0034m
This is a falcon, and he seems to be a very tame one. That is the falconer's little daughter, and she is talking to the great bird. He appears to be listening very attentively to what she is saying. What can she be saying? Perhaps she is asking him not to touch any of her pet birds; because she has ever so many robins and wrens and finches she likes to feed every morning; and she is asking the falcon not to do them any harm. I don't think she has much to fear; he seems to be such a good-natured bird. I only hope the boys in the village will be half as kind.
0035m
Oh, fie, fie for shame, Miss Meddlesome Matty! We all knowyouthe moment we see you; and we know about how you "lift the tea-pot lid, to peep at what is in it," the moment your grandmother turns her back. Ah! you often get into disgrace with your naughty tricks.
0036m
Are you fond of gardening? If so, you will like to see this picture in my Scrap-Book. See how very industrious the little girl and boy are; and how attentive they are to the wants of the flowers, watering them after the sun is down.
0037m
Oh dear! what is this? A poor man has been bathing, and here is a great shark trying to swallow him. Oh, what a good thing his companions were close at hand, and that they are so brave! See! one of them is striking his long spear right into the shark's back; while another has got hold of their poor ship-mate, and is dragging him out of the shark's very mouth! The man must be very much hurt. If he has any children, how sorry they will be to hear of it.
0038m
Ah! I thought you would all like to see this. Here is a whole doll-village, church and all. Perhaps the boys don't care about seeing it; but then we must always be polite, and put in pictures to suit the girls. Well, I am sure the dolls who own all these fine houses must be very happy dolls indeed; and the little girl who owns the dolls, and, of course, the houses and the trees and the church into the bargain, must be the very happiest little girl in the world. She surely never cries, and is always good, and is a pattern to all her friends. Shouldn't you like to know her, and be invited, along with your own dolls, to pay her a visit?
0039m
Isuppose the boys will like this one better. Here is the king once more, so glad to find himself on a chair instead of on horseback. He is telling the master of the doll-house all about it, and of how nobly he rode the animal, though it tried its best to throw him off. Oh, what a sly fellow! when we know what a coward he really is. The doll, who is the master of the doll-house, seems to be listening most attentively, and is glad to hear that the king has made such a lucky escape.
0040m
Here is the picture of a Highland soldier. He is bidding farewell to his wife and little baby, because he is going away to the wars. No wonder his wife is sorry, for she may never see him again.
0041m
Here is a picture of a little girl whose mother is a widow. She is looking round at the other children, and longing to be allowed to join them in their sports; but her mother is so sad that she can think of nothing else but her sorrow. Poor little orphan girl.
0042m
Here are a pair of parrots. They are out in the woods in their native state, and how they do screech and chatter. One has a green breast, with a mottled green and black back, with lovely blue feathers in its wings, and two long red ones in its tail; the other has a red breast and a red head, and, though very different, is quite as pretty. Of course, when they are at home in the woods, they cannot say, "Pretty Polly," or speak at all; it is only when they are caught and tamed that they become so clever. Only, I think they like being wild best. They can search for the food they like, and are free as the air.
0043m
Here is a picture of mamma and baby. Mamma is sitting in the arbour. Baby is sound asleep; which is a good thing, for mamma can now rest and sit quietly thinking about what she should do for her little darling.
0044m
Here is a picture of two pearl-fishers. They are offering some pearls for sale to an officer; but perhaps he is too poor to buy them, or he does not require such fine things; because he seems to be refusing to have them.
0045m
This is Mrs. Taffy, and it is plain she has just heard that her son has stolen the leg of beef. Oh, how stern she does look, to be sure! Taffy will surely never be so foolish and naughty again, and will turn his eyes away the moment he sees a leg of beef or a marrow bone. I know, if my mother looked like that at me, I should be ready to sink down with terror and dismay.
0046m
Oh, what a lovely Christmas tree! Do not you wish you were of the company? or that Christmas would bring you just such another? How it must sparkle and shine with so many candles and coloured balls! This tree is in Germany; and do you notice all the toys and pretty presents?
0047m
Here is a little boat, or a canoe rather, shooting the rapids. The people don't seem to be the least afraid; for, see! there is a man in the front waving his handkerchief to some of their friends on the shore. The men behind are looking a little anxious, I think,—and well they may.
0048m
This place is called Funchal, in the island of Madeira. When you are older you will read all about it. Those high peaks you see are the tops of very high hills. They sometimes open and throw up fire and smoke and rocks and ashes. The people are not afraid to live here for all that, and have some of their houses built on the very rocks which have been thrown up! The people make wine here, and the ships take it away.
0049m
Here is a terrible sight! A gentleman has been walking among some steep mountains, and has fallen over the rocks, and lies quite insensible.
0050m
Ithink this is a very pretty picture. Here is little Mary in her garden, taking a walk among her flowers. The gay painted butterflies like to go there, because Mary has so many sweet flowers. They like to flutter from one to another; indeed, they need not go to any other, for here they are sure to find all they could wish. But then a butterfly is so idle and likes to roam, and flits away from Mary's garden out into the common and the fields, and here, there, and everywhere. The busy bees are more sensible: they keep to the roses and the honeysuckle; and as for the sweet-peas, there never were such sweet-peas as little Mary's.
0051m
Oh, do look at this picture in my Scrap-Book—such fun! It is market-day, and all the showmen have arrived. All sorts of wonderful sights are to be seen inside if you will but walk in. "A fat woman!" "a learned pig!" and "a giant with a tail!" And if you could only hear the music, it would nearly make you deaf. Bang, bang, bang, goes the drum at both ends. He must be a great musician, for he is playing on another instrument at the same time.
0052m
Such a gathering of canoes! It must be a great battle that is going to take place! All the fight-ing-men are ready with their bows and spears; while their chiefs are standing up in each canoe, telling them how they are to fight. No doubt the enemy is making ready too; and they will indeed require to be careful, for here is the king himself, in the largest canoe, sitting on a chair of state. He is a very big man, and has his club ready.
0053m
An accident has happened to this poor woman's husband. He must have fallen from the rocks, like the traveller we saw. See! that is his poor mother looking out of the window.
0054m
Oh! here is a loving little pair! We like to see this, don't we? Little Kate and Maggie love each other dearly. They know that the "birds in their little nests agree," and of course that it would be quite shameful if they were not even more loving than the birds. Maggie must be saying,—"Oh! I do love you, my dear, good Kate;" and Kate is saying,—"And I love you, Maggie, you kind little dear." How they would look if we were to tell them that ever so many little boys and girls we know quarrel and fight; and instead of kissing each other, scratch and push each other down! They would scarcely believe us. They would think we were joking, and wanted to make fun of them.
0055m
Of course you know the rhyme about the cat and the fiddle; and how the cow took such a wonderful jump, and went clean over the moon; and how the dog was so amused to see the fine sport; and the dish it ran after the spoon. But look here! The little dog was quicker than the dish; for he has got the spoon himself, and seems as if he meant to keep it. He is telling Miss Pussy that of course such a fine gentleman cannot be expected to do without a spoon when he has his fine coat on.
0056m
Oh! now isn't this too bad? Miss Puss is such a cunning creature! She had a fancy for the spoon herself; and when the little dog was busy telling her how cleverly he had stolen the spoon from the dish, what did she do but give the little dog a great push, when down he fell off his stool, and away she scampered with the spoon herself! Oh! what a cunning, naughty cat! She had better run fast; for the dog has caught sight of his mistress' stick, and will be after her directly.
0057m
What is the matter?" Ah! here comes Miss Mabel's papa to inquire the cause of the angry words. Nurse has been nearly driven stupid, and does not know what to do; for her young mistress has pulled the clothes they were packing out of the box, and will not allow her to touch them.
0058m
This is a very different picture indeed. This must be a very gentle girl; for see how all the pigeons and poultry of all kinds are flocking around her to get their breakfast.
0059m
You would laugh if you knew why these black savages are looking so surprised. It is at sight of the white men! They never had seen such people before. Some of their friends had, and had got pieces of cloth from them, which they are wearing now; but this company had never seen a white man. They are holding out their hands to them, and showing by signs that they are glad to see them. The white men are missionaries, sent from this country to tell them about God sending his Son into the world to die for sinners.
0060m
IREALLY think this is a very unsafe place to be in; but Dick Hardy is a very daring boy indeed, and he is trying to get at the sea-birds' nests, and quite forgets that he may fall.
0061m
Oh dear, what a sad sight! Though I can't say I like rats, I do hope this one will escape, it seems so brave. I rather fear it will never be able to get away, for if it escape from the strong bill of the bird, puss is ready with her paw to pounce upon it.
0062m
Here is a group of Chinese; and don't they look funny? Did you ever see a more comical-looking figure than that little Chinese boy? It is a pity he can't turn his head round to let us see if he has a long queue, or pig-tail, as the long plaited hair behind is called. And isn't it strange to see the woman carrying her baby in a sack on her back, and smoking a pipe like a man—with a staff in her hand, too? That must be the father sitting beside the little boy; and a very fine pig-tail he has of his own. The lady is feeling rather hungry, and so she has brought out her dish of rice. She has no spoon, but uses a little stick instead.
0063m
This must be Dame Hubbard; and though she has got her cloak and hat off, and is in her own room, she does not look particularly at rest or happy. What can the naughty dog be doing now? Really it is too bad of him to give his kind mistress no peace. See how she seems to be straining her ears to listen if he is quiet and asleep in his cozy basket.
0064m
Ah! no wonder Dame Hubbard got a start. Here is her naughty dog turning round her spinning-wheel. He seems delighted to see it turn round, and to hear its pleasant whirr; but I am afraid he will be causing some sad mischief to the fine flax his mistress is spinning. He ought to be punished, for the good dame takes such care of him. Just look at the splendid coat she made him, and the fine shoes she bought at the market.
0065m
How should you like to live up here? If you like snow you would have it in plenty. This is a portion of the Alps. On their heights snow is always to be found.
But where they approach the open, level country, which is much warmer, they are often crowned with large forests. Vast masses of ice and snow often separate from the mountains, and rolling down, overturn everything in their course, and sometimes cause great loss of life.
0066m
Here is a very sad picture. A poor man has been sent to carry home a large hamper; but he has lost his way, and, having fallen down with fatigue, he has dropped asleep. His faithful dog is watching him; but the snow will soon cover him. Oh, here comes a man on horseback to his rescue.
0067m
Ah! here is little baby in her cradle. She has just awaked out of her forenoon sleep, and she thought at first she was all alone, and began to be afraid; but sister Mary was not far off, and hearing the gentle rustle and the half sob, hastened forward just in time to stop the tears from coming. "And was baby frightened?" That is what she would be sure to say. And baby would laugh, and because she can't say a single word yet, not even ma nor pa, of course she would reply by a goo-oo-oo; at any rate, she looks as if she would like to pull her kind sister's face down to kiss it, if she only knew how.
0068m
Here is another kind of baby—a little lamb. I can't help thinking this lamb has been a little bit naughty, and has been straying away from its mother, dancing and frisking about with ever so many other lambkins at the other side of the meadow. "How do you know that?" somebody may ask me. Well, I can see that Mrs. Mother Sheep looks a little stern, and cross, and anxious; but now that her lamb has come back to gladden her old nose—for I suppose you know Mother Sheep knows her lamb by smelling it, not by seeing it—she doesn't intend to say very much about it, after having given a very loud baa-a-aa.
0069m
|"I'll tell you a secret." That is what this little girl's mamma is whispering to her. The secret is, that if she will try to be a very good girl, she shall be taken out with her in the afternoon.
0070m
Here is a poor blind man, and his dog Toby. He has to stand here all day, asking alms of the passers-by, because he cannot work. He does not like to be shut up in a work-house, because he was once a sailor, and served his country faithfully; so spare him a copper, please.
0071m
Here are some very jolly-looking sailors. They are on their homeward voyage, and are bringing a gay bird of paradise. They seem to be very fond of it, and pleased that it has become so tame.
0072m
Oh! isn't this comical? Here is a long, thin fellow, who is so annoyed because he is so much taller than his friends, that he goes to Dr. Black to see if he can give him anything to fill up his very long legs, and make him grow shorter. "Oh yes," says Dr. Black, putting his hands behind his back; and he calls in his assistant to ask what he thinks upon the subject His opinion is, that the fellow is ridiculously too long; and he at once pulls out a pair of scissors, and begins to snip off a piece of his legs! Just look at the tall fellow's face; see how he is going to roar out!
0073m
Here is a picture of a fine ship on its way home round Cape Horn. It is a very cold part of the sea, and ships often pass great icebergs floating about, and the sailors are very much afraid of them. The birds you see flying about are the great albatrosses. When their wings are spread out, they measure fourteen feet sometimes. You may see the width by measuring that out on the nursery floor.
0074m
Avery merry fellow is this; and such a pretty picture altogether! This little shepherd-boy comes out in the morning, carrying his long crook, and with his bottle of milk slung round his waist. He carries his breakfast and dinner in his wallet on his back; and, followed by his good, clever dog, away he goes to look after his master's flocks. When he has got them all gathered together, he takes out his little flageolet and plays a tune. His dog lies down at his feet to listen; for he is almost as fond of music as his master.
0075m
Who is this fierce-looking man? A New Zealander. He has got all sorts of strange patterns traced out on his skin; that is, he is tattooed. He has tried to make himself as ugly as possible; but he thinks himself very beautiful. New Zealanders used to be cannibals; but they are not so now. Many of them are Christians; and some of them keep the Sabbath even more strictly than we do in some parts of Great Britain, putting away their pretty flaxen mats and bags, and all their week-day work, till the Monday.