14. She began, from that day forward, to reflect with real seriousness upon the consequences of her indiscretion. She even trembled at

the recollection of those mischiefs she had caused, and was now determined to prevent their progress.

15. It was difficult, in the beginning, to leave off a custom, which she had so long indulged in, of beholding things on the unfavourable side; but what can long withstand a steady resolution ?

16. She was, in the end, so totally reformed, that it became as natural for her to look for the virtues of others, as it had before been to search for their faults. She was now the first to attempt to set doubtful actions in such a point of view, as that they might appear excusable.

17. When she could not do this, she would say, I don't know every circumstance attending them: no doubt but there were commendable motives, such as I am not acquainted with.

18. In short, whenever, as it sometimes chances, the nature of the case would not admit of any excuse or indulgence, she would pity the offender, and endeavour to say as little as possible about the offence.

19. However, it was very long indeed before she could regain those hearts, her former conduct had alienated. People had avoided her with so much care for years, that she seemed forgotten, just as if she had withdrawn herself from the world.

20. No wonder then she should suppose herself condemed to pass her days in solitude, de

prived of all those pleasures that accompany a happy marriage, and the enjoyment of a chosen number of friends.

21. She however, at length, recovered her character, was married to a gentleman of good sense and fortune, and was esteemed and respected by all worthy people.

22. She has given me leave to write her story in this book, for the instruction of my young friends, if there be any like her who may read it. For my part, I pretend not to say that I know any such but if there should be, I persuade myself, that after reading this story, they will set about a reformation.

THE SPARROW'S NEST.

1. Billy Wilkin, having one day espied a spar row's nest, under the eaves of the house, ran directly to inform his sisters of the important discovery, and they immediately fell into consultation about the manner in which they should take it.

2. It was at last agreed that they should wait till the young ones were feathered, that Billy should then place a ladder up against the wall, and that his sisters should hold it fast below, while he mounted after the prize.

3. As soon as they thought these poor little creatures were properly grown, preparation: were made for the execution of their intended plan. The old birds flew backwards and for

wards about the nest, and expressed, as well as they were able, the sorrow and affliction they felt, on being robbed of their young.

4. Billy and his two sisters, however, paid no regard to their piteous moans; for they took the nest, with three young ones in it. As they had now got the innocent prisoners in their possession, the next thing to be considered was what they should do with them.

5. The youngest sister, being of a mild and tender hearted disposition, proposed putting them into a cage, promising to look after them herself, and to see that they wanted for nothing. She reminded her brother and sister how pretty it would be, to see and hear those birds when grown up.

6. Billy, however, was of a very different opinion; for he insisted on it, that it would be better to pluck off their feathers, and then set them down in the middle of the room, as it would be very funny to see how they would hop about without feathers.—The eldest sister was of the

same way of thinking as the younger; but Billy was determined to have the matter entirely his own way.

7. The two little ladies, finding they were not likely to have things as they wished, gave up the point, without much hesitation; for Billy had already begun to strip the poor helpless birds. As fast as he plucked them, he put them down on the floor, and it was not long be fore the little birds were stripped of all their tender feathers.

8. The poor things cried, Weet! Weet! and

complained in the most piteous accents; they shook their little wings, and shuddered with the cold.

9. Billy, however, who had not the least kind of feeling for their sufferings, carried his persecutions still further, pushing them with his toe to make them go on, when they stopped, and laughing most heartily whenever they staggered, or tumbled down, through weakness.

10. Though his two sisters, at the first setting off, had pleaded against this cruel kind of sport, yet seeing their brother so merry on the occasion, they forgot their former humanity, and joined in the cruel sport with him. Such is the influence of bad example.

11. In the midst of this cruel kind of enjoyment, at a distance they saw their papa approaching. This put them into some confusion, and each pocketed a bird. They would have avoided their papa, but he called to them, and asked their reason for wishing to shun him. They approached him very slowly, with their eyes cast downwards, which convinced him that something amiss was going forwards.

12. On their answering that they were only playing, their papa observed to them, that they very well knew he never denied them innocent amusement, but on the contrary was always glad to see them cheerful and happy.

13. He took notice, that they all held a hand in their pockets, upon which he insisted on their pulling them out, and letting him see what it was they endeavoured to conceal. They were obliged to comply, much against their wills,

when each produced a poor bird that had been stripped of its feathers.

14. Mr. Wilkin was filled with pity and indignation, and gave each of them a look that was more dreadful than any words he could have spoken. After a short silence, Billy attempted to justify himself by saying, that it was a droll sight to see sparrows hopping about without any feathers, and he could see no harm in it.

15. "Can you, then, (said Mr. Wilkin to Billy,) take pleasure in seeing innocent creatures suffer, and hear their cries without pity?" Billy said he did not see how they could suffer from having a few feathers pulled off.

16. His papa, to convince him of his error, pulled a few hairs from his head, when he roared out loudly with the pain. "What would your pain be, then, (said his papa,) were I thus to pluck all the hair out of your head ?"

17. You are sensible of the pain you now feel, but you were insensible of the torment to which you put these innocent creatures, that never offended you. But that you, Misses, should join in such an act of cruelty, very much surprises me!" The young ladies stood motionless, and then, without being able to say a word, sat down with their eyes swimming with tears; which their papa observing, said no more to them.

18. But Billy still persisted in his opinion, that he did the birds no harm; on the contrary, he said they showed their pleasure, by clapping their wings and chirping. "They clapped their wings (said Mr. Wilkin) from the pain you put