List not to the idle charmer; This deceiver," By and By." 1 SKETCHING. Drawing by tracing out- | 5 MINCING. Walking with short, af lines, and slightly shading. 2 BEWITCHING. Fascinating. fected steps. 6 OBTRUSIVE. Intruding. 3 REFLECTIONS. Thoughts turned back 7 TROPHIES. Memorials of victory. upon the past, meditations. 8 HAUNT. Visit frequently, trouble with frequent visits. 4 ENCHANTER. One who subdues by charms or spells, magician 9 PHANTOM. An apparition. XXI.-INSTINCT. [This lesson and the following are taken from the History of Sandford and Merton, a book for children and young persons, written in England many years ago by MR. THOMAS DAY. It narrates the adventures of two boys, Thomas, or Tommy Merton, and Harry Sandford, the former of whom is the son of a very rich man, and the latter of a farmer in moderate circumstances. Mr. Barlow is an amiable and intelligent clergyman, and the teacher of the two boys. The lesson which these extracts teach is, that we should not be angry with animals for obeying their instincts in their choice of food. Cats are not cruel in killing birds any more than in killing mice, and birds are not doing wrong when they eat cherries from the tree. In these cases they merely obey a law implanted in their natures by the Creator.] 1. TOMMY was one day surprised' to find a pretty bird flying about the chamber in which he was reading. He immediately went down stairs and informed Mr. Barlow of the circumstance. That gentleman, after he ad seen the bird, told Tommy that it was called robin 2 redbreast, and that it was naturally more tame and dis posed to cultivate the society of men than any other species: "moreover, at present," added he, "the little fellow is in want of food, because the earth is too hard to furnish him any subsistence, and hunger inspires him with this unusual boldness. 2. "Why, then, sir," said Tommy, "if you will give me leave, I will fetch a piece of bread and feed him." Do so," answered Mr. Barlow; "but first open the window, that he may see you do not intend to take him prisoner." Tommy accordingly opened his window; and scattering a few crumbs of bread about the room, had the satisfaction of seeing his guest hop down, and make a very hearty meal; he then flew out of the room, and settled upon a neighboring tree, singing all the time, as if to return thanks for the hospitality® he. had received. 3. Tommy was greatly delighted with his new ac quaintance, and from that time never failed to set his window open every morning, and scatter some crumbs about the room; perceiving which, the bird hopped fearlessly in, and regaled' himself under the protection of his benefactor. 4. By degrees, the intimacy increased so much, tha? little robin would alight on Tommy's shoulder, and whistle his notes in that situation, or eat out of his benciftor's hand; all of which gave Tommy so much satissits b, that he would frequently call Mr. Barlow and polite a be witnesses of his favorite's caresses; nor did Indeed eat his own meals without reserving a part often sittle friend. tion; alappened, however, that one day Tommy went fter dinner, intending to feed his bird, as usual; but as soon as he opened the door of his cham ber, he saw a sight that pierced him to the very heart. His little innocent friend and companion lay dead upon the floor, torn in pieces; and a large cat, taking the op portunity of Tommy's entrance to escape, soon directed his suspicions towards the murderer. 9 10 6. Tommy instantly ran down, with tears in his eyes, to relate the unfortunate death of his favorite to Mr. Barlow, and to demand vengeance" against the wicked cat that had occasioned it. Mr. Barlow heard him with great compassion," but asked what punishment he wished to inflict upon the cat. 7. Tommy. O, sir, nothing can be too bad for that cruel animal. I would have her killed, as she killed the poor bird. 13 8. Mr. Barlow. But do you imagine that she did it out of any particular "3 malice" to your bird, or merely because she was hungry, and accustomed to catch her prey in that manner? 9. Tommy considered some time, and at last owned that he did not suspect the cat of having any particular spite against his bird, and therefore he supposed she had been impelled by hunger. 10. Mr. B. Have you never observed, that it was the habit of that species to prey upon mice and other little animals? 11. T. Yes, sir, very often. 12. Mr. B. And have you ever corrected her bird doing, or attempted to teach her abstinences ? g. He' Barlow 13. T. I cannot say I have. Indeed, I ha little Harry, when she had caught a mouse, tormenting it, take it from her, and give it libe- robin I have never meddled with her myself. head 16 14. Mr. B. Her act was not one of cruelty, as it would be in you, who are endowed with reason and reflection. Nature has given the cat a propensity for animal food, which she obeys in the same manner as the sheep and ox when they feed upon grass. 15. T. Why, then, perhaps the cat did not know the cruelty she was guilty of in tearing that poor bird to pieces. 16. Mr. B. It was impossible puss should know the value you set upon your bird, and therefore she had no more intention of offending you than if she had caught a mouse. 17. T. But, if that is the case, should I have another tame bird, she would kill it, as she has killed this poor fellow. 18. Mr. B. That, perhaps, may be prevented. I have heard people that deal in birds affirm there is a way of preventing cats from meddling with them. 19. T. O, dear sir, I should like to try it. Will you not show me how to prevent the cat from killing any more birds? 20. Mr. B. Most willingly. It is certainly better to correct the faults of an animal than to destroy it. Besides, I have a particular affection for this cat, because I found her when she was a kitten, and have bred her up so tame and gentle that she will follow me about like a dog. She comes every morning to my chamber door, and mews till she is let in; and she sits by the table at breakfast and dinner, as grave and polite as a visitor, without offering to touch the meat. Indeed, before she was guilty of this offence, I have often seen you stroke and caress her with great affection; and puss, who is by no means of an ungrateful temper, would always purr and arch her tail, as if she was sensible of your attention. 1. IN a few days after this conversation, another robin, suffering, like the former, from the inclemency' of the season, flew into the house, and commenced acquaintance with Tommy. But he, recollecting the mournful fate of his former bird, would not encourage it to any familiarity, till he had claimed the promise of Mr. Barlow, in order to preserve it from danger. 2. Mr. Barlow, therefore, enticed3 the new guest into a small wire cage, and, as soon as he had entered it, shut the door, in order to prevent his escaping. He then took a small gridiron, such as is used to broil |