been dead and gone many hundred years ago. So as you must learn
about them, whether you choose or not, I wish to be the first to
introduce you to them, and to say, 'Come hither, children, at this
blessed Christmas time, when all God's creatures should rejoice
together, and bless Him who redeemed them all. Come and see old
friends of mine, whom I knew long ere you were born. They are come
to visit us at Christmas, out of the world where all live to God;
and to tell you some of their old fairy tales, which they loved
when they were young like you.'

For nations begin at first by being children like you, though they
are made up of grown men. They are children at first like you--men
and women with children's hearts; frank, and affectionate, and full
of trust, and teachable, and loving to see and learn all the
wonders round them; and greedy also, too often, and passionate and
silly, as children are.

Thus these old Greeks were teachable, and learnt from all the
nations round. From the Phoenicians they learnt shipbuilding, and
some say letters beside; and from the Assyrians they learnt
painting, and carving, and building in wood and stone; and from the
Egyptians they learnt astronomy, and many things which you would
not understand. In this they were like our own forefathers the
Northmen, of whom you love to hear, who, though they were wild and
rough themselves, were humble, and glad to learn from every one.
Therefore God rewarded these Greeks, as He rewarded our
forefathers, and made them wiser than the people who taught them in
everything they learnt; for He loves to see men and children open-
hearted, and willing to be taught; and to him who uses what he has
got, He gives more and more day by day. So these Greeks grew wise