which of you will be down first, said she. Come, I will show you the way.

On this, with gradual flight, the mother bent her course to a spot near the place where Robin lay concealed; they all instantly followed her, and surprised their father, who having seen Joe, was every instant expecting he would open the door; at length, to the joy of the whole party, the gardener appeared, and they soon saw him fetch his shears and leave the toolhouse open on this the mother proposed that they should all go together and call Robin. There they found him in his snug little bed; but who can describe the happy meeting; who can find words to express the raptures which filled every little bosom?

When the first transports subsided, I think, said the father, it will be best to retire from hence: if our friend returns he may take us for a set of thieves, and suppose that we came to eat his seeds, and I should be sorry he should have an ill opinion of us. Well, I am ready, said his mate; and we, cried the whole brood: they accordingly left the tool-house, and hopped about among the currant-bushes. I think, said the father, that you who have the full use of your limbs, could manage to get up these low trees, but Robin must content himself upon the ground a little longer. This was very mortifying, but he had no one to blame excepting himself; so he forbore to complain, and assumed as much cheerfulness as he could; his brother and sisters begged they might stay with him all day, as they could do very well without going up to the nest; to this the parents consented.

It is now time to inquire after Master and Miss Ben

son.

These happy children reached home soon after they left the Redbreasts, and related every circumstance of their expedition to their kind mama, who, hearing the little prisoners in the basket chirp very loudly, desired they would immediately go and feed them, which they gladly did, and then took a short lesson. Mrs. Benson told Miss Harriet that she was going to make a visit in the afternoon, and should take her with her, therefore desired she would keep herself quite still, that she might not be fatigued after the walk she had had in the

morning; for though she meant to go in the coach, it was her intention to walk home, as the weather was so remarkably fine. The young lady took great care of the birds, and Frederick engaged, with the assistance of the maid, to feed them during her absence. Miss Benson was then dressed to attend her mama.

Mrs. Addis, to whose house they were going, was a widow lady; she had two children, Master Charles, a boy of twelve years old, at school, and Miss Augusta, about seven, at home. But these children were quite strangers to Miss Benson.

On entering the hall the young lady took notice of a very disagreeable smell, and was surprised with the appearance of a parrot, a paroquet, and a macaw, all in most superb cages. In the next room she came to were a squirrel and a monkey, which had each a little house neatly ornamented.

On being introduced into the drawing-room, she observed in one corner a lapdog lying on a splendid cushion; and in a beautiful little cradle, which she supposed to contain a large wax doll, lay, in great state, a cat with a litter of kittens.

After the usual compliments were over, I have, said Mrs. Benson, taken the liberty of bringing my daughter with me, madam, in hopes of inducing you to favour us, in return, with the company of Miss Addis.

You are very obliging, madam, replied the lady, but indeed I never take my children with me, they are so rude; it will be time enough some years hence for Augusta to go a visiting.

I am sorry to hear you say this, madam, said Mrs. Benson. You are displeased then, I fear, at my having brought Harriet with me. This in reality was the case,

as Mrs. Benson plainly perceived, for the lady made no answer, and looked very cross.

Miss Harriet was curious to examine the variety of animals which Mrs. Addis had collected together; but as her mama never suffered her to run about when she accompanied her to other people's houses, she sat down, only glancing her eye first to one part of the room, and then to the other, as her attention was successively attracted.

As Mrs. Benson requested to see Miss Addis, her mama could not refuse sending for her; she therefore rang the bell, and ordered that Augusta might come down to her. The footman, who had never before received such a command (for Mrs. Addis only saw the child in the nursery) stared with astonishment, and thought he had misunderstood it. However, on his lady repeating her words, he went up stairs to tell the nursery-maid the child was to be taken to the drawing-room. What new fancy is this? said she. Who would ever have thought of her wanting the child in the drawing-room? I have no stockings clean for her, nor a frock to put on, but what is ragged. I wish she would spend less money on her cats and dogs and ́ monkeys, and then her child would appear as she ought to do. I won't go down stairs, Nanny, said the child. But you must, said Nanny; besides there's a pretty young lady come to see you, and if you go like a good girl, you shall have a piece of sugared bread and butter for your supper; and you shall carry the new doll which your godmama gave you, to show to your little visitor.

These bribes had the desired effect, and Miss Addis went into the drawing-room; but instead of entering

it like a young lady, with a genteel courtesy, she stopped at the door, hung down her head, and looked like a little simpleton. Miss Benson was so surprised at her awkwardness, that she did not know what to do, and looked at her mama, who said, Harriet, my love, can't you take the little lady by the hand and lead her to me? I believe she is afraid of strangers. On this Miss Harriet arose to do so; but Augusta, apprehensive that she would snatch her doll away, was going to run out, only she could not open the door...

Mrs. Benson was quite shocked to see how sickly, dirty, and ragged this poor child was, and how vulgar also, for want of education; but Mrs. Addis was so taken up at that instant with the old lapdog which had, as she thought, fallen into a fit, that she did not mind her entrance; and, before she perceived it, the child went up to the cradle in order to put her doll into it, and seized one of the kittens by the neck, the squeaking of which provoked the old cat to scratch her, and this made her cry and drop the kitten upon the floor. Mrs. Addis, seeing this, flew to the little beast, endeavoured to sooth it with caresses, and was going to beat Augusta for touching it, but Mrs. Benson interceded for her; she was, however, sent away into the nursery. Happily for children there are not many such mamas as Mrs. Addis !

The tea-things being set, the footman came in with the urn, which employing both his hands, he left the door open; and was, to the great terror of Miss Harriet, and even of her mama too, followed by the monkey they saw in the hall, which having broken its chain, came to make a visit to his lady. Mrs. Addis, far from being disconcerted, seemed highly pleased with