istory. They learned to cultivate their
powers of observation also by studying the heavens. From a study of the
stars their tutor drew them on to an acquaintance with the compass, the
telescope, the magic lantern, the magnet, and the wonders of arithmetic.

The stories of foreign lands were interspersed with others illustrating
the habits of society; one for example, told how a certain rich man was
cured of the gout, showing how, while most of the diseases of the poor
originate in the want of food and necessaries, the rich are generally
the victims of their own sloth and intemperance.

"Dear me," said Tommy on one occasion, "what a number of accidents
people are subject to in this world."

"It is very true," said Mr. Barlow; "but as that is the case, it is
necessary to improve ourselves in every manner, that we may be able to
struggle against them."

TOMMY: Indeed, sir, I begin to believe it is; for when I was younger
than I am now, I remember I was always fretful and hurting myself,
though I had two or three people constantly to take care of me. At
present I seem quite another thing, I do not mind falling down and
hurting myself, or cold, or scarcely anything that happens.

MR. BARLOW: And which do you prefer--to be as you are now, or as you
were before?

TOMMY: As I am now, a great deal, sir; for then I always had something
or another the matter with me. At present I think I am ten times
stronger and healthier than ever I was in my life.

All the same, Tommy found it difficult at first to understand how people
who lived in countries where they had to undergo great hardships could
be so attached to their own land as to prefer it to any other country in
the world. "I have," he said, "seen a great many ladies and little
misses at our house, and whenever they were talking of the places where
they should like to live, I have always heard them say that they hated
the country of all things, though they were born and bred there."

MR. BARLOW: And yet there are thousands who bear to live in it all their
lives, and have no desire to change. Should you, Harry, like to go to
live in some town?

HARRY: Indeed, sir, I should not, for then I must leave everything I
love in the world.

TOMMY: And have you ever been in any large town?

HARRY: Once I was in Exeter, but I did not much like it. The houses
seemed to me to stand too thick and close, and then there are little,
narrow alleys where the poor live, and the houses a