e should be forced to go naked, and
exposed to the inclemency of the elements.

"Very well, papa," said Gregory, "though we want clothing, yet these
bushes want none: they rob us of what we have need, and therefore down
they shall all come with to-morrow morning's rising sun. And I dare say,
papa, you will come along with me, and assist me."

Mr. Stanhope could not but consent; and little Gregory thought himself
nothing less than Alexander, merely from the expectation of destroying
at once this formidable band of robbers. He could hardly sleep, being
so much taken up with the idea of his victories, to which the next
morning's sun was to be witness.

The cheerful lark had hardly begun to proclaim the approach of morning,
when Gregory got up, and ran to awaken his papa. Mr. Stanhope, though he
was very indifferent concerning the fate of the thorn-bushes, yet he was
not displeased with having the opportunity of showing to his little
Gregory the beauties of the rising sun. They both dressed themselves
immediately, took the necessary instruments, and set out on this
important expedition. Young Gregory marched forwards with such hasty
steps, that Mr. Stanhope was obliged to exert himself, to avoid being
left behind.

When they came near the bushes, they observed a multitude of little
birds flying in and out of them, and fluttering their wings from branch
to branch. On seeing this, Mr. Stanhope stopped his son, and desired him
to suspend his vengeance a little time, that they might not disturb
those innocent birds. With this view, they retired to the foot of the
hill where they had sat the preceding evening, and from thence examined
more particularly what had occasioned this apparent bustle among the
birds. From hence they plainly saw, that they were employed in carrying
away those bits of wool in their beaks, which the bushes had torn from
the sheep the evening before. There came a multitude of different sorts
of birds, who loaded themselves with the plunder.

Gregory was quite astonished at this sight, and asked his papa what
could be the meaning of it. "You by this plainly see," replied Mr.
Stanhope, "that Providence provides for creatures of every class, and
furnishes them with all things necessary for their convenience and
preservation. Here, you see, the poor birds find what is necessary for
their habitations, wherein they are to nurse and rear their young, and
with this they make a comfortable bed for themselves an