"Among the Merrows" has not been republished since it came out in _Aunt Judy's Magazine_, November 1872. At that time the Crystal Palace Aquarium was a novelty, and the Zoological Station at Naples not fully formed--but, though the paper is behind the times in statistics, it is worth retaining for other reasons. "Tiny's Tricks and Toby's Tricks" as a specimen of versification might perhaps have been included in the volume of _Verses for Children_, but it seemed best to keep it with the "Owl Hoots," as these papers were the last that Mrs. Ewing wrote. The first appeared in _The Child's Pictorial Magazine_ a few days before her death, and the "Hoots" soon afterwards. The illustrations to both were drawn by Mr. Gordon Browne at my sister's special request, and they are now reproduced with gratitude for his labour of love. HORATIA K. F. EDEN. October 1895. CONTENTS BROTHERS OF PITY FATHER HEDGEHOG AND HIS NEIGHBOURS TOOTS AND BOOTS THE HENS OF HENCASTLE FLAPS A WEEK SPENT IN A GLASS POND AMONG THE MERROWS TINY'S TRICKS AND TOBY'S TRICKS THE OWL IN THE IVY BUSH BROTHERS OF PITY. "Who dug his grave?" * * * * * "Who made his shroud?" "I," said the Beetle, "With my thread and needle, I made his shroud."--_Death of Cock Robin_. It must be much easier to play at things when there are more of you than when there is only one. There is only one of me, and Nurse does not care about playing at things. Sometimes I try to persuade her; but if she is in a good temper she says she has got a bone in her leg, and if she isn't she says that when little boys can't amuse themselves it's a sure and certain sign they've got "the worrits," and the sooner they are put to bed with a Gregory's powder "the better for themselves and every one else." Godfather Gilpin can play delightfully when he has time, and he believes in fancy things, only he is so very busy with his books. But even when he is reading he will let you put him in the game. He doesn't mind pretending to be a fancy person if he hasn't to do anything, and if I do speak to him he always remembers who he is. That is why I like playing in his study better than in the nursery. And Nurse always says "He's safe enough, with the old gentleman," so I'm allowed to go there as much as I like.