Produced by Al Haines
[Frontispiece: Queen Victoria raising Lord Rolle. p. 102]
PICTURES
FROM
ENGLISH HISTORY.
A Fireside Amusement
WITH ENGRAVINGS.
BATH:
BINNS AND GOODWIN.
LONDON: WHITTAKER & CO., AVE MARIA LANE.
EDINBURGH: JOHNSTONE. DUBLIN: CURRY.
1846.
BATH: PRINTED BY BINNS AND GOODWIN.
PREFACE.
While there are so many pleasant ways of instructing the youth of the
present day, it may perhaps appear presumption to add this work to the
number. But those who have watched the expansion of a child's mind may
have seen, that the idea of improvement is too frequently combined with
that of a task; and where instruction can be conveyed in a lighter
form, it is more pleasantly and permanently impressed. With a little
attention from their elders, many branches of education may be made
attractive to children; and it is hoped, that this small volume, if it
should not succeed in imprinting some few incidents of English History
on the memory of the children, may suggest to the parents the
possibility of lessening the weariness of study.
PICTURES FROM ENGLISH HISTORY.
A Fireside Amusement.
CHAPTER I.
Little boys and girls--aye, and their elders also--often feel the hours
very long and heavy. The latter have many causes for this feeling; but
the former had better take my advice, and directly seek for some
employment, which will, I promise, cure their complaint. They may have
a kind mama or friend to assist them; and there are many more ways of
amusing themselves than they think of. Let them listen to me, and I
will tell them of a game which often entertained some young friends of
mine, and was one of their plans for passing idle moments.
It was early in January that Mrs. Macdonald was quietly sitting with
her sister, who had not long arrived from India. It was very cold; the
shutters had been shut, the curtains drawn earlier than usual, and the
ladies had made a cheerful fire to greet Mr. Macdonald on his return
from his daily occupation. After so long a separation they had much to
talk of, and preferred the bright blaze to the light of the lamp.
At the top of the house a very different scene was passing. Mrs.
Macdonald's children and their four cousins had romped until they were
tired, and were now silly enough to complain of being obliged to stop,
and did not know what to do next; the elder children had good-naturedly
joined in their games, and were too weary to tell stories, or continue
their exertions in their behalf. The nurse had insisted on their not
crowding too close to the fire, to which she maintained the baby and
the tea-kettle had the best right. Little Alfred had asserted he was
tired of his life, and his little cousins began crying with cold to
which they were so unaccustomed, when the former started to his feet,
expressing his determination that he would go to mama, who he was sure
had candles, and would shew them the new puzzles papa gave them at
Christmas. It was in vain to try and stop him, or to remind him that
it was some time before the usual hour of going into the drawing room:
the nursery was quite out of favour, and little feet hurrying down
stairs, soon interrupted the ladies' conversation.
Alfred was the first to enter, and was quite disappointed at finding
the lamp had not been brought in; the chilly little natives of India
crowded to the fender, and all contrived to secure a piece of the warm
hearthrug, or a footstool. Alfred, to compensate for his troubles,
seated himself on his mama's lap, and presently assured the circle,
that he "would give the whole world, if papa would come home."
"You are a silly little boy, Alfred," replied his mama; "if it were
possible for you to possess the world, you would soon gladly relinquish
it to any one who would take it from you. You had better learn to know
more of the earth, its inhabitants, and their customs, before you
undertake such a weighty charge."
All laughed at poor Alfred, until his aunt silenced them, and declared
that she thought his remark might lead to much pleasant instruction;
she felt sure that many of the party knew but little of the globe on
which they lived; "suppose we talk on the subjects of which you are so
ignorant, instead of the stories we generally relate."
Some murmured approbation; but one or two confessed they thought it
would be rather like a lesson, and that their governess had that
morning given them a long lecture on geography. Alfred boldly asserted
that he did not like such subjects, and that he was very glad the next
day's task would be history. "I long to see," he added, "what becomes
of poor Charles I. I left him in prison; mama, will you tell me if he
was ever made a king again?"
"I must say," answered his mother, "that you are not as grateful for
your aunt's suggestion as I could wish. I am sure had you listened we
might have made our accounts of different lands so interesting, that
you would have found it very different from a task; but I will humour
you, and this evening's amusement shall be historical. If I tell
stories of former days, I shall find it difficult to suit them to your
different ages; I therefore propose that all who can, shall join me in
describing scenes from English history, of which you each know
something. Those who listen must guess the subjects, and may be
allowed to ask questions."
"We think we understand you, mama," exclaimed the children; "and if you
will begin, we shall soon be able to join."
Mrs. Macdonald willingly consented; and after a few minutes, described
the following circumstance:--"You must picture to yourselves the coast
of a shore, where it was rather flat, and easy to land. It was crowded
with a vast multitude dressed in skins, and painted with a blue dye:
formidable cars, with sharp scythes fixed to the wheels, were ready to
attack the enemy, who approached in large vessels, the construction of
which showed more skill than the wicker boats, covered with skin, made
by the people on the land. The ships were close to the shore, but none
dared to leave them, until a standard bearer jumped into the water to
encourage his comrades, who, following him, soon defeated the natives."
"Do let us have the date told us," begged Mary Macdonald.
"I have made my first picture so easy, that I should scarcely have
thought this necessary: however, I will tell you: it was 53 years
before Christ."
"Did the conquerors leave the poor savages, and return the following
year?"
"Yes; and they found it so difficult to subdue them, that the
enterprise was at last abandoned."
"Then, mama, I know to what you refer."
The answer was pronounced correct; and whilst Mrs. Arabin was
considering what incident to relate, the last was discussed.
"Mama," said Alfred, "do you know that I think the people were very
dirty to paint themselves."
"It was their idea of ornament; in these days it is difficult to
imagine the unenlightened state of their minds. The blue dye which
they used was extracted from a plant called woad."
"I think I remember," remarked one of the little ones, "that the
conquerors came to Britain from Gaul;--but I see my aunt is ready."
"My history is a sad instance of the cruelty often attending war; the
scene is laid in a public street of a magnificent city, adorned with
massive buildings, laurel-crowned statues, and fine bridges over a
noble river. Crowds of spectators are watching a procession, the
principal figures of which are a royal prisoner, with his wife and two
daughters, led in chains: the man's face bespeaks lofty indignation."
This at first puzzled the young people; but when they heard he made
such a moving appeal for liberty, that his chains were struck off, the
mystery was solved.
Annie had already prepared a sketch, and now begged for her turn. "I
wish to show you," she commenced, "a woman with more the appearance of
a warrior than a female, in her tent on the field of battle, surrounded
by her children; she has put a cup of deadly poison to her lips, and
now presents it to her young son: his firmness masters the weakness of
his years, and he also takes a long-deep draught."
"Mama, help us to guess," was heard on all sides, but the young ones
were desired first to exercise their own memories. All the cases of
poisoning they had ever heard of were mentioned, but at last a hint
from the relator assisted them, and the right answer was given.
Mrs. Macdonald now took the turn of one of her little nieces, and
described to them a fact which had taken place some time after that
just related. "A king and his courtiers are listening attentively to a
holy man, who had come to their country to preach Christianity; the
minds of the court had before been in darkness, but the earnestness of
his auditors prophesied that they were now inclined to listen to his
persuasions."
This was pronounced very difficult; many guesses were given, some
fancying that it must be intended for Henry VIII. and Cranmer, but they
were told that it was a much earlier date, and not later than A.D. 600.
This information, after a short pause, made the true circumstance to be
remembered, and the next description was of an encampment. In one of
the tents the inmates are absorbed by a harper, who had sought the
principal tent, and was so completely captivating them by his musical
talents, that they seemed to forget both their situation and military
duties.
"Did he receive money, and bury it?" was quickly asked.
"No, it was not Prince Anlaff, although you are right in fixing on a
Danish camp."
The hero was such a favorite with the little historians that they soon
found the right name, and Alfred reminded them that the same person
invented lanterns, and proceeded to relate a story from their nice
book, called "Evenings at Home," where he was represented baking cakes;
the little boy was so pleased at the opportunity of talking, that he
felt quite annoyed when the nurse came to tell them their tea was
ready. The clock was examined to show that there had been no mistake
in the time; an hour had passed so quickly, that some suspected it was
not yet six.
"I wished so much for papa to come home," remonstrated Alfred; "he
generally comes back long before our tea-time; I am certain it cannot
be so late."
"You have, my dear boy," replied his aunt, "learnt that discontent may
be cured by occupation: had you observed your mother, you would have
seen by her constant glances at her watch, that she has long expected
your father. I now hear his step in the hall; run and kiss him, and
then go with nurse, as you have already kept her waiting some time."
Before this injunction was obeyed, they solicited a promise that they
might come down the next evening at the same time, and play at the same
game. This was readily granted, and they ran up stairs much happier
than they had come down.
1. Invasion of Britain by Julius Caesar. B.C. 55.
2. Caractacus led prisoner through Rome. A.D. 43.
3. Boadicea. A.D. 43.
4. St. Augustine preaching to Ethelbert. A.D. 600.
5. Alfred in the Danish camp. A.D. 880.