tention which he excited at
his entrance into church? Tommy had no time to answer, for at that
instant a very decent-looking woman ran up and threw herself at his
feet, calling him her guardian angel and preserver, and praying that
heaven would shower down upon his head all the blessings which he
deserved. It was some time before Mr and Mrs Merton could understand the
nature of this extraordinary scene; but, when they at length understood
the secret of their son's generosity, they seemed to be scarcely less
affected than the woman herself, and, shedding tears of transport and
affection, they embraced their son, without attending to the crowd that
surrounded them; but immediately recollecting themselves, they took
their leave of the poor woman and hurried to their coach with such
sensations as it is more easy to conceive than to describe.

The summer had now completely passed away, and the winter had set in
with unusual severity; the water was all frozen into a solid mass of
ice; the earth was bare of food, and the little birds, that used to
chirp with gladness, seemed to lament in silence the inclemency of the
weather. As Tommy was one day reading the Life of Napoleon Bonaparte,
particularly the famous anecdote of the fortress of snow, in which
Napoleon is described as undertaking the siege, and giving directions to
his school-fellows how to make the attack, he was surprised to find a
pretty bird flying about the chamber in which he was reading. He
immediately went down stairs and informed Mr Barlow of the circumstance,
who, after he had seen the bird, told him that it was called a robin
redbreast, and that it was naturally more tame and disposed to cultivate
the society of men than any other species; "but at present," added he,
"the little fellow is in want of food, because the earth is too hard to
furnish him any assistance, and hunger inspires him with this unusual
boldness." "Why then, sir," said Tommy, "if you will give me leave, I
will fetch a piece of bread and feed him." "Do so," answered Mr Barlow;
"but first set the window open, that he may see you do not intend to
take him prisoner." Tommy accordingly opened his window, and scattering
a few crumbs of bread about the room, had the satisfaction of seeing his
guest hop down and make a very hearty meal; he then flew out of the
room, and settled upon a neighbouring tree, singing all the time, as if
to return thanks for the hospitality he had met with.

Tommy was