amusing alphabet. dame wonder's series mcloughlin bro's beekman dame wonder's picture alphabet. dame wonder's picture a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y amusing z alphabet [illustration] a stands for an archer, b for his bow; c the crow that he shot at;--and d for his dog. [illustration] e stands for an ensign, f for a flag, and a fort: g stands for a goat;--and h for a horse. [illustration] i stands for an italian, j for a jug, and for jane: k stands for a kite:--and l for a lobster. [illustration] m stands for mary, n for the numbers she wrote; o stands for an owl:--and p for a pretty parrot. [illustration] q stands for a queen, r for the rose in her hand: s for the sword of state, t the throne, and the table. [illustration] u stands for uncle, v for violin, w for windmill, and x for number ten y stands for a yacht, (or yot,)--and z for a zebra. mcloughlin brothers, manufacturers of toy books, games, &c., &c., beekman street, n. y. +----------------------------------+----------------------------------+ | | | | aunt mary's series.--mam. toys. | new edition | | | | | aunt effie's rhymes. | little boys' and girls' library. | | mother goose's rhymes. | | | child's first book--the best | good little boys' book. | | a b c book made. | good little girls' book. | | little sailor boy. | spring flowers. | | the prince and the outlaw. | a gift to young friends. | | sad fate of poor robin. | the happy change. | | little red riding hood. | three baskets. | | jack and the bean stalk. | short tales in short words. | | aladin and his wonderful lamp. | brother and sister. | | ali baba, or the forty thieves. | the countries of europe. | | beauty and the beast. | book of fables. | | little frog's lecture and | unckle bunckle stories. | | other tales. | one hundred stories and fables. | | | | | cts. each.--same series, | | | plain, with colored cover. | | | | | +----------------------------------+----------------------------------+ | | | | aunt oddamadodd's series. | pleasure books for children. | | | | | little miss consequence. | the charmed fawn. | | true story of the spoilt frock. | story of hans in luck. | | naughty boys. | the three bears. | | naughty girls. | the ugly little duck. | | little heads and little hearts. | rip van winkle. | | funny physic and funny pictures. | goody two shoes. | | comic crumbs to feed little ones.| old dame and her silver sixpence.| | comical pictures and | wedding of cock robin. | | serious stories. | house that jack built. | | funny pictures, food, | life and death of jenny wren. | | and fingers. | little man and little maid. | | one, two, buckle my shoe. | the fox and the geese. | | silver sixpence. | | | foolish boys and girls. | | | | | +----------------------------------+----------------------------------+ | | | | aunt fanny's fairy tales. | aunt mavor's series. | | | | | fair one with golden locks. | old king cole. | | the white cat. | the tailor and the carrion crow. | | princess rosetta. | simple simon. | | the yellow dwarf. | tom, tom, the piper's son. | | blue bird. | little bo-peep. | | riddle book. | sing a song of sixpence. | | puss in boots. | mother goose and her son jack. | | gulliver's travels. | the frog he would a wooing go. | | jack, the giant killer. | little woman and the pedlar. | | reineke, the fox. | robin redbreast and jenny wren. | | blue beard. | picture alphabet. | | mother goose. | | | | | +----------------------------------+----------------------------------+ | | | | mamma lovechild's series. | miss merryheart's series. | | | | | three tiny pigs. | little goody two shoes. | | three little kittens. | little red riding hood. | | cock robin. | robinson crusoe. | | mother hubbard. | robin hood. | | new nursery rhymes. | blue beard. | | cocky locky and henny penny. | jack, the giant killer. | | | | +----------------------------------+----------------------------------+ | | | | six stories--by mrs. elliot. | aunt busy bee's series. | | | | | beauty but skin deep. | puss in boots. | | the little mimic. | gulliver's travels. | | the lost chicken. | fair one with golden hair. | | the greedy child cured. | jack, the giant killer. | | the contrast, or how to be happy.| reineke, the fox. | | the bird's nest. | history of blue beard. | | | | +----------------------------------+----------------------------------+ | | | | mo. col'd toy books-- kinds. | unckle frank's series. | | | | +----------------------------------+----------------------------------+ stereotyped by vincent dill, beekman street, n. y. [illustration: crest] [illustration: cover] ·walter·crane's· ·picture·books· ·the· ·absurd· a·b·c ·john·lane· ·the·bodley·head· ·london·&·new· ·york· the absurd abc originally published . [illustration: abcd] a for the apple or alphabet pie, which all get a slice of. come taste it & try. b is the baby who gave mr bunting full many a long day's rabbit skin hunting. c for the cat that played on the fiddle, when cows jumped higher than 'heigh diddle diddle!' d for the dame with her pig at the stile, 'tis said they got over, but not yet a while. [illustration: efg] e for the englishman, ready to make fast the giant who wanted to have him for breakfast. f for the frog in the story you know, begun with a wooing but ending in woe. g for goosey gander who wandered upstairs, and met the old man who objected to prayers. [illustration: hij] h for poor humpty who after his fall, felt obliged to resign his seat on the wall. i for the inn where they wouldn't give beer, to one with too much and no money, i fear. j does for poor jack and also for jill, who had so disastrous a tumble down hill. [illustration: klmnop] k for calm kitty, at dinner who sat, while all the good folks watched the dog & the cat. l for little man, gun and bullets complete, who shot the poor duck, and was proud of the feat. m for miss muffet, with that horrid spider, just dropped into tea and a chat beside her. n for the numerous children they who were often too much for their mother in shoe. o the old person that cobwebs did spy, and went up to sweep 'em oh ever so high! p for the pie made of blackbirds to sing, a song fit for supper a dish for a king. [illustration: qrs] q for queen anne who sat in the sun till she, more than the lily resembled the bun r stands for richard & robert, those men who didn't get up one fine morning till ten! s for the snail that showed wonderful fight, putting no less than twenty-four tailors to flight! [illustration: tuv] t stands for tom, the son of the piper, may his principles change as his years grow riper. u for the unicorn, keeping his eye on the coveted crown, and 'ts counsel the lion. v for the victuals, including the drink, the old woman lived on surprising to think! [illustration: wxyz] w for the woman who not over nice, made very short work of the three blind mice. x is the x that is found upon buns, which, daughters not liking, may come in for sons. y for yankee doodle of ancient renown, both he & his pony that took him to town. z for the zany who looked like a fool, for when he was young he neglected his school. [illustration: a-m] [illustration: n-z] the baldwin library university of florida illustrated alphabet of birds . [illustration: bird on cover.] a-b-c-d [illustration: frontispiece drawing.] [illustration: title page drawing.] a a the auk. a is an auk, of the artic sea, he lives on the ice, where the winds blow free. [illustration: the auk.] b b the blue bird. b is a blue bird. in early spring, how sweet his songs through the forest ring. [illustration: the blue bird.] c c the condor. c is a condor, on the andes' height, he plumes his wings for a lofty flight. [illustration: the condor.] d d the duck. d is a duck of the canvas back sort; to shoot at a flock is considered fine sport. [illustration: the duck.] e e the bald eagle. e's a bald eagle, so bold and so free; on the flag of our country he spans land and sea. [illustration: the eagle.] f f the fish hawk. f is a fish hawk, who lives on the shore: he catches his prey mid the ocean's roar. [illustration: the fish hawk.] g g the goose. g is a goose; his feathers we take and put them in sacking our beds to make. [illustration: the goose.] h h the humming bird. h is a humming bird, sporting mid flowers and brightly enjoying the sunny hours. [illustration: the humming bird.] i i the ibis. i is an ibis, who wanders in bogs, and lives upon lizards, and fishes and frogs. [illustration: the ibis.] j j the jay. j is a jay, with his blue and white coat, with a crest on his head, and a ring round his throat. [illustration: the jay.] k k the king bird. k is a king bird, pugnacious and bold: a hero in fight, and a terrible scold. [illustration: the king bird.] l l the lark. l is a lark, a sociable bird; his song in the meadow is frequently heard. [illustration: the lark.] m m the magpie. m is a magpie, he lives at the west, steals and scolds and eats carrion; he's none of the best. [illustration: the magpie.] n n the night heron. n is a night heron, of fishes quite fond; he looks for them now, as he stands by the pond. [illustration: the night heron.] o o the owl. o is an owl, who hides through the day; and comes out at night, to seek for his prey. [illustration: the owl.] p p the pigeon. p is a pigeon so rapid in flight, that before you can shoot him he's gone out of sight. [illustration: the pigeon] q q the quail. q is a quail, who hides in a tree, and whistles "bob-white" with lively glee. [illustration: the quail.] r r the robin. r is the robin, so kind and so good, who covered with leaves, the poor babes in the wood. [illustration: the robin.] s s the swallow. s is the swallow, she darts through the air to catch little insects, her favorite fare. [illustration: the swallow.] t t the turkey. t is a turkey, a fine dashing beau, by his fuming and strutting, his pride you may know. [illustration: the turkey.] u u the upupa. u's the upupa, or hoopoe. his crest he can raise up or lower, as suits him best. [illustration: the upupa.] v v the vulture. v is a vulture, who feeds on the dead, when the dark battle-field, with corpses is spread. [illustration: the vulture.] w w the woodpecker. w's a woodpecker, who with his long bill, bores holes in a tree, and of worms eats his fill. [illustration: the woodpecker.] x x the xanthoronus. x is xanthornus, or baltimore bird. oft in our orchards, his music is heard. [illustration: xanthornus.] y y the yellow bird. y is a yellow bird, with feathers so bright, who sings all the day, and sleeps all the night. [illustration: the yellow bird.] z z the letter z, or roost. z stands for none of the feathered race. it must serve as a roost, or lose the last place. [illustration: the letter z, or roost.] provided by the internet archive the lulu alphabet by anonymous new york: howe & ferry . [illustration: ] [illustration: ] [illustration: ] |a a stands for alice, so graceful and fair. [illustration: ] |b b for her bridal, and we were all there. [illustration: ] |c c for us children, as gay as e'er seen. [illustration: ] |d d the fine dance we had on the green. [illustration: ] |e e for eliza, who joined us at that. [illustration: ] |f f the gay feather she wore in her hat. [illustration: ] |g g for the grapes, much better than wine. [illustration: ] |h h for the harp alice played on 'lang syne.' [illustration: ] |i i for the image that stood in the hall. [illustration: ] |j j is young james, who played with us all. [illustration: ] |k k for the kite, with colors so gay. [illustration: ] |l l for the lady in costly array. [illustration: ] |m m for the melon, brought in by a friend. [illustration: ] |n n the bright nosegay the bridegroom did send. [illustration: ] |o o for the oranges, delicious and sweet. [illustration: ] |p p for young patty, so cheerful and neat. [illustration: ] |q q for the quinces, all set in a row, [illustration: ] |r r the large raspberries; o! what a show! [illustration: ] |s s for the slipper, one held in her hand. [illustration: ] |t t the great trumpet, that sounded so grand. [illustration: ] |u u for my uncle, who blew the loud blast. [illustration: ] |v v the grand villa, in which this all passed. [illustration: ] |w w the watch, that dear alice wore. [illustration: ] |x x for king xerxes, who now lives no more. [illustration: ] |y y for our yeoman, and with him did come, [illustration: ] |z z the good zebra to bring us all home. none provided by the internet archive the gospel of slavery a primer of freedom. by iron gray proclaim liberty throughout the land unto all the inhabitants thereof. [illustration: ] [illustration: ] new york [illustration: ] |a stands for _adam_. creation began by giving dominion of nature to man. men differ in color, and stature, and weight, nor equal are all in their talent or state, but equal in rights are the great and the small in sight of the god and creator of all. then how comes dominion of brother by brother? or how can the one be the lord of the other? consider it well-for an answer i crave, that reaches the question of master and slave. "we hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."--_decl. of ind_. it is nothing to affirm that the negro, or indian, or arab, is not equal to the white man--namely, in talent and the like. no two _white_ men are equal in all respects--but if you deny an equality of _rights_, specify the grounds of such denial. [illustration: ] |b stands for _bloodhound_ on merciless fangs the slaveholder feels that his "property" hangs, and the dog and the master are hot on the track, to torture or bring the black fugitive back. the weak has but fled from the hand of the strong, asserting the right and resisting the wrong, while he who exults in a skin that is white, a bloodhound employs in asserting his might. --o chivalry-layman and dogmatist-priest, say, which is the monster--the man, or the beast? how long is it since southern papers advertised the offers of rival hunters of fugitive negroes, who claimed that they had the best bloodhounds, &c.? truly an honorable and manly vocation. runaway slaves were advertised as having been torn by the dogs, thus and so, on former occasions of flight, and large rewards were offered for the capture of such ingrates, dead or alive! shall not specimens of these advertisements be some day included in the literary curiosities of civilization? [illustration: ] |c stands for _cotton_ its beautiful bolls, and bales of rich value, the master controls. of "mud-sills" he prates, and would haughtily bring the world to acknowledge that "cotton is king." but "_democrat coal_" and "_republican corn_," the locks of the monarch have latterly shorn; and slaveocrats, living by clamorous fraud, by freemen shall yet into learning be awed, that the sceptre is _not_ in position nor gift, but only in honest, industrial thrift. "what is the difficulty, and what the remedy? not in the election of republican presidents. no. not in the non-execution of the fugitive bill. no. but it lies back of all these. it is found in the atheistic red republican doctrine of the declaration of independence. until that is trampled under feet, there can be no peace."--_dr. smyth_, a rebel leader in south carolina. "mud-sills" and "poor white trash" seem not to his liking; but what if _they_ should trample _him_ under feet? [illustration: ] |d stands for _driver_, his duty, i hear, is mostly described as the slave-overseer. o tell me, i pray you, if any one can, if planters acknowledge the brute as a man! with whip and with pistols, the vagabond wields the law of the master in hovels and fields, but scarcely removed, in a social degree, above the rude gang that he governs is _he_, and, like the slave _trader_, his service is prized as treason is loved, and the traitor despised! some persons sneer at any distinction between hirelings of a month or year and hirelings for life--the latter being their definition of southern slavery! a taste of the wormwood and the gall might bring them to exclaim with _sterne_: "disguise thyself as thou wilt, still slavery, still thou art a bitter draught; and though thousands in all ages have been made to drink of thee, thou art no less bitter on that account." suppose the chalice were commended to the lips of slaveholders? [illustration: ] |e stands for _eagle_, in liberty springs the strength of his beak and the pride of his wings. though vultures still cloud the political sky, and "carrion, more carrion!" incessantly cry, shall slave-craft prevail, and the moralist nod o'er evils reserved in the judgment of god? --the eagle has come to the rescue of right, and all institutions of fraudulent might, shall perish and cease from the bountiful clime, long cursed by the stench of a carrion-crime! the constitution grants neither right nor authority to interfere with the domestic institutions of any state; but congress, representing the people and the states, has absolute control in the territories. "more slavery!" has been the continual cry of the south. rebellion provoked the war-power of the president; and it is now probable that the institution which claimed a continent, will be numbered with the abominations that _were!_ let all the people say amen. [illustration: ] |f stands for _fugitives_ hasting from wrath, and furies are hot on their dangerous path. away from the cabins of slavery pomp, a refuge they seek in the hideous swamp; or, haply eluding the hunters of blood, they struggle through thicket and perilous flood, till, reaching the lines of the union host, the echo has died of the scandalous boast, "hurra for the banner that liberty waves, "with stars for the masters and stripes for the slaves!" a history of this liberty war would be very incomplete without sample-sketches of the patient, shrewd efforts of individuals and families of slaves in getting away from the house of bondage into the lines of the union army. almost starved, hunted by dogs and men, shot at, some of the party killed,--none but the good lord knoweth the miseries endured by thousands in escaping from the comfortable, patriarchal, gospel institution of the south! [illustration: ] |g stands for _gospel_. how beautiful are the feet of the bearer of news from afar, when coming to touch a humanity-chord - and preach the acceptable year of the lord! set free the scourged bondman, now branded and sore, and write him a freeman, _a man_ evermore, around whom a family closely may draw. --or if the good gospel be slavery law, the clergy, for aught that to reason appears, might honestly prosper as slave auctioneers! why not? disrespect is intended for such clergymen _only_ as put southern slavery on bible grounds. they might sell books, shoes, horses, by public outcry, and feel no shame of sin. if the gospel endorses colored people as property, _why_ should the clergy scruple to be slave-auctioneers? bishop hopkins, of vermont, might do a thriving business in that line, down south. doubtless he is popular in that region, and would be largely patronized! [illustration: ] |h stands for _harvest_. we reap as we sow: if thistles you plant, do you know what will grow? enlarge your plantations, and multiply slaves, till luxury gets what it wrongfully craves,-- yet woe be to _him_ who the inquiry scorns, do grapes grow on brambles or figs upon thorns? consider it well, ere the summer be past, and the harvest be ended, with gloom at the last. and ever this adage in memory keep, who sows to the wind, of the whirlwind shall reap. the evils of slavery to the _white_ race, in a material sense, are clearly shown by statistics; but no one can reckon the low estate of education, religion, and morals, especially in the country-districts of the south. the larger the plantations are, the wider is the space between the white families; and an increase of the number of slaves, is no increase of exalting social intercourse. the mansion cannot escape the malaria of the hovels, nor can _any_ one escape the just judgment of the almighty. [illustration: ] |i stands for _infidel_. many contemn what you and i hold, as a riddle to _them_; and sceptics are made (it is mournfully true) by priests in the pulpit and saints in the pew, who torture the gospel to get at the proof that _one_ man is made for another's behoof! the bible comes _not_ with its quickening light. till conscience and reason interpret aright, and, vainly you moan o'er the infidel fruit while nourishing faith in the slavery-root. the creed should be better than the man; but what if the man be better than the creed? business relations with the south, or friends residing there, or political clanship, may so blind men to the hideous conjunction of the gospel and southern slavery, that they may profess to believe in both; but religionists grieve the holy spirit and chiefly make infidels, by fastening any inhuman institution or abominable theory on the word of god. [illustration: ] |j stands for _justice_. whoe'er a man is, proclaim and defend what is rightfully his. content yourself _not_ with his lawful demands, nor harden the links of his slavery-bands; for all institutions are born of the dust ' which conscience declares to be wrong and unjust. --will god in his majesty look to the hue in making award of the recompense due? or will he in judgment be heedless or slack, for justice withheld from the ignorant black? your gold and silver is cankered, and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire.... behold, the hire of the laborers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth; and the cries of them which have reaped, are entered into the ears of the lord of sabaoth. ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton: ye have nourished your hearts as in a day of slaughter.'"--james v. -- . [illustration: ] |k stands for _kidnapped_. whoso receives. "what others have stolen, is leagu'd with the thieves. but setting aside what this proverb reveals, the slaveholder _breeds_ what the kidnapper _steals?_ distinction there is, and a difference too-- but _which_, if you chose, would be chosen by _you?_ to buy, or to sell, involves profit or waste-- to breed, or to steal, is a question of taste; and whoso does either, a business may claim that perfects in meanness the sin and the shame! what odds to the buyer whether the chattel has been kidnapped or bought by the trader? in _one_ sense, there is something manly (because risk of life is incurred) in taking prisoners in war and making slaves of them; but kidnapping is unmitigated villainy. how then can we sufficiently express abhorrence of the men who make a business of breeding slaves for the market? doubtless, they are all, _all_ honorable men, and, worthily accounted the chivalry of the land! [illustration: ] |l stands for _liberty_, know you the bell that ' sounded so nobly and well? or know you that soon was developed a flaw, by freedom's assertion of slavery law? "created all equal."--"excepting the black," from states of the union the answer came back. then cracked the big bell. vainly chipped to the core, no "compromise measures" its tone could restore, and the prophecy stands, though the bell, in its fall, now silently hangs in old liberty hall! the bell referred to, cast in , has on it the inscription, "proclaim liberty throughout the land unto all the inhabitants thereof."--lev. xxv. . was this a prophecy? that bell announced the declaration of independence in . it was afterwards cracked--i know not the date. occasional use on national anniversaries increased the difficulty. chipping, so as to separate the vibrating edges, failed to remedy the mischief. it now hangs in independence hall. [illustration: ] |m, stands for _master_. when one would impart to others his knowledge of mystery-art, a master is _he_ and apprentices _they_, and what he commands it is theirs to obey. but if from the cradle till laid in the grave, you claim the relation of master and slave, and stretch your dominion, by heirship or gold, o'er men who as cattle are driven and sold, consider, i pray you, the end of the strife, when called to account by the master of life. is the distinction without a difference? an apprentice is indentured by his own consent. the term of service is limited and specified. there is a covenant that he shall be sent to school. he has legal redress in case of maltreatment or neglect. he cannot be branded with a hot iron. if he absconds, he cannot be hunted with dogs, nor advertised for, dead or alive. he cannot be sold. at twenty-one he is a freeman. are these the marks of the condition of a slave? [illustration: ] |n stands for _negro_, to _be_ all he _can_, without doing wrong, is the birth-right of man, and noblest humanity evermore lies in prompting and helping the lowly to rise. are slaves dull and ignorant? multitudes are: shall therefore the master _improvement debar?_ yet if to instruct them you open your mouth, beware of the penalty, down in the south! --can _that_ be of god which for slavery greed forbids you to teach a poor negro to read? whether the african race, now in bondage in the south, be or be not in a better condition than their kindred in africa, need not here be discussed. morality and religion inquire, simply, whether southern laws encourage an advancement? do they not rather _hinder_, by severe penalties, any efforts to educate the slave population? public schools are the pride and glory of the north: what is the boast and shame of the south? [illustration: ] |o stands for _ox_, that necessity broke to work with an ass in the union yoke. to walk in the furrow and take the short end, seemed ever the fate of the ox to attend, while the ass, having learned a political trick, knew wickedly well how to bray and to kick. but patience wears out, though it ever adorns,-- the ears are now feeling the push of the horns, and wonders of justice are coming to pass:-- the north is the ox and the south is the ass. from to the outbreak of the rebellion, slaveholders occupied the presidential chair for years, and northern sympathizers with slavery for years more--leaving only years for freedom-proclivities in the president. although greatly outnumbered by the north, the south almost uniformly ruled in congress. not getting _all_ it demanded, the tariff was made a pretext for secession. "the next pretext," said jackson, "will be the negro or slavery question." [illustration: ] |p stands for _principle_. policy fain would measure all deeds by the loss or the gain, while principle never finds aught to consult. but conscience and duty, whate'er the result. in slaveholding policy, all that you win may fitly be reckoned the wages of sin, and what has been earned by the master or thrall, is never withheld by the ruler of all. perhaps you will learn, when the payment is due, that a deed which is wrong is impolitic too. in washington expressed his determination never to "possess another slave by purchase." avowed in that he held slaves "very reluctantly to his own feelings." by will emancipated all he held, making provision for the support of the aged and infirm, and for the education of the young--and most solemnly enjoined his executors to see that his instructions were religiously fulfilled. according to the slavery propagandists of this age of grace, all this was fundamentally wrong! [illustration: ] |q stands for _query_. inquisitive thought may lead to conclusions not anxiously sought. suppose of quadroon we a moment should think, with _one_ side of ancestry sable as ink, the other side claiming complexion as fair as fatherly planters most commonly wear: the child of her master, a slave-daughter still, must bow to the law of his sensual will; and when he shall sell her, (perhaps very soon) the query may follow the chattel quadroon. the cry of "amalgamation" as the result of the abolition of slavery, comes with a very ill grace from southerners. how many nearly-white children have been sent to the north for an education, or to hide their negro-blood? how many such have been manumitted, to guard against their continuance in bondage by any mishap? how many quadroons have been sold voluntarily or brought to the block by the pecuniary embarrassments of their father-masters? [illustration: ] |r stands for _rebel_. the colonies rose against the stern sway of tyrannical foes, but washington, jefferson, all were ignored, when southerners lifted the sceptre and sword, and slavery lust to rebellion gave birth against the best government known in the earth. did rebeldom look to the shame and the cost of seeking by war the control they had lost? or know they how ages will reckon the guilt of a temple of freedom on slavery built? "the foundations of our new government are laid, its cornerstone rests upon the great truth that the negro is not equal to the white man.... this, our new government, is the first in the history of the world, based upon this great physical, philosophical and moral truth.... this stone which was rejected by the first builders, is become the chief stone of the corner in our new edifice.... our confederacy is a god-sent missionary to the nations."--_alexander h. stephens_. [illustration: ] |s stands for _slavery_. nations of old made bondmen by warfare, or bought them with gold; and if to the jews you incline to go back, no special enslavement you find of the black. but "might is not right," as in piracy scenes, else why do you censure the stern algerines? or what if in congo a thousand white men were slaves, wholly hopeless of freedom again,-- would bishops and priests of the slavery line, quote _bible_ to prove it both right and divine? "slavery and the slave trade pervaded every nation of civilized antiquity....the founder of the jewish nation was a slaveholder.... greeks enslaved each other....the slave-markets of rome were filled with men of every complexion and every clime....it is from about the year that regular accounts of the _negro_ slave-trade exist."--_bancroft's united states_, i. . any _bible_ argument for slavery must therefore _except_ the black, if _any_ color is to be excepted! [illustration: ] |t stands for _trader_. to call him a brute would slander creation, beyond a dispute. the planter will mingle and socially dine with dealers in cotton, and cattle, and swine, but slave-driving traders (with common accord) by slave-holding gentry are shunned and abhorred! does conscience, with scruples of right, intervene concerning a business repugnantly mean? yet whoso shall doubt, may the difference tell: what we rightfully buy, we may honestly sell. the world moves, slowly it may be, but surely. russia abolished serfdom by an imperial decree, and our republic is cutting a tangled knot by the edge of the sword. the loathing with which the slave trader has long been regarded, even in the south, was the index-finger of the hand of god. it is now a voice sounding in the darkness as a prophecy of coming day. will not angels join the chorus of welcome? may the good lord hasten the hour of deliverance. [illustration: ] |u stands for _union_. the federal law into true common weal would the colonies draw, and states, that might else into anarchy run, were banded and leagued, indivisibly one-- and a _nation_ was born, with the rallying call, "the stars-and-stripes banner that waves over all!" secession may rage, and the kingdoms afar may shout the brief wrath of a fiery star, but _e pluribus unum_ shall evermore be the motto and law of the land of the free! "i must declare here, as i have often done before, and which has been repeated by the greatest and wisest of statesmen and patriots in this and other lands, that it [the united states] is the best and freest government, the most equal in its rights, the most just in its decisions, the most lenient in its measures, and the most aspiring in its principles to elevate the race of man, that the sun ever shone upon."--_alexander h. stephens_, in georgia convention, jan. , . [illustration: ] |v stands for _victory_. villainy long, "the _sum of all_ villainies," prospered in wrong; but when it uplifted the bloody red hand, the verdict was sealed of its doom in the land. poor _whites_, in the south by aristocrats bowed, and millions of bondmen are crying aloud; and freedom's renown, and humanity's need, alike for a _liberty-victory_ plead; and triumph and peace shall thro' righteousness come, when slavery dies and its pleaders are dumb. even when fort sumter was environed by threatening rebel batteries, there was a spirit of compromise in all the land; but the first gun aimed at the flag of liberty was "the beginning of the end" of slavery, the star spangled banner of our fathers, that had long floated in honor and triumph, was trodden down and trailed in the dust by miscreant-traitors; and it _must_ yet be vindicated and exalted in righteousness, though it be through blood and fire. [illustration: ] |w stands for _woman_. in slavery-life, full many are mothers, but no one is wife for decency's sake, form of wedding there is, but the parties are claimed by the master as his; and the children are sold, and the father is sold to this or that trader, "to have and to hold" and the woman is whipped, for the motherly moan and the cry of a heart that is left all alone. o master all monstrous! is conscience amiss in dooming the sham of a wedding like this! certain southern ladies claimed, not long since, that they care as tenderly for slave mothers as northern ladies care for poor white mothers. "possibly that is true," was the reply, "but northern ladies do not afterwards sell the baby!"--besides this, it is the _money-interest_ of southerners to look well to the increase of their _property_, whereas a true humanity, as a principle, underlies and quickens the charitable attention of northern ladies, above referred to. [illustration: ] |x stands for _cross_. by the lusts of the flesh men open the wounds of the saviour afresh, and live for the gain that is nothing but loss, if leading away from the blood of the cross. yet many there are who deliverance mock, and corner-stone make of a slave trader's block. ignoring the grace of the one who was priced, by daily oppression they crucify christ, and turn a deaf ear to the spirit that cried, shall the weak brother perish for whom the lord died? setting aside all controversy as to the meaning or efficacy of the sacrifice of christ, it is clear that he died for all, tasted death for every man, gave himself a ransom for all, without distinction of color, character, station or creed. whatever allowance the lord may make for sins of ignorance, can the great god look with complacency on any people who by slavery count the blood of the covenant an unholy thing, and do despite unto the spirit of grace?--_hebrews x. -- _. [illustration: ] |y stands for _yankee_. trained up in the schools of rugged new england, few ever are fools, and many have carried the virtues of home abroad in the earth wheresoever they roam. but what shall we say of the renegade knaves who down in the south become whippers of slaves? into ownership, too, peradventure they fall, by wedding plantations, and "niggers" and all, and then, for the depths of all infamy fit, they find in secession the bottomless pit. a man born and reared in barbarism is with difficulty brought into the proprieties and amenities of civilization: alas! how easy a thing it is for a man born and reared in the midst of civilization to glide into the depths of barbarism! it is said that the meanest men, and hottest secessionists, and hardest slave-drivers in the south, are of yankee origin! not angels at home, how is it that any of them become such unscrupulous, incarnate devils abroad? [illustration: ] |z stands for _zenith_. though hell from beneath much struggle and suffering yet may bequeath, the fee of the earth we shall trustfully claim at liberty's shrine, in humanity's name. the spots of the leopard shall token no sin-- no crime shall be charged to the ethiop's skin-- and, evermore radiant, the zenith shall glow, the light and the joy of creation below-- for perished shall _then_ be the slavery rod, and man stand erect in the image of god. "prepare ye the way of the lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our god. every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain; and the glory of the lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the lord hath spoken it."--_isaiah xl. - _ none the sugar-plumb; or, _golden fairing_. * * * * * compiled, for the use of all her pupils, by _mrs. margery two-shoes_, governess of a, b, c, college. * * * * * york: printed and sold by e. peck, _lower-ousegate_. * * * * * (price one penny.) here's a, b, and c, and tumble-down d: [illustration] the cat's a blind-buff, and she cannot see. a stands for apples, and ale, which to gladden the heart cannot fail. * * * * * b stands for ball, and for batt, and for band-box to cover a hat. * * * * * c stands for cow, and for cell, and for custard we all love so well. * * * * * d stands for dog, and for dick the dunce who deserves a good stick. great e, f, and g, come, boys, follow me, [illustration] and we'll jump over the rosemary tree. e stands for egg, and for ear, and for englishmen, void of fear. * * * * * f stands for fortune and fame, and for folly, which leads to shame. * * * * * g stands for glory and gold, and guineas (all shining) behold. here's great h and i, with a christmas pie:-- [illustration] don't eat out the plumbs, good boys, h and i. h stands for horses, and hounds, for hunting over the grounds. * * * * * i stands for inn, and for isle, and for innocence without guile. * * * * * j stands for joseph and james, and several more pretty names. messrs. great k and l, i pray can you tell [illustration] who put the little pig into the well? k stands for knight, and for knave, and for kings, so noble and brave. * * * * * l stands for london so gay, and lucy--the queen of the may. [illustration] pray, great m and n, why are ye come agen? [illustration] to bring this good boy a fine golden pen. m stands for mercy, and might, and for money--the world's delight. * * * * * n stands for nancy, and name, and for nobody--always to blame. [illustration] well, great o and p, pray what do you see? [illustration] a naughty boy whipped, but that is not me. o stands for owl, and for oat, and for oysters of every sort. * * * * * p stands for plumb, and for pit, and for punch with so little wit. [illustration] here's great q and r, both come from afar, [illustration] to bring us good news about the french war. q stands for question, and queen, the fairest that ever was seen. * * * * * r stands for riches, and rhyme, like this, when taken in time. [illustration] so, s, t, and u, pray how do you do? [illustration] we thank you, much better for meeting with you. s stands for stone, and for sling, and for solomon,--that wise king. * * * * * t stands for tale, and for tart, and thank-ye, with all my heart. * * * * * u stands for us, and for urn, and for use of all things in turn. * * * * * v stands for virtue, and vice, and voter, without a price. friends w and x, when you go to church next, [illustration] attend to the sermon, and bring home the text. w stands for watch, and for wine, and welcome to this of mine. * * * * * x stands for xantippe the scold, wise socrates' plague, we are told. [illustration] see, here's y and z, on a nag at full speed: [illustration] their fall will be sad, if they don't take goodheed. y stands for york, and for year when this book was printed, and where. * * * * * z stands for zealot, and zany, of whom in this world there are so many. [illustration] the boy _and the_ butterfly; _a fable, in verse_. a sprightly boy, one summer's day, perceived a butterfly so gay, that all his wishes it engrossed, to each surrounding object lost: he left his fellows, and pursued, with sparkling eyes, the favourite good. now on the rose it seem'd to rest, and now to court the violet's breast, from flow'r to flow'r incessant flying, inviting still, and still denying. beneath his hand, beneath his hat, he often thought he had it pat; the violet-bed, the myrtle-sprig, had made his little heart grow big. at last, with joy he saw it venture within a tulip's bell to enter, and _snatch'd_ it with ecstatic rapture. but what, alas! was all his capture? a lifeless insect, like a worm, without one grace in all its form! with rage and disappointment stung, the reptile to the earth he flung; yet fond remembrance fill'd his eye with tears,--and passion heav'd a sigh. reason inform'd the creature's breast, and thus the mourner it address'd: "i am deceitful pleasure's shade; a butterfly with joy surveyed by every inexperienced child, till he, like you, has been beguiled. learn, therefore, that this insect bright, the worm alluring to the sight; this airy trifler, ever smiling, still promising, and still beguiling; all glorious, when at distance view'd, and always pleasing while pursued, will never yield what you desire; and, grasp'd with ardour, will expire." finis. none frost's juvenile series. [illustration: the menagerie.] an alphabet of quadrupeds. comprising descriptions of their appearance and habits. with numerous illustrations. * * * * * philadelphia: lippincott, grambo, & co. * * * * * entered according to act of congress, in the year , by lippincott, grambo, & co., in the clerk's office of the district court of the united states, in and for the eastern district of pennsylvania. * * * * * [illustration: ape.] alphabet of quadrupeds. * * * * * ape. apes play many odd tricks, and try to act like men, for they are very fond of imitating every thing they see. they are also very mischievous, and sometimes spiteful, so they should be either tied up in a safe place or well watched. apes are a species of monkeys. they live in a country called africa, where there are a great many forests, and where the trees are much larger than any in the settled parts of america. the apes can climb to the top of the very tallest trees, and cling to the branches in safety. they are very quick in their motions, and can fling themselves from tree to tree with great readiness, holding on with their long arms and legs. in their native woods, they are very wild; they go on all fours; and sometimes visit the negroes' huts and fight hard battles with the inhabitants, throwing sticks and branches with great dexterity. they are usually of a dull brown color, but some are black, and others grey. they should be fed upon bread soaked in water, and any kind of fruit that may be convenient to give them; they are very fond of nuts and biscuit, both of which may be given them in moderation. [illustration: bear.] bear. the bear is found in europe and north america, but it is among the icy regions around the north pole, that he attains his greatest size and fierceness. one of his principal modes of attack is the employment of his fore-legs in hugging his enemy, and few creatures can resist the crushing embrace of a large bear. the people of the cold countries, where he mostly lives, make bedding and clothing of the skins, and either eat the fat or melt it into oil for their lamps. bears, when at rest, are in the habit of constantly sucking their paws, which curious custom has puzzled many wise men to explain. the bear is a good swimmer, and often takes to the water; he climbs well, but in descending trees always comes down backwards. his sight is sharp, and his hearing and smelling is excellent. he walks easily on his hind-legs, and in that position can support heavy burdens. though his gait is awkward, he can, if he pleases, go at a great pace. he is said to grow to about his twentieth and live to his fiftieth year. some bears are black, others brown, and a few grey, but those in cold countries are always white. [illustration] cow. the cow is a very useful, and well known animal. the cow furnishes us with an abundance of good sweet milk, which we put into our tea and coffee, or make into butter and cheese. the flesh is most excellent food, and is called beef. england is a famous country for beef, which is of such a good quality that the people have an old song about it, called the "roast beef of old england." the hide is made into leather, and is much used in the making of shoes. the cow is a very quiet animal, and will hurt no body, it feeds upon grass, which it swallows and brings up again before digesting it, and chews a very long while, and on that account is called a ruminating animal. cows are of different colors, some red, white, black, and others spotted. the cow will live to the age of fourteen or fifteen years, and its age may be known by the rings or knots on its horns, for a new ring grows every year. a great many country people are employed in selling milk to the people of large cities and towns, and are called "milk people." before the white people came to america there were no cows, but now they are raised in great numbers, especially in the eastern country. [illustration: dog.] dog. dogs are most faithful, attached creatures. they are of all sizes, from the large newfoundland dog, as big nearly as a donkey, down to the little lap-dog, no bigger than a kitten. dogs are of various colors, and their skins of all kinds, the hair sometimes smooth and close, like a grey hound's; sometimes very rough and shaggy, as in the scotch terrier; sometimes smooth and flowing, like silk, as in a spaniel. they are soon taught to be obedient, and become very clever. the shepherd's dog knows every sheep in the flock. the house dog knows the sound of his master's footsteps. the newfoundland dog will rush into the water to save any one from drowning. there are many interesting stories about dogs, which will please you very much to read when you are older and better able to understand them. [illustration] [illustration: elephant.] elephant. how heavy and clumsy the elephant looks! yet he is very active, and able to do many things with neatness. if you hold a sixpence in your hand, he will take it up in his large trunk, and place it where the keeper tells him. with the same trunk he is able to tear up large trees, and to strike so hard that the blow would kill a man. in foreign countries he is used to ride upon, as we ride upon horses. he is a very good swimmer. he is born chiefly in warm climates. his tusks are ivory, and are very useful for handles of knives, and many other things. his trunk serves him instead of a hand to feed himself with, and to hold and carry what he pleases. he is very clever, and soon learns to do whatever he is taught. his temper and nature are kind, but when he is teased he becomes very fierce. he eats grass and hay, but no flesh. below is an elephant hunt. [illustration] [illustration: fisher.] fisher. this is the name of an animal found in the northern and middle states of our country, and in canada. he is called the fisher, by the hunters, probably from his frequenting the lakes and river shores. but he does not catch fish like the otter. he robs the traps of the hunter of their captured or dead game, and he kills squirrels, rabbits, and wood chucks. in the picture he is represented as killing a rabbit. the fisher was formerly abundant in the state of new york, but he is seldom found there now. he was greatly detested by the hunters, on account of his robbing their traps of beaver and other valuable game. his flesh is unfit for food, and his fur is of very trifling value. [illustration] [illustration: goat.] goats. we have not many goats in america, but you will sometimes see them about the houses of poor people who live on the out-skirts of large towns and villages. they abound in many foreign countries, chiefly those which are wild, and have high hills and mountains. these, let them be ever so high, the goat climbs very nimbly and safely. the goat is a very useful creature. its young are called kids, and its flesh is very good to eat; out of its skin we make good leather for shoes and gloves. the goat's milk is pleasant to drink, and to make cheese from. it eats herbs and delights to nibble the bark of trees. you will often read in the bible, that goats in ancient times were offered as sacrifices. in switzerland they have a kind of wild goat, called the chamois. the cut below represents some swiss hunters pursuing the chamois over rocks and mountains. [illustration] [illustration: hyena.] hyena. the hyena is one of the most fierce and disagreeable of all animals. the hyena is by nature a nocturnal animal; that is, it seeks its prey by night, and consequently during the day it remains in a state of repose. the hyena has been unfairly represented to be perfectly untameable on account of its great ferocity. if properly treated, however, and well fed, it is far from being savage or dangerous. it possesses a great propensity for putrid and buried carcasses, which it will hunt, and dig for, and devour with disgusting greediness. unlike many other animals, the hyena is an unsociable animal, for it lives a solitary life among rocks and ancient ruins. there are two kinds of hyenas, the spotted and the striped. the figure below represents the striped, and the other represents the spotted hyena. [illustration] [illustration: ibex.] ibex. the ibex is an animal of the goat kind, and inhabits the mountainous districts of the south of europe, it is the most graceful of all its tribes; it is extremely active. it is very wild, and difficult to be shot, as it always keeps on the highest points. the horns of the ibex are large and knotty, its skin is of a yellow color, and its beard short and black. the chase of the ibex, although it is not a very powerful animal, is attended, at times, with considerable danger; it has been known, when driven hard, to run full-but at the huntsman, and force him over the rock, although in doing so, it has at the same time, sacrificed its own life, falling headlong with its pursuer. the ibex is said to be a short-lived animal. its flesh is much esteemed, and its skin is very thin. below is a picture of a bear pursuing a male and female ibex. [illustration] [illustration: jerboa.] jerboa. this odd-looking creature has been also called the two-legged rat; its fore-legs being so extremely small that they can hardly be seen, while the hind-legs are of enormous length. the tail is long and tufted at the end. its general appearance closely resembles the rat. instead of walking or running on all fours, it leaps, or hops, on the hind feet, making great bounds, and only uses the fore-paw for burrowing, or for carrying food to its mouth, like a squirrel. these curious little animals live in holes which they dig under ground. they are gentle, harmless, and not at all timid. their dwelling places are very quiet, for they never fight or quarrel with one another, like some very bad children i could tell you about. [illustration] [illustration: kangaroo.] kangaroo. this curious animal, called a kangaroo, hops on his hind-legs, which are very long; his fore-legs are short, and he has a very long hard tail. kangaroos herd together in great numbers, for they are very timid creatures. at the least alarm they will run away, and leap over high bushes. they use their short fore feet for digging, and putting food in their mouths. they feed upon vegetables and grass, and do not eat flesh. the mother carries her young ones about her in a sort of pouch. the kangaroo is brought from a very large island, a great many thousand miles from here. we have some in this country, which you may see by going to the menagerie, where the keeper will tell you a great many stories about them. their nature is not at all fierce. the picture below shows the manner in which the kangaroo leaps. [illustration] [illustration: leopard.] leopard. the leopard is a beautiful animal. he is of a yellowish fawn color, marked with black spots of different sizes. this animal in its habits and appearance much resembles a cat. he is very fierce and savage. he preys upon those animals which are weaker than himself. he always avoids man, except when closely pursued, when he offers an obstinate resistance. from the extraordinary flexibility of his limbs, he can climb a tree as readily as a cat. when taken young, he can be tamed to a certain degree. the flesh of the leopard is said to be excellent, resembling veal. the skins are very valuable, and often sell for upwards of fifty dollars. the picture below represents a leopard watching a herd of antelopes. he is hid from their view behind a rock, and when they come near enough, he will leap into the herd and catch one of them. [illustration] [illustration: moose.] moose. this animal is perhaps the only kind of deer whose general appearance can be called ungraceful. the head is large, the mane short and thick, and the horns knotty and heavy. the body, which is short and clumsy, is mounted on tall legs. the motion of the animal is a sort of shambling trot. the moose inhabits the northern parts of both europe and america. its flesh is much liked by the hunters, and much resembles beef. the moose attains to a large size, particularly the male, which sometimes weighs eleven or twelve hundred pounds. their skins, when dressed properly, make a soft, thick, pliable leather, which is useful for many purposes. sometimes the moose is attacked by wolves. here you have a picture of an unfortunate moose, who is assailed by a whole band of wolves. one is on his back, and has his teeth in the poor moose's flesh. [illustration] [illustration: nyl ghau.] nyl ghau. this animal is a kind of antelope, but is larger than the usual size of the antelope, and not so handsome in form. it stands upwards of four feet in height at the shoulder. it is a powerful and vicious creature, and its temper is not good. when it is about to make an attack, it drops down upon its fore-legs, and then darts quickly forward and gives a blow with its head, which is very dangerous. the hair of the nyl ghau is short and close, and is generally of a slate color in the male, and a tawny red in the female, except in the under parts of the body, which are always white. its fore-legs are longer than its hinder-legs, and it has the appearance of having a small lump at its shoulder. it is usually found in the forests of india, where it becomes the prey of the tigers and wild boars. the cut below shows how the nyl ghau defends himself when attacked. [illustration] [illustration: ox.] ox. the ox is very much like the bull and the cow in form, size, and color, and lives in the fields as they do. as soon as he is large enough, he is made to work for man; he draws the plough and the wagon, and in old times used to tread out the corn, instead of thrashing as people do now. he is not so wild or fierce as the bull, but its flesh and hide are as useful to us. the ox's foot is of a horny substance, and is called a hoof, like that of the bull and the cow. it is not like the horse's hoof, because it is separated in two. the horns of the ox are made into combs, drinking cups, handles for knives, and other things. the blood of the ox is very useful, and when boiled with brown sugar it helps to make it white. the blood also makes a blue dye. boys should not tease an ox, or throw stones at him. sometimes they turn on their tormentors, and gore them with their horns. [illustration] [illustration: porcupine.] porcupine. this is an animal of whom the most ridiculous stories have been told, particularly as to its power of darting its quills to a considerable distance when attacked, and in this manner wounding its enemies. instead, however of being an enemy to be feared, there is not, perhaps, a more timid creature in existence. but still, as a means of defence, these quills are of great service to their possessor, and preserve it from the attack of most of its enemies; its teeth are very strong and sharp; and if it had courage enough to use them, it would become rather a dangerous foe. when full grown, it measures nearly two feet in length. its general color is a grizzled, dusky black. the upper part of the head and neck is furnished with long light hairs. most parts of the back and sides are armed with long, sharp pointed quills, which are raised in a threatening manner whenever the animal is excited. the porcupine sleeps during the day, and at night searches for food. below is a picture of an odd kind of porcupine. it is called a brazilian porcupine. [illustration] [illustration: quagga.] quagga. this animal is somewhat like the horse, but most like the zebra, as you may see by comparing the two together. it is found in the southern parts of africa, living mostly in the plains in large herds. it is not so large or so beautiful as the zebra. its skin is of a dull brownish white, striped with darker color on the head and neck, and somewhat on the sides of its body; the upper parts of its legs are greyish, and the under parts white. it is a wild creature, and rather vicious in temper. it is made to draw by the natives of the country where it is found, and its flesh is eaten by them. the quagga differs from the zebra in his stripes. you may see by the figure of the zebra, below, that he is striped all over his body and limbs, while the quagga has stripes only on the head and the fore part of the body. [illustration] [illustration: rabbit.] rabbit. rabbits are timid little animals, prettily formed, with beautiful long ears. they run swiftly, and jump very nimbly. wild rabbits live in woods and burrow holes in banks of earth, where they hide themselves from danger. the wild rabbits are of a greyish brown color, but the tame rabbits are white, black, brown, black and white, and reddish. the white have pink eyes. their fur is soft, and is used for making hats. their flesh is white and very good to eat. the tame rabbits are kept in very small huts, and little boys and girls are fond of feeding them, for they will eat out of their hand, carrots, lettuce, and other green vegetables. below is a picture of a pretty kind of tame rabbits with very long ears. [illustration] [illustration: sheep.] sheep. the sheep is perhaps the most useful animal we have in our country; the flesh, called mutton, is most wholesome food. the hair of the skin, called wool, is made into cloth, flannel, and worsted. the skin is made into parchment to write upon, and leather; and from other parts of its body are made the strings for harps and violins, &c. the finest wool is procured from the sheep which are bred in spain. the sheep is very timid and harmless, and lives as you often may see in flocks, feeding on the grass of the fields and mountains. the hills and mountains which are too steep and barren for growing corn afford pasturage for the sheep. it very soon knows the shepherd who is set over it, and is easily guided by him. the young of the sheep are called lambs. here is a picture of a scotch shepherd keeping sheep in the highlands. [illustration] [illustration: tiger.] tiger. this very beautiful animal, is called a tiger, and is a native of india, a very hot country in asia. tigers are very fierce, and will often kill men, and animals a great deal larger than themselves. they live in the woods and thickets, called jungles, where they are hunted. tigers eat the flesh of animals which they kill. we have none in america, except a few carried about for show. the tiger is as big as a lion, and like the cat in shape, but much larger; he has a long tail, and a handsome striped skin, covered with short hair, which is used for a variety of useful and ornamental purposes. he is very active and can spring far. the tiger has sometimes been tamed by menagerie keepers, but he is a very sly and dangerous creature, and never to be trusted. [illustration] [illustration: urus.] urus. this name is given to the wild buffalo, of which there are several kinds. the one represented by our picture is the cape buffalo, which is found in various parts of southern africa. he is a very formidable animal, with spiteful looking eyes, and strong, crooked, sharp horns. he is very strong and hard to kill. the hunters consider him a worse enemy than the lion or the tiger. this buffalo loves to wallow in pools and swamps, and when the hunters attack him, he charges upon them with his terrible horns, and often overturns a horse and his rider, trampling them under his feet, and goring them with his sharp horns. mr. cumming, the english traveller in south africa, often encountered these animals, and had severe battles with them. here is a picture of the american bison, which is commonly called a buffalo. [illustration] [illustration: vicugna.] vicugna. the vicugna has sometimes been called the chilian sheep, from the name of the country it inhabits. it is covered with a fine, valuable wool, which is of a red rose color on the back, but white on the other parts of the body. vicugnas congregate in large herds, and feed on grass and small shrubs, and so long as they can procure enough of such food, they are never known to drink. they are very timid, but swift and sure at running. their legs are slender and well formed, and the head tall and erect. their ears are long and pointed, and their eyes large and brilliant. from the form of their feet, they are well fitted to travel mountainous countries, and are said to be even safer than mules. the vicugna is upwards of five feet in height and six in length. the tame ones will carry a load of over fifty pounds, but they are kept principally for the sake of the wool, and the flesh, which is said to taste like mutton. here is a picture of the llama, which is like the vicugna in many respects. [illustration] [illustration: wolf.] wolf. the wolf is something like a large dog. he is very fierce, and carries off young lambs and kids, which he kills and eats. throughout europe there are still many wolves, and the shepherds have great trouble to drive them away from the places where their sheep feed. we see in this picture that the wolf has killed a lamb, and is going to eat him. we have no wolves in the settled portions of our country, for the whites hunted and killed them all, because they were such troublesome and dangerous neighbors. but in the western country, and among the forests and mountains, they are still pretty plenty. wolves go about in large packs, or companies, and having scented their prey, pursue it like a pack of hounds, uttering the most dismal and ferocious cries. below is a picture of a wolf and two cubs. [illustration] [illustration: yak.] the letter x. we could not procure the drawing of any quadruped whose name begins with this letter. yak. this animal is seldom seen in europe, but it is a common one in tartary, where it is a native. it is like a small ox in its size and form, and has horns and hoofs. like the ox it is used sometimes as a beast of burden. its colors are chiefly black and white. the hair is long and rather curly, particularly at its tail. the chinese make ornaments out of the hair of the tails, which they dye various colors and wear them in their bonnets. the turks and persians use the tails as we do flags, for war-standards, which they call "horse tails." the hump on the back of the yak, like that of the bison, is formed of flesh, better flavored and more palatable than any other part of the animal. hence it is esteemed a great delicacy, and is much prized by the natives of the countries where it is found. [illustration] [illustration: zebu.] zebu. the zebu is an animal of the cow kind, and a native of india, and on that account is often called the indian ox. there are many varieties of the zebu. some of them are as large as our largest oxen. others when full grown are no bigger than a small calf. its horns are short and thick, and bent a little backwards; there is also a lump on the shoulder, which makes it look clumsy. it is a very useful and docile animal. in india it is used as a common beast of burden; it is also made to draw light wagons, and is even used for riding. the zebu is found not only in india, but in china, eastern africa, and the east india islands. figures representing the zebu are found on some of the most ancient monuments of that country. the brahmins esteem the zebu a sacred animal; and for this reason it has received the name of the brahmin ox. the picture below, shows several different kinds of zebus. [illustration] [illustration: marmot.] the marmot. the alpine marmot inhabits the alps, pyrenees, and other high mountains immediately below the region of perpetual snow. it is about the size of a hare, of a yellowish green color, tinted with an ashen hue about the head; the upper lip is cleft and whiskered. marmots live in families, who mutually aid each other in excavating a common dwelling,--a chamber lined with dried grass, at the end of a passage, six or eight feet, in the form of the letter y, one of the branches serving as an entrance, the other as a sewer. during winter, the mouth is closed by earth. they feed in company, but always place a sentinel, who, on the first appearance of danger, utters a shrill cry, when the whole retreat. [illustration] [illustration: koodoo.] the koodoo. the koodoo combines many of the characteristics of the sheep, ox, and antelope. he is a large and beautiful animal, a native of the woodlands of caffraria, the male standing four feet high, and from the insertion of the tail to the muzzle measuring about eight. the horns rise perpendicularly in large spiral whorls, three feet nine inches in length; a bristling of black hairs runs along the ridge of the neck, and a line of the same color hangs from the dewlap: the general color is brown, fading into grey, with a dorsal stripe of white, and stripes of the same color behind the shoulders and across the back. they are fleet but can not run long. more nearly allied to the deer, from which they are distinguished by their horns being permanent and without antlers, but marked with circular elevated rings, which increase, in size with their growth and years, one or two species alone exhibit a short ramification. [illustration] [illustration: moufflon.] the moufflon. this is a sort of sheep living wild on the mountains of corsica and sardinia; a similar species is also scattered over european turkey and some of the islands of the archipelago. they are about the ordinary size of sheep, and breed with the domestic races. the head is long, with the muzzle compressed, the nose somewhat raised, and the forehead swollen; the horns of the male (the female being without) are large, long, and triangular, bending backward like a half circle, attenuated from the base to the tip, which is obtuse; the body is large and muscular, the tail short, and bare on the inside; the legs are pretty long, and the hoofs short. they wander in flocks of about a hundred, led by some old and courageous male. their habits are like those of our own sheep, docile and gentle, though sometimes an amorous or a churlish old ram will butt down a child, a woman, or a man, who may happen to stand in his road, when the fit is upon him. [illustration] [illustration: red deer.] the red deer. the european stag, or red deer, is a fine looking animal, the tallest of the deer kind. the pride of the north, he delights in the highest mountains and the thickest forests, and is famed for long life, though the natural term of his existence be often exaggerated, and which, when exposed to human observation, he has never yet been accurately known to reach. he comes to full growth at five years, when his horns send out as many antlers, and he is called a hart, and the female a hind. every year the male sheds his horns, and conscious of his temporary weakness, hides himself till his new ones are hardened. his color, as his name imports, is a bright reddish-brown, of a darker shade near the belly, which is white. when fatigued in the chase, he takes the water if near, and will cross with ease considerable and rapid streams; when wounded or taken, he sheds tears like a child; but though timid, when at bay he sometimes takes ample vengeance upon the hounds before he is subdued. [illustration] [illustration: lion.] the lion. the african lion, now driven from the coast, is scattered over the interior. he measures from seven to nine feet in length, with a tail about four, tufted at the point; the height at the shoulder from three to five; but when he is newly whelped, his size does not exceed that of a puppy dog, and it requires four, or according to some writers, six years, till he attains his full stature. he lives to a great but uncertain age; one in the tower reached upwards of seventy years. there are three varieties described; one of a deep yellowish brown; the other of a lighter shade: and the cape lion, of which the mane is nearly black. the appearance of the lion, from which he has derived the title of the king of beasts, is majestic when at rest, but terrible when roused. he has a broad face, surrounded with long shaggy hair, and a flowing mane, increasing in length as his years advance, adorns his neck. [illustration] [illustration: llama.] the llama. the llama of the new are analogous to the camel of the old world, but smaller in size, being only about four feet four inches high at the shoulder. the dromedary is from five to seven. it is a native of the mountainous regions of south america. it has cloven hoofs, adapted for aiding its progress in hilly districts. it has no hunch on the back, but has one on the breast. its color is a greyish-white, spotted. it is equally abstemious in its habits with the camel, and will travel four or even five days without seeking repose; but like the camel, it will not be forced to carry more or move faster than it chooses and will rather kill itself, by striking its head on the ground, than be driven forward by harshness or blows. in a wild state it is gregarious, but is easily domesticated, and is still used as a beast of burden. [illustration] proofreaders the picture alphabet. oliver spafford. erie, pa. . alphabet a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z & a b e d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z fi ff fl ffi ffl a [illustration: antelope.] a b [illustration: bull.] b c [illustration: cat.] c d [illustration: dog.] d e [illustration: eagle.] e f [illustration: fox.] f g [illustration: goat.] g h [illustration: hawk.] h i [illustration: ibex.] i j [illustration: elk.] j k [illustration: kite.] k l [illustration: lynx.] l m [illustration: monkey.] m n [illustration: nylghau.] n o [illustration: owl.] o p [illustration: pig.] p q [illustration: quail.] q r [illustration: raccoon.] r s [illustration: snipe.] s t [illustration: tortoise.] t u [illustration: urus.] u v [illustration: vulture.] v w [illustration: walrus.] w x [illustration: x.] x there is no word in the english language beginning with this letter. y [illustration: yelper.] y z [illustration: zebra.] z [illustration: goose and goslings.] [illustration: bear.]