EDINBURGH:

PRINTED BY SANSON AND CO.,

FORREST ROAD.

ΤΟ

ALL DEAR LITTLE GIRLS AND BOYS,

BUT ESPECIALLY TO

MY DARLING RUTHIE,

THIS LITTLE BOOK

Es Dedicated

WITH THE WARM, HEARTY LOVE OF THE

COMPILER.

I

A Few Words of Greeting.

HAVE dedicated this little volume to all dear little girls

and boys—many of whom I love and who I hope love me a little in return-because I compiled it expressly for them, as I wanted each one to have a Birthday Book of their own in which kind friends could write their names. I was cheered in my work by hoping it would give pleasure to many a young heart, and find its way to thousands of happy homes where young, fresh, tender lives were budding like lovely flowers into beauty. I wish I could make all children happy, bring smiles to the face and sunshine to the life, and drive away everything that brings tears and pain; but I am unable to do this; yet each one can do a great deal not only to make his or her own life happy, but to brighten the lot of all with whom they come in contact, by kind loving words and deeds. I think all good fairies (for there are fairies) love little children, and will nestle in the heart of each one if room is but made for them; children are their peculiar care, they love them and love to make them happy, and watch over them through long, dark night hours, when only the stars and the winds seem to be awake. There is one dear little fairy whose acquaintance I want you all to cultivate, her name is KindHeart; she is such a tiny little creature, but has such wonderful ways and such magic power; she sings all day long as she trips on her way, and if you listen you will often hear her singing

I am but a fairy,

A wee little thing;

If you will kiss me

I'll teach you to sing

My song has such magic
As nobody knows,
It makes a pale cheek
Blush red as a rose !

Should a nasty black frown
Creep over a face,
My song makes a smile
Break out in its place;
And when sad little tears
Dim bright little eyes,
I make them twinkle
Like stars in the skies!

And if tiny hands clench
To strike a hard blow,
And little face flush

From chin up to brow,
And little mouth open
To rage and to storm-
I sing but a line

And passion is gone!
And tiny lips pout

And woo for a kiss, And make it all up

With master or miss!

If down deep in the heart
A wicked thought burn,
A sister or brother
To do a bad turn,
I creep soft to the ear
And sweetly I sing-
Away flies the thought

A horrid black thing!
So if you will kiss me
I'll teach you to sing,
And bring to your life

What none else can bring!

C. B.