Chapter 10
A sheaf of corn in winter is also a great boon to the starved-out birdies, when snow has long deprived them of their natural food, and the water supply has to be often renewed on freezing days, for many a bird dies in winter from lack of water, all its usual supplies being frozen. The tameness of birds in severe weather is a touching sign of their distress, and a mute appeal to us to help them.
"The fowls of heaven Tam'd by the cruel season, crowd around The winnowing store, and claim the little boon Which Providence assigns them."
It is pleasant to think that they seldom appeal in vain. "Crumbs for the birds" are scattered by kindly little hands everywhere in winter, and in many a house a pet sonsie little robin is a cherished visitor, always welcome to his small share of the good things of this life.
Our ramble might be indefinitely prolonged and still be full of interest and instruction, but in these simple remarks enough has been shown, I trust, to lead many to _think_ and _observe_ closely every, even the minutest, thing that catches their attention whilst out for a ramble in lanes and fields, even a microscopic moss upon an old wall has been suggestive of many lovely thoughts, with which I will conclude our ramble and this chapter.
"It was not all a tale of eld, That fairies, who their revels held By moonlight, in the greenwood shade Their beakers of the moss-cups made. The wondrous light which science burns Reveals those lovely jewelled urns! Fair lace-work spreads from roughest stems And shows each tuft a mine of gems. Voices from the silent sod, Speaking of the Perfect God.
Fringeless, or fringed, and fringed again, No single leaflet formed in vain; What wealth of heavenly wisdom lies Within one moss-cup's mysteries! And few may know what silvery net, Down in its mimic depths is set To catch the rarest dews that fall Upon the dry and barren wall. Voices from the silent sod, Speaking of the Perfect God."
L. N. R.
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AN OUTCAST OF THE ISLANDS
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PACIFIC TALES BY LOUIS BECKE With a Portrait of the Author
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THE HERB MOON BY JOHN OLIVER HOBBES
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THE GREY MAN BY S. R. CROCKETT
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A DAUGHTER OF THE FEN BY S. R. CROCKETT
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IN A MAN'S MIND BY JOHN REAY WATSON
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NANCY NOON BY BENJAMIN SWIFT
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"'Nancy Noon' is perhaps the strongest book of the year, certainly by far the strongest book which has been published by any new writer.... Mr. Swift contrives to keep his book from end to end real, passionate, even intense.
... If Mr. Meredith had never written, one would have predicted, with the utmost confidence, a great future for Mr. Benjamin Swift, and even as it is I have hopes."--_Sketch._
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"'Nancy Noon' is one of the most remarkable novels of the year, and the author, avowedly a beginner, has succeeded in gaining a high position in the ranks of contemporary writers.... All his characters are delightful. In the heat of sensational incidents or droll scenes we stumble on observations that set us reflecting, and but for an occasional roughness of style--elliptical, Carlyle mannerisms--the whole is admirably written."--_Westminster Gazette._
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"The writer of 'Nancy Noon' has succeeded in presenting a powerfully written and thoroughly interesting story."--_Scotsman._
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"A clever book.... The situations and ensuing complications are dramatic, and are handled with originality and daring throughout."--_Daily News._
"Mr. Benjamin Swift has written a vastly entertaining book."--_Academy._
MR. MAGNUS BY F. REGINALD STATHAM
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"One of the best stories lately published."--_Echo._
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"Ought to be immensely popular."--_Reynolds' Weekly Newspaper._
"A most readable story."--_Glasgow Herald._
"A brilliant piece of work."--_Daily Telegraph._
"The story should make its mark."--_Bookseller._
"Admirably written."--_Sheffield Daily Telegraph._
"The more widely it is read the better."--_Manchester Guardian._
"Will find many appreciative readers."--_Aberdeen Free Press._
"Exciting reading."--_Daily Mail._
"Can be heartily recommended."--_Lloyd's Weekly Newspaper._
"A well-written and capable story."--_People._
"Well written."--_Literary World._
TROOPER PETER HALKET OF MASHONALAND BY OLIVE SCHREINER Author of "Dreams," "Real Life and Dream Life," &c.
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"The story is one that is certain to be widely read, and it is well that it should be so, especially at this moment; it grips the heart and haunts the imagination. To have written such a book is to render a supreme service, for it is as well to know what the rough work means of subjugating inferior races."--_Daily News._