dear child," replied Mrs. Irvin ; " for it is certainly a very great privilege to be allowed to join in prayer with the best of God's servants, and a still greater one to speak to God himself:-when you consider," added she, "how many poor creatures there are in the world who know not the God who made them, and some in this Christian land, as it is called, may, I am afraid, be found, you ought to be doubly thankful that you are so early taught the blessings you enjoy, and to pray for them, that they also may know them."

Before their dinner-hour, they visited the Sunday-School with their aunt, and heard some of the girls read, and repeat the Catechism. Here also they saw Mr. Herbert; who constantly attended both the boys' and girls' school every Sunday. He commended the children for their good behaviour at church, and as he walked home with Mrs. Irvin, it gave her pleasure to observe the attention which both her nieces paid to what he said on having seen them at church, and what ought to be their sentiments on going there for the first time. In the afternoon, they all met at church again; and when they came home, Mrs. Irvin read to them such a part of the New Testament as she thought most likely to interest them; and explained the instructions

it contained. She afterwards gave them Dr. Watts's first Catechism for Children, which they were to learn so as to answer the questions the next Sunday. After tea, they went for a walk ; during which, she repeated, to them two or three hymns of that excellent author, so deservedly a favourite with all children: and with these they were so delighted, that they begged they might also learn them; and while Martin was putting them to bed that evening, they were full of the goodness of their aunt, and telling her what she had promised to teach them.

The next morning, Mrs. Irvin began upon the plan she had formed for their education. She told them that, at their age, most children in their station knew a great deal more than they did, and therefore it was necessary for them to exert all their diligence to learn whatever she desired. In the first place, she expected them to rise at seven every morning, (an hour earlier than they had been accustomed to,) and to be at their lessons before eight, which were such as they could very easily learn in half an hour: when they were perfect in them, they were to come to breakfast: after which, they might play in the garden, or walk with Martin, with whom she often sent them on some charitable errand to the poor in the village, till ten o'clock; at which

time, they were to return to her, and repeat the lessons they had learnt before breakfast, and to employ the rest of the morning in reading, writing, and working, according to her direction.Mrs. Irvin was very fond of music, and was herself a proficient in it, and some part of every day she employed in teaching them the notes.She also read to them, and accustomed them to answer the questions which arose from what they heard.

Before they left their aunt, to be dressed for dinner, they a second time repeated their lessons, which were short and adapted to their capacities; and by this method these first instructions were imprinted on their memories. Neither did Mrs. Irvin forget the more important lessons of Religion, while teaching them things belonging to this world only. The Catechisms she had given them, were daily repeated: and when perfect in them, she put into their hands the excellent one of our Church.-With so strict an attention, in a very little time they began to know something of the different things in which it was necessary that they should be instructed.-In the familiar lessons of Mrs. TRIMMER and Mrs. BARBAUld, those good friends of youth, was given them a general idea of the works of GOD; and, with the kind attention of their excellent instructress, who improved every advantage which books

could afford, their minds expanded, and they found the pleasure there is in receiving instruction.

Great was the happiness of Mrs. Irvin, while these dear children seemed to answer all her love, and while her most pleasing expectations concerning them were not disappointed. They were every day more endeared to their aunt; nor were they less attached to her, who thus early taught them to look with prayer to THE ALMIGHTY for assistance in all their endeavours, and in every thing they learned, they were also taught to ascribe to Him the praise, who had thus blessed their endeavours to become wise and good.

In this way the children went on for several months, improving every day; when, as they were one morning returning from their walk into the village, whither their aunt had sent them with Martin to distribute some of her usual benefactions, they passed by a neat cottage, with whose inhabitant they were not so well acquainted as with many others, though they had often admired the flowers which grew in the little garden before it, and had heard their aunt say she was a very good old woman who lived in it. As they knew she had no children, they were now surprised to see a little girl sitting near

2

the door, and talking to another who was gathering some flowers at a little distance.

"How sweet the garden smells," said she; "I am sure there must be a great many flowers in it, and I wish I could see them! O Betsy, I am so glad to be here, you can't think: will you lead me down to the lilac-tree? I should like to sit there, as I did yesterday.'

"To be sure I will," answered the other; and running to her, she took her by the hand, and, at the same time carrying the chair in which she sat, she led her down the path to the side of the road.

"Who can these little girls be?" said Ellen; "I never saw them before."

"Hush!" said Martin; "I am afraid that poor child is blind: if so, how much I pity her!"

As they were concealed by the hedge behind which they stood, the children did not observe them, but continued their conversation:-" You will not mind being left alone for a little while," said Betsy, very affectionately, to her sister; “for you know I must go in and help mother; but perhaps Dame Hunt will come to you`: shall I ask her?"

"No, no," said the little girl; "I dare say she is busy about something or another; I only am idle.-Oh, how I wish I could do some