remain ignorant of many things very proper for them to be acquainted with. Mrs. Franks, would, I am sure, have been far from thinking you impertinent. Those inquiries only are thought troublesome by which children interrupt conversation, and endeavour to attract attention to their own insignificant prattle, but all people of good sense and good nature delight in giving them useful information. J

In respect to the Learned Pig, I have heard things which are quite astonishing in a species of animals generally regarded as very stupid. The creature was shown for a sight in a room provided for the purpose, where a number of people assembled to view his performances. Two alphabets of large letters on card paper were placed on the floor; one of the company was then desired to propose a word which he wished the Pig to spell; this the keeper repeated to the Pig, which picked out every letter successively with his snout, and collected them together till the word was completed. He was then desired to tell the hour of the day, and one of the company held a watch to him: this he seemed with his little cunning eye to examine very attentively; and having done so, he picked out figures for the hour and minute of the day. He exhibited a number of other tricks of the same nature, to the great diversion of the spectators.

For my own part, though I was in London at the time he was shown, and heard continually of this wonderful Pig from persons of my acquaintance, I never went to see him; for I am fully persuaded, that great cruelty must have been used in teaching him things so foreign to his nature, and therefore would not give any encouragement to such a scheme.

And do you think, mama, said Harriet, that the Pig knew the letters, and could really spell words.

I think it possible, my dear, that the Pig might be taught to know the letters at sight one from the other, and that his keeper had some private sign, by which he directed him to each that were wanted; but that he had an idea of spelling I can never believe; nor are animals capable of attaining human sciences, because for these human faculties are requisite; and no art of man can change the nature of any thing, though he may be able to improve that nature to a certain degree, or at least to call forth to view, powers, which would otherwise be hidden from us. As far as this can be done consistently with our higher obligations, it may be an agreeable amusement, but will never answer any important purpose to mankind; and I would advise you, Harriet, never to give countenance to those people who show what they call learned animals, as you may assure yourself they practise great barbarities upon them, of which starving them almost to death is most likely among the number; and you may, with the money such a sight would cost you, procure for yourself a rational amusement, or even relieve some wretched creature from extreme distress. But, my dear, it is now time for you I will therefore bid you good night.

to retire to rest.

EARLY in the morning the Hen Redbreast awakened her young brood. Come, my little ones, said she, shake off your drowsiness, remember this is the day fixed for your entrance into the world. I desire that each of you will dress your feathers before you go out, for a slovenly bird is my aversion, and neatness is a great advantage to the appearance of every one.

The Father bird was upon the wing betimes, that he might give each of his young ones a breakfast before they attempted to leave the nest. When he had fed them, he desired his mate to accompany him as usual to Mr. Benson's, where he found the parlour window

open, and his young friends sitting with their mama. Crumbs had been, according to custom, strewed before the window, which the other birds had nearly devoured; but the Redbreasts took their usual post on the teatable, and the Father bird sung his morning lay; after which they returned with all possible speed to the nest, for, having so important an affair to manage, they could not be long absent. Neither could their young benefactors pay so much attention to them as usual, for they were impatient to fetch the birds from Miss Jenkins's; therefore, as soon as breakfast was ended, they set out upon their expedition. Harriet carried a basket large enough to hold two nests, and Frederick a smaller one for the other; thus equipped, with a servant attending them, they set off.

Mr. Jenkins's house was about a mile from Mr. Benson's, it was delightfully situated; there was a beautiful lawn and canal before it, and a charming garden behind;' on one side were cornfields, and on the other a wood. In such a retreat as this it was natural to expect to find a great many birds; but to Miss Harriet's surprise, they saw only a few straggling ones here and there, which flew away the moment she and her brother appeared; on this Harriet observed to Frederick, that she supposed Master Jenkins's practice of taking birds' nests had made them so shy. She said a great deal to him about the cruelties that naughty boy had boasted of the evening before, which Frederick promised to remember.

As soon as they arrived at the house, Miss Jenkins ran out to receive them, but her brother was gone to school. We are come, my dear Lucy, said Miss Benson, to fetch the birds you promised us.

O! I know not what to say to you, my dear, said Miss Jenkins. I have very bad news to tell you, and I fear you will blame me exceedingly, though not more than I blame myself. I heartily wish I had returned home immediately after the kind lecture your mama favoured me with yesterday, which showed me the cruelty of my behaviour, though I was then ashamed to own it.

I walked as fast as I could all the way from your house, and determined to give each of the little creatures a good supper; for which purpose I had an egg boiled, and nicely chopped; I mixed up some bread and water very smooth, and put a little seed with the chopped egg amongst it, and then carried it to the room where I left the nests. But what was my concern when I found that my care was too late, for the greatest part of them! every Sparrow lay dead and bloody; they seemed to have killed each other.

In the nest of Linnets, which were very young, I found one dead, two just expiring, and the other almost exhausted, but still able to swallow; to him therefore I immediately gave some of the food I had prepared, which greatly revived him; and, as I thought he would suffer with cold in the nest by himself, I covered him over with wool, and had this morning the pleasure of finding him quite recovered.

What, all the Sparrows, and three Linnets dead! said Frederick, whose little eyes swam with tears at the melancholy tale: and pray, Miss Jenkins, have you starved all the Blackbirds too?

Not all, my little friend, answered Miss Jenkins, but I must confess that some of them have fallen victims to my neglect: however, there are two fine ones alive, which I shall, with the surviving Linnet, cheer