I soon found that the subject of debate was a _song_.

It seems that one of the children had brought a song to the school, which some of the monitors had read, and having decided that it was an improper thing for the child to have in his possession, one of them had taken it from the owner, and destroyed it.

The aggrieved party had complained to some of the other children, who said that it was _thieving_ for one child to take any thing from another child, without his consent.

The boy, nettled at being called a thief, defended himself, by saying that he, as a monitor, had a right to take away from any of his class any thing that was calculated to do them harm; and was, it seems, backed in this opinion by many others.

On the other hand, it was contended that no such right existed; and it was doubtful to me for a considerable time, on which side the strength of the argument lay.
At last one of the children observed to the following effect:--"You should have taken it to _master_, because he would know if it was bad better than you." This was a convincing argument, and to my great delight, the boy replied--"How much did the song cost ?" The reply was, "A half-penny." "Here, then, take it," says the child, "I had one given me to-day; so now remember I have paid you for it, but if you bring any more songs to school I will tell master." This seemed to give general satisfaction to the whole party, who immediately dispersed to their several amusements.