Abroad | Page 6

France amusing:--?Till hark! their places all must take,?Without a minute losing.
The engine puffs--away they fly,?And soon leave all behind them;?Now turn the page, and you and I?In Paris safe will find them.
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Paris, gay Paris! so bright and so fair,?Your sun is all smiles, and there's mirth in your air.
The children, though tired with their travelling, found?That the first night in Paris one's sleep is not sound,?For the hum of the streets makes one dream all the night?Of the wonderful sights that will come with the light.
The morning was fine, and--breakfast despatched--?They soon made their way to the Gardens attached?To the old Royal Palace, and there met a throng?Of French children, and joined in their games before long.
One boy lent his hoop, and gave Bertie a bun.?And--talking quite fast--seemed to think it great fun?With nice English girls like our Nellie to play,?Though not understanding a word she might say.
On leaving the Gardens, the party were seated?Outside of a _caf��_, and there Papa treated?Them all to fine ices and chocolate too;?They could hardly tell which was the nicer--could you?
Paris, gay Paris,?So bright and so fair!?Your sun is all smiles,?And there's mirth in your air!
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IN THE TUILERIES GARDENS.
In the Tuileries gardens, each afternoon,?A little old man comes walking along:?Now watch what happens! for just as soon?As they see him, the birds begin their song,?And flutter about his hands and head,?And perch on his shoulder quite at their ease,?For he fills his pockets with crumbs of bread?To feed his friends who live in the trees,?And well they know he loves them so?That into his pockets they sometimes go.
But hark to what's going on over there!?'Tis surely a Punch-and-Judy man,?Making old Judy, I do declare,?Talk French as fast as ever she can!?And I think, from the looks of poor Mr. P.,?He's getting it hot from his scolding wife;?But just wait a minute, and then you'll see?He'll beat her within an inch of her life.?Walk in! take a seat and you'll see her beat,?And a penny is all you pay for the treat.
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MUS��E DE CLUNY
Where shall we go to next? they still would say,?And still they found new pleasures every day.?At times Miss Earle took Bertie for a ride,?With little Rose and Mabel side by side;?And then their father took the elder two?To see the picture galleries, and view?Historic buildings, where they sometimes rested,?And many a bit of history was suggested.?They saw a wedding at the Madeleine,?Then went to "Notre Dame," close by the Seine,?And climbed the lofty tower, to see the view?Which cannot be surpassed the whole world through.?One day their father took them all to see?A great museum, full as full could be?Of rare old furniture, of every kind?The artists of the "Middle Age" designed;--?And precious things in silver and in gold,?Made by the best artificers of old.?Now while another way the party's eyes?Are turned, "King Henry's Staircase" Bertie spies,?And climbing up, with help from sister May,?He calls to Dennis, when he gets half-way,?"Come catch me quick!"--and then runs off, with peals?Of merry laughter,--Dennis at his heels.
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Bertie was first. "I've won the race," he cried;?But soon upon his lips the triumph died,?And Bertie back in fear to Dennis ran:--?"Oh Dennis, look! I ran against that man!?He shook and rattled so, and wagged his head,?And gave me such a fright!" "Pooh!" Dennis said,?"He will not hurt!" And then he made a bow:--?Good-bye, old soldier, we must leave you now.
Next afternoon, while at the Zoo', a little tale they heard Of the elephant that's there, and you shall hear it word for word.
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Mumbo and Jumbo, two elephants great,?From India travelled, and lived in state,?In Paris the one, and in London the other:?Now Mumbo and Jumbo were sister and brother.?A warm invitation to Jumbo came,?To cross the Atlantic and spread his fame.?Said he, "I really don't want to go--?But then, they're so pressing!--I can't say No!"
So away to America Jumbo went,?But his sister Mumbo is quite content?To stay with the children of Paris, for she?Is as happy an elephant as could be:?"I've a capital house, quite large and airy,?Close by live the Ostrich and Dromedary,?And we see our young friends every day," said she:?"Oh, where is the Zoo' that would better suit me?"
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A Steady steed is Mumbo, if just a trifle slow;?Upon her back you couldn't well a-steeple-chasing go:?But other opportunities there are to have a ride,?For there's a stud of ponies, and a camel to bestride--?A cart that's drawn by oxen can accommodate a few,
And if such queer conveyances don't please you at the Zoo', There are little tramway cars too, with seats on either side, Which will take you through the gardens, and through the _Bois_ beside:-- Take the ticket on the other page, and with it you may go From the lake within the garden to the gate that's called _Maillot_.
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THE SWANS.
"Ho! pretty swans,?Do