Domestic Pleasures, or, the Happy Fire-side

by Frances Bowyer Vaux

CHARLES, Fourteen.

EDWARD, Twelve.

LOUISA, Ten.

FERDINAND, Seven.

SOPHY, Five.

DOMESTIC PLEASURES.

* * * * *

CONVERSATION I.

The rain came down in torrents, and beat violently against the parlour windows, whilst a keen autumnal blast made the children shiver, even by the side of a good fire. Their little hearts glowed with gratitude, when they reflected on their happy lot, sheltered from the bitter wind and driving sleet; and contrasted it with that of many miserable little beings, who were, no doubt, exposed, at that very moment, to the pitiless raging of the storm.

"Ah, mamma," said Ferdinand, a little boy of seven years old, "how I feel for those poor children who have no home to shelter them, and no fire to warm their cold hands. I often think of them, and it reminds me of the hymn I learned some time ago.