Harry asked why we had not camels in America, instead of horses and cows? Mary told him that God had made this a very large world, and that it is divided into many countries. In some countries the weather is very hot, and in some countries it is very cold. The animals and people, who are born in hot countries, such as Arabia and Africa, could not endure the cold of America. They are happier and more useful in the climate where they are born. And Mary said, our heavenly Father was so good and kind to every thing that he had made, that he designed all animals, as well as little boys and girls and men and women too, to be useful and happy where he placed them. Harry asked if a little boy like him could be useful and happy? for Harry was only four years old. Mary told him, yes; and that when she had leisure, she would read aloud to him and his school-mates the story of a little girl who was only four years old, who was happy because she was useful. Harry loved his teacher, because she was so kind to him, and though he wanted very much to know how he could be useful and happy, he knew she had not time to answer any more questions now; and he was willing to wait, for his teacher always did what she said she would do, and Harry was sure she would not forget her promise. So he went to his seat as the other little boys and girls did, and while Mary heard the larger scholars say their definitions, Harry’s class made O’s, and strokes, and pothooks on their slates, as they are called, in this way. [Illustration: handwriting practice] Mary had only eight scholars, and she had leisure to attend to each one, and make them understand all their lessons, that they might have something to think about when they went home from school. On this morning the scholars were exercised in spelling, reading and arithmetic. The large boys and girls did sums in multiplication and subtraction, and the smaller ones made figures, after Mary had written a line upon their slates for them thus:— 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0. After they had been two hours in school, Mary rang a little bell. As soon as they heard it, they knew it was recess-time, and they all went out to play for fifteen minutes. The school was in the country, on the farm where Harry Linn’s father and mother lived, and Mary lived with them. Mary had been to the best schools to receive her education; and she was very fond of two things—learning and children. So, she agreed to come and live with Harry Linn’s father and mother, and teach school: and she had five of the neighbouring children, besides Harry and his brother and sister, for scholars. [Illustration: ~First Day.~ The School House at the edge of the wood. p. 13. ] The school-room was built at the edge of a piece of “woods,” not far from the house, and it was very cool and shady round about, all summer.