class or matter, but guided by the circumstances which seemed to exist, and the enquiries which led to the disquisition.

For the feebleness of the attempt I have only to intreat the same candour and generosity I before experienced; and that being the trust upon which I rest, is the only motive which makes me commit this book to the eye of critical observation, and general opinion, with any thing like hope.

LONDON, October, 1801.

H. VENTUM.

GAY.

"And not provide for future want."

"ELIZA and Emily," said Mrs. Har rison, as she entered the parlour, " put on your bonnets, and let us enjoy the beauties of the evening in a walk; but first let me sce how you have performed your tasks." -Eliza produced the rose she had been painting, and Emily put into her mother's hand an extract from her Geographical Grammar, she had just been making.

66

Very well indeed, my dears," said their delighted parent, "this proves your attention, and serves to convince me the ideas I had formed of your abilities were just; but come, let us now partake a little recreation, I will saunter slowly through the

lane, by the copse, and you, I dare say, will presently overtake me." The summons for a walk with their mother was too agreeable to be delayed, and hastily attiring themselves, the young ladies joined her.

"But where is Frederick?" said Mrs. Harrison, as she saw her daughters hastening on to overtake her; "he has not yet finished his writing exercise, mama," said Eliza, "which he is anxious to complete, but he bid me say, if you would walk by Brooks' field, he would be with us presently." ""Tis very well, my dear, his diligence should be indulged, we will follow the road he has prescribed."

Emily.

What a number of little hillocks there are in this path, mama! how curiously they are thrown up! they appear as if something more than chance had. formed them, I could almost conceive they had been piled bit by bit, they lay so regularly."

Mrs. H." Do you not know that they are the nests of Ants, whose residence, in

fine

fine dry weather, is pretty deep in the ground, but who, in a wet season, contrive to pile a small mass of earth or gravel over the entrance of their habitations, to defend them from the damage they might otherwise sustain? I think I need not tell you that this little creature is rendered famous, and actually held up to man as a proverb of industry; even Solomon has immortalized it, by saying, "go to the Ant thou sluggard, consider her ways and be wise." Their nests are well worth the inspection of the curious; so much art, so much design, and so much utility, are at the same time evident in their construction. Their residence has all the appearance of a little city; drains are every here and there formed to carry off the water, which might otherwise occasion them great damage, by overflowing their granaries, and destroying not only the produce of their present labours, but the hope of future subsistence; for the provident foresight of these little creatures, is such as to direct them to

lay up a proper store of provisions for winter."...

Emily." Then mama they never experience a famine?"

Mrs. H." On this account they are indefatigable in their exertions during the course of the summer. Not one of this vast community is idle; should there be one found, the others drag him to the mouth of their habitation, and cover him. with gravel or sand, or beat him till he is either incapable of bearing his post in the general labour, or willingly executes his charge. Their care too of their young is admirable; it is, indeed, a lesson of instruction to parents: thus these insects display indeed so much genuine wisdom in the arrangement of all their little concerns, that they have been thought worthy the attention of the greatest moralists, as well as naturalists, who have been at much pains to examine into their peculiarities, with even critical attention."

"Eliza.