(1894) The Brownies Around The World

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The Brownies around the
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BOOKS BY PALMER COX:
PUBLISHED BY D. APPLETON-CENTURY COMPANY
THE BROWNIES: THEIR BOOK
Quarto, 150 pages. Price, in boards, $1.75
ANOTHER BROWNIE BOOK

WHITE j) Quarto, 150 pages. Price, in boards, $1.75
THE BROWNIES AT HOME

?.olyiH Quarto, 150 pages. Price, in boards, $1.75
THE BROWNIES AROUND C~j

THE WORLD
THE BROWNIES THROUGH

THE UNION
?X*s Quarto, 150 pages. Price, in boards, $1.75
THE BROWNIES ABROAD

Quarto, 150 pages. Price, in boards, $1.75 t<z^-JS7
J^Vfi^ -^<S$
THE BROWNIES IN THE

PHILIPPINES
THE BROWNIES LATEST

ADVENTURES
THE BROWNIES MANY MORE

NIGHTS
Quarto, 150 pages. Price, in boards, $1-75
THE BROWNIES AND

PRINCE FLORIMEL
Quarto, 246 pages. Price, in cloth, $1.75
THE BROWNIE PRIMER

I2mo, 108 pages. Price, in cloth, $.75 net.
THE BROWNIES
AROUND THE WORLD
BY
PALMER COX
D. APPLETON-CENTURY COMPANY
INCORPORATED
NEW YORK LONDON
1937
Copyright, 1892, 1893, by THE CURTIS PUBLISHING COMPANY
Copyright, 1894, by THE CENTURY Co.
Copyright renewed, 1922
Printed in the U. S. A.
c ^
- /

CIRCULATION DEPARTrPENT
CONTENTS.
BROWNIES IN
*t -^
<
BROWNIES CROSS THE ATLANTIC /V<p' *s*r-.-

19
BROWNIES IN IRELAND
BROWNIES IN SCOTLAND 39
BROWNIES IN ENGLAND 48
BEOWNIES IN FRANCE 58
BROWNIES IN SPAIN 68
_^ BROWNIES IN ITALY 75
BROWNIES IN TURKEY 84
BROWNIES IN EGYPT 90
BROWNIES IN AEABIA 96
BROWNIES IN GERMANY 104

''
BROWNIES IN SWITZERLAND 110
BROWNIES IN HOLLAND 116
BRO\VNIES IN RUSSIA 120
BROWNIES IN CHINA 127
BROWNIES IN JAPAN 131
BROWNIES IN THE POLAR REGIONS

PROPERTY OF THE
CITY OF NEW YORK.
THE BROWNIES IN CANADA.

FIRST STAGE.
HEN signs that mark the closing year

Began to hint of winter near,
In leafless trees, in ice-rimmed pond,
And on the mountain peaks beyond,
The Brownies gathered, one and all,
In answer to a general call.
All representatives of note

From countries near and lands remote,
Assembled fast at close of day,
To lay their plans and have their say.

No less a scheme they had in mind
Than now, before their powers declined,
While still they had the strength to run,
The hearts to dare, and taste for fun,
To visit all the nations wide, . .
-
Around the world on every side.

i
Said one: "My comrades tried and true,

No picnic trip we have in view,
For many a hardship must be met,

And many a foot in danger set
Ere we can reach the native land
Of every member in the band ;
Strange accidents will cross our way

Of which we little dream to-day;
Strange modes of travel must be found
Ere we can circle earth around.
With fortitude yourselves equip
To serve you through the trying trip,
From States that stretch from sea to sea,
The watchful wards of liberty,
Through zones that gave to Franklin brave

And bold De Long an icy grave,
And tried the nerve of Melville true
While rescuing the famished crew,
Through lands enriched by Pharaoh's dust,
And cities baked in lava crust,
To where that flowery realm extends

On which the world for tea depends."
At mention of these far-off climes,
Where they could have such wondrous times,
The Brownies smiled, and all the band
Were ready now to lift a hand
And vote that they, with willing hearts,
Would make the trip to foreign parts;
And should misfortunes sad and sore
Assail them on some distant shore,
THE BROWNIES IK CANADA.
No blame would be attached to those

Who did the daring scheme propose.
That night, before the moon grew pale
And hid behind a western veil,
Or stars a sign of falling showed,

The daring Brownies took the road.
With cunning minds the travelers planned

To keep along the northern strand,
Until they skirted Baffin's Bay,
And Labrador behind them lay;
Then trust a raft and favoring breeze
To take them o'er dividing seas,
Tillon some point of Europe cast,
The band would find themselves at last.
An easy task it seems, no doubt,

To mark a course for others out,
And every one will understand
Who ventures out by sea or land,
That such a trip would have at best
Some trials that would courage test.

Itseemed to argue want of sense,
But in the Brownie band's defense
3
Let me remark, the Brownie kind

Are not to human powers confined,
For mystic arts with mortal blend,
Insuring triumph in the end.
Deep rivers that before them ran,

Were bridged at oncewith single span,
Tall saplings bent from top to root
Were fastened in some way to suit,
4
Till oue by one, in single file,

They crossed the stream in Brownie style
Sometimes a city stretched before,
With all its bustle,
jam and roar ;
mills
its rushing
trains,
Its blazing squares and darksome lanes;

Then Brownies needs must circle round
And dodge about for safer ground.

To thriving towns they hurried all,
And visited each church and hall,

And passed opinions freely still
On what they saw, as Brownies will;
Then London, and Kingston old.
Gait,
In turn received the Brownies bold.
To Ottawa went all the band

To view each edifice so grand,
To Hamilton, to Goderich, too,
That overlooks Lake Huron blue.
The Brownies took a hasty run
For observation and for fun.
Through streets that are Toronto's pride
They hurried on with hasty stride,
Viewed banks, and buildings made to hold
The money which is good 9,s gold.
Looked through each handsome court and square,
And market-place with special care.
My pen has not the space to praise
Each charming sight that drew their gaze
As on they hastened through the land
Enjoying scenes on every hand.
Once while they halted to survey
A steep and grass-grown mound of clay,
Said one, "This marks an old redoubt
Where once the British kept lookout,
WheB Uncle Sam and Johnny Bull
Had their last interesting pull,
Or tug of war, as records show,
Now over eighty years ago."
The Thousand Islands may be named
As something that attention claimed,
The broad St. Lawrence got its share
Of praise and observation there.
"
ugh fife l>u' ft" Said one, This river rolling free,
^
Without some Touch
of woe , Between the chain of lakes and sea,
THK HKOWN1ES IN CANADA.
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Has not an equal far or near,

For water sparkling bright and clear.
It thrills the heart and charms the sight,
Thus dancing on, as in delight,

To pour its fresh and crystal flow
Into the ocean far helow.
No wonder Indians strewed, like stones,

Along its banks the settlers' bones,
Before they 'd leave a scene so fair
And turn to seek a home elsewhere.
The arm indeed might well be strong,
The hatchet heavy, arrow long,
And scalping-knife be ever keen
Defending such a lovely scene-
I think it will not be amiss
Now while beside a flood like this,

That we may not again come near
On pleasure bound for many a year,
For us to take a boat or two
And down the stream our way pursue."
"
Another said, We can command
A naphtha launch that 's near at hand.
'T will just about contain the crowd,
Yet every one have space allowed."
"
Cried one, That suits us to a T !
At engineering trust to me,

I 've had some practice at the art
And well can undertake the part."

"
Another said, I '11 steer her straight
Between the rocks or islands great,

While all on board can take their rest
Nor be with creeping fears oppressed."

It was not long until the boat
Set out with every one afloat.

Some chanced a little skiff to find,
And this was soon attached behind,

And those were lucky, so they thought,
Who in that way a passage sought.
They sailed along with joke and smile,

And much enjoyed every mile,
Until some foaming crests appeared
That told of rapids that they neared.
The current was by far too strong
And wild for them to right the wrong.
THE BROWNIES IN CAN ABA.
Thoir hope lay not in turning back,

But now to keep the safest track.
The helmsman stood well to his task,
Nor had he need for help to ask,
A dozen members of the crew
Were quick to tell him what to do.
Now round the islands, left and right

He steered the craft with wondrous might,
Now grazing banks, now scraping stones,
While rose the cries, the shrieks and groans
9
THE BBOWNEES IN CANADA.
Of frightened Brownies, who were thrown

Into the greatest panic known.
At length there came a fearful shock -
The launch had centered on a rock,

In spite of all the sage commands,
And left a wreck upon their hands.

Just then, to much increase their woe,
The boiler made a stir below,
As far too often is the case
When some mishap has taken place.
'Twas well the boiler had its bed

Located aft where things could spread
1
Without destroying ah the host
That to the bows had crowded most.
Those who were sitting on the rail
Went upward like a flock of quail,
While those aboard the skiff had soon
Their bearing changed to strike the moon,
And quickly learned that lunar ride
Had much their trouble magnified.
A watery grave had been the lot
Of half the band if they had not
Been blessed with supernatural power
That stood them well in hand that hour
Some had to swim, and some to dive,
More held to planks to keep alive,
For swift the river swept along
Upon its course with action strong.

10
Tin; i;i;u\\ NIKS IN < \N VDA.
However bad the rip or break

The Brownies don't their ship forsake,
Till they 've exhausted all the means
Known liotli to l;iinlsiiicii mill marines,
That they may have within their reach
To bring her safely to the beach.
The Brownies gained the wreck at last
That still was sticking hard and fast.
Then way they could

in the quickest
They patched up with bits of wood,

it
With caps and jackets calked the seams
And spliced the shattered ribs and beams,

Then, launching it adrift once more,
They worked it to the nearest shore.

Thus on they traveled mile by mile,
With many jokes and laughs the while.
A river widened to a bay
At times occasioned some dismay,
And seemed to bring to sudden end
The trip they gladly would extend,
Till one was quick to raise the cry
"
We 're all right yet, some boats I spy
Here lying on the weedy shore.
Let some take rudder, some take oar,
And '11 travel where we please
soon we
"
In spite of current, tide, or breeze !
At once they rushed a seat to find,

For no one wished to stay behind,
And while they rowed the boats along
Asage draws on apace
SMI Ijeaverju/ard lift _yourfoee The band united in a song :
11
"A happy Brownie band are we,
Prepared for daring deeds,

We ramble boldly, far and free,
Wherever fancy leads.

For us the forest spreads its leaves
And throws a shade below,
For us its screen the ivy weaves,
And ferns and mosses grow.
The children strain
Their eyes in vain
To see a Brownie sprite,
For those that find
The Brownie kind

Must have a second sight.
"For us the plantain-leaves are wide

Enough to cover two,
For us the stars at eventide
Trim all their lamps anew.

And quickly we can slip away
When they forsake the sky,
Or keen, observing children stray
Around with prying eye.
We hide from all,
Both large and small,
By day as well as night.

Ah none can see
!
A Brownie wee
"
Who has not second sight
12
hastening on, with ardor keen,

Still
They ran the rapids of Lachine

In boats that threatened hard at times
To bring an end to all my rhymes
.:-"; "4
'
*
^'-a'%' .-.c.;
ing up the Brownie band

r
By gi\
To the St. Lawrence River grand ;
To roll them on with crazy flow

Into the ocean far below.
At Montreal they paused awhile
To note its size and ancient style,
And from Mount Royal to survey
The leveled land that round them lay,
Then ran to see the shaft of stone
That in a central place is shown
Surmounted by the gallant tar
Who won and died at Trafalgar,
13
THE BBOWNIES IN CANADA.
Then, walking on the roof or ridge,

They crossed the long Victoria Bridge
From end to end, not trusting to
The road inside, for well they knew
The trains that thundered to and fro
Were every hour on the go.
To Granby next they quickly ran,
The birthplace of the Brownie man.
By tiny streams they sat and smiled,
In which he angled when a child,
On Shefford Mountain stood to gaze
Where oft he climbed in youthful days
Thus went the band
the country through
Enjoying all that

met their view.
Those who can only
show a nose
Abroad at night,
you may suppose,

Have watchful times
in keeping clear
Of dangers that
with light appear.
But still the
Brownies worked
their way
At night alone,
*3Waw
'
"r
ff
". '
'_ JffPi/f t
'\ t/i}+
while through
the day
14
mi: s i\ .
\N u>.\
They kept some place

that served them well
Until the shades
of evening fell.
At length Quebec
appeared in sight,
Perched high upon
the rocky height,
With cannon pointing
down below,
In many a grim
To guard the river deep and wide

That stretched away to ocean tide.
Through narrow streets the Brownies bound
That in the lower town are found,
And then with nimble feet they fly
To reach the upper town so high.

15
THE BKOWNIES IN CANADA.
Said one,who paused to look around :
"My friends, we tread historic ground;

'Twas up this path, so rough and steep,
The British did at midnight creep,
With guns unloaded in their hands,
Obedient to the strict commands,
For fear an accidental shot
Might bring the Frenchmen to the spot.
Full in the van, with bated breath,
Brave Wolfe ascended to his death,
While Montcalm, trusting guards to keep
A careful watch, took his last sleep !
For lo the early dawn revealed

!
The red coats stationed in the field;

The Plains of Abraham were bright
With troops all marshaled for the fight.
I will not here the tale intrude
About the battle that ensued

Of rallying ranks, when hope was low,
Or brilliant charges to and fro.
On history's pages read you may
How fell the heroes of that day;
16
And how, ere shades of night came down,

The Union Jack waved o'er the town."
Wliile tlirough Canadian wilds they passed
Where snow was piled like mountains vast,
They took to snow-shoes long and stout,

With their own hands well fashioned out ;
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THE BKOWNIES IN CANADA.
As when a club strives for a prize,

A bowl, or cup of handsome size,
And every member does his best

To keep ahead of all the rest,
So every Brownie struggled well
His puffing comrades to excel;
But shoes would sometimes hit or hitch,
And headlong down the mountain pitch
The very ones that seemed to show
The greatest speed upon the snow.
So he that for some distance ran,
A smiling leader in the van,
Would thus be thrown clear out of gear
And left to struggle in the rear,
But best of feelings governed still
The lively race o'er plain and hill.

THE BROWNIES CROSS
THE ATLANTIC.
SECOND STAGE.
TILL farther north the Brownie band

Pursued their way across the strand
To where the sea, with capes and isles,
Is narrowed to one thousand miles.
And here they planned some logs to find,
And build a raft of strongest kind,
On which they all might safely ride,
Until they reached the eastern side,
And then continue on their way
Through foreign lands without delay
Said one "At this time of the year
:
The currents eastward set from here;

And our raft but
it' holds together,
And we are blessed with pleasant weather,
Within a fortnight, at the most,
We '11
surely reach the Norway coast."
Another said: "Somewhat I know
About that ocean's ebb and flow,
And tell you, ere you court such ills
You 'd all do well to make your wills.

19
THE BEOWNIES CROSS THE ATLANTIC.
However, if we fail to reach

Norwegian soil, we '11 find some beach
That to our raft may kinder be
Than Norway's rocks or maelstrom sea."
Thus well encouraged at the start,
They soon prepared, through mystic art,

A wide affair, where each could rest,
And sit or stand as pleased him best,
While trusting with a patient heart
The ocean to perform its part.
" No
Said one : state-rooms we '11 provide
Wherein a favored few can hide,
Nor make a hold or steerage deep
Where some in dangerous times might creep;
But all alike, through storm or wreck,
Must take their chances on the deck."
With willing hands, in manner fine
To carry out their grand design,
At work the active Brownies stayed,

Until the strange concern was made.
Of leatherwood and various things
They manufactured ropes and strings,
Which served them well for many a day
With stores and rope-walks far away.
With prospects fine the trip began,
The sea with even motion ran,
And straight for Europe, as a crow
Could wing its way, the Brownies go ;
20
THE BROWNIES CROSS THE ATLANTIC.
And as they added mile to mile,

Their pleasant chat went on the while.
At times they sighted far ahead
A ship with all her canvas spread.

"Lie low!" would be the shout, and all
Upon the raft would promptly sprawl,
And there as flat as flounders he,
For fear the lookout's watchful eye
Would take them for a shipwrecked crew
Thus drifting round on ocean blue.

At such a time down quickly came
Their banner with the Brownie name,
Concealed from sight to rest a space
Till they could safely give it place.
For hours without a they 'd stay,

stir
Until the ship would tack away
Upon her course, and pass from sight,

And leave them free to stand upright.
But few on any craft can ride

Upon the north Atlantic tide
And not some scenes or trials find
To ever after bear in mind.
And soon the wind began to play

With billows in no tender way ;
But pitched them up into the air

To meet the clouds that lowered there.
'T is bad enough to stand on board
A ship with life-preservers stored
And count the minutes passing by
Ere you their saving strength must try;
But harder for the Brownie band

Upon that creaking raft to stand,
And know, if in the sea they rolled,
No buoyant cork would them uphold.
Said one, as glancing fore and aft
He tried to keep upon the raft,
22
THK JJKUWMKS CliOSS THF. ATI, AM 1C.
"The artist paints, and poet raves

About the ocean's tinted waves,
But. let me tell you, when you stand

'Twixt sky and water, far from land,
AVith gales behind and squalls before,
And angry ocean in full roar,
'
You 're not so likely to enthuse '
'
About its cradles,' or its hues.
The sea, indeed, since early days,
Has had its strange, uncertain ways;
With pleasant calms that still invite
You from the shore in spirits light,
It leads you on. while scarce appears
A ripple to awaken fears.
But when far out upon the main

Where wishes and regrets are vain,
Into a boiling rage it goes
And neither sense nor pity shows,
But jumps around in manner dread,
As if to find another bed.
world was planned
If at the first the
To have a greater stretch of land,

And less expanse of treacherous sea,
It would have better suited me."
Another said, "My friend, I fear
Such carping won't avail you here;
Pray keep a surer hold, you 'd best,
And let the world's formation rest.
Few joys through life one may obtain

That are not balanced well with pain,
23
It may be suffering
of the frame,
Or of the mind,
't is all the same.
You can't through foreign
countries roam.
And have the comforts
of a home ;
You can't lie under

leafy trees
And at the same time
sail the seas.
Too late you rave
of grass and flower;
Now that you 're in
old Neptune's power

You '11 more appreciate
the land
When you again
upon it stand."
The air with birds
and fish was filled,
Tossed 'round as wind

and water willed.
24
Tin", i:i;i>\\ NII:S ci;nss i in: VTLANTIC.
'T was hard to tell what swam or flew,
Such rapid transit all things knew;

Some tumbling, tail first, on their way,
More upside down passed through the spray,
While shining scales and feathers long
Were yielding to the gale so strong.
Thus talk went

011 with
ready tongue,
As still the
Brownies stuck
and clung.
Ofttimes in
close embrace
well locked
<mM<,;/M
Across the raft
they reeled
and rocked
Beneath the
overwhelming
stroke
Of crested
waves that
on them "broke.
Ofttimes some
demon of the sea
High in the air
would lifted he,

And, passing over raft and crew,

His journey through the waves renew.
26
At times the crew was frightened well
When sharks or grampus splashing fell
\Vhriv mights waves 'li'l

master) \\iii
In spite of twisting tail or fin ;
Then plowing round from side to side
The visitor would slip and slide,

Till, to the great relief of fish
And harmonizing with the wish

Of every Brownie, down he went
Into his natural element.
'Twas well the ropes and hawsers stood

They made of birch or leatherwood,
For had they parted in that strain,
When consternation seemed to reign,
'T is hard to estimate the loss
That might have followed such a loss.
But winds go down, if one can last
To be around when all is passed,

So waves grew still, the fearful squall
Had spent its force, and best of all,
Though out of shape the raft was tossed
And logs were broken, others lost,
When was through
that distressing storm
Not one was missing from the crew.
But while the waves around them played
The Brownie band good time had made,
For now, when calm the ocean grew,
A tract of land was plain in view.
27
THE BKOWNIES CROSS THE ATLANTIC.
One cried: '"T is Norway's rugged strand!"

More said " It 's not so wild a land.
:
'T is more inviting to the eyes

Than shores where frowning Norway lies."
But as 't was land they needed most
They made all haste to reach the coast,
And by the greenness of the sod
They thought old Erin's soil they trod,
Ard when a shamrock next they found
They knew their first surmise was sound.

And with a hip, hip, hip, hurrah !
They gave three cheers for "Erin go hragh."
Upon Hje tfl'ict as Hie deep

A sl^rp lookout tl/
THE BROWNIES IN IRELAND.
THIRD STAGE.
Brownie band stopped for a while

To ramble through the Emerald Isle.
"
Said one : This land from shore to shore
Is noted for its fairy lore.
There not a child, or type of age
's
Howe'er unlearned in lettered page,

But can relate some legend queer
About the fairies' doings here.
Old women, with a shaking head,
Can mumble stories dark and dread
Of midnight cries by window-sill
Or chimney-top that boded ill ;
Or in a lighter mood can tell

How fairies wish young couples weU,
And mounted on a nodding weed,
That serves them nicely for a steed,
Harids rrjay notu)ifyolcl
They ride before to clear the way be lined
Still do tl/eir part at seruice
Of dangers on their wedding day. Kind.
29
THE BKOWNIES IN IRELAND
No horse will stumble on the road,

No wheel come off: and dump a load,
But light of heart
and undismayed
They travel by
the fames' aid."
Ere long each Brownie
in the band
Bore a shillalah in his hand

That blackthorn bushes did provide,
Which flour- ished thick on every side,
Such sticks as men oft earned there
To use at factioii- fight or fair,
That through their fall on tender crowns
Of timid folk soon cleared the towns,
A happy band, they took the road,
Enjoying scenes the country showed.
At tunes they paused
upon the way
In verdant fields
to run and play.

Some gathered shamrocks
well they could,
For thick on every side they stood.
"
Said one :This plant so widely known
Has quite a history of its own,
For we are told that long ago,
Ere Erin did religion know,

The good old saint with one, in brief,
Brought to his knees a barbarous chief.

30
Tin: r.i:t>\\Mi:s IN II:I.I.AM>.
He plucked a shamrock from the ground

And proved to him, with logic sound,
That, three in one and one in three,

It symbolized the Trinity."
They thought to ride to Mullmgar
From Bantry in a jaunting-car.
But it was hardly fit to hold
So large a band of Brownies bold,

A mishap came to them to mar
Their pleasure ere they "journeyed far.
They might have made the tdp complete

And each have kei>t his place or seat
Did not a lincb. pin i^reak or bend

And give the wheel a chance to end
A partnership existing long-
Between it and the axle strong.
And soon that dissolution showed

A pile of Brownies on the road,
Lights aid
And others who were forced to slide come
Wljile uie sojourn l)ere
Into a ditch with mud supplied. below.
Some to the donkey shouted " Whoa

"
!
But he was In no shape to go.

The creature, that was none too sure
Upon his feet, could not endure
The unexpected shock and shake,

That came when things began to break ;
So feeling that his days were told

He with the Brownies helpless rolled.
32
Some left the cultivated sod,

And on the uutilled hillocks trod
Those mounds that rise in certain lands,
Built up, 't is said, by fairy hands,

And still held sacred to the fay
And leprechawn at present day.
Some ran upon tho springy hogs,
Or looked in vain for snakes and frogs.
Said one: "St. Patrick, sure enough,
As legends tell us, used them rough ;
First laid upon the rogues a curse,

And then, to make their lot the worse,
With blackthorn stick and brogue combined
Made short work of the reptile kind.
The serpents wriggled from the shore
To hiss upon the soil no more ;
The frogs jumped off in frightened bands

To tune their pipes in other lands,
And Erin, to this day, you see,
From every one of them is free."
They sailed upon Killarney's lakes,

Where every wave in silver breaks,
33
And all the hills around so green

Reflected in the floods are seen.
Then in the Druid's temple old
They stood, and many a story told

About the people's rites and ways
And curious myths of ancient days.
One night they saw a dozen spats
Between some large Kilkenny cats,
That, to the old tradition true,
Fought till the hair in patches flew.
Provoked to see a temper wild,

In pets that should be meek and mild,
The Brownies broke upon the fray
And scattered them in every way.
34
"
Said one : Not often are we found
Thus waging war on things around.
But here 's a case that does demand
Some special treatment from the band,
And we but exercise our power
So folks may have a peaceful hour.
As for ourselves, we little care

A wakeful night we well can bear;
But those who labor hard all day
Their bread to win, or rent to pay,
Should have a chance to sleep at night,
And rise refreshed at morning light."
To Cork they traveled from Athlone

And hunted for the Blarney Stone.
At length they found it in its place
And kissed it with becoming grace.

From first to last they did n't rest
Till each his lips against it pressed.
It did their nerve and courage try
As every one could testify.
'T was bad enough like owls to hold
A footing on the ruins old,
Where all the stones seemed ripe to pro
In showers to the lawn below.

35
But worse than clinging vines, and aD.
The dangers of the crumbling wall,

To find the stone there at the tip
So inconvenient to the lip.
No wonder then the heart beat fast

And through the head misgivings passed,
While hanging o'er the parapet
To reach the stone so strangely set.

/fS
But willing L hands assistance gave
To the ambi- //f _ tious and the brave.
Or favors might have gone amiss

On stones unworthy of the kiss.
And then in pleasant frame of mind

They started off again to find
36
THE BROWNIES IN IKELAND.
ds
The Giant's Causeway, high and grand,

The greatest wonder in the land.
Around the place the Brownies strayed
And freely thus some comments made :
"This way, that does so strangely rise
Like organ pipes of monster size

All turned to stone, once formed a road
On which the giants often strode.
The story goes that long ago
They traveled boldly to and fro,
37
And thus passed o'er the marshy ground

That did their castle walls surround.
The last one of the giant race,
'T is said, here found a resting-place ;
For here the giant, with a sack

Of plunder bundled on his hack,
Fell from the road one stormy night,
And in the bog sank out of sight.
The people living hereabout
Were not inclined to help him out,
But watched him sinking with his prog
"
And named the place the
'
Giant's Bog.'
" 'T
Another said : is sti'ange, I hold,
No searcher after relics old

Has ever brought around a spade
And here an excavation made
To bring the giant's bones to light,
And have them set on wires aright,
So people for all time might stare
Upon a skeleton so rare."
So thus they talked and rambled free
The wonders of the land to see.
38
THE BROWNIES
IN SCOTLAND.
FOURTH STAGE.
time the band of Brownies bright

Reached Scottish soil in great delighi
They traveled many miles to see
Where Macbeth met the witches three
While he returned from battle-plain
A hero free from sinful stain.
Though centuries their flight had ta'eu
Between the poet and the Thane,

And centuries away had rolled
Since that dramatic tale was told,
The Brownies, with unwearied pace,
Approached ere long the secret place.
" This
Said one : the very spot
is
The witches danced around the pot,

And stirred the broth that was designed
To poison an ambitious mind,
And to the surface omens bring
To whisper of a future king."
THE BROWNIES IN SCOTLAND.
Another said: "'T is, sure enough;

I fancy I can smell the stuff,
And on the heath behind this hill
See traces of their fire still,
O'er which they boiled the horrid mess

That brought about so much distress.
/.
^ jW ^-tf- r. 'V ;,--/ -y'Vi-""" tZv^"
*|tfr>, '$&&: '&';};!, o^
'
i;
X^",> ^'^>ft
3^ -^'\
, v ;
'Jt?Wî'[/$? W^~?. .
''^^m'%i'>&'&&
The 'eye of newt and toe of frog'

Soon gave poor Scotland such a jog,
Young heads grew old and black ones gray
Before she knew a peaceful day."
The mention of those stirring times
Soon brought to mind the witches' rhymes,
THE BUOWNIES IN SCOTLAND.
As there, with many a hop and squat,
They danced around the bubbling pot.

So, joining hands upon that ground,
Sonic Brownies danced a merry round
With " Thrice to thine and thrice to mine,"
According to the magic line,
While smiles the width of faces tried
As comrades formed a circle wide
To see with what a show of art
The actors would perform their part.
Then off to other points they strayed

And many a famous scene surveyed.
A view of Edinburgh they gamed,

Their feet were still and eyes were strained
As they took in the pleasing sight

That caused both wonder and delight.
41
THE BKOWNIES IN SCOTLAND.
Through, mystic power

they found their way
To rugged castles
old and gray,
They crowded every foot

of space
Where coronations
once took
place ;
e
Upon the ancient \ seat they
crawled
Where royalty was oft
installed.
"
Said one : This is no doubt
the chair
Where kings received
the crown to wear,
Which proved a signal for attacks
That soon laid monarchs on their backs.
Short was their shrift, small joy they found,
From having been as sovereigns crowned.
'T was but a step from throne to bier,

A. rough one, too, as doth appear,
If but one care to read the page
Relating to that < murderous age.

Then secret plots were planned each nighT
And heirs apparent passed from sight,
Then dirk or dagger, ax or brand,
Whate'er lay nearest to the hand,
42
Was used, a wished-for change to bring

And rid the country of a king."
The Bruce's sword, so long and large

Well made to split a casque or targe,
Was hefted with respectful hand
By every member of the band.
Said one: "No wonder foes gave out
When such a blade was swung about,
Or for his crown and Scotland's right
He brought it down with all his might."
Gray Ben Venue was reached at last,
And famous woods and fords were passed,

" "
This is," said one, the Trosach's dell
Where once, with such a fiendish yell
Clan Alpine sallied from the glen
Upon the frightened archer men.
But, lacking Roderick's bugle blast

To cheer them on, as in the past,
Were checked by Moray's lancers brave
And tumbled back into their grave."
To fair Loch Katrine next they paid
A visit, and around it strayed,
And had there been a barge at hand
No doubt they would have shoved from land.
43
Wild Caledonia, rich in scenes
Might well tax even Brownies' means

Of getting round and seeing all
The places worthy of a call.
They traveled far and traveled wide,
To fields and mountains every side,
It should glue pleasure
To lakes and streams, and castles strong
to us all
To aid the weak or thosi Made famous by immortal song.
U\]0 Mi.
While resting on a structure old

Which spanned a stream that swiftly rolled,
"
Said one : Thisis the town of Ayr,
And this the bridge, I do declare,
To which the screeching witches came

When Tarn O'Shanter was their game.
The kirk that stands beyond the trees
Is where they sallied out like bees,
And put the gray mare to her most

To save O'Shanter from a roast.
Close at his back, with shout and jeer,
They chased him to the keystone here,

But farther than this spot they dare
Not follow either Tarn or mare."

Then one, who measured with his eyes
The distance, thus expressed surprise :
"
It puzzlesme, that stormy night,
When roads were muddy, lightning bright,
And all the witches, howling mad,
Were at the time so lightly clad.
44
How Tain's old man-, UK- truth to tell,
Could keep ahead of them so well."
Then to the humble cottage small

Where Burns was born, they hastened all,
To talk about the noted spot

That is revered by every Scot.
Said one: "A lowly home, in truth,
Where that bright poet passed his youth,
Which proves that genius, now and then,
Is not confined to high-born men,
But through mysterious ways divine
In humble souls finds room to shine."
Oft birds tynt s
ftyt? best
With bagpipes in their arms, in pairs,
fine from rhe h
nest. They marched and played sweet Scottish airs
45
Like "Annie Laurie," " Bonnie Boon,"

And many a soul-inspiring tune.
Itchanced to be the time of year
When ice was spread on stream and mere.
Arid hardy Scotchmen strained their bones
And muscles, shoving curling-stones,

And made the very hills applaud,
Or echo back their language broad.
The Brownies, from a neighboring height

Peeped down upon the pleasing sight
Until the shades of evening came
And made the players quit their game.
" Let half a dozen
Said one :
go
For brooms to sweep away the snow
While others run without delay
To find where stones are laid away.
This curling game, that to the band
May seem so strange, I understand.

I Ve watched them play till after dark
On frozen lakes within the park,

And heard the loud approval, too,
Of '
Weel done, Sawnie guid for you "
;
!
'
It was not long, as one may think,
Before they stood around the rink.

Some for the sport were doubly nerved,
And won applause they well deserved,
While others soon had aching bones
Who got in front of sliding stones.
Sometimes the stones hit with such force
They split, or, bounding on their course,
46
Rolled on the edge and havoc made

Among the busy broom brigade;
But ere the light of morning came
All understood the curling game.
47
Dopood for ooduess
a ( u)
&.y s
Not for retoflrol on enrfo,
nor praise.
THE BROWNIES IN ENGLAND.
FIFTH STAGE.
Brownies next vrhen plans were laid,

A visit to Old England paid;
They sought the country towns and all
At Shakspere's birthplace made a call.
Found time around the house to stray
Where lived and loved Ann Hathaway.
At length, one eve as shades came down
They reached the streets of London town.
On London Bridge they sat in rows,
As on a fence some watchful crows,
Commenting on the structures grand
That here and there the river spanned,
Or spelling out the vessels' names
That floated up and down the Thames.
48
Said one, who gained extended view:

"
If the ambitious Romans knew
When they this city founded here
flic fixer l>r.;id and
That it would still keep spreading fast

Till largest in the world at last,
They doubtless would have kept the yoke
Much longer on the British folk."
"
Another said : We little know
How soon a town will stretch and grow
49
If it is situated right
The trade of nations to invite."
So rich in wonders was the place
They hardly knew where first to race.

Some wished to visit Tyburn Hill,
Or Smithfield, that gives one a chill,
TVjis uorld piu
Tfje
oqe
finest o'jance
As through the mind the records run
persons comfort
5o"l
To .aduaiice. Of cruel work that there was done.
More wished to race along the Strand,
Or by the Bank of England stand
And ponder there about the gold
And silver bullion it can hold.
The Brownies hunted for an hour

To gain a view of London Tower;
50
T,u: I;I;O\\MI.S IN i:\ci.\\h.
At length, an open view they found,

That showed its towers square and round.
"
Said one : The Tombs, on Centre Street,
Seems like a
/^^\ P^ easan * country-seat
Compared witli U^^ 1
)
that old frowning pile
That oft held ^T^^x kings in durance vile,
And saw the blood in torrents flow

So many hundred years ago.
Within it lies, if tales arc true,
The proof of what hard hearts can do
The block, the chain, the prison cage,
And tortures of a vanished age.
'T is told that Julius Caesar laid
Its corner-stone with great parade,

And in its dungeons, dark and deep,
Did many a valiant Briton keep.
Next, William I., the Norman brave,
Its massive, snow-white tower gave ;
Then, as the centuries onward rolled,
And kings grew more self-willed and bold,

Still higher towers were made to grow
And deeper dungeons dug below,
Till now it seems fit place to hide
The noble blood Europe wide.

of
Here baron, duke, and count might blink
In unison with fetter clink,
Like many a one who here was cast
On small pretense in ages past."
You'll ca to Tin'rid tlje days
ujl^ priae
Another said: "An
outward sight
ou proued fruc.tljoujjlj
sorely tried Will not content the band to-night,
So to the gate at once we '11 race

And gain an entrance to the place.
And through each hold and keep we '11
go,
From turret high to dungeon low,
To view the arms and fixtures strange,
Preserved so well through many a change,

To be a lesson full and free
For generations yet to be."
Soon through the place the Brownies ran
This lance to view, that helmet scan,
Or gaze upon an ax with dread,
That lopped off many a royal head;
And heavy-fashioned
halberds viewed
That paths at Agincourt
had hewed,
Where Henry, on
St. Crispin's day,
In face of odds
showed no dismay.
They climbed inside
of armor old
And peeped out where
the visage bold
Of some crusader
oft had frowned
Upon his turbaned

foes around.
The helmet cleft, the corselet bent,
The baldric pierced, and symbol rent
52
Showed some Sir Knight had sure enough

In Palestine found usage rough.
They chained
each other
to the wall,
They tried the
thumb-screws,
racks, and all,
So they might
be the better
schooled
In what went on when tyrants ruled.
They crowded some into a hole

Where not a ray of daylight stole
To cheer the heart or show the face
Of those who languished in the place.
Behind the shislds
that turned aside
The weapons that
the Paynim plied,
They ran for

refuge when
some sound
Would spread a sudden
fear around.
They found some arms and for a while

Marched here and there in soldier style,
Some carrying an ancient blade,
And some the latest weapon made.
53 *
Thus hours were passed within the walls,

Still visiting the cells and halls,
And corridors and stairways strong

That called to mind some crime or wrong.
Then other T
parts of town they sought
That wakened other
trains of
thought.
From Ludgate Hill the Brownies flew

When old St. Paul's appeared in view.
54
Said one : "It looks as fiue as when

It l^ft the compasses of Wren;
No greate* monument could be
Erected to his memory."
About the place some hours they stayed,
Then to Westminster Abbey paid
A visit, where they rambled round,
And soon the Poets' Corner found,
To moralize, as well they might,
Before the busts and statues white,
That were by skilful hands designed
To represent some master mind.
More nights than one they slacked their gait

In fogs that wrapped the city great,
And poked about until distressed
In seeking for some place to rest.
Some tried with lanterns to pursue
Their way to points they better knew,
While others sought some place to hide
Until the pall should drift aside.

" This town so
Said one :
large and fine
Would be a favorite spot of mine
55
THE BKOWNIES IN ENGLAND.
If fogs were not so often spread

To keep one moving round in dread.
Last night for hours I groped astray
In streets where best I know my way;
'T is hard to go when brightest light
Is in a fog extinguished quite,
From door to door, from stone to stone,
To work your way by touch alone.
All native tact for nothing went

As here and there with body bent
And fingers spread, I felt about
To find some mark to help me out.
I tumbled down three cellar-Stan's,
Then into holes for street repairs;
Ran twice against a watchman's legs

Who lay asleep upon some kegs.
56
And next a watering-trough I found,

And falling in was nearly drowned.
Through many trying scenes I passed
Ere I to Gad's Hill crawled at last.
'T is dangerous work for us to stay

Where one can't tell the night from day;
We cannot keep our bearing right,

Know when to hide, or come in sight.
No doubt, on this historic ground
Ten thousand wonders may be found
To interest the Brownie mind
With moral lessons well defined,
Of which we might for ages speak,
Nor have a subject trite or weak,
But let us now some plans advance
To cross the Channel into France."
Noblest Islps lief]eatlj tfje

Vfe must leatie as on we
fly
57
THE BROWNIES IN FRANCE.
SIXTH STAGE.
evening when the Brownies met
They talked and planned of how to get

A ship or boat to serve their need,
So o'er to France they might proceed.
Said one, at length: "My comrades brave,

I Ve heard about this choppy wave,
Where winds and tides so oft contend
And to the rail old sailors send
Whowere when sailing open sea
From all internal troubles free.
Now, we '11 not be to ships confined
That may at least upset our mind
If nothing more, while we can go
In other ways, as I will show.
Last night, while poking round, I spied

Not half a mile from ocean side,
To my surprise, a strange affair
That 's made to travel through the air,
Not like balloons ascending high,

Which as the wind directs them fly,
58
But made with wings and tail and all
To steer its way through roughest squall,

With straightest course throughout
maintained,
Until a certain point is gained.
I doubt if the inventor knows
Much better how that air-ship goes

Than I, who ail its points to find,
Crawled through it with inquiring mind.
At every art we ah 1
are skilled:
A slight affair like that we '11 build,

that will ah our wants supply,
1
One
And then the Brownie band may fly
High over all the creaking fleet

That on the waves disaster meet."
Before a week had passed, at most,

They left behind the English coast,
Upon an air-ship of their own
By clever hands together thrown,
From such odd stuff as lay about
And could be used to shape it out.
Sometimes between the clouds and sky
They passed the soaring eagle by;
At times a downward sweeping gale
Would get control of wings and tail
And bear them down with fearful force
Until the water checked their course,
And then, half buried in the deep,
The straining ship would onward leap,
59
While to the dangling ropes

that hung
Away astern some
Brownies
clung,
Afraid of seas that o'er them rolled,

But more afraid to loose their hold.
60
THE BKOWNIES IN FRANCE.
Now rising with a sudden start
The strange would upward dart,

affair
While those who had been cheated out

Of cabin-passage still were stout
And could their great endurance show
By hanging to the ropes below.

Now some advised to keep her high,
And others said to let her fly
Along the sea through waves and all,
Thus to avoid a fearful fall

In case the works got out of tune
When they were half-way to the moon.
They found the new machine that night
Somewhat erratic in its flight.
The helm at times, the truth to tell,
It did not answer extra well ;
Some technicalities, no doubt,

The Brownies scarce had studied out,
And so the ride failed to impart
The joy they hoped for at the start.
"I
Said one : \1 rather lose a toe,
Or leg in fact, if it must go

To feed the fish along the shore,
Than fall five thousand feet or more."
"
Another shouted Turn her round,
:
'
And steer her back to English ground !
For one, I 'd rather France should stay

Untrodden by my feet for aye,
Than there in such a fixture get

That has not been perfected yet;
61
THE BBOWNIES j IN FBANCE
See how she darts and dives at wiH,

In spite of all your boasted skill.
' '
I would not give a penny twist
For all your lives if you persist
Against the storm to flap and soar

Until you cross this channel o'er."
But some were there whose valiant minds
Were not as fickle as the winds,
And though, instead of straight across
They zigzag flew with painful loss
Of time and travel, still the bow
"Was pointing e'er to France that now
"Was growing more apparent fast
And promising success at last.
As wounded birds lose every grace,

And wildly flutter on through space,
Their only hope and only care
To keep themselves a while in air,
Now sinking, rising, straining still
To reach at length the woody hill,
"Where they can hide away from sight

And ponder on their wretched plight.
So did that air-ship dodge and dive.
With all on board right well alive
To every danger of the hour,

Until it proved it had the power
To bear them safely to the beach
Which they were glad enough to reach.
While through Parisian streets so grand

One evening moved the Brownie band,
Said one: "At length the land we trace
That holds a brave and warlike race.
O'er many a field, if history 's true,

Their proud, victorious eagles flew,
When led by some commander grim
Who valued neither life nor limb ;
And signs you see on every side
Still show that spirit has not died,

But slumbers to break out anew
When some Napoleon comes in -view."
Another said: "They '11 wait a while

Before some unpretentious isle
Gives forth another who '11
display
Such wondrous powers in our day."
A third remarked: "We hope they wilL
Who wants another born, to kill
And devastate the countries wide
To sun ply gratify his pride?"
Not long the Brownies rambled round
Before Napoleon's tomb they found.
The massive crypt that holds his dust
Drew every eye, as still it must
63
THE BKOWNTES IN FKANCE.
When strangers with a noiseless tread

In awe draw near the mighty dead.
Some who respected not the bones
Of one who caused such shrieks and groans
To echo round the world for years
Climbed on the tomb with jokes and jeers,
And it took more than one sharp cry
To bring them from their perch on high.
Then other sights they gathered round

Which in that city may be found.
64
THE BUOWNIES IN FRANCE.
Beneath the
Arch of
Triumph
nigh
The Brownies
ran a race
to tiy
If still then-
speed was
holding
out
While trav-
eling thus
the world
about,
And also so they could declare
They passed beneath that grand affair,
As well as those who conquered lands

And marched beneath in shouting bands.
Great space would be
required to tell
Each place their pattering
footsteps fell,
For livery feet the

Brownies ply
And fast can travel
when they try.
They stood in galleries of art
With staring eyes,
and thankful heart
65
THE BEOWNIES IN FRANCE.
That they had found at length a chance

To see the famous works of France,
The sculptures and the paintings grand
That told of many a master hand.
The Brownies halted one and all
Before the graceful column tall
That towered many feet in air
And ornamented well its square;
On every side of it they stood
And moralized, as well they could,
About the shouting populace
That had run riot round its base.
Through streets they went smooth as a floor, I
S*\
And in the Seine they dipped an oar; ,|
Then to old palaces they ran
At least their
outer form
KU
to scan,
Since time allowed no closer view

And they their journey must pursue.
The walls that were so high and stout,
Designed to keep the rabble out
If riot raised its crimsoned
hand,
Could not keep out the
Brownie band.
Thus through the town
they worked their way
To view the scenes that
round them lay.
Then off to other Cities sped,
And battle-fields, where
thousands bled,
To Agincourt, and Crecy; then
A visit paid to old Rouen,
Where on the pile of fagots tied
The "Maid of Orleans"
bravely died.
A thousand nights they
might have found
Good cause indeed
to ramble round,
But other countries they must find
And leave the soil of France behind.
E~rptl;estars put up fyei'r screens

Well be off to otl;er
67
THE BROWNIES IN SPAIN.
SEVENTH STAGE.
sunny Spain so bright and gay

The Brownies made a lengthy stay.
The groves were fine, the sky was clear,
The air was mild, the buildings queer,
And every night some wonder new
Or novel freak attention drew.
One night, while near a city old
Where Guadalquivir's waters rolled,
One with descriptive powers blessed
Soon interested all the rest.
Said he: "Last night I found a chance

To see these lively Spaniards dance;
Not moving through a figure slow,
But bouncing wildly, heel and toe;
Now waving arms above their head,
Now like a saw-horse strangely spread;
Now with one foot uplifted there
Describing circles in the air;
Now freely tossing limbs around,
Now with their noses near the ground,
68
TIIK llUmVMI.S IN SPAIN.
The room from side to side they crossed,
As if in search of something lost.
The Indian's hop,

the Scotchman's reel,
The Frenchman's
glide,
or German's
wheel
Should not be mentioned the same day

With Spanish dancers light and gay."
69
Another said: "If that 's the case,

We must at once secure a place
Where every turn and action free
That you had such good luck to see,
From tripping toe to tossing hand,
May be indulged in by the band."
"
A third remarked The dance I
: knew
Before you ever rations drew ;
I Ve passed the hours from dark to dawn

In light fandangoes on the lawn,
And I have not yet lost the art
Of giving life to every part.
So in the dance you now propose
I '11 show my comrades how it goes.''
It does n't take a lengthy space
Of time for them to find a place;
Could human folk their wants supply

As readily as Brownies spry,
Ah many
! a one without a roof,
Or garment that is weather-proof,
Would soon be free from want or cold,
And all life'scomforts snugly hold.
But readers, all must understand
Commissions in the Brownie band
Are not for sale, no gaps exist,
The ranks are full, complete the list.
So none need hope, as Brownies bold.
With mystic powers, to be enrolled.

Conceal your frowns m.tti Before one half the night had flown
greatest care
But kt your be fr
smiles Ttie Brownies had familiar grown
70
1 III. i;i;i i\\ S'IKS l\ SPAIN.
With every caper, toss, and fling

That Spaniards iu the dance can bring,
And well the lively people know
The way to trip the nimble toe.
From Cadiz to the
Galhc line
One could not see

such actions fine.
Such waving hands,

such supple knees,
Such whirling round
with graceful ease,
As Brownies on
that floor revealed
Ere they were
forced to take
the field.
One night, while they were

passing down
The outskirts of a leading
town,
With eyes that ever turned
and rolled
Some novel wonder to behold.

71
THE BBOWNIES IN SPAIN.
They found a strange inclosure wide

With seats arrayed on every side,
Where thousands could a view obtain
Of objects on the inner plain.
Said one "In this same place. I ween,
:
The matadors with weapons keen

And scarlet cloak, to plague or blind
The monarch of the cattle kind,
Engage in that old cruel

game
That has been long the nation's shame."
Another said: "Your head is clear;
The animals indeed are here.

In stalls or pens they rest to-night
In waiting for to-inorrow's fight.

We '11 take a peep and in this case
See what the Spaniards have to face."
The chatting of the band enraged

The creatures that were closely caged;
They bellowed loudly, spurned the ground,
And in a frenzy rushed around,
And finally broke through the wall
Or fence that had inclosed them all,
And, charging madly, thought to gore

A dozen of the band or more.
Now with good reason pale with fright,
The Brownies scampered left and right,
And climbed up posts and trees in haste
To be in safer quarters placed;
72
Their nimbleness
and mystic power
Both stood them well in hand that hour.
But a few, in spite of all,
still
Were tossed across a neighboring wall,
Alighting on some garden trees

That let them down to earth with ease.
"
Said one : If that 's the kind of game
The matadors have got to tame,
73
When out into the ring
they go,
They 're
welcome
to their
fight
and show!
We 'd best make haste

and leave the pen,
I '11
hardly be myself again
For half a year, I well believe,
Though best of doctoring I receive."
Another answered from a vine
That grew above the danger line,
" If this is sport, I 'd like to know
Just when one ought the smile to show.
I would n't stay in such a town
As this is for the Spanish crown!
Br^^ MllKjiiy^^ iM
1
I '11 seek, if I
lSJ^L^^ KJ m ust go alone,
Land where lEiîaîÊSiSBB such pastimes are unknown.'
Otljffr counTi-Tec r l>'iol<t
Oft most (JotfjefirowrjiVs bold
74
THE BROWNIES
IN ITALY.
EIGHTH STAGE.
Italy the Brownies

knew
But little rest the
season through,
So many places they
could find
To visit and improve
the mind.
The master works of
former days
And great cathedrals
drew their
gaze.
Through galleries
of art they
strolled
'Mid statues large

and paintings
old,
THE BROWNIES IN ITALY.
Such as the world

to present date
Has tried in vain
to imitate.
They clambered over

Peter's dome,
And seemed to feel
as much at home
"Upon the highest point they found
As if they sported on the ground,
Though now and then some trouble rose
From rash attempts or slipping toes.
At times a Brownie lost his hold
And half-way down the dome he rolled
Until an ornament would check
His fall in time to save his neck.
The better to observe the style
And finish of the wondrous pile
They hung by lengthy ropes to see
Each cap and frieze and metope,
And learn how they withstood the wear
Of centuries, so high in air.
An amphitheater at last
The Brownies found 'mid ruins vast.

Said one: "A gladiator show
Such as the people used to know
On festaldays throughout the year
No longer may be witnessed here.
The well-worn course one may behold
Where once the brazen chariots rolled,
76
THE BROWNIES IN Il-.^LY.
Amid the clouds of dust that rose

To tickle many a Roman nose;
The heartless crowds have had their day,
And time has swept them all away,
With all the shields and nets and spears
Their cruel sports and fiendish cheers."
Another said: "While passing by
A window in a building nigh,
I glanced around, and what think you

The first of all attention drew?
A foot-ball such as students send
When they in college games contend.
That a snap you '11 see
ball in half
Or I 'm not what I used to be,

And on this spot where martyrs gave
Themselves to beasts their faith to save,
Where tiger's howl and lion's roar
Could not affright the hearts they bore,

We '11 have at once a friendly game
That will all Romans' efforts shame.
77
Although no Caesar will look down

Upon the scene with smile or frown,
No ready thumbs a signal throw
To spare or speed the final blow,
Far greater crowds our actions trace
Than all the Roman populace,
And loving millions far and near
May yet applaud our doings here,"
Another said "My sportive Mend,

Our time to this we cannot lend,
Too many objects are at hand
That claim attention from the band,
To other scenes we must away,
Nor linger here your game to play."
When safe in Venice, quaint and old,

At length arrived the Brownies bold,
Said one: "This is the strangest yet
Of all the cities we have met
Where streets are not dug up each day
Some other kind of pipes to lay,
Where no one sees a paving-stone,
And carriage-makers are unknown,
While all the horses here in sight
Are chiseled out of marble white."

A second said: "It calls to mind
The stories one in books may find.
'T was here Othello did regale
Tne Duke with plain unvarnished tale ;
78
Told how he won his lovely bride,
Nor used a charm nor aught beside

Save tales of sieges, long campaigns,
Of shipwrecks, and of slaver's chains.
Here Shylock clamored for his bond,
But law so sharply did respond
It almost turned the plaintiff's brain
By bringing loss in place of gain ;
And here the Doge to plotting fell,
And waited for the signal bell

That was to call the fated men
And butchers to the slaughter-pen;
But those among whose tombs he thought
To stand alone, his secret caught,
And promptly ruled the roost instead
By taking off the plotter's head."
"This town," another soon replied,
" That seems to float upon the tide
Has many boats wherein we may

Take pleasant rides break of day,
till
iSo picturesque they look, and grand,

They seem well suited for the band,
For some can hide away below,
And some on top can make them go,
While others keep a keen lookout
For fear while sailing hereabout,
Through lack of skill or want of room,

We strike a palace or a tomb
Every mont^ brings
pleasure bright
And appears to be
little else
Projected here above the sea."

79
THE BBOWOTES IN ITALY.
Ere long, in boats of queer design,

With curving bows and trimming fine,
The Brownies jumped, to sail around
Through water-streets that there abound.
Beneath the Bridge of Sighs they passed,
And wondering looks upon it cast.
Said one "

:
They built it to sustain
No doubt a rapid-transit train,
That prisoners might be hurried well
From palace court to prison cell."
Another said " 'T will
: not compare
With Brooklyn's Bridge so high in air,
Which, though perhaps no Bridge of Sighs,

For rushing crowds can take the prize."
"
Said one : We '11 pause awhile to see
The place where prisoners used to be
Confined, perhaps, from boyhood's prime
Until their heads were bowed with time,
Then after all these years of dread
Were forth to stake or scaffold led."
They saw the chains by prisoners borne,

They saw the paths their feet had worn
In solid stone while pacing round
Away from every sight and sound.
As stately ships in harbors wide,
Or open sea, ofttimes collide,
With captains in the service gray,
And all the steering gear in play,
Itmay not seem beyond belief
That Brownies sometimes come to grief.
80
Once while they gazed at wonders there

They failed to take the needed care,
For as beneath an arch they ran
They missed the center of the span,
And trouble then at once began.
The lengthy bow slid up the stone
To find a passage of its own,
81
THE BKOWOTES IN ITALY.
And sternward in a struggling pile

The frightened Brownies fell the while.
Still higher did the boat ascend
Until it nearly stood on end,
And there was nothing else to do
But to the bottom take the crew,
And leave them, in a fearful mess,
And Venice one gondola less.
'T is somewhat hard for one to say

How deep those silent waters lay,
But judging by the time that passed
Between the fall and rise at last,
The puffing Brownies
could not dive
Much deeper and
come up alive.
From Venice then they hastened all,
On old Pompeii made a call.

82
There climbed upon the ruins great,

And moralized upon its fate.
Said one " Upon these doorsteps old
:
The tale of love was often told,

Here children clustered on the walk,
And round these corners where we talk
Played hide-and-seek and blindman's-buff,
And scampered o'er this pavement rough
To dodge the horse's iron heels
Or heavy, rumbling chariot-wheels.
The story of the town you know
How sudden fell that night of woe;
These rang with cheers,
streets, that often
"Were hid for sixteen hundred years
Beneath the overwhelming load
That old Vesuvius bestowed.
But let us leave the lonely place,
And off to other countries race,
Forgetting not that we must haste

Around the world, nor moments waste."
Hou/eve*- fair may beffje land.

Still on must go fl]eBroujr\ie band
83
THE
BROWNIES IN TURKEY
NINTH STAGE.
Turkey there was much to view

That to the Brownie band
was new.
The buildings strange and towers
high
At once attracted every eye.
On every spire of wood or stone,
Or arching gate, the crescent shone ;
So not one moment could the band

Forget they trod the Sultan's land.
The highest mosque and minaret
The Brownies climbed in hopes
to get
A bird's-eye view of gardens fail',
And palaces that glittered there,

And ships that drifted to and fro
Or lay at anchor far below.

" To climb
Said one : this filigree
Is harder than to climb a tree ;
84
THE BROWNIES IN TURKEY.
If we were not an active batch

In such as these we 'd find our match.
But steps or stairs we don't require
To help us up the tallest spire,"
"
Another said : No person can,
Be he a Greek or Mussulman,
Erect a steeple round or square
Or octagon so high in air
Above his meeting-house or shop
That Brownies cannot reach the top."
Then mosque so grand

St. Sophia's
Was much admired by all the band.

They sauntered round and round the place,
Then measured it with even pace,
And found the statements of its size
And beauty were not spiced with lies.
They walked around

in gardens fair,
Enjoying perfume-laden air,
And on the very

Sultan's lawn
They played at games
till early dawn;
In secret places skirmished

round
Where strangers no admittance
found
And all the household,
by decree,
safely under
lock and key.
They chatted freely

of the way
Some people live
at this late
day,
In spite of all that has been
done
To work reforms beneath
the sun.
86
Some lounged 011 rich

divans awhile.
More sat in Oriental
style
On ottomans in quiet
nooks,
And tried the hookas
and ehihouks;
Some filled the howl,
while others drew
Upon the pipe, ana puffed and blew,

Each Brownie striving to excel
At making wreaths that lasted well,
Until the smoke hung like a cloud
Above the heads of all the crowd
And through the open windows there
Rolled out to scent the midnight air.
This pleased awhile, but in the end

They felt they could not recommend
The Eastern custom to a friend.
One night the valiant Brownies tried
To swim the Hellespont so wide
87
THE BROWNIES EST TURKEY.
To imitate the daring feat

Of young Leander, when to meet
His lady-love hi secret bower
He braved the tide at evening hour.
Not one of all the active band

But in that effort left the strand.
Though oft the band great streams had

crossed,
And here and there were roughly tossed*
They soon perceived, from last to first,

This was the wildest and the worst.
Some grew alarmed, ere half-way out,
And with pale faces turned about,
88
THE BROWNIES DJ TURKEY.
Ami but for stronger friends at hand

That helped them safely to the land,
The interesting, bright career
Of half a score had ended here,
While others, showing better skill,
Contended with the current still,
And neither fear nor failing knew,
But gained the point they had in view.
Though much they may have needed rest
Where skill and strength had such a test,
They could not stop, or waters wide

At morning would the band divide,
And weeks might pass around before
They 'd have a chance to meet once more.
So plunging in without delay
To anxious friends they worked then* way,
Where arms were ready to enfold
With fond embrace the swimmers bold.
From tljis land,

ôuieuer briphf,
We'll depart err
89
THE BROWNIES
IN EGYPT 1
TENTH STAGE.
Egypt next the wonders new

On every side attention drew.
Upon the Sphinx, the chief of all
The wonders there, they made a call
And on the solemn

head they
found
A chance to dance
a merry
round.
The great
canal that
reaches
wide
Across the
country
soon they
spied,
90
THE BROWNIES IN EGYPT.
And from a roof or neighboring height

Looked on the scene for half the night
And praised the enterprise of man
Who such a wondrous scheme could plan.
Said one " Art came with pick and spade,
:
And thus a gap in nature made.

How many years and ages passed
Ere man devised a work so vast !
Still commerce sighed

from day to day
For some much needed
waterway,
M. de Lesseps planned a scheme
Till
And brought the artificial stream

Whereon great ships can proudly ride
As when they plow the ocean tide,
Boon bearing home
their precious load
In safety by
the
shortest
road."
THE BEOWNIES IN EGYPT.
More had and praises laid

their say,
On those who planned and those who paid,
Until was time to turn and seek
't
For something else of which to speak.

On pyramids of slippery stones,
That kings had built to hold their bones
Till they would need their frame once more,
The active Brownies clambered o'er;
Up step by step, without a stop,
They struggled nim- bly to the top.
High on the peak for hours they sat,
Enjoying free and friendly chat,

Commenting on the prospect fair
They gained while perched so high in air.
The daring band, not satisfied

With wonders tha^ appeared outside,
Found courage to pass through a door,
The dark interior to explore.
With torches to dispel the gloom
They groped their way from room to room ;
Sometimes they tumbled in a cell,
Sometimes across a mummy fell,
And by the mishap broke the crust

And scattered wide the sacred dust.
A hundred feet beneath the ground
The royal sepulchers were found,
Where safe beneath a massive lid
The monarchs lay for centuries hid,
Not troubled by the overflow
Of mighty rivers stretched below,
92
THE BBOWIES EN EGYPT.
Nor worried by the warlike horde

That from some neighboring country poured.
Around the stone sarcophagus
Of some old king who had a muss,
No doubt, with prophets in his day,
At hide-and-seek they stopped to play.
Said one, as he with thoughtful mien

Looked round upon the somber scene :
"No better place could Brownies find

To hide away from humankind.
If we had time to study out
The statements chiseled all about,

You 'd find each casket is supplied
With tales about the one inside.
Perhaps he stood with shading hand
To watch his legions leave the land,
And shouted to them in his wrath
To follow in the Hebrews' path.
But waves that had been long controlled
By mighty power now inward rolled;

With foaming crests they barred the way
Like lions leaping on their prey,
93
THE BEOWNIES IN EGYPT.
And giving in one generous dish

All Egypt's array to the fish.
The dust of kings alone is here,
From them we nothing have to fear,

Their days of tyranny are past,
Time snatched them from their thrones at last;
No more they '11 range from place to place
And subjugate a better race;
No more impose a double task
When slaves or bondsmen mercy ask;
Say who shall live or who shall die,
Or who their treasury supply.

'T is well such creatures reach an end,
And these old rogues, I apprehend,
If I their picture-language know,
Had theirs four thousand years ago."
Upon an island in the Nile

The Brownies tarried for a while.
Among the ruins scattered round

A temple's colonnade they found,
And in hieroglyphics spread
The fate of poor Osiris read,
94
THE BROWNIES IN EGYPT.
His birth, his love,

and prowess stout
In broken
chapters they
made out.
An interesting
to those who
cared to read.
There, studying
the
granite
gray,
They
learned
just
how he
passed
away,
And how he was embalmed with care

By the kind goddess Isis fair.
Cnstles olct und legencls Tender

WKispe-f n unifs'ied spleqdop.
THE
BROWNIES
IN ARABIA.
ELEVENTH STAGE.
night, while straying

by the Nile,
The Brownies caught
a crocodile,
And through some
mystic sleight, I wot,
They charmed the
reptile on the spot,
Until it played upon
the sand,
Affording pleasure to
the band.
Then up and down
the bank it moved,
.While half the band
the chance improved,
THE BROWNIES IN ARABIA.
All striving for a place to ride
Upon the creature's scaly hide.
They drove it there, they drove it here,

Without the slightest thought of fear.
THE BKOWNIES IN ABABIA.
It must have fared exceeding well,

Before into their power it fell,
And have devoured enough to last
It for a week without a fast,
Because it let them sport about
In easy reach of tail or snout,
And no inward craving feel
did
To take some Brownies for a meal
At length, while on the bank it lay,
With all the Brownies in full play,
It seemed at once to break the spell
That up till then had held it well,
And be itself, with powers to rest,
Or go ahead, as pleased it best.

Without their leave it turned its head,
And started for the river's bed.
Soon down the steep incline it dashed,
And in the sluggish water splashed.
The Brownies had to jump the while,

Or find the bottom of the Nile.
"
Said one : A bath befits the race
When one can choose the time and place;

But I would rather run a year
Unwashed than take my swimming here,
With such companions as we 'd find
Beneath, of every shape and kind."
Another said " We '11 turn aside
:
And through Arabian deserts wide

Pursue our way, until we all
Can see the bird that stands so tall,
98
THE IU10U MIS IN AKAIilA.
"
rA Coy.
.-:-^--
. _-:
^V_~
=
;'
99
THE BROWNIES IN AEABIA.
And yields the plumes so rich and rare

And highly prized by ladies fair."
So off they ran across the plain
With nimble feet, and not in vain.
An ostrich, that by chance had strayed
Across their path, was prisoner made. _
off times is tlou)
fcfail
lo "lose who earned It btsf
of all .
They chased it for an hour or so,

For he could run, as people know
Who have pursued the bird for gain
For leagues across a wide domain.
Sometimes he kept far in the van.
At tunes around his heels they ran,
Half blinded by the sand that rose
At every movement of his toes.
Again, some daring Brownies tried

Upon its legs to hang and ride.
Then some along the ground were rolled,
But others, clinging, kept then- hold,
Until, thus handicapped, at last
He tumbled, and they had him fast.
Said one: "Sometimes a savage beast

Will pluck an ostrich for his feast,
And then these feathers, long and grand,
Are scattered freely on the sand;
But whosoever gives him chase
Must earn his breakfast by the race,
And has an appetite, no doubt,
Before the banquet is laid out,
100
THE BROWNIES IN AHABIA.
For this is something famed for speed,

A match for the Arabian steed,
When both a lively interest feel,
One spurred by fear, and one by steeL"

Now, while some held it on the ground,
The other Brownies gathered round
And took such plumes as pleased them best
To carry as a handsome crest.
"
Said one : Those folks can hardly thrive
Who pluck their poultry while alive,
101
THE BROWNIES IN ARABIA.
And we may this exploit
regret
Before the morrow's sun
has set.
For many a one,

old dames have said,
Has tossed through night
a restless head,
The only sleepless one
in town,
Because on pillows made

of down,
That cruel fingers had
plucked loose
To music of the squawking
goose."
"
Another said : The fact
is clear;
There is a tinge of mischief
here,
102
THE BKOWNIES IN ARABIA.
But where such wondrous tufts exist

A few small feathers won't be missed,
'T lucky for the bird that we
is
Are satisfied with two or three ;

For if it fell in human hands,
He 'd soon go naked o'er the sands;
Or, it' a beast such chance could find,
He 'd hardly leave the bones behind."
A novel spectacle they made

When thus in nodding plumes arrayed;
A foreign prince might well be proud
To be the poorest in the crowd,
And have his head appear so fair
With plumes that waved so high in air.
crasay fields or plains of sorjd

81
j.i.l
i|utu re rules tl|i' Brounie band
103
THE BROWNIES IN
GERMANY.
TWELFTH STAGE.
German Empire, firm and strong,

The Brownies visited ere long;
Its lovely rivers to behold,
And ramble through the castles old

That crumbling into rains stand
On every peak or point of land.
To highest towers they tried to go
To view the country stretched below,
And as they climbed awaked the fears
Of owls and bats that there for years
In gloomy halls had moped and drowsed
Where dukes and barons once caroused.
And while the massive walls they scanned,
For prison and for palace planned,
They moralized on what they saw,
On ancient force and modern law.
Said one : "In days gone by, no doubt,
Through these old gates oft sallied out
104
THE BUOWNIES IN GERMANY.
A plundering band, prepared to stock

Its larder from its neighbor's flock.
Then right had little chance at all
Unless it owned the strongest wall,

And justice did the prize bestow
On him who gave the hardest blow."
So thus the Brownies chatted still
While rambling through the place at will,
Enjoying sights on every side

So common in that country wide.
-
~'"""i
- ''
..
SfSif^ 3 ft
They paused at Bingen on the Rhine,

Where fields were covered with the vine;
Where, bending round the Nicderwald,
The river to the ocean crawled,
And ancient castles, towering high
Along the banks, charmed every eye.

105
THE BROWNIES IN GERMANY.
Some stood reciting line by line

The poem so world-renowned and fine
About the soldier in Algiers,
TiH half the band was moved to tears,
So sad, pathetic, and yet true

The poetess the picture drew.
At length, within a city proud
That holds the nation's greatest crowd,
They found a chance from some retreat
To gaze upon the leading street.

While marching downward, near at hand,
There passed a famous German band.
" These
Said one :
people, as you know,
In every country like to blow ;
It may be clarionet or flute
Or trombone that they choose to toot,

But this is certain they 're the boys
:
Who tramp ahead and make the noise."

" us find
Another said :
Come, let
Some instruments of every kind,
Both those that toot and those that squeal

And those that like an organ peal,
And also others large and round
That loudly 'rub-a-dub!' will sound.
We '11 bear them to a distant grove

Where prying people seldom rove;
And then we '11 practise at the tunes
On fiddles, haut-boys, and bassoons,
Untilwe charm the birds of air
With music rightly rendered there."

106
THE BKOWNIES IN GERMANY.
"
Another cried : You may, indeed,
On me depend to take the lead.
A thousand airs I understand,
With all their variations grand,

That lead you off, as if astray,
From what you first commenced to play.
I '11 blow the horn and draw the bow,
And how to beat the drum I '11 show,
So those who have the dullest ear
For music cannot help but hear,
And learn to love it as they should
If they are capable of good."
This was enough for one and all;

That night they ran and made a haul.
The store was bolted like a cell,
But they got in, and out, as well,
Each bearing off as he professed,
The instrument he liked the best.
Soon some were much surprised to find
Their mouths for horns were not designed,
And some had fingers far too set
For either flute or clarionet.
But after changing round, I wis,
An hour or so, from that to this,

To rightly suit the mouth and hand
Of every member of the band,
They were in readiness at last,

With everything in order classed :
The fiddle tuned to match the tone

Of something with a kindred drone,
107
THE BROWNIES IN GERMANY.
j-
rWi
fti ww-j* ^' ^'#
%%i^^ $4? ^', ''
f
'.
wii$&jf>
. .-.._ *%^->;i;.>i^^..-.
And drummers knowing well the spot

Where they might bang away or not.
The cunning Brownies with delight
In greatest efforts did unite.
They shook the leaves on tree and vine,
As loud they played " Die Wacht am Rhein."
The hymn to liberty, so dear
To sons of France, charmed every ear;
The march that lifts the Briton's heart
When duty calls and friends must part ;
The " Bonnie Boon " and " Garry Owen "
In turn, by kind request, were blown.
Nor was the Western world forgot :
The airs that cheered the patriot,

108
THK IHioWMKS IN <;K1;MAN \ .
When in his Continental suit
He daivd Ilic monarch's claims dispute,

Were given with an extra blare,
In honor of Columbia fair.
At times they marched in single line,

At times in clusters would combine,
With arm to arm and toe to heel,
And scarcely room enough to wheel.
Too soon that pleasant night went by,
And stars began to leave the sky.
So Brownies had no time to spare

When they returned with proper care
The fiddles, drums, and horns once more
Where they had found them hours before.
To other points that hold a place

In history, they took a race.
Upon the field of Waterloo
No rest the cunning Brownies knew
Until their lively feet could gain
Each acre of the famous plain.
They paused where from his charger white
Napoleon viewed the doubtful fight

And \irged his legions on to dare
The dangers of the bristling square.
They stood where Wellington was found,

While thickest carnage strewed the ground,
Encouraging his men, like rock
To firmly stand, to bide the shock.
109
THE BROWNIES IN
SWITZERLAND.
THIRTEENTH STAGE.
Switzerland the mountains high,

That seemed to blend the earth and sky,
Delighted all the Brownie band;
And oft they with foot and hand,
tried,
To scale the rugged cliffs around
Until the highest peak was found.
It mattered not that ice and snow
Made travel dangerous and slow.

"
Said one : Where'er the foot of man
Has found a rest, a Brownie's can.
I know the way that men set out,
With pointed staffs to prod about
And feel their way when storms arise
That almost blind their straining eyes.
We '11 do the same, and
ropes we '11 take
To tie ourselves for safety's sake,
So should one fall, as fall hemay,
~'- The others can his tumble stay."
no
THE BROWNIES IN SWITZERLAND.
Thus well prepared for greatest height
They climbed the Matterhorn one night.

Some by a rope were well combined,
So each could prompt assistance find,
In case a Brownie failed to keep
His footing on the windy steep.
For hours they scaled the mountain-side,
Still climbing on without a guide;
But as some higher point appeared

For this at once the Brownies steered.
Said one: "No guiding hand we need
While we have courage to proceed
And eyes to see the summit bare
That still is high above us there;
So, without halting, up we '11 go

Until we leave the clouds below.
We '11 surely know enough to stop
When we at last have reached the top."

Thus chatting freely on they went,
Resolved to make the bold ascent,
Now toiling up as best they could,
Now slipping back, as if for good,
Now helping others to a shelf,
Now very much concerned for self,
While clouds of snow around them rolled
And sharper grew the biting cold.

Once, as a dangerous point they passed,
So sudden came the icy blast.
In spite of all the care they showed
It blew a number from the road,
111
To twirl them wildly through

the air
And keep them dangling
helpless there,
While those who still
a footing found
Clung to the rope that

'
swayed around, i,
,
^ &&&&%[/'''';
.
,;' /> *> /Mil
Until, with mighty tug

and strain,
The party could their
place regain.
At tunes, when dangers
thus assailed,
The courage of
some
Brownie failed,
And one declared
't would take
a week
To carry out
their crazy
freak,
And thought
they should at
once retire
And warm
themselves
around
a fire.
112
"
Said he The glory we would gain
:
Ifwe at last the crest attain,

Would hardly, my ambitious friends,
For lost companions make amends."
Another said: "Your paling face
Is not becoming to your race.
Shall we, who dared the raging sea
Upon a raft,now thwarted be,

Because the mountain here enshrouds
Its head in dark and theatening clouds!
My friend, where'er the human kind
Have set then- feet, I am inclined
To think we, too, that spot can win,
Or else decline is setting in.
Our usefulness is surely passed
If we must turn from icy blast ;
Our courage must be ebbing low

If we 're afraid of drifting snow;
Our enterprise is getting weak

If we can't find a mountain peak.
If mystic power must go for naught
When we 're in face of trials brought,
We might as well give others room
And start at once to build our tomb."
Thus braver spirits cheered the rest

And pointed to the glittering crest
On which, ere long, they all could stand
would uphold the band.
If courage
Those who have marked the Brownies' way

And perseverance day by day
113
Will know that on the top at length

The Brownies stood in all their strength,
And gazed upon the world below
That formed a panorama show.
And paid them well, as they declared,
For ah the dangers they had dared.
1
Once in their midnight rambling round

The Lion of Lucerne they found
That 's chiseled from the mountain hard
In memory of the brave Swiss Guard
That struggling for the Bourbon well
In his defense all fighting fell.
The Brownies next set out to view
Lake Leman's tide so deep and blue,
The wave-washed walls they gazed upon

That held the Prisoner of Chillon
So many years, while by his side
In fetters fast his

brothers died.
They boldly ventured

down the stair
To see the chains he
used to wear,
114
And mark the narrow dungeon's bound

In which at last he moved around;
They paced it back and forth to find
To what a vault he was consigned,
And thought how well the poet's pen
Has made his sufferings known to men.
The narrow window they surveyed
To which the bird its visit paid,
As if to try with vocal
powers
To cheer him through the
gloomy hours.
With sympathetic feelings
kind,
Before they left the cell
behind,
They scrawled his name upon the wall,
His long imprisonment and all,
And passed a vote of censure strong

Upon the prince who did the wrong.
imt t\jf coming of tt)e bond.
115
THE BROWNIES IN
HOLLAND.
FIFTEENTH STAGE.
winter season worked around

Before the Brownies Holland found.
They traveled half-way through the land
On and happy band.
skates, a free
At times a dike would be their road,
At times a meadow overflowed,
Then up a river they
would train
Until it
nan-owed
to a drain,
Compelling
them to
walk awhile
Until more
ice would
make them
smile.
116
THE BROWNIES IN HOLLAND.
If through a sad mistake a few

. Went in the stream, as people do
Who sometimes overestimate
The strength of ice beneath the skate,
Their comrades would not leave them there,
But every risk and danger share
With willing hand and courage good,
Till every one in safety stood.
While in that country moving round,
Commenting on the sights they found,
They paused to stare with wondering eyes
Upon a windmill large of size.

Said one " This turned in days gone by
:
To grind the farmer's wheat and rye,

But disconnected now with stone,
Or working-gear, it stands alone,
Affording shelter to the mice

When winter coats the land with ice."
At length some daring ones began

To climb the mill, and boldly ran
Upon the roof, then, worst of all,
Upon the vanes to freely crawl,

Until one half the Brownies there
Had found a place to perch in air.
'T is strange, indeed, how storms can rise
As though at once from cloudless skies ;
'T is strange how squalls capsize the boat

Just when it seemed to safest float ;
And strange how soon, through groaning trees,

There came that night a sweeping breeze,
117
THE BKOWNIES IN HOLLAND.
And struck with force that ancient mill

That had for years been standing still,
Nor turned a sail nor made a pound
Of flour for the people round.
No one was more surprised, no doubt,

In allthe country thereabout
Than were those
Brownies,
grave or gay,
Who to the vanes
had found their
way.
And now they learned
to their regret,
The mill had life
within it yet.
They had small

choice of what
to do
As round
and round
it wildly
flew,
They
simply
had to be
content
To travel
with it
as it went.
118
THE BUOWNIES IN HOLLAND.
It did not prove a simple gust,

To bend the grass and hurl the dust,
But such a wind as rends the ash
And brings the steeple with a crash.
And though the rust had time to spoil
The journals that now screeched for oil,
As if complaining at the part

They played against all rules of art,
The mill did greater stir display
That hour than in its perfect day,
And had there been some grain inside,
The town would soon have been supplied
With flour from the smoking stones,
That turned within with creaks and groans
But Brownies, as before was told,
Are not the kind that lose their hold,
And so through all their circling trip
But few, if any, lost their grip,
And even when the vanes gave out
And som-d soon did, and flew about
In wild career before the blast -
The Brownies still were clinging fast,
And though they suffered many a shake
They reached the ground without a break.

Then one remarked: "I think 't is time
We traveled to some other clime. '
119
THE BROWNIES
RUSSIA.
SIXTEENTH STAGE.
Russian ground no lengthy stay

The Brownies made to work or play.
Said one: "If we had not to go
Across this country, as you know,
While circling the terrestrial ball
We 'd hardly give the place a call.
From poorest peasant up to peer

There 's too much secret plotting here,
Too many mines and bombs concealed

In city, village, road, and field.
'T hardly safe to touch a brier
is
Or twig, lest it should wake a fire

That would not leave a foot or hand
Or head intact of all the band.
However dark may be the night
A sentinel will pop in sight
So we compelled to hide away

're
Through hours of night as well as day.
They stand on guard o'er mill and mine

O'er bridges, boats, and pipes of wine.
120
Till; r.KMWNIKS IN l;issl\.
Some stand to guard the ruler's bed,

More watch his baker make the bread,
For fear some poison he might throw
With vengeful hand amid the dough;
More watch the chemist while he tries
The coffee that the cook supplies;
The horse is guarded on all sides
On which the Czar at morning rides.
For fear they 'd deck it well at night
With cartridges of dynamite
To scatter him around the street
The moment that he takes his seat."
At times up to the ears in snow

They struggled through a valley low,
And only that the band possessed
Endurance equal to the best,
Some place like that to-day would hold
The bones of every Brownie bold.
Of Moscow, as they hurried through
The land, the Brownies gained a view.
121
THE BROWNIES IN RUSSIA.
Ill' h''JirJ fu&l*ftr^n- '[I - II _T*1r ~-^- I,."!

1
I 1 /.Li
There on a bridge the wondering band

Before the Kremlin paused to stand
122
And mark the many-

towered pile
That glowed in Oriental
style.
Once while they crossed
a lonely waste
A pack of wolves the
Brownies chased,
For miles and miles, well
was their need,
They scampered at their

highest speed
Through broken ground
of every kind
And still could hear the
howls behind,
Now sinking to a muffled
wail,
Now risiiag louder on
the gale,
Until the frosty hills
around
Gave answer to the awful sound
123
THE BROWNIES IN KUSSIA.
But as the pack with bristling hair

And open mouths and fiery glare,
Above a snowy ridge appeared,
A friendly tree the Brownies neared,
For and well they might
this they ran,
With half a hundred wolves in sight,

Each brute prepared to stow away
A breakfast with but small delay.
But ere they reached the tree in view
The howling terrors closer drew
With bristling backs and clashing jaws,
Bright flashing eyes and nimble paws,
But, though they skirmished left and right
At closest range they failed to bite
As if the cunning rogues surmised

A mystic prey they had surprised
Of quite a different form and caste
From those they had devoured last.
Meanwhile the Brownies ne'er forgot
The tree that graced that lonely spot,
And kept alive and in the race
Until they reached its rugged base.
The hugging, climbing, scratching now,
As each one sought to gain a bough,
Might bring a smile to every face
Had this not been a serious case,
That did in greatest manner plead
For mystic exercise indeed.
let your home be wljere
If that old tree, that long had grown
(twill
You'll find uork before
_you still. Upon the frozen plain alone,
124
\ *&Ur&rsi. Jff
'
f f -: >:
5Sas^lK
s^^rsv-^s
Had been designed with special care

To meet the need of Brownies there,
It hardly could be better planned
In fitness for the lively band.
Through ail that night with hungry eyes
The wolves sat glaring at the prize,
125
THE BBOWNIES IN RUSSIA.
In hopes some branch would snap at last
With overweight, or else a blast

Might shake a shower from the tree
That patience might rewarded be.
At length, as night her mantle rent,
The wolves appeared to catch the scent
Of something on a distant hill
That seemed to promise better still;
So in a trice the siege was raised,

And all the Brownies, much amazed,
Descended from the tree in haste
And made their way across the wa,ste.
THE BROWNIES IN CHINA.
SIXTEENTH STAGE,
HROUGH many trials hard to facfi
The Brownies moved from place to place.

Now camping on some dreary wild,
Now in some village domiciled,
In waiting till a better chance
Was offered for a safe advance,
Until before their wondering eyes
They saw the strange pagodas rise,

And saw the wall built long ago
To keep aloof a plundering foe,
And then they knew not far away
The "Flowery Kingdom" smiling lay.
Without a ladder, rope, or line,

Or aught except a clinging vine,
To aid them in their steep ascent,
Upon the wall the Brownies went.

Said one: '"T is here this very hour
We show indeed superior power.
127
\
This wall that kept the Tatars out

Two thousand years, or thereabout,
Has failed to keep the Brownie band
For fifteen minutes from the land."
The Brownies many wonders found
While through that empire roaming round.
'T was large enough to let them range
Through fertile plains and cities strange
For weeks and months, and still pursue
Their way through scenes and wonders new.
"
Said one : The oldest country spread
Upon the world we Brownies tread;

Great nations rose and swept away
Their neighbors' lines, and had then* day,
Then crumbled to a final fall,
But this old empire lived through all.
Three thousand years have left no trace

Upon the customs of the race;
Still eating rice and drinking tea,
Behind their wall from trouble free,
They live content to be alone

Among their shrines of wood and stone."
128
"
Another said : 'T is well that they
Are not inclined from hoi in- t<>
>tray,
For if the sea they venture o'er
'11 find small welcome at the shore."
In-y
The Brownies climbed the towers grand

That are so common in the land,
And freely did their views exchange

About the architecture strange.
Said one :
kt
Not often do we find
A place where builders are so kind.

Here shelves abound where one can stop
And rest while climbing to the top:
By easy stages we can rise

And view the laud that round us lies,
And what seemed like a trying task
Is sport as good as one could ask.
No slippery spire of tin or slate,

To which we have to trust our weight
We here encounter as we go
But wood that suits
both hand and toe,
And they must be but
common people
Who lose their hold on
such a steeple."
At times too many
rushed to
view
.
"f.Kt.
f fj till" I'l
An object that
;;,;"<*.:
attention drew,
129
And then the odd-shaped roof would bend

Or yield, and with its load descend,
And only mystic powers could save
The Brownies from an early grave.
It has to be a fearful squall,
It has to be a stunning fall,
It needs must be a wild affair
In shape of beast, or bird of air

That can subdue the lively band,
Or bring their actions to a stand.
Oh, could we mortals, toiling here

Upon this fast-revolving sphere,
Like them surmount the greatest ill
And bravely face the music still,

We might do many things I trow
We '11 leave unfinished when we go !
Not often strangers penetrate

Into that country old and great,
And when they do some years go by
While they one half its wonders spy,
So do not marvel that the band
Were some weeks passing through the land,
And oft were prompted to declare
It paid them well to journey there.
130
THE BROWNIES IN JAPAN.
SEVENTEENTH STAGE.
'f / ^ F ll course of time the Brownies found
fjfai
Themselves on the Mikado's ground,
I
Where, though the natives seemed to be

Enlightened in a small degree
Ahove their neighbors, soon 't was known
They had strange notions of their own,
And Brownies saw, to their regret,
The people were in darkness yet.
While through the country, strange and vast,

The active band of Brownies passed,
From town to town, o'er many a mile
They traveled in the native style,

131
Some members riding there in state,

More bending down beneath the weight^
As up and down the lengthy road
They struggled with their heavy load.
But oft, as onward still, they ranged,
The situations would be changed,
And thus by many a shifting scene
All tried both ways the palanquin.
/vff COX
Again with parasols they 'd go

Along the road a lengthy row,
In imitation of the way
The people guard their heads by day,
And with their fans whene'er they please
Create an artificial breeze.
Sometimes they traveled through the land
With lanterns swinging in each hand,
To light them through a dangerous ground
Where trouble might their path surround.
At times they halted in surprise
Before an idol of large size,
And sometimes Brownies were not slow
Upon the towering form to go.

132
Some on the hands or shoulders got

And some peeped in the incense pot,
And wondered where the herbs
were found
That spread such stifling
odors round;
M.
ri&fe
133
More talked about the wretched state
Of people, howsoever great,

Who pin their faith upon a toy
That wind and weather can destroy.
" 'T
Said one : is painful to behold
At every turn these idols old,
Though dumb they sit, a tale they tell
That thoughtful minds may ponder well;

They hint of millions, strong of will,
Who blindly grope in error still;
There 's work for pen and preachers too

Before the Christians' task is through,
For many a purse its mite must yield

And many a teacher take the field,
And many a stubborn knee must bend,
And many an earnest prayer ascend
Ere every idol in this place
Has tinnbled headlong from its base."

Thus moralizing as they ran
The Brownies traveled through Japan,
In the Mikado's gardens strayed
Where flowers bloomed and fountains played,
Wliile mirror lakes and well-tilled ground
Formed pictures fair for miles around.
uie'l! hvtfe Mje r oa.fi orjce rtjore

OHjer to explore.
re^gt'ons
134
THE BROWNIES IN THE
POLAR REGIONS.
EIGHTEENTH STAGE.
\
on their homeward way at last
The Brownies through wild regions passed,
Where ice was piled and breezes blew
That baffled many a daring crew.
But Brownies, brave in every clime,
Pushed on, nor lost one moment's time.
Fresh from the sunny Land of Tea
They tramped across a frozen sea,
Where fish to few temptations rise,
And have small practice catching flies.
Said one: "This land of northern lights
And shooting stars and lengthy nights
Of which explorers often rave,
Or dream about the icy wave
That lies around the Pole so vast,
Where no one yet has anchor cast,

Is, after all, scarce worth the cost
Of noble lives that still are lost
As expeditions strive in vain

From year to year this point to gain.
135
THE BBOWNIES IN THE POLAR REGIONS.
But still the time will come, no doubt,

When men will find all secrets out
Arid feast their eyes upon this sea
So quickly found by you and me.

We need no map, nor chart, nor plan,
Because not limited, like man,
To knowledge passed from hand to hand;
Through ages long, the Brownie band,

In ways peculiar to the race
With all
requirements keep pace."
Reviewing thus the region cold
That has such wonders to unfold
In icy island, and bay,
gulf,
That maps may show some later day,
The Brownies various methods tried
By which to cross the country wide ;
They turned to use whate'er they found

To aidthem as they journeyed round.
The cunning band some dogs secured,
To cold and hardship well inured,
And on rude sledges void of art,
In which large skins played leading part,
They traveled over many a plain
That bold explorers sought in vain;
While others had the luck to find
Some reindeer of the strongest kind,
That could be trusted to proceed
O'er roughest ground at greatest speed.
In different ways the hardy deer
Was made to render service here;
136
THE BROWNIES IN THE POLAR REGIONS.
Some on its back a station found

And by the horns would steer it round
Without the use of curb or rein
Or cruel instmment
of pain,
As if a wondrous
charm controlled
The beast however
strong or old.
While of the space
from head to tail
The Brownies did
themselves avail,
And, though smooth

saddles were denied,
Endured the hardships of the ride.
More tied the reindeer to a sled
And thus across the country sped.

Sometimes well matched, an even span,
With even whiffletree they ran:
Sometimes a tandem team they flew
And gave the driver much to do,
And shook the sled until its load
Was spilling out along the road.
Away, away with flying feet
Would go the snorting courser fleet,
O'er level plains and icy piles,

Tillmany, many hundred miles
Behind the daring band would slip
Without the use of snapping whip.
137
Said one: "The

stories have
been read
Of messengers
that quickly
sped
With stirring
'^^^^^^^^^^ i *
news, or good
or had,
According to
the times
they had,
Who never
halted, never
drew
A rein until
their task
was through.
Now we to-night
no message
bear
To either please a town, or scare,
And yet could people see us go
Thus over fields of ice and snow
At such a rate, they 'd argue well
That we had hasty news to tell."
At times mishaps occurred, 't is true,
While over frozen fields they flew,

For some, no matter how they tried
To keep their place upon the hide,

138
Would find themselves through jolt or twist

A mile behind ere they were missed.
But do not think the band would press
Ahead and leave them in distress
No ; quick as they could bring about
A halt, they 'd answer to the shout
Of those who for a time were placed
Alone upon the dreary waste.
For brothers from one trundle-bed,
Who at one dish have broken bread
Before a proud and loving mother,
Are not more prompt to aid each other
Than are the Brownies to assist
The poorest member on the list.
Thus on they went o'er plain and hill
Without a thought of change until
They reached a milder clime that gave

More freedom to that northern wave.
On cakes of ice that floated free
The Brownies then put out to sea,
To cross a gulf or open bay
That in the line of travel lay.
"
Said one : We 've been on boats before,
And on a raft two weeks or more,
With only slippery logs to keep
Us from the monsters of the deep,
And thought the trials falling fast
Around us ne'er could be surpassed,

In tlje coldest land But when one comes to take a trip
you II find
Hearts are tuarm
oriel
offer^
kind. Upon an iceberg for a ship,
139
THE BBOWNIES EN THE POLAB REGIONS.
That neither has a rudder stout

Nor spreading sail to help him out,
But drifts at random to and fro
Whichever way the tide may go,
He '11 not be anxious to extend
His pleasure-trip, you may depend."
Then heaving up through holes in ice

Would rise the walrus in a trice,
And fill each Brownie's heart with fear
That happened to he beating near.
Sometimes a bear that thought to make
A landing on a floating cake,
Would start at once a tumult great
And cause the band to emigrate
Without delay to some new place
In hopes to shun his close embrace.
Thus dangers at each step they found
While through that region floating rounc
They had good use for ears and eyes
And nimble feet, you may surmise,
But where so many heroes go
To find a winding-sheet of snow,
140
And icy casket that will last

Until the resurrection blast,
The Brownies hardly could expect
To find their way with roses decked.
COX
Sometimes surprises of a kind

Quite different would stir the mind:
A ship, abandoned by its crew
Long years before, would come in view;

On this the Brownies were not slow
To climb about, their skill to show,
141
Or strive to study out with care

What expedition left it there.
At length against the darkened skies

They saw rough Mount Verstova rise,
Clad in its robes of white and gray
And overlooking Sitka Bay,
142
And then town appeared in sight

a
On which they gazed with great delight,
For o'er the wooden castle old
A banner bright a story told
Of ownersl tip,
that all the
band
Were sharp
mPmntm^^ enough to
'
'-*- --'
'
f }&*''':'' nfnusMff''
understand.
>if%;Mf^ A ''
pinions wide
ite
Was hovering o'er
their nation's
pride,
And on the instant such a note
Of joy as swelled each Brownie's throat
Because they had been spared to stand
Once more upon the glorious land
From which they bravely started out
To travel all the world about.
So there, while high the flag of red

And white and blue waved overhead,
In songs of praise the band combined.
And then one Brownie spoke his mind :
"Through dangers that came thick and fast

The Brownies round the world have passed,
Contending with misfortunes still
And overcoming every ill,
143
Thus teaching lessons day by day

That may be useful in their way."
READER, now the task is through,

But erewe part, a word to you
/U your oil isgrouuqg spare
Trim your lamp un'flj greater care .
Yes, you who traveled hand in hand
With me to watch the Brownie band,
And listened with attentive ear
The prattling of the rogues to hear,
And patiently surveyed the lines
The pen has traced in these designs,
May you prove always stanch and true
To comrades, and to neighbors, too.
Be brave when trials fast descend,
And persevering to the end,
And, Brownie-like, you may be blessed
They seldom fail who do their best.
(25)
Vvltli tt
frit nelly
uinue of fy
IVou) re tires f\ieSrouinie bancl*

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THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

CENTRAL CHILDREN'S ROOM

Books circulate for four weeks (28 days) unless

<S7nat. otvm) tnti) vooa ;

Gtna. , zd tntu fina,

t witn fttuny*) ntna.

ANOTHER BROWNIE BOOK

THE BROWNIES AT HOME

THE BROWNIES AROUND C~j

THE BROWNIES THROUGH

THE BROWNIES ABROAD

THE BROWNIES IN THE

THE BROWNIES LATEST

THE BROWNIES MANY MORE

THE BROWNIES AND

THE BROWNIE PRIMER

THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

BROWNIES CROSS THE ATLANTIC /V<p' *s*r-.-

BROWNIES IN GERMANY 104

BROWNIES IN SWITZERLAND 110

BROWNIES IN HOLLAND 116

BRO\VNIES IN RUSSIA 120

BROWNIES IN CHINA 127

BROWNIES IN JAPAN 131

BROWNIES IN THE POLAR REGIONS

THE BROWNIES IN CANADA.

HEN signs that mark the closing year

In answer to a general call.

All representatives of note

To lay their plans and have their say.

Around the world on every side.

Said one: "My comrades tried and true,

For many a hardship must be met,

Strange accidents will cross our way

Through zones that gave to Franklin brave

To where that flowery realm extends

No blame would be attached to those

Or stars a sign of falling showed,

With cunning minds the travelers planned

An easy task it seems, no doubt,

Some trials that would courage test.

Let me remark, the Brownie kind

Deep rivers that before them ran,

Till oue by one, in single file,

jam and roar ;

Its blazing squares and darksome lanes;

And dodge about for safer ground.

And visited each church and hall,

To Ottawa went all the band

Has not an equal far or near,

Thus dancing on, as in delight,

No wonder Indians strewed, like stones,

I think it will not be amiss

Now while beside a flood like this,

At engineering trust to me,

And well can undertake the part."

Between the rocks or islands great,

BROWNIES CROSS THE ATLANTIC /V<p' sr-.-

,": t&tvr^-l .; ~v^ -VJ iV ->*