ns, ants, sparrows and the hares
And tell them how with me it fares,
That while they leap, creep, sing and fly.
In chains and prison I must lie."

[Illustration]

A STROLL IN THE COUNTRY

Put on your hat and let us take
A stroll amidst the rural scene--
The boat is gliding o'er the lake,

[Illustration]

The cows are browsing pastures green,
The herdsman's horns the echoes wake,
And holiday like Nature's self we'll make!

[Illustration]

Into the garden next let's come
To pluck a pear or downy plum,
And hear the bird's sweet trilling--

[Illustration: ]

While all around, on fragrant beds,
The flowerets lift their little heads,
The air with perfume filling.

[Illustration: ]

The merry kid is leaping gaily,
And soberer Nanny gives us daily
Sweet milk to make us cheese;

While all our tastes to please,
His nets the busy fisher flings,
And eels and carp for dinner brings.

THE OTTER.

The Otter belongs to a class of animals which we may call the Weasel
tribe. Their bodies are long and lithe, and their legs short. This
family includes the weasel (its smallest member), the stoat, the ferret,
the pole-cat, the marten, and the otter (its largest member). You may
then think of the Otter as a water-ferret, or water-weasel. He can swim
most elegantly, and he is a beautiful diver. Let a fish glide underneath
him, and he is after it in a moment; and as the fish darts here and
there to escape, the Otter follows each rapid movement with unerring
precision. When the fish is caught, the Otter carries it to the bank and
makes a meal. But the Otter is like naughty Jack who leaves a saucy
plate--he spoils much more fish than he eats. The trout and other fish
are so much alarmed at the appearance of an Otter, that they will
sometimes fling themselves on the bank to get out of his way.

[Illustration]

THE MASTIFF.

The mastiff is a large, grave, sullen-looking dog, with a wide chest,
noble head, long switch tail, bright eyes, and a loud, deep voice. Of
all dogs this is the most vigilant watcher over the property of his
master, and nothing can tempt him to betray the confidence reposed in
him. Notwithstanding his commanding appearance, and the strictness with
which he guards the property of his master, the mastiff is possessed of
great mildness of character, and is very grateful for any favors
bestowed upon him. I once went into the barn of a friend where there was
a masti