service, and whatever you may require of me that I will with all my heart and soul accomplish."

The jackals replied, "In this neighbourhood there lives a couple of ravenous hyenas, who every year devour our young ones, our strength being of no avail against them. If it is in your power save us from their depredations, and it will be doing us the greatest of favours."

Haitim requested the jackals to show him the haunt of the hyenas; which being done, he set out, but found that the place was vacant. He then sat down till it was night, when both hyenas, male and female, arrived, and were surprised at seeing a man stationed in their abode.

Growling, they said to him in their own language, "Oh, son of man! this is our dwelling place, not yours. How came you to sit here? Arise, and go your way, otherwise we shall tear you to pieces on this very spot.”

His majesty commanded them to seize the man and bring him thither; and the bears, having caught Haitim, carried him with them. When the king of the bears had minutely examined Haitim, he gave orders that he should be taken care of, and conveyed to their abode, to which they all returned.

When Haitim was next brought before the king, his Majesty said "Son of Adam, be seated, and tell us whence you came, and what is your name; yet that is unnecessary, for I know you are Haitim." Haitim answered, “ 'Yes, I am; and I have come hither in the service of my Creator."

His Majesty then said to him, "Truly you are most welcome, and I will give you my daughter in marriage, for as yet I have met with none other so proper for a son-in-law that I could bestow her on him, as it would be unbecoming to espouse her to any of my subjects or servants."

Haitim replied, "I beseech you, by that God who hath created you and the whole universe, to abstain from eating their flesh; God is bountiful, and He will assuredly send you sustenance." The hyenas, in answer to this, said, "We never will spare them."

When Haitim found them callous and merciless, and disinclined to act honestly, he instantly sprung forward and suspended himself to the necks of the hyenas, by which means he threw them down, and bound them with cords.

He then considered with himself, "If I kill them, it will be contrary to my nature, for hitherto I have not inflicted pain on any living creature; but on further reflection it came into his mind that it was highly proper to chastise such ferocious animals. He therefore drew forth his knife, and having broken the teeth and cut off the claws of the hyenas he left them, and devoutly prayed to God to relieve the pain of the animals.

The hearer of prayers hearkened to Haitim's request, and removed the pain from the hyenas.

Haitim then loosened their fetters and set the animals at liberty. They fell at his feet, saying, "How can we henceforth obtain sus

tenance ?"

He replied, "God is bountiful.”

Meanwhile the jackals presented themselves, and said, "Henceforth let the maintenance of the hyenas be left to our care, and while we live we shall provide for them."

Haitim then took leave of the jackals and proceeded on his way through the desert.

After he had gone the female jackal said to the male, " It would be very ungrateful that Haitim should wander alone to the desert of Hawaida, and you not to show him the way."

Thereupon the male jackal running, made up to him, and said, "Oh, Haitim! let me accompany you to Hawaida."

Haitim answered, "Already you have done me one kind deed, which I have not requited. Why, then, would lay me under further obligations ?"

To this the jackal said, "Servant of the Almighty, why should I allow you to wander astray from the country to which you are bound ?"

Haitim replied, "I will by no means take you away in my company; but as you have a desire to set me on the right track, it is quite sufficient that you show me the proper path to take."

The jackal then said, "Oh, youth I there is one way which is near, but it has dangers innumerable; and there is another way, which is circuitous and extremely rough; for this reason allow me to go with you."

In reply to this Haitim said, "Do you show me the nearest way, and God will render it smooth for me."

The jackal then directed him, saying, "Go straight to a place where the road divides into four branches, and then keep to that which leads right on: it is the shortest way, and if you go safely it will take you to the desert of Hawaida."

Haitim bade adieu to the jackal and proceeded on his journey. After travelling for a month he arrived at the four divisions of the road, and keeping the direct path he advanced towards the desert. After he had gone part of the way, several bears presented themselves to his sight, for there the king of the bears, with a thousand of those uncouth animals, held his court, and it happened on that particular day that they were out on an excursion. When Haitim was seen by the bears, they instantly sent intelligence to their king that they had that day be held one of the

human race.

Haitim at last said, "You are of the brute creation, I of the human race; what sympathy is there between us?"

The bear said, "Oh, Haitim! rest you content on that score, and let nothing disturb your mind, for know that my daughter is of your own species."

His Majesty then ordered his daughter to be arrayed and presented, saying to Haitim, "There, look at her for a moment." Haitim rose up, and beheld a female in human shape, beautiful as the moon in her fourteenth night.

He was wrapt in wonder, and having returned to his Majesty, he said, "You are a king, and I am a beggar, it would be disrespectful in me to presume to espouse your daughter."

The bear replied, "You must accept of her, in spite of every objection which you can contrive. Pray are you not Prince of Yemen ?"

Haitim began to reflect,-"What a scrape I have fallen into! I have come forth on a particular mission; how then can I remain captive here ?"

The bear observed his thoughtfulness a second time, and said, "Oh Haitim! if you accept not my daughter, I shall put you into a place of confinement, where you shall remain fast till the day of judgment."

Here Haitim attempted a reply, but the bear became angry, and ordered him to be confined in a certain dungeon, and strict watch to be kept over him.

Instantly the bears seized Haitim and carried him to the dungeon, and having removed a large stone of extreme hardness, they bound him fast, and then replaced the stone as it was before, over the entrance of the dungeon.

In this hole, Haitim, hungry, thirsty, and bewildered, was left for the space of two weeks, at the expiration of which the king sent for him, and having made him sit beside him, said, "Oh, Haitim! will you now espouse my daughter?"

Haitim still remained silent, and the king ordered fruits to be brought and presented to him. Being hungry, he ate of the fruit and quenched his thirst with pure water, after which the bear again insisted on his marrying his daughter.

To this Haitim at last replied, that there could be no relationship between mankind and other animals; on hearing which, the king of the bears ordered him to be again shut up in the dungeon.

After some days Haitim, exhausted with hunger and thirst, fell into a deep sleep, and in a dream he saw an aged man, who thus addressed him :-"O, Haitim! why art thou thus dilatory in the service which thou hast taken in hand; and why dost thou not comply with the bear's request ?"

Haitim answered, "If I accept his daughter they will never permit me to depart and leave them for the accomplishment of my task." The aged man replied, "On that alone your liberation depends, for otherwise you must soon perish in this dungeon; therefore accept the bear's daughter for your wife, and for this compliance on your part she will effectually assist in setting you at liberty."

Then Haitim awoke from his dream. About two weeks afterwards he was again brought before the king of the bears.

His Majesty seated Haitim beside him, and repeated his former proposal, which Haitim agreed to. Then, taking Haitim by the hand, he placed him upon his own throne, and issued orders for his grandees to be in attendance.

Contracts were then entered into, according to the usages of the bears, after which the bear-king conveyed Haitim to the apartments of his daughter. There, to his surprise, he found the hall decorated with the most splendid couches, such as befit royalty; and on a splendid throne was seated his bride, arrayed in gold ornaments and all kinds of jewels.

For a short time Haitim stood bewildered, when the king took the

hand of his daughter and resigned her to Haitim, agreeably to established custom.

Every day the king sent a variety of the most delicious fruits for Haitim, who at length remarked-that to live entirely on fruit did not agree with him, and that he would prefer more substantial food. On hearing this the king ordered his emissaries to collect from places inhabited by men quantities of flour, sugar, milk, and butter, also utensils of porcelain.

The order was no sooner expressed than executed, and thus Haitim was enabled to fare sumptuously twice a day on the most delicious food, which he himself dressed according to his liking.

In this manner six months elapsed, when one day Haitim, addressing the bear's daughter, said, "I have left home on a special mission, and your father has forcibly detained me here; if you will permit my absence for a time, and make your father assent to this measure, when I have accomplished my undertaking I will return and live with you."

The bear's daughter instantly went to her father and acquainted him with Haitim's request; to which the king replied, "Daughter, he is your husband; if you are yourself satisfied you have my

consent."

The daughter observed, "Haitim appears to be a man of sincerity; he will assuredly return according to his promise."

The king not only gave his permission, but ordered some of his subjects to conduct Haitim beyond the boundaries of his dominions. Haitim having taken leave of his wife, departed; and after some time arrived at a sandy desert which contained not a single human habitation.

(To be continued.)

THE CATARACT OF LODORE.

"How does the water
Come down at Lodore ?"
My little boy ask'd me
Thus, once on a time;
And moreover he task'd me
To tell him in rhyme.
Anon at the word,
There first came one daughter,
And then came another,

To second and third
The request of their brother,
And to hear how the water
Comes down at Lodore,
With its rush and its roar,
As many a time
They had seen it before.
So I told them in rhyme
For rhymes I had store;

And t'was in my vocation
For their recreation
That so I should sing ;

Because I was Laureate
To them and the King.

From its sources which well
In the tarn on the fell;
From its fountains
In the mountains,

Its rills and its gills;

Through moss and through brake,

It runs and creeps

For awhile, till it sleeps

In its own little lake.

And thence at departing,
Awakening and starting,
It runs through the reeds,
And away it proceeds,
Through meadow and glade,
In sun and in shade,

And through the wood shelter
Among crags in its flurry
Helter-skelter
Hurry-scurry.

Here it comes sparkling,
And there it lies darkling;
Now smoking and frothing
Its tumult and wrath in.
Till in this rapid race
On which it is bent,
It reaches the place
Of its steep descent.

The cataract strong
Then plunges along,

Striking and raging
As if a war waging

Its caverns and rocks among;
Rising and leaping,
Sinking and creeping,
Swelling and sweeping,
Showering and springing,
Flying and flinging,
Writhing and ringing,
Eddying and whisking,
Spouting and frisking,
Turning and twisting,
Around and around
With endless rebound;
Smiting and fighting,
A sight to delight in;
Confounding, astounding,

Dizzying and deafening the ear with its sound.

Collecting, projecting, Receding and speeding And shocking and rocking, And darting and parting, And threading and spreading, And whizzing and hissing, And dripping and skipping, And hitting and splitting, And shining and twining, And rattling and battling, And shaking and quaking, And pouring and roaring, And waving and raving, And tossing and crossing, And flowing and going, And running and stunning, And foaming and roaming, And dinning and spinning, And dropping and hopping, And working and jerking, And guggling and struggling, And heaving and cleaving, And moaning and groaning,

THE STORY WITHOUT AN END.
I.

THERE was once a Child who lived in a little hut, in which there was nothing but a little bed, and a mirror that hung in a dark corner. Now the Child cared nothing at all about the mirror; but, as soon as the first sunbeam glided softly through the casement and kissed his fair eyelids, and the thrush and the linnet waked him merrily with their matin songs, he arose and went out into the green meadow. And he begged flour of the primrose, and sugar of the violet, and butter of the buttercup. He shook dew-drops from the cowslip into the cup of a harebell; spread out a large lime-leaf, set his little breakfast upon it, and feasted daintily.

Sometimes he invited a humming bee, oftener a gay butterfly, to share his feast; but his favourite guest was the blue dragonfly. The bee hummed a great deal, in a solemn tone, about his riches; but the Child thought that, if he were a bee, heaps of treasures would not suffice to make him gay and happy; and that it must be much more delightful and glorious to float about in the free and fresh breezes of spring, and to hum joyfully in the web of the sunbeams than, with weary feet and heavy heart, to store the silver wax and the golden honey into cells.

To this the butterfly assented; and he told how, once on a time, he too had been greedy and covetous; how he had thought of nothing but eating, and had never once turned his eyes upwards to the blue heavens. At length, however, an entire change had come over him; and, instead of crawling dispirited about the dusty earth, half-dreaming, he at once awaked as out of a deep sleep. And now he could rise into the air; and it was his greatest joy sometimes to play with the light, and to reflect the heavens in the bright eyes of his wings; sometimes to listen to the still language of the flowers, and catch their secrets. Such talk delighted the Child, and his breakfast was the sweeter to him, and the sunshine on leaf and flower seemed to him more bright and cheering.

But when the bee had flown off to beg from flower to flower, and the butterfly had fluttered away to his play-fellows, the dragonfly still remained, poised on a blade of grass. Her slender and burnished body, more brightly and intensely blue than the deep azure sky, glistened in the sunbeam; and her net-like wings laughed at the flowers because they could not fly, but must stand still and abide the wind and the rain. The dragonfly sipped a little of the Child's clear dewdrops and blue violet-honey, and then whispered her winged words. And the Child made an end of his repast, closed his dark blue eyes, bent down his beautiful head, and listened to the sweet prattle.

Then the dragonfly told much of her merry life in the green wood; how sometimes she played hide-and-seek with her mates under the broad leaves of the oak and the beech trees; or hunt-the-hare along the surface of the still waters; and sometimes quietly watched the sunbeams, as they flew busily from moss to flower and from flower to bush, shedding life and warmth over all. But at night, she said, the moonbeams glided softly around the wood, and dropped dew into the mouths of all the thirsty plants; and when the dawn pelted the slumberers with the soft roses of heaven, some of the half-drunken flowers looked up and smiled; but most of them could not so much as raise their heads for a long, long time.

Such stories did the dragonfly tell; and, as the Child sat motionless with his eyes shut, and his head rested on his little hand, she thought he had fallen asleep; so she poised her double wings and flew into the rustling wood.

WHERE HAST THOU BEEN?

Hast thou been in the woods with the honey bee ?
Hast thou been with the lamb in the pastures free?
With the hare through the copses and thickets so wild,
With the butterfly over the heath, dear child?

Where hast thou been? where, where?

THE EAGLE AND THE DOVE.

A YOUNG eagle pursuing its prey was wounded in its right wing by an arrow. Falling into a grove of myrtles, for three long days it consumed its grief; for three long nights it endured the pain of its wound, till at length the universal balm, the balm of nature, healed it. It then dragged itself out of the grove, and sought again to spread its wing-but alas! the nerve was severed, and it was only with much difficulty that it could seize the meanest prey. Sadly it seated itself upon a rock, beside a brook, gazing wistfully at the summit of a lofty rock and the blue sky, and a tear rolled from its eye.

At this moment a pair of doves flew out of the myrtle grove, and sported in the golden sands, and amid the ripples of the murmuring brook. Perceiving the wounded eagle, one of the doves approached it, and looking at it kindly said, "Thou lookest sad, friend; come, be gay once more. Is there not here around you everything to make a bird happy. Does it not rejoice your heart to look upon these green branches that shelter you from the rays of the summer sun? Is it not refreshing to sit at evening upon the cool moss beside this stream, to sip the fresh dew from the flowers? The forest will yield thee abundance of nourishment, and this silver stream will slake thy thirst. O, my friend, true happiness consists in being contented with a little, and that little may be found everywhere."

"O, wise philosopher!" replied the eagle, sadly drooping its head; "O wise philosopher, thou speakest like-a dove."

THE BUTTERFLY'S BALL.

COME, take up your hats, and away let us haste
To the Butterfly's ball and the Grasshopper's feast,
The trumpeter Gadfly has summoned the crew,
And the revels are now only waiting for you.

On the smooth shaven grass by the side of the wood,
Beneath a broad oak, which for ages had stood,
See the children of earth, and the tenants of air,
For an evening's amusement together repair.

And there came the Beetle so blind and so black
Who carried the Emmet, his friend, on his back;
And there came the Gnat, and the Dragonfly too,
With all their relations, green, orange, and blue.
And there came the Moth, in his plumage of down,
And the Hornet, with jacket of yellow and brown,
Who with him the Wasp his companion did bring;
But they promised that evening to lay by their sting.
And the sly little Dormouse crept out of his hole,
And led to the feast his blind brother the Mole;
And the Snail, with his horns peeping out from his shell,
Came from a great distance - the length of an ell.

A mushroom their table, and on it was laid
A water-dock leaf, which a table-cloth made;
The viands were various, to each of their taste,
And the Bee brought his honey to crown the repast.
There, close on his haunches, so solemn and wise,
The Frog from a corner looked up to the skies;
And the Squirrel, well pleased such diversion to see,
Sat cracking his nuts overhead in a tree.

Then came out the Spider, with fingers so fine,
To show his dexterity on the tight line,
From one branch to another his cobwebs he slung,
Then as quick as an arrow he darted along.

But just in the middle, oh! shocking to tell!
From his rope in an instant poor Harlequin fell;
Yet he touched not the ground, but with talons outspread,
Hung suspen ed in air at the end of a thread.

Then a Grasshopper came with a jerk and a spring,
Very long wa his leg, though but short was his wing;
He took but three leaps and was soon out of sight,
Then chirped his own praises the rest of the night.
With step quite majestic the Snail did advance,
And promised the gazers a minuet dance;
But they all laughed so loud that he pulled in his head,
And went to his own-little chamber to bed.

Then as evening gave way to the shadows of night,
Their watchman, the Glowworm, came out with his light:
Then home let us hasten while yet we can see,
For no watchman is waiting for you and for me.

THE PIPER.

PIPING down the valleys wild,

Piping songs of pleasant glee, On a cloud I saw a child,

And he laughing said to me,— Pipe a song about a lamb;

So I piped with merry cheer. Piper, pipe that song again;

So I piped, he wept to hear. Drop thy pipe, thy happy pipe, Sing thy songs of happy cheer; So I sung the same again,

While he wept with joy to hear. Piper, sit thee down and write

In a book that all may read ;So he vanished from my sight, And I plucked a hollow reed: And I made a rural pen,

And I strained the water clear, And I wrote my happy songs, Every child may joy to hear.

EDUCATION.

O'ER wayward Childhood would'st thou hold firm rule,
And sun thee in the light of happy faces;
Love, Hope, and Patience, these must be thy graces,
And in thine own heart let them first keep school.
For as old Atlas on his broad neck places
Heaven's starry globe, and there sustains it,-so
Do these upbear the little world below
Of Education.-Patience, Love, and Hope.
Methinks, I see them grouped, in seemly show,
The straightened arms upraised, the palms aslope,
And robes that, touching as adown they flow,
Distinctly blend, like snow embossed in snow.
O part them never!--If Hope prostrate lie,
Love too will sink and die.
But Love is subtle, and doth proof derive
From her own life that Hope is yet alive :
And bending o'er with soul-transfusing eyes,
And the soft murmurs of the mother dove,
Woos back the fleeting spirit, and half-supplies:-
Thus Love repays to Hope, what Hope first gave to Love.
Yet haply there will come a weary day,

When o'ertasked at length

Both Love and Hope beneath the load give way. Then with a statue's smile, a statue's strength, Stands the mute sister, Patience, nothing loth, And both supporting does the work of both.

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S. T. COLERIDGE.

Ir is no trifling good to win the ear of children with verses which foster in them the seeds of humanity, and tenderness, and piety; awaken their fancy, and exercise pleasurably and wholesomely their imaginative and meditative powers. It is no trifling benefit to provide a ready mirror for the young, in which they may see their own best feelings reflected, and wherein whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are lovely," are presented to them in the most attractive form. It is no trifling benefit to send abroad strains which may assist in preparing the heart for its trials, and in supporting it under then-Robert Southey.

MRS. BENSON AND THE YOUNG GENTLEMAN AND LADY AT BREAKFAST.-THE ROBINS VENTURE UPON THE TEA TABLE.

CHAPTER II

T happened one day that both the Redbreasts, who always went together to Mrs. Benson's (because if one had waited for the other's return it would have missed the chance of being fed), it happened, I say, that they were both absent longer than usual; for their little benefactors, having been fatigued with a very long walk the evening before, lay late in bed that morning, but as soon as Frederick was dressed, his sister, who was waiting for him, took him by the hand, and led him down stairs, where he hastily asked the cook for the collection of crumbs. As soon as he entered the breakfast parlour he ran eagerly to the window, and attempted to fling it up. "What is the cause of this mighty bustle ?" said his mamma. "Do you not perceive that I am in the room, Frederick ?" "Oh, my birds! my birds!" cried he. "I understand," rejoined Mrs. Benson, "that you have neglected to feed your little pensioners. How came this about, Harriet?" "We were so tired last night," answered Miss Benson, "that we overslept ourselves, mamma." "That excuse may satisfy you and your brother," added the lady, "but I fear your birds would bring heavy complaints against you were they able to talk. But make haste to feed them now; and, for the future, whenever you give any living creature cause to depend upon you for sustenance, be careful, on no account, to disappoint it; and if you are prevented from feeding it yourself, employ another person to do it for you."

"It is customary," continued Mrs. Benson, "for little boys and girls to pay their respects to their papas and mammas every morning as soon as they see them. This, Frederick, you ought to have done to me on entering the parlour, instead of running across it, crying out My birds! my birds!' It would have taken you but very little time to have done so; however, I will excuse your neglect now, my dear, as you did not intend to offend me, but remember that you depend as much on your papa and me for everything you want as these little birds do on you; nay, more so, for they could find food in other places, but children can do nothing towards their own support; they should, therefore, be dutiful and respectful to those whose tenderness and care they constantly experience."

Miss Harriet promised her mamma that she would, on all occasions, endeavour to behave as she wished her to do; but, I am sorry to say, Frederick was more intent on opening the window than on imbibing the good instructions that were given him. This he could not do; therefore Harriet, by her mamma's permission, went to his assistance, and the store of provisions was dispensed.

As many of the birds had nests, they eat their meal with all possible expedition; among this number were the Robins, who dispatched the business as soon as they could, for the hen was anxious to return to her little ones, and the cock to procure them a breakfast; and having given his young friends a song before they left their bedchambers, he did not think it necessary to stay to sing any more; they therefore departed.

When the mother-bird arrived at the ivy-wall, she stopped at the entrance of the nest with a palpitating heart; but, seeing her brood all safe and well, she hastened to take them under her wings. As soon as she was seated, she observed that they were not so cheerful as usual. "What is the matter?" said she; "how have you agreed during my absence?" To these questions all were unwilling to reply; for the truth was that they had been quarrelling almost the whole time. "What! all silent?" said she: "I fear you have not obeyed my commands, but have been contending. I desire you

[* Continued from page 11.]

will tell me the truth." Robin, knowing that he was the greatest offender, began to justify himself before the others could have time to accuse him.

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"

I am sure, mother," said he, I only gave Dick a little peck, because he crowded me so; and all the others joined with him, and fell upon me at once."

"Since you have begun, Robin," answered Dicky, "I must speak, for you gave me a very hard peck indeed; and I was afraid you had put out my eye. I am sure I made all the room I could for you; but you said you ought to have half the nest, and to be master when your father and mother were out, because you are the eldest."

"I do not love to tell tales," said Flapsy, "but what Dicky says is very true, Robin; and you plucked two or three little feathers out of me, only because I begged you not to use us ill."

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now, but depend upon it I will not suffer you to use any of the family ill, particularly your good mother; and, if you persist in obstinacy, I will certainly turn you out of the nest before you can fly." These threatenings intimidated Robin, and he also began to be very hungry as well as cold; he, therefore, promised to behave better for the future, and his brother and sister pleaded earnestly that he might be forgiven and restored to his usual place.

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"And you set your foot very hard upon me," cried Pecksy, "for telling you that you had forgotten your dear mother's command." "This is a sad story, indeed," said the mother, "I am sorry to find, Robin, that you already discover such a turbulent disposition. If you go on in this manner we shall have no peace in the nest, nor can I leave it with any degree of satisfaction. As for your being the eldest, though it makes me show you a preference on all proper occasions, it does not give you a privilege to domineer over your brothers and sisters. You are equally the objects of our tender care, which we shall exercise impartially among you, provided you do not forfeit it by bad behaviour. To show you that you are not master of the nest, I desire you to get from under my wing, and sit on the outside, while I cherish those who are dutiful and good." Robin, greatly mortified, retired from his mother; on which Dicky, with the utmost kindness, began to intercede for him. Pardon, Robin, my dear mother, I entreat you," said he; heartily forgive his treatment of me, and would not have complained to you, had it not been necessary for my own justification." "You are a good bird, Dicky," said his mother, "but such an offence as this must be repented of before it is pardoned." At this instant her mate returned with a fine worm, and looked, as usual, for Robin, who lay skulking by himself. " Give it," said the mother, to Dicky; Robin must be served last this morning-nay, I do not know whether I shall permit him to have any victuals all day." Dicky was very unwilling to mortify his brother, but, on his mother's commanding him not to detain his father, he opened his mouth and swallowed the delicious mouthful. "What can be the matter?" said the good father, when he had emptied his mouth; "surely none of the little ones have been naughty? But I cannot stop to inquire at present, for I have left another fine worm, which may be gone if I do not make haste back."

As soon as he departed Dicky renewed his entreaties that Robin might be forgiven; but, as he sat swelling with anger and disdain, because he fancied that the eldest should not be shoved to the outside of his mother's wing, while the others were fed, she would not hear a word in his behalf. The father soon come and fed Flapsy, and then thinking it best for his mate to continue her admonitions, he flew off again. During her father's absence, Pecksy, whose little heart was full of affectionate concern for the punishment of her brother, thus attempted to comfort him:

"Dear Robin, do not grieve; I will give you my breakfast, if my mother will let me." "Oh!" said Robin, "I do not want any breakfast: if I may not be served first I will have none." "Shall I ask my mother to forgive you ?" said Pecksy. "I do not want any of your intercessions," replied he; "if you had not been a parcel of ill-natured things I should not have been pushed about as I am." "Come back, Pecksy," said the mother, who overheard them, "I will not have you commune with so naughty a bird. I forbid every one of you even to go near him. The father then arrived, and Pecksy was fed. You may rest yourself, my dear," said the mother, "your morning's task is ended. Why, what has Robin done ?" asked he. "What I am sorry to relate," she replied; "quarrelled with his brothers and sisters." "Quarrelled with his brothers and sisters? you surprise me. I could not have suspected he would have been either so foolish or so unkind." "O, this is not all," said the mother, "for he presumes on being the eldest, and claims half the nest to himself when we are absent, and now is sullen because he is disgraced, and not fed first as usual.""If this is the case," replied the father, "leave me to settle this business, my dear, and pray go into the air a little, for you seem to be sadly vexed." "I am disturbed," said she, "I confess; for, after all my care and kindness, I did not expect such a sad return as this. I am sorry to expose this perverse bird, even to you, but he will not be corrected by me. I will do as you desire, go into the air a little," so saying she repaired to a neighbouring tree, where she anxiously waited the event of her mate's admonition.

As soon as the mother departed, the father thus addressed the delinquent: "And so, Robin, you want to be master of the nest? A pretty master you would make, indeed, who do not know even how to govern your own temper! I will not stand to talk much to you

A few days after a fresh disturbance took place. All the little Redbreasts, excepting Pecksy, in turn committed some fault or other, for which they were occasionally punished; but she was of so amiable a disposition that it was her constant study to act with propriety, and avoid giving offence, on which account she was justly caressed by her parents with distinguished kindness. This excited the envy of the others, and they joined together to treat her ill, giving her the title of the favourite; saying, that they made no doubt their father and mother would reserve the nicest morsels for their darling.

Poor Pecksy bore all their reproaches with patience, hoping that she should in time regain their good opinion by her gentleness and affection. But it happened one day, that, in the midst of their tauntings, their mother unexpectedly returned, who hearing an uncommon noise among her young ones, stopped on the ivy to learn the cause; and as soon as she discovered it, she made her appearance at the entrance of the nest, with a countenance that showed she knew what was going on. "Are these the sentiments" said she, "that subsist in a family which ought to be bound together by love and kindness? Which of you has cause to reproach either your father or me with partiality? Do we not, with the exactest equality, distribute the fruits of our labours among you? And in what respect has poor Pecksy the preference, but in that praise which is justly her due, and which you do not strive to deserve? Has she ever yet uttered a complaint against you? though from the dejection of her countenance, which she in vain attempted to conceal, it is evident that she has suffered your reproaches for days past. I positively command you to treat her otherwise, for it is a mother's duty to succour a persecuted nestling; and I will certainly admit her next my heart, and banish you all from that place you have hitherto possessed in it, if you suffer envy and jealousy to occupy your bosoms, instead of that tender love which she, as the kindest of sisters, has a right to expect from you."

some

Robin, Dicky, and Flapsy were quite confounded by their mother's reproof, and Pecksy, sorry that they had incurred the displeasure of so tender a parent, kindly endeavoured to soften her anger. "That I have been vexed, my dear mother," said she, "is true, but not so much as you suppose; and I am ready to believe that my dear brothers and sister were not in earnest in the severe things they said of me; perhaps they only meant to try my affection. I now entreat them to believe that I would willingly resign the greatest pleasure in life could I by that means increase their happiness; and, so far from wishing for the nicest morsel, I would content myself with the humblest fare rather than any of them should be disappointed." This tender speech had its desired effect; it recalled those sentiments of love which envy and jealousy had for a time banished. All the nestlings acknowledged their faults; their mother forgave them, a perfect reconciliation took place, to the great joy of Pecksy, and, indeed, of all parties.

All the nestlings continued very good for several days, and nothing happened worth relating; the little family were soon covered with feathers, which their mother taught them to dress