But I must again speak of my friend Charles. Dr. Bartlett asked us after breakfast if we would take a short walk. Charles, who is much better, desired to be excused going with us. My leg, said he, is not quite well; if I walk much on it, my father and mother would perceive it, and I do not wish to give them a moment’s uneasiness, I would rather lose the pleasure of the walk. He then remained in his chamber, and Emilia, Edward, and I, accompanied Dr. Bartlett, and we had the following conversation. EMILIA. Why is it not always summer, Sir? The summer is far more delightful than the winter. DR. BARTLETT. If it was always summer, we should not enjoy as much pleasure as we do at present. The succession of the seasons rouses our attention, and gives variety to the year; you would be tired of the most beautiful prospect, if it never varied. You have experienced this very often, I believe. Some months ago, I gave you an optic glass, and you were so pleased with it that you would leave off eating to amuse yourself with the wonders it discovered: now your curiosity sleeps, it is thrown aside; some months hence it may come in play again. So it is with the trees and flowers; the change of summer and winter is adapted to our nature, while the earth is allowed a resting time; during which it gathers fresh strength to bud forth in the beautiful livery of spring. EMILIA. I never viewed it in this light. Oh! there is a great frog. DR. BARTLETT. Why are you frightened, they will do you no harm. EDWARD. No, they do no harm. EMILIA. Dare you then touch one, Edward? EDWARD. Yes. Look at me, I will touch one. DR. BARTLETT. We may without danger touch a frog, if we only know how to distinguish it from a toad.—But it is most prudent not to play with any animal you are not acquainted with. EMILIA. Then it is right to be afraid of all sorts of creatures? DR. BARTLETT. By no means. You know, for example, that it gives you pain when you take hold of a nettle: have you then reason to cry out when you see a nettle? Those little creatures, even though provided with a weapon to defend themselves, or revenge an injury, will not seek you: they are more afraid of you than you of them. WILLIAM. See, the frog jumps away when we come near it. EMILIA. But what say you of rats and mice? EDWARD. They fear us yet more. You have often seen how they run away, if they hear the least noise. I for my part am more afraid of fleas and gnats than of rats and mice. What do all these creatures in the world? They are of no use. DR. BARTLETT.