108 Darknefs and Light.

ments. His Parents ufed every now and then to
take him to fome fine confervatory, where flowers
are fhown even in winter, and where he could
{mell various new and rare ones, and be told all
about their beautiful colours. Then fometimes in
the parks and gardens there was a band playing,
which wasa great delight. And befides that, they
took him occafionally to morning concerts for an
hour or fo; for though it is not ufual to take chil-
dren to thofe places, he was deprived of fo many
enjoyments, they let him have all they could: and
efpecially mufical ones, for it is a very common
thing for blind people to become very fond of mu-
fic, and Roderick was fo, and among other em-
ployments learnt to play. I cannot, however, I
am forry to fay, add that the great doctors in the
town were able to do him any good, though they
tried very much, and fome of them were fo much
charmed and interefted by his cheerful manner
and fweet difpofition, that they got quite fond of
him, and would often have him come and fee
them, and play with their children, who were in-
ftructed to amufe him in every poffible way, and
as children are naturally kindhearted, this was ge-
nerally a pleafant tafk, and many of them quite
looked forward to the vifits of the little blind boy.

And fo paffed on a long and rather fevere win-
ter, and prefently Roderick’s birthday came round,
and there was great wondering as to what Mam-
ma could do to keep it. And when the time
came it turned out that fhe had got a band of mu-