reatness
and perfection. "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the
firmament showeth his handiwork."

When you look at the clear blue sky, do you remember who has spread it
out, and who has created the innumerable worlds which we see, when
darkness covers our earth? "There are," indeed, "ever so many
beautiful things up in the sky," and it was a Father's hand that
placed them there. They are for us to enjoy, and many a lesson of love
and confidence have they taught God's children. Dear little Eddie! I
hope he will always love nature, and early learn to "look through
nature up to nature's God."

I shall never forget a drive with my father, when I was a child so
small that I sat on a little footstool in the carriage, between him
and my mother. We were returning from a visit to Aunt Harriet, at
whose house we had been spending the day. It was a fine evening. The
air was balmy and pleasant. I remember how the frogs sung in the low
ground, and how we listened to their quaint music. We had not ridden
far before the moon rose, and the stars, one by one, appeared. My
father had a true love for nature, and for whatever was beautiful or
grand. We drove on without speaking for a time, each enjoying the
evening. My father broke the silence by repeating that beautiful hymn
of Addison's, commencing with these lines--

"The spacious firmament on high,
With all the blue ethereal sky,
And spangled heavens, a shining frame,
Their great Original proclaim."

I was awed by the reverence of his manner, and I felt myself in the
presence of my Maker,--a mere speck amid his vast creations. An
ineffaceable impression was made on my mind, young as I was. My father
died many years ago, while I was still a child, but the lesson of that
hour has not been forgotten.

[Illustration]

LILY AND HER DUCKLINGS.

The white duck, Lily, made a nest on the ground, in a small enclosure,
from which some tame rabbits had been removed. She gathered the
scattered straw into one corner, and made a much neater nest than the
other ducks did, who laid their eggs under the wood-pile among the
small chips.

She laid several large, smooth, white eggs, and when she had as many
as she could conveniently take care of, she began to sit on them to
keep them warm, till the little ducks should be ready to peck their
way out. She plucked the soft white down from her breast, to line the
nest, and to make it of a more even temperature for