V

THE QUEEN-MOTHER'S COUNSEL

_A Thought_[7]

It is very nice to think The world is full of meat and drink, With little children saying grace In every Christian kind of place.

Robert Louis Stevenson.

[Footnote 7: _From "Poems and Ballads," copyright, 1895, 1896, by Chas. Scribner's Sons._]

_Inscription for My Little Son's Silver Plate_[8]

When thou dost eat from off this plate, I charge thee be thou temperate; Unto thine elders at the board Do thou sweet reverence accord; And, though to dignity inclined, Unto the serving-folk be kind; Be ever mindful of the poor, Nor turn them hungry from the door; And unto G.o.d, for health and food And all that in thy life is good, Give thou thy heart in grat.i.tude.

Eugene Field.

[Footnote 8: _From "The Book of Joyous Children," copyright, 1902, by Chas. Scribner's Sons._]

_Praise G.o.d_

Praise G.o.d for wheat, so white and sweet.

Of which to make our bread!

Praise G.o.d for yellow corn, with which His waiting world is fed!

Praise G.o.d for fish and flesh and fowl He gave to men for food!

Praise G.o.d for every creature which He made and called it good!

Praise G.o.d for winter's store of ice, Praise G.o.d for summer's heat!

Praise G.o.d for fruit trees bearing seed, "To you it is for meat!"

Praise G.o.d for all the bounty By which the world is fed!

Praise G.o.d, ye children all, to whom He gives your daily bread!

Unknown.

_The Eyes of G.o.d_

G.o.d watches o'er us all the day, At home, at school, and at our play; And when the sun has left the skies He watches with a million eyes.

Gabriel Setoun.

_Kindness to Animals_

Little children, never give Pain to things that feel and live: Let the gentle robin come For the crumbs you save at home,-- As his meat you throw along He'll repay you with a song; Never hurt the timid hare Peeping from her green gra.s.s lair, Let her come and sport and play On the lawn at close of day; The little lark goes soaring high To the bright windows of the sky, Singing as if 'twere always spring, And fluttering on an untired wing,-- Oh! let him sing his happy song, Nor do these gentle creatures wrong.

Unknown.

_How Doth the Little Busy Bee_

How doth the little busy bee Improve each shining hour, And gather honey all the day From every opening flow'r!

How skilfully she builds her cell!

How neat she spreads the wax!

And labours hard to store it well With the sweet food she makes.

In works of labour or of skill, I would be busy too; For Satan finds some mischief still For idle hands to do.

In books, or work, or healthful play, Let my first years be past, That I may give for ev'ry day Some good account at last.

Isaac Watts.

_Deeds of Kindness_

Suppose the little cowslip Should hang its golden cup, And say, "I'm such a tiny flower, I'd better not grow up."

How many a weary traveller Would miss its fragrant smell!

How many a little child would grieve To lose it from the dell!

Suppose the glistening dewdrop Upon the gra.s.s should say, "What can a little dewdrop do?

I'd better roll away."

The blade on which it rested, Before the day was done, Without a drop to moisten it, Would wither in the sun.

Suppose the little breezes, Upon a summer's day, Should think themselves too small to cool The traveller on his way: Who would not miss the smallest And softest ones that blow, And think they made a great mistake, If they were talking so?

How many deeds of kindness A little child may do, Although it has so little strength, And little wisdom too!

It wants a loving spirit, Much more than strength, to prove How many things a child may do For others by its love.

F. P.

_Good Advice_

Seldom "can't,"

Seldom "don't"; Never "shan't,"

Never "won't."

Christina G. Rossetti.

_I'll Try_

Two Robin Redb.r.e.a.s.t.s built their nest Within a hollow tree; The hen sat quietly at home, The c.o.c.k sang merrily; And all the little robins said: "Wee, wee, wee, wee, wee, wee."