INTRODUCTION.

OUR readers, we presume, are not unacquainted with "Little Georgiana." We would again introduce her to your notice, no longer as a child, but having "put away childish things:" in other words, being arrived at the "years of discretion;" the number of which years we cannot correctly ascertain. She had learnt how to prize that which is good, and wise, and holy; and was still grasping after more of that knowledge which can only be communicated by the teaching of the Holy Spirit: and which as a "shining light, shineth more and more unto the perfect day." In her early days, she experienced that "the ways of religion are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace." Her favourite

pursuits were not attended with the disappointments and mortifications which too frequently embitter the enjoyments of youth. The pleasures of the returning seasons in the country afforded her an endless variety. And although she enjoyed the society of her younger friends, her father was her favourite companion: why he was so, we hope the following conversations will sufficiently evince, and induce those who read them to follow Georgiana's example in taking knowledge of the works of their Creator in the days of their youth, that they may be kept from the vanity which their time of life is subject to, and restrained from walking " in the way of their heart, and in the sight of their eyes; for, for all these things God will bring them into judgment.”

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PREFACE.

IN exploring the operations of nature, the object of the writer of these pages is to lead the thoughts of her young readers to nature's God.

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Nature displayed" in all its several branches, to the intelligent mind, must ever be a deeply interesting study; but the investigation which traces not the finger of God, not only in the rolling orbs which perform their "punctual round," -the winds and storms fulfilling his word, the magnificent swell of waters whose proud waves are stayed, and whose bounds are fixed, so that they cannot pass;

-the returning seasons, the heat, the cold, the rain, the dew;-the lightning's vivid flash preceding the hollow reverberation of the thunder, or the more awful crash of the thunder-bolt, with all the phenomena by which this wondrous world is surrounded, but also in the

minutest fibre of the fly's fluttering wing; the rich colouring, and delicate pencilling of the lowliest flower which "wastes its fragrance on the desert air;"-the songs of the birds, their feathery clothing, together with the admirable texture, and mechanism, and never-ending variety of the works which He hath made-falls very short, indeed, in the knowledge worth attaining; for

"The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth,

By understanding hath he established the heavens,
By his knowledge the depths are broken up,
And the clouds drop down dew."

Cold and insensible must be the heart which the contemplation of such objects does not enliven. Of his people it is written, "They lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is."

God himself speaks of the universal admiration excited by the glorious completion of his perfect work, "When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy."

The pride of human intellect leads it to

imagine that it can compass all things without acknowledging the hand which created them, or seeking from God the revelation of his works. To such are these words addressed, "Hear ye, and give ear; be not proud: for the Lord hath spoken. Give glory to the Lord your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness." Well may the inquiry be made, "Are there any among the vanities of the Gentiles that can cause rain? or can the heavens give showers? Art not thou he, O Lord our God? therefore we will wait upon thee: for thou hast made all things."

Nor would I confine the attention of my readers merely to the works of creation, while the amazing plan of redemption lies open to our view. To know Jesus Christ and him crucified is above all knowledge, since that alone can make wise unto salvation. In Him "are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."

By some it may be deemed inexpedient