BY THE SEASIDE.

 

N the sands, early in the morning, with the sea breeze
blowing freshly—with our spades, and dolls, and
flowers,— what happy children we are! There isa pleasant
sound of the great waves rippling over the smooth sands,
and the white sails of the far-off ships look very pretty.
Edith has brought her doll to enjoy the fresh air with her ;
Milly a fine bough from the red rose tree, which she means
to plant in the sands. She is so young that she does not
know the great sea will come creeping and creeping up, till
all the sands are covered, and the poor little rose tree
drowned. George has been gathering what he calls sea-
apples; they are only coloured pebbles. He brought a
book with him, but I do not think he will read much of
it to-day. Little Mary is happy in digging only; that is
play enough for her. Some other children are climbing into
the fishermen’s baskets, and pretending that they ‘are going
to seain them. One little girl has upset her make-believe
boat, and is falling out of it.
| Here is Aunt Louisa bringing little Freddy to play with
us. We will ask him to help us build a sand castle.