﻿40 PICTORIAL MISCELLANY. 



the great book, which is, as it were, spread before us, to display the 

 wisdom, love, and power of our Creator." 



Mrs. Phelan has recorded a very interesting fact, perhaps little 

 known, and yet serving to illustrate the affection and sagacity of the 

 Newfoundland dog. 



This lady mentions a noble river that flowed at a short distance 

 from her temporary abode in the far-off west, as associated with the 

 affecting incident I am going to relate. It rose with a small stream, 

 in a forest of pines and cedars, and being increased by several tribu- 

 tary streams, it at length presented a broad and ample surface, capa- 

 ble of extensive navigation, and flowed majestically onward to the 

 ocean. 



Beside this river resided a gentleman of the name of Wilkins. 

 He kept a pleasure-boat, and often used to row his family and 

 friends to considerable distances, enjoying with them the freshness 

 of the water, and the beautiful scenery that adorned its banks on 

 either side. One day, having invited a small party to accompany 

 him, he set forth with his wife and their little girl, then about three 

 years old, who was greatly delighted to accompany her papa in his 

 pretty boat, gliding over the smooth surface of that lovely river. 

 The scenery was magnificent. Thick forests, as yet unthinned by 

 the woodman's hatchet, and lofty rocks that arose on the western 

 side, threw a deep shadow over the stream, while the sun, riding 

 amid clouds of gold and purple, tinged the rippling current with a 

 flashing light. So beauteous was the scene, that those who beheld 

 it for the first time gazed in silence on the continually shifting 

 scenery of rock and river ; the sparkling of the waves, and the glo- 

 rious depth beneath, reflecting the gorgeous clouds that floated 

 across the heavens. 



Little Ellen, meanwhile, too young to share the feelings of the 

 grown-up people, amused herself with watching the water-lilies that 

 floated by ; and a fine dog of the Newfoundland race, trotted com- 

 placently along the bank of the river, casting a look occasionally to- 

 wards the boat, as if thinking he should like a sail himself; for the 

 way was somewhat long, and the weather sultry. 



Pleasantly onward went the boat, and while the sailing party ad- 

 mired in silence the beauty and sublimity of the scene, little Ellen, 



