And freely all their pleasant fruit for food

Gave thee; all sorts are here that all th' earth yields, Variety without end; but of the tree

Which, tasted, works knowledge of good and evil, Thou may'st not; in the day thou eat'st, thou dy'st; Death is the penalty impos'd, beware,

And govern well thy appetite, lest Sin

Surprise thee, and her black attendant, Death.
Here finish'd He, and all that He had made
View'd, and behold all was entirely good;
So even and morn accomplish'd the sixth day.

When the Creator returned to his high abode,

He was

Follow'd with acclamations and the sound
Symphonious of ten thousand harps that tun'd
Angelic symphonies; the earth, the air
Resounded.

William.-Thank

you, thank you, dear Mamma, for entertaining us so long. I suppose we must not ask you to tell us any more this evening.

Mamma.-No, my dear, you have heard more than sufficient for one day; but I was unwilling to break off the story before Raphael concluded his account of the creation; particularly as I shall be too much engaged to proceed with it to-morrow.

CHAPTER VII.

Mamma.

The angel ended, and in Adam's ear
So charming left his voice, that he awhile

Thought him still speaking, still stood fix'd to hear. He thanked the divine historian in the most grateful terms for so far satisfying his curiosity; but something of doubt still remained respecting the motion of the heavenly bodies. By his countenance he seemed

Ent'ring on studious thoughts abstruse; which Eve
Perceiving, where she sat retir'd in sight,
With loveliness majestic from her seat,
And grace that won who saw to wish her stay,
Rose, and went forth among her fruits and flowers.

Eliza.-I do not like her going away, just as if she had not sense enough to understand such conversation.

Mamma.-Our poet does her the justice to say, she went not because she was incapable of comprehending or being delighted with the discourse, but she chose to hear the remainder of Raphael's communications from Adam's lips.

Her husband the relator she preferr'd
Before the angel,

The benevolent seraph did not blame Adam for desiring to gain more knowledge of the celestial bodies, but he by no means returned satisfactory answers. He exhorted him to enjoy Paradise and all the pleasures in his possession, and to be contented with what had been revealed.

The father of mankind then offers to relate his story to Raphael, who listens with pleasure, because he was, with a legion, on the day of the creation,

Bound on a voyage uncouth and obscure,
Far on excursion towards the gates of hell,
To see that none thence issued forth a spy,
Or enemy, while God was in his work.

Adam's thoughts and feelings I think perfectly natural to a pure, holy being, on the first consciousness of life. All things smiled around him, and his heart overflowed with joy. He justly reasoned that he could not have created himself, therefore he must have been formed by some great Maker, pre-eminent in goodness and power. When "a divine presence" appeared from among the trees, Adam rejoiced with awe, and fell prostrate in adoration. The command of God not to eat of the tree of knowledge you have heard more than once in this story; therefore, I need not repeat the particulars of it.

All the animals were brought before him to receive their names, and, as they passed, God endued him with a perfect knowledge of their nature; so that it is probable each name had reference to some quality in the bird, beast, &c.

William.-When I am old enough, pray Mamma, let me learn that language, however difficult it may be: I should be delighted to know words that have so much meaning.

Mamma.-We cannot know with certainty what language was spoken by our first parents, though it is the opinion of many learned men, that it was Hebrew.

Eliza.-I remember your once telling me the Old Testament was written in Hebrew, so I dare say those learned men are right.

Mamma.-The Israelites, to whom the ancient Scriptures were given, spoke Hebrew; therefore, Moses, Joshua, Samuel, David, and others, wrote in that language; but this is not a sufficient proof of Adam's having spoken it.

Amongst all the creatures, however noble, beautiful, and perfect in instinct, no suitable companion appeared for Adam,-none to partake of his happiness. The poet represents him as saying,—

In solitude

What happiness, who can enjoy alone,

Or all enjoying, what contentment find?

The Almighty was not displeased, but promised,

What next I bring shall please thee, be assur'd;
Thy likeness, thy fit help, thy other self,

Thy wish exactly to thy heart's desire.

You know the manner in which the first woman was formed. A deep sleep fell upon Adam; the Lord took a rib from his side, and formed a being

So lovely fair,

That what seem'd fair in all the world, seem'd now Mean; or in all summ'd up, in her contain❜d,

And in her looks.

On she came,

Led by her heav'nly Maker, though unseen,

And guided by his voice.

Grace was in all her steps, heav'n in her eye,
In every gesture dignity and love.

Her husband named her woman, and unfeignedly praised the blessed Giver of such a treasure.

When Raphael departed, he was followed by the benediction of his host:

Gentle to me and affable hath been

Thy condescension, and shall be honour'd ever

F