But the love and earnestness of her heart taught her how to amuse poor Edward in his darkness. She put her knitting-work into his hands. </p> <p> &ldquo;You must learn how to knit,&rdquo; said she. </p> <p> &ldquo;What! without using my eyes?&rdquo; cried Edward. </p> <p> &ldquo;I can knit with my eyes shut,&rdquo; replied Emily. </p> <p> Then with her own little hands she guided Edward&rsquo;s fingers while he set about this new occupation. So awkward were his first attempts that any other little girl would have laughed heartily. But Emily preserved her gravity, and showed the utmost patience in taking up the innumerable stitches which he let down. In the course of an hour or two his progress was quite encouraging. </p> <p> When evening came, Edward acknowledged that the day had been far less wearisome than he anticipated. But he was glad, nevertheless, when his father and mother, and George and Emily, all took their seats around his chair. He put out his hand to grasp each of their hands, and smiled with a very bright expression upon his lips. </p> <p> &ldquo;Now I can see you all with my mind&rsquo;s eye,&rdquo; said he. &ldquo;And now, father, pray tell us another story.&rdquo; </p> <p> So Mr. Temple began. </p> <p> <br /><br /><br /> <a name="newton"></a> </p> <h3> SIR ISAAC NEWTON. </h3> <h4> [BORN 1642, DIED 1727] </h4> <p> On Christmas day, in the year 1642, Isaac Newton was born at the small village of Woolsthorpe, in England. Little did his mother think, when she beheld her newborn babe, that he was destined to explain many matters which had been a mystery ever since the creation of the world. </p> <p> Isaac&rsquo;s father being dead, Mrs. Newton was married again to a clergyman, and went to reside at North Witham. Her son was left to the care of his good old grandmother, who was very kind to him and sent him to school. In his early years Isaac did not appear to be a very bright scholar, but was chiefly remarkable for his ingenuity in all mechanical occupations. He had a set of little tools and saws of various sizes manufactured by himself. With the aid of these Isaac contrived to make many curious articles, at which he worked with so much skill that he seemed to have been born with a saw or chisel in hand. </p> <p> The neighbors looked with vast admiration at the things which Isaac manufactured. And his old grandmother, I suppose, was never weary of talking about him. </p> <p> &ldquo;He&rsquo;ll make a capital workman one of these days,&rdquo; she would probably say. &ldquo;No fear but what Isaac will do well in the world and be a rich man before he dies.&rdquo; </p> <p>