STUDIOUS HERBERT.Herbert is a studious boy, fond of books, and is very careful to learn his lessons well. These long winter evenings are very nice for learning, and just now Herbert is making great progress. It is late this evening, but he is not willing to go up to bed till he has learned all his lessons for to-morrow. He would have learned them earlier but he has been to tea with his cousins, and so when he came home just now he lit the lamp, and sat down to his work. When Herbert leaves school I dare say he will get a good situation, as any one will be glad to employ him.
Herbert is a studious boy, fond of books, and is very careful to learn his lessons well. These long winter evenings are very nice for learning, and just now Herbert is making great progress. It is late this evening, but he is not willing to go up to bed till he has learned all his lessons for to-morrow. He would have learned them earlier but he has been to tea with his cousins, and so when he came home just now he lit the lamp, and sat down to his work. When Herbert leaves school I dare say he will get a good situation, as any one will be glad to employ him.
WAITING.Maria is waiting for her little cousin to come and play with her in papa’s bed-room. She is standing on the top of the stairs listening, and is wondering why she does not come. She will come up presently, I suppose, and then they will have a nice game all to themselves, without disturbing any one in the house.
Maria is waiting for her little cousin to come and play with her in papa’s bed-room. She is standing on the top of the stairs listening, and is wondering why she does not come. She will come up presently, I suppose, and then they will have a nice game all to themselves, without disturbing any one in the house.
“YOU SHAN’T COME IN.”The boys are at home just now for their holidays, and mama is half distracted with their noise. When it is fine they prefer to be in the fields, but when it is wet they are chasing one another about all the day long. One of them has just run up into this room, and is telling his brothers outside they shall not come in.
The boys are at home just now for their holidays, and mama is half distracted with their noise. When it is fine they prefer to be in the fields, but when it is wet they are chasing one another about all the day long. One of them has just run up into this room, and is telling his brothers outside they shall not come in.
CAUGHT.Master Andrew has just been caught by the old gentleman, who is giving him a few smart strokes with his cane. I am glad of it, for he is a mischievous lad. He was sent to school just now, but instead of hastening there he thought he would stroll through the plantation and see if he could find any birds’ nests. Now the old gentleman is very fond of his birds, and will not have them molested. Hearing the crashing of the boughs, he soon discovered the offender, and after a short chase caught him. This beating serves Andrew right, and I hope he will in future leave the poor birds alone.
Master Andrew has just been caught by the old gentleman, who is giving him a few smart strokes with his cane. I am glad of it, for he is a mischievous lad. He was sent to school just now, but instead of hastening there he thought he would stroll through the plantation and see if he could find any birds’ nests. Now the old gentleman is very fond of his birds, and will not have them molested. Hearing the crashing of the boughs, he soon discovered the offender, and after a short chase caught him. This beating serves Andrew right, and I hope he will in future leave the poor birds alone.
“BE A GOOD DOLLY.”Louisa is so fond of her dolls. She has two of them, and places a pillow in her little basket chaise, and draws them about the garden. She is as attentive to them as if they were two little babies, and takes more care of them than some thoughtless mothers do of their children. She is going to take them out for a ride this morning, and is kissing them. I hope she will make them a comfortable seat on the pillows, or else they will not have a very nice ride.
Louisa is so fond of her dolls. She has two of them, and places a pillow in her little basket chaise, and draws them about the garden. She is as attentive to them as if they were two little babies, and takes more care of them than some thoughtless mothers do of their children. She is going to take them out for a ride this morning, and is kissing them. I hope she will make them a comfortable seat on the pillows, or else they will not have a very nice ride.
THE LITTLE SQUIRREL.The children are offering some bread to a pretty squirrel their father found in the wood.
The children are offering some bread to a pretty squirrel their father found in the wood.
NEARLY DRESSED.Matilda is nearly dressed. She will be ready for her breakfast now in a few minutes, and then must make haste to school.
Matilda is nearly dressed. She will be ready for her breakfast now in a few minutes, and then must make haste to school.
THE KITES.There is a nice breeze this afternoon, and this hill-side is just the place for flying a kite. Two kites are already flying merrily up in the sky, and our two young friends will fly theirs when they get a little higher up, near the windmill.
There is a nice breeze this afternoon, and this hill-side is just the place for flying a kite. Two kites are already flying merrily up in the sky, and our two young friends will fly theirs when they get a little higher up, near the windmill.
the petsthe pets.
the petsthe pets.
THE BOOKSELLER.The boys like to call on Mr. Leaf, because he has such nice books. But sometimes they merely sit down and read them.
The boys like to call on Mr. Leaf, because he has such nice books. But sometimes they merely sit down and read them.
TAKING A PHOTOGRAPH.The squire has called at the studio to-day to have his carte taken, and the photographer is placing him in the best position.
The squire has called at the studio to-day to have his carte taken, and the photographer is placing him in the best position.
RATHER TIGHT.Richard has come for a pair of boots, and is trying a pair on, but he thinks they are rather too small for him.
Richard has come for a pair of boots, and is trying a pair on, but he thinks they are rather too small for him.
“A LETTER, SIR.”A messenger has just brought the student a letter. The dog is looking at the man rather suspiciously.
A messenger has just brought the student a letter. The dog is looking at the man rather suspiciously.
MUSING.Little Hester is leaning on the palings this afternoon, with her head on her hand, as if in a deep study. I wonder what she is musing about. I dare say if the little bird above her could speak he would ask her the subject of her thoughts. I hope they are good, hopeful, cheerful thoughts, and I think they are, judging from her serene and happy countenance.
Little Hester is leaning on the palings this afternoon, with her head on her hand, as if in a deep study. I wonder what she is musing about. I dare say if the little bird above her could speak he would ask her the subject of her thoughts. I hope they are good, hopeful, cheerful thoughts, and I think they are, judging from her serene and happy countenance.
THE WINGED LETTER-CARRIER.The pigeon is a pretty creature, and is sometimes useful in carrying letters very long distances. Little Susan is quite overjoyed this morning to find one of papa’s pigeons dropping at her feet a letter which it must have carried very many weary miles.
The pigeon is a pretty creature, and is sometimes useful in carrying letters very long distances. Little Susan is quite overjoyed this morning to find one of papa’s pigeons dropping at her feet a letter which it must have carried very many weary miles.
WATCHING PUSSY.Pussy is very sly in her movements, and little John is watching from the window, to see whether she is up to any mischief. The dog seems, from his look, as if he half suspected her also. The little birds on the bough just above her had better take care of themselves, for Pussy would soon be after them if she once saw them. But she is not likely to catch them, for Pussy has no wings to follow them when they fly away.
Pussy is very sly in her movements, and little John is watching from the window, to see whether she is up to any mischief. The dog seems, from his look, as if he half suspected her also. The little birds on the bough just above her had better take care of themselves, for Pussy would soon be after them if she once saw them. But she is not likely to catch them, for Pussy has no wings to follow them when they fly away.
THE SLEDGE.It is a cold winter morning, and the children are amusing themselves by riding in a sledge over the frozen snow. The birds are huddling together on the bare branches, as if they felt the cold very keenly. It is pleasant, no doubt, for the riders, but whether it is for our little friend who is drawing the sledge, I am not sure. At all events, it will warm him this cold morning, and that will no doubt do him good.
It is a cold winter morning, and the children are amusing themselves by riding in a sledge over the frozen snow. The birds are huddling together on the bare branches, as if they felt the cold very keenly. It is pleasant, no doubt, for the riders, but whether it is for our little friend who is drawing the sledge, I am not sure. At all events, it will warm him this cold morning, and that will no doubt do him good.
A, B, C.A, B, C, are, as you know, the first three letters of the alphabet, and the children in the picture are just beginning to learn them. It seems hard to them at first, but it will be easy presently. They will soon learn the name and shape of all the letters, and then will go on to learn what letters make a word, and then what meaning the word has. Thus they will soon be able to read and spell every word, and sit down and read the nice books in papa’s library.
A, B, C, are, as you know, the first three letters of the alphabet, and the children in the picture are just beginning to learn them. It seems hard to them at first, but it will be easy presently. They will soon learn the name and shape of all the letters, and then will go on to learn what letters make a word, and then what meaning the word has. Thus they will soon be able to read and spell every word, and sit down and read the nice books in papa’s library.
LITTLE ALFRED’S PRAYER.My heavenly Father, I thank Thee for all Thy care and kindness, for all Thy mercy and love. I thank Thee for my home and friends, for my comforts and blessings. I commit myself to Thy continued care and kind keeping. I pray that Thou wilt keep all evil from me. And bless my dear friends, and all who are about me. Help me to be sorry for my sins, to please Thee in all things, and to grow in all virtue and godliness. Hear me, my Father, for my dear Saviour’s sake. Amen.
My heavenly Father, I thank Thee for all Thy care and kindness, for all Thy mercy and love. I thank Thee for my home and friends, for my comforts and blessings. I commit myself to Thy continued care and kind keeping. I pray that Thou wilt keep all evil from me. And bless my dear friends, and all who are about me. Help me to be sorry for my sins, to please Thee in all things, and to grow in all virtue and godliness. Hear me, my Father, for my dear Saviour’s sake. Amen.
“WHICH IS THE WAY, PLEASE?”Edwin has had a long walk in the country, but in returning home has wandered out of the way, and lost himself. He is just now standing on an eminence in the road, and, seeing some travellers, is shouting to them, and asking them to direct him.
Edwin has had a long walk in the country, but in returning home has wandered out of the way, and lost himself. He is just now standing on an eminence in the road, and, seeing some travellers, is shouting to them, and asking them to direct him.
“CAN’T GO OUT YET.”It is pouring heavily, though the boy with the basket does not seem to mind it. Annie is impatient, but she must wait till the rain is over.
It is pouring heavily, though the boy with the basket does not seem to mind it. Annie is impatient, but she must wait till the rain is over.
THE SCHOOLMASTER.The old schoolmaster is busy with his pupils this afternoon, and is reading something which they are writing out. Some of the words puzzle little Joseph, and he does not know how to spell them. His tiny brother, who sits at his side, is making straight strokes.
The old schoolmaster is busy with his pupils this afternoon, and is reading something which they are writing out. Some of the words puzzle little Joseph, and he does not know how to spell them. His tiny brother, who sits at his side, is making straight strokes.
THE SAW-PIT.It is dinner-time, and the children have just brought their father’s dinner to the saw-pit, and are spreading a clean cloth for him on a large log of wood.
It is dinner-time, and the children have just brought their father’s dinner to the saw-pit, and are spreading a clean cloth for him on a large log of wood.
THE SLEDGE-CHAIR.Harriet is giving her little sister a ride in a sledge-chair, and she has got her mama’s muff to put her hands in. The rude schoolboys are stopping to quiz the funny chair, but Harriet does not mind their laugh, for she knows her little sister will like the ride.
Harriet is giving her little sister a ride in a sledge-chair, and she has got her mama’s muff to put her hands in. The rude schoolboys are stopping to quiz the funny chair, but Harriet does not mind their laugh, for she knows her little sister will like the ride.
OFF TO SEA.Sidney has just bidden his friends good-bye, and is off for his first voyage. He is so fond of the sea that nothing else would please him. His ship is lying out there in the distance, and he is just going on board, as the vessel sails to-morrow for China.
Sidney has just bidden his friends good-bye, and is off for his first voyage. He is so fond of the sea that nothing else would please him. His ship is lying out there in the distance, and he is just going on board, as the vessel sails to-morrow for China.
“WANT ANYTHING TO-DAY?”The poor old man is hobbling along from door to door, to see if he can sell anything.
The poor old man is hobbling along from door to door, to see if he can sell anything.
DON’T BE AFRAID.Amy has got a penny for the lad who has swept the path, but she is quite afraid of him.
Amy has got a penny for the lad who has swept the path, but she is quite afraid of him.
SHOWING BABY THE PICTURES.Mama is always ready to please her little baby girl in any way she can. She has just got a nice picture-book, and is going to show baby the pictures. Baby is so eager to see them that she has thrown aside her little mug, and trumpet, and woolly lamb, in order to look at them. How pleased she will be for mama to take her on her knee, and explain them to her!
Mama is always ready to please her little baby girl in any way she can. She has just got a nice picture-book, and is going to show baby the pictures. Baby is so eager to see them that she has thrown aside her little mug, and trumpet, and woolly lamb, in order to look at them. How pleased she will be for mama to take her on her knee, and explain them to her!
“RATHER FEVERISH.”Master Edmund is lying on the sofa this morning unwell. They have sent for the doctor, who is feeling his pulse, and looking at his tongue. The doctor will send him some medicine presently, but he does not know that it is all through eating too much of that currant tart yesterday.
Master Edmund is lying on the sofa this morning unwell. They have sent for the doctor, who is feeling his pulse, and looking at his tongue. The doctor will send him some medicine presently, but he does not know that it is all through eating too much of that currant tart yesterday.
RINGING THE BELL.Little May is but a dot of a child to walk down the street all by herself, and ring the school bell. But she can do this quite safely, and does it nearly every day. The bell is rather high up for her to reach it, but she can just stretch her little fat fingers up to it, and pull it, and then some one opens the door for her. She is very fond of going to school, and always contrives to be there early.
Little May is but a dot of a child to walk down the street all by herself, and ring the school bell. But she can do this quite safely, and does it nearly every day. The bell is rather high up for her to reach it, but she can just stretch her little fat fingers up to it, and pull it, and then some one opens the door for her. She is very fond of going to school, and always contrives to be there early.
SCHOOL OVER.The clock has just struck, and the children are coming down-stairs to go home. They are glad to go, the more so as it is half-holiday to-day, and as it is fine weather they want to be at their games in the fields. The little girl coming down the stone stairs is leaning over the rails looking for her brother, who is just below and does not see her. He will wait for her, I am sure, for he would not be so unkind as to go home without her, for he is very fond of his little sister.
The clock has just struck, and the children are coming down-stairs to go home. They are glad to go, the more so as it is half-holiday to-day, and as it is fine weather they want to be at their games in the fields. The little girl coming down the stone stairs is leaning over the rails looking for her brother, who is just below and does not see her. He will wait for her, I am sure, for he would not be so unkind as to go home without her, for he is very fond of his little sister.
THE BOOT CUPBOARD.This is our boot cupboard, where we keep the blacking and brushes, and papa’s boot-jack. I will tell you whom they belong to, all these five pairs. The tall big ones belong to dear papa, as you may suppose, and are strong ones, as he has to walk very much. Mama’s boots are not kept here, but in her own bed-room. Then the next tall pair belong to brother Richard, and are almost as large as papa’s. The pair between Richard’s boots belong to sister Mary; and the pair nearer the door, to little Susan. The tiny pair next the door, are dear little baby’s, but they are not of much use to him, for his fat little feet need a larger pair.
This is our boot cupboard, where we keep the blacking and brushes, and papa’s boot-jack. I will tell you whom they belong to, all these five pairs. The tall big ones belong to dear papa, as you may suppose, and are strong ones, as he has to walk very much. Mama’s boots are not kept here, but in her own bed-room. Then the next tall pair belong to brother Richard, and are almost as large as papa’s. The pair between Richard’s boots belong to sister Mary; and the pair nearer the door, to little Susan. The tiny pair next the door, are dear little baby’s, but they are not of much use to him, for his fat little feet need a larger pair.
Printed byWatson & Hazell, London and Aylesbury.