has been my endeavour to guard the minds of my children against so distressing a weakness: but whether Frederick's heart has acquired fortitude enough to enable him to venture near so many cows I cannot tell. "Oh yes, mamma," cried Frederick.
"I would sooner get up and ride into the yard on the horns of one of them than run away." "Well, we shall soon put your courage to the proof," said Mrs. Benson; "so come along, sir."
"As for my children," said Mrs. Wilson, "they are remarkably courageous in respect to animals. All the creatures belonging to us are very harmless and gentle, which is the natural consequence of kind treatment, and no person need be afraid of walking in any part of our grounds; but it is difficult to persuade some people that there is no danger, for they are apt to imagine that every loose horse they see will gallop over them, and that every creature with horns will gore and toss them."
"Very true," replied Mrs. Benson; "and I have known many as much afraid of a toad, a frog, or a spider, as if certain death would be the consequence of meeting them; when, if these persons would but make use of their reason, they would soon be convinced that such fears are ill-grounded. Frogs and toads are very harmless creatures, and so far from
