THE COUNTRY IN FEBRUARY.

OLD MICHAEL was busily employed in weeding and pulling up roots in a large bed in the garden, when young Maurice ran to him to hear the account of what might be seen in the country during the month of February. He had talked over with his father what he had heard about January, and had learned by heart the carol with which Michael had closed his former remarks; so that with truth it might be said he had profited

by what had taken place. The carol had been written down by him from the lips of old Michael, in order that he might commit it to memory, and teach it to his sister.

Now, Michael, you must tell me all about February in the country, for it will not hinder you a bit in your weeding."

"Just as these weeds, Maurice, hinder the trees, and plants, and flowers from thriving, so the weeds of sin in the heart hinder good thoughts and good intentions from coming to maturity.

Would you be truly wise, begin

By pulling up the weeds of sin.

You must, however, get your strength to do this from the Lord of life and glory. Weak as we are, when God strengthens us we can do wonders. But now for a word or two about the country in February."

"Ay, that is what I want; and while you tell me all about it, you shall see how hard I will work. If I cannot pull up the tough old roots, I can pull up the others; but now begin."

"To those who live in the country, and are accustomed to reflect on what they see, Maurice, it is a beautiful thing to notice how gradually nature revives. It is as though creation had been asleep through the winter, and in February was

just awaking. You see a little more life among the trees and living things, you hear a little more singing and chirping among the birds, and you feel rather more the warmth of the sun. All these things come on so gently, that it is, as I said, just as if the country was waking from a long winter's nap.”

"Ay, the frosts and snows go away in February."

"Not always, for I have known as much hard weather in February as in any month of the year.

I have known the snow lie so thick on the road in this month, that the mail coach has been stopped in its journey. You must remember, that what I

tell you about the months will not answer exactly to every year; for the same month may be mild one year, and severe another. When the winter lasts through February, you may see boys sliding or skating on the pools; geese standing on one leg by the frozen pond, as if they were waiting for the ice to thaw; and flakes of snow falling from the skies, so dazzling, and white, and beautiful, that you might imagine the fingers of angels had scattered them on the winds. Snow is very useful to the land, making it fruitful; and then it defends the springing corn from the cold winds.

The goodness of the Lord is seen

In all things here below,
In every falling drop of rain,

And every flake of snow."

"When I see it snow again, I shall be sure to think of what you have said about the angels. How I should like to spend a whole year at a farm house! I should see every thing then."

"Ay, just such a farm house as the Grange, where I lived for many years; that would just suit you."

"What sort of a farm house was that? Tell me all about it. Was it a large house, with wheat ricks behind it?"

"Yes, it was large enough, of all conscience;