THE

COCKATOO'S STORY. 

_By_

_MRS. GEORGE CUPPLES. _

WITH 12 ILLUSTRATIONS. 

London:

T. NELSON AND SONS, PATERNOSTER ROW. 

EDINBURGH; AND NEW YORK. 

1881. 

 * * * * *

[Illustration: A GREEDY DOG

_Page 80. _]

THE COCKATOO'S STORY. 

"I begin to be ashamed of myself--I really do, " said a white cockatoo, as he sat on his perch one day. Then he gave himself a good shake, andafter walking up and down once or twice, he continued, "I think it vexesthe boy, and I can see he means to be kind. And, oh dear, dear! I seenow I brought the troubles on myself. "

"Kind!" screamed a small gray parrot from a perch on the opposite side;"of course he means to be kind. You won't often meet a kinder; let metell you that, sir. If I could only get this chain off my foot, I'd comeover and give you as good a pecking as ever you got in your life, yousulky, ungrateful bird you! And then Master Herbert stands, day afterday, trying to tempt you with the daintiest morsels, and there you sitand sulk, or take it with your face turned from him, when hunger forcesyou. "

"There is no need to be so angry, old lady, " replied the cockatoo. "Didn't you hear me say, I begin to be ashamed of myself? But if youonly knew how I have been used, you would not wonder at my sulks. "

"Oh, if you have a foundation for your conduct, then I'll be happy toretract, " said Mrs. Polly, walking about her perch very fast indeed, andruffling up her feathers as she walked. "No bird I ever had thepleasure of living beside could say I was unreasonable; so please stateyour case, state your case--I'm all attention, at-ten-tion;" and shelengthened out the last word with a shrill scream peculiar to parrots. 

"But it would take ever so long to tell, " said the cockatoo, "and myfeelings or my nerves have got the better of me at this moment, and Ireally couldn't; only if you heard my history you would think it verywonderful indeed;" and here Mr. Cockatoo lifted up his foot andscratched his eye. 

"A history, did you say?" said the gray parrot, pausing in her walkalong her perch, and looking at him over her back. "Pray, how old areyou, may I ask?"

"Well, I'll be about two years old, " said the cockatoo, straighteninghimself up, and looking over to the gray parrot, as if he expected thenews would surprise her greatly. 

"Ha, ha, ha!" laughed Mrs. Polly; "two years old, and has a history! Ohdear! my old sides will split. What a youth he is, to be sure, ha, ha, ha!"

"I don't see anything to laugh at, " said the poor cockatoo, collapsinginto his sulky state once more. "I tell you I _have_ a history, and awonderful history too. I wish you would stop that chatter. "

"Boy, boy, you'll be the death of me, " said Mrs. Polly, not in her ownlanguage, but in the words taught her by Master Herbert. 

"Oh, if you are going to speak in the language used by these abominablepeople who keep us here as prisoners and slaves, I've nothing more tosay, " said the poor cockatoo, scratching his eye once more. 

"Well, I won't then, " said Mrs. Polly graciously. "I have been told itis the height of bad manners to speak in a foreign language, if it isnot understood by your companion, so I shall confine myself, whenaddressing you, to my mother tongue. And now, since you have told meyour age, would you like to know mine?"

"Yes, " said the cockatoo, for he really was a little puzzled as to Mrs. Polly's behaviour. 

"Well, I'm seventy years old!" replied Mrs. Polly, drawing up her neckas far as its limited length would permit. "And now you can understandwhy I laughed, sir; for it did look a little absurd to hear a bird ofyour tender years speaking of a history. Think what mine must be, andwhat I must have come through and seen in my long life!"

They were here interrupted by the appearance once more of MasterHerbert, who brought a most tempting piece of cake in his hand. Going upto the cockatoo, he said, "I suppose I needn't offer you this, Cockatoo. You are determined not to be friends. " The cockatoo put out his claw forit, and took it gently from Herbert's hand, who could not fail to seethere was a marked difference in the bird's appearance. 

"Good boy, good boy!" shrieked the gray parrot from her perch, quiteforgetting she had promised never to speak the English language, in hereagerness to mark her approval of his conduct. "Now, if you really wouldlike to please Master Herbert, " she continued in her own parrot tongue, "I'd say the words he has been trying to teach you for days. Come, outwith it, old boy;" and again she relapsed into the English language. 

[Illustration: CAKE FROM MASTER HERBERT. 

_Page 12. _]

The cockatoo looked into Herbert's kind eyes, and said as plainly as hecould, "Pretty Cocky. "

"Oh, you can speak after all, " said Herbert. "Well, now, that's jolly; Ithought you were going to be a good-for-nothing stupid creature. Comenow, say it again; but give us the whole of the word. "

Assisted by Mrs. Polly's "Out with it, old boy, " the cockatoo tried hisbest, but could only get the length of "Pretty Cockat----" However, Herbert was content with this for a beginning, and turned to the grayparrot with a kind inquiry after her health; who instantly replied, anxious perhaps to make up for her companion's tardiness, "Thank you, sir; how d'ye do?"

"I'm glad _you're_ clever, Mrs. Polly, " said Herbert. "Uncle James wasjust saying to Lucy the other day, you were the cleverest parrot heever saw, and he has brought home dozens now. " Mrs. Polly did notunderstand all her young master said; but she knew by his voice and eyehe was praising her, so she said, with a pretty courtesy, "Thank you, sir!" which made Herbert laugh very heartily; and when he furtherrequested her to dance, she did so at once, whistling a tune to herselffor an accompaniment. "Do you know, Mrs. Polly, you are to have anothercompanion very soon?" said Herbert, giving the gray parrot another pieceof cake. "He's a great scarlet macaw, and Uncle James says he is gettinghim sent from South America. Oh dear! I should like to be able tounderstand your chatter--I mean your own language, Polly--because youcould tell such a great deal about the different countries you have comefrom. There's Cockatoo, he could tell us about the Indian Islands, andBorneo;--that was where Uncle James brought you from, sir, when he wason his voyage to Canton. He got ever so many birds of paradise, too;for, luckily for him, they had just come over from New Guinea, and theother islands where they generally stay. Oh dear! I do wish I understoodyour language, " he repeated again. 

At this moment, a great humble-bee came humming in at the window; and onlooking up, what should Herbert see but a tiny fairy sitting on itsback! In a moment the bee lighted on the table, and stopped its humming;and then the fairy's voice could be distinctly heard, as she stood up onthe back of the humble-bee, saying, ----

 "Little boy, with eyes so blue, You are kind and you are true To the birds, the beasts, the flowers, Their language we will make it yours: Then listen to Miss Polly's speech, And hear what lesson she will teach. "

With these words she waved her shining silver wand, and touching himfirst on one ear, and then on the other, as she rode past him, was borneaway out of the window once more, on the back of the humble-bee. 

Herbert didn't know very well what had happened, and thought he wasdreaming, till he heard Mrs. Polly saying to the cockatoo, "Now, sir, ifyou sulk, Master Herbert will know what it's for. "

"I say, Polly, " said Herbert, "am I really to understand your language?Did you see the fairy too?"

"Oh yes, sir, " replied Mrs. Polly. "I saw her, and heard what she said;and let me tell you, sir, it isn't every boy that receives such areward; but you must have pleased the fairy Fauna, by being kind to allthe creatures, great and small. Yes, she has heard no doubt how you openthe window, and put the bees and the blue-bottle flies out, instead ofkilling them. I shouldn't wonder if it was that great spider whose lifeyou spared who told her. You remember your cousin Dick wanted to killit; and I noticed she guided the bee with threads from a spider's web. "

"Well, I'm very glad, " said Herbert laughing. "I must say the reward isgreater than I deserve, for it seems an easy thing to be kind to animalsand insects. "

"It's not such an easy thing as you think, sir, " said Mrs. Polly. "I'velived seventy years in this world, and I've kept my eyes wide open, andI've seen boys, ay, and girls too, do very cruel things to dumbanimals. "

"Dear me, Polly, have you lived seventy years?" replied Herbert in muchastonishment; "I had no idea of it. Uncle James says parrots live to agreat age--he knew one that was a hundred years old; but somehow Ithought you were quite young. I mustn't ask you to dance quite so often, for your legs must feel rather stiff at times. But what was _that_ thefairy said you could teach me? Is it a story? I must hear it. "

"Very well, sir, " said Mrs. Polly, courtesying again, just to show howagile she was, for she did not like the idea of her old legs beingthought stiff. "But before you came in, Mr. Cockatoo was preparing totell me his history, the history of his life. He is two years old, Master Herbert, and as he fancies the world has ill-used him, I think itwould make him more comfortable to tell his story first, if you don'tmind, sir. "

"Oh, very well, " said Herbert, delighted to think that he couldunderstand the cockatoo also. "But I must not forget my lessons. I shallgo now and learn them; and in the afternoon, when you are in your cages, I will bring the fish-hooks I have got to make, and while I do them wecan listen to the story. "

"We shall be all the better of a few quiet hours, " said Mrs. Polly, whowas very fond of a nap in the afternoon, especially after partaking ofrich cake. "Dear me, Master Herbert, one gets quite stupified lookingback into one's life. We'll lay our brains in sleep, sir, while you'reat your lessons. Good-day, good-day. " Out of compliment, she finishedoff with Herbert's own language, though had she said it in her own hewould have understood it quite well. But Polly hadn't lived for seventyyears for nothing. 

In the afternoon the cockatoo's cage was placed at the open window, Polly preferring to have hers on one side, to be away from the draught;and when Herbert had got his box of hooks, and his coloured feathers, and reels of silk placed conveniently, he bade Mr. Cockatoo begin hisstory. 

[Illustration: LISTENING TO THE COCKATOO'S STORY. 

_Page 22. _]

"You said some time ago, Master Herbert, " began the cockatoo, "that Iwas brought from the Indian Islands; and I suppose you're right, sir, though I can't say I ever heard the name before to-day: all I can sayis, I remember the place well. When I popped my head out of my shell, Ifound other three heads had done the same, so I was the youngest of myfamily. A sad circumstance for me, as you will see. There we lay, without a single feather, and not even a particle of down to cover us, our heads feeling far too large for our naked bodies. We had to be aspatient as we could, down in our nest in an old rotten tree, till thedown began to come; but it was three or four months before we werefairly covered with feathers. Somehow, being the youngest, my featherswere longer of coming than were the others; and when our mother was outof hearing, my brothers would laugh at me, and make fun of my bighead--for it certainly was a very large head. This treatment spoiled mytemper, and I would sit and sulk by myself, taking a delight in refusingto join in any of their sports when a fourth was required. I used tocreep up to the top of the tree, and sit trimming my feathers, spreadingthem out and trying to make the most of their scanty appearance, till mypatience was rewarded; for beyond a doubt, at the end of the fifth monthmy plumage was something wonderful to behold for beauty. As for my headbeing large, it now helped to show off the splendid yellow crest; andthe awkward look was quite gone. Still my temper hadn't improved; indeedI think it was worse, for conceit was added to my other bad qualities;and when I would have liked to be amiable and join the merry flock ofcockatoos that lived in the trees near us, they would have nothing tosay to me. My mother used often to moan and vex herself about me, andshe did her best to keep as near me as she could, warning me that it wasnot safe for a cockatoo to wander far from his home. And then she wouldtell me of wonderful escapes she had made in her day, both from wildanimals and the snares of wicked men. Though these stories frightened meterribly, I must own, making my crest stand up with fright to hear her, still I used to beg her to tell me more, for it was often a change fromthe dull hours I spent; and I must say my mother behaved in a mostamiable manner towards me. 

"Then she would take pains to show us what kind of fruits to eat, warning us particularly against the fruit of the cotton-tree, which, though pleasant to the taste, was a dangerous one for taking away thesenses. Ah, if I had only followed her advice! Still, with my mother forcompany now and then, my days were very happy, in spite of the coldnessand dislike of my brothers and their young companions. Indeed, living inmy lovely home, it would have been strange if I had felt anything else. How often since, while sitting in this cage or on my perch, have Ithought of those happy days of freedom! Forests of woods and grasses, bearing the most lovely flowers and the most delicious fruits, from theedge of the sea to the top of the mountain. And then the clear coolwater, where we could plunge ourselves several times a day;--howdifferent from the small quantity Marjory allows me! We lived close tothe banks of a small river; and oh, it was so delightful, after plunginginto the water, to keep shaking my plumage, until the greater portion ofwater was out, and then sit in the sun till I was quite dry! There wereno men on our island, else I should have remembered seeing them; andnothing ever disturbed our slumbers, save the wild pigs that sometimeswent about routing and grunting, or a cry from one of our band. 

"And so time passed on, till we were a year old, when one day we werestartled by hearing screams from a thicket not far off. On gettingalong as fast as I could, I met my brothers flying from one branch toanother in the direction I was coming from, who screamed to me toescape, for an enemy was at hand. One of them said something about mymother, but what, I could not make out clearly; only I knew she was indanger somehow. I was in such a hurry to get to see what had happened toher--for I did love my mother--that I positively took a good longflight, and landed on a tree some distance off. Then, what was myastonishment to see a great large face, quite different from anything Ihad ever seen before, looking at me from round the trunk! And there, too, at the bottom of the tree, lay my poor mother, evidently dead. Iheard him cry to another man below to hand him up his bow and arrow; butbefore he had got it I flew off once more, taking a longer flight thanbefore. An old cockatoo told me afterwards that very likely my motherwas not dead, but that she had only been stunned, as those men wouldhave a button on the arrow to prevent it from killing her. It took meever so many days to find my way back to my old home; and when I didfind it, not one of my old companions was there. Gloomy though mydisposition was, still I did not like the idea of living alone, and Iset out to try to find them. On my way I met an old cockatoo who hadbeen a friend of my poor mother's, and who like me had lost hercompanions, so we agreed to go on together. I found her a mostintelligent companion, and she was very useful in showing me what fruitwas good for eating, for there were many new kinds. She showed me somecurious birds'-nests, and told me that men ate them; and a goodhearty chuckle we had over it, you may be sure. We regaled ourselves bypicking out the pulp of the banana, the palm, the lemon, and the berriesfrom the coffee-tree; and coming upon an almond-tree, we stayed under itfor a whole week. Then we proceeded on our journey. We must havetravelled miles, and we were beginning to despair of ever seeing theflock again, when we heard a great chatter chatter, and in a few minuteswe came in sight of a great number of birds of different colours, inearnest conversation. 

[Illustration: DANGEROUS COMPANY. 

_Page 29. _]

"'Stop, my boy, ' said my companion; 'we had better not show ourselvesfor a little. They may be friends; but birds though they are, if theysee anything strange in our appearance, they will fall upon us, and maypeck out our feathers, if not our very eyes. '"

"After waiting for a little, " continued the cockatoo, "and afterlistening very hard, my companion explained to me she thought we mightventure to join the group; for if they weren't cockatoos, they were ourcousins the parrots; and in a minute more she spread out her wings, andalighted in the midst of them. They were somewhat startled at first; buton her explaining why she was there, they received her very kindly; andshe then called out to me to approach, for I had waited in a bush out ofsight, feeling a little shy and nervous. They were greatly delightedwith my appearance, and I fear they quite turned my head by theirpraises. I know I gave myself airs, and strutted about in a manner thatwould have vexed my poor mother, could she but have seen me. Mycompanion over and over again reminded me to beware of conceit, sayingthat even in a cockatoo it was a dangerous thing to carry about withone; and that though our cousins were pleased with me at present, theywould tire of praising me by-and-by, if they saw how foolish it made me. But I was only a year old at that time, and had always been a littleheadstrong and difficult to manage. 

"As my old friend had said, " continued the cockatoo, "my newly-foundcousins were not long in finding out my bad qualities, and they werealmost harder upon me than my own brothers had been; which caused mytemper to give way again, and from being a very frank, obliging bird, Ibecame quite a cross, ill-natured one. One day I had retired to thewoods, and was sitting sulking by myself in a bush, when the oldcockatoo came and perched herself on the branch above me. For someminutes she sat looking at me without uttering a sound; but every nowand then she would shake her head, or raise up her crest in rather afierce manner. At last I couldn't stand it any longer, and I cried outin a very angry tone of voice, 'Why, what do you mean by looking at melike that? I would rather not be disturbed. ' And I gave a very ugly andangry screech. 

"'Cockatoo, ' said she, 'I am grieved to the heart by your behaviour. Take my advice, sir, and mend your ways, else I fear something bad willcome of it. '

"'I will not be interfered with, ' I said; 'and I don't care if you neverspeak to me again;' and I screeched louder and uglier than before. 

[Illustration: UNWELCOME ADVICE. 

_Page 36. _]

"I must say she was very good to me, though I couldn't or wouldn't seeit at the time; and seeing that I was determined to be sulky andill-natured, she left me. Two or three days after, a green parrot, thatmy friend had warned me against, came and sat in a bush near me. He keptchattering away to himself, --speaking about the hard way he was used bythe other parrots, and threatening to fly away and see them no more. Now, I had noticed they were rather severe upon him, but I also knew hewas not a well-behaved bird by any means; but in my present state ofmind I couldn't help pitying him. 

"Creeping along the branch, I ventured to inquire what was the matter, when he poured into my ears a perfect shower of complaints against hisbrothers and sisters, friends and companions, and even against hisparents. Two or three times I tried to get in a word of inquiry as towhether some of his trouble had not been brought on by his own conduct;for at that moment I remembered how gently my mother used to speak to mewhen I used to rage against all the cockatoos in my happy home by thebank of the river. However, it was useless to interfere with him, forthe mere mention of the idea made his rage something fearful to witness. The sight of him called to mind, too, what my mother used to say to uswhen we lay curled up snugly in our nest in the old tree, before mybrothers had learned to tease me. 'Children, ' she used to say, 'abeautiful plumage is all very well, but a happy-looking face, and akind, amiable disposition, are to be prized far before the loveliestcoloured feathers. '

"This parrot now before me was as lovely a bird of his kind as one wouldwish to see; but his face was purple with rage, and his lovely featherswere all ruffled and rumpled with passion, so that any kind of feathersmight have served him equally well. 

"I cannot tell how it was, " said the cockatoo, "but from that time I wasalways meeting the discontented parrot; and we gradually got more andmore intimate. My good friend, the old cockatoo, did not hesitate towarn me against my companion; but I was angry with her, because Ifancied she lectured me, having no right to do so, and treated me as ifI had been a perfect baby. Then one night, after a long conversationwith the parrot, I agreed to fly away with him, and seek our fortunes onsome other part of the island. It was arranged that we should set outthe next morning before the sun was up; for the parrot thought if hewent away in open daylight, his father, who was a very fierce parrot, would interfere with our flight. I cannot tell you why I felt sorry, after the parrot left me, at the idea of leaving my good, kind friend, the old cockatoo; but I really was. She had been so good to me, and hadso much to tell me about what she had seen during her long life, and inher travels, that time passed very quickly indeed. That evening, too, when I had retired to the branch I had selected for my sleeping-place, Ioverheard a conversation between a very large mother parrot and herthree young ones, that somewhat filled my heart with alarm. 'Becontented, children, ' the mother parrot was saying. 'I have known manyparrots come to an untimely end, because they were always wanting to seewhat was beyond the trees and bushes of their own home. I remember mygrandfather telling me about how a brother and he had strayed away farinto the woods, and they were overtaken by the darkness, and wereforced to remain in a tree all night. But he had not fallen asleep longwhen he heard a great shriek; and on opening his eyes, what should hesee but an immense ape clutching his brother by the throat, and carryinghim away up to the top of the tree out of sight. It was all mygrandfather could do to get his wings to carry him home, he was so weakand faint with the fright; and never again did he wander from hiscompanions. '

[Illustration: A LESSON IN CONTENTMENT. 

_Page 42. _]

"Oh, that I had listened even then to the old mother parrot's wiseadvice!" said the cockatoo, as he scratched his eye. "Ah, sir, " he said, turning to Herbert, "it's harder to bear troubles when they come upon usby our own folly. 

"The sun was scarcely up when the green parrot was beside me; and as Ihad promised to join him, I did not like to hesitate or draw back now. So we set out on our travels, without even saying good-bye to any one. For days we travelled on through the forest, and a happy enough time itwas; for my companion was apparently delighted at the idea of hisfreedom, and chattered away in a very amiable manner. But toward the endof the third day we were startled by hearing strange sounds; and onpeering down from the branches, we saw a man. I did not know he was aman at the time; but I found out to my cost what he was only too soon. He had some dogs with him, and seemed to be waiting for something, forhe peeped cautiously round a tree every now and then, bidding the dogslie close. Then in a moment came a fearful crack from a gun he carried, and something gave a great roar and a wild snort, and I nearly lost mysenses with the fright. It was all I could do to clutch on by thebranch, my legs shook so with fear; and as for my companion, if ithadn't been for falling into a cleft in a branch, he would have gonestraight down on to the man's wide-spreading hat. The cry had come froma boar, which lay dead or dying; and in a very few minutes the man hadfastened something to his legs, and began dragging him away, while thedogs capered, and danced, and barked round them. 

"You may well believe we felt no anxiety to continue our travels, for alittle. There were not many trees near us with fruit that we cared for, except a cotton-tree; and I ate and ate, wondering why my mother couldhave been so stupid as to say its fruit was not safe. But all at once Ibegan to feel my eyes shutting; and to rouse myself I flew on toanother tree, where my companion soon joined me. Though it was broaddaylight, I was as sleepy as if it had been the dead of night; and Irecollect nothing more, till, on opening my eyes, I found myself in adark, dingy place, and heard strange noises--grunts coming from under myfeet, cries from every side; and then such a number of strange-lookingcreatures all about, and one quite different in colour from the othersstanding near where I was tied; for I soon found I was securely fastenedby the foot. "

"That was my uncle, " said Herbert; "and he told me how he had found youand your companion quite stupified with eating the cotton seeds; andthat was a Dyak log-house you were in. "

"When I recovered my senses, " said the cockatoo, "I had been taken onboard ship, and placed in a large wicker-cage. There were ever so manymore birds in the ship, but I did not see them then, and thought I wasquite alone. However, I had not been many hours in my cage when, to myhorror, a large monkey came and stared at me, putting his ugly hairyface so close to the cage, that it was all I could do to scream withfright. At first the men drove him away, but they were soon too busy topay any attention to my cries; and somehow I got to be less frightened, when I saw that he couldn't get near me, though he tried ever so hard. Round and round he went, tugging at the bars in vain; then he mounted onthe top, and peered at me through the openings, grinning in a very uglymanner. Now, I had always been considered a bold cockatoo, and anythingbut a coward; and so, when I saw his tail sticking between the bars, Iflew down to the bottom of the cage, and seizing it, gave it such abite that I nipped the piece quite out! Away he went, howling andyelling; but though he showed it to ever so many of the men, they saidit served him right for teasing me. 

[Illustration: THE COCKATOO'S REVENGE. 

_Page 50. _]

"It was, no doubt, very dull, but I was greatly cheered by the companyof a little girl, the daughter of one of the passengers. She used tocome down every morning, and chatter away to me about all sorts ofthings, not one of which I understood, except that she always called mePretty Cockatoo, as you do, Master Herbert. She knew, too, what I likedto eat, and would bring me almonds, and fruit, and sweet cake, and wouldstay chattering away to me while I ate them. Soon I began to weary forher coming, and would sit counting the hours, and forgetting my wrongs, while waiting for her to come again. I liked the almonds, of course;but I liked to see her face, and hear her kind voice, far more. And Ithink I was less sulky and unhappy during that time than I had been allmy life. It was the parting from her that upset me, and made me fallinto a gloomy and sulky state of mind. I well remember the last day wewere together. She came to me with a piece of cake she had saved for mefrom her own lunch; and I seemed somehow to understand what she wassaying. I felt at the time she was asking me to be a good bird; but nowthat I have known you, sir, so long, and am better acquainted with theEnglish language, I know she told me how much happier I should be if Iwere good. 'Oh fie, Cockatoo, ' I think I hear her saying, 'how naughtyof you to bite the captain's finger; you ought to be a good bird, sir, --and he is so kind to you, and all the birds aboard. ' It was allvery well for Miss Maud to speak of the captain being good; but I couldnot forget he had taken me from my home, and made me a prisoner. Ah, sir, you would not like to have your liberty taken from you; you wouldfeel it hard; and you would look upon the person who held you captive, however kind he was, as a foe instead of a friend. "

"And are you still longing for your freedom so much, Cockatoo?" saidHerbert, who could not bear the idea of any of his pets being unhappy. 

"Oh yes, sir, " said the poor cockatoo. "I often feel how delightful itwould be if I could get this ring off my foot and fly away to theshrubbery; and how I should rejoice to plunge in that little pond whereyou have your gold-fish. "

"Now, I should like to give you your heart's desire, Cockatoo; but if Iset you at liberty in this country you would die. We have no orange, lemon, or coffee trees in our garden; and though we have apples andpears in plenty, you could not stand the long cold nights. But I'll tellyou what I will do: if you will make a promise not to fly far, and toreturn to your cage when I call you, I shall let you free to fly aboutin the shrubbery; and you can bathe in the pond, if you do not harm thefish. "

"Oh, thank you, Master Herbert, " cried the cockatoo. "I'll come back ata moment's notice, --I really will. "

"Mee-a-ow, mew, " cried Polly, imitating the cry of a cat. "Beware ofMiss Puss. "

"You're right, Polly; that is very amiable of you, " said Herbert. "Now, here goes, Cockatoo, and I shall expect you to report yourself, asuncle might say, in an hour's time. " With that he opened the cage door, and with a glad scream away flew the cockatoo. 

"I don't know if I have done right or not, Polly, " said Herbert. "I hopehe will return, else my uncle will be very angry. He thought Cockatoowas the finest bird he had ever seen of the kind. Come now, Polly, youpromised to tell me your history after Cockatoo had told his. "

"Oh no, sir, I made no promise, " said Mrs. Polly, walking up and downthe perch very fast, turning at each end with a graceful and coquettishair. "After such a wonderful story as we have heard, it would quitespoil it to listen to such an old, humdrum affair as mine. "

[Illustration: FREEDOM FOR AN HOUR. 

_Page 56. _]

"Now, Polly, don't be cross, " said Herbert; "the fairy must have fanciedyou could tell a good thing, else she wouldn't have said what shedid. "

"Oh, she had no idea I could tell a story, " said Polly; "she only meantthat, considering my great age, I ought to be able to give you a word ofgood advice. She only said it out of politeness. "

"A fairy would be sure to know all about you, " said Herbert, "and wouldnever say what she didn't mean. "

"Ah, there's more than fairies do that, " said Polly, pausing to shakeher head. "I once knew a little boy who said to his cousin, 'Oh, I hopeyour mamma will let you come again on Saturday;' and then, when hiscousin was out of hearing, he turned and said, 'I hope he won't getleave to come, he's such a cross-patch. '"

"O Polly, what a sly rogue you are! I see I shall have to be carefulwhat I say before you, " said Herbert. 

"I hate deceit, " said Polly. "Ah, I knew a man who was well punished fora fine trick he played; and about a bird of my species, too. "

"Do tell it me, Polly, there's a dear, " said Herbert. 

"Well, I was once the favourite Polly of an old bird-stuffer, " said Mrs. Polly; "and great pains he took to teach me many songs and words of yourlanguage, and very proud he was when I managed to say them. He was sovery fond of me, that after I had gone to bed, with my head on my back, he would creep downstairs and repeat the words he had been dinning intomy ears all day; and just to get rid of him, more than to please him, Iused to say them correctly, and so off he would go to bed as pleased aspossible. One day a gentleman brought two birds to be stuffed, and Iheard him say they were trogons. Now, they are very rare birds; andafter the gentleman went away, my master exclaimed, 'I have long beenwanting a bird of this kind. I think I could manage to make one tomyself out of some of the feathers!'

"Now, the very night before, my master had come down with his rednight-cap on his head to teach me to say, 'Honesty is the best policy;'because he wanted me to call out to the servant-maid, 'Who stole thetea?' and finish off with the other as a warning. So I said under mybreath, but loud enough for him to hear, 'Honesty, sir, is thebest----;' and then screamed out, 'Who stole the----? Oh, fie forshame!'

"You should have seen how he started, Master Herbert; but he went onwith his wicked intentions, and actually kept back every third feather, making a bird to resemble a trogon out of them. When he tried to get meto say that about honesty, I never would do it again, but kept sayinginstead, 'Oh fie! Who stole the feathers?' And the more he wanted me tochange the word into tea or sugar, the more I cried 'feath--ers. ' He wasso angry with me about it that he sold me to an old lady, who took meaway in her carriage. "

"But where did you come from first of all, Polly?" said Herbert. "Wherewere you born?"

"I really cannot tell you, sir, " said Polly. "I have heard the oldbird-stuffer telling people I was a native of Western Africa, butwhether that was true or not I do not know. All I can recollect of myfirst home was sitting beside an old parrot like what I am myself now, who, I suppose, was my mother; and on looking round, I saw a strangeanimal glaring at me from the trunk of the tree behind. I fluttered andscreamed, but my mother did not seem to fancy there was any danger, till, all at once, she was pounced upon by the animal, and dragged away, and I never saw her more. Then I crept back into the nest, and layhalf-dead with fright, moaning and crying at times for very loneliness;but she never came. And even now, Master Herbert--would you believeit?--I keep thinking of that dreadful time, and I have to shriek out forsome relief to my feelings. You often ask me what I am crying for, butyou will know now. And you often wonder why I won't be friends with thecat, and try to bite her when I get a chance. Well, the animal thatstole my mother was so very like a cat, that I cannot help hatingeverything that looks like one. --But don't you think, sir, Mr. Cocky isstaying out beyond his time. I am not sure of him, sir. Remember, byhis own showing, he was an ill-behaved, ungrateful bird in his youth. "

"Yes; but, Polly, don't you think he has some good qualities too?" saidMaster Herbert. "I liked to hear him tell how he went to look for hismother, when the rest were running away, leaving her to her fate. Ireally think, if his brothers had been kinder to him he would have beenmore amiable. And papa often tells me that if he sees a boy kind to hismother, he is pretty sure to turn out a good man in the end. But tellme, Polly, how you got on after your mother left. "

"Well, sir, " continued Polly, "as I sat looking out of the nest in thetree, another parrot came and sat beside me, asking all sorts ofquestions as to where my mother had gone; and when I told him, he stayedand took care of me. I suppose he must have been my father. But before Iwas many months older, I was knocked down off the tree, just in thesame way as Cockatoo says his mother was knocked down, and I was putinto a cage and carried away along with ever so many birds. I'vescarcely any recollection of living out of a cage, sir, or off a perch, the time I stayed in my native woods being so short, and so very longago. "

"And how did you like the old lady, Polly?" inquired Herbert. 

"Oh, very well indeed, sir, " she replied. "I had plenty to eat anddrink, and a very fine brass cage to live in, and a servant to attend tomy wants along with the other birds my mistress had. I cannot say I wasever troubled with a restless disposition, --owing, I suppose, to myhaving been taken from my native land when I was so very young, --and Ialways felt very happy. My mistress took a great deal of notice of me, teaching me a great many things, and particularly songs. I used to singa verse of an old song called 'Crazie Jane, ' and another called 'TheMaid of Lodi, ' which used to be a great favourite with my mistress; andwhen I saw her coming in with some dainty bits from the dessert afterdinner, I used to dance about my perch, and cry out, --

 'I sing the Maid of Lodi, Who sweetly sung to me, '

which used to make her so happy, poor old lady. But I am sorry to say mysinging led me into some trouble. I used to be put in the kitchen atnight to benefit by the heat of the fire, and I used to be teased a gooddeal by the servants to sing. Now, it was past my usual bed-hour when Iwas taken to the kitchen, and as I always went to bed at sunset, I usedto be quite angry with them, and would say all sorts of impudent thingsinstead of singing. But, as they would then walk away with my dishes, and threaten to pour water on me if I didn't do what they said, indesperation I would sing my songs to get rid of them. One young woman, the lady's-maid, was particularly tormenting in this way; and when Tom, the footman, tried to teach me a new song, I could not help noticing shewas in a great fright. I pricked up my ears at once, and showed Tom Iwas all attention. In a very few days I could say it quite correctly, but no one knew of it except Tom. Seeing the lady's-maid preparing to goout one day, and dressed in her very finest clothes, I took theopportunity to ask her for a drink of water, my dish being empty; butshe was in a hurry, and cross at something, and instead of replyingcivilly, she made such an ugly face, and flapped her handkerchief at me. My mistress, who was going out too, had her back turned at the moment, else the maid had not dared to do such a thing. But I had not learned tobear insults quietly then, and was young and hot-headed, so, thirstingfor revenge, I screamed out what Tom had taught me:

 'How happy you shall be With your bold soldier boy!'

How frightened she did look, to be sure! Up she came to the cage, and inthe most coaxing voice said, 'Pretty Polly! would Polly like some freshbread and milk?--Oh, please, madam, wait till I get Polly some food! Herdish is quite empty, poor, dear bird!' and away she flew to fetch mesome. 

"'Why, what's Polly saying, Emma, about a soldier?' said my mistresssolemnly. 'Now, you know I abhor soldiers. '

 "'How happy you shall be! Come with me--you shall see Your bold soldier boy!'

I sang out again, dancing about my perch in great delight at themischief I was causing. 

"'Emma, what do I hear?' said my mistress. 'Have you still anything todo with that soldier, after what I said?'

"And now I began to feel sorry for poor Emma, who fell a-crying, andheld up her hands in despair or entreaty. Then I thought to myself, whatgood had my revenge done me? So hoping to help her out of thedifficulty, I called out, 'Tom, Tom, Tom! Come here, sir! Oh fie!'

"Tom was at the door waiting for our mistress, I knew; and being akind-hearted lad, he came in at once; and seeing Emma in tears, andhearing the story, told he had taught me the song, and she knew nothingabout it. Though my mistress said she was satisfied with Tom'sexplanation, she was still angry, and ordered poor Emma to take off herfinery and remain at home. After she was gone, Emma took my cage intothe garden, where I was often allowed to remain for hours. But I wasvery much surprised when she took me out and allowed me to sit on herhand, much to little Dido the Italian grayhound's indignation, for hewas always a jealous animal. I really believe she wanted me to fly awaythen and there. But, as I told you before, Master Herbert, I never wasof a restless turn, and had no ambition to leave my home. Seeing this, she gave me a great twist by the toes to put me back into the cage; butas she pinched me very hard, I tried, in self-defence, to bite her, andin the scuffle she broke a piece of my toe off, which has never grown onagain. But whenever I look at it I am reminded, if revenge is sweet, itdoesn't escape without something bitter too; and Miss Emma no doubt feltthe same, because I left my mark for ever upon her soft white arm. "

"Thank you, Polly, " said Herbert. "I see the fairy is right in sayingyou have many useful lessons to teach; but I must now go and see whatMr. Cockatoo is about. I do hope he hasn't flown away, for Uncle Jameswould never forgive me for letting him off, he thinks so much of hisbeautiful plumage. "

Herbert had a good hunt all over the grounds for the cockatoo, and wasjust going to give him up, when, as he approached the summer-house, heheard him chattering, and trying to say, "Pretty Cockatoo. "

"Oh, you're there, are you?" said Herbert. "It's past the time I allowedyou to stay out, so come along, old fellow, --a bargain's a bargain. "

"Just one more flight, sir, " said the cockatoo. "My wings are so stiff, I've only taken a very few. "

Herbert having consented, away flew the cockatoo down on to the path;but at that moment a huge cat, which lived outside, and which had alively young family of five kittens, under the summer-house, saw thebird and made a pounce at him, catching him by the feathers of his tail. Fortunately Herbert saw what had happened, and before the cockatoo hadtime to scream, he had pitched his cap at Mrs. Puss, and then drove heraway with the branch of a tree lying near. Mr. Cockatoo was shaking withfright, and was thankful to find himself inside his cage once more, with the door securely shut. For some time after, when Herbert urged himto take a little exercise, he refused, saying that he agreed with Mrs. Polly in thinking that, as they were now in a foreign country, flyingabout did not seem to suit his health, and that there were worse placesthan his cage. 

Some days after, Herbert's cousins came to pay him a visit; and asMinnie was recovering from a severe illness, the sofa was taken out ofdoors, and placed under the spreading branches of an oak-tree. There shelay, enjoying the fresh cool air that wafted along under the branches;while Herbert read aloud her last new book to her and her sister Grace. Polly, who had taken a great fancy to Minnie, had requested Herbert toplace her perch close to them; for, though she liked to be out of doors, her terror of cats was so great, that unless she was closely guardedshe preferred to remain in her cage. It was a book on natural historyHerbert was reading from. In the midst of a dry description of thehabits of the humming-bird, he suddenly broke out with----

 "'The humming-bird! the humming-bird! So fairy-like and bright It lives among the sunny flowers, -- A creature of delight!

 "'In the radiant islands of the East, Where fragrant spices grow, A thousand thousand humming-birds Are glancing to and fro!'"

"Oh! how beautiful they must be!" exclaimed Herbert, pausing in thereading. "How delightful it must be to visit foreign countries! Onlythink of 'a thousand thousand humming-birds!'"

[Illustration: HERBERT AND HIS COUSINS. 

_Page 74. _]

"Do you know, " said Grace, "when I was a little thing, I used to lieawake at night and think of all the different animals and birds andfishes there are in the world, till I declare I got so frightened Iused to scream out. Nurse used to call it the nightmare; but it was nosuch thing. I wish I could have thought of only the humming-birds--itwould have been lovely. "

"Cheer up, Sam!" sung Mrs. Polly from her perch, in a very patheticvoice, which set the children laughing heartily; for somehow, as Minniesaid, Polly always knew how to bring in her wise sayings just when theywere wanted, --and there was no doubt she was the very cleverest parrotthat ever lived. 

It was during the visit his cousins paid Herbert, that the great macawarrived from Uncle James; and Herbert was delighted to find he was not awild specimen, as he had supposed, but quite an educated one. Theycalled him the "Great Mogul;" but though he was tamed, he had learnedso many bad words from the sailors, that Herbert thought it would bebetter to keep him separate from Mrs. Polly and the cockatoo till he hadforgotten them. He was a very greedy bird, and ate so fast that he wasconstantly dropping the best parts in his hurry to get some more. Dash, a little terrier belonging to Herbert's cousins, was not long in findingthis out; and whenever he saw the boys feeding the parrots, off he wouldgo and seat himself at the foot of the perch. He used to sit up and begall the time, and evidently thought the pieces were thrown down to himout of pure good-nature; for he was always exceedingly polite to theparrots, and when he heard them shrieking at sight of the cats, wouldbark and drive them away. 

[Illustration: THE "GREAT MOGUL. "

_Page 78. _]

"I can't say I admire the appearance of the 'Great Mogul, '" saidCharley laughing; "he has such ugly bare cheeks. "

"Oh! but look at his beautiful tail; and could anything be morebeautiful than those scarlet feathers?--and see to his blue wings! Idon't wonder he is considered the most magnificent of the parrot tribe. "

"It is certainly a very beautiful bird, " said Charley; "but I've readsomewhere about it looking like a richly-liveried footman, and whoeversaid so was not far wrong. "

Dash had slipped away when he found there were no more pieces to be gotfrom the macaw; and when Herbert and Charley went into the room whereMrs. Polly and the cockatoo stayed, there they found him, sitting at thefoot of Cockatoo's perch begging for a dainty morsel. The cockatoo waschattering away to him; but had Dash only known all the severe names hewas being called, he would scarcely have sat there so calmly. Polly, however, who had a greater command of the English language, was doingher best to restrain his greedy disposition. "Oh fie, sir!" she keptsaying. "Greedy Dick!--Who stole the sugar?--Leave the room thismoment!--Oh fie, sir!"

Dash did lay back his ears and look round, a good deal ashamed ofhimself; but he could not tear himself away so long as the cockatoo heldthat tempting morsel. The greedy dog knew that both the cockatoo andPolly never held anything long, and that if he only had patience hewould get it in the end. Polly was calling out for the twentiethtime--"Leave the room, sir!--Greedy Dick!--Oh fie! fie!" when Herbertand Charley entered. 

"Why, what's the matter, Polly?" said Herbert. "It's not a good thing tolose your temper in that way. Come, tell us who this greedy Dick is, that you are always sending out of the room. "

Charley was always delighted to be with Herbert when he fed the parrots;for though he did not understand their language, as Herbert did, hiscousin acted as interpreter, and some of the stories were really veryentertaining. The other children were often there too; and over and overagain they vowed to be kind to all living creatures, in the hope thatthey too would be allowed to understand the language of the birds. 

"Yes, sir; I shall be most happy to tell you about greedy Dick, " saidPolly. "But I should like to see the new parrot. Cockatoo there says heis so beautiful that we are thrown quite into the shade, and he hasbeen mourning ever since. "

"Well, at present I really cannot let you see him, " said Herbert. "Hesays such naughty words, that I am forced to keep him in a room byhimself; but if you like, I can show you a picture of him, or of somebirds like him in their native woods. " Here Herbert ran off for his bookon natural history; and while he was gone, Polly entertained Charley aswell as she could till Herbert's return. Polly admired the picture verymuch; but said, though his plumage was very fine, no doubt, she did notlike the expression of his face--though she dared say it was not a goodlikeness. She said this out of civility, but all the time she thoughtthe "Great Mogul" a most unlovable-looking bird, and she was very gladto find herself a gray parrot instead. 

"And now, Polly, since I have shown you the picture, " said Herbert, "tell us about greedy Dick. "

"It is a sad story, Master Herbert, " said Polly, shaking her head andmoving about her perch very slowly. "Oh dear!--oh dear!" she continuedin English; "I'm really quite--oh fie! fie!" Then in her own languageshe went on to say: "Dick came to stay with a lady I had the pleasure ofresiding with, after I left my old friend who had the maid. I was reallya fine-looking bird at that time;" and here Polly flounced out herfeathers coquettishly, as if she were still a young bird. "I did likeliving there; no servants ever were allowed to wait upon me, for theyoung ladies of the house were so fond of me they fed me with their ownfair hands. Dick was their nephew, and a nice-looking boy, --clever, too, --very; but he had one bad habit that grieved his aunts very much. At all his meals he would keep stuffing and stuffing himself, just likea little pig feeding for market. He always chose the daintiest dishes, and would look so ill-natured if any of his aunts happened to say, 'Why, Dick, you will die of apoplexy; you have been helped to that puddingthree times. '

"He never knew when to stop, and oh dear! though he was a good-lookingboy enough, how ugly he did look when he was eating! His Aunt Mary, andmy favourite mistress, used to say so often, 'Greedy Dick, ' that I verysoon picked up the words; and when I saw him slipping into the press tosteal the sugar, I would call out--'Oh fie! fie!--who stole the sugar?'His aunts used to tell him that even a bird had more sense, and used tobeg him to take an example from me; for I did not gobble up everythingI got at once, but put it in my tin dish till I was hungry. Ah! MasterDick knew that very well indeed; and many a time had he slipped up andstolen my piece of sweet-cake, or other dainty. 

"One day his Aunt Mary came to my perch and said, 'Come now, Polly; youshall have this nice piece of sugar if you will say 'Pretty Mary. ' I hadtried hard for ever so long to say it, but somehow my tongue would nottwist out the exact words. But I was not pleased with Miss Mary forasking me to say it for a bribe; she ought to have known me better, Ithought, and I sat quite silent, determined not even to say 'PrettyPolly. '

"'Oh now, Polly, that is naughty!' she said, seeing my sulky looks. 'Well, you shall have it if you take it out of my mouth. '

"Of course I could not object to that, " said Polly with a laugh; "So Istepped on to her finger as desired, and took the bit of sugar from herpretty red lips, and put it into my tin dish. Then, to show her I wasgrateful for her kindness, I cried out, 'Mary! pretty Mary!' and she wasso pleased, she wanted me to have another piece of sugar as a reward;but I would not have it. No; I made my little speeches for love, and notfor sugar. 

"When I was sitting quietly thinking of things in general, and mymistress in particular, Master Dick, who had been sitting at the windowall the time, and saw what his aunt had given me, and where I had putit, came stealthily across the lawn; and putting up his hand took holdof my piece of sugar. 

[Illustration: PRETTY MARY. 

_Page 88. _]

"Now, I had determined in my own mind I would punish him the very firstopportunity; so I flew upon him in a moment; and catching hold of thesleeve of his coat, held it fast with my claws. He tried to shake meoff, but I flew on to his head before he could get away; and I do notknow who screamed the loudest. Aunt Mary and one or two of the servantscame running out; but though they tried to get me on to my perch, I keptcalling, 'Who stole the sugar? Oh fie! greedy Dick!'

"The boy had been so frightened that he forgot to drop the sugar; and onhis aunt opening his hand, there it was, safe enough. She had seen himfrom her room window take it out of my dish; and when I at last allowedher to lift me on to my perch, she gave Master Dick such a beating thathe did not steal my sugar any more. --But, Master Herbert, there issomething the matter with the cockatoo, " said Polly; "I hear him sayingsome angry words to somebody in the garden. "

On looking out of the window, Herbert saw his cousin Grace standing witha young visitor before the cockatoo's perch. Jane, the visitor, wascalling him "Ugly Cocky! bad Cocky! ugly Cockatoo!" and telling him thatall the nice things would be given to the pussy cat, and everythingdisagreeable to him. She was doing this for no reason whatever, exceptthat she once heard her brother speaking to a parrot in this manner tosee it made angry; and poor Cockatoo, who always considered himself avery pretty bird, and had never been spoken to so unkindly before, wascertainly ruffled enough. 

"Pretty Cockatoo, " he said in reply, looking from Jane to Grace, whocould not bear to annoy the poor bird. 

"Oh, don't speak so, Jane, " said Grace; "Cockatoo is such an amiable, pretty bird! He has been so good-natured ever since we came; and Herbertsays he is trying to be contented, though of course he greatly prefersto live in his native woods, poor bird. "

"But how does Herbert know the cockatoo likes that?" said Jane. 

"Oh, because a fairy gave him permission to understand the language ofthe birds, " replied Grace; "and the cockatoo told him his wholehistory. "

"Oh dear! how funny!" said Jane. "I wonder if the fairy would give mepermission!"

"No, I don't think so, " said Grace; "people must be very kind to all theanimals, both great and small, else the fairy will not give them thatpower. But Herbert says, if we are very kind to the animals, evenalthough we do not understand their language exactly as he does, we willget to understand a different kind; and by the expression in their eye, and by their voice, will know when they are happy or sad. Now, youalways kill every insect and fly you see. "

"I really can't help killing them. I wonder why they were made at all, "said Jane. 

"But, Jane, do you never think how displeased God must be if you killeven a beetle?" said Grace. "I remember reading somewhere----

 'The poor beetle that we tread upon, In corporal sufferance finds a pang as great As when a giant dies. '"

"I can't help it, " said Jane; "I do hate beetles; and even if they dosuffer, I must kill them. "

By this time the two girls had come close to the place where Herbertand Charley were, and they heard what Jane said quite plainly. Herbertwas about to express his indignation, when Polly called out, "I'mshocked! leave the room! murder! oh dear! oh fie!"

"You may well say so, Polly, " said Herbert. "I cannot understand how anyone can kill one of God's creatures--more especially a girl. "

That afternoon, when the children were busily engaged playing at blowingsoap bubbles, Jane stole out into the garden, and crossed over to wherePolly was sitting among the bushes. Of late Mrs. Polly had ratherenjoyed being set at liberty, and, with Cockatoo, would sometimes defythe cat and her kittens. Coming up to her now, Jane began to tell Pollyshe never meant to kill an animal or an insect again; and that she meantto strive very hard, in the hope that the good fairy would let herunderstand the language of the birds. 

Herbert, who had been playing as busily as any of his cousins, began tonotice that the cockatoo was a good deal afraid of the airy soapbubbles--especially when they lighted on his back--and so he took himoff his perch as quietly as possible, not to disturb the game, andcarried him away, to place him beside Mrs. Polly. By this means he hadoverheard Jane's speech. 

"I am very glad to hear you say so, " he said. "I am sure if you wouldonly take the trouble to examine a little more closely the insects youare so fond of killing, you would be surprised at their beauty. I willlend you my book, if you like. I really cannot understand why boys andgirls take such little interest in natural history. Speaking offairies, you will read of them there in the shape of thebutterflies--what can be more fairy-like?--and I will tell you whatmamma often says: if we only knew what pleasure we could draw fromcommon objects around us, rainy days would be less dreary, and we shouldhave happier hearts and more contented minds. "

"I feel you are right there, Master Herbert, " said the cockatoo. "I havefelt twice as happy since Mrs. Polly persuaded me to make the most of mypresent condition; and I ought to have known it by experience--havingbrought all my troubles upon myself by cherishing a discontentedspirit. "

"Ah, children, children, " said Mrs. Polly, with a wise shake of herhead, "when you come to look back upon life from as long a pilgrimage, you will see that the busier you are, and the more good you do, therewill be less inclination to be discontented. And with such a beautifulworld around you, and so much to learn about it, and the wise lessons itcan teach, who would be anything but contented?--But I am keeping youfrom your companions, Master Herbert, so I must wish you good-day, sir. Good-day, miss, " said Polly in English; "I'll now take a nap;" and withthat she laid her head on her back, and went off to sleep. 

As Cockatoo followed her example, Herbert knew by experience no morecould be got out of them; and with a united "Good-bye, dear old Polly!Good-bye, Cockatoo!" Herbert and Jane returned to the house and weresoon sending a whole fleet of soap-bells up into the sunshine. 

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GREAT SHIPWRECKS. A Record of Perils and Disasters at Sea--1544-1877. With 58 fine Engravings. Crown 8vo, cloth. Price 5s. 

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ON THE NILE. A Story of Family Travel and Adventure in the Land ofEgypt. By SARA K. HUNT. With Sixteen Engravings. Post 8vo, cloth extra. Price 3s. 

ROUND THE WORLD. A Story of Travel compiled from the Narrative of IdaPfeiffer. By D. MURRAY SMITH. With Thirty-six Engravings. Post 8vo, cloth. Price 2s. 

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THE AMAZON AND ITS WONDERS. With Illustrations of Animal and VegetableLife in the Amazonian Forest. With Twenty-six Full-page Engravings. Post8vo, cloth extra. Price 2s. 

IN THE FAR EAST. A Narrative of Exploration and Adventure inCochin-China, Cambodia, Laos, and Siam. With Twenty-eight Full-pageEngravings. Post 8vo, cloth extra. Price 2s. 

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TEMPERANCE TALES. 

_FIRST PRIZE TEMPERANCE TALE, 1879. _

SOUGHT AND SAVED. A Tale By Miss M. A. PAULL, Author of "Tim's Troubles;or, Tried and True, " "The Vivians of Woodiford, " &c. With SixEngravings. Post 8vo, cloth extra. Price 3s. 6d. 

To this Tale was awarded the FIRST PRIZE (£100) offered by the UnitedKingdom Band of Hope Union. 

_SECOND PRIZE TEMPERANCE TALE, 1879. _

LIONEL FRANKLIN'S VICTORY. By E. VAN SOMMER. With Six Engravings. Post8vo, cloth extra. Price 3s. 6d. 

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FRANK OLDFIELD; or, Lost and Found. By the Rev. T. P. WILSON, M. A. WithFive Engravings. Post 8vo, cloth. Price 3s. 6d. 

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LIVES MADE SUBLIME BY FAITH AND WORKS. By the Rev. ROBERT STEEL. D. D. , Author of "Doing Good, " &c. Post 8vo, cloth. Price 2s. 6d. 

DOING GOOD; or, The Christian in Walks of Usefulness. Illustrated byExamples. By the Rev. ROBERT STEEL, D. D. Post 8vo, cloth extra. Giltedges. Price 3s. 6d. 

WILLING HEARTS AND READY HANDS; or, The Labours and Triumphs of EarnestWomen. By JOSEPH JOHNSON. Post 8vo, cloth extra. Price 3s. 6d. 

THE THRESHOLD OF LIFE. A Book of Illustrations and Lessons for theEncouragement and Counsel of Youth. By W. H. DAVENPORT ADAMS. With SixEngravings. Post 8vo, cloth. Price 2s. 6d. 

SEED-TIME AND HARVEST; or, Sow Well and Reap Well. A Book for the Young. By the late Rev. W. K. TWEEDIE, D. D. Post 8vo, cloth. Price 2s. 6d. 

SUCCESS IN LIFE. A Book for Young Men. Post 8vo, cloth extra. Price 3s. 

THE BOY MAKES THE MAN. A Book of Example and Encouragement for Boys. With Coloured Frontispiece, and numerous Engravings. Royal 18mo, cloth. Price 1s. 6d. 

 * * * * *

STORIES OF NOBLE LIVES. 

EACH WITH COLOURED FRONTISPIECE. 

_Royal 18mo, cloth. Price 1s. _

STORY OF AUDUBON, the Naturalist. 

STORY OF HOWARD, the Philanthropist. 

STORY OF PALISSY, the Potter. 

STORY OF JOHN SMEATON and the Eddystone Lighthouse. 

STORY OF DR. SCORESBY, the Arctic Navigator. 

STORY OF CYRUS FIELD, the Projector of the Atlantic Cable. 

STORY OF BENVENUTO CELLINI, the Italian Goldsmith. 

STORY OF SIR HUMPHREY DAVY and the Invention of the Safety Lamp. 

STORY OF GALILEO, the Astronomer of Pisa. 

STORY OF THE HERSCHELS. 

STORY OF THE STEPHENSONS, Father and Son. 

STORY OF SAMUEL BUDGETT, the Successful Merchant. 

T. NELSON AND SONS, LONDON, EDINBURGH, AND NEW YORK.