This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1895 Excerpt: ...realm is a toil, to be sure, But the fire there is bright and the air rather pure; And the view I behold on a sunshiny day Is grand through the chimney-pots over the way. This snug little chamber is cramm'd in all nooks With worthless old knick-knacks and silly old books, And foolish old odds and foolish old ends, Crack'd bargains from brokers, cheap keepsakes from friends. Old armor, prints, pictures, pipes, china, (all crack'd, ) Old rickety tables, and chairs brokenbacked; A twopenny treasury, wondrous to see; What matter? 'tis pleasant to you, friend, and me. No better divan need the Sultan require Than the creaking old sofa that basks by the fire; And 'tis wonderful, surely, what music you get From the rickety, ramshackle, wheezy spinet. That praying-rug came from a Turcoman's camp; By Tiber once twinkled that brazen old lamp; A mameluke tierce yonder dagger has drawn: 'Tis a murderous knife to toast muffins upon. Long, long through the hours, and the night, and the chimes, Here we talk of old books, and old friends, and old times; As we sit in a fog made of rich Latakie This chamber is pleasant to you, friend, and me. But of all the cheap treasures that garnish my nest, There's one that I love and I cherish the best: For the finest of couches that's padded with hair I never would change thee, my canebottom'd chair. 'Tis a bandy-legg'd, high-shoulder'd, worm-eaten seat, "With a creaking old back, and twisted old feet; But since the fair morning when Fanny sat there, I bless thee and love thee, old canebottom'd chair. If chairs have but feeling, in holding such charms, A thrill must have pass'd through your wither'd old arms I look'd, and I long'd, and I wish'd in despair; I wish'd myself turn'd to a cane-bot tom'd chair. It was but a moment she sa...