enduring the fame of Louisa M. Alcott will be, time only can show; but if to endear oneself to two generations of children, and to mould their minds by wise counsel in attractive form entitle an author to the lasting gratitude of her country, that praise and reward belong to Louisa May Alcott.
TERMINUS.
It is time to be old,
To take in sail:
The god of bounds,
Who sets to seas a shore,
Came to me in his fatal rounds,
And said, "No more!
No farther shoot
Thy broad ambitious branches, and thy root;
Fancy departs: no more invent,
Contract thy firmament
To compass of a tent.
There's not enough for this and that,
Make thy option which of two;
Economize the failing river,
Not the less revere the Giver;
Leave the many, and hold the few.
Timely wise, accept the terms;
Soften the fall with wary foot;
A little while
Still plan and smile. And, fault of novel germs,
Mature the unfallen fruit."
As the bird trims her to the gale,
I trim myself to the storm of time;
I man the rudder, reef the sail,
Obey the voice at eve obeyed at prime:
Lowly faithful, banish fear,
Right onward drive unharmed;
The port, well worth the cruise, is near,
And every wave is charmed.
Emerson.
Novels:
Little Women
CHAPTER II.— A MERRY CHRISTMAS
CHAPTER III.— THE LAURENCE BOY
CHAPTER VI.— BETH FINDS THE PALACE BEAUTIFUL
CHAPTER VII.— AMY'S VALLEY OF HUMILIATION
CHAPTER VIII.— JO MEETS APOLLYON
CHAPTER IX.— MEG GOES TO VANITY FAIR
CHAPTER X.— THE P. C. AND P. O
CHAPTER XIII.— CASTLES IN THE AIR
CHAPTER XVII.— LITTLE FAITHFUL
CHAPTER XXI.— LAURIE MAKES MISCHIEF, AND JO MAKES PEACE
CHAPTER XXII.— PLEASANT MEADOWS
CHAPTER XXIII.— AUNT MARCH SETTLES THE QUESTION
[The Illustrations, designed by Frank T. Merrill, drawn, engraved, and printed under the supervision of George T. Andrew.]
Frontispiece: They all drew to the fire, mother in the big chair,with Beth at her feet
Christmas won't be Christmas without any presents
Beth put a pair of slippers down to warm
I used to be so frightened when it was my turn to sit in the big chair
Do it this way, clasp your hands so
It was a cheerful, hopeful letter
How you used to play Pilgrim's Progress