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COMPOSITION
WITH

PROGRESSIVE EXERCISES IN

PROSE AND J,10ETRY;
EMBELLI$,HED WITH
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C HAR D.E 8 M 0 R LEY,
Of the G1-em·Street Seminary, Albany. Auilror
Geographical Key," " Common·Seh-Ool
Grammar, illustrated by engravings," 4c. 4-c .
BY

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"THEY WHO ARE LEARNINO TO COMPO SE, AND TO ARRANOE THEIR THOUGHTS WITH A.CCU"
RACY AND ORDER, .A.RB LEARNING AT THE SAME TIMB TO THINK WlTH ACCUR.lCY J.?'f:g

CRDER."-Dlatr.

.. I-I ART F 0 RD:
PUBLISHED BY R. WHITE,

NEW-YORK : - 1
& CO .
1839.

ROBINSON, PRATT

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Entered, according to·Act of Congress, in the year 1838, by
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R. WHITE,
in the Clerk's Otnce of the District Court of Connecticut.

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l!IU:REOTYPED llY
H.lRTFORD, CON!!.

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PR .:EF ACE. ..
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RICHARD H. HOBBS ,

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To most young persons, composing is an extremely irksome . task.
The design of this manual is, to rendet it a pleasant and interesting
exercise. Its plan has been tested by· the author's. own· experience!
and has exceeded his- most sanguine..expectations ;· therefore, he has
been induced to offer it to the public. ·
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The first exercises · consist of intere~ting stories to be analyzed .; .
these are succeeded by descriptions, skeletons of letters, a~a.lysis of.·
poetry and of scripture, general_. subjects, discussions, poetical exercises, an epitome of rhetoric,. and a list of subjects for composition. ' .• t
One prominent object kept'constantly in:view .is, to leaiLthe .pupil: to
think, to investigate thoroughly and·accurately; . whatever. is ,worthy of
engaging his attention: ·'· Let this system be practiced in every branch
of education, and, instead of intellectual.dwarfs, our seminaries. of
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learning would send forth multitudes of mental giants.
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" The great objects which education . ought to promote have been
miserably neglected. A farrago of ·words has been. substituted ,iri the
place of things ; the elements of language have been preferred to the
elements of thought, the key of · knowledge has been exhibited . instead
of knowledge itself ; and the youthful mind, ·at the termination of ,the
common process of instruction is almost as destitute of .ideas as at the
commencement."
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" The power of thinking and of communicating thought, constitute
the dignity anti glory · of inan. How momentous the :.object . of.'culti•
vating and improving to. the utmost, this 'wondrous power-:-efonfolding
this germ of immortality; this susceptibility of incessant progress . .. It

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PREFACE.

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PREF:CE,

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leamin~~gs,· and

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is the i~pfovement of this power morn ·than any thing else, ~ore than
every thing else, that raises man above his fellow man, nation.. above
nation and man above himself. Illustrious as he is, by the prerogative of thinking, he is scarcely less so by language, the vehicle of
thought. A great part of the business of education, then, shoul.d ~e
the production and communication of thought. I.t sh?uld begm. m
infancy, and never cease.". " This first, this last, this midst, a~d without end." The two branches of education, relating to intellectlon and
language, are so connected, that they may be regarded as nearly al~ed
as a river and its channel. The most distinguished writer upon th4lking, found it impossib e to complete · Essay.- ~ the Understanding,
without"Writing a book upon language. Lavoisier made unparallel~d
improvement in chemistry, when he changed the vocabulary of its
technical language , adapting the words to the ideas. .
A greater fault in education can scarcely be committed, than the
separation of these branches ; unl~ss the ~egl~ct. of them. . And yet
no fault is more common in our literary mstitutlons. Children and
youth are taught to spel~ and read :v.hat they do not u~derstand, to
define without understandmg the defimtions, and to commit to memory
the words of grammar, rhetoric, geography, history, philosop~y, logic,
&c., &c., while scarcely a sentence is understood. In studymg these
branches, the pupil does indeed acquire ideas-ideas ~f ~ords bot~
visible and audible but not of the object which they sigmfy. As it
respects useful kno~ledge, and the power of recalling or producing
practical thoughts, his understanding remains almost wholly b~rren
and void. Words, acquired in this parrot-like manner, cannot be mtelligibly used, and are but "lumber in the mind." The pupil should first
·gain thoughts, clear conceptions of thin~s, and ~hen proceed ~o !earn
their names--this is nature's process with the mfant, and this is the

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reason why he makes so much greater progress in
name~, for the first two or three years of his life, than in double this
time in any other period. The deaf and dumb are taught on this.plan.

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TO YOUTH.
The object of this work is to render your exercises in composition
interesting. The specimens by · those of your ·own age, are selected
for your encouragement, and if you foll · closely the directions ·in
'thiS work, you may in a short time writ
· well, and even become
one of the first composers of the ' age-an .ament to your country,
be thus successful, you ·
and a blessing to the world. But if you wo
must make efforts, and not shrink from any useful exercise, because it
is difficult ; otherwise you will sink into insignificance .. ·
The mind, like the body, is strengthened by exercise, and like it
becomes feeble and enervated by inaction ; therefore, ne.ver say can't
or cannot, to any useful exercise prescribed ; for it is the watchword
of drones..,..-the harbinger of disgrace ; but let your motto ever be try ;
this has raised many an obscure youth to become the most distinguished persons of their age-this, this alone will raise you to eminence.
It is a prevailing fault of modern writers, to clothe common ideas
in bombastic words, instead of aiming at striking thoughts, clearly and
simply expressed. Simplicity is the universal characteristic of dis·
tinguished writers.' · Addison, Homer, Xenophon, and the Bible, fur.
nish example.> of the correctness of this remark.
No mere imitators will i'ise to eminence as writers ; but they alone
who cultivate their own natural style by careful and frequent practic~.
The habit of re-writing a composition several times, is one of the best
means for improvement. · Brougham's admirable eulogy on the late
Queen of England, was re-written twenty times. Locke was nineteen

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PREFACE.

STORIES_.

years writing his celebrated Essay on the Understanding, Butler twenty
'his Analogy, Watts the same time, his little work on the Mind. Virgil, when composing his immortal JEneid, frequently wrote only one
line per day in a finished state.* Aim at conciseness; all unnecessary
words mar the beauty of composition.
A premium was offered in a Theological Seminary to the student
that should produce the best essay on Christ's turning water into wine ;
most of the competitors filled a sheet-the successful candidate wrote
only the following : "The conscious water saw its God and blushed."
The careful reading of good poetry will be beneficial to you ; it has
been the favorite study of the best prose writers .
*When Paschal was composing his PrOvincial Letters, he was frequently employed twenty days
on a single letter; he frequently recommenced some seven or eight times, nnd by this means obtained that perfection which made his work, as Voltaire says, one of the best books ever published
in France.
Fenelon composed his Telemachus in the short space of three months. He had before this forme
ed his style, and his mind overflowed with all the spirit of the nnci~nts. The same facility accom~
panied Gibbon, aner the experience of his Orst volllme.
Socrates applied himself ten years to one of bis works. Diodorus Siculus devoted years to the
·composition of his History.
Sir William Jones, aftet having fixed on his subjects, always added the model of the composition.
When on a voyage to India he projected the following 'vorks, and thus noted them . !st. Elements
of the Laws of England. Model-the Essay on Dailments. Aristotle. 2nd. The History of the
American War. Model-Thucydides. 3rd. Britain Discovered-an Epic Poem. l\lodcl-Homer.
4th. Speeches, Politi cal nnd Forensic. Model-Demosthenes.
Evelyn's morle of composition waA excellent. Having chosen a subject, he analyzed it into its
vnriotls parts under certain hcods to be nucd up nt leisure. Under these heads he set down his
own thoughts as they occurred, occasionally insertiiig whatever was useful from his rending; when
his collections were thus formed, he digested his own thoughts regularly, and strengthened them
by authorities from ancient and modern authors, or alleged his reasons for dissenting from them.
Butron, speaking of _the hours of composition, says-'' these are the most luxurious and delight·
ful moments of life-moments which have induced me often to pass fourteen hours at my desk in 8
atate of transport-this gratification, more than glory, is my reward."
. The celebrated Dr. Parr, Principal of the Stanmore school, gives an interesting lecture before his
pupils, on the subject given out for composition, previous to their writing on tho subjccl.

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'<;>>1·';_ · · · ·" W~slii~gton._:
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' . · b t ·fi e years ' old he was one
George W ashmgton was a ou iv
d h'
· Little son I
day sitting in his fatl,J.er's lap, who th~1~ addr~~~e tell1':rong stories' 1
love you very muc~, b~t r~ther .than ave closed in death, and your
d Georg·e
should prefer to see your bnght httl~. ey~s · . · ld
. d
· · · ·· · ffiil to be buned m the co groun · . .
body n,.a11e ~hip. ml a co . .. 'He had a fair trial of his firm determ~n~t!Oll
never 1orgot t s esson.
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and rummg a
to tell the truth. at 'all events, in the .case ·o ' is cu mga boy the dar.
. cherry-tree of h'18 ,.iather's
favorite
. · · George
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kwas ahigoo · At 'length
as
ling of his parents, and beloved by all_ who h ne'Y fid~~ce of his co~­
he advanced to adult age he had so gamed t e c?~le office to another
dri;;t~~~:1 He was so faithful
trymen, that . h~ was .elected£ f~omU
· b
1 t · and so
until he beca.me President o t e ru e in the discharge of his duties, so .disinterested, so enevo en ,
WHEN

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untiringly devoted to the good of his country, that when he died, the
bells tolled, and the people throughout our country dressed in mourning for the loss of so good a man as yv ashington : and his memory is
still, and ever will be, endeared in the hearts of all Americans. He
is justly called the Father of his country. · He endured innumerable
privations with constant exposure to death for eight long years, to secure the freedom of our happy land, and then refused any pav for his
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invaluable services.
Here, my young friends, is a noble example for you to follow, which
if you do, you will also grow up beloved and respected by all who
know you ; and you will be an honor to your friends and a blessing to
your country. But if you tell wrong stories, or take any bad course,
you will grow up despised and hated by all who know you, and a disgrace to your country. Remember that a good boy makes a good man,
and a bad boy a bad man.

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FIRST EXERCISE •.
What Is the meaning of addressed 1 Prefers 1 Determination 1 Favoritee ! Darling ! Adults 1
Elected 1 Responsible duties 1 Disinterested 1 What disinterested persons do you read about In
the Bible 1 Benevolent ! Name other. benevolent persons that you have beard or read of. Exposure 1 Freedom 1 What countries are not free 1 . Examples 1 Mention some other examples as
_worthy of your imitation.
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SECOND EXERCISE.
ELLIPSIS, OR SKELETON OF THE STORY.

When George
was
as he ·
my little son
never forgot
He had a fair
his firm determination
was a good boy
he was electe.d
· until he became
so faithful
that when he died
the
and the people
his memory . --·· he ·is justly '·- -here my young friends·
R~member that
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but if

George
George
he was
and
for you

Tl;IIRD · EXERCISE.
Write the story from memory In your own language. What lesson .do you learn from this
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NoTE.-Lying is not only despised, by mankind, bu~ i• even condemned and execrated by wild
beasts, os the following statement of ihcte wlp ehoW. A number ~f y'eara since, a man em igra·
ted from Connecticut to a new settlement in Pennsylvania. He purchased a tract of land three
miles from any house, and commenced building him a dwelling in the midst of ~s doma~n ; and
when hie work had &o far progressed as to have a floor on the second story, he gathered eome
•havlngs and slept there. One bright moonshlny night, he was aroused by a noise In the shavings below. He looked down and sew a wolf covering up something very carefully. After he
retired, the man went dowri to· see what he had burled there; whon~ to his astonishment he found a
little girl who was sent from the nearest settlement 'ii ner the cows; but being losti she wandered
about untll lat e In the evening. She came to this place, and as she ·was weary, she lay down In the
&having• and went to sleep. He took her above and soon be heard the bowling of the wolf and

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also of others in different directions, and ere long a large drove of these ferocious animals approached his abode. When within a few rods they hnlt, and one comes from the flock and enters the building and paws the s havings. Soon others enter. Shortly, thoy all go out, nnd one goes by himself
snd holds his hcnd between his feet like a dog when ashamed, and the whole flock fall on him
with tiger fury, and tear him in pieces. They undoubtedl y·supposed that he had deceived them,
or in other words, had told them a lie, and thus it seems that wolves punish liars with death.
Therefore, if all little boys and girls that are liars w ere wolves, they would soon be tom in pieces.
How mean and despicable is a liar even in the eye's of a wild beast of the forest! I hope therefore
you will nm•er be so w icked or so mean as to tell a lie . God classes liars with murderers. It is
bad in his sight to tell a lie as well as to murder.

SECOND EXERCISE.

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ELLIPSIS, OR ' SKELETON OF THE ' STORY.
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There he
from his
· · The' celebrated
was once forced to
to
Again
h e saw .· attempting
sat alone
At length
and I have
But the .
gave me
and
Still undaunted
THIRD EXERCISE.

Write the whole story from memory-aim ' at stating the ideas in your own language.. What
lesson do you learn from tqis s.tory l What is, the result !

PERSEVERANCE.

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Tim celebratecl conqueror, Timour, the Tartar, was once forced to
take shelter from his enemies in a ruined building. There he sat
alone for several hours. At length, in despondency he ·cast his eyes
around h~ s apartment, and saw an ant, that was attempting to carry a
grain of corn, larger than itself, up a high wall. Again and again it
strove to accomplish its object, and failed. Still undaunted, it returned
to its task, and sixty-nine times Timour saw the grain fall to the ground.
But the seventieth time the ant reached the top of the wall with its
prize ; " and the sight," said he, " inspired me with courage, and .I
have never forgotten the lesson it conveyed."
FIRST EXERCISE .

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What is the meaning of perseverance 1 What other iilsects are distinguished for their perseve·
rance1 Celebrated? What is the difference between dL'itinguished, rcnownod, aud celebrated 1

Give examples of each. Conq ucror l Who was Timour l Vvhero is Tartary! Forced! Shelter) Enemies! Ruined! Iluildingl Despondency! Strove! Prize 1 Lesson 1 Conveyed 1

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Perseyerance· Illustrated in tlie Story of Dmnosthenes. ~ ~
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.,, When Demosthenes .~as :about six years 'of age, his father took h!m
to ·hear the pleading of a celebrated orator. He was charmed with

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hiselo1p1ence ;irnl ;ist_011isl1erl willt ils power o,·rr the :rntlicncc, anu
wlult· <1ll ll!s s<'at lw lllrnwcl thr; rcs"l111it'll tli:1t he l1ims 1·lf woulcl lin
an orntor . I ,;ft '"' orphan at the age of scYcn, and plundered of ] 1j 8 ~
estate
and clelrau detl
ltrn e dt1e'1t!On by his !Yll<1l'rlian,.;, :inrl althrnJrrh
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.ITl J11 0., 111., 1 :11 11111p1 ., t" :idilu ..,s 11 J' ll iil ic 1!! 1il ic·111·t: l ie ctJ111plt·tcly faikd ,
111Hl 1r1h d1·r1 rlr ·il 11111l 1:11 11 tkrl at lir t lic rut! e a11d g11r , yet J1e 11 as nut
d1-;coma~cJ, lilll 11: ·rsc1crt•d, lllllil Ly his ]urn of ~lui1ucm:c arnl liis
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cationR, you will risA supArior to Philip in pown of controlling men'ii
minds, and to a highPr glo ry than that of J\lcxantlcr : the glory of an
admiring cotmtry, with au Hppruvi11g cou8c1ence.
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cx tranrdrn11ry <1IJ1l 111cs lw !lilt. 01111· rr·1J11ire1l tlwse losq•s, 1111 1 h«i·uiiir• ;in
oral ur. u1 1ri 1al1·il h1· 11111· 11g·r nf 1ito11orld . .!:11t !tis rising t:tlc1ils wnc
rn1pc·<ll'1l l·.1· .g rt •:tt 11a l11rnl. d1•1't·cts, in 01·c·rco 111i1 1g 11lticll, l1" h1 1:,; st'l
yo u a rn •h l1• 1·:-.:amplr; ul' iw rs 1· 1·cranc('. He stal!llllercd hadlr. and to
correct this , 111' 1kclai111ctl 11·it l1 pcl1hlcs i11 liis l!H1utl1. For ~:11 w 1natmal sl1rug o( the s huuldcu;, h u s11spemlcd t110 swords on·r them so
as to prick l1i1H (·1·ery time he <lid it. Ile tried the 11ttermost of his
voice while ascending a hill. H e. also clecl:iimod hy the sf'a-shore , :is
above rnpro><c11ted, tu ac cnstorn lmnself to the noise of a t11nrnlt11011s
assembly. He confined himself to a subterraneous cavA to dernte

himself more closely to his studies; an_d to avoid appearing in pnhlic
for. a length of time, he shave~ one ~all of his head. ln this solitary
retirement_, by the help of a ghmmenng lamp, he composerl t.he greatest part ol those orat.10ns winch have been the admiration of all snccccding generations. The extraordinary rrbili t.ies and clorJ11cncc of
Demosthenes, raised him to.the highest civil station in the gift. of his
c?untryrnen, and Ill t.lus, as m every other situation, he always sholl'cd
himself the zealous defender of the interests of Athens and of the
other free states of Greece . Undismayed by the powers, and undrrzzclcd by the glory of his Macedonian enemies, he was ever the firm
a~lvocat.e of true liberty, affording as noble an example of devotion to
lus country as he had of early resolution and perseverance. May
you, my young friends; ever follow such lofty examples as that of Demosthenes. Industry and assiduity will make you orators and statesmen, and moral courage will render you patriots. With such qualifi-

In ·wktt C' ollnt ry 11i1l

Drm n<:.rl11~ 11c ">

Charm~ ·~

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E XEH C!S

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liq' 1 H ow long IH!o l
l'n\'l,'f'r I

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Hl':..:o lu ti 1' ll !

tiw lll f':1lli11g of or:ttm !

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H1 ·11t1in·d l 'Ltlent~ 1
Jmpcde<l 't N oh lc ! E xnrnplr ! ;\ lc11t 1nn the r\ ,'Ull)! if' ot' ntltcr 11cro;n 11<:. w]Jr) arc \\·1irtl1y 11f imi t:1 ·
ti on . Stan11r1ert>d ! ])cchiincd ! t;l!1 11n1cn 1 1~ ! J.ilwny? \\)l<1t l~ t ltt: o pp o~ite or i1hn t y .~ ln
what HatJon U11c s lt bn ty rn.i ,-.;t a l10 1rn d
In \v l! at ~ !: t·•n) I J11duc-:try I Jt-.; Pl ,l'OSJ!cs ! 1J1d you
ever henr or rraJ. of n person who !Jct:aHtC dL'iLingui s hetl w i!llu ut in <lu~1ry I
1

Faikd 1

SECOl\D

J)it-<rnnragcd 7

Oqd1:111?

Aln li!k : ~ ·~

EXERCJ~C.

ELLIPSIS, OR SKELETON OF THE STORY.

·when Demosthenes was
his Father
he was charmed with
Left an Orphan
and plundered
although
but perthe
he also desevered
but his rising talents
and to correct
I
he confined
in this solitary
to accustom himseU'
' claimed
the extraordinary
may you my young friends
! . retirement
Tl!IllD EXERCISE.

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Write tho story from memory. "liat leesons do you draw from it 1 \Vhnt American was emi~
. nently distinguished for his perseYeranco, success, and attainments 7 What Eu ropcun. 1 \V b.at
ones are mentioned in the Bible 1

DAVIE, THE PEDLER.
IN the winter of a certain year,.the northern parts of Scotland were
visited with one of the most tremendous snow-storms ever witnessed

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STORIES.

by the

olJ.est peasant of the country. In one n.ight thousands of sheep
were lost.; and the number of travelers who <lied from the severity of
tho weathf'T, and from heing overwhclnwil in snow-<lrifis, wr.~ inn-;.llihlt-•. Atnn11g nwny w11.f_1 \-Vere e ~\'.ptt!:if:'d to this storm, ,~.-as one Davie
lVklJonald, an a!red pedlar, who had !randed for thP. !:1st. thirtv vcars.
OYcr l1ealh, moulltain, liill, a1ul Jal.:, 11 itl 1 liis )'ack uf Ji1,u1c;, "ilks ..Iaee 8 ,
h:mdk1•ffl1i1·f< l1ool;s, :1n 1l 1111 th1· lit llu 01tidco , wl1ich rc JtJc1cd him a _
wel co me nsilor tot.hr. hou .'"'" o!'suclt as l1ad 11l, i·d d'l1is <irlides.
~
'Ilw d,.y precedrn;; the ~torm lia<l been tmusuall\' cairn; and Uavie ~
1 1~H1 Ltkcu ad \ u11tage "uf it fur 111al1..i11~ a pa~ :-; 1n er ,:::c {Ir 1.1 l( L":-C t_·.l1~uns ~
uf ll1 Jlllila11ts , 11·l11d1 sqi:.ualc t l:.c 111:.d:.brnls lrn111 t.L" Jim L:1 1d:' Pl that _
cou 11try. The evening set in early, rnther too early, indeed, for D:n-ie ~
tu L: ;,i.Llc: l.u reach ti"' ;,i.Luuc uf' u11c uf Ju::; uld cu;tu111er::; i.iy Jayi1gltt. ~
Davrn hat1 111;,l. dearell, iJ.S he tlwugl1 l, tlie wur::;l pass uf tlie mo1mt:1ins. ii
when he fo'imd the sun setting beliinJ a risillg bauk of clouds; so nrn cl~ ~
ilOOTir'r fl1:rn hr rxprrt·-· rl, tlint lir· tl1c11. 1'11r tl1<· Jirsl ti111e . f.,·c::,, 1 tlJ rc:H1"
ll!C lace Ul Lile ::;ky, :.LllU Lu illlc r d1., uce, i'fUlli p a:,l eAperience, tJiat a r
t>tunn was rrat.henng m the north-west.. which 11111st, <lo whnt h" wonlrl. i:
ovenake him before he could rc:1ch a place of safr.tv.
· ·
He rested for a nwrn P.nt on his stnff, nnd look('d ~1:nimd . Tlwre w~~ 11
no place of sl1elter near; nutasiu,!!_Ie curl uf :smoke from any lrnt conk[
he discern, not a plaid was to be seen ol mountain shepheni, or hornegoing peasant; he l1aLl no comrrn1ion but. li is dog---aml for once Darie
felt himself alon e , on the side of a mountain,
th a pathless country
before him,_ and the roar o'. the tempest heh.ind. I-fo drew his plai ~l
nearer to lus body, belted Ins pack dos er to lus back, clenched his staff
firmer in his hand, and calling to Crab, his dog, pursued his way, with ~
no lack of speed, towards the place of his destination.
Scarcely, however, had he reached a mile, before the storm commenced in good earnest; and Davie began to think within himself that there was but little
chance of avoiding that death now, which many times before, under
less threatening circumstances he had providentially escRped,
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STORIES.

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: "Now, my man Crab," said he to his dog, <i there's fearful. strife
before us : aull I cannot tell whether we two shall ever see the light of
t11e blesseJsun ag;iin. \Ve h:i,yc wanrlr.rcrl t"gdltcr !or t11c fa,t t11·che
y1:rn rs , from sl1 in' -to ~hire, from tlie uortherrnuosl par.ts of L>onnic Scothiml to' 111·;irly !1"' 1n11ltlle of oJ.l F.n gh n;l; c..nrl now. 1t appears, v;c :-trc
to encl Ollf pilgri1m1g" togi:llwr, in 0111' ui' tire most. t!rte:1.1lh1l .stunns that
evAs 1evter ~:tw, arnl u11 a ,c;put ot' canh 11u 1'lll1L :1 tl. 111:u1 1HJULl diuuse
for his last bed. Bllt cheer up my n! ,] frie111l; six rniks 111ure, aml yo11
shall have as good a. bPd as yon dcs1rn , and a sai'c ::;heller irn111 the
~tonn . Ill tl1e :-\lltth[ cabiit uf ~cntdie l,.l't..:~lurr<t.\.·, !HY lionc~t cusLuHH r of
lite lwal1wr-g l•"ll ol I Ji111111~.l loe11." (; r;;l; ].,okul up Jn lr:.-; rn; 1 ~:1 r. :mil
gave a kind of rhP.Prless whine; a.s mnch as to say, " Your cheeri11g up
rnyrnaster, rn all very well; I.Jut l amJUtiL How th1ukrng ol a11y ti1u 1g Lilt
'Sandie !Vl'cMmrnv, his c~hin, or his comforts." T he slonll, wliicl1 hall
been so thick behind them, now spread over the wlwle face of the
co untry; arn1 the winrl lw[[a n to lilow H 1 dreadf11lh'. :111 d the "110,1· to J:1ll
in such clouds, as lo shut out from the sight of the pctller awl lii.; dog
itll si<rns hv which thPv mi [!ht trace <mt thcir wav to the valleys below .:~ Th~ slorm swci1t along the side of the motmt~tin. on whi~h our
1mfort1matP cirlventi1rPrf< wNP now lwwilderPd ; an1l thr. onlv phn left
'to Davie was to go on <lescculling, a;; well ;,u,; he cuuhl, led bv tliu nose
an<l experienc e of poor Crab. \Nell, on they went, iloumlerrn~ through
~now-drills, st11mliling Ol'Cr h11gc stones, aml now and thc11 rnll111;.r down
the steep side of a rock into snow-wreaths below . At length, after
roaming about ne arly two hours in tltis way. Davie with his pack, rolling ·over a precipice of some eight or ten fcc.t, found himself in a ltullow, where but little snow fell ; aml on groprng about '11scovcre<l that
there was a part of t.he rock scooped out suflicicntly large to shelter
him, his pack, and Crab, from the fury of th e storm, and the dan ger of
instant death . Before this last fall, his limbs were so much stiffened
by the cold, that he could scarcely crawl ; and now .that h e had fall.en,
he knew not how far, he had so many aches and brmses, that he at first
felt disposed to murmur; but when he called to mind the storm howling

16

STORIES.

STORIES.

over his head, and the numbers that must perish while he was
sheltered, he fell on his knees, and poured out every grateful feeling of
his heart to his divine and merciful Father.
Scarcely had he put up his prayers and praises to God, when a growl,
~s of some a~imal at the extremity of the cave, (for he had not exammed how far it ext.ended,) set evert hair on his head bristling with dlsmay. T~e dread of some wild animal_having found shelter there as
well a.s h;mself-perhap"' a wol!~nnw fil!Pd him with apprehension.
~ra'.i, ;i. hit of<'· coward too, hid himself under the pcdlcr's plaid, who
lay m tlw 11tmo;,t 1'11~pPn,.e and a1Lue ty, where he might li:i.Yc slept in
c:<,111fn r i. ulHler oi.h !'r cirn1msfa ncf's,
In this state of n•iml Ji,, p;csscd

The tmth was now out. Davie, led by his dog, had stumbled upon
the abode of his friend, and taken up his rest with his pig. The laugh
was sadly against Davie, who never forgot the Janu.ary storm; and the
pl~asure of slumbering in a pig-sty.
·
;

i

!

"
"
ii.
-

the nl!fhl , OPcnsiomi.lly slumbrrin g, ;is hr srrii!, ;mi! wrrking at 1lw ~norc
and rnort Qf thr stran gr brd-frllowill -for11m0 kid g-in•n liim. ' l'nw0nb -·

1110n11uu he thuuirht he heard voices at th0 rnoilf.h of the cave, and ,.,J1v1iof,;-;;i. '> ••rk re7novi11g- thP ~now. T11 a11v t•tl wr sit1mri(1n the sonni!
,,i· a l1w11:111 1·<>ice \\Uulrl li:tv" gi1·,·11 l1irn j1;\. ; iww, ]11J1n·1·er, it filled
Lint with !!nrrnr: f!lr thr. irir;i i'inH· k hln1 .Ft i fi!l(' t• , n t~Jt ~tHll!' f1f the
111<1u111;1 111 llln1i1·rs l1:ul tr al'k1·1l th is unkm1wn :111 irnal lo his dc11, and
11·e r1: ck;i ri1 1g tho snow aw.iy to pom a volley of ~hot ll]'Oll !rim in his
r< ·ir1·:1f. Nil\\', thu11gl1t he. death i.c; more certai11 than lH'furr·; /i1r thC'rn
is .~'<l tluuLt, the "'.'ry rnomcnt tl111 se men ha1·c ma1le an opcui 11g, they
vv1!1 ''!''''' :1 li rd' fire upon us; arnl tl1cn. vvoc be to m e 1 fur th('rc will
h r• n o cli:111c:c oi' 1·scaping-. llc 1vas :1frnicl to spr11k, l1•st the a11 imal,
1vhll stiJl hv· s111Jri11g i11 hio slu111llf'rs, sl101ilrl awake :mtl seize llpon him ;
su Ji,. pr:iy 1•r\ Ill (;111\ lin clel iH:rancr, anrl w:1.s resigned.
At lc11!!th tl1c bcink of snow ;it tlie P11lrm1cr; g:"·c wa v· , nncl Davie
c:alkJ out , ;1s lie s :1w a pole poked tl mmg l1 the opening, \~hich he took
for a li'u11, '· C:nod frirnd s, do no t lire, for rt Clms1 1:1n man is in 1wnl of
l11s Ide 011 all sides" "!Ican"n prPSPive us I" said the man" itl1011t; " if
that he nol !lw rnice of ped lcr Davie, 1 am not in my senses ." "Is
tlwt y ou , i\I'c,\J mrny ?" saitl D:nic. "By my faith it is, man!
But

how came you into rny pig·sty ?"

.•.

FIRST EXERGISE.
Vv"h~rn l~ s~otland. ! '\Vhat is the meaninrr of vislt ·1 Tremendous!
'Vitncss ~ Pea.s:mt 1
;\Vliat ig a pHson called who travels ! \Vhat is the meaning of severity? Incredible ? E:"Cpo~ed ~
Storm; Heath~ 1>ale ~ \Velcomc l Preceding? Calm ? \Yhen? Tin.: a 1 E~f:..:l)' ! Put!1k::is !
1

!~:1~1~\·:g o~~~::~;l l~~~;•l~~·n ;;~·.:,~:~v::~~rr ·~ \\:~;~~i~r;~:J:: diJ\'.~:~·~.~.::i;!~;~ ~~''.1~~, ~!~J~ i~ i~:~!.~~/r :1~~~cr: ! , t~~~~c :~

1

f lt\'f']lf 7

r.t \·p t· \:n1q ." ,,..,

nf ! •1i ·h.

r. r i '-'li 7

r :)\"1'

~

-;\f •'i1 :l,, ~ 1 -.., 111" ,~'.1 Yi"·rn<:: in ~'.~"rent

f'.1 r!q

Of

Uw worltl. Terror 1 Jrmv <IOI.'<:: it di!ICr frnm alarm, nlfr ir:lll' flll!l diqn:-iy I ( :iYC ('X:1rnp\r"1. Anin1;1.l i i-1<".I+' ;on ;.;'111)0 11! tlw '•n.ri i ·U~ J.;i11d~ "; · an1111ab .
c .. ·.v.1r.l; Hs 0;;llUS1Li.; : \Yl J.:lt :.EliUlJ.lH
arf' f'r+Vr·A.r;lly 1 "\\~ Jm f <OHnlll"nW• 1 \\'lrn f i.<:: n person r.n.!!c(! \\"l!O rcdt!l r s? Joy'!
1ts opposite~

Abo de?

Mention tile nbo1.!e ot J11 krr· n t a11 lwal s .

sr.co xD r.xr:ncisr. .

Fill np the sL1·lrton i11 yom n\\11 b11gt1:1gc ; aim at tlic i dea~ rather
11 or1.b of tli c st1.1ry.

them tlie exact

D.\. VIE, Tirn
of1hc most
cvcr w itncss,:il
we re
\Vb 011c
:rn :i gc:Ll
!(Jr tl rn
1\ mong ma11 y
al\(l J >:nic
The cven'J'lic 1hv
Ilic' slorm
HS lie
"hen lrn
found
mg
early
] h1ic L~111 j11st
~c uing
;Jr cl ornl ~ of s·af'ct\· 11 C' rco;kd for a rnomcnt :tnrl
am1 fur
he 11:111110 co111pa11ion
luokecl
thr·rn \I as no pbl'c oi·
had
ant! call in:r to
scarcely
once
Ho drew
bclte<l
arnl 1Ja1ie began
.1\ow,
ho re ached
before the storm

In th0

In 011c nigl1t
hst
o•;(•r

18

STORIES.

STORIES.

19

my man
here
We have
But cheer up
six
and a safe man who belonged to ~his sect, lived in a small village not many miles:
but I am
The storm
now spread
Crab looked up
Well, on they .
At length
Before his last
Scarcely had he hence,_and ~as~ bl~ss1?g to the co:mtry ~rou~d . The~e was scarcely
a chant~ble mstitutlon_m the land, II\ "!hie~ his name did ·not appear as
when a growl
for he had not
The dread of some
per·
!
a subscnb e~ ; an~ so liberal was he with his purse, and so kind to such
haps a
Crab, a bit of
under other
In this state
Towards I as .sought lus advice, that he. was more generally known by the appel·
In any other
now, however, it filled
morning, he thought
lat10n of " The benevolent Friend," than by his own name, Samuel
dA:1~h is
. and then wo~ be t~
length
Hc~wcn prcserYc
~ Jones.
saHl lhe
if thnt he not t.n0 vmce or
I am not
But huw camu
~ 011c fin, ; lwlitby ;i,ftcrnomi, a p:uty of our sc11001·11oys, strolling about

J

p.t

The truth w:is llU\1-

The buglt wa~ Sclllly agaiust

and the

the cuuut1T. cl1ance<l.1'1 see so11w n·rv t1·mpti11u :1ppll's in a pour prr" suns !!,·:1.nkn ; and w Hlwul. consHlcrrn); t.liu cu11sc•1ucrn.:cs, d et.ern1i11cd
on pus.-ie"rnc;· the fru it. ~o tlnuugh th•· hcduc tltc v liur,,t, and C(J!11 TH urn 1:x1rnc1sr:.
rnrnccrl tltcn :1t tac k 11roa the trel', heedless u!' t11e injury tltry were
durng tlte pour 011Hcr.''
•
ANALYSl.~ OF TIIE STORY.
Now it so l1:1ppc11c<l tltat the\· were seen hv om Lrnrrnlcnt F r icn rl
· who 1r::ts al tha t 11111c in the ow1:cr's cottrigc, o"n an crrawl -of Chris1 i:11;
l. Dcc;cri11tion of t!1c st orm . :11111 it' di',·cL<
~hccp--imny ch:rn1_1-.
\\ 11!11mt sapn i! :l won! of tlw matt er to the inmates of tlu;
:2. 'frc111cHclou;-; a1ul lrnpr<'C('1h·1dcd, fr1r--n1~ny
co1 1~1 1 1 " . 111• p 1-. 1cr1• 1l»d in11n•·il ia t1· iy t11 th• · t n· r· w l1nr our vo1mustc·foi
pt:_:rso11--:: .
v.·cr1• 11011111! u11 il1 1· ir 111-:.:·nttcn lHJtifV.
As soo 11 :is thn- s:c;v tlu' on1Hl

plc::ismc

0

:1 . .\f'C'll\llil of lh1 i11--li:id ir< ll dc11. for tlic J;i:, t--:1ri H ]1, tlt:1l - m<in, 1],,._,, d1·c; isf<>rl fro111 thc·ir sp11it , arnl 011"
•l1w ·,\,·"c•·11d ,·1l t]";
lw canit·1 l--l1i'< r"il l' - - " 'l1 111 11--l1i' f1·f'\i11 g'<--l1i' ['l"''l' "r:1- : tree i11 oi l1' 11c 1-. >Y l1 nc :-;:1rnm l Ju1 1c·s waitc<l t o r_c i1·c the m a 1yonl of seaf t1)n-----l 1i s :-;pc cc !1 h1 l 'r:il1~ ---1·11C(!l 1r:-1 ~u11C'll1.----ll:t r1 .~( · r :--: --~ll:ci­

'Jlie i>1Jys kw ·" - Lun "ell, i>y J"'L' "ll
:tl l t 111 1 ci i_':t !·h- :-;1'(' 1l Ii\- liin1t n1· ff(·c t t!tf·ir
CSCJ)!\' "·i1liu11t !J<· t 11~ n·co:.:11izcd. tl wv rn: .. fu nn 1·JFjn 10 li-111r• tl11: ~p 11 t ,
but S\ C l1h 'tl J: 1rl11._· r 1u clt1J 1J:-;(' la-.; cCJrr c ct !1l n. t1nn n111 tllf • ri."'k of r1·,_
cci\·i 11'...;· ~1 i1nwh s 1··.: crl'r 011c 11f ~l · 1uJid~ \\·!t e rr', t1w\- li :Hi u1J duu!,L Iii~
\Vrilc the ~t ory \diully frnm rnc·mory , i11 yom 01\ll
- lon1 ot j11si1ce 1w11tlcl 1wluce l1im to :1ppcar 11c; 1l 11·i r :iccu.c er. \\li en
t!to)- !i:t·.l :111 r1 ·:1cl t1·, [ ilw u r1n11u l. lt" 1k.,in·1l tl11 1n t11 1Yai t a l'1 •11· rni11ul L'"
1:11Yi11u a l1ttk to '''Y f1) tl1t·111, II lticlt, if d1tl y C l
n1iµ:!tt ]HCll.' ll;
, lncm lro111 co1111m 11mµ: such :111 offence :1r_cai11, a11d ,., n · th c· 111111uclt sorro11-.
TIIE BENEYO LENT FHIE\D.
"7111- YUUlli! fri1·111l< ' s :wl tl 1c i.;11url man , 1· l am dis trC"3sccl tu see
Ynn 11rr 11\1111r ilnt thn<' ~ir· rrl t"in r<'l1g1nn< prnplr in 1hr wNlrl , ~ such doini.;s iit tt Chri~ti:rn lcillcl, aml es111·ci:tlly :rmcrng those who, hy
11 lt o :ire c,1 lll Ll I llUllb . 01 (~ n<1hr' . ::c; 0111 c le i\- yc.ih "g" , :i gculle· lnrth awl Pd 11 c:it1nn .• rn; _gl1t tu k1111\ ff ;111, J act iwt tcr. .'\.1 111 thou, rny
fllc!lll,
tu 1l1c k:tlkr, 11 no 1rns a gr c·a ' b l1 ~· - ) wlw ouglttcq t11

dtnlal ,]td1c·r- - l1i' kc li11 '('--c:-:pccis dc:1tlt- - rc iincd.

- sonalil•• adn ,·1 · :rnd ';-:irni11;;.

aacl

r( ' !itHl .

; :11 1~

t u 1·\- \'.

l ·n·

20

STORIES.

STORIES.

21

have set thy younger brethren a better example, in leading these little enabled her to provide for her fatherless little ones with ease and
ones into sin, hast no excuse, for youth will not justify thy folly. If comfort.
Such was one act of our good Quaker friend. 'M.p,y you never
thou hadst considered but for one moment, the condition of her whom
thou hast thus injured, even the poor widow, whom the Lord hath stand in need of reproof for such a transgression of all law, human and
promised to protect, thou wouldst surely have refrained from doing her divine! Or, if you unfortunately do, may you receive it from lips gen·
harm, and kept thy young fri ends, who have some excuse in their ear- tle as his.
~ie r youth and inexperience .. The fruit .which thou with thy compan10ns hast stolen, was all that the poor widow had to depend on fur thel1
FIRST EXERCISE.
payment of her rent, and now she hath nothing in .the world wherewith"
.
.
.
tl
1 dl d' 1 ·
~ I
·
t
t f ·t h t I
Whnt Js tile meaning of gentleman I Sect' Mention some of the reli gious sects . Retired!
to mee 10r an or S C aun j Of perceive a grea er par O 1 a 11 · Charitable1 Appcliation 1 Benevolent 1 Its opposite 1 Crime'! Its oppos ite 1 Itcflection 1 What
been beaten from the trees, and rendered almost unsaleable from the!_ lo the difference between refl ection nnd rememhrrin~ i rntto~n 1 Hnot,· ' Rr.pnrt' Mr nlion
bruises received in fall mg. <Jo with me Into that humble cottage, andi some of the different ways in w hich this word is used. Rccogni 1,0d 1 Effort 1 . Folly 1 Harm J
See the .p()Of invalid >p~lf> 1 Wf>ak , anc] RllffPrin g , With her heipless babes~ l'crcctve ! Invalid! lJepre<laLOrs ! Vexed! Confessed! M ltctt ' !(eprool" Transgression t
c rvin g for fo od ;irmmrl hnr, ;rn rl t.licn r etu r n if thou c:inst. :ind finish the! . Law 1 Ho w man y !<inili! of law arc there? What are their ohjeet" 1 Approving? Le•der !
sh:1i1u.fr:J llccd thun h;l~;t conuncnccd.

,

.._

B:md ? r i:fcr[;rs !

" l t is w eH; 1 see thy tears, and JUdg0 that t.b.<>u art sutlieii:'nt!y:_
ah:1c.; Pt1 ln 1l 1v o w n p'-: ! i n1~ 1 inn . cn l'1 tno -, :vf'H ,·o nv ine.=- •1 of il 1v frn1 lL io':
ELL!PSl S , O R SKELETO;-; OF THE STORY.
u e ml further- ieprnuf frum rn~ : alltl. as for Ll1_v eornµ auions. frnm theiri
1lu11·11cas t t Y<·S. a1H l '"iTu11 lul cuu11 l1•J1:u 11·1·'· I 1l1 i11k tl 11•1· <ii'" l1 :n•· l>oco m c spnsii'1l<> ."t' llll'ir f<1 1il1. J \\ill 1l1L•r1 f,1.r i: ]1 ·:11·., tlll~<' :iilll 1l11:m to
Tfll: UL:I'-iL\ULl~,\T
a d.1'1' t. tl w 111:tllP r wiil 1 l! w widow, :11111 'l"ll" t'ii!tli \'l· r •..l111k •.,-. "
The yn11n~ rif'!' l'('dators 11·crr so trnh· asl1:111wd (If tlto k1S(' action
Yuu m·c1l 1wl
1l1 :il 1li1 ru
S1i11H· f'1 •w
11l11J l11]11n~T(l
livc1l
Ti1''l'<' "'"
a111l crJ lil,,r:il
:--;1n111• !cw years
1hr·y liacl cu111mtii1'd, so trnh· Yl'Xl ·d at 1lw111"< ·l·;1•s t't>r tl1r' lll.Jliry d117 in ;1 0.111:·11
lia1 l tlm11~lill1' s' h· 1l<J111·. :111tl Sil \\Tl l 1·0111 inl'• d nf t!Jc, 111st1cr, 11f llw ck111c1·1l tu
:111rl. "" su1ne
:--; p tltrn11~lt 1lt,. lwd ~"
'an1l comfr1cmily rcpruoi il11"). li:id n ·cc11·cd . tli:i t "·1 tl11.n1t 1kl:i\' 11;,.\' c1111l.cosf'd !llCllC1·cl
li:irl· ·-s ol'
:\1111· it lt:11 111"11!'1[
\\·!to \\iiS
thc•ir crrnr, amlr:ii-.·il ':'t!l'lt :1 s11l" nq1ti1111 :1111n11~ t l11·!ll:is11nJ1ld :111qil_v llc, 11i1li11111. n11·111i11ni11~
As .s111in <1s tl1 1·y s;rw
tlll'y d1·si,-t1·rl
rcp11y tlin poilr 111d1111, . Tltis 1J1 ey p1 11 111111 tl1t i2"'"! rn.1n's li:111d . i111d
Tlw Ji,,ys J;iw11- !t iJll
11111[ :is tl1 1·1· .
1111 ·1· lll:irli· 110 r'ilUrt
a11d oll'• ·r Jin :ill tlw rno11Py tltcy_ \\'hen 1111 ·1· li :.1d ;ill
"\Jy yn1111g
s:ii1l.lll'
I :1111 disl rc.s.sc·il
lw.ci:.":1·1l l1i111 to :isk lH·r !'1
h aJ with them as a small aLOne m e Hl lur the ir crnnc.
'l'lus . with an; · who uueh t fro m Gir th
Alltl tlJU 11 mv
1f thou J,;ubt cousiJercd
8ppro1in 2· sm il e lie pn1rnis('1l 1ltcm to,],,_ ;rn(l sn t!tc m:i ttn L'tlik(l.whom Ilic Lor1l h:i1h
Tlw frni l ~d1icli 1il!lll
\\'JS all that
:::>onH: lc11· mo nt!t s ~1i'tcr . t!te lc:ulc1· of'! his \<Hill:~ h:1111l oi' pillcrcrs 11·:iit- Go 11·i1li me
1L is 11 ell
l sec th1J
Tit·: younµ clcprcdators were
e J upon Lite Lc 11 e rnlu11t l' ri cHJ, with his father, au J put s uch a s um in-~ . EO truly
T his Lltey 1rnt
Some few wu 11th ~ after the leader of
to his care fur tlic 11i1.lo11·\ ll':'l', :is n1cc1l lier :ibo1 c lwr trnulJ!vs, aml
tl1 is bctllll
;:; uch was one act (If our gouJ

·. :...

22

1.
2.

STORIES.

PUNCTUATION.

THIRD EXERCISE.

PUNCTUATION.

ANALYSIS OF THE STORY.

PUNCTUATION is the art of pointing out correctly the pauses in writ·
ten composition.
.. ·
· :
... .
"A contented mind is a treasure, which all do not poss~S!l." Here
a comma is placed between ·those parts of. a sentence, wJ:Y.ch, though
closely connected in sense and. constructjon, t13quire a short pause between them.
·
· ·'
' ·
· A semicolon is usuaUy. placed between the parts of ·a compound
sentence, when the cpnjunction is expressed ; when it is not expressed, a colon. Ex. " Do not flatter yourself witli-the hope of perfect
happiness; for there is no such thing on earth."
··
A period is placed at the close of a complete sentence, and after
abbreviations, as Rev., A. D.
,
The dash is used to express hesitati~n, ;md to ·point out interruptions,
or unexpected pauses ; ·· as " I ·thougl;lt it would do no harm just to take
one look, so I opened the box-and-and-somehow-it fell." "But
had you not better wait until the"-" no, no, I will go this moment."
"And while it was burning they murdered-twenty thousand men."
"He had committed numerous crime.s -was tried-found guilty-and
sentenced to hard labor for life."
The interrogation mark shows when .a question is asked; as " Can
.love be bought with gold ?"
· An exclamatipn point is used to express sudden emotion ; ~ " Ah !
my poor bird!" "0 ! what' a beautiful picture!"

Character of his friend--his interview.
Effects upon the boys--concluct of the leader.
FOURTH EXERCISE.

Write the story from memory, and the lesson from it.
Ons. For a few more exercises, if you choose, you can write in
your own language, stories which you have heard, or read; as that of Co·
lumbus, Franklin, Putnam and the wolf, stories from history, &c

SKELETON OF A JOURNAL.

Sabbath, June 25th, 1840. Rose at 4 o'clock
reviewed my Sab·
bath School lesson
took breakfast at
attend the Sabbath at
~ecited .
Verses
answered
questions
our Teacher made
attended Church
mterestmg remarks on the subject of the lesson
heard an excellent sermon
mention what you can remember
of the sermon
Also in the P. M., and state how you spent the whole
Ies·
day and evening
Monday 26
Rose at
studied my
son
attended school-read in
about
recited in
at P. M.
att~nde~ school at
wrote
lines
did sums
spelt from
recited rn
played
Evening, review the actions of the day, and
what progress you have made in your studies
what good you have
done . what ~emptations you have escaped
what ones you have
fallen mto, and ~n what probable way you can avoid them
what
good or bad ha~1ts you are forming
what worthy of imitation you
ha~e observed m others
and what you should avoid
the inter- ;
estmg events and news of the day

EXERCISES IN PUNCTUATION.

Write the following •entences on your slate, ~ith the 1iroper pauses and markll. ·
·Good scholars will study with diligence lind use their books with care.
, The purest happiness on earth springs from a contented mind and resignation to'tlie will ofG<>d.
This is the way of life that of death ·
'
· ... · ' '
What le it O how large
What broke this glaee I do not know

24

DESCRIPTION OF ANIMALS.

25

DESCRIPTION OF .ANIMALS .

DESCRIPTION OF :A.NIM.A.LS.

DESCRIBE THE HORSE.

·

.

· . . ·· <f ' 1 ·
Use--of his skin-, . S~ze-.-Form-.-hp_i~er~~cA hfa~r . theiLhabits. REF. Naof his hoofs--W1lc1 ' ors,e_~}:Il, Ja_ ; ~;,_;-; __,,,: . . •" ,. ,' "-·
tural-History.
'
:;• .' ~ ..._,.. '·. '._.£,.~ . , - ~
· ·.-.·_;: ·',
·<'
1'

' I

~

'

.

'(

~•.f;:;

Dogs.
DESCRIBE THE DOG.

1. Description of-2. Use of--Have you ever read of a dog that saved a person's

life? REF. The faithful American dog. Dogs on the Alps of Switzerland. Dog that preserved his master's life against robbers.
NOTE.-The dog is allowed to be the most intelligent of all quadrupeds, and gives the most manifest
.,roofs of his attachment to mankind. Alway8 faithful in the service of his master, and a friend to
his friends, he is indifferent to every one else, constant in his affections, friendly without interest,
and much more mindful of benefits received than injuries offered. He is not alienated by unkind..
ness, but even licks the hand that has just been raised to beat him, and eventually disarms resentment by submissive perseverance.
Those boys or girls that delight in torturing this noble animal have very wicked hearts, and ara
monsters, unfit to live in a civilized community, for they are savages.
Tile same remarks will apply with respect to cruel treatment .to other harmless animals.

DESCRIBE THE OX.

_

Use of--of his horns--hair-·-flcsh--hide--hoofs..· ~ Give an account of the Musk-Ox.

2G

DESCRIPTION OF AND!ALS.

DESCRIPTION OF AN!b!ALS .

Z7

Lion ,
DESClt!BE THE LIO:\'.

State the anecclote of Anuroclcs and the Lion.

Deaver.
DESCR!IlE THE BEA VEIL

Use of--habits--mode of building.
NoTE.-The Ilenvcrs nsscmblc in the month of June to build their city. Their dwellings nrc huilt with
amazing solidity, and neHtly plaslerc<l wir.h a kirnl of stucco, both within and without, anti nre
impenet rable to min, nnd resist the most impetuous winds. They lay up their provisions in common, an<l never plunder from each other.

How foolish arc those chilclren and youth, who quarrel with each other.
selves below the brute creation .

They degrade them·

NorE.-A traYcler from Europe, riding on a hon:•e through a forest in Asia, heard gros.ns n8 of
either a human being or a beast in dis tress, <lisrnountc<l from his horse and went in the direction
of the noise, and to his astonishment he beheld a hu ge hon rolling, and apparently in ex treme ngony. As he approached him he di scovered that n thorn !tad pierced his foot. He cxtractctl it with
his knife, and the lion being immediately relieved from hif'I di stres8, arose an<l lickc<l the hnnd of
his benefactor, and then cast an expressive look in hi s face, ns if he wished to say, I thnnk you for
your kindness. You lrn.ve not only relieved my pain Lut sa ved my life. I will hcnccf"orth J evote it
to you. For you I will live, for you I will die. ft._s the man resumed his journey the lion trotted
after him like a dog, and thus followed him for scvernl months. At length, ns he mntle arrangements to return by water, he intended to take his favorite compnnion with him, hut the captain
would not permit it. As the ship set sail , the lion commenced n mournf'ul roaring, nntl e:-<pressed
a high degree of grief, which increased as the ship receded from the shore. At len gth he plunged
into the ocean awl swam after his 'beloved master, till ovcrcomo by the fury of the raging waves,
and fatigued, he sunk to riAe no more.
Hence ~·e learn lesso ns of gratitude from the wild beasts of tho forest. l\fay you, my young
friends, ever be grateful to your parents, and especially to your Heavenly Father, from whom you

recci<c every good and perfect gill.

Describe the elephant, and other animals that you have seen or
o.

r~ad

~...'ipg

DY.SCRIPTION

28

OF

DESCRIPTION OF nIRDS.

29

BIRDS.

"

r
~

~.

'

~
~
!.{

feathers , which a<l<ls to i t::i beauty.
Its n et:k is lo ng an<l slen<ler, anJ
its bac k oi' a whi t.1:'ih gre y colo r, spou.~"l w11.h lii:u: k. H11 f. 1.l1H pl 111nage
and tail of this splcrnli1l hir1l arc the mos t hr·:111ltliil p:nl s ot' its hody .
'J'lwv arc arlor11rrl \1·1tit colors so rich and l''ll'l"ll-", tli: it no li11m:m :nt
can ;nakc a1 1\· tl1i1tl..! like them. \\Jw11 tl1is hirrl w:dks in the su1 1slii1w,
cn·rv mu11lf:llt prudnrTs a tl1ow;:u11l sltail1·s ol' "'il"ri11 .<.:, \1·hi"11 :ir>c
lwaut ilul :rnil <1«-r Yan·111'..!'. Tl11·s t· fine cu lor.-; t·xn·r"I Ilic \11,tn· (lf'fhr
ii11cst Jlo11crsot'1l1G li,:li! .s :rnil g:rnlc11s. ll11 t. l1k1·tl11· ilu11·ns ,
fade
c1cn· _\"<;:ir, and tlw (c<1 !]1c r.-; rlwp f'rolll 1lll'1r illllil<' .' :111il :H<'
renr·w f'd 1•1-,r\· s11 ri11g.
'J' lt!' li:11 gil1 ol' tlw l"·'"'·"ck . fr1J 111 ti1 1· lip ofrl10,
Li1ll 1u tlu· 1·111[ ,,fil1e tail, I:i :iiioul titre"' f, cl c i1.:i1 t i11cl1"' · ~"1111· 11(' i i ~
!1•116'''1 f1 •:1 !!1n-; <11'1'. film fe!'I ln116 . Th is hir1l <IJ'l'"'trc: li:t1 1 ~111y :11Pl
proud, :n Hl lo v•· s l o dif' pbty it~ !inr colnr~ tP 1h( 1-.:p \\ ·1 10 ;in ' lt1okir 1g n11,
J;!;P ilin''' iiitl<' hfln; :iml ,l..!ir/o; \Yl 10 arc J' rn11d 11/. t!Jl'ir· li111• c/ntlw .' .
Th0 l"' '1"nck1ic•r"h 0s 11pon high phcc ., , :rnd /i1e-; upon lnrl1·:- :i11 1l 1J th1 •r
kind' nf;:;nin. ] ts brautiful plrn1wg·c docs 110t rr pJ'c·n 1111til it i~ w ;irly
fnnr n'ars old. \Vhcn itrlrnps its li111' frathcrs , in tlin tilllf' of' li:rrn·st,
it does not like 10 be seen , but seeks to hide itself in some gloomy
pine <'. 'J'hn111.d1 lite p<'ac1wk is very IJ<' :tt1td1il , it 11itf'rs :1 Yrry hctrsh
and <li sgnsfing c1-v. l"or whole homs it wi ll r<'1waf !li P crv of ,,/,n, ekn,
eko, with the most hideous nois e. lt cannot :-<in g a pleasant song, like
the lirrn !'I a11<l tlt" hlackhir1l. It is so\\ ick1•1l lh;il it 11·ill scare"!\' lirn
\\·ith any other bird . except th e pigeon ; anJ it tears aml spoib ·every
Th is Liircl \l-C18 firs t brough t frum a
thin g it gets hold of with its bi ll.
far distant country, fro m th e East-Indi es, and it li1•es to th e age of
. twenty-Jive years. Little boys and girls , be not like th e pea cock , p roud
. and vain, on a ccount of your beauty and your fin e clothes; for humility
and goodness are always to be preferred to beauty,

I.

1·

The Peacock.
.

t beautiful l)inl in the world.

Its beauty

!

i

FIRST EXERCISE.

Write the definition and opposite of the following words : B ea uty,
'f H E P eacock is the m?s . J 1ts bill is about two inches long, and
excels that of all o.ther am ma ls . 1
I and part of its breast, are of II slender, splendid, various, haughty, proud, gloomy, disgusting, hiue·
l · I ts h eac am n ee t, '
f
tt !ll'.een ;; ous, &c.
is of ti brown co or .
~
. f its head there is a tuft o pre Y o
a dark blue color. Ou t11 c 1·"P 0
;;:

I

30

J)E:SCilIPTJO~

SF l 'fJ :\ll

OF nrn 11 s .

EXFl\Clcil: .

Skelc:ton as before.
Tlllllll EXERCISE.

Write the description from memory.

THE SAGACIOUS SWAN.
There is a nice little amusing toy which is solu in some toy-shops,
called the Sagacious Swan. This swan is made of very thin tin plate,
or other light substance, and is hollow within. Near its mouth, in the
inside, is fixed a small magnet or loadstone. The swan is placed in a
large basin full of water, in which it swims. A small rod of metal about
five or six inches long, with a piece of bread fastened to one end of it,
is held out. to the swan, at the distance of an inch or two from its mouth.
The swan then moves forward after the rod, as if it wished to take
hold of the piece of bread. If you m(lve the rod gently from the swan,
it will swim after it all round the basin, and from one side of it to another, as if it were a living swan swimming after its food. But if you
present the other end of the rod to the swan it will swim backwards,
and try to avoid it, as if you were wishing to mock or insult it. The
rod on which the piece of bread is fastened, is also a loadstone. A
loads tone attracts or draws to it needles, and any small bits of iron or
steel that are near it. Every loadstone has two ends, which are called
its north and south poles. When the north pole of one loadstone is
brought near to the south pole of another, they will attract each other.
But when the north pole of one is brought near the north pole of another, they will repel or move from each other. When a small loadstone is placed on a piece of cork or light wood, and made to swim in
a basin of water it will turn itself round, till it point nearly north and

...

DESCR!PT!O:-;" OF D!RD"

~.
31
south. T he compass wl1id1 directs
.
.
.
sea, consists of a sm<ill luacl>tonc ,~j . st1lors' 111 their course along the
them how to st car to the E ast and thou{yl mo1 es upon a JlffOt. It sho1rs
By means of this small bit fl d
est, to the North and the South
'
·
o oa stone they can f 1 l ·
·
gr ea. l seas and oceans,
to tho East-I d''
Int t ICU way o1·er
~ whole world. God created tl 1 dn Jes and Amenca, and round the
~ h~d never known its ro erti~~ oa stone for this purpose ; and if we
brmg tea from China ~r I't1gar f' wel sh;ud never have been able to
~ to the people who d1~ell in the formdit ite ~slt-Indies, or to send Bibles
~
a
s ant is es of the sea.
~
ExEncrsEs as before .

I
..;;.

Bird of Paradise.

...
DESCRIPTION

OF

INSECTS.

DESCRIPTION OF INSECTS.

· BEE,~habits-lli!e-, ...;·

...

SILK-WORM.

Parrot.
DEscRIDE EACH- the

ir habits--countries where·

D
'· What enables him to walk upon
Da~~TITT F u .
.
1
glass with his head _downw~rd~1 His use.

BUTTERFLY ,-hilt
changes- ·

~

SPIDER,-habits--perseverance- :

TF'\"·'

Aner Robert Bruce had been defeated twelve times, as Ile lay on some straw In a bani, brooding
over his misfortunes, and on the point of giving up in despair, he.beheld a spider attempt In vain
twelve times to ascend the beam; but its thirteenth attempt was crowned with success. He then
arose, and determined to make one more vigorous effort in the cause of liberty; he did so, and it
was crowned with equal success.
_ ,'·.

3

,.

...
34

"'

DESCR IPTION OF OCCUPATIONS, BUILDINGS, &c.

DESCRIPTION OF PLANTS.

35

DESCRIPTION OF OCCUPATIONS.

"J
' 1

I. THE F ARMER,-his business and usefulness .
2. MEcHANic,-various kinds-importance.
REF. Hazen's Pano·
rama.
·
3. MER CHANT,-his usefulness.
4. SAILOR.

..

Which is the most useful! "Vhy ! · What would be be· the consequence if there were no divi·
aion oflaborl In what parts of the world is this the case l .
· · · ..

Rice.

A City.
Rose.
Wh•t nre the 11iffcrenl parts ofa flower called! REF. Botany.
Corolln ~ Mention the varioU9 kinds of trees. Fruit·trees.

DESCRIPTIO N OF A C1TY,-its streets~public buildings-manufactories-occupation of its inhabitants.

DESCRIPTION OF m!'IE!Ul.s.

D!:SCRIPTW'.'i OF A BAJ.LOO:".

36

' c
A Snwn1-HousB. A SHIP.
r\ ,11ur..cu .
T 1·.1."I)J'.~CRT1H~ A HousE.
\\
F1111:-f::-;(;1\"E.
c
\
1
1\
A ST EAIIT -lloAT .
CL'i'·i;.
ATC!ll{ AIL -l\c»I Il.
'J' 11c '1'011-i:r..
.
SCOPE.
i\Iwr..osC O!'l·. ',-(1 itrcrent. k1n<ls . .
'\'11 r ; \(·TO.'L\Tfl.'; J,AD Y.
.\J',E 1 . Tn i: T LM 1·LE oF s. ,,1,o\1uc; · A Corro;o;-FAvro1tY. 1\
Of D .
M1~STREL.
A B,1LLou\". /\ Huc1'1:T .
PAPER-l\1111.

i
r.: ·

-

SU .\'DA Y-SALT.

A S1L!(-f,\.CT(Jlt L

f-

t

•

.A Balloon .
Q.

~

boat. ~he car is made of wicker-work, coYcred with paintcu leather.

•. ,,• .,;!

Tl!E l!St'S of snit ;irn nrious.
Yon all know tl1nt it impro»cs the
taste of foo1l , tl1al it lwlps to prescrrn rnc;11 fro1n p11trcfaction, aml is farnrahlc to health. l.t is also 11se1l in thn h1siun of nwta Is, in the manufac111rn of glass, and sometimes to 11uickcll the fertility of cold ;i111J
kirrc·11 '" iJ., .
It is <llUCC'alile to domestic anirn:ils. It is Pspcci:clly s:ilut;ir:,· t1) those
that foed 011 grass.
The crm·f'n l f:rnn< ; r .~i1 cs it :sl :ttcdly to hi~ flue ks
ttml l1crd .-; . lt is pka"ill'-'. tu " ' C tlic o;\1c1·p :1 1111 t li c co\\ s , tlw oxen arnl
l1on,L·'i. each caucrk recci1·i11g their purl ion of \\·hat seems the L1essc rt
of tl1c1r ;;i111p1" 1111·:il.
'
\Villi :mimals tJi,cornr where the earth is impregnated with salt.
Thf'rn they gather in thronus, lo ta"lc the luxury. In our IV cslern
Stall's, thl're are m11ltit1ulcs of such spots , 'd1ich ;uc called licks.
Tlii1her also the lrnnt t:rs r rp:1ir a11<1 Jic i11 \v:tit fur their prey.
I JI c:1stern c01111tril's, !inns imiLtle this cum11nl( of the hunters.
Fountai11s :ire tltrrc sc:1rce, a111l tl1cy m:1kc tlieir rl•'TIS in m:irshy pbcec;,
t.o sl'izc tlw a11im:1ls \Ylto r<:sort. tl1itl1cr 1'l tlrink. Thi s "·a s so oftcll the case i11 l' nlestin r , tl 1:1t some nf' tht: llcl1rcw poets called the
lio11. the" \Yild bc:tq nf the reeds." There, like the hunter at the saltlick~, he l:iv noncliccl in his lair, 8rnl when the "hart came panting for
the water-brooks," or other feeble animals hastctl. to quench their
thirst, he \\·as rc :llly to ckvour them.
Sine(; salt is s,", 11cccssary to man, the Creator h:i,s distributed it
with a liberal hand. It 111i11glcs with seas amt oceans-it rises in the
form of rocks-it is fouwl in mines-it co1·ers , for miles, the surface of

f~rm, when ~ some regions-it breaks forth in briny fountains from the bosom of the

nH·trd of varnished silk, cnt into gores, so as to
NoTE.-Balloons arc usually con._~alf f the machine is covered with a strong net, fitting closely ~
joined, a hollow sphere. The upper ' otron" cords wllich arc fa stened to a small circle ofwood1 1~.
to its shape, and secured by a number\ ~f s. l ·oother :opes are suspended ,._.hich sustain the car or c
or cane under the balloon. From t ns c1rc e
"
•

37

~

earth.
Rock-salt is sometimes of a pure white, and sometimes variously
In the king·
colored. In Africa, are many mountains of entire salt.

D F SCRIP TIO:\ OF

Mr>:rr:s t •;

c1om of 'J\mi s, is one corn posf'il of red arnl ,·i11k·t col" r.
C real. nrn''scs
of snl itl sal1 . co1·er the sum1ni t of' rnoutttain s whic h Liut11ul the tksert on
the west of C;1i rn .
'fh ern is a vill al'.e in Sp;iin, si tu atccl at tlte bas e of a rock oCs<1lt,
fi rn lnrnrlrf'd fr,,t. i11 l1 <'i.l'. lit . ;rnrl a lc -c1gun in circ111nfc r.:ncc . J\Jnq of
fhi s is whitr:, t!t011l'.lt so1111; is of a finc: hliw. .•\t I l;dlc , in tl1 f' T yrol,
arl' r<111gns of s:dt- ro cks, \\·or kf'cl l1y mc~rns of g:i ll('r ies cut int o them.
H istorian s ha1 c said 1hat. <lwcllrnQ s we re a11cicntl;· built of rocksalt in Lyhia. They are still fuund in Arabia, ancl o.tlw r parts of the
In the vast salt-mines of Polancl, houses ancl chapels exist,
globe.
and when illuminated by torches, have a magnificent appearance.
You remember the palace of ice built by an Empress of Russia, which
was so brilliant when the lamps were lighted in the evening.
The salt-mines, near Cracow, in Poland, have been wrought for six
hundred years, and still produce six thousand tons annually. The excavations extend for miles, and near two thousand laborers are employed there. Different parts of the Carpathian mountains, and of Siberia., a.re also rich in veins of salt.
The mines of Sa.lzburk, in Austria, are more than a thousand feet in
depth, Their subterranean expanse is dazzling with crystals of the
most brilliant hues, and, now and then, the waters of a lake, where
boats conveying visiters glide, sparkling in the torch-light, as if overhllllg by a fret-work of diamonds.
Salt is scattered in masses, over America and Asia, as well as over
Africa and Europe. Innumerable fountains of brine spring up throughout the globe, whence salt is manufactured for the inhabitants, and for
commerce. Many parts of the United-States are rich in these. You
have doubtless heard of the very productive ones at Salina, in the State
of New-York.
Salt is a source of revenue in various regions.
The Emperor of
Austria is said to derive £100,000 annually from his mines of salt.
There are various ways of prnparing it, from sea-water, from salt-

D l·'. '3Cltll'TI08 OF ?lfl:\E fLHS .

f
t

!
~

t

£

r

39

lakes , ancl sprinl'. S. lt is som('t imc s boil ed, and sometimes made. in
the open air, by solar e vaporatio n.
]3;.iy-salt is \\·hat is matle by the hf'at of the s11 11. I t is of two kinds;
the fr rst rhawn from sr'a-wa ter, the seco nd from sprin gs or Jakes . Mar'.ne~sa l t .I S extrac t.eel fro m tliu wate r of the sea by boiling. Fishcrys,ilt is mlllc by slow c1aporat10n, a!lll 1s known by its large and co~nsc
C'l'P<tal.s .
·,l' lic whi te salt of Normandy, has been qui te a so urce nf gain to
Franc e. l t JS pre pared by sufferin g tl1 e risin i.; tide to flow into 'rcscrmus, where: after partial evapo ration, it filters through straw into vesseb placecl .l~r Jt. It JS then boiled, with continual stirring, and puri,
fied by dramrng through large osier baskets.
·
•
. But, m.Y dear young fri ends, I think I hear you say, " vVas not the
trtle of t1us essay Sunday-salt? vVe have be en told of rock-salt ancl
bay-salt, ancl marine-salt, ancl fishery-salt; an cl the white salt of N or;nandy, but not a word about what we expected to hear described. Now
what ca.n Sunday-salt mean? I am just going to tell you.
I was once ~t~encl~ng the ~ectures of a. professor, ,v.ho, among other
means of acqumn_g mformat10n, had traveled in Europe .
said,
~at.when he was m Scotland, he observed what might often be seen
rn lus own country, that the salt obtained by the action of fir e, instead
. of the heat of tl~e sun, was. sometimes injured by haste in the process.
By a too rap1~ evaporat10n, many for eign and earthy substances are
apt.to be left b~lund. In Scotland, the manufacturers of salt continue
theu labor~ until tw~lve on Saturday night. They then kindle a large
fire under it, and retire to their homes.
The crys~alizat~~n goin~ on more slowly than usual during the Sabbath, those impunti.es which cause bitterness, are separated and exhaled. The ~atenal t.hus.elaborated, is of superior excellence. It
commands a lugher pnce m the market, and is sold by the name of
Sunday-salt.
•
·
. After I had heard the leai:ned profes~or's description of Sunday-salt.
it occurred to me that we might ma.kc it ourselves, though in a <lilfei-

He

:"

DESCRIPTION OF MINERALS.

40

ent way. The cares and pursuits of the week, sometimes, like fierce
fires, overheat the soul , and render it turbid.
Might we not so avoid
them, one Lby in 01:1·cn, ;:!llcl so cultiYatc lliffe rcnt trains of thought, as
to have Sunday-salt of om own 7
H we take the time which (30ll rescn·es to himself for OllI own emp loynwnts-if, lik c' the imbdievi110· l srnclitc·s, we oo foril1 tu octthcr
om: chtily foocl nn t l1e :C-:a\,liath-wl~ct 11·c comidn ~ain " ·ill p~on; a
mixture or tr011lil0
It "·ill he likl' wl1at 011r h lcssccl S :ll"ior caJJ,,
"salt th at has ]Clst ils s:irnr; 11·hnrn1Yith s hall it he s:1ltl·1I ?"
The J\!1niohty ]1:itl 1 said , " rc11w111h cr ihe Salib:1lir-d:1y l•J kc·•·p it
holy ." \Ve~'a;rnot. tli~olwy him anil he happy . \\ c c:rnnul ""·e1·p
rna.rrna from the earth 01r this conc<ccratt·d seaso n, anr1 pros1•er. J:11t I':<.>
may m ake Sunday-salt in t\10 laboratory or a rncck arnl prnYcri\tl s1rir it.
May wr not carry with us thrn11 g ho11t th e week, t.lris S1mrl:11·-:;:1lt, to
p11ri(y our ]ires a.nrl com·crs:1t ion ! It m:1y sllnwi inws li1• in d:n1 'i•'r nf
dissohing in the lrnmirl :1tn1os1rlwrc of tlw pl:rncf. th:1t ,,.,, i1rlr:1IJit
But rn~y we no t pn:s1•ne it. in tire casket of a 1r a tclii"11l su 1il ! l ,r·t

r

I
!
1

r

~· ~~-s;~~~~0
Lrllrr- lVnting.

us Irv.

Cilll w e sc:l l our S11nd:1y-s :r lt 1 Yes; at the g:1i1 · (If l11•:11·1·1i. T\i.:
s a ints who lrav e e ntered ilrcrc , "through n rnch tril111l:rti1111,"' 11 ill t..\l
you that it was the purify ing principle in the rough sea of life. Angels know its value-it will bring the gold of etern ity.
J)i;scllrn1: THE Co,1L-1\f1N1:s of Penusvlrnni :r-o f Er1;.rbncl . GoLD-S1r.n:11 - J n11,-T1,_J,r,.111-tl1 r ir ..lnca li11n--us1-.··
l J1,\.nr11c-;r•s-wlwrc f11m11I? N:1rnc otl1cr rnincrals-J uc:1ti 1111.
~,1L1;wltere found l \Vl1id1 is tl1 c rnost. usdul I Ne xt I \\l1y 1

P'I~~~~ ~;-~~~nosrn

nEscn 1
1. GROTTOS .

CAvEs.

CATARACTS .

N ow
my young frie nds, I will introduce to you a very important
.
species of con~position; viz., letter-writing.
To be: ahlc to write an
ck;.r:rnt
l ' a r:1.rr acco1nplishrnent-h11t if 1·0 11 11.1
·11 11 c1c;cvcrc
·
·
,. . ,r· lctic-r
r
-.
. .
·
· · .
.
m
a C.ll• 11 a l! r11 t•'ljll! 'lll r·;.;r·rc1se , ')Oil c:1n :1tt:un tn it.
!-"or :.·mir cncourag1·111c11t, l i.n" ·rl :L letter writt~'n ]1y :t Younu larl.
[lfH(.· \H· Yl'Cll"S OJ age j also, <LS a mode), a lclter
f.U .tJJC

addrcsse~[

0

cs.

J\Iu sEuls .

[

PnumD s of

Egypt. POMPEY ' S l'ILUR.
References,-Cabine t of Curiosities , or Cabinet of Nature, &c.

41

I.ETTERS .

•

I

f:nrnle~

rlcOCC .

Oct. Ist, 1829.
To Mr. 'J'--, Jamru·m.
. MY T>EA11 U Nc i.1-:,-Alt.l llJugl1 it is _sevc:ral yrars sin co I saw you, yet
t.1:11c. has n ot lc·_ssc11c1l, but rath er mcrcas r1l rny affection for you.
Yorn ·S\\C Clcst
I l )ft en tl. rm
· k
h
cl lrttl
· · c l\lary
" ·grows an cnw1o·i1wlittlcclear·
· ,,,. o o ·
, .
ow it woul

rcJoicc y our h eart to sec her.

Iler lo rcly temper e n -

LETTERS.

4'2

LETTERS .

uears her more antl more to us. She very n:iuch ~elights to he.ar us
talk of you. When the letter wa~ being :ead m which you_ment10ned
her, 8 h;, was quite delighted.
All the t1111e slie kept lookmg m ~er
irnnt's face, and laughing as though she under~tooLl all that v:as said.
She often gets a piece of p~per, and tells. us it_ is .her papas lelter.
She very much likes to talk of her mamma m h~a> en , _and to hear about
Jesus Christ. 1 have the honor to have her_Jor. my little s~holar, and
a very tractable one she is. . She is now begrnmng to sp~ll htt:c \:ords,
and ciu a little work. :She 1>:: a.lways ready l!J .l•e:ne he1 pl;iy, v; hon I
call h er to her lessons. She is very intcrcstmg, and will often p11t
pretty questions to me about JeSUti Clni~t, aml lwa.vun, and her uear
mamma.
i· I M
And now my dear uncle, that I have told you about your 1tt e arv I mu~t t~!l vo11 ahont mvself. You have heard that the haud of _the
"' ha"· been •upon me some
· tune,
·
· teen on!hs 2
· but the• time
Lord
now .nme
0
has not. liccn luug tu me ; iur, bl•>s•·1l he his nnnw: lie h,,~
r nal1.1~ 1\rnr
TT.
1
r·
..
,.
'..
·11
()1..
hmY
hlr-ss•·d
11
l".
th~t
T
(':tTI
fL(J 1. as
.
fO S<'!' l\
l\11 '',
,1 , /S: I .
_ I \,
_
<'~min!J' from the hands of a kind Father, who w1l~ uv~ by ~1pon me
· t l.ta ll 1 ca.
.. 11 Lcci·
in oivino- mysrlt
11p mto Ju~ liaml~ ,
lllOl e
c• ,· I feel ha1•")'
r
- . b. . o
•
Jlc h atl1 1l u1l<' :ill thin!_;s "·ell. I tinr1 it JR 1mh·1·•1.

;n-.,· ·

i
i

I
1·
f

i

I
r

l

"S\~- ,'1'f !n !i0 i ' : l ~ '-i ·:e i n lii.:: h1 11 il-:,
bi~::

"Anet t.:nmY no '\Y1H but

als of my Savior's death; but now I am again la.id by. I can.hardly do
any thing for myself.
I feel convinced I shall soon he called home .
I feel no fear of death; .J esas will be with me, for he has promised, "I
will never leave thee nor forsake thee." When I am in great pain, if! can
think of what Jesus suffered for me, then I can bear it the better. I
feel a longing to be free from this sinful body. My corruptions are a
clog to my soul, that wants to be soaring to Jesus; but I will, in his
strength, wait his time with patience. His is the best time; when He
calls, I am ready; as long as H e wi'lhe'l to keep me here T run will i11g
to stay. Dear uncle, I always remember you at the throne of grace ;
praying that your missionary labors may be blesset.!. l entreat you to
do lhe same fur me, lhal I may have a hap]Jy eat.ranee iulo heaven.
I remain, &c.,
.J.E. TAYLOR.

i

1 1/ 1·

0

43

I

j ,

r

"
L

t.
l\•Iv Jear mi"1"', l ham reason to th::ink you [or j" ·rsu0r1mg my ;nmt
to h·t ·11111 acl'l>JllJ"'n\· her tn thC' :'innrlnY-""hn ..1. . T li:1vA !rn11Hl mud1 j
li c adit there.
1 hnH' nnt hr<'n :ihli> to nll~'r~d for 111:uff rno11lh;,;; 1.J1c F
tA:idwr"' Hrnl Rllj'lflTintendcnt.s have often v1s1t.el1 111te . illr. L - - has ...
f...·,
· · 111<' "·1t 11 ti 1r t 1"1',"ri.
1 1""'
liec·11 i''"-·11li1nk kiml. lk 11s1:s
.·., n! :1 (;ithf'r.
.. ' , _
r111kr l1is 111i11i,t 1'\' I \',' l\S hro11CThl '" 111\'f' .1 ..ls11~ ( 1111sl t. ,\ll ll to ~· ( k t
n,n interest. ia hi::,; l.;luuLl.
J long 11:ul :1. great uc~ue .to -'C'."'.ll1" n nw1n- l
bor of his church.
Whf'n I tolJ liim, lie W<lS lill ll" ' \nlhng; and rcciiws-tril mr to writ(' him fl fPw lin <'R : aml Oh! whal a JOY lt was to
· a ""''
- · .s a 11
rnc. 1dicu I was .. nn I ,I"'' 1, lor
11n.1.'r1s i11 the QummPr
. _
, tn :"t"nd
..
.
thr; ch;•]"'l.
( 111 01 w of 1hrm J i.ns pri,·ilcgell to recr·nc the mcmon-

t

LETTEll TO THE FEl\IALES OF GH EECE.
\V HEN Greece was passing through the revolmiun l.>y wl1id1 it gaiucd
frc c<lum from lhc Turkish yoke , great pity was felt in t11c Unitcrl-Stalc~
for the sufferings of.its i11h;Ll1il.a.nls. Espccia.lh-, was tl" ' sympal.liy of
om female.-; c xcitccl, for the miseries that tlw 11·ar brou~lli 11prm their
OWi! i'"t-X.

ThPy wNe represPnted in contirnrnl terror of their 'l'nrkish npprPcisors, often forcrr1 from their mrn homf's, scarcrly cloth crl, anrl 1nrtrhf'llly fccc1i11g, "·ith tlwir chil<lrrn, upu11 the s11:11l.s and nw:1;,;re ltc rb<1ge
of the barren mountains whither they were drn-cn.
Tlin lcll1 •rs llf Dr. TT"wc. Jl()\\' tl 1n Princip;il nf1l1 c T11stil11iin11l~>r1he
Blind, i11 llll sio11 . po11·crl.11lh· dcsnihctl llieir so1-r1111·c; a11d 1l"-'i1· in tic·n ce.
11 is rcsicll'11c" i 11 (; r('e ''" l1ad n•ll(lercrl Ii 1111 fa 11\l I i:i r "-i1 Ii 1I11· c 1ils w 11 ich

he related, nn1 l
nun.

hi~

npp••al to lht, bounty of his ua.lil'I; ]:1ud. was not in

Vessel,; w.-re - fr,.,i:,:ht.-tl witlt provi,o;i•ms n11d elotl.iin~, am1 trusty
agents sent out to tlistnbutc them.
.Not only i11 the larger cities, but

44

LETTERS .

LETTERS .

~

in th<' Ti1bgl's of om co\ll11ry, thl' spirit 0f hrn(',·olenr(' W:l~ :lW:-tke rtnd
Hrtive. 'l'hn erv of (~r..,f't:e seemetl tu cuter rnl.o cn:1-,- c:n.
~
Donations \\·~rn !!il'l'll.
C11nirili11tiu11s were .l2·athcrcd.
L :ulics :
forn 1nr1 socir·t ies . :irnl co1b1ilt"1l li11w 1Jw rnnncy thus collcclcrl. miic·ltt I
li e lH •st di ."p 11 sc 1l of' for tlw IJ1•11r·fit u!' (~JTCl'<» J~n· n tltc jllllJr l1d1c1·cd
that tlH·\· li:11l :i Q·:1r1n e11t tu s11:irc, a11 1l liruu!!ht it 1nt!t tears, (or the ,
poorer ~1-Ullll'll of ( :n·e1·c.
.
.
'
Clntl t was pm-ch:1sc1l. :irnl u:nrncnts cul. 011t.. fur those o( p1·rry ngc,
from tlic inf':1nl. to th1• lio:1rv-ltc:ide11. Tl1c li11J.. gill.,; t'r111111l\(' ,cJ1011l-',
fi1n:rot to pl:iv on the ir lwiicbys , :t1lll ,;:1t doll'\\ h> \l\Jlk lur tlte cl1il1lrcn r
of (; rc1 ·er'.
:l11rt
] .:idies r•f t111• greates t "·c:ilil1, plicll tl1cir 111«·dJc.., i11r!11,1 1i
th e 11niort1111:1tc C.rrcks lllic:l1t IJI' d111l1cil. 'l'h1·ir .'<·n :i 111' ::]"1 1·11m',
olfrrrnu; a p:1rt of tll<'ir 1\'<1~1> . Tl1cY ;,at 1lu11·u Liy tl1r·Jr , iilc, 11urki11g
for t ilf' s·11111· cl1arit1·.
_f1 '"; 1 ~ Jil\r' nnr: l~T(';ll. si~tPrliooil. j1t ,Y\1i(·!1 n: 1rrO\\. 1l1:--;ti1w1i1 n -..: \\• ·ft ~
f'ore'.otlc11. S11ch 11·:is tl1t· spirit ul h:nrnn11v Ln·11lll<'cl 111111 "' 1·ry lrc :i il,
th<it it "·rndtl scrm tlwt "e \ll'l'l' dl'htors lo tl1c C rr·1·l". :tllll 111,1 l i11·y
to W'. it was tl1c h:1pp111cc;s ul· lJ\;lll;IOkncc . Tl1 1:rn is 110 r, '11 n
like it.
Tlw little ones p1rtook of it, :mil their rn1ilu w:1s lirie'.l11»r, 1111il•· tlwy
]carnetl tlw Jnxury of duing 1-.!"'"l. Tlwir 1·oic1·s 1n·r1· 11 ·11'l• ·r :11Hl
S\Veet, as they sai rl to 1·acli uthcr, "t3n'1'c1: llllngercd, :i11d 11·1_: g:i1·c
h er food: 0 Ji~ ,,·as 11:1kcil, :11\ll 1':c clu tl11•rl l1<:r."
Tn onn of' the citi1's "I' Ncw·L11~l:rnrl, wlwn tl1e lio;.;c.> or :1pp1rrl,
antl tlic barrels of proYisiun s, were rc:11ly to be sent , it 11:1s sul!g'.'c;ie1l
that a letter should 11cc01np:11rv tltcm.
Une was acconlrngly \l'nltcn,
and translated into mudcrn (:reek.
It was received and reatl by those desolate wom en '"i th the \\c oping of joy. And it affords a icssu u to those who have notlti11g cbc to
gi-l'e, that the kind words of affectionate sympathy, are balm ~o ;he afflicted heart. Here is a copy of the letter to the females of Greece.

i

t

t
t

1

•

1

1

45

Ihwrrur.D, Co:-.::-.:., 1~furcli 12171, 1828.
.Srwn:ns

AN\l

FRmNDi< ,

From om Years of chiJ,]ho0<l, the land of YO!ll' liirth l1:1s T1ccn the
thrmc of' om arl;nir:itinn. \Vitli onr lirotl1rrs rr.ml 1111.sli:rnds , we r:nly
learnc11 t" J, 11 ,. t lie 1·01111tn· uf Horner and :::luhm, of "\ristiLks and Ilcrurlot1 1s. nf ~(>l')':Jil'S :till] J'[:'1to.
That cut 11.u , i:ism wl1ieli the glo ry of ancie11l C:rcccc l'llki11Jlc1l in
\\'c
our L>osums, has kept :tli1 c a frr~<'lll fri»rnbl1ip l(Jr lwr chil1lrr·11.
Ji:11·c; Sl:l'I L \1·itJ1 1\1·q1 s.1·1111i:1tJiy t]J(' ]111rrors of 'f'11rkisJt du111i11:1tio11, Clllll
the sll'll'.'C:l" sr1 l"n'.'· aml nulrk snst:iincd, for r·\istencc anrl f"r lilJl'rf\»
Tl1c 1·0111111111 1ic:c11u11.-; uf 1-ir. Jlo11T, si11c1_· liis rct 11r11 fro111 y1111r ::rJlict c1l cl i11w, Jt:1q; m: ulc us mnre intirn:1tck :1c'i11:1 i1it cd with \';)ur perJlis 1i1itl rkscript1uns lt1ni; rm ·se11tc1l yon tn us,
son:il sufkrinc: .s.
S<'i·kin'.'· rei'"'-'" in c:1n' s , aml (klls uftlic c:irtl 1, l1slc11i11'-'.· in tr' rrur i'ur tl1n
fouiot,·p s ul tLc: dntroyer , or mourning orcr yum <lc11H'bt unes slain in
lr:1111 ...
Si sters ;u}(l i'rn·11,ls, our lw:u·t....; lile1"l (in· you . J lr·pri 1·c1l oi' parc11t-;
anll prntccturo; li1· tlu: liir1u11c of \\':1r, :111fl c011tinu:ilk in !'»:tr nr r•1ils
worsc th:rn dnth , om pr:1yns arc \1·i1lt yuu, mall yom 11·a11doi11gs,
your 11·;1 111s, rrn1l Y" lll' 11·u1·s.
. J 11 this''""·! (l':lticlt \\1:1y Coil SL'llll in :-:>f1·1y lo 1·our shore.' .) you
\1·ill r r:ccir" a portion of that liounty "·ith "hid1 he J1ath lrl1·sscd 11s .
TJH , poor :rn1rJ11g us h:cn.: co11trib11trtl acconli11c; to tlll'i1· :d11lit.ics. Uur
children han: added t.ltcir gifts aml their i11tlt1stn» tl1at your chilLlrLll
might h:11'c lm'ad to pat, :rn•l rai111 c 11 t. to r11tt 011. ·
.
Coul,[ you lrut ha\'e seen the f':1ccs of our itltlc 0110s bri ghten, a1td
their eyes. c;p:1rklc with .ill\» as they g:1rn up their li"li11:1 y s 11orh, that
tlrny might. work 11·ith their ncn11lcs fur C:rc ecc ,~coulrl you ha1·c beheld tlwse fr111alcs "·ho earn n. Hubs istl·ncc by lahor, gl:1rlly casting :i.
mite into your treasury, or taking homs fru111 their repose, that you
might ham an additional garmcnt,-could you harn witncssctl the active benernlcncc inspiring every class of onr community,-it woulrl
cheer for a mvment the tlarkncss autl mise ry of your lot.

LLTTLJ(~.

LETTF.RA.

Inlwhitants. as we are of a part of OllC of tl1c ,;111:tll1·'l of tl1n U11itc1lStatcs, our Jo11atiu11s must of' necessity li e 111ore li1nited tlt'.lll those from
the lar[Ycr am\ more wcalthv c itie s .. Jl11t s uch as wc ha\'(', we gi'"e
111 the name of th<' dn:i.r S:1\'ior, "·it.It 011r lil<•ssi ngs :tnd our pr;1yer,.
\Ve know tltc 11il11c oi' sympathv. how it oinb tlie heart to \w;1r how
it plucks the stillff fro111 sorrow. 'J'lierdi.irn~wc havn written t.ltes~ few
li11Ps to assur1· you , tlmt.in the remote part.-.; of our country, ;is 11·cll as
in her high pl;iccs. :·on arc rememhrrrd "·ith pity ;me! with Inn"
Sist"rs 111\d frie11d'<.-wc cxte11tl acr"ss thr o•·c·:i11. 011r hands to Ynu,
in t lw 1'1•llo11·sl1ip of' C' ltrist. W e pra:• th;1I. l1is "ross, 11111] the lia1111i·r ni'
yom J;nul, ma )· l.ng ctl1er rise aho\'C~ lhP crnscc11t a11cl tlt1• 111in:1r1 ·t -tl1:1t
;,our sunsn1:1\: lwil tl1n frl'l'iiom of a11cie11t Grc<'<'<' n·c-t1ir1·cL <111/1 build
;1gain the w;1~tc pl<t<TS whi ch th e oµ prl's~or l1a.th trodden dmn1,-aml
that you, admitted 011cc mur<' to thl' fcl1cit1cs of home, ma\- i.::1t!wr from
past perib aml aclver~ities, a brighter wreath for the kingd~n·1 of' hean·11.

LETTER I.
Ilartjiml, November 1st, 1838.

Dr:,;R Sr.sTFR,
I takr1 this opportunity to write you a fow lines.
l. :\Ie11t1011 the stat11 of your health, ancl that of your fricrnls .
. 2. (JI_your schoo l, and how you like it--01' your studies-the pro,r,,rresg
) o'.1m,;ke1a tltcm-l1ow you like each, an cl w luch the bcst-ancl \\'h\'.
3. l .s r uf tl1ese brauclics-aml which the most useful.
·
4. 11 arl!cubrs.
LETTEI~

II.

TO A FR I E:\D l:--i EUROPF..

Troy , May lst, 1839.
DE AR AND \'ALUJ::JJ FttrEND,

I once more attempt to a<ltlrcss you by letter.
l. An account of yourself and friends .
2. Of your school:_sabbath-school.
3. P_ublic \\'Orks goiug OB in your country.
4. Name ol the pn11c1pal ollicers at the h eacl of our uovcrnrncn~
of your st;tte.
b
5. Prospects of your country.
G. Concluding remarks.

CENEHAL DlRECTIO.NS .
1. De p~rnicular that you spell correctly, arnl Yiolatc no gran11natical
rule.
2 . .Mark the pauses and capitals, as in the rules for punctuation .
3 . Be particular in the proper selection of worcls, and not to repeat
the same worcl or i<lea where it can be avoicl()(l.

4. E:xpress your ideas with clearness, art<l at the same time in few
"·onls.
5 . .i.\fark important \Vords with a horizontal line under them-Yery
important ones with two.

47

LETTER III.

i

Albany, Ja11. 1st, 1839.
DEAR BROTHER,

The following skeletons, are guides to assist you in writing, and to
isuggest some trains of thought, which you may draw out in your own
language.

Fill up the

' .

skeletons of the following letters.

Although it is several years since I saw you, yet time has not
at

all le_ssene <l, but rather mcreased my a ffection for you.

1. N cw-year's .wish-even ls of the past year.
. 2. Descnbe this c!ly-institutions-clmrches-schools-societieg
-occupatwns of the people.
3. ·Interesting news.
'

48

ANALYTICAL EXERCISES.

CONSTRUCTION OF SENTENCES.

49

ANDER, CICERO, NEWTON, DmD, Frnn, IIorrsE, Ox, BEES, R1vER,
J'vioUNTAIN, Oc1uN, SHw, STAng, BooK, SLATE, SuN, MooN, IDLE-

LETTER IV.

Algiers, May 7tli, 1839.
DEAR SrnTJm,
You perceive by the caption of my letter, that I am in one of
the principal cit.ifls of Darbary.
1. Describe the inhabitants-manners am1 customs-dress-classes
-chief religion, &c. &c.
LETTER V.

Paris, June l st, 1839.
DEAR S1wrER.
[ now w~ite to vou from this city of fashion and splendor.
1. Describe this city-people-manners and customs-religionamusements-institutions-hoW' does it compare with the other capitals
of Europe.
Ons. Continue the practice of letter-writing-as lette~s on business-billets or notes of invitation to tea, &c., &c.-also, journals of
your daily e~ploy-d~scription of a journey, a walk, a ride, a sail.

CONSTRUCTION OF SENTENCES.
USE OF WORDS IN SENTENCES.
\V rite a sentence containing one or more of the following words :
GooD, GREAT, LARGE, SMALL, SWEET, SouR.
EXAMPLE. vV ASHINGTON was a good and great man.
In what respect was he good and great?
ExcELLENT, BENEVOLENT, WELL, SicK, LEARNING, IGNORANCE,
BEoIN, LIFE, DEATH, WIND, FmE, WATER, GEOGRAPHY, ARITHME· ,
TIC, BosTON, ALBANY, WAsHINGTON, CoLUMBus, FRANKLIN, ALEX· ,

NESS, INDUSTRY, PARIS, LONDON,

G IRL,

<.,_•

s

,,

CONNECTICUT

.'

PANTHER

' BEAR '

•.JTLLL, uOLD, • !Ll"LR, lJANK , CHURCH, CAPITAL, CAPITOL,~

'V'hat is the <lifforcnco bctwcon them?

ANALYTICAL EXERCISES.
Analysis is ~eparating or taking apart ; as separating a compound
sentence mto simple ones ; also, explaininrr words or sentences or
drawing out the meaning in simple and amplified language.
'
Example of the analysis of a compound sentenc~.
The air, the earth, and the water teem with delighted existence.
Thus analyzed:
·
The air teems with delighted existence.
The earth teems with delighted existence.
The water teems with delighted existence.
·Analyze the following examples.
The forests, the hills, and the mountains, lift their heads in unalterab~e repose, and furni~h the same sources of contemplation to us, that they
did to those generations that have passed away.
"A Novel was a book three-volumed, and once read· and oft crammed_ i\111 of poisonous error, blackening every page ; ~nd oftener still
of.tnflmg, ~ec.nnd-hand remai;k, and old, diseased, putrid thought; and
·. miserable mc1dent, at war with nature, with itself and tmth at war ·
y~t charming still, the greedy reader on, till done, he tried to recollect
his thoughts, and 1'.othing found but dreaming em}Jtiness. These, like
eph~mera sprun~, m a day, fro~ lean and shallow-soiled brains of sand,,
and m a day expired: yet while they Jived, tremendous oft-times wai
. the popular roar, and cries of-live for ever-struck the skies .1'
·
1

50

ANALYTICAL EXERCISES.

Example

ef analyzing poetry.

ON PROCRASTINATION.-Bi- Youxr..
Be u:isc to-day, 'tis madness to d0fcr;
That is, perform now your whol1> dnty, and thus secure the appro·
hation of ,;our conscience am1 Maker; then yon will he pn•par0d for
life or death. To act otherwise, i.e. to put offllie llulics of thio day to
any future pcrivll, is tlw climax of folk.

1\'cxt day t!tc.fatalprcccdcnt mil plaul;

If you neglect present duty, this Ycry act pa1 L'S tlw \ray for a rqietition of the same.
Yon arc like a rock rolling fron1 the summit of a
lofty mountain; at. iirst its course is slow-hut c:tclt revolution gi1·e_s
it a new impulst:, ;i,ml incrc:1scs its po1vcr, unl.J I, like :L Junot1s tornaLlo, it
scatters ruin in i1s cuursc.

Thus on till u;zsdom is puslied out ~f L1fc ..
As t1w rock al length rf"aclwll its uilcrmosi bonrnls-so life\\ ill sooll
clo>c '' ith clcr nnl rnin to 1he tll'brcr.

Procmst/nolw111s the thi";f of timr.
As crnr Jinn! df'stiny tlf'iwrnls on the use we make of 1inw , therefore
with lime it slenlc; also et.ernil.y.
1°N71'

nft-r

.I /WT

it s/fols, till nil

(ffP.

flnl.

How insatiable this thief-not satitifieu even with the last drop of the
life's l1]1J1Ji.l of ii.s 1 ic:tims.
.ilnd to the mercies of a moment leaves
The 1'nst r.nrners nf nn (derna.l scene.

\\'hen the poor <leluJeJ being is le<l to the ver>' verl!e of ruin. the
mask is removed-the awfol gulf of perdition yearning beneath his

ANALYTICAL EXEitCI8Es.

feet bursts upon him.

51

He utters one despairing, horrid shriek, and

sinks to ti se no more.
QLrEsno:-.:s ON THE ADOYE \·F. nsE. \Vhat is the meaning ofwlsc 1 \Yhy ought we to be wise
lo-day 1 Mndness ~ ]JeJer? 'Vhy madness to defer? 'Vhnt Js stated about present time in
the l.11!;le ! Faw.l I Precedent! I1lcad l \Visdom ? \\'ho were ut!!ed the seven wise men of
Greece? \V!Ju.t r~nders time i11flnitcly vuluable? Give exam ples of pcn;ons ruined by procrastiIHHto!t. \\'hut wuuld be the result if '"'e sl10uld follow tlrn cliret:tion to be wise to day? 'Vhat lesson is t;iuglit iu this \Tr.Sc?

Analyze the }JI/owing lines.

or rn an'~ miraculous mistakes, this bears
The palm: That all nrnn are about to live:
Forcn:r on tho brink of being born.
/\ ll p:ty lliemsell'cs the compliment to think,
They mH.i day shall not drivel; and their priue,
On this rPvision, takes up ready prnisc;
J\t least their own ; their future selves applauds.
l J "" c·xcl·lknt that life they nro \:r will lc ~>d'
Tilllc loJ"\l. in their own hands is fo!l,·'s l'ails;
Tl1:11 lutl"\1 in fate's to wisLlom they consign;
The 1hi1>,!..'. they· can't bnt pnrposc, they postpone.
'Ti s not. in foll..\•, not to scorn a fool ;

A11tl sc;arcB in human wisdom to do more.
A II pmmi.- e iB p0or dilatory man ;
.And that thruugh e1·'ry stage .
H;ippy the 1rnm who sees a God cmployurl
in all the good a.uu ill that chequer.

52

ANAT,YTICAL EXERCISES.

PICTUHE OF A GOOD MAN.
Analyze t!tcfollowi11g lines as brjim:, and draw the lessons tlicrrfi·om
Some ang0l guide my prmcil, while I draw,
\Vlrnt nothing else tl:mn ang-el c<in exceed ,
A man on earth, tlernt.c<l LO the skies ;
L ike ships ;it sea, while in. above the world.
\Vi th osprct mild , anrl clcrntrd eye,
Bchol1l l1im S('atcd on a rno1111t scrr1w,
Al.Joye the fogs of sens<>, and passion's storm;
All the black cares, aml tumults of this life,
Like harmless thunders breaking· at his feet,
Excite his pit\·, not impair hi s p":1ce .
Earth's genuine sons, the sceptred, and the slam ,
A mingled 1110\i 1 a w:rndrring herd ' he secs
13c11 ildcred in the 1·ale ; iu all unlike 1
H is full reyerse in all 1 • \Vhat hi ,i.;hcr praise ?
\Vha.t stronger rlemonstntion of the right. 1
The prese nt all their l:arc; tltc fotttre his.
\Vhen public wclfore c<tlls , or pr in Lt.c w:rnt,
They gire to fame; his IJouaty he conceals.
Tl11·ir \'irtttcs 1·amish nature; hi s cxnl t.
J\fankiml's esteem they count ; and lie his own
'fhei rs the wi\1! chast; of false f"·licitics;
lTis the CO!ll.jl()s"d jlOS'''S Sion of tlie Intl'.
A lik" tl1rottl!hnut is l1is cnnsistl'nl piece ,
A ll of one "olor. a1Hl :in .,,-en tlirrarl;
\\.l 1itc p:nh·-color'cl skulr:s ur h:ippincss ,
\Yitlt l111lcrrns l!aps b1·1,nr:n. patc\111p lor them
A marl11w11·s ru\Jp ; ca cl1 pttll' of fort1111c 11\ows
The tatters lw, a1Hl slio1rs tlrcir 11ake1lncss.
Hr srrs with.other eyes t\1an tlwirs: >Yherc they
Beho ld a su11, he spi1·s a Urity.

ANALYTICAL EXERCISES,

What makes them only smile, m:1kcs him atlore.
vVhcrc they sec mountains, he but atoms sees;
An empire in liis balance, weighs a ,i.;rni1i.
They things t crrPstrial worship as divin e;
His hopes immort:d blow them Ly, <is dtt~t,
That dims his sight and shortens his suney,
·\Vhich lonr:s, in infinite, to lose all bound.
Titles anti ho11ors , (if they prove his fate,)
He la vs aside to lint! his 1lignity ;
No 1lignity th1·y !incl in <ittgltt beside s.
Tlwy triumph in externals (which conceal
Man's real glory,) prond of an eclipse;
Himself too much he prizes to Le prmtLl,
And nothing thinks so great in, as man.
Too Llcar he holds his int'rest, to neglect
Another's wcli':ue, or his right inrnlle ;
Their int'rcs t, lik e a lion, li,·es on prey.
They kimlle al the shadow of a wrong ;
\Vronu he sustains \Yi th temper, looks on hcarnn,
Nor sr:iops to thi11k l1is i11jm cr his foe .
N ouuht but \Vhat 1rnunds his Yirt.ue, wounds his p e ace.
A e;1·cr 'd hc:trt their charncler defends;
A covcr'tl heart dm1ies him half his praise.
With nakt'clw·ss his innocence ngrccs 1
While their liro;ul foliage testifies their fall 1
Tltcrr; no joys end, wh e re his full feast. hC'gins :
II is jL1Ys create, theirs nrnnlcr future bliss.
To triun1ph i11 existence, his alon e,
A1Hl l1is 1dono trilllllpha11tly to think
His true rxistcncc is not yet bci.;nn .
His glorious course was, .yesterday, complete :
Death, then was welcome ; yet life still is sweet.

53
.

.

.,r.•

*'· 'll

·.~ '

'

54

ANALYT I CAL l:XERCTSE~.
ANALYTICAL F.XERCISES.

Analysis of Scnpt11re .-L11kc i1·. 38, JD.

Vers·· 38 · ," An <l h c (Jesus ) aros.o 011t of tlrn synao-no ic a nil entered
'1mons 110use. ·rn<l s·
. ·1·.
·1 b b 1 '
.
'
'
' zmon s w1 cs mot zcr was taken with a
gTe ~ t· f e>•er'. . anc I t ]. icy, hcson1'h
f. l11m for her."
h Ver
. · 39: "A11<l. lrn s t.ooc1orcr Izcr, arnl reb uked the fo1·er · and it left
er ' and nn mediatcl y she <i.rose a11d mi11istered unto the m'."
• 1
mo

G' cncrul Analysis.

38. An d JesuR arose from the house of 11rnyer and went lo s 1·n1on'
IlO USe w1iere s
. •
'.
'
s
' .]
unon 's motjici..
-m-J aw was
b·
' sic]·' \\'It]i
· a f c1.er · a11C. l t J1ey
cs?11g it, or narnesUy c11trm1.te,J l1im to heal the d i sease-a~ tl1c . hacl
pe1Jcct confid ence Ill hi s power thn" to ilo.
}
39. Ile comµli ed in.an. ediate ly wit h !ht>ir rnriues t. h'" 111·~ so.
.
power he sto · . 1th · l
.·
.
·1
'
·1
·
>ere1gn
her. sl : PP~: . 'w cncc of thu /,,,·er, :i.nrl rn11s<'1l it lo tlcpart from
atte~<lc. ilct1 nt1hmet. iate y arose and pr<"p<trecl refreshme nts for then~ and
l o
eu necessities .
'

t

0

P articular Analysis.
I . Christ attended the public worship of God . th
2. t·fter worsh.ip he retired for refreshm ent an~n res~. synagogue.
fre!iun~:~n received J esus into his house, an<l g:i.ve him rest and re4d. Pedte~ al nd his wife supported, cherished, and prnyed for their
age an sic { parent.
'
5 . P eter, though a good m
d a· .
.
with family affliction.
an, an a isc1ple of Chnst, was visited
6. All the people in the hou
· · ·d
h
se JOrne toget er, in praying to Christ
for the cure of the fever.
7. They prayed for the woman when she could not
.
pray for herself.
8. Jesus heard
. , their prayer and answered 1t.
9 • .A t Chnst
s word the fever was cured.
.

------ - -

55

l 0. ·when the feve r w:i.s gone, the wonwn :i.rose to her duties immed.iatcly, and ministe red to the wa11ts of Christ :t.1Hl his disciples .
Practical lessons ji·om these verses .
Christ attended the synagog1tc, ur Jcu:ish Cl111rch, .fiH publio worship,-hence it is our duty to attend public worship rcgubrly, because
Christ is om cxa111ple .
Simun took Jesus and !tis disciples into !tis lwusc , wul gare them rest
and rcji·cshmcnt. -From this we le:i.rn that we oug l1t to bu :i.ffoction:i.te
:i.nd hospitable to one another, :i.ml slwahl sapply the wants aml refresh
thu bodies of om brethren when tlicy r"'tll irc it.

Pet er and !1is u:i}: supported anrl rhnis/1cd tlicir a'!,nl and sick 71arcnt,-

he nce we 011gltt to be kiml :i.nd dutiful to our p:i.rcnis ia health, but especially in sickness.
Pet er and !us m(r; prayed for tl1C1r aged and sick parcnt,-hcnce we
learn th:i.t we should pr:i.y for our parents ; :i.nd not only :i.ttcncl to the
su pply of their te mporal, but also of their spiritual wants.
Peter, although a good man , was a/jiicted,-hcnce other good men m~ty
expect trials. vVe :i.lso learn th:i.t tempornl calamiti es are no sure sign
of God's displeasure- also, tlmt afflic tions to God's people, are re:i.l
blessings ; otherwise they woulLl not be sent.
T ltc peop le join together in praycr,-hence we should not only pr:i.y
by ourselves in secret, but also with and for one another.
The people prayed to Christ to heal the woman of hcrfever. -This
teaches us that we ough t to lay all our wants and affli ctions before Goel,
and seekin g the sanc tifie d use of them, submissively to pray for their
removal.
They prayed fo r the woman when she could not pray for herself,h ence we learn that times may occur in Providence which may greatly
impede prayer ; also, that we sho\1ld be diligent in the exercise of it
when we have the opportunity; lik1;nvise, that we should take pity on
those who cannot, or will not, pray for themselves, and pray for them;

:!;.

•

56

ANALYTICAL EXERCISES.

also, that we should assist and encourage our brethren in their prayers
for the temporal or spiritual welfare of their friends or others.
Jesus heard and answered their prayers,-hence we learn that God
will hear and answeronrprayers, if offered in faith.
Jesus cured the fever with a word,-hencc we learn that all troubles
and afflictions are under the control and direction of Christ, who can
remit or remove them whP.n he pleflBes.
TV!wn the woman was cured, she did not continlle on her bed, but arose
to her duty,-liencc we learn that it is wrong to indulge in laziness or
idleness; also, thflt. when God gires us health and opportun ities of usefuln ess, we ougltt diligently to improve them.
The woman, when cured, employed herself in ministering to tlte wants of
Christ and his disciples,-hence we should be grntefnl for the mrrc ics
and deliverances of God"s Providence; also, our love and gratitude to
Him should be exhibited by our co11duct iu life, by activity iu his service, and kindness to his people: while we are blessed with health to
perform every known duty.
T!tc woman upon being cured, rose immediately and served C!trist,hencc we le;1m that we ougl1t. nu t to dehy duty, but should in1prorn tltc
present time in coming to Christ, and r ngaging in Lis scnice.

I!istory of the Prophet Jonah.
ANALYSTS.

Jonah attempted in vain lo Jlccfrum Gorl,-for wl1ile on his way lo
Tarsh.ish, he was overtaken by a gre<i.t storm, and the ship a!Hl 111e11 we re
in much danger of being lost. llut at this time Jonah was asleep. Ile
was awoke and called on to pray. The sailors also crier! to tlwir gods ;
but the raging waves did not cease-and it was ascertained tha t. Jonah was the cause of their trouble ; so that by lot-i. e. the names of
all in the ship were put into a nssel, which was shaken, ancl Jonah's
name was drawn out-and he was cast into the sea, and swallowed of

ANALYTICAL EXERCISES.

57

a fish sent by God. Jonah prayed unt? God from the belly of the fish,
and it vomited, i. e., cast him out of hrn stomach, upon dr~ ,land. He
then obeyed God in preaching to the city of Nrneveh. I he people,
repentincr,
were spared.
. .
0
Jonah was angry at the mercy of God, and waited to see the city
destroyed; but a gourd growing up in the mght, and tlyrng by a worm,
reproved ltim.

First Lessons.- Special Inference.
I. It is sinful and dangerous to attempt to flee from Go<l.
2. We should never be careless or indifferent to the consequences of
our sins.
3. That we should invite and encourage others to pray.
4. That God is very merciful and kind, even in his Judgments.
5. That he will, in answer to prayer, deliver his p_coplc from trouble.
6. Tlrnt if we repent and turn t.o hirn, he will forgtve and spare us .
7. That we should rejoice al the pemtencc, rather than at the punislaneat of si11 uers.

Second Lessons.-Analysis and Remarks.
1-Vhen Jonah fled fi·om God, a great storm overtook ltim,-from w ltich
we learn, that they who neglect antl forsu.ke God, can never expect to
be liappy.
.
B1; Jonah's presence, ship and men were almost lvst,-[rom wluch we
learn, that we should endeavor to avo1tl the company of those who rebel <i.gainst Cod .
. .
.
The sailors in their fear, cried to their .false gor/s witholll c(fecl ,-from
which we learn, that in every t.imc of diJliculty and trouble, deliverance
is to be had from God only.
Jonah by lot was cast into the sca,-from which we learn, that
,
,
. G <l
there is no way of eluding the eye or the anger of an all-seerng o .

s.'

58

ANALYTICAL EXERCISES.

Jonali, in tlie fislt, prayed to God,-from which we learn, that when
suffering by reason of our sins, we should not delay praying to God for
their pardon.
Jonah, when delivered, went anJ preached in 1Vincvelt,- from which we
learn, that we should take the earliest opportunity of remedying former
errors.
Jona!i was displeased at the mercy of God to tlte Ninevites,-from
which we learn, that we should never be displeased with the wise dispensations of God, and more particularly, when they are a display of
his mercy.
A gou~d was made to reprove Jonah.,- from which we learn, that every
thing in nature and Providence, can by God be made the instrument
of admonition whe n we <lo wrong.

GENERAL SUBJECTS.

59

='-&EN£HTA~=S:I:T=B=JE-~'F-S.

Specimens of Juvenile Composition.
A

F ADLE,-BY

A LAD

9

YEA!lS OF AGE.

THE Two DooKs .- An Arithmetic and Picture-Book were lying
on the same table : the latter strutted up before the former, and commenced boasting of his beauty and splendid ornaments_. The Aritl11netic replied-although my dres.s is not s? gaudy .as tl11nc, yet I furrnsh
much valuable knowledge; wlule you aflonl notlun g but an empty show.
iVloral.-The proud make a good outward appnarance, but . that is
all; for their covering only conce als their deformity from public new.

Analyze the parable of th e l'rodiJ;al Son , and draw the lessons from
it; also of the Ba rren Fig-Tree, the Iliston; of David, Damd, Saul,
Eaalam, Josr;p/t, A bra ham, Noah, Lot, Solomon, Hrrorl, Fr/ix, Job, Paul;
also, any portion of the Dible, as the Commandments, Ilic Loni's l'rayer,

g·c., <}-c.

THE

VESSEL

WITHOUT A PILOT;

Or, a Story to show the Importance of Good Advice and the iYccrss1ty

of.fol/01cl11g it.

THERE was once a stately vessel, which was \'cry impatient to Jea1-e
the port. Her sails were hoisted, her 11ag wave<l in the breeze, and

- -·

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60

GEN ERAL SUB J ECTS .

she heaved merrily where she was anchored upon the tumbling sea.
She therefore sent for the pilot, and told him to come on boa nl and
take command, and guide her safely out of the port, till she sho uld be
upon the broad bosom of the deep. But the weather being stormy, and
the sea very rough, the pilot told the ship that it would be dan gerous
tO go, ancl that, if she clicl not wait, she would probably be <lashed to
pieces, an<l he shonld lose l1is life.
" Coward that thou art!" said the ship; "you are afraid to go, I
perc eive ; but you need not go; I will venture alon e. I shall do ve ry
w ell without you, you will see." So she broke from her anchor, ancl,
with swelling sails, went from the port without any guide . The waves
carried her out, and for a while she rode in a very stately manner on
the water.
"How finely I go!" said she. " I need no guide and no rudder. There
is no danger here. I ride upon the water ; and, though it is a little
rough, it do es me no harm."'
While speaking in this boasting manner, she suddenly struck upon a rock which was hidden under the wat~r, and, splitting with a terrible crash, the waters broke through her
sides, and she sank to the bottom in an instant.
How many little children there are like this vain ship ! They are
very apt to think that they can go any where, and do any thing in their
own way, and without any guide. But let them remember, that their
parents are the only sure and safe pilots, who know perfectly the dangers that surround them. If any boy or girl is tempted to do any thing
without a parent's advice , or contrary to a parent's will, let them remember the sad wreck of the wilful ship, who disdained to take a pilot's cotmsel.

61

GENERAL SUBJECTS .

THE CARRIER-PIGEON;
Or, being busy and persevering in what we have to do.

Drn vou ever see a pi aeon? ·what a glossy neck h e has 1 and how
swiftly he flies I In son-:='e countries, there is kiml of birJ called the
carrier-pigeon, because he is made to carry letters fro1u one place to
another.
There was once a carrier-pigeon, with a letter tied to hi s neck, who
flew forty miles in forty minutes ! "Pray how do you mana.ge to travel
so fast?" said some o.f his companions. "l go straight foru.xml," said
the pigeon. " I do not stop by the way : I look not to the right
hand or the left: I take the shortest way, and lose no time."
It is thus that children should pursue any object that is set before
them. In study, they should lose no time ; in running of an errand,
they should go straight forward. In doing any du ty, they should imitate the pigeon, turn not to the right or left, t<.tke the shortest course, and
perform their task with diligence.

a

..

...... ,

62

GENERAL SUBJECTS.

GENERAL SUBJECTS.

63

mise you faithfully not to leave the yard ; indeed I will. I will not even ·
go near the gate, for fear I should be tempted to go through it. Do pray,
my dear master, take off my chain."
"I tell you," said the gentleman! " I cannot believe you. You have
deceived me once, and I cannot trust you. You are necessary here, to
gu:nd my property; and, for fear you may be tempted to leave this
place, l shall ke ep you securely chained."
\Ve should not make promises, if we do not mean to keep them ; for
nobody will place any dependence upon our word, if we once deceive
them.

THE DOG ./IND HIS MASTER;

Or, a story to show the 1Vccessity of keeping our I'romises.

A DOG that wn.s kept chained to his kennel, to guard his master's
gr_ounds, begged f1ard , one tlay, to be permitted to be free, antl pru1111sed that he would not leave the yard. His master thounht he woul<l
gratify him ; so he unchained him, and left him while h~ went to his
morning employments-.
The dog was no sooner alone than he forgot his promise, left t.he
yard, and went out to take a ramble.
He was so delighted with his
freedom, that he staid out all day, and did not return till late in the
evening. His master, however, said nothing to him, but chained him
up as usual.
'~he next morning, when the gates were opened, he asked leave
agam to ~ave his chain taken off.
"What," said his master, "when
you deceived me yesterday, do you ask me again to trust you?
No;
you have once broken your promise, and I will trust you no more."
" 0, pray let me be free once more," said the dog, " and I will pro-

THE THUNDER-CLOUDS;

Or, a Story to sltow t!tc Folly of Quarreling.
Two clouds, filled with rain, and very black and threatening, were
blown by the wind in opposite directions, and, of course, met one
another. Each insisted that the other should gi rn way, and make room
for a passage. But neither would yield, and both obstinately persisted

,;.

64

6li

GENERAL SUBJECTS.

GENERAL SUBJECTS .

in keeping its place. So the winas pushed them on, and they rushed
furiously against each other, making a terrible convulsion. Thus they
were torn in pieces ; and, by their folly, both were soon destroyed.
Nor was this all: in the strife, several houses were thrown to the
grouml, barns aml bri<lges were Jemolishe<l, aml many people were
killed.
This fable should teach children rather to yield to their companions than to resist aml quarrel; for 1.Jy doing so they arc smc of making
themselves arnl others uuha!JPY·

"You are unjust," said the arrow. "It is you who direct me, and
therefore you are the only one to blame." ·
;
It is an idle and wicked practice of some persons to charge others
with guilt which lies at their own door. 'Ve should teach children (()
be wiser, and never to try to hide their own faults by laying the blame ou
those who are innocent. It is not only wicked, but foolish ; for candor is a great virtue, and a frank confession of a fault always insures
forgiveness and approbation.

THE RIVAL SNAILS;
THE ARCHER AND THE ARROW;
Or, a Story to sho10 th.c F olly of Injustice.

AN archer set up a mark against a !.rec, took out his bow, a!1cl amnsed
himself by trying to send the arrow mto the centre of the cuc~e. He
made several attempts, but without success. He then vc~ted.h1s an!S'er
against the arrow, and accused it of being the cause of his d1sappomt·
ment.

'•

Or, a Story to show the Danger of Ambition, or a Love of Superiority.
ONE day, a party of snails, on the side of a house, were reposing in
the sun, when one of them proposed. that they should. all set out together, aml see which could first reach the top of the house. To this
they agreed; and, accordingly, they all slowly began to ascend the
wall.
Two of them went a little way, and as they felt very tired, they stopped,
and would go no farther. Two more went on patiently till they reached
half way, when they also gave up all idea of proceeding.
5

. •.

66

GENERAL SUBJECTS.

67

GENERAL SUBJECTS.'

One alone, who was stronger than the rest, drew near the top; ancl
from this height he looked down, and, seeing his companions so far belo\v him, he could not , suppress his cont~mpt and derision. But in
the midst of his exaltation, he grew giddy, and, letting go his hold, fell
down on the pavement with such force as to dash him in pieces.
. Let us learn from ~his, that if we are endowed with superior capacities, or are favored with better success than others, we must not be vain
itnd boastful, and look upon our inferiors with contempt j for our very
superiority may be the source of danger, and we may not only lose all
the advantages we possess, but actually become weaker than those
we once despised. It is right to make exertions to excel in all that
. is good and ,right ; but if o.ur ·efforts · are. er.owned with success, let us
bear our good fortunewith modesiy, and treat others ,belOw us in life,
·.
with greater kindne§s: :, .':' . . ~· _, ._, ~' .' . ; " . ,

.

..

:

'

. ;.

(

-

1
!

Wh~n fancy.lifts her radiant wing,

TO MY BROTHER.
'\Vhen the last rays, at twilight's honr,
Fali gentlv o'er the droopini; flo wer ;
When mists are gathering on the hill,
Nor sound is heard save mountain rill,
Then hear the echo whispering near,
In softest accents to thine ear,
I love thee, dearest brother.

~

Shou~<l disappointment's withering breath,
Consign thy brightest hopes to death ; . .
Sho~1l<l friendship's treat in boyhood made,
In alter years prove faith betrayed,
Then to thy sister yet return,For oh 1 her heart will fondly burn
To clasp her dearest brother.

Should sorrow cloud thy coming years,
And bathe thy prospects all in tears,
Remember that the rainbow's hue
Is bright 'mid clouds and sunshine too;
Remember though we're· doomed to part,
There lives one fond and faithful heart
That loves her dearest brother.

Troy, August, 1837.

.

.

"

And m?rnin_g birds around thee sing ;
When JOY hfts up thy beaming eye,
And love's enchantment too is nighWhen calm blue waters round thee :flow,
Then hear thy ·sister; breathing low,
I love thee, dearest brother.

'~

The following is by a young lady ofl 7, who had just completed her
course of studies.at Mrs. Willard's Seminary, and while on her way
home, in the packet Home, . with ~nany others, found a watery grave.
The lines following were written a( the close bf a letter, addressed to
her brother, a few <lays before her death.
·

When silence reigns o'er earth and sea,
'When glows the star of memory,
When music Wilkes her thrilling tone,
And Autumn winds around thee moan,
Their accents hear; and oh, rejoice!
For hark! there comes a well-known voice1 love thee, dearest brother.

CYNTHIA

H.

STOW.

-

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68

GENERAL SUBJECTS.

GENERAL SUBJECTS.

EXTRACTS FROM

THE EXTENT OF INDIVIDUAL INFLUENCE.
By a young lady of tlie Albrmy Female Academy, aged 17.

The power of the Di.vine Architect is impresserl in living characters
His vastness is mirrored on the ocerm, extending
on all His works.
hke a silvery gmlle around the earth ;-strength is written on the brow
of the "cloud capt motmtain," towering in imposing grandeur towarrls
the h~avens. His voice 1s heard in the roHing thunder,-in the whirlwmd.s blast,-and.m the "sound of many waters." His goodness i;s
seen m.1the protect mg care ".hi ch proricles for the happiness a111l enjoyment of the mynad s dependent on His ho11nty, from the mightiC'st
angel that veils his face before the Throne, to the smallest insect that
iloats on its wing o~ gossamer through .the amhient air. B11t, power,
greatness, and be111hcence were umted m the creation of minrl .-when
the breath of Omnipotence animated the senseless clay, anrl kindled
that immortal spark which shall burn unextinguished through the unnu~nbered ages of eternity, long after the splendors of this m;iteria1
umverse shall have pas~ed away. If not possessing a seraph's fire,
for man was cr~ated a little lo.wer than the angels, yet majesty was
sta~ped upon his br?w, and his soul was the seat of purity, reflecting
th_e image of the Deny, and all the powers of the human mind shone
with unclouded lustre. We can form· but little conception of the exte1H of those powers, when he stood amid the magnificence and the
glones of creat10n, unmarrnd by sin, and associated with pnre and
heavenly bemgs, and held high converse with those spirits of light, and
drank deep of those streams of knowledge that flow fresh from the
Fo~mt of Intelligence. Thoulfh ~in has hurled him from his proud preemmence, and the sword of JUSt1ce has forever barred the bright portal.s of ~den from his entrance ;-though he is a fallen, a degraded
bemg, still we see him a splendid ruin,-a mighty wreck ;-the diamond

j

69

has been crushed, but light and beauty sparkle from its dismembereJ
fragments. Who can look without an emotion of awe imo the recesses
of his soul, where thought sits enthroned in sublimity, or define the
power of that wonder-working mysterious mind ?-mind, whieh recalls
from tho past tho fleeting images of ti mo-looks through the dimness of
the future-reasons-projects-and executes. l\Iind, that has computed
the rapid transmission of light, separateJ tho rainbow's heavenly hues,
scanned the sapphire vaults of heaven, calling each star by name, and
numbering the blazing comet's circling years-mind, that has fathomcJ
the mighty deep, and brought rich stvrcs of knowledge from the coral
caves of ocean, and discovered exhaust less treasures of mineral wealth
that lie buried beneath the surface of the earth,-miml, that swells the
tide of eloquence, when listening crowds arc borne along by the resistless torrent-mind, that weaves tho magic spell of poetry, bathing
in richer hues the imagery of nature-that breathes in the ravishing
strains of music, in un<lulations soft and sweet, till the rapt soul is lifted
from the earth, and in its extatic trance hears tho sound of tho golden
harps of Heaven. Even in man's degradation we behold a created intelligence, capable of mighty effort, of unbounded inl1uence. ·wherever
his powers have been directed, success invariably follows; and, as if to
urouse the slumbering energies of every human breast,-the most brilliant
discoveries in science-the most splendid achievements of ambitionthe most glorious efforts of philanthropy, have been projected and accomplished by individual exertion. According as he directs his energies~ he
may diffuse a moral beauty over every scene, converting this world into a
blooming paradise, or, like the Bohon Upas, he may spread a blighting,
withering influence on every side, transforming the earth into a sterile
waste. 'furn over the crime-stained records of history, see how much of
human misery depends upon the will of one. We see error widely disseminated; not only communities but nations are iueluded within its circle ;-we trace its origin to the inf-luence of one man ;-in every age master spirits have arisen to direct the energies of the multitude. There is a
fas~ination in superior intellect which is irresistible; when talent and

.•

: ._,

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71
GEN)'RAL SU}'!JE.CTS.

70

GENERAL SUBJECTS.

genius are combined when elo
.
error flows, who shall check its quence?is the channel through which
Let old b
.
course .
g its
. energies
e the rulmcr
passion
areo dire
t d of th e soul, to the attainment of
w hi c1l all
sw:eet sensibilities of our natur~ :~<l
f:hear~ becomes steeled to the
P?isonous breath of the Siroc ; r Jts d atal i~fluence, worse than the
side. . We attribute to some ;ni ph~a s esolat10n mid death on ever
demolished thrones subvert l g Y. cause those revolutions that
~w frequently hav~ they re:t~lte~lfr~:\ and ~~aken the earth; but,
.t e amb1t1011s designs of a few.
e have seen even ancient and co
t? all human observation appear d ~sol~dated governments, those that
hts ' f e 1xe . on a firm and immutuable ba'
sis, where the divine
by the
of
sovereignty were never questionedof heaven by the tem , ests
.earthquake, and scattered to
tide of civilization ebbed to ~he bo bc1~il ~ommotion; we have seen the
of learning .quenched, reli ion ba~~ ~namsm of former ages, the light
her altars v10lated by· the dg .
ir sl,ed, her temples overthrown
and
armg euorts of d t
·
'
ut
turn
we
from
the
records
.
.
.a
e
ennmed
mind.
"
"
"
"
B
a_nd ambition, at which humanit of{IlJUSt1ce and oppression; of avarice
r10r and garments rolled in bloids ;utd~r~; from th~ noise of the war.ng ter an~ faner exhibitions of
.mman energy and human action '
m human intellect has been d 'w 1e1e all tha.t is ~rand and im osin
of mankind. There is not a
the mehorat10n of the coif
ples; there is not a page of l~~~nuyb ut what.affords illustrious exam. ory ut what is luminous with the rays
that emanate from lmm;;n
B
u
gemus.
*
*
ut talent, energy and influ
.
?nd th~ purple ; the richest e:t~~· b~.lon~ not ex;clusively to the ermine
fhe mightiest revolution that h ,s ie 11{dden m the depths of ocean
productive of consc
ever s
the earth, aml that
its results, than any otherq
d. ml ore glonons and more bcnefici'al m'
· th.e cell of an obscure
recor ecIt m the anna1s of history,
.
'
m.
monk
originated
will mcrease from acre to age t'il th s effects are and will be felt . they
from the repose of
oft thfe
shall
o (us o myriads of the human

t?e

hav~

to~sed
~mds

ri
convulsion~ tl~e

J~or~l

th~

f

evote~ ·t~

~een

ucncc~s

~ges ~he 'siumb::r~1:1i

ditio~

1a~en

ha~

Arc~angel

~rouse

race ;-:-they .will · increase even when the contest between mortality
and immortality shall have been decided, and when the destiny of man
shall have been irrevocably sealed. Constantine had led persecuted,
suffering, and uncontaminated Christianity to .the precincts of •the palace, .and placed her at the right hand of the Cresars ; there the pure
simplicity of her doctrines had ' been perverted, and the powers .of
darkness triumphed, - The Eternal City from her seven hills looked
down on the enslaved nations a;t her .feet, receiving the treasures of
vassal kings,- mitred priests swayed the destinies of Europe ; and the
triple crown gleamed on the brow of corrupt.ion ; the thunders of the
Vatican shook a trembling world ; the inquisition raised on high her
hydra-head; fanaticism opposed fanaticism ; faction clashe(l with faction; and war followed war, with all its attendant evils, exhibiting ouo
vast arena of contention and bloodshed, as if the vials of wrath were
poured out on a world sunk in the deep gloom of moral darkness. Ignorance held unliinited sway ; the light of science and the splendors
of Gospel truth were obscured and nearly obliterate•l by the gloom of
monkish superstition, merged in the sable hues of idolatry and popish
cruelty: no ray of h eavenly glory shone on the (le graded mind; "darkness covered the ·earth, and gross darkn,ess the people ."
Dnt at this
moment, when to all human observation, error was enthroned in immutability, one arose, whose discerning eye pierced through priestly craft,
and the mystic creeds of papacy. Luther, the angel of the Ilcforrnation, appe~tred; and streams of sanctifying and fertilizing truth came
with salutary and reviving influence upon the moral deserts of the Roman earth; and a flood of celestial li ght, ilowing from the cross of a <lying Savior, illumined a benighted world. Thus religion diffused her
mild radiance, and science reflected her silver rays . Philosophy received a new impulse; discovery succeed eel discovery ; experiment,
experiment; the fielLl of literature was widened; and the human mind,
toused from its lethargy, gazed with deep and absorbing interest on
that endless variety that was presented to its enraptured vision.

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72

GENERAL SUBJECTS.

Those living gems that glitter in the blue vault of heaven have, from

~he earliest records of time, afforded a subject of inquiry, and claimed

the attention of mankind. The Chaldean shepherds on Shinar's plains,
watched the motions of yon rolling worlds, and incense rose on heathen
altars. to those celestiaJ o~b.s ; even Judah's ~avore~ sons, forgetful of
the Kmg eternal ~nd mv1~1ble, at whose shrme their fathers worshippe~, poure~ out dn~k offen~gs to the Queen of heaven. Ever objects
of mtense mterest, m the middle ages they were blended with the superstitions of the East, and the wisest and the best among mankind regarded those starry influences as presiding over human destiny. Still,
the laws by which they were bound in their orbits remained imperfectly known, till the inventive genius of Italia's persecuted son, extended the boundaries of mortal vision, discovering unnumbered worlds,
s.ystem upon system, rolling with harmony through the illimitable reg~ons of space, and affording a greater display of the glory and magmficence of creation. But it was Newton, godlike Newton, that threw
aside the dimness of uncertainty, which shrouded for so many centuries the science of Astronomy; who penetrated the arcana of nature,
and soared in his eagle flight far, far beyond the wildest dreams of .
all former ages, defining with certainty, the motions of those flaming worlds, and assigning laws to the farthest star that lies on the
confines of creation, that glimmers on the verge of immensity. Who
shall assign limits to the power of mind when once its concentrated
energies are directed to one object? The lightning as it flashes from
cloud to cloud, or plays around the metallic rod, immortalizes the efforts of our Franklin ; and perhaps some kindred spirit, in following out
that track which he has opened, may ascend the northern dome, where
. the aurora-borealis ho.Ids its mystic dance, in radiated, undulating columns of polar light, and analyze that secret fluid which circulates
through all nature and pervades all space. The comprehensive mind
of a Fulton grasped an object considered hitherto unattainable; and, by
his happy application of a most stupendous power, he has triumphed
over the winds, conquered the elements, annihilated space, extended

GENERAL SUBJECTS.

73

the bounds of social intercours,e ; thus cemen~ing ~he bonds oC uni~n
between distant nations. Even now, the sw1ft-wmged hera~d~ of his
fame are dashing through the foaming billows, bearing the spmt of en•
terprize from the Thames to the Medite~an~an, from the blue waters
of the Hudson to where Euphrates rolls its s~lver ~ood.
.
While science and the arts boast so many 1llustnous .names, there is
another and more extended sphere wher~ individual effor~ has been
exerted with the happiest results, ·and their authors, ~y their deeds of
charity, have won bright and imper~shable crown~ m the realms of
bliss. Was it the united effort of nations'. or of_ priestly synods, that
first sent the oracles of eternal truth to the mhosp1table ~hores of Greenland-or placed the lamp of life in the hut of the ~sqmmeaux:-.or carried a message oflove to the bur_ning clime~ of Afnca-or, that d1Tected
the deluded votaries of idolatry m that bemghted _land where .the Ganes rolls its sacred waters, to Calvarts Sacnfic~, ~ sacnfic~ that
~prinkled with blood the Throne of Justice, ren_de'.mg it accessible to
ruined degraded man. Let the archives of nuss10nary efforts trace
back their origin to the immortal few, :vhose names are enrolled as the
benefactors of mankind, and whose bnght ~xample has found so many
imitators in the present age.
.
.
. .
The spirit of truth is abroad in the earth, enhghtemng and ~van~ehzmg
the whole world; wherever we turn, we . see marshaled m ~nght array the champions of civil and religious liberty. _As long as t11'.1e sh~ll
last grateful Africa will cherish the memory of hun, at whose mtrep1d
voi~e the chains which had so long bound her ?aptive ~ons .were burst
asunder ·-from future ages the incense of gratitude .will anse to Lan. caster, ,~hose system of education is diffus.ing the ~1ght ?f knowledge
from the rising to the.setting surt;-and until the m1llenmal mom ~hall
usher in its glories; let every child of P?v.erty ~less the name of Raikes.
But where pause amid this galaxy of hvmg h~ht, w~ose blended rays
.
have diffused such splendor over tl~e i;noral um verse .
Are the powers of the mind to be hm1_ted t? tlus ~pher~ of action 1 Are
these burning spirits to be forever extrngmshed m the darkness of the

·,
74

GENERAL SUBJECTS.

GENERAL SUBJECTS.

tomb ? We cannot raise the . veil that conceals futurity-we cannot
look beyond the portals of the unseen world-but, this mind, so noble
in its origin, so vast in its conceptions, so powerful in its efforts, must
have a more glorious theatre on which to display its energies. Even
here its influence, is commensurate with its efforts. The consequences of man's actions are not confined to himself; like the sun he is the
centre of a systeln-a system, though small, yet reflecting to others tho
light that emanates from himself. Miml acts upon kindred mind ; like
the wave it gives an impulse to succeeding wave, spreading in everlasting circles, growiug wider and wider, till it mingles with the ocean
of cte~nit.y. It is a th11lling thought, a thought replete with awful interest, that human actions have a bearing upon futurity-that they are
a constituellt part of one vast, unbroken chain, origiuating in the first
creative act of Supreme Intelligence, and extending to the most distant
future, embracing in its vast connections the transactions of the moral
empire of Jel10vah. How inconceivable, how mysterious the concatenation of human actions, and the inHuence of human motive ;-it is a
deep of stormy waters where the fathom , line will tell no soundings ;
where human observation must be confined to the surface. 1Jut •vhen
earth's great drama shall be closed, when the secrets of all hearts shall
be revealed, those. connections shall be exhibited-those motives analyzed-" clouds and thick darkness" will no longer shroud those relations ; for the light of eternity shall be. poured upon human effort, and
human influence.

3. To what animals is he indebted for his fine clothes ? Do fine
.
·
clothes make a gentleman or lady? What then?
4. Are proud persons generally possessed of brilliant talents? Were
W ashihgton, Franklin, and the other good and great men of our country
· ·
·
proud 1
5. What is stated in the Bibl.e about pride and proud persons ?

DUTY.
1. State the meaning of duty.
2. 'Vhat duties do you owe to your parents? Teachers?
Foes ? Yourself? Your Country? Creator? Why?

·PRIDE.

F<iend. !

75

TRUTH.
I. Definition .
2. Always to be spoken-why?

-

DECISION.

l

1. Definition.
2 . Overcomes difficulties~Demosthenes, Columbus, Franklin.
3. \Vho are the most useful persons in community? Should you be
decided to. be diligent in your studies? Why? .Is it always safe to
decide to do right? Why? Who will protect you? Do you thus decitle?
4. Its use will raise you to emin_e nce-its neglect will sink you to ruin.

NoT E.-A little chip, floating on the stream, is toRsed here and there by every little breeze and
. wave ! while the huge log ploughs its course majef! tically along, undisturbed by the raging winds
or foaming billows. The former represents the undecided, th e latter the decided man.

1·

TIME.

i: ~h~~~~~e

more valuable than money? . If you hinder a scholar
, from studying, of what are you robbing him ? Why are robbers of timo
2. Is a proud person happy? is he loved? is he wise for being proud? . more guilty than robbers of money ?

1. Definition.

·;.,,

Anecdote of Washington when six
years old.
·
·
3. Consequences-not believed-when-hated-by whom ? Eternal.
4. What is stated in the Bible about lying ? Ananias.
5 . Results of always speaking the truth.
6. Is it always safe to follow God's directions? E xamples-Noah,
Daniel, Paul. · How safe ?
--.

I

' ~

."'6..- ·"

~

.,

1.

1:'

(

76

DlSCl!SSlONS. ·

GENERAL SUBJECTS.

3. Idle persons end their lives in disgrace. ·
4. Our eternal destiny depends on the use we make of time.-Bible.
NoTE.-A man le confined in prison; ho has access to water only by means of a small tube,
through the wall of his cell, by turning the stopper-the reservoir is concealed from his view, so
that the quantity of water in it is unknown to him. At his entrance ho is told that he must die the
very moment tho last drop of water is gone. After being a short time in the prison, he unthinkingly
turna the stopper and lets the water spirt about the room for amusement ; but at length, sudden
reflection brings him to consider what he is doing ; and he exclaims to himself, "alas ! what a fool
I am, thus to waste this water; for the last drop seals my doom In death, I am ignorant of the
quantity-there may be hundreds of hogsheads, and there may not be a gallon; I will henceforth
nse only what necessity compel• me to do."
The prison is this world, and time Is the water. We know not
we then rightly improve It.

ho~

much remains to us-may

EDUCATION.
1. Definition.

2. Advantages-honors -usefulness-happiness-how?
3. In proportion to the education of a nation, it is rich and powerful. Compare England with' Spain, China, &c.-our country with
Mexico, and with barbarians.
4. Alexander was more indebted to his tutor, Aristotle, than to his
father Philip.
5. Show the effect of education on our own country, by contrasting
its present condition with what it was 300 years ago.
6. What are the most important branches of education ?

EARLY PIETY.
1. Definition.
2. Examples of early piety recorded in the Bible-other examples:
Were they happy, do you suppose ? What other reasons can you give
for early piety? What promises in the Bible are made to the young?
What commands?
·

77

DISCUSSIONS.
N. B. The pupils can take sides-one part . the . affirmative, the
other the negative ..
Which have the most beauties, the works of Nature or of Art ? .
Affirmative. ·.
·
1. Definition of the works of Nature. ·
2. Beautiesofthecreation-trees-fl.owers-meadows-birds-cataracts- natural bridges-"Caves-grottos-siln-moon-stars-rainbow.
Negativq.
'
·
1. Definition of the works of Art.
2. Glass-watches-ships--steam-boats-pyramids-temples-cities.
3. Our country was once under nature's control-one unbmmded
wilderness-now covered with cities, &c.
Does wealth exert more in.fluenc~ over. society than knowledge ?
Affirmative.
·
1. Definition of wealth.
2. Many under the control of a man of wealth-commerce-manufactories-banks-tenants . Examples-Girard, Astor, Rothchilds .
3. The main-spring of the worst vices-Arn,old-Hull-the piraterobber.
·
4. The prop of commerce-manufactories.
5. Conclusion-it content51 the laborer in his toil-for it, man braves
· every danger.
Negative. · .
I. Definition of knowledge.
2. Influence of the teacher-lawyer-Clergyman-statesman.
. 3. Influence of the man of knowledge almost unlimited, as to extent
and time. Arislotle"'-Locke-Watts~N ewton-Franklin-Cresart
-Napoleon-the press.
·
.
• Aristotle.held unlimited control over the opinions of men for fifteen centuries, and governed the
. empire or mind wherever he was !mown.
'
t Cresar's superior skill enabled him to conquer his adversary Pompey, with one helfthe l'ilroe
tbat was opposed to him.
·

, •. '?

78

79

DISCUSSIONS.

DISCUSSIONS.

4. Just in proportion that knowledg~ is ·diffused among a nation, in
the same proportion is it wealthy, and powerful. ' Uvited.-States~Mexico-England-China.
.
.
', .
5: Knowledge is·· the very foundation of wealth and of nations.
6. Conclusion-for knowledge man braves every danger-explorers
of Africa, &c.
'·

Has one person naturally a superior genius .to anotlter?
"
;· , · : ·, Affirmdtive::··· '.
' ' i. Definition·of genius, and naturally. . ', .
l . d school~if2. Difference among c,h.i~dren of ~h~ . same fami y an
ferent tastes. , Examples:--Newton, Watts, Linnreus.
· 3. Difference among savage~;":'"-O_ceola, ;m\1~.k Hawk, &c._.
. • ·! · .· Negative: . · · ; •
!

Does civilization increase ltappiness ?
Affirmative.
1. Definiti~n of civilization-and happiness;
-'
2. Compare the condition of the inhabitants of the civilized, with the
uncivilized country_:_females in both.
·
3. Contrast the present with the ancient inhabitants of England*Sandwich-Islands, in 1820 and 1839.
·
'
·
4. The comforts and luxuries of life-numerous sources of happi·
ness-books-friends-domestic-social-religious.
,'

Negative. ·
1. Pain ancl sickness are often the result of luxury; ·
2. The wants of the savage are few, and h_c is contented with nature's bounty. Not so with the .civili~ed man ; he is d!ssatistied amid
his luxuries-the poor man laments his poverty, the nch man_craves
for more wealth, and is continually anxious for what he now owns.
3 . The civilized world are slaves to fashion, discontent, appetite, and
passion.
4. Numerous diseases.
5. Vice assumes numerous forms unknown to the savage-FriendlyIslands-hence, less crime in reality; therefore less misery.
'

1. Many dull and unpromising sc~cila!·~ have become th~ most dis~
tinguished men; as Mil to~, ·:r;l" ewton, W aher: Scott, A,da~ Clark, Dam el
..
• · · ..
. ·
.
Webster.
. ·
2. Newton stated of himself, that his superiority to common mmdii
\~as not natural but acquired by niental discipline. REF. His memoirs. Hen~e,' we perqeive that the ,mind is capa?le of wonderf~l
improvement . . , In:additiol) to the above,, we have ernment examples m
Sir William· Jones, He~y M:l!-rtyn, and 'Pollock. Hpw_true, "Education forms the mind." · ·
.:
.
..
. . ,
.
3. Differeµce among savages may be owing to t?eir different traming and education-so of the chilclren of any fom1ly-N.apoleon was
'
educated clifferently from his brothers.
' 4. Nations are what their training or education have made themArabs,' Chinese, Tur){S, - • .
".• · 1 ,_ , . '
· 5. Sects-Roman Catholic3, Mahomedans, Pagans.
6. Conclusion-a summing up of the .aq:,ruments.

'

NoTE .-Tho civilized world could enjoy bappincssf8l' superior to the wicivilized, if it would only
use aright the sources of it within its grasp. '
,
•The rude Britons once drank wine from the skulls of their enemies slain in battle.

•• •

Are Novels beneficial? •
Aifirmai(ve.'. - ' • •
t'

•

•

r '

I

;

: . ;

'!

'

J

•, I _~

'

'

>

1. Defimt10n.
· ·' · . :,.
· ·
2. Excite a taste !or readirtg-afford amuse.ment-i!J.tended to,excite
a love of virtue and a hatred of vice . . · ·_·
,
. 3. The mind ~ust be busy: hence 1 those who are -interested in
novels, may thus bo deterred from bad company and dissipation.

..;:;:

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80

DISCUSSIONS.

DISCUSSIONS. '

Negative.

S_abbtlth-School children. Undoubtedly novels are the chief props of infidelity. An atheist of this
city, when asked the cause of his unbelief, stated that .novels had produced this state of mind; these

I. Most novels give distorted and unnatural views of life.

81

.
were his only reading; he had no taste for any other.
2. They are the flimsy, and ephemeral productions of those who
NOTE 2.-An inhabitant of Macedon visited Athens, when in the meridian of Its glory and splendor.
write for bread, or are the offspring of va,nity in the idle. ·
. Be was str~ck with wonder at the brilliant scenes, magnificence, and beauty that met hilf eye on every
3. They decorate vice in gaudy colors, a':1d ent~ce ~he young and
~idc .. All rn strange and new to him; the people are polished,andveryintelligent. He eagerly
mq~1res t~e caus~ of all that seems so strange to him; he is led into a temple and shown a nooK,
unwary to enter her polluted temple~and discredit virtue ; at least
winch he is told is the cause; he with still more surprise takes it into his trembling hands and
they disrobe her of mnch of her loveliness. ·
·
reads on the title page, Homer's Odyssey. · '
'
4. Novels vitiate the taste, as strong liquors do the stomach-the
1'.'0TE 3.-The Koran is the Mahomedan's idol and guide.' The Bible causes the wilderness and
novel-reader disrelishes all useful reading.
sohtary ~lace to bloom and blossom .as the rose; its induence transforms the tiger-fury and madness
5. They ruin the health of their votaries.
of man, ".1to the gentleness of the Iamb, and the harmlessness of the dove.
6. Destroy sympathy, and all noble feelings-many will weep and
cry over imaginary suffering depicted in the silly novel ; but when a
Are Infant-Schools beneficial?
real case of suffering meets their eye, their hearts are steeled, and proof
Affirmative.
'
against feeling.
7. They ruin many-Burrows, the counterfeiter, states that novels
1. !he system interests children-amusement is blended · with infirst caused him to stray from rectitude-they are the only reading of
struct10n-t~ste for knowledge.
·
·
the worst members of society-the only books found in Helen J ewett's
2. Moral mstruction-religious. ·
room after she was murdered, were many of the popular novels of the
3. Early impressions the most lasting.
day-in proportion that a taste for novel reading has increased, in the
same proportion has vice increased.
.
,
.
Negative.
8. Books have a silent, but powerful mfluence m the formation of
character : says a distinguished clergyman, " let me see the private . ,
I. ?-'he memory and .sight only are called into exercise-no mental
books of an individual, and I will tell you his character ;'' says another,
effort IS _m_ade ; hence, mstead of disciplining, they unhinge the mind
"let me write the private books of a nation, and I care not who makes
a_nd lay it m a chaos ?f broken thought ; this accounts for the noto~
the laws." The poems of Homer inspired Alexander with an i~satia­
r~ous· fact, that the pupils from these schools who enter other seminable thirst for fame and military glory, and they were the foundation of
ries, are not_able to compete in any mental effort with those that never
the superstructure that covered the world. The memoirs _of.this conentered an mfant-school. They cannot think accurately judge or rea
querer stamped a like character upon Cresar ; these, and s1m1lar ones,
, .
'
son ; their minds are ruined.
made Napoleon a second Alexander.
NoTE 1.-Thememoir• of Brainard, also stamped his character upon Henry Martyn: hence It i•
ot the uttermost importance, that youth read only books that will have a correct lnlluence. The
lllllll•ger• of the Sabbath-School Union have discontinued the publication of religious novels; for,
to their SUJ'I'rise they discovered that they were sowing the seeds of infidelity In the minds of even

The same remar1'.8 apply also to the Lancaaterian plan. But the defects lie mostly in the wrong
method of conductmg them. I believe with proper management, they may become powerful
&UX!Ilarles of education. ,
NoTE.- The memory ls stimulated, whil'(;the understanding remru ns in darkness and desolation.

----T

82

Are Theatres beneficial ?
Affirmative.
1. All persons require amusement-occupies the mind, and keeps
from scenes of dissipation-if there were no theatres, perhaps worse
amusements would be sought.
.
.
2 . Intended to recommend virtue, and dissuade from vice.
Negative.
1. A school of vice-clerks rob their employers-the drn!1lrnnl's
home-the harlot's rendezvous-the robber's den-the assassm's saloon-Satan's synagogue-a slaughter-house of souls innumerable-of
the father's hope, the mother's joy.

VERSIFICATION.
V 1ms1FICATION is the art of arranging words into lines ?f corresponding length, so as to prOllucc lmrmony by a wgnlar altcrnat1011 of a
yariety of accented and unaccented syllables, accordmg to cert.am laws.
RHYME.

A long syllable generally requires double the time of a short one in
pronouncing it.
POETIC FEET.

In poetry every line consists of a successive combination of accented
and unaccented syllables, called feet. They are called feet because
by their aid, the voice,, as it were, steps along through the ~erse in ~
measured pace.
. All poetic feet consist either of two or three syllables, and are reducible to eight different kinds ; four .of two, and four of three syllables
as follows;
Dissyllables.
An Iambus, - A Trochee, __; A Spondee, - A Pyrrhic, - ..:...-

Tris syllables.
·An Anapest, - - A Dactyl, - - An Amphibrach, - A Tribrach, - - -

IAMBIC VERSE .

UL\SK \':ERSE.

The Lord descenjded from

QliA!:'iT!TL

Quantity is the rcbti1·c portion of time occupicll in pronouncing .a
sdlable . 1\ syl\able or vowel is considered long, when the accc11t is
o.n the vowel;· as, name, Jame; uml short when the accent is on the
consonant; as, i'\rt, btlroncl. In poetry eYery syllable is cons1Lkred as
either lo1w or ~hort.
Every ~ 1 11phatic ,rnnl, arnl cnry accented syllable, forn1s what ls
termed a. long ~yl\nhle . The Hnaccentcd syllable and mrnccented
monosyllabic \"vo1~ds form short syllables.

-

The principal kinds of English Ycrso arc four, \iz : Iambic , Trochnic, Anapestic, and Dactylic
- hence these may be denominated principal fed; because poetry may be formed of either of the se.
The other four arc secondary f eet, because their chief use is to diversify a.nd improve the others.

Rhyme is a similarity of souml between the last syllables of Lliffcrent
lines.
Blank verse is verse without rhyme.

83

VERSIFICATION •.

VERSIFICATION.

I above I and bow'd I the hcav\ens high.

ANAPE STIC VERSE.

At the close

I of the

Ll~LY

I when the hiimllct is st'ill.

TROCHAIC VERSE.

Restless

I mortals I toil fur nilught.
DACTYLIC VERSE.

Boys

wm anjticlpate I lav'ish and I dissipate.

>·::,,.

POETICAL EXERCISES

84

POETICAL EXERCISES.

POETICAL EXERCISES.
Point out the following poems into poetic feet, and state of what kind of
verse-then change into prose.
THE SETTING SUN AN EMBLEM OF A GLORIOUS FUTURITY.
Yon sapphire clouds, and those gleams di~ine,
Oh 1 they tell of a rest far brighter than mme :
A land of all that is hallow'd and dear ;
A land of love, undash'd with a t~ ar ;
Of spring, whose warblers no .wi~ter shall dread,
Of flowers, ne'er braided to die o er the d.ead ;
Of glories unknown in a world such as this,
Of transports untold, in an Eden of bliss !

THE SERENADE.
List! mother, the strains of soft music I hear;
How sweetly the melody falls on my ea~: .
.
Withdraw those dark curtains, the moons silver ~ight,
Will make this sad chamber .of sickness ~eem bnght ;
Throw open the lattice-I i:me. for the au,
And give me yon rose to twme m my hau ;
I fe el what t.hosC1 exquisite numbers must be,
I know my young lover is singing to me .
Oh ! hush, gentle daugllter, no l?ver is nigh,.
H e has left thee in sorrow and si~kness to die,;
Thy beauty has vanished-thy tnumphs are o er,
Arnl gay serenaclers shall woo thee no more.

My voice only greets thee with pitying strain,
I set by thy pillow, I weep for thy pain;
Thou hast now, my poor chllcl, on this desolate sod,
No friend but thy mother, no hope but thy God.
Hark! mother, the sounds more exultingly rise,
A peal of loud joyfulness swells to the skies ;
Our friends some glad festival surely prepare,
And summon us thus in the pageant to share.
Our friends are all changed, love-they pass by our door,
Their smiles and their banquets rejoice not the 11oor;
0 heed not their faithle ssness-quick heaves thy breath,
These subjects befit not the chamber of death.
Again the clear voices that chorus repeat,-Say, mother, was harmony ever so sweet?
I listen, my child, but I hear not a tone,
That music is breathed to no ear but thy own.
0 think not of passion, of pomp, or of mirth,
Thy heart must be weaned from the trifles of earth ;
Those voices proceed from a region of light,My daughter, I feel thou must leave me to-night.
0 mother, a lmowle<lge prophetic is thine,
I am passing from life, yet I do not repine :
Thanks, thanks for thy patience and tenderness past,
But most of this faithful rebuke at the last:
Though the world has its injuries hcn ped on my head,
I mourn not-my mother hangs ornr my bed ;
And the God whom she taught me to serve and to love,
Has sent his kind angels to call me above.

85

POETICAL EXERCISES.

86

87

POETICAL EXERCISES.

Write tlte vacant line in each verse to measure, rliyme, and sense; then
transpose, i. e., cltange it to prose.

THE ORPHAN GIRL.
I have no mother ! for she died
When I was very young ;
Btit her memory still, around my heart,
Like morning mists has hung.
They tell me of an angel form,
That.watchecl me while I slept,
And of a soft and gentle hand,
•

•

#

*

And that same hand that held my own,
When I began to walk,
And the joy that sparkled in her eyes,

*

*

*

*

For they say the mother's heart is pleased
When infant charms expand ;
I wonder if she thinks of me ·

..

..

For I know she is in heaven now,
That holy place of rest ;
For she was ahvays good to me,

*

*

*

ti<

I remember, too, when I was ill,
She kissed my burning brow;
And the tear that fell upon my cheek,

•

•

•

•

And I have still some little books
She learned me how to spell ;
Ancl the chiding, or the kiss she gave,

*

•

•

*

And then ;he used to kneel with me,
And teach me how to pray,
And raise my little hands to heaven,

*

*

*

*

_ti<

•

' ·'

0, mother! mother ! in my heart
Thy image still shall be,
And I will hope in heaven ,at last
•

•

MY GOD DIRECTS THE STORM.*

.

The spirit of the tempest shook .
'His wing of raven hue,

.
... ... ... ...
..

*

*

..

*

•

Up rose the mountain billows high,
And swept a stormy path ; · ·
'

Crash echoed crash! the quivering spars
Broke o'er the leaning side,

•*

••

..

..

•

.••

••

••

The sturdy seaman struggled hard
To hold the yielding helm,
•
•
•..
•..
And when the plunging ruin spurned
Their impotent control,
~

.• .•
.

Upon the raging ocean then,
H elpless was left the bark ;

••

••

••

•*

* The words of a pious capta in, in a storm nl sea, to hie wife,-who was surprif:!ed at his com·
postue and calmness. 'Vhen ull others on board were in extreme fear, nnd inquired the reason, he
made no reply ; but drew a sword, end held it to her breast with a stern look. and inquired if sbe
feared it; "no," was the reply. "Why not!" asked he. "It is in my husband's hands ." 0 So,''
rejoined be, "the wind is in the hand of my God, and he directs the storm,"

. ...r·. ~

..

88

FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE.

FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE.

Upon the deck, alone, there stood
A man of courage high ;

•*

**

•*

••

With folded arms erect he stood,
His countenance was mild-

•*

•*

•*

••

A wild shriek from the cabin roseU p rushed his beauteous bride ;

•

*

*

*
*

*
*

*

•

•

*

"0 why, my love, upon thy lip,"
She cried, "doth play that smile,
~
~

. . .

No word the warrior spake-but he
Drew from beneath his vest

••

••

••

••

*

•

•

:t:

•

*

*
'*'

..

She started not, nor shrieked in dread,
As she had shrieked before ;
"Now why," h e asked, "dost thou not start,
May not thy blood be spilt ?

*

•

•

•

•
*

*

*

•

*
*

*

:if:

Dost wonder then that I am calm,
That fear shakes not my form ?

•

*

*

N. B. In addition to the exercise of transposing poetry into prose,
transpose prose into poetry-blank verse into rhyme-and rhyme into
blank verse, &c.
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE.
A figure of speech is a departure from simplicity. They are divided into two classes ; viz. figures of words, and figures of thoughtthe former are TROPES; the latter, METAPHORS.

89

TROPE means to turn. It is the turning of ii:'word from its original
signification ; as, "to the upright there ariseth light in darkness ;"light
is turned from its original meaning, to signify joy or prosperity, and
darkness adversity.
METAPHOR means a transfer.
"A metaphor is a figure, in which
the words are used in their original signification; but the idea which it
conveys, is transferred from the subject to which it properly belongs
to some other which it resembles : thus we speak of a distinguished
statesman-" he is the pillar of the state."
Change tlw following figurative expressions into plain language.
1. The meridian of our days.
2. The ship ploughs the lonely deep.
3. The king of day, and the queen of night.
4. The morning and evening of life.
5. The wilderness and solitary place shall bloom arnl blossom as the
rose.
G. All the trees shall clap their hands.
An ALLEGORY is the representation of one thing by another-parables, fables, and riddles are allegories.
A H YPERBOJ,E is an exaggeration ; thus, "as quick as lightning."
PERSONIFICATION is the attributing of life to inanimate objects ; as,
" the earth thirsts for rain," " the angry ocean,'' " raging storm," " the
calm shade."
ArosTROPHE is an address to an absent person, as if present-or to
an inanimate object, as if living; as, " 0 my son Absalom, would to
God I had died for thee'" Listen, ye mountains, to my song.
A SIMILE is a resemblance between two obj ects, expressed in form;
as, "A troubled. conscience is like the ocean when ruffled by a storm."
ANTITH ES IS is the opposite of comparison ; or it is one idea opposite,
or opposed to another; as, "Vice is detestable; but virtue is amiable"
-light is agreea.ble, darkness disagreeable.

.. \

.. .

·

STYLE.

STYLE,

CLmAx is the regular ascent of a subject., to the highest degree ; as,
"Man is noble in reason! infinite in faculties ! in form and motion expressive and admirable! in action like an angel! in apprehension like
a God!''

ILLUSTRATION. The smaller the spot upon which the rays of the
sun are collected into a focus, compared with the surface of the glass,
the greater is the splendor ; so in exhibiting our sentiments by speech,
the narrower the compass of words wherein the thoughts are compri~e~,
the more energetic is the · expression: · The sentiment, by a mult1phcity of words, is like David in Saul'~ armor, incumbered and oppressed.
In a concise style, take care that It be not crowded. It should be sugg estive· that is without mentioning every particular, but such as shall
l wnter
. ,s, an d
put the' reader's' mind into the same train of thought as tie
suggest to him more than is actually exi:ir~ssed. Such a styl_e may be
compared to a good map, which marks distm~tly the great. outlme.s, se~­
ting down the principa~ rivers, to.wns, mountams, &c., leav m~ the_1mag1·
nation to supply the villages, hillocks, and streamlets ; which, if they
were all inserted in their due proportion would crowd the map, though
after all they could not be discerned without a microscope.
4. ARRANGEMENT is very important to energy. · The arrangement
of the phrase "great is Diana of the Ephesians," is far snpGrior to the
French translation," "D.iana of the Ephesians is a great Goddess," or
Beausolre's, " the great Diana of the Ephesians," or Saci's, ." live
great Diana of the Ephesians." "Blesse~ is he that cometh m t~ e
mune of the Lord,'' is much more energetic than " he that cometh m
the name of the Lord is blessed." Also, "fallen, fallen, is Dabylon,
that great city," than "Babylon is fallen, fallen." ..

90

STYLE.
P ERSPICUITY, or CLEARNESS, is the first requisite of style. Unin·
telligible language fails of its purpose.
1. Prefer words of Saxon origin. 2. Avoid vulgarisms, seperfluities, and technioal terms.
1. Choice of words.-Pefer
E NERGY is next in importance.
those which are the least abstract and general. The impression produced on the mind by a simple or singular term, is like a di~tinct. view
taken in by the eye . The more general the terms, the famter is the
picture ; the more particular or specific, the brighter.
ILLUSTRATION. Specific-" Consider the lillies , how they gro'~:
they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon m
all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe
the grass, which to-day is in ,the field, and to-morrow is cast into the
oven, how much more will he clothe you ?"
General- Consider the flowers, how they gradually increase in size ;
they perform no labor, and yet I declare unto you, that not any king is,
in his splendid attire, equal to them. If then , God so clothe the Yege·
table world which will soon decay, and be used for the meanest purposes, how much more readily will he provide clothing for you?
2. METAPHOR is to be preferred, in most kinds of composition, to
comparison.
ILLUSTRATION. lrfetaph.or-" Cromwelltrampled on the laws."
Comparison-" Cromwell treated the laws with the same contempt
as a man does who tramples any thing under his feet.
3. N UJllBER.- The more briefly a sentiment is expressed, the greater
is the energy.

91

RECAPITULATIO N.
1. St.udy clear ideas on the subject in view, and practice frequently

composmg.
2. Beware of a servile imitation of any author whatever; but yon
may with profit read carefully standard writers, then close the book, and
write the ideas from memory, and compare them with the original.
3. Adapt the words aml expressions to the subject.
4. Aim to make your expressions so luci1l and impressive as to seem
like a distinct image of the reality. Homer, in the descriptions of his

·'

- .j

92

93

S'l'YLE.

SUDJECTS FOR COMPOSI'l'ION.

battles, "works up the hurry, the terror, and confusion of them in so
masterly a manner, as to place the reader in the very heat of the engagement." Bunyan's Pilgrim, and Holy-War, place the careful reader
in imagination in the midst of the scenes described.
5. Comparison is one powerful means of heightening any emotion, if
we repres ent the present case as stronge r than the one it is compared
with. 1f comparisons are raised to a climax, the effect is much stronger
than the mere presentation of the most striking object. at once. The
traveler who ascends the Alps, or other stupendous mountains, forms
a very inadequ<ite notion of tlte \'astucss of the greater onrs, till Im
as~t,nds some of the less devate1l, ( wl1ich yet arc huge mountains,)
and thence •·iews the others towering above him.
And the mind, no
l ess than the eye, cannot so w ell take in and do justice to any vast object at a single glance, as by seniral successive apprnaclws and compari sons ; as in Cicero's oration against V errcs : " It is an outrage to biml
rr Homan citizen; to scourge him, an atrocim1s crime; to put him to
death, is alrnost parricide; but. to crimfi; him-wlrnt shall l call it 1"
Also, iu his oratioll for i\lilu-" An assassin was placrLl in the Fum111,
anrl in the n'ry pnrch f)f the Srnatc-lto11sr, with a dcsiun to 11nmlcr tltc
m<i11 on wlwsc life dqwllllcd tlte safdy of lite state, a111l at. su critical a.
ju11cture of' the rt']Htblic, tlta.t if lte lwli fallen, not this cillj alunc, but ull
11al/IJ11s must. !tan• Lilien \1·1th ltim ."
G. U11illj is 1-e1s important; i. c .. a connection of thc sen•ral parts
with some one lc aclit1g· dC'siun of tlw sentence.
Tlwrc should be hut
OllC proposition <'Xjll'CSsCd; . if it consists of' pnrfs , they lllUS I Jw :'<O intilllateJy cu1111cctcd as tu make tlw i111prcssiun of b11t rnw oLiecl 01t the
miud; tur this pmposc, take carc that in tlte constructio11, tltc scellc he
ch:1nge1l as little as possildo.
NcYcr crowc\ into one st·11tcncC', t\1ings
which have so little co11nicction. th:lt tliey cnuJ.l hP'1r In he divi1\p1] i1110
two or more. N c1·cr insert a. parclllhcsts in the mill<llc of a sentence,
but let it he coml'lctc and hrouultt to :t full <iml pcrf1;ct close .
7. Harmo111; rnc<111s ;1grccahlc so1111d; for which purpose, care nrnst
be taken that such words he clwscn as arc composed of smooth
and liqnid sounds, with a proper imcrmixturc of rnwcls au,l consonants.

8. The Introduction of a theme shoulcl be brief rrnd vivid.
9. Aiguments may be embodied under the following heads: 1st,
Example-these may be divided into real and invented; the former bemg
drawn from actual matter of fact, the other from a supposed case ; therefore the former is the strongest.
2nd, Testimony-an agreement of
several concurrent testimonies, where there had been no concert, is goocl
proof. 3rd, From cause to ~fleet. 4th, From Analog'/; i. e., slight resemhbnco.
10. Beware of let.ting one division of the subject run into the other.

LIST OF SUBJECTS FOR COMPOSITION.
Advantagc.r~

of knowing

or

IloncRty.
!lope.

Gcna:rnphy.
Takin~ a 11nv~p~prr.

Jliligencc.

Disc:rnc.

Humility.
Bypocrii::y.
lmmoro.lit y .
Immortality.
ln(lolcncc .

AUcwling a Sa hhath -

j >is ~\ r~r ion.

Tn1ln~try.

Disobedience.
Early i1ie!y.

In.grnticutlc.
.Tcalousy.
Joy.
Kinclness.

\\-rili11£!'.

Composition.
Grnmmar.

Sd1ool or

Bible·

Clas l'.I .

On

Consistency.
Contentment.
f'ourng-e.
Cruelty.
Curi osity.

how to read.

System.
Vice.
Virtu0.

Jnseds.
nepliles.

Use of domestic ani·
m;i.\s.

\\'i\d animals.

Tre e~ .

<

~

AllCct:i_tion.

Envy.

,\ ffec tion.
Anger.

E vn1ing-.
Ex1 ravngance.
Fa s hion .
Fai t h.

Learning.
Love.
Lnxnry.

Fire .
\Vntcr.

Mrn! c sty.

Fnrgivf'nCRR.
Fortunn.
Fri e n ds hip.

Morning.
Mu~ic.

Steam.
Sun.
Moon.

1\cg:ligcncc .

Siar~ .

G e1iius.

Your senses .

Jlrihit.

Order.
Pride.

II:ipp i n ~ .-:s.

Srnson!"I.

History.

Self· government.

Cnrrle"l~nc9s.

C alumny.
Choice of
ninns.
Charity.

Candor.

Compn·

•..''0 '

JllantR.

Education.

H!0graphy.

.''!
.;\

Hirrl ~ .

Adw~rsity.

Bcau!y.
Dcn c "olc nc e.

-· i

·~

Minerals.

Air.

The ocean.

~·

SUBJECTS FOR ,$JOMPOSITION.

SUBJECTS FOR COl\!POSITION.

94
Has

Intemperance

caused

more misCry than 'Var!

Who docs the most injury to
80ciety 1 the robber or slrmdl'rer!
\Vbich i8 the most ueeful study,

Arithmetic or Geography 1
Re:lding or writing 1
Grammar or composition 1
'Katural or J\Ie11tal
Jilly!

rhiloso~

I

History or Logic 1
Languages or Scicnr.cs !
Is tobacco necessary !

ls it right to wear mourning

Tra or rn!Tcc ~
\Vlrnt Are the pror!; of our rc-

o,·cr sneilfy th:m fem ilks '1
Ji:; a lie jnstifl:!ble in any ca~c?

publii.:. 1
'Vas Napoleon a curse or
blessing to t.he world 1
Is ambit.ion a vice 1
Is it wise to follow the faoh-

Is tho inlcllcct oftlic Ettr()rcnn
~npcrlor to the African ~

io1IB ~

appnrcl !
Hnve males more iuJlucnce

j

I

18 war right?

ls .slavery right?
VVhy ~lwuld yon avohl evil
r1..1n111nny?
I

Chemistry or Ilotany?

Now. my young friend.you may write Fables yourself, an<l the morals
from them, on th<~ following subjects.
The Imlustrious :mLl Idle Doy.
IlullerJ1v and Dec .
Du~ :rnJ Fox.
flo~vers and W ccds.
Arithmetic and Novel.
Spiller and the Fly.
Dog and Thief.
Sparrow aml Hawk.
Dog and Wolf.
Eagle and Lion.

Thc S11n and ]\loon.
Ship and Ocean.
Trarnkr rincl hi.s Staff
Peacock and (Toose.
Rich and poor Man.
BPgg;tr and pro11d Boy
River and Brook.
Brother and Sister.
Wind and Sun.
Intemperance and War.

I

Describe a journey to Cincinnati~a voyage to New-York- to Can- .
ton.
Descnbe a huntmg excursion-a fishing excursion-a whaling
voyage .
· ·-·
·
ri~e na1i:ies of all the principa'. cities and large towns in the world,
begmnmg _with the lette1: A, and 111 the column opposite the countries
they ~re m; and occas10nally resume .this exerci~e in alphabetical
order ."
·
Journal of the past week. Journal of a voyage to London-ParisCalcutta- around the world.
Description of Doston- IIartfordN ew- York-Philadelphia- Baltimore-\Vashincrton-London. Describe the Yarious religious sects of the world- manners arnl cus~oms of different _11atior:s.
Describe a storm at sea-a shipwreck-a
journey. Descnbc a frrc-a fire-engine. Describe a tour to N cw-Orleans-to South-Arnericri-to l\lcxico. An account of'\Vasl1inotonL~fayette- Napoleon-Henry l\'lartyn- Drainard--N cwt on--Fr~nklin.
'\\ luch is the strongest passion, lorn or anger 7 \Vl1ich is the most
useful, fire or waler 1 The ocean or the land 1 Is light, matter? ] s
hea l, matter 1 Why is it that tlw pressure of liquids Jcpclllls onlv on
alt!lude 1 \Vhy do we see objects erect, ~inee tht>ir ining·cs on the n~tina
are mvertcd 1 Are the reasons gfrcn in om philosophies c;al isfactory i
\Vim'. :ire tlrn ndnntagcs of the expansion of heat and the conlrncti~n
of cold ? W ~at woul_d be the consequence if the freezing of ice was
not an cxceptwn to thrn law. \Vhy iis it that any thi11a let. r~n from 1.he
mast of~. vessel in motion, strikes a point direc-tly p~·pendicular from
whence lL was dropped? Describe a farm-~. garden.
Dcscnbc tlw manners and eusl.oms of the l'rc11ch-Sp:111ish-Dutch
-Chmese- Arabs- Tartars- Turks- Africans. The dress of differ·
ent nations- their food.
·

'Y

*I recently gave out this exercise to a elas~ as n suhjcct for their composition exercise, and
one pupil wrote tile names of 197, commencing tile letter A., and tile names of the countries
'''here situated.

•-'~
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96

SUBJECTS J:'.O}t COMPOSITION.

State the names of the different quadrupeds in the various parts of
the world; and the place of their nativity. Other animals-birds-fish .
. Describe the various kinds of government and religion-the articles of
commerce between the different nations-the soil and production of
different countries-climate-the prevailing diseases-internal improvements-Institutions-boundaries-rivers-chief-towns-moun~

tiYns-the degrees of civilization ; causes-the treatment
. "'''"warm-springs-mineral-springs-salt-springs.

of

females

THE ENIJ,

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