beneath them an immense and varied prospect. Even in sleep, the ability to fly, and the change to this high exaltation, excited wonder in the mind of Eve: But she expressed considerable pleasure on finding it was only a dream, and that she had not, in reality, broken the commandment of God. Adam comforted his beloved wife, telling her evil may pass through the mind, without leaving any spot or blame there; and that he hoped, when awake, she would never consent to do what she had abhorred in a dream. "Be not disheartened," he added, 66 nor cloud those looks which are wont to be more cheerful and serene than the first smile of morning. Let us rise to our employments among the groves, the fountains, and the flowers."

So cheer'd he his fair spouse, and she was cheer'd;
But silently a gentle tear let fall

From either eye, and wip'd them with her hair:
Two other precious drops that ready stood,
Each in their crystal sluice, he, ere they fell,
Kiss'd, as the gracious signs of sweet remorse
And pious awe, that fear'd to have offended.

Emily. I hope, Mamma, you have not ended for to-day: I wish very much to know what happened next.

Eliza.-I think Mamma is tired, Emily; you know she has been very busy to-day. Shall we leave you here by yourself, dear Mamma, till the tea is ready?

Mamma.-Do, my love; and perhaps I shall be able afterwards to give you an account of the visit Adam and Eve received from an angel.

CHAPTER VI.

Mamma.-As soon as Adam and Evé arose, they offered up their morning sacrifice to God, according to their pious custom. Prompt eloquence

Flow'd from their lips, in prose or numerous verse,
More tunable than needed lute or harp

To add more sweetness.

The hymn they sang that morning begins thus:

These are thy glorious works, Parent of good,
Almighty, thine this universal frame,

Thus wondrous fair; thyself how wondrous then!

The whole is very fine, but I must for the present add only the concluding lines:

If the night

Have gather'd ought of evil or conceal'd,
Disperse it, as now light dispels the dark

The lovely pair hastened to their rural occupations among sweet dews and flowers; for it was not the will of our Creator that man, even in a state of innocence, should be idle.

William.-I remember reading in Genesis, that God put the man into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it." I think it would be more pleasant to have nothing to do.

Eliza. And I think Adam and Eve would have been tired of constant idleness, though in Paradise. At any rate, they could never have had the pleasure of rest after fatigue. And you forget, Willie, they had no servants to wait upon them: The fruit they ate required gathering, and the prettiest garden in the world would soon be in disorder if no person took care of it.

Mamma.-While they were thus usefully employed, God commanded Raphael to spend half the day in conversing with Adam, whom he would find retired from the heat of noon. This sociable angel, having received directions as to the nature and design of his discourse,

Up springing light

Flew through the midst of heav'n; th' angelic quires On each hand parting, to his speed gave way Through all th' empyreal road; till at the gate

E

Of heav'n arriv'd, the gate self-open'd wide,
On golden hinges turning, as by work
Divine the Sovereign Architect had fram'd.

Emily.-Does Milton give any description of Raphael? He never saw an angel, I suppose, but I should like to know what such a man imagined an angel to be like.

Mamma.-You shall hear what the poet says of this Seraph's person :

Six wings he wore, to shade

His lineaments divine: The pair that clad
Each shoulder broad, came mantling o'er his breast
With regal ornament; the middle pair

Girt like a starry zone his waist, and round
Skirted his loins and thighs with downy gold,
And colours dipp'd in heav'n; the third his feet
Shadow'd from either heel with feather'd mail,
Sky-tinctur'd grain.

When he drew near the earth, Adam, who was sitting at the entrance of his bower, called Eve to look what a glorious shape was moving towards them, like another morn risen on mid-noon. Then conjecturing this heavenly being might deign to be their guest, Adam begged Eve speedily to bring out her stores, and pour abundance, fit to honour such a visitor.

With despatchful looks in haste she turns,

on hospitable thoughts intent, and soon prepares a feast of the choicest fruits.

In the mean time the first of men walked forth to meet his god-like guest, and bowing low, as to one of a superior nature, courteously besought him to visit himself and his wife, and to partake of the best produce of the garden. Raphael accepted the invitation, and repaired to the sylvan lodge, where Eve stood to entertain him. She was addressed by the seraph as the mother of mankind. The amply-furnished table was formed of grassy turf, and the seats were moss. At the conclusion of their feast, it suddenly occurred to Adam's mind that he would not lose so favourable an opportunity of gaining some knowledge of things above his world, and of the being of those who dwell in heaven, and whose excellence he saw far surpassed his own.

After some conversation the angel related all you have heard of the rebellion in heaven, and of the dreadful and everlasting consequences to those spirits who disobeyed their Maker. He proceeded to inform Adam, Satan was plotting how to seduce him, that he also might be bereaved of happiness and partake his punishment: