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The document is a promotional and informational overview of the book 'Learn JavaScript with p5.js: Coding for Visual Learners' by Engin Arslan, which focuses on teaching programming through JavaScript and p5.js. It outlines the book's structure, including chapters on various programming concepts, and emphasizes its suitability for visual learners and artists. Additionally, it provides links to other related programming resources and books available for download.

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11 views42 pages

Learn JavaScript with p5.js: Coding for Visual Learners Arslan instant download

The document is a promotional and informational overview of the book 'Learn JavaScript with p5.js: Coding for Visual Learners' by Engin Arslan, which focuses on teaching programming through JavaScript and p5.js. It outlines the book's structure, including chapters on various programming concepts, and emphasizes its suitability for visual learners and artists. Additionally, it provides links to other related programming resources and books available for download.

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Learn JavaScript
with p5.js
Coding for Visual Learners

Engin Arslan
Learn JavaScript
with p5.js
Coding for Visual Learners

Engin Arslan
Learn JavaScript with p5.js: Coding for Visual Learners
Engin Arslan
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

ISBN-13 (pbk): 978-1-4842-3425-9 ISBN-13 (electronic): 978-1-4842-3426-6


https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4842-3426-6
Library of Congress Control Number: 2018935139

Copyright © 2018 by Engin Arslan


This work is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved by the Publisher, whether the whole or
part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of
illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way,
and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software,
or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed.
Trademarked names, logos, and images may appear in this book. Rather than use a trademark
symbol with every occurrence of a trademarked name, logo, or image we use the names, logos,
and images only in an editorial fashion and to the benefit of the trademark owner, with no
intention of infringement of the trademark.
The use in this publication of trade names, trademarks, service marks, and similar terms, even if
they are not identified as such, is not to be taken as an expression of opinion as to whether or not
they are subject to proprietary rights.
While the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of
publication, neither the authors nor the editors nor the publisher can accept any legal
responsibility for any errors or omissions that may be made. The publisher makes no warranty,
express or implied, with respect to the material contained herein.
Managing Director, Apress Media LLC: Welmoed Spahr
Acquisitions Editor: Natalie Pao
Development Editor: James Markham
Coordinating Editor: Jessica Vakili
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Cover image designed by Freepik (www.freepik.com)
Distributed to the book trade worldwide by Springer Science+Business Media New York,
233 Spring Street, 6th Floor, New York, NY 10013. Phone 1-800-SPRINGER, fax (201) 348-4505,
e-mail [email protected], or visit www.springeronline.com. Apress Media, LLC is a
California LLC and the sole member (owner) is Springer Science + Business Media Finance Inc
(SSBM Finance Inc). SSBM Finance Inc is a Delaware corporation.
For information on translations, please e-mail [email protected], or visit http://www.apress.
com/rights-permissions.
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978-1-4842-3425-9. For more detailed information, please visit http://www.apress.com/
source-code.
Printed on acid-free paper
Table of Contents
About the Author��������������������������������������������������������������������������������vii
About This Book����������������������������������������������������������������������������������ix

Chapter 1: Introduction������������������������������������������������������������������������1
Why Learn Coding?�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������1
Coding vs. Programming���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������2
On HTML and CSS�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������3
Why Learn JavaScript?�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������4
Why Do We Have Different Languages?����������������������������������������������������������������6
Learning JavaScript with p5.js�����������������������������������������������������������������������������8

Chapter 2: Getting Started������������������������������������������������������������������13


Installing p5.js�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������13
Gentle Introduction to JavaScript������������������������������������������������������������������������16
Getting Started with p5.js�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������24
More About Functions�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������26
Coordinates in p5.js��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������31
Summary������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������35
Practice���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������36

Chapter 3: Colors in p5.js�������������������������������������������������������������������37


Color Functions in p5.js��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������37
Changing Shape Colors���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������39

iii
Table of Contents

Summary������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������42
Practice���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������42

Chapter 4: Operators and Variables����������������������������������������������������45


Setup�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������45
Variables�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������47
Variables Continued��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������49
Predefined Variables in p5.js�������������������������������������������������������������������������������55
Summary������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������58
Practice���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������59

Chapter 5: Conditional Statements and Comparison Operators���������61


frameCount, frameRate, and frame���������������������������������������������������������������������61
Conditionals��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������66
Summary������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������75
Practice���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������76

Chapter 6: More p5.js Variables���������������������������������������������������������77


mouseIsPressed��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������77
mouseX and mouseY������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������80
Summary������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������83
Practice���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������84

Chapter 7: Loops���������������������������������������������������������������������������������85
For Loop��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������85
Random and Noise Functions�����������������������������������������������������������������������������92
Summary������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������99
Practice�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������100

iv
Table of Contents

Chapter 8: Functions������������������������������������������������������������������������101
Creating Functions��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������101
Revisiting Setup and Draw Functions���������������������������������������������������������������107
Summary����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������108
Practice�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������108

Chapter 9: Objects����������������������������������������������������������������������������109
Using Object Initializer��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������109
Using the Constructor Function������������������������������������������������������������������������117
Summary����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������123

Chapter 10: Arrays����������������������������������������������������������������������������125


Using the push Method�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������125
Using Arrays������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������133
Using the remainder Operator���������������������������������������������������������������������������136
Summary����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������141
Practice�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������141

Chapter 11: Events���������������������������������������������������������������������������143


Using mousePressed����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������143
Using keyPressed ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������145
Summary����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������151
Practice�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������151

Chapter 12: More on p5.js����������������������������������������������������������������153


Rotate and Translate�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������153
Push and Pop����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������159
Summary����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������164
Practice�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������165

v
Table of Contents

Chapter 13: Final Project������������������������������������������������������������������167


Getting Started��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������168
User Interaction�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������176
Keeping the User Score������������������������������������������������������������������������������������181
Final Code���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������198
Summary����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������208

Appendix: Final Words����������������������������������������������������������������������209


W
 here to Go Next����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������210
Additional Resources����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������212

Index�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������213

vi
About the Author
Engin Arslan is a Software Developer with a Bachelor of Science in
Materials Engineering and a Postgraduate Degree in Visual Effects. Before
becoming a Developer, he worked as a Visual Effects Artist / Technical
Director on films and TV shows including Resident Evil, Tron, Mama,
Pompeii, Vikings, and Strain. He received an Emmy nomination and won a
Canadian Screen Award for his achievements in Visual Effects. During his
time in VFX, he fell in love with Python and with programming in general.
As a result, he changed careers to be able to immerse himself completely
in software development. Engin currently works at a Toronto-based digital
services company, where he helps develop solutions in strategic problem
spaces using emerging technologies. He also works at Seneca College as
a part-time professor and creates online courses for Lynda/LinkedIn and
Pluralsight.

vii
About This Book
The emphasis of this book will be primarily on learning programming
using JavaScript and p5.js and secondarily in creating visuals. The main
focus is to teach you how to program so that you can choose to pursue
whatever field that you would like with your newly established skill set.
The skills that you will acquire from this book are highly transferrable and
can be used with whatever you choose to build: whether web applications,
programmable robots, or generative art. This means that I will provide
you with enough context so that you can build a strong foundation for
programming. But I also won’t hinder your momentum with irrelevant
technical or theoretical points. The aim is to build a strong but a minimum
viable knowledge to get you running with coding. This is the book that I
wished I had available when I was learning coding myself.
If you are an artist or a visual designer, this book is perfect for you as
you might find the examples we will be building to be directly relevant
to your work. If not, this is still a great book for learning programming as
the visual nature of the exercises will help you grasp the fundamentals
of programming more easily and let you build a strong foundation in a
shorter amount of time.
This book will present various JavaScript and p5.js features and
concepts in the following chapters. The knowledge will be reinforced
by building several useful examples like an animation and a data
visualization; and as a final project, we will be building a game that can be
deployed online using what we learned in this book!

ix
About This Book

Here is a rundown of the topics that we will be covering:


Chapter 1 - Introduction: Provides an overview of coding versus
programming.
Chapter 2 - Getting Started: We will learn some very basic JavaScript
commands and operations to get started with using p5.js.
Chapter 3 - Colors in p5.js: This will be a p5.js-specific chapter where
we learn about how colors are defined and used in p5.js. This doesn't
pertain to JavaScript but needs to be explored regardless to be able to use
p5.js in a comfortable manner.
Chapter 4 - Operations and Variables: We will make use of the
JavaScript knowledge we acquired in the second chapter in p5.js context.
Chapter 5 - Conditional Statements and Comparison Operators:
This chapter will allow us to write programs that can respond to different
conditions by using conditionals and comparison operators.
Chapter 6 - More p5.js Variables: This will be another p5.js-specific
chapter where we will learn about several library-specific variables.
Chapter 7 - Loops: Here we will learn about loops, which will allow us
to build programs that handle enormous amounts of calculations.
Chapter 8 - Functions: Functions are the building blocks of JavaScript
and we will learn more about them in order to build more scalable,
modular, and robust programs.
Chapter 9 - Objects and Chapter 10 - Arrays: Objects and Arrays
are JavaScript data structures that will allow us to organize our code and
handle complexity in more intelligent ways.
Chapter 11 - Events: Event handling will allow us to write programs
that handles user interaction.
Chapter 12 - More on p5.js: Another p5.js-only chapter where we
learn more about library-specific features before diving into our final
project.
Chapter 13 - Final Project: We will build a game using everything we
have learned up to this chapter!

x
CHAPTER 1

Introduction
At this age and time that we live in, coding is simply invaluable. It has
the power to uplift your career, your future prospects, and even your
intellectual capacity. Computation is driving one of the largest capital
expansions in history, and there has never been a better time to learn
coding than now.

Why Learn Coding?


My first serious interaction with coding was at college. We had to take a
course on a programming language called C Sharp. I failed the course the
first time I had to take it and barely passed it the second time when I had
to take it again. With that defeat in mind, I stayed away from coding for
the longest time. I considered it to be a talent that I simply didn’t possess.
Later, I went on to change my career from engineering to visual effects as
I wanted to work in a field that had more room for creative expression.
But working in visual effects, I came to realize that the entire operation is
actually enabled by the power of computation. From the software that is
used to the pipeline management that facilitates the production… Coding
is everywhere. It allows studios to deliver mind-blowing effects for movies
that make hundreds of millions of dollars in the box office.
Upon realizing the power of coding in my field, I decided to embark
on a journey to learn more about it. I ended up teaching myself Python,
a programming language that is widely used in visual effects. And doing

© Engin Arslan 2018 1


E. Arslan, Learn JavaScript with p5.js, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4842-3426-6_1
Chapter 1 Introduction

so has been immensely gratifying. Not only has it allowed me to become


more accomplished in my work in visual effects and create award-winning
effects, but it has also empowered me to transition to an even more
rewarding career in software development.

Coding vs. Programming


You must be hearing the terms coding and programming in similar
contexts and might be wondering what the difference between them
is. In the past few years, coding has become the term of choice to make
programming more approachable to the general population. Basically the
premise is that you could be coding and still be contributing to the digital
economy without actually doing programming.
Let me give you an example of that: you could be using web languages
such as HTML and CSS, which are not programming languages. So when
coding in those languages you are not really programming but styling
or structuring websites (more on their usage in the next section). But
you could also be coding in JavaScript, which is an actual programming
language. Programming languages allow you to make a computer “do”
things. Every time you are programming something, you are also coding.
But when you are coding, you might not be programming. Coding is a
more general term that is used for describing all cases where you are
communicating intent to the computer.
Basically you can think of programming as a subset of coding. But if
truth be told, these two terms are used almost interchangeably nowadays.
The main purpose of this book is to teach you how to program. We will be
coding for programming purposes by using the programming language
JavaScript.

2
Chapter 1 Introduction

On HTML and CSS


Looking at my path for learning programming, I find some of the efforts to
teach coding to beginners to be a bit lacking. One of the primary problems
in the area is using HTML and CSS as introductory languages.
The problem with these languages is that they are not even
programming languages! HTML is a markup language that is used to
define the structure of a document in a way that a web browser would
understand. For example, HTML teaches you how to write text for a
browser so that the browser would know what parts of it is a document
header vs. a paragraph, etc…
Likewise, CSS is not a programming language either. It is a styling
language that allows us to style HTML documents to have them look
aesthetically pleasing and ideally make them more user friendly than
before. Furthermore, even though CSS can be used to create incredibly
good looking results, it is usually very unintuitive to work with and can be
hard to reason about even for a programmer. Learning CSS, you are not
only not learning programming, you are very likely engaging in an activity
that might not be fun as a beginner if styling websites is not your sole
intention.
This push to teach coding using these languages is understandable.
After all, given the large dominance of web applications and their
immense profitability in certain cases, people found themselves wanting
to build their own projects for the Web. And if you are to build a website,
you need to use these languages to a certain degree. But having these
languages as a starting point could create a misconception about what
coding is. Coding can be an immensely rewarding and engaging activity
when you are building programs or applications as the domain of
possibilities is substantially bigger. As discussed previously, we need to be
using programming languages to build programs so the apparent question
is: “What makes a language a programming language?”

3
Chapter 1 Introduction

You can always check Wikipedia for a semi-formal definition. But to


me, for a language to be considered a programming language, it needs to
have certain control structures available to it that would allow us to express
some basic operations. Even this definition probably makes little sense
to a beginner. What is meant is that there are structures in programming
languages that allow the computer to perform logical operations. Some of
the examples of such structures, which we will see more about later, are the
following: conditionals that allow the program to output different results
based on given conditions and variables that store values or loops that
allow a program to repeat operations for a desired amount of time. Don’t
worry if none of this makes any sense right now; the purpose of this book is
for us to learn about all these fundamental programming concepts.
Almost all programming languages have these kinds of basic structures
that enable us to construct immensely more complicated applications.
Think of English, or any other language you might know. You have verbs,
nouns, and adjectives. And using these building blocks, people can say
the simplest things or go on to write amazing novels. And these are the
building blocks that are missing from HTML and CSS that make people
miss out on what could be achieved when using programming languages.
In this book we will learn all these basic structures that would allow
us to communicate our intent to the computer using the programming
language JavaScript.

Why Learn JavaScript?


There are many programming languages out there. This book will be
teaching you how to code, by using the immensely popular programming
language JavaScript.
JavaScript is one of the most widely used programming languages out
there as it is built into every web browser. Due to this, almost all the web
pages and applications out there use JavaScript to some degree. In recent

4
Chapter 1 Introduction

years JavaScript started to be used not only to program user interaction in


web pages but also server side - back-end - applications, Internet of Things
(IOT) devices or mobile apps for platforms such as Android or iPhone.
Even though it has its roots in web development, JavaScript knowledge is
now applicable to a vast number of other domains.
Given the popularity and ubiquity of JavaScript, it is really easy to find
resources and information about it if you are to ever get stuck. It has a big,
vibrant community behind it. In the popular Q&A website, StackOverflow,
there are more than a million questions that are related to JavaScript. If you
end up coding in this language and get stuck in a problem, the chances are
that someone else also had the same problem, posted a question on this
website, and got an answer that you can learn from.
I won’t go into details of what makes a programming language
dynamic or static, but being a dynamic programming language, JavaScript
code is more concise and easier to write compared to static languages.
Listings 1-1 and 1-2 are some examples where a simple statement that
displays the words ‘hello world’ to the screen are written by using different
languages. Notice how much shorter it is to write the same code using
JavaScript.

Listing 1-1. Displaying Hello World to the screen in C++ (Source:


http://helloworldcollection.de/)
// Hello World in C++ (pre-ISO)
#include <iostream.h>

main()
{
        cout << "Hello World!" << endl;
        return 0;
}

5
Chapter 1 Introduction

Listing 1-2. Displaying Hello World to the screen in Java (Source:


http://helloworldcollection.de/)
// Hello World in Java

class HelloWorld {
        static public void main( String args[] ) {
                System.out.println( "Hello World!" );
        }
}

Displaying Hello World to the screen in JavaScript:

console.log('Hello World');

One other advantage of learning JavaScript is that, since it is the


language of the Web, you would be able to share your creations with other
people in a really easy manner. I think to be able to do so and receive
feedback is an important consideration when learning a new skill set.
To summarize, there are lots of reasons to learn programming and
JavaScript stands to be a great choice since it:

• is easier to write;

• is popular and ubiquitous;

• has a vast application domain.

Why Do We Have Different Languages?


You must be wondering why there are different languages if they are all
share similar features.
That’s a great question. Different languages exist because they are
designed with different principles in mind. Some of them can be harder
to type out, but they give you more control over the stability and speed of

6
Another Random Scribd Document
with Unrelated Content
William looked very thoughtful for some time: at last he said, "no,
mamma, this is certainly the best; for it seems more like the truth, I
dare say all these things really happened; while you know even little
Louis would laugh at me if I really believed there ever were such
creatures as fairies."
"Ah, William," said Mary, "but there are some very beautiful stories
about fairies. Do not you remember the story in verse which mamma
read to us some time ago? It began thus:

"In Britain's isle, and Arthur's days,


When midnight fairies danced the maze."

"Oh yes, Mary, I remember, and I wish mamma would read us some
more tales like that."
"I must find them first, Willy," said Mrs. Dormer, "for that tale stands
alone in the English language: I do not remember another that
equals it in beauty. But you must be content with hearing the
adventures of children like yourselves, for my stock of fairy lore is
almost exhausted."
"What is the name, dear aunt, of the next story you mean to read
us," asked Kate, "for I peeped into your desk when you took the last
out, and I saw that you had a good many more left."
"That will depend on circumstances, my love," replied Mrs. Dormer.
"I do not know which I shall read first. But I will tell you what you
will like better; and that is, our friends Mr. and Mrs. Matthews have
sent an invitation for you all to spend to-morrow afternoon with
them. We shall have a delightful walk across the heath; and you,
William, will see your little friends—for George and Edward have
come home for the holidays."
This news gave great delight to the little Dormers, and they spent
the evening anticipating the pleasure of the morrow, and in hoping
and wishing for a fine day.

William's eyes were opened by six the next morning; he ran to the
chamber where his sister and cousin slept, and tapping at the door,
asked them if they would get up, as it was a fine morning, and study
their lessons in the garden before breakfast, and then they would be
done very early when their mamma was teaching them. This
proposal was perfectly agreeable to the little girls; who, after
dressing themselves and saying their prayers, went into the garden,
and with lively spirits enjoyed the delicious freshness of a lovely
summer's morning. Here they walked up and down, studying very
diligently till they had their lessons by heart, and already looked
forward to the pleasure of their mamma's praise.
All this was very well, and they walked some time very soberly, till
little Louis came into the garden, saying he had some very hard
words to learn, and intreating his sister Mary to pronounce them for
him. Mary very good-naturedly complied, and sat down on the seat
under the fir tree to con them over with him.
Kate and William, though good children were sometimes inclined to
be giddy, and this morning they were in such high spirits, that they
were more careless than usual. Unfortunately, chance led their steps
towards the poultry-yard, which was separated from the garden by
some pales and a wicket. They opened the gate and passed
through, to look at some nice broods of ducks that were just
hatched. Kate stood several minutes admiring the soft yellow
ducklings, and did not notice what William was doing, till he called
her to partake in some sport which he thought very delightful. He
had laid a plank (left there by accident) across a small dirty pond,
dug for the convenience of the ducks, and was racing backwards
and forwards so cheerfully on this board, that giddy little Kate
thought she must follow his example. After they had amused
themselves for some time with this diversion, William took it into his
head to jump from the plank across the pond, and as it was a very
little distance, he did it easily. Kate endeavoured to follow, but as
she was not used to leaping, it is no great wonder that she plumped
up to her waist in the dirty water. They both shrieked in concert for
help; and the gardener being fortunately near the spot, soon pulled
Miss Kate out of the mud, and carried her in his arms to the house.
In their way they met Mary and Louis, who had been alarmed by the
cries of Kate: Mary was terribly frightened at seeing the water
stream from her cousin's clothes; she ran to her mother's door,
crying, "pray, mamma, come quickly, for I fear that Kate is
drowned."
Mrs. Dormer was much astonished, for she did not think Kate could
get at any water sufficient to drown herself. However, she hastened
to the children's room, where she beheld the weeping Kate, with the
house-maid busily employed in taking off her wet clothes. Mrs.
Dormer's first care was to hurry the imprudent child to bed, and
cover her up warm, while her clean clothes were airing. She then
demanded the particulars of the disaster; and, on hearing the whole
affair, could hardly help laughing. However, she comforted the
weeping girl by saying, if she had not taken cold there was no great
harm done, and, promising to send her up some warm tea, she
retired; whilst Kate was greatly troubled for fear she should be made
to lay in bed all the day.
When Mrs. Dormer entered the parlour, she perceived William,
looking much like a culprit.
"So, Sir," said his mother, "it was you who led your cousin into this
mischief."
"It was, dear mamma, but I am very, very sorrow," answered
William.
"Consider," said Mrs. Dormer, "the delicate state of your cousin's
health, and how fatal such an accident might have been if her wet
clothes had not been taken off directly. I do not think she will be ill
as it is, but hope she will be able to go to Mrs. Matthews's this
afternoon.
"I suppose, mamma," said William, "as I have been so bad a boy, I
am not to go?"
"You well know," said his mother, "that I never punish an act of
carelessness as I do any thing criminal, therefore I shall trust to your
own good disposition, that you will not err in a like manner for the
future."
William kissed the hand of his kind mamma, and said, "I did indeed
think of Sidney's jumping into the ditch, just as Kate fell into the
pond: but you know, mamma, that was too late. We should have
thought on it before we played such a foolish trick."
After Mrs. Dormer had done breakfast she went up and dressed
Kate, who had taken no hurt. The children finished their lessons very
soon: and Mrs. Dormer told them there was time for a good deal of
play before dinner. "I think," added she, "I can answer for Kate's
keeping out of the duck-pond."
On hearing this remark Kate hung down her head, and looked very
foolish—at last she said, "I would rather not go out, aunt. If you
would read us a story I should like much better to sit still and hear
it."
Mrs. Dormer smiled, and unlocking her writing-desk, selected from
among her papers the tale of

THE MIDSUMMER HOLIDAYS.


"Mr. Howard and Mr. Russel were near neighbours; indeed their
grounds were only parted by a clear stream, which flowed between
the two gardens: they were both widowers, and each had one son.
Mr. Russel was an old captain retired from service, with a small
fortune and his pay to live on.
His neighbour Mr. Howard had been a banker in London, and having
amassed a large fortune, withdrew from the fatigues of business, to
enjoy the remainder of his life in the quiet retirement of the country.
These gentlemen were much alike in all their pursuits: they were
both fond of gardening, fishing, and smoking; yet they did not visit,
though they often entered into conversation across the river, when
they were fishing opposite each other.
Mr. Howard's son Philip, or Phil as he was generally called, was
nearly of the same age as Captain Russel's Harry. Captain Russel
would not send Harry to school, for he did not approve of that
method of education; Mr. Howard, on the contrary, kept his son at a
public seminary, and only suffered him to return for a short time
during the Midsummer holidays. He allowed him, indeed, to pass the
whole vacation with him at Christmas, when he thought that he
could do the least mischief; and then Phil would much rather have
been at school, for his father made him study as closely as he did
there.
As to Harry Russel, he was the most unlucky boy that ever was born.
He was always in mischief, robbing the farmers' orchards, or
trespassing on their grounds, to deprive the poor innocent birds of
their eggs and young. There always was some complaint being
brought in from the maids, such as, "Sir, is Master Russel to steal the
pipes? he has got away ever so many."
Then when Captain Russel went to shave, he found all his shaving
soap gone: upon inquiry, it always was, "Why, Sir, Master Harry
would take it; he said it was only to blow bubbles with." Poor
Captain Russel was always in a passion: for before he was cool from
one he was thrown into another. There was the gardener, with, "Sir,
Master Harry will tread on the border, Master Harry will run in the
high grass, Master Harry will pluck the fruit;" but, in general, it
ended with, "Master Harry will take the boy away from his work, to
play with him." Thus was the Captain constantly tormented.
Captain Russel would not permit his son to visit, or receive visits,
from any of the young gentlemen in the neighbourhood, for fear of
having his flowers gathered, and his garden injured.
Harry, who was of a very social disposition, rather than not have
playfellows, made companions of his father's cow-boy and all his
ragged brethren; for Mr. Russel kept a cow, and this boy tended her,
and worked in the garden.
Another of Master Henry's bad tricks was taking a large stick, and
dabbling in his father's favourite fishing place; whenever he was
found so employed, he received a good thrashing from the captain,
which you must acknowledge he richly deserved.
Now the Midsummer holidays approached, and Harry heard Mr.
Howard tell his father that Phil was coming home to spend a week or
two with him. This greatly rejoiced Master Hal, for he was very
curious to see his neighbour's son, of whom he formed great hopes.
At length the wished-for day arrived, and Harry ran down to the river
to watch for young Howard's appearing in the opposite garden. He
did not wait long, for a loud shout made him run to the banks of the
stream; and there stood the long expected Phil, throwing stones into
the river to scare the fish.
Now it was very delightful to find a companion; but Harry thought it
still better for him to be as mischievous a creature as he was
himself. They soon greeted each other with great glee, and stood
talking some time across the river. Phil invited Harry to come over to
him.
"No," said Harry, "I cannot do that, for I do not choose to undress
for a swim."
"Then come with your clothes on," said Phil; "look, here is a shallow
place."
Harry sat down on the grass, and pulling off his shoes and stockings,
threw them over to Phil; he then paddled across the river with great
expedition, and was joyfully welcomed by young Howard. For a long
time they walked about, keeping at a respectful distance from the
house for fear of being seen by Phil's father; and, as they had many
things to talk about, they did no great harm that day.
From this time the two boys became such friends, that, regardless of
their fathers' express commands to the contrary, they were seldom
or ever apart; and as they were commonly walking arm and arm in
one or other of the gardens, nothing could remain undisturbed for
them; the gardens were robbed of the best fruit, and the newly
raked beds were completely covered with footmarks.
One day Mr. Russel, looking out of the chamber window, was not a
little surprised at beholding his son perched in one of the great
cherry-trees which grew on the grass-plot in front, and Master Phil in
the other. In a tone of great displeasure, he demanded what they
were doing there?
Phil replied, without leaving off eating, and with the greatest
audacity, "we are keeping the birds off the cherry-tree, Sir."
Mr. Russel was greatly enraged at the cool impudence of this
answer; and though he made no reply, he muttered to himself, as he
turned from the window, "these are your Eton tricks, young
gentleman; but your back shall pay for it." He then ordered the
culprits to be seized as soon as they left the trees, and to be
brought before him.
This was accordingly done; and the luckless pilferers, when they
were preparing to escape, were caught and carried before Mr.
Russel, in spite of all their kicking and struggling. The captain stood
ready to receive them with a horsewhip, which he laid over their
shoulders pretty smartly; and though they implored for mercy, and
promised never to misbehave again, the captain knew that such
promises could not be depended on. When he thought he had
punished them sufficiently, he sent his own boy sobbing to bed, and
followed Master Phil, with the horsewhip in his hand, threatening
that the next time he caught him on his side of the stream that he
would give him twice as much; when Phil, on reaching the stream,
boldly plunged in, shoes and all, and splashed over to his own
garden, and ran to the house, crying bitterly.
Though Mr. Howard knew that Phil had well deserved the stripes he
had received, yet he did not choose that any one should chastise his
son but himself, and he told Captain Russel so the next day. Captain
Russel said he had borne with young Howard's lawless conduct long
enough, and he would put up with it no longer, but whip him home
whenever he caught him trespassing on his grounds, and Mr.
Howard might do the same by his Hal, if he liked it. Mr. Howard
declared, if he came plaguing him, he would; and then told Captain
Russel it was his unbearable boy who had spoiled and corrupted the
manners of Phil. This Captain Russel denied with some warmth, and
retorted the charge; high words now arose between the fathers,
and, though I am sure neither had any reason to defend their
children, the two gentlemen parted in great wrath; but both agreed
to horsewhip the first boy that entered the other's garden.
It was not long before Mr. Howard put his threat in execution, for in
defiance of these prohibitions, Phil and Hal went into Mr. Howard's
meadow, and were amusing themselves with swinging on the great
gate. This made Mr. Howard very angry: he bestowed on them a
good caning, and sent Hal Russel roaring home. One would have
thought this might have cured them of their improper behaviour, but
they would get over into the forbidden gardens now as often as ever.
Mr. Howard was at length so completely wearied by his son's
mischievous tricks, that he determined to shorten his holidays by
three weeks: poor Phil was accordingly doomed to depart on the
next Monday. But on the preceding Saturday he invited Harry to
come over, and have one last gambol in the garden. He told him
there was an early plum-tree loaded with delicious fruit, just ripe,
and persuaded him to come and have the first taste. Harry needed
no very pressing invitation, and having forded the river, he
proceeded with his companion to the plum-tree. The fruit was
indeed tempting, and Harry mounted with great expedition: but he
had scarcely tasted one plum before Phil called,
"Come down, Harry; make haste—my father is coming towards us!"
Harry was so hurried, that he forgot his usual dexterity in
descending; his foot slipped, and he fell with such violence on the
ground that his right arm and leg were broken. Mr. Howard, who had
not before observed that Hal was in the garden, was instantly drawn
to the spot by the screams of the suffering boy, whom he tenderly
raised, and saw his servants convey him carefully home. He returned
to his own house, and conveyed his son to a room which was utterly
divested of all furniture, except a bed to sleep on; he then gave him
a supply of bread and water for the day, and locked him in.
Page 66. Page 74.

Published April 20 1823 by Harris & Son corner of St. Pauls.


Phil, who had now leisure to repent of his folly and wilfulness,
expected at least to be confined in this solitude till he was taken to
school; and he grieved bitterly for the deplorable fate of his
companion Harry, who might probably lose his life, or the use of his
limbs. Many were the tears which he shed while eating his solitary
meals, which were delivered to him in silence by a servant. Often did
he wish for his father's presence, that he might ask his forgiveness;
but three tedious days and nights passed on, and Mr. Howard did
not appear. All the amusement Phil had, was looking out of a high
and closely-barred window. He had not even a book to pass away
the heavy hours, though he would have been thankful for the dullest
that ever was written. On the fourth day, towards the evening, as he
was sitting sighing in a corner, the door unlocked, and on raising his
eyes, his father stood before him, looking very stern and severe. He
took the culprit's hand in silence, and led him through the garden.
Phil shuddered when he saw the fatal tree, the cause of so much
sorrow, and felt thankful when he had passed it. Mr. Howard
conducted him through their own meadow to a little bridge that
crossed the river, and divided Captain Russel's field from theirs. The
gate of this bridge was always before kept padlocked; but on this
occasion Mr. Howard opened it, and proceeded to Captain Russel's
house, and went up the stairs to Harry's bed-chamber. The curtains
were closed round the bed, and Captain Russel sat there, reading
the Bible aloud. When he saw Mr. Howard, he rose and gave him his
hand. Mr. Howard asked if his patient were awake. "Yes," said
Captain Russel, unclosing the curtains, and exhibiting to the weeping
Phil his once healthy and blooming companion, reduced,
comparatively, to a shadow. He was supported by a number of
pillows, and looked like death. His hair, that used to curl in ringlets
round his rosy, laughing face, now hung lank and straight over his
sunken eyes and wan cheeks. This sad sight filled the heart of Phil
with grief and remorse: he threw himself by the side of the bed, and
hid his face in the bed-clothes to stifle his sobs. Harry stretched out
his burning hand, and in a feeble voice desired him to be comforted.
"See, young man," said Captain Russel, "the fatal effects of
disobedience: this might have been your fate: let this misfortune be
a lesson to you for the future. I see I need say no more."
Phil was truly penitent: he sobbed as if his heart would break, and
implored forgiveness with such unaffected sorrow, that the two
gentlemen freely pardoned him. "From this time," he said, "I will be
as dutiful as I was before disobedient, and if poor Hal does but
recover, we will never be mischievous again."
"Think, Philip," said his father, "if Harry dies, you will have to answer
for being the means of depriving Captain Russel of his only child."
Phil's grief now became so violent, that Mr. Howard thought that he
had better take him away.
"Oh, Sir," said Phil (taking the hand of Captain Russel), "pray let me
stay by Harry. I will sit quite still, and make no noise; indeed I
cannot leave him."
The sick boy, in a low and feeble voice, begged that his friend might
stay. Captain Russel kindly consented, and Philip took his station by
the side of Harry's bed, and by every tender care endeavoured to
soothe his pain and raise his spirits. When Captain Russel saw that
Philip had naturally a noble disposition and a good heart, he would
come and converse with him, and often praised him for the friendly
attention he shewed his suffering friend. When Philip dared ask him
questions, he inquired what had happened during the days he had
passed in confinement.
"The first three days," said Captain Russel, "were passed by my
suffering child in all the agony of pain and delirium; your father, very
kindly, passed all his time with me, sharing my solicitude and grief.
On the evening of the fourth day Harry recovered his senses, and
earnestly begged to see you. Your father immediately went and
fetched you, the rest you know."
Philip had a bed made up in his friend's room, and never left him but
when the doctor was dressing poor Harry's leg and and arm: he then
used to take a little air. At last Harry was able to sit up, but he was
forced to hold his arm in a sling, and have his leg supported by
pillows.
After some weeks Harry was sufficiently recovered to walk in the
garden; and though he soon looked as rosy and handsome as
before, still he always had a slight lameness, which served to remind
him of his disobedience.
Philip staid at home till Harry was quite well, and then their fathers
agreed that both the boys should go together to Eton school. This
plan was carried into execution, and when they returned at
Christmas they were so completely altered in their deportment, that
their fathers beheld them with pride and pleasure.
You may be sure that the next Midsummer holidays were spent in a
very different manner from those of the preceding year. Mr. Howard
and Captain Russel had now become intimate friends, and often
made a comfortable party by the river side, with their pipes and
fishing tackle; and when the boys came, they would sit and play
quietly at draughts, or chess, on a seat near them.
Hal was never heard to repine at this accident, but as he grew up he
often declared that this misfortune had proved a blessing to him and
Philip, and would warn any wayward children he saw in mischief to
desist from evil, lest, like him, they should suffer from the bad
effects of disobedience.

The cloth was laid for dinner by the time Mrs. Dormer had finished
her story. The children all looked very grave at the end, and seemed
much edified: particularly William, who said, as he seated himself at
table, "I am afraid, mamma, you think that I behaved as bad as
Harry or Phil this morning."
"No, Willy," said his mother, "what you did wrong was not the result
of wilful mischief but was only for want of thought: for instance, if I
had looked over the pales when you were dancing on the plants,
and told you to come away, and never to do so again, I think I can
answer for my William that he would not have disobeyed me."
"No, dear mamma," said William, "I hope I should not have been so
wicked."
Just as dinner was finished, Edward Matthews drove up to the door
in a donkey chaise, which he had brought, by the desire of his
father, that the little girls might not be fatigued with walking in the
heat of the day. Mrs. Dormer, with Kate and Mary, were soon ready;
and Edward, having lifted the young ladies and little Lewis into the
chaise, walked with William by the side of the donkey, leading him,
and patting his neck. Mr. and Mrs. Dormer walked behind, and were
greatly pleased with the attention and kindness of Edward: who, to
say the truth, was a favourite with all the family. He was a fine
manly youth of thirteen, but though he was by many years older
than the little Dormers, he was so sweet tempered that they doated
on him.
The little party proceeded joyously across the heath, exulting in the
company of their dear Edward; who, poor fellow, had need of two or
three pair of ears: for, in the joy of their hearts, the children all
talked at once, telling him all the wonderful things that had
happened to them since they saw him last.
The afternoon passed rapidly; and the children enjoyed themselves
so much, that their indulgent parents, rejoicing to see them good
and happy, delayed breaking up the party till the latest minute.
When the hour of separation at length arrived, and they were
preparing to depart, Mrs. Matthews asked Mrs. Dormer if she would
permit her little family to join her sons in a party to Hampstead-fair,
that day week. Now Mrs. Dormer had a dislike to fairs; but as Mr.
Dormer seemed to wish it, and the children all looked up in her face
with most anxious countenances, she would not withhold her
consent.
The donkey chaise was again brought to the door, and the little
Dormers had a charming ride home. Mary, in particular, was
delighted at seeing the heath spangled with glow-worms.
"Oh, papa," she exclaimed, "do let me get out and catch some of the
lovely creatures; I never saw any before."
"No, Mary," said her mother, "you must not run on the damp grass
with your thin shoes. Look," continued she, holding up her
handkerchief, which shone like a lamp, "see, Mary, I have collected a
great many of the lovely creatures, as you call them, and will
examine them when we get home."
Mary was highly pleased at this; but she could not help calling out,
as she saw these beautiful insects shine brighter as the darkness
increased: "Oh, mamma, there is another! do catch it."
All the little party were quite grieved when they turned down the
lane that separated their house from the heath.
Sleep weighed too heavy on the eyes of all the children to allow
them to look at the glow-worms that night, but in the morning Mary
ran into her mother's dressing-room to look at the beautiful
prisoners. She hastily took off the lid of a glass jar, in which her
mother had placed them, and, lifting up some wet moss, gave
almost a shriek of disappointment. "Oh, mamma," she said, "all the
glow-worms have run away; here are nothing but some ugly brown
beetles! I dare say they have eaten those pretty creatures."
"What a pity!" said Kate. "Dear aunt, let us empty the jar into the
garden."
"No, my love," said her aunt, "let them alone; perhaps these beetles
may bring us some tidings of the glow-worms." At that minute they
heard Mr. Dormer below, talking to Edward, who had just arrived,
with his little brother George. Mrs. Dormer, therefore, went down to
ask them to dinner; which invitation they thankfully accepted.
In the cool of the evening, after the children and their guests had
tired themselves with play, they all came up to Mrs. Dormer's
dressing-room and begged for a story. Mrs. Dormer had prepared for
them, there, a regale of cakes and fruit, and while they were
enjoying it, she kindly read to them the story of

THE BLIND HIGHLAND PIPER.


"If you have finished writing those rules in your cyphering book in
time, you shall go with me to the booksellers, to choose some books
for your cousin Jane, and for yourself," said Mr. Percy to his nephew,
Arthur Stanly, who was writing at a desk.
"Thank you, my dear uncle. What time shall you be ready?" asked
Arthur, still continuing to write on.
"In about half an hour at farthest," said Mr. Percy.
"Shall you be ready by that time?"
Arthur cast his eyes over a long page of writing and figures which he
had still to copy into his book, repeating, "Half an hour! I am afraid I
cannot get it all done."
"I shall be sorry," observed his uncle, "to go without you; but I am
engaged to dine with some friends precisely at two o'clock. It is now
a few minutes past one: therefore we shall have but one quarter of
an hour to walk there, and transact our business, and the other
quarter to go home and dress in."
Arthur ardently wished that the time went slower.
"I think you have had plenty of time to finish this rule; it is now
upwards of an hour since you began. What have you been doing all
this while?" said Mr. Percy, looking over his nephew's shoulder.
Arthur felt much ashamed: he looked down at his feet, and began
tying his shoe-strings without saying a word, for he did not know
what excuse to offer to his uncle.
Mr. Percy still looked at him, as if expecting an answer; and at last
he repeated the question.
"I was trying," said Arthur, "to catch a robin which flew into the
room. I was very silly, and have lost a great deal of time by it."
"You was silly, indeed," replied his uncle; "but that is your concern,
not mine. However, if you have finished by the time the hand of the
hall clock points to half past one, you shall go with me. If your rule
be written out neatly in that time, I shall give you great credit, if not
you must remain at home. Here are two good pens for you."
Page 81. Page 85.

Published April 20 1823 by Harris & Son corner of St. Pauls.


Arthur eagerly took the pens and began writing; but his uncle had
hardly quitted the room, when the thought entered into his head
that no one would be the wiser if he were to put back the clock a
few minutes. Accordingly, without giving himself time to reflect on
the gross impropriety of such an action, he opened the study door
and looked out into the hall. No one was near; he listened a moment
—; all was quite still. He then jumped upon a chair which stood near
the clock, and, having carefully opened the door in front, put back
the hand ten minutes. In doing this, however, he was under
considerable alarm, for persons who are acting wrong are always in
fear of being detected.
He now jumped from the chair, and ran back to his desk; but his
hand trembled so much that he could hardly hold his pen. In a
minute or two, however, he recovered himself, and just as he heard
his uncle entering the hall, he finished his assigned task, happy for a
moment in the success of his scheme.
His cousin Jane now came running into the room, and exclaimed:
"Arthur, papa is waiting for you; but he supposes you have not done
yet."
"Yes, but I have, though," answered he, in a tone of exultation, and
went into the hall with his book. Mr. Percy was standing with his
watch in his hand, comparing it with the clock.
Arthur coloured like scarlet, for he feared to be detected in his guilt.
He stood silent, and dared not raise his eyes to the face of his uncle.
But, far from having the least suspicion of what had been done, Mr.
Percy only observed that he must get his watch regulated, for
though he had set it by the clock that very morning, it was now ten
minutes faster.
Arthur felt all the pain arising from conscious guilt. He hung his head
in silence, whilst his uncle, glancing his eyes over the writing,
exclaimed, "Very well, indeed! very prettily done! I give you a deal of
credit for this; and so short a time as you had to do it in, too! Well,
we shall see, if you improve so fast, what I shall do."
"Arthur, who had never deceived his good uncle before, felt more
pain at this unmerited praise than if he had been punished as he
deserved.
"Oh," thought he, "if my uncle did but know how wicked I have
been, he would never forgive me."
Mr. Percy told him to put on his hat and great-coat, for they had no
time to lose.
"Good bye, my little Jane," said Mr. Percy, as he shut the street door.
"Good bye, dear papa, and cousin Arthur," cried Jane Percy, going
into the parlour.
"I never knew you so very silent before, Arthur: what is it you are
thinking of?" said Mr. Percy, as they entered the shop of Mansel, the
bookseller.
Arthur was spared the trouble of replying, for Mr. Mansel then came
forward, and entered into conversation with Mr. Percy.
Arthur walked to the door: he scarcely knew what was going
forward, his mind being too much occupied in reflecting upon his
late transgression, and in considering what he had best do. At length
he determined to tell his cousin, and ask her advice. He had not
observed the people who were hurrying along to escape a heavy fall
of snow, till his ear was attracted by the plaintive tones of a child's
voice, asking charity. He looked up, and beheld a little girl without
any shoes or stockings, leading by the hand a Highland soldier, who
was very handsome, but quite blind. He appeared scarce thirty years
of age: the tattered remnant of a plaid which was wrapt round him
bespoke poverty and distress in the extreme, and scarcely sufficed
to defend his body from the cold wind and snow. On his head he
wore a sort of cap or bonnet, of various colours; through the many
holes of which his yellow hair appeared, and waved to the breeze in
long curls. By his side he wore an old sword, which made Arthur
conclude that he was a soldier. The little girl had been asking relief
of the passengers; but no one thought it worth while to stop, at the
risk of getting wet, to inquire into the cause of their distress. One
man rudely pushed the little suppliant away, calling her an impostor,
and a little beggar brat. She then turned with a sorrowful look
towards Arthur, who dropped into the plaid bonnet which she held in
her hand all the halfpence he had about him, and inquired if her
father were quite blind?
The tears stood in the little girl's eyes, as she turned them
sorrowfully up to her father's face, and answered, "yes: he is quite
blind, and very ill."
"Poor man!" said Arthur; "how much he is to be pitied! Is he a
soldier?"
"He was once a soldier, but he cannot see now," replied the little girl.
"And what is your name?" asked Arthur.
"Flora Glengary?"
"And how came your father to lose his sight?"
As Flora did not immediately reply, the soldier, taking off his cap,
said, "my good young gentleman, I was once a soldier, and served
with the army in Egypt, but lost my sight by lightning. I then took
my little girl, and came back to England, in hopes of being able to
beg my way to Dunbar, my native town, in Scotland, where I had
friends; but now I can get no farther, for I am very ill, and quite
friendless. Before I lost my bagpipes I got on very well; but now
they are gone, I believe my child and I must starve."
"And how came you to lose your pipes?" asked Arthur.
"I fell sick, master, and was forced to sell them for a mere trifle.
Whilst I had them, I did not beg, exactly, for many people gave me
money to hear me play."
"And how much would it cost you to buy them again?"
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