186 THE BEAUTIFUL LADDER. 
cept in one respect. As we have not as yet 
been publicly identified with any kindness 
shown to the poor family, the friends will form 
but a poor opinion of us if we shall leave the 
neighborhood without in some way doing some¬ 
thing for their relief. To avert such a judgment, 
and at the same time aid in keeping the public 
from penetrating our secret, I have thought that 
it might be better for us to pay another visit to 
the family and make some public show of aid¬ 
ing them.” 
“A very good idea,” was Mr. Dean’s an¬ 
swer, “and one which I had thought of sug¬ 
gesting. You and Milton can arrange a visit 
to suit your convenience. And now to our 
study: 
“ In our last lesson we were occupied with 
the lingering beauties of Eden, and now we 
pass from the pleasing contemplation to look 
at the insect world, and see if we cannot dis¬ 
cern a beauty of form and fitness of purpose to 
justify the wisdom of the creation of this order 
of creatures. The insect kingdom is one of the 
most numerous, as its purposes are the most 
involved, of the whole round of creation. On 
