and forty English miles distant: its top is inaccessible, both by reason of its height and the snow which perpetually covers it. The plain in which it stands is full of rich cultivation and verdure, watered by many streams, and contains forty villages, most of them with the usual appendages of gardens."

Mrs. N.-Many thanks to you, Sir, for the information which you have given to my daughters; I am prevented by other engagements from attending longer at present to your instructive exhibition; but either Mr. Neville or myself, with some of our family, will shortly again wait upon

you.

In a few days Mrs. Neville repeated

her visit, and the young ladies took their station before the Camera. "What

a splendid city!" said Amelia. "Is it a view of Rome?" inquired Harriot. "That it cannot be,” replied her sister, "for it is built, or rather is now building, in a very extensive plain; I think it must be Babel, with the tower in the midst of it. How immensely high! What vast numbers of labourers are carrying materials up to the builders! How eager they all appear! Observe the crowd about it." "I do," said Harriot; "some of them jumping -others singing-others pointing with admiration towards the higher parts of the building."

"I see and hear them too," said

Amelia; "they are all observing the progress of the tower. How confidently they encourage the builders ! 'Well done, my fine fellows,' say they;

you look as if you were in the clouds already; you are sure to effect your design; who fears now being scattered abroad? Finish the tower, then for a city, which shall contain our increased and increasing population for generations yet to come." "Look!

look!" said Harriot to her sister, "the builders and labourers are quarrelling! what can be the matter?" "I think," replied Amelia, "that the labourers have carried up brick instead of slime. See how angrily the workmen point to the empty boards, and passionately

hold up their tools against the labourers. The squabble spreads from the top to the bottom of the building. Hearken to the crowd in the plain." “What a noise!" said Harriot; "I never heard such a clacking!"

Mrs. N.-My dear children, you are not very silent however.

Amelia.-You will excuse us, mamma; we have the advantage of the builders, for we can understand each other, which they cannot do; that is pretty evident, from their violent gestures and strange articulations. Look at the men on the right hand, where the confusion began; they then laughed at the others, but are now in equal distress. View others coming from

the city; they mingle with the crowd, and partake of the general astonishment; amazement marks every countenance, confusion prevails, and they now disperse in all directions.

Mrs. N.-Your unseen ventriloquist has performed his office extremely well, and this scene has quite engaged my daughters' attention.

D.-I find it has, Madam, and I hope they will remember that the builders on the plain of Shinar, by aiming to live independently of God, brought upon themselves the displeasure of Heaven, and the very event which they designed to avoid.

Amelia. Is the tower, or any part

of it, yet standing?