preparing his sister as fast as possible to go with him.

3. As it was becoming late, she requested Edmund to fetch their basket, that, as soon as she could get his sister ready, she might prepare their dinner.

4. But this negligent and idle boy only gave a sour and surly look, and though he did not really refuse, yet he delayed to obey his mother's command.

5. "Well, my son," said she, "if you are unwilling to do any thing for yourself, how can you expect others will do so much for you ?” "Your Mungo," said she, looking round at the dog, "would bring the basket in a moment, if he only knew how."

6. As the mother said this, only as a gentle rebuke to her ungrateful son, what was her surprise to see the dog hasten to the closet, take the basket from behind the door, and, with an air of joy and delight, come and put it down by her side.

7. Let those children who are unwilling to assist their parents, teachers, and others, even when it is for their interest to do so, blush and be rebuked by the example of this noble dog.

QUESTIONS.-1. Whom had Eliza been assisting? 2. What did his mother ask Edmund to do? 3. Did he readily obey her? 4. What did she then say to him? 5. How was he reproved by his dog? 6. By whom are children commanded to obey their parents? 7. Can you tell where this command is to be found?

LESSON II.

Spell and Define-1. RE' GION, a country; a tract of land. 2. DIS DAIN FUL, scornful; haughty. 3. ADDRESS' ED, spoke to. 4. SHIV' ER ING, trembling; shaking. 5. SUP PLI' ED, fully furnished. 6. CLIMES, regions of the earth. 7. COUNCIL, an assembly for consulting. 8. DREAR' Y, gloomy; dismal.

THE SWALLOW AND THE RED-BREAST.-A FABLE.

1. ONE day in autumn, a company of swallows were flying about a barn, preparing to take leave of these chilly, northern regions, in order to visit the warmer climes of the south. Every wing was rapid in motion, and every throat was sending forth its twittering

notes.

2. At one time they would mount on high, and skim through the air almost without effort; at another, they would alight upon the roof, as if in council, fixing the time of their departure, and deciding on their route.

3. While thus engaged, a red-breast alighted on a tree that overhung the roof, when one of the swallows, casting on him a disdainful look, thus addressed him; "Poor helpless creature, how I pity you! Here you must stay through the dreary winter, shivering with cold, and pinched with hunger; while we who make the world our home, stretch our wings, and are off to some milder country, where warm suns always shine, and nature is always dressed in her robes of green." 4. The red-breast meekly replied, "Let

those who choose, roam abroad for happiness; my humble home is all the world to me. My wants are few and easily supplied. When wintery winds howl, and hunger presses, the kind-hearted, little children do not forget to throw me a few crumbs; and when smiling spring returns, I reward their kindness with my liveliest songs. So keep your pity for yourselves; for I have learned that contentment is happiness."

2. What

QUESTIONS.-1. Why are the swallow and red-breast represented as talking? Ans. In order to present the subject in a more pleasing and impressive manner. are we chiefly taught in this fable? fable can you mention in the Bible? 2d Kings xiv. 9; 2d Sam. xii. 3, etc.

LESSON III.

3. What examples of See Judg. ix. 8, etc.;

Spell and Define-1. Ex AM' INE, to inspect with care. 2. EX CLAIM' ED, cried out. 3. IN QUIRE', to ask. 4. RIGHT EOUS NESS, religion; piety. 5. Ac KNOWL' EDGE, to own; to avow. 6. FOR SAKE', to desert; to leave entirely.

What does Rule III. teach you to observe ?

THE SUN-FLOWER.

1. LEMUEL was very fond of observing the works of nature; and whenever he saw any curious insect, or even stone, he wanted to know the name of it, and sometimes about its nature and use; and his father took great pleasure in answering his questions, as far as he was able, and leading his thoughts from created objects, up to the great Creator.

2. One day, Lemuel said, "Father, is it

true that the sun-flower always looks toward the sun?" "I believe it is," answered his father," but you had better examine for yourself."

3. On the next sabbath afternoon, as they were riding to church, on passing a garden, Lemuel exclaimed, "See there, the sunflowers are pointing to the east, and the sun is in the west!"

4. "Well," said his father, "this shows you that we should not believe every thing that we hear, or even read in books. But at some other time, we will inquire further about this matter."

5. Some time after, as Lemuel and his father were walking in the garden, by the house where they were staying, they saw a very large and beautiful sun-flower facing the east, although it was past twelve o'clock. "Now," said his father, let us ask Wilson, the gardener; for I have no doubt he can tell us."

6. When Wilson was asked, he told them that it was true that the sun-flower followed the sun, from east to west, when it was young, but when it grew old, the head became too heavy, and the stalk too stiff, to be moved any longer.

7. "Now, my son," said his father, "learn from this a useful lesson. Jesus is the Sun of Righteousness. Let this sun-flower teach you to look to Him in the days of your youth. His word will be a lamp to your feet, and a

light to your path. Acknowledge Him, and He will direct your way, and guide your steps while young, and when you are old, He will not forsake you.'

QUESTIONS.-1. What kind of questions did Lemuel ask his father? 2. How did he try to lead his son's mind in answering them? 3. Should we believe all we hear or read? 4. What did his father tell Lemuel that the sunflowers should teach him?

LESSON IV.

Spell and Define-1. MAN' A E MENT, control. 2. TREAT'ED, used. 3. IN DUL' GENT, yielding to wishes; mild. 4. AuTHOR'I TY, legal power or right to command. 5. RU' IN ED, utterly destroyed. 6. PAR' TIAL, biased; inclined to favor. 7. COM PAN' ION, an associate. 8. IN' FLU ENCE, moral

power. 9. DIS A GREE A BLE, unpleasant. 10. FRIGHT'EN ED, terrified; suddenly alarmed. 11. DE SCRI' BED, represented by words or signs. 12. SUB JEC' TION, a being under control. 13. SCRU PLE, to doubt, or hesitate. 14. RE. FORM', (RE, back or again,), to change back from bad to good.

ANNA'S PUPIL.

"MOTHER," said Anna, " how I should like to have a little girl under my care, that I could make do just as I pleased. That would be so pleasant, would it not, mother?"

66

Very pleasant indeed to you," replied her mother, "but I suppose she would sometimes find you rather a hard mistress."

ANNA. O no, I should be very kind to her; I would teach her every thing I know myself. MOTHER. I am afraid you would not. And what would be the use of your plan after all? I dare say she would be much better taught at school.