the flowers appear in the earth, and heard the
voice of the turtle in the land. In this country
the sun shineth night and day.... Here they
were within sight of the city they were going
to: also here met them some of the inhabitants
thereof: for in this land the shining ones commonly
walked, because it was upon the borders
of heaven.—The Pilgrim’s Progress.
Alfred and Flora, soon after this, went with their mamma to a very delightful place. You must read the lines from the Pilgrim’s Progress which I have put over the chapter; for the land of Beulah, which they speak of, was very much like the spot they visited. The kind friends with whom they staid loved God; and there were bright flowers, and pleasant fruits, and blue hills, and a wide, clear river, and a dear little boy for Alfred to play with. Alfred was very happy, running through the garden and orchard, and swinging in the nice swing, and going to school with little Walter. They went to school to a lady who loved them, and taught them many good things.
My dear little readers, I wish you all to see the pretty school-house to which they went every morning and afternoon. So get your caps, for the sun is hot, and stand by me on this large piazza, from which we have so fine a view of the river.