pedor in Persian, pater in Greek and Latin, vater in German, and aithair in Irish; while 'mother' is matri in Sanscrit, mader in Persian, meter in Greek, mater in Latin, mutter in German, motery in Russian, and mothair in Irish. But though there are many words in different languages much alike, if you ask me why there are not many more, I really cannot tell you; there is a mystery about the matter which I cannot explain. However, from what I have said, you may venture to conclude that the language of Noah, and the languages spoken after the giving up of the building of Babel, were the original languages from which all others have sprung: and also that the different languages now spoken are changing, more or less, every year, and are likely to go on changing till the end of time."

"I understand that now, uncle, very well."

"Then, no doubt, you can converse a little on this subject. Tell me what you know about the beginning of language. How did language begin?"

"God must have taught the first man to speak, or else Adam would never have been able to give names to all the living creatures on the earth."

"True. And when did languages begin to change?"

"That I cannot tell, uncle: but when Noah and his family were saved in the ark. and the

rest of the world were drowned, there was but one language."

"How comes it, then, that there are so many languages now?"

"Because God gave other languages when Babel was being built; and those languages have been spread over the world by people travelling about, and settling in different places."

"And what is it that is changing every year the languages now spoken?"

"Why, people go from one country to another, and books are written or printed in different languages, and new discoveries, and new plans, and new tools are found out; so that new words are always being added to the languages of all men.”

"Come, you have given a very fair account, and are more able than you were to converse on the subject of languages."

A workman should keep his tools in order-The mower should sharpen his scythe, the reaper his sickle, the woodman his axe, and the carpenter his saw, and he who would converse well should keep his tongue in order-The tongue likened to a horse-The taming of wild creatures-God alone can tame the tongue-The poor man and his bundle.

"Now, uncle, we are sitting in this nice arbour, I should like you to tell me more of the best way to converse.

"Let me see, Edmund! I think we spoke of languages the last time we were together."

"We did, uncle; and you made me wiser than I was before. You tell me something fresh every time we talk together."

"A thought strikes me that, perhaps, may be made useful. When a workman begins an undertaking, he considers it proper to see that his tools are in order. The mower whets his scythe, the reaper his sickle, the woodman sharpens his axe, the carpenter his saw; and if you had only to write a page in your copy-book, and wished to do it well, most likely you would mend your pen before you set about it.'

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Yes, that I should; and take care that it was nicely mended too."

"If in other undertakings, then, it is necessary to make preparation, and to pay attention to your tools, it seems only reasonable that in learning to converse you should do the same." "But there are no tools used in learning to

converse.'

"No tools?-no instruments of any kind? Think again."

"What can you mean, uncle? Oh, perhaps you call a book a tool or an instrument. Is it a book that you mean?"

"Certainly not."

"Then I cannot tell what it is, I am sure. People can never use scythes and sickles, axes and saws, in learning to converse. If I had brought an axe or a saw in my hand, you would, I dare say, have asked me whether I

was going to cut down a tree, or to saw a piece of timber."

"Very likely; for I agree with you in thinking that such instruments are not the most fitting to help you in your understanding. There is, however, an instrument, and a very important one too, without whose assistance you cannot succeed; and it is of the utmost consequence to keep it in order. This instrument is the tongue, of which I have hardly yet spoken."

"The tongue! I quite forgot that. But tell me, uncle, how must I keep my tongue in order? I cannot sharpen it, nor alter it anyhow; for you know it is always the

"But if you cannot do anything else to it, by looking up for Divine assistance you may be able to restrain it. The tongue, in conversing, may be likened to a horse when you go on a journey. If the animal is properly broken in, if he be under management and control, he is of great service to you; but if the contrary, he is likely to do you great mischief. The other day, I heard of a horse which was so unruly that he set off at full gallop, throwing his rider to the ground, and breaking three of his bones. Now, there is more mischief done by one unruly tongue than by a dozen unruly horses. I hope you will not forget the psalmist's resolution, I will keep my mouth with a bridle,' Psa. xxxix. 1;