The Nursery, February 1873, Vol. XIII. / A Monthly Magazine for Youngest Readers

VOLUME XIII.—No. 2 BOSTON: JOHN L. SHOREY, No. 36 BROMFIELD STREET. 1873.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1873, By JOHN L. SHOREY, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington. Boston: Rand, Avery, & Co., Stereotypers and Printers.

THE BIOGRAPHY OF A BUBBLE

HE papa who writes this biography of a bubble never wrote a biography before in all his life. This is his first printed work. Perhaps some old person will criticise it severely.
Why use such big words as 'biography' and 'criticise'? this old person may ask. Are you not writing for little people? Is not your subject a poor little bubble that could not have lived longer than three or four seconds?
To which this papa replies: Old person, do not meddle. This papa knows what he is about. The little folks understand very well that a 'biography' is a story of a life; that to 'criticise' is to find fault; and that a 'critic' is a fault-finder.
So all critics will please get out of the way, and leave this papa alone while he writes the biography of a bubble.
This bubble was born just as the clock struck four, on the afternoon of the 13th of January, 1873. Its name was Diamond.
Why, how could a bubble have a name?
Now, you just be quiet and patient, and in good time you shall learn all. Papa had promised his little daughter Grace, that one of these days he would blow some bubbles for her amusement.