15 Xoctua lambda, Noctua gamma, Noctua chi. So
named from the spots on their wings resembling these Greek
characters. The caterpillars of the Noctua gamma, in 1735,
infected the whole of France, and devoured the productions of
the kitchen gardens. The common people supposed them to
be poisonous, and consequently the use of herbs in making
soups was forbidden.
16 Noctua gothica. 17 Noctua typica.
10 THE EMPEROR'S ROUT.
" For I love my old friends, and had rather that
they
" Should partake of our feast, than the idle and
gay,
" Who flutter about without object or reason,
" Just live for an hour, and last but a season."
How little, alas ! do great moths bear in mind,
That their tenure of life is of just the same kind.
" You're right/' said the Empress, " and truly 'twere
shabby,
" T" exclude from our party poor old Mrs. Tabby, 18
18 Pyralis genus. The Tabby is often found in the tea
chests in the East India warehouses, where it commits great
ravages. It never is met with, however, in a chest that is not
cracked, thereby proving its English origin.
THE EMPEROR'S ROUT. 11
"And the Rustics 19 I'll ask, though not one has
a gown
" In which to appear, save of black, grey, or brown ;
" And some of them go, too, so feathered and flounced,
" That the Coxcomb * called Prominent, on them pro-
nounced
" A sentence of censure, quite just, but so tart,
"That I felt, when I heard it, quite cut to the
heart.
19 Noctuanigra. Black rustic. Noctua loevis. Grey rustic.
Noctua obsoletissima. Brown rustic. Noctua phoza. Feathered
rustic. Noctua tinea. Flounced rustic.
20 Notodonta camelina. The singular name of Coxcomb
Prominent, was given to this moth from the crest on its thorax,
which resembles that of a cock. The specific name was be-
stowed in consequence of two lobes on its upper wings, which
it raises when at rest.
12 THE EMPEROR'S ROUT.
" But now to proceed, Sire, the Leopard 2l I vote,
" Be razed from our list, with that ugly old Goat, 22
" Who in youth made such terrible use of his jaws,
" That I dread, I confess, e'en the sight of his claws ;
" And as to his muscles, 'tis said that when counted,
" To four thousand and just forty-one they amounted ;
21 Zeuzera cucuhu. The caterpillar feeds on the wood of
apple trees, but the moth is often found in great abundance in
St. James's Park; sixty were gathered there in one morning,
but the greater number had been half devoured by the birds.
22 Cossus ligniperda. The caterpillar lives in the interior
of trees, and has, according to Lyonet, 4041 muscles. It is
three years before the insect attains its perfect state. The
caterpillar emits a smell much resembling that of musk, and
Ray and Linnaeus both supposed it to be the Cossus mentioned
by Pliny, as fattened with flour by the Roman epicures for
their tables. Later writers have, however, for many reasons,
ascribed this to the larva of the stag beetle.
THE EMPEROR'S ROUT. 13
" Of Musk too, I'm told, he sheds such perfume,
" That wherever he goes, he fills the whole room.
" Exclude him we will, with the old Dromedary, ' a
4< The Elephant 24 cunning, and Fox K too, so wary,
23 Notodonta dromedarius. This Notodonta is called Dro-
medary, from having two crests, similar to humps, on its
thorax.
24 Sphinx elpenor. The caterpillars of the Elephant feed
on the plant called Ladies' Bedstraw, (Galium palustre), from
which they are often shaken by the wind into the water. When
this happens, they dexterously turn themselves on their backs,
make head and tail meet, and float in this posture till they can
contrive to save themselves by clinging to some part of the
plant. They possess the power of drawing the head and three
first joints within the body at pleasure. The moth flies very
late at night, and is rarely caught.
** Lasiocampa rubi. The Fox moth is chiefly found on
heaths and commons, and lives in the caterpillar state all the
winter.
14 THE EMPEROR'S ROUT.
" That though I don't know it for certain, I'm told
" They cheat at Ecarte, like Hermes of old.
"The Ghost x and Death's head, *, and that terrible
host,
" Would but scare all the guests " Here the Emperor
lost,
26 Hepialus humuli. The male moth is of a beautiful and
brilliant white, but the female is yellow. It is fond of feeding
on the roots of grass, and from having been often found in
church-yards, the tradition has arisen that it inhabits those
spots only. The caterpillar is very destructive to hops, by
devouring the roots.
^ Sphinx atropos. This is called the Death's Head moth
from the resemblance of the spot on its thorax to a human
skull. It is the largest of the Sphinx tribe, and is vulgarly
regarded as the messenger of pestilence and death. When
touched it utters a plaintive cry, like that of a bat or mouse.
Reaumur says, that a whole convent in France was thrown
THE EMPEROR'S ROUT. 15
For a moment, his patience, and cried to his spouse,
" If thus you proceed, ma'am, my anger you'll rouse.
" Like th' Egyptians of old, I'll have at my feast
" A figure of death, or his cross-bones at least,
" To remind all our guests of the limited span
" That to moths is allotted, as well as to man,
" And how e'en in the midst of enjoyment's gay hour,
" We are still in death's stern and inflexible power.
" So let them have cards, and I'll go and prepare
" For receiving our friends, the best possible fare."
into consternation, by one of these moths flying into the dor-
mitory. It frequently robs hives, and Huber states, that its
cry renders the bees motionless. It breaks from its chrysalis
between four and seven in the afternoon, as the Hawk moth of
the Lime always appears at noon, and that of the Evening
Primrose at sunrise.
16 THE EMPEROR'S ROUT.
The Monarch then went with the Eyed Hawk, his
scout,
To search for a spot fit for giving his rout ;
A green ring he found, the work of a fairy,
And thinking it looked both commodious and airy,
He called to him Brimstone ^ to measure the ground,
For another Geometra * could not be found ;
28 Sphinxo cellala. The Eyed-hawk moth flies very swiftly
by night, and its caterpillar is very beautiful.
29 Geometra cratagaria. The Brimstone lays eggs twice
in the same year.
30 This genus is so called from the peculiar manner in
which the caterpillar moves ; it brings the feet of both extre-
mities close together, and the intermediate part of the body
rises like an arch, giving it the appearance of measuring the
distance it performs. It is said to possess great muscular
THE EMPEROR'S ROUT. 17
Of this workman lie knew the correctness full well,
What he wrought was as nice as if done by a spell.
The spot was judged proper, and erected in haste
Were some well fashioned rooms, which displayed his
good taste.
Carpet Moths 3I were appointed to stencil the floor,
The Clothes Moths 32 with gossamer covered the door;
powers, for it will attach its posterior feet to the twig of a tree,
and erect the rest of its body in a vertical position for hours
without moving.
31 Gemnetra subtristata. &C.&C.
38 Tinea genus. These are the moths which cause so
much destruction to furs, and other articles of clothing. They
lay their eggs on the substances which serve them for food.
The most effectual method of keeping them away is to pack the
materials in a well-closed tin box, and enclose with them a
tallow candle.
c
18 THE EMPEROR'S ROUT.
Mahogany M and Wainscot M were neither deficient
In offering their aid, which proved most efficient,
While Veneers both rosy and yellow, were able
T" improve, by their help, the decayed supper
table.
For the crockery, China Mark M promised to strive,
And Galleria* 1 offered to steal from a hive,
33 Noctua tetra.
34 Leucania. Genus of Stephens.
35 Crambus carnea. Rosy veneer. Crambus arborum.
Yellow satin veneer. They receive their name from the streaks
on their wings. They are chiefly found on grasses in flower,
and always settled with their heads downwards.
36 Botys genus. Called China mark, from the resemblance
of the spots on the wings to those on old China.
37 Galleria alvearia. The caterpillar lives on honey.
THE EMPEROR'S ROUT. 19
Profusion of honey ; Pinguinalis 38 brought butter,
And with wax Cereana " came all in a flutter.
These presents the Emperor gladly accepted,
Save Galleria's theft, which with scorn was rejected,
So little do moths of great minds patronise
The base who by fraud or extortion would rise.
In the mean time the Empress her Swifts * had sent out
To deliver the cards for this elegant rout.
38 Aglossa pinguinalis. The food of the caterpillar con-
sists of fat substances, such as butter or lard, in which it will
suffer itself to be completely enveloped without injury. It is
sometimes said to get into the human stomach, when it causes
very dangerous symptoms.
39 Galleria cereana. The caterpillar feeds on wax, but
for want of this food will eat paper, wafers, &c.
40 Hepialus genus. The gold Swift sometimes moves
c2
20 THE EMPEROR'S ROUT.
Puss 41 sent an excuse, with the Kitten 42 engaged,
And the Eggarf* poor lady, was highly enraged
That her numerous offspring requiring her care,
Prevented her joining a party so rare.
slowly through the air, a few feet from the ground, where it
poises itself; at others, vacillates like the pendulum of a clock,
and again altering its motion, darts about with great rapidity.
41 Cerura vinula. The caterpillar of the Puss has the
power of stretching out, or pulling back its head at will, accord-
ing to its apprehension of danger. Its hinder extremity never
touches the ground, but is furnished with two tubes, through
which the insect ejects a thin liquor at its pursuers. When
near the change into the pupa state, however, the tubes dry up,
and it loses this faculty. More male than female moths are to
be found, which is contrary to the general rule.
42 Cerurafurcula. The kitten.
43 Lasiocampa quercus. The Eggar has been known to
remain seven years in the chrysalis state.
THE EMPEROR'S ROUT. 21
The Bumets** Broivn Pinioned^ the Dingy Bro-
cades**
The Black Raven Feather* 1 and sweet Angle Shades, 48
Had promised that day with the Tussock* 9 to dine,
A lady of fashion, whose hour was nine ;
But when they received their dread sovereign's com-
mand,
They yielded to custom's imperious demand,
44 ^*/e> tf " u g enus >
45 Xoctua oblonga.
46 Noctua obscura.
47 Porrcctaria grandipennis.
48 Noctua meticulosa. The chrysalis of the Angle-shades
is of a deep red colour, with two sharp points at the tail. The
caterpillar is of a fine transparent green.
49 Laria genus. The Tussock feeds on white thorn, and
is the hop-dog of the hop-gatherers in Kent.
22 THE EMPEROR'S ROUT.
For moths with us mortals in this do agree,
That all parties must bow to a monarch's decree.
Lady Lappet * being ill, the Poplar Lutestring 51
The two Misses Nonpareil 52 promised to bring;
And the Spectacle Moth, 53 too near sighted to go,
Sent his ward the Bright Eye?* with the Flame Fur-
below, 55
50 Gastropacha quercifolia. The caterpillar of this moth
also lives through the winter, a fact recently discovered by Mr.
Samouelle, from whose obliging communications many of these
notes have been derived.
51 Noctua jlavicornis.
52 Noctua fraxini. The Nonpareils are very scarce in
England, are very large moths, and have blue under- wings.
53 Noctua triplacea. Named Spectacle moth, from an ap-
pearance like spectacles on its thorax.
54 Noctua conigera. Brown line. Bright eye.
55 Noctua f urea.
THE EMPEROR'S ROUT. 23
Whose young lover, the beautiful, brave Unicorn,**
Had been shot in a duel with the Red Striped Haw-
thorn.*
Not quite fit to appear, the gallant Swallow Tail 58
At the doctors with anger continued to rail,
56 Sphinx convolvuli, The unicorn caterpillar is difficult to
find, from its habit of hiding itself in the ground, and only
appearing on the surface in the evening to feed on the lesser
bindweed, at which time it is frequently sought by collectors
with a candle and lanthorn. The Pupa has an enormous
rostrum, longer than the insect, and very thick, probably to
contain the proboscis.
57 Tinea bistriga. These are beautiful minute insects, and
are found on the white thorn in July.
58 Geometra sambucaria. This is found in lanes, and is
remarkable for the elegance of its flight.
24 THE EMPEROR'S ROUT.
He having been lamed by the awkward Bulrush? 9
To the serious alarm of the fair Maiderfs Blush. 60
The day now arrived, and at nine of the night,
The glow-worm being hired the highways to light,
The guests 'gan to assemble, and each was announced
By the Herald, 61 who loudly their names all pronounced.
The jErmine 6 ' 2 a lady of noble degree,
Introduced a long train of her large family ;
59 Noctua typhoc. The caterpillar feeds on the pith of the
bulrush.
60 Geometra punctaria. The Maiden's Blush flies in the
shady parts of woods at sunset.
61 Noctua libatrix.
62 Erminea padi. This insect destroys the white thorn
hedges in the neighbourhood of London. About three years
back, a dress was woven by the caterpillars for the Queen of
Bavaria. A model was made of some stiff material, and the
THE EMPEROR'S ROUT. 25
Some in Muslin, 63 some Satin, 64 were chastely arrayed,
While the Emerald * the Pearl, 66 and the Mocha* dis-
played
Their jewels so costly, that poor Burnished Brass M
Unnoticed was suffered the evening to pass.
caterpillars placed on it ; they covered it with their web, and
thus produced a garment without a seam.
63 Arctia mendica.
64 Arctia salicis. The Satin moth not only itself wears
the appearance of this substance, but covers its eggs with a
web which has the same resemblance.
65 Geometra papilio naria. ^ Noctua perla. 67 Geometra
omicromaria. These moths in colour resemble the stones, &c.,
after which they are named. The Emerald becomes white with
keeping, and the others turn to a dirty yellow.
68 Noctua, chrysitis. The upper wings of the moth are of
a light brown, and streaked across with two bands resembling
polished brass.
26 THE EMPEROR'S ROUT.
From the banks of the Niger the Blackamoor 69 brought
A fat Moor 70 who presented a Tyger 71 just caught ;
An old Gentlewoman 72 had promised to bring
A musical Miss, who divinely could sing,
But whose fair head, no larger than that of a Dot? 3
Was filled with the thought of a True Lover's Knot ,- 74
89 Noctua Ethiops. So named from its dark appearance.
70 Noctua Maura. The Moor has a broad body, and is
constantly found under the arches of Westminster Bridge.
71 Arctia caja. The caterpillar mixes its own hair with
its web. It is found in gardens, feeds on every thing, and
changes its skin ten times.
72 Noctua brassica. The caterpillar is very destructive to
73 Noctua persicaria. This moth is remarkable for a white
spot on its wing, and the caterpillar feeds on the flower from -
which it is named.
74 Noctua erica. The appearance of a true lover's knot is
found on its upper wings.
THE EMPEROR'S ROUT. 27
So she hem'd and she ha'd, then unblushingly told,
How she caught as she came a most violent cold,
And felt such oppression and pain in her throat,
That she scarcely dared venture to utter a note ;
And thus with most Misses of human creation,
How often their colds are but mere affectation.
The dancing began, and soft music was heard,
Provided, 'twas said, by the sweet Humming Bird. 75
Old Colonel Gold Spangle, his dancing days past,
Volunteered with good humour the dances to cast ;
75 Macroglossum stellatarum. It makes a humming noise
with the vibration of its wings. It is found from March till
September, hovering over geraniums, and constantly appears at
two o'clock in the afternoon.
76 Noctua bractea. This is a rare insect, and receives its
20 THE EMPERORS ROUT.
To the forward Miss Portland 77 Captain Christian 78
he brought,
Who, aided hy Mars, the young lady had caught,
For moths, like their betters, as I have been told,
Are mightily taken \vith scarlet and gold.
The Foresters 79 danced, arrayed all in green,
name from the large spot in each upper wing, resembling bur-
nished gold.
77 Noctua precox. This moth was named after the Duchess
of Portland, who first found it.
78 Tortrix genus, The genus receives its name from the
faculty possessed by the caterpillar, of rolling or twisting the
leaves of the plants it inhabits, into a tubular form. The
Christian, or Christianern, is found in the chalk pits of Kent,
resting on cinque-foil. The upper wings are of a bright
yellow, streaked with scarlet.
79 Ino statices. The body and wings are of a beautiful
metallic green, and they chiefly inhabit meadows.
THE EMPEROR'S ROUT. 29
With the Clear Wings whose beauty gave life to
the scene ;
The Mouse, 81 quite enamoured, entreated in vain
The hand of the lovely Pease Blossom w to gain,
And the Satellite, 63 though he till now had sat still,
Made up to the Seraph 8 * to dance a quadrille.
80 JEgeria genus. They receive their name from the trans-
parency of their wings. They are principally found on the
wood of the currant tree.
81 Noctna tragopogcmus. Called IVJouse from its colour.
82 Noctua delphinii. The Pease blossom is a very beau-
tiful, but rare moth. It feeds on the wild larkspur, and lies
in the pupa state from August till the June following.
83 Noctua satellitia. The caterpillars of the Satellite are
great enemies to white thorn, currant, and gooseberry bushes,
and also to other caterpillars.
84 Geometra hexapterata.The Seraph, or Seraphim, has
30 THE EMPEROR'S ROUT.
The Quakers,** who ne'er had been seen at a ball,
Witk the Coronets ^ galloped around the great hall,
And the sad Mourning Widow,* 1 her weeds put away,
To waltz with the lustrous Japan now quite gay ;
While the Magpie w obtained universal applause,
By fluttering a hornpipe upon his hind claws.
two little processes like the rudiments of another pair of wings,
whence its specific name.
85 Noctua cerasi, &c. These moths are remarkably neat
in appearance.
86 Noctua ligustri. The Coronets are so called from their
crested thorax.
87 Geometra luctuaria.
88 Adela genus. The Japan moths are distinguished by
the length of their antennae, which several times exceed the
length of their bodies.
89 Abraxas grossulariata. The destructive caterpillar of
THE EMPEROR'S ROUT. 31
The Vapourer * came not, but he was no loss,
For wherever he went he was stupid and cross ;
And his wife, an old dowdy, bereft of all wings,
Was unfit to appear as th' associate of Kings ;
The Dagger 91 came armed, and looked all around,
But his charmer, Miss Snout** was no where to be
found,
this moth lives in gardens, through the winter, and feeds on
the buds as they begin to open. When about to change to
the chrysalis state, they suspend themselves by the tail.
90 Bombyx antiqua. The female moth is destitute of
wings, and the male is constantly seen, slowly fluttering
through the streets of London.
91 Noctua psi. The Dagger is produced from a light green
egg, and is named from the mark on its wings.
512 Herminia rostralis. Called Snout, from the form of the
palpi, wliich project over the head.
32 THE EMPEROR'S ROUT.
For she had not been asked, and the Figure of Eight, 93
With his cousin, ;the Sprawler, 9 * joined the party so
late,
That morn was forth peeping, and the dancing had
done,
When Spring Usher 95 announced the young beautiful
Nun. 96
93 Bombyx cceruleocephala. It owes its English name to
the figure of eight, marked in white on its brown wings.
94 Bombyx cassinea. The Sprawler is found on palings,
closely adhering to the wood, and rests with its anterior feet
widely spread out.
95 Geometra leucophearia. This is named Spring Usher
from making its appearance in February ; it is a favourite food
with insectivorous birds.
96 Noctua aprica.
THE EMPERORS ROUT. 33
The Gnomana w now indexed the hour of four,
The guests were assembled around the great door,
Which the Lacqueys 9S threw open, and each in his
rank
Found a seat for himself, and they all ate and drank
With a relish that would not disgrace the Guildhall,
(To compare for a moment such great things with small,)
Where London's Lord Mayor and his Aldermen deign
To feast upon turtle, and tipple champagne.
97 Tortrix gnomana. Dial moth. It flies from side to
side like the pendulum of a clock.
98 Lasiocampa neustria, fyc. The caterpillars live in a
common web, and are striped with white, blue, and red,
whence, by the French naturalists, they are called livrte.
They are polyphagus, i. e. they eat every thing. They lay
their eggs in close, compact rings, round the twigs of trees.
34 THE EMPEROR'S ROUT.
Old Drinker,* the butler, of wine served the best,
And a Footman 10 was placed at the chair of each
guest,
In orange, in yellow, or black coats dressed out,
For their liveries, 'twas said, were all made for the rout,
The Emperor began mirth and glee to inspire,
When a loud cry was heard, of " the chimney's on
fire;"
All started in -fear from the table to learn
If the house was in flames, or likely to burn ;
99 Odenensis potatoria. The caterpillar of this moth
(according to Godart) after drinking, lifts up its head like
. a hen, whence it receives its name.
100 Lithosia aurantia (orange) Litjiosia luterella (yellow)
Lithosia rubricollis (black) Footman.
THE EMPEROR'S ROUT. 35
Each snatched up a candle, so left the room dark,.
And the moment was seized by the Chamomile Shark W1
To plunder the table. The Yorkshire Magpie 102
Strove also with his share of booty to fly,
But was stopped by the Lacqueys, who then in a
trice
Demolished themselves every thing that was nice.
'Midst this glorious confusion a mischievous Puff 103
Contrived of the claret to empty each jug,
But not unperceived by young Miss Exclamation, 104
101 Noctua chamomilla. The moth attaches itself close to
the edges of wood, as near its own colour as possible.
102 Abraxas ulmaria. Found abundantly in Yorkshire.
103 Geometra genus.
104 Noctua exclamationis.
D 2
36 THE EMPEROR'S ROUT.
Who by her loud cries caused immense consternation.
Meanwhile came the Sweep, 105 with the Chimney Sweep's
Boy, "8
And two other Assistants, 107 who ran to employ
Every means they could think of to put out the flame,
In which they succeeded, and found that the blame
Belonged to the Houseivife, 108 who had thrown in the fire
Some grease, which occasioned the accident dire.
105 Geometra chcerophyllata. All the moths called Chimney-
sweeps are black, but the Chimney-sweep's boy is smaller than
the others, and easily distinguished by the glossiness of its
wings.
106 Fumaria plumistra.
107 Geometra euphorbiata, fyc.
108 Geometra thymiaria. All collectors will recognise this
THE EMPEROR'S ROUT. 37
The guests in a panic had now left alone
The Emperor and Empress their ills to bemoan.
Said the Empress, " My dear, let us never more try
" With the Butterflies' party so vainly to vie ;
" For what with the heat, the fatigue, and the fright,
" I never before passed so trying a night ;
" I would not again undergo the vexation
" Of such a soiree, for the wealth of a nation."
" With you I agree," the sage Emperor replied,
Who deemed it a lesson to cure them of pride ;
as a very probable accident from the quantity of grease natural
to moths, and which often destroys their finest specimens.
The localities of these and other insects, with more particulars,
may be found ably described in Mr. Samouelle's valuable
work on Entomology.
38 THE EMPEROR'S ROUT.
" And I trust that the thread of our lives will spin out,
" Ere we ever again attempt such a rout.
" Alas ! we must own we were never designed
" To flit in the sunshine, or soar on the wind ;
" Nature's changeless decree has allotted its share
" To each beast of the field, to each bird of the air,
" To each reptile that creeps, to each insect that flies;
" And who dares to rebel against nature but dies? "
THE
PEACOCK "AT HOME,"
BY A LADY. /'*
(*
TO WHICH IS ADDED THE
BUTTERFLY'S BALL;
AN
Original IJorm,
BY 'MR. ROSCOE.
LONDON:
JOHN HARRIS,
CORNER OP ST. PAUI/S CHURCH-YARD.
1824.
I
:.
The Peacock addressing his Mates. p. 2.
1 Such ruffling of feathers, such pruning of coats, &c."p.3.
THE
PEACOCK "AT HOME."
BY A LADY.
THE Butterfly's Ball and the Grasshopper's Feasts
Excited the spleen of the Birds and the Beasts :
For their mirth and good cheer of the Bee was the theme,
And the Gnat blew his horn, as he danced in the beam.
'Twas humm'd by the Beetle, 'twas buzz'd by the Fly,
And sung by the myriads that sport through the sky.
The Quadrupeds listened with sullen displeasure,
But the tenants of Air were enraged beyond measure.
THE PEACOCK " AT HOME."
The Peacock displayed his bright plumes to the Sun,
And, addressing his Mates, thus indignant begun :
" Shall we, like domestic, inelegant Fowls,
" As unpolish'd as Geese, and as stupid as Owls,
'* Sit tamely at home, hum drum with our Spouses,
" While Crickets and Butterflies open their houses?
" Shall such mean little Insects pretend to the fashion ?
*' Cousin Turkey-cock, well may you be in a passion !
" If I suffer such insolent airs to prevail,
" May Juno pluck out all the eyes in my tail !
" So a Fete I will give, and my taste I'll display,
" And send out my cards for St. Valentine's Day."
This determined, six fleet Carrier-Pigeons went out
To invite all the birds to Sir Argus's Rout.
The nest-loving Turtle-Dove sent an excuse ;
Dame Partlet lay in, as did good Mrs. Goose.
THE PEACOCK " AT HOME." 3
The Turkey, poor soul ! was confined to the rip :
For all her young Brood had just fail'd with the pip.
The Partridge was ask'd ; but a Neighbour hard by
Had engaged a snug party to meet in a Pie ;
And the Wheat-ear declined, recollecting her Cousins/
Last year, to a feast were invited by dozens,
But, alas ! they return'd not ; and she had no taste
To appear in a costume of vine-leaves or paste.
The Woodcock preferred his lone haunt on the moor ;
And the Traveller, Swallow, was still on his tour.
While the Cuckoo, who should have been one of the guests,
Was rambling on visits to other Birds' nests.
But the rest all accepted the kind invitation,
And much bustle it caused in the plumed creation.
Such ruffling of feathers, such pruning of coats;
Such chirping, such whistling, such clearing of throats ;
4 THE PEACOCK " AT HOME."
Such polishing bills, and such oiling of pinions,
Had never been known in the biped dominions !
The Tailor-Bird offer'd to make up new clothes
For all the young Birdlings who wish'd to be Beaux :
He made for the Robin a doublet of red,
And a new velvet cap for the Goldfinch's head ;
He added a plume to the Wren's golden crest,
And spangled with silver the Guinea-Fowl's breast ;
While the Halcyon bent over the streamlet to view
How pretty she look'd in her bodice of blue !
Thus adorn'd, they set off for the Peacock's abode,
With the Guide Indicator , who shew'd them the road :
From all points of the compass flock'd Birds of all feather;
And the Parrot can tell who and who were together.
There was Lord Cassowary and General Flamingo,
And Don Peroqueto, escaped from Domingo ;
THE PEACOCK " AT HOME." 5
From his high rock-built eyrie the Eagle came forth,
And the Duchess of Ptarmigan flew from the North.
The Grebe and the Eider- Duck came up by water,
With the Swan, who brought out the young Cygnet, her
daughter.
From his woodland abode came the Pheasant, to meet
Two kindred, arrived by the last India fleet :
The one, like a Nabob, in habit most splendid,
Where gold with each hue of the Rainbow was blended :
In silver and black, like a fair pensive Maid
Who mourns for her love, was the other array'd.
The Chough came from Cornwall, and brought up his Wife ;
The Grouse travelled south, from his Lairdship in Fife ;
The Bunting forsook her soft nest in the reeds ;
And the Widow-Bird came, though she still wore her weeds;
Sir John Heron, of the Lakes, strutted in a grandpas,
But no card had been sent to the pilfering Daw,
6 THE PEACOCK "AT HOME.'"
As the Peacock kept up his progenitor's quarrel,
Which jEsop relates, about cast-off apparel ;
"For Birds are like Men in their contests together,
And, in questions of right, can dispute for a feather.
The Peacock, Imperial, the pride of his race,
Received all his guests with an infinite grace,
Waved high his blue neck, and his train he displayed,
Embroidered with gold, and with emeralds inlaid,
Then with all the gay troop to the shrubbery repaired,
Where the musical Birds had a concert prepared.
A holly-bush form'd the Orchestra, and in it
Sat the Black-bird, the Thrush, the Lark, and the Linnet;
A Bullfinch, a captive almost from the nest !
Now escaped from his cage, and with liberty blest,
In a sweet mellow tone, join'd the lessons of art
With the accents of nature, which flow'd from his heart.
' From his high rock-built eyrie the Eagle came forth." p. 5
A holly-bush form'd the Orchestra, &c."- p. 6.
THE PEACOCK "AT HOME." 7
The Canary, a much-admired foreign musician,
Condescended to sing to the Fowls of condition.
While the Nightingale warbled and quaver'd so fine,
That they all clapp'd their wings and declared it divine !
The Sky-Lark, in ecstasy, sang from a cloud,
And Chanticker crow'd, and the Yaffil laugh'd loud.
The dancing began, when the singing was over :
A Dotterell first open'd the ball with the Plover ;
Baron Stork, in a waltz, was allowed to excel,
With his beautiful partner, the fair Demoiselle ;
And a newly-fledged Gosling, so fair and genteel,
A minuet swam with the spruce Mr. Teal.
A London-bred Sparrow a pert forward Cit !
Danced a reel with Miss Wagtail, and little Tom Tit.
And the Sieur Guillemot next perform'd a pas seul,
While the elderly bipeds were playing a pool.
8 THE PEACOCK "AT HOME."
The Dowager Lady Toucan first cut in,
With old Doctor Buzzard and Admiral Penguin ;
From Ivy-bush tower came Dame Owlet the Wise,
And Counsellor Cross-bill sat by to advise.
Some Birds past their prime, o'er whose heads it was fated
Should pass many St. Valentines yet be unmated,
Sat by, and remarked that the prudent and sage
Were quite overlooked in this frivolous age,
When Birds, scarce pen-feather'd, were brought to a rout,
Forward Chits ! from the egg-shell but newly come out :
In their youthful days, they ne'er witnessed such frisking,
And how wrong in the Greenfinch to flirt with the Siskin !
So thought Lady Mackaw, and her friend Cockatoo,
And the Raven foretold that no good could ensue !
They censured the Bantam for strutting and crowing
In those vile pantaloons, which he fancied look'd knowing:
And a want of decorum caused many demurs
Against the Game Chicken, for coming in spurs.
' Baron Stork, in a waltz, was allowed to excel; &c." p. 7.
" The Dowager Lady Toucan first cut in, &c." p. 8.
'Till aMagpie,at length, the banquet announcing,&c."p.9.
" So they fill'd all their crops, &c." p. 9.
THE PEACOCK " AT HOME." 1>
Old Alderman Cormorant, for supper impatient,
At the Eating-room door for an hour had been station'd,
Till a Magpie, at length, the banquet announcing,
Gave the signal, long wish\lfor,of clamouring and pouncing:
At the well-furnish'd board all were eager to perch,
But the little Miss Creepers were left in the lurch.
Description must fail ; and the pen is unable
To recount all the luxuries that cover'd the table.
Each delicate viand that taste could denote,
"Wasps a la sauce piquante, and Flies en compote ;
Worms and Frogs enfriture, for the web-footed Foul,
And -a barbecued Mouse was prepared for the Owl ;
Nuts, grains, fruit, and fish, to regale every palate,
And groundsel and chickweed served up in a salad.
The Razor-bill carved for the famishing group,
And the Spoon-bill obligingly ladled the soup ;
So they fill'd all their crops with the dainties before 'em,
A r,d the tables were cleard with the utmost decorum.
B 5
10 THE PEACOCK * c AT HOME/'
When they gaily had caroll'd till peep of the dawn,
The Lark gently hinted, 'twas time to be gone ;
And his clarion, so shrill, gave the company warning,
That Chanticleer scented the gales of the morning.
So they chirp'd, in full chorus, a friendly adieu ;
And, with hearts beating light as the plumage that grew
On their merry-thought bosoms, away they all flew.
Then long live the Peacock, in splendour unmatch'd,
Whose Ball shall be talk'd of by Birds yet unhatch'd !
His praise let the Trumpeter loudly proclaim,
And the Goose lend her quill to transmit it to Fame.
NOTES.
P. 3.1. 1. The Rip.
A machine used in poultry-yards, under which it is
usual to confine the mother-bird with the young brood, till
it has acquired strength to follow her. The word is de-
rived from the Saxon Hrip, meaning a covering, or pro-
tection, for the young.
P. 4. 1. 3. The Tailor Bird (Motacilla Sutoria).
So called from the singular manner in which it con-
structs its nest, which is composed of two leaves, sewed
together with wonderful skill by the little tailor, whose bill
serves him for a needle, and the fine fibres of leaves fur-
nish him with a substitute for thread, by which means he
attaches a dead leaf to a living one, growing at the end of
a branch. The Tailor Bird is an inhabitant of India.
12 THE PEACOCK " AT HOME."
P. 4. 1. 7. T/ie Golden-crested Wren (Motacilla Regulus)
Is the smallest of the British birds ; it takes its name
from a circle of gold-coloured feathers, bordered with
black, forming an arch above its eyes, which it has the
power of raising or depressing : it is a native of every part
of Europe, and is also to be found in Asia and America.
F. 4. 1. 9. Halcyon, or Kingfisher (Alcedo Irpedo).
Esteemed the most beautiful of our native birds ; but
its form is clumsy, and its bill very disproportionate to its
size. It inhabits the banks of rivers and streams, where
it will sit for hours on a projecting branch, watching for
its prey. The ancients relate many fabulous stories of this
bird, as that of its laying its eggs in the depth of win-
ter, and that during the time of its incubation the wea-
ther remains perfectly calm, whence the expression
Hakyon Days.
P. 4. 1. 12. Cuculus Indicator.
A bird of the Cuckoo kind, found in the interior parts
of Africa : it has a shrill note, which the natives answer
by a soft whistle ; and the Birds repeating the note, the
NOTES. 13
natives are thereby conducted to the wild Bee-hives,
which this Bird frequents.
P. 4. 1. 15. Cassowary.
A large singular bird found in the Island of Java, in
Africa, and the southern parts of India. The head of
this bird is armed with a kind of natural helmet, extending
from the base of the bill to near half way over the head.
P. 4. 1. 15. Flamingo Ph&nicopterus.
A bird of the crane kind, but web-footed, whose plu-
mage is of a bright scarlet ; when standing erect, it mea-
sures above six feet, though its body is not larger than
that of a Goose ; and is a native of Africa, Persia, and
South America.
P. 5. 1. 2. Ptarmigan (Tetrao).
The white grouse, or white game, inhabits the High-
lands of Scotland and the Western Islands ; it prefers the
coldest situations on the highest mountains, where it
burrows under the snow. It changes 'its feathers twice
in the year, and about the end of February puts on its
14 THE PEACOCK " AT HOME."
summer dress of dusky brown, ash, and orange-coloured
feathers ; which it loses in winter for a plumage perfectly
white, except a black line between the bill and the eye.
The legs and toes are warmly clothed with a thick long
coat of soft white feathers.
P. 5. 1. 11. The Chough (Corvus Graculus).
This bird, which is about the size of the Daw, has a
long curved bill, sharp at the point, which, as well as the
legs and feet, is of a bright scarlet, contrasting beauti-
fully with its black plumage, which varies, as the light
falls on it, to a deep purple violet. Its general haunts are
the crevices of high cliffs in Devonshire and Cornwall.
P. 5. 1. 14. The Widow, or Widah Bird,
Is a species of Bunting, a native of Angola and othei
parts of Africa; and is remarkable for the feathers of its-
tail. The two middle ones are about four inches long
and ending in a long thread ; the two next are thirteei
inches in length, broad and narrowing towards the points
from these proceed another long thread.
NOTES. 15
P. 7. 1. 6. Yaffil, the Woodpecker (Picus Piridis).
The name Yaffil is provincial, but is so very expressive of
the noise it continually makes, that I have preferred it on
that account. It is a beautiful bird, and is sometimes called
the English Parrot ; the colour of its plumage, green, yel-
low, and scarlet, giving it some resemblance to that bird.
P. 7. 1. 10. The Numidian Crane, or Demoiselle,
From the elegance of its appearance, and its singular
carriage, is called the Demoiselle, which means the Young
Lady; for this bird walks very gracefully, and sometimes
skips and leaps, as though it were trying to dance.
P. 7.1. 15. Guillemot (Colymbus).
A sea-bird, of which there are several species nume-
rously spread over the northern world ; from whence they
come towards winter to the British shores, and remain till
they have reared their young : it is sometimes called the
foolish Guillemot, from its stupidity; for when their com-
panions are shot one after another, they have so little sense
of danger, that they make a small circuit, and then return
and settle in the same place, to share the same fate.
1C THE PEACOCK "AT HOME."
P. 8. 1. 1. Toucan (Ramphastos).
A native of America, where it builds in the hollows of
trees, and sits at the entrance, ready to peck at the mon-
keys, who often endeavour to destroy and eat the young.
It is about the size of a Magpie, but the head large in
proportion, to enable it to support its immense bill, which
is six inches and one half in length, but extremely thin.
It is a mild inoffensive bird, and easily tamed, but cannot
endure the cold of our climate; the feathers of the breast
are highly esteemed by the natives.
P. 8. 1. 4. Cross-bill (Loxia).
So called because the two mandibles cross each other
in different directions : they feed chiefly on the seeds of
fir-trees ; the singular construction of their bills bein^ 1
admirably adapted to separate the seeds of the cones.
The pips of apples are also a favourite food, and to ob-
tain them, they split the apple with one stroke of their
bill ; they are consequently found to be very injurious to
orchards. It has been observed that they have been
more frequently seen in England since the fir-tree has
been generally more planted than formerly.
NOTES. ] 7
P. 8. 1. 12. Siskin (Fringilla Spinus).
A migratory bird, which is seen in the southern parts
of England at the time of the barley-harvest, and is some-
times called the Barley-bird. It has a pleasing note, and
is sold as a singing-bird in the London bird-shops by the
name of the Aberdevine. The accusation of its flirtation
with the Greenfinch is to be understood as pure scandal,
the most prying naturalist never having discovered any
particular attachment between them.
P. 9. 1. 15. Razor-bill (Aled).
A migratory sea-bird which visits the northern shores
in spring, and leaves them in winter : they lay a single
egg on the ledges of the rocks without any nest, and on
which it is said to be fixed with a cement.
P. 9. 1. 16. Spoon-bill (Platea).
So called from the construction of the bill, which is flat
the whole length, but widens towards the end in the
form of a spoon or spatula : and it is equally remarkable
in its substance, not being hard like bone, but flexible
like whalebone ; they feed on snakes, worms, frogs, and
18 THE PEACOCK "AT HOME."
fish, even on shell-fish, which they first break with their
bills.
P. 10. 1. 10. The Agami, or Trumpeter.
A native of America, remarkable for a singular noise,
resembling the instrument from which it takes its name.
THE
BUTTERFLY'S BALL,
AND THE
GRASSHOPPER'S FEAST.
BY
MR. ROSCOE
THE
BUTTERFLY'S BALL,
AND THE
GRASSHOPPER'S FEAST.
BY MR. ROSCOE.
COME take up your hats, and away let us haste
To the Butterfly^ Ball and the Grasshopper's Feast.
The Trumpeter, Gadfly, has summoned the Crew,
And the Revels are now only waiting for you.
So said little Robert, and pacing along,
His merry Companions came forth in a throng.
And on the smooth Grass, by the side of a Wood,
Beneath a broad Oak that for ages had stood,
22 THE BUTTERFLY'S BALL.
Saw the Children of Earth, and the Tenants of Air,
For an Evening's Amusement together repair.
And there came the Beetle, so blind and so black,
Who carried the Emmet, his Friend, on his back.
And there was the Gnat and the Dragon-fly too,
With all their Relations, Green, Orange, and Blue.
And there came the Moth, with his plumage of down,
And the Hornet in Jacket of Yellow and Brown ;
Who with him the Wasp, his Companion, did bring,
But they promised that Evening to lay by their Sting.
And the sly little Dormouse crept out of his hole,
And brought to the Feast his blind Brother, the Mole.
And the Snail, with his Horns peeping out of his Shell,
Came from a great distance, the Length of an Ell.
A Mushroom their Table, and on it was laid
A Water-dock Leaf, which a Table-cloth made.
The Viands were various, to each of their taste,
And the Bee brought her Honey to crown the Repast.
THE BUTTERFLY'S BALL. 23
Then close on his haunches, so solemn and wise,
The Frog from a corner look'd up to the Skies.
And the Squirrel, well pleased such diversions to see,
Mounted high over head, and look'd down from a Tree.
Then out came the Spider, with finger so fine,
To shew his dexterity on the tight line.
From one branch to another, his Cobwebs he slung,
Then quick as an arrow he darted along.
But just in the middle, Oh ! shocking to tell,
From his Rope, in an instant, poor Harlequin fell .
Yet he touch'd not the ground, but with talons outspread,
Hung suspended in air, at the end of a thread.
Then the Grasshopper came with a jerk and a spring,
Very long was his Leg, though but short was his Wing ;
He took but three Leaps, and was soon out of sight,
Then chirp'd his own praises the rest of the night
With step so majestic the Snail did advance,
And promised the Gazers a Minuet to dance.
24 THE BUTTERFLY'S BALL.
But they all laugh'd so loud that he pull'd in his head
And went in his own little chamber to bed.
Then, as Evening gave way to the Shadows of Night,
Their Watchman, the Glozv-worm, came out with a light.
Then Home let us hasten, while yet we can see,
For no Watchman is waiting for you and for me.
So said little Robert, and pacing along,
His merry Companions returned in a throng.
Printed by S. & R. Bentley,
Dorset Street, Fleet Street, London.
OiadONIW S3-IHYHO XNVUJ
