Were the volume of a minute Thus to mortal sight unroll'd, More of man might we behold, Who could bear the revelation? Hands would cover every breast, Pride in all its writhings crush'd." Are things to be purchased by money only? If a rich man spend three hours at table, because he delights in eating and drinking, does this enjoyment cost him his money only ? If a young girl is in the constant habit of attending the midnight ball, what will she pay for this amusement? If you wish to enjoy a beautiful view from a high mountain or tower, what must you do for it? Is it to be purchased? But, if after long and troublesome ascending, you had arrived at the top, what would you feel in your body, and particularly in your legs? With what then would you purchase this enjoyment? How can children pay their Parents for all the instruction which they have received from them, &c. Can they pay them with money, with clothes, with food; or can they purchase for them any thing they wish to possess? &c. But is it in the power of children to be attentive? obedient? affectionate? and grateful? &c. Do you not think that this is a payment which Parents would willingly accept; and that it would much contribute to their happiness? &c. Ought not children to think of all that their parents are constantly doing for them? Ought they not to listen to them with attention and thankfulness; &c. Which of you can recollect part of a hymn on this subject? "My Father, my Mother, I know, I cannot your kindness repay; But I hope that, as older I grow, I shall learn your commands to obey." Who can repeat part of another hymn on the same subject? "Let children that would fear the Lord, Hear what their teachers say; With rev'rence meet their Parents' word, And with delight obey." Do you not think that God will approve and bless those little ones who keep his commandments, by honouring those whom he has made instruments of good to them? and will not this blessing gladden the hearts of Parents, who are so deeply anxious for the welfare of their children? &c. &c. Repeat a verse that mentions the blessing promised to dutiful children. "But those who worship God, and give Their Parents honour due, Here on this earth they long shall live, And live hereafter too." Which of you can recollect part of Mrs. Barbauld's beautiful hymn on the benefit of Instruction? "Instruction is the food of the mind; it is like the dew and the rain and the rich soil. As the soil and the rain and the dew cause the tree to swell and put forth its tender shoots, so do books and study and discourse feed the mind, and make it unfold its hidden powers. Cultivate, therefore, your own mind; receive the nurture of instruction, that the man within you may grow and flourish. You cannot guess how excellent he may become. O cherish, then, this precious mind; feed it with truth; nourish it with knowledge: it comes from God, it is made in his image: the oak will last for centuries of years, but the mind of man is made for immortality." The Mother will, of course, not formally catechise her children by rote upon each of these moral and religious questions in succession, or even upon every part of any one of these questions; but will patiently wait, and according to the answer vary her question, or conclude the conversation, keeping in mind the necessity of renewing it at every favourable opportunity, if only by a single word. Let her, in the management of her children, ever recollect that Morality and Religion should be practical-personal, interwoven with every pursuit, and not merely given in set lessons, to be laid aside as soon as the lesson is over. What is burnt? what toasted? boiled? roasted? What is pounded? rolled? dyed? dried? Questions of this kind ought not to succeed each other rapidly; and the Mother may assist the feeble and less advanced, by such illustrating questions as may lead to a second and third answer. Who runs ? A cheerfully obedient boy, when his mamma calls him. Would you rather have a part of an apple, or a whole one? which is larger? which is smaller than the whole? What do you call a man who can make an artificial work? Who dislikes working? Who will not wait? Who will not obey? Who cannot hear and speak? Who cannot see at a distance? Who is fond of working? Who returns from a journey? Who always looks out for more? Who has more than he wants? Who is fond of speaking? Who speaks elegantly? Who is easily frightened? Who finds pleasure in serving his fellow-creatures? Who can endure great heat or cold? Who can bear no fatigue and exertion? &c. Some of the following questions have a reference to the preceding exercises. When is a man most in want of assistance? When is the firmament or sky most brilliant? when most awful? Which part of the house is sloping? which vaulted? which spacious and lofty? What building is high and pointed? What part of the house is fire-proof? What |