LESSON XXXVI. WORDS FOR SPELLING AND DEFINING. PLY' ING, working; employing. CON' FAB, talk; conversation. BE QUILE', elude; while away. PHIL O SOPH IC AL, thoughtful. wise ; GAUD' Y, showy; splendid; gay No' TA BLE, remarkable; strange THE ANT AND THE BUTTERFLY. 1. A butterfly gay, in the month of July, When flowerets were in their full bloom, Fatigued with its pleasures, it rested awhile ANON. 2. "Ah, why, foolish thing, dost thou work like a slave ? Why toil on this beautiful day? Come ramble with me, and thou pleasure shalt have, I toil not like thee, yet I live like a king, And riot in garden and grove; The sweets of the flowers I enjoy as they spring, 3. "Behold for thyself, too, how gay I appear! How blest my condition, how pleasant my cheer, Enjoyment and pleasures our hours shall beguile, 4. The ant, with a true philosophical eye, Viewed the butterfly's gaudy attire; Next paused, shrugged his shoulders, then made this reply: Methinks you would tumble and flutter about, And wish yourself safe in my hut; But, if, by good fortune, you chanced to get out, 5. "But that's a misfortune you never may meet, Then where are your perfumes that now are so sweet? As for me, while there's plenty, I make me a home, I've a refuge to fly to, when perils do come; 6. Some men, like the butterfly, madly pursue But some, like the ant, are industrious and wise, They lay up their treasure above the bright skies, QUESTIONS.-1. What did the butterfly invite the ant to do? 2. What motives were urged to persuade him? 3. What was the ant's reply? 4. In what respect do some men resemble the butterfly? LESSON XXXVII. WORDS FOR SPELLING AND DEFINING. STRANDED driven on the shore. ( ART I SAN, workman. EP AU LET, shoulder-knot. PLUME, feather. IN' LAID, wrought in. THE SILVER BIRD'S-NEST. 1. A stranded soldier's epaulet The waters cast ashore; On that lone idle vest, her sight, She knew not why she should deny H. F. GOULD. 2. The shining wire she pecked and twirled; Her house to make, she would not take, 3. And, when the little artisan, Of these, inlaid with skill, she made 4. But do you think the tender brood Were prouder when they understood Do you suppose they ever rose, Because they knew they peeped and grew QUESTIONS.-1. What did the little bird find on the strand? 2, What did she then do with the epaulet? 8. Were the young birds in the nest prouder, because of the brightness about them? 4. Were they any the better for being brought up in a silver nest? 5 Are children the better merely on account of having rich parents ? LESSON XXXVIII. WORDS FOR SPELLING AND DEFINING. } PE CUL' IAR, special; particular. ELDERS, Seniors. IM PROVEMENT, advancement. REF U TATION, act of refuting. IN VID' I OUS, envious; hateful. PER EMP TO RY, positive; de- SE RENITY, mildness; calmness. 1. If we would improve our minds by conversation, it is a great happiness to be acquainted with persons wiser than ourselves. It is a piece of useful advice, therefore, to get the favor of their conversation frequently, as far as circumstances will allow and, if they happen to be a little reserved, use all obliging methods to draw out of them what may increase your own knowledge. 2. If you happen to be in company with a merchant or a sailor, a farmer or a mechanic, a milkmaid or a spinster, lead them into a discourse of the matters of their own peculiar province or profession; for every one knows, or should know, his own business best. In this sense, a common mechanic is wiser than a philosopher. By this means, you may gain some improvement in knowledge from every one you meet. 3. Attend, with sincere diligence, while any of the company is declaring his sense of the question proposed; hear the argument with patience, though it differ ever so much from your sentiments; for you yourself are very desirous to be heard with patience by others who differ from you. Let not your thoughts be active and busy all the while to find out something to contradict, and by what means to oppose the speaker, especially, in matters which are not brought to an issue. 4. This is a frequent and unhappy temper and practice. You should rather be intent and solicitous to take up the mind and meaning of the speaker, zealous to seize and approve all that is true in his discourse, nor yet should you want courage to oppose where it is necessary; but let your modesty and patience, and a friendly temper, be as conspicuous as your zeal. 5. As you should carry about with you a constant and sincere sense of your own ignorance, so you should not be afraid or ashamed to confess this ignorance, by taking all proper opportunities to ask and inquire for further information; whether it be the meaning of a word, the nature of a thing, the reason of a proposition, or the custom of a nation. Never remain in ignorance for want of asking. 6. Be not too forward, especially, in the younger part of life, to determine any question in company with an infallible and peremptory sentence, nor speak with assuming airs, and with a decisive tone of voice. A young man, in the presence of his elders, should rather hear and attend, and weigh the arguments which are brought for the proof or refutation of any doubtful proposition; and, when it is your turn to speak, propose your thoughts rather in the way of inquiry. 7. Take heed of affecting always to shine in company above the rest, and to display the riches of your own understanding or your oratory, as though you would render yourself admirable to all that are present. This is seldom wel taken in polite company; much less should you use such forms of speech as would insinuate the ignorance or dullness of those with whom you converse. 8. Banish utterly out of your conversation, and, especially, out of all learned and intellectual conference, everything |