THE BULLFINCH. 135 



he would have lived much longer, had it not 

 been for the inconsiderate deed of some little 

 boys, who were visiting Mrs. F. in the summer 

 of 1829. They had often been warned not to 

 touch or frighten the bullfinch. One day, when 

 he had quitted his cage, and was enjoying the 

 free range of the sitting-room, these little boys, 

 seized by one of those sudden impulses which 

 often hurry lively children into thoughtless acts 

 of disobedience, sprung from their seats, and 

 before any one could stop them, chased the poor 

 bird violently round the room, till he dropped 

 down quite exhausted. He was immediately 

 taken up, and his feet put into warm water, in 

 the hope of restoring him but in vain. His 

 delicate frame could not sustain so rude a shock, 

 and the pet bullfinch was no more. Every one 

 lamented that his last moments should have been 

 rendered so unhappy. It will readily be be- 

 lieved Jthat the death of so interesting a bird was 

 sincerely regretted. Tears were shed for his 

 loss, and an honourable place of sepulchre ap- 

 pointed for him, at the foot of a cedar on the 

 lawn. 



