She told us she saw the Swallows flying about for some time, as though watching for another chance to teach Puss not to look again at their nests."

LILY'S FAREwell Letter.

THE last week that Lily and Walter were to stay at Burton, she wrote:

"You know, dearest Mamma, how glad we shall be to see you again, but if only you could come and be with us, I should never wish to leave the country. We shall miss very much, in London, all the birds and animals which have amused us so much, and which we really love. I shall have much more to say of all we have learned about them than I can write; but now I must tell

you about a wonderful talking Raven He is a large

which belongs to Auntie.

black bird, with a great beak and strong claws, whilst his eye is so bright and so fierce you cannot help feeling afraid of him. The first time he came and perched on a rail close to me, as I was watching the chickens, I was so frightened, I ran away. However, there was no real cause for fear, for Ralph is quite gentle, and, as you will see by my story, has a very kind heart.

"Once, when Auntie went away from home, she left Gun, the old house-dog, to the care of Mrs. Jones, at the lodge. His kennel was put in the little yard, where Mrs. Jones tied him up and left him. The next day she was so ill she

could not get up, and poor Gun was left in the yard without food, and quite forgotten. Now Ralph had always been friends with Gun, and as he was out on his travels he heard Gun whine, and paid a visit to him to see what was the matter. Ralph saw in a moment that poor old Gun was hungry, and he went at once to Cook, and tried to make her understand he wanted some meat. But Cook, who knew nothing of Gun's trouble, and had given Ralph a good breakfast, told him he was a greedy bird, and had better take himself off.

"Please do, Cook,' said Ralph, over and over again; but she took no notice, and at last he made up his mind to steal some meat for his friend.

"Ralph hopped about as though he