Chapter 1

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CHILD LAND

WITH 200 ILLUSTRATIONS

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CHILD LAND.

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CHILD LAND:

PICTURE-PAGES FOR THE LITTLE ONES.

_Containing nearly 200 Designs by Oscar Pletch,_ _M. Richter, &c., &c._

LONDON: S. W. PARTRIDGE & CO., 9, PATERNOSTER ROW.

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MESSRS. WATSON AND HAZELL, PRINTERS, LONDON AND AYLESBURY.

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CONTENTS.

PAGE A Musical Evening 9 The Harvest Field 101 The Little Cooks 10 Taking a Walk 102 The Wheel Off 11 Wind and Rain 103 The Broken Cup 12 Watching the Gardener 104 Baby and his Doll 13 Ellen's New Bible 105 The Kind Brother 14 Not Hurt, I Hope 106 Curious John 15 The Sick Boy 107 Fast Asleep 16 Under the Umbrella 108 Dolly's Party 17 The Meeting 109 Don't be Greedy 18 Medicine for the Baby 110 The Pump 19 The Broken Cradle 111 The Lost Ball 20 More Kissing 112 Learning to Walk 21 Playing at Bowls 113 The Sick Doll 22 The Strolling Fiddler 114 Feeding the Birds 23 The Dunce 115 Helping Mother 24 The Windmill 116 What's in the Cupboard? 25 Making Jam 117 All to Ourselves 26 Our Shop 118 The Washing-Tub 27 Exchanging Dolls 119 "Teach Me to Draw, Please" 28 Lion's Kennel 120 Dressed Up 29 Learning the Lessons 121 The Grocer 30 Who'll have the Apple? 122 "It Doesn't Tick" 31 The Reverie 123 Just the Size 32 King of the Castle 124 Dolly's Washing 33 The Stew Pan 125 The Interruption 34 Our Half-Holiday 126 Lucy's New Bonnet 35 On the Wall 127 The Concert 36 "Shall We Ring the Bell?" 128 The Broken Doll 37 Brushing Sister's Hair 129 The Nosegay 38 Baby Brother 130 Baby Brother 39 Out in the Garden 131 Ready for School 40 Feeding the Rabbits 132 "There's a Good Doggie" 41 As Mama Does 133 Feeding the Fowls 42 Offended 134 Being Washed 43 Just Like Grandpapa 135 The Ropery 44 Off to School 136 The Broken Watering-Pot 45 Floating the Ducks 137 Shoeing the Horse 46 Albert's Horse 138 The New Jacket 47 Waiting for the Rain 139 The Pet Bird 48 Breakfast for Mama 140 Fast Asleep 49 "Mama, I Do Love You So" 141 The Apple Cupboard 50 Making a Pudding 142 Half-Holiday 51 "How do You do, Poll?" 143 "Don't Forget Me" 52 John's New Toy 144 The Bakery 53 The Secret 145 The Two Little Sisters 54 Ellen's Dream 146 "Wake Up, Driver" 55 Quarrelling 147 Coming Out of School 56 Diligent Charles 148 Baby's Flowers 57 Tired of It 149 Helping to Cook 58 The Sulky Girl 150 The Snow Man 59 The Sick Dolls 151 The Artist 60 "What Shall We Do?" 152 Teasing Mama 61 An Afternoon Nap 153 The Visit to Grandmama 62 The Pump 154 Asleep 63 The Playthings 155 What Shall I do next? 64 Grandmama 156 The Little Lamb 65 Helping Cook 157 "Hold It Fast, Prince" 66 In the Summer-House 158 The Tinman 67 The Empty Pocket 159 Blind-Man's-Buff 68 A Strange Seat for Dolly 160 Washing Hands 69 Studious Herbert 161 A Rough Ride 70 Waiting 162 Making Snow-Balls 71 "You Shan't Come In" 163 The New Game 72 Caught 164 Half Afraid 73 "Be a Good Dolly" 165 Grandpapa 74 The Little Squirrel 166 The Organ Man 75 Nearly Dressed 167 Do You Want a Carpenter? 76 The Kites 168 How Polite! 77 The Pets 169 Teasing 78 The Bookseller 170 Baby's Bath 79 Taking a Photograph 171 Baby and Rattle 80 Rather Tight 172 Very Happy 81 "A Letter, Sir" 173 Wayside Flowers 82 Musing 174 The Confectioner's 83 The Winged Letter-Carrier 175 Out in the Garden 84 Watching Pussy 176 Being Washed 85 The Sledge 177 Only a Toadstool 86 A, B, C 178 Watching the Moon 87 Little Alfred's Prayer 179 First Steps 88 "Which is the Way, Please?" 180 The Ducklings 89 "Can't go Out Yet" 181 Susan's Shop 90 The Schoolmaster 182 In the Nursery 91 The Saw-Pit 183 Sunday Morning 92 The Sledge-Chair 184 Giving Doggie a Ride 93 Off to Sea 185 The Gentle Cow 94 "Want Anything To-day?" 186 The Bookbinder's 95 Don't be Afraid 187 How Dark It Is! 96 Showing Baby the Pictures 188 Playing at See-Saw 97 "Rather Feverish" 189 A Ride Down-Hill 98 Ringing the Bell 190 The Thief Asleep 99 School Over 191 Breakfast Time 100 The Boot Cupboard 192

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A MUSICAL EVENING.

This is a very pleasant way of spending a winter evening, and my young friends like it much. All young folks should learn music.

THE LITTLE COOKS.

Lucy and Jane are fond of playing at cooks, and seem very busy this morning. Lucy is standing on a stool stirring something in a pot, and Jane is watching the cups on the little stove. I hope the children will not burn themselves, nor make a mess on the floor, or mama will be very cross.

THE WHEEL OFF.

Oh dear, another accident! Only yesterday the third wheel came off the lamb that little sister used to drag about the room. And now a wheel has come off the pretty chaise in which dolly rides. But do not cry, baby; we must ask papa to mend it, and then the chaise will go as well as ever.

THE BROKEN CUP.

Laura looks very grave this morning, and no wonder, for she has broken a tea-cup.

BABY AND HIS DOLL.

Baby is busy this morning with his doll. "Bruno" is watching by his side, ready to bark at any one who comes near.

THE KIND BROTHER.

Edward is a good kind brother, for, though he has his own lessons to learn, he is holding the thread for his sister Kate, whom he is very fond of, and tries to please as much as he can.

CURIOUS JOHN.

You are too impatient and curious, Master John. Far better to have waited till papa had himself shown you the pretty toys he has brought you from the fair.

FAST ASLEEP.

The sun has been up long ago, but baby is still asleep, with dolly by his side. We will not wake him, for he went to bed last night very tired. He had been out all day playing in the garden, and seemed quite glad when it was time for him to go to bed, so we will let him sleep a little longer. This will do him more good just now than being out in the hot sun.

DOLLY'S PARTY.

This is dolly's party. The two little girls have been invited to tea with her, and they have each brought their dolls with them. I hope it will be a pleasant party, though of course our two little friends must do all the talking, as Miss Dolly, though she sits there in such state, cannot speak a single word. But I dare say they can talk for her and themselves too.

DON'T BE GREEDY.

Harriet has had some apples given her, but she is so greedy she wishes to keep them all herself. She has two lying on the sofa already, and yet she does not seem willing to give the third to her little brother. I am ashamed of you, greedy girl!

THE PUMP.

Lucy is trying to pump up some water for her little sister, but she should be careful, for the water may run out suddenly and wet little Mary's dress. If this happens mama will be angry, for her dress is a very nice one indeed, and almost new.

THE LOST BALL.

Oh dear, oh dear, what shall we do, For we have lost the ball? The water-butt is deep, and now We cannot play at all.

LEARNING TO WALK.

Mama is giving little Mary her first lesson in walking. She is of course rather timid, but she will learn presently, when she has got a little more confidence.

THE SICK DOLL.

The doctor has just come in to see the sick doll, and is feeling her pulse. He tells Mary not to be alarmed, for her doll is no worse, and will be quite well in a day or two if she is kept quiet. I am sure Mary will attend to this, as she is very anxious about her doll, and would be sorry to lose her.

FEEDING THE BIRDS.

Well done, well done, thoughtful Jane, At your morning work again, Feeding thus with grain and crumbs Every hungry bird that comes: Well they know you, I can see, Or they would more timid be.

HELPING MOTHER.

Well done, Emma! Dinner is just over, and Emma is folding up the cloth, and tidying up.

WHAT'S IN THE CUPBOARD?

Mama has just caught the children prying into the cupboard. She will be angry with them, I am sure, for being so inquisitive.

ALL TO OURSELVES.

Little Emma and George have shut themselves into an up-stairs room this morning, and are pretending to be papa and mama. They have got papa's great boots on the floor, and Emma has dressed the boot-jack like a doll, and placed mama's bonnet on her head. Mama down-stairs will wonder presently what has become of her two little pets.

THE WASHING-TUB.

Our little friends are busy this morning, for dolly's washing must be done before dinner. But there are two of them, and they have got a nice large tub, so they will soon get it done. It will be well for poor dolly when her clothes are washed and ironed, for she must be very uncomfortable lying there on the floor.

"TEACH ME TO DRAW, PLEASE."

The children have come to see their uncle, the artist. They like to come and look at his pictures, and they are asking him to teach them to draw. It is a nice thing to be able to draw well.

DRESSED UP.

Little Richard has been dressing himself up in some old clothes, and has got a big walking-stick. His brother is amused, but baby does not seem to know him.

THE GROCER.

Mr. Sweet, the grocer, is serving his customers. James has just had some treacle, but he has put his finger into the jug, and is sucking it. Naughty boy!

"IT DOESN'T TICK."

Mama, my watch does not tick, as papa's does. I wish you would make it tick.

JUST THE SIZE.

Our two little friends have been out to-day with their mama, to buy some stockings for their dolls. They have just returned, and are fitting them on, and find they are just the size. The youngest of the doll family is snug in her cradle; but the doll lying on her face on the drawers, must, I fear, be very uncomfortable. They will notice it presently, I dare say.

DOLLY'S WASHING.

It is a very serious affair when the day comes round to do dolly's washing. Lines are hung up in the nursery, with a great tub to hold the wet clothes, and, after that, they are hung across the lines to dry. Our two little friends are as busy as they can be, and they must make haste, for papa would not like to find his little girls absent when he comes home.

THE INTERRUPTION.

Do not interrupt our play, brother Tom. Please go back to your lessons.

LUCY'S NEW BONNET.

That bonnet is too smart, Lucy. I fear you are too fond of dress.

THE CONCERT.

The children have got papa's music books, and are pretending to sing from them. Even dolly is stuck up against the wall, as if she were one of the singers. The dog is listening, as though he would ask what is the meaning of all this strange noise, and is barking, himself, very dismally, to add to it.

THE BROKEN DOLL.

This is a sad affair indeed. Little Jane dropped her pretty new doll on the floor while she was playing with her cousin, and now it is broken and spoiled. She is crying as if she would break her little heart over the disaster, but all her tears will not mend dolly again. But perhaps papa will buy her another, if she asks him.

THE NOSEGAY.

Little Laura has just opened the garden gate, and is hurrying off to school. She has a nosegay in her hand, which she is taking to her governess, whom she is very fond of. I dare say the governess will like her little present, for every one is fond of flowers, and still more the kindness which prompted her to bring it.

BABY BROTHER.

Our little baby brother is quite a romp. He is full of fun, and it is hard to keep him out of mischief. He kicks his boots off, pulls off his socks, and his new little woolly lamb and cart were soon torn to pieces. He plays with Bruno in a very rough way, and it is a wonder the dog bears it so patiently. This morning he has seized Tom by the hair, and seems highly pleased to have the chance of giving it a good pull.

READY FOR SCHOOL.

Mama is plaiting Ellen's hair this morning, and then she will be ready for school. Though her toys are on the floor beside her, yet she stands quite still, like a good girl.

FEEDING THE FOWLS.

Baby is giving some bread-crumbs to the fowls this morning. The cock looks up as though he would say "Thank you."

BEING WASHED.

Baby is screaming because he does not like to be washed. This is very naughty.

THE ROPERY.

Poor little James has come down to the ropery, to see the men make string. He has got a great ball of string to fly his kite with.

THE BROKEN WATERING-POT.

Susan is very sad this evening, for she has broken her little watering-pot, and so she does not know how to water her flowers.

SHOEING THE HORSE.

Let him have a good shoe, please, Mr. Farrier, and take care you don't hurt him, for he is a noble fellow.

THE NEW JACKET.

This is a tailor's shop, and Master Albert is being measured for a new jacket. His young brother Robert is to have one too.

THE PET BIRD.

How pleased baby is with the pet bird perched on the back of the chair!

THE APPLE CUPBOARD.

The children have just found out where mama keeps her apples.

HALF-HOLIDAY.

It is half-holiday, and, as it is wet, Master Fred is lounging about in-doors.

"DON'T FORGET ME."

Baby is sitting in the out-house eating a piece of bread-and-butter. Bob is putting his paw gently upon him, as much as to say, "Don't forget me, baby, but give me a bit, please."

THE BAKERY.

Mary has come to the baker's to buy a new loaf this morning, and she has peeped into the bakery to see how the men make the bread. She must not stay long though, for they are all waiting at home to have their breakfast.

THE TWO LITTLE SISTERS.

These two little girls are sisters, and they are very fond of one another, as sisters should be.

"WAKE UP, DRIVER."

Little Andrew is out early with his grandfather this morning, to take a long ride to the next town. They are asking the driver of a coach to take them, but he is fast asleep on the box.

COMING OUT OF SCHOOL.

The clock has just struck the hour, and the children are coming out of school. They seem to have forgotten that the snow is on the ground, and that it is very slippery. Three of them have fallen down, but I do not think they have hurt themselves, as they seem very merry.

HELPING TO COOK.

Little Lucy is helping mama to make the nice jams this morning.

THE SNOW MAN.

The children have made a great snow man, and they are lifting up dolly to look at him.

THE ARTIST.

The artist is sitting on a camp-stool, taking a sketch of the cottages yonder. He has put up his umbrella to shelter himself from the sun. The boys seem greatly interested in his work.

TEASING MAMA.

The children seem very troublesome and noisy this afternoon. It is well for them that mama has much patience, or she would be very angry indeed at their bad behaviour.

THE VISIT TO GRANDMAMA.

The children are come to-day on a visit to grandmama. She is telling them they have grown very much lately. But Miss Pry ought not to open grandmama's drawers.

ASLEEP.

Maria has been sitting on the sofa this evening, looking through some picture books. But it is late, and mama has not yet come home, and she has fallen fast asleep with dolly behind her.

WHAT SHALL I DO NEXT?

It is a wet day, and little Laura cannot go out. So she has been playing in-doors, and been amusing herself with her dolls. But it still rains, and she is tired of her dolls, and is asking herself what she shall do next to amuse herself. She must have patience, and papa will be home to tea presently.

"HOLD IT FAST, PRINCE."

This is Alfred, the hunter's little son, who has dressed himself up in his father's belt and hat. Prince seems to know what Alfred says to him.

THE TINMAN.

The tinman is very busy to-day, with his little hammer, shaping a piece of tin. On the floor around him lie watering-pots, coffee-pots, tin pipes, and a variety of useful articles, all made out of tin.

WASHING HANDS.

Mama does not like to see her children dirty, so she is washing their hands, and then they can play about again. Baby is looking at his hands to see if they are dirty, and Alice is examining her doll's hands.

A ROUGH RIDE.

Baby is having a ride this morning on his brother's back. It is a rather rough ride, and shakes him very much when his brother runs. But he likes the fun, and will be sorry when his brother is tired, and puts him down. Carlo is barking beside him with all his might.

MAKING SNOW-BALLS.

It is very cold, and the fields are all covered with snow. The children are on their way to school, but they have laid their books down for a few minutes. The boys are in high glee, for they cannot make snow-balls every day, and there is plenty of snow on the ground just now. I dare say they will be sorry when the snow melts.

THE NEW GAME.

Arthur is a clever lad, as every boy and girl in the village knows. He has just invented a new game, and his playfellows are listening to him while he explains it to them. They are to meet him on the common this afternoon after school, and try if they can play at it.

GRANDPAPA.

It is grandpapa's birthday, and the children have come to congratulate him.

THE ORGAN MAN.

Here, poor organ man, here is a penny for you, and I will sit down with my dolly, on this log of wood, and listen to your pretty tunes.

DO YOU WANT A CARPENTER?

Little William has dressed himself up as a carpenter, and his sister is pretending to be a fine lady. William is asking her if she wants a carpenter, as he has his tools with him, and will be very glad of a job. Susan is sitting outside pretending to be keeping a coffee-stall.

HOW POLITE!

Richard's little cousin has called in this afternoon, and Richard, who is very kind and polite, is handing her some cake, and asking her to have a slice.

TEASING.

Master Sydney is, I am sorry to tell you, very fond of teasing. This is not a nice habit, for, although it may begin in fun, it often ends in a quarrel. His little sister does not like it, and he has been teasing her so long that she is now crying. If she tells his papa of it he will be very angry, as he has often reproved Sydney for this bad habit before, and I was hoping he had broken it off. Sydney ought to do all he can to please his little sister, rather than thus take delight in vexing and annoying her.

BABY'S BATH.

Baby is sitting in his little bathing tub, waiting for his sister to come up and wash him. He is beginning to like the water now, and is quite pleased to sit in it and be washed. At first he did not like it at all, and began to scream at the sight of the tub, but he has now more confidence, and likes it very much. It is nice to have a good wash, especially in hot weather, and all children should early be taught to like cleanliness.

BABY AND RATTLE.

Baby is highly amused to hear his rattle making a noise. The dog seems amused too, for he is jumping up to see what it is all about.

WAYSIDE FLOWERS.

It is a pity there is not more interest taken in wayside and field flowers, some of which are so very beautiful.

THE CONFECTIONER'S.

This is the shop of Mr. Sweet, the pastrycook. The children have just bought some sweets, and his lad is taking out a large cake on a tray.

OUT IN THE GARDEN.

It is half-holiday to-day, but it is too warm to run about the fields. So Susan and Emma are sitting in the wheelbarrow, at the kitchen door, and enjoying themselves as much as if they were sitting in a fine arbour. They have got puss with them, who seems to like it as much as they do. When the sun sets they will water their flowers, for they have got a nice flower-bed of their own, and some of the flowers are just beginning to blossom.

BEING WASHED.