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they could not breathe the bad air with which it is filled, but they go up in a kind of boat, which is fastened to the balloon, and the balloon pulls it up. Men very often go up in them, and sometimes ladies. E. How I should like to go up one!

in

M. It is not entirely safe, my dear, and for my own part, I should rather keep away from them. But as I have already told you, people who go up in balloons, and those who climb the sides of very high mountains, find that the higher they ascend, the colder the air grows.

If there were a shelf, or something on which snow could be laid in the air, two miles and a half above our heads, it would not melt in the hottest days of summer.

E. That is strange! but how is it at the equator, where the sun is right overhead?

M. It is the same thing there, only

you must ascend about three miles high, before you come where it never thaws in the summer.

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WHICH WAS THE HAPPIER? OR THE RICH AND POOR BOY.

In an elegant house which stood near the bank of a beautiful river, lived a family of great wealth. The extensive grounds around the house, were laid out in the most delightful

manner.

Fountains of pure water, shady walks, and pleasant arbors, charmed the eye, and gave beauty to the scene; and an elegant garden near the house was filled with every kind of fruits and flowers.

The family who resided in this lovely spot, consisted only of a lady,

and her little son, who, at her death, would be sole owner of all this beau'y and wealth.

Richard never had a wish denied, which the exertions of his fond parent could gratify. Teachers were ready to instruct him in every branch of learning, and new, and the most pleasing books filled his library.

If he wished to ride, the carriage was soon ready for him; or if to walk, a servant to attend him.

But although his every desire, if possible, was granted, Richard was never contented, and never pleased with any thing that was done for him.

His play fellows did not love him; and the domestics in the house did not respect him, for he treated them with contempt and unkindness. He did not feel the value of the blessings which he enjoyed, and he was not thankful for them.

He was very ignorant; and he was unwilling to learn any thing from his teachers, for he thought that his wealth would be always sufficient to procure him respect and esteem.

He was fretful and impatient, and no one but his mother could bear with his self will and ill humor.

Was Richard happy?

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MORE ABOUT THESE TWO BOYS.

In a small house, near this mansion, lived a poor widow, whose husband had once been gardener to the father of little Richard.

He had been dead some years, and his widow earned a scanty support

for herself and her little son, by the labor of her own hands.

Samuel, for this was his name, was a fine, healthy lad, active, good tempered; and his great delight was to assist and please his mother. For

this he would labor with all his little strength, for he loved her dearly.

He was early taught by his mother to love those things, which he should practice when he was grown up, and he was always cheerful and happy. As often as he could get a little spare money, he would buy some useful book, and when he came in from his daily toil, he would spend the evening in reading aloud to his mother, while she sat at work by the same fire.

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Samuel had collected quite a number of good books; but among them all, there was none he so much delighted in as his Testament.

It was in this book that he had learned, by the aid of his mother,

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