They are amphibious; so we name those creatures which can live either on land or in the water. The head is larger than a rat’s; their fore feet are short, and with these they hold fast their food; their hind feet are long, and with a web betwixt the claws, like the ducks; and their tails are flat and finny, and assist them to swim with more ease than they could do, if they only used their feet for that purpose. CHARLES. But of what materials do they build the thick walls of their houses? DR. BARTLETT. They mix and knead together, with their fore feet, clay, earth and water; and their tails serve first as a mortar-tray to carry it, and then as a trowel to plaister it on in a proper manner. CHARLES. It is wonderful! But can these skilful creatures work without the least reflection? DR. BARTLETT. They have not thinking powers, of course they cannot deliberate about it. God has created them with a certain ability or instinct to direct them infallibly. Man is a superior animal, he only in this world is endued with the noble power of reflection. CHARLES. This preference demands our gratitude. DR. BARTLETT. Certainly, my dear, demands our utmost diligence to cultivate the precious gift. We ought never to speak or act without reflection, and our whole conduct should be conformable to the wise designs of the Creator:—this is the only way to make ourselves worthy of our dignity. The Doctor then left us. I preserve in my mind all these good instructions, dear mother; never, no never, shall I forget them. And as God has made us capable of reasoning, if we abuse this goodness, and act without understanding, we are not above the senseless brutes. WILLIAM. LETTER XXXVIII. WILLIAM _to his_ MOTHER. Oh! my dear mother, poor Emilia had yesterday such a dreadful accident. I do pity her, I never before saw her cry so bitterly. Charles and I were amusing ourselves, working in our little garden; Emilia came running to us sobbing; but you shall hear all. EMILIA. My dear brother—I am so sorry. CHARLES. Tell me on what account? You astonish me; has any thing befallen my father or mother? EMILIA. No, no.— But I am afraid to tell you; it will vex you. CHARLES. Tell it me directly; if I may know it. EMILIA. The cat has eat my sweet canary-bird. I did love it—you gave it me, it sung so charmingly, and was so tame. CHARLES.