EVENINGS AT HOME. INTRODUCTION. THE mansion-house of the pleasant village of Beechgrove was inhabited by the family of FAIRBORNE, consisting of the master and mistress, and a numerous progeny of children, boys and girls. Of these, some were educated at home under their parents' care, and some were sent out to school. The house was seldom unprovided with visitors, the intimate friends or relations of the owners, who were entertained with cheerfulness and hospitality, free from ceremony and parade. They formed, during their stay, part of the family, and were ready to concur with Mr. and Mrs. Fairborne in any little domestic plan for varying their amusements, and particularly for promoting the instruction and entertainment of the younger part of the household. As some of them were accustomed to writing, they would frequently produce a fable, a story, or dialogue, adapted to the age and understanding of the young people. It was always considered as a high favour when they would so employ themselves; and when the picces had been once read over, they were carefully deposited by Mrs. Fairborne in a box, of which she kept the key. None of these were allowed to be taken out again till all the children were assembled in the holidays. It was then made one of the evening amusements of the family to rummage the budget, as their phrase was. One of the youngest children was sent to the box, who, putting in its little hand, drew out the paper that came next, and brought it into the parlour. This was then read distinctly by one of the older ones; and after it had undergone sufficient consideration, another little messenger was de spatched for a fresh supply; and so on, till as much time had been spent in this manner as the parents thought proper. Other children were admitted to these readings; and as the Budget of Beechgrove Hall became somewhat celebrated in the neighbourhood, its proprietors were at length urged to lay it open to the public. They were induced to comply; and thus, without further preface, begins the FIRST EVENING. THE YOUNG MOUSE. A Fable. A YOUNG Mouse lived in a cupboard where sweetmeats were kept: she dined every day upon biscuit, marmalade, or fine sugar. Never any little Mouse had lived so well. She had often ventured to peep at the family while they sat at supper; nay, she had sometimes stolen down on the carpet, and picked up the crumbs, and nobody had ever hurt her. She would have been quite happy, but that she was sometimes frightened by the cat, and then she ran trembling to the hole behind the wainscot. One day she came running to her mother in great joy, "Mother!" said she, "the good people of this family have built me a house to live in; it is in the cupboard: I am sure it is for me, for it is just big enough; the bottom is of wood, and it is covered all over with wires; and I dare say they have made it on purpose to screen me from that terrible cat, which has run after me so often: there is an entrance just big enough for me, but puss cannot follow; and they have been so good as to put in some toasted cheese, which smells so deliciously, that I should have run in directly and taken possession of my new house, but I thought I would tell you first, that we might go in together, and both lodge there tonight, for it will hold us both." My dear child," said the old Mouse, "it is most happy that you did not go in, for this house is called a trap, and you would never have come out again, except to be devoured, or put to death in some way or other. Though man has not so fierce a look as a cat, he is as much our enemy, and has still more cunning." THE WASP AND THE BEE. A Fable. A. WASP met a Bee, and said to him, "Pray can you tell me what is the reason that men are so illnatured to me, while they are so fond of you? We are very much alike, only that the broad golden rings about my body make me much handsomer than you are: we are both winged insects, we both love honey, and we both sting people when we are angry; yet meu always hate me, and try to kill me, though I am much more familiar with them than you are, and pay them visits in their houses, and at their tea-tables, and at all their meals: while you are very shy, and hardly ever come near them: yet they build you curious houses thatched with straw, and take care of and feed you in the winter very often. I wonder what is the reason." The Bee said, "Because you never do them any good, but, on the contrary, are very troublesome and mischievous; therefore they do not like to see you; but they know that I am busy all day long in making them honey. You had better pay them fewer visits, and try to be useful." |