"Oh, it is, indeed!" said Edwin. "But, papa, there are two rainbows: I never saw two together before."

"I have, many times, Edwin."

"But how is it, papa, that there are two? You showed me how one is formed, the other day, by the reflection of the sun on the falling shower."

"You see, the colours of the first bow are so very strong and vivid, that they are again powerfully reflected, and form a second, but a fainter arch."

"You admired, papa, the bridge at Colnbrook Dale. to this?"

arch of the iron But what is that

"Nothing, Edwin. The mightiest works of man are as nothing, when compared with those of God; and the most beautiful human productions are rugged and deformed, contrasted with those effected by His hand, whose skill and resources are infinite."

"I have been thinking," said Emma, "of that part of the Bible, where the rainbow is particularly mentioned."

"Reach the Bible," said Mr. H. "and read it, Edwin."

'Here it is. 'And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you, and every living creature, for per

petual generations: I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth. And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud; and I will remember my covenant which is between me and you, and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood, to destroy all flesh.

"And the bow shall be in the cloud, and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth.""

"I recollect," said Emma, "when this chapter was read at family prayer, papa said he was delighted with it, because it was connected with the history of God's mercy."

"And so it is," said Mr. H. "On the same principle, I am always gratified when I see a rainbow; even independently of its exquisite colours and magnificent arch."

But, papa, there are two: there is nothing said in the Bible about two. What does it mean?"

"I do not know, Edwin, that there is any particular meaning; and yet it is not wrong to suppose, that the blessed God is giving to his creatures repeated intimations of his loving

He has kindness; for this is really the case. not only made one, but many promises. He has condescended to give pledge upon pledge, and assurance upon assurance, that he will accompany his people through their pilgrimage;-that he will supply their wants, support them in affliction, pardon their sins, justify their persons, protect them from every foe, and finally conduct them to the mansions of everlasting blessedness."

"I should not have thought, papa, that all this was meant by the double rainbow."

"Nor do I affirm that it is, Edwin. I only say, that it may serve to remind us, that God has graciously given to us, 'line upon line, precept upon precept,' promise upon promise, and one intimation of mercy upon another."

"It is a most pleasing reflection," said Emma, * and I shall not forget the double rainbow."

"It was just so, papa, you told me last year, over and over again, that you would give me a watch, if I learnt all you expected of me before Christmas."

"It was, Edwin. God is our heavenly Father. He condescends even to our weaknesses. His faithfulness and tenderness are infinite. But see, the dews are rising: it is time we should go in and close the evening."

CHAP. XI.

THE day following was remarkably fine. During the earlier hours of it, Emma amused herself in the shrubbery, and wrote, under the shade of the alcove, a note to her mamma, to inform her of the state of her health.

Edwin was occupied with his papa in the study. As soon as they were at leisure, Edwin sought for Emma, and invited her to take a walk with him and his father.

Edwin understood from his papa, that he was to give him, that morning, the remainder of his journal.

"The Peak Cavern was the last article I mentioned to you, I believe, papa."

"It was, Edwin. I think you told me, that your excursion to Buxton was the last with which Mr. Wallace treated you."

Yes, papa. But we visited one cavern more, much larger than the Peak Cavern."

"Indeed! Why, I was not aware that there was a cavern, in Derbyshire, superior in magnitude to this."

"It was not in Derbyshire, papa, nor in England, or Scotland, or Wales either."

"I think I understand you: you visited it then in thought, I suppose."

"Yes, papa. Mr. Wallace told us, that the caverns we had seen were nothing to those of America. He particularly referred to one in Kentucky. He said, the entrance to it was from forty to fifty feet high, and thirty wide, It continues as high and as wide for about a mile, where a manufactory of saltpetre has been established. From hence, to a second factory, about a mile further, it is forty feet wide, and sixty feet high. Through these two miles, handsome walls have been made with the loose limestone. The road is hard, and as good as a pavement. From the second factory, an immense avenue leads on west for a mile; then, turning to the south-west, it conducts to the chief city, as it is called, or area, which is six miles from the entrance into the cavern. Here, Mr. Wallace told us, there is an immense apartment, the floor of which measures more than eight acres; and the vast roof has not one pillar to support it. One solid arch extends over the whole of this room, at least one hundred feet high."

"This is a cavern, indeed, Edwin! An arch extending over eight acres of ground, a hundred feet high, must be truly magnificent."