I then prevailed on my wife into her room and rest for an hour, after which we were to visit the garden She complied, and after her repose found her four sons ready to carry her in her litter as in sedan-chair They took care to bring her straight grotto, where waiting for her new surprise good mother sufficiently express her astonishment and delight, when Jack and Francis, taking their flageolets, accompanied their brothers, who sung the following verse, which Ernest had added former attempt

Dear mother, let this gift be mine, Accept the Grotto Ernestine May all your hours be doubly blest Within this tranquil place of rest Then quiet, lovely home Never, never may we roam; All we love around us smile Joyful is our desert isle !

What cause had we to rejoice children ! but shed tears to witness their affection and perfect happiness

Below the vase of flowers, block of salt, Ernest had written:--

Ernest, assisted by his brother Fritz, Has prepared this grotto, As retreat beloved mother, When she visits her garden

Ernest then conducted his mother to benches, which he had covered with soft moss, as seat for her, and there she rested at her ease to hear the history discovery grotto now my turn to offer my present; the garden, the embankment, the pond, arbour She walked, supported by my arm, to view her little empire, and her delight was extreme; the pond, which enabled her to water her vegetables, particularly pleased her, as her shady arbour, under which she found all her gardening tools, ornamented with flowers, and augmented by two light watering-pans, constructed by Jack and Francis, from two gourds They had canes for spouts, gourd bottles end, pierced with holes, through which the water came manner of watering-pan The embankment was also great surprise; she proposed plants of pines and melon , and I agreed Truly did she rejoice appearance vegetables, which promised us some excellent European provision, great comfort to her After expressing her grateful feelings, she returned grotto, and seating herself in her sedan-chair, returned to Tent House, to enjoy the repose she needed, after such day of excitement , however, lie down before we had together thanked God manifold blessings he had given us, and pleasure day

"If I in Europe," said my dear wife, " festival recovery, received nosegay, ribbon, or some trinket; here presented carriage, colonnade, pavilions, ornamental fountains, large grotto, garden, pond, an arbour, and straw bonnet ! "

* * * * *

CHAPTER XLIII

THE next and following days were spent in removing our furniture and property, particularly our poultry, which had multiplied greatly We also constructed poultry-yard, at sufficient distance house to save our sleep from disturbance, and still so near that easily tend them it as continuation colonnade, and same plan, but enclosed front by sort of wire trellis-work, which Fritz and Jack made wonderfully well Fritz, who had turn for architecture and mechanics, some good hints, especially one, which we put into execution to carry the water basin fountain poultry-yard, which enabled us also little pond ducks The pigeons had their abode above the hen-roosts, in some pretty baskets, which Ernest and Francis made, similar made savages Friendly Isles, they had seen engravings in Cook's Voyages When all was finished, my wife was delighted that even rainy season attend to her feathered family and collect their eggs

"What difference," said she, admiring the elegance buildings,--"what difference between this Tent House original dwelling that suggested the name , and our only shelter four What surprising progress luxury in ! remember, my dear, the barrel which served us for table, oyster-shells for spoons, the tent where we slept, crowded together on dried leaves, and without undressing, river half mile off, where we were obliged to drink were thirsty ? Compared to what we were then, now great lords_"

"Kings, you mean, mamma," said Jack, "for all this island is ours, and quite like kingdom "

"And millions of subjects does Prince Jack reckon kingdom august father ? " said I

Prince Jack declared he yet counted the parrots, kangaroos, agoutis, and monkeys The laughter brothers stopped him I then agreed with my wife luxuries had increased; but I explained to her result industry All civilized nations have commenced as ; necessity has developed the intellect which God to man alone, and by degrees the arts have progressed, and knowledge has extended more perhaps than is conducive to happiness What appeared luxury now was still simplicity compared luxury of towns, or even villages, among civilized nations My wife declared she had everything she wished for, and know what more to ask for, now had only to rest and enjoy our happiness

I declared against spending our time in rest and indolence, sure means of ending our pleasure; and I well knew my dear wife was, like myself, an enemy to idleness; but she dreaded any more laborious undertakings

"But, mamma," said Fritz, " let me make mill under the cascade; so useful when our corn grows, and even now maize I also think of making an oven kitchen, which very useful to bake your bread in "

"These would indeed be useful labours," said the good mother, smiling; "but accomplish them ? "

" so," said Fritz, " help of God dear brothers "

Ernest promised his best aid, in return brother's kind services in forming his grotto, only requesting occasional leisure natural history collections His mother see the utility collections, but, willing to indulge her kind and attentive Ernest, she offered, till walk well, to assist him in arranging and labelling his plants, which were yet in disorder, and he gratefully consented In procuring her some paper , I had brought large quantity vessel, I brought out an unopened packet, amongst piece of some fabric, neither paper nor stuff apparently We examined it together, and remembered piece of stuff made at Otaheite, which our captain had bought of native at an island where we had touched voyage Fritz appearing much interested in examining this cloth, Ernest said gravely, " teach you how it;" and immediately bringing Cook's Voyages_, where detailed description is given, he proceeded to read it Fritz was disappointed it could only be made bark of three trees-- our island produced These trees were the mulberry-tree, the bread fruit, wild fig We had the last in abundance, but two former we yet discovered single plant Fritz was not, however, discouraged "They here," said he, "since found in all the South-Sea Islands Perhaps find them other side rocks, where some superb unknown trees height where we discovered the grotto; and who knows but find my pretty gazelle there again The rogue can leap better than over those rocks I had great wish to descend them, but found it impossible; some are very high and perpendicular; others have overhanging summits; , however, get round pass, torrent rocks Great Bay "

Jack offered his guide, even eyes shut, into that rich country where he conquered and captured his buffalo; and Ernest begged party As an expedition I had long projected, I agreed to accompany them , their mother being content Francis left with her as protector I cautioned Fritz not to fire off his gun when we approached the buffaloes, as any show of hostility might render them furious; otherwise the animals, unaccustomed to man, have no fear of him, and will not harm him "In general," added I, " sufficiently recommend careful of your powder; more than will last us year, and necessity recourse defence "

" plan for making it," said Fritz, who never saw difficulty in anything " composed of charcoal, saltpetre, and sulphur--and we ought all these materials island only necessary to combine them, and it into little round grains my only difficulty; but consider it over; and my mill on first confused recollection of powder manufactory at Berne: some machinery which went by water; this machinery moved some hammers, which pounded and mixed the ingredients--was not this the case, father ? "