sive rarity; his gardens, to which the Redbreasts took their flight, were laid out in such a manner as to afford the most delightful variety to the eye.

Amongst other articles of taste was an Aviary, which was built like a temple, enclosed with brass-wire, the frame-work was painted green, and ornamented with carving gilt: in the middle a fountain continually threw up fresh water, which fell into a bason whose brink was enameled with flowers; at one end were partitions for birds' nests, and troughs containing various kinds of seed, and materials for building nests: this part was carefully sheltered from every inclemency of the weather, numbers of perches were placed in different parts of the Aviary, and it was surrounded by a most beautiful shrubbery.

A habitation like this, in which all the conveniences of life seemed to be collected, where abundance was supplied without toil, where each gay songster might sing himself to repose in the midst of ease and plenty, safe from the dangers of the woods, appeared to our young travellers desirable beyond all the situations in the world; and Dicky expressed an earnest wish to be admitted into it. Well, said the father, let us not determine hastily; it will be advisable first to inquire whether its inhabitants are really happy, before you make interest to become one of the number; place yourselves by me on this shrub, and whilst we rest ourselves, we shall have an opportunity of seeing what passes.

The first bird that attracted their notice was a Dove, who sat cooing by himself in a corner, in accents so gentle and sweet, that a stranger to his language would have listened to them with delight; but the Redbreasts,

who understood their import, heard them with sympa

thetic concern.

Oh, my dear, my beloved mate, said he, am I then divided from you for ever? What avails it that I am furnished here with all the elegancies and luxuries of life? Deprived of your company I have no enjoyment of them; the humblest morsel, though gained with toil and danger, would be infinitely preferable to me, if shared with you. Here am I shut up for the remainder of my days, in society for which I have no relish, whilst she, who has hitherto been the beloved partner of all my joys, is for ever separated from me! In vain will you, with painful wing, pursue your anxious search in quest of me; never, never more, shall I bring you' the welcome refreshment; never shall I hear your soothing voice, and delight in the soft murmurs of the infant pair, which you hatched with such care, and nursed with such tenderness! No, my beloved nestlings, never will your wretched father be at liberty to guide your flight, and instruct you in your duty. Here his voice faltered; and, overcome with bitter reflections, he resigned himself a prey to silent sorrow.

This dove is not happy, however, said the Hen Redbreast to her mate, and no wonder! but let us attend to the notes of that Lark.-His eyes were turned up towards the sky, he fluttered his wings, he strained his throat, and would, to a human eye, have appeared in raptures of joy; but the Redbreasts perceived that he was inflamed with rage. And am I to be constantly confined in this horrid place? sang he. Is my upward flight to be impeded by bars and wires? Must I no longer soar towards that bright luminary, and make the arch of heaven resound with my singing? Shall I

cease to be the herald of the morn, or must I be so in this contracted sphere? No, ye partners of my captivity, henceforth sleep on and take ignoble rest; and may you lose in slumber the remembrance of past pleasures! O cruel and unjust man! was it not enough that I proclaimed the approach of day, that I soothed your sultry hours, that I heightened the delights of evening, but must I, to gratify your unfeeling wantonness, be secluded from every joy my heart holds dear, and condemned to a situation I detest? Take your delicious dainties, reserve your flowing stream for those who can relish them, but give me liberty! But why do I address myself to you who are heedless of my misery? Here, casting an indignant look around, he stopped his song.

What think you now, Dicky, said the Redbreast, have you as high an idea of the happiness of this place as you conceived at the first view of it? I cannot help thinking still, replied Dicky, that it is a charming retreat, and that it must be very comfortable to have every thing provided for one's use. Well, said the father, let us move and observe those Linnets who are building their nest. Accordingly they flew to a tree, the branches of which formed a part of the shelter of the Aviary, where they easily heard, without being themselves observed, all that passed in it.

Come, said one of the Linnets, let us go on with our work and finish the nest, though it will rather be a melancholy task to hatch a set of little pensioners. How different was the case when we could anticipate the pleasure of rearing a family to all the joys of liberty! Men, it is true, now, with officious care, supply us with the necessary materials, and we make a very good

nest; but I protest I had much rather be at the trouble of seeking them.

What pleasure have we experienced in plucking a bit of wool from a sheep's back, in searching for moss, in selecting the best feather where numbers were left to our choice; in stopping to rest on the top of a tree which commanded an extensive prospect; in joining a choir of songsters whom we accidentally met!-But now our days pass with repeated sameness; variety, so necessary to give a relish to all enjoyment, is wanting. Instead of the songs of joy we formerly heard from every spray, our ears are constantly annoyed with the sound of mournful lamentations, transports of rage, or murmurs of discontent. Could we reconcile ourselves to the loss of liberty, it is impossible to be happy here, unless we could harden our hearts to every sympathetic feeling.

True, said his mate; yet I am resolved to try what patience, resignation, and employment, will effect; and hope, as your young ones will never know what liberty is, they will not pine as we do for it. Saying this she picked up a straw, her mate followed the example, and they pursued their work.

At this instant a Hen Goldfinch brought forth her brood, who were full fledged. Come, said she, my nestlings, use your wings; I will teach you to fly in all directions. So saying, the little ones divided: one flew upwards; but, emulous to outdo a little Sparrow which was flying in the air above the Aviary, he hit himself against the wires of the dome, and would have fallen to the bottom, but that he was stopped by one of the perches.

As soon as he recovered, Why cannot I soar as I see

other birds do? said he. Alas! cried the mother, we are in a place of confinement: we are shut up, and can never get out; but here is food in abundance, and every other necessary.-Never get out! exclaimed the whole brood; then adieu to happiness! She attempted to sooth them, but in vain.

The little Redbreasts rejoiced in their liberty; and Dicky gave up the desire of living in the Aviary, and wished to be gone. Stop, said the father, let us first hear what those Canary birds are saying.

The Canary birds had almost completed their nest, How fortunate is our lot, said the Hen bird in being placed in this Aviary! How preferable is it to the small cage we built in last year! Yes, replied her mate: yet how comfortable was that in comparison with the still smaller ones in which we were once separately confined! For my part I have no wish to fly abroad, for I should neither know what to do, nor where to go; and it shall be my endeavour to inspire my young ones with the same sentiments I feel. Indeed we owe the highest gratitude to those who make such kind provision for a set of foreigners, who have no resources but their bounty; and my best lays shall be devoted to them. Nothing is wanted to complete the happiness of this place but to have other kinds of birds excluded. Poor creatures! it must be very mortifying to them to be shut up here, and see others of their kind enjoying full freedom. No wonder they are perpetually quarreling; for my part, I sincerely pity them, and am ready to submit, from a principle of compassion, to the occasional insults and affronts I meet with.

You now perceive, Dicky, said the Cock Redbreast, that this place is not as you supposed, the region of

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