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. 1805 edition. Excerpt: ...what's the matter? Vv'hat is't that ails young Harry Gill? That evermore his teeth they chatter, Chatter, chatter, chatter still. Of waistcoats Harry has no lack, Goodxduffle grey, and flannel fine; He has a blanket on his back, And coats enough to smother nine. In March, December, and in July, 'Tis all the same with Harry Gill; The neighbours tell, and tell you truly, His teeth they chatter, chatter still. At night, and morning, and at noon, 'Tis all the same with Harry Gill; Beneath the sun, beneath the moon, His teeth they chatter, chatter still. Young Harry was a lusty drovcr,. And who so stout of limb as he? His cheeks were red as ruddy clover, His voice was like the voice of three. Auld Goody Blake was old and poor, Ill fed she was, and thinly clad; And any man who pass'd her door, Might see how poor a hut she had. All day she spun in her poor dwelling, And then her three hours' work at night! Alas! 'twas hardly worth the telling, It would not pay for candle-liglrh--This woman dwelt in Doraetshire, ' Her hut was on a cold hill-side, And in that country coals are dear, For they come far by wind and tide. By the same tire to boil their portage, Two poor old dames, as I have known, Vllill often live in one small cottage, But she, poor woman, dwelt alone. 'Twas well enough when summer came, The long, wdrm, lightsome summer-day, Then at her door the cantjy dame Would sit, as any linnet gay. But when the ice our streams did fetter, Oh! then how her old bones would shake! You would have said, if you had met her, 'Twas a hard time for Goody Blake. Her evenings then were dull and dead: Sad case it was, as you may think, For very cold to go to bed,. And then for cold not sleep a wink....