ent. The robber is often found in the same camp,
and fighting under the same banner, with the soldier of Freedom. It is
not strange, therefore, that the _true_ sons of Liberty should sometimes
be associated with its _bastard_ children of the shackle and the whip.

But, I shall not weary you with any more political science. Not that I
consider it of small importance to you. On the contrary, I deem that
science the _most important of all others that have ever occupied the
attention of men_. Its influence extends to almost every object around
you. It shapes the carriage in which you ride, and the ship in which
you sail. Its knowledge modifies the nature of your soul, and decides
whether you shall be a slave or a freeman. It even extends to the form
of your body, giving it the abject attitude and gloomy aspect of slavery
and guilt, or the bold, upright carriage and joyous look of virtue,
which God gave to the first man when He made him after His own image.

But come, boy reader! I have promised not to weary you with these
things. Such teachings I must reserve for a future opportunity; when,
God willing, I shall present them to intellects older than yours.
Perhaps you yourselves may then be old enough to take an interest in
them; and if so, you may learn some truths that for long years have been
the study of your friend--the author.

Now let us return to the eagle. I am thinking what a pity it is that
the Americans should have chosen this tyrant-bird as the emblem of their
liberty; for, although he is _most appropriate_ for _one portion_ of
their people, he is far from being a fit emblem of the principles of the
great republic. So thought the wise Franklin. There are many other
animals, peculiar to the territory of the United States, far more
deserving of the distinction. There is the bold but harmless buffalo,
the stately elk, and the industrious beaver; or if a bird must needs be
upon the banner, where could one be found better suited to that end than
the wild-turkey, possessing as he does a combination of good qualities--
grace, beauty, courage, and usefulness? Thus reasoned Franklin; and it
might be yet worth the while of the American people to give
consideration to his reasoning, and discard the eagle; or, at all
events, change the species--for peculiar to the United States territory
there is another bird of the kind, far nobler, as well as larger and
more beautiful.

It is curious to observe how many