Although Mr.Temple was scrupulous to relate nothing but what was founded on fact, yet he felt himself at liberty to clothe the incidents of his narrative in a new coloring, so that his auditors might understand them the better.
"My first story," said he, "shall be about a painter of pictures." "Dear me!" cried Edward, with a sigh.

"I am afraid I shall never look at pictures any more." "We will hope for the best," answered his father.

"In the mean time, you must try to see things within your own mind." Mr.Temple then began the following story:-- BENJAMIN WEST.
[BORN 1738.

DIED 1820] In the year 1735 there came into the world, in the town of Springfield, Pennsylvania, a Quaker infant, from whom his parents and neighbors looked for wonderful things.

A famous preacher of the Society of Friends had prophesied about little Ben, and foretold that he would be one of the most remarkable characters that, had appeared on the earth since the days of William Penn.