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The Elson Readers, Book 5 by Elson, William H., Keck, Christine M.
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A word from our supporters: File extension PUP | And then we shall have changed healths. I wonder how you'll like mine! Oh, Gertrude, I wish you wouldn't talk such nonsense! Your loving friend, LEWIS CARROLLNOTES AND QUESTIONSBiography. Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (1832-1898), better known by his pen name, "Lewis Carroll," was an English author. He was the son of a clergyman. For four years he attended the famous school at Rugby, after which he entered college at Oxford. He became an excellent scholar and mathematician and was appointed a lecturer on mathematics at Oxford University, a position that he held for many years. His keen sympathy with the imagination of children and their sense of fun led him to tell of the adventures of Alice, in a book called Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. This book made Lewis Carroll's name famous. His delightful humor is well illustrated in his letter of "Birthday Greetings" to Gertrude Chataway. Discussion. 1. What is usually meant by "drink your health"? 2. What play on the meaning of these words gives a humorous turn to them? 3. What remedy does the author suggest the doctor will prescribe for Gertrude? 4. What does the author call this humor? 5. The author was a serious man, yet he believed in the value of wholesome fun; of what great poet did you read, on page 57, who also believed in the value of a hearty laugh? Phrases for Study many a happy return, sad sea-wave. THE WIND AND THE MOONGEORGE MACDONALDYou stare in the air Like a ghost in a chair, Always looking what I am about. I hate to be watched; I will blow you out." So, deep on a heap Of clouds, to sleep Down lay the Wind, and slumbered soon-- Muttering low. "I've done for that Moon." On high in the sky, With her one ghost eye, The Moon shone white and alive and plain. Said the Wind, "I will blow you out again." "With my sledge and my wedge I have knocked off her edge. If only I blow right fierce and grim, The creature will soon be dimmer than dim." "One puff more's enough To blow her to snuff! One good puff more where the last was bred, And glimmer, glimmer glum will go the thread." In the air nowhere Was a moonbeam bare; Far off and harmless the shy stars shone; Sure and certain the Moon was gone! On down, in town, Like a merry-mad clown, He leaped and hallooed with whistle and roar-- "What's that?" The glimmering thread once more. But in vain was the pain Of his bursting brain; For still the broader the moon-scrap grew, The broader he swelled his big cheeks and blew. And shone on her throne In the sky alone, A matchless, wonderful, silvery light, Radiant and lovely, the queen of the night. With my breath, good faith, I blew her to death-- First blew her away right out of the sky-- Then blew her in; what a strength am I!" |