the varieties of prospect in every season, not only in our houses but in our carriages. But when, by reading, you find how poor are the substitutes for glass in countries where the art of making it is not known, you will be more sensible of its value.'

Here the servant interrupted Mrs. Johnson, by informing her that tea was ready, and Mr. Johnson waiting. "Oh dear," exclaimed Lucy, "I did not think it was so late."" An hour ago, my dear, you wished for bed-time."-"Well, mamma, but then I was tired.". "And why, my dear, are you not still tired, shall I tell you? because your mind has been employed: either our minds or our bodies must be actively employed, or we cannot be happy. I am always sorry when I hear people exclaim they have

nothing to do, or nothing new to read: the industrious will always find work; and the love of knowledge, employment for the mind. Ever remember, my dears, that the sources of knowledge are inexhaustible.'

THE HAPPY FAMILY.

THE TEA-SHRUB.

MR. and Mrs. Johnson had three children, Frederic, Lucy, and William. Frederic and Lucy could read a little, but not without their papa or mamma overlooking and instructing them: William was a very little fellow, and could only read very little words; but he liked

much to listen, when his papa and mamma were explaining to his brother and sister what they could not understand, in the books they read, or the plants and animals they saw he took a great deal of pains to learn; and used every day to say he hoped soon to be able to read such great books as papa and mamma read, that he might know as many useful and pleasant stories as they did. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson had great pleasure in telling their children all that they knew themselves; because Frederic and Lucy took great care to remember what they were told; and when they saw any lions, tigers, or any other uncommon animal, or any curious plants, would endeavour to recollect all they had been told about them.

One morning, when Mrs. Johnson was going to make tea for breakfast,

she accidentally let the tea-chest slip from her hand, and a great quantity of the tea was scattered upon the table-cloth: all the children were standing round the table, breakfasting on bread and milk; they eagerly offered to assist their mamma in gathering up the scattered tea, and returning it to the tea-chest:-while so doing, Lucy observed, how very different tea in the tea-chest appeared from the leaves which were spread out by the hot water in the tea-pot; and she requested her mamma would be so good as to inform her, how the tea was made to look so dry ;-" for I think, mamma," said she, "you have told me, that tea comes from a shrub; and, if it is the leaves of a shrub, how is it made to look so dry and twisted?" "I will tell you, my dear," replied her mother: "The leaves of the tea-shrub are, when

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first gathered, (that is, picked off the shrub,) put into large flat iron pans, and heated over a fire, until they become quite hot: they are then thrown out upon mats; and people, who stand ready for the employment, roll the hot leaves between the palms of their hands, until they become quite dry and curled, as you see them. Mamma," said Frederic, "do tea-shrubs grow in England? I never saw one in all the gardens I ever was in!" No, my dear, tea does not grow in England: it grows in China and Japan, countries very distant from ours; and it is brought to us in ships. The gathering tealeaves forms a great part of the employment of the poor people of these countries; for the leaves are taken from the shrubs four times in the year; and these leaves must not be hastily pulled off the tree, but