N n.

NEGLIGENCE, _Heedlessness_, _Carelessness_.

The character Tom Slowboy bears
Would much against him tell,
For any work that's wanted done,
Or even play done well.

* * * * *

[Illustration]

O o.

OBSTINACY, _Stubbornness_, _Waywardness_.

The obstinacy of the pig
Is nature--as you see;
But boys and girls who have a mind
Should never stubborn be.

* * * * *

[Illustration]

P p.

PETS, _Favorites_, _Spoilt Fondlings_.

Some people say that Aunty Gray
To animals is kind;
We think, instead, they are over fed,
And kept too much confined.

* * * * *

[Illustration]

Q q.

QUANDARY, _A Doubt_, _a Difficulty_.

Dame Partlett's in difficulty,
And looks around with doubt;
Let's hope, as she some way got in,
She may some way get out.

* * * * *

[Illustration]

R r.

RIVALRY, _Competition_, _Emulation_.

In every competition prize
This should be kept in view--
Whoever wins should be the one
Who does deserve it too.

* * * * *

[Illustration]

S s.

SLUGGARD, _An Inactive, Lazy Fellow_.

To lie so many hours in bed
You surely must be ill,
And need some physic, Master Ned,
As birch, or draught, or pill!

* * * * *

[Illustration]

T t.

TOPSY-TURVY, _Upside Down_, _Bottom Top_.

Here's Topsy-Turvy, upside down,
The ceiling seems the base;
Reverse the ground and 'twill be found
The things are out of place.

* * * * *

[Illustration]

U u. V v.

UNCOMMON VEGETATION.

UNCOMMON, _Rare_, _not Frequent_.

VEGETATION, _the Power of Growth_.

Th' uncommon vegetation, here,
With art has much to do;
The trees are nature, but the fruit
Uncommon and untrue.

* * * * *

[Illustration]

W w.

WONDER, _Admiration_, _Astonishment_.

The wise may live and wonder still,
However much they know,
But simple Giles has wonder found
Within the penny show.

* * * * *

[Illustration]

X x.

NO ENGLISH WORD BEGINS WITH THIS LETTER.

XANTIPPE, _A Greek Matron_, _Wife of Socrates_.

Here's Socrates and Xantippe--
Philosopher and wife--