Part 1

MY PRETTY SCRAP-BOOK;

Or,

Picture Pages And Pleasant Stories For Little Readers.

By Mrs. George Cupples,

London:

T. Nelson And Sons

1874

MY PRETTY SCRAP-BOOK.

|It is Dick's birth-day, and his mamma has very wisely bought "My Pretty Scrap-Book" for him as a present. Should you like to see what is in it? Very well, then; stand by my side while I turn over the leaves carefully.

FUNNY UNCLE TOBY.

|Ha! ha! ha! do wait till I hold my sides! What a funny fellow! Are they pulling out his teeth, or his tongue? It is a shame to tickle his poor nose all the time, and to play such pranks with his fine wig. But he is watching, slyly, to catch one between his finger and thumb.

NAUGHTY JUDY.

|Oh, how naughty of Judy, to take advantage of her mistress being asleep. She is trying on some of Miss Eva's fine clothes; and see, she has found her best fan, and as it has a neat little looking-glass in the handle, she can see her black face in it. What a start she would get if her mistress were to open her eyes suddenly! But cunning Judy knows that as long as the heat is so great, Miss Eva will sleep on; that is to say, if a mosquito do not alight on her cheek.

THE LITTLE GLEANER.

|Here is a scene in our own country,--a little girl gleaning. It is a very warm day, too; but no doubt her parents are poor, and she is forced to work, no matter how warm it is. She must be well known to the reapers; for few people are allowed to glean till after the corn has been all housed.

CAUGHT IN THE RAIN.

|No wonder they are in a hurry. The rain coming down very fast; and the clouds are so black, they are afraid there may be thunder. I rather think they must have heard one distant peal already, they look so frightened--especially the boy. Theirs is certainly a very funny umbrella; but not a bad way to do if you are caught in a shower, and wish to save your fine feathers, if you have any. Perhaps the little boy has put his cap into his pocket, because he hasn't got one on his head. But I can't help wishing he had been on the outside, so that his sister might have been more sheltered. He should have been more polite.

IN THE BAY OF BISCAY.

|You will be thinking already that I have a variety of pictures in my Scrap-Book; and so I have. Here is one of a ship in the Bay of Biscay. It is a fine ship, and it is doing its best to make its way through the heavy sea. I fear there has been a wreck, for you see there is a piece of a mast standing out of the water, and a barrel and a hen-coop floating beside it. If the people see it from the ship, it must make them shudder.

A FRIGHTENED KING.

|Ride a cock-horse to Banbury Cross." The idea of a king being afraid! Just look at him! Would you be afraid if you had a rocking-horse like this, with such a splendid tail, too? No, of course not. A king ought never to be frightened at anything, especially when he has his crown on, and his pig-tail tied up so nicely. The horse seems to be quite ashamed of him.

THE RUINED TOWER.

|I have put this picture in that you may make a drawing of it. It would be a nice present to give to mamma, you know, especially if you coloured it. If you do, I hope you will be particular with the cow, she is such a sleek, pretty, dun-coloured one.

WATCHING CRABS.

|Out at the sea-side! Here are two young folk out on the rocks looking for shells and sea-weeds. The girl must be lame, for you can see she has a crutch with her. That must be her brother; and I feel sure she loves him very much indeed, for see how she is laying her hand on his head. I am certain he helps her very tenderly over the rough and wet places; very likely he carries her on his back. I do hope they notice that the tide is rising, because it would be a sad thing for them to be caught by the water. They do look rather sleepy about it, and are too intent upon watching a funny crab.

"UP IN A BALLOON, BOYS."

|Up in a balloon, boys, up in a balloon!" Well, I don't think it has been the donkey's fault that he is here; and he looks very much as if he were saying, "I'm quite willing to gallop along, but I should just very much like to know where I'm to gallop to; and as for the clouds, no doubt they are very pretty in their way, but how can I eat them? I'd much rather have an old stunted thistle--I really should indeed." It would serve the rider right if the donkey were to jump out of the balloon. I don't think he'd be so merry then with his "Gee up, Teddy!"

OUR PRETTY BABY

|Now, I do call this a pretty picture. Here is an honest farmer's-man. He has come home from his hard day's work in the fields; and, after his supper, he takes his seat by the door to play with his baby.

AMONG THE MOUNTAINS.

|Here is a picture of a lake among the mountains, and a very pretty place it seems to be. How nice it would be to have a sail in that little boat! The wind is sending it along in fine style. I think you would rather be there than among the people who are toiling up the steep mountain-path with the baskets on their backs. Yet I must say the girls seem content and happy, even though their work is hard and humble.

GENEROUS TOMMY.

|Ah, here is a generous fellow. That is what you do, isn't it, when anything nice has been given to you? What large pieces he is cutting off, too! I hope he will have enough of cake left to go over them all and leave a portion for himself. No wonder his companions are waving their caps and shouting "Hurrah!"

"HOLD FIRM, PLEASE."

|They have got a pretty pair of pigeons in that basket, I feel certain. Mary is taking very great care of the cage, holding it as firmly as she possibly can till Henry gets down from among the rafters of the shed.

HUNTING KANGAROOS.

|What funny animals! Yes; they are kangaroos. Do you notice that their fore feet are much shorter than their hind ones? Poor things, they cannot run like the dog. And yet they are not to be pitied exactly, because they can jump ever so far, and by this means they get along at a great speed. The mamma kangaroo has a pouch, and she puts her little young one into it, and jumps away with it hidden quite snugly.

NAUGHTY FOX.

|Here is rather a sad picture. Two poor men have been wrecked on a desert island. They have managed, however, to put up a tent, and to hoist an old tattered flag for a signal to passing vessels. They have certainly been making the most of it, and trying to be as content as possible; but when they were least expecting it, a sly fox comes stealing along and runs off with the only chicken they were able to save. It is really too bad of Reynard, for he might have been content with the sea-birds. Oh, but look! one of the men is getting ready his gun, and I rather think that the sly fox will be shot.

IN THE VINEYARDS

|What lovely ripe grapes! These young folk are carrying them away to make wine of them. It is rather a pity to think the great presses will squeeze them into a mash; but then we couldn't get any wine to drink if they weren't squeezed. The girls don't seem to be eating any of them; but perhaps they have been told not to do so.

THE LIFE-BOAT.

|Here has been a wreck in real earnest; but the crew seem to have been all saved by the gallant life-boat. One might think, to look at the heaving sea, that the poor boat would never be able to reach the ship. The man on board is doing his best to direct them, by pointing out how to steer; and he has a rope ready to fling to them.

MASTER CROSSPATCH.

|Now, did you ever see such a sulky face? It is quite shocking! I think we ought to call him Master Crosspatch. He surely must be the very husband of Crosspatch, to whom we say, "Draw the latch, sit at your door and spin and whom we advise to "Take a cup, and drink it up, and call your neighbours in!" If poor Crosspatch's husband is like this, perhaps that is why she cannot be so kind as she would like, and why her temper has been soured; for I am sure such a face is quite enough to turn the sweetest cream into a curd.

AT THE CLEAR SPRING.

|Oh, how pretty and how cool the water is! The dog is thinking so, at any rate, and is cooling his hot tongue in the clear stream. He would like to get into it altogether, I daresay, but it is not deep enough. His mistress is pouring all the water out again; perhaps because she fancies her dog's tongue has dirtied it. Well, it certainly would have been better if he had gone to the other side; only he couldn't know, being a dog.

FORSAKEN DOLLIE.

|How do you like this picture? These girls seem to be enjoying themselves very much indeed. Not all of them, though; for poor Miss Dollie is sitting all alone, no one taking any notice of her, and so she feels very lonely indeed. Poor Dollie! what does she care for the fine new-fairy-tale book, or the story Clara is reading aloud?

THE GOOD-NATURED FALCON.

|This is a falcon, and he seems to be a very tame one. That is the falconer's little daughter, and she is talking to the great bird. He appears to be listening very attentively to what she is saying. What can she be saying? Perhaps she is asking him not to touch any of her pet birds; because she has ever so many robins and wrens and finches she likes to feed every morning; and she is asking the falcon not to do them any harm. I don't think she has much to fear; he seems to be such a good-natured bird. I only hope the boys in the village will be half as kind.

MEDDLESOME MATTY.

|Oh, fie, fie for shame, Miss Meddlesome Matty! We all know _you_ the moment we see you; and we know about how you "lift the tea-pot lid, to peep at what is in it," the moment your grandmother turns her back. Ah! you often get into disgrace with your naughty tricks.

GARDENING.

|Are you fond of gardening? If so, you will like to see this picture in my Scrap-Book. See how very industrious the little girl and boy are; and how attentive they are to the wants of the flowers, watering them after the sun is down.

A NARROW ESCAPE.

|Oh dear! what is this? A poor man has been bathing, and here is a great shark trying to swallow him. Oh, what a good thing his companions were close at hand, and that they are so brave! See! one of them is striking his long spear right into the shark's back; while another has got hold of their poor ship-mate, and is dragging him out of the shark's very mouth! The man must be very much hurt. If he has any children, how sorry they will be to hear of it.

MISS DOLLIE'S VILLAGE.

|Ah! I thought you would all like to see this. Here is a whole doll-village, church and all. Perhaps the boys don't care about seeing it; but then we must always be polite, and put in pictures to suit the girls. Well, I am sure the dolls who own all these fine houses must be very happy dolls indeed; and the little girl who owns the dolls, and, of course, the houses and the trees and the church into the bargain, must be the very happiest little girl in the world. She surely never cries, and is always good, and is a pattern to all her friends. Shouldn't you like to know her, and be invited, along with your own dolls, to pay her a visit?

THE SLY KING.

|I suppose the boys will like this one better. Here is the king once more, so glad to find himself on a chair instead of on horseback. He is telling the master of the doll-house all about it, and of how nobly he rode the animal, though it tried its best to throw him off. Oh, what a sly fellow! when we know what a coward he really is. The doll, who is the master of the doll-house, seems to be listening most attentively, and is glad to hear that the king has made such a lucky escape.

A HIGHLAND SOLDIER.

|Here is the picture of a Highland soldier. He is bidding farewell to his wife and little baby, because he is going away to the wars. No wonder his wife is sorry, for she may never see him again.

A POOR LITTLE ORPHAN.

|Here is a picture of a little girl whose mother is a widow. She is looking round at the other children, and longing to be allowed to join them in their sports; but her mother is so sad that she can think of nothing else but her sorrow. Poor little orphan girl.

TWO WILD PARROTS.

|Here are a pair of parrots. They are out in the woods in their native state, and how they do screech and chatter. One has a green breast, with a mottled green and black back, with lovely blue feathers in its wings, and two long red ones in its tail; the other has a red breast and a red head, and, though very different, is quite as pretty. Of course, when they are at home in the woods, they cannot say, "Pretty Polly," or speak at all; it is only when they are caught and tamed that they become so clever. Only, I think they like being wild best. They can search for the food they like, and are free as the air.

MAMMA AND BABY.

|Here is a picture of mamma and baby. Mamma is sitting in the arbour. Baby is sound asleep; which is a good thing, for mamma can now rest and sit quietly thinking about what she should do for her little darling.

PEARL FISHERS.

|Here is a picture of two pearl-fishers. They are offering some pearls for sale to an officer; but perhaps he is too poor to buy them, or he does not require such fine things; because he seems to be refusing to have them.

MRS. TAFFY.

|This is Mrs. Taffy, and it is plain she has just heard that her son has stolen the leg of beef. Oh, how stern she does look, to be sure! Taffy will surely never be so foolish and naughty again, and will turn his eyes away the moment he sees a leg of beef or a marrow bone. I know, if my mother looked like that at me, I should be ready to sink down with terror and dismay.

A CHRISTMAS TREE.

|Oh, what a lovely Christmas tree! Do not you wish you were of the company? or that Christmas would bring you just such another? How it must sparkle and shine with so many candles and coloured balls! This tree is in Germany; and do you notice all the toys and pretty presents?

SHOOTING THE RAPIDS.

|Here is a little boat, or a canoe rather, shooting the rapids. The people don't seem to be the least afraid; for, see! there is a man in the front waving his handkerchief to some of their friends on the shore. The men behind are looking a little anxious, I think,--and well they may.

FUNCHAL.

|This place is called Funchal, in the island of Madeira. When you are older you will read all about it. Those high peaks you see are the tops of very high hills. They sometimes open and throw up fire and smoke and rocks and ashes. The people are not afraid to live here for all that, and have some of their houses built on the very rocks which have been thrown up! The people make wine here, and the ships take it away.

FALLEN FROM THE ROCKS.

|Here is a terrible sight! A gentleman has been walking among some steep mountains, and has fallen over the rocks, and lies quite insensible.

LITTLE MARY.

|I think this is a very pretty picture. Here is little Mary in her garden, taking a walk among her flowers. The gay painted butterflies like to go there, because Mary has so many sweet flowers. They like to flutter from one to another; indeed, they need not go to any other, for here they are sure to find all they could wish. But then a butterfly is so idle and likes to roam, and flits away from Mary's garden out into the common and the fields, and here, there, and everywhere. The busy bees are more sensible: they keep to the roses and the honeysuckle; and as for the sweet-peas, there never were such sweet-peas as little Mary's.

AT THE FAIR.

|Oh, do look at this picture in my Scrap-Book--such fun! It is market-day, and all the showmen have arrived. All sorts of wonderful sights are to be seen inside if you will but walk in. "A fat woman!" "a learned pig!" and "a giant with a tail!" And if you could only hear the music, it would nearly make you deaf. Bang, bang, bang, goes the drum at both ends. He must be a great musician, for he is playing on another instrument at the same time.

PREPARING FOR BATTLE.

|Such a gathering of canoes! It must be a great battle that is going to take place! All the fight-ing-men are ready with their bows and spears; while their chiefs are standing up in each canoe, telling them how they are to fight. No doubt the enemy is making ready too; and they will indeed require to be careful, for here is the king himself, in the largest canoe, sitting on a chair of state. He is a very big man, and has his club ready.

A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT.

|An accident has happened to this poor woman's husband. He must have fallen from the rocks, like the traveller we saw. See! that is his poor mother looking out of the window.

LOVING SISTERS.

|Oh! here is a loving little pair! We like to see this, don't we? Little Kate and Maggie love each other dearly. They know that the "birds in their little nests agree," and of course that it would be quite shameful if they were not even more loving than the birds. Maggie must be saying,--"Oh! I do love you, my dear, good Kate;" and Kate is saying,--"And I love you, Maggie, you kind little dear." How they would look if we were to tell them that ever so many little boys and girls we know quarrel and fight; and instead of kissing each other, scratch and push each other down! They would scarcely believe us. They would think we were joking, and wanted to make fun of them.

"THE DOG RAN AWAY WITH THE SPOON."

|Of course you know the rhyme about the cat and the fiddle; and how the cow took such a wonderful jump, and went clean over the moon; and how the dog was so amused to see the fine sport; and the dish it ran after the spoon. But look here! The little dog was quicker than the dish; for he has got the spoon himself, and seems as if he meant to keep it. He is telling Miss Pussy that of course such a fine gentleman cannot be expected to do without a spoon when he has his fine coat on.

DOWN COMES POOR DOGGIE.

|Oh! now isn't this too bad? Miss Puss is such a cunning creature! She had a fancy for the spoon herself; and when the little dog was busy telling her how cleverly he had stolen the spoon from the dish, what did she do but give the little dog a great push, when down he fell off his stool, and away she scampered with the spoon herself! Oh! what a cunning, naughty cat! She had better run fast; for the dog has caught sight of his mistress' stick, and will be after her directly.

"WHAT'S THE MATTER?"

|What is the matter?" Ah! here comes Miss Mabel's papa to inquire the cause of the angry words. Nurse has been nearly driven stupid, and does not know what to do; for her young mistress has pulled the clothes they were packing out of the box, and will not allow her to touch them.

THE BARN YARD.

|This is a very different picture indeed. This must be a very gentle girl; for see how all the pigeons and poultry of all kinds are flocking around her to get their breakfast.

GOOD NEWS.

|You would laugh if you knew why these black savages are looking so surprised. It is at sight of the white men! They never had seen such people before. Some of their friends had, and had got pieces of cloth from them, which they are wearing now; but this company had never seen a white man. They are holding out their hands to them, and showing by signs that they are glad to see them. The white men are missionaries, sent from this country to tell them about God sending his Son into the world to die for sinners.

BIRD-NESTING.

|I REALLY think this is a very unsafe place to be in; but Dick Hardy is a very daring boy indeed, and he is trying to get at the sea-birds' nests, and quite forgets that he may fall.

THE BRAVE LITTLE RAT.

|Oh dear, what a sad sight! Though I can't say I like rats, I do hope this one will escape, it seems so brave. I rather fear it will never be able to get away, for if it escape from the strong bill of the bird, puss is ready with her paw to pounce upon it.

A CHINESE FAMILY.

|Here is a group of Chinese; and don't they look funny? Did you ever see a more comical-looking figure than that little Chinese boy? It is a pity he can't turn his head round to let us see if he has a long queue, or pig-tail, as the long plaited hair behind is called. And isn't it strange to see the woman carrying her baby in a sack on her back, and smoking a pipe like a man--with a staff in her hand, too? That must be the father sitting beside the little boy; and a very fine pig-tail he has of his own. The lady is feeling rather hungry, and so she has brought out her dish of rice. She has no spoon, but uses a little stick instead.

DAME HUBBARD.

|This must be Dame Hubbard; and though she has got her cloak and hat off, and is in her own room, she does not look particularly at rest or happy. What can the naughty dog be doing now? Really it is too bad of him to give his kind mistress no peace. See how she seems to be straining her ears to listen if he is quiet and asleep in his cozy basket.

TURNING THE SPINNING-WHEEL.

|Ah! no wonder Dame Hubbard got a start. Here is her naughty dog turning round her spinning-wheel. He seems delighted to see it turn round, and to hear its pleasant whirr; but I am afraid he will be causing some sad mischief to the fine flax his mistress is spinning. He ought to be punished, for the good dame takes such care of him. Just look at the splendid coat she made him, and the fine shoes she bought at the market.

THE ALPS.

|How should you like to live up here? If you like snow you would have it in plenty. This is a portion of the Alps. On their heights snow is always to be found.

But where they approach the open, level country, which is much warmer, they are often crowned with large forests. Vast masses of ice and snow often separate from the mountains, and rolling down, overturn everything in their course, and sometimes cause great loss of life.

LOST IN THE SNOW.

|Here is a very sad picture. A poor man has been sent to carry home a large hamper; but he has lost his way, and, having fallen down with fatigue, he has dropped asleep. His faithful dog is watching him; but the snow will soon cover him. Oh, here comes a man on horseback to his rescue.

OUR BABY.

|Ah! here is little baby in her cradle. She has just awaked out of her forenoon sleep, and she thought at first she was all alone, and began to be afraid; but sister Mary was not far off, and hearing the gentle rustle and the half sob, hastened forward just in time to stop the tears from coming. "And was baby frightened?" That is what she would be sure to say. And baby would laugh, and because she can't say a single word yet, not even ma nor pa, of course she would reply by a goo-oo-oo; at any rate, she looks as if she would like to pull her kind sister's face down to kiss it, if she only knew how.

THE EWE AND THE LAMB.