N countries where the Roman-Catholic religion prevails, a shrine signifies a box or case containing an image of the Virgin Mary, or some relics regarded as sacred.
This box is attached to a stone pillar or other fixed monument, and thus marks a place at which the pious Catholics kneel to offer up their prayers.
In Italy and Spain shrines are very common, not only in the churches, but at the roadsides. The picture shows us one with a little girl holding a bunch of flowers in front of the sacred image which she sees in it.
In this country they are to be seen only in churches; but we often speak of any hallowed place as a shrine.
IDA FAY.
Look at my night-cap so funny,
And see how I've tied up my curls!
Dolly and I are both going
To bed now, like wise little girls.
She sleeps on my pillow, the darling;
Not once does she wake in the night;
And, when the first sunbeam is peeping,
We both get up, rosy and bright.
How quiet she is, and how patient,
As she waits till the breakfast-bell rings!
She never is greedy or fussy,
Never pouts, never breaks my nice things.
