THE
CHILD’S BOOK
OF
TRUE STORIES.
NEW-YORK.
LEAVITT & ALLEN.
1854,
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1853, by
LEAVITT & ALLEN,
in the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of the United States
in and for the Eastern District of New-York,
y
y
vp
A
yy "
yy me
a
SSS b
GS Ro8
pea
ADMIRAL KEPPEL.
STORIES.
SDAA ATA AE ee NEEIEE,
STORY OF TWO MOHAWKS.
In 1691, the English governor of New
York concluded a treaty with the Indian
tribes known as the five nations, the Mo-
hawks being the chief. Major Schuyler
then led a party of Mohawks against the
French settlements in Canada. The as-
sault of the Indians enraged Count Fron-
tignac, Governor of Canada, and when he
made two Mohawks prisoners he con-
demned them to the stake. One killed
himself, the other walked to the stake,
chanting his death song. He firmly bore
the tortures and died like a hero.
(5)
ADMIRAL KEPPEL AND THE DEY.
Wuewn Admiral Keppel was sent to the
Dey of Algiers, to demand restitution of
two ships which the pirates had taken,
he sailed with his squadron into the bay
of Algiers, and cast anchor in front of the
Dey’s palace. He then landed, and, at-
tended only by his captain and barge’s
crew, demanded an immediate audience
of the Dey. This being granted, he
claimed full satisfaction for the injuries
done. to the subjects of his Britannic Ma-
jesty. Surprised and enraged at the
(6)
DEATH OF COLONEL GARDINER.
ADMIRAL KEPPEL AND THE DEY. 9
boldness of the admiral’s remonstrance,
the Dey exclaimed, ‘ that he wondered at
the English King’s insolence in sending
him a foolish, beardless boy.â€
timed reply from the admiral made the
Dey forget the laws of nations in respect
to ambassadors, and he ordered his mutes
to attend with the bowstring, at the same
time telling the admiral he should pay
for his audacity with his life. Unmoved
by this menace, the admiral took the Dey
4o a window facing the bay, and showed
him the English fleet riding at anchor, and
told him, that if he dared to put him to
death, there were Englishmen enough in
that fleet to make him a glorious funeral
pile. The Dey took the hint. The admiral
obtained ample restitution.
DEATH OF COLONEL GARDINER.
In 1745, Charles Edward Stuart strove
to place himself upor the British throne.
His army met the army of King George
II. at Preston Pans, in Scotland. In the
battle that ensued, the brave and pious
Colonel Gardiner lost his life.
The day before the battle he rode
through the ranks of his regiment, and
addressed his men in the most animating
manner. Perceiving a timidity in part of
his troops, he determined to set them a
spirited example. “1 cannot,†said he,
“ influence the conduct of others as I could
wish, but I have one life to sacrifice to my
(10)
‘UTHLVA SSTTGUVO THE
DEATH OF COLONEL GARDINER. 13
country’s safety, and I shall not spare it.â€â€™
They continued under arms all night, and
in the morning, by break of day, perceived
the approach of the rebel army, under
Prince Charles. The Highlanders, though
half-armed, charged with such impetuo-
sity, that in less than ten minutes after
the battle began, the King’s troops were
broken and totally routed. After Colonel
Gardiner’s own regiment of dragoons had
forsaken him, seeing a party of the foot
continuing to oppose the enemy, without
an officer, he immediately headed them,
though already twice wounded, exclaim-
ing, “ Fight on, my lads, and fear nothing.â€
At the instant, he was cut down by the
scythe of a Highlander, fastened to a long
pole, and fell covered with wounds.
THE CARELESS FATHER.
Brine on the point of starting on a long
voyage, a rich man in China appointed a
governor for his two sons.
The father had scarcely set out when
the governor, became the tyrant of the
house, sent away the honest servants who
might declare his outrages. It would
have been only half the harm if this ped-
agogue had given his pupils virtues or
talents; but as he wanted them himself
he only made them rude, saucy, false,
cruel, libertine and ignorant children.
After some years had elapsed, the father,
on returning, saw at last the truth when
too late; and without otherwise punishing
the serpent which he had warmed in his
bosom, he contented himself with sending
(14)
THE CARELESS FATHER. 17
him away. This monster had the impu-
dence to cite his master before the Manda-
rin, for not having paid him the promised
salary. ‘I would willingly pay it,
answered the other, “if this wretch had
given my children back to me, as I ought
to expect,†‘Here they are,†pursued
he, addressing the man of law, “examine
and pronounce.†At length, after having
questioned them, and seen their failings,
the Mandarin pronounced this sentence:
‘IT condemn this governor to death as the
homicide of has pupils, and their father to
pay the fine of three pounds of gold dust:
not fer having chosen ill, as all are liable
to be deceived; but for having had the
weakness to employ so vile a teacher for
so long a time.â€
THE BRAVERY OF LORD NELSON.
Netson lost the sight of one eye at the
siege of Calvi, by a shot driving the sand
and gravel into it, and he lost his arm by
a shot in an expedition against Teneriffe ;
but the most dangerous of his daring ex-
ploits were, boarding the battery at San
Bartolomeo, boarding the San Joseph, the
boat action in the bay of Cadiz, and the
famous battles of the Nile and Trafalgar.
Of these, perhaps, the boat action during
the blockade of Cadiz, was the most severe.
While making an attempt against the
(18)
LORD NELSON SAVED BY HIS COXSWAIN.
BRAVERY OF LORD NELSON. 21
Spanish gun-boats, he was attacked by
D. Miguel Tregayen in an armed launch.
Highteen Spaniards were killed, the rest
wounded, and the launch captured. The
Spaniards were more than two to one,
and yet he beat them ; but it was a des-
perate struggle, hand to hand, and blade
to blade. Twice did John Sykes, the cox-
swain, save Nelson’s life, by parrying off
blows that would have destroyed him,
and once did he interpose his head to
receive the blow of a Spanish sabre; but
he would have died for his admiral. Poor
Sykes was wounded badly, but not killed.
DEATH OF NELSON.
Netson was killed at the great naval
battle of Trafalgar. In the heat of the
action, a ball, fired from the mizen-top
of the Redoubtable, struck Admiral Nel-
son on the left shoulder, when he instantly
fell. ‘They have done for me at last,
Hardy,†said he to his captain. Though
mortally wounded, he gave some neces-
sary directions concerning the ship, and
when carried below, inquired earnestly
how the battle went on. When he knew
that the victory had been gained—-he ex-
(22)
DEATH OF NELSON.
DEATH OF NELSON. 25
pressed himself satisfied. “Now I am
satisfied,†said he; ‘thank God I have
done my duty!†and “Kiss me, Hardy,â€
were among the last words that were
uttered by his lips. Thus, with a heart
full of patriotism, died the bravest com-
mander, the most vigilant seaman, and
the most ardent friend of his country,
that ever led on a British fleet to victory.
Even amid the exultation of victory, a
grateful country mourned his loss. A
bountiful provision was made for his
family; a public funeral was awarded to
his remains, and monuments, in the prin-
cipal cities of his native land, were erected
to his memory.
HEROIC ACTION OF KERSERHO.
In the month of October, 1820, the
French ship St. Francis was wrecked on
the coast of Quiberon. The captain and
his crew put off from the wreck in a boat,
leaving a woman and her child praying
for their help upon the deck.
It was then, that Kerserho, a sailor of
Krostein, indignant at so base an action,
and only listening to the voice of hu-
manity, sprung into the sea, and after
having experienced a thousand dangers,
arrived at the ship. “Give me your child,â€â€™
(26)
\
Ai
ww
NG
\\
>
Cad !
G
iz
ior: L)
/
“ i iy
p in
: a
a res
a ae
iff
fee
- emcees
ae
HEROIC ACTION OF KERSERHO.
HEROIC ACTION OF KERSERHO. 29
said he quickly; “if I have the happiness
to save her, you will see me again in a
short time.†His efforts were crowned
with the most happy success. He suc-
ceeded in regaining the shore, placed the
child in safety, and dashed again into
the waves, regained the vessel which,
having her deck swept at every move-
ment of the mountains of water, was about
to be swallowed up. At last in spite of
all the obstacles produced by the inclining
position of the vessel, and the tempest,
then at its height, this generous and in-
trepid sailor had the happiness to seize the
unfortunate mother and transport her to
the shore, when he gave her to her
daughter in the midst of shouts of admi-
ration.
STORY OF FRANCIS THE FIRST.
At the battle of Pavia, Francis the
First, King of France, was defeated and
taken prisoner by the forces of Charles
the Fifth, Emperor of Germany. When
taken, he would not consent to be carried
before the Duke of Bourbon his subject,
who was in arms against him, but insisted
upon being carried to Launoy, the Spanish
general. When he delivered his sword to
him, he said, ‘‘Sir, I deliver to you the
sword of a monarch, who is entitled to
some distinction, from having with his own
(30)
ANCIS THE FIRST.
FR
FRANCIS THE FIRST. 33
hand killed so many of your soldiers be-
fore he surrendered himself, and who is
at last a prisoner from a wretched reverse
of fortune, rather than from any coward-
ice.†Launoy after kneeling to receive
his sword, took the captive monarch di-
rectly to the celebrated Convent of Car-
thusian friars, at Pavia. Francis insisted
on entering the church immediately, and
fell down upon his knees before the altar.
The monks were then chanting one of
their offices, and he repeated after them
with great fervor of devotion this line from
the Psalms, which happened to be in the
service of the day: “Lord, it is a good
thing for me to be afflicted, that I may
learn thy statutes.â€
3
THE ADOPTED CHILD.
A Frenca coachman, named Francis
Roger, not long ago met with a singular
occurrence. In 1829, a woman came to
place her young son to board with him.
The first month was paid in advance; but
for some time the mother does not return,
and the deserted child remains:at the ex-
pense of Roger, whose labour is hardly
sufficient for the nourishment of four of his
own children; but he does not hesitate
to shelter a fifth. Two years after, the
mother of the poor child again re-appears,
but to reclaim the child. They give him
(34)
)
THE ADOPTED CHILD.
THE ADOPTED CHILD. 37
up with grief. They suffer him to depart
without exacting the cost of his board ;
but when, some days after, the honest
conductor went to ask after the health of
little Louis, the wicked mother stammers,
and answers that in the evening she had
sent her son to the environs of Tours, to
some rich relations, who had promised to
take care of him. Roger’s tenderness is
alarmed; he suspects a falsehood. He
asked at all the public stage coaches,
but all the drivers answer that no such
child had started for Tours at the desig-
nated time. He at last learns that one
had been left at the police office ; and that
it had been transferred to the Foundling
Hospital. He redeems it for two hundred
and fifty francs.
STORY OF HENRY THE FIFTH.
Wuen Henry the Fifth was young, he
was fond of the society of gay, riotous men,
who led him into all sorts of pranks ; and
so he came to be called Mad-cap Harry.
And the people of England were some-
what afraid that, when he came to the
crown, he would not give his mind to the
duties of a king.
Once it happened that the prince and
his followers disguised themselves like
robbers, and attacking some travellers,
robbed them of their money. But the
travellers they had robbed followed them
(38)
PRINCE HENRY
STRIKING THE JUDGE.
?
STORY OF HENRY THE FIFTH. 4]
at a distance, and brought the sheriff
upon them while they were all eating and
drinking merrily at a tavern; and when
these men found it was the Prince of
Wales they were much amazed. Still they
could do no less than carry them before
the judge; and the judge, who was an
honest, upright man, told the prince that
he was very sorry for what had happened,
and must commit all the party to prison,
except himself, and that although he
would not send him there, he must inform
the king of his conduct. This put the
prince in such a passion that he struck
the judge as he sat on the bench, upon
which the judge instantly committed him
to prison. The king applauded this act of
justice, and the prince forgave the judge.
HEROISM OF DACHEUX.
Dacuevx is a French sailor, who, having
gained some property resided at La Vil-
lette, on the Seine. He has the fame of
having saved many persons from death
by drowning.
It is proved by the most authentic evi-
dence, that in the solitary basin of La
Villette, Master Dacheux has drawn out
of the water a great number of persons,
and has brought them to life by the care
which he has bestowed upon them. He
has rescued a great number from the river
(42)
HEROISM OF DACHEUX, 45
Seine, whom he also recalled to life by the
same benevolent care. He has saved
more than a hundred by exposing himself,
to great dangers. And it is equally
proved, that not only was Dacheux never
willing to take of any of these rescued
persons any kind of recompense, but that,
he often lent them his own clothes, and
gave them still more help. Even on the
shore, and at the moment when the body
of the apparently drowned person was
just landed by him, Dacheux glueing his
mouth to that of the insensible victim,
breathed into his lungs the pure air
which was necessary to restore the move-
ment of the organs, and recall the almost
extinguished life of the unfortunate
person.
THE GOOD SON.
On one occasion, when recruits were in
demand for the French army, a young
man came tothe recruiting officer, and said
he would enlist if he received five hun-
dred livres. The officer agreed to give
the sum, and then followed the young man
to see what he was going todo with the
money.
He saw him fly to the city prison, and
heard him say to the jailer, “ Here is the
sum for which my father was arrested ;
I place it in your hands; conduct me to
him, that I may have the pleasure of
(46)
i
‘W) i Ha : i
a) AIT aT i
ha \
4 jesel y | iy ZK
oT ; ; YN a if ‘ a) : s
YARRA ve LENS
ie Ly =n es ;
mn —
f 7 tt :
Ay A i
“al
<<
l i
7
of
Me e
THE GOOD SON.
THE GOOD SON. 49
loosening his chains.†The officer waited
to give the young man time to arrive alone
at his father’s cell, and then followed.
He saw the young recruit in the arms of
an old man, whom he covered with ca-
resses and tears. The officer advanced ;
“Console yourself,†said he to the old
man, “I will not take your son from you;
I wish to partake of the merit of his action.
He is as free as yourself, and I do not re-
eret a sum of which he has made so noble
ause. Here is his enlistment.’ The father
and son fell at his feet; the latter refused
the liberty given him; he conjured the
captain to permit him to follow him. The
officer could not refuse; the young man
served his time out.
THE HUMANE ISLANDERS.
Tur Old Men’s or Sea Island, is the
residence of a people so active and gene-
rous, that they seem to have devoted their
lives to humanity. There sixty wretched
huts shelter the most hospitable people
in the world. These Islanders have, in
1617, and in 1763, saved from certain
destruction a ship of the line, a frigate,
two sloops of war, a lugger, three merchant
vessels, which served as a transport for
five hundred men—French troops from
the colonies—five entire crews of men of
(50)
THE HUMANE ISLANDERS.
THE HUMANE ISLANDERS. 53
war and merchant vessels. They would
have saved all, even to the last person of
the crew, if the tempest, becoming more
horrible, had not made the sea entirely
impassable. During eleven days it
forbid all communication with the main
land. They shared with these numerous
guests their habitations and provisions,
so that if the storm had been prolonged,
the shipwrecked people and the inhabi-
tants themselves would all have perished
with hunger. It was also on this rock-
bound isle, that the English brig, the
Bellissina, was relieved by the same in-
trepid people, to whom Admiral Codring-
ton had transmitted a handsome gift
through the Navy Commissioner.
A DUEL PREVENTED.
TweELveE persons dined together, and
after the repast, they proposed playing,
and accordingly made different sets, in one
of which two officers raised a dispute, fol-
lowed by some pretty hard words. The
other persons who were present hastened
to appease them, by telling them that
they were both wrong. This, however,
only heightened the dispute, when another
officer, a man of sense, very wise and
prudent, went immediately to the door,
and having doubly locked it, placed the
(54)
a Laie y AS a
—— i a A
SS oo
A DUEL PREVENTED.
A DUEL PREVENTED. 57
key in his pocket; then turning towards
the company, he said, ‘‘ No one shall leave
here. The author of this dispute must be-
gin by apologizing to the other for what he
said tohim. He who thought himself in-
sulted, shall receive the apology, and ac-
knowledge that he regrets having shown
so much resentment at the insult which
he thought was offered him; and then the
two gentlemen must embrace, and pro-
mise to say nothing more of the affair. If
they refuse to do this, I will make my
complaint to the Marshal of France.†The
conduct of this officer was generally ap-
proved; the company agreed that the two
officers should make their respective
apologies, and embrace each other; and
thus bloodshed was prevented.
A MANDAN CEMETERY.
Tue Mandan Indians have some curious
customs. They do not dig graves and
inter their dead. They choose a spot of
eround outside of the village, wrap the
corpses in hides and lay them upon boards
raised upon four poles. When a husband
dies, the wife spends a long time w2eping
and wailing upon the ground, within a
circle of human skulls. A Mandan ceme-
tery presents a striking aspect, and would
excite the horror and disgust of those who
are used to seeing pleasant graveyards
adorned with trees and flowers.
(58)
Lo erento
F Peer Se
Epona
“ee
SST ence ELA
A MANDAN CEMETERY.
+
PERSEVERANCE REWARDED.
=a YAS
one
PERSEVERANCE REWARDED.
BERNARD PALIssy was a painter on glass,
who settled at Saintes, in France, in 1539,
and prospered in business, until he saw a
certain cup very beautifully turned and
finished; when he became desirous to
imitate it. For this purpose, he spent all
his time in kneading earth and afterwards
baking it. At first he failed, and became
poorer and poorer. Nothing could change
his purpose, until at the end of twenty
years, his very furniture was burned to
keep up a fire in his oven. Then a loud
(63)
64 PERSEVERANCE REWARDED.
shout of joy rang through the vaulted
cellar where his oven was, and made it-
self heard through the whole house, and
his wife came running down, and found
her husband motionless, his eyes fixed
in astonishment and delight on a piece
of pottery of splendid colors, which He
held in both hands. Palissy’s efforts
had produced, at length, the effect at
which he aimed. He was soon sent for
by King Henry the Third who conferred
on him a patent for his invention of
“ Royal rustic pottery,†of all sorts. He
was lodged in the royal palace, and called
‘“‘ Bernard of the Tuilleries.â€