THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES
 
 HOLIDAY KAMBLES.
 
 The monkey stealing the gold spectacles. P. 64
 
 HOLIDAY RAMBLES: 
 
 OK, 
 
 PEEPS INTO THE BOOK OF NATUKE. 
 
 BY 
 
 ELIZABETH GKANT. 
 
 WITH ILLUSTRATIONS. 
 
 LONDON: 
 G. EOUTLEDGE & CO., EAKBINGDON STREET. 
 
 KEW YOBK; 18, BEEKMA^ STREET. 
 
 1856.
 
 CHAXDOS STBEEI.
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 IN submitting this little book to the perusal 
 of her young friends, the Authoress is 
 actuated by a wish to attract their attention 
 to the study of nature one of the most 
 interesting that can occupy the mind : pre- 
 senting infinite variety, and disclosing in- 
 finite perfection. 
 
 It is the earnest wish of the writer of the 
 following pages, that those who read them 
 may experience the same delight in con- 
 templating the wonderful works of God, 
 which she has felt, whilst enjoying a quiet 
 ramble in the lovely lanes and woods that 
 abound in this our beloved and beautiful 
 country. 
 
 737588
 
 HOLIDAY KAMBLES. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 IT was the commencement of the Mid- 
 summer vacation, when little Helen 
 Melville placed herself at the window, 
 anxiously waiting the return of the car- 
 riage from the Station, where it had been 
 sent to meet her two brothers, George and 
 Walter, who were coming from school by 
 the mail train that morning. Mrs. Melville 
 was sitting at work, and Agnes, her eldest 
 daughter, was busily engaged finishing a 
 frock for Dame Goodenough's little baby. 
 
 " Here they come down the hill," cried 
 Helen, u there is George waving his hand, 
 and Walter by the side of papa." Agnes 
 and her mamma started up to see the tra-
 
 8 HOLIDAY RAMBLES. 
 
 vellers, and they all proceeded to the hall 
 to welcome them. 
 
 " Oh ! dear mamma," said George, 
 springing into his mother's arms, " how 
 delighted I am to see you, and Agnes, and 
 Helen, and all at my own dear home." 
 
 After these mutual congratulations were 
 ended, the boys found time to return the 
 caresses of a beautiful Newfoundland dog, 
 named Xeptune. He was a great favourite, 
 and expressed his delight by jumping upon 
 his young masters, and rolling over and 
 over a pretty little spaniel, called Rover, 
 who was rather annoyed by the rough 
 gambols of his companion. In due time, 
 however, they quietly seated themselves to 
 enjoy some refreshment after their journey, 
 and to hear and relate what had happened 
 during their absence. 
 
 After luncheon, the children went out to 
 visit the garden, and their numerous pets. 
 Both the girls had worked hard to keep
 
 THE PETS. 11 
 
 their brothers' gardens in order; and the 
 pleasure George and Walter expressed at 
 finding them in such nice condition, amply 
 repaid their sisters for all their trouble. 
 The roses were coming into beautiful 
 bloom; the carnations were tied up, each 
 blossom separately, the finest with a round 
 piece of cardboard under the flower, to 
 keep the calix from bursting, and Agnes 
 had contrived some little shades, fastened 
 on sticks, to shelter them from the sun. 
 
 They then went to see the ducks and 
 chickens. Walter was delighted to find 
 his white duck, Lily, had a brood of thir- 
 teen little ducklings, and counted five of 
 them white, like the old one ; the rest were 
 dark. George's guinea-hen was sitting on 
 fifteen eggs, and would not hatch them for 
 a fortnight. After giving the poultry 
 some barley, they proceeded to the field, to 
 see Frisk, the little pony, who, as soon as 
 he saw them coming, trotted to meet them.
 
 10 HOLIDAY RAMBLES. 
 
 "How are you, my old friend?" said 
 George, stroking the nose of the gentle 
 creature. "I hope we shall have many 
 walks together, this summer ; do you think 
 mamma will join us in our expeditions, as 
 she did last year, Agnes?" 
 
 " Yes," replied Agnes; "mamma says 
 to-morrow she will take us to see Dame 
 Goodenough. She must ride Frisk, and 
 we must walk by her side. Perhaps, if she 
 is not too tired, we can go on to Wilton." 
 
 " That will be delightful," said George. 
 " How kind mamma is ; I dearly like a walk 
 with her." 
 
 "I hope," said Agnes, " Frisk will behave 
 better, when he goes out with mamma, 
 than cousin Harry's pony, Dick, did, when 
 he carried the panniers to the pic-nic last 
 month. Did you hear of it, George?" 
 
 c; Xo," replied George, " I have not 
 heard anything about it. Do tell me, 
 Agnes, the whole story."

 
 Dick running away with the dinner. P. 11.
 
 A RUNAWAY PONY. 11 
 
 " Aunt Howard proposed to have a 
 pic-nic to Oakdale, and invited many 
 friends to join her. There were the two 
 Misses King, and their brothers, John and 
 William, Mr. and Miss Sloper, and many 
 others I did not know, making in all a 
 party of twenty; besides our cousins Jane, 
 Mary, Harry, and Tom." 
 
 "Did you go, Agnes?" inquired Walter. 
 
 " Mamma could not go with us," said 
 Agnes, " and she did not like us to go 
 without her; but I must continue my 
 story. The provisions were all packed in 
 two panniers, and Dick was to carry them. 
 Joe, the little foot-boy, drove the pony, 
 and was desired to keep him some distance 
 behind the rest of the party. At first 
 Dick behaved very well, but just as he 
 came to the steep hill, at the entrance of 
 Oakdale, a gun went off the other side the 
 hedge, and he started at full speed down 
 the hill, to the great astonishment of the
 
 12 HOLIDAY RAMBLES. 
 
 good people who were quietly walking in 
 front. The ladies ran screaming to the 
 hedge on either side, and some of the 
 gentlemen did the same. Harry and Tom 
 tried to stop the pony, but in vain ; he ran . 
 so fast, he was unable to stop, and the 
 panniers coming in contact with some of 
 the party, they were knocked down, and 
 treated to a roll in the dust." 
 
 "Were they at all hurt?" asked Walter. 
 
 " Oh, no !" said Agnes, " they only made 
 their coats dusty, and soon regaining their 
 feet, joined in the race after their dinner, 
 which was just then in a very dangerous 
 situation ; but it was not much use. Dick 
 only trotted the faster for the noise they 
 made in the pursuit, and did not stop till 
 he came to the turnpike." 
 
 "How I wish I had seen the chase," 
 said Walter ; " it must have looked very 
 droll ; Dick running first, with all the 
 good things in the panniers, and all the
 
 THE EATABLES. 13 
 
 hungry folks travelling after, as fast as 
 they could." 
 
 "Harry told me," continued Agnes, "that 
 he could not run for laughing. On the top 
 of one of the panniers was a nice custard 
 pudding, and every now and then an extra 
 bound of Dick's would send a portion of it 
 splash into the road. "When they came to 
 open the covering was the greatest fun 
 the shouts of laughter as one thing after 
 another came out. The veal pie made its 
 appearance with a cucumber imbedded in 
 the crust; the salt was upset over the 
 gooseberry tart; the mustard alighted on 
 the rhubarb pie; the pepper covered the 
 ham; the sugar was scattered over the 
 tongue, and the fowl found a resting-place 
 in a dish of jam tarts; many of the plates 
 and dishes were broken, and some ginger- 
 beer, that went off without leave, soaked a 
 loaf of bread." 
 
 " The only thing that was quite free from
 
 14 HOLIDAY RAMBLES. 
 
 damage," said Helen, "was a bread and 
 butter pudding, baked that morning; as it 
 was not cold, Tom took it to a stream of 
 water near, and left it to cool, till the meat 
 was eaten. When pudding time came, he 
 went to fetch it, and, to his great dismay 
 and disappointment, found that a dog, be- 
 longing to one of the party, had made free 
 with a large portion of it." 
 
 "Well done!" said Walter; "why they 
 could hardly have found enough to eat." 
 
 " I wish I had been there," said George ; 
 " it must have been a very merry party." 
 
 "According to Harry's account, there 
 was plenty of fun," said Agnes; " but one 
 or two of the party did not quite like such 
 a practical joke. Miss King was very much 
 annoyed with Tom for handing her some 
 cake over which the vinegar bottle had 
 burst. He declared he did not know it was 
 touched by the vinegar, but she would not 
 speak to him all the rest of the day."
 
 CRICKET. 15 
 
 "How silly," said George; " why every 
 one was liable to the same, and the best 
 thing to be done was to laugh at such a 
 misfortune." 
 
 " So the rest thought," replied Agnes, 
 "and they all said they enjoyed Aunt 
 Howard's pic-nic." 
 
 "We had something of the same kind 
 last monthly holiday," said George. " Mr. 
 Ross took us to Rowley Common, to spend 
 the day, and I assure you we had fine fun. 
 All our cricket-bats and balls were put into 
 a cart, with the good things, and Mr. Ross 
 drove. When we arrived on the common, 
 the elder boys had a game of cricket before 
 dinner. I played till I was knocked down 
 by a ball, which struck me on the shoulder." 
 
 " You never told us of your accident 
 before," said Agnes ; " were you much 
 hurt?" 
 
 " It was very painful at the time," said 
 George, "but soon got well. It was not
 
 16 HOLIDAY RAMBLES. 
 
 worth while to make dear mamma uneasy 
 for such a trifle." 
 
 " Did Walter join in your game?" asked 
 Helen. 
 
 " No," replied Walter ; " I played at Hare 
 and Hounds, and Follow my Leader. You 
 would have been much amused to have seen 
 all the chases we had. Tom Grant was the 
 Leader, and he led us a pretty dance over 
 the furze bushes, and round the trees. Many 
 of the boys came down on their knees in 
 the middle of a bunch of very prickly furze 
 they could not jump over; others rolled 
 into the nettles. I fell flat down in a large 
 bunch, and stung my face very much ; but 
 it would not do to be left behind, so, 
 gathering a dock-leaf, I held it to my 
 cheek, and ran as fast as I could. At last 
 Tom came to a ditch, and as he was the best 
 jumper in the school, he leaped over it 
 with ease; but Frank Green, trying to 
 follow him, came short of the opposite
 
 PRANK IN THE DITCH. 17 
 
 bank, and sank up to his waist in the mud 
 and water of the ditch." 
 
 " Poor fellow," said Agnes, u I hope you 
 helped him out, Walter." 
 
 " Oh, yes ! " replied Walter, " we soon 
 helped him out ; but you cannot think what 
 a funny figure he cut. We were obliged to 
 scrape the mud from his clothes with our 
 knives." 
 
 "Did he not take cold?" asked Helen. 
 
 "No," replied Walter; "there is a cot- 
 tage at the side of the common; we took 
 him there, and wrapped him in a blanket, 
 whilst the good woman very kindly washed 
 and dried the parts of his dress that were 
 dirty." 
 
 " I suppose he did not much like staying 
 quietly in-doors, while the rest of the party 
 were enjoying themselves?" said Agnes. 
 
 " He grumbled a little," said Walter, "at 
 losing the fun ; but when we went to see if 
 he was ready to join us, we met him at the 
 
 B
 
 18 HOLIDAY RAMBLES. 
 
 door, and four of the big boys gave him a 
 good tossing in the blanket." 
 
 " What a shame !" said Helen, " to serve 
 the poor fellow like that." 
 
 "He enjoyed the fun as much as the 
 rest," said George; "but the best of the 
 joke was, that, as we were tossing him very 
 high, crack went the blanket, and he all but 
 came through on the ground." 
 
 "I hope you gave the poor woman another 
 blanket," said Agnes. 
 
 " Mr. Ross came just at the time," replied 
 Walter, " and he said it would be but right 
 to make a subscription to pay for the 
 blanket; so we all helped, and, with his 
 contribution, there was enough to buy a 
 pair of blankets, instead of one." 
 
 " I am glad the poor woman was not a 
 loser by your fun," said Agnes. 
 
 "Oh, no!" replied Walter. "She said 
 she hoped we should come again, and, if 
 we wished another tossing, we should have
 
 SCHOOLBOY SPORTS. 19 
 
 one of the new blankets, that would- be 
 stronger." 
 
 "I think," said Agnes, "we must go in, 
 or we shall not be ready for dinner. Your 
 amusing tales have made us forget the 
 time. Hark ! there is the dinner-bell." 
 
 B2
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 NEXT morning, directly after breakfast, 
 Frisk was saddled, brought to the door, 
 and Mrs. Melville, accompanied by the 
 children, set off to visit Wilton Farm, and 
 take Dame Goodenough the frock Agnes 
 had made for little Jane. Neptune and 
 Hover were also in attendance ; and Helen 
 took her basket to carry any treasures she 
 might find. The road to Wilton was up a 
 steep hill, and over a down, where they 
 were delighted by listening to the song of 
 
 J O O 
 
 the sky-lark, and watching it as it rose, 
 warbling upon the wing, raising its note as 
 it soared, until it seemed lost in the 
 immense height above, the song continuing, 
 the bird itself unseen ; then descending with 
 a swell, as it comes from the clouds, yet 
 sinking by degrees, as it approaches its
 
 THE SKY -LARK. 21 
 
 nest, the spot where all its affections are 
 centred, the spot that has prompted all its 
 
 jy- 
 
 " Listen to that happy little bird," said 
 Mrs. Melville, " how joyously it is carolling 
 forth its Maker's praise." 
 
 " I wonder where its nest is," said George. 
 
 " Not far from it," replied Mrs. Melville. 
 " The lark builds its nest upon the ground, 
 beneath some turf, that serves to hide and 
 shelter it." 
 
 " Can you tell me, dear mamma, how 
 many eggs the lark lays?" asked Agnes. 
 
 " She lays," answered Mrs. Melville, 
 <c four or five. They are of a dusky colour ; 
 and she sits a fortnight before they are 
 hatched. During this time her mate is 
 most attentive, and cheers her with his 
 song. Rising to an imperceptible height, 
 he keeps his loved partner in view, nor 
 once loses sight of his nest, either in ascend- 
 ing or descending."
 
 22 HOLIDAY EAMBLES. 
 
 " I wonder the nest is not destroyed," 
 said Walter : " it is very dangerous to build 
 it on the ground. Why does not the lark 
 choose some high tree or wall?" 
 
 " The more closely we examine the order 
 of nature," replied Mrs. Melville, "the 
 more we shall be struck at the wonderful 
 adaptation, or fitness, of every animal, bird, 
 and insect, to the place it has to occupy in 
 the animal creation ; and I wish you, my 
 dear children, to notice how each separate 
 creature exhibits the goodness, love, and 
 power of its Almighty Creator. The lark 
 is taught, by that unerring power implanted 
 in its nature by the great God, and which 
 is called instinct, to select materials for 
 her nest, so much resembling the ground 
 around in colour, that, at a very little dis- 
 tance, you would not discover it. The 
 formation of its foot renders the lark unable 
 to rest on a tree; the hind claw is very 
 much lengthened, and would be much in
 
 A ROMAN ROAD. 23 
 
 the way should it attempt to grasp a stick. 
 Indeed, it can only stand on the ground, or 
 a flat surface." 
 
 By this time they had passed the down, 
 and entered a pretty lane abounding with 
 wild thyme and harebells. A little further 
 on they came to a road, said to have been 
 used by the Romans, and which was exceed- 
 ingly rough. The children much wished to 
 go this way ; George promised to lead Frisk, 
 and guide him safely. Mrs. Melville con- 
 sented to trust herself to his care; and 
 the surefooted little animal carried her with 
 the greatest caution, avoiding all the stones 
 and ruts. 
 
 The village of Wilton was situated in a 
 beautiful valley; and the side of the hill 
 our party were now descending consisted 
 of rich corn and clover fields. The road 
 they traversed was almost overshadowed by 
 trees ; the hedges had not for many years 
 been cut, and gave a cool and refreshing
 
 24 HOLIDAY RAMBLES. 
 
 shade; while the view they occasionally 
 enjoyed of Wilton Park on the opposite 
 hill, the brilliant green of the after-grass 
 (for it had just been mown), contrasting 
 with the dark shadow of the woods that 
 bounded it on one side, and studded with 
 clusters of trees, in which the airy foliage 
 and light tint of the larch were contrasted 
 with the more sombre but scarcely less 
 beautiful, massive dark green of the Scotch 
 fir, and the majestic height of the elm and 
 oak, with the graceful drooping of the lime, 
 and the luxuriance of the horse-chesnut. 
 The Roman road traversed by our friends, 
 terminated in a large field, through which 
 the canal wound its peaceful track. The 
 children entreated their mamma to let 
 them stay here a short time, to gather some 
 beautiful forget-me-not, which grew on the 
 banks of the canal. Mrs. Melville con- 
 sented; and, dismounting from her trusty 
 little palfrey, sat down under a large plane
 
 A GRASSHOPPER. ZO 
 
 tree, on a seat of turf George had covered 
 with a cloak his mamma used, in preference 
 to a habit, when she rode the pony; and 
 Frisk was set at liberty to eat as much 
 grass as he liked. After gathering enough 
 forget-me-not to fill Helen's basket, the 
 children returned to the place where Mrs. 
 Melville was resting. 
 
 " Oh ! mamma," said Walter, " see what 
 I have found; what is it? I had so much 
 trouble to catch it : when I thought I had 
 covered it with my hat, it gave a jump, and 
 went so far." 
 
 "It is a grasshopper, my dear," said 
 Mrs. Melville, " and a very fine one. 
 Look at its beautiful wings; see how 
 bright its colour: it is a brilliant green. 
 Now sit down, and we will talk a little 
 about its history, before we go on to the 
 farm." The children were delighted at 
 their mamma's proposal, and quickly seated 
 themselves around her, for it was one of
 
 26 HOLIDAY RAMBLES. 
 
 their greatest treats to listen to the anec- 
 dotes and histories Mrs. Melville related to 
 them. George placed himself at his 
 mamma's feet, Neptune lay by his side, 
 and Helen took It over in charge, as he was 
 apt to hunt about among the grass, and 
 bark at any one that passed. 
 
 " Now, dear mamma," said Agnes, " we 
 are all ready; will you be so kind as to 
 tell us the history of the grasshopper?" 
 
 "With pleasure," replied Mrs. Melville. 
 " The insect Walter has found is one of 
 the largest kind that is a native of this 
 country. The eggs from which the grass- 
 hoppers are produced are deposited by the 
 female in a small cell in the earth; they 
 are oval in form, white, and of the consis- 
 tency of horn ; each female depositing some 
 hundreds. These are produced in the au- 
 tumn, and continue, uninjured by the seve- 
 rity of the winter, till the genial warmth 
 of spring enlivens and hatches them."
 
 THE GRASSHOPPER'S ENEMIES. 27 
 
 44 How much they must increase," said 
 George. " If one grasshopper lays several 
 hundred eggs one year, and next year 
 these hundreds deposit several hundreds 
 more, I wonder we are not overrun by 
 them." 
 
 " You need not, my dear George," said 
 Mrs. Melville, smiling, "be at all alarmed 
 at the idea of being overrun by these little 
 insects ; but I would have you remark the 
 wisdom and goodness of the Creator, in that 
 He has rendered them so productive. You 
 must consider how many enemies the little 
 grasshopper has : many birds eat them ; the 
 hedgehog and the mole prey upon insects, 
 and, no doubt, destroy many grasshoppers. 
 It is therefore necessary, both to provide a 
 portion of food for others, as well as to pre- 
 vent the extermination of the species, that 
 the grasshopper should be able to propagate 
 its kind, on what seems to you such a large 
 scale."
 
 28 HOLIDAY RAMBLES. 
 
 " What are they like, mamma, when they 
 come out of the egg?" asked Helen. 
 
 " They are hatched," replied Mrs. Mel- 
 ville, " at the beginning of May. Every 
 egg produces an insect the size of a small 
 fly; these, at first, are white, but soon be- 
 come a reddish brown. They are formed 
 like grasshoppers, and hop among the grass 
 with great agility as soon as hatched. In 
 this first state, which is called larva, they 
 have no appearance of wings." 
 
 " I have often seen them without wings," 
 said George, " but never could understand 
 how it was. I thought they were different 
 insects to those with wings. Please to go 
 on, dear mamma, and tell us some more." 
 
 " The next stage of their existence," con- 
 tinued Mrs. Melville, " is called pupa, or 
 nymph, and differs from the first, in having 
 the wings folded up in little cases on the 
 back of the insect. They still hop about, 
 and eat voraciously ; but must wait for their
 
 THE GRASSHOPPER'S CHANGES. 29 
 
 last change before they can use their wings. 
 In these two states the grasshopper exists 
 for nearly a month ; it then prepares for its 
 last change ; and, bursting its skin, enters a 
 state of greater liberty and enjoyment." 
 
 " How does it get out of its coat of mail?" 
 asked Walter. 
 
 " It is a difficult task, Walter," answered 
 Mrs. Melville; "but that great Being, who 
 appointed the various changes this little 
 insect undergoes, strengthens it to survive 
 them, and instructs it to take the proper 
 means to guard against accident or injury. 
 When the grasshopper feels its last change 
 approaching, it seeks a convenient place 
 beneath the drooping leaves of some thorn, 
 or thistle, that it may be sheltered from wet, 
 should a storm come on during the time it is 
 freeing itself from its old covering. It uses 
 
 violent exertion to disengage itself, by 
 
 ing its head and neck, and drawing them in 
 
 again. At last the skin bursts : the head
 
 30 HOLIDAY RAMBLES. 
 
 comes forth first ; by continued effort the 
 other parts follow successively ; and the little 
 creature, with its long feelers, legs, and all, 
 works its way from the old skin, leaving 
 that fixed to the thistle or thorn." 
 
 " Is the new skin, that it comes out in, 
 as hard as the old one, mamma?" asked 
 George. 
 
 " Xo, my dear," replied Mrs. Melville. 
 " When the grasshopper first leaves its old 
 skin, it is soft and tender; by degrees it 
 hardens, as the moisture with which it is 
 covered dries ; and in a short time assumes 
 the hardness and colour of the one before 
 us." 
 
 " How wonderful it is," remarked Agnes, 
 " that the grasshopper should be able to pull 
 these long legs from its old skin without 
 breaking them." 
 
 " It is, indeed, wonderful," said Mrs. Mel- 
 ville ; " it is one of the wonderful works of 
 God. And to trace His hand in the forma-
 
 THE GRASSHOPPER'S FOOD. 31 
 
 tion of His creatures, is the proper end of 
 the study of nature : these long legs are given 
 the grasshopper to enable it to leap over the 
 grass." 
 
 " You have not told us, mamma, what the 
 grasshopper feeds on," said Walter. 
 
 " Its food is grass and tender plants," an- 
 swered Mrs. Melville. 
 
 " Mamma," said Agnes, " is this insect 
 at all like the locust we read of in the 
 Bible?" 
 
 " Yes, my dear," replied Mrs. Melville : 
 " the locust and grasshopper belong to the 
 same class of insects, but the locust is much 
 larger and more powerful than the grass- 
 hopper ; and is not a native of this 
 country." 
 
 "Will you please to tell us something 
 more about it ?" said Helen. 
 
 " Willingly, my dear," replied Mrs. Mel- 
 ville. " Tell me, Agnes, where this insect 
 is spoken of in the Bible."
 
 32 HOLIDAY RAMBLES. 
 
 "I think, mamma," answered Agnes, 
 " the account of the eighth plague God sent 
 on Pharaoh, and the Egyptians, is the first 
 time the ravages of locusts are described in 
 the Bible.' 7 
 
 " It is so," said Mrs. Melville. " Can you 
 tell me, "Walter, why that plague was sent, 
 and where the narrative is to be found?" 
 
 " Yes, mamma," replied Walter : "the 
 history of the plagues of Egypt is in Exodus ; 
 I think the plague of locusts is written in the 
 tenth chapter. Were they not sent to punish 
 Pharaoh, king of Egypt, for his disobedience 
 in not letting the children of Israel depart, 
 according to the command of God, and for 
 his hardness of heart ?" 
 
 " They were, my dear," said Mrs. Melville ; 
 <f and the ravages they committed were 
 dreadful. It is said, ' They covered the face 
 of the whole earth, so that the land was 
 darkened ; and they did eat every herb of 
 the land, and all the fruit of the trees, which
 
 THE LOCUST. 33 
 
 the hail had left; and there remained not 
 anything green on the trees, or in the herbs 
 of the field, through all the land of Egypt.' 
 In other parts of the Bible, the visitation of 
 locusts, by the command of God, is threat- 
 ened for disobedience to His law. Moses, 
 in delivering the curses on the Jews, should 
 they forsake the worship of the Lord, says, 
 c They shall carry much seed out into the 
 field, and shall gather but little in, for the 
 locust shall consume it.' And again, 'All 
 thy trees, and thy fruit, shall the locust 
 consume.' In prophetic language, the over- 
 running of a country by locusts is typical of 
 invasion from hostile armies." 
 
 " When it is said, that John the Baptist 
 ate locusts and wild honey, does it mean the 
 same insect you are describing, mamma?" 
 inquired Agnes. 
 
 " It is thought by some people," replied 
 Mrs. Melville, " that the locust, used as food 
 by John the Baptist, was a plant so called ; 
 c
 
 34 HOLIDAY RAMBLES. 
 
 but I can see no reason why it should not 
 be the insect : it is likely they were eaten 
 by the Jews, for Moses, when enumerating, 
 in the book of Leviticus, the clean animals 
 they might eat, specifies four different kinds 
 of locusts." 
 
 " Do any other nations eat them, mam- 
 ma?" inquired Helen. 
 
 "Yes, my love," replied Mrs. Melville, 
 "the inhabitants of the various countries 
 this destructive insect frequents, compensate 
 themselves, in some degree, for the ravages 
 they commit, by subsisting on them in turn. 
 In many places they are brought to the 
 market for sale. The Bedouins roast them on 
 the coals ; in addition to this, the Arabs steep 
 them in butter. The inhabitants of Morocco 
 dry them on the roofs and terraces of their 
 houses; they eat them either smoked or 
 boiled, and esteem them so highly, that the 
 price of provision falls when the locusts 
 visit the neighbourhood. The Hottentots, as
 
 HABITS OF THE LOCUST. 35 
 
 well as many African tribes, grind them into 
 a sort of flour, which they make into bread." 
 
 "Does the locust go through the same 
 stages as the grasshopper, mamma?" asked 
 George. 
 
 "Exactly the same, my dear," replied 
 Mrs. Melville, "but they differ in some 
 other things. The locust is much larger 
 and more destructive than the grasshopper ; 
 they are also gregarious, or live together in 
 great numbers." 
 
 " Are they very destructive before they 
 can fly?" inquired Agnes. 
 
 " They are equally voracious, if not more 
 so," answered Mrs. Melville, "in the two 
 first states of their existence, as when 
 arrived at perfection. As soon as they 
 leave the egg, they arrange themselves in 
 bands, and march towards the sea, demo- 
 lishing, in their progress, every green thing 
 that comes in their way, and keeping their 
 ranks like men of war." 
 c 2
 
 36 HOLIDAY RAMBLES. 
 
 " What do they do if they come to a 
 house, mamma?" asked Helen. 
 
 " They climb over it, my clear," replied 
 Mrs. Melville ; " no obstacle will stop them. 
 The poor people of the country try to 
 destroy them, by digging ditches, and filling 
 them with fire- wood ; but the locusts pour 
 in, till, by numbers, they extinguish the 
 flames, and cross over the dead bodies of 
 their companions. They rest at night, and 
 remain clustered on the tufts of grass, or 
 shrubs, and many of them are killed by 
 driving flocks of sheep over them. It is 
 when the locusts have acquired wings they 
 are most formidable; a swarm of them 
 appears at a distance, like a black cloud, 
 which, as it approaches, almost hides the 
 light of the sun, and woe to the unfortunate 
 country on which they alight. They ravage 
 the meadow and the pasture land ; strip the 
 trees of their leaves, the garden of its 
 beauty. The visitation of a few hours
 
 LOCUSTS IN ENGLAND. 37 
 
 destroys the expectation of the year, and a 
 famine too frequently ensues." 
 
 " What dreadful creatures they must be," 
 said Walter. " Do they ever come to this 
 country, mamina?" 
 
 " Not in any numbers, my dear," replied 
 Mrs. Melville ; " we are mercifully preserved 
 from such a heavy judgment as a visit from 
 a flight of locusts would be. In 1748, a few 
 individuals were seen in several parts of 
 England; they occasioned a great deal of 
 talk, but did no mischief; and, within the 
 last few years, some have been picked up in 
 the city of Bath." 
 
 " Thank you, dear mamma, for the inte- 
 resting account you have given us," said 
 Agnes ; "I had no idea the history of the 
 locust could amuse us so much." 
 
 " I wish you to gain more than amuse- 
 ment from what I have told you, my love," 
 replied Mrs. Melville ; " I want you to reco- 
 gnise the hand of God in directing the
 
 38 HOLIDAY RAMBLES. 
 
 marches of the locust. They are His 
 scourge, with which He corrects nations for 
 their iniquities. He calls them, c My great 
 army, which I sent amongst you ;' and truly 
 they are a great army, marshalled by His 
 Almighty power, and guided by His hand. 
 
 " I think it is now time to move on. 
 George, will you call the pony?"
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 AT the commencement of this conversation, 
 Frisk was quietly feeding on the shrubs and 
 grass that grew near the plane tree. Being 
 much interested in the subject under con- 
 sideration, no one had for some time paid 
 any attention to the movements of the little 
 creature, and when George went to call him, 
 he was rather surprised at seeing Frisk at 
 the top of the hill, in the very act of getting 
 through the hedge into a wheat field. 
 George and Walter directly ran to prevent 
 his breaking bounds; but, owing to the 
 steepness of the field, they did not arrive 
 at the top until Frisk had made his way 
 through the barrier, and was regaling him- 
 self, very much to his own satisfaction, on 
 the sweet young wheat. The boys followed 
 through the gap, and went to catch him, as
 
 40 HOLIDAY B AMBLES. 
 
 usual; but Frisk, as if conscious that he was 
 doing wrong, would not be caught, and ran 
 off through the middle of the field. They 
 did not like to follow him, fearing they 
 should hurt the corn ; so, walking round by 
 the hedge, they, after a time, succeeded in 
 catching the runaway, and bringing him to 
 the place through which he entered. George 
 took the end of the bridle, and going first, 
 pulled Frisk after him. Walter followed, 
 and they soon arrived safely at the bottom 
 of the field, where Mrs. Melville and the 
 girls were anxiously waiting for them. 
 
 " "What could make Frisk behave so 
 badly ?" said Agnes, when she had heard 
 the account of the chase. " He generally 
 stays very quietly near us." 
 
 " I hope he has not been taking lessons 
 from Dick, Harry's pony," said George. 
 
 " Next time it would be better to fasten 
 him to a tree, my dear," said Mrs. Melville; 
 "he must not be allowed to trespass in
 
 WILTON FARM. 41 
 
 corn fields. I fear he has injured the 
 wheat." 
 
 " No, mamma, I do not think he did 
 much harm," replied George. " He made 
 a path through the corn, but the next 
 shower will cause it to rise again; and 
 Walter closed the gap in the hedge with 
 some thorns." 
 
 " I am glad you so carefully repaired the 
 mischief, my dears," said Mrs. Melville, as 
 she remounted her little pony. 
 
 Leaving the canal, and the pleasant field 
 through which it passed, our party pro- 
 ceeded on their way to Wilton Farm. On 
 their arrival, Dame Goodenough came out 
 to meet and welcome them; Mrs. Melville 
 dismounted and accompanied the good 
 woman into the house, followed by the 
 children, Frisk was fastened to a post 
 under the shade of a large walnut tree. 
 Neptune was admonished to lie quietly 
 under the table ; George gave him one of his
 
 42 HOLIDAY RAMBLES. 
 
 gloves to take in charge, and Helen kept 
 Rover by her side. 
 
 After many inquiries, Agnes gave the 
 frock she had made for the little girl, but 
 could not receive her thanks, as the little 
 creature was quietly enjoying a sound sleep 
 in the cradle. Whilst they were talking, 
 Rover slipped from beside Helen, and she 
 was alarmed by hearing a noise behind her. 
 On turning to discover the cause of the 
 commotion, she saw Rover very intently 
 looking, and pointing at something in a 
 basket. 
 
 " Don't be frightened, Miss Helen," said 
 Darne Goodenough ; " that is only Muff, the 
 poor cat. She is a very useful creature, 
 and is nursing two little ducks." 
 
 " You do not mean to say that she has 
 two live ducks in her basket?" said George, 
 with surprise. 
 
 " Yes, sir, she has. There they are," 
 replied the Dame, taking up the cat, and
 
 PUSS S NURSLINGS. 43 
 
 showing them two little ducks, one white, 
 and the other dark, in the basket ; " these 
 poor little things remained too long in the 
 water this morning, and got the cramp, so 
 we brought them in to Muff, to take care of. 
 "When she has warmed them enough I will 
 take them out to their mother." 
 
 The children expressed much astonish- 
 ment and admiration at the docility of puss, 
 and taking Rover away, they put him on a 
 chair, giving him strict orders not to move. 
 Just then Farmer Goodenough came in, and, 
 after paying his respects to Mrs. Melville, 
 asked the young people if they would like 
 to look over the farm, and see his stock. 
 They willingly agreed to go, if their mamma 
 had no objection. Mrs. Melville kindly con- 
 sented, charging them to come back in half 
 an hour, as it would then be time to return 
 home. George looked at his watch, and pro- 
 mised to loe the -time-keeper, and bring back 
 the rest of the party, as his mamma desired.
 
 44 HOLIDAY EAMBLES. 
 
 They first went to the poultry yard, to 
 see a fine brood of guinea chicks that morn- 
 ing come out of the nest ; these they admired 
 very much, and gave them some food. They 
 then went to the pond, to see the geese and 
 ducks swimming about. A brood of ducks, 
 that had been hatched under a hen, took the 
 water as well as the others, and the children 
 were much disturbed to see the distress of 
 the poor hen, as she ran from side to side of 
 the pond, calling her foster children. The 
 old goose and gander took great care of 
 their young family, and gliding about in the 
 water, looked much more graceful than when 
 waddling on the land. The farmer threw 
 some corn to the chickens, when the whole 
 party in the pond came flying, quacking, 
 and tumbling, to secure their share of 
 the food, much to the amusement of the 
 children. 
 
 They then went to see a litter of pigs, 
 three weeks old. Walter was delighted
 
 A LESSON FOR GLUTTONS. 45 
 
 with them, and counted ten, four black, 
 two white, and the rest black and white. 
 Farmer Goodenough put some barley-meal 
 and whey into their trough, and the children 
 were much struck to see what greedy little 
 creatures they were. 
 
 " I hope," said Walter, " I shall never be 
 greedy like these pigs ; how they are push- 
 ing one another to try to get the best and 
 most. They must hurt each other, or they 
 would not squeak so loudly. I wish 
 Master Harding could see them ; I think it 
 would cure him of gluttony." 
 
 " Hush, Walter," said Agnes, " we must 
 not speak ill of the absent. Let us rather 
 learn the hatefulness of gluttony, the plea- 
 sure of giving to others, and living together 
 in love and peace." 
 
 " What you say is very true, Miss 
 Agnes. I often turn away with disgust 
 from those greedy creatures to my old 
 friend here," said Farmer Goodenough,
 
 46 HOLIDAY RAMBLES. 
 
 patting the head of a fine sheep-dog, which 
 had accompanied them in their walk; " he 
 always stops when I feed him, to kiss my 
 hand in thanks, before he eats a bit." 
 
 " Pretty creature," said Helen. " AVhat 
 is its name ?" 
 
 "I call him Oscar, Miss Helen," said 
 Farmer Goodenough. " He is a very valu- 
 able dog ; he goes to the hills with me, and 
 will single out of the flock any sheep I 
 name, and bring it to me." 
 
 " How can he know them apart, among 
 so many?" said George. 
 
 " Why, sir, I believe Oscar and I know 
 every sheep in the flock. I often think, 
 when I am out with them, of those words 
 that are applied to our blessed Saviour, in 
 the 40th chapter of Isaiah, and the llth 
 verse: 4 He shall feed His flock like a 
 shepherd; He shall gather the lambs with 
 His arm, and carry them in His bosom, 
 and shall gently lead those that are with
 
 "THE GOOD SHEPHERD." 47 
 
 young. 7 How beautifully the care Christ 
 takes of His people is here expressed, under 
 the image of a tender shepherd: how He 
 tends them, and bears with the young and 
 weak; and how fit the emblem chosen to 
 represent His children a flock of sheep. I 
 am sure my sheep need great care to pre- 
 vent them from straying, and to guard 
 them from injury, for they are of all 
 animals the most unfit to take proper care 
 of themselves: if one goes through the 
 hedge, all the rest are sure to follow, 
 though they may leave half their fleece on 
 the thorns. I should like to show you 
 some of the lambs, they are such playful 
 little creatures." 
 
 So saying, he led the way across the 
 yard to a field where nearly a hundred 
 lambs were frisking about. The children 
 were much amused at their gambols, and 
 would have watched them much longer 
 had not George looked at his watch, and
 
 48 HOLIDAY RAMBLES. 
 
 found it was time to return ; so they bent 
 their steps towards the house, looking in to 
 see the calves on their way, and thanking 
 the farmer for the trouble he had taken in 
 showing them all the creatures. When 
 they arrived at the house, they found Mrs. 
 Melville waiting; little Jane was awake, 
 and dressed in the present Agnes had 
 taken her, but was too shy to have any- 
 thing to say to them. Neptune brought 
 George his glove, and Rover was delighted 
 to be again allowed to run about. Farmer 
 Goodenough assisted Mrs. Melville to mount 
 her trusty little steed; and when the 
 children had taken another peep at Muff, 
 and said good-bye to Dame Goodenough and 
 little Jane, they ran after their mamma. 
 Farmer Goodenough attended them to the 
 gate, and they proceeded on their way 
 home: it being too late to go to AVilton 
 that day, Mrs. Melville kindly promised to 
 take them when their aunt Emily came.
 
 AUNT EMILY'S LETTEE. 49 
 
 They much enjoyed their walk home again, 
 talking over all they had seen and heard. 
 Neptune rendered himself useful by carry- 
 ing the basket, and little Rover ran back- 
 wards and forwards in high glee. They 
 arrived at home just in time for dinner, and 
 met Mr. Melville at the gate, coming to 
 look for them, with a letter open in his 
 hand. 
 
 " Good news !" said he. 
 
 "What is it about, papa? 7 ' said George. 
 
 " Your clear aunt Emily is coming to- 
 morrow. Is not that good news, George?' 7 
 
 " It is, indeed," said all the children. 
 " Dear aunty, how pleased we shall be to 
 see her." 
 
 The dinner-bell rang, and Mr. Melville 
 assisting his wife to dismount, they all went 
 into the house to enjoy the good things pro- 
 vided, with thankful hearts, and appetites 
 much improved by their walk.
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 DIRECTLY after breakfast, the following 
 morning, the children commenced making 
 preparations for welcoming their aunt, Miss 
 St. Clair. Agnes and George went to 
 gather the best flowers their gardens af- 
 forded, and succeeded in finding a bunch 
 of beautiful roses, carnations, geranium, 
 verbena, and myrtle, which they arranged in 
 a vase with great care, and placed on their 
 aunt's-dressing table. Helen and Walter 
 ransacked the strawberry beds, hoping 
 to procure enough ripe fruit for dessert. 
 After they had finished these arrange- 
 ments, they remembered their aunt would 
 come to look at their gardens almost the 
 first thing : and as the wind had blown down 
 some of the creepers, they all set to work 
 to put things in proper order. George went
 
 Agnes and George's vase of flowers for Aunt Emily. P. 53.

 
 GARDENING. 51 
 
 to the filbert hedge to cut some nice straight 
 sticks, Agnes brought some matting to tie 
 the plants, Helen began to pull up the 
 weeds, and Walter ran for his wheelbarrow 
 to carry them away. As they all worked 
 together, they each helped the other; and 
 in a short time they had completed their 
 task. When they had finished, they went 
 into the house, and entreated their mamma 
 to come and see how busy they had all been. 
 Mrs. Melville willingly consented to accom- 
 pany them, and they were much gratified 
 at the praise she bestowed on their in- 
 dustry. 
 
 " Look, mamma," said George, " is not 
 this a beautiful rose? I struck it from a 
 cutting last year; and Agnes has taken 
 such care of it since I have been away ! Is 
 not this a fine blossom?" 
 
 " It is, indeed," replied Mrs. Melville. 
 " I think the rose is one of the most beau- 
 tiful as well as fragrant flowers. It is used 
 
 D2
 
 52 HOLIDAY RAMBLES. 
 
 in Scripture as an emblem of our Saviour: 
 we read, in the Song of Solomon, 2nd 
 chapter, 1st verse, ' I am the Rose of 
 Sharon, and the Lily of the valleys.' " 
 
 i; Where is Sharon, mamma?" asked 
 Agnes. 
 
 " The valley of Sharon," said Mrs. Mel- 
 ville, " is at the foot of Mount Carmel, in 
 the land of Palestine, or the Holy Land, as 
 it is sometimes called. The rose and lily 
 flourish there, with all the splendour and 
 fragrance ascribed to them in the Bible." 
 
 " Does the rose grow in any other coun- 
 try?" asked Agnes. 
 
 " In Egypt," replied Mrs. Melville, " the 
 rose is cultivated to such an extent, par- 
 ticularly in one province, that to ride 
 through beds of roses for twenty miles 
 together, is no unusual thing." 
 
 " How very beautiful," said Helen. " But 
 what good, mamma, are they in such quan- 
 tities?"
 
 THE POULTRY- YAKD. 53 
 
 " They are used to make rose water, my 
 clear," answered Mrs. Melville, c: and that 
 valuable scent called Atar of Roses. At 
 Cairo this rose water is sold at a penny a 
 quart, and is used after bathing, the bath 
 of rose water costing only sixpence extra. 
 The Atar of Roses is more expensive in 
 England; it is sometimes a guinea a small 
 bottle. At Cairo the same quantity would 
 be one shilling." 
 
 " Mamma," said Helen, " now you are 
 out, do come and see my chickens; they 
 are such pretty creatures." 
 
 " I am quite willing to accompany you, 
 my love," said Mrs. Melville, " but I cannot 
 stay very long, as it will soon be time to 
 meet your aunt." 
 
 Helen led the way to the poultry-yard, 
 and showed her mamma her speckled hen, 
 Gipsy, and a troop of little chicks just 
 hatched. She opened the coop, and let 
 Madarn Gipsy and her charge out into the
 
 54: HOLIDAY RAMBLES. 
 
 yard, to enjoy the bright sunshine, and 
 catch the insects that were flying about. 
 Walter brought some food for them, and the 
 children stood to watch the care the old 
 hen took of all the young ones. She 
 would not eat any herself till she had called 
 the little creatures around her, and given 
 them the best. When she thought they had 
 walked enough, she called them to her, and 
 nestled them all under her wings. 
 
 " Of what should the care this faithful 
 bird displays for her young ones remind 
 us?" asked Mrs. Melville. 
 
 " I think I know what you mean, 
 mamma," said George. " Are you not think- 
 ing of our Saviour's words when He wept 
 over Jerusalem?" 
 
 " You are right, my dear," replied Mrs. 
 Melville ; " I meant those words recorded 
 in St. Matthew and St. Luke, '0 Jeru- 
 salem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the 
 prophets, and stonest them which are sent
 
 OUR REFUGE. 55 
 
 unto thee, how often would I have gathered 
 thy children together, even as a hen 
 gathereth her chickens under her wings, 
 and ye would not.' We may see Christ's 
 tender care of His people illustrated by the 
 similitude of a hen gathering her chickens 
 together. The tenderness and care instinc- 
 tively displayed by the hen for her young, 
 is a beautiful illustration of our Lord's 
 love to His people. David says, 'How 
 excellent is Thy lovingkindness, God; 
 therefore the children of men put their 
 trust under the shadow of Thy wings.' 
 Those, and those only, who have taken 
 refuge in Christ, will, when the storms and 
 vicissitudes of this life occur, experience 
 that refuge and support not to be derived 
 from any earthly source. May you, my 
 beloved children, seek an individual interest 
 in that Saviour, whom to know is eternal 
 life ; that when assailed by the temptations 
 and trials of this world, you may be enabled
 
 56 HOLIDAY RAMBLES. 
 
 to know the blessedness of flying to Christ 
 as your refuge, and putting your trust 
 under the shadow of His wings." 
 
 The conversation was here interrupted by 
 the servant corning to tell his mistress 
 the carriage was waiting. Mrs. Melville 
 then went to meet her sister, and the 
 children, after going round the garden, 
 separated to dress for dinner, and be in 
 readiness to receive their much wished-for 
 visitor
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 THE following morning, at breakfast, Mr. 
 Melville said, " I have some news which I 
 think will interest you." 
 
 a Do tell us, papa,' 7 said George. 
 
 u There has been a fresh arrival of 
 animals at the Zoological Gardens." 
 
 " What are they, papa?" inquired Walter. 
 
 " I have not seen them," replied Mr. 
 Melville ; u but I hear that, first of all. is a 
 young giraffe, a pair of pelicans, an ostrich, 
 an African lion, and some monkeys." 
 
 " Oh ! dear papa, do take us to see them," 
 said Helen, springing from her chair, and 
 throwing her arms round her papa; " it will 
 be such a treat to go to the Gardens with 
 you." 
 
 " Do not be so rough, my dear," said Mr. 
 Melville, gently disengaging the little girl's
 
 58 HOLIDAY RAMBLES. 
 
 arms from his neck, and taking her on his 
 knee. " I have leisure to-day, and shall be 
 happy to take you to the Gardens, especially 
 as your mamma tells me you have been good 
 children, and have given her but little 
 trouble with your lessons. I give you an 
 hour to equip yourselves, and be sure you 
 do not forget some nuts for the monkeys, 
 and bread for the elephant." 
 
 The children, greatly delighted with their 
 papa's kind promise, were not long prepar- 
 ing for their excursion. When they were 
 ready, they repaired to the hall, to wait for 
 their papa, mamma, and aunt, who soon 
 joined them ; and entering the carriage, they 
 drove off, with happy faces, in expectation 
 of the morning's pleasure. 
 
 The Zoological Gardens were at some 
 distance from Mr. Melville's residence, and 
 were much frequented, both for the pleasant- 
 ness of their situation, and for the beauty of 
 the animals. They were tastefully laid out
 
 THE ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS. 59 
 
 in shady walks, smooth grass-plots, enli- 
 vened with beds of beautiful flowers, and 
 sweet-scented shrubs. On entering the 
 gardens, they turned to the right, along a 
 wide path, which led to the largest house, 
 containing the lions and tigers. The first 
 den was the abode of a beautiful lion and 
 lioness. The children admired the flowing 
 mane of the majestic animal, and the beauty 
 of his mate. Helen was rather alarmed at 
 such formidable creatures, but being re- 
 assured by her father, gained courage to 
 look at the splendid animals. 
 
 " Is not a lion more generous and noble 
 in its disposition than a tiger, papa ?" in 
 quired George. 
 
 " He is generally considered so, my dear," 
 replied Mr. Melville. " The lion is fre- 
 quently tamed, and exhibits docility and 
 affection for his keeper in a remarkable 
 degree. I remember an anecdote I read 
 some time ago, of a lion in a menagerie at
 
 60 HOLIDAY RAMBLES. 
 
 Brussels, called Danco, whose cage was in 
 want of some repairs. His keeper desired a 
 carpenter to set about it; but when the 
 workman came and saw the lion, he started 
 back with terror. The keeper entered the 
 animal's cage, and led him to the upper part 
 of it, while the lower was refitting. He 
 there amused himself for some time playing 
 with the lion, and being wearied, he soon 
 fell asleep. The carpenter, fully relying on 
 the vigilance of the keeper, pursued his 
 work with rapidity, and when he had 
 finished, he called him to see what was 
 done. The keeper made no answer. Hav- 
 ing repeatedly called in vain, he began to 
 feel alarmed at his situation, and determined 
 to go to the upper part of the cage, where, 
 looking through the railing, he saw the lion 
 and the keeper sleeping, side by side. He 
 immediately uttered a loud ciy. The lion, 
 awakened by the noise, started up, and 
 stared at the carpenter with an eye of fury ;
 
 THE TIGER THE CHETAH. 61 
 
 then, placing his paw on the breast of the 
 keeper, laid down to sleep again. At length 
 the keeper was awakened by some of the 
 attendants, and appearing to feel no appre- 
 hension from the situation in which he found 
 himself, he shook the lion by the paw, and 
 then quietly conducted him to his former 
 residence." 
 
 " Noble creature !" said Agnes, " how I 
 should like to have seen him sleeping by the 
 side of his master. What is this animal, 
 papa?" 
 
 " That is the royal Bengal tiger," replied 
 Mr. Melville. " You see it is striped ; and 
 next is a chetah, or hunting leopard." 
 
 " What do they hunt, papa?" asked 
 Walter. 
 
 " In India and Persia, my dear," replied 
 Mr. Melville, "the chetah is used to cap- 
 ture antelopes and deer. They are so tame 
 and gentle, that they are led in a leash, like 
 greyhounds ; but when brought to the hunt-
 
 2 HOLIDAY RAMBLES. 
 
 ing field they are carried either on an 
 elephant or in a cart made for the purpose 
 and drawn by oxen. When the game is in 
 view, the chetah is quickly loosed from his 
 leash, and, as soon as he sees the deer, he 
 drops quietly off the cart, and approaches it 
 with great caution, availing himself of the 
 shelter of every bush that comes in his way. 
 When arrived at a certain distance from his 
 prey, he no longer desires concealment, but, 
 springing forward, in a few bounds generally 
 succeeds in capturing his victim." 
 
 After admiring the agile form and beau- 
 tiful markings of the ocelot, noticing the civet 
 cat, and some more animals of the same 
 kind, our party left that house, and pro- 
 ceeded to the one containing the monkeys. 
 In the centre compartment were several 
 monkeys, of different kinds, some very small, 
 and others large. The children were much 
 delighted with watching their antics, and, 
 throwing some nuts into the cage, enjoyed
 
 THE MONKEY-HOUSE. 63 
 
 the scramble which ensued. One little 
 monkey, with a long tail, put its arm out to 
 reach a bit of biscuit Helen offered it ; this 
 was seen by a large Barbary ape, who wished 
 to share in the spoil, but, as if unwilling to 
 venture too near the bars, he caught the 
 little monkey by the tail, and gradually 
 drew it towards himself. The little crea- 
 ture was most industrious in demolishing its 
 booty, and as the ape took it in his arms to 
 reach the cake, popped the last two bits into 
 its mouth, and turning round, chattered 
 defiance at its persecutor. 
 
 There were many visitors to the monkey 
 house besides our party, and, amongst the 
 rest, a gentleman, with a large pair of gold 
 spectacles on, and who appeared to be very 
 short-sighted, for he was peering in a most 
 inquisitive manner into the cage. A mon- 
 key, with very long arms, seemed much to 
 resent this prying scrutiny. Climbing, un- 
 observed by the gentleman, to a position
 
 64 HOLIDAY KAMBLES. 
 
 on the bars just even with his head, and 
 wn tching an opportunity when his uncon- 
 scious victim was stooping, in the ardour 
 of observation, almost close to the cage, he 
 snatched the spectacles from off his nose. 
 It would be vain to attempt describing the 
 scene that ensued; the astonishment and 
 indignation of the gentleman; the chatter- 
 ing of all the monkeys, both little and big, 
 and, I am sorry to say, the laughter of some 
 of the spectators, made a concert of sounds 
 not the most harmonious in the world. The 
 arrival of a keeper quieted the din in some 
 measure, but it was not till the pebbles 
 were separated from the gold part of the 
 spectacles, and the latter was twisted into 
 every shape but the right, that they were 
 taken from their chattering possessor. 
 
 At the upper end of the house was a 
 large baboon. To the great delight of the 
 children, the keeper entered his cage, taking 
 with him a small table, an arm chair, and
 
 THE BABOON AT TEA. 65 
 
 a cup of tea. The baboon gravely seated 
 himself in the chair, and taking the cup 
 from the table, poured the tea into the 
 saucer, and, holding it in his hands, drank 
 the contents with apparent relish. 
 
 " I think," said Mrs. Melville, " we have 
 watched these amusing creatures long 
 enough; let us go and pay a visit to the 
 elephant. Have you anything left to give 
 him, my dears?" 
 
 "I have some bread, mamma," said 
 Agnes. 
 
 "And I have some biscuits," said Helen. 
 " Will he like them, mamma?" 
 
 "I dare say he will, my dear," replied 
 Mrs. Melville. " Whenever I have visited 
 a menagerie, there has always been either 
 an old man or woman in the corner, close 
 by the elephant, with a basket of cakes and 
 gingerbread for sale. Many persons give 
 the sagacious creature some pence, and 
 he directly turns to the basket, gives the 
 E
 
 66 HOLIDAY RAMBLES. 
 
 owner the money, and expects something 
 in return." 
 
 " Does he know when he is well served, 
 mamma?" inquired George; "or may he 
 be cheated with impunity?" 
 
 " It is not easy to cheat him," said Miss 
 St. Clair. " I saw a man give an elephant, 
 who was his customer, only six star-cakes 
 for a penny, instead of eight ; but he would 
 not be content till he had the right number." 
 
 Whilst thus conversing, they entered the 
 habitation of the elephant. Helen had 
 never seen so large a creature before, and, 
 being frightened when he moved his trunk 
 towards her, kept close to her mamma, and 
 could not be induced to offer him a bit of 
 bread Agnes had given her for that purpose. 
 The elephant was very gentle, and appeared 
 pleased with the bread the children gave 
 him, taking it from their hands with his 
 trunk, then curling it round to put it into 
 his mouth.
 
 A RESCUE. 67 
 
 Mr. Melville said he could tell them a 
 story, in which the elephant's trunk had 
 been of great use to his keeper. 
 
 " Do tell us, papa," said all the children. 
 
 " Some years ago," said Mr. Melville, 
 " in one of the travelling menageries, were 
 a pair of beautiful tigers ; and one Sunday, 
 when no one was in the show, by some 
 means these animals succeeded in getting 
 out of their den, and, springing upon a 
 lama, soon deprived it of life, and, by the 
 time the keeper entered the place, were 
 making a hearty meal on its carcase. The 
 keeper attempted to capture the ferocious 
 animals, but not succeeding, he only en- 
 raged them ; and the tiger, leaving his prey, 
 pursued the man. Providentially, he hap- 
 pened to run within reach of the elephant, 
 who instantly wound his trunk round him, 
 and lifting him into his den, placed him 
 where he would be safe from his pursuer. 
 The tiger, lashing his sides with his tail, 
 E 2
 
 68 HOLIDAY RAMBLES. 
 
 crouching for a time, sprang at the keeper ; 
 but the elephant was prepared to frustrate 
 his design, and receiving the enraged brute 
 on his tusks and trunk, dashed him, with 
 great violence, to the other end of the 
 arena. Again the savage beast returned 
 to the charge, his eyes flashing fury, and 
 growling defiance. He was received as 
 before by the noble creature, and tossed to 
 a distance. A third time he renewed the 
 attack, and a third time was sent flying 
 through the air. Being knocked, with so 
 much violence, against the barrier three 
 times following, effectually damped his 
 courage, and he slunk off* to his den. The 
 noise of the encounter brought plenty of 
 people to the assistance of the keeper, but 
 it was not till both the tigers were secured 
 in their den, that his faithful protector 
 would allow him to depart from his place of 
 refuge." 
 
 " How grateful the keeper must have felt
 
 A NARROW ESCAPE. 69 
 
 to the noble animal for saving his life," said 
 Agnes. 
 
 " He must, indeed," replied Mr. Melville : 
 " but though elephants remember their 
 friends, they never forget those that injure 
 them." 
 
 " Indeed they do not," said Miss St. 
 Clair. "It is very dangerous to hurt the 
 elephant. A little boy once gave one an 
 apple, with a pin in it; the elephant swal- 
 lowed it, and the boy thought no more 
 about it, but went round the show to look 
 at the animals. Coming within reach of 
 the injured creature, he seized the boy with 
 his trunk, and was in the act of lifting him 
 over the rails of his den, when the keeper, 
 attracted by the cries of the terrified boy, 
 interposed and rescued him from his immi- 
 nent peril.'' 
 
 " What a wicked thing to do !" said 
 Walter. " I hope the naughty boy was 
 well punished."
 
 70 HOLIDAY RAMBLES. 
 
 " The elephant punished him severely," 
 said Mrs. Melville. " It could be no very 
 pleasant sensation to feel himself completely 
 in the power of the justly-enraged animal." 
 
 " What would the elephant have done to 
 the boy, aunty, asked Agnes, u if he had 
 taken him into his den?" 
 
 " He would no doubt have crushed him 
 to death, my dear," replied Miss St. Clair. 
 " Had not the keeper been near, it would 
 have been the last piece of mischief the boy 
 would ever have committed." 
 
 The children were anxious to see the 
 newly-arrived animals; and Mr. Melville 
 seeing the keeper, inquired in what part of 
 the gardens they were placed ; the man in- 
 formed him that the young lion was in the 
 same house with the other beasts of prey; 
 the ostrich and pelicans were with the 
 birds ; but the giraffe had met with a sad 
 accident, for as they were bringing it to the 
 gardens, the caravan was overturned, and
 
 THE AVIARY. 71 
 
 the poor creature received a severe injury 
 on its shoulder. The children were much 
 disappointed at not being able to see it ; but 
 the keeper told them it was obliged to be 
 laid on its side, and a man sat at its head, 
 day and night, to prevent its moving. 
 
 On the way to the aviary, our party 
 passed many deer, antelopes, and goats, that 
 were tethered to the ground. A zebra very 
 much delighted Walter; and a large pond, 
 in which a number of beautiful water-fowl 
 were bathing themselves, attracted the at- 
 tention of the children for some time. 
 
 At the entrance of the aviary were some 
 large macaws, secured by a chain round 
 one of their legs to a stand. In passing 
 one of these, Miss St. Clair accidentally 
 knocked against the stand, and disturbed 
 the equilibrium of its occupier; the bird 
 gave a loud scream, and the other macaws, 
 taking up the note, created such a commo- 
 tion, that it frightened the children. Little
 
 72 HOLIDAY RAMBLES. 
 
 Helen ran out of the house as fast as she 
 could; her papa followed her, and assuring 
 her that the noise was the worst she had to 
 fear, soon prevailed on her to return, and 
 see the other birds. 
 
 The ostrich was a young one, and its 
 feathers were rather dirty, and out of order, 
 from its long journey. The pelicans also 
 appeared rather dingy; but the children 
 were delighted with the elegant plumage 
 and graceful form of the various kinds of 
 storks and pheasants that were walking up 
 and down their cages or basking in the 
 sunshine. 
 
 Leaving the aviary, Mr. Melville took 
 them to the place where the different kinds 
 of dogs were kept. A beautiful Esquimaux 
 dog attracted the attention of Agnes, who 
 very much admired his large curly tail. A 
 fine Newfoundland, also, won much upon 
 their good-will by wagging his tail, and 
 taking a piece of biscuit with great 
 gentleness.
 
 THE DOGS. 73 
 
 " I think," said George, " this is my 
 favourite of all the dogs ; that large Thibet 
 mastiff looks so surly ; and the greyhound, 
 notwithstanding its beauty, is greedy, and 
 seems to think only of himself, but this 
 pretty creature thanks you for every bit he 
 receives." 
 
 " The Newfoundland is, certainly, one of 
 the most interesting species," rejoined Mr. 
 Melville. " There are many anecdotes of 
 his sagacity in saving life. His feet being 
 webbed, much increases his dexterity in 
 swimming; and he will without hesitation 
 spring into the water to rescue his master 
 from drowning. A dog, belonging to a 
 vessel engaged in the Whale Fishery, ren- 
 dered essential assistance to his fellow-voy- 
 agers. On one occasion, seven men were 
 on an iceberg, when it gave way. Six of 
 them caught hold of the bow-ropes; but 
 the seventh sank, the water closed over him, 
 and his comrades concluded he was lost.
 
 74 HOLIDAY RAMBLES. 
 
 The master of the vessel was below at the 
 time, but promptly sprang upon deck, ac- 
 companied by his faithful dog. While 
 gazing intently, he observed the head of the 
 sailor above the water. He pointed it out 
 to the dog, and giving the word of com- 
 mand, the noble animal leaped from the 
 bow of the vessel, and swam towards the 
 man, barking, either to express anxiety, or to 
 cheer the man with a prospect of assistance. 
 Before the dog could arrive, the man was 
 picked up, in a state of insensibility, by a 
 boat that came from another ship. Seeing 
 the man was rescued, the dog returned to 
 his own ship; and, when taken on board, 
 his gambols, frisking, and fawning on his 
 master, indicated that, though he had not 
 saved the man, he was aware he had done 
 his duty. 
 
 Another of these useful animals be- 
 longed to the commander of a ship in the 
 "West-India trade. This dog always knew
 
 THE CHURCH- GOING DOG. 75 
 
 when land was near ; and, for some hours 
 before it was in view, would go to the side 
 of the vessel, snuff the air, wag his tail, 
 and seem much pleased. This was the 
 signal for sending a man aloft; and, in a 
 short time, the shore was sure to be dis- 
 covered. The captain, retiring from the 
 sea-service, took the dog with him; and 
 going to reside within a few miles of 
 London, he regularly attended the village 
 church on Sundays, accompanied by his 
 clog. When his master was prevented 
 going, the dog, on hearing the bell, would 
 set off alone, walk slowly to the church, 
 lie down in the captain's pew till service 
 was over, arid then return quietly home." 
 
 " Thank you, dear papa, for your sto- 
 ries," said Agnes. "I always liked dogs; 
 and now they will be higher in my favour 
 than ever." 
 
 " It is time to think of returning home," 
 said Mrs. Melville, looking at her watch;
 
 76 HOLIDAY RAMBLES. 
 
 " we have remained here longer than we 
 intended. Come, my dears, you must not 
 stay looking at the dogs any more." 
 
 Notwithstanding the reluctance the 
 children felt at leaving the interesting 
 objects that surrounded them, they 
 promptly obeyed their mamma's call, and 
 left the gardens immediately.
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 THE excursion to Wilton afforded so much 
 gratification to the children, that not many 
 days elapsed before they entreated Mrs. 
 Melville to accompany them to a very 
 beautiful wood about a mile and a half 
 distant. 
 
 Having procured his mamma's consent, 
 George soon had the little pony equipped 
 for the expedition, and taking his hat and 
 gloves, took his station at his head, to wait 
 the arrival of Mrs. Melville and Miss St. 
 Clair. Walter, his sisters, and the two 
 dogs, were also quite ready and anxious to 
 proceed on their much wished-for ex- 
 cursion. 
 
 Mrs. Melville soon appeared, and, mount- 
 ing her little palfrey, they all set off in high
 
 78 HOLIDAY RAMBLES. 
 
 glee to the wood of Jlillgrove. They pro- 
 ceeded through a beautiful shady lane, the 
 trees meeting in many places over their 
 heads, and forming graceful avenues. 
 Occasionally a break in the hedge enabled 
 them to get a view of the picturesque city 
 of C , which was situated on the oppo- 
 site hill. After enjoying this refreshing 
 shade for a considerable time, they came 
 in sight of a tumulus, on which the unfor- 
 tunate Duke of Monmouth is said to have 
 encamped, and which overlooked the wood 
 and village of Millgrove. After descending 
 a steep hill, they arrived at their destination. 
 The wood was in a valley, with a fine trout 
 stream running through it ; the hill on one 
 side was covered with beautiful oaks, and 
 as the brush-wood had lately been cut from 
 under them, our party gladly availed them- 
 selves of the cool and refreshing shadow 
 afforded by a splendid oak, the monarch of 
 the wood, and, reclining on a bank scattered
 
 A WOODLAND SCENE. 79 
 
 over with wild flowers, they amused them- 
 selves by watching the numerous insects 
 as they sported in the gloom, or sparkled 
 in the sunbeams that enlivened the shade 
 of the wood. Frisk, as usual, was allowed 
 to regale himself on the surrounding herb- 
 age, and the dogs were quietly resting at 
 the feet of their young masters. 
 
 " How lovely this wood is !" observed 
 Miss St. Clair. " I really think it increases 
 in beauty every time I come here." 
 
 "Yes," replied Mrs. Melville, "so I 
 think; it is a favourite walk of ours. 
 There are so many insects to observe here, 
 and the wild flowers are so beautiful, we 
 never tire of coming." 
 
 "Dear aunty," said George, "do just 
 look at that large fly; what is it about?" 
 
 " Let us go and see," replied Miss St. 
 Clair, rising, and walking towards the 
 object that excited their curiosity. "It is 
 a large dragon-fly, in search of prey.
 
 80 HOLIDAY RAMBLES. 
 
 Watch how it flies from spray to spray, 
 to secure the insects it lives on." 
 
 By this time they were joined by all the 
 party, and they together watched the 
 dragon-fly, as it flitted about amongst the 
 briers and flags that abounded on each 
 side the rivulet, chasing any unfortunate 
 butterfly that happened to come in its way. 
 After watching some time, they saw the 
 dragon-fly succeed in capturing a small 
 white butterfly, and settling on a high 
 branch just opposite our party, began to 
 devour its prey. 
 
 Helen had been earnestly observing the 
 chase, and had hoped that some sudden 
 turn of the poor butterfly would place it 
 beyond the reach of its rapacious perse- 
 cutor, but was much distressed to see the 
 dragon-fly bite off first one wing, and then 
 another, from its unresisting victim, arid 
 wanted her aunt to drive it away. Miss 
 St. Glair told her it was the nature of that
 
 THE DRAGON-FLY. 81 
 
 species of insect to devour those weaker 
 than themselves. At last the dragon-fly 
 finished its repast, and flew off to another 
 vicinity, much to the delight of the children, 
 who did not wish to see it exercise its 
 prowess in that manner a second time. 
 Again taking their seat upon the bank, 
 they began to talk over what they had just 
 witnessed. 
 
 " How very cruel it was of the dragon* 
 fly to kill that pretty white butterfly," said 
 Helen. 
 
 " It does appear cruel," said Mrs. Melville^ 
 " but it is one of the wise arrangements 
 of God, that, amongst the larger animals, 
 birds, and insects, there should be a class 
 whose nature it is to devour those unable to 
 resist them. Lions and tigers are amongst 
 the carnivorous animals; the eagle, hawk, 
 and owl, are carnivorous birds ; the dragon- 
 fly, as well as many others, are carnivorous 
 amongst insects."
 
 82 HOLIDAY RAMBLES. 
 
 "Will you tell us, dear mamma," said 
 Agnes, " something more of the history of 
 the dragon-fly?" 
 
 " With pleasure, my love," replied Mrs. 
 Melville. " It is an interesting account, 
 and I think will amuse as well as instruct 
 you." 
 
 "Walter, will you keep your little dog 
 still?" said Miss St. Clair. "It is rightly 
 named Eover, for it seems to be always 
 hunting about." 
 
 " Yes, aunty, I will. Come, Rover, and 
 sit by my side, and be quiet, if you can," 
 said Walter. " Now, mamma, we are all 
 ready." 
 
 " You remember, my dear," said Mrs. 
 Melville, " when I gave you the history of 
 the grasshopper and locust, I told you 
 these insects passed through two stages 
 before they arrived at perfection. Can you 
 tell me the names I used to describe their 
 different states?"
 
 THE DRAGON-FLY. 83 
 
 "I think I can, mamma," said Agnes; 
 u you called the first stage larva, and the 
 second pupa, or nymph, did you not?" 
 
 "It is so, my dear," continued Mrs. 
 Melville, " and the dragon -fly, in like 
 manner, goes through two transformations 
 before it comes forth a perfect insect. The 
 female dragon-fly deposits her eggs on the 
 water ; they sink directly to the bottom, in 
 a mass which much resembles a bunch of 
 grapes." 
 
 " Do the dragon-flies live in the water?" 
 asked Helen. 
 
 "During the two first stages of their 
 existence, my dear," replied Mrs. Melville, 
 " they remain at the bottom of ponds and 
 streams, taking refuge in the mud, which 
 they much resemble in colour. The head 
 and body of the larva are like the perfect 
 insect; it has six legs, and its feet are 
 armed with sharp claws. The only dif- 
 ference between it and the pupa, or nymph, 
 F 2
 
 84 HOLIDAY RAMBLES. 
 
 is, that the latter has the rudiments, or 
 beginnings, of wings, packed up in little 
 cases on each side of the insect. It is sup- 
 posed to continue in the water for nearly 
 two years." 
 
 " What does it feed on, mamma ?" asked 
 George. 
 
 " Its food consists of the small animals 
 that inhabit the water," answered Mrs. 
 Melville. "It is a most voracious insect; 
 no prey comes amiss to it, and it will seize 
 an insect with its strong mandibles, and not 
 quit its hold until it has drained all the 
 juices from the body of its victim. When 
 the nymph of the dragon-fly prepares for 
 its final transformation, it leaves its home 
 in the bed of the pond, or river, and, by 
 means of its sharp claws, fixes itself to some 
 reed or twig on the bank." 
 
 " How surprising it is," observed Miss 
 St. Glair, "the dragon-fly should seek a 
 place for changing its skin where it will be
 
 THE DRAGON-FLY. 85 
 
 protected from harm. I do not think it 
 leaves the water till this period, though it 
 changes its skin several times before arriving 
 at its full growth. The instinct bestowed 
 on it by its beneficent Creator doubtless 
 impels it, as soon as it finds its last change 
 approaching, to select some suitable situa- 
 tion in which to complete its transform- 
 ation." 
 
 " How does it free itself from its old 
 skin, mamma?" asked Agnes. 
 
 "In a similar manner to that of the 
 grasshopper," replied Mrs. Melville. " By 
 the swelling of the upper part of the body 
 of the dragon-fly, the envelope is soon dis- 
 tended, and bursts asunder on the back of 
 the head and shoulders ; through this open- 
 ing first the head, and then the legs, of 
 the perfect fly make their exit, whilst the 
 empty covering of the legs continues in its 
 place." 
 
 " It must require very violent exertion,' 1
 
 86 HOLIDAY RAMBLES. 
 
 said Miss St. Clair, " to burst its old co- 
 vering." 
 
 " Yes, it does/ 7 resumed Mrs. Melville ; 
 "it is obliged to rest. After extricating 
 itself thus far, it hangs with its head down- 
 wards, and remains in that position till the 
 parts excluded are, in some degree, dry. 
 It next erects itself, and taking hold of the 
 upper part of the skin with its feet, pulls 
 the part still enveloped further out; then, 
 creeping forward, by degrees it disengages 
 the entire body, and again rests for a time." 
 
 "How does the fly spread its wings?" 
 asked George. 
 
 " When the fly first comes out of the old 
 skin," continued Mrs. Melville, " they are 
 folded up, and not a quarter the size they 
 are when fully developed. Gradually they 
 expand, their plaits and folds become 
 smooth, the body also insensibly becomes 
 larger and longer, and the limbs acquire 
 their just size and proportions. While the
 
 THE DRAGON-FLY. 87 
 
 wings are undergoing this operation of 
 drying and expanding, the insect takes care 
 to keep them from coming in contact with 
 the body, by bending itself into the form 
 of a crescent ; for if they were obstructed 
 whilst wet, they could not afterwards be 
 set to rights." 
 
 " How many eyes do you think the 
 dragon-fly has, George?" asked Miss St. 
 Clair. 
 
 "I have only seen two, aunty," said 
 George, " in any of the flies I have caught ; 
 but why do you ask? Have they more?" 
 
 "Yes," replied Miss St. Clair: "they 
 have a greater number than you would 
 suppose, George, for the eyes of the dragon- 
 fly are singular pieces of mechanism. The 
 surface of the eye is divided into a net- 
 work, composed of six-sided figures; and 
 it is computed that there are between 
 twelve and thirteen thousand of these in 
 each eye; and each one of these compart-
 
 88 HOLIDAY RAMBLES. 
 
 ments is a distinct and perfect organ of 
 vision." 
 
 " Why, aunty, that is like a fairy tale," 
 said Agnes. "Five-and-twenty thousand 
 eyes in the head of one little insect !" 
 
 "It is, indeed, astonishing, but it is 
 perfectly true," observed Mrs. Melville. 
 "And we should admire the wisdom and 
 kindness of God in constructing an instru- 
 ment of such a complex nature as is the 
 eye of the dragon-fly, for the use and pre- 
 servation of one little creature, enabling it 
 to see, in all directions, those insects on 
 which it feeds." 
 
 " They are beautiful creatures," remarked 
 Miss St. Clair. " I like to see them, as they 
 dart about in the sunshine, sparkling like 
 gems, their polished wings reflecting the 
 bright beams in which they revel ; and dart- 
 ing after their prey with such rapidity, that 
 the eye is unable to follow the mazy intri- 
 cacy of their flight."
 
 THE INSECT WORLD. 89 
 
 " Every insect is beautiful," said Mrs. 
 Melville ; " and we ought to feel thankful 
 to the Bestower of every good, that He has 
 created such a variety of interesting objects 
 to gratify our taste. The garden, field, 
 hedge, and rivulet, are all animated with a 
 profusion of beautiful creatures, sporting 
 about, and lightly traversing the air in a 
 thousand directions ; but it is when we come 
 to study the individual history of insects 
 that we trace the hand of that Almighty 
 Being who, although so great as to fill the 
 universe with His presence, yet condescends 
 to animate the dust of this earth, rendering 
 each creature capable of enjoyment, and fill- 
 ing it with happiness." 
 
 Whilst thus conversing, they were startled 
 by hearing Eover barking violently, and 
 Neptune growling. Miss St. Clair, and the 
 children, went to ascertain what was the 
 matter; and, going to a little rising, they 
 saw the two dogs in the middle of a heap of
 
 90 HOLIDAY RAMBLES. 
 
 dead leaves. Rover was barking with all 
 his might, and Neptune trying to take 
 something up in his mouth, every time he 
 touched it drawing his head back again 
 very quickly, giving it a shake as if his 
 nose had been pricked, growling all the 
 time; then he would put out his paw, and 
 give whatever it was a pat, but with no 
 better success; so, seeing his friends com- 
 ing, he left off his attempts to capture the 
 prize, and went to meet them. 
 
 " What can it be?" said Walter. " Look 
 at poor Neptune's nose ; it has been hurt. 
 Can you think what it is, aunty?" 
 
 " We shall soon see," replied Miss St. 
 Clair, going towards the place where Rover 
 was keeping guard. 
 
 " Oh ! dear aunty, do not go," cried 
 Helen; " I am afraid you will be hurt." 
 
 " Do not be alarmed, my dear," said Miss 
 St. Clair: "there is nothing there that will 
 injure us ; it is most likely some little ani-
 
 THE HEDGEHOG. 91 
 
 mal the dogs have found. There, see, it is 
 a poor harmless hedgehog, a creature that 
 will not hurt any one." 
 
 "Is that anything alive, aunty?" said 
 Helen. "Why, it looks just like a ball 
 made of thorns." 
 
 " What a strange creature," said Walter : 
 " it is perfectly round. Where is its head?" 
 
 " If you stay quietly for a short time," 
 replied Miss St. Glair, " you will find it has 
 a head, Walter, for it will unroll itself. 
 Will you go to your mamma, George, and 
 tell her the cause of the commotion ? Per- 
 haps she will come to see it also." 
 
 "Look, dear mamma," said Helen, run- 
 ning to meet Mrs. Melville ; " come and see 
 this curious animal the dogs have found." 
 
 "It is an interesting creature, my dear," 
 replied Mrs. Melville ; " and I am glad you 
 will have an opportunity of watching it. 
 If George will put my cloak on this stump, 
 we will remain till it unrolls itself."
 
 92 HOLIDAY RAMBLES. 
 
 " The dogs made it curl up," observed 
 Miss St. Clair ; " but I think they received 
 more injury than they inflicted. See, poor 
 Neptune's nose is bleeding; Eover was the 
 wisest, although he made the most noise." 
 
 "Poor Neptune," said Agnes, patting 
 him, u how could you be so foolish as to 
 attempt to bite the hedgehog? I hope you 
 will be wiser another time, and let such 
 prickly things alone." 
 
 The dog looked up, sensible of his young 
 mistress's kindness, and, wagging his tail in 
 thanks for the caution, laid down by her 
 side. 
 
 " You will have to wait a long time, 
 Walter," said Miss St. Clair, " if you do 
 not keep that restless little Rover still." 
 
 " Come, Rover, lie down here," said 
 Walter; "and, if you can, be quiet fora 
 little while." 
 
 They waited very patiently for some 
 time, and the hedgehog began to move.
 
 THE HEDGEHOG. 93- 
 
 " Look," said Helen, " it has a snout 
 something like a pig." 
 
 " Hush!" said Miss St. Glair; "you will 
 frighten it." 
 
 They watched until it was quite un- 
 rolled, and had walked away. 
 
 " Now, dear mamma," said George, " do 
 tell us something about that odd creature. 
 I think it has given Neptune a lesson not 
 to pry too much. Poor fellow, how is your 
 nose? I hope it will soon be well." 
 
 " The hedgehog," replied Mrs. Melville, 
 " is a very harmless little animal, feeding on 
 insects, worms, and roots. It is not capable 
 of running with much speed ; but its mer- 
 ciful Creator has amply compensated it for 
 this deficiency by endowing it with the 
 power of contracting its body, as you have 
 seen ; and when rolled up in a ball, it may 
 be knocked about without sustaining any 
 injury ; and few dogs will attempt to bite it." 
 
 "I often think," said Miss St. Clair,
 
 94 HOLIDAY KAMBLES. 
 
 " how plainly we can trace the exercise of a 
 Divine power in the works of nature. It is 
 curious to observe how equally the various 
 instincts and powers are bestowed. Here is 
 the hedgehog, very deficient in the power 
 of escaping from its enemies by speed ; but 
 it has another quality given it, which 
 enables it to contract itself into a ball, pre- 
 senting to its assailants an impenetrable 
 barrier of prickles. It is also capable of 
 passing through a very small space. I have 
 seen one go through a barn-door, at the 
 hinges." 
 
 " Was it not hurt, aunty?" asked Helen. 
 
 " No, my dear, not in the least," replied 
 Miss St. Clair. " The hinge separated the 
 door from the wall rather more than an 
 inch; and the door was held open whilst 
 the little creature passed through." 
 
 "Are hedgehogs of any use, mamma?" 
 asked Walter. 
 
 " They are sometimes tamed, and kept
 
 THE HEDGEHOG. 95 
 
 in the kitchen to destroy cockroaches," re- 
 plied Mrs. Melville. " During the day 
 they hide themselves, and will creep into 
 very small spaces. After dark they come 
 out of their hiding-places, and soon destroy 
 all the insects within their reach. No crea- 
 ture is created in vain. Without doubt 
 this little animal fills its place in the eco- 
 nomy of nature, and offers its tribute of 
 praise to its Almighty Creator. We should 
 learn from this instance the duty of con- 
 secrating all our powers to the service of 
 our Heavenly Father, who, though He con- 
 descends to create such insignificant crea- 
 tures for use, has endowed us with reason ; 
 and, therefore, requires that this reason, 
 together with all our faculties, be dedicated 
 to His service."
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 AFTER resting a little longer, our party rose 
 to continue their walk. George called Frisk, 
 and he trotted after them. Then, following 
 the brook, they passed through the wood to 
 a field where they found plenty of wild 
 flowers. The children amused themselves 
 by gathering roses, wild mallow, and many 
 other flowers, twining them into wreaths, 
 with the large white convolvolus, and the 
 tendrils of the wild hop. They crowned 
 each other with these garlands, and after 
 they were tired of this employment, they 
 went up the field, which was very steep, in 
 search of some moss, to complete the arbour 
 Agnes and George had between their gar- 
 dens. Their baskets were soon filled with 
 beautiful moss, and wishing to take more 
 home than they would hold, George and
 
 NEPTUNE'S PANNIERS. 97 
 
 Walter took their handkerchiefs, and after 
 making two large bundles of it, they slung 
 them across Neptune's back. The docile 
 creature carried them with great care, and 
 appeared well pleased with his burden. 
 
 George was returning to the place where 
 his mamma and aunt were sitting, followed 
 by Neptune and the rest of the party, when, 
 without thinking of what he was doing, he 
 set off at full speed, ran down the hill, and 
 jumped over a bush near the edge of the 
 stream. Neptune, thinking he could not 
 do better than imitate his young master, 
 followed, and, in clearing the hedge, upset 
 the two bundles of moss. Seeing Neptune 
 without his package, George turned to 
 discover the fate of the moss he had collected 
 with so much care, and saw one bundle in 
 the stream, the other caught on a brier. 
 By this time the rest of the children arrived, 
 and Neptune's exploit, and the mischance 
 of the bundle, afforded them plenty of amuse-
 
 98 HOLIDAY RAMBLES. 
 
 ment. After a little while, George succeeded 
 in recovering the lost treasure, and, squeezing 
 the water from the wet moss, they spread 
 it on the grass to dry. 
 
 About half way up the steep field visited 
 by our party, was a beautiful ash-tree, under 
 the shade of whose luxuriant branches Mrs. 
 Melville was resting. At her feet flowed 
 the little brook before mentioned, stealing 
 unseen between the flowery banks which, 
 in some places, nearly overshadowed it, 
 reflecting the graceful foliage of the alder 
 and the birch, the silvery brightness of the 
 beech and white poplar trees that decorated 
 its sides. On the hill opposite was a hazel 
 wood, whose shade of light green was occa- 
 sionally varied by the bright dark colour 
 of the holly, festooned with the wild cle- 
 matis, and the beautiful violet-coloured 
 vetch. 
 
 " How peaceful everything is here," re- 
 marked Miss St. Clair; "there is not a
 
 NATURE'S MUSIC. 99 
 
 disturbing sound to break the tranquillity 
 of the scene ; for we cannot think the song 
 of the birds, or the buzz of insects, calcu- 
 lated to annoy." 
 
 " That is some of Nature's music," said 
 Mrs. Melville; "it is far more agreeable to 
 my ear than the noise and bustle of a large 
 assembly. The sound of the grasshopper, 
 the hum of the bee, gathering her store of 
 sweets from every flower, the gay song of 
 the sprightly lark, as he soars on the breeze, 
 the varied notes of the thrush, and the 
 liquid melody of the blackbird, all contri- 
 bute to awaken emotions in the heart far 
 more conducive to happiness and devotion 
 than the gay promenade, or the fluttering 
 excitement of the dance." 
 
 "It is indeed preferable," said Miss St.. 
 Clair; "these sylvan sounds tend more to 
 elevate the mind in thankfulness to our 
 Heavenly Father, who called them into 
 existence, than the contemplation of 
 G2
 
 100 HOLIDAY EAMBLES. 
 
 of the works of art, however beautiful or 
 varied. It is truly said, ' Man made the 
 town, but God made the country.' " 
 
 " The ingenuity of man," replied Mrs. 
 Melville, " is a wonderful talent bestowed on 
 him by his Maker; but not all the skill of 
 the whole human family could produce a 
 specimen that would bear comparison with 
 one of the least of these wild flowers, or a 
 spray of that moss drying before us." 
 
 "I remember," said Miss St. Clair, "going 
 to see the hydro-oxygen microscope some 
 time ago, and, amongst the things shown, 
 was a very fine needle, the best made, and 
 the sting of a bee. The needle, though to 
 our natural eyes appearing smooth and 
 faultless, was, when magnified, very rough 
 and blunt; the sting, on the contrary, was 
 perfectly even, and sharpened to an imper- 
 ceptible point." 
 
 " It is well to observe the difference in 
 the works of nature and art," remarked
 
 KINDNESS OF GOD. 101 
 
 Mrs. Melville : " the works of God are per- 
 fect in every part; the more minute the 
 examination, the greater the perfection dis- 
 covered; the smaller the insect, the more 
 wonderful its formation. Thus we read, 
 4 All thy works shall praise Thee, Lord, 
 and Thy saints shall bless thee. 7 Surely, 
 my dear children, it is our duty indeed, 
 we should consider it our privilege to bless 
 and praise that Almighty Being, who has 
 given us such great blessings, having be- 
 stowed upon us the power of reasoning and 
 reflecting on the varied works of nature, 
 and has increased our enjoyment and hap- 
 piness by the multitude of beautiful things 
 around us." 
 
 " I do not envy those," said Miss St. Clair, 
 "who think it dull to take a country walk; 
 who can see nothing to admire in the rich 
 foliage, green meadows, and refreshing 
 shade, found in the various walks that 
 surround this neighbourhood."
 
 102 HOLIDAY RAMBLES. 
 
 It was now time to think of returning 
 home; the moss was dry enough to be 
 again packed, and Neptune, after receiving 
 a caution not to jump over any more bushes, 
 was laden as before. Mrs. Melville walked 
 to the entrance of the wood (the rugged 
 ground rendering it unsafe to ride), where 
 she again mounted her little pony. They 
 then retraced their steps towards home, 
 arriving just in time for dinner. 
 
 In the evening the children went into 
 the garden, to arrange the moss in the 
 arbour. George had nailed some barked 
 oak sticks across the roof, from one rafter 
 to another, and mounting some garden 
 steps, which enabled him to reach, he placed 
 the moss where they wished it to be, Agnes 
 assisting, by handing her brother the moss 
 as he wanted it. When the roof was finished, 
 they trained the jessamine, honeysuckle, 
 and rose, up the trellis work at the sides. 
 After sweeping the rubbish from the floor,
 
 THE ARBOUR. 103 
 
 dusting the seats, and making it all very 
 neat, the children went to invite their 
 mamma and aunt to look at their work, and 
 rest in the bower. 
 
 Mrs. Melville and Miss St. Clair admired 
 the arbour much, and thought the children 
 had shown much taste in its arrangement. 
 
 " I think, my dears," said Mrs. Melville, 
 "the moss is a great improvement to the 
 arbour, and am glad to see my children 
 take such an interest in their gardens." 
 
 " Look, mamma," said Agnes, " when 
 this bunch of sweet peas and these convol- 
 vulus-majors are in blossom, it will be quite 
 gay. George and I have spent many hours 
 together here since his return home." 
 
 " Those have been happy hours, no doubt, 
 my dear," said Miss St. Clair; "exercise 
 in the open air always exhilarates and 
 strengthens the body; when you have a 
 motive for action, it obliges the mind to act 
 in unison with the body. You have both
 
 104 HOLIDAY RAMBLES. 
 
 taxed your ingenuity in the construction of 
 this bower." 
 
 " It is a joint concern, aunty," said George ; 
 " I did the hard work, Agnes the fine, and 
 we both consulted about the plan." 
 
 " It does you both credit, my dears," said 
 Mrs. Melville; "I hope I shall always see 
 ray dear children willing to help each other, 
 and living in love and unity. Remember 
 the wise man, ' The beginning of strife is as 
 when one letteth out water; therefore leave 
 off contention before it be meddled with/ 
 and never allow yourselves to quarrel." 
 
 They continued their conversation till 
 the sun was below the horizon, and some of 
 the night insects were flitting from tree to 
 tree, in the deepening twilight. Mrs. Mel- 
 ville fearing the damp of the rising dew, 
 they left their peaceful retreat, and returned 
 to the house, much gratified with the plea- 
 sures of the day.
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 A FEW days after the walk to Millgrove the 
 children were sitting in the arbour, busily 
 engaged. Agnes was knitting a pair of 
 baby's shoes; Helen employed herself in 
 making a new frock for her doll; George 
 and Walter were preparing some pieces of 
 wood to mark their geranium cuttings. 
 
 " I wish," said Helen, " mamma would 
 let us take our tea under the lime-tree this 
 evening." 
 
 " So do I," said Walter. " Would you 
 like it, Agnes? 7 
 
 " Very much indeed," replied Agnes. 
 
 "It would be very pleasant," remarked 
 George. 
 
 " Here is dear aunt Emily coming down 
 the steps," said Agnes ; " let us consult her 
 about it."
 
 106 HOLIDAY RAMBLES. 
 
 " On what subject do you wish to consult 
 me?" said Miss St. Clair, as she entered the 
 arbour. 
 
 "We want to have tea under our fa- 
 vourite lime-tree this evening, aunty," said 
 George ; " will you tell us how to manage 
 it?" 
 
 " Willingly, my dears," replied Miss St. 
 Glair. " In the first place, you must clear 
 the ground under the tree from all the 
 stones and sticks." 
 
 " That can soon be done," said Agnes, 
 "but what shall we do for seats?" 
 
 " You can take an arm-chair out of the 
 library for your mamma," replied Miss St. 
 Clair; "and I should think some footstools 
 and shawls would make very good seats for 
 you." 
 
 " Oh, yes !" said Helen, " we could sit on 
 the ground, or anything." 
 
 " What must we have for a table, aunty ?" 
 asked Walter.
 
 TEA UNDER THE LIME-TKEE. 107 
 
 "Do you think we could do without 
 one?" inquired George. "We might have 
 the tea-things on a tray, and rest it on the 
 ground." 
 
 " That would be a very good way," 
 replied Miss St. Glair. 
 
 " I suppose we must have the tea made 
 in-doors, and brought out in the urn," said 
 Agnes. 
 
 " It would get cold coming out, and 
 would not be half so much fun as having it 
 made in the field," observed George. " Can- 
 not you think of some plan, aunty?" 
 
 " It would be best to boil the kettle, and 
 make it there, certainly," answered Miss 
 St. Clair, " but I fear the fire would injure 
 the grass." 
 
 " There is a small piece of ground quite 
 free from turf, close to the tree," said 
 Walter; " do you not think we might make 
 the fire there?" 
 
 " Yes, I should think we might," replied
 
 108 HOLIDAY RAMBLES. 
 
 Miss St. Glair. " George, you must find 
 three strong stakes to hang the kettle on." 
 
 " How will you hang the kettle on three 
 stakes?" asked Helen. 
 
 " They must be fixed firmly in the earth, 
 my dear," answered her aunt, " and then 
 tied together at the top, the same way the 
 gipsies do when they kindle a fire to dress 
 their food." 
 
 " Have you ever seen them?" inquired 
 Walter. 
 
 " Yes, frequently," replied Miss St. Glair ; 
 " a few days before I left home I paid a visit 
 to a camp of gipsies." 
 
 " Did you go out on purpose to see 
 them?" asked Helen. 
 
 "No," answered Miss St. Glair; "I was 
 walking in one of the most romantic lanes 
 in the neighbourhood, when I came suddenly 
 in view of their encampment. Under a rug- 
 ged tent, supported by four poles, were a 
 young woman and three beautiful children,
 
 A GIPSY FAMILY. 109 
 
 with the most brilliant dark eyes, and long 
 black hair. These directly ran to meet me, 
 begging for a halfpenny." 
 
 "Did you give them anything?" inquired 
 Agnes. 
 
 " I had no pence with me, but I asked 
 them if they could read; and finding that 
 they knew their letters, I turned to their 
 mother, and offered her some tracts which I 
 held in my hand. She most thankfully 
 received them, and, after a little conversa- 
 tion with her, I proceeded to a miserable 
 hovel, where she informed me her husband 
 was. I pushed the door gently open, but, 
 I confess, I felt more inclined to retreat 
 than advance, for the first objects that 
 attracted my attention were two large bull- 
 dogs." 
 
 " Oh, aunty! were you not frightened?" 
 asked Helen. "I should, I am sure, have 
 turned round, and run away as fast as I 
 could."
 
 110 HOLIDAY KAMBLES. 
 
 " I was rather startled, my dear ; but I 
 knew that my object in entering the hut 
 was to try to benefit its inhabitants, and I 
 felt assured our Saviour, who Himself went 
 about doing good, whilst He sojourned 
 among men, would watch over and protect 
 me in trying to follow His example. On 
 closer inspection, however, I found that I 
 had not so much cause for alarm as I anti- 
 cipated, the dogs being chained to the wall. 
 I proceeded a little further, and there was 
 a decrepit old woman, dressed in a very 
 torn cloak, which had once been red. The 
 hood was drawn partly over her head, and 
 her long grey locks partially concealed a 
 countenance of the most forbidding expres- 
 sion. She was cowering over a wood fire, 
 as if anxious to secure all the heat, and 
 totally regardless of the smoke that 
 wreathed around her head, in its way to 
 the chimney. On a log of wood were two 
 young men, smoking, and close to them
 
 A GIPSY CRONE. Ill 
 
 those formidable dogs, their eyes flashing 
 with fury, and growling in that under tone 
 that made it evident they only waited the 
 word of permission or encouragement from 
 their masters, to have attacked me in no 
 very agreeable manner." 
 
 "Did the men say anything to you?' 7 
 inquired George. 
 
 " No, my dear. I spoke to the old 
 woman; inquired how old she was; whether 
 she had always led this roving way of life ; 
 if she ever thought of another world ; but I 
 could get no reply. I offered a suitable 
 tract, telling her she could not expect to 
 live much longer here, and entreating her 
 to prepare for the world to come, while 
 there was yet time. She looked at me with 
 a gaze of stupid indifference, appearing to 
 be very deaf, and either would not, or could 
 not, understand me. Finding I could make 
 no impression on her, and seeing the men 
 looked uneasy at my presence, and the dogs
 
 112 HOLIDAY RAMBLES. 
 
 still more so, I left, and felt very glad to be 
 again in the pure air of heaven. The smoke 
 from the pipes, in addition to the fire, ren- 
 dered the atmosphere of the hut almost 
 suffocating." 
 
 u Did you say anything more to the 
 pretty children in the tent?" asked Agnes. 
 
 " I talked again to the interesting young 
 woman, and offered to send the children to 
 school. She thanked me; but said they 
 were not going to remain long in this place. 
 She had been to school when a girl, and she 
 taught her children to read when she could 
 find time. I did not like to remain talking 
 to her long, as she was cooking the dinner 
 for the family. So giving her all the tracts 
 I had, I took my leave." 
 
 u How was she dressing the dinner?" 
 asked Walter. 
 
 " There were three strong stakes fixed 
 in the ground, and fastened together at the 
 top ; a chain and hook were secured in the
 
 PREPARATIONS FOR TEA. 113 
 
 rope that bound the stakes, and the iron 
 pot was suspended over the fire." 
 
 a Is that how you intend us to boil the 
 kettle, aunty?" inquired George. 
 
 " Yes, my dear ; but, before we plan any 
 more, I think it would be best to ask your 
 mamma's consent to the expedition." 
 
 Agnes and George offered to go, and ask 
 their mamma, if she had any objection to 
 the proposed party. They soon returned 
 with smiling faces, and full permission to 
 make what arrangements they liked. 
 
 The children now repaired to the tree, 
 and began in earnest to make their prepara- 
 tions, their kind aunt accompanying them. 
 
 George with his knife cut away the 
 branches that were in the way; Agnes 
 gathered together all the sticks scattered 
 about, and carried them to the place Miss 
 St. Glair had chosen for the fire. Walter 
 brought his wheelbarrow; and Helen as- 
 sisted him to pick up the stones. In a short
 
 114 HOLIDAY RAMBLES. 
 
 time all was ready to receive the chairs, 
 and other requisites for their comfort. 
 
 The lime tree was a favourite resort of 
 the children, and grew in a large meadow 
 belonging to Mr. Melville. It stood nearly 
 in the centre of the field, and was one of 
 the most beautiful trees in the neighbour- 
 hood. The trunk was quite straight to 
 about the height of twelve feet, and then 
 branched out in a circle; the end of the 
 boughs drooping gracefully to the ground, 
 enclosing a space as large as a good-sized 
 room, so effectually, that from the field 
 outside the visitors within could not be 
 discerned. The tree, as seen w^hen ap- 
 proaching, was of a conical shape; the 
 branches falling over each other in rich 
 profusion, drooping less, and still less, till 
 the top ones stood erect. 
 
 The meadow in which the lime tree was 
 situated was skirted at the bottom by a 
 plantation of the spruce fir ; at the top a high
 
 AN ARRIVAL. 115 
 
 hedge, varied occasionally by an ivy-co- 
 vered ash, and at one end a beautiful group 
 of elms, completed the boundary. On one 
 side was a hedge, and a row of large ash 
 trees on the other. 
 
 The view was one of great beauty and 
 extent; the undulating surface of the 
 ground, the winding of the river, the light 
 and shade of the bright after grass, and the 
 dark wood, the pretty villages spread on 
 the opposite hill, and the clear blue of the 
 distant mountains, all contributed to pre- 
 sent a picture to the eye calculated to give 
 pleasure, and excite admiration. The pre- 
 parations were just completed, the chairs, 
 stools, shawls, tea-things in a basket, and 
 all the good things necessary, not forgetting 
 the tea-kettle full of water, were put into the 
 cart ; Frisk sometimes drew; and George was 
 preparing to act as charioteer, when he was 
 interrupted, for a time, by the unexpected 
 arrival of Mrs. Howard, and her children. 
 
 H2
 
 116 HOLIDAY RAMBLES. 
 
 Though very pleased to see their cousins, 
 the children felt rather disappointed at 
 being stopped in their proposed pleasure; 
 but soon recovered their spirits when their 
 aunt and cousins agreed to join them, and 
 expressed themselves much pleased at the 
 idea of taking tea under the tree. 
 
 An extra quantity of good things was 
 speedily procured ; and the boys, taking 
 the charge of the cart, set off to their desti- 
 nation; the girls and Miss St. Clair, going 
 a nearer path, arrived in time to assist at 
 the unpacking, and arranging everything 
 in order, before Mrs. Howard and Mrs. 
 Melville joined them. As soon as the cart 
 was empty, it was sent back. George and 
 Harry fixed the stakes in the ground. Tom 
 and Walter brought the cord, and assisted 
 in fastening them together. The kettle was 
 then suspended by a chain and hook ; the fire 
 was lighted under it, and blazed brightly, to 
 the great delight of the party watching it.
 
 GIPSYING. 117 
 
 It appeared a long time to the cliildren 
 before the boiling point arrived ; and Harry, 
 to hasten the matter, poked the fire, with a 
 large stick, very roughly, and striking the 
 kettle unintentionally with the end, knocked 
 it off the hook, and upset it in the middle 
 of the fire. The whole party were very 
 much alarmed at this sudden catastrophe, 
 and were scattered in every direction ; but, 
 fortunately, no one was injured except poor 
 little Rover, who was really touched by the 
 hot water, or fancied he was, which had 
 the same effect, and he ran howling, with 
 his tail between his legs, to some distance. 
 Walter followed him, but could not find 
 the injured part ; and Rover, satisfied with 
 the sympathy he excited, got well directly. 
 The fire was completely extinguished, and 
 all the water was wasted; so George and 
 Mary volunteered to go to a little spring at 
 some distance, for another kettleful ; whilst 
 Tom and Walter prepared the fire. The
 
 118 HOLIDAY RAMBLES. 
 
 ground was so wet they could not kindle 
 the fire on it ; so Miss St. Glair found some 
 stones, and placed them under the sticks. 
 By the time the boys arrived with the 
 water, a nice fire was already laid, which, 
 on the match being applied, burnt as 
 brightly as the other. 
 
 " Now, Harry, please not to stir this 
 fire," said Agnes. " See, Aunt Howard 
 and mamma are coming ; let us go and tell 
 them of our misfortune." 
 
 This was a happy thought of Agnes r , as 
 it saved the fire from the impatient man- 
 agement of the boys, who, on their return, 
 were surprised to find the water boiled, the 
 tea made, and everything ready for their 
 evening meal. 
 
 Mrs. Howard and Mrs. Melville took the 
 comfortable chairs provided for them ; Miss 
 St. Clair did the honours of the tea-tray 
 (there was no table); the children placed 
 their stools and shawls round the tray,
 
 A EACE. 119 
 
 desiring Neptune and Rover to stay without 
 the circle. Neptune obeyed very quietly, 
 but Rover was not so good, for on Walter's 
 rising to hand the cake to his aunts and 
 mamma, the naughty little dog carried off 
 a piece he had left in his saucer. As a 
 punishment for this misdemeanour, Master 
 Rover was not again allowed to come 
 within the shade of the tree. 
 
 The children all enjoyed their tea very 
 much. They agreed in thinking the tea 
 was much nicer made with water boiled in 
 a kettle over a wood fire of their own 
 making, than that which came out of the 
 urn; the cake and bread-and-butter were 
 sweeter than when eaten in doors. 
 
 When they had finished their repast, the 
 children left their aunts and mamma under 
 the tree, and went to enjoy a good game of 
 play. The boys challenged the girls to 
 run a race; and, after some persuasion, 
 they consented to run for a short distance,
 
 120 HOLIDAY RAMBLES. 
 
 a beautiful white moss rose-bud being the 
 prize. At first the boys seemed sure of 
 gaining, but just as they were within a few 
 yards of the goal, Agnes, who was slight, 
 and tall for her age, bounded forward, and, 
 to the great surprise of the other compe- 
 titors, won the race. The boys good- 
 naturedly laughed at their awkwardness, 
 and escorted the winner with cheers to 
 receive the prize. 
 
 George had brought some balls with 
 him, and they next had a game with them. 
 In this their sisters did not join; but found 
 plenty of amusement in watching the play. 
 A ball, thrown by George, went the other 
 side of the hedge. Harry, whose turn it 
 was to catch it, ran to a gate a little dis- 
 tance from where it fell, and, vaulting over 
 it, began to search for the missing ball. 
 His playmates thinking he was a long time 
 absent, went to see for him, and, not finding 
 him, they called as loud as they could.
 
 NEST-ROBBING. 121 
 
 Presently, George happened to look towards 
 an old ash tree covered with ivy, and there 
 was the lost boy, sitting on a large branch, 
 deliberately pulling a bird's-nest from the 
 hollow part of the tree. George called to 
 him to let the nest alone and come down ; 
 but Harry would not heed him, saying it 
 was a wood-pigeon's nest, with two young 
 ones, and he wanted them for himself. 
 George and Walter were very much vexed 
 to hear this, and see that Harry was so 
 determined to have his own way, for Mr. 
 Melville wished to encourage the wood- 
 pigeons to build in his trees, and desired 
 no one would disturb them. They again 
 entreated Harry to let the poor little birds 
 alone, as it was their papa's wish, and come 
 down from the tree ; but he was deaf to their 
 remonstrance, and persisted in taking the 
 nest. Finding they could not prevent it, 
 the boys walked away (for Tom had gone 
 to help his brother) ; but they had not
 
 122 HOLIDAY KAMBLES. 
 
 proceeded far when they heard a crash, and 
 looking back, saw Harry on the ground, 
 roaring with pain. They directly ran to 
 his assistance, and found that he had hurt 
 his ankle very severely. The noise made 
 by the prostrate boy soon brought his 
 mother and the rest of the party to the 
 spot. At first they feared his leg was 
 broken, but were thankful to find that, 
 though severely strained and bruised by 
 the fall, no bones were injured. 
 
 Mrs. Howard was very much distressed 
 at the accident, and wished to return home 
 as quickly as possible. As Harry was 
 unable to walk, George brought the cart, 
 which had just arrived to take the tea- 
 things back, and, with the assistance of the 
 servant, placed the poor sufferer on it, on a 
 bed made of the shawls and ottomans. 
 
 As they were returning to the house, 
 George could not help telling Harry he 
 might have saved himself all this pain and
 
 A DISASTER. 123 
 
 distress if he had listened to his remon- 
 strance, and let the poor little birds alone. 
 Harry, thoroughly subdued and humbled 
 by suffering, acknowledged the justice of 
 his cousin's observation, and said he would 
 never again take a wood-pigeon's nest. 
 
 The rest of the party arrived at the 
 house as soon as the cart ; and Mrs. 
 Howard, placing her afflicted child in the 
 carriage in as easy a position as possible, 
 wished her sisters and the children good 
 evening, and drove home as fast as she 
 could, calling for medical aid in her way.
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 THIS sad accident cast a gloom over the 
 party; but, after a time, George remem- 
 bered the poor little birds Harry had 
 dropped in his fall, and proposed that, as 
 it was yet early, they should return to the 
 field to find them, and, if they could, 
 replace them in the tree. Their mamma 
 and aunt agreed to accompany them, and 
 walk to the end of the field to enjoy the 
 beauty of the prospect, rendered still more 
 lovely by the brilliant rays of the declining 
 sun. 
 
 They soon came to the scene of the acci- 
 dent, and, after a slight search, succeeded 
 in finding the little birds. The nest was 
 much disturbed, but George thought he 
 could replace it in the tree; and, being a 
 very good climber, he reached with ease
 
 THE NEST REPLACED. 125 
 
 the branch on which Harry rested, and 
 lowering a scarf Miss St. Glair had given 
 him for the purpose, Agnes placed the nest 
 and the birds in the end with great care, 
 telling George not to draw it up too fast, 
 and guiding the bundle past a knot in the 
 tree with her parasol. George received it 
 quite safely, and succeeded in replacing the 
 nest in the same place as it before occupied, 
 and deposited the little creatures in their 
 habitation. He then descended in safety r 
 and, joining the rest of the party, they pro- 
 ceeded towards a rustic seat, placed on a 
 spot that commanded the most extensive 
 view. 
 
 Mrs. Melville proposed that they should 
 rest here for a little, and seek refreshment 
 from the evening breeze, after the excite- 
 ment of the afternoon. The children were 
 quite tired, and glad to remain with their 
 mamma and aunt, and enjoy a little quiet 
 conversation. Neptune followed them;
 
 126 HOLIDAY RAMBLES. 
 
 Rover, as usual, was hunting about, trying, 
 but all in vain, to catch the swallows that 
 were flying almost close to the earth, in 
 search of the crane flies that abounded in 
 the grass. 
 
 " How silly it is of Rover to fancy he can 
 catch those pretty birds," said Helen. 
 
 "A little exercise will not hurt him," 
 said Miss St. Clair. " We need not fear for 
 the swallows : they are much too rapid in 
 their movements to apprehend any danger 
 from the little animal. See, he will soon be 
 tired; he is lying down panting already." 
 
 " I think," said Mrs. Melville, " the swal- 
 low is one of our most useful birds ; and it 
 is certainly as pretty as any little bird that 
 is a native of this country. Look how 
 gracefully they skim along, now sweeping 
 almost to the ground after a fly, then dart- 
 ing into the higher regions of the air, and 
 chasing each other with a rapidity that 
 eludes the eye."
 
 THE SWALLOW. 127 
 
 "You said swallows were useful birds, 
 mamma," said Agnes; "will you tell us 
 what good they do?" 
 
 " The swallow, my dear," replied Mrs. 
 Melville, " lives entirely on insects, and de- 
 stroys a great number in the course of the 
 day. Without the check given to the in- 
 sect tribe by the swallows and other birds, 
 we should be overrun by these little crea- 
 tures, for insects possess the power of re- 
 producing their kind in much greater num- 
 bers than animals of the higher orders of 
 creation. Now, my dears, I want you to 
 observe here the wisdom and goodness of 
 God, and the evidence of design on His 
 part, in providing food for the little swal- 
 low, and, at the same time, creating another 
 class of animals, full of life and enjoyment; 
 for the insects, as has been explained in the 
 histories I have related to you, are capable 
 of happiness, and gratification. The air, the 
 earth, the water, teem with delighted ex-
 
 128 HOLIDAY E AMBLES. 
 
 istence. We need only look around us 
 this evening, and we shall see thousands of 
 joyous beings, trying their pinions in the 
 air, their sportive motions, their wanton 
 mazes, their gratuitous activity, their con- 
 tinual change of place, without use or pur- 
 pose, testify their joy, and the exultation 
 they feel in their lately discovered faculties. 
 Again, we know that some check is neces- 
 sary to prevent the increase of these little 
 creatures in too great proportion, and that 
 is provided in the birds and animals that 
 prey upon them." 
 
 " Mamma," said Walter, " whither do 
 the swallows go for the winter?" 
 
 " Congo, Senegal, and the w^hole Morocco 
 shore are visited by the swallows," replied 
 Mrs. Melville. " Our winter is too cold for 
 them; and as the insects on which they 
 feed do not survive the summer, they would 
 be unable to procure subsistence in this 
 country."
 
 MIGRATIONS OF THE SWALLOW. 129 
 
 u How wonderful it is," said Miss St. 
 Clair, "that such little birds as the swallow 
 should be able to fly so great a distance as it 
 is from this country to the north of Africa." 
 
 " I think," replied Mrs. Melville, " that 
 in the migration of birds we see exhibited, 
 in a remarkable degree, the benevolence of 
 their great Creator, and His unceasing care 
 and watchfulness over the creatures of His 
 power. The swallows come to this country 
 for the purpose of rearing their young ; and 
 their Maker teaches them, by the instinct 
 He has given them, the proper time to leave 
 their winter quarters, so that they may 
 arrive here during the genial influences of 
 spring. Again, in the autumn, when their 
 food begins to decrease, they are impelled 
 by the same power to quit this country for 
 a warmer climate, where their food is found 
 in great abundance." 
 
 u How can they travel so far without a 
 guide?" asked Helen, 
 i
 
 130 HOLIDAY RAMBLES. 
 
 " They have a guide," replied Mrs. Mel- 
 ville, " and an unerring one, in the instinct 
 I before mentioned, that directs their flight 
 as correctly as if they steered their course 
 with the assistance of a compass." 
 
 " Are they not a long time on their pas- 
 sage?" inquired George. 
 
 "They are supposed to perform their 
 fatiguing journey," rejoined Mrs. Melville, 
 w in about seven days. When interrupted 
 by contrary winds, they are sometimes 
 seen wavering in their course, far off at 
 sea, and alighting upon any ship they 
 approach. They then appear spent with 
 famine and fatigue; yet still they boldly 
 venture, when refreshed by a few hours' 
 rest, to renew their flight, and continue the 
 course they had been steering before." 
 
 " Do they all go together, mamma ?" 
 asked George. 
 
 " They fly in flocks, my dear," answered 
 Mrs. Melville ; " sometimes they are more 
 numerous than at others."
 
 DEPARTURE OF THE SWALLOW. 131 
 
 " Have you never seen them in the 
 autumn, as they are preparing for their 
 departure, George?" said Miss St. Clair. 
 
 " No, aunty, I do not remember to have 
 seen them," replied George ; " last autumn 
 I was at school. But please to tell us what 
 they do to make ready for their trip." 
 
 " When the right time to depart arrives," 
 continued Miss St. Clair, " which is gene- 
 rally the middle of September, the young 
 swallows congregate in great numbers. I 
 have often seen a little ledge, that projects 
 from the wall of our house, covered with 
 birds ; every now and then they would quit 
 their position, dart into the air, taking a 
 short flight, and then return, as if they 
 were trying their strength." 
 
 "And no doubt they were doing so," 
 rejoined Mrs. Melville; "they rear, in 
 general, two broods in the year, and the 
 latest cannot have acquired the full strength 
 of wing the older birds possess. They 
 i 2
 
 132 HOLIDAY KAMBLES. 
 
 must need exercise to render them capable 
 of sustaining such a lengthened flight." 
 
 "How many eggs do the swallows lay?" 
 asked Walter. 
 
 "Five or six," replied Mrs. Melville. 
 u These eggs are white, speckled with red- 
 dish brown. The swallow makes use of the 
 artificial structures of man as retreats for 
 shelter and breeding. Its most common 
 and favourite place is in the interior of out- 
 houses, open barns, or sheds, where the nest, 
 composed of clay, and strengthened with 
 straws or slender roots, lined with feathers, 
 and open at the top, is placed against the 
 rafters or wood work of the roof. The 
 insides of chimneys, the eaves of houses, 
 and the forsaken shafts of mines and coal- 
 pits, are all resorted to by this little bird 
 during the time she is rearing her young." 
 
 "What places do they choose in coun- 
 tries where there are no houses?" inquired 
 Agnes.
 
 SPEED OF THE SWALLOW. 133 
 
 " The swallow appears to be an attendant 
 on cultivation," answered Mrs. Melville. 
 " I am not aware of its natural breeding- 
 place, but, judging from its habits in this 
 country, it would most likely select the 
 fissures of rocks and caves." 
 
 " I think," said Miss St. Clair, " that the 
 swallow is one of our most favourite birds ; 
 few people like to disturb it in its resting- 
 place. Its arrival in April is watched and 
 hailed as the precursor of summer, and as 
 the period when the piercing blasts of 
 winter and spring shall have ceased for a 
 time. They are very elegant birds, and fry 
 with great swiftness during the fine weather. 
 When their insect food is most plentiful, 
 the swallows are ever upon the wing, pur- 
 suing their prey with restless activity. All 
 smaller animals, in some measure, find 
 safety by winding and turning, in their en- 
 deavours to escape from their enemies. 
 The lark thus evades the pursuit of the
 
 134 HOLIDAY RAMBLES. 
 
 hawk, and in this manner insects upon the 
 wing try to avoid the swallow, but without 
 success, for this little bird is most admirably 
 fitted, by its formation, to pursue its prey 
 through their shortest turnings. Besides a 
 great length of wing, it is also provided 
 with a long tail, which, acting like a rudder, 
 turns it in its most rapid motions, and 
 thus, while it is possessed of amazing swift- 
 ness, it is also remarkable for its extreme 
 agility." 
 
 " The peculiar fitness of every creature 
 to the place assigned it in the natural crea- 
 tion is every way worthy of remark," said 
 Mrs. Melville, " and displays the wisdom of 
 its Almighty Creator. Thus we see that, to 
 prevent the excessive multiplication of the 
 insect tribes, an order of birds is produced, 
 rendered capable, by their structure, of 
 chasing and securing the most rapid insects 
 as their prey. During the winter, when 
 the insects for the most part disappear, the
 
 HOMEWARD. 135 
 
 birds also depart to more genial shores, to 
 return when their food is again plentiful. 
 In this manner to trace the goodness of 
 God, in His works of nature, is a pleasant 
 and profitable employment, and should raise 
 our hearts in adoration and thankfulness to 
 our Heavenly Father; for surely we, the 
 beings most blessed by Him, the only crea- 
 tures in His lower creation capable of know- 
 ing and loving Him, should not refuse to 
 render to Him the praise due to His great 
 name." 
 
 The sun was now approaching the hori- 
 zon, and Mrs. Melville reminded the happy 
 party that it was time to move towards 
 home. 
 
 " How quickly the evening has gone," 
 said George ; "I had no idea it was so 
 late." 
 
 " The time has passed with apparently 
 more speed than usual," replied Miss St. 
 Clair, " because you have been interested in
 
 136 HOLIDAY RAMBLES. 
 
 your conversation. I think we had better 
 return to the seat at the other end of the 
 field. It is a lovely evening ; the sun will 
 go down without a cloud. Let us stay 
 there, and enjoy the sunset." 
 
 In retracing their steps, they passed the 
 lime tree, and seating themselves under an 
 ash that branched out from the hedge, they 
 contemplated, with great admiration, the sun 
 just sinking behind the blue mountains in 
 the distance, and irradiating them with a 
 flood of golden light. 
 
 " This is the sunset I most admire," said 
 Miss St. Clair, " so peaceful and tranquil, 
 so bright and cloudless; the orb of day 
 descending to the horizon like a large globe 
 of fire, and leaving a beautiful crimson 
 glow on the landscape, a promise of as 
 brilliant a rising on the coming morning." 
 
 " I must say I do not quite agree with 
 you," said Mrs. Melville. " This is a beau- 
 tiful sunset, but I prefer a stormy one;
 
 THE STORMY SUNSET. 137 
 
 there is more variety; the clouds are piled 
 one on another in massive grandeur, some 
 of them like mountains of snow, almost 
 dazzling the eye with their brilliant white- 
 ness; others dark, concealed by inter- 
 vening masses from the cheering brightness 
 of the sun's rays, and frowning in majestic 
 grandeur, like the beetling crag of some 
 stupendous rock. Again, some reflect the 
 rays of the sun, as he descends, in rich 
 colouring, casting on the hills a purple tint, 
 and adding to the beauty of the prospect. 
 Then the glorious luminary is sometimes 
 obscured by a cloud ere he reaches the 
 horizon ; but, emerging from his temporary 
 veil, he appears more brilliant from the 
 contrast of the dark shade that for a time 
 surrounded him, and illuminating the land- 
 scape with a gorgeous crimson beam, his 
 last gift, he sinks from our view, to cheer 
 other climes with his life-giving influences. " 
 As Mrs. Melville concluded the sun dis-
 
 138 HOLIDAY RAMBLES. 
 
 appeared, and they rose to proceed on their 
 way home. All had enjoyed themselves, 
 and they entered the house in time to unite 
 with Mr. Melville at the hour of prayer, to 
 render thanks to that Almighty Being who 
 had so mercifully preserved them through 
 the day, and given them so many sources of 
 enjoyment.
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 MBS. MELVILLE sent the next day to inquire 
 for Harry, after his unfortunate accident; 
 and the children were much grieved to hear 
 the sad account returned by the servant. 
 His leg was much swollen ; and the medical 
 man had ordered a dozen leeches to be ap- 
 plied that morning. The poor fellow was 
 in a great deal of pain, and quite unable to 
 move from his bed. Mrs. Melville observed 
 that she hoped the suffering Harry now 
 endured would cure him of the cruel habit 
 of taking birds' nests. 
 
 44 I think it will, mamma," said George, 
 44 for, when I was bringing him home in the 
 cart, he appeared very sorry for having 
 disturbed the little birds." 
 
 44 Let this sad accident be a warning to 
 you, my dears," said Mrs. Melville, 44 not to
 
 140 HOLIDAY RAMBLES. 
 
 rob the poor birds of their young ones. 
 Keraember they have feelings as well as you. 
 I have often been vexed to hear the distress 
 of the parent birds at losing their brood." 
 
 " I took a nest I found in a bramble 
 bush on the common, before I came home," 
 said Walter ; " but I did not think it was 
 any harm, or that it would vex the old 
 birds." 
 
 " You must have acted without thought," 
 replied Mrs. Melville, " for if you had con- 
 sidered a moment, you would have been 
 aware that it was cruel to both parties. 
 Suppose some very large creature came and 
 took you away from your papa and me, put 
 you in a cage, and never allowed you to 
 have your liberty again, do you not think 
 we should grieve for your loss ?" 
 
 "Oh! yes, mamma; I never thought of 
 it in that way before," said Walter. " I 
 have no wish to be taken from you and 
 papa, or to be kept a close prisoner; and
 
 NEST-BUILDING. 141 
 
 for the future I will take care no little bird 
 shall lose its liberty through me." 
 
 " I am glad you have made that good 
 resolution, my dear," replied Mrs. Melville. 
 "I hope you will keep it; for I should be 
 very sorry if any child of mine grew up 
 cruel and unfeeling towards the animal 
 creation." 
 
 " How many nests do you think there are 
 in the garden?" asked Helen. 
 
 " I am sure I cannot tell," replied Mrs. 
 Melville. 
 
 "I counted twelve this morning, mam- 
 ma," said Helen. 
 
 " Do you know the different birds that 
 have built the nests ?" inquired Mrs Melville. 
 
 " Yes, mamma," said George : " there is 
 one of the song-thrush, with three eggs, in 
 the laurel tree; another in the bay tree, 
 with young ones ; and a blackbird has chosen 
 the rosemary bush for her habitation." 
 
 " There is a wren's nest in the shed, but
 
 142 HOLIDAY EAMBLES. 
 
 we are afraid of making the bird forsake it ; 
 so we do not know what is in the nest," re- 
 joined Agnes; "and a redstart has crept 
 through a very small hole in the wall, near 
 the arbour; the stone is loose, so we can 
 put our hands in ; and she has five pretty 
 blue eggs." 
 
 " I hope you do not go too often to the 
 nests, or you will drive the birds away," 
 said Miss St. Clair. 
 
 "Oh! no, aunty," replied Walter; "we 
 do not look often. We only found the red- 
 start's nest this morning. There is a 
 robin's nest in a larger hole in the same 
 wall ; but Bobby's house is very untidy, so 
 many dead leaves littered about, very dif- 
 ferent to the nest of the chaffinch : that is 
 so round and neat, not a hair out of place. 
 There are two of these in the espalier 
 trees." 
 
 " Have you any swallows' nests in the 
 garden?" asked Mrs. Melville.
 
 A MISCHIEVOUS MAGPIE. 143 
 
 " Yes, mamma," replied George? " there 
 are two in the fowls' house. A linnet has 
 taken possession of the arbutus tree, and a 
 black-cap has chosen the ivy bush." 
 
 One morning, very early, as George was 
 dressing, he looked out of his window and 
 saw a magpie hopping from stake to stake, 
 and peeping with its head first on one side 
 and then on the other, as only a magpie 
 can peep, into the apple trees they sup- 
 ported. George watched the cunning bird 
 some time, and was much amused at its 
 curiosity in examining the trees so mi- 
 nutely, and, going to work in his garden, 
 thought no more of the magpie, or his visit. 
 
 Some time after, Helen and Walter went 
 round to look at the nests, and to see if a 
 chaffinch had hatched, whose fortnight for 
 sitting expired the day before. To their 
 great disappointment, they found the nest 
 was in its place, but it was empty, and the 
 old birds were crying on a pear tree near.
 
 144 HOLIDAY RAMBLES. 
 
 They ran to George to know if he had taken 
 the little birds, or could tell anything about 
 them, but he could give them no informa- 
 tion. They went to find Agnes to tell her 
 the disaster; and then they all four set off 
 to examine the nests, and see if any more had 
 been robbed. They found that both the 
 chaffinches, the thrush, the blackbird, and 
 the robin, had alike suffered. George now 
 remembered the magpie, and told the others 
 he knew who was the thief. 
 
 "Do tell us who it was," they all ex- 
 claimed. 
 
 " It was a very handsome gentleman, 
 with a black and white coat," replied George. 
 
 " Did you see him, George," said Walter. 
 "What business had he to come into the 
 garden, and rob the poor birds? I wish I 
 had seen him." 
 
 "And if you had seen him," answered 
 George, " you would not have suspected 
 that such a gentlemanly -looking fellow could
 
 GEORGE'S RIDE TO LEIGHTON. 145 
 
 have been guilty of such bad behaviour, but 
 would have admired him as I did." 
 
 " Catch me admiring the rascal," said 
 Walter, with warmth. " I would have put 
 a stick across his shoulders before he should 
 have stolen my birds." 
 
 " Now, George," said Agnes, " you are 
 making fun. Was it a bird or beast that 
 took the eggs?" 
 
 " It was a magpie," replied George, laugh- 
 ing; "and if you had seen him as I did, 
 hopping from stick to stick, appearing to 
 count the leaves, your valour would have 
 evaporated, and you would have been as 
 much amused as I was ; though, had I 
 known the mischief he was doing, I would 
 have driven him away." 
 
 As George wished to visit his cousin 
 Harry, before he returned to school, his 
 mamma kindly allowed him to ride her 
 little pony to Leighton, and Frisk carried 
 his young master with apparent pleasure. 
 K
 
 146 HOLIDAY RAMBLES. 
 
 Harry was much pleased to see his friend. 
 He was still confined to the sofa, and looked 
 pale, and as if he had suffered. George was 
 glad to see him so far recovered ; but Harry 
 said he feared he should not be able to re- 
 turn to his studies this quarter, and that 
 was a great disappointment to him, as he 
 had hoped to have gained a prize next exa- 
 mination, but losing so much time would 
 make it impossible. 
 
 George remained the day with his cousin, 
 as the poor fellow was very glad of a com- 
 panion, and, to amuse him, told the story of 
 the magpie robbing the nests. Harry was 
 much interested in the account. He said, 
 his papa's gardener had found a magpie's 
 nest, and wishing to destroy it, together 
 with the old bird, fired at it, but missing 
 his aim, the old bird looked out of her nest 
 in the most impudent manner. Mrs. Howard 
 overhearing their conversation, joined in, 
 and related the following tale :
 
 THE LOST LETTER. 147 
 
 " When I was a little girl, I had a tame 
 magpie that used to follow me about the 
 garden. Mag was very inquisitive, and 
 would let nothing alone. I was in the 
 bower one day, when a letter was brought 
 me from a very dear friend. I opened it, 
 and after reading it, put it on the seat by 
 my side whilst I went to speak to my sister, 
 I soon returned, but the letter was gone. 1 
 looked everywhere I could, but without 
 success. No person had been in the arbour 
 I was sure, for I could see it the whole time 
 I was absent. Mag was hopping in the path 
 in a most unconcerned manner, and my 
 sister observed she was sure he was the de- 
 linquent. I was sorry to think so ill of my 
 favourite, but was obliged to confess there 
 was great reason to suspect him. The next 
 day I was gathering some strawberries, 
 when, on lifting a large leaf, to my great 
 delight I saw the lost letter, which had, no 
 doubt, been hid by the magpie. " 
 
 K2
 
 148 HOLIDAY RAMBLES. 
 
 " What a troublesome bird it must have 
 been," said Harry; " I wonder you liked it 
 for a pet." 
 
 After dinner George and Tom went into 
 the garden to see Harry's tame owl; they 
 looked in the bower where he generally 
 lived, under every shrub, and in every 
 place that would afford the bird any con- 
 cealment, but without success. The owl 
 was riot to be found, and Tom thought it 
 had got out of the garden, and was either 
 killed or carried away. He was very vexed, 
 as Harry was partial to the bird, and would 
 be sorry at losing it in such an uncertain 
 manner. They had given up the search, 
 and George was looking at the flowers, and 
 admiring a beautiful passion-flower that 
 was trained against the wall of the hot- 
 house, when Tom asked him if he would 
 like to go into the house, to see some very 
 fine plants, just come into bloom. George 
 followed his cousin, and was much delighted
 
 HARRY'S TAME OWL. 149 
 
 with a large cactus in full blossom, when 
 he was startled by a loud exclamation 
 uttered by his companion, and, looking 
 round, he saw, to his great surprise, the 
 owl standing on the top of a large plant, 
 blinking his eyes, and appearing much dis- 
 tressed by the light. 
 
 " Oh, George ! look here, see what mis- 
 chief this troublesome bird has done," said 
 Tom, taking up a bunch of beautiful scarlet 
 flowers from under the plant on which the 
 owl was perched ; "he has picked all these 
 blossoms off. I cannot think how he could 
 get into the house." 
 
 " I hope," said George, " he has not in- 
 jured any other plant. What a pity! I 
 suppose he did not like the colour !" 
 
 " Then I wish he had let it alone," replied 
 Tom ; and going to the bird, he said, " Come, 
 sir, you have done mischief enough ; please 
 to walk out." 
 
 The owl, after opening and shutting his
 
 150 HOLIDAY EAMBLES. 
 
 eyes several times, as if not comprehending 
 the words addressed to him, and receiving 
 an admonitory tap to make haste, from 
 Tom, stepped slowly from the plant to a 
 stick held close to him, and Tom carried 
 him safely out of the house. 
 
 Harry was much annoyed at his favourite's 
 bad behaviour, and said he thought he must 
 part with him, as, if he did so much damage 
 to the plants, it would not be right to keep 
 him. It had been very warm and sultry 
 all day, and as George was preparing to 
 mount the pony to return, he observed a 
 very black cloud rising in the west. He 
 hoped the storm would not begin until he 
 reached home; so, taking a hasty leave of 
 his cousins, he spoke to Frisk, and was 
 soon some way on his road. Notwith- 
 standing his haste, before he had proceeded 
 far the storm came on with great violence. 
 Frisk, though in general quiet and steady, 
 was now very much frightened at the
 
 A THUNDER-STORM. 151 
 
 thunder, and started from one side of the 
 road to the other. George was a good 
 rider, and managed to keep his seat. He 
 patted the neck of the terrified pony, and 
 tried to encourage him with his voice. 
 
 In this manner they proceeded till within 
 a quarter of a mile of home, when a vivid 
 flash of lightning, followed by a tremen* 
 dously loud and long-continued peal of 
 thunder, brought them to a stand. George 
 tried to induce Frisk to proceed, but in 
 vain ; the little creature appeared unable to 
 move, and trembled in every limb. The 
 rain was descending in torrents ; and, after 
 using all the means in his power to make 
 Frisk go on, George dismounted, and, taking 
 the pony's rein, walked the rest of the way. 
 By the time he arrived at home, he was 
 completely wet through, and covered with 
 mud. 
 
 From the commencement of the storm, 
 Mrs. Melville and the children had been
 
 152 HOLIDAY RAMBLES. 
 
 anxiously expecting his return, and were 
 very glad to see him come through the 
 gate. They ran down stairs to meet 
 him; and Mrs. Melville, seeing he was so 
 wet, would not allow him to wait to gratify 
 their curiosity and answer their questions, 
 but hurried him to his room to change his 
 wet clothes. 
 
 The holidays were drawing to a close; 
 and George and Walter found, to their 
 great regret, that the next Tuesday they 
 were to return to school. The girls were 
 sorry to lose the company of their brothers, 
 but their mamma cheered them with the 
 prospect of a merry meeting at Christmas, 
 and Miss St. Clair procured a promise from 
 her sister that, should nothing unforeseen 
 occur, the whole party should spend a part 
 of the Christmas vacation with her. 
 
 The idea of again seeing their dear aunt 
 afforded the children much pleasure, and
 
 PREPARING FOR SCHOOL. 153 
 
 they commenced their preparations for de- 
 parture with brighter faces. 
 
 Mrs. Melville kindly promised them a 
 large cake to take with them, and gave 
 orders for it to be ready by the Monday.
 
 CHAPTER XL 
 
 THE thunder-storm having cleared the air, 
 and imparted fresh life and beauty to the 
 foliage (which was rather dull, in conse- 
 quence of the want of rain), the children 
 entreated their mamma and aunt to accom- 
 pany them to Ferndale, as they had not 
 been there these holidays, and wished much 
 to visit the fish-ponds before they separated. 
 Mrs. Melville, acceding to their request, 
 all arrangements were completed, the pony 
 was ready, and Miss St. Clair taking her 
 sketch-book, they were soon on their way 
 to Ferndale. 
 
 For some distance they proceeded up a 
 steep hill, and then along a level road; 
 from the height of the ground, the view 
 they enjoyed was very extensive. On the 
 left was a hill corresponding in elevation to
 
 
 The departure for school.
 
 FERNDALE. 155 
 
 the one over which their road lay. The 
 valley between was studded with villages, 
 richly wooded, and terminated by a range 
 of distant mountains. On their right was 
 another valley, of much less extent ; through 
 part of this they were to pass in their way 
 to the fish-ponds. Leaving the turnpike- 
 road, they entered a narrow lane, that led 
 them down the hill in the direction of 
 Ferndale. 
 
 The ponds were some distance from the 
 village; and our party, diverging from the 
 direct track into a field, and following a 
 winding path, soon came within sight of 
 the priory, with the ponds in a narrow 
 vale beneath. On the first view, Miss St. 
 Clair exclaimed at the beauty of the scene. 
 They stood on a little rising ; beneath them 
 was the water, clear and bright, on the 
 right ; a luxuriant wood of graceful larches 
 clothed the hill-side, their drooping branches 
 dipping into the liquid mirror which re-
 
 156 HOLIDAY RAMBLES. 
 
 fleeted their elegant outline ; a walk beneath 
 their shade skirted the margin of the minia- 
 ture lake, and led to a village a mile distant, 
 called Leigh Wood. On the other side, a bank 
 of smooth herbage, fringed with the wild 
 iris and the water-lily, was surmounted by a 
 splendid avenue of horse-chesnuts, and firs 
 of a majestic growth, with now and then a 
 silvery barked beech and a quivering aspen ; 
 through these, and in a line with the bank, 
 a private road led to the priory. Standing 
 on the summit of a gentle ascent was Fern- 
 dale Priory; its ornamented turrets and 
 ivy-covered walls being almost concealed 
 from sight by the rich foliage of the sur- 
 rounding woods. At the opposite end of 
 the valley to which they were standing 
 was a rustic bridge, formed, with great 
 taste, of unbarked wood ; and beyond that, 
 a sparkling waterfall completed the view> 
 and added life and beauty to the scene. 
 Mrs. Melville dismounted from her little
 
 THE FISH-POND. 157 
 
 pony, and George fastened him to a tree to 
 prevent his trespassing, or doing any mis- 
 chief. The whole party then descended 
 the field to the edge of the pond. After 
 walking a little to find the prettiest part for 
 a sketch, Miss St. Glair established herself 
 on a bank of wild thyme, and placing the 
 book on her lap, commenced sketching the 
 priory. Mrs. Melville took her seat near 
 her sister, and the children wandered about 
 as they liked. Being rather tired with 
 their long walk, they soon returned to 
 where their mamma and aunt were resting, 
 and placing themselves on the bank by their 
 side, watched the various aquatic insects 
 that abounded in the water. 
 
 " Do you think there are any fish in this 
 pond, mamma?" inquired George. 
 
 " Yes, my dear," replied Mrs. Melville; 
 u this pond is made expressly for the pur- 
 pose of preserving fish. If you watch, you 
 will see them spring out of the water to
 
 158 HOLIDAY RAMBLES. 
 
 catch the flies on the surface. There ! did 
 you see that one just in front of us?" 
 
 "I saw it," said Helen; "it looked a 
 large one; but what are those little long 
 things, swimming under the leaves of that 
 water lily?" 
 
 " Those are little fish," answered Mrs. 
 Melville. " There appear to be a great 
 number of them." 
 
 " Are there many insects living in the 
 water, mamma?" asked Agnes. 
 
 "A great many, my love," answered Mrs. 
 Melville. " I think the grubs of the caddis- 
 fly are some of the most curious and inte- 
 resting, from the pains they take to build 
 themselves houses." 
 
 "Oh! mamma," said AValter, "please to 
 tell us about them. I like so much to hear 
 the history of insects." 
 
 " I am glad you are interested in what I 
 relate, my dear," said Mrs. Melville. " The 
 study of nature has to me always been a
 
 THE CADDIS-FLY. 159 
 
 very favourite employment. To find out 
 the perfections and instincts of the animal 
 creation around us, is a pleasurable occu- 
 pation, but one that requires much time 
 and patience. Of this we may be sure, that 
 each production of nature has its proper 
 use, and is made to fill some place in the 
 universe that without it would be void, and 
 thus destroy the harmony of the whole. I 
 will now commence the history of the little 
 worms and their habitations, as Walter is, 
 I see, anxious for the account." 
 
 " We all wish to hear it, mamma," said 
 Agnes. 
 
 " The grubs of the caddis-flies," con- 
 tinued Mrs. Melville, " live under water, 
 where they construct for themselves move- 
 able tents, of various materials, such as sand, 
 stones, shells, wood, and leaves, which are 
 skilfully joined, and strongly cemented. 
 One kind of these grubs forms a pretty 
 case of leaves glued together lengthwise,
 
 160 HOLIDAY RAMBLES. 
 
 but leaving an aperture sufficiently large 
 for the inhabitant to put out its head and 
 shoulders, when it wishes to look about for 
 food." 
 
 " What a funny thing it must look,'' said 
 Helen, " with its cloak of leaves. I should 
 like to see one very much." 
 
 " It would be a pleasing sight," replied 
 Mrs. Melville; "but these little worms 
 live at the bottom of the water, and as we 
 have at present no means of raising them, 
 you must be content with my description. 
 Another species employs pieces of reed, cut 
 into convenient lengths, or bits of grass, 
 straw, or wood, &c., carefully joining and 
 cementing each piece to its fellow, as the 
 work proceeds, and frequently finishing the 
 whole by adding a broad piece, longer than 
 the rest, to shade the door-way overhead, 
 so that the insect may not be seen from 
 above." 
 
 " That must be a very wise worm, mam-
 
 THE CADDIS-FLY'S GROTTO. 161 
 
 ma," said Agnes, "to make a screen for 
 itself whilst securing its prey, for that is why 
 it constructs a lobby to its house, is it not?" 
 
 " No doubt but that is the purpose of 
 the little creature, my dear," replied Mrs. 
 Melville. " In thus framing its habitation it 
 acts according to the instinct for self-pre- 
 servation given it by its great Creator ; for 
 the projection of the straw over its head 
 must hide it from the observation of the 
 creatures above it, and materially add to its 
 security. A more laborious structure is 
 reared by another of these grubs, which 
 weaves together a group of the leaves of 
 plants into a roundish ball, and in the 
 interior of this forms a cell for its abode. 
 Another of these aquatic architects makes 
 choice of the tiny shells of young fresh- 
 water muscles and snails to form a moveable 
 grotto." 
 
 "Are there any fish in these shells?" in- 
 quired George. 
 
 L
 
 162 HOLIDAY RAMBLES. 
 
 " Many of them are inhabited," answered 
 Mrs. Melville ; " but that makes no differ- 
 ence to the little builder, for he drags them 
 along without mercy, keeping them close 
 prisoners. These grotto-building grubs are 
 by no means uncommon in ponds. One of 
 the most surprising instances of the skill 
 of these little creatures is the construction 
 of their nests with small stones. The diffi- 
 culty consists in making a tube about the 
 width of the hollow of a wheat straw, or 
 crow quill, and equally smooth and uniform 
 throughout ; the materials used being small 
 stones, full of angles and irregularities, ren- 
 ders this a task of no ordinary magnitude ; 
 yet the little architects, by patiently exa- 
 mining the stones, and turning them round 
 on every side, never fail to accomplish their 
 plans. This, however, is not the only diffi- 
 culty. The under surface of this tube must 
 be flat and smooth, without any projecting 
 angles that might impede the progress of
 
 THE BUILDING CADDIS. 163 
 
 the little animal when dragging its habita- 
 tion along the bottom of the rivulet in which 
 it resides." 
 
 " Why does it choose to make its nest of 
 stones," asked Agnes, " since it has so much 
 trouble to arrange them?" 
 
 " Here again," replied Mrs. Melville, 
 "we may trace the action of that power 
 implanted in the nature of this little insect, 
 by its omnipotent Creator, and notice the 
 evidence of design ; for this species lives at 
 the bottom of streams, where, but for the 
 weight of the materials selected for its 
 house, it would be swept away by the cur- 
 rent. To keep it from this danger, it is 
 probable the grub makes choice of larger 
 stones than it might otherwise want, and 
 therefore cases are frequently found com- 
 posed of very small stones and sand, to 
 which, when nearly finished, a large one is 
 added, by way of ballast. In other in- 
 stances, when the materials are found to be 
 L2
 
 164 HOLIDAY RAMBLES. 
 
 too heavy, a bit of light wood or a hollow 
 straw is attached to the case to buoy it 
 up." 
 
 " How extraordinary it is that the grub 
 should know what things are heavy, and 
 what are light," remarked Miss St. Clair, 
 " and should be able to distinguish between 
 the weight of stone and the buoyancy of 
 wood and straws. It is a proof of the wis- 
 dom of Almighty God, that He suits the 
 habits of creatures to the situation they 
 occupy; for the parents of this little worm 
 could render it no assistance, they must 
 have quitted their habitation in the water, 
 attained their perfect form, passed their 
 short and happy life, before the egg con- 
 taining the little insect was hatched." 
 
 " Mamma," said Helen, " how does the 
 little grub fasten the stones for its house 
 together?" 
 
 " By cement, my love," replied Mrs. Mel- 
 ville, "that is incapable of being dissolved
 
 TRANSFORMATION OF THE CADDIS. 165 
 
 in water. The grubs themselves are admi- 
 rably adapted for their mode of life, the 
 portion of their bodies which is always 
 enclosed in the case being soft and tender, 
 while the head and shoulders, which for 
 the most part project beyond the doorway, 
 are firm, hard, and consequently less liable 
 to injury." 
 
 " Do these grubs go through the same 
 transformation as the Dragon-fly?" inquired 
 George. 
 
 "They do," replied Mrs. Melville; u the 
 grub I have been describing is the larva ; 
 so long as it remains in its grub state it 
 can withdraw itself within its case of stones; 
 but when it feels its change approaching, it 
 contrives additional security, by weaving 
 at the entrance of its gallery a grating of 
 its singular silk, which hardens in water 
 and remains indissoluble. The strong 
 threads are made to cross each other, form- 
 ing a small circular plate, perforated with
 
 166 HOLIDAY RAMBLES. 
 
 minute holes at regular intervals, which 
 exactly fits the opening, and is placed a 
 little within the margin." 
 
 " What are the holes for?" asked Walter. 
 
 " They are to enable the little creature 
 to breathe," replied Mrs. Melville, "the 
 holes admit a current of fresh water, which 
 is used by it instead of air. It is also pro- 
 vided with a pair of curved mandibles, 
 with which it is able to make its exit 
 through the grating, and then throws them 
 aside." 
 
 Mrs. Melville having finished the history 
 of the Caddis-fly, they rose to pursue their 
 way to the refreshing shade of the larch 
 wood.
 
 CHAPTER XIL 
 
 PROCEEDING through a gate into the wood, 
 they found some beautiful moss and ferns, 
 which the children scrambled up the bank 
 to gather, leaving their mamma and aunt 
 in the path. They were very busily engaged, 
 when Miss St. Clair called to them to come 
 down as quickly and quietly as possible. 
 Soon obeying her, and reaching the path 
 with as much expedition as the steepness 
 of the bank would allow, they inquired for 
 what purpose they had been called. 
 
 " Look there, my dears," said Mrs. Mel- 
 ville, pointing in the direction of the oppo- 
 site bank, " do you see that thorn-tree, partly 
 drooping into the water? On the upper 
 branch is a little bird I want you to 
 observe. It is a kingfisher, one of our
 
 168 HOLIDAY RAMBLES. 
 
 most richly tinted birds, and by no means 
 common. When darting into the water in 
 quest of prey, with the bright sunshine on 
 its gaily-coloured feathers, it may give us 
 some faint idea of the brilliantly plumed 
 birds that sport in the tropical forests, 
 flitting from place to place like so many 
 lights in their deeply shaded recesses." 
 
 After waiting a short time, the children 
 had a good view of the pretty little bird, as 
 it darted from the branch into the water 
 to capture a tiny fish, and rose with it 
 in its bill, the drops of moisture falling 
 from its brilliant plumage like pearls as 
 it ascended. 
 
 "Does it feed on fish, mamma?" asked 
 Walter. 
 
 " Yes, my dear," replied Mrs. Melville ; 
 " it is never seen far away from the sides 
 of streams or rivers, preferring those of 
 smaller size, not too rapid in their course. 
 Keeping in a line with the stream, it flies
 
 THE KING-FISHER. 169 
 
 with great rapidity in an undulating man- 
 ner, and with very quick strokes of the 
 wings, the eye catching the gorgeous light 
 of the upper parts, as the turns and windings 
 of its mazy track bring them to view/' 
 
 u Where does the kingfisher make its 
 nest?" inquired George. 
 
 " The nest is formed in the holes of banks," 
 answered Mrs. Melville. " The female lays 
 six or seven eggs of a delicate transparent 
 purplish white." 
 
 " Is not the kingfisher the same bird as 
 that called by the ancients halcyon," asked 
 Miss St. Glair, " that is so famed in fable, 
 as building her nest on the water, in a few 
 days hatching and rearing her young, and 
 as the possessor of a charm by which she 
 could allay the fury of the waves, till her 
 task was completed?" 
 
 "I believe it is," replied Mrs. Melville; 
 " the ancient poets are full of these fables, 
 the historians are not exempt from them,
 
 170 HOLIDAY RAMBLES. 
 
 and even St. Ambrose, one of the earliest 
 fathers of the church, has narrated the 
 account : 4 Behold/ says he, c the little bird 
 which in the midst of the winter lays her 
 eggs on the sand by the shore. From that 
 moment the winds are hushed, the sea be- 
 comes smooth, and the calm continues for 
 fourteen days. This is the time she requires, 
 seven days to hatch and seven days to foster 
 her young. Their Creator has taught these 
 little birds to make their nest in the most 
 stormy season, only to manifest His kind- 
 ness, by granting them a lasting calm. The 
 seamen are not ignorant of this blessing, 
 and call this interval of fair weather their 
 halcyon days, and they are particularly 
 careful to seize the opportunity, as they 
 then need fear no interruption.' " 
 
 " I never knew the origin of the expres- 
 sion halcyon days," said George, " though I 
 have often heard it." 
 
 "It is frequently used to express an in-
 
 AGNES STUNG BY A BEE. 171 
 
 terval of rest and quiet, or of great happi- 
 ness," said Mrs. Melville. 
 
 Having lost sight of the kingfisher, they 
 proceeded through the wood and followed 
 the path to Leigh Wood till they passed the 
 last pond, then retracing their steps, they 
 amused themselves by gathering a bunch of 
 wild flowers. A beautiful festoon of the 
 large white convolvulus, which was hanging 
 on the drooping boughs of a larch, attracted 
 the attention of Agnes, and she gathered a 
 piece, but in so doing she inadvertently 
 caught hold of a blackberry blossom, on 
 which a humble bee was regaling itself with 
 a repast of honey. The little insect not 
 understanding that the squeeze it received 
 was unintentional, very much resented it, 
 and inflicted a sharp sting on poor Agnes' 
 finger, at the same time buzzing as loud as 
 possible. Agnes threw down the flowers in 
 haste, and examining the wounded part, 
 found that the insect had left its sting in 
 her finger.
 
 172 HOLIDAY RAMBLES. 
 
 Mrs. Melville, seeing something was the 
 matter, ran to her assistance and took out 
 the sting; then gathering some plantain 
 leaves, and bruising them, she rubbed the 
 injured part with the juice, and in a few 
 minutes the anguish was allayed.
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 "On, mamma!" said Walter, quite out of 
 breath from running, " I have seen such a 
 pretty little creature; it came out of the 
 bank, looked about for a second, and then 
 ran across the path to the bush on the other 
 side. What could it be?" 
 
 " What was it like, my dear?" said Mrs. 
 Melville; "unless you give me some idea of 
 it, I cannot tell you the name." 
 
 " It was a little long animal," replied 
 Walter, "the upper part of its body was 
 brown, its throat and breast were white, 
 and its tail black; now, mamma, do you 
 know?" 
 
 "I think," said Mrs. Melville, "from 
 your description, the little creature must be 
 the stoat, or ermine ; for that is an elegant
 
 174 HOLIDAY EAMBLES. 
 
 animal; brown above, and white beneath, 
 with the tail black at the end." 
 
 " I always thought the ermine was white," 
 said Agnes; "and you called the brown 
 creature Walter has seen, the ermine. 
 Please to tell me what you mean/' 
 
 " You have confused the summer and 
 winter costume of the same little animal," 
 answered Mrs. Melville ; " for in summer the 
 ermine wears a brown jacket, and in winter 
 a white one." 
 
 "Well, that is droll," said Walter, "for 
 the ermine to change his coat with the 
 seasons; but why does he not wear the 
 white jacket in summer, and the brown one 
 in winter?" 
 
 " To answer your question," replied Mrs. 
 Melville, " I must tell you something of the 
 history and habits of this creature. The 
 ermine is not so common in this country 
 as in colder climates. It frequents stony 
 places and thickets, amongst which it finds
 
 THE ERMINE. 175 
 
 a secure retreat, as its agility enables it to 
 outstrip even the dog in a short race, and 
 the slimness of its body allows it to enter a 
 very small aperture. Patches of furze, in 
 particular, afford it perfect security, and it 
 sometimes takes possession of a rabbit's 
 burrow." 
 
 " Does it eat the furze ?" asked Helen. 
 
 " No," answered Mrs. Melville. " It preys 
 on game, from the grouse and ptarmigan 
 downwards; and not unfrequently attacks 
 poultry, or sucks their eggs. It is a deter- 
 mined enemy to rats and mice ; young hares 
 and rabbits occasionally become victims to 
 its rapacity, and even the full-grown animals 
 are sometimes destroyed by it. Its motions 
 are elegant, and its appearance extremely 
 animated, moving by leaps or bounds. Its 
 courage is surprising, for it will attack, seize 
 by the throat, and cling to a grouse, hare, 
 or other animal strong enough to carry it 
 off. In the summer this little creature is
 
 176 HOLIDAY RAMBLES. 
 
 brown, and is then called the stoat; when 
 the cold weather commences, the brown 
 hairs disappear, and are replaced by white 
 ones, growing much closer together, and 
 warmer. By the time winter is set in it is 
 completely clothed with yellowish white, 
 except the tail, which continues black ; then 
 it is known by the name of ermine." 
 
 "Is it not a very expensive fur?" in- 
 quired Agnes. 
 
 "Yes," replied Mrs. Melville. "As a 
 fur it is much valued for tippets, muffs, and 
 other articles of winter clothing : the skins 
 being placed side by side, with a tail 
 fastened to each, the black of the latter 
 contrasting agreeably with the white, or 
 yellowish white, of the former. It is also 
 used for lining the robes of princes, nobles, 
 and magistrates." 
 
 " Where do all these skins come from ?" 
 asked George. 
 
 " They are imported, in great numbers,
 
 THE ERMINE'S WINTER COAT. 177 
 
 from the northern parts of Europe," an- 
 swered Mrs. Melville. " The fur brought 
 from thence is of a much finer and denser 
 texture than that procured in Great Britain, 
 owing to the cold being much more intense." 
 
 " Why does this change take place?" said 
 Agnes. " Does the variation of colour do 
 any good to the little creature?" 
 
 " When the ermine appears in its white 
 dress," replied Mrs. Melville, " all nature is 
 clothed in the same: then the rivers are 
 turned into firm ice, the ground is covered 
 with the dazzling white of the newly-fallen 
 snow, and this little animal would be much 
 exposed by its bright colour, did it retain 
 its summer costume, both to its enemies 
 and to those animals on which it preys; 
 but by being the same tint as the ground 
 around, it can move without exciting the 
 observation it otherwise would, arid thus 
 eludes pursuit, and captures its prey with 
 greater certainty." 
 
 M
 
 178 HOLIDAY RAMBLES. 
 
 " I think," remarked Miss St. Glair, who 
 till now had been too busily engaged in 
 sketching a beautiful oak to join the con- 
 versation, " that there is another advantage 
 to be derived from the change of colour in 
 the ermine besides those you have men- 
 tioned, and that is, it tempers it to the 
 weather. White is much more difficult 
 both to heat and to cool than black : thus 
 the white colour preserves the natural heat 
 of the animal in winter, and the dark colour 
 in summer, by raising the temperature of 
 the surface, makes the creature perspire, 
 and the evaporation which follows is a 
 source of cold." 
 
 " In all these cases," observed Mrs. Mel- 
 ville, " we should remark the care the great 
 God takes of His creatures. He opens His 
 hand, and they are satisfied with meat. To 
 Him the young ravens cry, and He heareth 
 them, and regardeth their necessities. He 
 clothes them with the various coverings
 
 A SAGACIOUS DOG. 179 
 
 best suited to their situations, and changes 
 both the colour and thickness of their fur 
 according to the variations of heat and 
 cold. Well might the Psalmist exclaim, 
 C Lord! how manifold are Thy works; 
 in wisdom hast Thou made them all: the 
 earth is full of Thy riches.'" 
 
 By the lengthened shadows which fell 
 around them, our party were reminded that 
 it was time to think of returning ; and Mrs. 
 Melville hastened to remount her trusty 
 little steed, which was impatiently waiting 
 her arrival, and proceeded on her way 
 home. 
 
 Not long after leaving the fish-ponds, 
 they were overtaken by Farmer Goodenough 
 and Oscar. The children expressed much 
 delight at seeing their old friend, as they 
 styled the faithful animal; and after all 
 inquiries were answered, they entreated the 
 farmer to give them a proof of the sagacity 
 of their favourite by sending him to fetch 
 
 M2
 
 180 HOLIDAY RAMBLES. 
 
 something. Willing to gratify their curi- 
 osity, Farmer Goodenough took up a stone, 
 which he threw to some distance, and de- 
 sired Oscar to go after it. Whilst he 
 was obeying the command given, the farmer 
 tied his pocket handkerchief in a ball, and 
 hid it in a hole of the wall by the side of 
 the road. 
 
 The dog soon returned with the stone, 
 and delivered it to his master; who, prais- 
 ing him for his obedience, desired he would 
 walk by his side. After pursuing their way 
 for some distance, Farmer Goodenough 
 called to Oscar, telling him he had left his 
 handkerchief behind him, and directed the 
 animal to seek for it, and bring it to him. 
 
 Away started Oscar at full speed, track- 
 ing the course of his master with care. 
 The children watched him till a turn in the 
 road concealed him from their view. They 
 wanted to await the return of the dog, but 
 Farmer Goodenough said he would follow
 
 ANECDOTE OF A DOG. 181 
 
 them, and as it was getting late, Mrs. Mel- 
 ville wished them not to delay their return 
 home. At last, Oscar was seen approaching 
 with the handkerchief in his mouth, and, 
 bounding towards his much-loved master, 
 he gave it into his hand. 
 
 The children were highly gratified by 
 this evidence of the sagacity of their fa- 
 vourite ; and thanking Farmer Goodenough 
 for the pleasure he had afforded them, they 
 parted at the cross-roads, their way being 
 to the right, down the hill, and his to the 
 left, over the down.. 
 
 "I wish," said George, "I could teach 
 Neptune to obey me, as well as Oscar does 
 Farmer Goodenough : it would be so nice 
 to send him for anything I have left 
 behind." 
 
 "I fear," replied Mrs. Melville, "that 
 Neptune is too old to learn any new accom- 
 plishments. I read an anecdote the other 
 day of a North American dog, that I think
 
 182 HOLIDAY RAMBLES. 
 
 will interest you, and will show how keen 
 the sense of smelling is in those animals, 
 and how valuable it is when well directed, 
 and applied to the use of man : 
 
 " An owner of a plantation in the neigh- 
 bourhood of Warwaring, near the Blue 
 Mountains, one morning missed his youngest 
 child, an active little fellow, only four years 
 of age. His parents sought him every- 
 where in the locality without success. As 
 the mountains abounded with wild animals, 
 they became much alarmed for his safety, 
 and, as is the custom in those parts, claimed 
 the assistance and co-operation of all their 
 neighbours in prosecuting the search for 
 their lost child. The united party sepa- 
 rated, and bent their way through the forest 
 in different directions ; no trace of the child 
 could be discovered. The next day they 
 renewed their search with no better success. 
 The hearts of the parents were wrung with 
 grief, and they were quite at a loss what
 
 ON THE SCENT. 183 
 
 further steps to take for the recovery of 
 the missing child. Providentially, at this 
 very time, one of the native Indians arrived 
 at the plantation, to request food and shelter 
 for the night. On being informed of the 
 distressing circumstances in which his host 
 was placed, he begged that the shoes and 
 stockings last worn by the child, might be 
 brought. He applied them to the nose of 
 his dog, who always accompanied him, and 
 desired him to smell them, and then de- 
 parted for the woods, accompanied by the 
 family. Taking a circuit of a quarter of 
 a mile, in the form of a semicircle, he urged 
 the dog to discover the scent of the lost 
 child. They had not proceeded far, when 
 the dog began to bay ; as he followed the 
 scent his barks became louder and louder; 
 at last starting off at full speed, he was 
 soon out of sight. In half an hour he re- 
 turned, with a countenance full of animated 
 expression, from which the Indian was sure
 
 184 HOLIDAY RAMBLES. 
 
 he had discovered the child, but whether 
 dead or alive, he could not tell. This was 
 a moment of acute suspense, although hap- 
 pily of short duration. The Indian follow- 
 ing his sagacious dog, soon reached the 
 place, where, at the root of a large tree, 
 lay the child. Taking the little wanderer 
 in his arms, with a joyful heart he retraced 
 his steps to where the distressed parents 
 and friends were waiting, and restored the 
 lost darling uninjured to his father and 
 mother." 
 
 " How delighted the parents must have 
 been to receive their lost child again," said 
 Agnes. 
 
 " They must, indeed," replied Mrs. Mel- 
 ville, " and if they had any proper sense of 
 gratitude in their hearts, they would unite 
 in the evening prayer with greater feelings 
 of thankfulness than they had ever before 
 experienced." 
 
 Their conversation was terminated by
 
 LEAVE-TAKING. 185 
 
 their arrival at home, much fatigued by the 
 length of their walk. 
 
 This was the last expedition they had 
 together, and the pleasure it afforded was 
 the source of much converse during many 
 days. 
 
 Before they parted, Agnes and Helen 
 promised to continue their care of their 
 brothers' gardens, and to write to them an 
 account of the growth of their flowers, and 
 of the welfare of all their pets. 
 
 At last the day of separation came, all 
 was packed, and the boys, taking an affec- 
 tionate leave of their mamma, aunt, and 
 sisters, entered the carriage that was to 
 convey them to the station, on their way to 
 school. Mr. Melville accompanied them to 
 the rail, and saw them and their boxes 
 safely into the train. 
 
 At first the girls felt very lonely, and 
 missed their brothers, but cheered each 
 other with the thought that in a few months
 
 186 HOLIDAY RAMBLES. 
 
 they would be re-united ; and in the mean- 
 time they determined to attend to their 
 studies, that they might be able to bring 
 their share of information to enliven the 
 family meeting. 
 
 THE END.
 
 LONDON: FAKRINGDON STEEET, 
 May, 1856. 
 
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 BOYS AT HOME. By C. ADAMS, Author of "Edgar 
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 TTEROINES OF HISTORY (The). By Mrs. 0. F. 
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 GUIZOT'S POPULAR TALES. Now first translated 
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 JOHN RAILTON ; or, Read and Think. By WILLIAM 
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 SKETCHES & ANECDOTES OF ANIMAL LIFE. 
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