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diff --git a/old/51683-8.txt b/old/51683-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index e3b9358..0000000 --- a/old/51683-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,1138 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Surprising and Singular Adventures of A -HEN as Related by Herself to Her Family of Chickens, by Anonymous - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license - - -Title: The Surprising and Singular Adventures of A HEN as Related -by Herself to Her Family of Chickens - -Author: Anonymous - -Release Date: April 7, 2016 [EBook #51683] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ADVENTURES OF A HEN *** - - - - -Produced by David Edwards, readbueno and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - ------- - -Illustration: FRONTISPIECE. - - - ADVENTURES OF A HEN. - - - - - THE - - SURPRISING AND SINGULAR - - _Adventures_ - - OF - - A HEN - - - AS RELATED BY HERSELF TO HER FAMILY - OF CHICKENS. - - -Illustration: Printers Logo - - - LONDON: - PUBLISHED BY WHITTINGHAM AND ARLISS, - _Juvenile Library_, - PATER-NOSTER ROW. - - 1815. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - ADVENTURES OF A HEN. - - -In the beautiful vale of Ravensworth, is situated a commodious farm -house: the proprietors treat all their domestic animals with humanity, -and provide every possible convenience for them. The poultry yard is -large and clean, at the bottom of it runs a clear brook, in which you -may always see a number of ducks and geese sporting. - -One day, as an old speckled hen was scratching up some grubs for her -numerous family, one of her chicks came running up to her. Oh, mother, -pray do go and kill the young bantam cock! Why? replied the mother. Oh! -he has behaved to me worse than ever any chicken behaved to another, and -I will be revenged; I know I cannot fight him myself, but I hope you -will. Not till I know how he has offended. Why, I had just scratched up -a fine fat worm, and was cackling with delight, thinking what a nice -feast I should have, when the nasty little bantum came, snatched it from -me, ran away with it, and eat it, even before my face. - -Doubtless he has behaved very improperly, replied the old hen; but that -is no reason you should; the best way of revenging yourself, is to take -no notice of him, or ever play with him again; instead of wasting your -time in quarrelling, search for another. What! and not punish him for so -very unjust an action! did you ever hear of any thing so shameful -before? Oh yes, many things. I should like to hear one of them. Well, my -dear, I have no objection; but as it is so very hot, it would be better -to go under the shade of the laburnum, and I will then relate to you the -chief occurrences of my eventful life. The old hen then walked stately -on, followed by her chickens; and having got upon a stone, to be a -little higher than her audience, the young ones ranged themselves round -her, and she began as follows: - -I was hatched with six more in a large nest, formed by my mother; as -soon as we broke the shell, she carefully threw out every thing she -thought would hurt our tender bodies, spread her warm wings over us, and -prattled us to sleep: when we awoke, we complained of hunger; she -immediately went forth in search of food, but, alas! we never saw her -more. - -There chanced to be a large strange dog in the yard, my mother thinking -he came to destroy us, flew at him, the contest was unequal, the dog -provoked, seized my mother by the neck, and strangled her. - -We lay cold and comfortless, wondering what had become of our parent. -Before night, two of my brothers died; and we should all soon have -shared their fate, had not a little girl, the farmer's daughter, found -us: she took us to the fire, and fed us with a little warm milk and -bread, which revived us; she then wrapped us up in flannel, and put us -in a little basket, which she put in the chimney corner. She fed us very -regularly; but I suppose not with proper food, as all my poor sisters -and brothers died, probably I was stronger than they. My little mistress -grew very fond of me, as I would eat out of her hand, and when she -called chickee, would run to her. - -As I grew large, I was very troublesome in flying upon the tables, and -pecking at every thing; many severe blows I got from the farmer and his -servants; who always ended by saying, if that troublesome fowl is not -sent into the poultry yard, it shall certainly be killed; but my -mistress always begged that I might stay a little longer, for she feared -the other fowls would drive me away. - -And indeed I had not endeavoured to make friends of any of them; but -when the door was open, and I could see them, I insulted them, with -calling out, poor creatures! you are obliged to work hard all day, and -can scarcely get enough to eat, while I am fed plentifully with the -greatest dainties, and have nothing to do but amuse myself. An old hen -who had been a friend of my mother's, offered to supply her place, in -teaching me how to scratch for myself; but I rejected her kind advice -with disdain. - -Illustration: _Nursing the chicken._ - -At last my young mistress could keep me no longer, her father insisted -that I should either be killed, or go with the rest of my species, and -setting open the door they fairly hunted me out. - -Now it was my turn to experience mortification: numbers had been -witnesses of my disgraceful exit, and taunted me with, so her ladyship -is obliged to come among the working people; I suppose food will come -flying to her, as she is of too much consequence to work; I wonder if -her claws are differently made to ours? - -In the evening, when the servant came to scatter corn, I was very -hungry, and thought that would be a nice treat for me; but, alas! coarse -as the food was, it was denied me; no one would suffer me to partake, -but flew at, and pecked me whenever I attempted it, saying, no, no, -mistress, you shall have none of this, we who have done our duty, may be -rewarded; but what have you done? nothing. Thus was I driven from -society, a thousand times did I wish that I had never known any other -pleasure than the rest, and that my mistress had not nursed me so -tenderly; but she did it from kindness, and I shall ever respect her -memory. - -One morning I was rudely seized, and put with several more into a small -wicker basket, to be taken to market: my sensations upon that occasion, -no words can describe; to the market we came, and were exposed for sale. - -Illustration: _Putting the hen into the basket._ - -Numbers came to inquire our price, I was lifted up, and pricked, and -pulled about, to see whether I was fat; but the distress I had of late -been in, had made me very thin, I was therefore always thrown down -again, with this observation, why, what a bag of bones this hussey is, I -would not have her if you would give her to me. - -All my companions were sold, and I remained till night tired and hungry. -Towards the close of the market, when the people were preparing to -return home, a little girl passed by me with a piece of bread in her -hand; urged by hunger I pecked at it, and when she patted me, though my -poor sides were all over bruises, I would not appear as if she hurt me, -but rubbed my head against her hand; she seemed much delighted with me, -crying out, Oh! what a nice tame little creature, how I wish you were -mine, but I fear I have not money enough to buy you. Why what can you -give? (said the man who brought me from the farm.) I have but one -shilling; but I will give you all that. Very well, you shall have it -then, for I am sure there is not any use in taking it back. - -Little Ann, my new mistress, took me directly home; her mother lived in -a thatched cottage, and was very poor: when she heard Ann had given all -her money for me, she was very angry. Oh dear mother! you know it will -soon lay eggs, which we can sell, and get chickens besides. You foolish -girl, you cannot get both, what do you intend to feed it with? and we -have no place to keep it in. Oh, we can keep it very well in the wood -house, I will put up a perch for it, we will give it some crumbs to -night, and to morrow it will provide for itself. - -Illustration: _Purchasing the hen._ - -I accordingly had a good supper and went to rest in a clay hovel, very -different to what I had been accustomed to, but I thought how much worse -my situation might have been; my fatigue and anxiety soon put me into a -sound sleep, from which I was awakened, by being violently laid hold of. -When I opened my eyes, I saw a great ugly man who held a sack and -lanthorn in his hand. Oh! oh! mistress hen, I did not expect such luck, -you will be a nice addition to my stock: he then threw me into the sack, -which he flung over his shoulder, and walked a considerable way; this -mode of carrying me, together with my sore bruises, produced such -violent pain, that I grew quite insensible; when I recovered, I found -myself confined with several of my fellow creatures in a large hen-coop, -they told me they had all been stolen by the same man, some had been -torn from their children, husbands, or parents. I asked for what -purpose. What! can you be ignorant that he intends taking us to market -to be killed, and eaten? At the thought of being exposed in my present -miserable condition to be handled by the multitude, my blood froze in my -veins. - -Illustration: _Stealing the hen._ - -I passed about a week in this coop; we were well fed, as our keeper -wished to make us fat. One night we were alarmed with a tremendous -noise, I turned to inquire the cause, when I saw the brave white cock -trembling like a chick: oh! said he, give yourselves over now, nothing -can save us from destruction, we shall all be devoured; no sooner had he -said this, but a large fox entered; Oh! my children, how can I describe -the horrors of the bloody scene which followed, even at this distance of -time, the recollection draws tears from my eyes; I alone remained of all -my companions; he was advancing to me, when some noise in the yard -frightened him, and he ran away, leaving me more dead than alive with -fright. - -After he had been gone some time, I considered that if I stayed where I -was, in a few days I should be taken to market: the board which the fox -had broken down, offered the way to escape; but where was I to go to, -how should I know the way to the cottage of Ann? but the market was -worse to my imagination than any other thing. I went through the -opening, flew down, and found myself in the open road, I ran as fast as -possible, only stopping to take breath, or a mouthful of food; many -frights had I before night, from dogs, boys, &c. As the sun was setting, -I came to a fine large garden, with a high wall round it; I flew to the -top, and not seeing any person in it, I thought I would look out for -some grubs, or worms, in a fine bed of newly turned up mould, and then -go to rest upon one of the trees; I had scarcely began my search, when I -found in the ground some very pleasant tasted seeds, which I began to -devour, when I received a blow upon my wing from a stone, and looking -up, I beheld the gardener coming forward in a furious passion. So I have -now discovered who it is that scratches up all my seeds; but these are -the last you shall ever taste, believe me; saying this, he seized me in -the most brutal manner. I screamed violently; by this time, another man -came up, and said, Why, Thomas, what will you do with it? if it had been -a cock, you might have had fine sport with it, in throwing sticks at it. -And why can't I at a hen, pray? Oh, why nobody ever does. Well then, I -will be the first to throw; I will take her to the village, tie her to a -stake, and the boys shall have a throw for a halfpenny a piece. - -While they were carrying me away, a lovely looking boy asked them what -they were going to do with me. To make a cock-shye. Master, what is -that? To throw sticks at it till it is killed. Oh, heavens! you surely -are jesting, you cannot have so much barbarity? As to that, it has had -the barbarity to eat up my seeds, to repay me for them, the nasty -creature shall pay its life. - -The young gentleman, whose name was Augustus Manly, entreated that he -might purchase me, and offered half a crown; but the man determined I -should have a few blows, and tied me to the stake, when Augustus seeming -to be inspired with more than ordinary courage, threw down his half -crown, and lifting me from the ground, when the barbarous gardeners were -not looking, ran off with me in his arms: the men could not overtake him -by running, but were cowardly enough to throw a stone, which struck me -on the breast; but by the care of this humane boy, I soon entirely -recovered. - -Illustration: _Taking away the hen._ - -My master was a pupil in a very large school; the house in which he -boarded, accommodated twelve more, but none so kind as himself; many -slight injuries I received, but I considered how much worse my lot had -been, and felicitated myself accordingly; but too soon I felt the most -acute torments. - -My master was often laughed at by the other boys for his fondness for -me: I loved him so much, that whenever he came into the yard, I ran to -meet him, would feed out of his hand, or fly upon his shoulder, but this -I would never do to any other boy, and by this I suppose it was which -made them hate me. - -One day two of them came into the garden to read, the story they fixed -upon was, unfortunately for me, that cruel one of Diogenes stripping a -cock of all its feathers, and throwing it into the middle of the school -where Plato was instructing his disciples; crying, 'there is Plato's man -for you.' They laughed heartily at this, and one of them cried out, Oh! -the most admirable thought has struck me! let us serve Manly's hen in -the same way, and when he is in bed to night, we will open the door, and -throw it at him, and cry out, 'there is Manly's lady for you.' This was -highly approved of, and I was accordingly seized, and stripped of my -feathers. Oh! Dickey, was not this far more unjust than the young -bantum's taking your worm from you? that could give you no pain, but the -tortures I endured, no one can possibly imagine; the blood flowed -copiously, the skin was torn from the flesh, I wished for death to put -an end to my torments, but that was denied. - -At night they fulfilled their intention, my benefactor was truly -distressed to see my miserable condition, and taking me to the mistress -of the house, and implored her assistance to cure me; she wished to have -me killed instantly, but that he would not consent to. As she was a -humane woman, she endeavoured to cure me; and got some oil, which she -carefully rubbed over me, and I was kept in a place where these wicked -boys could not come to me. I had the pleasure of hearing that these boys -had been expelled from the school, the greatest disgrace that could -befall them. - -It was long before I was entirely recovered; the next holidays Augustus -determined to take me home with him, and leave me in charge of his -amiable sister, whom he knew would nurse me tenderly. There I may say I -was perfectly happy for some time. I became a mother, and had the -delight of seeing my children beloved by Augustus and his sister. - -Once, owing to the carelessness of a servant, I hatched some duck eggs, -I did not perceive the mistake, till taking my chickens (as I thought -them) out, to teach them to scratch, they all ran towards the water; in -vain I called after them to stop, that they would be drowned if they -attempted to go in; deaf to my entreaties, they threw themselves in, I -came to the pond in all the agonies of despair, expecting to see all my -precious little ones dead; but, to my astonishment, they were all -swimming merrily. A duck with whom I was intimate (for I made it a rule -to treat all the domestic fowls with civility) came up and assured me -she would take care of my young charge while they were on the water, and -teach them to swim. - -Soon after, Augustus intended giving a supper to some of his friends, -and it was proposed that each one should bring his favourite dish; -Charles Mellish, Manly's cousin, was staying with him, he was a boy of -an ardent temper, and would do any thing by way of frolic, or what he -called fun; from the time this supper was proposed, he determined his -dish should differ from every other persons, he accordingly procured -from the cook a large pie dish and cover, and when the party assembled, -he came into the poultry yard, seized me, and in spite of my peeking and -scratching, forced me into it, covered me over with leaves, and placed -the lid on; when he entered the parlour, I heard a number of little -voices say, I wonder what Charles has got. He replied, something -different to any one else I think; but before I let you see what it is, -I must make an agreement that if it is different, every one of the -ladies shall give me a kiss; but if any other person ever thought of -bringing the same, every one in the room shall have the liberty to give -me a slap on the face. This being agreed to, he set the dish upon the -table, and took off the lid; I, who had been sadly cramped, immediately -flew out, to the great astonishment of all present. I suppose master -Charles received the reward from the ladies, but of that I did not wait -to be witness; but ran out of the room as fast as possible. - -Illustration: _Charles's dish._ - -Not long after, I was again seized by the same gentleman, who having -discovered that miss Manly, and a party of her friends were assembled -round a small fire, telling terrible stories of ghosts and murders, -resolved to frighten them; he placed a ladder by the side of the -chimney, and mounting it, put me in at the top. I was glad to escape -from him, so I flew down the chimney, carrying the soot with me, which -suddenly put out the fire; and when I entered the room, the most -terrible screams were heard from all quarters; the servants soon came in -with lights, to know what misfortune had happened, to occasion such an -uproar. I had hidden myself in a corner of the room; one of the young -ladies said it must be a ghost, that they had been sitting very quietly, -when suddenly they heard a tremendous noise, the fire was extinguished -in an instant, that a thick cloud of smoke followed, and a great black -thing, the shape of which she could not distinguish, knocked against her -face, and threw her down. By this time, Charles had joined them, and -hearing such exaggerated stories, burst into a hearty laugh. You may -laugh, said one of the ladies, but had you been here when it happened, -you would have been as frightened as we were, it could not be fancy, for -see the fire is out, and what a strong smell of sulphur is in the room. - -Illustration: _The fright._ - -What would you think of me, if I discovered the cause of this wonderful -affair? I should think you very clever indeed. Well then, give me a -candle and I will soon find the ghost; he then took one off the table -and by its assistance, soon discovered poor me sitting disconsolate -under the table; at this the whole party joined in a hearty laugh; -except myself, who had got some soot in my eyes, which made them very -painful. Augustus took me in his arms, my poor hen, said he, you have -had many strange adventures, and if you should ever take it into your -head to write them (for all animals write their lives now-a-days), you -shall make good mention of me, for I will now give you a good supper -after your troubles. - -At the idea of a hen's writing her adventures, the party was highly -diverted; no, said they, that can never be, as a domestic fowl can know -nothing out of the poultry yard, and that would never be worth reading; -but I think, my children, that some of the adventures I have gone -through, are almost as wonderful as those of cats and dogs, which I hear -are published in little books: talking of cats, I once had a severe -combat with one of them, in which I nearly lost one of my eyes, and had -many feathers torn off: as to dogs, I was always afraid of approaching -them, remembering the melancholy fate of my poor mother. - -One time, when the family was paying a visit, orders were sent to the -servant to fatten one of the fowls, then kill it, and send it to a poor -neighbour who was sick; I was the one pitched upon, and was confined in -a little coop, where I could scarcely turn round, much less take that -exercise which is necessary to health, my confinement was still more -distressing, when looking out, I could see all my companions enjoying -themselves, how I longed to join in their sports. - -I loathed the quantities of food brought me, and would freely have given -a saucer full of delicious white bread softened with cream, for the -delight of scratching up a worm for myself; but though I had no appetite -I ate, because I had nothing else to do; and that being such voluptuous -food, soon made me excessively fat, which caused me much pain, as I -could scarcely breathe. I look forward with joy to the time, when the -murderer's knife would end my miseries; the day was fixed. - -On the morning of that day, to my astonishment, I saw Augustus enter the -yard, he had returned from his visit much sooner than was expected: when -I saw him, I thought of all his kindness, and wished to hear him speak -once more before I died; for which purpose, I called as intelligibly as -I could to him; at last I had the pleasure of hearing him say, what can -be the matter with that poor hen which is confined, I never heard so -pitiful a cry! Upon seeing it was his old favourite, Oh! my poor bird, -said he, were you so near being killed; but I am very glad I have come -in time to save you; saying this, he opened the door, and gave me -liberty, that greatest of all blessings. - -I was expressing, in my language, my thanks, when Susan entered with her -knife; Oh! Susan, how could you think of killing this my favourite? Pray -sir, how should I know which you please to call your favourite? All hens -are alike to me, I caught the one which was nearest to me, and as it is -now fattened, we must have it, and you may take another favourite. No, -this one you shall never kill; it is cruel to destroy any, but this -which knows me so well, and is so tame, I never will have it killed; so -saying, he carried me away, leaving Sue in a great passion. - -Soon after, my young master had to go to a boarding school, near London; -his mamma accompanied him, and shut up her house; what was to be done -with me, engaged much of his thoughts; at last he determined to place me -here, with this worthy farmer, till his return. - -Illustration: _Saving the hen._ - -I must say I have experienced much kindness, but I never can like any -mortal so well as my dear Augustus; he will, when he returns, be grown -almost a man, but his kind heart must ever be the same. - -I anticipate the greatest pleasure from introducing my children to him, -and I hope, when he comes, and I point him out to you, you will all -behave with propriety to him. Yes, that we will, dear mother, how we -long to see him; but I hope you have not finished your adventures, -exclaimed Dickey (the little chicken who had been so angry about his -worm) I should never be tired of hearing you. But I hope, my child, you -have obtained more than entertainment; do you still think I should kill -the bantum? Oh no! no, if I never meet with any greater troubles, I -shall be a happy bird indeed; how trifling it must have appeared to you. - -I wish, said the mother, you could all be advised, to look upon the -present evils as trifling, by considering that at this present moment, -there are thousands of our species suffering the most dreadful tortures; -it is our duty to contribute as much as possible to general happiness, -by forbearance and patience. - -When I first came to this farm, I determined to make friends not only of -my own species, but of the ducks, geese, and pigeons; and I have -succeeded, by small acts of civility; and I am persuaded, there is not a -fowl in the yard, but would oblige me, if it could; I shall now take you -to the mother of the bantum, who is a modest young hen, whom I had once -an opportunity of obliging, and I am sure when she hears of the improper -behaviour of her son, she will punish him. - -As the good mother imagined the young bantum was punished, after which -he made apology to Dickey, they were afterwards very great friends; the -chickens, by adhering strictly to their mother's advice, passed through -life with ease and comfort to themselves, and were respected by all who -knew them. - -I hope a little history may not be quite unprofitable to children; who, -by giving way a little to each other's caprices, will have more -happiness themselves, and be more loved by their companions. - -Illustration: - - - END OF THE ADVENTURES OF A HEN. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - PITY. - - -In the happy period of the golden age, when all the celestial -inhabitants descended to the earth, and conversed familiarly with -mortals, amongst the most cherished of the heavenly powers were twins, -the offspring of Jupiter, Love and Joy. Wherever they appeared, the -flowers sprung up beneath their feet, the sun shone with a brighter -radiance, and all nature seemed embellished by their presence. They were -inseparable companions, and their growing attachment was favoured by -Jupiter, who had decreed that a lasting union should be solemnized -between them as soon as they were arrived at maturer years. But in the -mean time the sons of men deviated from their native innocence; Vice and -Ruin overran the earth with giant strides; and Astrea, with her train of -celestial visitants forsook their polluted abodes. Love alone remained, -having been stolen away by Hope, who was his nurse, and conveyed by her -to the forests of Arcadia, where he was brought up among the shepherds. -But Jupiter assigned him a different partner, and commanded him to -espouse Sorrow, the daughter of Até. He complied with reluctance; for -her features were harsh and disagreeable, her eyes sunk, her forehead -contracted into perpetual wrinkles; and her temples were covered with a -wreath of cypress and wormwood. From this union sprung a virgin, in whom -might be traced a strong resemblance to both her parents; but the sullen -and unamiable features of her mother were so mixed and blended with the -sweetness of her father, that her countenance, though mournful, was -highly pleasing. The maids and shepherds of the neighbouring plains -gathered round, and called her Pity. A red-breast was observed to build -in the cabin where she was born; and while she was yet an infant, a dove -pursued by a hawk flew into her bosom. This nymph had a dejected -appearance, but so soft and gentle a mien, that she was beloved to a -degree of enthusiasm. Her voice was low and plaintive, but inexpressibly -sweet; and she loved to lie for hours together on the banks of some wild -and melancholy stream, singing to her lute.--She taught men to weep, for -she took a strange delight in tears; and often, when the virgins of the -hamlet were assembled at their evening sports, she would steal in -amongst them, and captivate their hearts by her tales of charming -sadness. She wore on her head a garland composed of her father's -myrtles, twisted with her mother's cypress. - -Pity was commanded by Jupiter to follow the steps of her mother through -the world, dropping balm into the wounds she made, and binding up the -hearts she had broken. She goes with her hair loose, her bosom bare and -throbbing, her garments torn by briars, and her feet bleeding with the -roughness of the path. The nymph is mortal, for her mother is so; and -when she has filled her destined course upon the earth, they shall both -expire together, and Love be again united to Joy, his immortal and -long-betrothed bride. - -Illustration: - - - END OF PITY. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - PRINCE ARTHUR AND HUBERT. - - -Prince Arthur was nephew to John, King of England, and had a stronger -title by his birthright to the crown, than his uncle, being the son of -Geoffrey, John's elder brother. The power of innocence is strikingly -displayed in the influence it had over the mind of Hubert, who had -devoted himself to be the guilty instrument of John's injustice and -cruelty, had not the feelings of humanity and nature wrought too -powerfully to permit him to execute his wicked design. - - - _A Prison._ - - HUBERT AND ATTENDANTS. - -_Hubert._ Heat me these irons, and be sure keep within call: when I -stamp with my foot, come in, and bind the boy that will be with me, fast -to the chair. Take heed, and listen to my call. - -_Attendant._ I hope you have authority for what you do. - -_Hub._ Obey my orders, and let me have none of your scruples; for the -present retire! Young lad, come here, I have something to say to you. - - (_Prince Arthur comes in._ - -_Arthur._ Good morrow, Hubert. - -_Hub._ Good morrow, little prince. - -_Arth._ You look sad, good Hubert. - -_Hub._ To say truth, I am not very happy. - -_Arth._ Heaven take pity on me! I think nobody should be sad but I. Were -I but out of prison, and a shepherd's boy, I could be cheerful all day -long; nay, even here I could be happy, were I not afraid my uncle -intends me harm. I fear him, and he fears me. Is it my fault that I was -Geoffrey's son? Oh! that I were but your son, so you would but love me, -Hubert. - -_Hub._ If I listen to his innocent prattle, I shall awaken that -compassion I have taken so much pains to stifle; therefore I will lose -no time. - - (_Aside._ - -_Arth._ Are you ill, Hubert? you look very pale; if you were ill, I -would attend you night and day, would watch by you, and show how much I -love you. - -_Hub._ How his words affect me! he shakes my resolution, but I will be -firm, and smother these womanish feelings. Arthur, read that paper. - -_Arth._ (_Reads_). Alas! alas! and will you burn out both my eyes? - -_Hub._ I must and will. - -_Arth._ Can you be so cruel? I have always loved you tenderly, have -behaved to you as if I had been your son, watched your very looks, -obeyed your orders, attended you when you were sick, and rejoiced at -every symptom of recovery. Can you have the heart to put my eyes out? -which never did, nor never shall, frown upon you. - -_Hub._ I have sworn to do it, and must not break my oath. - -_Arth._ It is better to break a wicked promise than to keep it. Had you -a child you fondly loved, think what you would suffer to have him -treated thus? My innocence should plead for me. I could not have -believed that Hubert had been so hard-hearted. - -_Hub._ Come in (_Stamps, the attendants come in with cords, irons, -&c._), do as I bid you. - -_Arth._ Oh! save me, Hubert, save me. The fierce looks of these bloody -men terrify me to death. - -_Hub._ Give me the irons, I say, and bind him here. - -_Arth._ Alas! you need not be so rough, there is no occasion to bind me. -I will be as gentle as a lamb, if you will but send these men away. I -will not stir nor make a noise, whatever pain you put me to. - -_Hub._ Withdraw, and leave me alone with him. - -_Atten._ I am glad to be rid of such a business. - -_Arth._ Alas! then I have driven away my friend, let him come back, that -he may plead for me. - -_Hub._ Come, boy, prepare yourself. - -_Arth._ Will nothing avail me? - -_Hub._ Nothing; prepare. - -_Arth._ Oh! Hubert, that a gnat would fly in your eye, that you might -feel the pain so small a thing would cause; perhaps that might move your -sympathy, and lead you to consider what I must suffer. - -_Hub._ How ill you keep your promise, be silent. - -_Arth._ Forgive me, Hubert, if I try to move you; you once were tender -and compassionate, and you will be happier from yielding to these gentle -dispositions, than from all the wealth and honours my uncle can bestow. - -_Hub._ Well, your innocence has unnerved my firmest resolution. I am -subdued, and will not touch your eyes for all the treasures of your -uncle's crown. Yet have I sworn, and fully purposed to have -performed----. - -_Arth._ O, now you look like Hubert! Before you were disguised. - -_Hub._ Hush, be quiet; I must conceal you from your uncle's vengeance -till I have an opportunity of escaping with you to a foreign country, -where we shall be secure from his resentment. For your sake I resign all -my hopes of preferment, and incur the danger of my life, should I be -taken whilst in your uncle's territories; but, poverty with innocence, -is infinitely preferable to a crown with a guilty conscience. Fear -nothing, but retire; not India's wealth should bribe me to injure you. - - - END OF ARTHUR AND HUBERT. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - THE DRUNKARD. - - -Philip the Good, duke of Burgundy, taking a walk one evening at Bruges, -found in the public square a man laying on the ground, where he was -soundly asleep. He had him taken up, and carried to his palace, where, -after they had stripped him of his rags, and put on him a fine shirt, -and a nightcap, placed him in one of the prince's beds. This drunkard -was much surprized, when he awoke, to find himself in a beautiful -alcove, surrounded by officers more richly dressed the one than the -other. They asked him, what suit his highness wished to put on that day? -This demand completed his confusion; but after a thousand positive -assurances he gave them, that he was but a poor cobbler, and not at all -a prince, he resolved quietly to bear all the honours they loaded him -with,--suffered them to dress him, appeared in public,--heard mass in -the Ducal chapel, and kissed the mass-book,--in a word, they made him -perform all the usual ceremonies: he went to a sumptuous table, then to -cards, to the walk, and other entertainments. After supper they gave him -a ball. The good man having never found himself at a like feast, took -freely the wine they offered to him, and so abundantly that he got brave -and drunk. It was then the catastrophe of the comedy was brought about. -Whilst he was sleeping himself sober, the duke had him clothed again -with his rags, and carried back to the place from whence he had been -taken at first. After having passed there all night in a sound sleep, he -awoke, and went home to relate to his wife, as a dream of his, what in -effect had really happened to him. - -Illustration: - - - THE END. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - SUPERIOR BOOKS FOR YOUNG PERSONS, - - PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY - - Whittingham and Arliss, - - _Paternoster Row_. - - - ARLISS' HIEROGLYPHICAL BIBLE. - Embellished with four Hundred beautiful Engravings - on Wood, Price 1_s._ 6_d._ - - This new Edition is, besides its Embellishments, executed in - the first style, printed on a very beautiful type, and in short, - infinitely superior to any similar Bible that has hitherto been - submitted to the Public. - - ORPHAN HENRY; or, THE SURE ROAD to WEALTH and - HAPPINESS. - Embellished with fine Wood Engravings, Price 1_s._ - - THE CASKET; or, MEMOIRS of MISS SELWYN. - Ornamented with beautiful Engravings, Price 1_s._ - - JUVENILE ANNALS; or, the PASTIME of EDWARD and - EMMA. With beautiful Engravings on Wood, Price 1_s._ - - THE HISTORY OF PAMELA; or, VIRTUE REWARDED. - Embellished with beautiful Engravings, Price 1_s._ - - MARY THE BEGGAR GIRL. - With Engravings on Wood, Price 1_s._ - - THE CHILDREN'S FRIEND. - Embellished with beautiful Engravings on Wood, Price 1_s._ - - - - - TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE - - -1. Punctuation has been normalized. - -2. Variations in spelling hyphenation and accentuation were maintained. - -3. 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