\ ^ LIBRARY "* OF THE University of California. ^ GIFT OF GEORGE MOREY RICHARDSON. Received, August, 1898, Accession l^o//3._2^3..(p Class No, Y^^^^^^^j^^^^:^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^CTt-t ^^^mk^z \ .-3 i A OF THE ^••P ^NIVERSITT ROYAL ROAD TO HAPPINESS OK. THE PICTURE PREACHER. A BOOK OF PICTURES, FABLES, ALLEGORIES AND ANECDOTES, BEARING DIRECTLY UPON THOSE PRINCIPLES OF ACTION WHICH SHOULD GUIDE EVERY PERSON WHO WOULD SECURE AND ENJOY REAL HAPPINESS IN THIS LIFE AND IN THE LIFE TO COME. THE PICTURES EN- GRAVED AND THE FABLES, ANECDOTES, AND LESSONS ARRANGED BY THE VENERABLE ARTIST AND EMINENT PHILANTHROPIST, JOHN WARNEK BARBEE, Author of " The Bible Looking Glass," " Historical Collections of CoNNECTicur." &c. university 'uniquely illustrated. "Ask now the beasts, and they snail teach thee, and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee — speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee. — ^Job xii, 7, 8. PHILADELPHIA: HUBBARD BROS., PUBLISHERS. 1883. Copyright, fiy John W. Bakbbb. 7 5 2-36 CTNIVERsri PUBLISHERS' PREFACE. nnHE EoYAL Road to Happiness, or The Picture Preacher, is so called because it is designed, by the use of pictures, to instruct in the wise conduct of human life, so that its readers may journey in the Eoyal Road to Happiness, both here and hereafter. The engravings have original peculiarities. Upon each is a printed sentence, presenting some moral truth or valuable lesson, while below each are Bible quota- tions. Thus the various articles and fables of the book, inclusive of the fables of ^sop, are all given extraordi- nary power by being fortified with the weighty, pun- gent words of Divine inspiration. The object of Mr. Barber in these engravings is not to make pretty pictures, but to enforce moral truth. Everything is made, with studied simplicity, to bend to 4 PUBLISHERS PREFACE. this purpose. Hence they have a peculiar power. They attract by their originality, and often create a smile by their quaintness. But they are so bold, so strong, as to tell their story at a single glance. Thus they impress a lesson where elegance and delicacy alone would fail. Merely beautiful pictures would be weak to impress, and could not so well answer the purpose of instruction as do these bold, simple, diagram-like cuts, many of which, with the moral they so vividly enforce, will remain in the memory from youth to old age, as living truth to guide the life. This work was begun nearly twenty years before its publication. With scarcely an exception the engravings were all made expressly for it. Thus, although new and never before used, they are in the old style, and neces- sarily so, as they were mostly designed and engraved by the hand of one who learned his art in the early part of this century, when the population of our country was mainly confined to a mere fringe on the Atlantic coast. It will surprise many to learn that instead of box- wood, that Turkish product which is the ordinary material of wood engravers, about one-third of these illustrations were engraved directly on type metal, a publishers' preface. 6 material upon which few, if any, other engravers could so work. The pictures, " The Lion and the Mouse," " The Hare and the Tortoise," " The Monkey and the Cat," and "The Young Man and the Swallow," are illustrations of this style. This book will probably remain the last work of moment by Mr. Barber. Owing to his advanced years he cannot be expected to dwell amid these scenes much longer. But he will leave, in the books he has made, a legacy of enduring value to the people and their children, to attest that he has not lived in vain. All this is in accordance with a prophetic utterance made in regard to him when he was in the cradle — in those days of simple beliefs and strong faiths — ^that he would grow up to be an author whose works would be a benefit to mankind. CONTEIsrTS Subjects illustrating and instructing in the Ways op Man in the Social Relations of Common Life. [These articles occupy about three-fourths of the re-idlng matter of the book : the Able* the remaining fourth.] Page. Biographical Sketch. _ 13 Introduction 29 Benefits of Childhood 43 Job and his Three Friends 49 Moses the Law Giver 52 Gambling according to Law 57 Vulgarity. 65 Elevation of Woman by Christianity 67 Vanity a part of Hiuman Nature _. 76 "Womanhood 79 Tyranny of Fashion 88 "Woman's Devotion __ 93 Knowing how to use Money 110 "Wisdom and Cunning 116 Contentment 119 Greedy Ambition after "Wealth 129 General Diffusion of Knowledge __ 132 The Force of Truth 136 Promise Breaking .. . 140 Self -ignorance and Self -adulation.. 143 foolish Domestic Quarrels 146 Hasty or Passionate Anger. _ 1 54 Happiness in Marriage 157 Industry a Moral Duty 163 Self-inflicted Torture 167 Christian Honesty _. 180 Children learning Self-help 185 Scornful Pride 187 Leammgtosay "Nol" 193 Family Government 196 Yield a Little in Small Matters ... 199 The Beggar's Funeral 203 Debt, or the Overloaded Mule 205 Prudence in Common Life „. 206 P«ire. Virtuous Poverty 212 Saying too Much 214 Tax on Worldly Greatness 219 Content and Discontent 223 The Unknown God 227 Horseman and Ungovernable Steed 232 Martin Luther and his Wife 231 Independence 234 Petty Scandal or Backbiting 237 Earth and her Children 240 Miseries of High Life 245 Solomon the King _ 249 Little Things in Social Life 254 Learning Children to Lie 259 David, King of Israel 261 St. Paul's Pathway 266 Paul, Silas and the Jailor 270 Force of Predjudice 274 Early Desire for Power ^ 278 Absalom.the Villainous Office Seeker 282 Infidel and the Orphans 286 Principle of Shame 289 Prayer Remarkably Answered 294 Enemy turned into a Friend 295 Christianity Revealed by Signs 297 Comment on an Ancient Allegory. 300 The Three Scoffers 303 Condescension -.- 304 The Speaking Paper 306 Moral Use of the Pillow 308 SummaryCharacteristics of Mankind 311 Filial Piety 315 Anxious Father and Absent Boy.. 321 Winning the Attention of Children 324 7 8 CONTENTS. Page. Meddlers and Busy Bodies ... 327 Going Just Right or a Little Wrong 329 Limits to the Pleasures of Sense __ 334 Gresham and the Grasshopper 335 Our Neighbors _ 340 Evil Thinking 346 Cruelty to Animals 353 Extremes of Suspicion and Confi- dence 363 The Conscientious Thief 364 Religion 368 Wrath Quieted before Sunset 373 Presumption _ 374 Devotee to Pleasure. _ _. 385 Self Help 389 Perils of Youth 396 Banqueting upon Borrowing. 402 Manner of Giving Reproof _ 405 Boy Reproving his Mistress 408 The Schoolmaster and Young Lady Scholar 409 Page, Spiritual and Material Heart 411 Law and Follies of Litigation 427 Frivolity of Character _ 482 Memory, its Use and Abuse 435 Look Aloft _ 440 Necessity of Precaution 457 Truth and Courage 460 The Soul of Man 470 Saint John and the Robber 473 Marriage among the Ancient Ro- mans and Early Americans... 481 Fraternal Friendship 485 Damon and Pythias ._ 485 Fretfulness and Despondency 488 Idlers Yagrant Tramps 491 Reverses in Worldly Matters .. ._ 494 Man's Loneliness _. 498 Direful Effects of Gambling 505 Peace 507 FABLES Page. Ape and Cubs 96 Ape and Litigious Cats .._ 243 Ape, Wolf and Fox 465 Ass, Old Man and Son 358 Bald Knight 288 Bear and Hermit 391 Bear and Two Travelers 258 Bear, Hen and Chickens 343 Bear, Lion, Ape and Fox 469 Bees, the two ._ 121 Boasting Traveler ._ 91 Boy that stole apples 415 Cats, Litigious, and Ape 243 Collier and Fuller 74 Country Maid and her Milk 357 Covetous Man and his Treasure. . .318 Crow and Pitcher 126 Cur, Treacherous 384 Doe. one-eyed 338 Dog and Passionate Man 154 Page. Dog and Shadow 40 Dog and Thief 292 Dog in the Manger 362 Dog invited to Supper 425 Dogs, Two 167 Dog, Treacherous 384 Dog, the Mischievous 475 Dove and the Ant 454 Farmer and his Sons 423 Fir Tree and Bramble 75 Fish, Flying 210 Fishing in Muddy Waters 337 Fox and Ass . _ 79 Fox and Bear 48 Fox and Crow 380 Fox and Eagle 418 Fox and Leopard 108 Fox and Stork 174 Fox and Sick Lion 191 Fox and Sour Grapes 339 CONTENTS. 9 Pajfe. Fox and "Wood-cutter. . ._ _. 446 Fox in tho Well 152 Fox, Wolf and Ape 465 Frogs desire a King 444 Frogs, two 176 Greediness overreaches itself 121 Handsome Brother and Sister _ .. 311 Hare and Tortoise 450 Hares and Frogs 113 Hawk, Pigeon and Farmer 92 Horse and Loaded Mule __ 448 Hound, the old 463 Hunter and Woodman 49 Jackdaw, the Yain 479 Judge, the Partial, and Farmer 430 Kite and Pigeon 46 Lark and her young _ 149 Lion and Forester _ 315 Lion and Four Bulls 371 Lion and Fox 96 Lion and Mouse _ 39 Lion and other Beasts __ 84 Lion and Young Man 86 Lion, Bear and Fox 62 Lion, Bear, Ape and Fox 469 Lion. Judicious 71 Page. Lion, Old, and Ass.. 353 Lion, Sick, Wolf and Fox 298 Master and Scholar 399 Matron and her Maids 456 Mice in Council... 503 Monkey and two Litigious Cats 243 Monkey, Cat and Chestnuts 100 Oak and Reed 395 Old Man and his Sons 422 Porcupine and Snakes _. 7 2 Shepherd turned Merchant _ 124 Spendthrift and the Swallow 466 Thief and Boy 94 Traveler and lost Money Bag 177 Two Dishonest Men and Cook 225 Two Pots 106 Wagoner and Hercules 476 Wind and Sun.. 103 Wolf and Crane 184 Wolf and Kid 105 Wolf and Lamb 170 Wolf and Shepherd Boy 82 Wolf, Ape and Fox 465 Wolf in disguise... 161 Wolf in Sheep's Clothing 378 LIST OF ENGRAVINGS (with the moral each illustrates.) P&R6 Childhood, (Steel.) Frontispiece. Birth Place of J. W. Barber 16 Lion and Mouse _ Mefixy obtains mercy. 40 Dog and^his Shadow. Grasp for too much and lose all. 42 Job and "his three Friends. God the only sure friend of the virtuous when in trouble. 50 Moses The great events in Hoses' history in one view. 53 Lottery Drawing ._ Shows this made of gambling. 59 Lion, Bear and Fox. The quarrels of the powerful, the opportunities of the crafty. 63 Porcupine and Snakes Be careful whom you take to your hearts and homes. 73 Vanity Vanity a part of human nature. 77 Shepherd Boy and "Wolf A liar not believed though he speaks the truth. 8 J Lion and other Beasts — Alliance with the powerful, dangerous. 85 Tricky Boy and the Thief The wicked want the other wicked punished. 95 Ape and her Cubs Excessive parental indulgence, destructive. 97 Fox and Lion Acquaintance softens prejudice. 99 Monkey, Cat and Chestnuts Intense selfishness, cruel. 101 Wind and Sun Kindness conquers. 104 Two Pots — _ T?ie weak cannot compete with the strong. 107 Leopard and Fox _. Vanity impairs beauty. 1 09 Hares and Frogs Borrowing trouble, supreme folly. 115 Wisdom and Cunning The crafty despised and self-defeating. 117 Greediness Greediness brings its own punishment. 122 Crow and Pitcher _ Mi7id succeeds wh ere strength fa ils. 127 Force of Truth Truth, the main pillar of society. 137 Lark and her Young Do your own business, friends a miserable reliance. 150 Fox in the Well Help better than softwords. 153 Hasty Anger Be sure of your facts ere you strike. 155 Wolf in Disguise The greatest villians assume the garb of virtue. 1 60 The two Dogs Bad companions bring misery. 166 Wolf and the Lamb Tyrants always find pretexts. 171 Fox and the Stork DonHjoke if you can* i take jokes. 173 The two Frogs _ Look beforeyou leap. 175 The two Travelers and lost Money Bag Selfishness cheats itself 178 10 LIST OF ENGRAVINGS. 11 Pagre. Wolf and Crano . No gratitude will comejrom a wolf. 183 Fox and sick Lion Let others' destruction be your warning. 1 92 Saying "Nol" Duty, the only safety. 194 Beggar's Funeral _ _. Virtue, not gold, brings down the angels. 202 Overloaded Mule Debt crushes and kills. 204 Prudence Prudence ensures prosperity, comfort and happiness. 207 The Flying Fish The repining are satisfied nowhere. 211 Saying too Much — Tediou^ness tires and disgusts. 215 Worldly Greatness _ The great not the most happy. 220 Two Dishonest Men and the Cook The oaths of the dishonest as idle wind' 226 The Unknown God The lesson of the mysterious altar at Athens. 228 Horseman and Ungovernable Steed When wine is in, ivit is out. 233 Independence _ ". — Boldness to denounce evil, a duty. 235 Earth and her Children All have their troubles. 239 The Litigious Cats Go not to law abouttrifles. 244 Miseries of High Life _ Mux^h meat, much malady. 246 David, King of Israel The great scenes in David'' s life in one view. 262 Solomon the King " Solomon's " 250 Saint Paul's Pathway.- " Saint PauVs " 267 Paul, Silas and the Jailer Depicts the jailer ^s alarm. 271 Two Travelers and the Bear False friends leave when trouble comes. 257 Force of Prejudice _ Oppression makes friends for the weak. 275 Early Desire for Power Love of power a natural passion. 279 Absalom Shows the path of a lying, villainous offi.ce-seeker. 283 The Bald Knight To laugh is sometimes the greatest wisdom. 287 Thief and House Dog _ Honesty takes no bribes. 293 Sick Lion. Wolf and Fox Mischief makers hurt themselves. 299 Condescension ._ _.. Humility shows the greatest nobility. 305 Moral use of the Pillow Upon hazardous projects sleep over night. 309 Forester and the Lion An interested historian unreliable. 3 14 Covetous Man and his Treasure Lntense love of gold, idolatry. 319 Father and Absent Boy _ Happiness often increased by not knowing all. 322 One- Kyed Doe _ _ , Safety only in seeing aU sides. 332 Fishing in Muddy Waters A selfish man a bad neignbor. 336 Fox and Grapes False pretenses a cloak for disappointment. 338 Bear, Hen and Chickens .. TAe depraved ridicule what they are too vile to adopt. 344 Lion and Ass. When a tyrant falls, the lowest down, the nearest to give the first kick. 351 Country Maid and her Milk Pail Building air castles, dangerous. 356 Old Man, Boy and Ass ^o pleasing every body. 357 Dog in the Manger The ill-natured will not let others enjoy what they cannot 361 The Conscientious Thief The virtuous may be overcome by sudden temptation. 366 Handsome Brother and Sister. Personal beauty no compensation for moral defects, 372 Lion and Four Bulls Mutual jealousies leave the weak a prey to the strong. 376 12 LIST OF ENGRAVINGS. Page. "Wolf in Sheep's Clothing Hypocrisy ^ depravity in the garh of virtue. 379 Fox and Crow , Flattery, the weapon of the crafty. 381 Treacherous Cur An open enemy letter than a false friend. 383 Hermit and the Bear. Evil follows unequal companionsh ip. 392 Eeed and Oak Better bend than to break. 394 Perils of Youth Dallying with temp tation, perilous. 397 Master and Scholar Vain self-confidence, dangerous. 400 Giving Reproof Reprove with gentleness and love. 406 Boy Stealing Apples As a la^t resort use force. 416 p]agle and Fox _ Oppression brings vengeance. 419 Old Man and his Sons Union gives strength. 42 1 Farmer and his Sons Industry the surest road to prosperity. 423 Dog invited to Supper A secondhand interest a frail dependance. 426 A Trial at Law _ Litigation too costly for small matters. 428 The Judge and Farmer _ ...Do as you would be done by. 431 The Power of Memory Memory largely a matter of cultivation. 436 Look Aloft _ _ In trouble look to heaven and work. 441 Frogs desire a King Let well enough alone. 445 Fox and Wood Cutter Actions speak truth when words lie. 447 Horse and Loaded Mule Shirking brings greater labor. 449 Hare and the Tortoise Slow industry wins over fitful speed. 451 Dove and Ant _ Benevolence obtains unexpected good. 453 Matron and her Maids. Better bear the ills we know, than to flee to those which we know not. 455 Necessity of Precaution _ Carelessness makes double work. 459 Old Hound The public ungrateful to faithful servants lohen old and worn out. 462 "Wolf, Fox and Ape __ Thieves and liars not credited. 464 Spendthrift and Swallow The improvident go to destruction. 467 Lion, Bear, Ape and Fox One mu^t not always tell what they know or think. 469 St. John and the Robber Love conquers and restores. 472 Mischievous Dog The depraved oft glory in their shame. 474 "Waggoner and Hercules God heJps those who help themselves. 477 The Yain Jackdaw False pretences bring disgrace. 479 Fraternal Friendship Love stronger than death. 486 Ancient Punishment for Idlers _ Work or die. 492 "Worldly Reverses Riches take wings and fly. 49 5 Mice in Council Mice and fools only, deliberate upon the impossible. 503 Qcaimhlm^. Property acquired solely through injury to another can bring only evil. 506 The Blessings of Peace. -Peace, the hope of the righteous and the end of sorrow, 50? OF THB o'WIVERSIT' SKETCH OF JOHN WARNER BARBER, By HE^EY HOWE. • ♦■» *^ Our venerable friend and townsman, Mr. John W. Barber " — ^recently writes Rev. Dr. Leonard Bacon, of New Haven — ^'has been doing good for more than half a century by- his books and wood-cut illustrations. The children of more than two generations and their parents with them have been instructed and amused by his labors as an author and engraver." So for the satisfaction of the multitudes who have been benefited by his books, as well as those who are to receive a benefit from this volume, we here copy, with some additions, the sketch of ^'An Extraordinary Man," given by us to the New Haven Courier, in April, 1879. Since writing that sketch, and at the beginning of this year 1880, Mr. Barber, who has had an engraving office in this city continuously since 1823, has given it up and retired to his dwelling, where, however, he still labors — always busy. We then wrote : — Some few among us who knew Mr. J. W. Barber in his former years think he is no longer living, his se- cluded habits and absorbing occupations keeping him largely away from the public currents. Some of these, if perchance they should meet him, might fail to recog- nize him in the stooping figure of an old gentleman 13 14 SKETCH OF JOHN WARNER BARBER. buried under a huge cloak and shuffling along under the burden of accumulated years. But he is still with us, ready to hand out at any re- quired time a card on which is neatly engraved ^' John W. Barber, born in Windsor, Conn., Feb. 2d, 1798: bred a historical engraver, resident of New Haven, Conn., since 1823, Member of the Connecticut Histori- cal Society, Author of the Connecticut, Massachusetts, and European Historical Collections, etc." Inquire after his health and he will sometimes reply : ^^ Pretty well, thank you, for an old man who has lived longer than David or Solomon, who takes more comfort than when he was a boy, and expects, by the grace of God, to live forever." Mr. Barber's office is in the southeast corner of the Insurance building, with a grand outlook over our beautiful New Haven harbor and Long Island Sound. He is generally alone and working at the engraver's desk, engraving, writing books and drawing. A large table occupies the center of the room, book cases the walls, and the spot is littered with old-fashioned things, books, pictures, etc., the accumulations of years. But amid apparent confusion everything is in its place, even to the oil-stone, on which for more than sixty years he has sharpened his graver. On the wall is a drawing of his in India ink, illustrating '^ The Last of Earth," a most strikingly impressive design, worthy of Dor^ him- self. Mr. Barber occasionally has visitors. These are generally intellectual people of odd fancies and out-of- the-way tastes. Sometimes sti'angers, men of mark from abroad, search him out, such as the antiquarian bibliographer, the late George Brinley, and Alcott the Concord transcendental philosopher, the latter of whom SKETCH OF JOHN WARNER BARBER. 15 impressed Mr. Barber as a personage of grandly intel- lectual presence, who ascribed his serene old age to having kept the ten commandments. Mr. Barber has much changed in his personal appear- ance within the last fifteen years. His hair was dark, his eyes full, black and sparkling, and his countenance of such strongly marked individuality, that once seen remained in the memory. Now his form is bent, his hearing dulled, his locks white and scraggling, and fro'm incessant use in working upon minute objects, he habit- ually keeps his eyes partially closed. But he is so cheerful, so sunny, that in looking upon him one can- not but think no crowned monarch hath such peace. Mr. Barber was born in 1798, in Windsor, Conn., three miles north of Hartford, on a farm given to his ancestors for military services in the colonial wars with the French and Indians. He is a descendant of the Pilgrims. Out of the loins of anything else but of that strong, sturdy old New England stock could have come such a peculiar man. The Barber family were at this period in humble cir- cumstances, the father a small farmer, who by turns made brick, and in shad time went a fishing in the Connecticut. His father died when he was about thir- teen years of age, and thereafter the support of the family largely devolved upon him. Their indigent cir- cumstances he regards as having been an advantage in having developed in him habits of plodding industry. He worked on the farm, learned to hoe, dig pota- toes, cut wood, milk a cow, drive a double yoke of cattle and a horse for one plow, to turn up brick in a brick yard, and to pound clothes for the women on washing days. This was honest labor, the basis of all 3 16 SKETCH OF JOHN WARNER BARBER. that is sweet and beneficent. He was a studious, thoughtful boy, and was fed upon a few strong books, and they toughened liis mental and moral life. These were the Bible, Pilgrim's Progress, Mrs. Barbauld's Hymns, and the New England Primer. He was from BmiH-PLAOB OF J. W. Barber, Windsor, Conn.* early childhood fascinated with pictures, and from ad- miring began to make them. In the year 1805, when he was but seven years of age, the news came of Nel- son's famous victory, the battle of the Nile, whereupon he made a pen and ink sketch of the event. * This dwelling is still standing about three miles north of the Old State House in Hartford, on the main road running north and south, on the west side of Connecticut River. Windsor was the first regular settlement made by white men in the State. The Congregational Church in Windsor is believed to be the oldest of that order in the United States. Their house of worship is about four miles above the house seen in the engraving. Many of the first settlers in the south part of the town were SKETCH OF JOHN WARNER BARBER. 17 This, with other sketches made at the time by him in pen and ink, is now before us in a little book about three inches square. Another of the sketches is a rep- resentation of the conflict between David and Goliath. The paper of this book is yellow with age, and well it might be, for with his careful, methodical habits he has preserved it for seventy-five years ! In South Windsor, on the opposite bank of the Con- necticut from the Barber homestead, was an engraving establishment can-ied on by Mr. Abner Reed, then the best letter engraver in the United States, whom banks in New York, Boston, and even as far away as Canada, employed to engrave their bank bills. In 1812, when in his fifteenth year, he was apprenticed to Mr. Reed to learn the art of engraving, and remained with him some seven years. Like Benson Lossing, the historian, he was destined to be an engraver before becoming a of the name of Barber; and the first woman of the early settlers who stepped ashore upon the soil, tradition says, was named Barber. Mr. Barber in his account says, " The Barber family appear to have adopted scriptural names for their children. My grandfather was named Elijah, his two brothers Moses and Aaron, and his sister, Abigail. Elijah and his son Elijah (my father) built the house in which I was born, just previous to the commence- ment of the present century. It was customary at this period when one erected a habitation for himself, to call his neighbors together, and have a Twuse warming, being a festive occasion of eating, drinking, etc. Instead of these performances, the family invited the Rev. Dr. Strong of Hartford (the nearest clergyman in the vicinity), to hold a religious meeting or meetings in the house. The liouse still remains in its original size; strongly and firmly built. It was originally painted red, but now in white. Some little changes have been made. The largo chimney in the center has been changed into two smaller, one at each end of the building, and the door on the south side is replaced by a window." ANXOUNCEMENT. The " CoNNKCTictJT Historical Collections," by J. W. Barber— a work first published Jn 1886 and several editions later— has been out of print for some years. All the original typo- graphical and pictorial plates have been preserved In good ordcT, and it is expected a new edition will be published during the coming season. This work contains a^l the counties, with a separate history of every town in Connecticut, Illustrated by nearly 200 engravings, being views of cities, villages, and places of interest in all parts of the State. The day upon which each view wa