60 CRUELTY OF CONFINING BIRDS. 



allowed to go abroad together, it is not very likely 

 they would ever come home: but so strong is their 

 attachment, that they prefer captivity to separation. 

 Should death divide these fond friends, it is supposed 

 that the survivor would soon die with grief.* They 

 were named Robert and Henry, after two favourite 

 schoolfellows of Rachel's cousin; and, as he valued 

 them highly, she has tended them with great care 

 since his death. 



If Rachel had not such a particular motive for keep- 

 ing these birds, they would have been set at liberty 

 long ago ; for she disapproves the cruel custom of con- 

 fining birds in cages. 



I hear the summons for dinner, which obliges me 

 to put an abrupt termination to my letter. Adieu. 



Caroline. 

 * Which actually happened to Dr. Lettsom*s linnets. 



