Edward; "but then
you will own it is delightful: you yourself exclaimed the other night
when the curtain drew up, 'what a beautiful spectacle!'"

"Yes, my love, but nature has far more beautiful spectacles, and I have
kept you too long from them."

"But, mother," insisted Edward, "nothing can be so pleasant and
startling, as when the curtain suddenly draws up and discovers a
beautiful scene."

"It may be more startling, my dear Ned, but it is not half so delightful
as to see the curtain of night withdrawn in a clear summer morning, and
the lovely objects of nature lighting up with the rays of the rising
sun."

"But, mother, there is the orchestra--"

"And in the country, my dear, we have bands of voluntary musicians on
every side of us, who set all their wants, and all their pleasures to
music, and pour them forth in the sweetest notes, from morning till
night. These musicians will hover about our house and garden the entire
summer, and ask no reward, but to share with us our cherries and
raspberries; a small pittance from the generous stores of summer. But,
come, my children, what next?"

"What next, Julia? Let us think--Oh, there is the museum. I am sure,
mother, you cannot say a word against the museum--such a variety of
curiosities, and elegant specimens of every thing, and I have heard you
and papa both say, that it is a very instructive as well as amusing
place to visit."

"Certainly it is, my dear, a vast collection of natural wonders, and
artificial curiosities; and I am glad you value it sufficiently to
regret it. But, my dear children, nature has her museums every where:
her productions are all curiosities, and the more you study them, the
more you will admire the wisdom and goodness of their Creator. Every
vegetable that springs from the kind bosom of the earth--the earth
itself--the rocks--the pebbles--living creatures, their instincts and
habitudes--are all a study for you. The volume is open and outspread
before you: God grant me grace to train your minds and hearts, that
you may read therein--read with that enlightened understanding and
benevolent spirit, which prompted a christian philosopher to say, 'the
air, the earth, the water, teem with delighted existence. On whichever
side I turn my eyes, myriads of happy beings crowd upon my view.'"

Any farther record of the conversation would be superfluous, and might
prove tedious. It is our purpose to give some anecdotes of Edward and
Julia, and no