know, by experience, that what we do not give to God, Satan will take for himself. The heart which is not lifted to the Lord at early day, will presently be filled with idle and mischievous imaginations, or pierced with sorrows, against which it has no defence; while a careful and early seeking for the blessing of God defends the soul from sin and cheers it under grief. It has been very well remarked by a pious man, that if a sack be filled with wheat, there will be no room to put in chaff: so, if the heart be full of God and holiness, the devil will find little opportunity to introduce his crafty devices.

of

"And now let me hear what you have to say the different things which you have seen this morning-I mean, what you have gathered of useful information and valuable instruction."

Jane and Edward looked much delighted at this proposal; for a great part of their enjoyment in every thing was the repeating of it all to their dear parents, whose instructive remarks they always tried to remember.

Jane began "The first thing, Papa, that struck me, was the wonderful way that they manage to preserve the animals and birds, in making

them look so like life, that it quite deceived me at first."

"It is very curious," replied her father, “and very useful to those who study closely what is called natural history. I could do it pretty well, when a young lad; but I took rather a dislike to it, and left it off, for something more useful and less dangerous."

"Papa," said Edward, "I was as much pleased with the stones, as Jane was with the birds."

"Were there any precious stones?"

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Oh, yes, Papa; there were most lovely gems, such as rubies, redder than any thing I could fancy; and emeralds of such a deep rich green that it would do good to inflamed eyes to look on the cool color; and there were many more which I forget; but the most precious stones to me were the stones that prove my precious Bible to be true, Papa."

"He means the organic remains," said Mrs. Cleveland.

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"Oh, then I understand you," observed Edward's papa," and most heartily agree in your estimate of a precious stone. My dear boy, God's word is the key and the index to all his works; it

throws light upon them too, and such a light as increases their beauty ten-fold. I am glad that you saw the interesting proofs of the deluge; but how sad that man should need a proof, where God has spoken, and declared that so it was! Did Mr. Peele explain them to you?"

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"No,” replied Mrs. Cleveland, smiling, “I was the show-woman, and was in great request until this favourite Mr. Peele came forward after we left that room, and I was glad to become a listener in turn."

“Oh, Mamma,” said Edward, " don't think that we liked any one's teaching better than yours. We would not have left you for twenty Mr. Peeles, only that he had seen what none of us had, and could describe it to us."

"It was quite right, my love; and I was nearly as much in need of information in that room as you were."

"Did you see any curious shells among the 'precious stones,' Edward ?" asked his father.

"Some very curious, Papa; and so perfect, that I could have easily opened them with my

nife, only they were under a glass, and out of my reach."

"You would have broken all the knives in the town first, Edward," observed his papa, smiling.

Every one of those substances is itself petrified, or turned to stone; and if you broke one with a hammer, you would find nothing but the outside form to distinguish it—all the rest is hard, solid, and like any other stone."

"But what became of the fish, Papa ?"

"It died, of course, and corrupted; and the shell being filled with some soft substance, that found entrance through the openings and pores, all hardened together. It is wonderful how the most delicate have been preserved, with every line and every mark as distinct as when the sea left them there, at least, four thousand years ago. I have often picked them up in my walks, and felt their value, as I am glad to see that you do, both as wonders among God's works, and witnesses to his word."

"Do they lie deep in the earth, Papa ?”

"So deep that no mine has gone beyond where some kinds are to be found. The earth, as far as man's art has reached, is formed of different beds, or rows, called strata, consisting of every sort of clay, stone, and mineral. Remains are to

be met with among them all, and sometimes the skeletons, horns, and teeth of animals unknown to us; some of such immense size, and so extraordinary a shape, that all the learned are puzzled to find out names for them."

"I know what I would like to be," said Edward.

"A miner, perhaps?"

"Something of that sort, Papa."

"You would find a vast and wonderful store of most interesting objects buried deep beneath the surface of the earth; but I doubt whether you would like to remain long in those dark damp places, shut out from the cheerful light of day, and far removed from the beauties of our upper world-the green grass, the shady trees, the fragrant and beautiful flowers, and the glories of the firmament. Neither sun, moon, nor stars shine into those deep dungeons, but glaring torches or pale lamps give what light there is; while the clang of hammer, ax, and mattock takes place of singing birds and the cheerful voices of friends."

"I wonder how any body can be a real working miner," said Jane; "and yet I am told there are hundreds and thousands down among the