Rosoletta, on one occasion brought back to him a beautiful goldfinch, that had escaped from its cage, and was lost in an adjoining garden. Francesco was in despair at the loss, because it was a good performer, and he had promised it to the daughter of a lady from whom he had received much kindness. On the sixth morning after the goldfinch had escaped, Rcsoletta, the tame and intelligent partridge, was seen chasing the truant bird before her, along the top of the linden trees towards home. Rosoletta led the way by little and little before him, and at length getting him home, seated him in apparent disgrace in a corner of the aviary, whilst she flew from side to side in triumph for her success.

Francesco was now happy and contented, since by his own industry and exertions he was enabled to support his mother and sisters. Unfortunately, however, in the midst of all his happiness, he was suddenly torn from them by a very grievous accident. He was one evening engaged in gathering a species of mushroom, but not having sufficient discrimination to separate those which are nutritious from those that are poisonous, he ate of them to excess, and died in a few days, along with his youngest sister, in spite of every remedy which skill could apply. During the three days of Francesco's illness, his

birds flew incessantly round and round his bed ! some lying sadly upon his pillow, others flitting backwards and forwards above his head, a few uttering brief but plaintive cries, and all taking scarcely any nourishment.

The death of Francesco showed in a remarkable manner what affections may be excited in animals by a course of gentle treatment. Francesco's birds appeared to be sensible of the loss of a benefactor; but none of his feathered favourites manifested on his decease such real and disconsolate grief as Rosoletta. When poor Francesco was placed in his coffin, she flew round and round it, and at last perched upon the lid. In vain they several times removed her; she still returned, and even persisted in accompanying the funeral procession to the place of graves. During his interment she sat upon an adjoining cypress, to watch where they laid the remains of her friend; and when the crowd had departed, she forsook the spot no more, except to return to the cottage of his mother for her accustomed food. While she lived, she came daily to perch and to sleep upon the turret of an adjoining chapel which looked upon his grave; and here she lived, and here she died, about four months after the death of her beloved master.

From Chambers's Tracts.

ΤΟ

70

SOME years ago, a boy was sent from the United States of America to a boarding-school in Yorkshire, under somewhat mysterious circumstances.

He was well supplied with clothes; the expense of his board and education were paid. for two years in advance, and an allowance of pocket-money placed at the discretion of the master. An intimation was also given, that before the expiration of the two years, a second remittance of money should be made, but there was no reference whatever to any person in England, neither were any means afforded for tracing the family or American connexions of the boy. He was then about twelve years of age, and by his sweet and agreeable disposition he soon endeared himself to everybody in the school. Two years elapsed, during which time he rapidly improved. No accounts arrived from his friends.

The tutor anxiously awaited the promised remittance, but in vain. A third year elapsed. He knew not to whom to apply, and the boy could not afford him any assistance. The master, though at the head of a respectable school, had a large family of his own, and was not rich. He could not bear the idea of turning the boy out of his school, and yet he could not afford to keep him. He then delicately intimated to him that he should remain another half year, and if at the end of that period no intelligence should

arrive from his friends, it would then be necessary for him to think of some means of employment, assuring him of his best endeavours to serve him. The six months passed away, no tidings came, and poor Henry now seemed to be doomed to labour for his living. No sooner were his schoolfellows made acquainted with the circumstance, than they sent a deputation to the master, entreating him to suffer their much-loved companion to remain at the school, and offering to give up the whole of their pocket-money towards reimbursing him. The master was affected by so generous an offer, and declared that, could he but receive half of the usual charge, he would be satisfied. Then commenced a contest among the boys who should be the first in the subscription. They collected their little all, and many, who had no money, sold their toys and instruments of amusement that they might contribute to this praiseworthy object. At the ensuing vacation, they described poor Henry's unfortunate situation to their friends, who furnished them with additional means of serving him. He was thus kept at school for two years, when his father, who had long been in India, arrived in England, discharged the demands of the master, and repaid many of the boys for their kindness, by providing them with situations in London. And so you see good-nature never goes unrewarded.

MISSIONARY REWARD BOOKS.

AMONG other pleasing things, which are now constantly making their appearance in new and interesting forms for the amusement and instruction of children, these pretty little Reward Books may be mentioned. The Baptist Missionary Society is publishing a series of them at a low price. The cut given above is an ornament of one of them-an account of a coloured girl at Kingston, Jamaica, named Mary Graham, who died very very happy.

"A few days before her death, wishing to know particularly the state of her mind, and to have