Page:Original stories from real life 1796.pdf/32

Rh and to fit ourſelves to be angels hereafter. And when we have acquired human virtues, we ſhall have a nobler employment in our Father's kingdom. But between angels and men a much greater reſemblance ſubſiſts, than between men and the brute creation; becauſe the former ſeem capable of improvement.

The birds you ſaw to-day do not improve—or their improvement only tends to ſelf-preſervation; the firſt neſt they make and the laſt are exactly the ſame; though in their flights they muſt ſee many others more beautiful if not more convenient, and, had they reaſon, they would probably ſhew ſomething like individual taſte in the form of their dwellings; but this is not the caſe. You ſaw the hen tear the down from her breaſt to make a neſt for her eggs; you ſaw her beat the grain with her bill, and not ſwallow a bit, till the young were ſatisfied; and afterwards ſhe covered them with her wings, and ſeemed perfectly happy, while ſhe watched over her charge; if any one approached, ſhe was ready to defend Rh