* A Project Gutenberg Canada Ebook * This ebook is made available at no cost and with very few restrictions. These restrictions apply only if (1) you make a change in the ebook (other than alteration for different display devices), or (2) you are making commercial use of the ebook. If either of these conditions applies, please check gutenberg.ca/links/licence.html before proceeding. This work is in the Canadian public domain, but may be under copyright in some countries. If you live outside Canada, check your country's copyright laws. IF THE BOOK IS UNDER COPYRIGHT IN YOUR COUNTRY, DO NOT DOWNLOAD OR REDISTRIBUTE THIS FILE. Title: Comic Animals and their Adventures. With Alphabet and Rhymes. Author: [Anonymous--see Transcriber's Note] Illustrator: Thompson, G. H. (fl. 1833-1884) Illustrator: Wain, Louis (1860-1939) Date of first publication: ca. 1880? Date of edition used as base for this ebook: ca. 1880? Date first posted: 14 September 2008 Date last updated: 12 October 2008 Project Gutenberg Canada ebook #172 This ebook was produced by: David Edwards, David T. Jones & the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdpcanada.net This file was produced from images generously made available by the public universities of Florida through the Literature for Children collection of the Publication of Archival, Library & Museum Materials (PALMM) project [Transcriber's Note: 1) This book is considered to be a "piracy", and was assembled by an unknown party from the work of two well-known illustrators of the 1800's, Louis Wain (1860-1939) and G. H. Thompson, whose career spanned the period 1833 to 1884. This type of violation of the illustrators' copyrights, since long expired, was not uncommon before 1900. 2) This is an enhanced text version for vision-impaired readers--extra descriptive captions have been added to many of the illustrations.] [Illustration: book cover] Printed on Linen-Indestructible Comic Animals and their Adventures With Alphabet and Rhymes [Illustration: THE COMING OF THE STORK BRINGS GOOD LUCK These birds with long legs and necks like to build their nests in towns, even on roofs of houses. In Holland the Dutch like to have them come, for they are friends of the babies.] [Illustration: large red A] A is for Alligator, who bathed in the Nile, In a costume made up of a hat and a smile. [Illustration: Alligators in the Nile] [Illustration: large blue B] B is for Bears, who thought Bees were nice things Till, stealing some honey, they found they had stings. [Illustration: Bears running from Bees] [Illustration: large red C] C is for Crane, whose new suit that he bought From Fox doesn't fit, as a nice new suit ought. [Illustration: Crane trying on his suit] [Illustration: large D] D is for Deer, who said "Though they look queer, These horns often come in quite useful, my dear." [Illustration: Deer uses his horns] [Illustration: large E] E is for Elephant, crying, no doubt, For something he's done, and he's just been found out. [Illustration: Elephant crying] [Illustration: large F] F is for Fox, who says "So pleased to meet you! I'm so fond of you, that I really could eat you!" [Illustration: Fox meeting Geese] [Illustration: large red G] G's for Giraffe, who said "Coats I have got, But I do want some collars--I wear such a lot." [Illustration: Giraffe with his tailor] [Illustration: large blue H] H is Hippopotamus who ventured to skate, But found that the ice wouldn't bear such a weight. [Illustration: Hippopotamus being rescued] [Illustration: large red I] I is for Ibis, who felt very ill, So she went to the Doctor and asked for a pill. [Illustration: Ibis consulting her doctor] [Illustration: large J] J is for Jaguar, who went out a-charing; Of soap and hot water she never was sparing. [Illustration: Jaguar doing housework] [Illustration: large K] K is for Kangaroo, schoolmaster clever-- When they showed him the sum, he said "Well, did you ever!" [Illustration: Kangaroo in school] [Illustration: large L] L, is for Lion, who cannot go out; He calls it a cold, but I think it's the gout! [Illustration: Lion with the gout] [Illustration: large red M] M is for Monkeys, who cookery learnt; But while they stood talking the cakes all got burnt. [Illustration: Monkeys cooking] [Illustration: large blue N] N is for Night Heron, of late suppers fond, So, Froggy, you'd better hop home to your pond. [Illustration: watch out, Froggy!] [Illustration: large red O] O is for Owls, getting ready for bed, With candles all lighted, and night-cap on head. [Illustration: Owls going to bed] [Illustration: large P] P is for Penguins, who stare out to sea, When dear Mamma Penguin says, "Come home to tea." [Illustration: called for tea] [Illustration: large Q and R] Q is for Quagga, whose child was her boast. R is for Rhino, who said "Mine weighs the most." [Illustration: moms and kids] [Illustration: large S] S is for Sea Lion, who, up at the Zoo, Delighted in wetting the spectators through. [Illustration: splashing the visitors] [Illustration: large red T] T is for Tiger, who brought home a toy, When he went to town, for his wee baby boy. [Illustration: a good Daddy] [Illustration: large blue U] U is for Unicorn, performer so neat, I've heard that his juggling quite brings down the street. [Illustration: Unicorn juggling] [Illustration: large red V] V is for Vultures, who went for a trip To Scotland, on purpose to learn how to skip. [Illustration: Vultures skipping] [Illustration: large W] W's for Wolf, who cried "Bring us some more-- We're hungry enough to eat dinner for four!" [Illustration: hungry Wolves] [Illustration: large X] X is an animal without a name; But when the crab pinches, I guess he'll exclaim! [Illustration: a surprise coming!] [Illustration: large Y] Y is for Yak, who's a lover of pipes. And [Illustration: Yak smoking] [Illustration: large Z] Z is for Zebra, who wears many stripes. [Illustration: Zebra] [Illustration: "THE ELEPHANT HAD HIMSELF MEASURED FOR SUITS."] [Illustration: chapter heading--the animals] The Animals' Trip To Sea. Have you heard of the Animals' Trip to Sea? What, never? Well, come, then, and listen to me, And I'll tell in a while How they went, in fine style, For a trip in the good ship "Crocodile"; You shall learn what on board occurred, And the things that were done and seen and heard. The day that they saw the advertisement, The Animals all nearly crazy went; They bought the papers, And cut such capers, And all scurried off to the tailors and drapers. For they said: "We must have new clothes, you know, If in the proper style we want to go." Excitement reigned on every hand Throughout the whole of Animal Land; They went to the stores, In dozens and scores, Till some couldn't even get in at the doors. [Illustration: a crowd at the door] [Illustration: "THE NEXT THING THEY DID WAS TO START THE PACKING."] [Illustration: booking the tickets] The Elephant had himself measured for suits, The Giraffe bought collars, the Pig new boots And Mrs. Hippo purchased a bonnet Just come from Paris, with ribbons on it; In fact, at the stores they were so busy With taking the money they grew quite dizzy, And on everyone's lip Was the name of the ship And the talk of the great Excursion Trip! Next day Doctor Ape, with wondrous quickness, Invented some pills to cure sea-sickness; No sooner than made He did a fine trade. [Illustration: Pig's new boots] [Illustration: "ALL ANIMAL LAND IS OFF TO THE STATION."] [Illustration: cure for sea-sickness] The Elephant for a whole trunkful paid; While that artful Fox, Who purchased a box, Just took them straight off, to guard against shocks. The Lion bought lots for his aunts and cousins; The Giraffe came as well, and took some dozens: Sea-sickness with him was past enduring, His neck was so long, it took lots of curing. The Mouse and the Bear Came hurrying there, For the Animals' Great Sea Trip to prepare. The next thing they did was to start the packing, To take care that nothing at all was lacking; [Illustration: making the remedy] [Illustration: celebration] And everything then was bustle and rush: The Cock brought his comb, the Fox his brush; Sea-boots and straw hats, Condensed milk--for that's The best thing at sea for kittens and cats. The Elephant's trunk was of use, no doubt, For that he could hardly go without-- 'Twas so full, to shut it he sat upon it, And spoilt Mrs. Hippo's new Paris bonnet! Each one, small and great, Rushed round in a state Of hurry and flurry, early and late. Well, somehow or other the time went past, The packing of boxes was done at last, And now Mrs. Hippo has called the Bears To carry her new trunk down the stairs. They stare at the sight, For it's none too light, And crash, it comes tumbling down one flight; [Illustration: Mrs. Hippo's bonnet spoilt] [Illustration: a big hurry] [Illustration: "FOR EVERYONE'S BUMPING, PUSHING AND BAWLING."] [Illustration: moving the trunk] One Bear is puffed and the other disabled, While she cries aghast: "Can't you see it's labelled?" Young Hip gives a yell, For on him it fell, And how they will get it out none can tell;-- But it's done at last--there's Fox at the door: Good-bye; we're off to a foreign shore; Oh, dear, what confusion and agitation! All Animal Land is off to the station. Some travel by 'bus, Without any fuss; The Monkeys cry: "Come in a dog-cart, like us!" [Illustration: Bears carrying the trunk] [Illustration: "THE BEAR'S NEW WATCH WAS ALL WRONG ALACK!"] [Illustration: getting on the train] The Lion a smart motor-hansom is taking; The Bear on his cycle good speed is making; Some walk and some ride, While Hippo's inside A cab, and most of its springs are breaking! It's worry and scurry And scramble and flurry: "We are sure to be late if you don't hurry; So drive your hardest, for we shall find We cannot go if we're left behind!" The start was noisy, the station is worse; The Lion is mad: he has lost his purse! Picture his rage and his children's grief, Until they found the Fox was the thief! [Illustration: getting on the bus] [Illustration: Fox in a hurry] [Illustration: "IN SPITE OF THAT THEY WERE ALL SO ILL."] [Illustration: time to leave!] All rush and all run. To the gate, everyone; Some have tickets and some have none. The Monkeys climb up the Giraffe to get theirs! "This way for the 'Crocodile,' down the stairs!" The porters are calling, And the children squalling, For everyone's bumping, pushing, and bawling; There's such a crush, the wonder to me Is how they'll ever get to the sea. Down on the platform, oh, what a din! The Bears are putting the luggage in; The smoking-carriage is quickly cramming, The bell is ringing, the doors are slamming. "Make haste, make haste! There's no time to waste!" (The ladies all in one carriage are placed.) "Yes, that's your train, I tell you again!" The noise is enough to turn one's brain. "Out of the way there!" porters call; At last they're packed in, great and small; The engine puffs and the whistle blows, And off the Great Excursion goes. The next thing was the getting on board; The wind it blew and the rain it poured, And oh! the dismay When the bridge gave way, And several tumbled in, they say. [Illustration: Guard waving the flag] [Illustration: THE HIPPO'S COSTUME WAS TOO SMALL BY HALF.] [Illustration: on the raft] Now, as it happened, 'twas just as well That some of them in the water fell, Because the raft could then be kept For those who perhaps had overslept; The Elephant had stopped his trunk to pack; The Bear's new watch was all wrong, alack! The Tortoise slow, As all might know, Was sure to be late an hour or so; And Mr. Pig was too fat to run: He had to stop for his youngest son. Above the squall they heard the call, So all went for that Trip after all. [Illustration: rain calls for an umbrella] [Illustration: Elephant oversleeps] [Illustration: "THEY GAVE A SPLENDID DANCE ONE NIGHT."] [Illustration: Elephant worried] Alas! when they were hardly a mile From shore on the crowded "crocodile," The boat up and down began to go, The sea turned rough, and the wind did blow. Each took a pill-- Some two--but still, In spite of that they were all so ill! They called for the steward, Tommy Seal, Who waited on them with the greatest zeal. The Lion was sick and the Hippo too; The Zebra cried: "Throw me over, do!" The Elephant he Cried: "Oh, dear me! This dreadful wibbly, wobbly sea!" At last they came to an island fine, And then the sun began to shine; The sea grew calm, and in a minute Everyone went out bathing in it. The Hippo's costume was too small by half, Which made the Lion giggle and laugh. The Bear a fuss made, Till the Elephant played Sea-water upon him for being afraid! The Tiger a life-belt wore all around him, "In case," he said, "so much water drowned him." The Wolf and the Lamb Together swam, And everyone said: "How happy I am!" [Illustration: everyone swimming] [Illustration: Wolf and Lamb] [Illustration: "UP THE RIGGING THE MONKEYS RAN."] [Illustration: mischievous Monkeys] Life on board ship was such delight, They gave a splendid dance one night; The Monkeys danced, and so did the Pig; The Elephant's feet, though, were so big, He trod on the Lion's tail, making him roar. One day, when Mr. and Mrs. Bear Were taking a nap in a nice deck-chair, "Good gracious, it's going to rain," cried he; "Please fetch my new mackintosh for me!" But when quite awake, he looked around: The Fox was laughing at him, he found; He rubbed his nose: "I know, it's those Young Monkeys at mischief with the hose!" [Illustration: Pig dancing] [Illustration: "SO ACROSS THE MUD THEY HAD TO GO."] [Illustration: on the beach] "Land ahoy!" cried the Seal next day, And there it was, not far away; Up the rigging the Monkeys ran: "We'll see it first, if anyone can!" When, all of a sudden, they ran aground, And, wading ashore on stilts, they found The rest of all landed safe and sound. Some with a sigh, and some with a smile, Said good-bye to the "Crocodile," All pleased as could be, And, 'twixt you and me, That's the end of the Animals' Trip to Sea. [Illustration: monkeys in the rigging] [Illustration: walking ashore on stilts] [Back Cover: the lookouts] [End of _Comic Animals and their Adventures_ by Anonymous]