without his pen, as of doing anything without using his mind. To the habit of thinking, indeed, he was chiefly indebted for the knowledge he had derived from various sources. Without this, his mind would have been like the miller's sieve, letting through the flour, and only keeping back the bran; but with it, his stores were constantly on the increase. He was, in fact, always doing something; and it was his aim to do what was useful, and also to do it well. His conduct at home was therefore pleasing; at school he gained the chief prizes; and wherever he was a visitor, his friends were reluctant to part with him, and often expressed their wishes that he would soon come again.

The

Many years have since passed away, and the boy has long ago become a man. slender shoot has grown to a tree-a tree of no common fruitfulness. The mind, so diligently cultured, is able to do at once, and with ease, what many find difficult, attempt again and again with great effort, or give up as quite impossible. The extent and variety of knowledge acquired from year to year by a diligent student is indeed surprising.

Uncle William's knowledge enables him daily to gather more. He has studied plants, and hence every field, bank, or hedge, suggests something new, or reveals and renders more lasting in remembrance what is already known. He has studied insects, birds, and quadrupeds; and so, as he looks on their movements, his acquaintance with these animated tribes is enlarged. He has studied the air, the light, and the heavens; and the morning or the evening walk affords him, therefore, a peculiar interest, unknown to others of different habits.

Another trait of character deserves to be noticed. A flint yields a spark when it is forcibly struck. A sponge may hold a valuable liquid; but to yield it, it must be pressed: but these are unlike Uncle William. As the honey flows from the comb, so all he can do is freely offered for the benefit of others. It is delightful to see him in the midst of a youthful group. One little creature is seated on his knee; others who are older gather around; "big sisters and brothers," as they are sometimes called, increase the party; and fathers and mothers have often been observed to stand within hearing, picking up, doubtless,

what deserved to be remembered. Few, perhaps, are so well prepared to meet that oftrepeated request: "Do, if you please, tell me a story." Uncle William, however, likes those stories best which teach something. When he tells one, he would have it contain some valuable lesson, as a nut is inclosed in a shell, or as a jewel is shut up in a casket. He knows full well that when Solomon would correct indolence, he said, "Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise;" and that our Lord directed his disciples to the fowls of the air and the lilies of the field, when he would urge them to trust in the providence of our heavenly Father. In such circumstances, then, he often finds an example, and many a lesson does he teach from the various objects around.

I have overheard him urging on the young, a tender affection for one another, as he has pointed out to them a pair of love-parrots, so remarkable for this feeling; and sometimes a story of Uncle William's comes, as people say, "very pat." To give an instance of this: Henry-I need not mention his other namewas asked one day to fetch his sister from a friend's, and he did not look very well