Chapter VIII: Section V: The Rhetorical Pause (2)

6. And it is not _birds_ and _flowers_ alone, that, treated with kindness flourish so brightly 'neath its heaven-born rays. Individuals, families, nations, attest its truth. _Legal suasion_ may frighten to compliance, but _moral suasion_ rules the will.

7. To the erring wanderer, in the by and forbidden paths of sin, with a heart paled in darkness, and lost to every better feeling of his nature, one little word, one little act of kindness, however slight, will find a sunny resting-place in that sinful shade, and prove a light to guide the wayward one to holier and better deeds. The lion licked the hand that drew the thorn from his wounded foot; and Powhatan stayed the descending club, when the burning lips of the Indian girl pressed the prisoner's [Footnote: Captain Smith] pallid brow.

8. And it is _ever_ thus. There beats not a heart, however debased by sin, or darkened by sorrow, that has not its noblest impulses aroused, in view of a _generous and kindly action_. The Holy Father implanted His own pure principles in the breast of _every one_, and widely do we deviate from their just dictates, when an unkind word, or an unkind act, wounds a broken heart, or crushes a loving, gentle nature.

9. "_Speak not harshly_,--much of care
Every human heart must bear;
Enough of shadows rudely play
Around the very sunniest way;
Enough of sorrows darkly lie
Vailed within the merriest eye.
By thy childhood's gushing tears,
By thy grief in after years,
By the anguish thou dost know,
_Add not to another's woe._

10. "_Speak not harshly_,--much of sin
Dwelleth every heart within;
In its closely caverned cells,
Many a wayward passion dwells.
By the many hours misspent,
By the gifts to error lent,
By the wrongs thou didst not shun,
By the good thou hast not done,
With a lenient spirit scan
The weakness of thy brother man."

QUESTIONS.--1. On what has kindness an influence? 2. What influence had it upon the little flower? 3. What, upon the little bird? 4. What is said of cruelty? 5. What is said of legal and moral suasion? 6. What is said of the lion? 7. Of Powhatan? 8. Why ought we not to speak harshly?

* * * * *

LESSON XIII.

SHAFT, arrow; _here_, careless word.
MES' SEN GERS, message-bearers.
PANG, distress; anguish.
SPELLS, charms; enchantments.
SEAL' ED, closed up; under seal.
SEP' UL CHER, (_ch_ like _k_), grave; tomb.
SUM' MON ED, called.
AG' O NY, extreme suffering.
WRING, writhe.
UN A WARES, unconsciously.
MIN' GLES, unites; mixes.
EN DEAR' ING, kind; affectionate.
E CLIPSE', darkness; obscuration.
CHER' ISH ED, fostered.
EN SHRIN' ED, sacredly preserved.
UT' TER ED, expressed.

CARELESS WORDS.

1. Oh, never say a careless Word
Hath not the power to pain;
The shaft may ope some hidden wound,
That closes not again!
Weigh _well_ those light-winged messengers;
God marked your heedless Word,
And with it, too, the falling tear,
The heart-pang that it stirred.

2. Words! what are Words? A simple Word
Hath spells to call the tears,
That long have lain a sealed fount,
Unclosed through mournful years.
Back from the unseen sepulcher,
A Word hath summoned forth
A form that hath its place no more
Among the things of Earth,

3. Words! heed them well; some whispered one
Hath yet a power to fling
A shadow on the brow, the soul
In agony to wring;
A name, forbidden, or forgot,
That sometimes, unawares,
Murmurs upon our wak'ning lips,
And mingles in our prayers.

4. Oh, Words! sweet Words! A blessing comes
Softly from kindly lips;
Tender, endearing tones, that break
The Spirit's drear eclipse.
Oh! are there not some cherished tones
In the deep heart enshrined?
Uttered but once--they passed--and left
A track of light behind.

QUESTIONS.--1. What is said of _careless words_? 2. What, of _sweet words_? 3. What is the use of the apostrophe in _wak'ning_, third verse? 4. What is the meaning of the suffix _less_, in the words _careless, heedless_? See SANDERS' NEW SPELLER, DEFINER, AND ANALYZER, page 143, Ex. 369.

* * * * *

LESSON XIV.

VEG' E TA BLES, plants.
DEP RE DA' TION, robbery; plunder.
CAP TUR' ING, catching.
TRES' PASS ER, transgressor.
AP PEAL' ED, referred.
COUN' SEL, lawyer; advocate.
AR' GU MENT, plea; reason.
URG' ING, enforcing; advocating.
MIS' CHIEV OUS, hurtful; injurious.
PRAC' TI CAL, pertaining to practice.
DIS TIN' GUISH ED, celebrated.
JU' RIST, one versed in law.
AF FECT' ED, moved; impressed.
FUR' NISH ED, supplied.
VI' O LA TED, broken; transgressed.
DE PRIVE', rob; hinder.
AL LUD' ED, referred; adverted.
RE STORE', give back.

WEBSTER AND THE WOODCHUCK.

BOSTON TRAVELER.

1. Ebenezer Webster, the father of Daniel, was a farmer. The vegetables in his garden had suffered considerably from the depredations of a woodchuck, which had his hole or habitation near the premises. Daniel, some ten or twelve years old, and his older brother Ezekiel, had set a trap, and finally succeeded in capturing the trespasser.

2. Ezekiel proposed to kill the animal, and end, at once, all further trouble from him; but Daniel looked with compassion upon his meek, dumb captive, and offered to let him again go free. The boys could not agree, and they appealed to their father to decide the case.

3. "Well, my boys," said the old gentleman, "_I_ will be the _judge_. There is the _prisoner_, (pointing to the wood-chuck,) and _you_ shall be the _counsel_, and plead the case _for_ and _against_ his life and liberty."

4. Ezekiel opened the case with a strong argument, urging the mischievous nature of the criminal, the great harm he had already done; said that much time and labor had been spent in his capture, and now, if he were suffered to live and go again at large, he would renew his depredations, and be cunning enough not to suffer himself to be caught again.

5. He urged, further, that his skin was of some value, and that, to make the most of him they could, it would not repay half the damage he had already done. His argument was ready, practical, to the point, and of much greater length than our limits will allow us to occupy in relating the story.

6. The father looked with pride upon his son, who became a distinguished jurist in his manhood. "Now, Daniel, it is _your_ turn: I'll hear what _you_ have to say."

7. It was his first case. Daniel saw that the plea of his brother had sensibly affected his father, the judge; and as his large, brilliant, black eyes looked upon the soft, timid, expression of the animal, and he saw it tremble with fear in its narrow prison-house, his heart swelled with pity, and he urged, with eloquent words, that the captive might again go free.

8. "God," he said, "had made the woodchuck; he made him to live, to enjoy the bright sunlight, the pure air, the free fields and woods. God had not made him, or _any_ thing, in vain; the woodchuck had as much right to life as any _other_ living thing."

9. "He was not a destructive animal, as the wolf and the fox were; he simply ate a few common vegetables, of which they had plenty, and could well spare a part; he destroyed nothing except the little food he needed to sustain his humble life; and that little food was as sweet to him, and as necessary to his existence, as was to them the food upon their mother's table."

10. "God furnished to them food; he gave them all they possessed; and would they not spare a little for the dumb creature, that really had as much right to his small share of God's bounty, as they themselves had to their portion?"

11. "Yea, more, the animal had never violated the laws of his nature or the laws of God, as man often did; but strictly followed the simple, harmless instincts he had received from the hand of the Creator of all things. Created by God's hand, he had a right--a right from God--to life, to food, to liberty; and they had no right to deprive him of either."

12. He alluded to the mute, but earnest pleadings of the animal for that life, as sweet, as dear to him, as their own was to them, and the just judgment they might expect, if, in selfish cruelty and cold heartlessness, they took the life they could not restore--the life that God alone had given.

13. During this appeal, the tears had started to the old man's eyes, and were fast running down his sun-burnt cheeks; every feeling of a father's heart was stirred within him; he saw the future greatness of his son before his eyes, he felt that God had blessed him in his children, beyond the lot of most men.

14. His pity and sympathy were awakened by the eloquent words of compassion, and the strong appeal for mercy; and, forgetting the judge in the man and father, he sprang from his chair, (while Daniel was in the midst of his argument, without thinking he had already won his case,) and, turning to his older son, dashing the tears from his eyes, exclaimed, "_Ezekiel, Ezekiel, you let that woodchuck go!_"

QUESTIONS.--1. What did Ezekiel propose to do with the woodchuck after he was caught? 2. What argument did he offer for so doing? 3. What did Daniel wish to do with him? 4. What argument did he offer? 4. What was their father's decision?

* * * * *

LESSON XV.

SOLVE, explain; work out.
PROB' LEM, question for solution.
COM PELL' ED, obliged.
IN' DO LENT, idle; lazy.
DINT, force; means.
CON' SCIOUS, self-perceived; felt.
DEM ON STRA' TION, formal proof.
RE CLIN' ING, leaning back.
PON' DERS, weighs; examines.
PROC' ESS, operation.

DO IT YOURSELF.

1. Do not ask the teacher or some classmate to solve that hard problem. DO IT YOURSELF. You might as well let him eat your dinner as "do your sums" for you. It is in studying as in eating; _he who does it_, gets the benefit, and not _he who sees it done_. In almost any school, the teacher learns more than the best scholars, simply because he is compelled to solve all the difficult problems, and answer all the questions of the indolent pupils.

2. Do not ask your teacher to parse that difficult word, or assist you in the performance of any of your studies. DO IT YOURSELF. Never mind, though they _do_ look dark. Do not ask even a hint from any one. TRY AGAIN. Every trial increases your ability, and you will finally succeed by dint of the very wisdom and strength gained in the effort, even though, at first, the problem was beyond your skill. It is the _study_, and not the _answer_, that really rewards your labor.

3. Look at that boy, who has just succeeded after six hours of hard study. How his large eye is lit up with a proud joy, as he marches to his class! He treads like a conqueror! And well he may. Last night his lamp burned, and this morning he waked at dawn. Once or twice he nearly gave it up. He had tried his last thought; but a new thought strikes him, and he ponders the last process. He tries once more, and succeeds; and now mark the air of conscious strength with which he pronounces his demonstration.

4. His poor, weak schoolmate, who gave up that same problem, after his first trial, now looks up to him with something of a wonder, as a superior being. And he _is_ his superior. That problem lies there, a great gulf between those boys who stood side by side yesterday.

5. The boy who _did it for himself_, has taken a stride upward, and what is better still, _has gained strength_ to take other and better ones. The boy who waited to see _others do it_, has lost both strength and courage, and is already looking for some good excuse to give up school and study forever.

6. DO IT YOURSELF. Remember the counsel given to the artist, who lay reclining upon his couch, and wondering what the fates would work out for him. Directing his attention to a block of unhewn marble, with a chisel lying by its side, the sculptor in the vision is represented as thus addressing him: "Sir,

"There's the marble, there's the chisel,
Take it, work it to thy will;
_Thou alone_ must shape thy future,
Heaven send thee strength and skill!"

QUESTIONS.--1. Who is benefited in studying? 2. What really rewards the labor of study? 3. What is said of the boy who succeeded after six hours of hard study? 4. What, of the boy who gave up, after the first trial? 5. What counsel was given to the artist who wondered what the fates would work out for him?

How are the words to be read, which are printed in Italics and in capitals? See page 22, Note III.

* * * * *

LESSON XVI.

SLACK' EN, relax; lessen.
EN DEAV' OR, effort; exertion.
WHOLE' SOME, useful; salutary.
EX CEL', surpass; outdo.
OUT STRIP' PED, outrun; excelled.
SUR PASS' ED, excelled.
VIC' TO RY, conquest; triumph.
UT' TER MOST, very best.
DAR' ING, courage; bravery.
DE FECT', fault; deficiency.
REPIN'ING, fretting; complaining.
UN A VAIL' ING, vain; useless.
COR RECT', amend; make right.
MAX' IM, proverb; saying.

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER.

1. _Life is a race_, where some succeed,
While others are beginning;
'Tis luck, at times, at others, speed,
That gives an early winning.
But, if you chance to fall behind,
Ne'er slacken your endeavor;
Just keep this wholesome truth in mind:
_'Tis better late than never!_

2. If you can keep ahead, 'tis well;
But never trip your neighbor;
'Tis noble when you can excel
By honest, patient labor.
But, if you are outstripped, at last,
Press on, as bold as ever;
Remember, though you are surpassed,
_'Tis better late than never!_

3. Ne'er labor for an idle boast
Of victory o'er another;
But, while you strive your uttermost,
Deal fairly with a brother.
Whate'er your station, do your best,
And, hold your purpose ever;
And, if you fail to beat the rest,
_'Tis better late than never!_

4. Choose well the path in which you run,--
Succeed by noble daring;
Then, though the last, when once 'tis won,
Your crown is worth the wearing.
Then never fret, if left behind,
Nor slacken your endeavor;
But ever keep this truth in mind:
_'Tis better late than never!_

5. Yet, would you cure this sad defect,
Repining's unavailing;
Begin, _at once_, and _now_ correct
This very common failing.
_This day_ resolve,--_this very hour,_
Nor e'en a moment wait;
Go, make this better maxim yours,--
_'Tis better never late!_

QUESTIONS.--1. To what is life compared, first verse? 2. What advice is given _if you chance to fall behind?_ 3. How ought you to treat your competitors? 4. What is a very common failing? 5. How may it be corrected? 6. What is the use of the apostrophe in the word _repining's_, fifth verse?

* * * * *

LESSON XVII.

A DOPT' ED, taken as one's own.
PIL' LAR ED, supported by pillars.
TWI' LIGHT, faint light after sunset and before sunrise.
THYME, (_time_,) fragrant plant.
VINE' YARD, plantation of grapevines.
DYE, hue; color.
SPARK' LING, emitting bubbles.

THE ADOPTED CHILD.

MISS. HEMANS.

LADY.
Why wouldst thou leave me, O gentle child?
_Thy home_ on the mountains is bleak and wild,
A straw-roofed cabin with lowly wall;
_Mine_ is a fair and a pillared hall,
Where many an image of marble gleams,
And the sunshine of picture forever streams.

BOY.
Oh, green is the turf where my brothers play,
Through the long, bright hours of the summer-day;
They find the red cup-moss where they climb,
And they chase the bee o'er the scented thyme;
And the rocks where the heath-flower blooms they know,
Lady, kind lady! oh, let me go!

LADY.
Content thee, boy, in my bower to dwell;
Here are sweet sounds which thou lovest well,--
Flutes on the air in the stilly noon,
Harps which the wandering breezes tune,
And the silvery wood-note of many a bird
Whose voice was ne'er in thy mountains heard.

BOY.
My mother sings, at the twilight's fall,
A song of the hills, far more sweet than all;
She sings it under our own green tree,
To the babe half-slumbering on her knee;
I dreamed, last night, of that music low,--
Lady, kind lady! oh, let me go!

LADY.
(_pl._) Thy mother hath gone from her cares to rest;
She hath taken the babe on her quiet breast;
Thou wouldst meet her footstep, my boy, no more,
Nor hear her song at the cabin-door:
Come thou with me to the vineyards nigh,
And we'll pluck the grapes of the richest dye.

BOY.
Is my mother gone from her home away?--
But I know that my brothers are there at play,
I know they are gathering the fox-glove's bell,
Or the long fern leaves by the sparkling well;
Or they launch their boats where the bright streams flow,
Lady, kind lady! oh, let me go!

LADY.
Fair child, thy brothers are wanderers now,
They sport no more on the mountain's brow;
They have left the fern by the spring's green side,
And the streams where the fairy barks were tried:
Be thou at peace in thy brighter lot,
For thy cabin-home is a lonely spot.

BOY.
Are they gone, all gone from the sunny hill?
But the bird and the blue-fly rove o'er it still,
And the red deer bound in their gladness free,
And the heath is bent by the singing bee,
And the waters leap, and the fresh winds blow,--
Lady, kind lady! oh, let me go!

QUESTIONS.--1. What kind of words are _straw-roofed, heath-flower, wood-note,_ &c.? 2. What is the use of the apostrophes in the words _o'er, ne'er, twilight's_, &c.?

* * * * *

LESSON XVIII.

AP PAR' ENT LY, evidently.
CEN' TU RY, hundred years.
GI GAN' TIC, very large.
SPE' CIES, sort; kind.
DI MEN' SION, size; bulk.
SUB LIME', grand; magnificent.
UN MO LEST' ED, free from disturbance.
DIS PERS' ED, separated; scattered.
CLAM' OR OUS, noisy; importunate.
IN DE CIS' ION, doubt; irresolution.
POIS' ED, balanced.
AT' MOS PHERE, surrounding air.
TAL' ONS, claws.
DIS TRI BU' TION, division.
EC' STA SY, excessive joy; transport.
PER' SE CUT ED, harassed; injured.

THE OLD EAGLE TREE.

REV. JOHN TODD.

1. In a remote field stood a large tulip tree, apparently of a century's growth, and one of the most gigantic of that splendid species. It looked like the father of the surrounding forest. A single tree, of huge dimensions, standing all alone, is a sublime object.

2. On the top of this tree, an old eagle, commonly called the "Fishing Eagle," had built her nest every year, for many years, and, unmolested, raised her young. What is remarkable, as she procured her food from the ocean, this tree stood full ten miles from the sea-shore. It had long been known as the "Old Eagle tree."

3. On a warm, sunny day, the workmen were hoeing corn in an adjoining field. At a certain hour of the day, the old eagle was known to set off for the sea-side, to gather food for her young. As she this day returned with a large fish in her claws, the workmen surrounded the tree, and, by yelling, and hooting, and throwing stones, so scared the poor bird that she dropped her fish, and they carried it off in triumph.

4. The men soon dispersed; but Joseph sat down under a bush near by, to watch, and to bestow unavailing pity. The bird soon returned to her nest without food. The eaglets at once set up a cry for food, so shrill, so clear, and so clamorous, that the boy was greatly moved.

5. The parent bird seemed to try to soothe them; but their appetites were too keen, and it was all in vain. She then perched herself on a limb near them, and looked down into the nest with a look that seemed to say, "I know not what to do next."

6. Her indecision was but momentary; again she poised herself, uttered one or two sharp notes, as if telling them to "lie still," balanced her body, spread her wings, and was away again for the sea!

7. Joseph was determined to see the result. His eyes followed her till she grew small, smaller,--a mere speck in the sky,--and then disappeared. What boy has not often watched the flight of the bird of his country in this way?

8. She was gone nearly two hours, about double her usual time for a voyage, when she again returned, on a slow, weary wing, flying uncommonly low, in order to have a heavier atmosphere to sustain her, with another fish in her talons.

9. On nearing the field, she made a circuit around it, to see if her enemies were again there. Finding the coast clear, she once more reached her tree, drooping, faint, and weary, and evidently nearly exhausted. Again the eaglets set up their cry, which was soon hushed by the distribution of a dinner, such as--save the cooking--a king might admire.

10. "GLORIOUS BIRD!" cried the boy in ecstacy, and aloud; "what a spirit! Other birds can fly swifter, others can sing more sweetly, others can scream more loudly; but what _other bird_, when persecuted and robbed--when weary--when discouraged--when so far from sea,--would have done this!

11. "GLORIOUS BIRD! I will learn a lesson from thee to-day. I will never forget hereafter, that when the spirit is determined, it can do almost anything. Others would have drooped and hung the head, and mourned over the cruelty of man, and sighed over the wants of the nestlings; but _thou,_ by at once recovering the loss, hast forgotten all.

12. "I will learn of thee, _noble bird!_ I will remember this. I will set my mark high. I will try to do something, and to be something in the world; _I will never yield to discouragements."_

QUESTIONS.--1. How far was this Old Eagle tree from the seashore? 2. In what way did the workmen obtain the fish she brought for her young? 3. What is said of the eaglets and the parent bird, when she returned to the nest? 4. What did she then do? 5. What did Joseph say when she returned with another fish?

* * * * *

LESSON XIX.

AUC' TION, vendue; public sale.
HOME' LESS, (LESS, _without or destitute of,_) without home.
PEN' NI LESS, destitute of pennies.
WASTE' LESS, without waste.
UN LIGHT' ED, (UN, _not_,) not lighted.
SELF' ISH NESS, devoted to one's self.
RE VERSE' (RE, _back_ or _again_; VERSE, _turn_), turn back,
or exchange places.
AC QUIRE', gain; obtain.
IL LUS TRA' TION, explanation.
SOL' I TA RY, single.
DIS PEL', drive away; disperse.
BE NIGHT' ED, unenlightened.

THE LIGHT OF KNOWLEDGE.

ELIHU BURRITT.

1. Knowledge can not be stolen from you. It can not be bought or sold. You may be _poor_, and the sheriff come into your house, and sell your furniture at auction, or drive away your cow, or take your lamb, and leave you homeless and penniless; but he can not lay the law's hand upon the _jewelry of your mind_. This can not be taken for debt; neither can you _give it away_, though you give enough of it to fill a million minds.

2. I will tell you what such giving is like. Suppose, now, that there were no sun nor stars in the heavens, nor any thing that shone in the black brow of night; and suppose that a lighted lamp were put into your hand, which should burn wasteless and clear amid all the tempests that should brood upon this lower world.

3. Suppose next, that there were a thousand millions of human beings on the earth with you, each holding in his hand an unlighted lamp, filled with the same oil as yours, and capable of giving as much light. Suppose these millions should come, one by one, to you, and light each his lamp by yours, would they rob you of any light? Would less of it shine on your own path? Would your lamp burn more dimly for lighting a thousand millions?

4. Thus it is, young friends. In getting rich in the things which perish with the using, men have often obeyed to the letter that first commandment of selfishness: _"Keep what you can get, and get what you can."_ In filling your minds with the wealth of knowledge, you must reverse this rule, and obey this law: _"Keep what you give, and give what you can."_

5. The fountain of knowledge is filled by its _outlets,_ not by its inlets. You can _learn_ nothing which you do not _teach;_ you can acquire nothing of intellectual wealth, except by _giving._ In the illustration of the lamps, which I have given you, was not the light of the thousands of millions which were lighted at yours, as much your light, as if it all came from your solitary lamp? Did you not dispel darkness by giving away light?

6. Remember this parable, and, whenever you fall in with an unlighted mind in your walk of life, drop a kind and glowing thought upon it from yours, and set it a-burning in the world with a light that shall shine in some dark place to beam on the benighted.

QUESTIONS.--1. What is said of knowledge? 2. What is the giving of knowledge like? 3. In getting rich, what precept have men obeyed? 4. What precept must be obeyed in getting knowledge? 5. How is knowledge best acquired? 6. What is meant by the _jewelry of the mind,_ first paragraph? 7. What, by _intellectual wealth,_ fifth paragraph?

* * * * *

LESSON XX.

EX TIN' GUISH ED, put out.
SOL' EMN, grave; serious.
GAR' RI SON, fortress furnished with soldiers, for defense.
SEN' TI NEL, soldier on guard.
CAR A VAN, company of traveling traders or pilgrims.
CON STEL LA' TIONS, clusters of fixed stars.
BRILL' IANT, shining; sparkling.
HOST, great multitude.
EX' TRA, additional.
CRES' CENT, form of the new moon.
HAIL' ED, saluted.
EF FUL' GENCE, splendor.
RE' GEN CY, rule; government.
WAN' ING, decreasing.
SUP PLI CA TION, prayer; petition.
RAPT' URE, great joy; transport.

[Headnote 1: PAL' ES TINE includes that part of Turkey in Asia, lying on the eastern borders of the Mediterranean Sea.]

NIGHT'S LESSONS.

L.H. SIGOURNEY.

1. The lessons of our school are over. The lights in the distant windows are extinguished, one after the other. The village will soon be lost in slumber. When all the men and the women are asleep, must we keep awake to learn lessons?

2. In large cities, there may be heard, now and then, the rushing wheel of the traveler. The watchmen pace their round, and cry, _"All is well."_ In the long, cold nights of Norway, the watchmen who guard the capitol, pronounce, in a solemn tone, "God bless our good city of Bergen!"

3. In the garrison, or the endangered fortress, the armed sentinel keeps watch, lest they should be surprised by the foe. But in this peaceful village there is no need of either sentinel or watchman. Why may we not go to sleep, instead of learning Night's lessons?

4. My son, one of these you may learn in a moment. Did you say that all will soon be sleeping? No! there is one Eye that never slumbers. He who made all the people, keepeth watch above the everlasting hills. Commit yourself to His care.

5. Now, will you learn with me the second lesson of the night? Lift your eyes to yon glorious canopy. Seest thou not there a sentinel, set by the Eternal, at the northern gate of heaven,--the pole-star?

6. The pole-star! Blessings are breathed upon it, by the weary caravan, fearing the poisonous wind of the desert,--by the red forest-children, seeking their home beyond the far Western prairies,--and by the lonely mariner, upon the pathless ocean.

7. The stars! See them! The oil in their lamps never burns out. These glorious constellations wheel their mighty course unchanged, while "man dieth and wasteth away, yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he?" [Footnote: Job, 14th chap., 10th verse.]

8. Yon brilliant orbs maintain their places, while countless generations pass away, and nations disappear and are forgotten. Let us bow in humility before "Him who bringeth out their host by number, who calleth them all by names, by the greatness of His might, for that He is strong in power; not one faileth." [Footnote: Isaiah. 40th chap., 26th verse.]

9. Thirteen times in the year, Night, the teacher, gives extra lessons. Will you be there to learn them? First, she hangs up a pale crescent in the west. The ancient Jews hailed its infant beam, and answering fires of joy were kindled on the hills of Palestine.[Headnote 1]

10. Next, she summons forth a rounded orb, clad in full effulgence, and commits to it the regency when the sun retires. Lastly, a slender, waning crescent appears nightly, like an aged man, ready to descend into the night of the tomb.

11.
"Soon as the evening shades prevail,
The moon takes up the wondrous tale,
And nightly to the listening earth,
Repeats the story of her birth;
While all the stars that round her burn,
And all the planets in their turn,
Confirm the tidings as they roll,
And spread the truth from pole to pole."

12. These are some of Night's lessons. Are you tired of them? Or, will you learn one more? Lift up your heart to Him who has given you the past day, with thanks for its blessings,--with penitence for its faults,--with supplication for strength and wisdom for the time that is to come.

13. "Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge" [Footnote: Psalm 19th, 2nd verse.] of God. Thus, meekly and faithfully studying Night's lessons, may we find

"Even sorrow, touched by Heaven, grows bright
With more than rapture's ray,
As darkness shows us worlds of light,
We never saw by day."

QUESTIONS.--1. Who watches over us when asleep? 2. In what way is the pole-star useful to man? 3. What is said of the stars? 4. What extra lessons is it that night gives thirteen times a year? 5. Describe the first appearance of the moon. 6. How does it next appear? 7. Where is Palestine? 8. Where are the passages to be found, quoted in the 7th, 8th, and 13th paragraphs? 9. Do you know who is the author of the 11th verse? Ans. Addison.

* * * * *

LESSON XXI.

HID' DEN, secret; concealed.
QUAIL, sink; droop.
SCORN' ING, disdaining.
GREET' ING, salutation.
VIEW' LESS, not to be seen.
YEARN' ETH, longeth.
CHANT, sing; carol.
PORT' AL, entrance; gate-way.
CHEER' Y, gay; lively.
E TER' NI TY, endless duration.

NATURE'S TEACHINGS.

CHAMBERS' JOURNAL.

FIRST VOICE.

1. Sunlight! tell the hidden meaning
Of the rays thou lettest fall;
Are they lessons writ in burning,
Like God's warning on the wall?

SECOND VOICE.

Strive, O man, to let a loving
Spirit cheer the sad and poor;
So shall many a fair hope blossom,
Where none grew before!

FIRST VOICE.

2. Stars! what is it ye would whisper,
With your pure and holy light?
Looking down so calm and tender
From the watch-tower of the night.

SECOND VOICE.

When thy soul would quail from scorning,
Keep a brave heart and a bold;
As we always shine the brightest
When the nights are cold.

FIRST VOICE.

3. Hast thou not a greeting for me,
Heaven's own happy minstrel-bird'?
Thou whose voice, like some sweet angel's,
Viewless, in the cloud is heard'?

SECOND VOICE.

Though thy spirit yearneth sky-ward,
Oh, forget not human worth!
I, who chant at heaven's portal,
Build my nest on earth.

FIRST VOICE.

4. River! river'! singing gayly
From the hill-side all day long,
Teach my heart the merry music
Of thy cheery, rippling song.

SECOND VOICE.

Many winding ways I follow;
Yet, at length, I reach the sea.
Man, remember that _thy_ ocean
Is ETERNITY!

QUESTIONS.--1. What is meant by _God's warning on the wall?_ See the 5th chap. of Daniel. 2. What is meant by _minstrel-bird?_ Ans. The lark.

* * * * *

LESSON XXII.

GLARE, dazzling light.
BLITHE' LY, gayly; joyfully.
WROUGHT, worked; labored.
RE MORSE', painful regret.
WANE, decrease; grow less.
FAN' CIES, whims; notions.

A NON._'_ is an abbreviation of _anonymous_, which means
_without name; nameless_. See SANDERS' ANALYSIS, page 88,
Exercise 108.

SOWING AND HARVESTING.

ANON.

1. They are sowing their seed in the daylight fair,
They are sowing their seed in the noonday's glare,
They are sowing their seed in the soft twilight,
They are sowing their seed in the solemn night;
_What_ shall their harvest be?

2. They are sowing their seed of pleasant thought,
In the spring's green light they have blithely wrought;
They have brought their fancies from wood and dell,
Where the mosses creep, and the flower-buds swell;
_Rare_ shall the harvest be!

3. They are sowing the seeds of word and deed,
Which the cold know not, nor the careless heed,--
Of the gentle word and the kindest deed,
That have blessed the heart in its sorest need;
_Sweet_ shall the harvest be!

4. And some are sowing the seeds of pain,
Of late remorse, and in maddened brain;
And the stars shall fall, and the sun shall wane,
Ere they root the weeds from the soil again;
_Dark_ will the harvest be!

5. And some are standing with idle hand,
Yet they scatter seeds on their native land;
And some are sowing the seeds of care,
Which their soil has borne, and still must bear;
_Sad_ will the harvest be!

6. They are sowing the seed of noble deed,
With a sleepless watch and an earnest heed;
With a ceaseless hand o'er the earth they sow,
And the fields are whitening where'er they go;
_Rich_ will the harvest be!

7. Sown in darkness, or sown in light,
Sown in weakness, or sown in might,
Sown in meekness, or sown in wrath,
In the broad work-field, or the shadowy path,
SURE will the harvest be!

QUESTIONS.--1. Who are meant by _they_ in this lesson? 2. What is said of those who are _sowing the seeds of word and deed?_ 3. What, of those who are sowing the _seeds of care?_ 4. Repeat the last verse. 5. What passage of Scripture teaches the same idea? Ans. "Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."--Gal., 6th chap., 7th verse.

* * * * *

LESSON XXIII.

FOR' TI FI ED, strengthened by works of art for defense.
SUL' TRY, close; oppressively hot.
BOAT' SWAIN, one who has charge of a ship's boats, rigging, &c.
TARS, sailors.
MOOR' ED, anchored.
BUOYS, floats.
AN' CHOR, iron instrument for holding ships.
STAR' BOARD, right side of a ship.
FORE' CAS TLE, short deck in the fore part of a ship.
WAKE, track.
BE REFT', deprived.
IM' MI NENT, impending.
PIERC' ED, went through.
FORE AND AFT, before and behind.
SWAY' ED, swung; moved.
CAR' CASS, dead body.
EX CITE' MENT, agitation.
PHA' SES, forms; appearances.

[Headnote 1: SA HA' RA, is a Great Desert in Africa, lying south of the Barbary States, and extending from the Atlantic on the west to Egypt and Nubia on the east. The winds that come from this desert, are hot and suffocating.]

A THRILLING INCIDENT.

ANON.

1. Our noble ship lay at anchor in the Bay of Tangier, a fortified town in the extreme northwest of Africa. The day had been extremely mild, with a gentle breeze sweeping to the northward and westward; but, toward the close of the afternoon, the sea-breeze died away, and one of those sultry, oven-like breathings came from the great, sun-burnt Sahara [Headnote 1].

2. Half an hour before sundown, the captain gave the cheering order for the boatswain to call the hands to "go in swimming;" and, in less than five minutes, the forms of our tars were seen leaping from the arms of the lower yards, into the water. One of the studding sails, with its corners suspended from the main yard-arm and the swinging boom, had been lowered into the water, and into this most of the swimmers made their way.

3. Among those who seemed to be enjoying the sport most heartily, were two of the boys, Timothy Wallace and Frederic Fairbanks, the latter of whom was the son of our old gunner; and, in a laughing mood, they started out from the studding sail on a race. There was a loud ringing shout of joy on their lips as they put off, and they darted through the water like fishes. The surface of the sea was smooth as glass, though its bosom rose in long, heavy swells that set in from the Atlantic.

4. The vessel was moored with a long sweep from both cables, and one of the buoys of the anchor was far away on the starboard quarter, where it rose and fell with the lazy swells of the waves. Toward this buoy the two lads made their way, young Fairbanks taking the lead; but, when they were within about twenty or thirty fathoms of the buoy, Wallace shot ahead and promised to win the race.

5. The old gunner had watched the progress of his little son with a great degree of pride; and when he saw him drop behind, he leaped upon the quarter-deck, and was just upon the point of urging him on by a shout, when a cry was heard that struck him with instant horror.

6. "_A shark! a shark!_" was sounded from the captain of the forecastle; and, at the sound of these terrible words, the men who were in the water, leaped and plunged toward the ship. Right abeam, at the distance of three or four cables' lengths, was seen the wake of a shark in the water, where the back of the monster was visible. His course was for the boys.

7. For a moment, the gunner stood like one bereft of reason; but, on the next, he shouted at the top of his voice, for the boys to turn; but they heard him not. Stoutly the two swimmers strove for the goal, all unconscious of their imminent danger. Their merry laugh still rang over the waters, and, at length, they both touched the buoy together.

8. Oh, what agony filled the heart of the gunner! A boat had put off, but he knew that it could not reach the boys in season, and every moment he expected to see the monster sink from sight,--_then_ he knew that all hope would be gone. At this moment, a cry reached the ship, that pierced every heart,--the boys had discovered their enemy.

9. The cry started the old gunner to his senses, and quicker than thought, he sprang from the quarter-deck. The guns were all loaded and shotted, fore and aft, and none knew their temper better than he. With steady hand, made strong by sudden hope, the old gunner seized a priming-wire and picked the cartridge of one of the quarter guns; then he took from his pocket a percussion cap, fixed it in its place, and set back the hammer of the patent lock.

10. With a giant strength the old man swayed the breech of the heavy gun to its bearing, and then seizing the string of the lock, he stood back and watched for the next swell that would bring the shark in range. He had aimed the piece some distance ahead of his mark; but yet a little moment would settle his hopes and fears.

11. Every breath was hushed, and every heart in that old ship beat painfully. The boat was yet some distance from the boys, while the horrid sea-monster was fearfully near. Suddenly the air was rent by the roar of the heavy gun; and, as the old man knew his shot was gone, he sank back upon the hatch, and covered his face with his hands, as if afraid to see the result of his own efforts; for, if he had failed, he knew that his boy was lost.

12. For a moment after the report of the gun had died away upon the air, there was an unbroken silence; but, as the dense smoke arose from the surface of the water, there was, at first, a low murmur breaking from the lips of the men,--that murmur grew louder and stronger, till it swelled to a joyous, deafening shout. The old gunner sprang to his feet, and gazed off on the water, and the first thing that met his view, was the huge carcass of the shark, floating on his back--a mangled, lifeless mass.

13. In a few moments, the boats reached the daring swimmers, and, greatly frightened, they were brought on board. The old man clasped his boy in his arms, and then, overcome by the powerful excitement, he leaned upon a gun for support. I have seen men in all the phases of excitement and suspense, but never have I seen three human beings more overcome by thrilling emotions, than on that startling moment when they first knew the effect of our gunner's shot.

QUESTIONS.--1. Where is the town of Tangier? 2. What order had been given by the captain of the vessel? 3. Who seemed most to enjoy the sport? 4. What is said of the old gunner? 5. What did he do? 6. What effect did his shot produce? 7. Describe the closing scene.

* * * * *

LESSON XXIV.

DIS GUISE', concealment.
WAY' LAID, beset by the way.
THREAT' EN ED, declared the intention.
IN CLINE, dispose.
RUF' FIANS, robbers; murderers.
DIS TRIB'UTE, divide; apportion.
TREAS' UR Y, place for keeping money.
ALMS, gifts; donations.
MI' SER LY, covetous; niggardly.
SAL' A RY, wages; allowance for services.
IN VOLV' ING, entangling.
BE WIL' DER ED, puzzled; perplexed.
LOG' IC, reasoning.
SAGE, wise man.
FUL FILL' ING, performing.
E VA' SION, departure from truth.
DE CEIT', deception; fraud.

THE TRUTHFUL KING.

1. A certain Persian king, while traveling in disguise, with but few attendants, was waylaid by robbers, who threatened to take not only his goods, but his life.

2. Feeling himself beyond the reach of human aid, he inwardly made a vow, that if God would incline the hearts of these ruffians to mercy, and restore him in safety to his family and people, he would distribute all the money then in his treasury, in alms to the needy of his realm.

3. The robbers, from some unknown cause, liberated him, and he soon reached home in safety, having sustained no injury, save the loss of the small purse of gold that he had carried in his girdle.

4. Desirous of keeping the vow he had made, he summoned his officers, and commanded them to make immediate distribution to the poor, of all that the treasury contained, at the time of his return.

5. But his officers, more miserly than himself, and, fearful that they might fall short in their salaries and pensions, began to urge upon the monarch the folly of keeping this rash vow, and the danger of thus involving himself and his kingdom in difficulties.

6. Finding he still remained firm, they took other grounds, and plausibly argued that the troops and other officials needed aid as well as the poor; and, as by the _words_ of his vow, he had bound himself to distribute the contents of the treasury to those who had claim to relief, the public servants certainly came within the required limits.

7. Bewildered by their false logic, and sincerely desirous of doing right, he appealed to a certain sage who dwelt near the royal palace, and determined to abide by his decision.

8. The sage, after hearing the case, only asked the following simple question: "Of whom were you thinking when you made the vow,--the poor, or the public servants?" The monarch replied, "Of the poor." "Then," answered the sage, "it is to the _poor_ you are bound to distribute these funds; for you are not _really_ fulfilling your vow, unless you do that which you intended to do when it was made." The king was satisfied that this was the right decision, and did as the sage advised.

9. Let the young bear in mind that God is a being of truth, requiring truth in the inward heart; and, if they would have His approval, and that of their own consciences, they must avoid not only the _outward_ appearance of falsehood, but the slightest evasion or deceit; and when promises have been made, fulfill not only the _letter_, but the _spirit_ of that which they agreed to perform.

10. Beware of the first and slightest departure from truth, of the least endeavor to deceive, and even of the desire to have others believe what is not so. Let your motto be, _"The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth."_

QUESTIONS.--1. What happened to a certain Persian king? 2. What vow did he then make? 3. What objection did his officers make to this? 4. What did the king then do? 5. What was the sage's decision? 6. What motto ought you to adopt? 7. What rule for spelling the word _traveling_ with one _l_? See SANDERS & McELLIGOTT'S ANALYSIS, page 13, Rule 10.

* * * * *

LESSON XXV.

EN TIC' ES, allures; leads astray.
PRE TEXT, pretense; false reason.
PRO FANE, pollute; defile,
TEMP TA' TION, allurement.
IN' LY, within; in the heart.
DE CLARES, says; asserts.
CHAFE, vex; provoke.
MAL' ICE, hatred; malevolence.
AV' A RICE, excessive love of money.
FORE GO', give up; renounce.
MAM' MON, god of wealth; riches.
IN DIG' NANT, with anger; disdainfully.
LU' CRE, gain; profit.
EM PRISE', enterprise; undertaking.
SURE' TY, security.
O VER THROW', subvert; destroy.
CON TEMPT', scorn; disdain.
SOR' CER ESS, enchantress.
EX PEL', (EX, _out_; PEL, _to drive_) drive out; banish.
RE SIST', (RE, _again_; SIST, _to stand_,) stand again; hence,
to withstand.

See SANDERS and McELLIGOTT'S ANALYSIS, page 90, Ex. 113; also,
page 110, Ex. 142.

WHEN SHALL I ANSWER NO?

J.N. McELLIGOTT.

1. When FALSEHOOD fair entices thee
Against the truth to go,
No matter what the pretext be,
Be thy firm answer,--No!

2. When RASHNESS would thy tongue profane
With language vile and low,
O, make the gross temptation vain,
By answering inly,--No!

3. When PRIDE the silly wish declares,
That thou should'st fashion know,
And lifts thy head with empty airs,
Be wise, and answer,--No!

4. When ENVY would thy spirit chafe,
That others prosper so,
On calm contentment resting safe,
Expel her with a--No!

5. When MALICE foul, or deadly HATE,
Would turn thee on a foe,
And dark, revengeful thirst create,
In horror answer,--No!

6. When sluggish SLEEP, with folded arms,
Would make thee health forego,
('')Rise up at once, resist her charms;
_Act out_ the answer,--No!

7. When AVARICE would, with heartless speed,
Shout out the sight of woe,
And whisper joy from Mammon's greed,
Indignant answer,--No!

8. When filthy LUCRE lifts her hand,
Ungodly gains to show,
Though she should promise all the land,
Be thy prompt answer,--No!

9. When greedy GAIN, or rash EMPRISE,
Would have thee surety go,
Keep Wisdom's words [Footnote 1] before thine eyes,
And firmly answer,--No!

10. When mad AMBITION would seduce,
The _right_ to overthrow,
And turn the selfish passions loose,
In mercy answer,--No!

11. When foul CONTEMPT of Holy Writ
Would in thy bosom sow
The wish to be where scorners sit,[Footnote 2]
Let Conscience answer,--No!

12. When SIN, indeed, whate'er her style,
Would have thee with her go;
Stay not to hear the Sorceress vile,
But leave her with a--No!

[Footnote 1: Prov., 11th Chap., 15th verse.]
[Footnote 2: 1st Psalm, 1st verse.]

* * * * *

LESSON XXVI.

PE RUSE', read; study.
AL LOT' TED, assigned.
ME RID' I AN, noon; mid-day.
GEN' U INE, true; real.
ART' FUL, cunning; crafty.
MIM' ICK ED, pretended; counterfeited.
PRE SIDE', have sway or rule.
DE MER' IT, ill-desert; defect.
RU' BY, precious stone.
PUP' PET, little image.
DE TER' MINE, decide; find out.
ER' MINE, fine fur--(of the ermine.)
CAP' TOR, one who takes a prize.
SCEP' TERS, emblems of authority.
CHA' RY, careful; wary.
MYS' TIC, secret; mysterious.

We have seldom seen any thing so full of wit, truth, and practical wisdom, as this poem inscribed.

TO MASTERS ROBERT AND JOHN.

1. Take this book, my boys,
Earnestly peruse it;
Much of after lies
In the way ye use it:
Keep it neat and clean;
For, remember, in it,
Every stain that's seen,
Marks a thoughtless minute.

2. Life is like a book,
Time is like a printer,
Darting now his look
Where has gloomed no winter.
Thus he'll look, and on,
Till each page allotted,
Robert, thee and John,
Printed be or blotted.

3. Youth's a sunny beam,
Dancing o'er a river,
With a flashing gleam,
Then away forever.
Use it while ye may,
Not in childish mourning,--
Not in childish play,
But in _useful learning_.

4. As your years attain
Life's meridian brightness,
Hourly seek and gain
_Genuine politeness:_
This lives not in forms,
As too many teach us,--
Not in open arms,
Not in silken speeches,

5. Not in haughty eye,
Not in artful dealing,
Not within the sigh
Of a mimicked feeling:
But its lights preside
Rich in nature's splendor,
Over honest pride,
Gentleness and candor.

6. Slight ye not the soul
For the frame's demerit;
Oft a shattered bowl
Holds a mighty spirit:
Never search a breast
By thy ruby's glances;
Pomp's a puppet guest,
Danced by circumstances.

7. What is good and great,
Sense can soon determine;
Prize it though ye meet,
Or in rags or ermine.
Fortune's truly blind;
Fools may be her captors;
But the _wealth of mind_
Stands above their scepters.

8. Value not the lips
Swiftest kept in motion,
Fleetly-sailing ships
Draw no depth of ocean:
Snatch the chary gleam,
From the cautious knowing
For the deepest stream
Scarcely lisps 'tis flowing.

9. Cull from bad and good
Every seeming flower,
Store it up as food
For some hungry hour:
Press its every leaf,
And remember, Johnny,
Even weeds the chief
May have drops of honey.

10. Pomp and power alone
Never make a blessing;
Seek not e'en a throne
By one wretch distressing.
Better toil a slave
For the blood-earned penny,
Than be rich, and have
A curse on every guinea.

11. Think, my gentle boys,
Every man a brother!
_That's where honor lies,_
Nay, but _greatness_ rather:
One's the mystic whole,
Lordly flesh won't know it;
But the kingly soul,
Sees but vice below it.

12. Robert, thoughts like these,
Store you more than money;
Read them not to please,
But to practice, Johnny.
Artless though their dress,
As an infant's dimple,
_Truth is none the less_
_For being truly simple._

QUESTIONS.--1. What did the writer tell Robert and John to do with the book, given them? 2. What use did he tell them to make of Youth?

* * * * *

LESSON XXVII.

AV A RI'' CIOUS, greedy after gain.
IN' TI MATE, close in friendship.
EA' GER NESS, ardent desire.
FRU GAL' I TY, wise economy.
AC QUI SI'' TIONS, gains.
AF' FLU ENCE, great wealth.
SUC' CES SION, regular order.
MOIL' ING, drudging; laboring.
DIS CON TIN' U ED, ceased.
AS SI DU' I TY, untiring diligence.
DIS GUST' ED, greatly dissatisfied.
IN DULG' ED, gratified.
MON' STROUS, very large.
SUC CEED' ING, following.
MAT' TOCK, pick-ax.
UN DER MINE', dig under.
O' MEN, sign; token.
IM AG' IN ED, conceived.

WHANG, THE MILLER.

GOLDSMITH.

1. Whang, the miller, was naturally avaricious; nobody loved money better than he, or more respected those that had it. When people would talk of a rich man in company, Whang would say, "_I_ know him very well, _he_ and _I_ have been very long acquainted; _he_ and _I_ are intimate."

2. But, if a poor man was mentioned, he had not the least knowledge of the man; he might be very well, for aught _he_ knew; but he was not fond of making many acquaintances, and loved to choose his company.

3. Whang, however, with all his eagerness for riches, was poor. He had nothing but the profits of his mill to support him; but, though these were small, they were certain: while it stood and went, he was sure of eating; and his frugality was such, that he, every day, laid some money by; which he would, at intervals, count and contemplate with much satisfaction.

4. Yet still his acquisitions were not equal to his desires; he only found himself above want; whereas he desired to be possessed of affluence. One day, as he was indulging these wishes, he was informed that a neighbor of his had found a pan of money under ground, having dreamed of it three nights in succession.