[p2]
London: Printed by B. McMillan,
Bow Street, Covent Garden.
}
[p 3]
PREFACE.
THE following Tale is principally taken from the admirableWork of Madame de Beaumont (Le Magazin desEnfans), which formed almost the whole library and thedelight of the children of the last generation, and has hardlybeen surpassed by the many excellent productions whichsupply the nurseries and school-rooms of the present.
The story is there told with the simplicity and sprightlinessof which the French language is so peculiarly capable, butwhich a literal translation would render not only insipidbut vulgar.
In a poetical dress it may possibly give to the youngreader a part of that amusement, which it once affordedthe infancy of the author.
[p5]
THE
THREE WISHES.
THE sun withdrew his last pale ray,
And clos’d the short and chearless day;
Loud blew the wind, and rain and sleet
Against the cottage casement beat.
The busy housewife trimm’d her fire,
And drew the oaken settle nigher,
To his clean hearth, his pipe, and can;
For Homespun and his bustling wife
Were honest folks in humble life,
Who liv’d contented with their lot,
And lov’d the comforts of their cot.
With willing hand and chearful heart,
Each of life’s burden bore their part,
With patience all its ills withstood,
And thankfully receiv’d the good.
They lov’d the harvest-home regalings;
On summer evenings on the green
At cricket oft was Homespun seen;...