Some of our friends might look upon these matters as vanity; but little Benjamin appears to have been born a painter; and Providence is wiser than we are." The good merchant patted Benjamin on the head, and evidently considered him a wonderful boy.

When his parents saw how much their son's performances were admired, they, no doubt, remembered the prophecy of the old Quaker preacher respecting Ben's future eminence.

Yet they could not understand how he was ever to become a very great and useful man merely by making pictures.
One evening, shortly after Mr.Pennington's return to Philadelphia, a package arrived at Springfield, directed to our little friend Ben.
"What can it possibly be ?" thought Ben, when it was put into his hands.
"Who can have sent me such a great square package as this ?" On taking off the thick brown paper which enveloped it, behold! there was a paint-box, with a great many cakes of paint, and brushes of various sizes.

It was the gift of good Mr.Pennington.

There were likewise several squares of canvas such as artists use for painting pictures upon, and, in addition to all these treasures, some beautiful engravings of landscapes.