THE DOMESTIC COCK. 67 



contained to the house. They were put under a large 

 and very beautiful hen, her own being- taken away. In 

 two days they were hatched^ and were brought up by 

 the hen perfectly well, till they were five or six weeks 

 old. They were kept confined during that time in an 

 outhouse, without being seen by any of the other poul- 

 try. Unhappily, the door was left open, and the cock 

 got in : a loud cry was heard by the housekeeper, who 

 ran immediately out, but before she arrived, the cock 

 finding the hen with a brood of partridges, though she 

 had been the greatest favourite, had fallen on, and, in 

 his rage, had killed her I 



It would be well were there no resemblances to birds, 

 in these respects, on the part of those who ought to 

 show that they are " wiser than the fowls of the air." 

 But, alas ! how many of the young discover the selfish- 

 ness which has no pleasure in the welfare of others ; 

 and even the envy, jealousy, and malice, which will 

 lessen it by any means that can be employed. Any 

 tendency to such dispositions is sinful ; but when unre- 

 strained, they lead to the most atrocious deeds which 

 can be committed. How great, then, should be our 

 concern to obey the charge, " Keep thy heart with all 

 diligence, for out of it are the issues of life ! " 



