Author Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1848 Excerpt:...lay, in languid listlessness along the stream, as quiet as the leaves that breathed not a whisper above me, I gradually sunk into almost unconsciousness of all the world and all it holds. The little birds sported about, careless of my presence, and the insects pursued that incessant turmoil, which seems never to cease, until winter lays his icy fetters on all nature, and drives them into their inscrutable hiding places. 6. There is a lapse in the recollection of the current of my thoughts at that moment, a short period of forgetfulness, from which I was roused by a hoarse, croaking voice, exclaiming, "Cruel, savage monster, what does he here?" I looked all around, and could see only a hawk seated on the limb of a dry tree, eyeing me, as I fancied, with a peculiar expression of hostility."' 7. In a few minutes, I again relapsed into a profound reverie, from which I was awakened once more by a small squeaking whisper, "I dare say the blood-thirsty villain has been setting traps for us." I looked again, and at first sight, could see nothing from which I supposed the voice might proceed, but, at the same time, imagined that I distinguished a sort of confused whisper, in which many little voices seemed commingled. 8. My curiosity was awakened, and peering about quietly, I found it proceeded from a collection of animals, birds, and insects, gathered together for some unaccountable purpose. They seemed very much excited, and withal in a great passion about something, all talking at once. Listening attentively, I could distinguish one from the other. 9. "Let us pounce upon the tyrant, and kill him in his sleep," cried a bald eagle; "for he grudges me a miserable little lamb now and then, though I do n't require one above once...