GRANDY.  “I have been silent for the last hour, principally because I do not feel very well this evening; but I cannot refrain from speaking a word or two before we disperse.  A good and wise man says—­

                   ’Full often, too,
  Our wayward intellect, the more we learn
  Of nature, overlooks her Author more.’

My dear children, let not this be said of you; but look upward to the Source of light and life, and pray that all knowledge may lead you on to seek Him who is the author and giver of all good things; then will wisdom, heavenly wisdom, illumine your minds; then will peace, the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, fill your hearts, and

  ‘Reveal truths undiscerned but by that holy light.’”

CHAPTER IV.

  O’er the stormy, wide, and billowy deep,
  Where the whale, the shark, and the sword-fish sleep;
  And amidst the plashing and feathery foam,
  Where the stormy-petrel finds a home.

“George is to open this meeting, by reciting some lines written by Mrs. Howitt, which are very clever, and will most appropriately introduce our subject.”  So saying, Mrs. Wilton proceeded to arrange the members in their various places; and, seating herself, she turned to her son, who by virtue of his office was allowed to remain near Grandy’s chair until the great work was accomplished.  George was hesitating, but an encouraging smile from this kind mother inspired him with confidence, and he commenced without further ceremony:—­

[Illustration:  ICEBERGS]

  “‘The earth is large,’ said one of twain;
    ’The earth is large and wide;
  But it is filled with misery
    And death on every side!’
  Said the other, ’Deep as it is wide
    Is the sea within all climes,
  And it is fuller of misery
    And of death, a thousand times! 
  The land has peaceful flocks and herds,
    And sweet birds singing round;
  But a myriad monstrous, hideous things
    Within the sea are found—­
  Things all misshapen, slimy, cold,
    Writhing, and strong, and thin,
  And waterspouts, and whirlpools wild,
    That draw the fair ship in. 
  I’ve heard of the diver to the depths
    Of the ocean forced to go,
  To bring up the pearl and the twisted shell
    From the fathomless caves below;
  I’ve heard of the things in those dismal gulfs,
    Like fiends that hemm’d him round—­
  I would not lead a diver’s life
    For every pearl that’s found. 
  And I’ve heard how the sea-snake, huge and dark,
    In the arctic flood doth roll;
  He hath coil’d his tail, like a cable strong,
    All round and round the pole: 
  And they say, when he stirs in the sea below,
    The ice-rocks split asunder—­
  The mountains huge of the ribbed ice—­
    With a deafening crack like thunder. 
  There’s many an isle man wots not