sides of the dingle. A number of beautiful trees grew on each side of the little valley, casting their deep shade below, excepting in one place; where the last rays of the evening sun made their way through the branches, and poured directly upon the waterfall, causing it to glitter and sparkle, as if it were composed of crystals and diamonds. "Oh! uncle," said little Henry, "what a pretty place!"

"Your dear father," said Mr. Dalben, “ used often to sit by this window, and read to poor Jane Crawley, when she was confined to her bed, which she was for some months before she died: and I know that he often used to look upon that scene with delight; for he had learned to admire these beautiful works of God.

"We had provided an old woman to take care of poor Jenny; but it was from your dear papa that she learned all those heavenly truths which were, with the divine blessing, to make her eternally happy. It was from him that she learned what God the Father had done for her; how this her heavenly Parent had planned and provided the means of her salvation even before the foundation of the world; and how God the Son had, in obedience to his Father's will, laid down his precious life for her upon the cross,

4

that she, through his death, might be justified form all her sins; and how God the Holy Ghost was even then bringing her to the knowledge of her Saviour, and by his regenerating and sanctifying grace thus preparing her for glory.

"Though he was very young, he was enabled to teach her all these things; and, as I before said, he preferred the pleasure of visiting and talking to her, to all his sports and amusements. He continued to attend her every day till she died: and he perhaps, at this moment, is standing before the throne of God, in the company of this poor creature, to whom he was enabled to show so much kindness when in this world."

When Mr. Dalben had spoken these last words, he took Henry's hand, and they went down the old stairs, and out by the door of the house into the wood; and in this place I shall finish my chapter, hoping that you have had pleasure in following Mr. Dalben and little Henry Milner in their visit to Jenny Crawley's cottage.

E

CHAP. X.

The Walk to the River-side. Discourse upon Fishes and Insects.

A FEW days after Mr. Dalben had taken Henry to Jenny Crawley's cottage, he took a walk with him, according to his promise, to the banks of the river Teme, which flowed about a mile and a half from Mr. Dalben's house.

This river is a clear and rapid stream, which rises in Wales, and having taken its course through some of the most beautiful valleys in England, falls into the Severn, a little below the city of Worcester. The course of the river is for the most part marked by rows of silver willows.

Henry and his uncle continued descending along beautiful fields for some time before they came into the meadows on the banks of the Teme; and Mr. Dalben, as his custom was, renewed his discourse as they walked along, profitable to the little boy, as well as exceedingly agreeable.

"We are going to look for an animal of the

fourth class to-day, Henry," said Mr. Dalben; "let us therefore consider what kinds of animals

these are.

"The animals of the fourth class, as I have told you, my dear boy, are fishes, creatures which live in the water. Most fishes are much of the same shape, being very large in proportion in the middle, and tapering towards the head and tail; and this shape is given to them because it is the most convenient for making their way in the element for which they were designed. They are also furnished with fins, which assist them in moving through the water; and with the help of their tails, which serve them for a rudder, they are enabled to turn to any side at pleasure. It is said that a fish well furnished with fins, will outstrip the swiftest ship which ever sailed.

"Four-footed beasts are, for the most part, covered with hair, and birds are provided with feathers; but as neither hair nor feathers would be suitable for a creature living in water, fish are provided with scales, under which is found a kind of oil, which keeps them warm.”

"But, uncle," said Henry Milner, "I do not think that scales are so pretty as feathers, or fine soft hair such as four-footed beasts are clothed in."

"Many fish," returned Mr. Dalben," are covered with scales of beautiful colours, and having variations which are wonderfully rich and curious; but, after all we can say, fishes are certainly very inferior creatures to birds or beasts. There is no one of this class which has the least regard or care for its young ones, and many of them are even so unnatural as to feed upon their offspring. Neither have fishes the senses of hearing, or smelling, or tasting, or even of seeing, so perfect as those of birds and beasts. Some people even suppose that they have no power of hearing at all. They are also exceedingly cruel, being the most greedy creatures in the world, and devouring each other with the utmost voraciousness."

By this time Mr. Dalben and Henry were come to the banks of the river, and there saw before them, at a little distance, a mill, situated near a bridge, over which the high road passed to the city of Worcester. A number of willows encircled and shaded the river in the neighbourhood, and the roaring of the water over a weir, some little way from the mill, might be heard at a considerable distance.

As Mr. Dalben had no mind to proceed to the mill, he sat down with Henry on the banks of the river, not far from the weir, saying to the