Lover of children

“ Beautiful as is the plumage of the foreign birds, I give the preference to our own. Who that ever heard the exquisite note of the plain brown Nightingale would regret its want of brilliant plumage? What can equal the melodious tones of the Robin, the mellow note of the Linnet, the sweet call of the Blackbird, and numerous others whose daily song seems to arise in grateful thankfulness to the throne of the Creator. ”

“ When viewed sideways, the feathers appear mixed with gold, and beneath of a dull garnet colour. This beautiful little bird is as admirable for its vast swiftness in the air, and its manner of feeding, as for the elegance and brilliancy of its colours. Lightning is scarcely more transient than its flight, nor the glare more vivid than its colours. ”

“ Nothing can equal the perfection to which this species of mechanism is now carried. I have half a mind, Theodore, to treat you to a watch, for you have deserved one by your attention to your studies, and our poor watch-maker looks so woe begone, that I fear he has not sold one to-day. ”

“ You all know what is the province of a dress maker, therefore it requires no explanation."
"I am in want of some hair-brushes," said Mrs. Durnford, "therefore if you please we must stop a few minutes at the
BRUSH MAKER'S."
Brush Maker
[Pg 135]
"That gentleman seems afraid of taking the nap off his coat, papa," said Theodore, smilingly. "Did you not tell me that brushes were made of hog's bristles?"
"Yes, and we import them from Russia in vast quantities. There is a great art in brush making, for if not done by a good workman, the bristles will fall out, before the brush is half worn out." ”

“ Even in England, the gentlemen feel the comforts of fur on their great coats, and the ladies enjoy the benefit of their muffs and tippets, although our winter is not to be compared with that of other countries."
"Mamma! mamma!" cried Caroline, "there is the very same old lady looking at that beautiful crape dress, at the
DRESS MAKER'S,
Dress Maker
who was trying on the large straw hat with such a profusion of feathers and flowers." ”

“ Old age of itself is respectable, and calls for the attention and veneration of youth, but when it apes the dress and follies of the latter, it only excites the sneer of contempt, and the laugh of ridicule. ”

“ It is a singular thing that the Romans, who in consequence of their extensive conquests, became the most luxurious people on earth, never discovered the art of making linen from flax, or hemp, which is a coarser plant of the same kind. ”

“ Durnford, "but we have improved upon them, although our climate is not sufficiently warm to bring them to that perfection, which is the boast of the Southern nations. The pineapple, which you know is a most delicious fruit, comes from the West Indies, but we have excellent pineries in England, as well as fine melons. They also are natives of both the Indies. Our finest pears are from France, oranges, nuts, almonds, [Pg 149] olives, grapes, chestnuts, pomegranates, lemons, and prunes, all come from the South of Europe. Oranges originally came from China. ”

“ Let us look at some white silk.—Silk you know is imported from Italy, it is produced by a worm which feeds on the leaves of the mulberry-tree. Cotton is imported from Asia, of which we make our fine cotton stockings. The wool of sheep supplies us with worsted stockings, the chief wear of the working classes of men, and the skins of animals give us that necessary finish to our dress, gloves. The best and handsomest of this latter article are made in France, but are prohibited from being sold in England, that they may not injure our own manufactures. ”

“ Durnford, "there are too seasons for pearl fishing. The first is in March and April, and the last in August and September, and the more rain there falls in the year, the more plentiful are the fisheries. The method of procuring the pearls is rather singular. The diver binds a stone six inches thick, and a foot long under his body; which serves him as ballast, prevents his being driven away by the motion of the water, and enables him to walk steadily under the waves. ”

“ Durnford, "the imitative arts of sculpture and painting, made an early appearance in Greece. Statuary, a more simple imitation than painting, was soonest brought to perfection: the statues of Jupiter by Phidias, and of Juno by Polycletes, were executed long before the art of light and shade was known. [Pg 156] Another cause likewise concurred to advance statuary before painting, namely, the great demand for statues of the gods. In all countries where the people are barbarous and illiterate, the progress of the arts is extremely slow. Fine arts are also precarious ”

“ Durnford, "are made of various materials, such as satin, silk, stuff, kid, Spanish leather, seal skin, and morocco. The latter comes from a place in Africa of that name, but we imitate it ourselves, and not badly. The hide of cattle serves for the soles. The silk you know is the produce of the Southern climates, and comes from the silk worm. Vast quantities of raw silk are imported here from Italy and different parts, as well as velvet, of which again we have an imitation. ”

“ Durnford, "and I mean to reward each of you according to the knowledge which you display during our visit to the Bazaar. Flax grows in many parts of England, and still more in Scotland and Ireland. When fit to gather, it is taken by the flax dressers, who pass it through water, strip the slender stalks of the rind; and then it becomes fit to split, and again undergoes a process to prepare it for the wheel. It is then spun into thread, more or less fine according to the purpose it is intended for. The very finest is as minute as the smallest hair, and is used by the lace makers. ”

“ You understand, my children, that our imitations of foreign manufactures come considerably lower than those which we import. Shoe making has also become one of the amusements of the [Pg 92] fashionable world, but it gives me infinite pleasure to know that your mother has never adopted this fashion, which, like many others must tend to injure the interests of the industrious tradesman. ”

“ From this period, printing made a rapid progress in most of the chief towns of Europe. In 1490 it reached Constantinople, and was extended by the middle of the following century, to Africa and America. It was for a long time believed that printing was introduced into England, by one William Caxton, a mercer, and citizen [Pg 139] of London, who having resided many years in Holland, Flanders, and Germany, had made himself master of the whole art, and set up a press in Westminster, in 1471. ”

“ We [Pg 83] have some birds, however, which may almost vie with the beautiful plumage of the foreign species. The Goldfinch, King's Fisher, Bullfinch, and various others, many of which you have seen at your grandpapa's. The Pigeon and Dove, the Peacock and Pheasant are extremely beautiful. Indeed, nothing in my opinion can equal the splendour of the Peacock."
"From nature we will once more turn to art," said Mrs. Durnford, "surely nothing of foreign manufacture can exceed the elegance and design of that ”

“ The person who from strong recommendation obtains a counter in our Bazaar, pays daily, three-pence for every foot in length, and is not required to hold her situation more than from day to day. I have been told, that at present, there are upwards of a hundred females who are employed in these rooms, and a more pleasing and novel effect can hardly be imagined, than is here produced by the sight of these elegant little shops, filled with every species of light goods, works of art, and female ingenuity in general."
"Then you have seen the Bazaar, papa?" said Maria, the eldest daughter of Mr. ”

“ They also tie a very heavy stone to one foot, by which they are speedily sent to the bottom of the sea; and as the oysters are firmly fastened to the rocks, they arm their hands with leather mittens, to prevent their being bruised in pulling the oysters violently off. Each diver carries down with him a large net, tied to his neck by a long cord, the other end of which is fastened to the side of his bark. The net is to hold the oysters, and the cord to pull up the diver when his bag is full. ”

“ Emily, do you recollect to what bird we are indebted for those fine [Pg 52] long feathers which you see in the regimental hats of our officers; and which are now so universally worn by ladies in their bonnets?"
"They come from the ostrich, I believe," replied Emily.
"You are right, my love, but let us follow your mamma, who seems inclined to purchase that beautiful veil from the
LACE MAN.
Lace Shop
That truly elegant and costly article of a lady's dress, namely lace, is brought to the highest perfection in Brussels, which you know is in Flanders, and in the French provinces in general." ”

“ Durnford, "but young people cannot be too cautious how they take liberties with those who are so much their seniors. Perhaps, Maria, you can inform me, how telescopes were first invented. The optician has got a very good sized one on his counter." ”

“ They have brought the art of basket-making to great perfection. I think I must treat myself with one to hold fruit, and another for biscuits."
"When you are suited to your mind," said Mr. Durnford, "we will next examine the beauties of the
WORK TRUNK MAKER.
Work Trunk Maker
Come here, Emily, and tell me the name of this ware, as it is called." ”

“ Durnford, "let us now turn towards that which has the power of strengthening and invigorating the human body. What would [Pg 106] our physicians and other medical gentlemen do, without the aid of the
CHEMIST AND DRUGGIST.
Chemist & Druggist
The physician writes his prescription, and it is then sent to the shop of the druggist, who makes it up according to the order. ”

“ In Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire, great quantities are made annually by the poor people, who subsist by the sale of this article. I have seen British lace which has been very handsome, for instance, the black as well as the white lace gowns belonging to your mother. They will not, however, stand a comparison with the same article of foreign manufacture. ”

“ He will not hurt us, will he? I think he looks angry." "No, my darling! he will not hurt you," replied her father; "it is a blue Macaw, a larger species of Parrot. Like all foreign birds the plumage is more vivid [Pg 79] and brilliant than ours, but we have the advantage in song. The Humming-bird is the smallest bird in the world, being little more than three inches. The male is green and gold on the upper part, with a changeable copper gloss ”

“ Bates."
"Umbrellas are a modern invention," said Mrs. Durnford, "at least within thirty or forty years, and in the country in particular they are very useful, but in London they are troublesome, from the number of passengers which we meet. ”