JpoHDaj? entertainment ; OR, THE GOOD CHILD'S FAIRING. Containing the PLAYS AND SPORTS OF CHARLES AND BILLY WELLDON, AND OTHER Little Boys and Girls who went with them to the Fair. GLASGOW: Tiibli shed and Sold Wholesale , P.Y LuMSBEN AND SoN. [Price Twopence.] Holiday Entertainment ; OR THE GOOD CHILD'S FAIRING. InpHAT all little folks should mind their learning, is a truth which nobody will dispute; but that they should have play, amusement, and holidays, at proper times, to be sure, is as necessary; in which, no doubt, they will all very readily agree with me ; and if they are as ready to read this little book, I could ven- ture to lay a wager, that they will not afterwards be sorrv for it. 4 Holiday finfertainmcnt or It was holida^y-tjme, and a fine morning, when Charley, and Billy, and Sally, and Nancy, and some c:! er children, having got leave of their parents, prepared to set out for the iua , ^ , as far as I could learn, they were very glad of the •importunity. L' rou know, young Reader, or you on] tip know, nothing is certain; " Many things fall out be- tween the cup and the lip," as the old prove? ~h says ; and so it hap- pened hero ; for the weather grew cloudy, and presently after a great deal of rain fell, which for that day entirely prevented their journey. You l understand, that Char- ley and Biiiy were brothers; but of very different tempers, as you will find whm i tell you, that the for- mer way contented, as all good boys The Good Child's Fairing, 5 ought to be, with the weather which God had sent ; while his brother did nothing but fret and pout, and he was rewarded for it accordingly. Just at this time, the old man that lived under the hill, who is very well acquainted with children and their tempers, knocked at the door.- — Come in, says the young gentleman's papa ; aye, come in, says Mrs. Goodwill, the house- keeper. — So I shall, replies the old man, but I hope you have no naughty children here.-— You had best come ami see, cried the house- keeper again. And he came in and stood for some time, looking very earnestly both at Charley and 6 Hjliday Entertainments j or I hope you don't see apy naugh- ty chilci here, said Mr. Wettdonj but how do you do ? The old man thanked him, and replied, Merry and cheery, and full of Good- will ; And as I was yesterday, so I am still That's a good thing, savs, Mr The Good Child's Fair hi g. ? .Welldon ; but have you any news for us to divert the time this rainy day ? I know you used to have a budget full. 1 can't ^promise that I have a great deal now, Sir, says he, but I ran tell you that I am just come from Mrs, Aim worth's, who was obliged to whip her favourite child, because he was naughty, and. cried to go out in the rain 5 and, besides correcting him, she would not let him have his share of a fine cake that came out of the country, which was divided in his sight, amongst all the Other children, without any of them so much as daring to oiler him a bit of it. This story did not at all please Billy, who looked more sullen than ever ; but the old man went on with that he had to sav, without seem- 8 Holiday Entertai?wienty or ing to mind him, and told mam pretty tales, most of which were amusing and instructive. He afterwards informed the two brothers, that he had a lottery for children, which they were free to put into without any expense. But then, says he, as they are not all prizes, and yet every one is to have something, nobody must be offend- ed with the chance of drawing any thing that may be disagreeable; and I assure you, gentlemen, in my lot- tery (different from what often hap- pens in others) most of those that put in for a chance, are found to draw what they deserve. The conditions being settled, the two brothers agreed to draw. Char- ley was the elder, and had spoken first ; but Billy a little rudely push- ed him aside, and would draw be- The Good Child's Furring. 9 ore him. So he did, and what do ?on think he drew a rod — But Charley, who came after him, drew i little gilt book. Here they are yjth. See how differently they ook upon the occasion. But from the behaviour of Bflta pe proprietor of the lottery ecu! -J pot help observing, that he thought 10 Holiday Entertainment ; or his words were fulfilled ; wirier made this naughty boy fall into g fit of crying for mere passion ; and h would certainly have been turn* ed out of the room for it, if the housekeeper had not begged him hi stay, on a promise that he would behave better for the future. The old man then proceeded in his usual manner, and said so pariy pleasant things, that even 1 Could not help smiling. Afterwards he produced a magic lanthorn, which greatly entertained the com= pany. The affair of the rod, however, still stuck in Billy's stomach, as those who deserve to be affronted seldom forgive. Pray, Charley, said he, what must be done with this pretty prize of mine ? and with- out waiting for an answer, The Good Child's Fairing. 1 1 If you had it, what would you have done with it ? Why, brother, replied Charley, I would have given it to die housekeeper, that she might lay it up to be used on the first naughty boy who should deserve it. Billy took this answer as meant for himself: he found the cap fitted him, and so he thought proper to wear it, Now these things cdntri- \ buted to keep him in the sullens all the evening:. You will observe, that Mr. Wel - don, for along time, had not seem- ed to take much notice of his son Billy's behaviour, except once when he would have turned him out of the room ; but now 7 it grew so much past bearing, that he not only turn- ed him out, but sent him supperless - to bed ; which was no more than 12 Holiday Entertainment ; or he richly deserved for having been so naughty. So away he went blubbering, whiie his brother was left behind, who was very sorry to see him be- have in such a silly manner. The old man entertained them with many pretty tilings till it was supper time, when he would not stay any longer 5 but promising to see them again the next dav, he de- rap ted ; and Charley, like a good boy, ate his supper, said his prayers, and went to slu p till next morn- ing. He persuaded Billy, when they rose, to ask pardon of his papa, and promise to be good; and so all was forgiven and forgotten, and they breakfasted together ; but the wea- ther still proving to be rainy, there was no such thing to be though] The Good Child's Tairin*. l« on as going to the fair that day ; however, the children had full leave to divert themselves at home: and besides, Sally and Nancy Came to see them, and brought a little boy with them, that had a great many pretty playthings about him: among the rest, he had the alphabet cut in ivory, with which he shewed many fancies; The twenty-four letters seemed as if they were dancing t he hays, and lie made his own name by joining them, after which he made plum-pudding out of them, and Mr. Welldon promised he should have some to dinner for his pains. After they had dined, the young folks found out a great many pretty plays, among which was hide and seek. At this Sally was the most clever of them all, for she generally found them out, and especially Bil- 14 Holiday Entertainment ; or ly, let him hid wherever he would; and sometimes when she found him, he would pout a little; but then she drew him out of his hid- ing-place, and laughed in such a good-natured merry manner, that he could not help laughing too. After this they played at ques- tions and commands, when Char- ley, being King, gave such com- mands as contributed much to the mirth of all the rest, and especially when he ordered Billy to kiss the bottom of Nancy's shoe, which he was obliged to do, to the great di- version of his playmates. •The children then went to build- ing card houses, in which Nancy shewed herself very expert, build- ing her's neater and higher than the rest; on which Mr. Welldon ob- served, — But, at the same time, do The Good Child's Fairing. 1 5 you see, my clear, says he, how easi ly they are thrown down ; so it will j often happen to you, that your hopes of what you like best will be overthrown; and, as in this case, it would be naughty and silly to fret at your card house falling, so on the other, it would be useless to grow fretful at your disappointment. Just as he spoke, the card house fell, and Nancy shewed her pa- tience, by building it up again, without fretting about the matter. At this time the old man came in again, and expressed how much he was pleased to see all the chil- dren merry and ffood-natured to- gether, and they all drew his lot- tery, where they each of them got one pretty thing or another, which helped to keep them in good hu- mour ; though, indeed, if it had hap- 20 IioTidaij Mhierfammekf ; or pen eel otherwise, it would have been very naughty for any of them to be ill tempered about it. And now they spent the remain- der of the evening in telling stories. Cinderella, or the Glass Slipper; the history of Little King Peppin ; the history of Tommy Trip, ami many other tales amused them ; and the old man being desired to relate a storv in his turn, obliged them with the following : There lived an old couple in a country place, who had two child drcn, both girls; the one so very handsome, that every body at first sight was inclined to like her; the other in her infancy so very ordi- nary, that even her parents could not bring themselves to love her, though they did their duty to her. Now, in the process of time, as TTte Good Child 9 s Fairing. 17 they grew up, Arabella, who was the pretty daughter, was always ad- miring herself at the lookino-^lass, and would neither read nor work at her needle, nor indeed do any thing; but Martha, who was the youngest, minded her work and her book; however, she was seldom praised, beeause few people took any notice of her. Yet it is true, that the parents were very sorry to see their favou- rite child so unwilling to attend to what she ought; but they would not force her to any thing, so she was taught nothing but dancing and musje. She made a shift to dance tolerablv, but to her an to rain as before, just as the young folks had met together, and lbs they began to think of nothing less than another disappointment; the thought of which put Billy again into such an ill humour, that he began to kick a poor dog about that was in his way : for which his bro- tlier reproved him ; and his papa, i Y noJnai seen him, would cvrte.iniy 22 Holiday Entertainment ; or have given him due correction. However, it happened that the clouds were cleared away soon al- ter; and the weather was quite fair by nine o'clock, after the shower, when the poor dog that Billy had kicked, after running to the door, came and fawned upon him and the rest of the children. See ho w- good natured the poor beast is. Brother, said Charley, he seems to be the messenger of good news to us all. As he spoke, the sun shone out and Mr. Welldon and the housekeeper came to bid him pre- pare for the fair, which you may be sure was a very agreeable order. They were not long before they shewed how willing they all were to obey. They were soon ready, and Mrs. Goodwill very cheerfully set out wit hthem under her charge, The Good Child's Fairiv.g. 23 which pleased them, as she was very careful, and besides was so extreme- ly good-natured, that she was an excellent companion to them. As they were on the road, pus not far from their journey's end, they met with a lad, that had a chaise drawn by dogs, who invit- ed the children to ride; but Mrs. Goodwill observing that he seem- ed to be a rude boy, and was very careless, persuaded them not to ac- cept the offer — all but Billy — he would ride, and so he did ; and what was the consequence ? The chaise was overturned in the dirt ; and though he was not much hurt, vet he was covered with mud. Only see what a figure it made him. 24? Holiday Entertainment ; or Indeed, be was told at fir§t that he must go home again ; but his companions interceding for him, Mrs. Goodwill took him to a per- son's house that she knew, which Jay in the way ; and, having cleaned him, they all proceeded to the Fair, where they saw toy-shops and show-booths, and heard music, and every thing that was pleasant and The Good Child's Fairing. 25 agreeable, with a vast number of folks assembled on purpose to be merry. And Mrs. Goodwill took then! to see the shows, where punch and his puppets dance, as well as buying them several fine toys, and pointing out to them the merry tricks of Mr. Andrew, who never fails to entertain all those that gaze on him. 26 Holiday Entertainment ; or Besides all this, they were shewn a collection of wild beasts and birds. There were the lordly lion and the little jackall, the tyger, the wolf, and the Greenland bear, us well as the eagle, the vulture, and a number of monkeys and parrots, whose tricks were pretty and en- tertaining. The Good Child's Fairing. 21 But, above all, Mrs. Goodwill desired them to remark a little horse and clog, each or' whom would put together the letters so as to spell a great many words, and even the names of several people is* company. These beasts, said she, are certainly very industrious, and are valuable, both because they en- tertain you, and because they do what some children are such block- heads, that they are not able to do; and so he is worth your notice. After this they went to see an ape that did many extraordinary things; but there were sc:iree]y any of them but what were mischevious. The creature, says Mrs. Good- will is indeed very sharp ; but see how he diliors from the horse and dog that you just now saw. For all they did had the appearance of 28 Holiday Entertainment ; or improvement; whilst all you see this creature attempt is unlucky, and he himself good for nothing. They saw a great number of fine sights besides; and there were scarcely one of them, but Mr. Welldon's housekeeper drew some moral from it, which was all for the benefit of her company ; for children's hours can never be more profitable employed, than when they are at the same time enter- tained and instructed. They stayed a long while in the fair, where the children met some that knew them ; and as all were in good humour, so every thing served to increase their merriment; but if they had been sullen or ill natured, it is certain that nothing, however pleasant, as Mrs. Good- The Good Child's Fairing. 29 will observed, could ever have made them merry or happy. When they left the fair, being still in good spirits, the house- keeper took them again to the house of her acquaintance in the way home, where they went and had a syllabub made fresh from the cow, while the poor creature stood still, and looked as if she was pleased at the good natured office she was doing her mistress's little guests. After thev had taken this little refreshment, Mrs. Goodwill's friend asked them whether they were tired; to which one and all answering no, she demanded whether they thought they could take a gambol on the green ; to this they readily answer- ed, Yes. And so away they went to a lawn behind the house, where, SO Holiday Entertainment or ; after playing at ball and other little sports, they had a dance upon the green turf. This being over, they returned to the house, where they were again regaled with cakes and sweatmeats, and had each a glass of wine at parting. Now as the sun had set, it was time to go home; and luckily meet- ing with a coach, the house-keeper agreed with the coachman to take them in; and accordingly they rode merrily off together. On their return they found the old man that lived under the hill, who had called at Mr. Welldon's while they were gone; and you can't think how much rejoiced he was to hear, that they had their wish in going to the fair, and besides i'hat thcv had behaved well ; for The Good Child's Fairing. 31 Mrs, Goodwill did not tell him of Billy's mistake ; so he had occasion to say, " All's well that ends well." The fairings that the children brought home with them were cakes, gilt books, toys of several sorts, and all of which being left to their own option, it apoeared, on pro- ducing them, that Charley's and Sally's were best chosen. They now confessed they were tired ; on which the old man made them remember that pleasure might tire folks as well a% pain ; and then wishing them a good night, he de- parted; and the children separated, each going to supper and to bed, fuid dreaming again of the fair. FINIS, Two little boys, named Billy Loveplay, and Tommy Goodchild were sent to school, the former of whom had such an aversion to learning, and was so negligent of his book that he had to be whipt before he would say a word of his lesson, and the master had to discharge him at last. But Tommy was of a very different disposition, and made such rapid progress in learn- ing, that he soon became a very great man, and purchased a fine country seat. See, here it is. 3 yi& &n