Tell me, blue-bird, tell me why Art thou seen in yonder sky, Pouring music from above, In a lay that’s all of love? “Spring is coming--spring is coming!” 3 Tell me, foaming, romping rill, Dashing headlong down the hill, Why, like boy from school let out, Dost thou leap, and laugh, and shout? “Spring is coming--spring is coming!” 4 Tell me, little daisy, tell Why in yonder wooded dell Forth you venture from the ground, Mid the sere leaves all around? “Spring is coming--spring is coming!” [Illustration: ROBERT MERRY’S MUSEUM.] My own Life and Adventures. (_Continued from page 35._) CHAPTER VI. _My new Gun.--Obstinacy.--Setting out on a Hunting Expedition.--A Strange Character.--Mountain Sport.--A Snow-Storm.--Getting lost.--Serious Adventures._ I have said enough as to the indulgent manner in which I was treated at my uncle’s, not only by him, but by others, to show that no very great restraints were laid upon my wishes, or even my caprices. At the time, I thought it very pleasant to be permitted to have my own way; but I have since been led to believe that most of the serious evils of my life have flowed from this defect in my early education. We all of us need to be brought up to follow duty rather than pleasure, or, to speak more properly, to find our pleasure in doing our duty. If parents send their children to school, it is the duty of their children not only to go, but to improve all the advantages offered them. It is their duty to learn their lessons well and thoroughly, and to obey the rules of the school; and children that are properly educated, and who have right feelings, will do this with cheerfulness and satisfaction. Thus they will find pleasure in following the path of duty. This is very important for the happiness of children, while they are children,--for there is no pleasure so sweet as that which is found in doing something useful and right; but it is still more important in another point of view. In early life, we form habits, and they are likely to guide us ever after. It is easy for us to act according to habit, and it is difficult for us to act otherwise. A child who is brought up in the habit of finding pleasure in doing his duty, is likely to go on so through life; and thus he will secure happiness in this world and that which is to come: while a child who is brought up without a sense of duty, and at the same time is permitted to follow his fancy, is apt always to be guided rather by his whims, his caprices, and his passions, than by any right feeling or right principle. Such a person is almost sure to meet with much trouble in life, and there is great danger that he will turn out an unhappy and unfortunate man.