Every Girl's Library, Volume 8 of 10 / A Collection of Appropriate and Instructive Reading for Girls of All Ages from the Best Authors of All Time

cover
W. MORGAN.
Anna Sewell
Copyright, 1910, by
THE PEARSON PUBLISHING CO.
Entered at Stationers' Hall London, England
Typography, Plates, Presswork and Binding by
The J. J. Little & Ives Co., New York.


Saint Pierre, Bernardin De, was born in Havre, Jan., 1737, and died in Eragny-sur-Oise, Jan., 1814. His literary fame rests wholly on Paul and Virginia , one of the most beautiful works in romantic literature. He wrote much besides this celebrated tale, but his other works, though all of the first order of merit, are overshadowed by the little story which made him famous. Paul and Virginia has been translated into every civilized language and its popularity has never waned. It has been published in cheap and costly editions; it has suggested works of art, and, like Alice in Wonderland , it has been imitated scores of times.
Rarely, indeed, has such an attachment been seen as that which the two children already testified for each other. If Paul complained of anything, his mother pointed to Virginia: at her sight he smiled, and was appeased. If any accident befell Virginia, the cries of Paul gave notice of the disaster; but the dear little creature would suppress her complaints if she found that he was unhappy. When I came hither, I usually found them quite naked, as is the custom of the country, tottering in their walk, and holding each other by the hands and under the arms, as we see represented the constellation of the Twins. At night these infants often refused to be separated, and were found lying in the same cradle, their cheeks, their bosoms pressed close together, their hands thrown round each other's neck, and sleeping, locked in one another's arms.