READING BOOK.

A VISIT TO AN INFANTS' SCHOOL.

MAMMA, said Fanny, you promised that we should soon go with you again to see the Infant's School-may we walk there this morning?

Mrs. EUSTACE. Yes, my dear; I have not the least objection.

Thank you, thank you, mamma, exclaimed all the children at once; it is such a treat to go and see all those happy little creatures.

The school was situated in a very pretty spot, about half-a-mile from their house; it was a long and airy room, opening into a large play-ground, which had a border of flowers all round it. Here the children often received their lessons in fine weather, as their master delighted to give them pleasure, and they never plucked the flowers or spoiled his garden, because they had learned to be both obedient and honest. A veranda was in front of the school-room, over which were trained the clematis, passion-vine, jessamine, hop, and ivy; this sheltered it from the heat of the sun in summer, and formed a nice dry walk for the children during rain.

FANNY. I wonder, mamma, what lessons the children will be doing when we go there, they have such a variety, and all so amusing!-Let us guess.

LUCY. I hope it will be one with the arithmetical frame, they count those pretty round balls so quickly.

WILLIAM. I wish it may be the natural history of some animal, for there are so many amusing anecdotes which the master tells them, that I never go without learning something new.

FANNY. And I had rather hear them sing a hymn. They were all mistaken, for, as they entered, the chil

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dren, who were seated in the gallery, looked highly delighted, and were clapping their hands because the master had just said, We will have a lesson on comparison of animals.

Mrs. Eustace desired her children to sit perfectly still, lest they should take off the attention of the little scholars, whilst the master proceeded in the following manner :MASTER. Well, my dear children, shall we compare the cow and the horse, to-day?

O, yes, Sir; please, Sir, said a number of little voices

at once.

MASTER. Now then be all very attentive, and think; and let those who can answer my questions stand up, and hold out one hand, but not speak, until I tell them to do so, or I shall not understand what they say, from the noise of many speaking at once. Did you ever see a cow? 1ST CHILD. Yes, Sir.

MASTER. And a horse?

2D CHILD. Yes, Sir.

MASTER. Do you think there is any difference between them?

3D CHILD. Yes, a great deal.

MASTER. Can you tell me which kingdom they belong

to?

4TH CHILD. To the animal kingdom.

MASTER. In that, then, they are alike.-And how many legs have they?

5TH CHILD. Four, they are both quadrupeds. MASTER. On what do they feed?

6TH CHILD. Both eat grass and hay, and sometimes other vegetables.

MASTER. Are they alike in any
other respects?
7TH CHILD. Yes, they have each two eyes.

8TH CHILD. And four hoofs.

9TH CHILD. And two ears.

10TH CHILD. And a tail, and a mouth, and nostrils.

MASTER. Then we find that a cow and a horse are alike in many things-let us repeat them over. They are both animals, quadrupeds, eat the same food, and have the same bodily organs; they are also both domestic animals. What do I mean by domestic ?

11TH CHILD. Tame.

MASTER. What is the opposite of tame?

12TH CHILD. Wild.

MASTER. Right. Now we will try and find out the differences between the cow and the horse. Tell me one? 13TH CHILD. They are of different colours.

MASTER. Now, another difference.

4TH CHILD. Their skins are not alike. MASTER. How?

2D CHILD. The horse has got short, soft, fine hair. MASTER. And the cow?

14TH CHILD. Longer and coarser hair.

MASTER. Think of another difference.

15TH CHILD. The cow has horns, and the horse has

not.

MASTER. Yes; but all cows have not horns...

15TH CHILD. No, Sir, but horses never have; no horses

MASTER. Well; another difference?

1ST CHILD. The ears are stuck up, and pointed of a horse.

of?

MASTER. And a cow's ears?

5TH CHILD. They are flatter and broader

MASTER. Is there any other distinction you can tell me

16TH CHILD. The shape of the cow is more clumsy than the horse.

MASTER. Think of something else.

17TH CHILD. Their tails are not alike.. MASTER. Why?

17TH CHILD. The horse has got long hairs all down his tail; and the cow has only got some at the end.

2D CHILD. Sometimes they cut the horses' tails, and they are not long then.

MASTER. And is it right to cut off the tails of horses? 18TH CHILD. No, Sir, it is cruel.

MASTER. Why so? Is there any use in their tails? 19TH CHILD. Yes, Sir, God gave them tails to help to brush off the flies, which tease them in hot weather. MASTER. True; but there are some more things which you have not yet named, which you must tell me.

1ST CHILD. The hoof of the horse is not like the cow's hoof.