20 THE HISTORY OF

often used to excite in my young mind the
most envious and malicious feelings.

Charlotte used to take a delight in ridiculing
my ragged and dirty appearance; and I, on the
other hand, found a thousand little ways of
venting my spite at her. Thus, even in those
early days, a spirit of hatred and rivalry began
between us, which, on my part, I have only
been able to subdue by the assistance of my
Saviour; for, though weak in myself, in him [
found strength. (2 Cor. xii. 10.)

When Charlotte and T had gotten into the
fields opposite to the castle, instead of looking
for sticks, she began to taunt and reproach me
with my ragged dress, and I failed not to say
every thing to her which I thought would vex
her. Our contention at last ran so high, that
we parted; she running home to her mother,
and I going further out in quest of sticks.

As I was sauntering down a narrow lane at
the back of the town, I saw, in the hedge, one
of the prettiest little birds I had ever beheld.
It was not much larger than a robin, and had
a hooked bill like a hawk, but his feathers
were of the brightest red, blue, and purple.
I immediately laid down my sticks, and walk-
ed softly up to the bush in which the bird
sat: but no sooner had I put out my hand to
take hold of him, than he hopped. through the
hedge into the next field; I followed it there,
and thought I was sure of it, when it again
made its escape into the lane.

At length, with much trouble, I caught the
pretty little creature, and was surprised to find