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CHAP. XV.

Why grieve, if others in their turn are blest?

WELL-at last, the garden is cleared: but not till after apronsful and armsful of its superfluous furniture have been carried out. Now, with nettle-stung, tingling arms and ancles, and red faces, the delighted pair sit down to breakfast. Loudly, they tell what changes they have wrought;

what

what evils overcome; what discoveries they have made. They scorn to waste the hours; they resume their work; the borders are raked; the walks rolled; and ten brimming watering pots deluge all the place.— Pleasure itself is labor;—even gardening tires; the enterprising cultivators

retreat.

Presently, our birds arrive, to enjoy the usual viands. What disappointment overwhelms them, when they perceive the alterations that have taken place! The Canary-Bird is particularly chagrined!

For

For the rest, they bore the matter with much composure, and set out in pursuit of a new banqueting-place. Before they departed, however, there arrived some other birds, who found the richest fare upon the new-turned earth. These were fond of the insects of which the soil was full. From the satisfaction they expressed, the Canary-Bird perceived that, what he had regarded as a universal misfortune was in fact, a blessing to others. He no longer regretted the circumstance; because none but selfish considerations could make that

appear

appear to be an evil in which so many individuals rejoiced.

Having picked up sufficient refreshment on his way, he sought again the bower where the Cottage of Bertha had been read. He lost this morning, accidentally, the company of the yellow-hammer; a circumstance that left him at full. liberty to indulge his partiality for culti

vated scenes.

Among the honey-suckle that flaunted over the bower, in full sunshine, he dressed his feathers,

songs.

and sung one of his sweetest He had not been in this place long, however, before the

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ladies resumed their seats, and began to read the conclusion of their story. We shall withdraw our eyes and attention from the Canary-Bird, while we repeat, in the next chapter, what was read in the bower with much pleasure.

CHAP

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