UC-NRLF t-:iii.p:^.. tv<>. >s k" Hit J $B 307 fiOfi • v N l^L-TY THE NATIONAL SERIES OF STANDARD SCHOOL-BOOKS COMPRISES STANDARD WORKS In every department of instruction and of every grade. The teacher in want of a book for any par- ticular purpose or class, will always find the best of its kind in our catalogue. No other series even claims to be as complete as this. None is so extensive or so judiciously selected. Among so many volumes a high standard of merit is maintained, as it is our aim never to permit our imprint upon a poor or unworthy book. It is also our plan to make books not for a class or sect, but for the whole country — unobjectionable to parties^ and creeds, while inculcating the great principles of political freedom and Christianity, upon wh^eh fill right-minded persons are agreed. Hence, and from their almost universal circulation, the naibc— * National Series." Among the principal volumes are Parker & Watson's JRea&ers— in twoVJUstinct series, each complete in itself. TJie National Headers, ar full grade,, «r"lal'g6,"elegant volumes, adequate for every want of the most thorough and higrly graded sf hools. TJie Independent Headers, in smaller volumes, for Common SchofcW. Low ia price, but in no other respect inferior to the companion series. Spellers complejo, to accompany either series. Davies' 3M!athematic3 — Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Surveying^ Ac. — Complete in every hferich — The Rational standard — world- renowned. Millions have been called for, and the sale inoVeasos year by year. New volumes are constantly published to take the places of those that arelin the least rWiind the times. Examine the new Series. Barnes' Brief Histories— TJik United States History ; and others to follow. — For one term of study. Makes historjt short by omitting that which is usually forgotten, interesting by charming language and illustrations, and pointed Ly a system of grouping about the most important events. N° dry bones or tedious statistics. v ' Monteith's Geographies— Topica\ Descriptive, Political, Physical — — These works are eminentlyjpractical, and enjoyaTarg'bc circulation than any other series. From a number of volumes not necessarily consecutive, the teaefcer may select just the book he wants. Steele's Natural Science — " 14 Weeks V -Jjiooks in Philosophy, Chemistry , Astronomy, Geology, &c. — Briekintense, popular bejjond all precedent; they make science available for Common Schools. I X^ Clark's Diagrramma|r»— The new system for EnKish \rammai, by object lessons and novel analysis. Gradually superseding all others. Worman's Modern I*ang"Ua§"eS»— Comple/e series in%he German, Trench, Ac— Upon a new plan for combining all the advantages/offered by preceding authors, with signal new ones. / Searing's G\a.SS\Cs\-Virgil>s A eneid, Hefner's Iliad], Cicero's Orations, and others, with Notes, LeVicons, Maps, Illustrations, Ac. — The most complete and elegant editions. BARE MENTION only can be made in this summary of all the other standard texts published [w\ V by our house, as in English language— Cleveland's Compendiuras of Literature— Boyd's Annotated Authors, Composition, Logic, Criticism, Ac— Smith's Etymology, from every sourre~of language— De- finers, Dictionaries, Writing Spellers, False Orthography, Dictation, Topical Lexfcon— North- end's Series of Speakers— Z^achos' Elocution, Ac. ^^*»** ' History.— Monteith's Child's U. S.— Mrs. Willard'S Series; U. S. and Universal— Berard's England— Ricord's Rome— Summary of Hist., i^fi 10J pages— Bible Hist.— Ecclesiastical Hist. 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BARNES & COMPANY, National Educational Publishers, 111 & 113 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. THE WOMAN SERIES IN MODE EN LANGUAGE. A Complete Course in German. By JAMES H. WORMAN, AM. EMBRACING ELEMENTARY GERMAN GRAMMAR, COMPLETE GERMAN GRAMMAR, ^V GERMAN READER, GERMAN COP^^OOKS, GERMAN ECHO. *"-*>m PREPARATION, \ HISTORY OIF GERMAN LITERATURE, GERMAN tAND ENGLISH XEXICON. J. THE GERMAN GRAMMARS of Worman are widely' preferred on ac- count of their clear, explicit method (oh the conversation plan), introducing a system of analogy and comparison with the learners 1 own language and others commonly studied. •* The arts of speaking, of understanding the spoken language, and of correct pronun- ciation, are treated Wich great success. The new classifications of nouns and of irregular verbs are of great value to the £upil. The use of lieavy type to indicate etymological changes, is new. The Vocabu- ,ry is synonymical—alzo a new feature. JT. WORM AX'S GERMAN READER contains progressive selections from a wide range of the very best German authors, including three complete plays, which are usually purchased in separate form for advanced students who have com- pleted the ordinary Reader. * It has Biographies of eminent authors, Notes after the text, References to all Ger- man Grammars in common use, and an adequate Vocabulary; also, Exercises for translation into the German. III. WORMAN'S GERMAN ECHO (Deutsche* Echo) is entirely a new thing in this country. It presents familiar colloquial exercises without translation, and will teach fluent conversation in a few months of diligent study. No other method will ever make the student at Itome in a foreign language. By this he thinks in, as well as speaks it. For the time being he is a German through and through. The laborious process of translating his thoughts no longer impedes free unembarrassed utterance. WOMAN'S COMPLETE FBENCH COURSE IS INAUGURATED BY L'EOHO IDE PARIS, Or, " French Echo ;*' on a plan identical with the German Echo described above. This will be followed in due course by the other volumes of THE FRENCH SERIES, viz.: A COMPLETE GRAMMAR, \A FRENCH READER, AN ELEMENTARY GRAMMA Tt, I A FRENCH LEXICON A HISTORY OF FRENCH LITERATURE WORMAN'S WORKS are adopted as fast as published by many of the best institutions of the country. In completeness, adaptation, and homogeneity for consistent courses of instruction, they are simply UNRIVALED. 14 And when the hiding squirrel's nest They sought, far up the hills, They bathed their reeking foreheads cool Among the mountain rills/' Childebn in Exilr, p. 186. THE NATIONAL THIRD READER: CONTAINING A SIMPLE, COMPREHENSIVE, AND PRACTICAL TREATISE ON ELOCUTION; NUMEROUS AND PROGRESSIVE EXERCISES IN READING AND RECITATION; AND COPIOUS NOTES, ON THE PAGES WHERE EXPLA- NATIONS ARE REQUIRED. By RICHAED GREENE PARKER AND J. MADISON WATSON. A. S. BARNES AND COMPANY, NEW YORK AND CHICAGO. 1873 EDUCATION DEPI* y COMPLETE IN TWO INDEPENDENT PARTS. THE NATIONAL READERS. By PARKER & WATSON. No. 1. — National Primer, 6% pp., ?6mo. No. 2. — National First Reader, . . tzspp., /6mo. No. 3. — National Second Reader, . 221 pp., femo. No. 4. — National Third Reader, . . 2sspp., /2mo. No. 5. — National Fourth Reader, . 4.32 pp., ?2mo. No. 6. — National Fifth Reader, . . 600 pp., ?2mo. II. THE INDEPENDENT READERS. By J. MADISON WATSON. The Independent First Reader, . The Independent ^eeont^ iRe;aHer, The Independent* Thrrii Reader, The Independent; Fourth: Reader, The Independent "Fifth Reader/. The National Fifth Reader, . . . SO pp. , /6mo. 760 pp., 16mo. 24.0 pp., 16mo. 264- pp., f2mo. 3.96 pp., ?2mo. 600 pp., 12mo. III. NATIONAL SPELLING BOOKS. By J. MADISON WATSON. National Elementary Speller, . . . /60pp., t6mo. National Pronouncing Speller, . . ^ss pp., tamo. *** The Readers constitute two complete and. entirely dis- tinct series, either of which are adequate to every want of the best schools. The Spellers may accompany either Series Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1866, by A. S. BARNES & CO., In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Southern District pf New York. PREFACE IT has been our purpose, in the preparation of this vol- ume, to furnish the facilities necessary for the cultivation and improvement of the voice, and the acquisition of skill in Beading and Delivery. Though constituting one of a Series of Headers, this work will be found complete in itself. The Introductory Lessons' in Part First present, in a simple, comprehensive, and practical form, all the most important principles of Elocution, embracing Sections on Articulation, Syllabication, Accent, Emphasis, Slur, Inflec- tions, and Punctuation. Part Second contains one hundred and twenty-five Exer- cises for Heading and Recitation. In the collection and preparation of these Exercises, great pains have been taken to exclude pieces not suited to the standing of the pupils for whom they are designed, and to retain only those that will be found intelligible, not only from the nature of the subjects, but also from the style and manner in which they are written. It has been our aim to present such lessons as would amuse, interest, and instruct the pupil, and at the same time furnish examples illustrating the more important prin- ciples of Rhetorical Delivery. As an almost indispensable auxiliary for the accomplishment of this desirable object, we have introduced numerous dialogues and pieces of a conversational nature. It is a collection strictly graded from first to last Com- W451G5 Vi PREFACE. mencing with lessons more simple than those at the close of the "Second Beader," the pupil will gradually and almost unconsciously overcome difficulties as he proceeds, and at its close will be thoroughly prepared for the suc- ceeding volume. The pronunciation of words liable to be mispronounced is indicated in all cases ; and notes explanatory of words and phrases not supposed to be fully understood by the pupil, appear at the bottom of the pages where they occur. The improvements made in the revision of this work are many and important. The addition of a thorough though simple Analysis of Words and of Phonetic Exercises to the section on Articulation, and the introduction of new sec- tions on Slur and Inflections, as well as the marked changes in general, have rendered the Introductory Lessons all that can be desired for intermediate classes. The collection of Beading Lessons has been greatly im- proved by judicious omissions, and by the introduction of a number of the most interesting and deservedly popular recent productions, both in prose and verse. The classifi- cation of these Lessons is more systematic and thorough than that ever before attempted in any corresponding work. The pieces are divided into formal sections in each of which only one leading subject is treated, or one important ele- ment of Elocution rendered prominent. It is confidently believed that all practical aids are furnished by the orthoep- ical notation, the index to words defined and words pro- nounced, the superior wood-cuts, and the copious notes. New Yokk, August, 1865. CONTENTS I. INTRODUCTORY LESSONS. PAGE Articulation 13 Definitions 13 Oral Elements 15 Cognates 17 Alphabetical Equivalents > 17 Oral Elements Combined 19 Errors in Articulation 21 Analysis of Words 22 Rules in Articulation 23 Exercises in Articulation 24 Syllabication 25 Exercises in Syllabication 25 Accent 26 Exercises in Accent 27 Emphasis 27 Exercises in Emphasis 27 Slur 28 Exercises in Slur 29 Inflections §0 Exercises in Inflections i 31 Marks Used in Printing 32 General Exercises 35 II. KEADINGS AND EECITATIONS. . I. PIECES IN PROSE. Section 1 39 1. A Gentleman ....T.S. Arthur. 39 2. True Riches Mrs. L. H. Sigourney. 40 3. God i3 Everywhere T. S. Arthur. 43 4. The Willow, Poppy, and Violet Mrs. L.H. Sigourney. 44 5. The Good are Beautiful T. S. Arthur. 46 Section III - 54 10. The Tortoise and the Swallow 54 12. The Horse and the Goose r : 57 14. Class Opinions 60 Section IV PI 15. The Beggar and the Good Boy Mrs. Goodwin. 61 17. The True Secret of Happiness— Part First T. S. Arthur. 66 18. The True Secrerof Happiness — Part Second 67 20. The Pilgrim and the Rich Knight Mrs. St. Simon. 71 Section V 72 22. The Summer-time 73 Viii CONTENTS. PA6B Section VI 78 25. The Twin Sisters Mrs. L. H. JSigaurney. 78 26. Emulation without Envy Miss Edgeworth. 80 27. How to be Happy — Part First 81 28. How to be Happy— Part Second 83 29. Knock Again— Part First 84 30. Knock Again — Part Second 86 31. Sir Edmund Saunders Emma G. Embury. 88 32. Counsels to the Young Horace Mann. 90 33. The Whistle Dr. Franklin. 92 Section VII. ... 93 35. Chase of the Pet Fawn Miss Cooper. 95 38. The Child is Dead 8.1. Prime. 103 Section VIII , 108 41. Disobedience 108 42. The Two Schoolmates 110 43. The Foster-Child— Part First. ...... . .Mrs. L. H. Sigourney. Ill 44. The Foster-Child— Part Second. 113 46. An Eastern Fable 116 Section X " 123 51. The Half is Better than the Whole 123 52. The Boy who Kept his Purpose— Part First 126 53. The Boy who Kept his Purpose— Part Second 128 54. Anecdote of Frederick the Great 130 55. Humanity Rewarded Emma C. Embury. 131 56. The Basket-Maker 132 57. Work Proclaims a Workman 134 Section XI 136 59. The Daisy and the Lark — Part First Hans. C. Andersen. 137 60. The Daisy and the Lark— Part Second. 130 Section XII 143 63. The Mocking-Bird 144 65. Birds of Australia — Part First William Howitt. 147 66. Birds of Australia — Part Second 150 67. The Buzzard Comstock. 153 Section XIII 156 68. Thanksgiving Story Fanny Fern, 156 Section XIV 163 72. Ingenuity and Industry Rewarded Berquin. 163 73. Planting Trees Newcomb. 166 Section XVII 188 84. Honesty the Best Policy 188 85. The Truthful Little Persian 190 86. Two Ways of Telling a Story— Part First H. K. Oliver. 192 87. Two Ways of Telling a Story— Part Second 193 88. A Man is a Man Toliver. 195 Section XVIII 196 92. The Flax ; or the Story of a Life— Part First ...H.C. Andersen. 200 93. The Flax ; or the Story cf a Life— Part Second 203 Section XIX 206 94 Autumn 206 Section XX 21 1 97. Two Neighbors and the Hens 211 CONTENTS. ix PAGE Section XXI 217 101. The Observing Judge— Part First 217 102. The Observing Judge— Part Second 219 103. The Observing Judge— Part Third 221 Section XXIII. 253 117. The Snow-Storm— Part First Altered from Wilson. 256 118. The Snow-Storm— Part Second 258 119. The Snow-Storm— Part Third 261 Section XXIV 265 121. The Little Man in Black — Part First Washington Irving. 267 122. The Little Man in Black— Part Second 273 II. PIECES IN VERSE. Section II 47 6. The Voice of Spring Mary Howitt. 47 7. Spring H.F.Gould. 48 8. Spring Rain 50 9. The Rain-Lesson Mrs. L. H Sigourney. 52 Section III 54 11. The Rook and the Lark 56 13. The Bee, Clover, and Thistle H. 1 Gould. 58 Section IV 61 16. The Beggar-Man Lucy Aikin. 63 19. The Complaints of the Poor Southev. 70 Section V 72 21. The Child's Wish in June Mrs. Gilman. 72 23. The Wheat-Field H F. Gould. 75 24. Summer Woods Mary Howitt. 76 Section VII y3 34. We are Seven William Wordsworth. 93 36. Lucy Gray William Wordsworth. 98 37. The Little Boy that Died J. D. Robinson. 101 39. Eva's Home Altered from Lytton. 105 40. The Child and the Mourners CMrles Mackay. 106 Section VIII 108 45. The Crop of Acorns Mrs. L. H. Sigourney. 115 47. The Old Oaken Bucket Samuel Woodworth. 118 Section IX 120 48. Delay From the German of Weisse. 120 49. One by One 121 50. Now, To-day Adelaide A. Procter. 122 Section XI 136 58o Children in Exile J. T. Fields. 136 Section XII 143 62. The Mocking-Bird Hannah F Gould. 143 64 Birds in Summer Mary Howitt. 145 Section XIII 156 69 The Sale of the Pet Lamb Mary Howitt. 157 70. Cleon and I Charles Mackay. 160 71. The Heritage J. R. Lowell, 161 3C CONTENTS. t>AGB Section XIV 163 74 The Planting of the Apple Tree Wm. Cullen Bryant. 168 Section XV 171 75. The Brook Alfred Tennyson. 171 76. Little Streams Mary Howitt. 178 77. The Wind and the Stream William Cullen Bryant. 175 78. The Bird and the Fountain Charlotte Young. 176 Section XVIII 196 89. The Stranger on the Sill T. Buchanan Bead. 196 90. I Remember, I Remember Thomas Hood. 198 91. Little at First, but Great at Last diaries Mackay. 199 Section XIX 206 95. Cornfields Mary Howitt. 208 96. To Autumn John Keats. 209 Section XX 211 98. Trade and Spade Charles Mackay. 212 100. The Battle of Blenheim Bobert Southey. 215 Section XXI , 217 104 The King and the Cottager John G. Saxe. 224 107. Wisdom Unapplied Elizabeth Barrett Browning. 235 Section XXII 244 110. The Mountain Boy Uhland. 244 1X1. Excelsior H. W. Longfellow. 245 112. The Color-Sergeant 247 113. The Boy in the Wilderness George H Boker. 249 114. Song of Marion's Men William Cullen Bryant. 251 Section XXIII 253 115. Winter and Spring Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. 253 116. The Snow-Shower William Cullen Bryant. 254 Section XXIV 265 120. Youth and Sorrow Charles Mackay. 265 123. The May Queen— Part First Alfred Tennyson. 277 124 The May Queen— Part Second 279 125. The May Queen— Part Third 282 III. DIALOGUES Section XI 136 61. The Adopted Child Mrs. Felicia Hermans. 141 Section XVI 177 79. Who is Greatest— Part First Altered from Arthur. 177 80. Who is Greatest— Part Second 179 81. Rain-Making Altered from Livingstone. 181 82. The Evil Adviser— Part First Goodrich. 184 83. The Evil Adviser— Part Second 185 Section XX 213 99. Things by their Right Names 213 Section XXI 217 105. Hasty Judgment— Part First 227 106. Hasty Judgment — Part Second 232 108. Eyes, or no Eyes— Part First Dr. Aiken. 237 109. Eyes, or no Eyes— Part Second . , 241 INTRODUCTORY LESSONS. I. ARTICULATION. DEFINITIONS. ARTICULATION is the distinct utterance of the oral elements in syllables and words. 2. Okal Elements are the sounds that, uttered separately or in combination, form syllables and words. 3. Okal Elements are produced by different positions of the organs of speech, in connection with the voice and the breath. 4. The principal Organs op Speech are the lips, the teeth, the tongue, and the palate. 5. Yoice is produced by the action of the breath upon the larynx. * 6. Oral Elements are divided into three classes: eighteen tonics, fifteen subtonics, and ten atonics. 7. Tonics are pure tones produced by the voice, with but slight use of the organs of speech. 8. Subtonics are tones produced by the voice, modified by the organs of speech. 1 Larynx. — The upper part of the five gristly pieces which form the trachea or windpipe, consisting of organ of voice. U NATIONAL THIRD READER. 9. Atonics are mere breathings, modified by the organs of speech. 10. Letters are characters that are used to represent 01 modify the oral elements. 11. The Alphabet is divided into vowels and consonants. 12. Vowels are the letters that usually represent the tonia elements. They are a, e, i, o, u, and sometimes y. x 13. A Diphthong is the union of two vowels in one sylla- ble j a.-:, ou in our. 14. A Digraph, or Improper Diphthong, is the union of two vowels in a syllable, one of which is silent ; as, oa in loaf, ou in court. 15. A Triphthong is the union of three vowels in one syllable ; as, eau in heau, ieu in adieu. 16. Consonants 2 are the letters that usually represent either subtonic or atonic elements. They are of two kinds, single letters and combined, including all the letters of the alphabet, except the vowels, and the combinations ch, sh, wh, ng ; th subtonic, and th atonic. 17. Labials are letters whose oral elements are chiefly formed by the lips. They are b, p, w, and wh. M may be regarded as a nasal labial, as its sound is affected by the nose. F and v are labia-dentals. 18. Dentals are letters whose oral elements are chiefly formed by the teeth. They a>rej, s, z, ch, and sh. 19. Linguals are letters whose oral elements are chiefly formed by the tongue. They are d, I, r, and t. N is a nasal- lingual ; y, a lingua-palatal, and th, a lingua-dentaL 20. Palatals are letters whose oral elements are chiefly formed by the palate. They are g and Jc. NG i» a nasal- palatal. 1 W not a Vowel. — As w, stand- combinations because they are rarely ing alone, does not represent a pure used in words without having a vow- or unmodified tone in the English el connected with them in the same language, it is nci here classified syllable, although their oral elements with the vowels. may be uttered separately, and with- ' Consonant. — The term conso- out the aid of a vowel. Indeed, they riant, literally meaning sounding frequently form syllables by them- tiUfi, is applied to these letters and selves, as in fechlc (W), taken (kn\ ORAL ELEMENTS. 15 21. Cognates are letters whose oral elements are pro- duced by the same organs, in a similar manner ; thus, / is a cognate of v ; h of g, &c. 22. Alphabetic Equivalents are letters, or combinations of letters, that represent the same elements, or sounds ; thus, i is an equivalent of e, in pzque. II. OEAL ELEMENTS. IN uttering the tonics, the organs of speech should be fully opened, and the stream of sound from the throat should be thrown, as much as possible, directly upward against the roof of the mouth. It is important to produce the subtonics and atonies with great force, prolonging the sound sufficiently to give it a full impression on the ear. The instructor will first require the pupils to pronounce a catch-word once, and then produce the oral element rep- resented by the figured vowel, or italic consonant, four times — thus ; age, — a, a, a, a ; ate, — a, a, a, a : at,— -a, a, a, a ; ash, — a, a, a, a, &c. He will exercise the class until each pupil can utter consecutively all the elementary sounds as arranged in the following TABLE OF ORAL ELEMENTS. I. TONICS. a or a, 1 as in age, ate. a, as in all, ban. a or a, u at, land. a, 2 a bare, care. a, u art, arm. V « ask, glass. 1 Long and Short Vowels.— Alphabetic sound, modified or soft The attention of the class should be ened by r. In its production, th3 called to the fact that the first ele- lips, placed nearly together, are held uient, or sound, represented by each immovable while the student tries of the vowels, is usually indicated to say, a. by a horizontal line placed over the 3 A Sixth. — The sixth element letter, and the second sound by a represented by a, is a sound interme- curved line. diate between a, as heard in at, and 3 A Fifth. — The fifth element, or a, as in arm.. It is produced by pro t)ound, represented by a, is its first or longing and slightly softening a. 16 NATIONAL THIRD READER. e or e, as in he, these. 6 or 5, a as in on, fr&t e or S, " elk, end. o, " d«, pr6ve. V " Mr, ve'rse. u or u, 3 ? cube. cure. i or I, " ice, child. u or ii, " bud, hiish. i or I, " Ink, inch. *, " full, push. 6 or 6, " 61d, home. on, " OUT, house. n. SUBTONICS. h, as in babe, or5.- r,« as in rake, bar. d, « did, dim.. fh, « this, with. 9, " 9*0> gfy. ^ a vine, vice. h " join, ^'oint. w, « wake, wise. h " Zake, Zane. ft a yard, yes. m, " mild, mind. «i a zest, gaze. n, « name, nine. z , a azure, glazier. »9, " gang, swig. *E Third.— The third element represented by e, is e as heard in end, prolonged, and modified or softened by r. This oral element is found in monosyllables, or in accented sylla- bles in which the r is not followed by a vowel or by another r, or in words derived from these, when the syllable retains its accent, as in herd, err, erring, maternal. 2 O modified. — The modified oral element of o, in this work, is repre- sented by (6 or 6) the same marks as its regular second power. This mod- ified or medium element may be pro- duced by uttering the sound of o in not, slightly softened, with twice its usual volume, or prolongation. It is usually given when short o is imme- diately followed byff,ft, ss, st, or th, as in off, soft, cross, cost, broth ; also in a number of words where short o is directly followed by n, or final ng y as in gone, bego7ie,* long, silong, ^rong, song, strong, thong, throng, wrong. Smart says, " To give the extreme short sound of o to such words is affectation ; to give them the full sound of broad a (a in all), is vulgar. 3 U initial — preceded by R. — TJ, at the beginning of words, when long, has the sound of yu, as in use. "When u long, or its alphabetic equiv- alent ew, is preceded by r, or the sound of sh, in the same syllable, it has always the sound of o in do ; as, rude, sure, brew. 4 R trilled. — In triUing r, the tip of the tongue is made to vibrate against the rcof of the mouth. It may be trilled when immediately followed by a vowel in the same syllable. When thus situated in emphatic words, it should always be trilled. Frequently require the stu- dent, after a full inhalation, to trill r continuously, as long as possible. ALPHABETICAL EQUIVALENTS. 17 m. ATONICS. /, as in fame, /&* t, as in £ar£, tOSL&L A, a Aark, harm. th, " tfAank, youth. *, a &ind, #iss. ch, " cAase, marcA. P> a pipe, pump. sh, " sAade, *Aake. *> u same, sense. wh, 1 " whale, wAite. III. COGNATES. FIKST require the student to pronounce distinctly the word containing the atonic element, then the subtonic cognate, uttering the element after each word — thus : lip, p ; orb, b, &c. The attention of the pupil should be called to the fact that cognates are produced by the same organs, in a similar manner, and only differ in one being an under- tone, and the other a whisper. ATONICS. SUBTONICS. lip, p orb, b. fife, f> vase, v. ttfAite, wh wise, w, save, s. zeal, z. shade, sh azure, z. charm, ch . join, j. taxt, t did, d. thing, th this, th. &n&> * gig, g. IV. ALPHABETICAL EQUIVALENTS. fT^HE instructor will require the students to read or re* JL cite the Table of Alphabetic Equivalents, using the following formula : The Alphabetic Equivalents of A first 1 Wh.'-To produce the oral ele- compressing the lips, and then sud- ment of wh, the student will blow denly relaxing them while the air is from the center of the mouth — first escaping. 18 NATIONAL THIRD READER. 'power are ai, au, ay, e, ea, ee, ei, ey ; as in the words, gam, gauge, stray, meZee', great, vein, they. I. TONIC ELEMENTS. For a, a% au, ay, e, ea, ee, ei, ey J as in gain, gauge, stray t melee', great, vein, they. For a, ai, ua ; as in plaid, guaranty. For a, au, e, ea, ua/ as in haunt, sergeant, heart, guard. For a, au, aw, eo, o, oa, ou f as in fault, hawk, George, cork, broad, bought. For a, aa, ai, e, ea, ei / as in ^Laron, chair, there, swear, heir. For e, ea, ee, ei, eo, ey, i, ie f as in read, deep, ceil, people, key, valise, field. For e, a, ai, ay, ea, ei, eo, ie, u, ue / as in any, said, says, head, heifer, leopard, friend, bary, gwess. For £, ea, i, o, ou, u, ue, y y as in earth, girl, word, scourge, burn, guerdon, myrrh. For i, ai, ei, eye, ie, oi, ui, uy, y, ye / as in aisle, sleight, eye, die, choir, guide, buy, my, rye. For !, ai, e, ee, ie, o, oi, u, ui, y • as in captain, pretty, been, sieve, women, tortoise, bwsy, biiild, hymn. For 6, au, eau, eo, ew, oa, oe, oo, ou, ow / as in hautboy, bean, yeoman, sew, coal, fje, door, soul, blow. For 6, a, ou, ow ; as in what, hough, knowledge. For 6, ew, oe, oo, ou, u, uij as in grew, shoe, spoon, soun, rwde, fruit. lor u, eau, eu, ew, ieu, iew, ue, ui ; as in beauty, fend, new, adieu, view, hue, juice. For u, o, oe, oo, ou / as in love, does, blood, yonng. For u, o, oo, ou / wolf, book, could. For ou, oio / as in now. For oi (ai), oy / as in boy. n. SUBTONIC AND ATONIC ELEMENTS. For i, gh, ph / as in cough, nymph. For j, g / as in gem, oin. ORAL ELEMENTS COMBINED. 19 For k, c, ch, gh, q ; as in cole, conch, lough, etiquette. For s, c ; as in cell. For t, d, th, jphth ; as in danced, TAames, phthisic. For v, f, ph / as in of, Stephen. For y, i; as in pinion. For z, c, s, x J as in suffice, rose, a?ebec. For z, g, s / as in rouge, osier. For ng, n / as in awger, bank. For ch, if as in fustian. For sh, c, ch, s, ss, t; as in ocean, cAaise, sure, assure, martial. V. OEAL ELEMENTS COMBINED. AFTEB the instructor has given a class thorough drill on the preceding tables, the following exercises will be found of great value, to improve the organs of speech and the voice, as well as to familiarize the pupil with dif- ferent combinations of sounds. Pupils will not pass from these exercises until they can utter the elements repre- sented by the figured vowels in whatever order the in- structor may require. As the fifth element represented by a, and the third element of e, are always immediately fol- lowed by the oral element of r in words, the r is introduced in like manner in these exercises. The sixth sound of a, when not a syllable by itself, is always immediately fol- lowed by the oral element of /, n, or s, in words. For con* venience,/ only is introduced in these combinations. I. TONICS AM) i 3UBTONICS. 1. ba, ba, ba, ba, bar, baf; be, be 8 , b6r; lb, lb; 6b, 6b, 6b; ub, ub, ub; oub. ad, ad, ad, ad, ard, af; ed, 6d, erd; di, di; do, do, do; du, du, du; dou. ga, ga, g*> g*> gar, g& f ; ge, g£> ger; ig, ig; °g> te °g; u g> u g> *g-5 ong. 20 NATIONAL THIRD READER. 2. jaf, jar, ja, ja, ja, j ? , / j"; jo, j6, jo; laf, lar, la, la, la, II, 11; 61, 61, 61; af, arm, am, am, am, mi, mi; m6, mo, mo; 3. na, na, na, nar, naf, nl, ni; no, no, no; ang, arng, ang, af, ang, ang; 6ng, 6rng, eng; ing, ing; ong, ong, 6ng; ung, ung, ung; oung ra, ra, rar, ra, ra, raf; re, rer, re; ri, ri; ro, ro, r6; ru, ru, ru; rou. 4. -flia, ftia, ftiar, ftiaf, flia, flia; flier, fli6, fli6; Ifti, Mi; 6fli, ofli, ofti; Mi, Mi, Mi; oufti. av, af, av, av, av, arv; 6rv, 6v, ev; vi, vi; vo, to, vo; vu, vu, vu; vou. wa, wa, war, wa, wa, waf; w6r, w6, we; ja; 1% la; jer, 16r, js, 15, jou. fil, ai, U- oul. am; 6rm, 6m, 6m; mu, mu, mu: mou na; n6, n6r, n6; nu, nu, nu; nou. wi 5. ya, ya, ya, yd, yar, yaf; ye, y6, y6r; Jh l\\ y^ yo, yo; yu, yu, yfi; yon. zou; zu, zu, zu; zo, zo, zo; zi, zi; z6r, z6, ze; zaf, zar, za, za, za, za. ouz; uz, uz, uz; 6z, 6z, 6z; Iz, iz; 6rz, 6z, ez; af, arz, az, az, az, aa. IL TONICS AND ATONICS. 1. fe, fa, fa, fa, -far, faf; fe, f&, fer; fi, ft; fb, f6, f6; fu, fu, fa; fou. har, haf, ha, ha, ha, ha; hS, he, h6r; hi, hi; ho, htf, h6; hu, hu, hti; hou. ak, ak, ak, ak, ark, af; 6k, ek, 6rk; Ik, Ik; ok, 6k, ok; uk, uk, ilk; ouk. pa, pa, pa, pa, par, paf; pS, pe, p6r; pi, pi; po, po, p5; pu, pii, pu; pou. ERRORS IN ARTICULATION. 21 % af, ars, as, as, as, as; ers, Ss, es; is, »'; 6s, tfs, os; us, tis, us ; ous. taf, tar, ta, ta, ta, ta; t<§r, tS, te; ti, tl; t6, t6, to; tu, tu, tii; tou. thaf, thar, tha, tha, tha, tha; ther, the, the; Ith, Ith; 6th, 6th, 6th; uth, uth, uth; outhv ouch* uch, uch, uch; och, och, och; Jen, Ich; erch, ech, Sch; af, ach, ach, arch, ach, ach. 3. chou ; chu, chii, chu; cho, chfl, cho; chi, chf; eher, che, che; cha, cha, cha, cha, char, chaf. oush; ush, ush, ush; osh, osh, tfsh; Isli, Tsh; e'rsh, esh, esh; ash, if, ash, ash, ash, arsh. shou; shu, shti, shu; sho, sh6, sho; shi, shi; she'r, she, sh&; shaf, shar, sha, sha, sha, sha. whou; whu, whu, whu; who, who, wh5; whi, whi; wher, whe, whe; whaf, whar, wha, wha, wha, whd. VI. EEEOES IN AETICULATION. EEEOES in Articulation arise chiefly, first, from the omission of one or more elements in a word ; as, an' for and. sta'm for storm. frien's a friends. wa'm " warm. blin'ness a blind ness. bois t'rous " bois ter ous. fac's a facte. chick'n " chick en. sof ly a soft ly. his fry " his to ry. fiel's a field's. nov'l " nov £1. wil's a wilds. trav'l " travel. Secondly, fron l uttering one or more elements that slioul< >t be sounded ; as, ev e'n for ev n. rav el for rav'l. heav en a heav'n. sev £n " sev'n. tak £n u tak'n. sof t<§n " sofn. sick £n a sick'n. shak en " shak'n driv el a driv'l. shov el " shov'l. grov £ I a grov'l. shriv £1 " shriv'L 22 NATIONAL THIRD READER. Thirdly \ ircm. substituting one element for another ; as, sSt for sit. carse for course. se'nce " shSt " for git " care " since, shut, for ge 1 1. care. re part tr6ffy pa rent bun net u u u re port. tr6 phy. par ent. b5n net. dance " dance. chil drim a chil dre'n. past " ask past, ask. sul ler mel ler a a eel lar. mel low. grass " mil " grass. $Arill. pil ler mo mimt a pil low. mo m^nt. wirl " wAirl. harm k'ss a harm Mss. a gan " a ganst " herth " a gain (a gen). against (ag^rist). hearth (harth). [I kind n^ss wis per sing in a a a kind n§ss. wAis per. sing i^. ANALYSIS OF WOEDS. IN order to secure a practical knowledge of the preced- ing definitions and tables, to learn to spell spoken words by their oral elements, and to understand the uses of letters in written words, the instructor will aid the pupil to master the following exhaustive, though simple, analysis. 1st. The word salve, in pronunciation, is formed by the union of three oral elements; sav — salve. (Here let the pupil utter the three oral elements separately, and then pronounce the word.) The first is a modified breathing ; hence, it is an atonic. The second is a pure tone ; hence, it is a tonic. The third is a modified tone ; hence, it is a subtonic. 2d. The word salve, in writing, is represented by five letters; salve — salve. 8 represents an atonic; hence, it is a consonant. Its oral element is chiefly formed by the teeth ; hence, it is a dental. Its oral element is produced by the same organs and in a similar manner as the first RULES IN ARTICULATION. 23 oral element of z; hence, it is a cognate of z, A represents a tonic ; hence, it is a vowel. L is silent. V represents a snbtonic ; hence, it is a consonant. Its oral element is chiefly formed by the lower lip and the upper teeth ; hence, it is a labia-dental. Its oral element is formed by the same organs and in a similar manner as that of /; hence, it is a cognate of /. E is silent. 1st. The word shoe, in 'pronunciation, is formed by the union of two oral elements ; sh 6 — shoe. The first is a modified breathing ; hence, it is an atonic. The second is a pure tone ; hence, it is a tonic. 2d. The word shoe, in writing, is represented by four letters; shoe — shoe. The combination sh represents an atonic ; hence, it is a consonant. Its oral element is ^chiefly formed by the teeth ; hence, it is a dental. Its oral ele- ment is produced by the same organs and in a similar manner as the second oral element represented by z; hence, it is a cognate of z. The combination oe is formed by the union of two vowels, one of. which is silent ; hence, it is an improper diphthong. It represents the oral ele- ment usually represented by 5 ; hence, it is an alphabetic equivalent of 6. VIII. KULES IN AETICULATION. A AS the name of a letter, or when used as an emphatic word, should always be pronounced a (a in age) ; as, She did not say that the three boys knew the letter a, but that a boy knew it. 2. The word A, when not emphatic, is marked short (a), 1 though in quality it should be pronounced nearly like a as heard in ask, grass ; as, Give a baby sister a smile, a kind word, and a kiss. 1 A initial. — A in many words, or volume of sound being less than as an initial unaccented syllable, is that of a sixth power (a), as in alas also marked short (a), its quantity amass, abaft. 24 NATIONAL THIRD READER. 3. The, when not emphatic nor immediately followed by a word that commences with a vowel sound, should be pro* nounced thu ; as, The (M) peach, the (finl) plum, the apple, and the (fliu) cherry are yours. Did he ask for a pen, or for th& pen ? 4. U preceded by B. — When u long (u in tube), or its alphabetic equivalent ew, is preceded by r, or the sound of sh, in the same syllable, it has always the sound of o in do; as in rude, sure, shrewd. V r) 5. B may be trilled when immediately followed by a vowel sound in the same syllable. When thus situated in emphatic words, it should always be trilled ; as, He is both brave and true. IX. EXEECISES IN AETICULATION. SILENT letters are" here omitted and the words are spelled as they should be pronounced. The pupils will read the sentences several times, both separately and in concert, uttering all the oral elements with force and distinctness. They will also analyze the words, both as spoken and written, and name the rules in articulation that are illustrated by the exercises. 1. It must be so. 2. Thu bold, bad baiz brok bolts and barz. 3. Thu rogz rtisht round fhu riif, red r5ks. 4. Hi on a hil Hu herd harsez harni h6fs. 5. Shor al h^r pathz ar pathz 6v pes. 6. Ba ! ftiat'z not siks dollarz, but a dollar. 7. Charj the old man to choz a chais chez. 8. Lit seklng lit, hath lit 6v lit begild. 9. Bofti'z y6ths wifli troths yuz oftiz. 10. Arm it wifli ragz, a plgmi stra wll pers it. 11. Nou set ftiu teth and str^ch fiiu nostril wid. 12. He w6cht and wept, he f§lt and prad far aL SYLLABICATION. 25 13. Hlz Iz, amidst fhu. mists, mez§rd an azer ski. 14. Thu whalz wheld and whMd, and bard thar brad, broun baks. 15. Jilz and Jasn Jonz kan n5t sa, — Arora, alas, amas, manna, villa, nar Lima. 16. Tim strif seseth, pes approch£th, and fhu gud man rejaise'th. 17. Thu shrod shroz bad him sa that fhu vil viksnz yuzd shrfigz, and sharp shril shreks. II. SYLLABICATION. A SYLLABLE is a word, or part of a word, uttered by a single impulse of the voice. 2. A Monosyllable is a word of one syllable ; as, home. 3. A Dissyllable is a word of two syllables ; as, home-less. 4. A Trisyllable is a word of three syllables ; as, con- finement. 5. A Polysyllable is a word of four or more syllables ; as, in-no-cen-cy, un-in-tel-li-gi-bil-i-ty. 6. The Ultimate is the last syllable of a word ; as, fid, in -pea,ce-ful. 7. The Penult is the last syllable but one of a word ; as, male, in peace-raa&-er. 8. The Antepenult is the last syllable but two of a word ; as ta, in spon-to-ne-ous. 9. The Preantepenult is the last syllable but three of a word ; as cab, in vo-ca&-u-la-ry. Let the pupils give the number and names of the syl- lables, in words of more than one syllable, in the following EXERCISES IN SYLLABICATION. 1. Night is calm and fair : blue, starry, settled is night. The winds, with the clouds, are gone. Noiselessly, they sink behind the hill. 26 NATIONAL THIRD READER. 2. The moon is upon the mountains. Trees glisten streams shine on the rock. Bright rolls the settled lake : bright the stream of the valley. 3. I see the trees overturned, and the shocks of corn. The wakeful boy quickly rebuilds the shocks, and merrily whistles on the distant field. 4. The dark waves tumble on the lake, and lash its rocky shores. The boat is brimful in the bay : the oars are on the rocking tide. 5. The breezes drive the blue mist slowly over the nar» row vale. Night is settled, calm, blue, starry, magnificent wifh the moon. The youth are rejoicing, for lovely is the night. 6. In night's starry shade of dim and solitary loveliness, I learn the language of another world. III. ACCENT. ACCENT is the peculiar force given to one or more syllables of a word. 2. In many trisyllables and polysyllables, of two syllables accented, one is uttered with greater force than the other. The more forcible accent is called primary, and the less forcible, secondary; as, Aafr-i-TA-tion. 3. The mark of acute accent ['] is often used to indicate primary accent ; as, While not forget'ting the past, improve' the pres'ent. 4. The mark of grave accent p] is here used to indicatp, first, secondary accent ; secondly, that the vowel over which it is placed, forms a separate syllable ; and, thirdly, that the vowel is not an alphabetic equivalent, but represents one of its usual oral elements ; as, My benefactor bought the vTolin. A learned man caught that winged thing. Her goodness [not goodniss] moved the roughest. EMPHASIS. 27 The pupil will be required to give the office of each mark in the following EXERCISES IN ACCENT. 1. The lonely hunt'er calls his bound'ing dogs, that desert' him in the des'ert, and seeks the high'way. Hark ! the whirl'wind is in the forest : aged trees are overturned'. 3. Will the heedlessness of honest students offend' their truest friends ? 4. That blessed and beloved child loves every winged thing. 5. The agree'able ar'tisan^ made an ad'mirable pSr f as6r for that beau'tiful Russian (rush'an) la'dy. 6. No'tice the marks of ac'cent, and al'ways accent' cor- rectly words that should have but one ac'cent, as in sen- sible, vaga'ry, circumstances, difficulty, interesting, &c. IV. EMPHASIS. EMPHASIS is the peculiar force given to one or more words of a sentence. 2. To give a word emphasis, means to pronounce it in a Loud 1 or forcible manner. No uncommon tone, however, is necessary, as words may be made emphatic by prolonging the vowel sounds, by a pause, or even by a whisper. 3. Emphatic words are often printed in italics; those more emphatic, in small capitals ; and those that receive the greatest force, in large CAPITALS. EXERCISES IN EMPHASIS. 1. He may run ; / will not. 2. I dislike, I feae, I HATE him. 3. It is the sun that shines ; it is not the moon. 1 Loudness. — The instructor will ence to high pitch, but to volume of explain to the class the fact, that voice, used on the same key or pitch loudness has not. of necessity, jefer- when reading: or speaking. 28 NATIONAL THIRD READER. 4. Do you wish to study this morning, or to be idle ? 5. You were taught to love your brother, not to hate him. 6. I did not strike him : why ? because a dtf g may not only bark, but bite. 7. A good boy loves himself too well to lose a dinner by betting, and his school-mate too well to win one. 8. The plumage of the mocking-bird, though none of the homeliest, has nothing bright or showy in it ; but his figure is well-proportioned, and even handsome. 9. My friends, our country must be fkee ! The land is never lost, that has a son to right her, and here are troops of sons, and loyal ones ! 10. Little Nell was dead. No sleep so beautiful and calm, so free from mark of fain, so /cm* to look upon. 11. Her bed was dressed with here and there some winter- berries and green leaves, gathered in a spot she had been used to favor. 12. " When I die, put near me something that has loved the light, and had the sky above it always.'" Those were her words. Y. SLUR. SLUE is that smooth, gliding, subdued movement of the voice, by which those parts of a sentence of less comparative importance are rendered less impressive to the ear, and emphatic words and phrases set in strongei relief. 2. Emphatic words, or the words that express the lead- ing thoughts, are usually pronounced with a louder and more forcible effort of the voice, and are often prolonged. But words that are slurred must generally be read in a lower and less forcible tone of voice, more rapidly, and all pronounced nearly alike. 3. The parts which are to be slurred in most of the exer- cises are printed in Italic letters. Pupils will first read the BSLUR 29 parts of the sentence that appear in Koman, and then the whole sentence, passing lightly and quickly over what was first omitted. They will also read the examples that are unmarked in like manner. EXERCISES IN SLUR. 1. Dismiss, as soon as may be, all angry thoughts. 2. John set out early, and, before the close of the day, ai- rived at his father's house. 3. The boys (hard-hearted cubs /) melted not into tears, nor did the girls hang their heads in sadness. 4 The air is mild as summer, all frost is out the ground, and the birds are singing aloud (by the way, I know that it is still cold in your village). 5. James, though still a small boy, when he saw his moiJier hesitate a little about giving her consent, decided not to go and ride. 6. "I do not suppose, however," said his mother, "that you would be much trouble to us." 7. "But," said he, " if I should stay, I can get ahead one more day in my geography. 8. I am sure, my dear Edwin, if you provide for your young brothers and sisters, that God will bless you. 9. I had always thought that I could meet death without a murmur ; but I did not know, she said, with a faint voice, her lips quivering, I did not know, till noiv, how hard a thing it would be to leave my child. 10. " But now," whispered the dear girl, " it is evening : the sun, that t ejoices, has finished his daily toil ; man, that labors, has finished his ; I, that suffer, have finished mine." Just then, her dull ear caught a sound. It was the sound, though muffled and deadened, like the ear that heard it, of horsemen advancing. 11. Children are wading, with cheerful cries, In the shoals of the sparkling brook ; Laughing maidens, with soft, young eyes Walk or sit in the shady nook. 30 NATIONAL THIRD READER. 12. Young eyes that last year smiled in ours Now point the rifle's barrel ; And hands then stained with fruits and flowers Bear redder stains of quarrel. 13. The moon is at her full, and, riding high, Floods the calm fields with light. The airs that hover in the summer sky Are all asleep to-night. 14. A Frenchman once — so runs a certain ditty — Had crossed the Straits to famous London city, To get a living by the arts of France, And teach his neighbor, rough John Bull, to dance. But lacking pupils, vain was all his skill ; His fortunes sank from low to lower still, Until at last, pathetic to relate, Poor Monsieur landed at starvation's gate. 15. The sick man from his chamber looks at the twisted brooks ; and, feeling the cool breath of each little pool, breathes a blessing on the summer rain. YI. INFLECTIONS. INFLECTIONS are the bends or slides of the voice, used in reading and speaking. 2. There are three inflections or slides of the voice : the Kislng Inflection, the Falling Inflection, and the Cik- cumflex. 3. The Kising Inflection is the upward bend or slide of the voice ; as, Do you love your ^° 4. The Falling Inflection is the downward bend or slide of the voice ; as. "When are you going °^2q p INFLECTIONS 31 5. The Circumflex is the union of the inflections on the same syllable or word, either commencing with the rising and ending with the falling, or commencing with the falling and ending with the rising, thus producing a slight wave of the voice. 6. The acute accent ['] is often used to mark the rising^ inflection; the grave accent ['], the falling inflection ; as, Will you read or spell ? 7. When the circumflex commences with a rising and ends with a falling slide of the voice, it is marked thus *"*" ; but when it commences with a falling and ends with a rising slide, it is marked thus w , which the pupil will see is the same mark turned over ; as, You must take me for a fool, to think I could do that. 8. The inflections or slides should be used on the ac- cented syllables of important or emphatic words ; as, I will never stay. I said goodly not homely. 9. Words that are used to affirm or command anything, or to ask a question that can not be answered by yes or no, usually require the falling inflection ; as, I have been long away. Speak, I charge you ! What means this noise ? 10. Words that do not affirm or command anything posi- tively, or that ask a question which can be answered by yes or no, usually require the rising inflection ; as, I have not been long away. If the war must go on, did he say he would come ? 11. Thoughts that are not sincere or earnest, but are used in mockery or jest, usually require the circumflex ; as For my own part, I shall be glad to learn of these wise boys EXERCISES IN INFLECTIONS. 1. I want a pen. It is not a book I want. 2. This book is yours, not mine : red, not brown. 3. It is true that I denied him not. I thrice presented him a heavy purse. 4. I said an elder soldier, not a better. Did I say better? S2 NATIONAL THIRD READER. 6. I said good, not bad : nappy, not miserable. 7. O James ! O my brother ! how art thou fallen. 8. Thanks to the gods ! my boy has done his duty. 9. Will you forsake us ? and will you favor us no more ? 10. Does that beautiful boy deserve praise, or blame ? 11. Do men gather grapes from thorns, or figs irom thistles? 12. But when shall we be stronger ? Will it be the next week, or the next year ? 13. Sink or swim, live or die, I give my hand and heart to this vote. 14. Hath a dog money ? Is it possible a cur can lend three thousand dollars ? 15. Flavius. — Thou art a cobbler, art thou ? But why art thou not in thy shop to-day? Why dost thou lead these men about the streets ? 16. Cobbler. — Truly, sir, to wear out their shoes, to get myself into more work. But, indeed, sir, we make holiday, to see Cce ^sar, and to rejoice in his triumph. MARKS USED IN PRINTING. ONLY those points or marks are here introduced that are necessary, in written or printed language, to make plain the meaning of the writer, or to mark a portion of the pauses that are used in good reading. The teacher will employ this for a reading lesson, and not for a task, making all necessary additional explanations. 1. The Comma [ , ] marks the smallest division of a sen- tence, and usually represents the shortest pause ; as, The butterfly, child of the summer, flutters in the sun. 2. The Semicolon [ ; ] separates such parts of a sentence as are somewhat less closely connected than those divided by a comma, and usually represents" a longer pause ; as, And noblest men and women have been children once ; lisp- MARKS USEU IN PRINTING. 33 ing the speech, laughing the laugh, thinking the thought, of boyhood. 3. -The Colon [•:] separates parts of a sentence less closely connected than those divided by a semicolon, and usually represents a longer pause ; as, He who receives a good turn should never forget it : he ^ho does one should never remember it. 4. The Pekiod [ . ] is placed at the close of a sentence which declares something, and usually represents a full stop. It must be used after every abbreviated word ; as, If you will, you can rise. Send the money to Geo. W. Ste- venson, Esq. 5. The Inteeeogation Point [ 1 ] shows that a question is asked ; as, You say you will do better to-morrow ; but are you sure of to-morrow ? Have you one hour in your hand ? 6. The Exclamation Polnt [!] is placed after words that express surprise, astonishment, admiration, and other strong feelings ; as, Alas, my noble boy ! that thou shouldst die ! 7. The Dash [ — ] is used when a sentence breaks off abruptly ; when there is an unexpected turn in sentiment ; and when a long or significant pause is required ; as, Was there ever a braver soldier? Was there ever — but I scorn to boast. There are two kinds of evils, — those which can not be cured, and those which can. 8. Makes of Paeenthesis ( ) are used to inclose words that interrupt the progress of the sentence in which they appear, and that can be omitted without injury to its sense. They should be slurred in reading ; as, Whether playing ball or riding on horseback (for he uses his father's horse), the boy knows both how to start, and when to stop. 9. Beackets [ ] are chiefly used to inclose words that serve to explain one or more words of a sentence, or to point out a reference ; as, Washington [the Father of his Country] made this remark. 34 NATIONAL THIRD READER. You will find an account of the creation in the Bible. [See Genesis, chap, i.] 10. Marks of Quotation [" "] are used to show, that the real or supposed words of another are given. A quo- tation written within a quotation requires only single marks; as, " If this poor man," said my father, " thus earnestly says, I thank God that He is good to me/ how can we express our thanks for his many mercies." 11. The Index, or Hand, [J^ 01 ] points out a passage for special attention ; as, " B®~ AU orders will be promptly and carefully attended to." 12. The Apostrophe ['], a mark distinguished from a comma by being placed above the line, denotes the omis- sion of one or more letters. It is also used before s in the singular number, and after s in the plural, to mark posses- sion; as, Do not ask who'H go with you : go ahead. Uncle bought Cora's shoes, and the boys' hats. 13. Marks op Ellipsis [ #*##] are f orme d by means of a long dash, or of a succession of periods or stars of various lengths, and are used to indicate the omission of letters in a word, of words in a sentence, or of one or more sentences ; as, Friend O s is in trouble. " Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, .... and thy neighbor as thyself." " Charity suffereth long, and is kind ; * * * * Beareth aU things, belie veth all things, endure th all things." 14. The Hyphen [ - ] is placed after a syllable ending a line, to show that the remainder of the word begins the next line. It usually unites the words of which a com- pound is formed, when each of them retains its original accent; as, We thank the aU'-wise' God for the in'cense-breath'ing morn. 15. Marks or Eeference. — The Asterisk, or Star [*], the Obelisk, or Dagger [t], the Double Dagger [$], the Sec- GENERAL EXERCISES. 35 tion [§], Parallel Lines [||], and the Paragraph [T], are used, in the order here presented, when references are made to remarks or notes in the margin, at the bottom of the page, or some other part of the book. Letters and figures, however, are now more generally used for marks of reference. 16. The Dlekesis [*] is placed over the latter of two vowels to show that they are to be pronounced separately ; as, His ideas of the Creator were formed in those aerial heights. Pupils will be required to give the names and uses of all the marks, or points, in the following GENERAL EXERCISES. 1. A wise man seeks to shine in himself ; a fool, to out- shine others. 2. Labor brings pleasure ; idleness, pain. 3. Stones grow ; vegetables grow and live ; animals grow, live, and feel. 4 The old men sit at their doors ; the (thu) gossip leans over her counter; the children shout and frolic in the street. 5. Laziness grows on people ; it begins in cobwebs, and ends in iron chains. 6. "Honest boys," said I, "be so good as to tell me whether I am in the (thu) way to Kichmond." 7. The true lover of beauty sees it in the lowliest flower, meets it in every path (path), enjoys it everywhere. 8. Has God provided for the poor a coarser earth, a thinner air, a paler sky ? 9. Angry children are like men standing on their heads: they see all things the wrong way. To rule ones anger is well : to prevent it is better. 10. "A pure and gentle soul," said my friend, "often feels that this world is full of beauty, — full of innocent gladness." 11. What do you say ? What ? I really do not under- 36 NATIONAL THIRD READER. stand you. Be so good as to explain yourself again (a gen') Upon my word, I do not. — Oh ! now I know : you mean to tell me it is a cold day. Why did you not say at once, " It is cold to-day." OBSEBVATIONS TO TEACHEBS. IN order to form good readers, it will be necessary for pu- pils, after they have thoroughly mastered Part First, to review frequently the more important elements of elocution. In Part Second, they should be required to study carefully each reading lesson, acquiring a knowledge of the pronun- ciation and definitions of doubtful words and of the impor- tant facts embraced in the notes, before attempting to read in the class. In order to secure a natural and easy style of delivery, let them often commence with the last word in a paragraph and pronounce back to the first, before read- ing from left to right. The judgment and taste of the pupils should constantly be called into exercise by requir- ing them to determine what principle, or principles, of elocution each reading lesson is best adapted to illustrate. KEY TO THE USE OF MARKED LETTERS. age or age, a or at, art, all, bare, ask ; we, or we, end or find, her ; ice or Ice, in or In ; old or old, on or <5n, do ; mute 01 mute, up or up, full ; this ; azure ; real, (not rel) ; oVer- shoot'; badness, (not ntss)] aged, (not djd). INDEX TO EDITIONS. fly The figures refer to the pages where the same lessons may be found in the two editions of this work. OLD ED. NEW ED. 39 40 41. .... .. 39 43 48 45 43 46 57 49 52 57.. 63 58 54 59 213 63 58 65 61 67 78 68 72 69 73 70 75 72 46 80 84 81 86 84 81 86 83 87 60 88 93 97 108 99 66 100 67 103 115 109 71 110 70 113 184 115 185 120 130 122 176 124 110 126 120 131 111 OLD ED. NEW ED. 133 113 135 76 137 206 138 95 142 192 142 193 145 195 147 171 148 163 150 188 153 190 155 126 156 128 158 136 162 88 165 144 167 143 168 166 170 98 172 80 173 131 174 145 176 147 179 150 182 153 185 198 186 211 187 90 189 160 190 134 191.. 132 194 157 197 92 199 244 199 123 OLD ED. NEW ED 202 103 204 101 206 156 207 121 208 217 210 219 212 221 215 199 216 212 218 177 220 179 221 196 227 106 229 253 230 254 232 256 234 258 236 261 240 181 243 105 244 227 248 232 252 245 254 237 257 241 261 251 262 116 265 161 267 265 269 267 274 273 279 277 280 279 283 282 READINGS AND RECITATIONS. SECTION I. i. 1. A GENTLEMAN. " T3E very gentle with her, my son," said Mrs. Butler, J3 as she tied on her little girl's bonnet, and sent her out to play with her elder 1 brother. 2. They had not been 2 out very long before a 3 cry was heard, 4 and presently Julius came in and threw 5 down his hat, saying, "I hate playing with girls! There's no fun with them : they cry in a minute." 3. "What have you 6 been doing to your sister? I see her lying there on the gravel walk: you have torn her frock and pushed her down. I am afraid you forgot my caution 7 to be gentle." 4. "Gentle! Boys can't 8 be gentle, mother; it's their nature 9 to be rough, and hardy, 10 and boisterous. 11 They are the stuff soldiers and sailors are made of. It's very 1 Eld'er, older ; having lived a longer time. 2 Been, (bin). 8 A, (a), see Rule 2, p. 23. 4 Heard, (h§rd). 6 Threw, (thro), see Rule 4, p. 24 • You, (yS). 7 Caution, (ka/shun), advice; warning. 8 Can't, (kant), can not. 9 Nature, (nat'y^r), character. 10 Hard'y, bold ; brave ; strong. " Boisterous, (bais'tSr us), hasty j rough ; noisy. 40 THIRD NATIONAL READER. well to talk of ft gentle girl ; but a gentle boy — it sounds ridiculous I 1 I should be ready to knock a fellow down for calling me so !" 5. " And yet, Julius, you would be very angry, a few years hence, if any one were to say you were not a gentle man." 6. " A gentle man. I never thought of dividing the word in that way before. Being gentle always seems to me like being weak and womanish." 2 4F 7. " This is so far from being the case, my son, that you will always find that the bravest men are the most gentle. The spirit of chivalry 3 that you so much admire, was a spirit of the noblest courage and the utmost gentleness combined. 4 Still, I dare say you would rather be called a manly than a gentle boy?" "Yes, indeed, mother." 8. " Well, then, my son, it is my greatest wish that you should endeavor to unite the two. Show yourself manly, when you are exposed to danger or see others in peril ; 5 be manly when called on to speak the truth, 6 though the speak- ing of it may bring reproach 7 upon you ; be manly when you are in sickness and pain." 9. "At the same time be gentle, whether you be with females or with men ; be gentle toward all men. By put- ting the two qualities together, you will deserve a name which, perhaps, you will not so greatly object to." 10. "I see what you mean, dear mother, and I will en- deavor to be what you wish — a gentlemanly boy." T. S. Authuk. n. 2. TRUE RICHES. A LITTLE boy sat by his mother. He looked long into the fire, and was silent. Then, as the deep thought passed away, his eye brightened, and he spoke : "Mother, I will be rich." 1 Ridiculous, (ri dik'yu lus), fitted . ners, or customs of knights ; milit> to cause laughter. ary glory. * Womanish, (wiW an Ish), hav- 4 Com bined', joined together, ing the qualities of a woman ; not 6 Peril, instant or quick danger, becoming a man. • Truth, (troth), see Rule 4, p. 24 * Chivalry. (Bhfv&| rT), tbp man * Reproach', abuse or hlamf TRUE RICHES. 41 2, "Why do you wish to be rich, my son?" And the child said, " Every one praises the rich. Every one asks after the rich. The stranger at our table yesterday, asked who was the richest man in the village. 3. " At school there is a boy who does not love to learn. He can not well say his lesson. Sometimes he speaks evil words. But the other children do not blame him, for they Bay he is a wealthy 1 boy." 4. Then the mother saw that her child was in danger of thinking that wealth might stand in the place of goodness, or be an excuse for indolence, 2 or cause them to be held in honor who lead evil lives. 1 Wealth'y, rich ; having much more property than is common. * In' do lerice, a habit of being idle ; laziness. 42 NATIONAL THIRD READER. 5. So she said, " What is it to be rich ?" And he an- swered, 1 "I do not know. Tell me what I must do to become rich, that all may ask after me and praise me." 6. The mother replied, " To become rich, is to get money. For this you must wait until you are a man." Then the boy looked sorrowful, and said, " Is there not some other vray of being rich, that I may begin now ?" 7. She answered, " The gain of money is not the only, nor the true wealth. Fires may burn 2 it, the floods drown it, the winds sweep it away. Moth 3 and rust waste it, and the robber makes it his prey. 4 i 8. " Men are wearied with the toil of getting it, but they leave it behind at last. They die, and carry nothing 5 away. The soul of the richest prince goeth forth like that of the wayside beggar, wifhout a garment. 9. " There is another kind of riches, which is not kept in the purse, 6 but in the heart. Those who possess them are not always praised by men, but they have the praise of God." 10. Then said the boy, " May I begin to gather this kind of riches now, or 'niust I wait till I grow up, and am a man?" The mother laid her hand upon his little head, and said, "To-day, if ye will hear His voice ; for He hath prom- ised, those who seek early, 7 shall find." 11. And the child said earnestly, 8 " Teach me how I may become rich before God." Then she looked tenderly in his face, and said, " Kneel down, every night and morning, and ask that the love of the dear Saviour 9 may dwell in your heart. Obey His word, and strive all the days of your life to be good, and to do good to all. So, if you are poor in 1 Answered, (an'sSrd). " Purse, (p£rs), a email "bag, the a Burn, (bern). opening of which is made to draw 3 Moth, (moth), an insect that up closely, used to cany money in. breeds in woolen garments, and eats 7 Early, (eYli), in good season ; holes in them. before the usual time. 4 Prey, (pra), plunder ; something 8 Earnestly, (eY nest 11), eagerly ; stolen, or taken by force. warmly. 5 Nothing, (nuth'ing), not any* 9 Saviour, (sav'yor), Jesus Christ thing ; no thing. who died to save sinners. GOD IS EVERYWHERE. 43 this world, 1 you shall be rich in faith, and an heir 2 of the kingdom of heaven." Mks. Sigoukney, m. 3. GOD IS EVERYWHERE. " /^ OME, Edith, and look at the ship sailing out of the v_y bay," 3 said Charles to his sister. " See how grace- fully she floats upon the water. She is going far away, thou- sands of miles, and will not be back for many months." 2. " Perhaps she will never come back," said Edith, as she came to the window, and stood, with her brother, looking at the noble vessel, just sailing out upon the broad, path- less, 4 stormy ocean. " I would not be in her for the world !" 3. " Why not, Edith ?" asked Charles. " Oh ! I am sure E should be drowned," replied the little girl. 4. " You would be just as safe as you are here," said Charles. " You know, father tells us that we are as safe in one place as in another ; for the Lord, who takes care of us, is everywhere." 5. " But think how many people are drowned at sea, Charles." " And think how many pedple are -killed on the land," replied Charles. " Don't you remember the anec- dote 5 father told us one day about a sailor? 6. " There was 6 a great storm, and the ship was in much danger. Many of the passengers were terribly frightened, ' but this sailor was as calm as if the sun was shining above, and the sea undisturbed below. 7. ' Are you not afraid ?' said one of the passengers. ' No,' replied the sailor, * why should I be afraid?' 'We may all be drowned,' said the passenger. ' All of us have once to die,' calmly returned the sailor. : "World, (wlrld). 4 Pathless, (path' les), having ao 2 Heir, (ar), one who receives ; or path ; untrodden. has the right to receive, property on * Anecdote, (an' ek d6t), a par* the death of another. ticular fact or single passage of 3 Bay, (ba), an inlet of the sea ; a private life ; a short story, branch of some large body of water. ° Was, (woz) extending into the land. 44 NATIONAL THIRD READER. 8. " The passenger was surprised to see the man's com* posure. 1 'Have yon followed the sea long?' he asked, 'Ever since I was a boy; and my father followed it befoie me.' 9. " * Indeed ! And where did your father die T ' He was drowned at sea,' replied the sailor. ' And your grand- father, where did he die ?' ' He was also drowned at sea, said the sailor.^ ' Father and grandfather drowned at sea ! exclaimed the passenger in astonishment, 'and you not afraid to go to sea ?' ' No ! God is everywhere/ said the sailor reverently. 2 10. " ' And now,' he added, after pausing a moment, ' may I ask you where your father died ?' ' In his bed,' replied the passenger. ' And where did his father die ?' ' In his bed,' was again answered. 'Are you not, then, afraid to go to bed,' said the sailor, ' if your father and grandfather both died there?'" 11. " Oh yes ! I remember it very well now," said Edith. " I know that the Lord takes care of us always, wherever we may be. I know that he is everywhere present." 12. " And he will take as good care of the people in that ship as he does of those who are on the land," replied Charles. " Father says that we should always go where our duties call us, whether it be upon land or upon sea, for the Lord can and will protect us as much in one place as in another." T. S. Authub. It. 4. THE WILLOW, POPPY, AND VIOLET. A CHILD held in his hand a slight, 3 leafless bough.' It was like a supple 5 green wand. 6 But it had been newly cut from the parent tree, and life still stirred in its little heart. 1 Composure, (k6m p6' zer), calm- * Bough, (bou), a branch, or limb ness ; freedom from passion or fear, of a tree. 3 Rev' er ent ly, humbly ; with * Sup' pie, easily bent great respect. 6 "Wand, (wand), a long, slendei 3 Slight, weak ; thin. staff or rod. THE WILLOW, POPPY, AND VIOLET. 45 2. He sought out a sheltered spot, and planted it in the moist earth. Often x did he visit it, and when the rains of summer were withheld, he watered it at the cool sunset. 3. The sap, which is the blood of plants, began to flow freely through 2 its tender vessels. A tiny 3 root, 4 like a thread, crept downward ; and around' the head there was a bursting forth of faint-green leaves. 4. Seasons passed over it, and it became a tree- Its slender branches drooped downward to the earth. The cheering sun shone upon them, and the young birds sang among them — but they drooped still. 5. "My tree, why art thou always so sad and drooping? Am I not kind unto thee ?" But it answered not. Only as it grew on, it drooped lower and lower; for it was a weeping willow. 6. The child cast a seed into the soft garden mold. 5 "When the time of flowers was come, a budding stalk stood there, with thin, serrated 6 leaves. Then a thick, red poppy came forth, glorying in its gaudy 7 attire. 8 7. At its feet grew 9 a purple 10 violet, which no hand had planted or cherished. 11 But it lived lovingly with the mosses, and with the flowers of the grass; not counting itself more excellent than they. 8. " Bright ' poppy,'* said the child, " why dost 12 thou spread out thy scarlet 13 dress so widely, and drink up all the sunbeams from the poor violet?" 9. Then the flaunting 14 flower opened its rich silk mantle still more broadly, as though it would have stifled 15 its 1 Often, (6f n), many times. 8 At tire', clothes ; rich dress. 2 Through, (thr5), from end to 8 Grew, (gr6), see Rule 4, p. 24. end of, or from side to side of. '» Purple, (per' pi), a color made 3 Ti' ny, very small ; puny ; little, of blue and red, — most red. 4 Root, (r6t\ that part of a plant ]1 Cherished, (cher' feht), treated which shoots into the earth, and with tenderness and care. feeds the upper parts. i2 Dost, (dust). 5 Mold, fine, soft earth. " Scar' let, of an orange-red 6 Serrated, (ser' ra ted), having color ; bright-red. sharp notches about the edge, point- H Flaunting, (flant' ing), very ; ng to the end ; notched like a saw. vain and showy. 7 Gaudy, (gad ?). very gay; showy. Ir Sti' fled, choked ; concealed 46 NATIONAL THIRD READER. humble l neighbors. Yet nothing 2 hindered the fragrance * of the violet, 10. The little child was troubled, and at the hour of sleep he spake to his mother of the willow that wept, and of the poppy that overshadowed the violet. 11. Then she said, " There are some who are weepers all their lives long, though they dwell in pleasant places, and ihe fair skies smile upon them. And there are others who are proud at heart, and despise the humble whom God regardeth. 12. " But keep thou ever in thy breast, gentle child, the spirit of the sweet and lowly violet, that thou mayest come at last to that place where pride can not enter, and where the voice of weeping is no more heard." Mrs. Sigoukney. V. 5. THE GOOD ARE BEAUTIFUL. " ^\H! what an ugly 4 little creature," 5 said a person, V_y turning away from a very homely 6 child, with a look of disgust 7 upon her face. 2. " She will be beautiful in heaven, ma'am," 8 replied a plainly dressed woman, who overheard the remark. 3. "Will she, indeed!" returned the individual who spoke so lightly of the homely child. " I should like to know how you can tell that." 4. " In the other life," returned the woman, " the good are all beautiful, and the evil deformed 9 and ugly. No matter how fair 10 a face a person may have had in this life, it will, in the next world, be changed into beauty or ugli- ness, according as he has been good or evil." : Hum' ble, modest ; lowly. 7 Dis gust', displeasure ; dislike. * Nothing, (nuth' ing), no tiling. 8 Ma'am, (mam), madam ; my 3 Fra' grance, sweet smell. lady. 4 "Og' iy. offensive to the sight. 9 De formed', marred, or changed 6 Creature, (kref y&r), anything in form ; deprived of beauty. created ; an animal , a man. 10 Fair, (far), free from spots, specks 6 Home' ly, of plain features ; not dirt, etc.; pleasing to the eye handsome. THE VOICE OF SPRING. 47 5. " How do you know this ?" inquired the first speaker. " Any one who opens his eyes may see and know that this will be true," was replied. 6. " Is not the most beautiful face rendered disagreeable when any bad passion is felt and exhibited? l And does not the homeliest face become pleasant to look upon when good affections are in the heart ? 7. " In the other life, we shall all appear as we really are ; and, of course, evil passions will deform the face, and good affections make it beautiful. And she will be beauti- ful in heaven, for she is a good little girl, homely as her face now is." T. S. Arthuil SECTION II. i. 6. THE VOICE OF SPRING. I AM coming, little maiden, 2 "With the pleasant sunshine laden ; "With the honey for the bee ; With the blossom for the tree ; With the flower and with the leaf : Till I come the time is brief. 3 2. I am coming, I am coming ! Hark ! the little bee is humming ; See ! the lark is soaring '-high. In the bright and sunny sky, And the gnats 5 are on the wing : Little maiden, now is Spring ! 1 Exhibited, (egz Mb' it ed), held < Soar'ing, flying or ncountius- forth or presented to view ; shown. upward, as a bird in the air. 2 Maiden, (mad' n),an unmarried 6 Gnat, (nat), a very small blood- woman ; a maid. sucking kind of fiy. The females 8 Brief, (bref), short ; lasting but have stings and are very vexing little time. The males have no stincs. 48 NATIONAL THIRD READER 3. See the yellow catkins 1 cover All the slender willows over ; And on mossy banks so green Starlike primroses 2 are seen ; Every little stream is bright ; All the orchard trees are white. iL Hark ! the little lambs are bleating, And the cawing 3 rooks 4 are meeting In the elms — a noisy crowd ; And all birds are singing loud ; And the first white butterfly In the sun goes flitting by. 5. Turn thy eyes to earth and heaven : God for thee the Spring has given, Taught the birds their melodies, Clothed the earth, and cleared the skies, For thy pleasure or thy food — Pour thy soul in gratitude ! 5 Mary Howitt. n. 7. SPRING. THOU lovely and glorious Spring, Descending to us from the sky, I praise thee for coming to bring Such beautiful things to my eye ! 1 Cat' kin, a kind of a flower, con- 3 Caw' ing, making a noise like sisting of a scaly sort of spike which the cry of a crow, or as if repeating hangs from the hazel, birch, oak, the word caw. willow, poplar, etc.; so called from 4 Rook, (ruk), a bird that looks its looking somewhat like a cat's much like the crow, but which feeds tail. mostly on seeds and grain, instead 2 Prim' rose, an early flowering of the flesh of dead and decaying plant, closely related to the cowslip, animals. of several kinds, as the white, the 5 Graf i tude, warm and friendly red. the yellow-flowered, etc. feeling toward a giver ; thankfulness SPRING. ' v 49 2. For, bearing l thine arms full of flowers To strew 2 o'er the earth, hast thou come, Adorning 3 this low world of ours With brightness like that of thy home. 3. And thou hast brought back the gay birds, Their songs full of gladness to sing — To give, in their musical words, Their sweet little anthems 4 to Spring! 4. The roots thou hast watered and fed ; The leaves thou hast opened anew ; The violet lifts its meek head, And seems as 'twere praising thee too. 5. The hills thou hast made to rejoice, And all their young buds to unfold : The cowslips spring up at thy voice, And dot the green meadows with gold. 6. The brooks o'er the pebbles that run Are sounding thy praise as they go ; The grass points its blades to the sun, And thanks thee for making them grow. 7. The rush and the delicate 5 reed Are waving in honor of thee, — The lambkins are learning to feed — The honey-cup's filled for the bee. 8. The butterfly's out on the wing— The spices are out on the breeze ; And sweet is the breathing of Spring That comes through the blossoming trees ! 1 Bearing, (bar' ing), carrying, or * An' them, a piece of music set Holding un to verses from the Bible, used in 1 Strev/, (stro), to scatter loosely, church ; a sacred song or hymn. » Adorning, (a darn' ing), orna- 6 Del' i cate, light and yielding, meriting ; making beautiful. 3 50 NATIONAL THIRD READER. 9. The forest, 1 the grove, 2 and the vine, In festival 3 vestures 4 are clad, To show that a presence like thine Is making them grateful and glad. 10. The earth and the waters are bright — The skies are all beaming 5 and mild 5 And oh ! with iinmingled 6 delight Thy charms fill the heart of the child! 11. Sweet Spring ! 'twas my Maker made thee, And sent thee to brighten our days ! Thine aim is his glory, I see : — I'll join thee in giving him praise. 12. My heart seems to sing like the birds ; — Like blossoms to open with love, Which God will, as music and words, Receive for my anthem above. H. F. Gould. m. 8. SPRING RAIN. THE lark sits high on the walnut 7 tree, And it rains, it rains, it rains ; A jolly 8 philosopher 9 sure 10 is he, "While it rains, it rains, it rains ; 1 Forest, (fSr' est), a large wood,- 6 Beam' ing, sending forth rays a large tract of land covered with of light ; shining, trees. 6 Unmingled, (un mlng' gld), sep. a Grove, a cluster of shade trees ; arated ; unmixed, a group of trees, without under- T Walnut, (wol' nut), wood, smaller than a forest ; a small 8 Jol' ly, full of life and mirth 5 wood. merry. 1 Fes' ti val, relating to a feast ; 9 Philosopher, (fl lbs' 6 f&r), one joyous; gay. who searches into the reason of * Vestures, (vest' yorz), dress ; things ; a wise person, garments. 10 Sure, (sh6r), see Rule 4, p. 24. SPRING RAIN. 51 Bliftiely * he looks at the meadow 2 below, Where the nest will be when the grass-blades grow, And pours out his song in a liquid 3 flow, While it rains, it rains, it rains. 2. The crocuses 4 put up their little heads While it rains, it rains, it rains, And the pink spires spring from their chilly beds, While it rains, it rains, it rains ; The peach blossoms whisper within their cells, " We'll open our eyes, and peep from our bells, While it rains, it rains, it rains." 3. All nature seems happy as happy can be While it rains, it rains, it rains, But restless mortals, like you and me, While it rains, it rains, it rains, Look out of the windows in discontent, 5 And wonder why showers to-day are sent, Our plans and pleasures to so prevent ; — Why, it rains, it rains, it rains. 4 The lark knows well that God knows best The need of the spring-time rains, That the summer sunshine will warm his nest After the spring-time rains, The grass in the meadow more greenly grow, And the corn-blades wave in the valley below, After these spring-time rains. 5. Let us, like him, look cheerily 6 on While it rains, it rains, it rains ; Waiting with faith 7 till the storm is gone, While it rains, it rains, it rains ; 1 Blithely, (bllfh' li), in a gay and 4 Cro' cus, a beautiful plant that joyful manner ; cheerfully. blossoms early in the spring. 3 Me ado w, (med' 6), a grass field B Dis^ con tent', not content ; un- from which hay is cut. easy. 3 L i q u i d, (Ilk' w!d), flowing 6 Cheer' i ly, with good spirits, smoothly or easily, like water. 7 Faith, belief ; trust. 52 NATIONAL THIRD READER. We know that above the cloud 'tis light, And the heavens are shining in beauty bright, While it rains, it rains, it rains. IV. 9. THE RAIN-LESSON. " ^\ yrOTHEE, it rains !" and tears like rain fell down, -lyjL " O, little daughter, see the plants rejoice ; The rose-buds blush, and in your garden-bed The drooping violets look so gladly up, Blessing our God for rain. He knows what's best. 5 ' 2. " Yes, mother, he knows every thing. And so, He surely knows there's but one afternoon In all the week that I can have from school, And 'tis the third that I've had leave to go And play with Mary, if it did not rain, And gather wild-flowers in her father's grove, And now it rains again." x 3. The mother took The mourner 2 on her knee, and kissed away The blinding grief. And then she told her tales Of the great eastern deserts 3 parch'd and dry, And how the traveler 'mid the burning sands Watches for rain-clouds with a fainting gaze, And show'd her pictures of the caravan, 4 And the poor camel with his outstretch' d neck Longing for water. 4. And she told her, too, Of the sad mother in the wilderness, 5 i Again, (a gen'), another time; 4 Caravan, (kar' a van), a compa. once more. ny of travelers with their horses, 2 Mourn' er, one who grieves. camels, etc. 3 Deserts, (dez' Srts), places where 6 Wil der ness, deserted places ; nothing grows ; generally sandy or wild woods, or wide, unfruitful rocky places. plains, where man does not dwell. THE RAIN-LESSON. 53 o. And the spent water-bottle ; how she laid Her darling son among the shrubs to die, Bowing her head down that she might not see The agony 1 of the long death from thirst ; And how the blessed angel, when she pray'd, Brought water from the skies, to save her child. And other stories from the Book of God 2 Breath'd that kind teacher to the listening 3 one Seated so meek beside her ; how there fell No rain in Israel, 4 till the grass decay' d 1 Ag' o ny, extreme pain. a Book of God, the Bible. ? Listening, (Its' n fng). < Israel, (!z' ra el). 54 NATIONAL THIRD READER. And the brooks wasted, and the cattle died, And good Elijah with his earnest prayer Besought the Lord, till the consenting cloud Gave rain, and thankful earth her fruits l restor'd. 6. And then they sang a hymn, and full of joy The baby, crowing from his nurse's arms, Came in and join'd them, creeping merrily After his little sister, till her pain Of disappointment all absorb'd 2 in love, She thank'd her mother for the pleasant time And for her tender lessons. 7. So, that night, Amid her simple prayer, they heard her say Words of sweet praise to Him whose mercy gives The blessed rain. " For now I know, dear God, What pleases Thee is best." 8. O Mother ! seek, Ever, through cloud and sunshine, thus to lead Thy little hearts to love Him ; so, the tear Shall brighten like the rainbow here, and gleam At last, a pearl-drop in thy crown of life. Mrs. Sigourney. SECTION III. i. 10. THE TORTOISE AND THE SWALLOW. A FABLE. 3 ONE beautiful day in the spring, a tortoise 4 crept out of his hole, where he had been sleeping all winter. He thrust his head out of the shell to search for the new grass, 1 Fruits, (fr8tz), see Rule 4, p. 24 something useful. All the lessons 3 Absorbed, (ab sarbd'), swallow- in this Section are fables. ed up ; wholly lost. * Tortoise, (tar'tis), a turtle, — 8 Fa' ble, a false story, told as if commonly meaning a kind of turtle true, intended to amuse or to teach that lives on land. THE TORTOISE AND THE SWALLOW. 55 and to feel the warm sun, and determined to take a turn round the garden in which he lived. 2. As the tortoise crawled slowly along, he perceived a swallow, that was flying far above his head, chirping the first notes he had heard. The swallow at the same moment espied 1 the tortoise. She remembered to have seen him swimming in the brook which flowed at the bottom of the garden, and near which stood the summer-house where her own nest had been fixed for many seasons. 2 The swallow immediately descended to the ground, and addressed her old acquaintance. 3. " How fare you, my old friend ? How have you lived since we parted last autumn ?" 3 " Thank you," replied the tortoise, "I have kept house all winter, and never once stirred out, till the ice and snow disappeared. I have been very quiet and comfortable." 4. "I," continued the swallow, " do not love cold weather better than you ; but as soon as I hear the loud wind of winter I fly to the south : in a few days I come to fresh flowers and green fields ; there I chase the gay butterflies and the stinging gnats. I sleep among the trees, and sing my morning song to my new friends. As soon as spring comes again, I seek my summer home ; and now I rejoice to see this delightful garden once more." 5. " You take a great deal of trouble in your long flights," answered the tortoise ; " you are always changing from one place to another : you had better, like me, go to sleep in some safe corner and take a half 4 year's nap." 6. " A pleasant nap, indeed," replied the swallow ; " when I have neither wings to fly, nor eyes to see, I may follow such a bright example. The use of life is to enjoy it ; the use of time is to employ it properly. One might as well be quite dead as asleep half one's days, like you, you stupid 1 'Espied', perceived with the ' Au'tumnjhe third season of eyes ; caught sight of. the year, or the season between 2 Season, (se' zn), one of the four summer and winter, parts of the year, spring, summer, 4 Half, (haf). autumn, winter ; a portion of time. • Stupid, very dull : idle and lazy. 56 NATIONAL THIRD READER. dunce !" l Saying this, away he soared, high in the sky, and left the contented tortoise to make the best of his way home. 7. Which, think you, is the happier — the tortoise or the swallow? Both are very happy — each in his own way. n. 11. THE ROOK AND THE LARK. " r*i OOD-NIGHT, Sir Book," said a little lark; V-X " The daylight fades — it will soon be dark : I've bathed my wings in the sun's last ray, I've sung my hymn to the dying day ; So now I haste to my quiet nook 2 In yon dewy meadow ; — good-night, Sir Book." 2. " Good-night, poor Lark," said his titled 3 friend, "Wifh a haughty 4 toss and a distant bend ; " I also go to a rest profound, But not to sleep on the cold, damp ground ; The fittest place for a bird like me Is the topmost bough of yon tall pine-tree. 3. " I opened my eyes at peep of day, And saw you taking your upward way, Dreaming your fond romantic 5 dreams, An ugly speck in the sun's bright beams ; Soaring too high to be seen or heard — And I said to myself, What a f oolish bird ! 4. "I trod the park, wifh a princely air ; I filled my crop with the richest fare ; I cawed all day 'mid a lordly crew, And I made more noise in the world than you ! 1 Dunce, a person of weak mind ; superior. Rook is also the name of one who is slow to learn or under- an important piece used in chess, stand. 4 Haughty, (ha' ti), high j proud 3 Nook, (n6k), a corner ; a con- and scornful, cealed place. 6 Ro man' tic, wild ; fanciful. 3 Ti' tied, having a title, — called * Park, a piece of ground, fenced Sir Rook, because here regarded as and kept for walking, riding, etc THE HORSE AND THE GOOSE. 57 The sun shone full on my ebon l wing ; I looked and wondered ; — good-night, poor 1 aing !" 5. " Good-night, once more," said the lark's sweet voice ; " I see no cause to repent of my choice ; You build your nest in the lofty pine, But is your slumber more soft than mine ? You make more noise in the world than I, But whose is the sweeter minstrelsy ?" 2 in. 12. THE HORSE AND THE GOOSE. A GOOSE, that was plucking grass by the roadside, -£^- thought herself affronted 3 by a horse who fed near ber, and in hissing accents thus addressed him : " I am 1 Eb' on, dark ; black as ebony. 3 Min' atrel sy, singing ; music. 3 Affronted, (af frunt' eel), insult ed ; treated with disrespect. 58 NATIONAL THIRD READER. certainly a more noble and perfect animal than you : all your faculties l are confined to one element „ 2 2. " I can walk upon the earth as well as you ; I have besides wings with, which I raise myself in the air, and when I please I can sport in ponds and lakes, and refresh myself in the cool waters : I enjoy the different powers of a bird, a fish, and a quadruped." 3 3. The horse replied wifti disdain, 4 " It is true you inhabit three elements, but you do not appear well in any of them. You fly, but can you compare your flight with the lark or the swallow? 4 " You can swim on the surface of the waters, but you can not live in them as fishes do ; you can not find your food in them, nor glide smoothly along the bottom of the waves. 5. " "When you walk upon the ground with your broad feet, stretching out your long neck, and hissing at every one who passes by, all beholders laugh at you. 6. "I confess I am only formed to walk on the ground- but how graceful is my shape ! how well turned my limbs ! how astonishing my speed ! how great my strength t I had rather be confined to one element, and be admired in that, than be a goose in all." IV. 13. THE BEE, CLOVER, AND THISTLE. A BEE from the hive one morning flew, A tune to the daylight humming ; And away she went o'er the sparkling dew, Where the grass was green, the violet blue, And the gold of the sun was coming. 1 Faculties, (fak' ul tiz), powers merits, while the horse can live only of the mind and body. in one, namely, the air. 3 El' e ment, simple substance. 3 Quadruped, (kw&d' r© ped), an It used to be thought that fire, air, animal having four feet, earth, and water are elements. The * Dis dain', the regarding and goose could go in the air or on the declaring any thing as far beneath water, and thus live in two ele- one; scorn. THE BEE, CLOVER, AND THISTLE. 59 2. And what first tempted the roving bee, Was a head of the crimson clover. " I've found a treasure betimes !" said she ; " And perhaps a greater I might not see, If I traveled the field all over. 3. " My beautiful Clover, so round and red, There is not a thing in twenty, That lifts this morning so sweet a head Above its leaves, and its earthy bed, With so many horns of plenty !" * 4. The flow'rets were thick which the clover crowned, As the plumes 2 in the helm 3 of Hector ; 4 And each had a cell that was deep and round, Yet it would not impart, as the bee soon found, One drop of its precious nectar. 5 5. She cast in her eye where the honey lay, And her pipe she began to measure ; But she saw at once it was clear as day, That it would not go down one half the way To the place of the envied 6 treasure. 6. Said she, in a pet, " One thing I know," As she rose, and in haste departed, " It is not those of the greatest show, To whom for a favor 'tis best to go, Or that prove most generous-hearted !" 7. A fleecy flock came into the field ; When one of its members followed The scent of the clover, till between Her nibbling teeth its head was seen, And then in a moment swallowed. 1 A Horn of Plenty, sometimes 3 Helm, a military cap worn to called cornucopia, is a horn filled protect the head in "battle, with good things, and is used as an 4 Hec tor, the son of Pxdam, a emblem or sign of prosperity. brave Trojan warrior. 8 Plumes, large feathers worn on 6 Nee' tar, the drink of the gods ; helmets, military hats, and ladies' honey; any sweet drink, bonnets. 6 En' vied, strongly desire/V 60 NATIONAL THIRD READER. 8. " Ha, ha !" said the bee, as the clover died, " Her fortune's smile was fickle ! l And now I can get my want's supplied By a homely flower with a rough outside, And even with scale and prickle !" 9. Then she flew to one, that, by man and beast. Was shunned for its stinging bristle ; But it injured not the bee in the least ; And she filled her pocket, and had a feast, From the bloom of the purple thistle. 10. The generous thistle's life was spared In the home where the bee first found her. Till she grew so old she was hoary-haired, 2 . And her snow-white locks with the silk compared, As they shone where the sun beamed round her. H. F. Gould. V. 14. CLASS OPINIONS. A LAMB strayed for the first time into the woods, and excited 3 much discussion 4 among other animals. Id a mixed company, one day, when he became the subject of a friendly gossip, 5 the goat praised him. 2. "Pooh!" said the Hon, "this is too absurd. 6 The beast is a pretty 7 beast enough, but did you hear him roar ? I heard him roar, and, by the manes 8 of my fathers, when he roars he does nothing but cry ba-a-a !" And the Hon bleated his best in mockery, but bleated far from well. 1 Fick' le, changeable ; not con- 5 Gos' sip, idle talk, tinuing long of the same mind. 6 Absurd, (ab serd'), foolish ; plain * Hoar' y-haired, having white ly against reason or truth, or gray haira 7 Pretty, (prit' ti), neat ; fine ^ 8 Excited, (ek sit' ed), provoked ; pleasing, stirred up ; awakened. 8 Mane, the long hair growing 4 Discussion, (d!s kush' un), de- upon or about the neck of some bate ; talking with others on any animals. The male lions only have subject. manes ; hence," manes of 'my fathers." THE BEGGAR AND THE GOOD BOY. 61 3. " Nay," said the deer, " I do not think so badly of his voice. I liked him well enough until I saw him leap. He kicks with his hind legs in running, and, with all his skip- ping, gets over very little ground." 4 "It is a bad beast altogether," said the tiger. "He can not roar, he can not run, he can do nothing — and what wonder ? I killed a man yesterday, and, in politeness to the new-comer, offered him a bit ; upon which he had the impudence 1 to look disgusted, 2 and say, 'No, sir, I eat nothing but grass.' " 5. So the beasts criticised 3 the lamb, each in his own way ; and yet it was a good lamb, nevertheless* SECTION IY. i. 15. THE BEGGAR AND THE GOOD BOY. AMONG those who at one time obtained a poor sub- sistence 4 by begging from door to door in the streets of London, was one who went by the name of Barber Mose. Very old he seemed ; and only aged people could remember the (thu) period 5 when he was not a beggar, ragged and bowed down, almost too lame to crawl his daily round, and so blind as to be obliged to feel his way wifh a staff. 2. These grandfathers and grandmothers used to tell a story that Barber Mose was born to a fortune, 6 which, as soon as he possessed, he went abroad and squandered, 7 as was supposed; for he returned to serve an apprenticeship 8 1 Im' pu dence, shamelessness ; 5 Pe' ri od, time. want of modesty. 6 Fortune, riches ; great 2 Dis gust' ed, offended ; greatly wealth. 7 Squan' dered, spent foolishly. 1 Crit' i cised, judged; pointed 8 Ap pren' tice ship, time when a out faults in. person is learning a trade ; a state in 4 Sub sist' ence, means of living, which service is given for instruction 62 NATIONAL THIRD READER. to a barber and hairdresser, and afterward opened a shop for himself. 3. Here he did a good business, yet always appeared poor : and when the infirmities x of age came upon him, so that he could no longer pursue his employment, he betook himself to an obscure 2 garret, where he had ever since lived on what was doled 3 out to him by the hand of charity. 4 One winter's day, as the old beggar-man was return ing to the place he called home, as fast as his feeble, trembling limbs would let him, a number of boys, just out of school and eager for sport, gathered around him, thus preventing him from going on, spoke to him insultingly about his rags and poverty, and made believe they would rob him of the bit of cold meat his blue, bony fingers were clutching so closely. 5. Then there came up another boy, poorly clad, but with a kinder heart in his bosom, who took the aged beg- gar's part against his abusers, and, in spite of the jeers 5 and laughter of the thoughtless, cruel lads, led Barber Mose carefully to his garret. The beggar was very grate- ful, and inquired what was the name of his young benefac- tor, 6 and who was his father. 6. The boy answered that his name was John, and that he was the son of Mr. Doane, the locksmith, 7 whose sign could be seen just round the corner. Then he left the beg- gar and went home. 7. Shortly after this Barber Mose died, when it proved that he was not poor, but a miser. 8 He left a will, which, only a few days before his death, he had caused to be drawn up in due form of law. In that will he bequeathed* 1 In firm' i ties, weaknesses. 8 Benefactor, (ben r e fak' tar), one a Obscure, (6b skur), dark ; re- who aids or benefits another, tired ; humble. 7 Lock' smith, one who makes or 8 Doled, given unwillingly in repairs locks, small quantities. 8 Mi' ser, one who loves money 4 Char' i ty, love ; kindness ; what- too well ; one who in wealth suffers ever is given to the poor for their from the fear of poverty, relief. - 9 Bequeathed, (be kwemd), to * Jeers, insulting words give or leave by will. THE BEGGAR-MAN. 63 to John Doane, the boy who had once been kind to him, a bag of gold, all that he possessed. 8. From the midst of the heap of straw which had served him for a bed those many years, the money was taken ; the miser had directed where to look for it ; he could not bear to be without it while he lived. The bag was found to con- tain two hundred thousand pounds, which is nearly nine hundred thousand dollars. 9. All this large sum now rightly belonged to the poor locksmith's boy. I hope John's father was a wise and pru- dent ' man, who helped his son to properly take care of so much money, and showed him how he might do good with it. 10. You ought always to be kind to the aged and poor, and do all that you can for their comfort. It is not likely you will ever be paid for doing such a thing in the way that John Doane was ; but the conscience 2 in your bosom will tell you that you have acted right, and you need not wish for any reward besides. Mrs. Goodwin. n. 16. THE BEGGAR-MAN. ABOUND the fire, one winter night, The farmer's rosy children sat ; The fagot 3 lent its blazing light, And jokes 4 went round, and careless chat. s 2. When, hark ! a gentle hand they hear Low tapping at the bolted door ; And thus to gain their willing ear, A feeble voice was heard t' implore : 6 1 x Prudent, (pr8' dent), careful; ' Fag' ot, a bundle of sticks, twigs, skillful in determining every line of or small branches of trees, used for conduct ; frugal or saving ; prac- burning ; a single stick suited for tically wise. burning. 5 Conscience, (k6n' shens), in- * Jokes, funny sayings, ward knowledge ; knowledge that a • Chat, free and lively talk, person has with regard to good and 6 Im plore', to ask earnestly j to evil, or right and wrong. entreat ; to beg. 64 NATIONAL THIRD READER. 3. u Cold blows the blast l across the moor : 2 The sleet 3 drives hissing in the wind: Yon toilsome mountain lies before ; A dreary, treeless waste behind. 4. " My eyes are weak and dim with age ; No road, no path, 4 can I descry ; 5 And these poor rags ill stand the rage Of such a keen, inclement 6 sky. 5 "So faint I am, these tottering feet No more my feeble frame can bear ; My sinking heart forgets to beat, And drifting snows my tomb 7 prepare. 6. " Open your 8 hospitable 9 door, And shield me from the biting blast ; Cold, cold, it blows across the moor, The weary moor that I have pass'd !" 7. With hasty step the farmer ran, And close beside the fire they place The poor half-frozen beggar-man, With shaking limbs and pallid 10 face. 8. The little children flocking came, And warm'd his stiffening hands in theirs ; And busily the kindly dame u A comfortable mess prepares. 9. Their kindness cheer'd his drooping soul And slowly down his wrinkled cheek 1 Blast, (blast), a strong wind. dead body of a human being is bur. 2 Moor, (m6r), extensive waste ied ; a grave, land, having a poor, light soil 6 Your, (ySr). 3 Sleet, frozen rain. 9 Hos' pi ta ble, kind to strangers 4 Path, (path). or guests. 6 De scry 7 , discover with the eye. 10 Pal' lid, pale ; without color. 6 In clem' ent, not calm ; stormy. " Dame, mother ; the mistress oi 1 Tomb, (torn), a pit in which the a family, or of a school. THE BEG GAR- MAN. 65 The big round tears were seen to roll, •And told the thanks he could not speak. 10. The children, too, began to sigh, And all their merry chat was o'er ; And yet they felt, they knew not why, More glad than they had done before. Lucy Aikin 66 NATIONAL THIRD HEADER, HI. 17. THE TRUE SECRET OF HAPPINESS PAKT FIKST. 16 /~\H, I am so tired! I wish I had something to do!* V_y said Jane Thompson to her mother, one day. " Then why don't you read?" asked her mother. "You have books." 2. " I'm tired of reading, and I'm tired of every thing." " You are a very unhappy girl, Jane," said her mother. 3. " If I am, I can't ' help it," replied Jane. " But I am sure 2 you could help it, if you would try, my daughter." 4. " How can I help it, mother ? I am sure I should like very much to know." " By trying to be useful to others, my daughter." 5. " So you have said before. But I can't see any thing so very pleasant in working for others. Nobody thinks of being useful to me." 6. " That is a very selfish thought, Jane," her mother replied in a serious tone, " and the feeling that prompted 3 that thought is the cause of all your unhappiness. You must cease to think only of yourself, and have some kind of regard for others, or you will never be happy." 7. Jane did not understand her mother, and therefore 4 could see no force in what she said. And her mother per- ceived this, and so said no more then upon the subject. About an hour afterward she came into the room, where Jane sat idle and nidping, 5 and said : " Come, Jane, I want you to walk out with me." 8. " I don't care much about going, mother," Jane re- plied; "and, if you are willing, I would rather stay at home." " But I wish you to go with me, Jane ; so come, dress yourself as quickly as you can, for you know it never takes me long to get ready." 1 Can't, (kant), can not. 4 Therefore, (theY f6r), for that s Sure, shor), certain. or this reason. 3 Prompted, (pr&mf ed) suggest- 6 Moping, (mop' ing), in a half ed or caused. sleepy state. THE TRUE SECRET OF HAPPINESS. 67 9. Jane reluctantly l obeyed, and, when dressed, went out wifti her mother. She felt listless 2 and unhappy, for her mind was not employed upon any subject of interest. After walking for some ten or fifteen minutes, her mother stopped at a low frame building, and knocked at the door. 10. •' What are you going in there for ?" Jane asked in surprise. " I want to see a poor, sick woman, who lives here," said hei mother, in a quiet tone. 11. c ' Oh, I wish I had stayed at home !" But before Jane could say any more, the knock was answered by a little girl about ten years old, whose uncombed head, soiled clofties and skin, showed that she needed the care of a mother's willing heart and ready hand. IV. 18. THE TRUE SECRET OF HAPPINESS. PART SECOND. THE little girl conducted them into a back room, in which were a few scanty pieces of furniture, and a bed, upon which was propped up with pillows a sick woman, engaged in sewing. 3 Her face was pale and thin, and her eyes, bright and glistening, were sunk far into her head. The work dropped from her hand as her unexpected visit- ors entered, and then she looked up earnestly into the face of the elder of the two. 2. " You do not seem able to work, ma'am," said Jane's mother, advancing 4 to the bedside, and taking the small, thin hand that was offered her. "I am not very able, ma'am," she replied in a feeble tone. " But I have to do something." 3. " Is there no one to provide any thing for you in your feeble state ?" asked her visitor. " No one, ma'am," was the simple, and, to Jane's mother, affecting response. 5 4. " And how many hours through the day do you have i Re luct' ant ly, unwillingly. 3 Sewing, (s6' ing). » List' less, inattentive ; not in- * Ad vane' ing, going forward, tcrested. • Re sponse', answer. 68 NATIONAL THIRD READER. to sit up in bed and sew ?" " All day, when I can, ma'ain. And sometimes a good many hours at night. But I wouldn't care so much for that, if I was able to go about the room a little, and attend more to my child, who is, indeed, sadly neglected." And the tears came into the mother's eyes, as she cast a look of tenderness upon her little girl. 5. Jane saw that look, and noted the sad expression of the poor woman's voice, and both touched her heart. " Can not we do something for them?" she whispered. "We must try," was the low response. 6. "I heard of your being ill this morning," Jane's mother said, " and have come over to see if I can do any thing for you. You must be relieved from your constant labor, for it is too much for your feeble frame. As soon as I return home, I will send you over as much food as you and your little girl will require for several days, and my daughter here will be willing, I think, to come in to see you now and then, and give you such little assistance as you may require. Will you not, Jane ?" 7. " Oh yes, mother. I will come most cheerfully." And the tone of her voice and the expression of her face showed that she was in earnest. The poor woman could not find words to speak out her true feelings, but she looked her gratitude. 8. After Jane and her mother had left this miserable tenement, 1 the former said : " O mother, it makes my heart ache to think of that poor woman and her child ! How can she possibly get bread to eat, by the work of her own hands, and she almost dying ?" 9. The sympathy 2 thus expressed pleased her mother very much, and she encouraged the good impression. After she had returned home, she prepared a number of articles of food, such as she thought were required, and also a few delicacies 3 that she knew would be grateful to the sick woman. These she dispatched 4 by a servant. ' Ten' e ment, house to live in. 3 Del' i ca cies, things which de- 3 Sym' pa thy, partaking the light the taste, feelings of another. 4 Dis patched', sent. TRUE SECRET OF HAPPINESS. 69 10. About half an hour after, Jane, with a small bundle in her hand, went out alone, and turned her steps toward the cheerless hovel 1 she had but a short time before visited. In this bundle was a change of clothing for the invalid, 2 which Jane assisted her to put on. And then she made up her bed for her, and beat up the pillows, and fixed her as comfortably as possible. 11. Then she took the little girl, and washed 3 her, and combed her hair, and put on a clean frock that her mother told her she would find in the closet. After this she ar- ranged every thing in the room in order, and swept up the floor. And still further, went to work and got a nice cup of tea for the sick woman. 12. It would have done the heart of any one good to have seen how full of delight and gratitude was the counte- nance of the sick woman. Jane had never felt so happy in her life. When she came home her mother remarked her light step and cheerful air. 13. " You have at last learned how to be happy, Jane," said she. " The secret lies in our endeavoring 4 to be use- ful to others. All our unhappiness springs from some indulgence of selfishness, and all our true feelings of hap- piness from that benevolence which prompts us to regard others." 14. Jane saw and felt the force of her mother's remark, and never forgot it. The sick woman, in whom she had become interested, afforded ample scope 5 r for the exercise of her newly awakened feelings of benevolence, and thus they gained strength and grew into principles of action. May every one who reads this little story find the true secret of happiness i T. S. Arthur. 1 Hov'el, a poor or mean dwelling. 3 "Washed, (w&sht). 3 Invalid, (fn'va Hd), a person who 4 En deav' or ing, trying. is weak or sickly. 6 Scope, space, or opportunity. 70 NATIONAL THIRD READER. V. 19. THE COMPLAINTS OF THE POOR. " A ND wherefore ! do tlie poor complain f? J_jL The rich man asked of me : " Come, walk abroad with me," I said, " And I will answer thee." 2. 'Twas evening, and the frozen streets Were cheerless 2 to behold ; And we were wrapped and coated well And yet we were a-cold. 3. We met an old, bareheaded man, His locks were thin and white ; I asked him what he did abroad In that cold winter's night. 4. The cold was keen, indeed, he said — But at home no fire had he ; And therefore he had come abroad < To ask for charity/ 5. We met a young barefooted child, And she begged loud and bold ; I asked her what she did abroad When the wind it blew so cold. 6. She said her father was at home, And he lay sick abed ; And therefore was it she was sent Abroad to beg for bread. 7. We saw a woman sitting down Upon a stone to rest ; She had a baby at her back, And another at her breast. « "Wherefore, (whar'for), for what * Cheerless, (cher' l&s), without or which reason. joy, gladness, or comfort ; gloomy. THE PILGRIM AND THE RICH KNIGHT. 7J 8. I asked her why she loitered ! there, When the night- wind was so chill ; She turned her head, and bade the child That screamed behind, be still — 9. Then told us that her husband served, A soldier, far away ; And therefore to her parish 2 she Was begging back her way. 10. I turned me to the rich man then, For silently stood he ; " You ask me why the poor complain ; And these have answered thee I" Southed. VI. 20. THE PILGRIM AND THE RICH KNIGHT. IN a noble castle 3 there once dwelt a very rich knight. 4 He expended much money in adorning and beautifying his dwelling ; but he gave little to the poor. 2. A weary pilgrim 5 came to the castle, and asked for a night's lodging. The knight haughtily 6 refused him, and said : " This castle is not an w." 3. The pilgrim replied : " Permit me only to ask you three questions, and I will depart." " Upon this condition, speak," said the knight. " I will readily answer you." 4 The pilgrim then said to him : " Who dwelt in this castle before you ?" " My father," replied the knight. 1 Loitered, lingered or stopped the king or queen has bestowed the ill/ for no particular purpose. honor of being addressed by the * Parish, (par' ish), a portion of style of Sir before his Christian country, in England, the people of name. which belong to the same church. B Pil' grim, one who slowly and * Castle, (kas' si), a house armed heavily treads his way ; a traveler ; for defense ; the house of a noble- especially one who travels a great man or knight. distance to visit a holy place. 4 Knight, (nit), a military attend- 6 Haughtily, (ha' tl 11), proudly ; ant ; in England, a man on whom with contempt. 72 NATIONAL THIRD READER. 5. The pilgrim asked again : " Who dwelt here before jour father ?" " My grandfather," answered the knight. 6. "And who will dwell here after you?" still asked the pilgrim. The knight said : " With God's will, my son." 7. " Well," said the pilgrim, " if each dwells but his time in the castle, and in turn must depart and make way for anoth'er, what are you otherwise here than guests ? 8. " This castle, then, is truly an inn. Why, therefore, expend so much money in adorning * a dwelling which you will occupy but for a short season ? Do good ; be charita- ble ; for ' he that hath pity upon the poor, lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given, will he pay him again.' " 9. The knight took these words to heart ; he gave the pilgrim shelter for the night, and was henceforth more charitable toward 2 the poor. Mr& St. Simon. SECTION V. i. 21. THE CHILD'S WISH IN JUNE. MOTHEE, mother, the winds are at pla^ ? Prithee 3 let me be idle to-day : Look, dear mother, the flowers all he Languidly 4 under the bright blue sky. 2. See, how slowly the streamlet glides ; Look, how the violet roguishly hides ; Even the butterfly rests on the rose, And scarcely spies 5 the sweets as he goes. 1 Adorning, (a darn' ing), dress- 8 Prithee, (prim' e), I pray thee, ing with ornaments ; making beau- 4 Languidly, (l& n ' g w * d M)» wea ^- tiful, or pleasing. ly ; droopingly ; without strength, 8 Toward, (to' ard), in t.he direc- 6 Spie$, gains sight of ; sees at a tion of ; with respect to distance. THE SUMMER-TIME 73 3. Poor Tray is asleep in the noon-day sun, And the flies go about him one by one ; And pussy sits near with a sleepy grace, "Without ever thinking of washing her face. ■L There flies a bird to a neighboring tree, But very lazily flieth he ; And he sits and twitters 1 a gentle note, That scarcely 2 ruffles 3 his little throat. o. You bid me be busy ; but, mother, hear How the hum-drum grasshopper soundeth near And the soft west wind is so light in its play, It scarcely moves a leaf on the spray. 4 G. I wish, oh, I wish I was yonder cloud, That sails about with its misty shroud ! Books and work I no more should see, And I'd come and float, dear mother, o'er thee. Mas. Oilman. n. 22. THE SUMMER-TIME. WHAT child does not like the spring, the bright young spring, with its soft air, its tender grass, its tiny flowers, and its singing birds? Yet still more may the child love the pleasant summer-time, when the dark clouds and the cold rains and winds are all gone. 2. June comes. What a time it is ! The happy children dance and sing for joy, on their way to school. The insects shirp in the grass. The birds sing. The trees are heavy 1 Twitters, (twit' tgrz), sings in- 8 Ruffles, (ruf flz), disturbs ; makes Serruptedly, or without a connected uneven. pon g- * Spray, a small shoot or branch 2 Scarcely, (skars H), with diffi- of a tree ; a number of smaU cutty hardly : barely. branches 74 NATIONAL THIRD READER. with leaves, and the low sound of the wind is heard in their branches. White clouds sail along the sky, and streaks of sunshine break through. 3. The gardens are full of blossoms, red and white. Yellow butter-cups shine in the green meadow, like buttons of gold. The sweet clover seems to blush wifli its red blos- soms. The water in the brook loiters like an idle boy, just moving as though it were in no haste to leave the sweet meadow. 4. Soon the days become longer, and the sun grows hot. It shines upon the houses and the paved streets. The hard walks burn your feet. The wind does not seem to blow. The schools in the city are closed. People drive out from town, with their children, to breathe the fresh country air, and be happy. 5. They stop at a farm-house to quench their thirst. The kind woman brings a pailful of clear, cold water, and gives them a tin cup to drink from. She gets some nice sweet milk for the children, and they are so happy that they for- get to thank her. 6. Men are at work in the meadow. Some are cutting down the grass and spreading it, and others, in another part of the field where it is dry, are raking it up into large rows. The gentle wind blows over the meadow, and brings the sweet odor of new hay. 7. The wheat is not yet ripe. Its long bearded heads are now nearly white, but they will soon be yellow like gold. Then the men will cut it down and gather it into the barn. A " 8. The sun has now set. It is no longer day. You may aft at the open window. The red moon rises through the trees, and you can scarcely see the stars. The air is now cool, and the dews are falling. 9. You can not see the red and blue flowers in the gar* den, but you know they are there. All is still but the voice of the summer wind, which you may hear in the trees and the tall grass. The clock strikes nine, and your mother calls, i% To bed, my child" THE WHEAT FIELD. 75 m. 23. THE WHEAT-FIELD. FIELD of wheat, so full and fair, Shining with thy sunny hair, Lightly waving either way, Graceful as the breezes play — Looking like a summer sea — How I love to gaze at thee ! Pleasant art thou to the sight ; And to thought, a rich delight. Then, thy voice is music sweet, Softly-sighing Field of Wheat. 2. Pointing to the genial l sky, Rising straight, and aiming high. Every stalk is seen to shoot As an arrow from the root. Like a well-trained company, All, in uniform, agree, Prom the footing to the ear ; All in order strict appear. 3. Marshaled 2 by a skillful hand, All together bow, or stand — Still, within the proper bound ; None 3 6'ersteps the given ground — With its tribute 4 held to play At His nod whom they obey. Each the gems that stud its crown Will ere long for man lay down : Thou wifti promise art replete 5 Of the precious sheaves of wheat. Genial, ge' nf al), causing to 3 None, (nun), not one. produce ; making cheerful. * Trib' ute, something given or 3 Mar' shaled, arranged, or put paid. Into order. 6 Re plete', full ; completely filled 70 NATIONAL THIRD READER. 4. How thy strength in weakness lies ! Not a robber-bird that flies Finds support whereby to put On a stalk her lawless foot ; Not a predatory x beak Plunges down, thy stores to seek, "Where the guard of silver spears Keeps the fruit, and decks the ears. No vain insect, that could do Harm to thee, dares venture through Such an armory, 2 or eat Off the sheath, to take the wheat. 5. What a study do we find Opened here for eye and mind ! In it, who can offer less Than to wonder, and confess, That on this high-favored ground, Faith is blest, and Hope is crowned ? Charity her arms may spread Wide from it, with gifts of bread. Wisdom, Power, and Goodness meet In the bounteous 3 Field of Wheat. H. F. Gould. IV. 24. SUMMER WOODS. 1. ("*i OME ye into the summer woods ; there entereth no annoy ;' J All greenly wave the chestnut-leaves, and the earth is full of joy. I can not tell you half the sights of beauty you may see, The bursts of golden sunshine, and many a shady tree. 1 PrecV a to ry, hungry • given to 3 Benin' te cms, generous ; plenti- plunder. ftj. 3 Arm' o ry, means of defense ; * An noy', injury or trouble from arms ; weapons of all kinds. frequent causes. SUMMER WOODS. 77 2. There, lightly swung, in bowery glades, 1 the honey-suckles twine 5 There blooms the pink sabbatia, and the scarlet columbine ; There grows the purple violet in some dusk woodland spot ; There grows the little Mayflower, and the wood forget-me-not 3. ^nd many a merry bird is there, unscared by lawless men ; The blue-winged jay, the woodpecker, and golden-crested wren Come down, and ye shall see them all, the timid and the bold For their sweet life of pleasantness, it is not to be told. 4. J've seen the freakish * squirrels s drop down from their leafy tret. The little squirrels with the old, — great joy it was to me ! And far within that summer wood, among the leaves so green, There flows a little gurgling 4 brook, the brightest e'er was seen. 1 Glades, open or cleared places in a forest or wood. 9 Freak 7 ish, playful ; changing their pla}' often. 3 Squirrel, (skwur'rel), sometimes pronounced (skwir' rel). 4 Gurgling, (geV gling), running with a purling or murmuring noise. 78 NATIONAL THIRD READER. 5. There come the little gentle birds, without a fear of ill, Down to the murmuring water's edge, and freely drink their fill, And dash about, and splash about, — the mercy little things, — And look askance x with bright black eyes, and flirt their drip ping wings. 6. The nodding plants, they bowed their heads, as if, in heartson.e cheer, They spake unto those little things, " 'Tis merry living hero !" Oh, how my heart ran 5'er with joy! I saw that all was good, And how we might glean up delight all round us, if we would I Maky Howitt. SECTION VI. i. 25. THE TWIN" SISTERS A PAIR of twin sisters were so much alike, that it was difficult to distinguish 2 them. Their little hearts were also blended 3 in the sweetest love. Dressed always alike, they might usually be seen, hand in hand; and wherever one was, you might be sure that the other could not be far away. 2. When old enough to attend school, they sat side by side, studied from the same book, wrote the same copy, shaded with their pencils the same flower, warbled 4 the same song, in the same key. They enjoyed the instructions of a very faithful teacher, who sometimes, to test the thorough preparation of her pupils, called them to recite separately. i Askance, (a skins'), aside; side- 3 Blend' ed, joined together ; uni ways. ted. 1 Distinguish, (dis ting' gwish), to 4 Warbled, (war' bid), sung in a recognize or know by differences quavering or trilling manner, with that can l>e noticed or seen. many turns or variations. THE TWIN SISTERS. 79 3. On such an occasion, one of the twins having neg- lected her lesson, mistook, and faltered. 1 Tears started to her eyes, and the embarrassment 2 of betraying ignorance convulsed 3 her wifi shame. Just at that crisis 4 the teacher was called out. 4. The other sister, seated upon her bench, well pre- pared with her lesson, sympathized 5 in all the suffering of her second self. Her breast heaved, and her cheek was suffused 6 with crimson. Springing to the side of the tried one, she forced her backward into her seat, wifli a rapidity that overcame resistance, and stood up in her place. 5. The teacher returned, resumed 7 her examination, and found every question answered promptly, and with perfect correctness. At first she was surprised, yet supposed a little interval 8 had enabled the pupil, by reflection, to col- lect her thoughts, or possibly to review those points of the lesson in which she was most deficient. 9 6. But the expression of an approbation 10 which was not fairly earned, rankled " in the consciences of these pure- minded sisters. They could not be happy, thus to deceive their teacher. 7. Requesting to be permitted to stay after school, they approached her with tears, and confessed what they had done. 8. " I could not bear to see my poor sister in such pain," said the sweet one who rescued her. " Forgive us, we are but one" said their little voices in unison. 13 " God bless you" said their kind preceptress, 13 "may you be one fa Heaven/" Mks. Sigottrney. 1 Fal' tered, hesitated ; was una- e Suf fused', covered ; having ble to go on. something poured over. 3 Em bar' rass merit, difficulty ; T Re sumed', taken up again, confusion. 8 In' ter val, a space of time be- 8 Con vulsed', shook ; agitated. tween two other points. 4 Cri' sis, moment ; a point of 9 De fi' cient, wanting ; faulty, time when something important is 10 Ap pro ba' tion, approval expected. J1 Rankled, (rank' Id), caused in 6 Sym' pa thized, had a common flammation, or pain, feeling ; was affected by feelings l3 U' ni son, together ; as one. similar to those of others. " Pre cep' tres3 female teacher 80 NATIONAL THIRD READER. n. 26. EMULATION 1 WITHOUT ENVY. F BANK'S father was speaking to a friend, one day, on the subject of competitions 2 at school. He said " that he could answer for it, that envy 3 is 'not the necessary con- sequence of school competitions : he had been excelled by many, but he never recollected having felt envious of his successful rivals ; 4 nor," added he, " did my winning many a prize from my friend Birch ever diminish his friendship for me." 2. In support of the truth of what Frank's father had asserted, 5 the friend who was present related an anecdote, which had fallen under his own observation, 6 in a school in his neighborhood. At this school, the sons of several wealthy farmers, and others who were poorer, received in- struction together. Frank listened with great attention while the gentleman gave the following account of the two rivals. 3. "It happened that the son of a rich farmer and of a poor widow came in competition for the monitorship 7 of their class; they were so nearly equal, that the master could scarcely decide between them ; some days one, and some days the other, gained the head of the class. It was determined, by seeing who should be at the head of the class for the greater number of days in the week. 4. " The widow's son, by the last day's answer, gained the victory, and maintained his place the ensuing week, till the school was dismissed for the vacation or holidays. 5. "When they met again, he did not appear, and the farmer's son being next in excellence, 8 might now have 1 Em u la' tion, a warm desire of 6 As sert'ed, said with confidence excelling, or becoming superior. 6 Ob ser va' tion, the act of see 7 Competition, (kom pe tfsh' nn), ing or taking notice. seeking with others to gain a prize. 7 Mon'i tor ship, the office of one 8 En' vy, unhappiness caused by who is set over others to observe the prosperity of another person. what is done amiss. 4 Rivals, (rl' valz), persons desir- 8 Excellence, (5ks'sel lens), great ing to do or to obtain the same thing, merit : worth. HOW TO BE HAPPY. 81 been at the head of his class ; but instead of seizing that vacant 1 place, which had devolved 2 to him by the non- appearance of his rival, he went to the widow's house to inquire what could be the cause of her son's absence. 6. " Poverty was the cause : she found that she was not able, with her utmost endeavors, to continue to pay for his schooling, and for the necessary books, and the poor boy had returned to day-labor, as it was his duty, for her support. 7. " The farmer's son, out of the allowance of pocket* money which his father gave him, and without letting any- body but the widow and her son know what he did, bought all the necessary books, and paid for the schooling of his rival, and brought him back again to the head of his class, where he continued to be monitor, for a considerable time, at the expense of his generous rival." 8. Frank clapped his hands at hearing this story. Mary came up to ask what pleased him so much, and he repeated it to her with delight. "That farmer's boy," added he, " must have had a strong mind, for my father's friend, who told the anecdote, said that people of strong minds are never envious : that weak minds only are subject to that unhappy infirmity." 3 Miss Edgeworth. m. 27. HOW TO BE HAPPY. PART FIRST. EYEEY child must have observed how much happier and more beloved some children are than others. There are some children whom you always love to be with. They are happy themselves, and they make you happy. 2. There are others, whose society you always avoid. 4 The very expression of their countenances produces un- pleasant feelings. They seem to have no friends. 1 Va' cant, not occupied or filled. 3 In firm' i ty, weakness ; defect ; 2 De volved', rolled onward or failing. downward; passed from one person * A void', to shun ; to keep at a to another ; Landed down. distance from or away from. 82 NATIONAL THIRD READER 3. No person can be nappy without friends. The heart is formed for love, and can not be happy without the oppor- tunity * of giving and receiving affection. 2 4. But you can not receive affection, unless you will also give it. You can not find others to love you, unless you wiQ also love them. Love is only to be obtained by giving Love in return. Hence the importance of cultivating a cheerful and obliging disposition. You can not be happy without it. 5. I have sometimes heard a girl say, " I know that I am very unpopular 3 at school." Now, this is a plain confession that she is very disobliging and unamiable in her disposi- tion. 6. If your companions do not love you, it is your own fault. They can not help loving you, if you will be kind and friendly. If you are not loved, it is a good evidence A that you do not deserve to be loved. It is true, that a sense of duty may, at times, render it necessary for you to do that which will be displeasing to your companions. 7. But, if it is seen that you have a noble spirit, that you are above selfishness, that you are willing to make sacrifices of your own personal convenience to promote the happiness of your associates 5 you will never be in want of friends. 8. You must not regard it as your misfortune that others do not love you, but your fault. It is not beauty, it is not wealth, that will give you friends. Your heart must glow t trith kindness, if you would attract 6 to yourself the esteem and affection of those by whom you are surrounded. 9. You are little aware how much the happiness of your whole life depends upon the cultivation of an affectionate and obliging disposition. If you will adopt the resolution that you will confer favors whenever you have an opportu- nity, you will certainly be surrounded by ardent 7 friends. 1 Op por tu' ni ty, occasion ; 4 Ev' i dence, that which proves chance ; means. the truth : witness. a Af fee' tion, warm or render re- 6 Associates., (as s6 shl ats), com gard ; a settled good- will love. panions. 8 Un pop' u lar, not naving the 8 At tract', draw, 'avor of others : disliked. * Ar' dent, warm; loving. HOW TO BE HAPPY. 83 10. Begin upon this principle in childhood, and act upon it through life, and you will make yourself happy, and pro- mote the happiness of all within your influence. IV. 28. HOW TO BE HAPPY. PAKT SECOND. YOU go to school on a cold winter morning. A bright fire is blazing upon the hearth, 1 surrounded with boys struggling to get near it to warm themselves. After you get slightly warmed, another school-mate comes in, suffer- ing with cold. " Here, James," you pleasantly call out to him, " I am almost warm ; you may have my place." 2. As you slip aside to allow him to take your place at the fire, will he not feel that you are kind ? The worst- dispositioned boy in the world can not help admiring such generosity. 2 3. And even though he be so ungrateful as to be unwil- ling to return the favor, you may depend upon it that he will be your friend as far as he is capable 3 of friendship. If you will habitually 4 act upon this principle, 5 you will never want friends. 4. Suppose, some day, you were out with your compan- ions, playing ball. After you had been playing for some time, another boy comes along. He can not be chosen upon either side, for there is no one to match him. " Henry," you say, " you may take my place a little while, and I will rest." 5. You throw yourself down upon the grass, while Henry, fresh and vigorous, 6 takes your bat and engages in the game. He knows that you gave up to accommodate him ; and how can he help liking you for it. 1 Hearth, (harth), the floor of brick 4 Ha bit' u al ly, by habit; al- or stone in a chimney, on which fire ways doing a thing at certain times, is made. or in a certain way. 3 Generosity, (jen^r 6s1 tl), open- B Prin ci pie, reason for doing, of heartedness ; a hearty willingness not doing, to give or aid. 6 Vig' or ons, full of strength or Ca' pa ble. able to do a thing. active force 84 NATIONAL THIRD READER, 6. The fact is, that neither man nor child can cultivate such a spirit of generosity and kindness, without attracting affection and esteem. 7. Look and see which of your companions have the most friends, and you will find that they are those who have this noble spirit ; who are willing to deny themselves, that they may make their associates happy. 8. This is not peculiar to childhood : it is the same in all periods of life. There is but one way to make friends; and that is, by being friendly to others. 9. Perhaps some child who reads this feels conscious l of being disliked, and yet desires to have the affection of his companions. You ask me what you shall do. I will tell you. 10. I will give you an infallible 2 rule. Do all in your power to make others happy. Be willing to make sacrifices of your own convenience, that you may promote the hap- piness of others. 11. This is the way to make friends, and the only way. When you are playing with your brothers and sisters at home, be always ready to give them more than their share of privileges. 12. Manifest an obliging disposition, and they can not but regard you wifli affection. In all your intercourse with others, at home or abroad, let these feelings influence you, and you will receive a rich reward. V. 29. KNOCK AGAIN. PART FIRST. IKEMEMBER having been sent, when I was a little boy, with a message from my father to a particular friend of his, who resided in the suburbs 3 of the town in which my par'ents 4 then lived. 2. This gentleman occupied an old-fashioned house, the 1 Conscious, (k5n shus), know- 3 Sub' urbs, places near to a city ing ; having an inward knowledge, or town. * In faT li ble, certain : fcure not 4 Parent, (pir* ent), a father oi to disappoint ot fail mother. KNOCK AGAIN 85 door of which was approached by a broad flight of stone steps of a semicircular * form. The brass knocker was an object of much interest to me in those days ; for the whim 2 of the maker had led him to give it the shape of an ele- phant's head, the trunk of the animal being the movable portion. 3. Away, then, I scampered in great haste ; and havirg reached the house, ran up the stone steps as usual, ano\ 1 Sem i cir 7 cu lar, having the 'Whim, a freak; a humor: an form of lialf of 8 circle odd fancy. 86 NATIONAL THIRD READER. seizing the elephant's trunk, made the house re-echo to my knocking. No answer was returned. 4. At this my astonishment 1 was considerable, as ser- vants, in the times I write of, were more alert 2 and atten- tive than they are at present. However, I knocked a second time. Still no one came. 5. At this I was much more surprised. I looked at the house. It presented no appearance of a desertion. 3 Some of the windows were open to admit the fresh air ; for it was summer : others of them were closed. But all had the aspect 4 of an inhabited dwelling. 6. I was greatly perplexed, and looked around, to see if any one was near who could advise me how to act. Imme- diately a venerable 5 old gentleman, whom I had never seen before, came across the way, and, looking kindly in my face, advised me to knock again. 7. I did so without a moment's hesitation, 6 and presently the door was opened, so that I had an opportunity of deliv- ering my message. I afterward learned that the servants had been engaged in removing a heavy piece of furniture 7 from one part of the house to the other; an operation which required their united strength, and prevented their opening the door. VI. 30. KNOCK AGAIN. PART SECOND. AS I was tripping lightly homeward, I passed the kind old gentleman about half way down the street. He took me gently by the arm ; and, retaining his hold, began to address me thus, as we walked on together : J As r ton' ish ment, confusion of 6 Ven' er a ble, deserving of great mind from fear or surprise ; wonder, respect. » Alert, (a lfirtf), watchful ; activ i 6 Hesitation, (hez' I ta' shun), the 3 Desertion, (de zeV shun), the act of pausing ; a stopping in doubt, state of being forsaken. 7 Furniture, (feY nl tur), what- 4 As' pect, appearance to the eye ever is necessary or convenient in a or mind ; look. house or a room for house- keeping. KNOCK AGAIN 87 2. " The incident, 1 my little friend, which has just occur- red, 2 may be of some use to you in after life, if it be suita- bly improved. Young people are usually very enthusiastic 3 in all their undertakings, and in the same proportion are very easily discouraged. 3. " Learn, then, from what has taken place this morn- ing, to persevere 4 in the business which you have com- menced, provided it be laudable 5 in itself, and, ten to one, you will succeed. If you do not at first obtain what you aim at, knock again. A door may be opened when you least expect it. 4. " In entering on the practice of a profession, 6 engaging in trade, or what is usually called settling in the world, young people often meet wifli great disappointments. 5. "Friends, whom they naturally expected to employ them, not unfrequently prefer others in the same line ; and even some professors of religion do not seem to consider it a duty to promote the temporal 7 interest of their breth- ren in the Lord. 5. " Nevertheless, industry, 8 sobriety, 9 and patience, are usually accompanied by the Divine blessing. Should you. therefore, my little friend, ever experience disappointments of this kind, think of the brass knocker : knock again : be sober, be diligent, and your labors will be blessed. 7. "In the pursuit of knowledge many difficulties are encountered. These the student must expect to meet ; but he must not relinquish the investigation 10 of truth because 1 In'ci dent, an event ; that which business which one claims to under- happens or falls out. stand and follow for a living, — es- 2 Occurred, (ok ke'rd 7 ), appeared ; pecially the business of the clergy- happened, man, the lawyer, or the physician. * Enthusiastic, (en tlnV z! ast' ik), 7 Tem' por al, relating to the highly excited ; hoping and expect- present life, or this world, ing too much. 8 In' dus try, steady attention to 4 Per r se vere', to go on in any business, course or business in spite of dis- 9 So r bri' e ty, the habit of sober- couragements ; not to abandon or ness or temperance, as to the use of give over what is undertaken. spirituous liquors ; calmness. 6 Laud' a ble, deserving praise. 10 In ves r ti ga' tion, the act of fol ' Profession, (pro fesh' un). the lowing up or searching into ; study 88 NATIONAL THIRD READER. it seems to elude 1 his search. He may knock at the gate of science, and apparently without being heard; but let him knock again, and he will find an entrance." vn. 31. SIR EDMUND SAUNDERS. MANY years ago there was a little boy in London, who, from his earliest infancy, had never known any other condition than that of beggary. His rags barely sufficed 2 to cover him, but could not protect him from the bitter blast. His food was the scraps doled 3 out by the hand of charity, and his bed was some wretched hovel, 4 or often the open street. 2. Of his parents he knew nothing; 5 for when he was but six years old his wretched mother, either by accident or design, 6 had separated from him in a crowd, and he had never since beheld her. 3. By some providential 7 circumstance, 8 the poor boy found his way to a cer'taln part of the city which was then, as it is now, the principal resort of lawyers, and entirely occupied by their offices. 4 Here his agility 9 and obliging temper made him quite useful. He became a sort of errand-boy among the clerks, and was rewarded for his services by receiving broken victuals, and occasionally a bed of straw beneath the shel- ter of a roof. 5. His extraordinary 10 docility, 11 his extreme diligence, 1 ' 1 E hide', to evade or escape from. 7 Prov i den' tial, ordered by 2 Sufficed, (suf fizd), answered ; God himself. were sufficient. 8 Circumstance, (sir 7 kum stans) 8 Doled, dealt out in small por- one of the things surrounding us in tions ; given with a sparing hand. our path of life. 4 Hov' el, an open shed ; a small, 9 A gil' i ty, quickness in action, mean house at) Extraordinary, (eks trar' dl na- 6 Nothing, (nuth' ing), not any- ri), out of the common course ; more thing ; no thing. than common. 6 Design, (de sin'), a plan formed " Do cil' i ty, ability to receive in the mind of something to be instruction, done . intent. " Dil' i gence, steady attention- SIR EDMUND SAUNDERS. 89 and his remarkable intelligence, 1 at length interested the society in his favor. He had learned to read by means of a few torn pages of an old law-book, with the occasional aid of a good-natured clerk ; and he was now very desirous to learn writing. 6. One of the lawyers, compassionating 2 the forlorn 3 boy, had a board nailed up beneath a window on the top of a staircase, and upon this rude desk he took his first lessons in writing, by copying the law-papers and • other things which the clerks lent him. He soon made himself quite expert 4 with the pen, and was finally enabled to earn a little money as a copier. 7. Being thus relieved from his former servile 5 duties, he gave his whole attention to his new employments, and from poring 6 over interminable 7 legal 8 documents, 9 he at last proceeded to the study of law itself. It was a matter of much amusement among his early friends, the clerks, when they found the little beggar-boy applying to them for the loan of books ; but perseverance overcame every dif 'ficulty, and in the course of time he succeeded far beyond the ex- pectations of any one. 8. He became a special-pleader, then a counselor 10 at large, and finally was called to the bar, where he had a large practice in the King's Bench Court. Boger North, son of the Lord Keeper North, who personally knew him, says : " As to his ordinary dealing, he was as honest as the driven snow is white ; as for his parts, none n had them more lively than he ; and while he sat in the Court of 1 In tel' li gence. tlie ability to "Poring, (p6ring), looking with know or understand. steady, continued attention. 2 Com pas' sion a ting, feeling 7 Interminable, (in teV mi na bty ■compassion or pity for. without limit ; endless. 8 Forlorn, (far larn'), deserted ; 8 Le' gal, relating to the law. destitute or forsaken. 9 Doc' u ments, papers. 4 Expert, (eks p^rt') well instruct- 10 Coun' sel or, an adviser ; one ed ; skillful. • whose business is to give advice in 6 Servile, (sSrv'll), slavish ; mean ; law, and manage causes for others relating to, or befitting a servant or in court, slave. " None., (nun), not one ; not any, 90 NATIONAL THIRD READER, King's Bench, he gave the rule to the general satisfaction of the lawyers." 9. That poor beggar-boy was Sir Edmund Saunders, Chief Justice of the Court of King's Bench, in the reign of Charles the Second. Such were the results of perse- verance. Emma C. Embury vm. 32. COUNSELS TO THE YOUNG. YOU were made to be clean and neat in your person and in your dress, and gentlemanly and lady-like in your manners. If you have not been bitten by a mad dog, don't be afraid of fresh water. 2. There is enough water in the world to keep everybody clean ; but there is a great deal of it never finds its right place. Take as much as you need. The people of the West boast of their great rivers — I would rather they would boast of using a large tub-full of their water every day. 3. Contract no such filthy and offensive habit as chewing or smoking tobacco. So long as a man chews or smokes, though a very Chesterfield 1 in every thing else that per- tains to his appearance, he can never be quite a gentleman. 4. Tou were made to be kind, and generous, 2 and mag- nanimous. 3 If there is a boy in the school who has a club- foot, 4 don't let him know that you ever saw it. If there is a poor boy wifli ragged clofhes, don't talk about rags when he is in hearing. If there is a lame boy, assign him some part of the game which does not require running. 5. If there is a hungry boy, give him a part of your din- ner. If there is a dull one, help him get his lessons. If i Lord Chesterfield was an En- ling to give freely, without expect- glish nobleman, noted for his fine ing any thing in return, manners ; hence, any one who is 3 Mag nan' i mous, of a noble noted for the same thing, may be mind ; having high intentions, called a Chesterfield. 4 Club-foot, a short, deformed 3 Gen' er ous, free ; liberal j wil- foot, usually so from birth. COUNSELS TO THE YOUNG, 91 there is a bright one, be not envious l of him ; for if one boy is proud of his talents, and another is envious of them, there are two great wrongs, and no more talents than before. 6. If a larger or stronger boy has injured you, and is sorry for it, forgive him, and request the teacher not to punish him. All the school will show by their countenances how much better it is to have a great soul than a great fist. 7. You were made to learn. Be sure you learn some- thing every day. When you go to bed at night, if you can not think of something new which you have learned during the day, spring up and find a book, and get an idea before you sleep. If you were to stop eating, would not your bodies pine and famish ? If you stop learning, your minds will pine and famish too. 8. You all desire that your bodies should thrive and grow, until you become as tall and large as your fathers or mothers, or other people. You would not like to stop growing where you are now — at three feet high, or four feet, or even at five. But if you do not feed your minds as w r ell as your bodies, they will stop growing ; and one of the poorest, meanest, most des'picable 2 things I have ever seen in the world, is a little mind in a great body. 9. Suppose there was a muse'um 3 in your neighborhood, full of all rare and splendid curiosities — should you not like to go and see it ? Would you not think it unkind if you were forbidden to visit it ? 10. The creation is a muse'um, all full and crowded wifii wonders, and beauties, and glories. One door, and only one, is open, by which you can enter this magnificent 4 temple : it is the door of knowledge. The learned laborei, the learned peasant, or slave, is ever made welcome at this iloor, while the ignorant, though kings, are shut out. Horace Mann. 1 Envious, (en' vl us), repining, or 8 Museum, (mu r ze' um| a place feeling uneasy, at a view of the where curious things are kept foi goodness, success, or happiness of exhibition, another. 4 Mag' nif i cent, imposing with a Despicable, (des' pi kabl), vile; splendor; splendid; on a grand contemptable ; worthless. scale; grand in appearance. 92 NATIONAL THIRD READER. IX. 33. THE WHISTLE. ~\TT"HEN I was a child about' seven years of age, my VV friends, on a holiday, filled my pocket with half- pence. I went direct'ly 1 toward a shop, where toys were sold for children ; and being charmed with the sound of a whistle, 2 that I met by the way, in the hands of another boy, I voluntarily 3 offered him all my money for it. 2. I then came home, and went whistling over the house, much pleased with my whistle, but disturbing all the family. My brothers, and sisters, and cousins, understanding the bargain I had made, told me I had given four times as much for it as it was worth. This put me in mind what good things I might have bought with the rest of the money; and they laughed at me so much for my folly, that I cried with vexation. 4 3. My reflections 5 on the subject gave me more chagrin 6 than the ivhistle gave me pleasure. This little event, how- ever, was afterward of use to me, the impression 7 continu- ing on my mind ; so that often, when I was tempted to buy some unnecessary thing, I said to myself, Bo not give too much for tJte whistle, and so I saved my money. 4e As I grew up, came into the world, and observed the actions of men, I thought I met with many, very many, who gave too much for the whistle. 5. When I saw any one too ambitious 8 of court-favor, sacrificing his time in attendance on levees, 9 his repose, his 1 Directly, (d! rekt'l!),in a straight thoughts upon any thing ; continued course or line ; without delay ; at thought, once ; straightway. 6 Chagrin, (shagrin'), vexation a Whistle, (whls' si). ill-humor ; shame. 3 Vol' un ta ri ly, of one's own Impression, ( im presh' un ), will ; without being influenced, mark, influence, or effect, moved, or compelled by others. 8 Ambitious, (am bfsh'us), strong 4 Vexation, (veks a' shun), the act ly desirous of office, honor, or supe- or state of being made angry by riority. little provocations. 9 Lev' ee, a morning assembly of 1 Reflection, (re nek' shun), the visitors ; company received by per act of throwing or turning back the sons in high station. THE WHISTLE. t£j liberty, his virtue, and perhaps his friends, to attain it, I said to myself, This man gives too much for his whistle. 6. "When I saw another fond of popularity, 1 constantly employing himself in political bustles, neglecting his own affairs, and ruining them by that neglect ; He fays indeed, said I, too much for his whistle. 7. If I knew a miser, who gave up every kind of comfort- able living, all the pleasure of doing good to others, all the esteem of his fellow-citizens, and the joys of benevolent friendship, for the sake of accumulating 2 wealth ; Poor man. said I, you indeed pay too much for your whistle. 8. When I met a man of pleasure, sacrificing every laud- able improvement of mind, or of fortune, to mere sensual 3 gratifications ; Mistaken man ! said I, you are providing 'pain for yourself, instead of pleasure ; you give too much for your whistle. 9. If I saw one fond of fine clothes, fine furniture, fine equipage, 4 all above his fortune, for which he contracted debts, and ended his career 5 in prison ; Alas ! said I, he has paid dear, very dear, for his whistle. . 10. In short, I conceived that great part of the miseries of mankind are brought upon them by the false estimate they make of the value of things, and by their giving too much for their whistles. I>r. Franklin. SECTION VII. i. 34. WE ARE SEVEN. I MET a little cottage girl ; She was eight years old, she said ; Her hair was thick with many a curl That clustered round her head. 1 Pop y u lar' i ty, favor of the peo- * Sensual, (sen' sh§ al), bodily, pie ; the state of being highly es- 4 Equipage, (ek ; we paj), horses teemed or beloved by the people. and carriages. Ac cu' mu lat ing, heaping up. 6 Ca reer', a way ; course. 94 NATIONAL THIRD READER. 2. She had a rustic, woodland air, And she was wildly clad ; Her eyes were fair, and very fair : Her beauty made me glad. 3. " Sisters and brothers, little Maid, How many may you be ?" "How many? Seven in all," she said, And wondering looked at me. 4. " And where are they ? I pray you telL 9 She answered, " Seven are we : And two of us at Conway dwell, And two are gone to sea. 5. " Two of us in the churchyard lie — My sister and my brother ; And in the churchyard cottage, I Dwell near them with my mother." 6. " You say that two at Conway dwell, And two are gone to sea ; Yet ye are seven ! I pray you tell, Sweet Maid, how this may be." 7. Then did the little Maid reply : " Seven boys and girls are we ; Two of us in the churchyard he, Beneath the churchyard tree." 8. " You run about, my little Maid, Your limbs they are alive ; If two are in the churchyard laid, Then ye are only five." 9. " Their graves are green, they may be seen," The little Maid replied ; " Twelve steps or more from my mother's door, And they are side by side. 10. " My stockings there I often knit, My kerchief there I hem ; And there upon the ground I sit — I sit and sing to them. CHASE OF THE PET FAWM. 95 11. " And often after sunset, sir, When it is light and fair, I take my little porringer, And eat my supper there. 12. " The first that died was little Jane ; In bed she moaning lay, Till God released her of her pain, And then she went away. 13. " So in the churchyard she was laid ; And when the grass was dry, Together round her grave we played, My brother John and I. 14. "And when the ground was white with snow, And I could run and slide, My brother John was forced to go, And he lies by her side. 15. " How many are you then," said I, " If they two are in heaven ?" The little Maiden did reply, " Oh, Master, we are seven !" 16. " But they are dead : those two are dead, Their spirits are in heaven !" 'Twas throwing words away ; for still The little Maid would have her will, And said, " Nay, we are seven !" William Wordswokth n. 35. CHASE OF THE PET FAWN. APEETTY little fawn had been brought in from the woods when very young, and nursed and petted until it had become perfectly tame. It was graceful as those little creatures always are, and so gentle and playful that it became a great favorite, following the different members of the family about the village. 06 NATIONAL- THIRD HEADER. 2. One morning, after gamboling 1 about as usual until weary, it threw itself down in the sunshine, at the feet of one of its friends, upon the steps of the store. There came along a countryman, who, for several years, had been a hunter, and who still kept several dogs. One of the hounds came wifli him to the village on this occasion. The dog as it approached the spot where the fawn 2 lay, suddenly stopped. The little animal saw him and darted to its feet. Notwithstanding it had lived more than half its life among the dogs of the village, and had apparently lost all fear of them, yet it seemed now to know instinctively 3 that an enemy was at hand. In an instant, a change came over it ; it was the rousing of instinct in that beautiful creature. 3. In a second its whole character and appearance seemed changed ; all its past habits were forgotten, every wild impulse was awake ; its head erect, its nostrils dilated, 4 its eye flashing. In another instant, before the spectators had thought of the danger, before its friends could secure it, the fawn was leaping wildly through the street and the hound in full pursuit. The bystanders were eager to save it. Several persons instantly followed its track. The friends who had long fed and fondled it, calling the name it had hitherto known, but in vain. 4. The hunter endeavored to whistle back his dog, but with no better success. In half a minute the fawn had turned the first corner, dashed onward toward the lake, and thrown itself into the water. For a moment the startled creature believed itself safe in the cool bosom of the lake ; but it was soon undeceived : the hound followed in hot and eager chase, while a dozen villagers joined blindly in the pursuit. 5. Quite a crowd collected on the bank, men, women, and children, anxious for the fate of the little animal so well known to them all. Some jumped into boats, hoping 1 Gam' bol ing, leaping and skip- 3 In stinct' ive ly, without in*, ping about in sport. struction ; taught by nature. * Fawn, a young deer, a deer of * Dilated, (di lat' ed), spread out " the first year. enlarged in all directions. CHASE OF THE PET $AWN. 97 to intercept l the hound before he reached his prey. The plashing of the oars, the eager voices of the men and boys, and the barking of the dogs, must have filled the beating heart of the poor fawn with terror and anguish, 2 as though every creature where it once had been caressed and fondled, had suddenly turned into a deadly foe. 6. It was soon sean that the little animal was directing its course across a bay toward the nearest borders of ths forest, and immediately the owner of the hound crossed the bridge, running at full speed in the same direction, hoping to stop his dog as he landed. On the fawn swam, as it never swam before, its delicate head scarcely seen above the water, but leaving a disturbed track, which be- trayed its course alike to anxious friends and fierce enemies. 7. As it approached the land, the exciting interest became intense. 3 The hunter was already on the same line of shore, calling loudly and angrily to his dog, but the animal seemed to have quite forgotten his master's voice in the pitiless pursuit. The fawn touched the land : in one leap it crossed the line of beach, in another instant it was in the woods. 8. The hound followed, true to the scent, aiming at the same spot on the shore. His master, anxious to meet him, had run at full speed, and was now coming up at a most critical 4 moment. Would the dog hearken to his voice, or could the hunter reach him in time to seize and control him? 9. A shout from the village bank proclaimed that the fawn had passed out of sight into the forest ; at the same instant, the hound, as he touched the land, felt the hunter's strong arm clutching his neck. The worst was believed to be over : the fawn was leaping up the mountain-side, and its enemy under restraint. The other dogs, seeing their leader cowed, were easily managed. 10. A number of persons, men and boys, dispersed them- 1 In v ter cept', to stop on its pas- " In tense', strained ; tightly sage ; to take or seize by the way. drawn ; very close. 3 Anguish, (ang'gwish),very great < Crit' ic al, important ; decisive ; pain, either of body or mind. dangerous. 5 98 NATIONAL THIRD READER. selves through the woods in search of their favorite ; but without success. They all returned to the village, reporting that the animal had not been seen by them. Some persons thought that after its fright had passed over, it would return of its own accord. It had worn a pretty collar, with its owner's name engraved upon it, so that it could be easily known from any other fawn that might be straying about the woods. 11. Before many hours had passed, a hunter presented himself to the lady whose pet the little creature had been, and, showing a collar with her name upon it, said that he had been out in the woods, and saw a fawn in the distance ; the little animal instead of bounding away as he had ex- pected, moved toward him, and he took aim, fired, and shot it to the heart. "When he found the collar about its neck, he was very sorry that he had killed it. 12. And thus the poor little thing lost its life. One would have thought that such a terrible chase would have made it afraid of man ; but no, it forgot the evil and re- membered the kindness only, and came to meet as a friend the hunter who shot it. Miss Cooper. m. 36. LUCY GRAY. NO mate, no comrade, 1 Lucy knew ; She dwelt on a wide moor ; 2 The sweetest thing that ever grew Beside a cottage door ! 2. You may spy 3 the fawn at play, The hare 4 upon the green ; But the sweet face of Lucy Gray Will never more be seen. 1 Com' rade, associate, mate, or ' Spy, gain sight of; discover at companion. a distance ; see. 7 Moor, meadow-land of great ex- 4 Hare, (har), a small, timid an tent, having a poor, light soil. imal. LUCY GRAY. 99 3. " To-night will be a stormy night, You to the town must go ; And take a lantern, child, to light Your l mother through 2 the snow." 4 " That, father, I will gladly do : 'Tis scarcely 3 afternoon — The minster 4 clock has just struck two, And yonder is the moon." 5. At this the father raised his hook, And snapped a fagot band ; He plied his work, and Lucy took The lantern in her hand. 1 Your, £*6r). • Through, (thrft). 8 Scarcely, (sk ars' 1!), hardly. * Min' ster. church* 100 NATIONAL THIRD READER. 6. Not blither Y is the mountain roe : 2 With many a wanton 3 stroke, Her feet disperse 4 the powdery snow, That rises up like smoke. s 7. The storm came on before its time : She wandered up and down, And many a hill did Lucy climb, But never reached the town. 8. The wretched par'ents all that night Went shouting far and wide ; But there was neither sound nor sight To serve them for a guide. 9. At daybreak on a hill they stood, That overlooked the moor ; And thence they saw the bridge of wood, A furlong 5 from the door. 10. They wept, and, turning homeward, cried, "In heaven we all shall meet" — When in the snow the mother spied The print of Lucy's feet ! 11. Half breathless, from the steep hill's edge They tracked the footmarks small ; And through the broken hawthorn hedge, 6 And by the long stone wall ; 12. And then an open field they crossed — The marks were still the same ; They track them on, nor ever lost, And to the bridge they came. 13. They followed from the snowy bank Those footmarks, one by one, Into the middle of the plank — And further there were none ! 1 Blither, (bllfh' er), more joyous ; B Furlong, (feY long), forty rods ; more gay the eighth part of a mile. 3 Roe, the female deer. 6 Hedge, (hej), very many shrubs 3 Wanton, (won' tun), playful. and trees growing ; a fence formed 4 Dis perse', scatter. of growing bushes. THE LITTLE BOY THAT: I)I&1> j l^J 14. You yet may spy the fawri ai.ipiayi The hare upon the green ; But the sweet face of Lucy Gray Will never more be seen. William Wobdswokth. IV. 37. THE LITTLE BOY THAT DIED. JAM all alone in my chamber now, And the midnight hour is near, And the fagot'3 crack, and the clock's dull tick, Are the only sounds I hear ; And over my soul, in its solitude, 1 Sweet feelings of sadness glide ; For my heart and my eyes are full, when I think Of the little boy that died. 2. I went one night to my father's house- Went home to the dear ones all, And softly I opened the garden gate, And softly the door of the hall : My mother came out to meet her son, She kissed me, and then she sighed, And her head fell on my neck, and she wept For the little boy that died. 3. And when I gazed on his innocent face, As still and cold he lay, And thought what a lovely child he had been, And how soon he must decay : " O Death ! thou lovest the beautiful," In the woe of my spirit I cried ; For sparkled the eyes, and the forehead 2 was fair, 1 Of the little boy that died. i Sol' i tude, the state of being 2 Forehead, (f6r' ed). alone; loneliness. 3 Fair, (far). 10 k j NATIONAL THIRD READER. 4 Again \ I will go to my father's house, Go home to the dear ones all, And sadly I'll open the garden gate, And sadly the door of the hall : I shall meet my mother, but never more With her darling by her side ; But she'll ldss me, and sigh and weep again For the little boy that died. 5. I shall miss him when the flowers come In the garden where he played ; I shall miss him more by the fireside, When the flowers have all decayed ; I shall see his toys and his empty chair, And the horse he used to ride ; And they will speak with a silent speech, Of the little boy that died. 6. I shall see his little sister again With her playmates about the door And I'll watch the children in their sports, As I never did before ; And if in the group 2 1 see a child That's dimpled and laughing-eyed, I'll look to see if it may not be The little boy that died. 7. We shall all go home to our Father's house — To our Father's house in the skies, Where the hope of our souls shall have no blight, 3 And our love no broken ties : We shall roam on the banks of the River of Peace, And bafhe in its blissful tide ; And one of the joys of our heaven shall be The little boy that died! 1 Again, (a gen). 3 Blight, mildew ; decay ; any * Group, crowd ; a number as- thing nipping or blasting ; that sembled. which impairs or destroys THE CHILD IS DEAD. 103 And therefore when I'm sitting alone, And the midnight hour is near, When the fagot's crack and the clock's dull tick Are the only sounds I hear, Oh ! sweet o'er my soul in its solitude Are the feelings of sadness that glide, Though my heart and my eyes are full when I think Of the little boy that died. J. D. Robinson. V. 88. THE CHILD IS DEAD. IT is hard to believe it : that we shall no more hear the glad voice, nor meet the merry laugh that burst so often from its glad heart. 2. Child as it was, it was a pleasant child, and to the partial par'ent there are traits of loveliness that no other eye may see. It was a wise ordering of Providence that we should love our own children as no one else loves them, and as we love the children of none besides. And ours was a lovely child. 3. But the child is dead. You may put away its play- things. Put them where they will be safe. 1 would not like to have them broken or lost ; and you need not lend them to other children when they come to see us. It would pain me to see them in other hands, much as I love to see children happy wifh their toys. 4. Its clothes you may lay aside ; I shall often look them over, and each of the colors that he wore will remind me of him as he looked when he was here. I shall weep often when I think of him ; but there is a luxury x in thinking of the one that is gone, which I would not part with for the world. I think of my child now, a child always, though an angel among angels. j — i 'Luxury, (luk' sh8 rf), any very gence in costly food, clothes, etc.; that nice food or drink ; too free indul- which is delightful to the senses. 104 NATIONAL THIRD READER. 5. The child is dead. The eye has lost its luster. 1 The hand is still and cold. Its little heart is not beating now. How pale it looks! Yet the very form is dear to me. Every lock of its hair, every feature of its face, is a treasure that I shall prize the more, as the months of my sorrow come and go. 6. Lay the little one in his coffin. He was never in so cold and hard a bed ; but he will feel it not. He would not know it, if he had been laid in his cradle, or in his mother's arms. Throw a flower or two by his side : like them he withered. 7. Carry him out to the grave. Gently. It is a hard road this to the grave. Every jar seems to disturb the infant sleeper. Here we are at the brink of the sepulcher. 2 Oh, how damp, and dark, and cold ! But the dead do not fee] it. There is no pain, no fear, no weeping there. Sleep on now, and take your rest. 8. Fill it up! Ashes to ashes, dust to dust! Every clod seems to fall on my heart. Every smothered sound from the grave is saying, Gone, gone, gone ! It is full now. Lay the turf 3 gently over the dear child. Plant a myrtle 4 among the sods, and let the little one sleep among the trees and flowers. Our child is not there. His dust, precious dust, indeed, is there, but our child is in heaven. He is not here : he is risen. 9. I shall think of the form that is moldering here among the dead ; and it will be a mournful comfort to come, at times, and think of the child that was once the light of our house, and the idol 5 — ah ! that I must own the secret of this sorrow — the idol of my heart ! S. I. Pkimb. 1 litis' ter, brightness. plants so as to hold together and a Sep' ul cher, a tomb ; a grave ; form a kind of mat ; sward ; sod. the place in which a human being * Myrtle, (meV tl), a kind of flow- is buried, or a place intended for ering shrub, or small tree, having that purpose. evergreen leaves and small pale 3 Turf, (t^rf), that upper part of flowers, earth or mold which is filled with 6 I' dol, that on which the affeo the roots of grass and other small tions are too strongly set. EVA'S HOME* 105 VI. 39. EVA'S HOME, A COTTAGE in a peaceful vale, A jasmine l round the door, A hill to shelter from the gale, A silver brook before. 2. Oh, sweet the jasmine's buds of snow, In mornings soft with May ! Oh, silver-clear the waves that flow, Reflecting 2 heaven, away ! 1 Jasmine, (jaz' m!n), a climbing * Re fleet' ing, throwing back plant of a peculiarly sweet smell. Hglit, heat, etc. 106 NATIONAL THIRD READER 3. A sweeter bloom to Eva's youth Rejoicing Nature gave ; And heaven was mirrored l in her truth More clear than on the wave. 4. Oft to that lone sequestered 2 place My boyish steps would roam, There was a look in Eva's face That seemed a smile of home. 5. And 6ft I paused to hear at noon A voice that sang for glee ; Or mark the white neck glancing down, The book upon the knee. 6. The cottage in the peaceful vale, The jasmine round the door, The hill still shelters from the gale, The brook still glides before. 7. Still sweet the jasmine's buds of snow, But 'neafh the yew-tree's shade, Where silver-clear the waves still flow. Her holy dust is laid. Altered from Lytton. vn. 40. THE CHILD AND THE MOURNERS. A LITTLE child, beneafli a tree Sat and chanted 3 cheerily A little song, a pleasant song, Which was — she sang it all day long — "When the wind blows the blossoms fall; But a good God reigns over all." 2. There passed a lady by the way, Moaning 4 in the face of day : 1 Mir' rored, reflected or exhib- 3 Chanted, (chant' ed), uttered ited as in a mirror. with a melodious voice ; sung. * Sequestered, ( se kwes' terd ), 4 Moan' ing, making a low, dull separated from others for the sake sound of grief or pain ; complain- of privacy ; retired. ing. THE CHILD AND THE MOURNERS. 107 There were tears upon her cheek, Grief in her heart too great to speak ; Her husband died but yester-morn, And left her in the world forlorn. 1 3. She stopped and listened to the child That looked to heaven, and singing, smiled, And saw not for her own despair, 2 Another lady, young and fair, Who, also passing, stopped to hear The infant's anthem 3 ringing clear. 4. For she but few sad days before Had lost the little babe she bore ; And grief was heavy at her soul As that sweet memory o'er her stole, And showed how bright had been the past. The present drear 4 and overcast. 5. And as they stood beneafli the tree Listening, soothed and placidly, 5 A youth 6 came by, whose sunken eyes Spake of a load of miseries ; And he, arrested 7 like the twain, 8 Stopped to listen to the strain. 6. Death had bowed the youthful head Of his bride beloved, of his bride unwed : Her marriage robes were fitted on, Her fair young face with blushes shone, "When the destroyer smote her low, And changed the lover's bliss to woe. 7. And these three listened to the song, Silver-toned, and sweet, and strong, 1 For lorn', forsaken ; without 4 Drear, dismal ; gloomy, friends. 6 Plac' id ly, calmly ; mildly. a Des pair', the loss of all hope. * Youth, (ySth). 8 An' them, any church music 7 Ar rest' ed, held or restrained adapted to passages from the Bible ; from moving. Q song. 8 Twain, two. 108 NATIONAL THIRD READER. Which that child, the livelong day, Chanted to itself in play — " When the wind blows She blossoms fall, But a good God reigns over all." 8. The widow's lips impulsive 1 moved ; The mother's grief, though unreproved, Softened, as her trembling tongue Repeated what the infant sung ; And the sad lover, with a start, Conned 2 it over in his heart. 9. And though the child — if child it Ttere, And not a seraph 3 sitting there — Was seen no more, the sorrowing three Went on their way resignedly, The song still ringing in their ears : Was it music from the spheres ? 4 10. Who shall tell? They did not know. But in the midst of deepest woe The strain recurred 5 when sorrow grew ; To warn them, and console 6 them too — " When the wind blows the blossoms fall, But a good God reigns over all." Charles Mackay. SECTION VIII. i. 41. DISOBEDIENCE. YOU have never disobeyed your parents, or your teachers, or any who have been placed in authority " over you, without being uncomfortable and unhappy ! 1 Im pul' sive, with quick force. moon, and stars made music as they a Conned, studied ; considered. moved ; hence, music of the spheres.. 8 Ser' aph, an angel of the highest 5 Recurred, (re k^rd), came again, order. 6 Con sole', to comfort. 4 Spheres, (sfers), worlds. The 7 Authority, (a th6r' ! tl), rightful ancients had an idea that the sun, power ; a risrht to act or to command. DISOBEDIENCE. 109 Obedience, 1 in a child, is one of the most necessary qual- ities ; for it protects him from all the evils of his want of experience, 2 and gives him the benefit of the experience of others. 2. One fine summer's day, I went to spend an afternoon at a house in the country, where some young people were enjoying a holiday. 3. They were running cheerfully up and down a meadow, covered over with yellow crocuses, and other flowers ; and I looked on them with delight, while they gamboled and made posies, as they felt disposed. " Here sister with sister roamed over the mead, 8 And brother plucked flow'rets with brother ; And playmates with playmates ran on with such speed That the one tumbled over the other." 4 Now, they all had been told to keep away from the ditch at the bottom of the field ; but, notwithstanding this injunction, 4 one little urchin, 5 of the name of Jarvis, seeing a flower in the hedge on the opposite bank, which he wished to gather, crept nearer and nearer to the ditch. The closer he got to the flower, the more beautiful it appeared to be, and the stronger the temptation 6 became to pluck it. 5. Now, what right had he to put himself in the way of temptation ? The field, as I said before, was covered over with flowers ; and that in the hedge was no better than the rest, only it was a forbidden flower, and when any thing is forbidden it becomes, on that very account, a greater temp- tation to a disobedient heart. 6. Jarvis had gathered a whole handful of flowers before he saw the one growing in the hedge ; but he threw all 1 O be di ence, the state of being 3 Mead, a meadow, willing to obey ; a ready compliance 4 Injunction, (in junk' shun), or. with that which is required by right- der or command, ful authority. 6 Urchin, (eY chin), a pert or 1 Expe' ri ence, frequent trial of rough little fellow ; a child. a matter ; wisdom gained by experi- • Temp ta' tion, the state of being ence ; useful knowledge taught by tempted, or enticed to evil ; that '.he change? and trials of life. which tempts. £10 NATIONAL THIRD READER. these away, so much was his mind set on getting the one which he wanted. 7. Unluckily for him, on getting down the bank his foot slipped, and down he rolled into a bed of stinging nettles, at the bottom of the ditch which fortunately happened to have in it but little water. 8. Jaryis screamed out with might and main, as he lay on his back ; for, whichever way he turned, his cheeks and his fingers brushed against the nettles. 9. His cries soon brought his companions around him ; but, as they were all young, they knew not how to render him assistance, on account of the stinging nettles, and the depth of the ditch. 10. I ran to the spot, and pulled up Master Jaryis in a pietty state, his jacket and trowsers plastered with mud, and his hands and face covered with blotches. Here was the fruit of disobedience ! And as it was with Jarvis, so will it be with every one who acts disobediently. 11. Whenever you feel a temptation to disobey God ; to disobey his holy word ; to disobey the admonitions x of your own conscience ; 2 to disobey your parents, your teachers, or any in authority over you, be sure that a punishment awaits you, if you do not resist it. n. 42. THE TWO SCHOOLMATES. IN a pleasant village on the east bank of the Hudson, on a sunny, sandy spot, stood the old yellow school-house. Among the many laughing children that played around it thirty-five years ago, were two boys, Frank and Edward. 2. They were nearly of the same age ; they sat on the same seat, studied the same lessons, and read from the same book. Their fathers were both rich, were very fond of their sons, and hoped they would grow up wise and good men. 1 Admonition, (ad r m6 nlsh' un), power or principle within us which caution against a fault or error ; gen- decides on the lawfulness or unlaw- tie or friendly reproof. fulness of our actions and affections a Conscience, (kon' ehens), the and approves or condemns them THE FOSTER-CHILD. 1H 3. Edward could learn very easily. If he only read ovei his lesson once or twice, he could recite it well ; so that he had a great deal of time to play, even in school-hours. 4. With Frank it was quite otherwise. Every thing he learned was by hard study. While the l other boys were playing and shouting at recess, 2 he was at his books. 5. When strangers visited the school, they would say: " What a bright boy Edward is ! How well he knows his lesson ! What a fine man he will be !" But no such com- pliment 3 was ever heard for poor Frank. 6. The boys grew to be young men, and their fathers sent them to college. Here it was just the same. Edward did not study much, yet he generally recited well ; Frank was never idle, and yet he was often called dull. 7. Time passed on. The young men left college and commenced business. Then their friends found they had been mistaken. Edward had formed bad habits ; he had grown idle and careless, and too fond of pleasure. 8. With these faults no man can succeed in business, and thus he sadly disappointed all the fond hopes of his friends. Frank, on the other hand, was patient and industrious. "Try, try again," had always been his motto, and God blessed his efforts. 9. He is now an eminent 4 physician in one of our largest cities ; while his early playmate, the bright, but idle Ed- ward, is a disgrace to his family— a worthless drunkard. in. 43. THE FOSTER-CHILD. PAKT FIRST. APOOE woman entered the parlor of a lady for whom she had sometimes worked. She led by the hand a little boy, poorly clad, and of a sad countenance. To the questions addressed to her, she mournfully replied : 1 The, see Rule 3, p. 24 3 Com' pli ment, words of praise ' Re cess', a withdrawing or re said merely to please. tiring' ; a moving back ; an interims- 4 Em' i nent, above others ; much sion ; a short delay or rest. esteemed 112 NATIONAL THIRD READER. 2. " He is my child. His father has been dead since he was a baby. Six months since, I married again. He seems not to be welcome to his new father. It grows worse and worse. Sometimes he goes hungry, and sometimes he is badly beaten." 3. Then weeping, she added, " I can not deny that my husband, now and then, drinks too much. Then it is bad for us both, but worst of all for the poor boy. "When I go out to work, I can not leave him at home, for fear he might be killed while I am gone- The people who hire me, do not like to have me bring a child wifh me. 4. " Oh dear mad'am, will you not let him live wifh you ? Take him, I pray, and do what you will with him, for our misery is great. I feel that I can not live long, and my only fear of death is, that I must leave him alone to suffer. O, lady ! lady ! you, whose two sweet children are in the grave, have pity on us." 5. And as the boy looked timidly up, there was a large, round tear in each blue eye, like a dew-drop upon a violet. The heart of the bereaved * one yearned 2 over him ; and she bade the poor mother bring him again to-morrow. That night, she consulted her husband, and he said, " Do as thou wilt in this matter, for the Lord is wifh thee." 6. The next morning the sad pair presented themselves. The lady took the child by the hand, and said, " I will be a mother to him. So help me, God." The poor woman fell on her knees, and praised the Lord, saying, that now she was ready to die in peace. 7. The boy was overjoyed to find that a bath, 3 and a suit of neat clothes, and a comfortable meal awaited him. Still more oppressed 4 was he wifh wonder, when the gentleman came home, and he was told he might call him father. He 1 Be reaved', made destitute ; one 8 Bath, (bath), a vessel of water from whom a loved object has been for persons to plunge or wash their taken bodies in. 2 Yearned, (ySrnd). was filled 4 Op pressed', overwhelmed ; with longing desire; was imved by bowed down; burdened or con feelings of affection oi tenderness. strained ; overpowered. THE FOSTEK-CHILD. 113 bowed himself low, as he uttered the word, and turning to his kind benefactress, whispered : " He will not beat me, when he gets back to-night, will he ?" 8. When he was led, at retiring, to a little chamber, and a nicer bed than, perhaps, he had ever before seen, he kneeled beside it, as his poor mother had taught him, and murmured, "What shall I say? Oh, what shall I say? My old prayers won't do." So filled was he with amaze- ment and gratitude, that his few words were in sobs : "Oh, good Lord ! good Lord ! Take care of poor mother, and don't ever let me go back any more." IV. 44. THE FOSTER-CHILD. PART SECOND. HIS zeal to serve and please those who so nobly shel- tered him, knew no bounds. " What shall I do for you, my lady — mother, I mean ? Please let me do some- thing." 2. His earnest application l in learning to read, and com- mitting 2 verses and hymns, created some anxiety, lest his health should suffer. His judicious 3 foster-mother 4 devised 5 modes of exercise and light labor for him, and wished to allure 6 him to athletic 7 plays; but he never seemed so happy as when near her side. 3. He was fond of repeating to himself, after he had retired, passages from the Bible, which he committed to memory. It would seem that he dwelt most upon those which seemed to have reference to his own past or pres- ent condition. He was heard many times to say in his ' Ap pli ca tion, the act of fixing 4 Fos' ter-moth x er, one in the the mind ; close attention. place of a mother. * Com mit' ting, learning. ; De vised 7 , made ; found out ; 8 Judicious, (judish' us), accord- planned, ing to sound judgment; discreet; 8 Al lure', entice ; draw; attract prudent : wise. T Ath let' ic, vigorous ; strong. 114 NATIONAL THIRD READER. solitary 1 apart'ment, 2 with tender intonations, 3 "I was brought low, and He lielped me" 4. The excellent pair, who extended to him their kind protection, 4 felt for the amiable 5 child a true parental re- gard. God's blessing seemed to descend into their hearts, and comfort them for the children they had lost, with a a quiet joy in the one they had found. Yet they could not repress their anxiety at the increasing indications 6 of his failing health. 5. Whether it was the result of a naturally feeble consti- tution, or of the hardships he had endured from an intem- perate man's tyranny, 7 the physicians were not agreed. His poor mother had died a few months after his adoption. It was God's will that in less than a year he should follow her. Every care that skill and affection could devise, was lavished 8 on the orphan, 9 but in vain. 6. When so weak, as to be unable to walk, he steadfastly regarded the bed on which he was laid, and said, " Is this my death-bed? my death-bed?" He seemed to have im- bibed 10 the impression that it would differ in aspect u from other places of repose, having heard it spoken of with solemnity. 12 Having scanned 13 it with attention, he laid down his head, repeating : " Jesus can make a dying bed feel soft as downy pillows are." 7. To his kind foster-mother, as she watched over him, he said, once at midnight, " I shall go to your boy and girl. Will they be angry with me, because I lived in their house, 1 Sol' i ta ry, single ; not much T Tyranny, (tir' an ni), cruel gov- visited ; being by one's self. ernment ; severity. 2 A part' ment, a division or room 8 Lav' ished, expended or given in a building. very freely. 3 In to na' tions, sounds of the 9 Or' phan, a child who has lost voice made in a musical manner. both father and mother. * Pro tec' tion, the act of preserv- 10 Im bibed', drunk in ; swallow- ing from loss, annoyance, or injury , ed ; taken, shelter. " As' pect, appearance. 6 A' mi a ble, worthy of love ; de " So lem' ni ty, gravity ; steady serving of affection seriousness. 6 In di ca' tion, mark ; something M Scanned, gone over and exam - which point? out. ined point by-point. THE CROP OF ACORNS. 115 and used some of their playthings? Will they kiss me, and hold out their hand to me, as you do ?" 8. The work of death was lingering, and severe ; but he was patient and lamb-like. He seemed to have no will of his own. All that troubled him was, to see the grief of his par'ents. 9. ieza, a thing thought to 3 Nee' tar, the drink of the hea- resemble some other thing in its then gods, of which Jupiter was the lsading qualities, and so used to rep- chief or highest ; honey ; any sweet resent it. Water is called the em- drink. Mem of truth because of its clear- 4 Intrusively, (In trfi' siv li), with- ness and purity. out invitation, right, or wJcome. 2 Gob' let, a kind of cup or drink- 6 Plan ta' tion, a place planted ; ing vessel without a handle. a large cultivated farm. ONE BY ONE. 121 To-morrow I will seek instruction, To-morrow I will shun seduction, 1 To-morrow this and that will do. 2. And wherefore not to-day ? to-morrow For thee will also be too narrow ; To every day its task allot ! 2 Whate'er is done, is done forever, Thus much I know ; but whatsoever May hap to-morrow know I not. 3. On ! on ! or thou wilt be retreating ; For all our moments, quickly fleeting, Advance, nor backward more incline, What we possess alone is ours, The use we make of present hours ; For can I call the future mine ? 4 And every day, thus vainly fleeing, Is in the volume of my being A page unwritten, blank and void. Men write on its unsullied 3 pages Deeds to be read by coming ages ! Be every day alike employed ! Feom the German of Weisse. n. 49. ONE BY ONE. OKE by one the sands are flowing, One by one the moments fall ; Some are coming, some are going ; Do not strive to grasp them all. 2. One by one thy duties wait thee ; Let thy whole strength go to each : Let no future dreams elate 4 thee ; Learn thou first what these can teach. 1 Se due tion, act of leading Un sul' lied, pure; without spot away from duty ; that which is or stain, adapted or employed to lead astray. 4 E late', to make glad or joyous ; 3 Al lot', to divide or distribute, to elevate or flush with success ; to as by lot ; to give or appoint. pufF up : to make proud. 122 NATIONAL THIRD READER. 3. One by one (bright gifts of heaven) Joys are sent thee here below : Take them readily when given, — Beady, too, to let them go. 4. One by one thy griefs shall meet thee ; Do not fear an armed band : One will fade as others greet thee, — Shadows passing through the land. 5. Do not look at life's long sorrow ; See how small each moment's pain ; God will help thee for to-morrow ; Every day begin again. 6. Every hour that fleets so slowly, Has its task to do or bear ; Luminous * the crown, and holy, If thou set each gem with care. 7. Do not linger with regretting, Or for passing hours despond ; 2 Nor, thy daily toil forgetting, Look too eagerly beyond. 8. Hours are golden links, God's token/ Beaching heaven ; but one by one Take them, lest the chain be broken, Ere thy pilgrimage 4 be done. m. 50. NOW, TO-DAY 1. A RISE ! for the day is passing, and you lie dreaming' on ; Q. Your brothers are cased in armor, and forth to the fight are gone ! A place in the ranks awaits you ; each man has some part to play; The Past and the Future are nothing in the face of stern to-day. 1 Iiu' min otiSj bright ; emitting * Token, (to' kn), something Utr or sending out light. tended to represent another thing. * De spond' to be cast down ; to * Pil' grim age, a long wearisome lose courage ; to give up, journey. THE HALF IS BETTER THAN THE WHOLE, 123 2. Arise from your dreams of the Future, — of gaining some hard- fought field, Of storming some airy fortress, or bidding some giant yield ; Your Future has deeds of glory, of honor, (God grant it may!) But your arm will never be stronger, or needed as now, — lo-day. 3. Arise ! if the Past detain you, her sunshine and storms forget j No chains so unworthy to hold you as those of a vain regret ; Sad or bright, she is lifeless ever; cast her phantom ' arms away, Nor look back, save to learn the lesson of a nobler strife to-day. 4 Arise ! for the day is passing; the sound that you scarcely hear, Is the enemy marching to battle ! Rise ! Rise ! for the foe is near! Stay not to sharpen your weapons, or the hour will strike at last, When, from dreams of a coming battle, you may wake to find it past ! Adelaide A. Procter SECTION X. i. 51. THE HALF IS BETTER THAN THE WHOLE. THE sun was pouring its meridian 2 rays upon the Ara« bian desert, w T hen a car'avan halted for refreshment and repose. The tents were arranged for shade, the camels were unladen, and each tired Mussulman, 3 reclining upon the sand, enjoyed his favorite luxury of the pipe, or listened to one of those long, dull tales, with which the inhabitants of the 4 East,, are wont 5 to amuse each other in their jour- tieyings through the desert. 2. Two little boys, the only children in the whole coni- 1 Phan' torn, shadowy; having one \vho believes Mohammed to have only an apparent existence. been a prophet. 8 Me rid' i an, mid-day. 4 The, (the), see Rale 3. p. 24. 9 Mus' sul man, a Mohammedan,* * "Wont, (want), vised ; aooustomod 124 NATIONAL THIRD READER. pany, alone were restless, active, and impatient of restraint. As they were not allowed to smoke, and had no taste for the tedious 1 stories that amused their elders, they wandered among the camels, and climbed upon their backs together, and, at last, for want of other entertainment, quarreled, and then separated, to find each his own amusement 2 apart. 3. Selim, the younger, resolving heartily never to play again wifh Ali, 3 scampered off toward a cluster of low rocks that, at a short distance, emerged from the plain of sand, and formed the only object that broke the uniformity of the prospect. Having reached the rocks, he had nothing to do but return, and endure again the dullness of the car- avan, and the provoking temper of Ali. His spirit sunk at the thought of the odious 4 necessity, when turning a corner of the rocks, that were rather higher than himself, he came suddenly on a prize that made him cry out for joy. 4. Taking root in a fissure 5 of the rock, a stunted 6 date- tree had pushed its puny 7 limbs into the sunshine, and bore on its dwarfish 8 head a handful of over-ripened fruit. A small, but clear spring of water trickled through the crevice, 9 and, supplying moisture to the tree, glistened along the thirsty sands for a moment, and then disappeared. 5. A fountain of fresh water! What a transporting 10 discovery! For weeks, poor Selim had tasted no drink except rare and stinted draughts 12 from the heated con- tents of the water-skins, that had been brought on the cam- els' backs from Mohadin. 6. He could scarcely believe his eyes. He looked anxiously toward the car'avan, fearing that he might have been followed, and that his rich prize might be taken from 1 Te'dious, dull; tiresome from 6 Stunted, stopped in its growth, length or slowness. 7 Pu' ny, little and weak. 2 A muse' ment, that which af- 8 Dwarf ish, smaller than its nat- fects us lightly and pleasantly ; pas- ural size. time ; sport. 9 Crev' ice, a crack. 3 Ali, (a' le> 10 Trans port' ing, carried beyond 4 O' di ous, hateful ; disagreeable, one's self for joy. 6 Fissure, (fish' or), a split, or nar- " Draught, (draft), that which is row opening. drawn in at once in drinking. THE HALF IS BETTER THAN THE WHOLE. 125 him, or at least shared, by that odious brother. But no one came to interrupt, or to partake of his happiness ; — the cool water and the luscious 1 fruit were all his own. 1 7. For a moment, the fancy of Selim reveled 2 in the anticipation 3 of the delicious draught, and of the rich repast before him, and, in his happiness, he found that he 1 Luscious, (lush' us), sweet ; de- 3 An tic i pa'tion, expected pleas- lightful. ure or pain felt before its arrival J 3 Rev' eled, moved playfully, a taking beforehand. 126 NATIONAL THIRD RKADER. had forgiven Ali. His pleasure was so ex'quisite, 1 that be wanted to shout it to the rocks ; and even the fiercely-glar- ing sun, he thought, might sympathize in his delight. 8. But the first draught was scarcely swallowed, before Selim began to find that something was wanting to com- plete his enjoyment. What could it be, whose absence was causing the refreshing water to pall 2 upon his appetite. 9. He wondered that he was not perfectly happy in the sole possession of such treasures. He pondered, 3 and con- sidered in vain. But his untutored heart whispered to him the truth. He paused. He sighed ; then ran, like an ante- lope, 4 over the hills to the tent where his brother had laid himself down to sleep. 10. Back the two brothers hastened to the rocks. Selim enjoyed the surprise, the delight of Ali, at the sight of the fountain and the tree. He found his own pleasure doubled in witnessing that of his brother. The water seemed cooler, the fruit had a higher flavor, 5 when Ali joined his praises of both. The glare 6 of the sun was less regarded. 11. They talked, and laughed; they ate, and drank. Selim's enjoyment was now perfect ; and from that day to the end of his life, he never forgot, that, of whatever foun- tains of pleasure or fruits of joy we may find on our pil- grimage through the world, the half is better — much bet- ter — than the whole. n. 52. THE BOY WHO KEPT HIS PURPOSE. PAKT FIRST. " "T WOULD not be so mean," said George Ward to a J- boy who stood by while he put the candy he had just bought into his pocket. "You have no right to call me 1 Exquisite, (eks' kwl zit), care- deer with wreathed or ringed fully selected or sought out ; hence, horns. very nice ; very great ; giving rare 6 Fla' vor, that quality of any satisfaction, thing which affects the smell oi ' Pall, lose strength or taste. taste : that which gives to any thing Von' dered, thought. a very pleasant odor or taste. Jin te lope, a kind of goat or 6 Glare, (glar), bright light. THE BOY WHO KEPT HIS PURPOSE. 127 mean," replied Beuben 1 Porter, " because I don't spend my money for candy." 2. " You never spend it for any thing," continued George, tauntingly. 2 It was true : Eeuben did not spend his money. Do you suppose it was because he loved it more than other boys do ? 3. Keuben turned slowly away, meditating 3 upon what had occurred. " I will not care for what George thinks," he at length said to himself ; " I have four dollars now, and when I have sold my cabbages, I shall have another dollar. I shall soon have enough/' and his heart bounded joyfully, his step recovered its elasticity, 4 and his pace quickened, as the pleasant thought removed the sting the accusation 5 of meanness had inflicted 6 on his sensitive 7 spirit. 4. " Enough " did not mean the same with Reuben as with grown people. It had a limit. He hastened cheerfully home, or to the place he called home. He had no father or mother there, but kind and loving friends in their stead. 5. Mr. Porter had died two years before, leaving a wife and four children, without property to sustain them. Reu- ben was the eldest, and, as he was old enough to assist in the labors of a farm, it was thought best he should leave his mother. Mr. Johnson, a neighbor, took him into his family, where he soon became a favorite. 6. There was one thing about the boy, however, which good Mrs. Johnson regarded as a great fault. It was what she called " a spirit of hoarding." She said she never gave him an orange, or an apple, that he did not carry it to his room, instead of eating it. Perhaps his sisters at home, or dear little brother Charles, could tell what became of them. 1 Reuben, (r5' ben). return to its form or shape when 2 Tauntingly, (tanf Ing li), in an compressed or expanded. Insulting manner. 6 Ac r cu sa' tion, the act of accus- 3 Med i ta ting, dwelling on any ing or charging with a crime ; that thing in thought,; turning any sub- of which one is accused. ject in the mind ; thinking. e In flict' ed, bestowed, or given, 4 E las tic' i ty, in this place or struck. means easiness of motion ; its pro- 7 Sen' si tive, that which quickly per meaning is, ability of a thing to feels. 128 NATIONAL THIRD READER 7. Mrs. Johnson had noticed, too, in his drawer, a box, which was quite heavy with money. She did not believe he had bought so much as a fish-hook since he had been in their family. If he should go on in this way, he will grow up to be a miser. 8. Mr. Johnson smiled at his wife's earnestness, and re- marked, that, wifh such an example of generosity as Reuben had constantly before him, he could not believe the child was in much danger from the fault she feared. " It must be remembered," he said, " that Reuben has his own way to make in life. He must early learn to save, or he will always be poor. There are his mother and sisters, too, who need his aid." m. 53. THE BOY WHO KEPT HIS PURPOSE. PART SECOND. IN various ways Reuben added to his store. 1 When the snow came ho made nice broad paths about the house, which so attracted the notice of a neighbor, that she asked if he might be allowed to make paths for her. He rose early, that he might have time for this extra 2 work, and was well paid for his efforts. The box grew heavier from week to week. Reuben had almost enough. 2. One day there was a barrel of flour left at Mrs. Por- ter's. She thought there must be some mistake about it ; but the man said he was directed at the store to take it to that house. 3. Mrs Porter went immediately to learn about it, and what was her surprise on finding her son had been the purchaser. How could he pay for a whole barrel of flour? " The money," said the merchant, " he brought in a box. It was in small bits, which took me some time to count ; but there was enough." 1 Store, a source from which sup- 2 Extra, (eks' tra), over and above ; plies may be drawn ; fund ; any beyond what is due, appointed, or place where goods are sold. expected. THE BOY WHO KEPT HIS PURPOSE. 129 4. The mother called, with a full heart, at Mrs. Johnson's, and related what had occurred. Eeuben wondered why his mother should cry so. He thought she would be happy. He was sure lie was. He had been thinking two years of that barrel of flour, and now he felt more like laughing than crying. 5. Those tears, noble boy, are not tears of sorrow, but of fhe deepest, fullest joy. You are more than repaid for your self-denial. You have persevered in your determina- tion ; you have resisted every temptation to deviate l from the course which you marked out as right. You have borne meekly 2 the charge of meanness, so galling 3 to your generous spirit, and now you rf reive your reward. You are happy, and so is your mot _3r, and so are your kind friends, Mr. and Mrs. Johnson. 6. That night Mr. Johnson remarked to his wife, as they sat together before the cheerful fire, that he had some idea of keeping the little miser and educating him. "A boy who could form such a purpose and keep it, will in all prob- ability make a useful man." 7. After-years proved the correctness of this conclusion. Heuben is now a man of intelligence and wealth. He is one whom the world delights to honor; but among his pleasantest memories, I doubt not, is that of the barrel of flour he bought for his beloved mother. 8. "Filial love will never go unrewarded." The youth 4 who devotes his early thoughts and plans to the gratifica- tion and happiness of his parents, will grow up loving all mankind, and people will return this love and friendship in such a manner as to render him happy, successful, and useful in life De' vi ate, to go out of the way. 8 Gall' ing, rubbing so as to cause 3 Meek' ly, patiently ; without soreness ; vexing ; annoying, oomplaint. * Youth, (y6th. 6* 130 NATIONAL THIRD READER. IV. 54, ANECDOTE OF FREDERICK THE GREAT. FEEDEKICK the Great, king of Prussia, having rung his bell one day, and nobody answering, opened the door where his page 1 was usually in waiting, and found him asleep on a sofa. 2. He was going to awake him, when he perceived the end of a billet or letter hanging out of his pocket. Having the curiosity to know its contents, he took and read it, and found it was a letter from his mother, thanking him for having sent her a part of his wages to assist her in her dis- tress, and concluding with beseeching God to bless him for his filial attention to her wants. 3. The king returned softly to his room, took a purse of ducats, 2 and slid them with the letter into the page's pocket. Returning to his apartment, he rung so violently that the page awoke, opened the door, and entered. 4. " You have slept well," said the king. The page made an apology, and, in his embarrasment, 3 happened to put his hand into his pocket, and felt with astonishment the purse. He drew it out, turned pale, and looking at the king, burst into tears, without being able to speak a word. 5. "What is the matter?" asked the king; "what ails you ?" " Ah, sir," said the young man, throwing himself at his feet, " somebody has wished to ruin me. I know not how I came by this money in my pocket." 6. "My friend," said Frederick, "God often sends fr us good in our sleep. Give the money to your mother ; salute her in my name, and assure her that I shall take care of her and you." 7. This story furnishes an excellent instance of the grat- 1 Page, a youth or attendant on a is about equal to an American dollar, wealthy person ; a serving-boy. and the gold ducat of twice the 3 Due' at, a piece of money, either value, of silver or gold, of several coun- 8 Embarrassment, a state of tries in Europe. The silver ducat confusion, as of mind or manners. HUMANITY REWARDED. 131 itude and duty which children owe to their aged, infirm, or unfortunate parents. 8. And, if the children of such parents will follow the example of Frederick's servant, though they may not meet with the reward that was conferred on him, they shall be amply recompensed 1 by the pleasing testimony of their own minds, and by that God who approves, as he has com manded, every expression of filial love. V. 55 HUMANITY REWARDED. JOSEPH Second, Emperor of Germany, once received a petition 2 in favor of a poor and superannuated 3 offi- cer, with a family of ten children, who was reduced to the utmost poverty. 2. After making inquiries respecting the man, and satis- fying himself of his worth, the Emperor determined to judge of his necessities by personal observation. 3. Accordingly, he went alone to the house of the officer, whom he found seated at table, wifh eleven children around him, dining upon vegetables of his own planting. 4. The Emperor, who was disguised as a private citizen, after some general conversation with the officer, said : " I heard you had ten children, but I see here eleven." 5. " This," replied the officer, pointing to one, " is a poor orphan, whom I found at my door. I have endeavored to obtain for him the assistance of persons who could better afford to provide for him, but have not been able to suc- ceed ; and of course I could do no better than to share my little portion with him." 6. The Emperor, admiring the generous humanity 4 of the poor man, immediately made himself known to him, 1 Rec' om pensed, rewarded ; re- ' Su per an' nu a ted, grown too paid ; given something of a like old to work, value for service, loss, etc. * Hu man' i ty, the kind feelings, ' Peti'tion, a paper containing dispositions, and sympathies of man; a request. kindness ; fellow-feeling. 132 NATIONAL THIRD HEADER. and said, " I desire that all these children may be my pen« sioners, 1 and that you will continue to give them examples of virtue and honor. 7. " I grant you one hundred florins 2 per annum, for each, and also, an addition of two hundred florins to your pension. Go to-morrow to my treasurer, 3 where you will receive the fcrst quarter's payment, together with a lieutenant's com- mission for your eldest son. Henceforth I will be the father of all the family." Emma C. Embury. VI. 56. THE BASKET-MAKER. A RICH man, whose ignorance and pride were at least equal to his riches, had a house on the sea-side, where he spent much of his time in hunting and fishing. It happened that a poor, but honest basket-maker, owned a small hovel, and a narrow strip of marsh land, between his mansion 4 and the sea. Of the flags which this land produced, the poor man made baskets, and other articles, in a neat and peculiar manner, and by the sale of these he supported himself and several small children. 2. The rich man, after trying in vain to induce 5 the basket-maker to sell his marsh, 6 at last was so incensed 7 at his refusal, that he set fire to the dwelling, and burnt that and all the rushes flat to the ground. The poor man com- plained to the king of the country, who ordered both the gentleman and the basket-maker to be stript naked and set ashore on a savage island near the coast. 3. The place where they were landed was a marsh, over- 1 Pen' sion ers, persons who re- * Man' sion, a place of residence , ceive money from others. a large house. 8 Flor' in, a silver coin of Flor- 6 In duce', to lead on ; to prevail ence, noted for Its beauty. It varies on ; to persuade, in value from twenty-three to fifty- 6 Marsh, a piece of low land, often four cents. covered with water ; a swamp. * Treas' ur er, an officer who has * In censed', enkindled or in charge of money. flamed to fierce anger ; enraged THE BASKET-MAKER. 133 grown with flags, under cover of which the gentleman tried to conceal himself from the savages, as well as from his companion, of whose company he was ashamed. But the savages had seen the lights of the vessels, and, setting up a dreadful yell, they surrounded the spot, and discovered the two strangers, whom they seemed determined to dis- patch with their clubs. 4. Half dead with fear and cold, the gentleman fell be- hind the poor sharer of his fate, and was willing to trust for protection to one whom, a minute before, he thought it a disgrace to consider as a companion. The basket-maker, who was accustomed to exposure, and whom a life of pain had reconciled to death, felt no alarm, and would have made no effort to check the savages, had not the thought of his children come over his mind, and urged him to save himself, in the hope of again seeing them. 5. He therefore plucked a handful of rushes, and, making signs to the savages that he would show them something, he began to weave a kind of coronet, 1 and, when it was finished, he respectfully approached one of them, and placed it on his head. No sooner did the savages behold this new ornament, 2 than they threw down their war-clubs, and formed a dance around the author of so prized a favor. 6. The poor basket-maker had his hands full of employ- ment; and the savages, seeing one quite idle, while the other was so busy in their service, took up their clubs, and began to beat the gentleman most unmercifully. The basket-maker's pity was moved, and he arose, and, making signs to them that his companion was ignorant of his art, but could be useful in gathering flags for him, they allowed him to live, but considered him as very inferior to his mas- ter, their benefactor. 3 7. Men, women, and children, from all corners of the island, came in crowds for coronets ; and, setting the gen- tleman to work in gathering boughs of trees, they made a 1 Cor 7 o net, an inferior crown. 3 Ben e fac' tor, one who confers 2 Or' na ment, a thing to adorn a benefit or does good ; one who or give beauty. gives for public or private use- • 134: NATIONAL THIRD READER. • fine hut to lodge the basket-maker. They also brought him abundance of such provisions as they thought he would like, taking care never to offer the imagined servant any thing, till his master had done eating. 8. Three months' reflection on his altered condition, gave a new and just turn to our gentleman's thoughts ; and, one night, when they were lying awake, he said to the basket- maker, " I have been to blame, and wanted judgment to distinguish between birth and riches, which are accidental, and true merit, which alone is entitled to honor. I am ashamed when I compare my malice 1 with your humanity, and, if ever I should recover my rank and riches, you shall be the sharer of both." 9. He performed his promise ; for the king, soon after, sent the same officer who had landed them, with presents to the savages, and ordered him to bring them back again. The savages were very unwilling to part with a man whom they considered next to their chief, but they did not dare to oppose the wishes of the powerful king who claimed him. 10. The gentleman kept his word with the basket-maker ; and, in that country, it continues to be the custom to this day to say, when they see a gentleman who can give no better reason for his pride than that he was born to do nothing, " Send him to the basket-maker /" 57. WORK PROCLAIMS A WORKMAN. A CERTAIN baron 2 had an only son, who was not only a comfort to his father, but a blessing to all who lived on his father's land. Once, when this young man was away from home, a gentleman called to see his father, and using the name of God irreverently, 3 the good old baron reproved 4 him. 1 Mai' ice, thinking or acting " Ir reV er ent ly, in a manner with wicked intentions. that does not show a due regard to 2 Bar' on, a nobleman ; in Eng- the Supreme Being ; disrespectfully land, a nobleman of the lowest grade * Re proved', blamed ; found of rank in the House of Lords. fault with. WORK PROCLAIMS A WORKMAN. 135 2. "Are you not afraid," said he, " of offending the great Being who reigns above, by thus using his name in vain ?" The gentleman said he neither feared nor believed in a being he could not see. 3. The next morning the baron showed the gentleman a beautiful painting that adorned his hall. The gentleman admired the picture very much, and, when told by the baron that his son painted it, " Your son is an excellent painter," said he. 4. The baron then took his visitor into the garden, and showed him many beautiful flowers, arranged in the most perfect order. "Who has the direction of this garden?" said the gentleman. " My son," said the baron. " Indeed !" said the gentleman ; " I begin to think he is something un- common." 5. The baron then took him into the village, and showed him a small, neat cottage, where his son had established a school, in which a hundred orphans were fed and taught at his expense. " What a happy man you are," said the gen- tleman, " to have so good a son !" 6. " How do you know that I have so good a son ?" re- plied the baron. " Because I have seen his works," said the gentleman, " and I know he must be talented and good.'* " But you have never seen Mm" said the baron. " I have seen what he has done, and am disposed to love him, with- out having seen him," said the gentleman. 7. " Can you see any thing from that window?" said the baron. " The landscape is beautiful," said the gentleman ; "the golden sun, the mighty river, the vast forest, are ad'mirable. 1 How lovely, and pleasant, and cheerful, every object appears !* 8. " How happens it," said the baron, " that you could see such proof of my son's existence, in the imperfect work of his hands, and yet you can see no proof of the existence of a Creator, in the wonders and beauties which are now ( Ad' mi ra ble, worthy to be ad- a wonder joined with agreeable mired ; having qualities to awaken feelings. 136 NATIONAL THIRD READER. before you ? Let me, my good friend, never hear you say again that you believe not in the existence of God, unless you would have me believe that you have lost the use of your senses." SECTION XI. i. 58. CHILDREN IN EXILE. 1 FAR in the dark old forest glades, Where kalmias 2 bloom around, They had their place of youthful sport, Their childhood's hunting-ground ; And swinging lightly in the vines That o'er the wigwam 3 hung, The golden robins, building near, Above their dwelling sung. 2. Each morn their little dusky feet Sprang down the sparkling lea, 4 To plunge beneath the glowing stream Beside the chestnut tree ; And when the hiding squirrel's nest 5 They sought, far up the hills, They bathed their reeking foreheads cool Among the mountain rills. 3. They saw the early silver moon Peep through her wavy bower, 1 Two Indian boys were carried shrub, having beautiful white oi \to London, not long ago, for exhibi- pink flowers ; — also called laurel, ivy tion, and both died soon after their bush, calico-bush, etc. arrival. It is said that one of them, 3 Wig-warn, (wig' wfim), an Indian during his last moments, talked of hut or cabin. the scenes and sports of his distant * Lea, (le), a meadow or grass home, and that both wished to be land ; a field, taken back to their native woods. 6 Illustration, see the Fronti* a Kal' mi a, a kind of evergreen piece facing the title-page. THE DAISY AND THE LARK. 137 And in lier beams they chased the bat Around his leafy tower ; And, when the stars, all silently, Went out o'er hill and plain, They listened low to merry chimes Of summer-evening rain. L These haunts l they missed, — the city air No healthful music brings, — They longed to run through woodland dells 8 "Where Nature ever sings ; And, drooping, 'mid the noise and glare, . They pined for brook and glen, 3 And, dying, still looked fondly back, And asked for home again. j. t. Fields. n. 59. THE DAISY AND THE LARK. PAET JTKST. OUT in the country, close by the road, stands a hand-« some house. Before it there is a garden with flowers, and a painted railing ; and just outside the railing, among beautiful green grass, grew a little daisy. 2. The sun shone upon it as warmly and kindly as upon the large, splendid 4 flowers in the garden ; and so it grew from hour to hour, till one morning it stood fully unfolded, with its small, pure white petals 5 in a ring round the little yellow sun in the middle. 3 The daisy thought that no one saw it there among the grass, and that it was a poor, despised^ flower; but it was very contented, turned its face to the warm sun, looked up to it, and listened to the lark singing high in the air. * Haunts, (hants), places often 4 Splen' did, very bright ; showy, visited. 6 Petal, (pet' al), one of the inner * Dell, a small, retired valley. or colored leaves of a flower. * Glen, a retired and narrow val- 6 De spised', looked down upon ley ; a narrow space between hills. as mean and worthless ; slighted. 138 NATIONAL THIKU READER. 4. Inside the railing stood a great many stiff, genteel* flowers : the less fragrance they had, the prouder they were of their fine dress. The peonies blew themselves up, in order to be bigger than the rose ; but size is nothing ! The tulips Lad the most beautiful colors, as they very well knew; and, therefore, they held themselves up very straight, that people might have a good sight of them. 5. They never looked at the little daisy outside ; but the daisy looked all the more at them, and thought within itself, "How rich and beautiful they are! Certainly the lark will come down and pay them a visit. How glad I am that I am so near them ! for I shall be near that fine musician 2 too." 6. Just at that moment, tee-wheet ! down flew the lark, but not to the peonies and tulips ; oh, no ! down into the grass 3 beside the poor daisy, which was so astonished 4 and so delighted 5 that it did not know what to think. 7. The bird 6 danced round about it, and sang, "How soft the grass is ! and see, what a lovely little flower, with a golden heart, and a silvery white dress !" Nobody can imagine how happy the little daisy was. The lark kissed it with its bill, sang to it, and then flew up to the blue sky again. 8. It was a full quarter of an hour before the daisy could compose itself ; then it turned round to see what the garden flowers were doing : " surely," it thought, " they must have been delighted to see a little flower so happy." But the tulips stood as stiff as before, and their lips were drawn together in a pout, and they were red in the face ; for, the fact was, they had been angry. 9. The peonies hung their heavy heads in a very sulky 7 manner, and it was as well they could not speak ; otherwise the daisy would have got a severe scolding. Just then a little girl came into the garden with a bright, sharp pair of 1 Gen teel, elegant in appearance. 4 As ton'ished, greatly surprised 9 Musician, ( mu zish' an ), one 6 De light' ed, highly pleased, skilled in music ; a fine singer. c Bird, (bird), see Note 2, p. 10. * Grass, (grass), see Note 3, p. 15 ' Sulk' y, sullen ; sour. THE DAISY AND THE LARK. 139 scissors, and went straight to the tulips, which she snipped 1 off one after the other. 10. " Oh dear," sighed the daisy, " it is all over wifti them now." The girl went away with the tulips ; but the daisy was glad that its head had not been snipped off, and very thankfully folded up its petals as the sun was setting, and fell asleep, and dreamed the whole night about the sun and the lark. in. 60. THE DAISY AND THE LARK. PAKT SECOND. NEXT morning, as the flower was stretching out all its white petals, like so many little arms, to the air and light, it recognized 2 the bird's voice ; but the voice was very mournful now. The poor lark had, indeed, good reason for singing a sad song ; for it had been taken pris- oner, and put into a cage, which hung beside an open win- dow of the house. 2. The little daisy wished very much to help its friend the lark ; but how was it to manage that ? Yes, it was a difficult affair. The flower quite forgot how beautiful every thing was all around it, and how warmly the sun shone, and could think of nothing but the captive bird. 3. Two little boys now came out of the garden, one of them with a knife in his hand, and they came directly to- wards the daisy, which could not conceive 3 what they meant. 4 " Here we can cut out a beautiful piece of turf for the lark," said the boy with the knife, and immediately began to cut out a square turf, with the daisy exactly in the mid- dle of it. 5. " Tear the flower off," said the other boy ; and then the daisy began to tremble with fear. To be torn off was to lose its life ; and it was so anxious to live, that it might 1 Snipped, (snlpt), clipped ; cut a Rec' og nized, knew again, off at once. 8 Con ceive', think ; understand 140 NATIONAL THIRD READER. come with the turf into the cage of the captive lark! " No, let it stay," said the first boy, " it makes the turf so pretty." 6. The daisy was accordingly spared, and arrived with the turf in the cage of the prisoner. But the poor bird lamented ! loudly over its lost freedom, and flapped with its wings against the wires of the cage ; and the little dais;y could not speak, could not say a word of comfort, willing as it was to do so. Thus passed the whole forenoon. 7. "There is no water here," said the imprisoned 2 lark; " they have all gone, and have forgotten to give me a drop of water to drink. My throat is dry and burning — ah ! I must die." Then it bored its bill into the cool turf to re- fresh itself a little, and its eyes fell upon the daisy. 8. The bird nodded to the flower, kissed it wifli its bill, and said, " Poor little flower, you will grow dry and withei away here too. They have given me only you, and your little spot of green grass, instead of the whole world that I had outside ! Ah ! you only jemind me how much I have lost." 9. " Oh, if I could only comfort him !" thought the daisy. Evening came, but still no one brought the poor bird a drop of water. It stretched out its pretty wings, and shook them in a quivering way that was painful to the daisy to see. Its song was now a mournful 3 chirp, its little head bent over the flower, and the bird's heart broke for want and longing. The flower could nob now, as on the evening before, fold its petals together and sleep : it hung sickly and sad toward the ground. 10. The boys did not come till next morning, and when they saw the bird dead they cried, and shed many tears ; .and they dug it a neat little grave, which they decked* with flowers. They had put the dead bird into a pretty red box, for they were resolved to give it a fine burial. 11. Poor lark ! while he lived and sang they forgot him, 1 La ment ed, mourned ; wailed. s Mourn' ful, full of sorrow ; sad, * Imprisoned, (im prfz' nd) f put 4 Decked, arrayed very finely ; Into or confined in a prison. adorned THE ADOPTED CHILD. 14J let him sit in his cage and suffer thirst, and now, when he was dead, they gave him tears and ornaments. 1 12. The turf, with the daisy in the middle of it, was thrown out into the dusty road, and nobody thought of the one that had felt most pity for the poor bird, and had been most anxious to comfort it. Hans Christian Andeksen. IV. 61. THE ADOPTED CHILD. LADY, Why would'st thou leave me, O gentle child? Thy home on the mountain is bleak 2 and wild — A straw-roofed cabin with lowly wall : Mine is a fair and pillared 3 hall, "Where many an image of marble gleams, 4 And the sunshine of pictures for ever streams. Child, Oh ! green is the turf where my brothers play, Through the long bright hours of the summer day ; They find the red cup-moss where they climb, And they chase the bee o'er the scented thyme, 5 And the rocks where the heath-flower blooms they know — Lady, kind lady ! O, let me go. Lady. Content thee, boy ! in my bower to dwell, Here are sweet sounds which thou lovest well ; Flutes on the air in the stilly noon, Harps which the wandering breezes tune ; And the silvery wood-note of many a bird, Whose voice was ne'er in thy mountains heard. Child. Oh ! my mother sings at the twilight's 6 fall, A song of the hills far more sweet than all ; 1 Or' na ment, that which enrich- 6 Thyme, (tim), a plant of a very es, or adds grace or beauty. sweet smell. The garden thyme is 3 Bleak, swept by cold winds ; a sweet-scented, warm, and pungent cheerless. or biting plant, used to give a relish 3 Fil' lared, supported by pillars, to seasoning, and soups. or ornamental posts. 6 Twi light, the faint light seen 4 Gleam, to shine ; to cast light before the rising and after the set- faintly but distinctly. ting of the sun. 142 NATIONAL THIRD READER. She sings it under our own green tree, To the babe half-slumbering on her knee : I dreamt last night of that music low — Lady, kind lady ! O, let me go. Lady. Thy mother is gone 1 from her cares 2 to rest; She hath taken the babe on her quiet breast ; Thou would' st meet her footstep, my boy, no more* Nor hear her song at the cabin door. Come thou with me to the vineyards 3 nigh, And we'll pluck the grapes of the richest dye. Child. Is my mother gone from her home away ?— But I know that my brothers are there at play — I know they are gathering the foxglove's 4 bell, Or the long fern leaves by the sparkling well ; Or they launch 5 their boats where the bright streams flow — Lady, kind lady ! O, let me go. Lady. Fair child, thy brothers are wanderers now ; They sport no more on the mountains brow ; They have left the fern by tho. spring's green side, And the streams where the fairy 6 barks were tied. Be thou at peace in thy brighter lot, For thy cabin home is a lonely spot. Gliild. Are they gone, all gone from the sunny hill ? — But the bird and the blue-fly rove o'er it still ; And the red-deer bound in their gladness free, And the heath 7 is bent by the singing-bee, And the waters leap, and the fresh winds blow — Lady, kind lady ! O, let me go. Mrs. Felicia Heman* 1 Gone, (gon), see Note 2, p. 16. 6 Fairy, (far' i), relating or belong. 3 Care, (kar), see Note 2, p. 15. ing to fairies. Fairies were not real 8 Vineyard, (v!n r yard), a yard for but imaginary spirits once thought grape-vines; a field of vines pro- to be able to take a human form, ducing grapes. either male or female, and to med 4 Foxglove, (foks' gluv), a hand- die for good or evil in the affairs of Borne flowering plant whose leaves mankind are used as a medicine. 7 Heath, a plant which bears 6 Launch, (lanch), to cause to beautiful flowers. Its lea $s are move or slide from the land into the small, and continue green all the water year. THE MOCKING-BIRD. 143 SECTION XII. 1. 62. THE MOCKING-BIRD. A MOCKING-BIKD was lie, in a bushy, blooming tree «i-A_ Imbosomed by the foliage * and flower. And there he sat and sang, till all around him rang, "With sounds from out the merry mimic's 2 bower. 2. The little satirist 3 piped, chattered, shrieked, and hissed ; He then would moan, and whistle, quack, and caw ; Then, carol, drawl, and croak, as if he'd pass a joke On every other winged one he saw. 3. Together he would catch a gay and plaintive 4 snatch, 6 And mingle notes of half the feathered throng ; 6 For well the mocker knew, of every thing that flew, To imitate the manner and the song. 4. The other birds drew near, and paused awhile to hear How well he gave their voices and their airs. And some became amused ; while some, disturbed, refused To own the sounds that others said were theirs. 5. The sensitive were shocked, to find their honors mocked By one so pert 7 and voluble 8 as he ; They knew not if 'twas done in earnest or in fun ; And fluttered off in silence from the tree. C. The silhest grew vain, to think a song or strain Of theirs, however weak, or loud, or hoarse, Was worthy to be heard repeated by the bird ; For of his wit they could not feel the force. 1 Fo' li age, leaves ; a cluster of 5 Snatch, a hasty catch or seiz- leaves and branches. ing ; a small piece, fragment, or 3 Mim' ic, one who does as an- quantity. other does. 6 Throng, company. 3 Sat'irist, one who judges se- 7 Pert, smart ; saucy. verely of another, or ridicules him. 8 Vol' u ble, talking or acting 4 Plaint' ive, serious ; sad. quickly and easily. 144 NATIONAL THIRD READER. 7. The charitable said, " Poor fellow ! if his head Is turned, or cracked, or has no talent left ; But feels the want of powers, and plumes 1 itself from our^ Why, we shall not be losers by the theft." 8. The haughty said, " He thus, it seems, would mimic us, And steal our songs, to pass them for his own ! But if he only quotes 2 in honor of our notes, We then were quite as honored, let alone." 9. The wisest said, " If foe or friend, we still may know, By him, wherein our greatest failing lies : So, let us not be moved, since first to be improved By every thing, becomes the truly wise." Hannah V. Goulix n. 63. THE MOCKING-BIRD. f fl H E mocking-bird is one of the 3 most wonderful of all JL the feathered tribe. His plumage has nothing grand nor brilliant in it ; but his figure is light and graceful, well formed, and even handsome. 2. He is remarkable for the ease and grace of his move- ments. He displays great skill in learning lessons in sweet music, from every creature that he hears. But he is not always judicious in selecting his songs. 3. He can imitate every bird that he hears, but he seems to be as well pleased wifh crowing like a cock, or grunting like a pig, as with singing the sweet notes of the canary- bird or the nightingale. 4. He whistles, and the dog thinks his master is calling, and runs to him. He clucks like a hen, and the little chick- ens run to their mother, supposing it to be the old hen calling them. 5. He barks like a dog. He mews like a cat. He wails 1 Plume, to pick and adjust the 9 Quotes, (kwots), takes from the plumes or feathers ; to pride ; to words of another, value ; to boast 3 The, (thu), see Rule 3, p. 24. BIRDS IN SUMMER. 145 like a puppy. He makes a sound like the creaking of a wheelbarrow or the grating of a saw. He imitates the warbling of the robin and the canary, the glad notes of the lark, and the wild songs of the wood-thrush, in a manner so superior to them, that, mortified and astonished, they fly from his presence, or listen in silence, as he continues to triumph over them. 6. His motions are easy, rapid, and graceful. He looks as if he understood every thing that he does, and why he does it. In short, the mocking-bird is one of the most interesting of all the feathered tribes, not because he is a handsome bird, wifh bright feathers and a gay dress, but because of his skill in imitating every sound that he hears. 7. And now, my young readers, I wish you to think how interesting a boy or girl is, who, though not very hand- some or gayly dressed, can do whatever he or she is taught to do, in a pleasing manner. 8. The peacock has very beautiful feathers, and so, also, have very many other birds. But the mocking-bird, though his feathers are not so gay, is prized more highly than all other birds, because his musical powers surpass them alL ni. 64. BIRDS IN SUMMER. HOW pleasant the life of a bird must be, Flitting about in each leafy tree : In the leafy trees, so broad and tall, Like a green and beautiful palace hall, With its airy chambers, light and boon, 1 That open to sun and stars and moon, That open unto the bright blue sky, And the frolicsome winds as they wander by ! 2. They have left their nests in the forest bough, Those homes of delight they need not now ; And the young and the old they wander out, And traverse 2 their green world round about ; Boon, gay ; merry. a Trav' erse, wander over. 146 NATIONAL THIRD READER, And hark ! at the top of this leafy hall, How one to the other they lovingly call : " Come up, come up !" they seem to say, " Where the topmost twigs in the breezes sway V 3 Come up, come up ! for the world is fair, "Where the merry leaves dance in the summer air !' And the birds below give back the cry, " We come, we come, to the branches high !" How pleasant the life of a bird must be, Flitting about in a leafy tree ; And away through the air what joy to go, .And to look on the green bright earth below! £1RDS OF AUSTRALIA. 147 4 How pleasant the life of a bird must be, Skimming about on the breezy sea, Cresting l the billows like silvery foam, And then wheeling away to its cliff-built home ! What joy it must be, to sail, upborne By a strong free wing, through the rosy morn, To meet the young sun face to face, And pierce like a shaft 2 the boundless space ! 5. How pleasant the life of a bird must be, Wherever it listeth, there to flee ; To go when a joyful fancy calls, Dashing adown 'mong the waterfalls , Then wheeling about with its mates at play, Above and below, and among the spray, Hither and thither, with screams as wild As the laughing mirth of a rosy child ! 6. What a joy it must be, like a living breeze, To flutter about 'mong the flowering trees ; Lightly to soar, and to see beneath The wastes of the blossoming purple heath, And the yellow furze, like fields of gold, That gladden some fairy region old ! On mountain tops, on the billowy sea, On the leafy stems of the forest tree, How pleasant the life of a bird must be ! Maby Howitt. IV. 65. BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. PART FIRST. THE forests of Australia are very monotonous ; 3 but the birds do their best to give life and variety to them. Oh ! there are hundreds of different kinds of birds, and i Crest' ing, standing or resting 2 Shaft, (shaft), an arrow, on the top ; serving as a crest or or- 3 Mo not' o nous, presenting r* natnent for. tiresome sameness. 148 NATIONAL THIRD READER. many of them very beautiful. Parrots, blue, green, gray s and red; rich-coated little paroquets; 1 cockatoos, white and gray cranes, pelicans, turkeys, wild ducks and geese, black swans, and emus, — these are some of the feathered citizens of the Australian woods. 2. What I like in the birds is, that except the morepork, a small owl, the curlews, and a few others, they all come i ut in the day-time, wnile, oddly enough, nearly all the animals of Australia are nocturnal. 2 Besides the kanga- roos and kangaroo rats, nearly all the animals only come out in the night. 3. But of all the birds the most amusing are the piping crow, the leatherhead, and the laughing jackass. These three birds are the universal 3 companions of travelers. Everywhere they greet you, and everywhere are most amusing. 4. There is a piping crow and a laughing jackass in the Zoological 4 Gardens, in London ; and I used to hear the latter ha, ha, ha-ing ! when I crossed the Regent's Park. But it is only in the Australian woods that one hears them in perfection. There they are jolly, and full of fun. There you see their antics, 5 and hear their merry, quaint 6 voices, in all their fullness and variety. These birds awake you at the earliest peep of day, and by the time the sun rises there is a general chorus 7 of them all around you. 5. The piping crows, or, as they will call them here, the whistling magpies — though to my eye they have noth- ing of the magpie but their pied 8 feathers about them — whistle away like a lot of school-boys, only with much deeper and more musical tones. Their warbling is the oddest thing in the world ; part of it so rich, so mellow, so 1 Paroquets, (par' o kets), Email Gardens are gardens where many kind of parrots. kinds of living creatures are kept. 3 Noc tur nal, having a habit of 6 An' tics, funny tricks, seeking food or being active at night. 8 Quaint, odd or uncommon ; 8 Universal, (yh y ni vers' al), af- queer and laughable, but not foolish, fecting the whole ; general. 7 Cho' rus, union of voices. 4 Zo^ o log' ic al, belonging to the 8 Pied, marked wife different life of animals. The Zoological colors; spotted. BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 149 melodious ; l and then again such an outbreak of croaks, and screeches, and croivish noises ! But they seem delighted with their own music, and do not sing, like our birds, only while the hen-bird is sitting, but all through the long sum- mer, and, as I am told, through the whole year. 6. There are thousands of them all over the colony, 2 and their black and white colors give a liveliness to the dim woods. They have none of the tail-flirting motions and jaunty 3 ways of the magpie, but are about the size, and much the same shape, as our wood-pigeons. They have a sober and somewhat heavy flight ; but I am told that they have many odd ways when tamed and left to run about near a house. 7. One gentleman told us that one that he kept, used to amuse itself by offering to the cat a piece of the meat given to it, and when the cat attempted to take it, pulling it away again, with evidence of vast delight. It would tease the cat thus for hours, but always ending by generously giving it the meat at last. 8. The leatherhead is a very odd bird. It is as large as a fieldfare, 4 with ash-colored back and whitish stomach ; but the singularity of it lies in the head, which is destitute of feathers, and covered with a brown skin, resembling leather — whence its name — drawn tight on its skull. As you see it sitting, its head and beak look like a brown pointed stick, and it opens its beak wide, and makes the most odd gest- ures, when it utters its various strange notes. 9. It is evidently a bird of imitative powers, and the variety of its notes is endless. Near Kilmore you hear it continually crying, "Kilmore! Kilmore!" a word that it must have picked up there from constantly hearing it. You 1 Me lo' di cms, agreeable to the 3 Jaunty, (janUl), airy; showy; ear by a succession of sweet sounds ; fluttering, musical 4 Fieldfare, (feld' far), a smal) 3 Col' o ny, a company of people bird, of the thrush family, the head that remove to a distant country, ash colored, the body chestnut, and though stUl living under the laws the tail black. It passes the sum- or control of their native land ; the mer in the north of Europe, but country thus occupied : a settlement, visits Great Britain in winter. 150 NATIONAL THIRD READER. never hear the leatherhead say " Kilmore " anjwhere else. At Spring Creek, at the Ovens, there was one that was con* stantly crying, "Quite well! quite well)" It said this as distinctly as you could do, and another answered, " Quite ! quite !" One day we heard one there trying to say, " Quite correct !" but it did it with difficulty : " Quite cor — cor— quite correc — quite correct !" 10. These words and notes it utters in a soft, shrill voice, like that of a child calling from a distance ; but it has a number of notes that are much harder and odder, and that seem to come out of an instrument l that moves with some difficulty. Yet at the same time these notes are very jo- vial : 2 " By tockede rock, ick de dock, rytick de rock de rock." I think these birds must speak the native language, they talk away in so odd and grotesque 3 a style* 11. His performances are always in the jolly find comic 4 style. Occasionally both he and the piping crow bark like dogs, to their own great delight ; and the laughing jack- asses look out and laugh at them altogether in the mosi hearty " Ha, ha, ho, hoo, hoo, hoo !" and with a vast deal of chuckling and giggling in a lower tone amongst themselves. V. 66. BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. PART SECOND. I HAVE heard a shepherd, who, on first going into the bush, 5 was confounded by the sudden wild outburst of the laughing jackasses, and ran to the station for his life, declaring that the natives were in fall chase after him, and had been hooting and laughing behind him, in the wildest and most frightful manner, all the way. These are 1 Instrument, (In' strfl ment), that " Grotesque, (gib tesk'), like the by which work is performed, or any figures found in grottoes or caves ; thing is done ; a tool ; something wildly formed ; droll ; laughable, contrived or made by which musical * Com' ic, raising mirth ; fitted sounds are produced. to cause merriment or laughter. • Jo' vi al, gay ; merry ; joyous. 6 Bush, a thicket oi wood. BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 151 pre-eminently 1 the merry birds of the Australian bush, and just such as in fairy tales you hear of as talking, and some .privileged person understanding them. 2. There are other magpies, or crows ; for they are more like the latter. There is the gray magpie, which, they say, learns to talk when tamed ; and there is the black magpie, with some white on its wings. These birds haunt together like rooks, and make the most dismal wailing, something like our starlings. They build, also, the oddest nests, — exactly like black hats with the brims cut off. These they balance, in some extraordinary way, on the boughs of the loftiest trees. They are made of mud, and stand erect on the boughs, for all the world like hat-crowns. 3. Besides these, there are the carrion 2 crows. These birds are my aversion. 3 They resemble our carrion crows in appearance, but they have a cry just like a spoiled child, "Ha, ha, ha!" ending in a most pathetic 4 and dol'orous 5 long-drawn " ho !" — " Ha, ha, ha, ho !" You would think them the most injured of individuals. Never was any thing so mock-heroically 6 pleading and complaining as their cry. "We often could not refrain 7 from laughing at the sound of it. 4 Yet they are by no means sentimental 8 creatures : on the contrary, they are amongst the most cruel and mis'- chievous birds in the colony. They pluck out the eyes of young lambs the moment they are born, and are detested 9 by the squatters. 10 Neither are they very nice in their food. They are the real scavengers H — the vultures — of Australia, 1 Pre em' i nent ly, above all able way, the character, manner, or others ; surpassing others. actions of heroes. a Car' ri on, feeding on carrion or 7 Re frain' to curb ; forbear worthless flesh. hold back. 3 Aversion, (a ve'r shun), a fixed 8 Sen ti merit' al, having much Ox constant dislike ; the object of feeling , affectedly tender, constant dislike. 8 De test' ed, greatly hated. 4 Pa thet' ic, moving the tender J0 Squat' ters, persons who oc emotions , feeling cupy lands to which they have no 6 Dol' o rous, full of dolor or lawful right, grief ; sorrowful ; sad. ,J Scav' en gers, persons employ 8 Mock-heroic ally, with mock ed to sweep the streets of a city bravery ; imitating in a weak, laugh- and carry off the filth. 152 NATIONAL THIRD RKADEK. and snuff up in a moment the least or most distant scent of putrescent l meat. Nay, they scent out good meat too, and come flying from all quarters, led by the savory odors of our camp-oven, or our steaks in the frying-pan. 5. One day we hung a quarter of mutton on a tree. At that time not one of these birds was to be seen or heard; but in few minutes they were heard cawing in the distance, and came right on to the tree, where they settled in num- bers, making the most pathetic appeals to us to go away and leave the mutton ; but as these crows had neither bought it nor paid for it, while we had, we declined to comply. 6. Frequently Alfred amuses himself by imitating their lack-a-daisical 2 note, and brings them in scores about us on the trees. Their anxious and inquisitive 3 looks, on such occasions, are very amusing. They evidently think that we have got some one of their amiable community in cap- tivity, and hang on the boughs around, and turn down their black heads, and their black, sparkling eyes, in the most impish and uncanny 4 way. 7. They have many very beautiful smaller birds. There is a black-and-white bird which they call the magpie-lark. To me it more resembles a small, gentle dove, only it has not pigeons' legs. The colors are very delicate and clean, and its manner very gentle. It is always found near streams, and is very tame. It makes a ringing cry of " chain ! chain I" and looks very beautiful on the boughs of the green trees. 8. There are fine pigeons, also, called the bronze-winged pigeons, and a host of birds making the oddest noises. One has a note just like a cart-wheel that wants greasing, and another like a wheel'barrow that wants greasing ; an- other, called the whip-bird, seems always to be switching a whip-lash about with the sharpest whip-cord on it. There are tree-creepers, too, that make a " pee ! pee ! pee !" that never ceases. You can not tell when the bird takes its 1 Pu tres' cent, decayed ; grow- * In quia' i tive, apt to ask many Ing offensive. questions. * Lack^-a-dai' si cal, affectedly * Un can'ny, unskillful ; wicked ; sad : wentimentaL. ont of the way. THE BUZZAKJJ. 155 breath, for it never pauses for a minute for a quarter of an hour together. 9. Very amusing birds, too, are the razor-grinders, a species of black-and-white fly-catchers, with long tails that they flit about in the oddest way. These birds are very familiar, and hop about the horses as they graze, often flying at their noses — I suppose to catch flies, — and the horses never attempt to hurt them. 10. But among the most beautiful of small birds is the Australian robin. This robin is less than ours, and is a bird of much gayer colors. On the back he is more like a chaffinch, and the red on his breast is of a very light and brilliant color. 11. There is a very brilliant little bird, too, called the superb warbler. The cock bird is about the size of a tom- tit, or rather larger, and is a very splendid fellow. His head and neck are of bright and glittering blue, with lines oi black on each side of his head. His back, wings, and tail, are brown. As he flies about, he looks like a flying gem. The hen bird of this gaudy little fellow is of a sober brown, and her breast and stomach of ash-color. She is very like some of our willow wrens. William Howitt. VI. 67. THE BUZZARD. THE buzzard is a kind of falcon, 1 or hawk ; but he is a clumsy and lazy bird, and can not fly so well as other kinds of hawks. He catches frogs and mice, and such in- sects as he can take without the trouble of flying after them 2. The 2 buzzard is found in Europe, and in some parts cf America. Count Buffon, who lived in France, and wrote many excellent books about birds and other animals, tells us that one of his friends had a 3 tame buzzard, which was taken in a snare, 4 and given to Buffon' s friend. * 1 Falcon, (fa' kn), a bird of prey, 2 The, (thu), see Rule 8, p. 24. often trained to catch other birds, or 8 A, (a), see Rule 2, p. 23. game. * Snare, (siiar), net