nnot be ignorant that
such unbounded indulgence of their appetites can only tend to increase
the disease; and therefore you could teach them nothing new on the
subject. But it would appear highly improper for such a little boy as
you to take upon him to instruct others, while he all the time wants so
much instruction himself." "Thus," continued Mr Barlow, "you see by this
story (which is applicable to half the rich in most countries), that
intemperance and excess are fully as dangerous as want and hardships. As
to the Laplanders, whom you were in so much pain about, they are some
of the healthiest people whom the world produces. They generally live to
an extremely old age, free from all the common diseases which we are
acquainted with, and subject to no other inconveniency than blindness,
which is supposed to arise from the continual prospect of snow, and the
constant smoke with which they are surrounded in their huts."

CHAPTER V.

Lost in the Snow--Jack Smithers' Home--Talk about the
Stars--Harry's pursuit of The Will-o'-the-Wisp--Story of the
Avalanche--Town and Country compared--The Power of the Lever--The
Balance--The Wheel and Axle--Arithmetic--Buying a Horse--History of
Agesilaus--History of Leonidas.

Some few days after this conversation, when the snow had nearly
disappeared, though the frost and cold continued, the two little boys
went out to take a walk. Insensibly they wandered so far that they
scarcely knew their way, and therefore resolved to return as speedily as
possible; but unfortunately, in passing through a wood, they entirely
missed the track, and lost themselves. To add to their distress, the
wind began to blow most bitterly from the north, and a violent shower of
snow coming on, obliged them to seek the thickest shelter they could
find. They happened fortunately to be near an aged oak, the inside of
which gradually decaying, was worn away by time, and afforded an ample
opening to shelter them from the storm. Into this the two little boys
crept safe, and endeavoured to keep each other warm, while a violent
shower of snow and sleet fell all around, and gradually covered the
earth. Tommy, who had been little used to hardships, bore it for some
time with fortitude, and without uttering a complaint. At length hunger
and fear took entire possession of his soul, and turning to Harry, with
watery eyes and a mournful voice, he asked him what they should do?
"Do?" said Ha