t their history.

As might have been expected, our young friends in the country, were like
beings rescued from an artificial mode of existence, and restored to
their native element; and when their mother, at the expiration of the
year, asked them if they were ready to return to town--

"Return to town, now, mother!" exclaimed Edward, "it is impossible."

"Some time or other, mama, perhaps we should like to go back, but not
now," said Julia. "We cannot go now, when we have so much to do. The
frost is just out of the ground, and Ned and I are as busy as bees in
our garden."

"And, besides," said Edward, "there is my brood of ducks, that the old
hen has just brought off; I am so curious to see her fright when they
take to the water; and there are my bantam pigeons; bantams are so
delicate, that you know, mother, I could not trust them to any body's
care but my own."

"I think old Caesar might take charge of your bantams, Ned," said Julia;
"but I am sure my pet lamb--"

"Oh, Julia," interrupted Edward, laughing, "give her the sentimental
french name."

"Very well, I will, and you may laugh as much you please: Orpheline--I
am sure Orpheline would not relish her food from any hand but mine, she
is so used to me; and my darling little partridges, that I am trying to
bring up to be domestic birds, I would not leave them before I have made
a 'satisfactory experiment,' as papa says; and then, mother, we did not
half fill our herbariums last summer. Oh, we have a world of business on
our hands," continued Julia, with the air of one who duly realized the
importance of her momentous concerns.

Mrs. Sackville smiled, but made no reply, and Edward said, "I was
thinking, mother, as I sat on the door-step last evening, and listened
to the hum of the happy little creatures that are waking up for the
season, that I had new eyes and new ears given to me, since I came
to live in the country. Even the hoarse croaking of the frogs in our
meadow, sounded pleasantly to me; quite musical."

"Equal to the music of the orchestra, my dear Ned."

"Not quite so fine, mother," replied Edward, "but it seemed to have
more meaning in it."

"You are right, my dear Edward," said Mrs. Sackville; "you have new
senses, or rather, your senses are unlocked to the reception of the
sweet influences of nature. I have more happiness than I can express to
you, my dear children, in finding that you have already imbibed a taste
for those pure pleasures,