connexion of the barrel, and the chain, and the fusee; and how they were put into motion by the uncoiling of the spring. You were quite sure that an artist had been employed in contriving these things; and you said that the inside of a watch never appeared so beautiful and curious before. You will experience the same feelings of delight and admiration in a far higher degree, when you examine the contrivances of the great Creator. It is true that you will not perceive and understand them all: the wisest man that ever lived has not been able to do this. But you will see enough to be certain, that infinite power and wisdom are continually employed in producing order, and beauty, and

happiness. The consciousness of knowing but little, will not make you doubtful of what you do know it will be clear to you as the uncoiling of the watch-spring."

Harry kissed his mother with unusual affection, and went to bed.

"How

kindly she talks to me," thought he, as he laid his head on the pillow; "not as a child, but as a friend.' Yes, those were her own words. I know I should like to be her friend! And she says that these wonderful things may be as clear to me as the uncoiling of the watch-spring. She never deceived me, and I will do my best to understand them."

CHAPTER II.

"We trace

Thro' all the fabric, Wisdom's artful aim
Disposing every part, and gaining still,
By means proportion'd, her benignant end."

AKENSIDE.

THE next morning, when Mrs. Beaufoy went into the kitchen to give orders for the day, she desired the cook to cut off a leg of one of the fowls, in the usual place; taking care not to divide the tendon at the joint, but to draw out the part which runs up that division of the leg which is frequently called the drumstick. With this in her hand, she re

turned to the parlour, where she found Harry waiting for her as usual.

"Oh,

mamma, what are you going to do with

that leg of the fowl ?"

"To show you,

my dear, that the curious mechanism of which we were speaking last night, is not a matter of opinion, in which it is right we should be diffident; but a fact, of which we may be certain from the evidence of our senses. Here, take this into your own hand, and examine it. I have had a piece of the tendon left, on purpose that you might see the manner of its operation."

Harry then began to pull the tendon, and saw that, every time he stretched it, the claws contracted as they had done the evening before. "I could not see

the tendon last night, mamma: it was hidden by the skin of the fowl, and the shutting of the claws seemed like magic. But now the reason is quite plain: I see it is as much the consequence of stretching the tendon, as that the bell should ring when I pull the handle. I wish, dear mamma, you would explain some more of those wonderful contrivances you were speaking of. If they are all as clear and plain as this," added he, holding up the claw, and pulling the tendon with great rapidity, "I am not at all afraid but I shall be able to understand them."

"I told you last night, my dear boy, that you cannot understand them all; and even of those which may be render