NOTES
Reading edition
THE STORKS
Page 29
.
On account of the ravages it makes among noxious animals, the stork is a privileged bird wherever it makes its home. In cities it is sometimes trained to act as scavenger. In Denmark, Holland, and Germany it is always a welcome guest. Boxes are placed upon roofs in the hope that nests may be made in them, for it is considered a sign of good fortune to have a stork's nest on one's roof.
The stork is noted for its great affection for its young and especially for the care it is said to give to its parents in their old age. It has no song, and is in no sense a bird to love, though it may become quite tame.
Page 37. The nurses in that country tell the children that the stork brings the little new babies.
THE WILD SWANS
Page 56. Fata Morgana (fä´ta môr gä´nä): a singular appearance, or phenomenon, similar to the mirage of the desert; images of objects distorted or multiplied into fanciful shapes. This phenomenon was so called because it was looked upon as the work of a fata, or fairy, called Morgana. The phenomenon has been remarked chiefly at the Strait of Messina, between Italy and Calabria.
WHAT THE GOODMAN DOES IS ALWAYS RIGHT
Page 220. in the country: here means in Denmark.
THE SWINEHERD
Page 263. "Ah! thou dearest Augustine, All is gone, gone, gone."
THE METAL PIG
Page 269. piazza (pe ät´sȧ): in Italy, a square, or open space, surrounded by buildings.
Page 271. Palazzo degli Uffizi (pä lät´sō dāl´yē öf fēt´se): one of the chief art galleries of the world. Palazzo is the Italian word for "palace."
Page 272. Medici (mĕd´[+e] chē): the name of a Florentine family.
Page 275
.
Galileo
is called the Father of Modern Science. He made a number of most important scientific discoveries. To him is attributed the saying in regard to the earth, when under trial for the supposed heresy of believing in its motion, "
It moves
, nevertheless."
Dante was the greatest of Italian poets.
Alfieri and Machiavelli were authors.
Opposite the grave of Galileo is the tomb of Michelangelo, on which stand his bust and three figures, representing sculpture, painting, and architecture. Close by is a monument to Dante, whose body is buried at Ravenna. On this monument Italy is represented as pointing to the colossal statue of Dante, while Poetry mourns his loss. A few steps farther on is Alfieri's monument, which is adorned with laurel, the lyre, and dramatic masks; Italy weeps over his grave. Machiavelli is the last in this group of celebrated men.
EVERYTHING IN ITS RIGHT PLACE
Page 329. Thespis: a dramatic writer of the sixth century. He is called the Father of the Greek Drama.