water from hurting their infant brood. All their nights are
employed in nourishing and keeping them warm. The most timorous among
the feathered race, who will fly away on the least noise that approaches
them, and tremble at the most trifling apprehensions of danger, become
strangers to fear as soon as they have a young family to take care of,
and are inspired with courage and intrepidity. We see an instance of
this in the common hen, who, though in general a coward, no sooner
becomes a parent, than she gives proofs of courage, and boldly stands
forth in defence of her young. She will face the largest dog, and will
not run even from a man, who shall attempt to rob her of her young.

"In nearly a similar manner, the little birds endeavour to protect their
infant family. When an enemy approaches, they will flutter round the
nest, will seem to call out for assistance, will attack the invader, and
pursue him. The mother will frequently prefer confining herself with
them, to the pleasure of rambling through the woods, and will not quit
her little progeny."

Here their mamma ended, and her two children promised they never would
any more disturb those pretty feathered animals. They promised only to
look at their nests, without being so cruel as to do them any harm. They
said they would be satisfied with gazing on them, while employed in the
delightful task of attending on their young, and comforting and
caressing their unprotected offspring.

"My dear children," said their mamma, "this is the conduct you ought to
pursue. Keep your resolutions, and I shall love you the more tenderly
for it. Do no injury to any creature, for He who made you made them
also. Take no delight in giving pain to the most insignificant part of
the creation; but endeavour on all occasions to contribute to their
happiness."

[Illustration]

THE COVETOUS BOY.

[Illustration]

Young Samuel was the only son of a capital merchant, and was tenderly
beloved by his father. He had by no means a bad heart, his countenance
was pleasing, and his friends would all have been very fond of him, had
he not shown, in every part of his conduct, a covetous propensity, that
eclipsed all his accomplishments.

His covetous disposition made him wish for every thing he saw others
possessed of, and, even carried him to so great a length, that he would
not share among his playmates any thing that he had, or even let them
see it.

It was with little Samuel, as