f anxiety was about my young blackbirds. ould become of the poor creatures? Their ng open to the sky, I feared that the torrents would fill it like a tub, and drown them. this did not happen I am puzzled to decide.

tightly together, not a feather ruffled. How and contented they were! What cared they

and thunderstorms?

Once, coming suddenly round the corner on the edge of the hole the drollest little hea looked about for a minute, and then poppe again. Doubtless this was the eldest of the desirous to see the world for himself. The r the silence in the nest was such that I thoug had all flown; but I soon afterward caught the four little yellow bills and eight twinkli Still one might now expect their departure time; and I own to a sad feeling at the th the empty nest.

One morning I overheard two of my neigh versing. "Yes," said one," they are very grea ances in gardens. I shot, this morning, a fello no doubt had his nest somewhere near-a ably fine blackbird."

ent enjoyment.

The same evening a

ce called out to me, "Your blackbirds are ey just climbed out of the nest and away

into the familiar hole in the apple tree: he nest, neat and round but empty.

- DINAH MULOCK CRAIK.

es from Life."

HYMNS OF NATURE

heavens declare the glory of God;
the firmament sheweth his handiwork.
unto day uttereth speech,

night unto night sheweth knowledge.

re is no speech nor language

ere their voice is not heard.

ir line is gone out through all the earth, their words to the end of the world.

He causeth the grass to grow for the cattl
And herb for the service of man:

That he may bring forth food out of the e
He appointeth the moon for seasons:
The sun knoweth his going down.
Thou makest darkness and it is night.
He turneth rivers into a wilderness,
And the water springs into dry ground.
He turneth the wilderness into a standing
And dry ground into water springs.

And there he maketh the hungry to dwell
That he may prepare a city for habitation
And sow the fields, and plant the vineyard
Which may yield fruits of increase.

He telleth the number of the stars:
He calleth them all by their names.
He covereth the heaven with clouds,
He prepareth rain for the earth,

h his

ur Lord, and of great power: standing is infinite.

e Book of Psalms."

THE SPACIOUS FIRMAMENT

HE spacious firmament on high,
With all the blue ethereal sky,

nd spangled heavens, a shining frame, "heir great Original proclaim.

The unwearied sun, from day to day,
Does his Creator's power display;
And publishes to every land
The work of an Almighty hand.

Soon as the evening shades prevail,
The moon takes up the wondrous tale,
And, nightly, to the listening earth,
Repeats the story of her birth;