Garden Conversations. ANN AND HER GRANDFATHER. GRANDFATHER. Take care, take care, my pretty maid, Lest you that little worm destroy, That lies in its soft bed. ANN. O Grandpa, let me kill it now, It is a naughty worm; For it may soon much larger grow, GRANDFATHER. It is a little harmless thing, So let it peaceful lie; It soon will mount upon the wing, ANN. O! no, Grandpa! it cannot fly— It will not hurt a worm to die, GRANDFATHER. Hush, hush, my child! the God that made Both you, and me-made it! His wondrous skill and goodness formed All things as He saw fit. ANN. Grandpa, what did he make them for? They cannot work, or sing! They are not fit for any use- GRANDFATHER. Yes! all that God has made is good- This worm can work,-'tis food for birds So let it live and grow. Another time I'll tell you more Of what this worm can do, And how it may lay up in store, Some useful thing for you. GRANDFATHER-A FEW DAYS AFTERWARDS. Has Ann been a quiet child, And brushed and combed her hair? Then she shall go this morning mild, ANN. O Grandpa! see that pretty thing GRANDFATHER. Yes, Ann! and see that butterfly! That flutters round so gay; And do you wish it now to die? ANN. I do'nt remember that I wished This pretty bird were dead; I'm sure it must be innocent,— I wish it may be fed! GRANDFATHER. You called it naughty-ugly worm! This is the very same! But now it has another shape, It As well as other name. spun, and wound a little ball Of silk-so soft and fine, That it would help to make a dress For you and Caroline! Then learn, dear child, and don't despise What you can't understand; Remember 'twas Our Father-God That formed them with His hand. The changes that they undergo, The use they are of-all Their many useful lessons teach, Although you are but small. Your oldest sister Emily, Was once a tiny thing; But, now she can most charmingly— M. PICTURES OF ENGLISH HISTORY.-No. 2. E have told our young readers what was the condition of the early inhabitants of Britain, and we now intend to tell them about the Invasion of our Island, by Julius Cæsar. It was the custom of the Romans to dignify or degrade a country, over which they had gained any advantages, with the title of a Roman province, and to appoint a H prefect or governor, who had frequently to subdue the greater part of the district committed to his charge. Julius Cæsar, a noble Roman, and one of the most famous generals ever produced by his own or any other nation, was in this manner appointed prefect of Gaul, then inhabited by numerous tribes, for the most part as ignorant and as barbarous as the Britons. In the short space of three years, he led his victorious legions from the foot of the Alps, entirely through the province, till he reached the shores of the northern seas. From thence he could descry the white cliffs of the neighbouring island; and the conqueror of Gaul aspired to the glory of adding Britain to the dominions of Rome. It is said that Cæsar was first interested in the inquiry by the sight of some British pearls, ornaments particularly prized and admired by the Romans, and but rarely produced in this country. A species of shell-fish, indeed, sometimes containing pearls, is found in the rivers Conway, in Wales, and Tay, in Scotland, and occasionally on the coasts of the latter country; but the pearls are usually of a bad colour, and worth but little. One instance is recorded of a British pearl, for which, in later times, more than eighty pounds was given; and it is said that a pearl, found in the Conway, and presented to the queen of Charles II. still adorns the regal crown of England. It appears, also, that on Cæsar's return to Rome, he offered in the temple of Venus, a breast-plate, enriched with pearls, which was stated to have been the produce of Britain. Whatever might have been his inducement—the hope |