The National Nursery Book Part 8

The fur of the rabbit is much used for making hats. They are good for food also.

_THE COW._

Is a very valuable animal; indeed I do not know what we should do without her. She gives us milk and b.u.t.ter, cheese and cream; her skin is of great use, and her flesh is often eaten as beef. Cows grow fond of those who are kind to them.

[Ill.u.s.tration: COW AND CALF.]

There are a great many different kinds of cows; some red, some black, some brindled, white or spotted. Herefordshire cows have white faces.

The ancient Britons had great numbers of fine cows; and wild cattle were common in our country seven hundred years ago. In the neighbourhood of London, in Henry II.'s reign, there was a large forest which contained a great many wild bulls and cows.

[Ill.u.s.tration: THE DONKEY.]

The cow is a good mother, very fond of her calf. The bull is a very bold, fierce animal. It has a great dislike to the colour red, and will run after and if it can toss any one wearing it. In Spain they have a cruel sport, called bull fights, between these brave animals and men on horseback.

The flesh of the cow and ox is called beef; that of the calf is veal.

_THE DONKEY._

This patient and useful animal is supposed to have come at first from the East, where it still continues to be of a greater size and of a much better appearance. They were as valuable there in former ages as horses; great men and judges rode on a.s.ses. The a.s.s is very fond of its foal, and can be attached to its master if kindly treated. Its milk is thought very good for consumptive people. It is very sure-footed, and strong, and able to carry heavy burdens.

The Donkey is a very useful animal to the poor. It can do a great deal of work on very coa.r.s.e and cheap food. Thistles make a dainty dinner for the a.s.s. It is patient and gentle, but occasionally very obstinate; a fault chiefly produced in the poor beast by ill-usuage.

Children should never be cruel to this poor animal, but treat it kindly, and it will not then be stubborn and slow, but will do its best to carry them.

_THE c.o.c.k, THE HEN, AND THE CHICKENS._

Here is a fine farm-yard family! very useful friends of ours. The c.o.c.k, who is a brave, spirited bird, wakes us up in the morning by crowing; the hen lays us eggs for breakfast, and when the wee chicks are big enough, they are very good food, as roast chicken. The c.o.c.k teaches us watchfulness; the hen, motherly love.

[Ill.u.s.tration: THE c.o.c.k, THE HEN, AND THE CHICKENS.]

There are many different kinds of fowls. The largest are the tall Cochin Chinas; the smallest the pert little Bantams. It is a great amus.e.m.e.nt for children to have a few fowls to feed, and take care of. Feeding them and finding their eggs is one of the country child's pleasures.

The hen sits on her eggs for three weeks; and when the chicks are hatched, she takes the greatest care of them, gathering them under her wings when danger is near or the weather is at all cold; and she is ready to fight a hawk or even a dog in defence of her little ones.

Fowls feed on barley or any kind of grain, and pick up worms, &c., in their run. Stinging-nettles are very good food for chickens.

_THE HORSE._

This n.o.blest of animals is believed to be a native of Arabia; but was in our islands before the Romans came here. The first money coined in Britain was stamped with the figure of a horse.

[Ill.u.s.tration: THE HORSE.]

The horse has a wonderful memory. He never forgets a place to which he has once been taken. He loves his master if well treated; and in battles he displays the greatest courage and joy. He also understands sounds, and loves music. Indeed, the horse may be called the friend of man, and deserves all the kindness we can show him.

The Arabs bring up their horses with their children in their own tents; and the steed thus reared is very sensible and gentle. An Arab will not sell his favourite horse for any sum, however large: it is as dear to him as his children.

_THE GOAT._

The goat is a very useful animal. Its flesh is very good, though English people seldom eat it. Its milk is very good also, and of use to people in consumption. The most beautiful gloves are made from its skin.

[Ill.u.s.tration: GOATS.]

Goats abound on the Welsh mountains; it is, indeed, an animal that loves the great hills. The Welsh goats are white; they are very active, and walk on the brink of precipices, and take the most wonderful leaps. The scent of a goat is unpleasant, but it is thought to prevent infection amongst cattle.

Horses are very fond of goats. They are more common in France than with us. In that country one sees a goat with nearly every flock of sheep.

Goats' flesh is called "kid." Do you remember how Jacob deceived his father with the skin and meat of a kid of the goats?

[Ill.u.s.tration: PIGS.]

NURSERY SONGS.

Little Miss m.u.f.fet She sat on a tuffet, Eating of curds and whey.

There came a great spider, Who sat down beside her, And frightened Miss m.u.f.fet away.

[Ill.u.s.tration: LITTLE MISS m.u.f.fET.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: PAT-A-CAKE, PAT-A-CAKE.]

Pat-a-cake, Pat-a-cake, baker's man, Make me a cake as fast as you can; Pat it, and p.r.i.c.k it, and mark it with T, And send it home for Tommy and me.

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall; All the king's horses and all the king's men Could not set Humpty Dumpty up again.

[Ill.u.s.tration: HUMPTY DUMPTY.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: YOUNG LAMBS TO SELL!]

Young lambs to sell!--young lambs to sell!

If I had as much money as I could tell, I never would cry, Young lambs to sell!

Young lambs to sell!--young lambs to sell!

I never would cry, Young lambs to sell!

[Ill.u.s.tration: LITTLE ROBIN REDBREAST SAT UPON A TREE.]

Little Robin Redbreast sat upon a tree, Up went p.u.s.s.y-cat, and down went he; Down came p.u.s.s.y-cat, and away Robin ran; Says little Robin Redbreast, "Catch me if you can."

Little Robin Redbreast jumped upon a wall, p.u.s.s.y-cat jumped after him and almost got a fall; Little Robin chirped and sang, and what did p.u.s.s.y say?

p.u.s.s.y-cat said "Mew," and Robin jumped away.

[Ill.u.s.tration: HANDY SPANDY, JACK-A-DANDY.]