Violets
Owing to the defeats and disappointments of his father,the child Napoleon never actually became either King of Rome, or Emperor of France. He died in the year 1832, in Austria, where his grandfather was emperor.
Now, which of our readers will be able to discover the three portraits hidden in this symbolical bunch of violets?
"Oh, dear! What a big word is this! What does Uncle Charles mean bysymbolical?" I fancy some of my little friends will exclaim. Well, then, asymbolis merely a sign, or mark, by which one knows a thing. When you see an umbrella in a man's hand, it is a symbol, or sign, that he expects a shower. So the profiles in this bunch of violets make itsymbolical; that is, suggestive of a family group, who, it was hoped, would be renewed like the violets, and once more fill a large space in the history of France.
Uncle Charles.
I ama very old sparrow, but not so old that I cannot still relish a cherry, a grape, or a nice fat worm. I am about to write a short history of my life, for the instruction of my children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Parents consulting
My parents, after having reared a numerous family, decided to seek a new home. One lovely day in spring, they came to a pretty village which pleased them, and alighted on a cherry-tree to consult together. "Here we will remain," said my father. "Look at the cherry-trees and the grape-vines. We have found the right place at last."
Building the nest
After looking carefully about for some time, they chose for their home a new house with a projecting roof, before which stood three large cherry-trees in full bloom. My mother, with the help of my father, built a nest high up under the roof of the house, and lined it with soft feathers. She laid four eggs, but hatched out only one little sparrow; and I was that lucky one.
Feeding
My parents fed me constantly with tender worms; and it is no wonder that the feathers began to grow on my naked little body, or that my father soon thought me able to fly. So one fine day I stood on the edge of the nest, fluttered my wings, and flew out of my father's house. With many fears and a beating heart I at last alighted on an acacia-tree. While I sat there, I saw many large birds walking about, and also a cat, against whom my mother had already warned me; and, directly over my head, I heard the scream of a hawk.
Learning to Fly
In my fright, I cried out bitterly; but when the cat ran away, and the hawk flew into the woods near by, I grew calm again. My cry soon brought my mother to my side; and my father came, bringing a delicious worm to comfort me.
Crying out
Parents comforting
Before many days I was able take care of myself. About this time I met with an adventure. One day I saw several of my comrades fly in through an open window. Wishing to know what they found, I also flew in, and soon was as busy as any of them eating the grains of wheat with which the floor was covered. Suddenly the window was shut, and wewere caught. A laughing boy put his hand over me, took me up, then cut my wings, and let me hop. He was very kind to me; but I longed for my liberty. Fortunately my wings soon grew; and one day, when the window stood open, I flew away, and found my mother again.
Caught
One sunny day in the autumn, my mother and I sat on a gate, eating some grains of wheat. A sly old cat who had hidden under a burdock which grew beside the gate, suddenly sprang up, and seized my dear mother with her sharp claws.
The cat!
My mother was a very wise bird: so, instead of struggling to get away, she remained so quiet, that Mrs. Pussy soon thought she must be dead. Before long she put her downupon the grass, that she might admire at her leisure the nice fat sparrow she had caught for her dinner. All at once up flew my mother, and in an instant was far beyond the reach of the cat.
Now I thought I was old enough to have a family of my own. So I chose me a little sparrow-wife; but I had to fight several battles before I could conquer all my rivals. My bravery won her heart; and I think she has been well content with her choice. We built our nest, and soon I had the pleasure of seeing in it five bluish-white, brown-and-gray-dotted eggs, and, fourteen days after, five pretty sparrows,—three sons, and two daughters.
A family of his own
One saucy rogue, with a golden bill, we lost. Like me, he was caught; but he never regained his liberty. A friendly little maiden was his mistress, who made him so tame, that he would eat from her hand. She gave him so many dainties, that he became too fat, and died. I saw how the little maiden dug him a grave in her garden. Bitterly weeping, she placed him therein, covered him with earth, and planted a cross of flowers on the little mound.
Little grave
Our other children, one after the other, founded homes of their own, and all lived good and useful sparrow-lives. The multitude of my grandchildren I am no longer able to count.
From the German.
"Theseed that springs, and the bird that sings,And the shining summer sun,The tiny bee, and the mighty sea,God made them, every one."
Whatmischief was there for Bessie to-day? The fish in her mother's aquarium had not been benefited by the hot bath which Bessie had given them; but that was no reason, thought she, why a bath would not be a good thing for her new doll Felicia.
Felicia in the tub
She had a little doll bath-tub made of tin. So she put it on a little table, and filled it from a jug of hot water which happened to be on the hearth. Then she undressed Felicia, and, holding her up, said, "Now, little lady, you are going to have a nice warm bath: so be good."
Having put Felicia in the bath-tub, Bessie sat down in a chair before her, and said, "There are not many dolls, little lady, that have such a kind, loving mother as I am. You ought to be very good and grateful."
Her head was ruined
Here dolly slipped down in the bath-tub, and her nice blooming face was all soaked in the hot water. When Bessie took her out, you would hardly have known Felicia for the same doll. Her head, which was of wax, was quite ruined; and her whole body was out of shape and spoiled.
Bessie ran crying to her mother: but her mother said, "You do not deserve to have another doll."
The Kitten
Music
[Transcriber's Note: You can play this music (MIDI file) by clickinghere.]
2. The milk comes fresh and foaming,Fresh from the good old cow;And, after I have lapped it,I frolic—you know how.I'm petted by the children,And the mistress of the house;And sometimes, when I'm nimble,I catch a little mouse.3. But sometimes, when I'm naughty,I climb upon the stand,And eat the cake and chicken,Or any thing at hand;Ah! then they hide my saucer,No matter if I mew;And that's the way I'm punishedFor naughty things I do.
Transcriber's Note:Obvious punctuation errors repaired.This issue was part of an omnibus. The original text for this issue did not include a title page or table of contents. This was taken from the January issue with the "No." added. The original table of contents covered the entire year of 1873. The remaining text of the table of contents can be found in the rest of the year's issues.The remaining correction made is indicated by a dotted line under the correction. Scroll the mouse over the word and the original text willappear.
Obvious punctuation errors repaired.
This issue was part of an omnibus. The original text for this issue did not include a title page or table of contents. This was taken from the January issue with the "No." added. The original table of contents covered the entire year of 1873. The remaining text of the table of contents can be found in the rest of the year's issues.
The remaining correction made is indicated by a dotted line under the correction. Scroll the mouse over the word and the original text willappear.