My Harry is not quite so good
At dinner as I wish;
He sometimes is a dainty boy,
Unless he likes the dish.
He, sometimes says he does not like
His pudding and his meat,
If, on the sideboard he can see
A pie or custard sweet.
But mother does not choose her boy
Should follow ways like these;
And if his plate he does not clean,
He has no pie nor cheese.
Mamma knows that, whate'er she gives
Her boy, is always good;
And she is never pleas'd to hear
Remarks about his food.
How many a half-starv'd little boy
Has nought whereon to feed!
While happy Henry, day by day,
Has all that he can need.
NOTE. What a privilege those children enjoy who are allowed to take
their meals with their parents! Many children are really brought up
in habits of daintiness and gluttony, through the mistaken kindness
of nurses, who are not aware that they are laying the foundation for
future misery. And who is more miserable than the epicure? surrounded
by the blessings of a bountiful Giver,--and yet dissatisfied with
_all_! Surely poverty, with thankfulness, is not half so wretched a
condition!
[Illustration: Nurse telling Harry a tale, about catching flies.
_pa 27._]
[Illustration: The girl who hurt herself with the table.
_pa 30._]