to; cited. 5. BE QUEST', something left by will; a legacy. 6. SUF FO CA' TION, a cessation of breathing. 7. TREM'ULOUS, trembling; quivering. 8. VA' CANT, empty; not filled. 9. VER' DANT, green; fresh. 10. LA DEN, loaded;

freighted. 11. WOR' RI ED, troubled.

THE DYING BOY.

1. It must be sweet, in childhood, to give back
The spirit to its Maker, ere the heart
Has grown familiar with the paths of sin,
And sown-to garner up its bitter fruits.
2. I knew a boy whose infant feet had trod
Upon the blossoms of some seven springs,

And when the eighth came round, and called him out
To revel in its light, he turned away,

And sought his chamber to lie down and die.

'Twas night-he summoned his accustomed friends, And, on this wise, bestowed his last bequest.

3.

"Mother, I'm dying now!

There's a deep suffocation in my breast,
As if some heavy hand my bosom pressed,
And on my brow

I feel the cold sweat stand ;

My lips grow dry and tremulous, my breath
Comes feebly up. O, tell me, is this death?
Mother, your hand-

Here-lay it on my wrist,

And place the other thus, beneath my head,
And say, dear mother, say, when I am dead
Shall I be missed?

4.

"Never beside your knee,

Shall I kneel down again at night to pray,
Nor with the morning wake and sing the lay
Yuo taught me.

Oh! at the time of prayer,

When you look round and see a vacant seat,
You will not wait then for my coming feet-
You'll miss me there.

5.

"Father, I'm going home!

To the good home you spoke of, that blest land
Where it is one bright summer, always bland,
And storms do not come.

I must be happy then,

From pain and death you say I shall be free,
That sickness never enters there, and we
Shall meet again!

6.

"Brother, the little spot

I used to call my garden, where long hours
We've staid to watch the coming buds and flowers;
Forget it not!

Plant there some box or pine,

Something that lives in winter, and will be

A verdant offering to my memory,

7.

And call it mine.

"Sister, my young rose tree

That, all the spring, has been my pleasant care,
Just putting forth its leaves so green and fair;
I give to thee.

And when its roses bloom

I shall be gone away, my short life done;
But will you not bestow a single one

8.

Upon my tomb?

"Now, mother, sing the hymn

You sang last night; I'm weary, and must sleep. Who was it called my name? Nay, do not weep, You'll all come soon!"

9. Morning spread over earth with her rosy wings,
And that meek sufferer, cold, and ivory pale,
Lay on his couch asleep. The gentle air

Came through the open window, freighted with
The odors of the lovely spring;

He breathed it not ;-the laugh of passers by,
Jarred, like a discord in some mournful tune,
But worried not his slumber. He was DRAD!

LESSON LXXXVII.

Spell and Define-1. IN HAB' IT ANT, one who has a fixed residence; a dweller. 2. COM MIS' SION, order: trust. 3. QUAL I FI CA' TION, accomplishment that fits one for of fice, or employment; fitness. 4. So' CIAL, pertaining to society. 5. AM BI' TIOUS, desirous to excel. 6. DIS TINC'TION, a mark of difference; superiority. 7. SE DATE' NESS. calmness; serenity. 8. Ex EMP' TION, freedom from any service, tax, evil, &c. 9. AB' SO LUTE, not limited; arbitrary. 10. RE NOWN', fame; celebrity. 11. IN TRACT'A BLE, unmanageable; violent.

AN UNWELCOME VISITOR.

CONRAD. You are a stranger, and appear weary; come and rest yourself.

STRANGER. There is much comfort about your dwelling; are you its only inhabitant? C. No; I have a wife and children; I expect them shortly.

S. I have a commission to summon one of the inhabitants of the town, to great honor and dignity.

C. Ŏ how happy should I be, if your visit were directed to my humble abode !

S. You would then readily part with either of your family for such purpose?

C. I should be very neglectful of their interests, if I were not so.

S. But what are their qualifications for our court?

C. My eldest son is bold, active, generous, and social; the youngest is a scholar, and ambitious of distinction.

S. And the girls?

C. The eldest, prudence, judgment, and sedateness; the second is literary and talented; the next is benevolent and affectionate; the fourth, cheerful and gay; the youngest, serious and religious.

S. But you have said nothing of your wife; do you not desire her advancement?

Č. She is aged and has ill-health; nor could I spare her.

S. There are no exemptions. My prince is absolute, and whomsoever I call must obey the summons. What are your powers to re

sist DEATH?

C. Unhappy wretch that I am! Instead of a friend, I behold the great destroyer of the human race before me!

S. Which shall I take; the eldest boy or girl?

C. O spare them! they are the props and stay of their parents. Their mother's feeble health and my declining years require their active care.

S. Your youngest son?

C. Pity a father's desires to see his open

ing qualities ripen into manhood; his bosom burns with hopes of eminence and renown. S. Can you give me then your youngest daughter?

C. She is a blessing and an example; her devotional spirit shames our worldly feelings and pursuits.

S. You are content then to resign your wife?

C. Rather the rest than her; by patience and gentleness, she softened the ruggedness of my temper; and without her I should again become the harsh and intractable being I was before I saw her.

S. You are selfish in your excuses; what have you to urge against my taking you?

C. I feel that I am unfit; the thoughts of death recall to remembrance the half-forgotten sins of early years; they crowd upon my memory, and fill my soul with anguish.

S. Let them recall thee to repentance. And for thy present comfort, know that I am not sent to thee, nor to thy house at present. But be assured that I shall visit thee again ; be ready, therefore, against my sure return. Set thy house in order, that at my summons, they may all be prepared.

QUESTIONS.-1. What was the name of this unwelcome visitor? 2. Whom did he say he had come to summon to great honor and dignity? 3. On hearing this, what wish did Conrad express? 4. What did Conrad say were their qualifications? 5. What did "Conrad exclaim when he knew who the messenger was? 6. Was he then willing