THE ENGLISH GIRL.

SPORTING On the village green,
The pretty English girl is seen;
Or beside her cottage neat,
Knitting on the garden-seat.

Now within her humble door, Sweeping clean her kitchen floor; While upon the wall so white, Hang her coppers, polished bright.

Mary never idle sits;

She either sews, or spins, or knits; Hard she labours all the week, With sparkling eye and rosy cheek.

And on Sunday Mary goes,
Neatly dressed in decent clothes,
Says her prayers (a constant rule)
And hastens to the Sunday School.

Oh, how good should we be found,
Who live on happy English ground;
Where rich and poor and wretched may
All learn to walk in wisdom's way.

THE SNOWDROP.

I saw a snowdrop on the bed,
Green taper leaves among;
White as the driven snow its head
Upon the stalk was hung.

The wintry wind came sweeping o'er,
And soon a tempest blew :
The snowdrop faded-never more
To glitter with the dew.

I saw a smiling infant laid

In its fond mother's arms:

Around its rosy cheeks there played
A thousand dimpling charms.

A sudden pain was sent to take
The smiling babe away;

How did its little bosom shake,
As in a fit it lay!

Its little heart was quickly stopped,
And in the earth so cold

I saw its pretty coffin dropped,
And covered up with mould.

Dear little children, who may read
This mournful story through,
Remember, death may come with speed,
And also summon you.

SPRING.

SPRING is coming! spring is coming!-
Hark! the little bee is humming;

See, the lark is soaring high
In the blue and sunny sky.

C

Little children look around ye,
Green and flowery fields surround ye,
Every running stream is bright,
And the orchard trees are white.

Turn your eyes to earth and heaven,
God for us the spring has given;
Little children, gladly sing
Praise to Him who made the spring.

WHO TAUGHT THEM?

WHO taught the bird to build her nest
Of softest wool and hay and moss ;
Who taught her how to weave it best;
And lay the tiny twigs across?

Who taught the busy bee to fly,

Amongst the sweetest herbs and flowers,

And lay her store of honey by,

Providing food for winter hours?

Who taught the little ant the way,
Her narrow cell so well to bore,
And through the pleasant summer day,
To gather up her winter store?

'Twas God who taught them all the way,
And gave these little creatures skill;
And teaches children when they pray,
To know and do his heavenly will.

CHRISTMAS HYMN.

LITTLE children can you say
Why you're glad on Christmas day ;
Little children can you tell

Why you hear the sweet church bell;
Can you tell me who was born
Early on the Christmas morn?

I hope you will at once reply

Yes, we are glad, and we know why;