Before he had been taught to read, he made himself acquainted with the principal historical events of the Bible, by means of a folio volume of Scripture prints which his father had bought for his instruction. Having a retentive memory, and frequently asking information of any one who could stay to answer him, he was not long ere he obtained a knowledge of each picture, until, at length, he could explain and comment, in his infantile way, upon the history and events of every subject in the volume.

Children at this tender age require varied amusements, which, if combined with instruction, would often spare them some labour in their future studies. About this period, he studied the dissected map of England and Wales, so as to be able to place and point out each county, by name, from a recollection of its form and colour: he became, in a short time, so ready at this amusement, that he could tell every

county in the map, as it lay on the table with its face downwards.

Cowper, in one of his letters, relates a pleasing anecdote of Lord Spencer's son, who," when he was but four

years of age, knew the situation of every kingdom, country, city, river, and remarkable mountain, in the world. For this attainment he was indebted to a plaything, having been accustomed to amuse himself with those maps which are cut out into compartments, so as to be thrown into a heap of confusion, that they may be put together again with an exact coincidence of all their angles and bearings to form a perfect whole."

This early period of his life is often recurred to by his bereaved father, with recollections of many sweet opportunities which he enjoyed, even then, with his hopeful infant son; opportunities which were, however, accompanied with feelings of thoughtful responsibility, as well as of thankfulness,

to find, that it had pleased the Almighty to make him the joyful father of an intelligent child; - responsibility, that he had consigned to his care, a precious, an immortal being, to nurture, to instruct, and to guide in the path of virtue and holiness, to promote and encourage, as well as to suffer, his little child to come unto Jesus and to forbid him not, either directly or indirectly, by word or example; to teach him to wait to hearkento hearken and when to answer" Speak, Lord! for thy servant heareth ;" and—as his natural faculties should become more and more unfolded, to direct his inquiring mind to the pursuit of such things as are lovely and of good report, that so, as he grew in stature, he might also grow in favour both with God and man.

At the early age above alluded to, it was his father's usual practice to sit with him awhile in his chamber after he was put to bed; a practice so congenial to the child's

own feelings, that if any thing occurred to delay the accustomed visit, he would send his maid to say, that he was gone to his pretty pillow," and wished for a little of his father's company before he went to sleep.

These short interviews were spent in stillness—in some instructing conversation suited to his age-or in asking and answering questions;-questions put in much simplicity, yet often ill to solve. Young as he then was, it is believed that the father and his child seldom separated without having been, in some degree, made sensible that these simple exercises were owned by that Divine Being, who condescends to be found of those who seek Him in singleness of heart, in spirit, and in truth.

"How sweet to wait upon the Lord,
In stillness and in prayer!

What though no preacher speak the word,
A minister is there.

A minister of wondrous skill,
True graces to impart;

He teaches all the father's will,

And preaches to the heart."

Previous to his being left for the night, he was accustomed to recite to his father some short but impressive portion of Scripture, or of poetry, which had been taught him- not having at this period learned to read, and he generally concluded the interesting visit, by repeating, in a serious manner, the following stanza :—

"Lord! teach a little child to pray,

Thy grace betimes impart;
And grant thy Holy Spirit may
Renew my infant heart!"

May we not humbly trust, that the practice alluded to was blessed to the dear child, and that it might even be, in some measure, a means, as he advanced in years, of drawing him into that close walk and