_Mrs. Lovechild._ She had a healthful color: and her countenance was sweet, because she was always good-humored.—That smile on her mouth seems to say—I wish you all happy; but it was not for her beauty, but her goodness, that she was beloved: and on that account only did I wish for her picture. _Miss._ Pray, madam, why is that boy drawn with a frog in his hand? _Mrs. Lovechild._ In memory of a kind action which he did to a poor harmless frog.—You shall hear the whole story.—I was taking my morning walk pretty early one day, and I heard a voice say, “Pray do not kill it; I will give you this penny, it is all I have, and I shall not mind going without my breakfast, which I was to have bought with it.” “You shall not lose your meal!” exclaimed I; “nor you, naughty boys, the punishment which you deserve for your cruel intention.” _Miss._ Pray, madam, what was the good boy’s name? _Mrs. Lovechild._ _Mildmay!_ he was always a friend to the helpless. _Miss._ How cruel it is in a great boy to be a tyrant! _Mrs. Lovechild._ Dunces are often cruel.—My young friend redeemed a linnet’s nest from a stupid school-fellow, by helping him in his exercise every day for a fortnight, till the little birds were flown. _Here a servant entered the gallery, and announced company, which put an end to Mrs. Lovechild’s account of the picture._ [Illustration: Decoration] [Illustration: Boy on dog] THE HEDGE-HOG. Master William Gentle was riding on the back of his dog Cæsar, when his grandfather called to him and invited him to take a walk. They went out together, and as they were walking, they met some boys who had a hedge-hog, which they were going to hunt.—Mr. _Gentle_ ordered them to release it.—The boys pleaded that the hedge-hog would injure the farmers by sucking their cows, and that it therefore ought to be killed. _Mr. Gentle._ If it were proper to deprive the animal of life, it would be a duty to do it in as expeditious a manner as possible, and very wicked to torment the poor creature; but the accusation is false, and you are unjust as well as cruel.—Release it this instant! _William._ Will the hedge-hog be glad when he gets loose? _Grandfather._ Very glad. _William._ Then I shall be glad too. _Grandfather._ I hope that you will always delight in making other creatures happy: and then you will be happy yourself. _William._ I love to see the dog happy, and the cat happy. _Grandfather._ Yes, surely; and you love to make them happy. _William._ How can I make them happy? _Grandfather._ By giving them what they want, and by taking kind notice of them, and when you get on Cæsar’s back again, as he lets you ride, do not strike him, but coax him gently. _William._ Can I make my brothers and sisters happy? _Grandfather._ You can each of you make yourself and all the rest of the children happy, by being kind and good-humored to each other; willing to oblige, and glad to see the others pleased. _William._ How, pray?