pleasure, said to her daughter, "I declare, he has made a likeness of
_little Sally_," and kissed him with evident satisfaction. This gave him
much encouragement, and he would often draw pictures of flowers which
she held in her hand. Here the instinct of his great genius was first
awakened. This circumstance occurred in the midst of a Pennsylvania
forest, a hundred and four years ago. At the age of eighteen he was
fairly established in the city of Philadelphia as an artist.

[Illustration]




THE GREY OLD COTTAGE.


In the valley between "Longbrigg" and "Highclose," in the fertile little
dale on the left, stands an old cottage, which is truly "a nest in a
green place." The sun shines on the diamond paned windows all through
the long afternoons of a summer's day. It is very large and roomy.
Around it is a trim little garden with pleasant flower borders under the
low windows. From the cottage is a bright lookout into a distant scene
of much variety.

Some years ago it was more desolate, as it was so isolated from the
world. Now the children's voices blend with the song of the wood birds,
and they have a garden there of dandelions, daisies, and flowers. The
roof and walls are now covered with stone crop and moss, and traveller's
joy, which gives it a variety of color. The currant bushes are pruned,
and the long rose branches are trimmed, and present a blooming