advice should be procured for Henry. The surgeon in their neighborhood was considered very skilful in diseases of the eyes, and Mr. Percival entered readily and warmly into his wife's views.

6. An hour or two passed away, and Mrs. Lawrence with Henry returned to the parlor, much rested and refreshed. The children had leave to go to their play room, where they kindly chose games in which Henry could join. They continually became more interested in the little blind boy, and delighted to explain everything to him; and they tried to invent some method of making him comprehend how their play things looked.

7. Mr. and Mrs. Percival hastened to mention to Mrs. Lawrence their wish that she should remain with them for a time, and that every means should be used to give sight to her child. The mother's heart was filled with gratitude for their kindness. A letter was despatched to her brother, telling of all that had befallen them thus far, and of her decision to remain for the present where she was, if he should think it well, and if any hope were given for Henry.

8. The next day Mrs. Lawrence was visited by her brother. Their meeting was very affectionate, and Mr. Percival's family were much pleased with the intelligence, kind feelings, and unpretending, gentlemanly manners of Mr. Ward. During his stay the surgeon was called in. After attentively considering Henry's case, he expressed much confidence that an operation would prove successful.

9. It was now Saturday, and the trial was appointed for the next Monday. Mr. Ward could not remair longer, but promised to see them again soon.

10. At an early hour on Monday, everything was prepared for the operation. As the children could do no good, they remained in another room; but, with feelings of the deepest sympathy, each one waited in silence for news respecting their suffering friend.

11. Mr. and Mrs. Percival, with Henry's mother, stood by him. Henry was unwilling that his mother should leave him, and, indeed, she could not do it in this trying hour.

12. The surgeon spoke to him very tenderly, and told him he was now ready to begin; and that he thought it would be necessary to confine him, so that he need not start, or move suddenly. But the little fellow said Oh, I will keep so very still, nobody shall know I am here; but don't tie my hands.'

13: He can bear a great deal,' said his mother, 'a great deal of pain.' He was allowed to remain unconfined, and no living thing could have kept more entirely motionless. Scarcely one groan escaped him.

14. The operation was very short, and was successful. The little boy shook his head and said, 'What is it? I feel as though it had come morning—and the weather was warm again—and I was waking up the birds were singing: Mother, what is it? Where is mother? Speak, mother.'

and

15. His mother sunk on her knees; 'I thank thee, Heavenly Father,' was all she could say. Her well known voice called his attention. He turned, as he ever did, towards the spot whence the sound proceeded, and now knew that he could see his mother. Nothing could restrain him longer : he sprang towards her, saying, 'My mother! is this my own dear mother?'

16. His mother could only press him to her bosom and whisper, My son - my son! Oh, that your fathe could have seen this blessed day!'

17. The physican here interposed, being fearful of the effects of so much excitement, and told them that a dark room and quietness were necessary for a few days.

18. The mother instantly composed herself: the bandages were applied, and the room was darkened. Henry was laid on the bed; and being mindful of the cautions given him, he kept quite still, and soon sunk into a quiet slumber. His fond mother sat watching over him with a heart full of gratitude for this unexpected blessing.

19. The doctor, and Mr. and Mrs. Percival were much affected by the scene. They softly left the room and related the glad tidings to the children. Among them all none seemed more affected and thankful than Julius. He had been the first to see little Henry, and the first to assist him; and his efforts to be useful to Henry had warmed and softened his own heart, and taught him what blessedness there is in doing good without expectation or desire of reward.

20. Henry suffered but little during his confinement, and was able after a fortnight to commence learning how to distinguish objects by seeing them. At first, everything that he saw, seemed equally near him. He would reach out his hand, to take hold of a chair that was at the farther end of the room, or to catch a bird on the top of a high tree. All seemed at first in complete confusion, for he knew not, by seeing anything, where t was placed.

21. This difficulty he, however, soon learned how to overcome. When he had time to reflect, he found that he could judge how far off anything was that made a noise, because he had learned this when he could not see; and when he thus knew the distances of any objects, he would carefully notice their appearance, and learn to estimate the distance of others, which appeared in a similar manner. He also learned the same by going to many things, and thus finding where they were.

22. It is not easy to tell how he learned the size and distance of objects; nor did he understand much about it. We know, however, that he was soon able to distinguish them, and tell where they were, and how large they were, nearly as well as other children of his age. His companions were as much astonished as himself at his ignorance of these things; and they were constant and untiring in their efforts to teach him the names of everything in the new world that had opened upon

him.

23. Several weeks passed pleasantly away, each one of the children endeavoring to render the others as happy as possible. Julius was at his uncle's most of the time, and appeared to have entirely put off his long indulged habits of violence and selfishness. He and Henry became very much attached. They seemed, indeed, more like affectionate brothers, than as two children who till so lately had been unknown to each other.

24. But the time soon arrived for them to be separated, and this separation was very painful. Mr. Ward felt desirous to have his sister and her son at his own house; and as soon as Henry's sight was confirmed, he

came for them. They took a gratefully affectionate leave of Mr. Percival's family, but the sadness of parting was cheered by many promises of soon, and frequently seeing each other.

25. A short ride brought them to the place which was now to be their home. Here they found everything pleasant and convenient, and very soon felt that they had found a comfortable and a happy home.

26. There was an excellent school in the neighbor hood, and as soon as it was judged proper, Henry commenced his studies. Here again all was new, and all was delightful. It seemed to him no hard task to learn, but a privilege and a blessing; and his progres: was very rapid.

27. Henry's early blindness appeared to have given a serious and studious cast to his character, and a calmness and kindliness to all his feelings. Yet he was not wanting either in energy or activity.

28. The friendship and affection which Mr. Percival's family and Julius had felt for Henry and his mother, continued unabated. The young people frequently exchanged visits, and many of Henry's vacations were passed either at Mr. Percival's or with Julius. whose father also became much interested for nis son s favorite friend; so much so, that some years after, when Julius was placed at one of the most celebrated academies, his father begged that Henry might go also, and insisted on bearing the whole expense of his remaining education.

29. The reformation in Julius proved to be no momentary thing but there remained a boldness and daring in his character, which were admirably met by the