where Mr. Barlow made Henry take notice of several kinds of plants, and told him the names and nature of them.

2. At last, Henry, who had observed some very pretty purple berries upon a plant that bore a purple flower and grew in the hedges, brought them to Mr. Barlow, and asked whether they were good to eat.

3. It is very well, said Mr. Barlow, young man, that you asked the question before you put them into your mouth; for had you tasted them they would have given you violent pains in your head and stomach, and perhaps have killed you, as they grow upon a plant called night-shade, which is a rank poison.

4. Sir, said Henry, I take care never to eat any thing without knowing what it is; and I hope, if you will be so good as to continue to teach me, I shall very soon know the names and qualities of all the herbs which grow.

5. As they were returning home, Henry saw a very large bird, called a kite, upon the ground, that seemed to have something in its claws, which it was tearing to pieces,

6. Henry, who knew it to be one of those ravenous creatures which prey upon others, ran up to it, shouting as loud as he could, and the bird being frightened flew away, and left a chicken behind it, very much hurt indeed, but still alive.

7. Look, sir, said Henry, if that cruel creature has not almost killed the poor chicken! see how it bleeds, and hangs its wings-I will put it into my bosom and carry it home, and it shall have part of my dinner every day, till it is well, and able to take care of itself.

8. As soon as they came home, the first care of little Henry was to put his wounded chicken into a basket with some fresh straw, some water, and some bread: after that, Mr. Barlow and he went to dinner. In the mean time, Thomas, who had been skulking about all day, very much mortified and uneasy, came in, and, being very hungry, was going to sit down to table with the rest: but Mr. Barlow stopped him, and said, no sir, as you are too much a gentleman to work, we, who are not so, do not choose to work for the idle.

9. Upon this, Thomas retired into a corner, crying as if his heart would break, but more from grief than passion, as he began to perceive that nobody minded his ill-temper. But little Henry, who could not bear to see his friend so unhappy, looked up, half crying, into Mr. Barlow's face,

and said, pray, sir, may I do as I please with my share of the dinner? Yes, to be sure, child.-Why then, said he, getting up, I will give it all to poor Thomas, who wants it more than I do.

10. Saying this, he gave it to him as he sat in the corner; and Thomas took it, and thanked him, without ever turning his eyes from the ground. I see, says Mr. Barlow, that, though gentlemen are above being of any use themselves, they are not above taking the bread that other people have been working hard for. At this Thomas cried still more bitterly than before.

11. The next day Mr. Barlow and Henry went to work as before; but they had scarcely begun before Thomas came to them, and desired that he might have a hoe too, which Mr. Barlow gave him: but, as he had never before learned to handle one, he was very awkward in the use of it, and hit himself several strokes upon his legs. Mr. Barlow then laid down his own spade, and showed him how to hold and use it, by which means, in a short time he became very expert, and worked with the greatest pleasure.

12. When their work was over, they all retired to the summerhouse; and Thomas felt so much joy when the fruit was produced, and he was invited to take his share, that it seemed to him the most delicious he had ever tasted, because working in the air had given him an appetite.

13. As soon as they had done eating, Mr. Barlow took up a book, and asked Thomas whether he would read them a story out of it; but he, looking a little ashamed, said he had never learned to read. I am very sorry for it, said Mr. Barlow, because you lose a very great pleasure; then Henry shall read to you. Henry accordingly took up the book and read the story of "The gentleman and the Basketmaker."

14. From this time forward, Mr. Barlow and his two little pupils used to work in their garden every morning, and when they were fatigued they retired to the summerhouse, where Henry, who improved every day in his reading, used to entertain them with some pleasant story or other, which Thomas always listened to with great pleasure. But little Henry going home for a week, Thomas and Mr. Barlow were left alone. The next day, after they had done work, and were retired to the summerhouse as usual, Thomas expected Mr. Barlow would read to him, but to his great disappointment, found that he was busy

and could not. The next day the same accident was renewed, and the day after that,

15. At this Thomas lost all patience, and said to himself, now if I could but read like Henry Sandford, I should not need to ask any body to do it for me, and then I could divert myself: and why may I not do what another has done? To be sure Henry is very clever, but he could not have read if he had not been taught; and if I am taught, I dare say, I shall learn to read as well as he. Well, as soon as ever he comes home, I am determined to ask him about it. 16. The next day, Henry returned; as soon as Thomas had an opportunity of being alone with him, Pray, Henry, says Thomas, how came you to be able to read? Why, Mr. Barlow taught me my letters, and then spelling, and then, by putting syllables together, I learned to read. And could you not show me my letters, Henry? Yes, very willingly. Henry then took up a book, and Thomas was so eager and attentive, that he soon learned the whole alphabet.

17. He was much pleased with this first experiment, and could scarcely forbear running to Mr. Barlow to let him know the improvement he had made; but he thought he should surprise him more, if he said nothing about the matter till he was able to read a whole story. He therefore applied himself with such diligence, and little Henry, who spared no pains to assist his friend, was so good a master, that in about two months he determined to surprise Mr. Barlow with a display of his talents.

18. Accordingly, one day, when they were all assembled in the summerhouse, and the book was given to Henry, Thomas stood up, and said, that, if Mr. Barlow pleased, he would try to read. Oh! very willingly, said Mr. Barlow; but I should as soon expect you to be able to fly as to read. Thomas smiled with a consciousness of his own proficiency, and taking up the book, read the history of the two dogs.

19. Indeed, says Mr. Barlow, when the story was ended, I am sincerely glad to find that Thomas has made this acquisition. He will now depend upon nobody, but be able to divert himself whenever he pleases. All that has ever been written in our language will be from this time in his power; whether he chooses to read little entertaining stories like what we have heard to-day, or to read the actions of great and good men in history, or to make himself acquainted with the nature of wild beasts and birds which are

found in other countries, and which have been described in books; and I do not despair of one day seeing him a very sensible man, capable of teaching and instructing others.

20. Yes, says Thomas, something elated by all this praise, I am determined now to make myself as clever as any body; and I don't doubt, though I am such a little fellow, that I know more already than many grown-up people; and I am sure, though there are no less than six blacks in our house, that there is not one of them who can read a story like me.

21. Mr. Barlow looked grave at this sudden display of vanity, and said rather coolly, Pray who has attempted to teach them any thing? Nobody, I believe, said Thomas. Where is the great wonder then, if they are ignorant, replied Mr. Barlow? you would probably have never known any thing, had you not been assisted; and even now you know very little.

22. In this manner did Mr. Barlow begin the education of Thomas Merton, who had naturally very good disposi tions, although he had been suffered to acquire many bad habits, that sometimes prevented them from appearing. He was particularly very passionate, and thought he had a right to command every body who was not dressed as fine as himself. This opinion often led him into difficulties, and once was the occasion of his being severely mortified.

23. This accident happened in the following manner: One day, as Thomas was striking a ball with his bat, he struck it over a hedge, into an adjoining field, and seeing a little ragged boy walking along on that side, he ordered him, in a very peremptory tone, to bring it to him. The little boy, without taking any notice of what was said, walked on, and left the ball; upon which Thomas called out louder than before, and asked if he did not hear what was said? Yes, said the boy, I am not deaf.

24. Oh! are you not, replied Thomas; then bring me my ball directly. I don't choose it, said the boy. If I come to you, said Thomas, I shall make you choose it. Perhaps not, my pretty little master, said the boy, laughing.

25. This provoked Thomas so much that he clambered over the hedge, and jumped precipitately down, intending to have leaped into the field; but unfortunately his foot slipped, and down he rolled into a wet ditch, which was full of mud and water.

26. There poor Thomas tumbled about for some time, endeavouring to get out, but it was to no purpose; for his feet stuck in the mud, or slipped from off the bank; his fine waistcoat was dirtied all over, his white stockings were covered with mire, his breeches filled with puddle water. To add to his distress, he first lost one shoe, and then the other; his laced hat tumbled off from his head, and was completely spoiled.

27. In this distress he must probably have remained a considerable time, had not the little ragged boy taken pity on him and helped him out. Thomas was so vexed and ashamed, that he could not say a word, but ran home in such a dirty plight, that Mr. Barlow, who happened to meet him, was afraid he had been considerably hurt; but when he heard of the accident which had happened, he could not help smiling, and he advised Thomas to be more careful for the future, how he attempted to punish little ragged boys.

28. Sir, answered Thomas, a little confused, I should not have attempted to beat him, only he would not bring me my ball. Mr. B. And what right had you to oblige him to bring your ball? T. Sir, he was a little ragged boy, and I am a gentleman. Mr. B. So then every gentleman has a right to command little ragged boys? T. To be sure, sir. Mr. B. Then, if your clothes should wear out and become ragged, every gentleman will have a right to command you.

29. Thomas looked a little foolish, and said, but he might have done it, as he was on that side of the hedge. Mr. B. And so he probably would have done, if you had asked him civilly to do it; but when persons speak in a haughty tone, they will find few inclined to serve them.

30. But as the boy was poor and ragged, I suppose you hired him with money to fetch your ball. T. Indeed, sir, I did not; I neither gave him any thing, nor offered him any thing. Mr. B. Probably you had nothing to give him. T. Yes, I had though-I had all this money, (pulling out several shillings.) Mr. B. Perhaps the boy was as rich as you. T. No, he was not, sir, I am sure; for he had no coat, and his waistcoat and breeches were all tattered and ragged; besides, he had no stockings, and his shoes were full of holes.

31. Mr. B. So, now I see what constitutes a gentleman -A gentleman is one, that, when he has abundance of