much engrossed her thoughts and supplied her dumb family with suitable
food and attendance. This circumstance afforded me an opportunity of
expressing my sentiments on depriving birds of their liberty, and
confining them in cages, a custom I cannot approve, as it not only
subjects them to suffer much when they are first caught, but frequently
exposes them to a cruel death from the negligence of those who have the
care of them.

[Illustration: _George was despatched to desire one of the servants to
bring a basket, in which we carried the poor sufferer.--Page 179._]

'Cowper has written some pleasing lines on a goldfinch starved to death
in a cage, which Emma has learned by heart, and will repeat when I have
finished reading. Her concern was so great for her carelessness that she
offered to let her birds fly, and turn the rabbits out on the common.
Pleased with her intention to do right, I gave her high commendations;
but informed her that they were rendered unable to provide for
themselves by being kept in a state of confinement, and therefore even
liberty would be a barbarous gift to them now. Punctuality in supplying
them with everything necessary was the only kindness that can be shown
to them, since they have forgotten the habits of their state of Nature.
She has been very exact since this conversation in feeding and cleaning
them, and does everything in her power to make amends for their loss of
freedom.

'_Friday._--As we were walking through the meadows Caroline observed
something white lying near a hedge. Curiosity tempted us to approach it.
As we drew near we found it was a young lamb almost dead, by some
accident abandoned by its dam. Its helpless condition called forth our
pity, and we consulted how we should contrive to carry it home. After
much deliberation George was despatched to desire one of the servants to
bring a basket, in which we carried the poor sufferer. Cold and hunger
were its principal disorders, which were soon relieved by the assiduity
of my humane companions. We chafed it by the fire, whilst another
prepared bread and milk, that it might suck through a quill. Caroline
could not sleep, lest the lamb should suffer for want of food, but rose
several times in the night to give it nourishment. Such kind treatment
soon restored it to health. It is decorated with a blue ribbon about its
neck, and is already become a general favourite.

'_Saturday._--George has been so much taken up in playing w