First give your attention To our Christmas-tree; But pray do not mention All the things you see: These are for surprises To the children dear,-- To the Anns, Elizas, Johnnys, Charleys here. Are you hale and hearty, And still young enough? Come, then, join our party, And play blind man's buff. But if with the coasters You would rather be, See them there, the boasters! Join them: you are free. Hark! the sleigh-bells tinkle: Do you wish a ride? Will it smooth a wrinkle Just to have a slide? See, the road invites you; See, the ponds entice: Take, then, what delights you: Whether snow or ice. If the path to glory Best your mood befits, If you'd live in story, And can brave hard hits, See, where heroes yonder Storm the fort with balls; Do not stop to ponder: Go where glory calls! Or, perhaps, the skaters Now attract you most: We are patient waiters-- Will you skate, or coast? Do not fear a tumble; See poor Tommy there! Up, without a grumble, He will never care. Welcome to our pleasures And our Christmas cheer! We'll not stint the measures: Would you all were here! Boys and girls together,-- From all parts and climes, To enjoy this weather, And these Christmas times! ALFRED SELWYN. [Illustration] POMPEY GUARDING BABY. My real name is Pompey; but Mr. John sometimes calls me Pompous. What he means by that I do not know. Perhaps it is a joke. Mr. John is the eldest brother of Dot, the baby. I am put here to keep watch over Dot. That is a picture of me as I appear seated on a chair by the side of the cradle where Dot is sleeping. I am very fond of babies. One reason of it, I think, is, that they cannot hurt me with their little hands. They pull my ears, but not so hard as to give me pain. Once, on a hot day, when my mouth was open, and my tongue was out, Dot took hold of my tongue, and pulled it as hard as he could. I did not even say _Bow-wow_. I let him pull away. I would have all people know that this baby is not to be touched while I am here. If you come near to disturb baby, I shall bark; but, if you try to touch him, I shall bite. So be careful. You must not even touch baby's rattle that lies on the floor. I hear my mistress tell people what a good dog I am, and how she can trust me to take care of baby. Yes, I am proud to say I do my duty. I hold my head up, and keep my eyes wide open. That drawing of me is from a photograph, and is a very good likeness. As I can't write, I have got Master John to write this down for me. MASTER JOHN. THE PARROT FEEDING ITS YOUNG. The parrot is a curious bird. Here is a picture of one feeding its young. It has a large hooked beak, and climbs trees by the aid of its beak and feet.