196 



ish attempts. Indeed, she has often said that 

 the delight of seeing us gay, open-hearted, and 

 good, was al^she wanted; and when we danced 

 merrily to our own singing, or made a scratchy 

 drawing of a tree, she used to reward us with one 

 of her sweet encouraging smiles, and would say, 

 * Perseverance will do much ; and as music and 

 drawing are useful accomplishments, when kept 

 in their right places, your attempts give me 

 pleasure; but I value your cheerful dispositions, 

 and grateful hearts still more.' 



" And indeed Mamma was right, for never 

 were there happier creatures than we have been, 

 though enjoying but few of what are called 

 comforts. Our gardens, our forest plays, and 

 the pains we took in watching the habits of birds 

 and insects, were our never-failing amusements ; 

 and we desired no more, if we were but sure 

 that Papa and Mamma were pleased with us. 

 To the constant visits of Mr. Benson, our good 

 old clergyman, we are indeed indebted for much 

 of what we know ; he speaks to us so kindly, 

 and he often reads with us, and removes our dif- 

 ficulties by his clear explanations. He has 

 always approved of our acquaintance with the 

 creeping and flying inhabitants of the forests, 

 for he says, natural history is not only a most 

 entertaining occupation, but well suited to a re- 

 ligious mind," 



