8. What was the famous Ben Jonson? He was first a brick-layer, or mason! What was he in after years? 'Tis needless to answer. What was Burns? An Ayrshire plowman! What was he in after life, in the estimation of his countrymen, and the world? Your library gives the answer! 9. But shall we go on, and call up, in proud array, all the mighty host of worthies that have lived and died, who were cradled in the lap of penury, and received their first lessons in the school of affliction'? Nay'; we have cited instances enough already,—yea, more than enough to prove the point in question—namely, that there is no profession, however low in the opinion of the world, but has been honored with earth's greatest and worthiest. 1 10. Young man! press hard upon you, your despairing soul'? Have courage! Mighty ones have been your predecessors, and have withstood the current of opposition that threatened to overwhelm their fragile bark. Does the iron hand of misfortune and disappointments well-nigh sink 11. Do you despise your humble station, and repine that Providence has not placed you in some nobler sphere'? Murmur not against the dispensations of an All-wise Creator! Remember that wealth is no criterion of moral rectitude or intellectual worth,—that riches dishonestly gained, are a lasting curse,—that virtue and uprightness work out a rich reward,—and that "An honest man's the noblest work of God." 12. And when dark Disappointment comes, do not wither at her stare; but press forward, and the prize is yours! It was thus with Franklin,-it can be thus with you. strove for the prize, and he won it! So may you! 'Tis Ho well worth contending for; and may success attend you, and the "stars" grow brighter, as the "stripes" wear deeper! QUESTIONS-1. What did the rich boy say of the poor boy? 2. What reply did the poor boy make? 3. What other examples are cited of eminent men who were once poor? 4. What is said of Cincinnatus? 5. Of Washington? 6. Of Ben Jonson? 7. Of Burns? 8. What do all these examples prove? 9. What encouragement is given to young men? 10. What are the full forms of the words you're, 'prentice? LESSON XLVII. MAG' IC, power of enchantment. CREST' ED, adorned with a plume or VEST URE, garment. FA TIGUING, wearisome; toilsome. PER SPECT IVE, (PER, through; SPECT, to see; IVE, having the power,) having the power to see through; a view through. UN DI VERT ED, (UN, not; DI, aside; VERTED, turned,) not turned aside; unheeded. NOW AND THEN. 1. IN distant days,—of wild romance, Of magic, mist, and fable, JANE TAYLOob. When stones could argue, trees advance,* And brutes to talk were able, When shrubs and flowers were said to preach, *The reference is to Orpheus, (or' füse,) an ancient poet and musician of Greece. The skill of Orpheus on the lyre, was fabled to have been such as to move the very trees and rocks, and to assemble the beasts around him as he touched its chords. 2. 'Twas then, no doubt, if 'twas at all, That Then and Now, two adverbs small, But how they made each other hear, 3. Then was a sprite of subtile frame, Her sparkling eyes of azure hue, Seemed borrowed from the distant blue. 4. Now rested on the solid earth, 5. Then sang a wild, fantastic song, Still stretching, as she sailed along, Where clouds of radiance, fringed with gold, 6. Now rarely raised her sober eye In hope of Then's assistance; 7. She ate the sweet, but homely fare, And waited for the fruits and flowers 8. Now, venturing once to ask her why, 9. "Alas!" says she, "how hard you toil! 10. "That fairy land that looks so real, Thus, while you wait for times ideal, 11. "Ah, well," said Then, "I envy not With thousands of my neighbors; "But that," says Now, "you never will!' 12. "And e'en suppose you should," said she, Turns Now to Then, and THEN to Now." QUESTIONS.-1. What two words are represented as holding a contro ersy? 2. Describe the appearance of each. 3. When did Then propose to do something? 4. How did Now act? 5. What answer did Then make, when Now asked her why she waited? 6. What was Now's reply? 7. What did Now finally say to Then? 8. How should passages, within a parenthesis, be read? See SANDERS' UNION READER, NUMBER THREE, page 20. 1. In the early part of the war, a sergeant and twelve armed men undertook a journey through the wilderness, in the State of New Hampshire. Their route was remote from any settlement, and they were under the necessity of encamping over night in the woods. Nothing material happened |