4. "O, brother! brother!" (said Dorindà, taking up the flower which was broken off from the stalk,) "what have you done?" The sweet girl was holding the flower in her hand when her father, having dressed himself, came into the parlour. "Bless me, Dorinda," (said Mr. Buckingham, in an angry tone,) "how could you be so thoughtless as to pluck a flower you have seen me take so much care to rear, in order to have seed from it?"

5. Poor Dorinda was in such a fright, that she could only beg her papà not to be angry.

6. Mr. Buckingham, growing more calm, replied he was not angry, but reminded her that as they were going to a garden where there was a variety of flowers, she might have waited till they got there to indulge her fancy.

7. He therefore hoped she would not take it amiss if he left her at home.

8. This was a terrible situation for Dorindà, who held her head down, and said nothing. Little Alfred, however, was of too generous a temper to keep silence any longer. He went up to his papà, with his eyes swimming in tears, and told him that it was not his sister, but himself, who had accidentally beaten off the head of the flower with the flap of his coat.

9. He therefore desired, that his sister might go abroad, and he stay at home.

10. Mr. Buckingham was so delighted with the generosity of his children, that he instantly for gave the accident, and tenderly kissed them both,

being happy to perceive in them such affection for each other.

11. He told them that he loved them equally well, and that they should both go with him. Alfred and Dorindà kissed each other, and leaped about for joy.

12. All three then walked to the garden, where they saw plants of the most valuable kinds.

13. Mr. Buckingham observed, with pleasure, how Dorinda pressed her clothes on each side, and Alfred kept the skirts of his coat under his arms, for fear of doing damage in their walk among the flowers.

14. The flower Mr. Buckingham had lost would have given him some pain, had it happened from any other circumstance; but the pleasure he received from seeing such mutual affection and regard subsist between his two children, amply repaid him for the loss of his flower.

15. I cannot omit the opportunity that here presents itself of reminding my young friends not only how necessary, but how amiable and praiseworthy it is, for brothers and sisters to live together in harmony.

16. It is not only their most important interest to do so, but what should be a still stronger argument with them, such are the commands of him who made them.

LESSON LXI.

BERTRAND AND HIS LITTLE FAMILY.

1. THINK yourselves happy, my little readers, since none of you know what it is to endure hunger day after day, without being able to enjoy one plentiful meal.

2. Confident I am, that the following relation will not fail to make an impression on your tender hearts.

3. Bertrand was a poor labourer who had six young children, whom he maintained with the utmost difficulty. To add to his distresses, an unfavourable season much increased the price of bread.

4. This honest labourer worked day and night to procure subsistence for his family, and though their food was composed of the coarsest kind, yet even of that he could not procure a sufficiency.

5. Finding himself reduced to extremity, he one day called his little family together, and with tears in his eyes, and a heart overflowing with grief-"My sweet children," (said he to them,) "bread is now so extravagantly dear, that I find all my efforts to support you ineffectual.

6. "My whole day's labour is barely sufficient to purchase this piece of bread which you see in my hand; it must therefore be divided among

you, and you must be contented with the httle my labour can procure you.

7. "Though it will not afford you a plentiful meal, yet it will be sufficient to keep you from perishing with hunger."

8. Sorrow and tears interrupted his words, and he could say no more, but lifted up his hands and eyes to heaven.

9. His children wept in silence, and, young as they were, their little hearts seemed to feel more for their father, than for themselves.

10. Bertrand then divided the small portion of bread into seven equal shares, one of which he kept for himself, and gave to the rest each his lot.

11. But one of them, named Harry, refused his share, telling his father he could not eat, pretending to be sick. "What is the matter with you, my dear child?" said his father, taking him up in his arms.

12. "I am very sick," (replied Harry,) “very sick indeed, and should be glad to go to sleep." Bertrand then carried him to bed, and gave him a tender kiss, wishing him a good night.

13. The next morning the honest labourer, overwhelmed with sorrow, went to a neighbouring physician, and begged of him, as a charity. to come and see his poor boy.

14. Though the physician was sure of never being paid for his visit, yet such were his humanity and feelings, that he instantly went to the labourer's house.

15. On his arrival there he found no particular. symptoms of illness, though the boy was evidently in a very low and languishing state. The doctor told him he would send him a cordial draught; but Harry begged he would forbear sending him any thing; as he could do him no good.

16. The doctor was a little angry at this behaviour, and insisted on knowing what his disorder was, threatening him, if he did not tell him immediately, he would go and acquaint his father with his obstinacy.

17. Poor Harry begged the doctor would say nothing about it to his father, which still more increased the doctor's wish to get at the bottom of the mystery.

18. At last, poor Harry, finding the doctor resolute, desired his brothers and sisters might leave the room, and he would acquaint him with every particular.

19. As soon as the physician had sent the children out of the room, "Alas, sir," (said little Harry,) "in this season of scarcity, my poor father cannot earn bread enough to feed us.

dear

20. "What little quantity he can get, he divides equally among us, reserving to himself the smaller part. To see my dear brothers and sisters suffer hunger, is more than I can bear.

21. "I am the oldest, and stronger than they; I have therefore not eaten any myself, but have divided my share among them. It is on this account that I pretended to be sick and unable to