Chapter 3

The name of everything we know, as _slate_, or _book_, or _toy_, Is called a _Noun_. All names are nouns; remember this, my boy.

A word that means to be, to act, or to be acted on, Is called a _Verb_; as _is_, or _eat_, or _sing_; or he _is gone_.

{125}

A word that tells the color, form, or quality of things, Is called an _Adjective_; as, _bright_, or _round_, or _softest_ wings.

A word that tells how things are done, as _quickly_, _bravely_, _well_. Is called an _Adverb_; and I'm sure you many more can tell.

A word that's used in place of nouns, a _Pronoun_ we may call; As, _I_ for mother; _you_, for James; _this_, _that_, for hoop or ball

A _Preposition's_ placed before a noun, and serves to show Relation to some other word; as, Rover's _in_ the snow.

And then _Conjunctions_ join two words or sentences together; As, man _and_ boy, or birds will fly _and_ winds blow o'er the heather.

Then _Interjections_, _Oh!_ and _Ah! Behold!_ and many another, Express surprise, delight; dismay, far more than every other.

{126}

And these the _Parts of Speech_ we call; _Eight_ parts as you may tell; And all the language you will know, when these you've studied well.

_NUMBER AND GENDER._

A NOUN or name that means but one, Is called in the _singular number_; But when it stands for more than one, 'Tis _plural_, child, remember.

* * * * *

A NOUN that is the name of males, As ox, or horse, or father, Is _masculine_ in _gender_, dear; While cow, and mare, and mother, And all the names of females, child, Are _feminine_, 'tis true; Now tell me all the names you know, And tell their gender, too. But you will find there's many a noun Not male, nor female either, As chair, and book; and such we call In _neuter gender_--neither.

{127}

ONE LITTLE CHICKEN.

ONE little chicken, two little chickens, three little chickens, dear; Don't you see we add _s_, when more than one is here? And this we do with almost all the nouns that may appear.

One little birdy, two little birdies, three little birdies soar; The _y_ is changed to _i-e-s_ for birdies two or more; And this, when a word shall end in _y_ with a _consonant_ before.

One little donkey, two little donkeys, three little donkeys bray. But here the _y_ remains unchanged, and _s_ is called in play; And this, when a word shall end in _y_, where a _vowel_ leads the way.

{128}

_LETTERS._

A, E, I, O, U, The _vowels_ we may call; W, Y, are vowels too, Whene'er they chance to fall To the end of syllable or word. And this we well may know That all the rest are _consonants_; Just nineteen in a row.

K, P, and T are called the _mutes_, Because they interrupt All voice or sound; while B and D Can only intercept; Hence these are partial mutes, my child; And H is _aspirate_; And _th_, too, in _th_ink and _th_rone, But vocal in _this, that._

{129}

Then lip-letters, or _labials_, And _dentals_, or tooth letters, With _palatals_ and _sibilants_ Seem wondrously like fetters. But, ah! instead of prisoning, They open wide the way That leads to Learning's loftiest heights; Press on, and win the day.

* * * * *

WORDS.

TELL me the name of something, dear; As book, or ball, or kite; Now tell some quality of each, As big, or round, or light. And now some word that means _to be_ Yes, _is_, my child, you're right.

The ink is black, The snow is white, The ice is hard--is cold: The sky is blue, The air is light, Sometimes the child is bold. {130} And thus let names of everything Afar or near be told; And Qualities of each and all Let memory infold.

* * * * *

NOW give one name, and tell me all Its qualities as well; As, coal is black, and coal is hard, And coal's inflammable.

And now, you children should be taught That we need not repeat The name, with every word that tells Its qualities complete.

Coal's black, hard, and inflammable, We say; but all so fast, A comma follows after each, With _and_ before the last.

And now use iron, chalk, and clay, Use water, snow, and ice, Use thread and needle, pin and pen, Use every word that's nice.--

{131}

ANOTHER lesson now attend-- We'll find some quality Embraced by several different things, As you will plainly see.

Snow is cold, ice is cold, Salt is cold as well; Snow, ice, and salt are cold, my child, As every one can tell.

* * * * *

A SMILE.

"SHE smiled on me, she smiled on me!" In ecstacy exclaimed A little waif in tattered gown, With form so halt and maimed. Remember, even a smile may cheer, A cup of water, bless; A kindly word, sow seeds of joy, Whose fruit is happiness.

{132}

_TWINKLE, TWINKLE._

"Twinkle, twinkle, little star, Up above the world so far, Whisper now and tell me, pray, What you are, and how you stay."

"Some of us away so far, Planets like your own Earth, are; And we shine with borrowed light, Borrowed from the Sun, so bright.

"Some of us are silvery moons, Shining all the nightly noons; Some of us are jelly, soft, Shooting, falling, from aloft.

{133}

Some of us are Nebulae,-- Faint and misty stars we be;-- Some are Suns to other worlds; Here and there a Comet whirls.

"Having each our time and place, Swinging in the wondrous space; Held in line by Him who planned, And who holds you in His hand."

{134}

OLD SOL IN A JINGLE.

Hi-diddle-diddle, The Sun's in the middle, And planets around him so grand, Are swinging in space, Held forever in place, In the Zodiac girdle or band.

Hi-diddle-diddle, The Sun's in the middle, And Mercury's next to the Sun While Venus, so bright, Seen at morning or night, Comes _Second_, to join in the fun.

Hi-diddle-diddle, The Sun's in the middle, And _Third_ in the group is our Earth; While Mars with his fire, So warlike and dire, Swings around to be counted the _Fourth_.

{135}

{136}

Hi-diddle-diddle, The Sun's in the middle, While Jupiter's next after Mars,-- And his four moons at night Show the speed of the light; Next golden-ringed Saturn appears,

Hi-diddle-diddle, The Sun's in the middle, After Saturn comes Uranus far;-- And his antics so queer, Led Astronomers near To old Neptune, who drives the last car.

[Footnote: Other planets are as yet too little known to claim place.]

{137}

"_ROBERT OF LINCOLN_."

"Bob-o-link, bob-o-link, reed-bird, butter-bird, All through the country his jingle is gaily heard; Reveling in rice-fields he sweeps through the South, While wheat, corn, and barley-fields welcome him North, And Bobby is wild with his singing and chatter, So saucily calling with rattle and clatter, Bob-o-link, bob-o-link, Tom-denny, Tom-denny, Come-now-and-pay-me-that-two-shillings-one-penny, No,-I'll-not-wait-for-a-day-nor-a-minute, So-pay-me-up-quick-or-you'll-get-your-foot-in-it;-- Chink-a-chee, chink-a-chee, chink-a-chee, chin-it, Yes,-pay-me-up-quick,-or-you'll-get-your-foot-in-it."

{138}

_LIMPY-DIMPY-DINGLE_.

Limpy-dimpy-dingle, chicky-bid would stray To the trap that had been set for weasels, many a day,

Limpy-dimpy-dingle, chicky-bid walked in, And the trap its teeth shut up, on chicky-biddy's shin.

Limpy-dimpy-dingle, chicky-bid is brought, And her leg, so sore and big, we bathe with water hot.

Limpy-dimpy-dingle, here's a broken bone, All so rough,--but close enough we bring the ends, right soon.

{139}

Limpy-dimpy-dingle, strips of paste-board cut, We will place with care and grace, from thigh to trembling foot

Limpy-dimpy-dingle, softest cotton, too, Just within the paste-board thin, to fit around so true.

Limpy-dimpy-dingle, now with tape or band, Neatly wind, and closely bind, with deft and skillful hand.

Limpy-dimpy-dingle, nature'll do the rest, And soon will knit the bone to fit, as good as very best.

{140}

_CASTLE WONDERFUL_.

I know a castle, curious, Of lovely form and make; That we may view the castle through, A hasty peep we'll take.

{141}

The framework of my castle proud, Is neither wood nor stone, But earthy matter mixed with lime And hardened into bone.

This frame, of oddments is composed,-- In mind, the number fix,-- Of long and short and thick and thin, Two hundred just, and six.

And these are fastened each to each, By hinges, like, or joints, Which, with an oil so soft and pure, The Builder wise, anoints.

For garnishing this goodly frame, Quaint cushions, large and small, Are fitly fashioned, each in place, And pliant, one and all.

For cushion covers, deftly wrought, A scarf so beautiful, So pinkish-white, so loose yet tight, So warm and yet so cool;

Upon the smoothly rounded roof Is strewn the finest floss, A filmy veil, as soft as silk,-- Or is it fairy moss?

{142}

Two windows hath this castle fair, That shut and open wide, With cords and pulleys, curtains fringed, And fixtures fine beside.

These wondrous windows even smile And speak and fairly dance, And play at anger, hate, and love, And mischief, too, perchance.

These windows, too, are marvelous In that they let the light Both in and out for him who dwells Within, the lordly knight.

Two telephones of wondrous make,-- A door, with guards and bell,-- A ventilator, double-bored, Aye does its duty well.

{143}

And ah! within, this castle grand, Is fitted to a T, With everything that's needful there For serving you or me.

And strange to tell, this castle builds Itself, if but supplies Be placed within the open door, With watchful care and wise.

{144}

It clears itself too of the dust And ashes strewed within, If but the alley-ways are free, And outlets all a-kin.

And stranger still, this castle comes And goes where'er the will Of him who holds the rule within Shall bid, his hest to fill.

And wondrous more than all beside, This house the temple is, Of Him the great designer, God,-- And "all the earth is his."

{145}

Now list, and of this castle grand A further tale we'll tell, In language plain, so plain that all May read and heed it well.

The food we eat makes all our blood, And makes us children grow; And if we eat improper food It harms from top to toe.

We all have teeth quite sharp and strong, With which to chew our food, And in the mouth are glands and glands-- Yes, quite a numerous brood.

These glands pour out saliva, free, To moisten what we eat And then a trap-door at the throat Performs a wondrous feat

In guiding all the food along Into the Esophagus, And thence to stomach through a pass Called Cardiac Orifice.

And here 'tis mixed with Gastric Juice, And into chyme is churned Then through the gateway, Pylorus, As wiser ones have learned.

{146}

'Tis in the Duodenum now, Where it is mixed with Bile, And with the Pancreatic juice, Which changes it to Chyle.

This Chyle flows on, and all that's fit For nourishment and growth, Is taken up by Lacteals, Or "tubes with many a mouth."

These lead to the Thoracic Duct, Which holds a spoonful large, And from this Duct a pipe proceeds Through which it may discharge.

Into the great Sub-clavian vein, Which to the Heart doth lead, Whence it is sent into the Lungs, And into good blood made.

Then back into the Heart it flows, The muscles there contract, And pump it into Arteries, Which wind to every part.

We'd like to tell about the Bones, The Ribs and Vertebras, The Clavicle, or Collar-bone, Breast-bone, and Scapulae;

{147}

Of hinge, and ball-and-socket joints; Of muscles, tendons, skin, Of lungs and veins and arteries, Of nerves and heart and brain.

But, Ah! we should your patience tire, Were we the whole to tell, So, waiting till another time, We bid you now, farewell.

{148}

_THE RATTLE OF THE BONES_.

How many bones in the human face? FOURTEEN, when they're all in place.

How many bones in the human head? EIGHT, my child, as I've often said.

How many bones in the human ear? THREE in each; and they help to hear.

[Footnote: Standard authorities give three, though latest works say four.]

How many bones in the human spine? TWENTY-SIX; like a climbing vine.

How many bones of the human chest? TWENTY-FOUR ribs and TWO of the rest.

How many bones the shoulders, bind? Two in _each_; one before, one behind.

How many bones in the human arm? In _each_ arm, ONE; TWO in _each_ fore-arm.

{149}

{150}

How many bones in the human wrist? EIGHT in _each_, if none are missed.

How many bones in the palm of the hand? FIVE in _each_, with many a band.

{151}

How many bones in the fingers ten? TWENTY-EIGHT, and by joints they bend.

How many bones in the human hip? ONE in _each_; like a dish they dip.

How many bones in the human thigh? ONE in _each_, and deep they lie.

How many bones in the human knees? ONE in _each_, the knee-pan, please.

How many bones in the leg from knee? Two in _each_, we can plainly see.

How many bones in the ankle strong? SEVEN in _each_, but none are long.

{152}

How many bones in the ball of the foot? FIVE in _each_; as in palms were put.

How many bones in the toes half-a-score? TWENTY-EIGHT, and there are no more.

And now, all together, these many bones, fix, And they count in the body TWO HUNDRED and Six.

And then we have, in the human mouth, Of upper and under, THIRTY-TWO TEETH.

And we now and then have a bone, I should think That forms on a joint, or to fill up a chink.

A Sesamoid bone, or a Wormian, we call, And now we may rest, for we've told them all.

{153}

_WHOLLY HOLE-Y_.

SEVEN million little openings, God has made upon your skin; Mouths of tiny little sewers That run everywhere, within. And along these numerous sewers All impurities must go, That are not by other outlets, Carried off with active flow.

{154}

When these many little openings. We call PORES, get shut quite close, Through your frame the poison wanders, Making you feel dull and cross. It will make your lungs grow tender, And they'll soon be sore, and cough; It will make your stomach feeble, And your head ache hard enough.

Then your heart can not be joyous, And your other organs, too, Will get weak, and be unable For the work they ought to do; Quaking nerves will groan and quiver, Weary bones be racked with pain, And you'll all the time be saying: "How can I be well again?"

HEAT and BATHING widely open All the pores, when discords dire, Quick flow out in perspiration, Quenching all the fever-fire. Raveling out the tangled tissues, Setting free the life-blood's flow, Pouring forth the pent-up poisons, Wakening thus a healthful glow.

{155}

{156}

_THE BREATH O' LIFE_.

Our lungs are formed of curious cells, And tubes to draw in air,-- And if we breathe quite deep and full And take our needful share, 'Twill keep our blood so red and pure, Our health so firm and true, We scarce shall know what suffering means, But joyous feel, and new.

But if we wear our clothing tight, The little cells will close, And then they cannot do their work, And thus our health we lose; Or if we breathe the air impure, 'T will give us tainted blood, While plenty, pure, sun-ripened air Will make us glad and good.

{157}

_THE GIRLS._

Three little girls with their sun-bonnets on, Wandered out for a walk in the dew; And they tip-toed about, full of frolic and fun, While their aprons around them they drew.

But their little wet feet brought fever and cough, And their little red lips grew so thin; And their little round faces were haggard enough, O, I'm sure they'll not do it again!

Not do it, I mean, without boots that shall guard Their ankles and feet from the wet; For the care of the health brings a joyous reward, The neglect, brings us pain and regret.

{158}

_THE TEMPERANCE CHILD._

Mamma, if you'd have me Be a temperance child, You must give me only Food that's pure and mild. Highly-seasoned dishes Make the stomach crave Stronger things; and often Lead to drunkard's grave.

{159}

_LISTEN, CHILDREN!_

Listen, children! when your head aches, Do not eat, but wait a meal; This will oftentimes relieve you, Making you right joyous feel.

Listen, children! when your stomach Rolls and tumbles, wait awhile; Do not eat, but drink warm water, And you'll soon be glad and smile.

Listen, children! in hot water Put your feet when you've "a cold;" Into bed now, wrapped in blankets, And you'll soon be well, we're told.

Listen, children! perspiration Is a saving from much sin: Wash and rub, and dry well after; Thus we quell disease within.

Listen, children! when you're hungry Do not stuff you like a pig, But eat slowly and chew thorough, Lest your teeth your grave shall dig.

{160}

_TICK-TOOK, TICK-TOCK_.

Tick-tock, tick-tock, Sings the pretty cuckoo clock; Tick-tack, tick-tack, Time flies on, but ne'er comes back.

Tick-tock, tick-tock, Sings the dainty crystal clock; Tick-tack, Tick-tack, Work and wait, and never lack.

Tick-tock, Tick-tock, Sings the old grandfather's clock, Tick-tack, tick-tack, Take and keep, the better track.

{161}

_CURIOUS TREES._

THE COW-TREE.

South America's soil Yields the towering Cow-tree, With sweet milk in its cells For you or for me; Its sap is the Milk,-- Cut the tree and it flows; Like leather its leaves, And its branches like bows.

{162}

THE SUGAR-PINE.

Then, too, my dear children, The sweet Sugar-pine, On Pacific's wild coast, In our own soil we find; Cut or scoop out the trunk, And the juices ooze forth, And harden, for sugar, Like icicles, North.

* * * * *

THE BUTTER-TREE.

And, funny enough, There's a Butter-tree, too; Its seeds, when boiled down, Will make butter for you. In India and Africa The Butter-tree grows, With coffee and spices, As every one knows.

{163}

THE BREAD-FRUIT TREE,

And listen, dear children, In hot countries too, The Bread-fruit tree grows, Most delicious for you; Its great roasted nuts, Like soft, sweet loaves of bread, Form most of the food On which natives are fed.

{164}

And further, its fibres Of bark, will make cloth; Its wood, boats and houses;-- Its leaves are not loath To be used for a towel, A table-cloth, napkin; Its juice will make bird-lime, And tinder, its catkin.

THE CLOVE-TREE.

And, children, one more, Here's a spicy Clove-tree, Growing forty feet high, Ornamental, you see; The little round drop, Fixed the four prongs between, Forms the blossom or flower, When it's not picked too green.

Now list, while I tell you, Clove-trees will not grow Except in hot climates, Moluccas, or so,

{165}

Where they bloom the year round, In the sunshine or storm, With their trunks straight and smooth, And their pyramid form.

And lastly, dear children, Clove-trees never flower Till a half-dozen years They have grown, maybe more; Then the buds, picked by hand, And dried quickly, are best;-- Trees a hundred years old Often yield with the rest.

{166}

_THE "TREE VILLAGE."_

{167}

In the Solomon Group in the great Southern Sea, And on Isabel Island alone, A tree village is found, up the steep, rocky ground, On the top of a mountain of stone.

So gigantic the trees that it is not with ease That the houses of natives are built, For the stems are six score of our feet, maybe more, And you'd think they must live on a stilt.

By a ladder facade the ascent must be made, Formed of pliable trees, or a creeper Resembling the vine, which the natives entwine,-- And the ladder's drawn up by the sleeper;

For these houses are made but to sleep in, 'tis said, When some enemy threatens;--to guard 'Gainst surprise in the night, they are fortified quite, With great stones, to be thrown at a pard.

At the foot, of these trees are the day-huts for ease And for eating and dancing and play, Yet the huts up so high have a goodly supply Of the needful for night or for day.

{168}

_NO EYES._

Those Creatures that live in the dark, And have no use for eyes, Are made without these organs bright, Which we so highly prize.

The fish in the Mammoth cave,-- Some species of the Ant, Have only a trace where eyes should be, Yet never know the want.

{169}

Who knows but girls and boys, Kept always in the dark, Might come to have but little sight, And finally not a spark.

God meant us to live in the light, He has poured it all about; Oh, let us not ourselves destroy, By shutting His sunshine out.

{170}

_THE MAMMOTH CAVE._

"WHAT is the Mammoth Cave?" I hear the Children say, Where fishes have no eyes nor sight, And where 'tis dark by day?

You all have seen a ledge Of big rocks piled, or stone?-- Now just suppose a door-way made, Or entrance to go in.

{171}

And when you're in, a path Leads on, right under ground, And by-and-by you come to a place Like a room with walls around.

'Tis jagged and rough and rude, 'Tis dark and damp as a grave, But whether 'tis large or small, 'Tis always called a cave.

Now, Mammoth means _monstrous big_, And the Mammoth cave, we claim As the largest known in the world, And that's what gives the name.

And it has many a room, Quite large and wondrous grand, And it has springs and streams and lakes, All dark, you understand.

And here are fishes, too, Yes, fishes with no eyes, That have lived in the dark for ages past, As learned men surmise.

{172}

_THE CAMELS_.

The Camels live in desert lands; Their feet are made to walk on sands; They carry burdens far and near, Where neither grass nor trees appear;

Where there's no rain, no rivers, brooks, No water anywhere for folks;-- But God has made in Camels' chest Peculiar sacs, for He knew best

What they must do, and that they'd die, If He did not their drink supply. Before they start they drink and drink, Till every sac is full, I think;--

And at the mouth of every sac, A muscle strong, but loose and slack, Will tighten up when it is filled, So that no drink can e'er be spilled.

And when on journey, last or first, The camel wants to slake his thirst, A bag-string loosens, and out-pours Enough to satisfy for hours.

{173}

{174}

The laden camels, in a row, Are called a Caravan, you know;-- Sometimes a caravan is lost, Being buried deep in sand and dust.

A storm of wind, a Simoon named, Will sweep across the desert sand, When camels, men, and every one Must throw themselves their knees upon,

And bury faces in the earth, For thus alone they save their breath; A fearful thing, but 'tis the best That they can do,--now hear the rest.

{175}

Sometimes they're buried deep, and find When they dig out they're almost blind And cannot tell which way to go, And thus are lost, a serious woe!

Sometimes, when lost, the drink for men Gets short; is gone; they thirst, and then They kill a camel just for lack Of what he carries in his sac.

{176}

In deserts bare and bleak and drear, The sun shines hot through all the year, But many an Oasis is found, Or spot where grass and trees abound.

And here is drink, and here they rest, And take their fill of what is best; Then travel on in thankful mood, With song and shout! "Allah is good!"

{177}

_KEY-NOTES._

L M N R