OR THE DESERT ISLAND. 129

received a thorough education: he was conversant not
only with miscellaneous and elegant literature, but also
well grounded in those sciences which are indispensable
to every good seaman. He greatly desired to impart his
knowledge to young Merville, and ultimately prevailed on
him to become his disciple in geometry and astronomy, in
which he soon made rapid progress.

But what most of all contributed to the happiness of
these new friends, was their sincere resumption of the prac-
tice of their religious duties. The trials they had under-
gone had revived the pious impressions of their early edu-
cation, and had taught them to feel how ungrateful and
inconsistent is that man who refuses his love and homage
to the Creator of all things—the Supreme Lord and Master
of the universe.

Every morning and evening they performed their devo-
tions together, and it was seldom that they could recite
with tearless eyes that beautiful invocation—so sweet to
the heart of the Christian—which teaches the most aban-
doned of men that he has a Father in heaven.

Often they walked to the grave of their companions.
Philip had transplanted thither a few of the hardiest shrubs
of the valley; but his labours and cares had been thrown

away. The burning sun had withered their leaves, and the
FE