Our Young Folks at Home and Abroad Part 40

Every little grape, dear, that clings unto the vine, Expects some day to ripen its little drops of wine.

Every little girl, I think, expects in time to be Exactly like her own mamma--as sweet and good as she.

Every little boy who has a pocket of his own, Expects to be the biggest man the world has ever known.

Every little lambkin, too, that frisks upon the green, Expects to be the finest sheep that ever yet was seen.

Every little baby colt expects to be a horse; Every little puppy hopes to be a dog, of course.

Every little kitten pet, so tender and so nice, Expects to be a grown-up cat and live on rats and mice.

Every little fluffy chick, in downy yellow dressed, Expects some day to crow and strut or cackle at his best.

Every little baby bird that peeps from out its nest, Expects some day to cross the sky from glowing east to west.

Now every hope I've mentioned here will bring its sure event, Provided nothing happens, dear, to hinder or prevent.

"WHERE'S SOPHIE?"

Sophie climbed the garden trellis, Plucked the finest grapes in view; How they shone with red and amber, As the sun came glinting through.

She was taking painting lessons, And she paused and gazed at them; "Oh," she said, "a pretty picture, Grapes and green leaves on a stem.

"I will leave them here, unbroken, Close beside the garden walk; Look!" she said, to Cousin Mary, "Just anear this broken stalk."

Off they went through pleasant pathways; Staying longer than they knew, By a russet, leaf-strewn border, With its asters, pink and blue.

Then their friendly gossip over, Homeward as they turned to go; "Oh, the grapes!" said Sophie, quickly, "We must go for those, you know."

When they reached the precious cl.u.s.ter, Five bold sparrows pertly stood, Pecking at the grapes beside them, Chattering in a wanton mood.

"Look! Oh, look!" said cousin Mary, "Sparrows at your luscious store!"

"Shoo!" said Sophie, "was there ever Such a piece of work before?"

Pilfering sparrows, you have taught me, By this loss, a lesson true; When a bunch of grapes I gather, Just to keep them safe from you.

"IF I CAN, I WILL."

I knew a boy who was preparing to enter the junior cla.s.s of the New York University. He was studying trigonometry, and I gave him three examples for his next lesson. The following day he came into my room to demonstrate his problems. Two of them he understood; but the third--a very difficult one--he had not performed. I said to him,--"Shall I help you?"

"No, sir! I can and will do it, if you give me time."

I said: "I will give you all the time you wish."

The next day he came into my room to recite another lesson in the same study.

"Well, Simon, have you worked that example?"

"No, sir," he answered; "but I can and will do it, if you will give me a little more time."

"Certainly, you shall have all the time you desire."

I always like those boys who are determined to do their own work, for they make our best scholars, and men too. The third morning you should have seen Simon enter my room. I knew he had it, for his whole face told the story of his success. Yes, he had it, notwithstanding it had cost him many hours of severest mental labor. Not only had he solved the problem, but, what was of infinitely greater importance to him, he had begun to develop mathematical powers which, under the inspiration of "I can and I will," he has continued to cultivate, until to-day he is professor of mathematics in one of our largest colleges, and one of the ablest mathematicians of his years in our country.

My young friends, let your motto ever be,--"If I can, I will."

WINDSOR CASTLE.

This ancient and splendid pile is a fitting residence for the sovereigns of England. It impresses one with the idea of supreme grandeur and formidable strength, but it has reached its present magnificence by constant embellishments and additions by successive sovereigns.

It owes its origin to William the Conqueror, that bold and progressive Norman, who created here a fortified hunting seat, where he and his brave barons could enjoy themselves after the "hunting of the deer" in the wild glades of Windsor forest.

The castle stands upon a hill on the bank of the river Thames, twenty-three miles from London, with which it is connected by railway.

It is surrounded on all sides, except to the east, by a n.o.ble terrace above two thousand five hundred feet in extent, faced by a strong rampart of hewn stone, and having, at intervals, easy slopes leading down to the park.

The terrace is a most delightful walk, commanding charming views of the extensive domain and the surrounding country. Everywhere are evidences of royal expenditure, of watchful care and tasteful ornamentation.

The park abounds in woodland scenery of exquisite beauty, and it does seem as if the "English suns.h.i.+ne" was nowhere more satisfying or refres.h.i.+ng than in these delightful avenues. The deer roam at will, and streamlets trickle and English violets and other wild flowers blossom, the praises of whose delicate perfumes and beauties have been sung by Wordsworth and Keats.

There is a stately walk, three miles long, bordered by double rows of trees, which leads from the lodge to these delightful precincts, and at the entrance stretch away in gorgeous array, the Queen's gardens, in which very beautiful and rare productions of floral culture find a congenial home.

The castle consists of two courts, having a large, round tower between them, and covers more than twelve acres of land, being defended by batteries and towers. The upper court is a s.p.a.cious quadrangle, having a round tower on the west, the private apartments of the sovereigns on the south and east, the State apartments and St. George's Hall and the chapel royal on the north.

The royal apartments are reached by an imposing vestibule. The first room, the Queen's guard chamber, contains a grand array of warlike implements, and glittering weapons, and its walls are rich in paintings.

The Queen's presence chamber contains the rarest furniture and hangings, with an array of artistic works by the most celebrated masters.

The ball-room is hung with tapestry, representing the twelve months of the year, and upon its ceiling is pictured Charles II, giving freedom to England. There is here an immense table of solid silver.

In the Queen's bed-chamber is the State bed, said to have cost $70,000, designed for Queen Charlotte. The Queen's dressing-room, hung with British tapestry, contains the closet in which is deposited the banner of France. The same closet contains the tea-equipage of Queen Anne.

An elegant saloon is called the "Room of Beauties," and contains fourteen portraits of ladies who were "most fair" in the court of Charles II. Their lovely faces and rich apparel, quaint and oddly fas.h.i.+oned, make the most delightful and instructive study.

The audience chamber contains the throne and is enriched with historical paintings of events in the reign of Henry III. Another guard chamber contains an immense collection of warlike instruments, fancifully arranged, and also the flag sent by the Duke of Wellington in commemoration of the battle of Waterloo.

St. George's Hall, which is one hundred and eight feet long, is set apart for the ill.u.s.trious "Order of the Garter." It is superbly decorated with allegorical paintings. The chapel is a fine specimen of the florid Gothic. The roof is elliptical and is composed of stone; the whole ceiling is ornamented with emblazoned arms of many sovereigns and knights of the Garter. The stalls of the sovereigns and knights exhibit a profusion of rare carving. The chapel is the burial place of many royal and ill.u.s.trious persons; Edward IV, Henry IV, Henry VIII and Charles I having been interred here.

THE LITTLE PRINCES.

Among the sad episodes in the ill.u.s.trated history of English sovereigns, not one is more pathetic or impressive than the story of the two little Princes, sons of Edward IV. This King had an ambitious and unscrupulous brother, called Richard, Duke of Gloucester.