PREFACE TO THE FIFTEENTH LONDON EDITION.

The thirteenth edition of “Evenings at Home,” a work which has not been superseded in general estimation by any later publication for the instruction and amusement of youth, appeared in 1823, enriched with the addition of some new pieces, and carefully revised and corrected throughout by Mr. Arthur Aikin. Since that time, its venerable author, and his distinguished sister and coadjutor, have both paid the debt of nature; and it appears proper to introduce this posthumous republication, by an account of their respective shares in its production. The plan, then, of the work originated solely with Dr. Aikin; the Introduction and Epilogue are both his, and about eleven parts in twelve of the whole. The pieces written by Mrs. Barbauld, including one found among her papers, and now first printed, are, the Young Mouse; the Wasp and Bee; Alfred, a Drama; Animals and their Countries; Canute’s Reproof to his Courtiers; the Mask of Nature; Things by their Right Names; the Goose and Horse; On Manufactures; the Flying-Fish; a Lesson on the Art of Distinguishing; the Phenix and Dove; the Manufacture of Paper; the Four Sisters; and Live Dolls;—amounting to fifteen out of one hundred and one.

A new arrangement of the matter has been followed in this edition, for which the editor is answerable. Her father was precluded from attending to this point in the first instance, by the manner in which the work grew under his hand. The volumes came out one or two at a time, with an interval of several years between the earliest and the latest. He did not at first contemplate so extensive a work; but his invention flowed freely—the applause of parents and the delight of children invited him to proceed; the slight thread by which he had connected the pieces was capable of being drawn out indefinitely, and the plan was confessedly that of a miscellany. Under these circumstances, it appeared allowable on a view of the whole work, to change the order, so as to conduct the young reader, in a gentle progress, from the easier pieces to the more difficult; or rather, to adapt the different volumes to different ages, by which the inconvenience might be avoided of either putting the whole set into the hands of a child, while one portion of its contents would not be intelligible to him, or withholding the whole until another portion should have ceased to be interesting. This idea the editor has, to the best of her ability, put in execution. Should she thus be the humble means of extending, in any degree, the influence of her father’s wisdom and genius—of his extensive knowledge, his manly principles, and his genuine benevolence and tenderness of heart—her pains will be amply rewarded.

CONTENTS.

Introductionpage [9]
The Young Mouse[11]
The Wasp and Bee[12]
The Goose and Horse[12]
The Flying-Fish[13]
The Little Dog[14]
Travellers’ Wonders[15]
The Discontented Squirrel[19]
On the Marten[22]
Mouse, Lapdog, and Monkey[24]
Animals and their Countries[25]
The Mask of Nature[25]
The Farmyard Journal[27]
The Price of Pleasure[30]
The Rat with a Bell[32]
The Dog balked of his Dinner[33]
The Kid[36]
How to make the Best of it[39]
Order and Disorder[40]
Live Dolls[43]
The Hog and other Animals[46]
The Bullies[49]
The Travelled Ant[50]
The Colonists[56]
The Dog and his Relations[60]
The History and Adventures of a Cat[62]
Canute’s Reproof to his Courtiers[67]
On Things to be Learned[68]
On the Oak[74]
Alfred[80]
On the Pine and Fir Tribe[85]
On Different Stations in Life[90]
The Rookery[94]
The Ship[97]
Things by their Right Names[103]
The Transmigrations of Indur[105]
The Swallow and Tortoise[117]
The Grass-Tribe[119]
A Tea-Lecture[122]
The Kidnappers[126]
On Manufactures[129]
On the Art of Distinguishing[138]
The Phenix and Dove[144]
The Manufacture of Paper[145]
The Two Robbers[148]
The Council of Quadrupeds[150]
Tit for Tat[158]
On Wines and Spirits[160]
The Boy without a Genius[166]
Half a Crown’s Worth[170]
Trial[172]
The Leguminous Plants[179]
On Man[183]
Walking the Streets[187]
The Compound-Flowered Plants[189]
Presence of Mind[192]
Phaeton Junior[198]
Why an Apple falls[203]
Nature and Education[206]
Aversion subdued[207]
The Little Philosopher[213]
What Animals are made for[216]
True Heroism[219]
On Metals[222]
Flying and Swimming[230]
The Female Choice[232]
On Metals[234]
Eyes and No Eyes[242]
Why the Earth moves round the Sun[249]
The Umbelliferous Plants[252]
Humble Life, or the Cottagers[256]
The Birthday Gift[261]
On Earths and Stones[263]
Show and Use, or the Two Presents[275]
The Cruciform-Flowered Plants[277]
The Native Village[281]
Perseverance against Fortune[287]
The Goldfinch and Linnet[297]
The Price of a Victory[300]
Good Company[304]
The Wanderer’s Return[306]
Difference and Agreement, or Sunday Morning[312]
The Landlord’s Visit[314]
On Emblems[320]
Ledyard’s Praise of Women[325]
Generous Revenge[327]
The Power of Habit[330]
The Cost of a War[333]
Great Men[337]
The Four Sisters[341]
The Gain of a Loss[344]
Wise Men[346]
A Friend in Need[349]
Earth and her Children[357]
A Secret Character Unveiled[359]
A Globe-Lecture[367]
Envy and Emulation[375]
Providence, or the Shipwreck[377]
Epilogue[382]

INTRODUCTION

The mansion-house of the pleasant village of Beechgrove, was inhabited by the family of Fairborne, consisting of the master and mistress, and a numerous progeny of children of both sexes. Of these, part were educated at home under their parents’ care, and part were sent out to school. The house was seldom unprovided with visiters, the intimate friends or relations of the owners, who were entertained with cheerfulness and hospitality, free from ceremony and parade. They formed, during their stay, part of the family; and were ready to concur with Mr. and Mrs. Fairborne in any little domestic plan for varying their amusements, and particularly for promoting the instruction and entertainment of the younger part of the household. As some of them were accustomed to writing, they would frequently produce a fable, a story, or dialogue, adapted to the age and understanding of the young people. It was always considered as a high favour when they would so employ themselves; and when the pieces were once read over, they were carefully deposited by Mrs. Fairborne in a box, of which she kept the key. None of these were allowed to be taken out again till all the children were assembled in the holydays. It was then made one of the evening amusements of the family to rummage the budget, as their phrase was. One of the least children was sent to the box, who putting in its little hand, drew out the paper that came next, and brought it into the parlour. This was then read distinctly by one of the older ones; and after it had undergone sufficient consideration, another little messenger was despatched for a fresh supply; and so on, till as much time had been spent in this manner as the parents thought proper. Other children were admitted to these readings; and as the Budget of Beechgrove Hall became somewhat celebrated in the neighbourhood, its proprietors were at length urged to lay it open to the public. They were induced to comply; and thus, without further preface, begins the “First Evening.”

EVENING I.