William.-How deceitful! And yet I wonder he could impose upon Uriel. he not suspect him at all?

Mamma.-Generally speaking, William, "Goodness thinks no ill where no ill seems. Milton truly observes,

Oft though wisdom wake, suspicion sleeps
At wisdom's gate, and to simplicity
Resigns her charge.

This was probably the first time any attempt had been made to deceive the Regent of the Sun, who was deemed the most sharp-sighted spirit of all in heaven. He returned a courteous answer to the impostor, calling him "fair angel," and commending his laudable curiosity to view the works of God, while, perhaps, some in heaven would be satisfied with hearing of them. He then pointed out the moon and the earth, and showed him the exact situation of Paradise, Adam's abode. Satan bowed low, as is customary in heaven to superior spirits, and took leave, with the hope of success. When he first set foot upon our earth, his mind was in a wretched state; horror and doubt distracted his troubled thoughts, and stirred up the hell within him. Conscience awakened despair that

D

slumbered: He felt assured that the bad deeds he intended to perform would merit and receive additional punishment. Some time hence you will be gratified with his address to the sun, and the soliloquy which follows it.

Emily.-Is there any sign of repentance in what he said or thought?

Mamma. He inquires if there be no place left for repentance or pardon, and instantly answers himself:

None left but by submission; and that word
Disdain forbids me, and my dread of shame
Among the spirits beneath.

While he was speaking, his borrowed countenance was changed by the strong passions of anger, envy, and despair, which Uriel observed; as also his fierce gestures when he imagined himself unseen.

Paradise was encompassed with a wall, in which there was one gate towards the east, guarded by angels. Satan leaped over the inclosure with ease, changed himself into a cormorant, and flew to the tree of life, the middle tree and highest. From this exalted situation the fiend saw the whole of the beautiful garden, and every living creature.

Amongst them two appeared so entirely superior, he concluded they were made to govern the others. These were Adam and Eve. They are described as being perfectly lovely, and free from sin. All the beasts of the earth frisked around them. The lion sported with the kid; bears, tigers, and leopards gambolled in their presence; and the unwieldy elephant used all his might to enter tain them. Satan came among these animals, sometimes assuming one form, and sometimes another, as their shape best enabled him to have a near view of his prey, and to learn more of their state by their words and actions.

When he witnessed how perfectly happy our first parents were in each other's society, he complained to himself that the sight was hateful and tormenting, and he turned aside with envy. In the course of their conversation, Adam spoke of the command that God had given them not to eat of the tree of knowledge; and of death which they were to suffer if they proved disobedient. What death was he knew not, but judged it to be some dreadful thing. It was his opinion, they ought not to think one easy prohibition severe, as they had free leave to enjoy every thing else, and to take their choice at all times

of the manifold delights that surrounded them. Let us, said he,

Ever praise God, and extol

His bounty, following our delightful task

To prune these growing plants, and tend these flowers;
Which, were it toilsome, yet with thee were sweet.

Eve acknowledged what he had said was just and right, little imagining she should so soon, by disobedience, bring death into the world, and all our woe. On hearing this, the devil determined to excite their minds

With more desire to know, and to reject
Envious commands.

But, first, with narrow search I must walk round
This garden, and no corner leave unspied;

A chance but chance may lead where I may meet
Some wandering spirit of heaven, by fountain side,
Or in thick shade retir'd, from him to draw
What further would be learn'd.

We shall leave this evil one roaming through Paradise, and conclude for to-day.

Eliza.-Ah, Mamma, what a pity it is you cannot tell us more! I never was so much interested by a story. I dream about it constantly; and every time I look into the fire I can fancy I see the bad angels in the fiery flood, or walking on the burning ground.

hi William.-That is just my case; look tere, Mamma, in the middle of the fire are red cinders forming a horrid roof, and this blazing coal seems to me like the nine-fold gates.

Emily. And do you know, Mamma, Willie wanted us to play at being Satan, Death, and Sin; but none of us chose to be one of such shocking wicked beings, even for a few minutes; and besides, Eliza said she thought it would be quite sinful to play at it.

William.-I did not want to play at Satan, Death, and Sin, when Eliza said it was wicked.

Mamma.-I hope not, my love. The fall of man is a most important subject, and nothing connected with it should be turned into a sport. I fear your minds have been too strongly excited the last few days with what you have heard ; I am therefore rather pleased that it will not be in my power for some time to proceed with the story. Your aunt and her baby are coming this evening to spend a week with us.

Emily. We shall be so glad to see our kind aunt, and that sweet little baby, we shall wait very patiently for the story.