the world. Dicky expressed great delight at this declaration, and Robin boasted that he had not the least remains of fear. Flapsy, though still apprehensive of monsters, yet longed to see the gaieties of life, and Pecksy wished to comply with every desire of her dear parents. The approach of evening now reminded them that it was time to take repose, and turning its head under its wing, each bird soon resigned itself to the gentle powers of sleep.

AFTER Master and Miss Benson had been gratified with the sight of the Robins' nest, they were returning to the house, conducted by their friend Joe, when they were met in the garden by their mama, accompanied by Miss Lucy Jenkins and her brother Edward. The former was a fine girl about ten years old, the latter a robust rude boy, turned of eleven. We were coming to seek you, my dears, said Mrs. Benson to her children, for I was fearful that the business you went upon would make you forget your young visitors.

I cannot answer for Frederick, replied Miss Benson, but indeed, mama, I would not on any account have slighted my friends.-How do you do, my dear Miss

Jenkins? said she, I am happy to see you. Will you go with me into the play-room? I have got some very pretty new books.-Frederick, have you nothing to show Master Jenkins? O yes, said Frederick, I have got a new ball, a new top, a new organ, and twenty pretty things; but I had rather go back and show him the Robins.

The Robins! said Master Jenkins, what Robins?

Why, our Robins that have built in the ivy-wall. You never saw any thing so pretty in your life as the little ones.

Oh, I can see birds enow at home, said Master Jenkins; but why did you not take the nest? it would have been nice diversion to you to toss the young birds about. I have had a great many nests this year, and do believe I have an hundred eggs.

An hundred eggs! and how do you propose to hatch them? said Miss Harriet, who turned back on hearing him talk in this manner.

Hatch them, Miss Benson? said he, who ever thinks of hatching birds' eggs?

Oh, then you eat them, said Frederick, or perhaps let your cook make puddings of them?

No, indeed, replied Master Jenkins, I blow out the inside, and then run a thread through them, and give them to Lucy to hang up amongst her curiosities; and very pretty they look, I assure you.

And so, said Miss Harriet, you had rather see a string of empty egg-shells, than hear a sweet concert of birds singing in the trees? I admire your taste, truly!

Why, is there any harm in taking birds' eggs? said Miss Jenkins; I never before heard that there was.

My dear mama, replied Miss Benson, has taught me to think there is harm in every action which gives causeless pain to any living creature; and I own I have a very particular affection for birds.

Well, said Miss Jenkins, I have no notion of such affections, for my part. Sometimes, indeed, I try to rear those which Edward brings home, but they are teasing troublesome things, and I am not lucky; to tell the truth, I do not concern myself much about them; if they live they live, and if they die they die. He has brought me three nests this day to plague me : I thought to have fed the birds before I came out, but being in a hurry to come to see you, I quite forgot it. Did you feed them, Edward? Not I, said he, I thought you would do it; 'tis enough for me to find the nests.

And have you actually left three nests of young birds at home without victuals! exclaimed Miss Harriet.

I did not think of them, but will feed them when I return, said Miss Jenkins.

Oh, cried Miss Benson, I cannot bear the thoughts of what the poor little creatures must suffer.

Well, said Master Jenkins, since you feel so much for them, I think, Miss Harriet, you will make the best nurse.-What say you, Lucy, will you give the nests to Miss Benson? With all my heart, replied his sister; and pray do not plague me with any more of them.

I do not know that my mama will let me accept them, said Miss Benson; but if she will, I shall be glad to do so.

Frederick inquired what birds they were; and Master Jenkins informed him there was a nest of linnets, a nest of sparrows, and another of blackbirds. Frederick was all impatience to see them; and Miss Harriet

longed to have the little creatures in her possession, that she might rescue them from their deplorable condition, and lessen the evils of captivity which they now suffered.

Her mama had left her with her young companions, that they might indulge themselves in innocent amusements without restraint; but the tender-hearted Harriet could not engage in any diversion till she had made intercession in behalf of the poor birds: she therefore begged Miss Jenkins would accompany her to her mama, in order to ask permission to have the birds' nests. She accordingly went, and made her request known to Mrs. Benson, who readily consented; observing, that though she had a very great objection to her children's having birds' nests, yet she could not deny her daughter on the present occasion. Harriet, from an unwillingness to expose her friend, had said but little on the subject; but Mrs. Benson, having great discernment, concluded that she made the request from a merciful motive, and knowing that Miss Jenkins had no kind mama to give her instruction, she thus addressed her:

I perceive, my young friend, that Harriet is apprehensive that the birds will not meet with the same kind treatment from you, which she is disposed to give them. I cannot think you have any cruelty in your nature, but perhaps you have accustomed yourself to consider birds only as playthings, without sense or feeling; to me, who am a great admirer of the beautiful little creatures, they appear in a very different light; and I have been an attentive observer of them, I assure you. Though they have not the gift of speech, like us, all kinds of birds have particular notes which answer in