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WALTON. 1845. In offering to the public, for their approbation and patronage, **Thk Progressive Reader, or Juvenile Monitor," uo apology is deemed necessary. Among the many Reading Books heretofore published, but few are adapted particularly to the capa- cities of children when they first leave the Speiling-Book. * The compiler does not design, in the present publication, to in troduce any new system for learning to read — neither does he a^ tempt an improvement upon the old plan by interspersing an end less variety Of " tropes and figures," as unintelligible to a child as tliey are perplexing — but, on the contrary, his leading object u simply to embody in the work, a variety of matter, suited to the capacities and tastes of children, and which shall, at the same time, tiave a moral and instructive tendency. Many of tlie lessons are accompanied with appropriate cuts, calculated to excite the atten tioji of the pupil to the subject follow mg. Respecting the usual Instructions 1^ teachers, and lengthy stric tures on pronunciation, &c. which are seldom regarded by tiiechild^ h has been wisely recommended by another, that **the teacher whc ifl deficient in the knowledge requisite to his employment, had bet ter examine the criticisms of 'Walker or other distinguished wri* ters." "■ ^ Nothing original is claimed in this work ; but a judicious selec tion from tlie great mass of matter already before the public, thf compiler flatters himself, will insure its admittance into our com mon schools— -devoutly hoping, through tlie blessing of God, that if will serve the humble purpose for which it is designed. THE COMPILER. \ K' ■\ :i- \ THE f PROGRSSSIVE RSADBIL FAMILY PRIKNDSHIP. Love vour brotlKrs and sisters. Do not tease nor vex them, nor call them names; and never let your hands be raised to strike them. If they have any thing which you would like to have, do not be angry with them, or want to get it from them. If you liave any thing they like, share it with them. Your parents grieve when they see } ou quar- rel; they love you all, and they wish you to love one another, and to live in peace and friendship. People will not speak, or think well of you, if yon do not bi^havo kindly to your parents, and to yoi!J!f brothers and sisters. "= 'I ^* Whom," say they, " will persons love or be kind to, if they do not love their own father and mother, who have done so much for them; and their own brothers and sisters, who have the same homes as they have, and who are brought up with them." Love your father and mother; they love you and have taken care of you ever since you were born; they loved you, and took care of you, even when you could not help yourselves, or when you could Mot talk, nor walk about, nor do scarcely any thing but cry, and give a great deal of trouble. Wha is so kind to you as your parents are Who takes so much pains to instruct you ? Who taught you almost every thing you know? Who provides food for you, and clothes, and warm beds to sleep on at night? Who is so glad when you are pleased, and so sorry when you are troubled ? When you are sick, and in pain, who pities you, and tenderly wait* upon you ? Who prays to God to give you health, and strength, and every good thing ^ It is your parents. You should therefore do all in your pow* er to make them happy. ' >^ ., THE PARROTS. Two parrots were confined together in a large cage. The'Cup which held their food was put at the bottom oi tiio cage. They commonly sat on the same peri*h, and close beside each other. Whenever one of them went down for food, thft other always followed; and when they had eateik I . r,RESSlVE READER. i n enough, they hastened together to the highest perch of the cage. They lived four years in this stat^^ ofconfinrment; and always showed a strong aficction for each oth- er. At the end of this time, the female grew very weak, and had all the marks of old ago. Her legs swelled, and she was no longer able to go to the bottom of the cage to take her food: but her companion went and brought it to her. He carried it in his bill, and emptied it into hers. This affectionate bird continued to feed his mate in this manner, for four months, but her weakness increased every day. At last she was unable to sit on the perch^ and remained crouched at the bottom of the cage. Sometimes she tried to get up to the lower perch, but was not able. t/ Her companion did all that he could to assist her Pie often took hold of the upper part of her wing with his bill, and tried to draw her up to him. His looks and his motions showed a great desire to help her, and to make her sufferings less. But the sight was still more affecting, when the female was dying Her distressed companion went round and round her a long time, without stopping. He tried at last to open her bill, that ho might give her some food. His trouble increased every mo- ment. He went to and from her, with the rtmost appearance of distress. Sometimes he made the most mournful cries; at other times, he fixed his eyes on his mate, and was silent; but his looks showed the deepest sorrow. His companion at length died: and this affection ate and interesting bird grew weaker and weaker from that time; and lived only a fgw months 1.1 I -3 This is nri afiecting lesson to teach us to be kind niKi loving, and very helpl'ul io one another ; and to those persons, in particular who are nearly connected with us, and who atand in need of our assistance . \ 111 THE ROBIN, There is a pretty robin flying about the room We must give him some.iiiiig to eat. Fetch -some bread for him. Vlrow thi crumbs on the floe!: Eat pretty robin. (Ml !le ndl not eat; I believe he is afraid of ub IK \»v.ks about, and wonders^ where he is! ^ • O, he begins .o ea.i he is not fraid now. He la very hungiy. How pretty it is to see hira pick up the crumbs, and hop upon the floor, the table, and ^ the chairs! Perhaps, when he is done eating, he will sinsj us a son*i;. % J ^ PROGRESSIVE RCADCIl^ id d y ir < But we must not keep him always. Birds do not like to be shut up in a room, or in a cage. They like to fly about in the air, and to pick up seeds, and to hop about on the grass, and to sing, while perched upon the branches of high trees. And in spring, how busy they are buildingtheir nests, and taking care of their young ones. Robfxi has flown against the window; he wants togetouL Well, we will open the window, and if he choose, he may fly away. There, now he is gone. Wheu he is hungry, he may come again. We will give him some crumbs. v ^ ' CONYERSATIOT^ BETWEEN A MOTH- ER AJN I) HER SON. Mother. I hopo, my son, you have been very happy at school to tlay John. Not quitt^ h< » ^^appy, my dear Mother, as if I had understood my lesson better. You have^ often told me, that when I read or hear a word, which I do not understand, I should ask the mean- ing of it, or else look for it in the dictionary. I wish I could remember one half of the hard words,. I had in my lesson to-day. One such word makes such nonsense of all the rest, that I cannot bear it. I hate such lessons. . I am sick of them. If I look in the dictionary, the meaning is often harder than the word itself; and if I ask the master, he uses so many hard words in telling about one, that I am puzzled worse than ever. i - Moth. I know, my dear, our dictionariea are not fit for children. They are scarcely fit for 10 THR PROORE.HSfVK READER. ^M I' iny one who needy a dictionary. Nor is it very ?ommon for men or women to know how to *alk to ;;hihlrei.. When they are telling a child the mean- ing of one word they seem to think he is acquainted with every otlier word in the world and speak in such a rnannor that they arc not understood. , JouN. What then shall I do, Mother? I am al- ways meeting with hard words. I find them in al most all the books which have been written on pur- pose for children; I find them in the Bible: I find thcni in the hynms, which are read and sung at meeting; and I hear them in the sermons and the prayers. You tell me that I must mind what is said by the minister; and I try to do it, but I under- stand so little, that I cannot keep my mind upon it. I am at last tired, and my thoughts will run oflf to something else. Is this wicked. Mother? Moth. No, my love, it is not wickedj if you do as well as you, can. You are more to be pitied than to be blamed. JoH\. It seems to me. Mother, that it can do very little good for children to go to meeting^ where they understand so little as I do. JVJ^^rn. It is a sad thing, indeed, my son. I am afraid tliousands and millions get so much in the Vv a} of hearing without understanding or mind- ing what is said, that they never get any good by fyoinglo meeting, as long as they live; and yet I would not have children stay at home. Somethinjj bettei* may be done for them. A thousand timea more pains ought to be taken in -teaching them the meatu'ng of words. They might be made to un- derstand almost all the common words, by the time Mr ry%» c'^'**'^*' ifrtr\r\'^^f^ /^l/-#« «-»»^irl 4-|-v^\ *r^ •■ r> r\^* THE PROGUrssiVR RP.ADKR. II i \ . would tal<(* delig'it in t}»r'r h.)o!<<<; jmd, wlion thry wont to rn'^^otinji;, thoy wiuild have -;(»in(tliing better to do, thiin to lau'^ii or pljiy, or look ;if fiiio laces or line cl(»lhes. 1 liopc \>(3 sli;dl soiiK^tinie havo bottf.'r books and bottcr scbools (ior cbildrrn, tban we now havo; but, wliile they arc so poor, I in- tend to do something ibr you nn self; to spend an hour every day, when I can spare the time, in leacliing you the meaning of word.^. JoHiV. I thank you, dear niol}i(r. Nothiuixthat 111'" you could do ior me would plcas(! ine so nuich I shall try to remember every thing you tell me THE CANARY B1J7DS. ,,■ Caroline, the favorite child of her mother, had a Canary bird. It sang from morrung till evening, and was very handsome. Caroline fed it with seeds and envying herbs, and now and then she gave it a piece k ;gar, and refreshed it daily with water from a clear fountain. But suddenly^l^e little bird I .-*:- 13 THE rnOORESSIVE READER. I'lh •i ' H began to droop, and one morninj^ wfien Caroline bronglit it fresh water, it lay dead in its cage. Tlie little girl lamented her beloved bird^ and wept sore. But the mother bought another one, handsomer than the former, and as fair a songster, and put in the cage. Ibit Caroline wept still more, when she saw the new hird. Her motlier was amazed, and said, My dear ciiild, why do you weep yet, and why are you 80 sad? Your tears cannot call your former little bird hack into life again, and here you have one, which is full as handsome as the one was, which you have lost. The cliildsaid. Ah, my dear mnth<'r, 1 have wrong cd my dear sweet little favorite, and have not always treated it as well as T ought, and might ha\e done. But, dearest Caroline, replied the mother, I am gure you have always taken the greatest possihlo care of it. Ah, no! replied the child; a short time before it died, 1 ate a piece of sugar myself, vhich you had given me for n»y bird. I'hus i^poke Caroline Irorn fier sorrowful heart. ' ^ But lier mother did not smile at the complaints of the little girl, for she recognized and respected the sacred voice of nnturf^ in the heart of her child. Ah! said she, what nnist be the feelings of an ungrateful child, at the grave of its parents. THE CREATION. In the beginning Ood created the heaven and the earth. And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit-tree ^.s D Mi ir 1 THE FR0GR£SS1V£ READEll* iiicli from [(sof iyj ', yielding fruit after his kind, whoso seed is in itselfj upon the earth: and it was so. And God created great whales, and every living creature that mov- eth, which the waters brought forth abundantly after their kind, and every wiiirged fowl after his kind. And God made the beasts of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good. And G(»d said, Let us make man in our image, after oiu likeness. So God created man in his own image; in the image of God created he him; nnale and female created he them. And Godbles ed them, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and mu- liply, and replenish the eartli, and subdue it; ani have dominion over the fish of the sea, and ovet the fowl of the air, and over every living thing moveth upon the earth. ♦ And God saw every thing that he had made, and behold, it was very good. DIVINE PROVIDENCE. Tlie glorious siui is set in the Avest; the night dev^s fall; and the air which was sultry beco'^ iool. The flowers fold up their colored leaves, they fold themselves up, and hang their heads on (heir slender stalks. Tl)e chickens are gathcrt^V under the wing of the hen, and are at rest; i\\K\ hen herself is at rest also. The little birds hav - ceased then* warbling; they are asleep on tho boughs, each one with his head beneath his wini^' Thore is no murmur of l)ees around the hive oi among the honeyed woodbines; thoy have dr»rf> thoir w^rk, and they lie cK»sc in their waxen ii^ ii". i ■]\T, PROGRESftirK RRABER. J'l K^ slH^ep aie at rest npow thoir soft fleeces, an .f} fl( th^Mj' IimkI blftitiiifr is no more heard anionic the hi lis. There is no sound of a nvnnber of voices, or of hildren at play, or the trampHng of busy feet Tl le .suiitii s 1 nor the harsh rnruer i; not heard upon the anvil, saw of the carpenter. All men are sti etched on their quiet beds; and the child sleeps •pon the breast of its motlier. Darkness is spread jver the skies, and darkness is upon the o-round: ive^ eye is shut, and every hand is still. Who takes care of all people when they are ink in sleep; wlieu they cannot defend them- Ives, nor see if dan^jer a[)proaches? There is f> eye that never sleeps; there is an eye that sees ^Uhe dark night, as well as in the bright sunshine. •^' 'n there is no lJ:rht of the sun, nor of the moon. there is no lamp in the house, nor u uy iitth ar twiukliiinj throui^h the thick clouds; that eve es every where, in all places, and v/at» lies con- juallv over all the families of the earth, i'he eve at sleeps not, is God's: his hand is always "Stretch- out over us. He made sleep to refresh us when are weary. As the mother moves about the ' with her linger on her lips, and stills every lit- > noise that her infant be not disturbed; as she «,ws the curtains around its bed, and shuts out the jjht from its tender eyes; so God draws the cur- jis of darkness around us; so he makes all tilings Q hushed and still, that his large family may ^ep in peace. Laborers spent with toil, and young children, \n6 every little humming insect, sleep quietly, for d watches over you. You may sleep, for he aev- l^nS* vnn rY\f:»fr f»|o':^'^ ^'OUr P''^0*5 '" "^'^l^of^^ {\}f ^■: m^: 'cAi*. 'h i" ■ 1 THE rR0GUE8SIVE READES. 16 ,>■•* • r. t I i his eye *s always ope^ito protect you. When the darkness is passed away, and the beams of the morning sun strike through your eyehds, begin the 'lay with praising God, who has taken care of you , through the night. Let his praise he§k our hearts wl"}n we I'e down; let his praise be on our lips, when we awake. THE WISE MAN'S ADVICE TO HIS SON s V^.wtk>'C and ugh Iven lev h ^ ' Very small animals are called insects: such as ants, and bees and flies. All animals, which have wings and feathers, are fowls; and those which fly a great deal, are called birds. y Beasts are called quadrupeds, because they have four feet. Some beasts live on grass, and some on flesh. Those which live on flesh, are called carnivorous. Sometimes they are called savage beasts, and sometimes beasts of prey. The lion, the tiger, the leopard, the bear, the wolf and the fox, are beasts of prey ; that is, they kill other^ animals, drink their blood, and eat their flesh. Some aninjals crawl or creep on the earth, and are called reptiles, or creeping things. A worm, is a reptile, and a snake is a reptile. Fishes, you know, live in water, and can nO; more live out of the water, than you can live in it. When taken out, they seem to be in as great pain as we should feel, if we were to walk barefoot oa burning coalsv Some creatures live either in the Water, or out of it, and are called amphibious. Some kinds of frogs and snakes are amphibious creatures. Ducks and geese are amphibious; but hens are not am- phibious. They will not go into the water if they can help it. Sometimes, when a hen begins to set, men take away her own eggs, and put ducks eggs under her; and sheliatches a brood o*. ducks instead of chickens; and almost as soon as they are born, if they can find a pond, they will run into it. The old hen is terribly worried with it. She thinks that they are little fools, and that they will certainly be drowned. She runs dovm ii \o the water, and runs up again, and turns round, and cries, and* screams, and coaxes them, and scolds at them, and does and says every thing she can think of to get them out; hut the little rogues mind othing about her. They play in the water, as long as they please, and then they come out safe and well. — This will do well enough for little ducks ; but it would be very wrong for children, not to mind their mothers. Chickens do not go into the w er, and children should not go into the wa- er, nor do any thing else, which their father oi mother forbids, or tells them not to do '< , u . GOD IS OUR FATHER ! V if The mother loves her little child; she brings it up in her arms; she nourishes its body with food^ she feeds its mind with knowledge; if it is sickj she nurses it with tender love; she watches over ■iM»4iii'..n*iiniiii[ii ifl#'iMi>fntrrf.i 'mi i.iMWwii^-i THE PROGRESSIVE KT!ADER. m it when it is asleep; she forgots it not for a mo- ment', she rejoices daily in it^^ growth. Bui who is the parent of the mother? Who nourishes her with good things, a-nd watches over her with tender love, and reniemhcrs her every moment ? Whose arms are about her to guard her from harm? And if slit- is sick, who shall heal her? God is the parent of the mother; He is the pa- rent of all, for he created all. All the men and all the women, who arc alive in the wide world, are His children; he lovcth all and is good to all. THE BIRD'S NEST '»T*r' f . » ■ ■ ■ ■■'•' ■ ;# Yes, little nest, I'll hold you fast, And little birds, one, two, three, four^ IVe watch'd you long, you're mine at last Poor little things, you'll scape no more^ ^r. Chirp, cry and flutter, as you will, Ah! simple rebels, 'tis in vain, Your little wuigs are unflcdg'd sti^lr Ho^V can v'^u freedom then oblainf •sM'. 92 THE PROGRESSIVE READER^ What note of sorrow strikes my ear! Is it their mother thus distrest! Ah yes, and see, their father dear Flies round and round, to seek their nest And is it I, who cause their moan? I, who so oft in summer's heat, Beneath yon oak have laid me down, To listen to their songs so sweet ? ^ If from my tender mother's side, Some wicked wretch should make me fly, Full well I know 'twould her betide, To break her heart, to sink, to die. , And shall I then so cruel prove, Your little ones to force away? No, no; together live and love; See here they are ; take them I pray. .. ■ "'■■ — . ■' ■ ^'> , ' • Go gentle birds; go free as air; While oft again, in summer's heat, To yonder oak I will repair. And listen to your song so sweet. M Si ri tl ;K..-. ^. HYMN. Come and T will show you what is beautiful. It is a rose fully blown See how she sits upon her mossy stem, like the queen of all the flowers! Her leaves glow like fire ; the air is filled with her sweet odor; she is the delight of every eye. 4Bhe is beautiful, but there is a f&irer than she .„.».» THE PROGRESSIVi: KtAPLU. 25 ... lie that niadt! the rose, is !iK)ro Ix antiful than the rose: lie is rdl \o\c\y: lie is the delight of every heart. I will sliow you what is strong. The lion is strong. Wlien h« raiscth himself from his lairj when he shaketh his mane, when t!)o voice of his roaring is heard, tlic cattle of the field fly, and the wild heasts of the desert hide themselves, for he is very terrible. The lion is stronp:, but lie that made the lion is stronger than he; His anger i? terrible: He could make us die in a moment, and no one could save us from His lumd. I will show you what is glorious. The sun is glorious. When he sliincth in the clear sky, and is seen all over tlie earth, he is the most glorious object the eye can behold. The sun is glorious, but He that made the sun is more gionous than he. The eye beholdeth Him not, for His brightness is more dazzling than we could bear. He seeth in all dark places, by night as well as by day ; and the light of His countenance is over all His works. Who is that great name, and what is he called, that my lips may praise him? This great name is God. He made all things, "but He is himself more excellent than they. They are beautiful, but He is beauty; they are strong, but He is strength; they are j?6;r/ecf, but He is perfection. ' . EXPLANATIONS. Lair, The bed of a wild beast Perfect Finished. That to which nothing can oe added as an improvement, is perfect. God w V* THE PROOKEb^IVE RE .DKrt, pfifec?; nnd things which IIo lias Tnac^o, which no created hcing can niako hctter, vxc perfect. Peo- ple say of others, who arc \/ell acfpiaintcd with a suhject, '^they nTKl«:r.«tantl it per fee 'hi.'''* This is not correct. Very few thini;s ^an be known per foctly; more and more iriay ho learned everyday, even by those wh(> know a gre;\t deal upon any subject. Excellent. To excel is to surpass-to be better or greater. A man has more strength than a child. The man excels the child in strength. You under- stand why God is rnc»re excellent than all which he has made. to ar in in ot iir THE STUDY OF GEOGRAPHY fii^^ !k* The word Geography signifies ad^rscription of the earth. A good knowledge of this science will gratify your curiosity. It will add to your respec- tability, by causing you to be regarded as a person TriE nioonnsr.ivE peadf-r. 25 ■»f inrornmtion. It will (mkiM*^ y^^h nlion n ximn^ to do m»nv ihin^r? to advunce youv «.u;i ii)tcic.st, and promote t)iJ4t of yoiir Icllo^v hirm^r-?. For inst:inoo, .^houivt you bo aiuruu i, }()ii rnii;l>t introduce improvt inont.s ii}>ouyt ur (';ln^^ by know- ing what arc the vcuTtablcs i)iu\ vu\nivU raised in k other countrici of a Kisiiilnr clii.Miit'*; and as your ^ improved methods would b«) indtiiWd bv v<«nr n^'iijh- bors, they, as well as yoii, would ho IxMiefited by them. Should you bo a mcr(thnnt, nm] \v'.-\\ to send vour ships abroad to forc^i^n countrirs, to carry the coni- modities which can be spar;xiJipbv will teach you wIiok; there is a demand !or 'I»en», nnd also, where to send lor such as are ntHnWxl here. Should you be a state:^inan, it would b*? your bimi- ness to rnana'L^e the public all'idrs of yonr countrv to the best a«{vauta.ij;e. Many oC nm moft interost- »ng national concerns, rel;it(3 to I'^-ti'^'W,!) connlri-s, and it would be iiiipossible ibr you In '. ceed without an intimate acq'.i.ii'^tdnc) with ibo g«ofi;raphical situation of yo'u* (uvo. Besides the advant^ijres of the stu'ly as regards \ho gratification of a ];indid)}o cnriosltv, yonr reo- ;4 utation as a man ol mlnnnfrUon, your success m business, and your u-etulr«esstoyour fellow bein^!;s, there is another very important consideration. The study of geooraphy may lead your mind to ]doU9 reflections, by bringing to- your view tlie |)ower, wisdom, and goodness of God. The inunense countries of which geogranhy will inform you, witli all .heir products of mcn^ animals^ aid vogetaldes, 26 THE PROGRESSIVE READER. the lofty mountains, whose tops rise aboTe the clouds, the grcnt rivers which flow down their sides, and after passing througli extensive countries, mingle with i\u' vast ocean-all these are the work- manship oi' his hands, whose creatures we are. When we crmsider the power which he has dis- played in iJuir creation, the wisdom with which he haa littc d them to their various uses, and the g'oodness with which he has adapted them to the wants of his living creatures, while we contem- plate lliem, we shall learn to adore Him. THE ITONEST LITTLE BOY. The honest little boy is fair and upright in all his words j^id actions, lie is not so mean as to impose upon any one by a falsehood. He never speaks ill, oj sln-Hlers any one. He is above prac- tising a cl^^at in word or deed: if tempted to do it, he gets out of ihe way as soon as he can. In ITis conversation he will not go beyond the t>ounds of truth {>> make his 'story more plausible. He always tells it just as it is. He keeps his word on all occasions, and performs whatever he prom- Tn*^h he values more than money, neither bribes nor tii«peats can make him depart from it. He never steals, nor robs orchards nor gardens of their frui^ If he wants some fruit, he always goes and asks for it.' He would not tell a lie, were he sure of gaining a purse of gold by it; for he is certain that whai had been s<» gained, would do him no good. One of his school-mates was once charged with 8 tault of which he had been gi^ilty — What do you I r 4 ■0 ■*t«i •wnw**""********"" THE PROCn£SSIV'£ KEADfiR. ! think he did ? — Before all the school, he went to the preceptor and confessed the whole affair. His preceptor rebuked him gently for the fault, but for declaring the truth, highly commended him. Well done my honest little boy, said he ; — go on in this way, and always remember to be as true and just through all your life, and a good conscience will attend you at lust. No body ever thought of suspecting him; all who knew him would trust him on any occasion. His open look, his honest air, his faithful tongue, won the hearts of all. TO THE YOUNG. Thy morn of life, fond youth, is bright And beautiful as summer's day; Thy sun of hope sheds cheering ^ii^ht Without a cloud to dim its ray. Sweet flowers are blooming on,thy path, Rich fruits are blushing on each bough; And every breeze that passes, hath A iieishness and a fragiancu aow. Life spreads before thee bright and clear, Life dreams of innocence and mirth; And pleasure, like an atmosphere. Floats softly o'er the laughing earth. But life's fair morn shall pass away [ In darkness and in tempests soon; Earth's richest beauty shall decay. And hope's bright sun go down at noon The flowers and fruits that tempt thine eye, Shall perish like a passing thought; €8 THE PROGRESSIVE RfiADBH. 'V; And odoroua breezes cease to fly, < ' Or flying thou shalt heed them not. The world shall all be clouded deep In shades of gloominess and woe; And vain shall be thy toil to reap A harvest of pure joy below. O, then look up to that bright land, Where everlasting pleasures roll; Where trees of life and knowledge stand. Whose fruit can cheer and bless the soul! See o'er the sapphire wall of heaven Hang golden clusters, all divine; O seize the boon so freely given, * And make the bright reversion thinei THE DOG. i i There are many species of dogs; and they aie meltil to mon in variolic;} ways. The people of cities. THE PROGllESjin'E READER. 29 ulf |r aie iities. the shepherd, and the wild men of tlie woods, aro all mdebted to the ikitlifnl do^v. . ^ *-» ♦z^- ^ * The dog is bold, sagucious, und affectionate; if a robber attacks bis r:^n^tor's li^o, li's )!( i::e, or his property, this feai less crcaiuru will {.Vvg to defend him: he listens to ins v ijco, r bf ys his commands, \ partakes of his pleasures, follows- bis steps, and will not forsake hini as Iciig as lie live s. Tfie shepherd's do( s not trouble bimjelf with those of others; ho . ;i!'^:-; peaceably about among his master's caltle, but he barks furi- ously at strangers, ^nd drives thefnav»?ay. '**'*> ' The hoiind runs more swiftly, or be is more fleet than any other species of dog. He is used in hunt- ing the deer, the fox, or the hare. In England, rich Y men keep great numbers of these dogs; they keep 4 a man to take care of them; they ^eed them very carefully, and give them a fine house to live in. The mastiff is a lai^e and strong dog; he is kept to protect houses and gardens; he does not molest those >ivho do not disturb him; but be warns them to keep away, by his loud and terrific barking. The mastiff is not so playful as some other dogs are, but he knows how to punish the impertinence of an inferior. 3* 90 THE PROGRESSIVE READER* A large mastifT was oflen molested bjr a little dog, and teazed by his continual barking; the mafr- tifi might have killed the little dog, but he chose to punish him gently, so he took him in his mouth by the back, and dropped him into a river which was near. The little dog did not like this, but he swam ashore, and afterwards lefl the mastiff in peace. The spaniel swims well; he is fond of the wa- ter; he is a beautiful dog; his hair is curled, and he is very obedient. The pointer is used to find birds that have been shot; he is easily taught. The terrier has a very keen scent. He is as much the enemy of rats and mice as the cat is, and will 800Q clear a house of those troublesome iximatea. CONVERSATION THIRD, BETWEEN A ?, ,h MOTHER AND HER SON. ■ iMoTH. Can you tell me, John, the significa- tion of proceed? -- John. Yes, Mother; it means to go on. ^ Moth. Well, I shall proceed this evening to explain to you a few more words, which you will often hear, and which I may wish to use in my conversation with you. In the first place, you may tell what is meant by language. John. Language, Mother, is the words thai are used in speaking or writing. Moth. Yes, my dear, and all the words th« are commonly used by the people in the same place, are called a language, and sometimes a tongue; Qs the English Language or the English Tongue, aad the Latin Lan^u^^e or th^ l^io Tocgu^ i " Him t t' jwiUw wS ww THE PROGRESSIVE READER. 91 i The Bible was not at first written in the language we use, but in letters and words so diflerent froai ours, that common people among us could not un- derstand nor read a word of it. ., . John. What is meant by a phrase? * . ^ Moth. A phrase, my dear, is two or three words taken together, as by and by, which signifies the same as presently; or to get up, which meiins to rise. By and by , is a phrase, and get up, is a phrase, and out of doors, which signifies abroad, is a phrase. To express any thing, is to make it known to oth- ers, by words, or by some other signs; and the thoughts or words we use, to make known our feelings, are called expressions. You will frequently hear the words command, re^ quire, enjoin, injunction, prohibit, prohibition, law, obedient, disobedient, ruler, sovereign, king,queeti, reign, nation, country, and state. I say it is a fr© quent thing to hear such words. I suppose you know the meaning of frequent and frequently. John. Yes, Mother; frequently is oilep, and a frequent thing is one, which often happens. 1 oflen hear ministers speak of injunctions and pn^ hibitions, and I should like to know the differeci<.f» between those expressions. . » r. Moth. To command, you know, is to bid Of teli one to do a thing; and to enjoin signifies tne same thing. To prohibit is to forbid or to tell one not to do a thing. A command to do a thing, is ao injunction: and a command not to do a thing, na «i prohibition. When it is said, '* Thou shalt love the Lord thy God," it is an injunction; and when it is said, ^< Thou shalt not hate thy brother," it is a prohibition..^ .. ,r . 52 THE rROGUESSIVE RKADEIl. lib ' ) '^ A law is :i command, which is inf ended for all times, or at least lor a considerahle time. If I tell } ou at any one time tv shut ths door, that is a corn- iiiand, hut not a law. If 1 tell you that you must aiway^i shut the door when you see it open, that iy a law, and a comman d t 00. Law s are sometimes call<;d statutes, or precepts. . • ' r' You may detine, John, ohey and disohey. Joiix. To ol)ey, is to do what is commanded, or not to do wha't is forbidden. To disohey, is to do what is forhiden, or not to do what is recpiired. Moth. Yes, my son, and now you may toll me what IS meant by require. JouN. To require, is to command, or to force one to do a thing; to insist on it, to he determined that it shall be so. I suppose demand, mother, sig nifies the same as require. Moth. It does; to demand a thing, means tf. require it. You have told me, John, the meaning of obey and disol)ey, and now you may dc!lne obe dient and disobedient. ^. - . - i John. Obedient, means willing to obey; and disobedient means, unwilling to obey. Those wh'^ do as they are commanded, are obedient jv and those who do otherwise, are disobedient. vV' Moth. You understand the words my son. A ruler or a sovereign is one, who makes law3 for others. God is the ruler or sovereign of earth and heaven. He has a rifirht to make laws for all creatures, and he does require them to obey. The father and the niother are the rulers or sovereigns in a family; and the children should always do aa the parents command, if they do not tell them to do any thing wicked. The master, or the mistress, h THE PROGRESSIVE READER. o a is the ruler or governor of a school. Ruler and governor mean nearly the same thing. To govern IS to command, or to see that others do what a commanded. A king is a man who governs a nation; and m queen is a woman who governs a nation. To be a king or a queen, is to reign. A nation is a large number of persons, who live in the same place, and speak the same language, and have the same lava^ and the same rulers. In Bome nations there aoe thirty or forty millions of persons, and in most na^ tions two or three millions. The whole land where a nation lives, is called a country. - A state is a part of a country, where some of the laws and some of the rulers are different, firom what they are in other parts; as the state of Ma^ sachusetts has one man for its governor, and New- IJanipshiie has a different man for its governor A country that is governed by a king, is a kingdom. In some countries, the people choose a great mxmr her of persons, to meet together, and make laws for them, and such a country is called a republic. The name of our country is the United States of America. Those who make the laws for the whole country, when they meet together, are called Con- gress; and, one of them, whose business it is tp see that the laws are obeyed, is called the Presi- dent of the United States. TENDERNESS TO MOTHER& Observe, said a father to his son, the anxious care of most living creatures for their young S Does not this sight suggest to you the tendemeto and affection of your mother.^ ^. 3* M THE PROGRESSIVE READER '*' H^i" watchfbl care protected you in the helpless period of infancy, when she nourished you, taught , your limbs to move and your tongue to lisp its un- formed accents. ^ Iiiyour childhood she mourned over your little grief^; rejoiced in your innocent delights; admin- istered to you the healing balm in sickness; and instilled into your mind the love of truth, of virtue and of wisdom. ' ■ Oh? cherish every sentiment of respect for such a mother. She merits your warmest gratitud^i esteem and veneration. 1 lii 'Pi! THE SHEEP. ti 4 » .'1 ; 1 . U '. , The quiet, patient sheep, is found in Europe and Asia. It is one of the most useful creatures in the world. Our clothes are made of its wool, our gloves of its skin, and its flesh servea^ ua for food. % h.' '^:- '*t ■ ■!! ' ■ ■! C U n rnm tms mm 5SS! !5 gB !3WiB^B WS iB ffffi BSW wtmrnrnmrnimmm 1 UiK pnociRr.ssiv?: kf. \i.r.R. 35 Mon at all ti'MPs^ an 1 in nlnjosf all i">iin(tios, Unxc t;il- lon. We ascended Holyoke, through the wooda* At length we climed a high rock, from which we could see the beautiful valley far below us, m the centre of which was the little town of North- ampton, then much smaller than it i* now. y THE PROGRESSIVE KEADED 57 ( f **Doyou see those houses?" said Spl ^og to n a. "When my grand-father was a boy, the e was .ot a house where you now see so many. That valky, which now belongs to white men, then belonged to red men. "Then the red men were rich and happy; now they are poor and wretched. Then that beautiful river, which you see running through the valley, and which is called the Connecticut, was theira. "They owned these fine mountains too, they hunted in these woods, and fished in that river, and were numerous and powerful. Now we are few and weak." "But how has this change happened?" said I ^'Who has taken your lands from you, and made you miserable?" _ . "I will tell you all about it to-night^' said Splits- log, "when we return from shooting. But hark! I hear a squirrel chattering in the woods; we muRl go and find him. Whist!" said Splitlog, "and fol- low me." We all followed accordingly, and soon discovei^ ed a fine ^rey squirrel sitting in the top of a wal- nut tree, erect on his hind legs, with his tail curled over his back, and a nut in his fore paws. Splitlog beckoned to his youngest son, who drew his bow, and discharged his arrow, which whistled over the back of the squire!, but did not touch liim. Spl'tlog's eldest son immediately discharged his arrow, which struck the squiruj in the side, and brought him instantly to the ground. After this adventure, we j)rocecded cautiously ill ( ^ THE PROGRESSIVE READER. 4' fhiontrli ^hr woods. Wr had not gone far, when Sj>litl4>a bf^rkonod to ns all to stop. **Look yonder," said ne to me, "on that high rock above iw!" I did so, but could see nothing ** Look again," said Splitlog. I did, and saw a young deer, or fawn, standing upon the point of a rock, which hung over the valley. He was a beautiful little animal, full of spirit, with large black eyes, slender legs, and of a red- dish brown color. Splitlog now selected a choice arrow, placed it on the bow, and sent it. whizzing through the air It struck the fawn directly through the heart. The little animal sprang violently forward over the rock, and fell dead, many feet below, where Splitlog's Frms soon found him. We now returncjd to Splitlog's house, carrying the fawn with us. In the evening I reminded Splitlog of his pronn iae to tell me how the Indians had been robbed <^ their lands and reduced to poverty. He accord- ingly began as f«>lIows: " It is not a hundred and fifty years since there were no white men in this country. There were none but red men or Indians. They ownad all the lands; they hunted, and fished, and rambled whei^ they pleased. " The woods were then full of deer and other game, and in the rivers there were a great many salmon and shad - " At length the white men came in their ships from across the sea. The red men saw them and told them they were welcome. They came ashore. The red men received them kindly. "" - " The white men built houses, and they grew } I t I THE PRonriKssivn iiradeu 99 strong, and drove the rod men, who had welcomed them, and whoso lands they had taken, hack into the woods. They killed the children of the red men, they shot their wives, they burned their wig- wams, and they took away their lands. '^ The white men had guns, the Indians had only bows and arrows. The red men fought, and killed many white men, but the white men killed more of the red men. " The red men were beaten. They ran amij into the woods. They were broken-hearted, and they died. Tiiey are all dead or gone far over the mountains, except a few, and we are poor and wretched." The old Indian said no more; he looked sad; - his two sons looked sad also; and I almost cried^ becau.se Splitlog looked so unhappy. I did not understand this story very well, ^' but when I go back to Boston," tiiought I, ** I will ask my grand-father about it, and he will lell me the whoi© story of the poor Indians." ^ A DIALOGUE ON WINTER. "f* c - FLORELLA. How dreainf is winter! liow sad is the hour When the bhak winds have scattered the ieavea from the bower j And the snnw on the meadow lies cold' MYRTILLA. ' ' ' Ho^t pleasant is winter ! how sweet is the day. When blessed with the warmth of the fire's • ■'... J. tng* ray, - With anr friends swnet commumon we hold. 40 THE PROGRESSIVE READEJiU FLOKELLA. • The voice of the songsters can cheer us no more, Their days of rejoicing and pleasure are o'er; To the southward they've taken iheir way. MYRTILLA. I( 'Tis the time for reflection, when winter appearfk When our thoughts may ascend from this valley of tears, * To the regions of infinite day. f m t\ FLORELLA. *Tis an emhlem of life when the spring time is past^ And dreary old age is approaching at last, And the sun is unclouded no more. ) MYRTILLA. 'Tis an emblem of purity, free from a ziakt^j Of such as in Heaven forever shall reign, When the tempests of life-time are o'er. *^' • ■ ■ . ' if /■ EXPLANATIONS JOreary. Melancholy; unpleasant Bleak^ Cold, chilly. BotDtT, A kind of house, made with shnibf9 and trees. •" >: .. ,;; >• .. Cheer. To comfort, to make pleasant. Cmwnunion. Conversation f )re, arg. of asrtr. md THE PROGRESSIVE READER. %\ THE AFFECTIONATE LITTLE GIRL. ^^^H 'f. .A ^^' 'J - -.'•V • .»v'«: >~^j»-\ ^ The eldest daughter of Dr. Doddridge was a most lovely and engaging child. She Wiw afraid of doing any thing that would displease, or offend the great and good God. She loved to speak the truth. She heliaved very prettily to every body; and when people did any thing to oblige her. she was very desirous to make them every liitle rciurn^ that was in her 'power. As she was a great darling with her family and friends, slie often received invitations to ditferent j)laees at the same time. Ilcr father once asked her on such an occasion, what made every body love her so well. She answered, '' Indeed, papa, I cannot think, unltss it is because I love every bod V. ThiiJ sweet child died on the first of October, 1736; before siie had completed her iifth year. Her lather had greatly delighted in her; more, he Mionght, than he could have done in so young a child; but it was y great comfort for him to think, that, though he slhuild not see her any more in thia 4* < ii I 42 THE PROGRESSIVE HEADER. world, she was gone to her heavenly Father; and to that happy country, whtre he hoped they should one day meet, to part no more. EXPLANATIONS. Affectionate, Kind, loving. Engaging. Pleasing, charming. Return, Pay, reward. To return a kindness is to he kind to those who have been kind to us. Power, Strength, To have it in our power to do any thing, is to be able to do it. It is the same thing to say, it is in our power to do a thing, and to say we can do it. Unless, If not, except. Complete, To end, to finish. To complete the fifth year, means to be five years old. ij^-i- ..*"^.^ -f- *:}*■'' EXAMPLES OF EARLY PIETY What blest examples do I find Writ in the word of truth, Of children that began to mind Religion in their youth, Jesus, who reigns above the sky, ^ And keeps the world in awe, Was once a child as young as I, And kept his Father's law. At twelve years old he talk'd with men, The Jews all wondering stand; Yet HE obey'd ms mother then, And came at her command I \ i i wsm MlMH ■■Ml TBB PKOORBSSIVE READSB. 4S i Children a sweet hosarma sung, And blest their )Aviour's name; They gave him honor with their tongues^ Vfh^e-Mcribes Bnd priests blaspheme, Samuel, the child, was wean'd and brouffhty To wait upon the Lord ; Young Timothy betimes was taught To know HIS holy word. Then why should I so long delay What others learn so soon? I would not pass another day Without this work begun. fiXFLANATIONS. - Youth. The time when we are young; a young man or a woman. Reign, To be a king or queen. k Hosanna, A song of praise. Scribe. A writer and teacher among the JewB. Priest. A kind of minister. Blaspheme. To speak against €rod or Chriat. Delay. To leave undone ; to wait. CONVERSATION FOURTH, BETWEEN A MOTHER AND SON. Moth. Can you tell me, John, what is meanl by an assembly? ' *• . ix John. It is a large number of people, who have come together f6r some kind of business. Moth. Yes; and such an assembly is some* i1 44 THE PROGRESSIVE READER. :i! ! times called a convention. To assemble or to con- vene signifies to meet together. A great crowd of people, whether they have any business or noi, is a throng,, or a concourse ; and when they meet to do mischief, the assem!)ly is called a mob, and what they do is called a riot. An assembly that meets on Sunday to pray, sing, and hear the minister preach, is a congregation; and those who are bap- tized, and eat the Lord's Supper, are <: ailed a church. I told you last evening something about laws, and rulers, and countries, and states. Before you forget that lesson, I want to tell you something more about the same kind of things. I do not ex- pect you will understand them thoroughly, and I should not have said any thing about them now, but yoa frequently hear about nations, and coun- tries, and you cannot know the meaning of those ^ords, without first knowing what is meant by »aws, and rulers, and some other things of the «4inc kind. •^-•>,..;? ;*■ i,-^^^-^ i\ .-■■•t- .i.^- ^1% ^^ I told you that our country is called the United Scates of America, and that we have a Congress aad a Provsident to make laws for us. In the Con- gress there are two assemblies of men, that meet ri different rooms in the same house. One aseem- hiy is called the House of Representatives, and fke otlier assembly is called the Senate; and each person in the Senate is called a Senator. When any representative or any senator wishes to have a law made, he proposes or mentions it to the oth- ers/and they talk about it, and this is called n discussion or debate. After the thing has been d^JjHtod; long enough, they vote; that is, they ex- w. '■^ ^n THE PROGRESSIVE READER. 45 press their wishes by saying yea or nay, yes or na If the majority of the representatives and a majoritjr of the senators say yea, and the President says yea too, then what is mentioned or proposed, be- comes a law, and every body must obey it. By a majority is meant more than half, and the major part of any number of persons or things, is the greater part. — The smaller part is called the mi- nority. If five persons were together, and three of them voted for a thin^, iind two of them voted against it, the three would ue the majority, and the two would be the minority. In England, they have a king and two assemblies to make laws. One assembly is called the house of commons, the oth- er is called the house of Lords; and both together are called the Parliament. Till about a ban* cen- tury, or fifty years ago, the king and parliament of England, or Great Britain, made laws for us. At that time our people thought they made some bad laws, and determined that they would not obey them, nor have them make any more laws for them; but declared that thr the time to come, they would choose men in our own country to make laws for us, and to see that they were obeyed. This was called the declaration of Independence, and the fourth day of July, which was the time when this declaration was made, is called Independent Day. I suppose I must explain to you a little more what is meant by dept*nd<3nt and independent. A little child depends on his father and mother, to take care of him; to see that he has victuals and clothes enough ; to teach him what is right and good. He depends ou them, because he cannot take care of himself; and as long as he is a child, he is said I i 4£ / THE PROGRESSIVE READER. to be in a Btate of dependence, or m a dependent iituation. When he grows up, and knows what ie right and good, and is able to work for every thing he wants; and leaves his father's house, and goes away to some other place, where he takes care of himself, he is independent. Our nation was once very small. A few people came from England, three thousand miles over water, and settled or made their home in this country, among Indians and wild beasts. Then they were willing to have the rulers of the counfty which they came from^ make laws for them, and take care of them; but when they grew up into a great natiou, it was best that they should be independent, just as a child lirhei,n he grows up, should take care of himself. FRANK LUCAS, A LAUDABLE EXAM- PLE OF FILIAL DUTY. Mrs. Corbon kept a village school in the State df New- York. She had a noble mind, and was a friend to all good children. One cold morning in the winter, a small boy came along, with a saw oo his arm^ and wanted this lady to hire him to saw wood. She said, one of her neighbours, a trusty ilmn, would like to saw the wood, and she did not wish to hire any body else. "O dear," said the boy, "what shall I do?" ^^Why, little fellow,'^ said she, "what is the matter?" < He answered, "my father is blind, mother is sick, and I lefl my sister crying at home, for fear f>or 'ma will die. I take care of them as well as can; but they have nothing to eat. I want to Work and get something for them." Mrs. Corbon MM THE PROGRESSIVE READER. «T had n€>er seen this lad before, and did not know what his name v/as, till he told her: but she per- ceived he was a boy of uncommon goodness, be- cause he was so good and kind to his parents and sister. He shivered very much with the cold; for he vfas but thinly dressed, and his ear-locks were »vhite with frost. The lady asked him to come rn ind warm himself. As he sat in the chair by the fire, she saw the tears run down h s cheeks, and »he tried to comfort him. ^'It is not for myself," said Frank, '^that I cry. I don't mind a little cold; but 1 can't help thinking of the family at home. 'We used to be very happy; but a sad change has happened in our house." '^Are you not hungry?" said Mrs. Corbon. '^'Not much ma'am: that is not what troubles me i had some potatoe for dinner yesterday." "Did jou not have supper last night?" "No ma'am." "Nor breakfast this morning?" "Not yet: but no matter: I shall get some by &ndhy'. If I try to do well, God will protect me: for so niy mother says." 48 THE PROGRESSIVE r;:aper. 1*. i 1 "Yon f\]Q .1 brave ad," said tlie ladyj "I will be your friend, if you have not another on earth;" and the tears sparkled in her eyes, as wshe gave hin* a biscuh with a |)ieee of meat, on a small plate. "Thank you ma'anj," said Frank; "if you please, I will keep thetii to carry home. Don't you thinl' ma'am, that somebody will hire me to saw wood?" "Yes, my dear little feilov/," she answered, "I will give you money to saw mine." lie thanked her again, and ran to the v/ood-pile to begin his work. The lady jmt on her cloak and went out among her neighbours. She told them Frank was a good boy, and hoped they would do something to help him to provide for the family. So they c&me to the house where he wa.s, and one gave him a six cent piece, another a shilling, and a third, twenty-five cents, till they made up nearly three dollar^. They presented him a loaf of bread, a \mrt of a cheese, some meat, and a cake, a jug of milk, and some apples to roast »K3r . his sick m(.»iher; wflh a snug basket to put them ail iHj so that hv ha ^ as much as he could carry. Se told thf^rn he was very much obliged to them indeed, but he did not wish to be a beggar. Ho chose to work and pay for what he had, if they would let him, but they said he nmst not stay now He might j^^e to tliat another time. " VVe ar*3 going," said Mrs. Corbon, "to send the things to youj mother, because she is in so great want of them, and I should like to go and see her myself. ^' Frank hurried back, tugging his load, and th-^ whole family cried for y^y. "Bless your dear lit- tle heart," said his poor blind father; "come here and let me get hold of you; I hope, my son, ijon \ ".'■ ' *-"» - *■'"« ' I' lvjm mmmimmmmmmmmmmmmimmmmmmmmm TUB PROGRESSIVE READER. 49 'Y s will never be unable to see the friends you love: but we must not complain, nor forget the favors we receive, because we cannot have every thing we wish. My dear wife, a blessing has come upon u^4 all for the sake of our dutiful child." The good man raised his hands in prayer, and thanked the Creator of the world^ for giving him so hopeful a Bon. ^ It is thirty years since this affair happened; and the same Frank Lucas is now a Judge, and one of the first men in the country where he lives. His father is at rest. Twenty summers the bell-flower has bloomed on his peaceful grave. His mother has grown very eld and feeble, and can just walk about the house, leaning on her staff". She still lives with her son. He says it will be but a short time, before this reverend parent must be called away to her eternal home; but while her life is spared, it shall be his delight to make her last days happy. *' I should have been a poor wretch," he often remarks, '' if it had not been for the early care of my kind moth- er. 5) This good old lady talks very sensibly about the different scenes she has passed through in life. She has been rich, and then very poor, and now she IS rich again, in having so excellent a son; and she now seems only waiting for her Redeemer to call her to that bright world, where the souls of the righteous dwell, and where all is joy and peace. Judge Lucas is married to a worthy woman, and has five children. They go to school; and their father telh them that if they intend to be useful, they must learn well while they are young; if they 6 00 THB PnOOafiBSIVK ltllAl>£Il. axpoct to bo blest in this vforld or the next, they must love God, honor their parents and teachers, and be kind to all; and that, in this tree country, the way lor a poor little boy to become a great and happy nuiii, is to be lionest, industrious, and good. FILIAL DUTY AND AFFECTION K I..0I tlio yoiiutr stork his duteous wing prepares ilis a^id ;-!ic to (bed with constant cares; (> er hills and daU s his precious load conveys, AiiJ tlic ^iJ e.?it drjbt of filial duty pays: (>ratelul return! \)y Nature's self design'd, A fair exHiiiole set to human kind. J, ' 1 Mit * ' ^^ • ' ■ «i rf- MORAL. «; j: > Shouldst thou refuse thy parents needfuL aid, » The very stork might the foul crime uobraid: Be niinclj^il how they rear'd tbv tender youth j '''' :m i^- "-'M ' V ;V •■ . ' -■j,„ii i iil i l iia THB PROORP.StlVR ni'.ADr.R «x ' Ir. Rear with their frailties, servo them still with truth* So may'at thou with long life and peace bo blest. Till hoav'n shall call theo to ckriial rt^nt. . ' J. This bird is generall} esteemed an emblem of filial love; inasmuch, that it has over acquired the I name of pious, from the just regard it is said to pay to actr4 of filial pioty and duty. Storkri live to a very advanced age; the conse- quence of which is, that their limbs grow feeble, their feathers fall off, and they are no way capable of providing for their own food or safety. ■'Being birds of passage, they are under another inconvenience also, which is, that they are not able to remove themselves from one country to another at the usual season. In all these circumstances, it is reported, their young ones assist them, covering them with their wings, and nourishing them with the warmth of their bodies; even bringing them provision in their beaks, and carrying them from place to place on their backs, or supporting them witli tlioir wings. Ill this manner returning, ao luucii as lies in their power, the care which was bestowed on them when they were young ones in the nest. A striking ex- ample of filial piety, inspired by instinct; from which, reason itself need not be. ashamed to take example! ''^^■"''';' ' ' ""^ "^"^ . v ' Hdnor thy father and thy mother, thait thy days may be long in the land which the Lord thy God giveththee, was an express commandiiioiit, and the only One to which a promise was annexed. Among ihe Israelites, the slightest offence against a pa- > rent was punished in the mosft exemplary niariner 52 THE PROORBSStVB READER. i i I Certainly, nothing can be more just or reason* able, than that we should love, honor, and succor those who are the very authors of our being, and to whose tender care (under Heaven) we owe the continuance of it, during the helpless state of our Infancy. APPLICATION. Love, charity, and an intercourse of good offi ces, are what we undoubtedly owe to all mankind, and he that omits them is guilty of such a crime as generally carries its punishment with it. But, to our parents, more, much more, than all this is due; and when we are serving them we ought to reflect that, whatever difficulties we go through for their sake, we cannot do more for them than they have done for us; and that there is no danger of our overpaying the vast debts of gratitude they have laid us under. In fine, we should consider that it is a duty most peculiarly insisted on by heaven itself; and, if r.'c obey the command, there is no doubt but we sjiall also receive the reward annexed to it. I ALFRED AND DORINDA. HfLt, Lymah, one fine summer day, havitig prom- ised his two children, Alfred and Dorinca, to treat them with a walk in a fine garden a little way out of town, went up into his dressing-room to prepare himself, leaving the two children in the parlor. Alfred was so delighted with the thoughts of the pleasure he Rhould receive from his walk, that he * I THE PR0OR£SSIV£ HEADER. jumped about the room, without thinking of anj evil consequence that could happen; but unluckil/ the skirt of his coat brushud against a very valua- ble flower, which his father was ) oaring with great pains, and which he had uniortunulely juiit removed from before the window, in order to screen it from the scorching heat of the sun. *^0 brother, brother," said Dorinda, taking up the flower which was broken oflT from the stalk, "What have you done!" The sweet girl was hold- ing the flower in her hand, when her father, hav- ing dressed himself, came into the parlor. "Bless me! Dorinda," said Mr. Lyman, in an angry tone, "how could you be so thoughtless as to pluck a flower, which you have seen me take so much care to rear, in order to have taken seed from it?" . ; . Poor Dorinda was in such a fright, that she could only beg her papa not to be angry. Mr. Lyman, growing more calm, replied, he was not angry, but reminded her, that as they were going to a garden where there was a variety of flowers, she might have waited till they got there to indulge her fan- cy. He therefore hoped she would not take it amiss if he left her at home. This was a terrible situation for Dorinda, who held her head down, and said nothing. Little Aliped, however, was of too generous a temper to keep silence any longer. He went up to his papa, with his eyes swimming in tears, and told him thai it was not his sister, but himself, who had accident- ally beaten oflTthe head of the flower with the flap of his coat. He therefore desired, that his sistei might go abroad, and he stay at home. Mr. Lyman was so deliglited with the generositjr r a- • .4^^ M ma PBOOBBMITB BBAPBB i #f I1I9 children^ that he instantly forgave ttie acci^ dent, and tenderly kissed them both, being happy to «eo them have such an aflection for each other He told them, that he loved them equally alike, and that they should both go with him. Alfred and Dorinda kissed each other, and leaped about for joy. They all three then walked to the garden, where they saw plants of the most valuable kinds. Mr. Lyman observed with pleasure how Dorinda press- ed her clothes on each side, and Alfred kept the skirt of his coat under his arms for fear of doing any dameige in their walk among the flowers. The flower Mr. Lyman had lost would have given him some pain had it happened from any other circumstance; but the pleasure he received from seeing such mutual aflTection and regard sub^ sist between his two children, amply repaid him for the loss of his flower. I cannot omit the op- portunity that here presents itself of reminding my young friends, not only how necessary, but how amiable and praiseworthy it is, for brothers and sis^ ters to li>e together in harmony. It is not only their most iinportant interest to do so, but whai iihould be a still stronger argument with them, such are the commands of Him who made them. CONVERSATION FIFTH, BETWEEN A MOTHER AND HER SON. r ' Moth. 1 have told you, my dear John, how the President and Congress of the United Statei ri^ke laws fof our whole country, and I hope yo» mmm THB FROGHIRSSITB READER. r>o f will recollect, or remember the conversations we have had about these things. One person, who moikes laws, is called the leg- islator, and a body or assembly of men who make «wg, is styled a legislature. To style is to call by tome name, and to denominate means the same. There is a legislature too in every State, who nake laws for that State, but not for other States. [a the legislature of the State, there is a Govern- or, a Senate, (except the State of Vermont which nas no Senate,) and a House of Representatives, who make laws in the same way that the Presi- dent and Congress do. Besides the legislators or law-makers, there is 8 Bet of men called Judges, who interpret or ex plain the laws, or tell the people what they mean, and help them in putting an end to the quarrels and disputes that happen among them. To Tnake this business more easy, the State is divided into a number of parts wich are called countiesi Each county is so small, that all the people who have my business to do with the Judges, can easily «eet together in'one place, and..have their busi- ness done. In every county there is a prison, or jail, where they shut up those who wUJl not pay their debts when they can: and those wnbkitf, and steal, and do other bad things. Two or three times in a year, the Judges have meetings, which are styled Courts, in every county; and there is a set of men who are called a jury, twelve or mora Ui number, who assist, or help the Judges, inmak* thg the people do right one to another, and in de- tecting, or finding out those who have done wrong. When there is good reason to think that any one iuui robbe4* or murdered a nuiai or that he has 5ei run rRooREssivE reader. ij'. k :i «tolen, or done any thing else, which id very bad, a person, called a sherrifT, lakes him and puts him in prison, and wliile he is confined, or shut up, he . is called u prisoner. But no one is to be punished for any crime or bad action, till it is certainly known that he has done it. So to make the mat- ter certain, the Judges go into court, and take their places on a seat called a Bench, and the Jurors tal;e their places too; and the SherrifT goes to the jail, and brings the prisoner, and makes him «tand before the Judges, at a place called the Bar; and a complaint against him, which is called an in dictment, is read, and then the Judges ask him, whether he is guilty, or not guilty; that is, whether he has done the bad action or not. If he says he is not guilty, or that he has not done the bad ac- tion, every body that knows any thing about the matter, are called upon to tell the Judges and the 'Jury, what they know about it. The story which any one tells i.n court, is called testimony, or evi- dence; and the one who tells it is called a witness. When the witnesses have said all they have to say, and the lawyers and the Judges have made every thing as plaia as they can, the jury say whether they think him guilty, or not guilty. If they say guilty, the man is jMinished, but if they say uo\ ^guilty, the Judge tells him that he is at liberty, or that he may go where he pleases. ^:* * If you remember, my son, what I havo told you, I hope you will und^ rstand something what is meant, if ever you are asked what country you live in, or what State vou live in, or what county jrou live in. •"**'' " '''"' ^^^- " ^ "' v There are some other words, which you will of- ■m I I i &ii "^t:U fO .j:^ii( . t . -.-.S ' ^ Ill I i ♦ ISSf V E RfcADBR : -^r ten hear, when men are talking about these things^ and which I wish you to understand. """-^^ Urn- To accuse a man, is to say he has committed a crime, or done something bad; and what is said against him is called an accusation. To prove a man guilty, is to make it certain that he has done something bad* To convict a man, is to prove him guilty ; and such a man is called a convict, or a criminal. To acquit a man, is to clear him, or to say that he is not guilty. To condemn one, is to say that he is guilty. A man is innocent, who has done no harm. THE BREAD FRUIT TREE. firattr'i ,./' i/,^. Urcajl Fruit I'm. The Bread Fruit Tree grows in the islands of the Pacific ocean. '^ ^ It is of the height of 50 or 60 fept, branching, out in a large spreading top, which affords a bea^^ \ K ae THB PB0GRE9SIVB READER. Hi: !!! '■\ ll m !|ii i!!!! tiful appearance, and an extensiye shade from the rayi of the sun. The leaves of this tree are sixteen inches iong, and nine inches wide, deeply notched, somewhat like the fig leaf. The fruit when ripe is about the size of a child's head — somewhat oval in its shape — has a thin and delicate skin, a large tough core, with remarkable small seeds, situated in a spongy substance between the core and eatable part, which is next to the rind» It is eaten baked, boiled, or roasted; whole, quartered, or cut in slices, and cooked; either way is found exceedingly palatable ; — is greatly prefer- red by manf to our soft bread, which it somewhat resembles in taste, but is much sweeter. The trees afford the natives an agreeable and refreshing shade ; the leaves afford excellent cov- ^ing for their horses; of the inner bark of the small branches they make cloth; the juice which exudes, enables them to destroy the rats which in- fest thera; and of the trunk of the tree they form their canoes, and many parts of their houses / What is that DIALOGUE BETWEEN FATHER AND SON. .. FATH'iJR. Come hither^ Chiles, you see in the field before youT ^ CHARLt.s. It is a horse. -'^ r . F. Whose horse if9 it? ^-' C. I don't know; I nevef saw it before. F. How do you know that is a hr^'w « jx, levftr saw it b<=fore? ■ . .> • • ■• ^ - • V i - , ^ -» ' . ■ .1 ■- , i ■ • A, THE l»R0GRE8SIV)i TlEADER. 59 i J F. Are all horses alike, then? C Yes. F. If they are all alike, how do you know one horse from another? C. They are not quite alike. F. But they are so much alike, that you can easily distinguish a horse from a cow? C. Yes, indeed. F. Or from a cabbage ? C. A horse from a cabbage! yes, surely I can F. Very well; then let us see if you can tel how a horse differs from a cabbage? C. Very easily, a horse is alive. F. True; and how is every thing called whicl' is alive? C. I believe all things^ which are alive, ar€ called animals. F. Jlight; but can you tell me what a horse and a cabbage are alike in ? C. Nothing I believe. F. Yes, there is one thing in which the lowest blade of grass is like the greatest man. C. Because God made them. F. Yes; and how do you call every thing thai is made'^ - _ " C. A creature,. F. A horse then is a creature, but a livi j creature, that is to say, an animal. .. C. And a cabbage is a dead creature. - -«i F. Not so, neither; nothing is dead which not been alive. C. What must I call it, if it is neither d nor alive ? F. An inammate creature, All tJiin2:s ' . /ii ! II ii God has made are called the creation. The cre- ation is divided into animate things, and inanimate things. Trees and stones are inanimate. Men and horses are animate. C. A horse is an animal, then. F. Yes; but a fish is an animal, and swims in the water; a pigeon is an animal, and flies in the air. How do you distinguish a horse from these? C. A fish has no legs; a pigeon has two legs F. How many legs has a horse ? C. Four. F. And acow.^ ., , C. Four. 1^,, F. And a dog ? " C. Four also. * F. Do you know any animals that live upon the earth, which have not four legs? C. Men, birds, worms, and insects, have not four le^s. - ' ' F. What is an animal called, which has four legs ? C. A quadruped. F. Ill this he differs from men, birds, insects, •ind fishes. How docs a man difTbr from a bird? C. A mail in not at all like a bird. F. Vviiy not? an anrhml philosopher, called "oan, a two-Icjood ariiinal without fen t hers. C. The philosopher was very silly. They are not alike, though they have both two legs. F. Another ancient philosopher, called Diogen- es, was of your opinion. Diogenes stripp^^d a bird of its feathers, and turned him into the school where Plato, ^that was the name of the other phi- I d--* I I ^ 'IlK FKUWRE SSI V E TTE A.D ER. 1st cT^'^^ f losopher,) was teaching, and said, "here is Plato's inan for you." C. I wish I had been there; I should have laughed very much. - * • ■ F. Before we laugh at others, however, let us see what we can do ourselves. You have not told me how a horse differs from other quadrupeds j from an elephant or a rat. >. .^\ C. An elephant is very large, and a rat is very small. F. C. F. C. F. small. C. F. C. phrase. __ F. Terms are words. Some words mean something when used by themselves. The word dog, means something; but the words small or great, only mean something when joined to other words. A small dog, or a great dog,meaas a dog smaller or greatej than dogs commonly are. Small and great are relative terms. This butterfly is large, compared with other butterflies. You cau- Qot distinguish one animal froni T.nother species by calling it large or small. You cannot distinguish a horse by its colour. There are white, black, and red horses. Look at the feet of quadrupeds; are thov alike.^ C. No; some have claws, others have thick koniy iect. 6. What is that on your coat? It is a butterfly. What a large one! - Is it large! than a rai tiiink you } No, that it is not. J3ut you cull the butterfly large, and the rat It is very large for a butterfly. Large and small are relative terms. Relative terms; I do not understand that 62 VHB PROGBBSSIVB RBADEft. ! ^ t w m F. Sticli feet are hoofs. The feet which are parted, somewhat like fingers, are digitated. The cat and dog have digitated feet. Quadrupeds are divided into hoofed and digitated. To which divis- ion does the horse belong? C. He is hoofed. F. There are many kinds of horses; some not much bigger than a large dog^ did you ever see a horse that was not hoofed.^ C. Never. F. Should a stranger tell you, Sir, horses are hoofed in this country; but ii) mine, M'here they are differently fed and treated, they have claws — Should you believe him ? C. No; because, in that case, the animal de- scribed by the stranger would not be a horse. F. An ox is hoofed, and so is a hog. What sort of hoof has the horse ? C. It is round, and all in one piece. F. Is that of a hog so ? C. No; it is divided. F. A horse then is not only hoofed, but whole hoofed. How many quadrupeds do you think there are in the world that are whole hoofed ? C. I don't know F. There are only three, that we are acquaint- ed with. The horse, tne ass, and the zebra. C. How do you distinguish the horse from the ass? ^ F. By the ears, mane, and tail. The ass baa long clumsy ears; the horse ha» small, upright ears; the ass has hardly any mane; the horse's mane is full and flowing; the ass has a few hairs upon his tail; the horse has a long bushy tail.— Tell me, whst is ahorse? t ki in i o THB mOORfimiVB RhAVLl: 63 r f C. A horse is an animal of the quadruped kind; whole hoofed; with short ereot et^rs, a flow- ing mane, and a tail covered with long hairs. F. No other animal resembles him in these particulars. You have giten a definition of a horse. C. What is a definition r F. A definition relates to what belongs to one thing and not to any other thing. When you tell all that belongs to a thing, you may tell something in which it is like other things. To tell all that can be told of the properties of a thing, is to give a description of it. Give me a description of a horse. 0. A hors^ is a fine large prancing creature, with slender legs, an arched neck, a sleek, smooth skin, and a tail that sweeps the ground; he snorts, and neighs very loud, and runs swift as the wind f! ) EXPLANATIONS. Anctent. Old Philosopher. A wise man. Ancient Philosopher. A wise man who lived a long time ago. Century. A hundred years. ^, GOVERSATION BETWEEN A MOTH- FR AND HER CHILDREN. M-'TT. My daughter, I hope you have made ' .' r 'luainted with the co^jver sat ions whioh ■-"'- t c "» in your absence. r ' « rir'her, I think I have. !■ L ..^'- "* ? ;. ;^^at deal more pleasure in • fr, fV !fi * these conversations, now I have my sister with mc. Moth. Yes, my dear children, I hope they will be more pleasant and more useful. You must do every thing you can to instruct each other. You may tell me, Lucy, the difierence between neces- sary and convenient, necessity and convenience. Lucy. Those things are convenient, which are useful or agreeable; which make our situation more easy or more happy; and those things are necessary, which must be, or which we cannoi do without. Necessity is very great need. Moth. Your definitions are good, my dear; but, John, you may illustrate them by example Do you know what is meant by illustrate and ex- ample.^ JoTiv. Not very well mother MoTff. Then I will tell you. To illustrate ii to make a thing plainer, or more easy to be under stood. An example is a pattern of something which is to be done; or it consists in doing or say ing something, just as others are to do or say it If I tell you how to hold your pen, and then take the pen into my own hand, and let you see how it is to be held, I give you an example of what I have said to you. I wish you now to give examples of the right use of convenient and necessary. John. Carriages are convenient in travelling, but they are not necessary: for we may walk, or ride on saddles. Boots are convenient in winter, though we may do tolerable well with shoes. Moth. You have given very good examples my son. Lucy. Are not many things said to be neces .^5iry, which are not? h ' i I'M^w-vwvfinr;'; THE PnoGRRSSITE READER. bd i 1 .rj Moth. Yes; this word is very improperly iised by thousands of people. Many things are thought to be necessary by some, which do them little good, and perhaps a great deal of harm. Little children are apt to think that a great deal of play and a great many pies and cakes are necessary to make them happy: but those children who do not see a cake nor a pie once a week, are more likely to bo well and happy; and to play a little, and work a little, and read a great deal, is a thousmd times better than to play a great deal, and eat a great deal, and sleep a great deal, and do little besides. Young ladies are apt to think it necessary that they should have a great many fine things to wear; not knowing that the very desire of these things is apt to make them unhappy. A kind heart, a cheerful countenance, an improved mind, and a virtuous life are much more useful and necessary, than tine clothes. They will make us happy in ourselves, and agreeable to all, who are worth pleasing. .... »> v b->v .^ ^ , "im^^f^^'-j^ Some men and some women too, think rum or brandy necessary to their happiness. They arc very uneasy if they cannot have it once, or twice, or three times a day. But to most persons nothing could be more unnecessary, and scarcely any thing more hurtful. It would be much better to throw their money in the fire, than to buy rum with it. If I wished to make any one as miserable as he could be in this world, 1 would try to persuade him that it was necessary for him to drink rum. But 1 want to say a little more about these words, John, can you tell me what word signifies a con- venient time.'' V V V h 66 THX PR0GAES8IVB READER. John. Yes, mother; opportunity Bignifies a con- Tenient time, or a good chance. Moth. And can you tell me, Lticy, any other word which means the same as necessary ? Lucr . Yes, mother ; indi^pensahte and unavoid* able. Things are indispensable, which we cannot do without, and which are therefore necessary; and those evils are necessary which we cannot avoid or fly from. Moth. You have done well, my children. You make me more and more happy every day. YOUTH >' 1 ■J- m A In the sod season of thy youth; In nature's smil ng bloom, £re age arrive, and trembling wail . Its summons to the tomb;^ Remember thy Creator God; For him thy powers employ; Make him thy fear, thy love, thy hope, Thy confidence and joy. He shall defend and guide thy course Through life's uncertain sea, 'Till thou art landed on the shore Of blessM eternity. Then fear the Liord betimes, and keep The path of heavenly truth; The earth affords no lovelier eighty n Than a religious youtik ^, b is is o h awws.-K'svri?' '*" ■"■'■<■+ I rj I VBB rBOOBKSatTB Ui»S^ THE DEER '" ., ', ...I V* i ' ».: ! ■ ' .» jrV There are three kinds of uevif, all of which are beautiful and sprightly. The stag, whosQ female is called the hind, is the m^rist common. His height is about three feet and a half, and his general col- or reddish brown. He has large and branching horns, by which he is sometimes entaogled id th0 6$ i '< THB FROq^ESSITB B£AD£R. wood, impeded in his flight irom hounds and hunt»* men, and consequently is overtaken. — The flesh of the deer, which is called venison, is valuable meat; and his skin is dressed for clothing. Some- .imes the meat of a stag ha^ ,heGU found to weigh vhree hundred pounds, "^ '.'» ^ Beside the stag and the hind, there is among the tnimals called by the name of deer, the buck, fV'hose female is called the doe, the hart, the male of the roe, and the rein-deer, which inhabits the northern parts of Europe and Asia >'' ^^^ '^expLana.ti6ns.- 4'' .f f Tmped^, To hinder, to stop. ?' Flight. The act of flying, or running. Hound, A kind of dog -for hunting Consequently.' Therefore. ; .. Valuable. Worth a great deal il %i fj-\' *- •'. MAN AND THE BEE. »'*'» Hast thou, said the bee to the man, among the whole ralJfe of animals a greater benefactor than I am."* Undoubtedly I have, said the man. Who, pray?^ The sheep; for her wool is absolutely ne- cessary; thy honey is only agreeable to me. j^i^j ,, EXPLANATION. • u ■ ' ^^• UjH:' » -: J .. '., ,f ,.( ,' ; r- Bfnefactnr. A nfioful aynd kind friend. t',i- l\iW^)*»-'tir^r^ nts^ lesh able me- 5igh the ick, lale the ; ' '7 } THE PROGRESSIVE READER. THE SQIRREL. 69 The squirrel is a beautiful little animal, equally remarkable for the elegance of its form, the live liness of its disposition, and the agility of its mo tions. It is gentle and harmless; though naturallj w*Jd, it is easily tamed; and though excessively timid, it soon becomes familiar. Being naturallj fond of warmth, it will, when domesticated, creep into a person's pocket, sleeve, or bosom, with the most perfect confidence. Its tail constitutes its greatest singularity, as well as its principal ornament. It is also not less useful thtt ornamental; for being sufficiently large and bushy to cover the whole body, it serves as an excellent defence against the inclemencies of the weather. It also greatly assists it in clinging and adhering to trees. Linnaeus, with other natural- ists, assures us, that in crossing a river, the squirrel places itself upon a piece of hark, and erectmg its TO THB TBOGRESSIVE EEADEB. * h tail in order to catch the wind, uses it a» a sail and thus commits itself to the mercy of th^ waves. It would certainly be both curious and interest- ing to be an eye-witness of one of their voyages and a benevolent heart could not forbear wishing safety and success to the little navigators. The fact, indeed, would appear incredible, were it not attested by such respectable evidence. If, how- ever, it be true, it exhibits a striking specimen of animal instinct, although not more wonderful than many others, which are displayed in the brute cre- ation. " -* ^:f>^:\^ ■ : \."'^^ "'v ■f*' The Red Squirrel. The pretty red squirrel lives up in a tree, A little blithe creature as ever can be, He dwells in the boughs where the stock dov€ broods, -^ Far in the shade of the green summer w oods. His food is the young juicy cones of the pine, ■ And the milky beech-nut ishis bread and his wine In the joy of his heart, he frisks with a bound To the topmost twigs, then down to the ground^ Then up again like a winged thing, And from tree to tree with a vaulting spring; Then he sits up aloft and looks waggish and queer, As if he would say, ''Ah, follow me here!" And then he grows pettish and stamps inth his foot And then independently he cracks Jj^js nut. ^ But small as he is, he knows he may want In the bleak winter weather when food is so scant. So he finds a hole in an old tree's core, ; And there makss his nest, and fays up his storei > *w ini'awj.:i"^ l«W*- ■ttmv Htm i 'm' lu m p' m 'i'mm itvf 'mm ti ' t r, TUB PIU)'-;RESSIVE UEU.DEU. 71 ' 'ift* Then when cold winter comes und the troes are hare, . , . . • When the white 8now is falling and keen is the air; He heeds it not 4is ho sits by himseii* In his warm little iie"t« with his nuts on the shelf. Oh! wise little squiiroi! no wonder that he In the green Bummcr woods is as blithe as can b€^ THE CAMEL Arabia is a large country of Asia; there ar« few riverain it; there are few towns or trees, but there are wide deserts, and a great deal of sand. Only a few of the people live in houses; the greater number live in tents; they have very tilie ^horses; they love tholi horses very much, and are very kind to them. The houses live with them in the tetits, and never kick or hurt the children J ^M mmmmm n THE PROGRESSIVB READER. Some of the Arabs are merchants; some are sifephercis, and some are robbers. The Arabians have an animal that is very useful to them. This is the camel. He travels for them, gives them milk, and his hair makes their clothes: he is of as much use to the Arabian, as the horse the cow, and the sheep, are to us: he is as useful to him, as the reindeer is to the poor Laplander. The camels carry loads of three or four hundred pounds; they kneel down to take up the load, and rise when it is put on; they will not allow moi;e to be put upon their backs than they can carry; if more is put on, they cry loudly till it is taken off When they are loaded, the camels trot about twen- ty-five miles in a day; but when the camel carries only a man upon his back, he can travel one hun- dred and fifty miles in one day. Some persons call the camel the "ship of the desert," because he is a native of countries where there are not navigable rivers; and therefore ships oannot convey goods from one place to another. The merchants of Arabia, Egypt, and Syria, em- ploy the camels to carry great loads across wide tracts of sand, where there are no springs of water except at great distances from each other, and no shady trees. Neither fatigue nor thirst wear out this strong and patient animal. Horses and mules could not carry the same burthens, nor endure the want of water as the camel does, God has fitted him for the countries where he has placed him, and adapted him to the service of mankind. The mer- chants who use the camel do not travel singly, but in large companies, called caravans. The camel drinks a greai quantity of water at !!«•■.'*««»♦•*■•'•»'■ ■1»»1>W«*>W<*'-' are ^ Tin: IMlO(;RKSSfVI<. RI'.ADF.R. 73 znco\ he luis a sjife \)\i\cv in his .stoninoh. whcrtj ho can keoj) the water a long tifiir, an! whrn ho is thirsty, ho wets his mouth by Ibrcitii!, np sori^e of the water. One sort of camel p calio; jouineys, (>ass tfiroufrh towns iVill ol'mcu and li.)Us('S-, they cioss rivers in boats, and thev ride over roads find l>rid«^es; thev see litdds entd )S(m] hv v/alls luid tences;, and tfm fresh earth turned up hvthe ploUi»h; the catti(^ feed- in"; in tiie naslures, «.nn- not he found; where the rocks arc covered with hriars, and the wild aniu j^Jng very ha^d ibr many ycais, tlio'/, and tiieii r.In)d»*en, r;i;io ••onb- 74 TiUi riioc;iiEshivii iiiuxbLii. ,.t. ti es over tlunr heads, and get every thing comforta- ble to oat and to wear. At iirst there are no churches, nor schools, nor theatres, nor coaches, nor tine clothe^ In tiiniC the people get rich > caoni»h to have these things. Mr. Barlow one day invented a play for hischil- dred, on purpose to show them this; it was called the Colcmisls. Colonists are the people who goto live together in a new country. Mr. Barlow was ^ the founder of the colony. Foundcris a beginner. Pr(yj\s6L0ii is a man's bushiess or trade. V THE COLONISTS. ''Come," said Mr. Barlow, to his hoys, '^1 liiive a now play ibr you. 1 will he the founder of a colony, and you :'hail he people of diifcrent trades I and professi )n.s, c iniing to oiler yourselves to go • with nio. — \Vh:it are you, Arthur.^'' Jl. I am a faniier, sir. Mr, B. Very well! Farming is the chief thing we have to depend upon. The farmer puts the seed into the earth, and takes care of it when it is grown to the ripe corn; without the .farmer we should have no bread. But you must work very hard; there will be trees to cut down, and roots to drao- aTid a oreat deal of labor. Jl. 1 shall be ready to do my part. Mr. B. Well, then, I shall take you willingly, and as many more such good fellows as you can lind. We shall have land enough; and you may fall to work as soon as you plca«t>e Now for tha next. v| Beverly. I am a miller, ^sn-. .? fe "^"Jw mg the t is we ery i)ots an nay tliQ , TJiE ria Vou rnn-t bring your great bellows, and anvil, and we will set up a forge for you, as soon as we arrive. !>/ the by, woshiU -.Najst a m;json for that, Edward. I am one, sir, Mr. B. Thodii'h we mav live in loj; houses at lirst, we shall want brick work, or stone work, for chimneys, hearths, and ovens, so there will be em- })loyment for a mason. Can you make bricks, and burn lime.'* E. I will try what lean do, sii. ' * -^ Mr. B. No man can do more. 1 engage yea. Who is the next ? ^- • >, * Francis. I am a shoemaker. . - * i' .'h a 76 THB FROORBSfilVS READER. :: r i Mr, B, Shoes we cannot do well without, but I fear we shall jjet no leather. JP. But I can dress skins sir. Mr. B. Can you? Then you are a clever fel- low. I will have you, though I give you double wages. Georf^e, I am a tailor, sir. Mr. B. We must not go naked; so there will be work for the tailor. But you are not above mending, I hope, for we must not mind wearing patched clothes while we work in the woods. G. I am not, sir. Mr. B. Then I engage you, too. Hcnrjf. I am a silversmith, sir. Mr. B. Then, my friend, you cannot go to a worse place than a new colony to set up your trade in. H. But I understand clock and watjih making too. Mr. B. We sliall want to know how time goes, but we cannot afford to employ you. At present, you had better stay where you are. Jasper. I am a barber, and hair dresser. Mr. B. What can we do with you ? If you will shave our men's rough beards once a week, and crop their hairs once a quarter, and be content to help the carpenter the rest of the time, we will take you. But you will have no ladies to curl, or genftemen to powder, I assure you . Lewis. I am a doctor. Mr. B. Then, sir, you are very welcome ; we shall some of us be sick, aivi we aie likely to get cuts, and bruises, and broken bones. You will be very useful. We shall taka you with pleasure. i THE PROGRESSlVB REAOBR. 7T Maurice. I am a lawyer, sir. i{ :■ ' •, your most obedient servant. When we are rich enough to go to law, we will let you know. Oliver, I am a schoolmaster. Mr, B, That is a very respectable profession; as soon as our children are old enough, we rihall be glad of your services. Though we are hard work- ing men, we do not mean to be ignorant; every one among us shall be taught reading and writing. Until we have employment for you in teaching, if you will keep our accounts, and read sermons to us on Sundays, we shall be glad to have you among us. Will you go? O. With all my heart, sir. Mr. B. Who comes here? P/iilip, I am a soldier, sir; will you have me? Mr. B, We are peaceable people, and I hope we shall not be obliged to fight. We will learn to defend ourselves, if we have occasion. Robert, I am a gentleman, sir. Mr. B, A gentleman! And what good can /ou do to us ? ? R, I Uiean to amuse myself. Mr, B, Do you expect that we should pay for y^our amusement? R. I expect to shoot game enough for my own eating; you can give me a little bread and a few vegetables; and the barber shall be my servant. Mr, B. The barber is much obliged to you. Pray, sir, why should we do all this for you? R, Why, sir, that you may h^ve the credit of «aying, that you have onegenileman at least in your colony. 7* i -. n TTHB PROORESSIVK READEB. Mr, B, Ha, ha, ha! A fine gentleman truly, Sir. whan we desire the honor of your company we will send for you. )/» f EXPLANATIONS . 'tl'l r>'f , Wright — ^ght — write — rite. Four words of the same sound, but di^erently spelled, and of differ* ent meaning. ' Wright — a worker in wood. The carpenter is sometimes called a housewright. Wheelwright, shipwright, millwright — the makers of wheels, of ships, and of mills. night — not wrong. Write — to use a pen. Rite — a religious ceremony. The baptism of infants is a rite. Mle hands — men able to work . .(• i (Hi CHRONOLOGY. We say this year is 183 1; this means, it is 183 I years since Jesus Christ was born. Christians are the people who believe the religion that Jesus Christ taught men. The people of Europe, and the United States of America, (where we live,) are Christians. When Christians say any thing happened on a particular year, as — Dr. Franklin was born in 1706, or General Washington died in 1799 — they mean, that one was born 1706 years afler Christ was born, and the other died 1799 years aft^ Christ was born I- TUJ6 JPKOGHEiiilVK KEADLU. CONSTAIST AFFECTION. U With plaintive cooin^s^ lo! the turtle-dove Laments the fate of his departed love; His mate once lost, no comfort now lie knows; His little breast with inward an<]^uish ^loivs; Nor lawnSy nor groves, his throbbing heart can charm ; Nor other love his languid bosom warm: Oppress'd with grief, he yields his latest breath, And proves, at last, his constancy in death. MORAL. . . ' : > A proper lesson to the^cA;^6 mind; An emblem apt of tenderness refin'd; Affection pure, and undissembled love, Which absence, time, nor death, can ne'er re- move. The dove is the most gentle and loving of birds; for which qualities the ancient heatliens feigned 80 TUB rUJURLSSIVfi URADBR. fhat ilie chiiriot ul* Venus, the godlrss of love, was hen that love is strengthened by the more sacred ties of marriage, it ought to be equal- ly lasting and inviolate. In such a state, the joy or grief of either party must he shared by the other; they nmst be both as one, or happiness can never be expected. In order to promote this agreeing will, constan- cy, tciiderness, and an allowance for the frailty of hum^mity, are indispensably necessary. When these are united, there may truly be said to be a union of souls; which, is the greatest felicity ou earth. The emblem of the dove is one of those lessons drawn from nature, whereby tke best amongst us may profit ; since we may well bo ashamed to be f ,i».'-ariw^ _ijS a > .' THE PROGRESSIVE READER. ♦ r 81 • KT n •• f outdone, either in constancy or tenderness, bj anjr of the brute creation. , Pi r\ ••: , ii'i EXPLANATIONS. -: ,.. Plaintive — expressive of sorrow. Cooing — crying as a dove or pigeon. • Glow — to feci passion of mind. Lawn — a plain between woods."* ^' Grove — a small piece of woods. Fickle — changeable, inconstant. ^Emblem — an iiiJusivc picture. Undisscmhled — openly declared. Feigned — related falsely. CliaAol — a carriage of pleasure or state. Goddess — an imaginary female divinity. Sijmbol — a figurative representation. • f 1 \ »' I • ;!.. 'i-' v. f» THE BOY AND THE BEES. •-.■iji- %' A boy who was frequently in the habit of mo-, testing the bees, while they were busily engaged i 62 THB rROOKISSIVB RJtADER. h % in extracting honey from the flowers, happened ond day to be stung pretty severely; and the pain wai^ BO acuity that in revenge he run ihto the garden, and ovBrturned one of the hives. This outrage provoked their anger to a high degree, and brought the fury of^the whole swarm upon him. They at- tacked him with such violence, that his life was in danger; and it was with the utmost difficulty that be made his escape. In this desperate condition, lamenting his misfortunes, he could not forbear re- flecting now much more advisable it had been to have patiently acquiesced under one injury, than thus, by an unprofitable resentment^ to have pro- voked a thousand. > ^ -^ r APPLICATION. This fable is a warning to all, not to molest or disturb those who do us no injury. The conside- ration of our being higher in rank, or stronger than those we attack, will avail but little; for there is scarce any creature, however small, or low in rank, but is capable of making some defence. V/e Ihdrefore should be cautious how we attack even our enemies, and nevar sutler our temper and re- sentment to overrulo our reason. £XFL^i\a110N8. Extracting — drawing out. ; Jtcute — sharp. Acquiesce — to rest in. Anail — profit, advant4i|pe; ^ > Tj aiid coloi horn In ' eeeki < is vei I OlOSS IS CO e! n a the f he h} j Lapli I horse -»er: i i THR PROGIIRSSIVK R'i'. !ER. THE REINDEER. 8^ SIZE. COI OR. FORM. HABITS. COUNTRIES. This animal is about thieo and a half feet hi<»h, aiid live and a laili' iv.ci in h;njjjth. The genf ral color is brown, and wiiitc under the hoily. llis» horns arc long, slender and !)r:in(*!iiijg. In sumnicr,liiis animal lee^ls on various pi iiit«, Beeks the liiirhcst hills to avoid the fj;ad-tly> which is very tormenting to bun. In winter, he livt'^i on oioss and lichen, which he digs from the snow He IS common to the n.)rthern parts of l)oth the east- ern and western continents. In the countries of tiie former he is used for draught, but in Anicrica h© has been only regarded as game. CURIOUS PARTICULARS. The reindeer constitutes tlie sole wealtl. of v:.^ Laplanders, and supplies to them the plac«; of i^o horse, the cow, the sheep, and the goat. A^!w) I *l!| '» . n; t Hi |li 84 TIIF. rROGllESSIVE RKADhR. and dead, the reindeer is equnlly subservient to flieir vvunts. Wlien he ceases tf» exist, spoons are niiwJe of his hones, glue of his horns, bowstringi and thread of his tep.dons, clothing oC his skin, and his flesh becomes a savory food. During his life, his nnilk is converted into cheese, and he is employed to convey his owner over the snowy wastes of his native country. Such is the swiflness of this race, that two of them, yoked in a sledge, will travel a hundred and twelve English miles in a day. The sledge is of a curious construction, fornu d somewhat in the shape of a boat, in which th(^ trnv- eller is tied like a ciiild, and if atlcinpted to be guided by any person unaccustomed to it, would instantly be overset. A Laninnder, who is ricli, has often more than a thousand reindeer. CONVRRSATION SECOND, BETWEl.V A MOl ilKK AM) ilKil CnilJ>RE;i. • < Lucy. The nev/sj aper rv-day gives some ac - count of a book on ?Saiaral lliKfiiry; and 1 dciibt whether i fully lujderstund trie mean'uo <){' >. uln- ral Hiaiory. VV^iil you be so l;iod as to o.xolaJn it to us? Jhnfhcr. Yes, mv dear. The Wfwds )iature and naitirrJ are oiUiti used, but sonietimt^s withverv liirlc meaning. Ivature, 1 sup[)(;se, jU'operly sig- iiiJics tlie lirs^t state or condition of a liiino. (M* what God made and intended it sh')uld be. It hi the nature old^gsand bears to goon all their four feet, though they have sometinrs !»e :i tau;^!:t ti> 1 f f ,ii. :L bkiu, ( s ♦ f f THE rnor.uEssivE reader. [V stand up on their liind feet and walk liko mnn. It is the nature of birds to lly and fislics to swim", but it is not the nature of boys or girls, cilher to lly or swim. Boys may IciArn to swim; but what we learn, and take pains to do, is art, not nature. IMouniains, rivers, trees, and animals, and other things of this kind, are often called wcnks of no- ture, while houses, carrijiges, furniture and dress, are caH^xl works of art. Natural is a word derived from nature, and has the same kind of meanin;>", though it is used with somci dilll^rent words. I wish you to undn'stand the meaning of derive; for it is a word 1 may of- ten lind it convenient to use. — Children are deriv- ed from tlieir parents, and are apt to be like them. Jt* tlie parents had never been, the children would njBver have been. So, natural is derived Irom the word nature, as nuich aslh*' chihl is born of the parent, and is very much like it. So we mny say «,t is the nature of d(?gs and lions to eat ilesh; but k is not natural for horses to eat tlesh. i'hey^ vv^ould sooner starve to death th?m eat a bird or a himl). I hope you understand now th(; meaning of nature and natural. ^Ou know too, 1 suppose, that history sij^iiliit's astorv a!)out|)ers »nsor thiniis; an accoinit oi' what tUvv have (hnn^ or what has haj pcniMJ to them f >r a considerable time. There arejuanv diii'erenl kinds of history, which are called by diinrcnt names. 'J'he common his- toi V ot* nation.^, kingdoms, and Stat(M, is ealh?d Civil lli.'.t(jry; the hi.-jcory ol' individuals, or sini»le pcrs >{is, is iJii^grapliy ; the history which is found m the Bible, is Sacred tJistory. An account of true i»J.hgion/iii account ol' what lias l;.* we know any thin!»< flient, and sap^aci >ns. He loves rico very much. Somelimes he breaks into tiie rico fields of Asia, and tramj)les down the ric(5 which is 1 gr')wifi«i;, and destroys a ^reat quantity ot'it. Tiie eh'phants are f:;r(ifi'arioi(s. In AiVica, and C in th(i island of Ceylon, some hundreds are seen '" 'I ti)• i' brute animal; tliey are kiml to those who treat them well; but they hurt or kill those who injure them. An elephant, wliich wus once di iven about for a show, used to eat eggs, which a man often gave him; the man in sport, gave him a spoiled egg; the elephant threw it away; the man offer- ed him another, which was also spoiled; the ele- phant threw away the second, and did not seem to be angry; but he felt that the man intended to af- front him, and he did not fcrget it. Not long ailer, the man came near to the elej)hant; the elephant seized him in his trunk, dashed him to the ceiling, and killed him. Klephants love spirits and wine. In India, a liquor somewhat like gin, called arrack, is used; elephants are fond of this. They will draw, or push a great weight, if they are shown some ar- rack, and expect to get it for a reward; but if it is shown, and not given to them, they are very angry. An elephant which was once treated in this man- ner, killed his master, who had deceived him. The poor man's wife saw her husband killed, and ran with her two little children to the feet of the ele- phant, saying, "you have slain their father, kill ine, and them also." The elephant stopped — the mother and the children had not injured him, and he would not hurt them; he embraced the eldest boy in his trunk, placed him on his neck, and would not allow any one else to mount him. The tame elephants have no young ones, so all tame elephants are taken wild. People carry a tame elephant out to the country where the wild ones are; they make a fence round a large space, and put the tamo elephant into it. The enclosed I a 1 V THE PROORESSITB READER. 91 treat njure abuut often poiled offer- le de- em to to af- ; ailcr, ^pliant oiling, place is something lilte a very large cage, with the door open, the tame elephant cries loudly, and the wild ones hear her; they come to see her, and go to her through the opening that is left for them; as soon as they get in, a bar falls, which prevents them from getting out again; at first they try very much to get out, and make a great noise; but they arc fed, and treated kindly, and become quite tamo in about fourteen days. THE TRUANTS idia, a usc'il; aw, or me ar- if it is angry. s man- Tho ud ran ic de- er, kill d— the m, and eldest k, and so all Liarry a Ihe wild space, iiclosed // There were once two children, ramed Henry and Ellen. They did not live in Boston or New- York, but in a country village in Connecticut. El- IS fHB FROQREflSIVB READER. ( ' len was about seven years old, and Henry about six. One day as they were going to school in the af- ternoon, Henry proposed to Ellen, that instead of going to school they should go to the woods and pick whortleberries. To this Ellen objected, that it would be wrong, because their parents hr\f\ given them no permission to do so. But, said Henry, we did not ask them. I dare say they w>uld have no objection. A good *nany boys and girls are going this afternoon, and why may we not as well go as they ? It is very pleas- ant to pick whortleberries. I love to ramble in the bushes, and hear the birds, and fill my basket with the delicious fruit. ^ - Ellen still made many objections, but Henry persisted, and, contrary to her knowledge of what was right, Ellen at length consented. The little pair now turned into f. narrow path thnt branched off from the road to school, and quickening their pace, they proceeded on their Wiiy\ At length they came to a long hill, up the side of which the narrow path led. It then enter- ed some woods, and beyond them were the whor- tleberrygrounds. Henry imagined that he knew the way well, but he was mistaken. Taking a wrong path in the woods, he went gaily along with his little sister, expecting soon to come to the place where they should meet their schoolmates, who as Henry had stated, were to be there. But after walking* a long way, the two children began to feel some anxiety. The woods, instead of opening into the bushy plsun, as they expected^ i TUB PROORESSIVB READER 93 7 about 1 the af- itead of )ds and ed, that ^d given I dare )d many md why y pleas- imble in Y basket Henry of what ow path )ol, and on their I, up the n enter- le whor- ^vell, but ii in the 6 sister, ere they anry had children , instead xpected, grew darker and thicker, and the path, which at first was phiin enough, was now windinj^ and in- distinct. I'hc ground too was l)rok('n, tlie ^o^k^ aroun, IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I a |2.8 1 2.5 " ^ m 2.0 us US ■ 40 im L25 1 1.4 1 1.6 ■• 6" ► Photographic Sciences Corporation i\ d >V •NJ :\ \ % V ^ o^ '^ 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716)872-4503 '% ^ mmmim ■«■ ■UMHH 04 THE PROGRESSIVE READER. t' •■4 I deed, began already to fall here and there in large drops; the lightning flashed faintly in the west and the thunder muttered, solemnly, over the far hills. Their situation was. indeed, pitiahk 7 il alone in the wide forest, without shelter or protection, sep- arated from their parents, exposed to the coming tempest-; and all this, alas! the consequence of their own fault. It v. as the recollection of this .hat added new bitterness to their grief. Oh! said Ihey in one voice, oh, that we hud gone to school, as we ought, and then we should not have been in this fearful wood! The little wanderers still sat side by side upon the rock, shiverinjj 'with the chill of the evenino and wet to the skin by the rain, when at length they heard a light step as if something was ap- proaching them. Theywer.^ ^^ ^c ceding ly startled, for they fancied that nothing but some wild animal could be in this lone place, beside themselves. The step, however, approached nearer and nearer. It came slowly and cautiously forward, as if to start upon them by surprise. Breathless with fear, the children stood up, gazing into the thicket with intense anxiety and apprehension. At length they could easily distinguish the head, and part of the body of a large animal, black and shag- gy, who was coming toward them. It was now very near to them; they could easily distinguish Us features and hear its low growl. Suddenly it sprung upon them. The children shrieked — but it was a shriek of joy! ^It is our good old dog Tartar!' said Henry, in * ecstacy. It was indeed the family dog; he had discovered the absence of the children, and set- ;' A TIIK PROGRESSIVE REAL»rH. 9'i and vard, iless the At and nag- now uish \y it l-but y m had set- ting ofT on their track, ho n»llv)W( d thoni 'rlirnii«rh all their wanderings, till ho lbundtliw led the nav, the children fd- lowed, and in a short time they were safe at horr.e They confessed their niisconclnct to th( ir parents, and liaving heen forgiven, they went to bed, wr-m out witli fatiixue, and resolved never a;>ain to ho guilty f)t^ similar errors. The lesion I would have you draw from this sto rr, my little friends, is this; disohedience to pa- rents, is very apt to bring children into diilieulty and danger; and when in danger, how liard is it to hear u}) against, not anxiety and ft ar onlv, Init a^iainst the ccnsciousness that ^nilt i^ a«id'- J t,i misfortune. It is easy to support trials w iiieh come upon us while we are in the way of duty, hut it is very hard to endure evils, and with them tlie added weight of conscious error. SALT. The salt ^vhich we eat with our meat is found almost every where. The water of tho great ocean contains salt. People collect a great quan- tity of water, and place it so that the water evap- I ocates and leaves the salt. Some countries are very far from the sea, bjt ia ^, those countrie^s, there are mines of salt. God knew that salt v/ould preserve many things vvhicti men would want to keep, and that it would make their food taste agreeably, so he has given it lo all parts of our world, that men might have it every where. iMM 96 TUK riiOGUESSIVE KEAPER. THE i:SQI IMAUX DOGS. rThe Esquimuux dog, used 1>y the Esqiumaux for drawing sledges, is very valuable. There are several other kinds of domestic dogsi, as well as a great variety of wild dogs, of which I have not room to tell you now. ^The Esquimaux, a race ol'people inhabiting the most northerly parts of the American continent, and the adjoi.ning islands, are dependent upon the services of their dogs for most of the few comforts of their lives; for assistance in the chase; for car- rying burdens; and for their rapid and certain con- veyance ovei the trackless snows of their dreary plains. The dogs, subjected to a constant dependence upon their masters, receiving scanty food and abundant chastisement, assist them in hunting the seal, the reindeer, and the bear. In the summer, a single dog carries a weight of thirty pounds, in attending his master in the pursuit of game; in winter, yoked in numbers to heavy s,kdge^s, they \ r. ; THE PROGRESSIVE READER. 9^ ^^raS mJ^z^ hich I no- tlie •a the nitbits car- con- ireary lence and igthe |imer, Is, in je; in they drag five or six persons at the rate of seven or eight miles an liour, and will perform joiuueys of sixty miles a dixy. Dogs are very generally need in Holland and S'vitzciland, and some parts of France and Ger- many, for drawing sni-ill wagons wiUi light loads. I They »h th< f are commonly eni[>ioyea in mo vicmity o large towns to carry vegetables to market. They have been lately used in Loudon and the neighbor- hood for similar purposes. The Newfoundland dogs, one of the most ac- tive and sngacious varieties, rtre employed in tiieir native districts to draw carts and sledges, laden with wood and fish, and to j orform a variety of useful ofTices, in the place of the horse. In niar.y of the northern countries, tiie bold and powerful races of dogs arc tiius rendered peculiarly valua- ble. A (ientury ago, nearly all the travelling ia- tercourso of Canada was carried on by dogs. The dogs ofKiinKschatka, as described in Langs- dorlT's Travels, when, in summer, tliey arc nut wanted to draw the sledoes of the inhabitants, are L'^ft to rove at large and iind their own food, ^ih^^^y keep on the sea shore, or in the neighborhood of rivers, lurking after fish, and standing in the wixier up to their bellies; when they see a lish they snap at it with unerring aim. In the autumn they re- turn of their own accord to their particular owners in the villages. The dog was entirely unknown to the inha't'it- ance of the new worUl, America, before the peri-.d when it was mtroduced there by the Europeans; if we except 'an extremely small species, called r-T~ "t'irr-ir"'*^'".'jL .- - i -•'-■— ^--™ ^8 THE rROG»rsfc]VIl irSADER. the nico, whicli the Poruviana are represented to have dowesticalvd as a sort of lap-dog. From t\\^ earliest times, the dogs in Asia appear to have heen uikhoiit masters. The following pas- sage ill the filly-ninth Psalm, evidently refers to this cnstcun; * At evening let them return; and let them make a noise like a dog, and go round ahout the city. Let them wander up and down for meat, jiiid griidge if they he not satisfied;' or, according to anotlier inlciyrclalihn^ ' if they he not satisKed, there they will stay all night.' Harmer, a com- nicnfalor on the Bil)le, explains this passage, by Jointing the fact, that dogs in the east do not appear lo hel )!ig to any. particular person, as (Hir dogs do, nor to he fed distinctly by such as might claim sonu; interest in them, hut get their living a. they can. JMr. Southev u'lates two instances ofdoffs that had acquired such 4 knowledge of time as would en- rthie them to count the days of the week. He says, * My graudi'ather lutd one which trudged two miles every Saturday to calcr for himseJfiu the shambles. ] know 6f another more extraordinary and well au- llienticated example. A dog, which had belonged to an Irishman, and was sold by him in England, would never touch a morsel of food up >n Friday, „ tiiat being the day on which Catholics fast.' | 1 have lieurd of a do^p in Edinhurfrh that had -ligB||^ accustomed to go to church on Sunday wiih a man who lived in a neicrhhorins: village. The dog would set out on Saturday, go with the n^an to church, and then return to his master in Edin- burgli. \ S<^me of the finct^t do raiHt f ■ — 1 1 « . . - *. «■ V, - Their fruitless search mid storm and blast Some traveller to befriend, And with the tale of perils past, < -. , Yf'-'^ A jiymn of praise they blend . T ; rs v i > When loud at their monastic gate The dog was heard to moan, Why doth he wander forth so late. *' ^ Unguided and alone? — ,. . ; _. .,■;^:l^•;i;;'' ^j^'^v/.v-j-i^'v^;,, nkCiya^ i;5i._ii •- ' ... ^_ »* TllK ritOriREb!»l\ E HEADEK. 105 THE OUIGIXAL AIMKRICAN 1 1 ) : .\iiri'!{ Atprrivnn rndimts. Before tlie American Revolution there were in North America five nations of Indians, which con- sisted of many tribes; these were united by a: sort of confederacy J without any superiority of the one over the other. They were known by the names of Mohawks, Oneidas, Onondagas, Cayu- I'us, and Senekajs. (Besides these, there were a iireat many other tribes of Indians in America.) Knell of these tribes make an independent State, and Is governed in its public affairs by its own Sa- chenifi. The authority of the rulers consists prin- cipally in the good opinion the rest of the tribe have of their wisdom apd integrity. Force is sel- V Jiu resorted to for enforcing obedience. Honor and esteem arc their principal rewards: and sliaine tlj«3 only punishment. The natives of these tribes think then^selves by nature superior to the rest of rnanJiind, and assume a title which, in their Ian- 06 TUR t>nOGnESBl>lB READEK. Wl fc. , iruage, chenotes that pre-eminence. This opinion they carefully infuse into the minds of their chil- dren^ which inspires them with hei'oic courage, and renders them formidable to their less power- ful neighbors. They seldom make war but from notions of glory, strongly imprinted on their minds; their bravery in battle, and their constancy in en- during torments, equal the fortitude of the most celebrated Romans who were once masters of the world. JThe original American, or the American Indian, a« he is frequently called, is of a copper color, his hair is strait, long, and black; and his eyes black and piercing. He is much engaged in war, and lives chiefly by himting and fishing. In former times the Indians used bows and arrows in hunting and war; but many of them now have guns. In the warmer parts of America, the Indians wear no more clothing than modesty requires; but in the colder regions, they dress themselves more thoroughly in furs or blankets. They often paint the naked parts of their bodies, and particularly their faces, with frightful figures, such as tlie heads and teetli of voracious animals. Their houses are called wig-warns, and are very small and mean. The character of the Indians is not so noble now as it once Was. Though in some respects dread- ful, it has been very interesting. If they long re- member an injury, they never forget the slightest kindness. r ^ Two hundred years ago the Indian whoop was hoard on all the fruitful hills and delightful vallies we now possess; but they are either extinct j or •*'^"^<*n. hundreds of mile^ ^o tiie west or north } MJil ii JL.J ' J.JJ i THE PROr.UESSl\ r. ULADEK. 107 in ion chil- rage, 3\ver- from linds; in en- most )f the idian, )r, his black r, and brmer anting ig re- iitest h was lallies \tj or lorth > Their dhninuiion \» indeed onrwonlth and pruco; but still we would dioji a l(;;»r over iho decline of tliosc, who i)ad the first right to this |deasnnt land, find who, before they w('ie (^orrujited by us, were injiiany things worthy of admiration. EXPLANATIONS. Confederacy — a league, or contract by wliich several persons engage to support each other. Sachem — the titlo of chiel' (i head Indian. Infuse— to instil into the mind. Heroic- — brave, iiitre[)id. Extinct — dead, brought to nothing. Diminution — wasting, the state of* Ixjconiing smaller. Decline — act of going down^ or coming to no- thing. SOUTH AMERICA. I- Snuf/i American furlitimi. \ The Soutli American Indians live a great way to the south of us, in Patagonia^the moot southern m 'inw piinr.jjK.^sivF. Ml, M?r;i; >1 J! Ill (li;-»1rir't in Sotit.h Air.oricji, nrid is nnr oC tlir ui'^st wrelclKMi ourUrics in tlic v.orM. I l><\' Ip^'.f Ih'- fio^iH? rn/iP r.iviiizc'i tiian ior'nrrlv,, bul ;>:• ~!!il ?ii) Tiidic is nothiu;^ in Soiifl) AiJVM'if'.ii i\\nt shiko^ the; l)oh.')l(l(M' witii s-) inuc,}) aslonishi^iciit us tl'f> A«>- ! lhc,<;.^ jnonntains are aluavs ovvvvd Nvit'i siow: ;.i»nl liii- crs liav*; lircs wjfhiu tSn-nj, and )s, aod aii^ l-Mind anionii' the sand in tho vaiiies. A i'leal iii;i'>y shives aie eni!)lo\'e(l tliere in wa.'djiii:^ (Im^ sa.oii lor these diamonds. Tho k^^epinu ol" shivrs i ; \'>'yy vviekod, an'*! ouglit to ho abaodvaied hv aii ionu.tn. beini'S who are aeconnlahle (*od. I I Cyrus, wlien younjif, bcnify askod vhnt was inrt ^irst thino[ which he h.*an\od, atis.ve;ed, ""-to sj)( ak. the trulh." - Kyaniinondas, the et^lebrated ^^h(M>an ;i' n^'jal. w?i!:* resnarkabh; ior his Jove oi trntii. ii<) never told a lie even in jost. AH onr niorul (bitien a»*c <',ontained ie Ihrse fe'iv w^rdsj ''l-)> as you would be (lone by '' ^ ' iJl'^Si Ml ii i J- '.'i-Mi:-:.. ••V 'dVi) ' M ! i H I hI I or very IM'VO) I i TlfE PIlOOnESSIVB IlEADER. 109 THE INHABITANTS OF PERD. 1^ — ^>::j^ < y-^ Drrssf'S of Gcntkmen nnn Ladies in Peru, Among the native nations of South America, the Peruvians are the most interesting, having, in some instances, advanced nearer to civilization than even the Mexicans. The lama, or small camel, hfid heen rendered subservient to their in- dustry; and their buildin spring* in companies of several thousands, preceded by their flocks and herds. , When they^come to an inviting spot, they re- main there till they have consumed its produce. They have but little money, except what they ob- tain from their neighbors, the Russians, Persians, or Turks, in exchange for cattle; with this they purchase apparel for their women. *- » Thefy have few mechanics, except those who make arms. They avoid all labour as the greatest slavery: their only employment is tending their flocks, hunting, and managing their horses. If they are angry with a person, they wish he may live in one fixed place, and work like a Russian. They are hospitable, particularly to strangers who confidently put themselves under their protection. They are naturally of an easy and cheerful tem- per, and seldonrde pressed by care and melancholy; and are so much delighted with their own country that they conceive it impossible to traverse their plains without envying them their possession: "You have travelled a great way," said one oi these Tartars to the Baron de Tott; " but did you ever before see a country like ours?" • ' The dress of the Tartars consists of large shirts and drawers; their habits are commonly made of calico, or some other light stuff* which they lino 'with sheep-skin, and sometimes they wear entire garments of the same materials. Red is the cc lor in the highest esteem with the Tartars; and a though their chiefs and grandees are but meanl) clothed in other resi>ccts, they sel- 10* ^ V J ! I !| li 1 I-. i^: I I i '4 Ml m 114 THB PROGRESSIVB READER dom fail to have a scarlet robe fbr State occasions They would rather be without a shirt than a scar- let coat ; and the women of quality do not think themselves well-dressed if tbe scarlet g«arment is^ wanting. The respect paid by the children to their fathers, who are considered as kings to their families, is very great; but they pay little attention to their mothers. They lament a father many days, and during the time abstain from all sort of pleasure. Nothing must be spared to render his funeral hon- orable, and at least once a year they pay their de- votions at his tomb. ' " 'i ^ v *ir * r? '^ THE FRENCH v '.',!'■.;"', V > 4\. 1 1 ' ♦ ' I T f '.».- v.i:.;i The French are inhabitants of France in the west of Europe. Their country is fruitful and pleasant. Their chief city is Paris on the river Seine. They are gay and sprightly people, fond of music, danc- ing, conversation, and dress. The higher classes are very polite. They have many learned men among them, and a great variety of good book«; but the poorer people are Jefl too much without instruction. 4//^ h, i/| ' i^ '*H'::.. .'*^:>^" asions a scar- think neat is> • ■ athera, [lies, is their ^s, and 3asure. ai hon- leir de- r ewest- asant. They danc- lasses- men (oks; Ithout Vm mOOBESSITB R1IAD8R. » INHABITANTS OF EGYPT. IIA Egyptians. .'it • iJ i< i *»'.♦> Mij' Most of the inhabitants of Egypt are foreigners, who have not become in any degree naturalized to its climate or soil. This celebrated country pre- sents only one native race, which is that of the Copts, or descendants of the most ancient inhab- itants of Egypt. They are a people of mixed or- igin. The blood of the ancient Egyptians is adul- terated by the confused mixture of the Persian, Grecian, Roman, and Arabian Races; and the mot- ley offspring of these dissimilar tribes have rather inherited the vices than the virtues of their ances- tors. Distinguished from the Arabs and the Turks by the profession of Christianity, and from the Christians, by their obstinate adherence to the her- esy of Eutychius, they have been persecuted and despised by Christians and Mahometans, and this very contempt has tended to deteriorate their na- tional character. ^*" h «% nMi , -^^w* The Coptic females are generally elegant in fbrm^ and intereeting in feature; but their chief inr i:'|i;[ r: i 116 THE PROOBES8ITS READER beauty, according to Vansleb, consistB in their Jarge, black, and expressive eyes. The most simple dress of the men, consists of a long shirt, with wide sleeves, tied round the middle. The common people wear over this a brown woolen shirt, but those oi better condition a long cloth coat covered with a blue shirt, hanging down to the mid-« die of the leg. On festivals, and extraordinary oc-* casions, the upper shirt is white. They wear about their necks a blue cloth, with which they defend their heads from the weather. It is r general cus- tom among the merchants, to wear a large blankety either white or brown, in winter: and in summer, a blue and white cotton sheet thrown over the lefl shoulder. The dress of the women is not so much unlike that of the men, only most of the garments are of silk. It being reckoned improper lor a wo- man to show the whole face, they generally cover the mouth and one eye. ^*ayj . 1* n. ' .. The Mahometans salute each other by kissing the hand, putting it to the head, and wishing peace. The salutation of the Arabs is by shaking hands, and bowing the head. Among the Copts, a sor will not sit down in the presence of his father, es- pecially in public, without being desired several times; and in no place in the world do people pay a greater regard to their superiors. On a journey, the £gyptians set out early in the morning, walk their horses gently, and often stop to refresh under a shade. If they do not travel in state, they carry a leathern bottle of water tied to the saddle; but a person of higher rank has an at-i tending camel laden with water. At night they have largQ lanterns, stretched upon wires, carried A\ \ I their ts of a niddle. nroolen th coat 16 mid'* Bfcry oc- r about defend alcu9- lankety mer, a he lea } much rments f a wo- cover eissing eace. lands, a sOA jr, es- jveral pay a in the top to J re\ in led to Ln at- 1 they Tied THE FROOREfSrVE READER. 117 before them. They seldom make use of teniHj but lie in the open air. Men of quality ride on a saddled camel, and theii attendants on camels loaded with carpets, beds^ and other necessaries, if their journey be long. They commonly carry in their hands a double crook to direct the beast, and to recover tho bridle, if it chance to drop, Some of the women, whose circumstances admit of it, travel in litters, carried by camels; another method of convey anco is by means of a round basket, with a cover, slung on each side of a camel. THE SPANISH. The Spanish people live in Spain, a country in the south of Europe. By naturae that country isi very delightful; but their government is tyrannical and the people are wretched. Though Iheir lan- guage is one of the noblest'in the world, ^hey have few good books, and few learned men. They are not allowed to print or write, or speak what they thmk, let it be ever so true, or ever so useful. Thousands in that unhappy country have been put to the most painful death, for daring to think for themselves on matters of religion. 118 m ti 'i , THE PROGRESSIVE READER THE PERSIANS The Persians live in Asia, a country between the Persian gulf and the Caspian sea, which you can see by looking on the map of Asia. They are, generally speaking, a fine race of men, they are not tall, but it is rare to see any of them diminutive or deformed, and they are, in gen- eral, strong and active. Their complexions vary from a dark olive, to a fairness which approaches that of a northern European: and if they have not all the bloom of the latter, their florid healthy look gives them the no inconisderable share of beauty. As a people, they may be praised for their quick- ness of apprehension, their vivacity, and the natu- ral politeness of their manners. They are sociable and cheerful; and with some remarkable excep- tions, as prodigal of disbursement as they are eager of gain. The higher classes of the citizens of Persia are kind and indulg^t masters; and the low ranks are, as far ar respects the active performance of their duty, and the prompt execution of the or- ders they receive, the best of servants. *^ The language of Persia is the most celebrated of itir the oriental tongues^ for strength, beauty^ "UB raOGUESSlVB IIBADER. 119 letweeo ich you race of any of in gen- ns vary roaches ave not hy look beauty. quick- e natu- ociable excep- e eager :en8 of the low -manco the or- ibrated )eauty^ . and melody. In goneral, the Perfiian literature approaches nearer to the Eiiro[)ejiii, in Holid sense, and clcnirnes§ of th of )efore prin- nlmal as to from opi- losed lospi- liting Irises >r of just ^arly f ( erect; but to an inferior he makes the motion only of rising. The employment of the Persian females differs but little from those of Europe. Persons of rank dedicate their time to dress cind amusements; those in the lower spheres of life execute the business of the house or the tield; and those who are ex- empt from these toils rarely go abroad, except to attend their husbands or masters, in a change of habitation or on a journey. On these occasions, they travel on horseba<^, or on ca^nels, and ar6 completely veiled from the head to the feet; they are preceded on the road by servants, who give notice of the approach of female travellers, upon which all males turn aside, while the ladies pass; a breach of this custom is considered as a proof of ill manners. RUSSIA. Rmsianx^ Russia is the largest empire in tke world; it ex- tends ovdr a great part of Europe, and Asia, and includes part of North America. European Russia is the largest country of PJu- rope. The emperor of Russia is sometimes called 11 ht^' 'I;. ■ ,1: !i N »■ l«4 THa PROORESSIVa READER. czar, and his wife the czariiia. One of the empe- rors, who lived a hundred years ago, was Peter; he wfHA a great man, and taught the Russians ma- ny tlnngs which they did not know before. Peter buih a city called after his name, Petersburgh, or city of Peter. The emperor of Russia who is now alive, is Nichola-^. The English, and other civilized people of Eu- rope, did not know much about Russia till 1553. Then Edward VI, a very good king of England, sent out a vessel, that sailed to Archangel, in the north of Russia. The Muscovites, or Russians, came out in i!;reat numbers from the shore to see the English veissel. They had only seen small boats b(if()re, and thev were struck with astonish- ment at the siglit of the English ship. The llH.4-iiaa.s wore then a very ignorant people, and still thoy have not much learning. They had hamed something of the Christian religion froin Constantinople. Before the Turks took CoiistHiirinople in 145r3, the inhabitants of that city were mostly Greeks; and the religious people aimvig them, formed what is called the Greek church. Some Russians who went to Constantinople learned to worship in the forms and ceremonies of tile Greeks; and al\erwards, almost all the Rus- sians worsliipped God in the manner of the Greek church. V ^ Russia is a very cold country; if the people in Russia do not take great care, they get frozen; they are obliged to wear a great deal of fur, to keep tliemselv(^s warm in winter. f,i c 1 1] I; u W je( Itli • \\\ SR. of the empe* S was Peter; Russians ma- efore. Peter Petersburgh, now alive, is eople of Eu- 3ia till 1553. of England, mgel, in tho or Russians, shore to see ^ seen small ith astoiiish- )raat people, le Christian e the Turks it ants of that ^ious people the Greek iistantinople remonies of i II the Rus- ' the Greek e people in get frozen; I of fur, to THE ruo«„Es.snE UEADi:R. THE HOTTENTOTS. 133 ■■; i, Alrica. ^ ^^^ ^y -"oking on the map of er parts of their bodied wh.vr'^'T" ^^^^e oth- a^ a ch,..,,t,^j l'^, ^r "hJ "'f. be considered °r "Jeir nose is very low i "'''"'"• The root distance of the eyes^ftte,',]; o"tr"' "' ^^''^'^ ""^ n Europeans. Their skin f r ' "* greater than , '"«, resembling tharof an p/^^«"«^i«h Wn ^t stages of fhe jaundTce TP'"".'" "»« ^^ the '«not observable in'tJ^othitUtfth?"''' '''*^«^«^' ' iheir dre«!« o... • * '^*/*i«s oi the eves ,^beir bodttlir: ;^,,^-t'^"jr. ■;? ^-eanng ed a little soot Thi« ; ' " '^'"'ch there is mix- he dust and fiith .J^th1h"ir"7r '• "''' '' ^^aTi Nually adheres to the skin fh^ ointment, con- 124 .TUB PROGRESSIVE README m'^ mm IV I: ■-jfcii a brownish yellow color. Those who have occa- gionally seen a Hottentot completely cleansed, say, that one besmeared looks less naked, and is as it were, more complete, than in his natural state; and that the skin of a Hottentot ungreased, seems to exhibit some defect in dress, like shoes that want blacking. The huts of the natives are elHptical, being formed by fixing into the ground several large sticks which are bent at the top so as to describe an arch, and then covered with mats sewed together. The only opening into these huts is at the entrance, which is seldom more than three feet high, and an- swers the triple purpose of chimney, door, and window. Their whole furniture consists of a few earthern vessels for dressing their vic^als, and holding their milk, butter, or water. The fireplace is in the middle of each hut, by which means the walls are not so much exposed to fire, and they derive this advantage, that when they sit or lie in a circle round it, the whole company equally enjoy the benefit of its warmth. A kraal, or village, consists of t^wenty or more huts, placed near each other in a circular form, containing frequently three or four hundred per- sons, who live together with great harmony. If any family differences arise, the neighbors are as zealous to reconcile contending parties, as more enlightened nations are to check the appearance of public danger, never desisting till they have ful- ly restored peace and tranquillity. By the circu- lar form of the kraal, with the doors inward, a kind of yard or court is made, in which the cattle, are kept in the night. The milk, as soon as it is taken have occa- ansed, say, &nd is as it iral state; sed, seeina s that want cal, being arge sticks •e an arch, her. The entrance, h, and an* door, and s of a few ^als, and B fireplace ueans the and they : or lie in ally enjoy or more lar form, Ired per- ony. If irs are as as more pearance have ful- le circu- d, a kind attle. are is taken THB PROORESSITl RBADI&R. 123 i fVom the cow, is put to other milk that is curdled, and kept in a leathern sack, the hairy side being inwards, so that they never drink it while it is sweet. The only domestic animals are dogs; and there is hardly a hut without one or more of these faithful creatures, which are absolutely necessary, as well to guard the cattle, as to prevent the ap- proach of wild beasts. The Hottentots have been stigmatized as a most filthy people; they eat the entrails of beasts, but not till they have been washed, and boiled in the blood of the animal, or roasted on coals. They sometimes boil their meat, but more frequently cat it raw, tearing it to, pieces with their fingers, and devouring it voraciously. When a young man is disposed to marry, and has obtained the consent of the parents, he selects two or three of his best oxen, and drives them to the house of his intended bride's relations, atten- ded by as many friends as he can prevail upon to accompany him. The oxen are slain, and the whole assembly besmear themselves with the fat. The men then sit on the ground in a ring, the cen- tre of which is occupied by the bridegroom; and the women form a similar ring round the bride. In this sftuation they continue, till the priest comes and performs the ceremonies. , Zealously pursue the course that leada joung minds to God; for faith, and love, and hofy hop^ point to the blest abode. -jii^ 196 THB PROORfiSSITB READER. A '"'■■ MODERN GREECE. Greece is that part of Europe inhabited by the deficendants of the ancient Greeks, once celebrated for learning and the fine arts. From the defeat of the Persian power, to the death of Alexander, a period of one hundred and eighty years, the genius of Greece was displayed in the brightest splendor. The name of the painter and the iend(;nce. In 18'il, a revolt was excited hy Prince Alexander Ypsilanti; and atler sustaining lor years a long and sayiguinarij war with the Turks, in which thousands of her hrave countrymen have been shiin by Turkish arms, she has succeed- ed in amdioralin^ her condition; and it is to be hoped that she will ere long be able to rekindle the glory of her ancestors amidst her desolate groves and broken altars^ and Alliens and Sparta be restored to their Ibrmer glory, with new associ- ations of splendour and renown. EXPLANATIONS. Genius — disposition of nature by which any one is qualified for some peculiar employment. Festival — anniversary day of civil or religious joy Game — sport of any kind. Monument — any thing by which the memory of persons or things is preserved. Janissai^ — a Turkish soldier. Impregnated' — filled. Emanalioii — that which issues from another sub- stance. Usurper — one who seizes or possesses that to which he has no right. Pollute — to deiile or debase. Prepossessing — tilling with a good opinion at first sight; unexamined. Revolt — desertion change of sides. Sanguinary — bloody, cruel, Jiltar — the place where offerings to Heaven are laid; the table in christian churches where the communion is administered. Athens and jS/?ar(a-^^-cities of ancient Greece. THE PRUGRESSIVB BBADER. THE ISLES OF GREECE IW ^ It is not possible for any power of lang^ag« ad- equately to describe the appearance presented at the rishig or the setting of the sun in the JEgewa Sea. Whejther in dim perspective, thrc ^h grey and silvery mists, or amidst hues of liveliest purple, the isles and continent of Greece present their va- ried features, no pen or pencil can portray the scenery. Whatever, in the warmest fancies of my youth, imagination had represented of this gifted country, was afterwards not only realized, but surpassed. Let the reader picture to his concep- tion, an evening sun behind the towering cliffs of Patmos, gilding the battlements of the monastery of the Apocalypse with its departed rays; the con- secrated island surrounded by inexpressible bright- ness, seeming to float upon an abyss of tire; while the moon in milder splendor is rising full over the opposite expanse. Such a scene 1 actually wit- nessed with feelings naturally excited by all the circumstances of local solemnity; for such indeed might have been the face of nature, when the in- spiration of an Apostle, kindling in its contempla- tion, uttered the alleluias of that mighty voice, tel- ling of Salvation, and Glory, and Power EXPLANATIONS. ■a'-^'f. John, the evangelist, being at Ephesus, was or- dered by the emperor Domitian, who was a great enemy to christians, to be sent bound to Rome, where he was condemned to be cast into a chal- dron of boiling oil, but a miracle appeared in his favor; the oil did him no mjury, and Domitian, not IV 1^ .?' ■■ *: Ir.;: TUB PROGRESSIVE RBADEB being ahlo to put hitn to death, banished him to Ptitmos to work in the minea. Here he is supposed t^ haye preached salvation to the miners; and to have wrote the hook of Revelations called the A- pooalypse. From this circumstance the Isle of Patmotf is called tlie Monastery of the Apocalypse, whose towering cliftfl arc so beautifully gilded with th« last rays of the setting sun. Mines, arc caverns under ground where silver and other metals are dug. In some places in the world, poor people are confined all their lives in digging for silver and gold. -.v- --7:' ,^ - THE HINDOOS. f 1 .i . The Hindoos are called so from Indoo or Hin- doo, wkicl'i in the Shanscrit language, signifies the moon, from which, and the sun they deduce their fabulous origin. Hindostan, the domestic appel- lation of India, is derived from Hindoo and stan, li region, and the river Indus takes its name from the people. ^ " • y : i*i»r The Hindoos have, from all antiquity, been di- es, an.d are employed only in the meanest and vilest olHces. This ^^ircuiri- stance renders excommunication so dreadful, that any Hindoo will siiflfer torture and even death, rather than deviate from one article, of his faitlu i» Ill' ,1 '.i! ifr TIIU i'KOGREifSIVK READER THE CHINESE H i i IS2 * I .■.,:..: . iThe Chinese are inliahitants of China. As fi*r- eigners, or people of other countries, have novt i been all -wed to travel niiich in China, we are n«>( very nuich acquainted with that country. We do know, however, tliat it is very })opul(>us, or ihll <»i' people; and that parents, wlio have more chihircn than they know how to support, are al](>w(3d to throw their infants into the rivers or streets; and it is said, that in Pekin, a very lari^e city, carts are employed every mornin ''WMniMAMMiri .iv u i' i 3 4 ;il k r- 1! 134 THE rRoailES.SlV£ R£ADBB. THE JAPANESE. SfAan Chair The Sedan chair Is a small portable carriage used by the ladies of Japan in making their morn- ing visits. The emjnre of Japan consists of the islands of Niphon, Jesso, Kiusiu, and several smaller ones adjacent. These islands are situated in the Pacific Ocean, in Eastern Asia. It is a rich, populous, and remarkable empire, holding no m- tercourse with any nation, except the Dutch and Chinese. The climate is mild and healthy and the soil productive. Jl^AcuUure is held* in high esti- mation, and no portion of the soil except the most barren wastes, is left uncultivated. The Japanese are the most civilized people in Eastern Asia, and are remarkable for their indus- try and ingenuity. They excel most nations in the manufacture of silk and cotton goods, and in Japan and porcelain ware. Great attention is paid to education; and they have several schools for the rHE PROGRESS IVK READSR. 135 higher branches, as Rhelo^-icy Aslronomyj Mathe- maiics, &wC. EXPLANATIONS. Empire — a country where the supreme power is vested in one man. AgHculture — tanning, or the art of cultivating the ground. Rhetoric — the art of writing or speaking ele- aiitly. Astronomy — a knowledge of the sun, moon, and stars. Mathematics that science which teaches to number and measure. \ HISTORY OF THE LION . The lion is one of the most terrible of all ani- mals. Some lions are said to be nearly ^ve Ceet high, and between nine and ten from the nose to the insertion of the tail. The ordinary height, however, is between three and four feet: the lion" ess is not so large. - - . The general colour of the lion is yellow. His look is bold, his gait proud, and his voice terrible. His face is broad, and some have thought that it resembles the human kind. It is surrounded with a very long mane, which gives it a most majestic appearance. The top of the head, the temples, the cheeks, the under jaw, the neck, the breast, the shoulder, and the hinder part of the legs, are all furnished with long hair, while the other part of the body is covered with very short hair His i 136 THE PHOGUKSSIVE RJ3\DER. I , teeth arc terrible, mid his paws like those ofthe cat. His eyes arc bright and liery; nor even in death does tbis tcrribU) b)ok foisake them. He prowls about for food by ni^^bt, and boklly attacks all animals that come in JTis way. The lion pro- duced under the burning sun of Africa, is of all creatures the most undaunted; those that are bred in more temperate countries, or near the top of cold lofty mountains, are far less dangerous, than those which are bred in the vallies. ^ii ^"'i: Fierce and formidable as the lion appears, he seems instinctively to dread the attacks of man; and in those countries where he is frequently opposed, his ferocity and courage gradually decrease. This alteration in the animal's disposition, proves at cnco that he is capable of being tamed; and, in fact, nothing is more common than for the keepers of wild beasts to amuse themselves by playing with ihe lion, and even to chastise him without a fault; yet the creature bears it all with calmness. The lion, on the whole, is a generous minded beast, and has given frequent proofs both of courage and magnanimity of his disposition. He has often been seen to spare the lives of those animals that have been thrown him to eat, to live with them in habits of sociability and friendship, and willingly to share with them the food that was given for his own sup- port. Another superiority, which the lion posses- ses over everv other animal of the carnireiious kind is, that he kills from necessity more than choice, and never destroys more than he is able to consume. To give my young readers a better idea ofthe figure and appearance ofthe lion, I have procur- mt:J!aiXiiitJi^:^.:sn^jS!tS*l! THB PR0GRES«*IVB READER. 137 ed the picture oi' u young lion, and here it is; by which you will see that lions, when a few weeks old, are only as large as small dogs, and they are harmless, pretty, and playful as kittens. The lion is always found where there are large herds of antelopes and other animals feeding together. The lion follows these herds, and kills them, night after night EXPLANATIONS. / Lioness — a she lion. Mane — the long hair about the neck of a horse / ar a lion. Prowl — to go about like a beast of prey. Instinctively — naturally,without being taught by reason. Magnanimity — greatness of mind, noble feeling. THE BIBLE. The Bible is divided into the OJd Testament, and the New Testament. Testament means will. These Testaments contain God's will — what God chooses bis creatures should do. The first part of the Bible is called the Old Testament, because it was written fust. The JVew Testament is called 12* ■ h. 1 1 138 i'J !: THE rROORESSIVR HEADER new, because it was written last. The Bible was written by different people at different thntts. The old Testament was written in the Hebrew lan^uajre. It is the history of the peo|)Ie oneo called Hebrews; they have since been called Jews. Tlie New Testament was mostly written in the Greek language. The first four books of the New Testament are Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. These books are sometimes called Gospels. They are four histories of Jesus Christ, they were writ- ten by four good men, who loved Christ. The names of the books are taken from the names of the men who wrote them. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. They are sometimes called Saint Mat- thew, Saint Markj &.c. Saint means a holy or pi- ous person. Besides these Gospels, the New Testament con- tains the epistles and the Revclalions, Children see Romans, Corinthians; Ephesians, yvrittcn.over the top of the pages of the New Tes- tament. They see Jude, Peter, James, &c. — Romans, Corinthians, and Ephesians, mean the letters of Saint Paul to the people who lived at Rome, at Corinth, and at Ephesus. Jude, Pe- ter, James, mean letters written by Jude, Peter, and James. Children cannot understand any thing about the Revelatipns. ^ We read in the New Testament, of the Tem- ple, the Synagogue, Scribes and Pharisees; young children do not know what these words mean. The temple was a very great and beautiful church; the first temple of the Jews was built by king Solomon. THE PfiOORESSITE BEADEU. 130 Synagogues were smaller churches, where the ministers taught the people. There are at this time different sorts of sects of Christians; there are Quakers, Roman Catholics, Baptists, &c. There are different sects of Jews. The Pharisees were one sect of Jews. The Pharisees pretended to be better than any other people, they pretended to be better than they were This is to be a hypocrite, Jesus Christ did not Ivrve the Pharisees, he call- ed thcio^^Miypocrites." Scribes. — It has been written in another place, tliat printed books have not been used more than three hundred years. Before printed books were used, people had no other books than those which were written with a pen. The people who wrote all the books were called scribeSy or writers. The Jews had books written by wise men called prophets; the people wanted to read these books; they had a law which God gave them to obey; tliey wanted to read that also; so instead of hav- ing the law and prophets (which are a part of the Bible that we use) printed as we now have them, they had them written; and instead of printers, as we have, they had scribes^ to write the "law and prophets," for the people to read. When the love of pleasures and vicious com- panions is allowed to amuse young persons, to en- gross their time, and to stir up their passions, let them take heed and beware! — the day of ruin begins to draw nigh. Fortune is squandered: health is broken; friends are offended, estranged; aged parents, perhaps, sent mourning to the dust •MMMM 140 iS |l •' ! I I THE PROGRESSIVE READER THE LEOPARD. The leopard is smaller than the panther; but resembles him in form; his colour is brighter, and the spots on his skin are smaller, and so disposed as to resemble the print of the animals foot. The circular spots or rings on the panther have fre- quently a spot in the middle; those of the the leop- ard have none. He is very beautiful, and his skin is much prized. He preys, like the panther, on antelopes, sheep, monkeys, and other animals. He abounds in the interior of Africa, and is found in many parts of Asia. ANECDOTES. It used to be said that the leopard could be caught by a trap with a mirror so contrived, that the animal, on seeing the reflection of himself in the mirror, would imagine thttt he had met with an enemy, and so attack it; upon which the trap would spring and secure him. I have heard of a boy, who had never seen a mirror, till one day, being in a gi eat passion, hehap-* pened to pass one. He thought the image he saw was another boy, and it looked so wicked, that he was very much alarmed. He lifted his stick to de- i^nd himself when the boy in the glass lifted his t THE PR0GRES8!VB READER. 141 BT but 31*, and sposed The ,ve fre- le leop- lis skin her, on Is. He und in mid be that iself in 5t with iQ trap seen a lehap- le saw [hat he to de- led his stick also. He took this for a challenge^and struck at the imaginary boy, thus dashing the mirror in pieces. The leopard, then, is not alone in dislik- ing his own angry face, so long as he thinks it be- longs to somebody else. In the year 1708, two of these animals, a male and female, with three yonng ones, broke into a fiheepfold at the Cape of Good Hope. They kill- ed nearly an hundred sheep, and regaled them- selves with the blood; atler which they tore a car- cass into three pieces,and gave one of these to each of their offspring; they then took each a whole sheep, and, thus laden, began to retire; but having been observed, they were waylaid on their return, and the fema'e and the young ones were killed, while the male effected his escape. DIFFERENT STATIONS IN LIFE. Little Sally Norton had been one day to pay an aflernoon's visit to Miss Harriet, the daughter of Mr. Pemberton. The evening proved rainy, she was sent home in Mr. Pemberton's coach; and on her return, the following conversation passed between her and her mother. Mrs, J^Torton. Well, my dear, I hope you have had a pleasant visit. Sally. Oh yes, mother, very pleasant: you cannot think what a great many tine things I have &een. And then, it is so charming to ride in a coach. ! ^f T, Mrs. JV. I suppose Miss Harriet showed you all her plUythings. . , : > / /r •i» ...«-•■« / '•^ ? i .« ^#'-'i*' 142 TUE PROGRESSIVB READER. Ill M Saliy, Oh yes, such fine large dolls, so smartly dressed, as I never saw in my life before. Then she has a baby house, and all sorts of furniture in it. And she showed me all her fine clothes for the next ball; there's a white frock all full of spangles and pink ribbons; you can't think how beautiful it looks. Mrs. JVi And what did you admire most, of all these fine things? v i Sally. I don't know, I admired them all; and I think I like riding in the coach better than all the rest. Why don't we keep a coach, mother? and why have not I such fine clothes as Miss Harriet? Mrs. JV*. Because we cannot afford it, my dear; yonr papa is not so rich by a great deal, as Mr. Pemberton; and if we were to lay out our money upon such things, we should not be able to pay for food and clothes, and other necessaries for you all. Sally. But why is not papa as rich as Mr. Pem- berton? Mrs. jy. Mr. Pemberton had a large fortune lefl to him by his father; but all the money your papa has, he gains by his own industry. " Sally. But why should not papa be as rich as any body else ? I am ^ure he deserves it as well. "* Mrs. jy. Do you not think that there are a great many people poorer than your papa, who are quite as good? Sally. Are there? Mrs. JV*. Yes, to be sure. Don't you know what a number of poor people there are, all around lis, who have very few of the comforts we enjoy ? What do you think of Jones the laborir ? I be- lieve you never saw him idle in your life. r-p THB riKXiKESIlVB READER. 143 [lartly Then are in or the ingles iutii'ul , of all and I all the r? and arriet ? J dear; as Mr. money pay for rou all. Pern- fortune your I rich as well, ie are a ho are know I around enjoy ? Ibe- Sally. No; he is goiM^ to work loiiir Ixlorc 1 am up, and he does not return till uhuost bed-time, unless it be for his dinner. Mrs, JV*. Well, how do you think his wife and children live? Should you like tiiat we bhould change places with them? ^ Sally. Oh no! they are so poorly clotlied. Mrs. JV. They are indeed poor creatures, but I am afraid they sutler worse evils than that. Sally. VVbat, mother? Mrs. JV*. Why, I am afraid they do not oflcn get as much victuals to eat as they want. And then in winter they must stifler for want of fire, and warm clothes. How do you think you could hear all this? Sally. Indeed I don't know. But 1 have seen Jone's wife carry great brown loaves into the house; and I rememlxir once eating some brown bread and milk, and 1 thought it very good. Mrs. JV. I believe you would not much like it constantly; besides, Jones' children can hardly get enough of that. But you seem to know al- most as little of tlie poor as the young French princess did. , . Sally. What was that mother? Mrs. JV. There was one year so little food in France, that numbers of poor people were starved to death. This was mentioned before the kirig's daughters. " Dear me," said one of the princes- ses, " how silly that was; why rather than be starved, I would eat bread and cheese." She was then told that the greatest part of tlie people in France, scarcely ever eat any thing better than black bread all their liv<;s; and that many would 144 THE PROGRESSIVE READER. ' I < I ' there th nK themselves very happy to get enough of that. The young princess was sorry for this; and she parted with some of her line thmgs, that she might help the poor. Sally. I hope there is nobody starved in our country. Mrs. jy. I hf)pe not; if any cannot work for a living, it is our duty to assist them. Sally. Do you tliink it was wrong for Miss Harriet to have all those fine things? The money which they cost might have relieved many poor people. Mrs. JV. Miss Harriet has money enough to be charitable to the poor, and to indulge herself in such things as she likes. Might not the ciiildren of Mr. White, the baker, and Mr. Sharp the tai- lor, ask if little Sally Norton should be indulged in her pleasures? Are you not better dressed than they are, and is not your baby house better fur- nished than theirs? Sally', Why, I believe so; I remember Polly White was very glad of one of my old dolls, and Nancy Shape cried for such a sash as mine, but her mother would not let her have one. Mrs. JV*. Then you see, m^ dear, that there are many, who have fewer things to be thankful for than you have. Every thing ought to suit the sta- tion hi which we live, or are likely to live. Your papa and I are willing to lay out part of our mo- ney for the pleasure of our children; but it would be wrong in us to lay out so much, that we should not leave enough to pay for your education, and some other necessary articles. Besides, you nough ir this; g, that in our k for a r Misa money y poor ugh to rselt'in liildren ;he tai- dulged d than er fur- Polly s, and le, but there :ful for le sta- Your lir mo- would 3houlr and you THE rROGai::SSlVE READER. THE EAGLE. ibf S^A Tic eagle setMns to enjoy a kind of supremacy ovoi the rest of the iniiahitants of the air. Such is tL i^^U^LC. ■ ties, is inSo? SSe'tr " ^T" ^ "-- vano- It's a native of EurrV. p V V . '^^*''^'« ^ery dark «ng varieties. ' '*"'' ,''^'»"« to the prece J. EXPLANATIONS ^«y-to k^:; oTat a d? "^ p^^^- iongmVy^IeVh of lift '''"«^- • ••' • enemies'*^""^ '"''''''-^^ walls to koop ■- ■ ' . . . f I <>ff enemies. '*V^*! Vv SR. •lined solifary iii<'h this bird ^••tt, composed '^gle is Ibund / varieties, f ht •o the g(»ldo'n a[)|)eai-uijc^.. ioiic ui ih(.nj '. h inhab- ; in ihci lat- iy valued by ress. It is three varie- 'iigle. Ita very dark. general re- piecci^ • s to keep •n- THE PROGRRSfllVB RRADER. "THOU SHALT LOVE THV NEIGH- BOR AS THYSELF.'' There was a city in Asia, called Jerusalem; it was the largest city ofthe people called Jews Jesus Christ was killed by the Jews at Jerusalem. Near the city f)i' Jerusalem was another -city, called Samaria. I'he peo[)le who lived in Sama- ria hated the people of Jerusalem; and the people of Jerusalem liated the people of Samaria. I'he people of these cities bated one another so much, ♦ hat they would not talk torrether if they could J nelp it, nor do one another any good; indeed t}\vy ' tried to hurt one another as much as they could. This was very wicked and foolish. Once when Christ, and* many other nien with him, were ^oing to Jerusalem, they were obliged to pass by a small village of the Ss'maritans. Before they came to the village, C'hrist sent a messenger to desire that the Samaritans would prepare some food for him and his company. But the Samari- tans would not give them any food, only because they were going to Jerusalem. The men who were with Christ, were very an gry; two of them, James and John, requested him to call down fire from heaven to burn up the Samaritans; but Christ was not angry; he forgave the Samaritans; and he told James and John, tha^ they ought to forgive them also. This happened a short time before the man ask- ed Christ who -was his neighbour. Christ did not tell the man how badly he had been treated by the Samaritans; but he thought of one -iiiood Samaritan^ and he told the man how good 15 lie wa5f. Kofore voii rr;ifl the stnrv o! tlie ijooci sa maritan, I must ii^coininond to you to think ofyour Snvionr's roruluct upon this occasion. Most peo- ple iliink if they tell no lies ot'their fellow creatures, they do iv)t injure them hy speaking the truth about them. Most people think it an act of justice to describe the fiuilts of others; they think that to ex- pose these fail Its is to punish them; they think faults deserve punishment, and that they ought to punish them. Christ did not think thus, nor did he act thus. One of his apostles has told us in the New-Testamont, that God punished wicked peo- ple himself, in his own way; and Christ shows us by his example, that we should repeat the (;ood, and not the evil, that we know of others; though it is sometimes oiir duty to speak of the bad qual- ities 0-' others, that we may prevent people from being injured l>y their bad examples, or biid inten- tions. Our Saviom's parable may be found in tlie New Testam«Mvt, in the tenth chapter of the Gospel of J^ut'\ The story is nearly as foll(>ws : — A man was taking a journey from Jerusalem to Jerich >, (a citv fit some distnnce from Jerusalem/) On his way, tiie man was overtaken by some thieves, who stripped otf his clothes, and hurt him very much; so that when they went away, he was almost dead, soon after the thieves were gone, a man who was a priest, (that is, a minister, os we call them,) came by; he saw the poor man, but he went on the other side of the way, and did not of- ferto help him. Soon iiSiev the priest went by, i^nother priefit, called a (/evifo, came that way; but he aUo passi' II THE PROGRESSIVE READER. 171 €cl alonor, and did not relieve the wounded man Tho n^xt person who caire along, was a Samaritan, «rs: thounrh i^ |_^^^^»feii^iSfu/»^ The s;ood Samaritan he stopped, for he felt pity for tlie man, and bound up his wounds, and ga\e him wine, to make him feel better, and nut oil on his hruis<"s. and set him on his horse, and carried him to ;m inn, where he took care of him. The next day, th(^ Samaritan wont away; but he told tho man who kept tho inn, that he would vny him for hisoarciof the sick man, besides paving him money then, for what he had done. * VVnen Jesus had sl^own this J<^\v, how kuK^ and good tho Samaritan was, ho askf^d hun. ^'W'liich nov*' of those throp, tliin'^ost: thou. \\■ ! u !i M h I n ^si^.';, .i*5»rvn GOD OUR BENEFACTOR. J'* T- i God warmed with life our mortal parts, He made the blood flow round our hearts^ He made our pulse beat calm and still. Our limbs move lightly at our will. He made the eye that gazes round: The ear, alive to every sound; The tongue to make our wishes known; The soul, an image of his own With sheltering clothes our limbs he drest| He gives our weary eyelids rest; Health to our frame his power imparts, And food and gladness to our hearts. In early youth he made usjtnow The way in which our feet should go; H«; gave us precepts, ])lain and few, For ail the good deeds we must do. Our way to heaven his hand prepares, He gave our bibles, hymns, and prayers; He gave liie parents and kind frisiv?: rhader. 175 v^V TIIK IBKX. The ibex larly IS simi IS soniewi formed, but its ho'.na are much larscr lan the goat; it being from two to four feet long. It is clothed with a thick coat of brown hair. The ibex assemble in flocks, which never con- sist of more than fifteen, and seldom of so many. It is equally agile and strong, and, when close pres- sed, will sometimes turn upon the incautious hunts- man, and tumble him down the precipices, unless He has time to lie down, and let the crejiiure bound over him. And if the pursuit be continued, thij4 animal will throw himself down the steepest decliv- ities, and fall on his horns in such a manner, as to remain unhurt. It is principally {•>und on the Alps, Pyreenes, and the highest mountains of Greece. THE TIGEll. The tiger, though very beauti^jl in form and colour, is one of the most odious of all creatures. Though he is generally ranked next to the lion, he is destitute of those qualities, for which that ani- mal is admired. He is fierce, without provoca- tion, and cruel, without necessity. Tli^ugh glutted with slaughter, he i« ncrvoruJUulied; bur still con- Pi I u THE PROGRESSIVE READER. linnos tlio carnairo, and seems to have his cour- aj^r iiiflaiTie 179 Or where the rocUinp; hilJDWH rise anrl 0iak On the chal'od octwm kmIc? There is a Power whose care Touches thy way alon^ that pathless coaat. The desert and illimitable air, — Lone wandering, but not lost. All day thy winj^s have fann'd At that far height, the cold thin atmosphere, Yet stoop not, weary, to the welcome land, Though the dark night is near. And soon that toil shall end, Soon shalt thou find a summer home, and rest. And scream among thy fellows; reeds shall bend Soon o'er thy sheltered nest. ThouVt gone, the ah 'ss of heaven Hath swallow'd up ♦hy form; yet, on my heart Deeply hath sunk the lesson thou liast given. And shall not soon depart. He, who, from zone to zone. Guides through the boundless sky thy (tertain flight| la the long way that I must tread alone, VVill lead my steps aright. EXPLANATIONS. Jlpproximafc — to draw near to. fllimilabic — that which cannot be limited. Zones — are imaginary circles which divide tho earth into six parts. Theg!)ose Ls di a.ted fvoiu zone to /ahio by the I tso Tfir. rRocaip.ssivE reader. i I :!h{ I ' !i S; I !' !(■ I 1 pnv'or of iiisfinrt, which God its mnkor fijavo it JVIjiii is dircctc1 THE FUOGUr:.ssi\ r. kkader. 131 I Poctrv is subliin<\ whin it awakens in tho mind any great and good af lection, as i>iety, or patriot- ism. This is one of the nobh;st efleets of tlie art. The Psahns are remarkable, beyond all other wri- tings, for their power of inspiring devout emotions. iUit it is not in this respect only, the most magnifi- cent descriptions that the mind of maacan compre- hend. The hundred and fourth Psalm in particu- lar, displays the power and goodness of Piovidenco in creating and preserving the world, and the va- rious tril.es of animals in it, with such majestic brevity, and beauty, as it is vain to look for in any liunian composition. Such of the doctruies of the gospel as are level to hun»an capacity, appear to be agreeable to the purest trutJK and the soundest morality. All the •icnius and learnin 18-2 V THE ruookEssivB jieadur I rijiiHllo imuir crontiirca wliic.h he has madcj but. lo irijinv hi' lias ih»t ^ivcn niiiKl. All thfit we can know is about God, and about the things which lie has made. lie has made thu heavens, which we see over our heads, and all the bright lights that are there; he has made us, and has placed us in this world; and he has made us able to learn a great deal about the things which are in our world. There are three sorts of things which we see here — animals, plants, and minerals. Animals are living creatures. Plants grow, but do not feel, that we know of. Minerals are all the substances found below the surface of the earth. Besides these, there are water, air, thunder, fire, and light. IIJ! We know something about God. We know (hat he is good, and wise, and that he can do what he pleases to do. The science which treats of God, is called Theology, We know something of men's minds; we know that we can learn many things; we know that we , love some things, that we do not love other things, and that we remember some things. The history of the powers of men's minds, and of the laws which govern minds, is called Metaphysics. We know "something of our own bodies : we know that we breathe, eat, and sleep; that we feel, see, hear, smell, and taste. We know that we have bones, flesh, blood, and skin; that we have limbs |j to move; and strength to move them — that we have eyes, and ears, &c. An account of the diflerent parts of the human body, is Anatomy. We know something of animals, of men, quad- rupeds, birds, fishes, insects, reptiles. The history of all animal life, is Zoology. v v |i •^^i0mmw m THE rnOGKCSSIVE UEADLR. iy3 le; but I about idc tbu all tho IS) and ide us which ^^e see Is are \ feel, ances ;sides bght. know wliat is of now t we , tory aws we eel, ave nbs ave ent id- ny Wo know something of plants — that they have roots, trunks, stalks, leaves, flowers, seeds, and that these parts have various properties and uses. Tho natural history of vegetabh^s, is Jiolany. We kn«>w something of the inside of the earth, something of minernls; we know sand, ehalk, clay, iron, stones, sulphur. The history of minerals, is Mineralogif. « People have learned the history of a great many birds, how long they live wbut they cat, how they build their nests, how many egg^ they lay, what different countries difierent soils inhabit. Tho natural history of birds, is Ormi/iologm. People have caught many kinds (A fishes, they know which are good to eat, r? 1 which ^re not good; what kinds live in tht g;eat ocean, and what live in the rivers. Tiie history of fishes, la Iclhyology. All those beautiful shells which have so many colors, that are so smooth and are of so many shapes, come out of the sea; once there were liv- ing creatures in them. The history of shells, is Conchologfj. We are acquainted .v;th insects — the bees that make honey, the inoschetos that sting us, the Hies that buzz in our earf^, the aphis which crawls on the rose bush. The history of insects, is JEnto- mology. ^ -^ • Some people have looked a long while at the sky ; they have looked there, with large glasses called telescopes; they have given names to the stars; they have counted them, have observed their places, and seen how fast, and how far they 134 THK rKOCiRrssivr nruDEU 11 ; illt ll'il rnovo. Tlir. Iiistory of llio licavenly bodies, is Jistvonomy. Soino y)n<'{)lo liave hcon ail round the world in sliip"=;, rmd Imvo born l)a('!\ wards and lorwards across the occmit. The art of guiding siiips, is cal- led ^^yfyicaiion. Men carry the thinjrs which ,^row in one country to another, thoy bring back to their own country the things which are produced and are made in the countries wliitlier they go; they" give money for what they brins: home, and take moFJcy for what they leave liehind. The exchange of commodities for money, is Commerce. Some persons never leave their homes; they stay in the country, plough the fields, keep cows, and horses, and slieep, cut grab's, and make hay, sow wheat, and corn, and reap it, antl eat some of it, and sell sonic of it. Tiie cultivation of the fields, is *^i!2;n culture. Some persons have seen a great many c'>untries, and seas; they have learned what others kn(»w of all the countries and oceans in the world; they have drawn maps showing the [)lacesofthe differ- ent countries, the rivers, the towns, the mountains, and the lakes. An account of the earth, is Creog-- raphij. The history of thunder, fire, air, water, and light, is called jyittnral PhUosopkij. The noise of thunder, and the brii^ht liijht which IS scon when it thunders, is caused by Elcclrlcily. Dr. Franklin found out electricity. Fire is in tivery thing with which we are acquainted, even in ice. ♦ Things which cause the feeling of heat have a great dea.1 oi* lire in them; things which cau*s«# •^ • -i ; f n; 'KOUH .SIVt 'ItBAlihK. dies, 19 vol Id in )rwards , is cal- -onntry ifnmtry e in the icy for r what loditiea they ' cows, e hay, ►iJie oi* of tJie ntiies, ow of i they di/l'er- itains, o *, and vhich idhj, IS in en in have aiLs^ I the f;j(lin^ of cold have a smaller quantity of firo in them. Fire gives li^ht, if there is enough of it; anotlier substance, cailcd phosphorus, gives light. Ferhajis chiklren have seen old pieces of decayed wood whirh gave light; that light is given by phos- )horus. Lioht shows us the things which are about us, and gives them color. Those tilings which can be been, are visihU ; tiiose which cannot he seen, are iiicisihle. Mi^n and houses are visible — air is in- visible. Siglit is vision. The light whicii we see, comes from thti sun, or from (ires artihcially pro- duced, ll* tiie ligiit comes strait to our eyes, it is (lirccl — the light from the candle is direct. W the light comes through any substance, it is nfractcd — the light which comes-thiough the glass window, is refracted, or broken, because it is divi- ded; part of the light is on the outside of the win- dow, and part on the inside: the window breaks, or divides the light. •. Tlie light which falls upon a substance, and does not go through it, is turned back, or reflected Wiien the candle is held to one side of the looking glass, the light cannot be s^jen on the other; the tjuicksilver on one side of the glass, prevents the light from going through it — the light is rejfeded. The history of light and vision is called optic9. The organ of sight is the eve. The anatomy of the eye is very curious. The little spot in the middle of the eye is the pupil; the colored circh» »vhich surrounds the pupil, is the iria. • «»^ . \ 'ir \K |i P. w\i THE TEN VIRGINS. In tlic twonty-fillh chanter ol* St. Matthew is a Parable culled the Ten Vivs^ins, ' Ten virgins went out to meet a man who was to be married. Five of these virgins were wi»e, and five were foolish. It was evening, and ihey want- ed lamps to light them on the way. • Tiie wise virgins knew that they might be kept waiting to a late hour; they could not tell how long; so they took lamps tilled with oil, and they^ look some other oil besides, that if the oil in the lamps burned out, th-cy might have more oil to use. The careless, foolish virgins, thought not at all about the time they might be obliged to wait; they only took oil in their lamps. They were obliged to wait a long time for the bridegroom ; he did not come; and these thoughtless young women all fell asleep. At midnight they were awaked; some one came to tell them, that the bridegroom was coming, and that they must go out to meet him. At this moment, they all discovered that their lights were gomg out. The f^Srolish virgins had no oil for their lamps; they begged some of the wiso virgins; they had none to spare; they wanted what they had for their own lamps, but they advis- ed the foolish virgins to buy some oil. The foolish virgins went out to buy oil, but they could find none. People do n( t sell in the night. They were gone so long upon their foolish errand, that the bridegrooiii came, and th^ virgins who were prepared to receive him, went into the houso with him to the wedding. The door was then shut fast, and when the fool- ish virgins returned, and knocked, the people in lew IS a :> was to i»e, and y want- be kept :^11 how n • Provide — to make ready for time to come. Future — alter the present time. w, DUTIES. Next to the God, who reigns above, I'll give my parents all my love; I owe them thanks for favours done, But I have hardly rendered one. IVIy brother's welfare too shall be As precious as my own to me ; And sisters shall not fail to share My warm affection and my care. ril mourn if I have done or said An insult to the hoary head; And words of kindness to the young Shall flow, like music, from my tongue. If others wrong me and condemn, I'll never do the same to them; I'll not be angry nor complain, For Jesus answered not again. My rising passion shall not last, I'll bear no malice for the past; I'll pardon them, and pray to heaven. That I may likewise be forgiven. If words, or actions, light and vain. Have given to others needless pain, V ■M.i. Tt . » , ;-jr.Tt mr~ i ian i 7 "Sa 3nt coun* me. THE PROGRESSIVE READER. I'll ask them, ere the set of sun, To pardon what my hands have done. Whene'er I meet the wretched poor, I will not drive them from the door; For God will bless the hand that tries To wipe the sorrows from their eyes. If I deny them clothes and bread, And where to lay their weary heads; When the last trumpet calls the blest, I shall not enter into rest. I'll shun the common faults of youth, I'll keep my word and speak the truth; For God, with never-sleeping view, Sees and remembers all I do. I know I never can conceal The lying lips or hands that steal; I'll rather all I have resign Than touch or take what is not mine. I'll never torture things that live, Nor take the life I cannot give; The meanest things that breathe the air Enjoy my heavenly Father's care. My tongue shall whisper peace around| My hands in holy works abound ; My look serene and free from art Shall show ^he mildness of my heart. For looks and trifling deeds declare • The fe«|ing?» that we r.jipri«»h there; 189 I<»0 ^ i - THE VUOGRESSIVE READER. And every one hath power to do Some act to bless and injure too. The cup of water kindly given Is treasured in the books of heaven; The well-used talent, though but one, May gain the happy word, "well done.'* «« ■> DESCl>ir" " ^ '^V SHIPS. Ships are the largest kinds of vessels. Some are called merchantmen: their use is to transport merchandize across the ocean. Others are called men-of-war: their uses are to kill men, and destroy property. When ships are used to convey the sur- plus commodities of one country to another, that stands in need of those articles, they are of great service, and a blessing to mankind; but when through pride, anger or avarice, they are made the vehicles of the engines of destruction, what dreadful scourges arc they! And is it not greatly to be lamented, and very admirable, that men • whose lives are most exposed to danger, should i- THE rR()niiF:5srv? nr.ADr.u. ID! apfiarently .think least r»r dcntrj; and, as it woro, bid dc^fianro to Tlrav(M»? Witness tliosc horrid oaths so common afn(»n3 fihephei'd shuts hia fold, and the «tar ol evoning appears. Who is she that comes from tho south ? Youths and maidens, tell me, if you know, who is she, and what is her name? Who is he that comes with soher pace, steal- ing upon us unawares? His garments are red with the blood of the grape, and his temples are hound with a sheaf of ripe wheat. His hair is thin and begins to fall, and the auburn is mixed with mourn- ful gray. He shakes the brown nuts from tlie tree. / He winds the horn, and calls tho hunters to their sports. The gun sounds. I'hc trembling partridge and the beautiful pheasant flutter, bleed- ing in the air, and fall dead at the sportsnuin's f'iot. Who is he that is crowned with the wheat shoal? Youths and maidens, tell me, if you know^ v ho is he, and what is his name? Who is he that comes from the n<^vfh, '^lotlied in furs and warm wool? He wraps Ins clonk <.l<>r»c about him. His head is bald; his bcara is nnulo. of sharp icicles. He loves the blazinf^ lire, !)i?ili piled upon the hearth. He bindt ;5l;.ites to h^-*. feet, and skims over the frozen lakes. Hii^ hi ♦^ at a is piercing and cold, and no little Uower duros to peep above the surface of the ground, when he is by. Whatever he touches turns to ice. If he wvro to strike you with his cold hand, yoa wouiu bvj IT 194 TUP. PROORFSSIVE RRADER. quite stifTand dead, like a piece of marble. Youths and r.iaidens, dn you sec him? He is coming fast U|>on us, and soon lie will be here. Tell me, if you know, who is he and what is his name. »i THE FEMALE CHOICE. A yoimi» girl, having fatigued herself one hot day, with running about the garden, set down in a pleasant arbor, where she presently fe'l asleep. During her slumber, two female figures presented theniHelves before her. One was loosely habited in a thin robe of pink, with light green trimmings. Her aash of silver gauze flowed to the ground. Her fair hair fell in ringlets down her neck; and her head-dress consisted of artificial flowers inter- woven with feathers. She held in one hand a ball- ticket, and in tiie other a fancy-dress all covered with spangles and knots of gay ribband. She advanced smiling to the girl, and with a familiar air tlius addressed her: ''My dearest Melissa, I am a kind genius who have watched you from your birth, and have joy- fully beheld all your beauties expand, till at length they have rendered you a companion worthy of me. See what I have brought you. This dress and ticket wdl give you free access to all the ravishing dt lights of my palace. With me you will pass your days in a perpetual round of ever-varying amusements. Like the gay butterfly, you wi. have no oth- er business than to flutter from flower to flower, and spread your charms before admiring spe^a- ■ % i> ■ ■* Tfiii rii J .k;;>^iv r. ji::Ai)f.K . 195 tors. No restraints, no toils, no dull tasks, are to be foiMul within my happy domains. All is pleas- ure, life, and good hi.mour. Come then my dear! Let me put on you this dress, which will make you quite enchanting: and away, away with me!" Melissa felt a strong inclination to comply with the call of this inviting nymph; but first she thought it would he prudent at least to ask her name. **My name," said she "is Dissipation." The other female then advanced. She wai clothed in a close habit of brown stuff, simply re- lieved with white. She wore her smooth hair un- der a plain cap. Her whole person was perfectly neat and clean. Her look was serious, but satis- fied; and her air was staid and composed. She held in one hand a distaff; on the opposite arm hung a work-basket; and the girdle round her waist was garnished with scissors, knitting-needles, reels, and other implements of ffinalo labour. A bunch of keys hung at her side. Slie thus accos- ted the jleepy girl : **M(dissa, I am the genius who have ever been the friend and companion of your mother; and 1 now offer you my protection. I have no allure- ments to tempt you with, like those of my gay ri- val. Instead of spending all your time in amuse- ments, if you enter yourself of my train, yon. must rise early, and pass the long day in a variety of employments, some of them difficult, some labori- ous, and all requiring exertion of body or of mind. Vou must dress plainly: live mostly at home: and aim at being useful rather than shining. "But in return, I will ensure you content, even spirits, self-approbation, and the esteem of all who ' « 196 THE rRonnsssivB reader. li ■■> thoroughly know you. If these offers appear to your young mind less invitinsr thun those of my rival, be assured, however, fir. iney are more re- al. She has promised much .iU than she can ever make good. Perpetual pleasure > are no more in the power of Dissipation, than of Vice and Fol- ly to bestow. Her delights quickly pall, and are inevitably succeeded by languor and disgust. She appears to you under a disguise, and what you see in not her real face. '*For myself, I shall never seem to you less amiable than I now do; but on the contrary, you will like me better and better. If I look grave to you now, you will see me cheerful at my work; and when work is over, I can enjoy every innocent! amusement. But I have said enough. It is time for you lo choose whom you will follow, and upon tliat choice all your happiness depends. If you would know my name it is Housewifery." Melissa heard her with more attention than de- light; and though overawed by her manner, she could not help turning again to take another look Rt iho Hrst speaker. She beheld her still offering I her presents with so bewitching an air, that shej felt it scarcely possible to resist; when, by a lucky accident, the mask with which Dissipation's face I was so artfully covered fell off. As soon as Me* I lissa beheld, instead of the smiling features of youth and cheerfulness, a countenance wan and ghastly with sickness, and soured by fretfulness, she turn- ed away with horror, and gave her hand unreluct-j antly to her sober and sincere companion. . / "* ta- ' *»■ liii J*? •»■' •• ' •s . ......... .Jrf Tiir. rr.ooiir.isivE reader. 19T ON EARLY RISING. » - How foolish they who lengthen night, And slumber in the morning light! How sweet at early mornings rise, To view the glories of the skies, i And mark with curious eye, the sun Prepare his radiant course to run! Its fairest form then nature wears. And clad in brightest green appears. The sprightly lark with artless lay^ Proclaims the entrance of the day. How sweet to breathe the gale's perfumo, And feast the eye with nature's bloom! Along the dewy lawn to rove, And hear the music of the grove! Nor you, ye delicate and fair. Neglect to taste the morning air; This will your nerves with vigor bracei Improve and heighten every grace; Add to your breath a rich perfume ; And to your cheeks a fairer bloom: With lustre teach your eyes to glow, And health and cheerfulness bestow. OIL. There are different kinds of oil. Animals pro- duce oil. Vegetables produce oil; and there is fossil oil. The oil which is burnt in the lamp, is foand in the whale. The whale is a very large fish. More than sixty barrels of oil have been taken from one 17* 198 THB rROORESSIVS READKR. ■*' whale. Men go out in ships on purpose to catch the whale. Every child, almost, has seen a fish hook. Three of these hooks, of a very large size are fastened together, like a fork with three points. This instrument is called a harpoon. The people who go out to catch the whale, carry some har- poons withlhem. The harpoon has not a handle; It is fastened to a rope. When a whale swims near a ship, the whale catchers make fast to one end of the rope which has the harpoon fastened to the other end, and throw the harpoon with a great deal offeree at the whale. The harpoon sticks fast into the whale, as a fork thrown at a child, would stick into him. The whal«* feels the pain; he tries to get away, and dives helow the surface of the water, but he takes the harpoon with him; for want of breath ho is forced to rise to the surface, where he soon dies. The men then jump out into little boats; they take great knives, and cut the whale in pie- ces; they get from the whale's flesh all the oil they can and put it into barrels, bring it home, and sell it. U is burnt in lamps to light houses, shops and streets. Many plants produce oil. In France, Italy and some other countries, grows a tree called the olive. The fruit of the olive looks like a green plum — it has a stone on the inside like a plum stone Olives lire brought to this country in bottles. When the/re«^ olive is squeezed, many drops of oil run out of it. This oil is brought to American- it is sometimes called sweet oil; it is eaten upon salad^ and many other things THE riujr;iir.sMVF. m:.vnr.R. I9< The sccmI of tlic plant callful /7(fr, contains oil) This i¥> CA>tnnuiu\y culled linseed oil. Tho paiiitcr mixes hifl pHUit with linsrod (ul. In Asia, there ivr springs of oil — the oil is call-,j cd tutplhu. It i.s oTa dark col mii like mollassegi, There is in aromatit plants a tine <»il wiiich con-' tains the odour or smell oftlie plant. Essences^ or perfunics, such as otti> of roses, rose water, and lavender water, contain this oil. Jt is called cssen- Hal oil. Oils which may hecoincstdid, like tallow which is the iat of animals, are conautc oils. Heat makes oils li;|uid. Cold, which is the ab- sence ofheat, makes them solid. The oily part of niilk is butter. Castor oil, a very useful medicine is extracted from the seeds of a plant DEFINITION OF COMMON TERMS. Children say an orange is round — a pencil is round — a ring is round — a cent is round — all these thing^s are round — in this they are alike; but they are different in other respects. An orange^ or a foot ball, is a sjyhc.ye^ or globe. A candle, or a pencil, is a cylinder. - A centj which is flat, solid, and round, is d wheel A ringy is a circle. All these shapes are circular, because a circle ' can be made round any of them The middle of a circle IS the ccn/rc. A thing made by the hand of man is a manufac inre. The place whore it is made, is a manufactory. Tho person who makf^s it is a manufwclurtr . I I t THE rnOCillES&lVE il£AD£R. All things which grow are productiotni. A tree IH a produclion: the wool which grows upon the ^hecj)^s hack is a production. When wool is spuni \voven, and d^'ed, it becomes cloth. The cloth is a mani:faclurt. I When a liot liquor is poured upon a substance, ' in order to extract, or draw sonielhiug from it, it is railed au infusion. Water is clear, and without jrolor: when poured upon tea leaves, it extracts jtVom th(.ni color and flavor. The tea which is poured out of the tea-pot does not look, or taste, like the watrr which was poured into the tea-pot, Tiie water, then, has taken color and Havor from tiie tea. The tea which we drink is an infusion, Mi WMicn a substance is put into cold water, and , trhey are boiled together, the liquor becomes a rie- cociion. Meat is put into water: after they have been boiled some time together, the water be- comes soup. Soup is a (Ucuclion of meat. When a substance is put into cold water, and suffered to remain in it a long time, it is called a maceration. Ink [>owder is put into cold water: the water draws the bluck colour from the powder, and it becomes ink. The powder is macerated. When a solid sui)stance is put into a liquor, and the substatice nieits, leaving the liquor clear, it is a 'WoluUon. Sugar melts in tea, and the tea remains clear: that is a solution of sugar. The sugar is i^aid to have dissolved. When a substance is thrown into a liquor, and tliickens and colors the liquor, it is called a difu* bion. Cream poured into tea is a defusion. What we call steam, is somelinies called vapor ■■ uJi^ THE PKOGRESSITE READER. !201 and 10 nd Look at the tea-pot when the top is off: some- thing like smoke rises out of it; this is vapour. Put a little water on the stove; in a short time it will be all gone; Where is it? It has dried up^ or gone away in vapour. To dry up, is to evapo" rate. Cloth«s, that have been washed, are hung up to dry; the water which is in them evaporates; it* goes into the air, and rises into the sky. A great quantity of vapour, from a great many places, and a great many things, collects, or meeta together in the sky, and forms clouds; when the clouds become very heavy, and they fall in drops of water: this is rain. If the air is cold, the wa- ter freezes, and makes snow and hail. Hold a knife over the tea-pot when the hot steam rises from it: the steam will collect in little drops; it will condense upon the knife. To condense is to become thick. Dense, thick. Things are not all dense, or hard, alike. Molasses is more dense than milk; soap is more dense than molasses; wood is more hard than any of these substances; stones are harder than wood. A beautiful white stone, which looks like glass, which is called the diamond, and which is worn in rings and pins, is the hardest substance that is known. Some liquids dry, or evaporate, much sooner than others. Water is liquid; oil is liquid. Pour a drop of water upon a piece of paper; pour a drop of oil upon a piece of paper: the drop of water F^oon evaporates; the drop of oil does not evaporate — it remains, or stays, in the paper. A fluid, which dries very quick, is volatile. Water i<4 more vola- tile than oil or grease. 17» S(« THB PKOCiRLflSlVB IIRADER. V i ^ 1 1 • Fluid — the subslaiices which can be poured fi'om one vessel to another, without separating the parts, are fluids. Water and beer are fluids Meat and wood are solids. Sand and meal can be poured from one vessel to another; but they arc not fluids. The particles, (that is, the little grains of which they are compos- ed,) are Rcparate from one another. A NOBLE SON. A peasHut, near Damascus, in a year that lo- custs covered the plains of Syria, to supply thp ur- gent necessities of his family, was daily obli;ied to sell a part of his cattle. This resource was very Boon eximusted; and the unhappy father, borne down by tlie present calamity, went to the town to Bcli his implements of labour. Wiiilst he v/ns chcapemr.^^ some corn, newly ar- rived from Da?nielta, he heard tell of the successes of Mjurat Bey, who, after vanquishing his ene- mies, had entered Grand Cairo jji triumph. They painted the size,the cliaracter, the origin of this v/a'*rior. They related the manner in which he had arispn from a state of bla '*ry to his pres'^mt grediiusr^. The astonished countrym"n iminec^'ately knew him to be one of his sons, carried off from iiini ?it elttv^Ti years old. He lost no time in C(mveying to his family the pnwision lie had pureh.-ised, re- counted wiiMt lie had l(Nin)t, and rletermiiird to s(>t out for Egypt. /lis wife and cfiikhcn Iwithed iiim with their tears, onej-ii..g up their vosva f ^r his sale return. He went to the port of Alexandria, ^here he embarked, and landed at Damietta. poured ting the fluids essel to irticlcs, jompos- < i ill. rr.«/<.:.i.ssi\ .; v,i. \i»r.!^ '2b^ f that lo- the ur- lijred to :as very , borne tuwn to ov/ly ar- accesses his ene- They of this hicii ho };resf?nt lly krK-'W n iiini at |ii voy ing ised, re- h(j to set llird iiiiti his sale Ixandria, Lta. Hilt, u H >ii wh ) had qnillcd the Kdi^ion of his forefathers t:> ei!i')r}u:e r»I:ilioni('iaiHsfn, and wh*** saw himself enoircled \vit!i all the s|>I(Midoiir of tho most brilliant fortune, was it likely that he would acknowledge him? Tiiis idea hunfv)rtuue, were not calculated to obtain him what lu? sougbt for; out his aoeu unu witii cares^»'-i .^ fj' 204 THE I'JlOGRESSIN'K RKADFIt Afl(5r tlid tniidornst efTusifin f»'' the heart, flic old i mail paiuU (i (<) him tiic d(M)]()raMc situation in f which he had h)i\ his mother anil his brethren. ri^ ,% 4 The j)riiice proposed to hisn to send for thein to Egypt, and to make them partake of his rieliea and liis [>ow( r, provided tiiey wouhl einhi ace INla- hometanism. The irenerous Christian had foreseen lliis proj^u- sal, and fearing lest tiie young people might have' been dazzK-d with it, had not snir.ncd one of hi.s ciulcJren to accomj)any him. He str'ad-b-tly re- joctod, therefore, tliis offer oi" liis s^m, and had v.van the courage to rcnioiisirate willi him on hivS ch.iiige of religion. ^I onrat J5ey, seeini>: t]\at his father remained i*i^Ji<'i;i/»/t', and that the dislie^^a his family was in, desJiaLdtid immediate sue*;or, oidercd iiim a hir;:'e Kiun of 'viuuey, and sent aim back into Syria, with a smili ve3.i«:l laden with corn. The hapi)y eoun- tryjiian letUiiied as soon as possihhi ti> i.ic plains of |);unai5cus. His arrival haiii.:;ied misery and tears fr.>i]i iiis ruial d7»eiiing, and re:stored joy, comfort, and h;{j)pinesi>. EXri.A.N ATlONS. Choapr? lag — trying t«> buy lower. JJivati — the )uncii of i astern princes. Iiilkiihlc — ni>t to be prevailed upon. THE INFANT SON. Blessings attend thee, little one! ; Sweet pledge of mutnallove! Oil this new coast a stranger thrown, Directed from abov« IL> "m. THE rUOGH£SSlVE READER. 206 ic ola )ii iu hren. nin t<» ichca 5 Ma- »ropu- liJive" of \\l-i y r«j- il ha.i 1)11 bi?i aincd as ill, !ar;:'e , witli couii- plains and I A father's fondness welcomes thcej A motlier's tender care ^ Bears on her hreast thy infancy, . On love's soft pillow there O pray the hand that hither led Forever be thy guide — Nor sorrows gather round thy head. Nor dangers press thy side. Live to reward thy parent's heart For every kindness given, And, wh(3ii earth^s transient scenes depart. Rejoice with tiieni in heaven. FHJAl. PiKTY. The great law of nature lia.-} in>plaiitod in every human breast, a disposition to love and revere tliose to whom we have bi en tau<;ht froni our ear- liest inJ'ancy to look up foi every coniM)rt, conven- ience, and pleasure in 'ife. NVliiie \n e remain in n state oi' depeiui-iice on tin m, this impression continues in ir:s luli luree , but certain it is, that it has a temleney to weur oli', as we Ixcoiiie masters of ourselves; and hence the p'repiiet) of tl.u)se laws by which, in tlie institution oi di.'liitnt na- tions, it has heen altehipced to guaitl against a de- generacy iiilo lilial iiigraiitiiule aixi (iist^bedience, "'Honor tl*y iathei and thy niotbcr," was the C(»mnian(l of ti\e divine autiior oi' the Jewish dis- pt^nsaliv/n. '"That tiiy davamav be b nr in the bind, '^ is the peculiar rewaid wiiieh be promises lu tiiOM^ wiio obw^ disi Si>leiim mjuiictiou. And ^ ew THE PROGRESSIVE ULADKR. ' II r #^ If 1' 1 :i : 7. if ' t f 1 \ \\v liji^ hmi pleased t^) fxpirss hi.s appiolinlioii i)f (I sleady adherem.t' lo lliis law, Uy singular inarivH ui' i'avoin, t>o also did he |)iinisii ilir hreacli of it, Uy e.vuiiiplaiy displeasure; (U-atli was I lie mily expia- tion for tliisolleiice. JVor have the .J<\vs heeii iIjc only nation who luive looked upon disohedien(!C to parents as worthy oi' capital |>unishtnent. In China, let u son heeonie ever so rich, and a father ev(;i' so poor, there is no fsidnnission, no . point ol' ohedience, that the latter eainiot eoiu- niand, or that the Ibrnier can rolusc. The fallit r is not only ahsolute master of his son's estate, hat V also of his children; wIhjoi, whenever they dis- please him, he may sell to stranwn i^i'U. But bhould a sun he so insoh nt as to mock his father, or arrive at such a pitch of wickedness as to strike him, all the [)rovince, where this shanje- ful act of violence is committed, is alarmed; it even becomes the concern of the whole empire; the emperor hin.self judges the criminal. All the mandarins near the place, are turned out of their posts, especially those in the town where he lived, for liaving been so negligent in their ins^tructions; and all the neighbors are reprimanded, for neglect- ing, by former punishments, to put u stop to the wickedness of the criminal, belore it arrived at such JlagilioKsncss. With respect to the unha})py wretch himself, they cut him into a thousand j)ieces, burn his bonea, ru2C the house in which he lived, as well as those a1 ! I'! klinn of • iniirkH ' cwpiii- iCl'll llic L'dii^lH.'C t. i, (MmI a ion, no )t conk- u failu r iiti', bat icy (lis- , ihoio mot l)r- il ari to >n. lock his It'.SS IcS isluinie- iccl; it inijiiiei All the [' Uicir lived, ictions; leglect- ) to the ived at lunself, bonesif, s those THE fflOGTlESSIVE HfiAUCR. 207 houses whicli stand near it, ond sow the pronr.d with salt, lis snj)p()sing that there must he some hopeh'ss (h»j)ravity of luanners in a community to whi<-h siK h a monster heh)nge(l. 'J'he filial duty is the same with the prince and the peasant in Chma; and the enr[)eror, every new year's day, pays a particular homage to his moth- er, in the palace; at which ceremony, all the great oll'iccMS <»f th(^ state assist. The Persians, according to Herodotus, held the crime of donu\stic rebellion in nearly as much de- testation as the Chinese, luit they treated it after a more refii.«'d mafinor. They looked on the 9trik- in;i, ()rsiayini» (A'-^i fallier, as an impossible ottence; and, when an r.ction of tlic kind happened, adjudg- ed tiiat tlie offender could not he the son of the |.;ut_y iitiured or slum, but must have been stirrep" (iri^nislu Jiii;»(.'sed on him as such. C-icero observes, that Solon, the wise legislator ef Athens, had provided no law against p^mc/^'/t^,* and that, being asked wliy he did not, he answer- ed '' that tf) mak(^ laws «)gair\=t, and ordain punish- »nents fir a crime that had never Ix^en known or heard of, was the way to introduce it , rather tlian prevent it.'' In R )nic, no less than si\ hun^Ired years from the building of the city had elapsed, before so mueh as a natue for a crime for parricide was known amongst them, Tiie punishment ordained for i\ic first wlio stained his hands wilh the blood of the autiior of his Ix^ing, was that he should be scourged till ho wn^Jlaytd, then sown up in a sack, together with a dog, a cock, a viper, and an ape, dnd ft«> thrown hencllong into the hottoni of the sea* il 1 ■II 'i 'tt'ABiJ 208 TU£ PROCJUEKSiVfi U£AD£R I i .. i i il 11 I i .. SI 1 1 i! 1 It is a «»rcat sain on the charaefer of the more recent ages of the world, tliat ih^ crime should ever have beionie of less rare occurrence^; yet in nothing, perhaps, have the ways of God to man been more signally justified, than in the punish- ment which has sooner or hiter followed all devia- tions from filial love and duty. So provcrbialy in- deed, has this become, as to make any particular illustration of the fact wholly unncccessary. EXPLANATIONS. Mandarin — a Chinese magistrate, a justice. ^ Fla^i J% ^% j> -> .»*> Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. M580 (716) 872-4503 c ^ Is :\ \ O^ > " > >' ■ " ' »■ ■^^msiSii^ 210 THE PR0GR£S8XVK R£ADER I* MA found in the sandy plains, that abound in those countries. The instant the ostrich perceives itself aimed at, it makes to the mountains, while the horseman pursues with all the swidness possible, and endeavors to cut off his retreat. The chase then continues along the plain, wiiile the ostrich makes use of both legs and wings to assist its mo- tion. -'_ - A horse of the first speed is able to outrun it: so that the poor animal is then obliged to have recourse to art to elude the hunter by frequent turning. At length, finding all escape hopeless, it hides its head wherever it can, and tamely suffers itself to be ta- ken. If the horse, in a trial of this kind, shows great speed and is not readily tirod, his character is fixed, and he is held in high estimation. The horses of the Arabians form the principal ^riches of many of their tribes, who use them both in the chase, and in their expeditions for plunder. V They never carry heavy burdens, and are seldom employed on long journeys. They are so tracta- ble and familiar, that they will run from the fields at the call of their masters. The Arab, his wife, and children, often lie in the same tent with the mare and foal; which instead of injuring them, suffer the children to rest on their bodies and necks, and seem afraid even to move lest they should hurt them. They never beat or correct their horses, but] treat them with kindness, and even affection. The following anecdote of the compassion and attach- ment, shown by a poor Arabian to one of these an- imals, will be interesting to every reader. — The! whole property of this Arab consisted of a very' THB PR0OIUBS9IVB BBAD£R. 211 fine beautiful mare. This animal the French con- sul at Said offered to purchase, with an intention to send her to the king, Louis the fourteenth. The Arab, pressed by want, hesitated a long time, but at length consented, on condition of re- ceiving a very considerable sum of money, which he named. The consul wrote to France for per- mission to close the bargain; and having obtained it, sent the information to the Arab. The man so poor as to possess only a few rags to cover his body, arrived with his magnificent courser. He dis- mounted, but appeared to be greatly agitated by contending emotions. Looking first at the gold, and then at his mare, he heaved a deep sigh, and exclaimed ^'To whom is it I am a going to surrender thee ? To Europe- ans! who will tie thee close; who will beat thee; who will render thee miserable ! Return with me. my beauty, my jewel, and rejoice the hearts of my children!" As he pronounced the last words, he sprung upon her back; and, in a few moments, M'as out of sight. 4^ if - THE FOUNTAIN OF SILOAM. By cool Siloam's shady fountain, How sweet the lily grows! How sweet the breath, on yonder mountaini Of Sharon's dewy rose. Lo ! such the child whose young devotion | The path of peace had trod; Whose seciret soul's instinctive motion Tends upwards to his God. By cool Siloam's shady fountaini • < The lily must decay; ijl ■s=^& 212 THE PROGR]CSSIV£ READER' ! IJV ■\ li s* • ^ 1 ;«> *.. The rose that blooms on yonder mountain Must shortly fade away, A little while the bitter morrow '-.i i or man^s raaturer age, Will shake the soul with cankering sorrow^ And passion's stormy rage. ^ t ; thou ! whose every year, untainted, In changeless virtue shone, Preserve the flowers thy grace has planted. And keep them still thy own. MAY MORNING ^ ^ Welcome, welcome, lovely May! > '' With breath so sweet, and smiles so gay — With sun, and dew, and gentle showers^ Welcome, welcome, month of flowers! 1 love the violet so sweet and blue, ^When it drinks a drop of morning dew; ^ And the pretty web, which the spider weaveil All round and round the Lupine leaves,-^ ' ^ And I love to hear from every spray The warbling birds sing, "Welcome May!'' The merry calves are full of glee, So is the little busy bee; And children are as glad as they 1 '^ To welcome in the first of May. Gome, sister, come — away — away! For you shall be the Queen of May. AN ADDRESS TQ YOUTH. My young friends, in making the preceding se- lection, my principal aim has been to present you only with such matter as would be pleasing and interesting to your youthful inclinations; and THB PROGRESSIVB READER. Sid w at the same time instruct you in the principles of good reading: and leave a salutary impression on your juvenile minds. When you commenced thia little volume, you could only read easy words by spelling them thus, C-o-ri-c-o-r-d— Concord; now^ you can read off smartly without spelling, in almost any book with which you are presented; and what is better, understand what you read, which is an important addition to your little stock of knowledge. And it is to be hoped that your parents, or friends will soon buy you another book, larger and better than this, so that in a short time you will be able to read any book that is proper for you to read; and there are a great many good ones, which you may peruse, for your amusement and instruction, and the gratification of your friends, whom you should always endeavour to please; and thus you will gain their good will and become beloved and respected for your amiable disposition and good- ness of heart, which will make you wise and happy. Nothwithstanding your improvements are such as do honour to your characters as good scholars, there is still much more to learn,-and great need of future improvement. Youth is the time to lay the foundation of your future happiness, and re- spectability in society; when the voice of instruc- tion sinks deep, and your minds are free from the cares attendant on maturer years. If the spring put forth no blossoms, there will be no beauty in summer, nor fruit in autumn: how necessary then that the spring of your lives should blossom with the love of learning, and expand with your growth, that the summer of your rnanhood may be clothed with beauty; and your autumn crowned with the rich fruitn of » go#>d ind virtiioiiR ftducation. 1-*. ; w i HI) m •!;, <•!* S14 THE PROGRESSIVE READER, When you reflect that the liberal advantages of schooling which you enjoy, are the hard earned fruits of your parent's toil and industry, let it stim- ulate you to co-operate with them in their exertions for your improvement; for be assured that the anx- iety of your friends for your education will avail but little, without your own best exertiens; with them you may fairly promise yourselves suc- cess; and at last have the pleasure of viewing from fame's proud temple many who are toiling below you, who, by diligence and close applica- tion, you have greatly excelled. On the other * hand, should your parents, after all their labour of love, see you become miserable by your own bad conduct, it would be to them a source of the deepest sorrow and Yegret: for they feel at all times an ardent solicitude, for your present im- provement and future happiness. Whatever your licquisitions may be, you will not rest satisfied with mere literary attainments, but remember that the great business of this life is to prepare for a better in the world to come, by cultivating a pure and humble state of mind ; and by cherishing prin- ciples of piety towards God your maker, and pre-f server: and benevolence to man your companion. Therefore, whatever tends to promote or retard the promotion of piety and virtue in your own hearts, should claim your first and most serious attention, and may your parents, by their precept and example, early instil into your tender minds the leading' principles of the christian religion, which are indispensably necessary to your present and futiire happiness, and their everlasting fe- licity. THE AUTHOk. 216 CO XT i:\TS tages Eirned stim- rtions 5 anx- avail tiens; 9 suc- iewiDg J toiling pplica- other * labour ^ ir own of the il at all jnt im- er your atisfied er that re for a a pure g prin- nd pre-- panion. retard ur own serious precept minds eligion, present ing fe- OR. TheHhi'lona . . 139 The<;hine9e - - 132 TlteTyrks - - - 133 The Japanese - - - 134 History of tlie Lioxi - 135 The Bible - ^ . 137 Tiie Leo|Nird • -140 Different Statl.tns in Life I4l The Tea Plant - - 145 Tlie Coffee Plant, - • 147 The Sugar Cune - - 147 MeUils - - - 148 The Zebra - - - 151 Dialogue second, between a FaUier and Son - • 152 Historic ofCortez and Pizarro 155 Settlement of North America 156 Story of America in Verse 159 Religion the best Female Ac- quirement ... 162 The Universal Law - 161 The Goat . 164 The Cuckoo - - • 166 Tlie Eagle . - - 167 ** Thou slialt love thy Neigh- hour M thyself,*' - - 169 The Son of CioJ - - 172 Spring - - - - 173 God our Uciief:icl')r - 1 74 The Il)cx - - -17^ Hie Tiger - - - 17"> Tlift Niirhtinjj;ile - 17H The Wild Goose - - 17S CxcelicHce of the Holy Scri|)- tui"e» - - . - 180 Knowledge - - '• IS I The Ten Virgins - ^ 18(i Duties - - - - 18S Description of Ships - IJH) To a Child - - 191 The four Seasons - - 192 The Female Choice - - 194 On Early Rising . - 197 Oil - . - - 197 Defmition of Common Tenn^ 199 A Noble Sun • - - 202 IThe Infant Son - - 204 IFilial Piety - • - 205 The Horse - - . 208 The Fountain of Siloam - 211 I May Mornin*^ - - - 212 :An A«UIresd to Youth • 212 />". •4),!-'''; ,.*../ CONTENTS. «» '• •r ♦ > )l ■:|0 Advertiaement • 3 Family Friendship - - 5 ThcFarroUi - . 6 The Robin - - - 8 Conversation between ix Motli er and her sun - - 9 The Canary Binb - 11 The Creation - - 12 Divine Providence - - 13 The Wise Man's Advice to his Son - - - 15 Conversation second, between and aMotlier and her Son God is our Father - - 20 The Bird's Nest - - 21 Hymn .... 22 The Study of Geography 24 The Honest Little Boy - 26 To the Young - - 27 TlieDog ... 28 Conversation third, between a Mother and her Son . 80 Tenderness to Blothers S3 The Sheep - • - 34 Charles Bruce tells his Adven. The Bread Fi^hl tree Dialogue betv^^eu Fatliei Son Conversation between a Moth er and her Children - Youth The Deer Man and the Bee The Squirrei The Camel Progress of Society The Colonists 16 Chronology tures - . - A Dial(^;ue on Winter - The Affectionate Little Girl Examples of Early Piety Conversation fourth, between a Motlicr and 9on Frank Lucas, a laudable ex* ample of Early Piet^ > Filial Duty and Affection AUi^ and Dorinda Conversatioa fifth, between a Nodier and her Son • 35 61 58 63 66 67 68 69 71 73 74 78 79 81 83 Constant Affection The Boy and the Bees The Remdeer Conversation second, between a Mother and her Children 84 The Ele[)hant - - 88 The Truants - - 91 Salt ... ^ 95 Tl> • 'iMjuimaux Dogs - 96 Conveivation third, between a Mother and her Children 102 The Original American South American 39Tlie Inhabitants of Peru - 105 107 109 41 The Dutch . in n 42 Indepenilent Tartary . 112 1 The French '^ . 114 li 43 Inhabitants of Ec^ypt . 115 ■ The Spanish . 117 ■ 46 The Persians . 118 ■ 50 Russia . . 121 ■ 52 The Hottentots - 123 ■ Modern Greece • 128 ■ 54 The IiIm of Gtmot . ibbH THE PROGRES.MVE READER. 145 ee' . 67 Patliei* and « . 58 =!en a Moth- il(iren - 63 . - 66 . - 67 * . 68 • • 69 . . 71 y - 73 m - 74 4 . 78 1 - 79 3ee8 - 81 . - 88 id, between m Children 84 » - 88 m . 91 •• . 95 )oe8 1, betw - 96 een a er Children 102 ;rican - 105 _ - 107 f Peru - 109 ^ - Ill iry - 112 - 114 yp' - 115 « - 117 - 118 . - 121 . - 128 m . las KM . i9B would not be ha])pier if you had a coach to ride in, and were better dressed tJian you ure now. • i^K. Salhi. VVIiy, mother? -^ *• <' >> ? >v '' ■' ' , Mrs. .V. Becau.se the more of such tilings that wc have, the more we want. Which, think you, enjoys most a ride in a coach, you, or Miss Har- riet ? Sally. I suppose I do. ^ ' " ■ - -^ Mrs. J\*. But ifj^ou were both told, you should never ride in a coach again, which would think it {he greatest hardship? You could walk, you know, as you have always done before; but she would rather stay at home, 1 believe, than expose herself to the cold wind, and trudge about in the wet and dirt. %--'.- -^ - " , v ,^-i Sallv I believe so too: and nou' mother, I fer.t; tnat h2 j'ou hdv-t; CO gl nv*^ i. ^^^,'7 ii^n Mrs. J^. Well, my cliild, make yourself con- tented and cheerful h\ your station, which you see is so much happier than that of many children. So now we will talk no mo4e on this subject. ^^' ' THE TEA PLANT. ' There are many diflerent kinds of tea, among which are hyson, souchong, and bohea; but, wheth- er these all grow on the same plant or not, is doubtful. The quality of the tea depends very much on the soil and situation in which the plant grows, the time when the tea is gathered, and the manner in which it is treated. Our teas are chiefly brought from China, in the east of Asia, about sixteen or seventeen thousand miles in the way we go for it. 13 |46 TM£ PROGRESSIVA READ£li. In I)ohsou'» Encyclopediuy the tea plant isthu described: " Trie tea plant, wliich is an ivergreeriy growa to the height ol' (ivc or six feet. The leaves, which nre the only valuable part of it, are about an inch aiul a hulf long, narrow, indented, and tapering to a point like those of the sweet brier, and of a dark green colour. Its flowers resemble those of the white wild rose. The stem spreads into many ir- regular branches. The wood is hard, of a whitish green c«)lour, and the bark is of a greenish color. The leaves are not fit for being plucked till the • shrub is of three years' growth. In seven years it rises to a man's height; but as it then bears but a few leaves, it is cut down to the stem, and this pro- „ duces a new crop of fresh shoots the following sum- mer, every one of which bears nearly as many leaves as a whole shrub." Our ancestors^ filly or a hundred years ago, made their breakfast and supper on milk, and sometimes! broth; but now, tea or coffe is drank twice a day in almost every house. Milk, howevei, is better for children, and probably it would be more healthy | ibr grown persons. -- ^ > m. 1 f-t EXPLANATIONS, m .■■ A ■■■ ^ i' ->.<^ ^ Soil — the top of the ground. Evergreen—a plant which does not shed its leaves I in winter. * , Indent — to notch like a saw Shoot — a sprout. Ancestor — parent, grand-partnt, &.c Tiili rJtuiJUt .SIVE KLADtr. ht- I '< t^^»tf hcd its leaves THE COFFEE PJ.ANT. Coffee grows only in warm c^)untrio,^. Ii ia cultivalcd In the East indies, in tiie West Indies, and in South America. It was not much used till about three ceniiincs ago. The full grown tree is about twenty-five Icet hi^h. it begins to bear the second year, and is ia tlill bciiring the thiid. In the Wi;st I.uiies and South America, eacli plant produces from one to two pounds of coffee in a year. The coffee grows in the centre of a kind of fruit, hlce a cherry, of a deep red color, from which the kernel is separated in many diffTerent ways ^ ♦YJ. - EXPLANATIONS. •J v^.:-' Cultivate — to make grow, to improve Century — a hundrea years. Vv*w .^a, ( ( ; riiE SUGAR CANE. The Sugar cane is a jointed reed, commonfy measuring from three feet and a half to seven feet in height, and sometimes rising to twelve fetst. When ripe, it is (Jf a fine straw color inclining to yellow, producing leaves or blades, the edges of which are finely and sharply serrated. The joints of one stalk are from fifly to sixty in number, and the stalks rising from one root are sometimes very numerous. '-I'vvr The canes are planted in fields somewhat like corn, and in November, when they arje in full blos- som, such a field is said to be one of the most beau- tiful productions that the pen or pencil ca^ de-* scribe 1« THB PROORESSITB READER III ii In harvesting the cane, the leaves are reserved as food for cattle, and the stalks cut into pieces about a yard long, bound into bundles, and carried to mill; where they are bruised, and the juice is extracted^ and boiled into sugar. In the best of the West India Islands, one acre of cane produces three or four thousand pounds of moist brown su- gar, and sometimes eight thousand pounds. ' Ui'' Tjtj EXPLANATIONS. i ) >'; u.. i . Heed — a stalk, a little tree. -. *> , v t '». . .t i;. incixne — to lean, to approach* ' »* , Serrate — to indent like the teeth of a saw. Reserve — to keep back, to save. Extrad-^to draw out, to press out. ^ METALS tn 5|l h- - t GOLD. SILVER. COPPER. IRON. LEAD. TIN. QUICKSILVER. 'Ear rings are made of gold. Thimbles and spoons of silver. Cents are made of copper. The horses' shoes are made of iron. The spout ' is made of lead. Candlesticks, pans, and water- ing-pots are made of tin. The back of the look- ing glass is covered with quicksilver. These are all metals. Metals come out of the ground. People dig into the earth to find metals. The place where metals can be found, is called a Mine. The metal is found in the mine, mixed with dirt, stones, and some other substances; when THE rnOCRESSlVR READER. 149 .'iiji the metal is found, mixed in this mann^^r, it is call- led an ore. Gold is the heaviest of all metals; it weiehif more than nineteen times as much as water weighs ; That is, a cup full of gold would be more hearj than jpfineteen cups filled with water. . i .►,v Silver is eleven times heavier than water. * M ^''f. Copper is nearly nine times heavier than water. Iron is eight times heavier than water. * Lead is twelve times heavier than water. Tin is seven times heavier than water. ' ' Quicksilver is fifteen times heavier than water Steel, of which scissors, knives, and many oth-' er things are made, is preparetl from iron — just such black iron as the stove — it is made so smooth bright, and sharp, by a particular manner of work- ing it. Brass, of which knockers, bell handles, lit^e thimbles, and a great many other things, are made, is itself made of copper, and another whitish sub- stance called zinc. The copper and zinc are melted together, and become brass. Children oflen melt lead, and pour it into differ- ent shapes. If the melting lead is kept for a con- siderable time over the fire, a quantity of small scales may be perceived floating upon the sur- face of it; if the lead remain a long time nipon the fire, the whole of it will be changed to these scalt ; they will become fine powder; the pow- der of burnt metals, (for all except gold and silver, mny be burnt by a long continued heat,) is called calx. The plural of calx, is The sticking together of the parts of a substaflce IS (Called cohesion, or tenacity. Sc^nd has no te- Q^p>ty,^but gold has. n^rVii, ,, f,.. ,> Metals will melt — a Wmp of wax, or of snow, trtE PROGRESSIVE RE:aT>kH. 151 will meh very quickly; it takes a longer time, and a hotter fire, to melt metals than to meh snow. Melting is fusion. Substances which melt are fusible. Some substances, when they are put into the fire fall to powder, as wood which falls to the powder called ashes. A substance which is chan- ged by fire to powder, is calcined. t Metals are fusible. *' > '^ 4?... . » . ,. r^Miw A metal is a brilliant, opaque, heavy, malleable^ ductile, and fusible mineral. ^ "- Metals are found in all countries. Some coun- tries produce much greater quantities than others. Very little gold is ibund in Europe; Asia produ- ces sqme, Africa more, and the gold mines of South America more than every other part of the world. There is a great deal of silver in South America. The richest gold and silver mines are in Potosi, in the country of Peru. ,, y. j,,,.^* . ■f'l, unl^:-^' THE ZEBRA. ;:"t H -■n i-it/yMi 4 ■>ff«; i'?H;j» ,fl4...». -■:1 ■5k^:.> The Zebra is a little larger than the ass, and resembles the horse in figure. His color is white, with regular black stripes. He is a native of Afri- ca. Hio appearance is very beautiful, and he ia ■MHMIB 152 THE PROGRESSIVE READER. i!'i I!' cstromcd one of the handsomest of quadrupeds The Zehra fcrds in the same manner as tho horse, ass, and mule: and peems to delight in hav- ing clean wtraw and dried leaves to ^leep upon. His voice can hardly he dcscrihed; it is thought by some to have a distant resemblance to the Found of a post horn. It is more frequently heard when tiiP animal is alone, than at other times, He is only uiown in a wild state. ,,j;4 tr.i,imiu ,iv DIALOUGE SECOND, BETWEEN A FA- THER AND SON. •.^ j>>* '« - # iiui "i Father, What rs a brute, Charles? -; ' Charles. '' We call an animal without reason a brute "• -^^'*' V i > - ^^- 'HiU/ >i">n )-?;*st;niijr,. n^-^'r^i jP. Do any brute animals resrimhle man? ^^ '^^ C Monkies look like men. How docs a man differ from a monkev? F, He ])osse9se3 reason, which the monkey does not. You know the difference between the mind and the body? (), Yes; the mind thinks. Have not brutes mind ? F, What think jou? C, The dog knows his master, when he loses him, he remembers him, and looks for him. He has a mind, yv » ^^^6^ ^i :^ F. Every creature that lives has some portion of mind, or intellect, as it is sometime, called. Tht intellect of brutes is called sagacity. Which possesses the greatest portion of sagacity, the oys- ter who lies still in his shell, oc the alTectionato idrupedff i^r as tho it in hav- ;ep upon. s thought ice to the rally heard imes. He S A FA- : reason a nan: ocs a man e monkey tween the not brutes when he s for him, i^e oortion if), called. Which y, the oys- iTectionato THE FROQRESSIVB RBADBR. IM C. The dog, surely. I have heard that iimui m a rational creature. F, Which means, that he possessee more k^ tellect than orirtes. ,, C. Hr.ve brutes any language? F. They have different cries, to express pleai* are or pain; they are capable of sympathy . ■ -u C, What is sympathy? F. It is a feeling, caused by the feeling of an- other. -,. -; y-f *^'!/ J-^.-.! /' , I,...;] .f^*»f>r;ij'. ■r.'"'' r-i C I do not understand you. ... .? F. If you see a person grieved, do you feel ' C. I feel sad. - ''■ ■ • .» . F. If you see little boys very happy and gay, how do you feel then? C, I feel happy and gay too. F, You feel sad, because another is sad; and gay, because another is gay. You feel sympathy with others. ^u > ;? -'^m C, Do brutes show any signs of this feeling? F, Yes. Horses, which have been fed to- gether, or which have worked together, are glad to meet when they have been parted. As soon as they see each other, they make a noise which ex- presses the pleasure they feel. Many other ani- mals show sympathy They love one another. This is affection. v C; If brutes have intellect, and affection, ui ivhat is man entirely different from them? F. He has cunosity^ or the love of knowledge ; he can understand what is right, and what is wrong; he can tell his thoughts, he makes use of tools or instruments^ he uses fire; he laughs; he (54 THE PROGRESSIVE READER. ^1 i^; Weep^; }ie believes in God, and hopes he shall live ill another world. Brutes do none of these things. ^*'BV-ute)3 sometimes live in great numbers togeth- er; then they are called gr^egarious. When men live in large numbers together, that }S society.^ When an individual lives alone, he is said to be solitarii, " A bird ih a cage is solitary. A flock of pigeons is gregarious. Bees, which live in large compa- ■ yi.**,"^'-*.-* « '-.^*.'?.* WiV- pies, are gregarious. *'^ When a gregarious animtd is taken away from the rest of its species, it grows sad and inactive. A bee, kept by itself, would not be "the busy bee," he'Wotild riot build his cell skilfully, and spread his wax neatly — he would become miserable and idle ; and he would soon die. " When a m'^n lives far away from otner men — When he lives in prisons, or is left by ships alone on an island, he is not happy. He can do no good ; he call feel no sympathy; he cannot converse or talk with any one; he cannot grow wiser or better. < If he is left alone when he is a little child, and can get food enough to keep him alive, but has nobody to teach him any thing, he grows up like a brute. Some children have been left in this man- ner; people have found them when they had grown up; they could not speak, nor could they ever be tdught to speak; they lived like brutes all their days. ' ^ ' ■nf}*?-<^r1Ih- ^/:i?*"!ft"f-4. •:uyr'.,^,\- C. Children ought to be very thankful then, who have parents and teachers to instruct them. F. Yes; for they are more helpless than yonn^ ;itiima1« of any other species. yl 'U he shall live these things, ibers togeth- » » [)gether, that is said to be ck of pigeons large compa- n away from md inactive, le busy bee," nd spread his ibleand idle; otner men — r ships alone n do no good ; converse or ser or better, le child, and live, but has ows up like a in this man- 3y had grown hey ever be tes all their [anklul then, ;ruct them. Is than young THE rilOGRESSIVE READER. 155 C They must live a long time before they can walk, or speak, or provide food and clothes for themselves. The brutes walk as s )on as they live ; they soon learn to find their own Ibod, and they need no clothes. God has given them all the c*,ov- ering they want. HISTORY OF CORTEZ AND PIZZAKRO. Mexico is on the southern part of North Ai^ior- ica. The territories subject to the emrjcror of Mexico were very extensive. The capital of Mexico wassitimtcd in anVVtcn- sive and beautiful valley, and was a targe a).d splendid city. It was-called Mexico. It was by far the greatest and njo::t intcrrsUng city in all America at thr Umc -; ir> >ii.«c«>vt^rv. The number of inhabitants Wii^^ ro^\ny, i]»4u'-;audc- The city still e»isic\ and is a 4>ie it j,»!;k''c. Now, the king of Spani detertip- ^' I fo cri^^uer Mexico. The people of Mexic<» had indcd done him no harm, and owed him nothing* : they were a happy and innocent people; but this was no protec- tion to them. You will not read much ab;)ut kin^< before you will learn that they care little whether what they do is right or wrong. They are generallr govern- ed by selfishness, and d) what they please, without regardto justice or hL'iVia::ity. The person chosen to subdue Mexico was Fer- nando Cortez, a cruel and desperate man, as you will s?e. He t'>ok about six hundred so diers with him. ^ ,/■ \,' MM I5G TIfK TROGnRSSIV»?, READER Aftor povoral battles along the country in the way to Mexico, Cortez approached the city. The emperor, who reioned at that time was Monte/iiina: he received Cortez with hospitality, and treated him kindly^.^, .,.,,j mik/ < .5 iKhm J>nt this (lid ncjt prevent Cortez from pursuing his design: he took several men with him, suddenly entered the palace of Montezuma, seized him, and carried hiin away. ->i--^A«. j j»,^^; i,^* , *.^.^^ After a while, he put fetters on him, and piit hltn in prison. In this situation Montezun^a re- mained a long time, and sutfered very ill treatment. At ienorth, the inhaiMtants^being enraged a: amst Cortez, ro appease them, he brought Monte/uma before them. Jiut they discharged a shower of arrows at him, and Montezuma was wounded. * The poor monarch soon died of his wounds and a broken heart. Aller his death, Mexico was bravely defended by his son, Guatimozin, who then became emperor. But the city was unable to hold out, and at length it siirrendered to Cortez. Thus JMexico became apart of the dominions of S[>ain. .^j,^ By such means, the oppression and suhjugo- tion of the weak and defenceless, kir»gs have been accustomed to increase their wealth and power, and call it glory. .■•■^:^. -:^: j^:.x;*.-z%m -^ t,K;;"i::. :y...r,.-:. ^ ■■ ■ — — — — — I SETTLEMENT OF NORTH AMERICA. About two hundred and twenty years ago, that is, m the year 1607, some English people, about one hundred in number, came to Virginia, and THE PROGRESSIVE READER. 157 itrv in the city. r time was Hospitality, 1 pursuing 1, s\icl(lenly id him, and n, and put teznnm ro- I treHtm(M>t. ged a: amst Vlonte/mna shower oi* )unded. wounds and lexico was in, who then out, and at us JNlexico lain. ' d subjugo- s have heon and power, Its ago, thai ople, about n*<;'uua, a iid made a settlement on James river. The first town Ihey built they called Jamestown. I need not tell you, that no people but Indians lived in this part of North America at this time. The gr/^at towns, such as Boston, New- York, Philadelphia and others, did not exist then. Vast forests extended over the whole country, and in these forests lived numerDUs tribes of Indians. These Indians were generally unfriendly to the white people, and would , pftcn kill them, if they could. •' '" -^ One day captain Smith, who was one of tne people of Jamestown, had been up a river in a boat. He wasdiscovered by the Indians, seized by them, and carried before Powhattan, who was their chief, or kins:. Powhattan and his counsel- lors decided that he should be put to death. Ac- cordinnlv, he was brought forward, and his head laid upon a stone. Powhattan then took a club, and raised it in the air, to strike the fatal blow. » What was his astonishment, to sec his daughter, a beautiful Indian ^irl, run shriekin^: between him and Smith, and [)laec herself in a situation to shel- ter him from tho club of her father! Powhattan was so much moved by the conduct of his charm- ing daughter, won tjius taught him to exercise pitj' that he saved Smith from dirath, and next day sent !urn in safety to his iViend.=5 at Jamestown. It WHS about eight years after the settlement t>f Virginia, that is, in 1 6G5, some Dutch adventur- ers, from Holland, in Europe, made a settlement on the Island of New- York, which was then called Manhattan. This laid the foundation of the city of Now -York, ^ 14 1^.,t 158 THE PROGRESSIVE READER. ..•!r ! M IF:. Ill the year KJiO, some Eii .w . - . I have now told you of the three first settlements made in North America —Virginia, New- York, and New-England. These settlements were cal- led colonies. They met with a great many difficul- ties; sometimes they were afllicted with fatal sick- ness; sometimes their crops of grain were cut short, and they were visited with famine; some- times they were involved in the miseries of a war with the Indians. But, notwithstanding all these trials, these colonies flourished, and others were ablUhed. #■ pie, calleci rsactiusctti!) -England. 3ely to eii- Ycrc about ) land had nt of a fa- eral years H into nine- nail house, the woods, near them. them, and 3m e, Eng- nariie was lish oH'sonio rood friend )it to come t chief, or it with the Dt to injure cttlement9 ^ew- York, \ve]e c al- ly difficul- fatal sick- were cut ne; some- of a war ^ all these lers were THE PROGRESSIVE HEADER. 150 ^ In 1621, the first settlement was made in Dela- wa; % by some people from Sweden and Finland, called Swedes and Fins. In 1634, Lord Balti- more, in England, sent out a body of Iloman Cath- olics, who settled Maryland. In 1681, Willram Penn, a Quaker, made a settlement of Quakers in Pennsylvania. ' - ' Thus, you see, in the space of a few years af- ter the settlement of Virginia, a large portion of what is now called the United States was inhabi- ted; and the settlement of the country thus begun, it flourished and increased beyond what has ever been known in any other country. ¥■* i> STORY OF AMERICA IN VERSE. Columbus was a sailor brave, - The first that, crossed th' Atlantic wave. In fourteen hundred and ninety-two, He came far o'er the ocean blue. Where ne'er a ship had sailed before, And found a wild and savage shore, Where naked men in forests prowled. And bears and panthers roamed and howled. The others came to see the wonder, To gather gold and seek for plunder; And many a cruel deed was done. Far South, beneath the tropic sun. There Cortez came with sword and flamCi And, at a blow, proud Mexico , Was humbled in the dust; ^ Pizzarro too, in rich Peru, 160 THE rROORESSlVE READER. I ' ' i With l)loocly heart, and cruel art. A mighty enjpirc crushed. Ah! inany a red man's blood was spilt, And many a deed was done of guilt, , . Of torture, murder, crimes untold, To get the poor, poor Indian's gold. At length, when years had passed away, Some English came to Virginia; 'Twas sixteen hundred seven; be sure You let this in your minds endure; For twas the first bold«^olony jh. ^ Planted in North America; The first that laid the deep foundation, On which has since been built a nation. Well, here they raised a far-famed town Qn James' river, called Jamestown. , j^- They struggled hard 'gainst many sorrows, Sickness and want, and Indian arrows; But bold and strong at length they grew, And were a brave and manly crew. ■ ■ * 'Twas eight years after this, — I mean % The year sixteen huadred fifleen, — Some Dutch, from Holland, settled pat on An Island which they called Manhattan, And straight they set themselves to work, And built the city of New- York. Now let the laughing wags and jokers Say that the Dutch are stupid smokers; We only tell, that, dull or witty, They founded lamous New-Yoijc cityj The largest city in the west. For trade and comuierce quite the best! »i~ THE PROGRESSIVE READER. 161 vay, •.. f .1 ■' >\ ) ' 1. n % • "1P~ :>w8. !W, w 'i'^ t on » rk, 4 Then came along, in five years more, The Puritans, or pilr' : And all the shore the eve could mark />; Was covered thick with forests dark. Within whose gloomy shades afar "" Was heard the Indian whoop of war. But bold and strong these pilgrims werej ^ , I'hey feared not Indian, wolf, or bear: ,• , / Though far from home, a feeble band, ^j^^^ Unfriended, in a desert land, ,j.> j Where wild beasts sought at night their prey, And ruthless Indians lurked by day, ]iy sickness pressed, by want beset. Each ill they braved, each danger met. Long, long they strove, and mu(ih endured; To sulFerings were long inured; But naught their courage could subdue: .' .y 'Mid want and war their sinews grew, Their towns increase, their numbers double. And soon they triumph o'er their trouble. ThjLis three strong colonies, we see, ,;i^ Ar^' planted in America; New-England in the northern part; New- York within the very heart; * 14* \ 'M 16^2 THE PROGRESSIVE READER. N't While southward, o'er the hills away, fs seated fair Virginia. ; i Ji. ■ \ I The first rude dangers thus overcome, Others did seek this land for home, And came like birds in numbers o'er, Till, far along the eastern shore. That bounds the blue Atlantic tide, Village with village proudly vied; While Swedes and Fins did settle down In Delaware, and build a town. To Maryland, Lord Baltimore ; A colony of papist sent. In sixteen hundred thirty-four, • Who there did make a settlement; ' - And William Penn, the grave peace-maker, Came o'er, with many an honest Quaker, To Pennsylvania: 'twas done -. In sixteen hundred eighty-one. - t ,vl i ■; >-r •<» *» 7/ n . ,.-■.• ' ,f - ,- i RELIGION THE BEST FEMALE AC- QUIREMENT. , - Without religion no lady's education can he complete. True religion is the joint refulgence of all their virtues. It resembles the sun, at whose sight all the stars hide their diminished heads. It breathes benevolence to man. The truly pious serve God, their benefactor, with their whole soul. They honor and love him, not so much for the sake of their promised reward, as for the benefits they have received, and are mere actuated by gratitude than hope. •!' ts: > rf., > . * • ' 10, • ♦• 1, 5 » n M"--' > * Tiaker, er, 7/ LE AC- :ioii can be Ifulgence of |n, at whose heads. It benefactor, id love him, Ised rt^ward, Id, and are THE PROGRESSIVE READER res They are severe to themselves, and compassion- ate to others. They endeavor to reclaim the erro- neous, not by severity^ but by meekness. They are always similar to themselves, and serve God uniformly, not by fits and starts. They are at peace witli all men. They comfort the afflicted, support the distressed, and clothe the naked. They neither exult in prosperity, nor sink in ad- versity, but remain contented with the will of God, and patiently bear those afflictions he is pleased to lay upon them. They show their piety not in the- ory, but in practice; not in words, but in works. They are not led by fear, ambition, or worldly interest, but by love to the author of their being. They strive to promote the good of all men, and labor to secure eternal ^bliss. There is more satisfaction in doing, than receiv- ing good. To relieve the oppressed, is in some measure fulfilling the duties which God requires; and is attended with a pleasure unknown, but to those who are beneficent and liberal. >if T ;» ti THE UNIVERSAL LAW. Blessed Redeemer, how divine, How righteous is this rule of thine. '^**^ Never to deal with others worse }t. i ^i^j^j ^Q would have them deal with us! This golden lesson, short and plain, ^ Gives not the mind ox memory pain; ^" * And ev'ry conscience must approve This universal law of love. 164 THE PROGRESSIVE READER. JM'l! ,. 'Tis written in each mortal breast, 'N. ;j Where all our tend'rest wishes rest; J^ . We draw it from our inmost veins, *" A Where love to self resides and reigns. j» Is reason ever at a loss ? — il ..»ti ,«:< Call in self-love to judge the cause; J And let our fondest passions show, r" How we should treat our neighbors too. t How blest would every nation prove, ? Thus rul'd by equity and love! •"^ All would 1 " N. j5 All would be friends without a foe, "^ * And form a paradise below. f THE GOAT 1) 'J ■-?t*^»¥^l a^i^t ^|0i*>n * r»' .»;: '*l-^ The size of the goat is about the same as the sheep, though the wool of the latter gives it a larger appearance. In form, the goat resembles the sheep, though he has a short tail, and a benid. The goat is stronger and swifter, and more sa- gacious and lively thar]| the sheep. He do^e not easily submit to be confined, but chooses his f#wn pastures, delights in climbing precipices, and in of- ten seen reposing in tranquil security, upon an em- inence overhanging the roaring ocean. Nature has ■^:*^:.B'K''"*)'} THE FKOGRESSIVB READER. 165 J St; • ngns. •fH ^»,,-:; 4 . ..' -f : T' ', : ! »e; • t,. * ^ i ' 3rs too. • ' . J )ve, 1 k '> 4 •■ , • i same as the r gives it a it resembles ind a beaid. nd more sa- le do^B not ses his fiwn es, and in of- upon an cm- Nature has in some measure, fitted it for traversing these de- clivities; the hoof being hollow underneath, with sharp edges, so that it could walk as securely on the ridge of a house as on level ground. It leaps with the utmost ease and security among the most frightful crags; so sure footed is it, that even when two of them are yoked together, they will not hesitate to take their leaps, and will gen- erally accomplish them in safety. •' Uff . i Sensible of kindness and caresses, the goat ea- sily attaches itself to man; sometimes, indeed, so strongly, as to become troublesome by its affection; and as it is a hardy animal, and very easily sus- tained, it is chiefly the property of the indigent. It seems, indeed, better pleased with the heathy mountains, or the shrubby rock, than the cultivated field; and its favorite food consists of the tops of boughs, or the tender bark of young trees. It is also capable of supporting immoderate heat, and is neither terrified by the storm, nor incommoded by the rain. .i.. > >, r nir^^ it,,. The milk of the goat is sweet, nourishing, and medicinal, and not so apt to Q^urdle upon the stom- ach as tiiat of a cow. In several parts of Ireland and the highlands of Scotland, these animals con- stitute the chief riches of the hardy, natives, and supply them with the few indulgencies which their situation permits them to enjoy. They lie upon beds made of their skins, which are soft, clean, and wholesome; they eat -their milk with oaten bread; and convert a part of it into butter and cheese r 'Jv f'l _> %. •^^_ |6 THE FROGRESSIVE READER. . , THE CUCKOO. Hail, beauteous stranger of the wood. Attendant on the spring! Now heaven repairs thy vernal seat, s And woods thy welcome sing. Soon as the daisy decks the green ' . Thy certain voice we hear; Hast thou a star to guide thy path, ^, Or mark the rolling year ? Delightful visitant! with thee I hail the time of flowers, When heaven is fill'd with music sweet Of birds among the bowers. The schoolboy wandering in the wood, To pull the flowers so gay, Oil starts, thy curious voice to hear. And imitates thy lay. Soon as the pea puts on the bloom. Thou fly'st the vocal vale; An annual guest in other landsi Another spring to hail. . Sweet bird, thy bower is ever green^ Thy sky is ever clear; Thou hast no sorrow in thy song, No winter in thy year. O! c