148 EARLY RISING. 



ESTHER. 



At Briangon, in France, manna is said to be collected 

 from all kinds of shrubs, and the inhabitants observe, that 

 such summers as produce it, are very fatal to the plants. 

 Their walnut trees afford annually a considerable quantity, 

 but, if they happen to yield more than ordinary, they usually 

 perish the following winter. From this it appears evident, 

 that manna is the extravasated juice of trees, and that they 

 cannot afford to lose it, and, what confirms this idea is, their 

 secreting so much more when the summers are hot.* 



HENRIETTA. 



I cannot think, Esther, where you have learned all these 

 things. 



ESTHER. 



Chiefly, by reading, Henrietta. 



HENRIETTA. : '* j^-V 



But when do you find time for gaining this kind of infor- 

 mation 1 ? You are always with us in our morning studies, 

 and walk and amuse yourself with us the rest of the day. 



ESTHER. 



But, then, I rise early, and have generally an hour or two 

 before breakfast. 



HENRIETTA. 



I wish I could do the same; but, I am always so sleepy in 

 the morning. 



FREDERICK. 



Then I will come and awake you, Henrietta, as the boys 

 do at school, with a jug of cold water. 



" You would have royal precedent for that," observed 

 Esther, smiling; " but I cannot recommend the practice." 



HENRIETTA. 



What do you mean by royal, Esther 1 

 * Medical Botany. 



