perish from the earth. Your words shall be read by the Your memory shall be interwoven with the gifts

last man.

of Bath Kol and Jirah.

Thank Jehovah, said the Rabbi, for the gifts of the angels, the rich gifts of spoken and written language. Thank Jehovah that his own thoughts have taken visible forms, and shall endure when the outlines of rocks are lost in confused dust. The Rabbi and his disciples sought their homes, and the love of God went forth from their lips in praise like the breath of a new-blown rose.

Professor Cadmus was about to leave home to attend a meeting of the American Scientific Association. He wished to hear Mr. Kirkwood read his paper on the lost planet. Dr. Wisdom, his pastor, kindly offered to take his place during his absence, and lend Wilmer some assistance in his studies.

On the first evening after the departure of Professor Cadmus, Wilmer was seated in the study. The bell rang, and the servant, in a few moments, announced Dr. Wisdom. Good-evening, my son, said the Doctor.

Good-evening, Dr. Wisdom, said Wilmer; I am happy to see you.

Dr. Wisdom took his seat; and after talking awhile about the absence of the Professor, and the Association that he went to attend, dropped down upon the subject of the evening.

How, said the Doctor, speaking to Wilmer; how do you

get along in your studies? Have you had any difficulties in your lessons to-day?

Wilmer said that the teacher made a remark, at the close of the last lesson, which he had been thinking about ever since.

What is the remark? asked Dr. Wisdom.

The teacher, said Wilmer, said there were other forms of language beside letter and words. I have been trying ever since to find out what he could mean. Did he mean the signs of the deaf and dumb?

You

Wilmer, said Dr. Wisdom, you must be patient. cannot learn every thing in a day. It takes some time for an acorn to make an oak. New-York, with its half a million of people, was once the abode of a few Indians. Be patient, Wilmer. It takes a boy some time to become a man. You cannot learn every thing about language in a few lessons. While I advise you to be patient, I am glad to find that you have an inquiring mind. Do not pass by any thing which you do not understand.

Your teacher, Wilmer, said much in the remark which he made: "There are other forms of language beside letters and words." There are three forms of language, my son; the picture, the symbol, and the letter or word form. We will talk about these things. Perhaps I may be able to explain them.

THE PICTURE FORM OF LANGUAGE.

Dr. Wisdom, said Wilmer, I thank you for telling me this; but I do not understand it. What is picture language? What is symbol language?

It is easily understood, said Dr. Wisdom. Let us begin with picture language. If you wished, Wilmer, in picture

language, to tell some one about your father's place, you would draw a picture of it, and show it to him. He would see at once the dwelling-house, barn, trees, lawn, and foun tain. He would see them in the picture, and understand what kind of a place it was. Some time ago I read, in picture language, an account of the reïnterment of the body of Napoleon. His remains were brought to Paris from the island of St. Helena, where they had lain for twenty years. Some painter was present, and painted the whole scene. There was the splendid chariot which contained the coffin; there were the soldiers and marines marching in solemn order; there were the stands of colors, and officers; and there were the masses of citizens. There, too, stood the naked trees by the roadside, dripping with the shivering snow.

Oh, I see now, said Wilmer. I have read much picture language myself. There, Dr. Wisdom, pointing at the same time to the study wall, there is a picture of the Declaration of Independence, by Trumbull. It is a real his tory, father says, of that great event. There, too, continued Wilmer, is a picture of Washington delivering his farewell address. Father has pointed out to me Adams, Jefferson, and others who were present. They are noblelooking men. Doctor, that new picture, he continued, tells us about the United States Senate. Mother likes it very much. She has shown me the faces of Clay, Webster, Southard, Frelinghuysen, Calhoun, and many others.

Picture language, then, said Dr. Wisdom, is simple, and easily understood.

My son, said Dr. Wisdom, time passes, and I must make haste and tell you about the symbol form of language. It is nearly eight o'clock.

The symbol form of language, said the Doctor, is as easily understood as the picture form. If I was to paint a pair of lips and a finger on them, you would know at once that it meant silence. Would it not be what silence means, Wilmer? The lips and the finger upon them is an instance of symbol language.

There, said the Doctor, rising and pointing with his cane to a picture of a sleeping boy, is another instance.

The picture hung over the mantelpiece, and was one which Wilmer had loved from early infancy.

Beside him, said the Doctor to Wilmer, you see an easel, or wooden frame, supporting a half finished painting. On one end of the table lie brushes and a palette; on the other end you see a censer, with burning incense. Above him, at the top of the picture, you see the faces of departed painters looking down upon him. This is symbol language.

I understand it, and can read it, Doctor, said Wilmer. The boy, continued the Doctor, is overcome with toil, and rests. He is ambitious, and wishes to be a great painter. The brushes and palette are signs of his calling, and the half finished painting shows us that he is patiently toiling to be great. The burning incense is the symbol of fame. The faces of departed painters are descriptive of his dream of life. Wilmer, said the Doctor, turning, and with a sweet smile looking into the open face of the boy, you have seen Cole's great picture of the Voyage of Life! That is symbol language.

I thank you, said Wilmer; I have seen all these things. I now know what symbol language is, and can read it.

It is eight o'clock, said the Doctor, rising and taking his hat and cane. I will tell you more about picture language when we meet again. Good-night, my son. Remember

the God of language. In his mercy, he has given us sweet thoughts, and the gifts of speech.

Good-night, dropped from the happy heart of Wilmer.

INSTRUCTION VII.

THE PROMISE.

Wilmer was in the study the next evening at an early hour. As he stood looking out of the large bay window, he saw Dr. Wisdom walking up to the gate. He was with him in a few moments. He took him by the hand, and walked with him up the locust avenue to the study-door.

I believe, said the Doctor, after they had sat for some time talking about the events of the day; I believe, said he, that I promised to tell you more about picture and symbol language.

You did, said Wilmer, and I will be happy to hear it. You said you would tell me about picture language tonight.

So I did, said the Doctor. I am pleased, Wilmer, to see that you are not a forgetful hearer. But where and how shall I begin? Ah, I see now; let me tell you about the siege of Troy, as it appeared on the walls of Dido's palace. It is a fine instance of picture language.

Oh, do! said Wilmer.

Get your atlas, then, said Dr. Wisdom. Here, said he, on the western coast of Asia Minor, was the seat of Troy : there, on the north of Africa, near Tunis, was the seat of Carthage, the city of Queen Dido. When we talk about places, Wilmer, it is always well to see their position on the

map.