İnnocent Play.

I.

Abroad in the meadows to see the young lambs,
Run sporting about by the side of their dams,
With fleeces so clean and so white;

Or a nest of young doves in a large open cage,
When they play all in love, without anger or rage,
How much we may learn from the sight!

II.

If we had been ducks, we might dabble in mud,
Or dogs, we might play till it ended in blood,-
So foul and so fierce are their natures;

But Thomas and William, and such pretty names,
Should be cleanly, and harmless, as doves, or as lambs,
Those lovely, sweet, innocent creatures.

iit.

Not a thing that we do, nor a word that we say,
Should injure another in jesting or play,

For he's still in earnest that's hurt:

How rude are the boys that throw pebbles and mire ;
There's none but a madman will fling about fire,

And tell you,

""Tis all but in sport."

Contentment.

Mr. L. was one morning riding alone, when, dismounting to gather a plant in the hedge, his orse got loose and galloped off. He followed,

calling him by his name, which stopt him at first, but on his approach, he set off again. At length a little boy in a neighbouring field, seeing the affair, ran across where the road made a turn, and getting before the horse, took him by the bridle, and held him till his owner came up. Mr. L. looked at the boy, and admired his cheerful ruddy countenance. "Thank you, my good lad," said he," you have caught my horse very cleverly: what shall I give you for your trouble?" (putting his hand in his pocket.) "I want nothing," replied the boy, civilly.

Mr. L. Don't you? so much the better for you few men would say as much. But pray, what were you doing in the field?

Boy. I was rooting out weeds, and tending the sheep that are feeding on the turnips.

Mr. L. And do you like this employment?
Boy. Yes, very well, this fine weather.

Mr. L. But had you not rather play?

Boy. This is not hard work; it is almost as

good as play.

Mr. L. Who set you to work?

Boy. My father, sir.

Mr. L. What is his name?

Boy. Thomas Hurdle.

Mr. L. And what is yours?

Boy. Peter, sir,

Mr. L. How old are you?

Boy. I shall be eight in June.

Mr. L. How long have you been out in this field?

Boy. Since six in the morning.

Mr. L. And are you not hungry?

Boy. Yes, I shall eat my dinner soon.

Mr. L. If you had sixpence now, what would you do with it?

Boy. I don't know; I never had so much in my life.

Mr. L. Have you no playthings?

Boy. Playthings! what are those?

Mr. L. Such as balls, nine-pins, marbles, and tops.

Boy. No, sir; but our Tom makes foot-balls to kick in cold weather; and I had a hoop, but it is broken.

Mr. L. And do you want nothing else?

Boy. No, I have hardly time for those; for I always ride the horses to the field, and bring up the cows, and run to the town on errands! and that is as good as play, you know.

Mr. L. Well! But you would buy apples or sweetmeats at the town, I suppose, if you had money?

Boy. O! I can get apples at home; and as for sweetmeats, I don't mind them much, for my

mother gives me a pie now and then, and that is as good.

Mr. L. Would you not like a knife to cut sticks?

Boy. I have one here it is-brother Tom gave it me.

Mr. L. Your shoes are full of holes; don't you want a better pair ?

Boy. I have a better pair for Sundays.

Mr. L. But these let water in.

Boy. O! I don't care for that: they let it out again.

Mr. L. Your hat is torn too.

Boy. I have a better at home, but I would rather have none at all, for it hurts my head.

Mr. L. What do you do when it rains?

Boy. If it rains hard, I get under the hedge till it is over.

Mr. L. What do you do when you are hungry before it is time to go home?

Boy. I do as well as I can; I work on and never think of it.

Mr. L. Are you not dry sometimes in this hot weather?

Boy. Yes, but there is water enough.

Mr. L. Well! my boy, you seem to want nothing at all, so I shall not give you money to

make you want any thing. But were you ever at school?

Boy. No, sir; but father says I shall go after harvest.

Mr. L. You will want books then?

Boy. Yes, the boys have a Spelling Book, and a Testament.

Mr. L. Well, then, I will give you them-tell your daddy so, and that it is because I think you are a very good, contented, little boy. So now go to your sheep again.

Boy. I will, sir; thank you.

Mr. L. Good bye, Peter.
Boy. Good bye, sir.

THE EARTH.

(First Lesson.)

Come hither, George. Why have you been absent from school so many weeks?

My father took me with him to Benares, and we did not return until last Tuesday. Benares is many, many miles away.

You have truly performed a long journey. Did you not think you should reach the end of the earth?