CONTENTS.

CONVERSATION

I. Of Matter,

II. The Eye,

III. Of Animals,

IV. The Number of God's Works,

V. The Solar System,

VI. The Power of God,

VII. Of Water,

VIII. Of Air,

IX. Of Colors,

X. The Earth,

XI. The Human Frame,

XII. The Goodness of God,

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INTRODUCTION.

MR. NEWMRACH, was an excellent and pious gentleman, who resided in the beautiful vale of Evesham. He had a pretty cottage on the sea coast in Hampshire, at which he was accustomed to spend the summer months.

After he had been married about two years, his lady died, leaving him a lovely boy, whose name was Frank. His father, who was almost overwhelmed by this painful bereavement, withdrew in a great measure from society, and devoted himself to the welfare and education of his infant charge.

Frank was a fine little boy; and of a very amiable temper, which was a great comfort to his Father, but chiefly to himself; for bad tempered people are never happy. His father found much pleasure in walking with him, in the fine fields, or by the sea-side, when the usual lessons of the day were finished,

Thus thirteen years passed away very happily; and Frank learned the first principles of science from his affectionate teacher. Though the children of a neighboring family used to visit him sometimes, yet he

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was always best pleased with his Father's company, and loved it more than any other.

It was in a visit to the cottage which Mr. Newmarch occupied in the summer, that a near relative put on paper, for the instruction of the rising generation, some of those important and useful things, of which Frank and his Father were accustomed to con

verse.

CONVERSATION I.

OF MATTER.

You said, Father, that you would tell me, what we are to understand by the word, Matter; will you do so now?

Yes, Frank; it is a very good opportunity. Matter, is a term which we use to describe every kind of substance. Learned men have written much on its varied and wonderful qualities

Will you tell me some of the principal of them, Father?

Certainly, Frank; I am glad that you make inquiries of this kind. You know, that I have often told you, that the way to become wise, is to ask about every thing which we do not understand.

The divisibility of matter, Frank, must necessarily strike every one, who reflects at all. When we walked through the copse the last evening, you was delighted with the fragrance of the honey suckles; that was a specimen, and a very sweet one too, of the divisibility of matter. All the particles of fragrance of which you were conscious, were actually divided from the flow

er.

I never thought of this before, Father,