ness. There was something about him, which spoke of better days and a higher destiny. By what errors or misfortunes he was reduced to his humble condition, was a secret which he would reveal to none. Silent, reserved, and thoughtful, he stood a stranger among his free companions, and never was his voice heard in the laughter or the jest. He has undoubtedly left behind many who will long look for his Iturn, and bitterly weep when they are told they shall see his face no more. 4. As the remains of the poor sailor were brought up on deck, wound in that hammock which, through many a stormy night, had swung to the wind, one could not but observe the big tear that stole unconsciously down the rough cheeks of his hardy companions. When the funeral service was read to that most affecting passage, "we commit this body to the deep," and the plank was raised which precipitated to the momentary eddy of the wave the quickly disappearing form, a heavy sigh from those around, told that the strong heart of the sailor can be touched with grief, and that a truly unaffected sorrow may accompany virtue, in its most unpretending form, to its ocean grave. Yet how soon is such a scene forgotten! "As from the wing the sky no scar retains, The parted wave no furrow from the keel, 5. There is something peculiarly melancholy and impressive in a burial at sea: there is here no coffin or hearse, procession or tolling bell,-nothing that gradually prepares us for the final separation. The body is wound in the drapery of its couch, much as if the deceased were only in a quiet and temporary sleep. In these habiliments of seeming slumber, it is dropped into the wave, the waters close over it, the vessel passes quickly on, and not a solitary trace is left to tell where sunk from light and life, one that loved to look at the sky and breathe this vital air. 6. There is nothing that, for one moment, can point to the deep, unvisited resting-place of the departed, it is a grave in the midst of the ocean,-in the midst of a vast, untrodden solitude. Affection can not approach it, with its tears; the dews of heaven can not reach it; and there is around it no violet, or shrub, or murmuring stream. 7. It may be superstitious; but no advantages of wealth, or honor, or power, through life, would reconcile me at its close to such a burial. I would rather share the coarse and scanty provisions of the simplest cabin, and drop away unknown and unhonored by the world, so that my final restingplace be beneath some green tree, by the side of some living stream, or in some familiar spot, where the few that loved me in life, might visit me in death. 8. But, whether our grave be in the fragrant shade, or in the fathomless ocean, among our kindred, or in the midst of strangers, the day is coming when we shall all appear at one universal bar, and receive from a righteous Judge the award of our deeds. He that is wisest, penetrates the future the deepest. QUESTIONS.-1. What is said of death? 2. What, of death at sea? 3. What renders a burial at sea peculiarly melancholy and impressive? LESSON XCV. MYS TE' RI OUS, secret; mystical. AR' GO SIE$, ships of great burden. SCORN' FUL, disdainful. THE TREASURES OF THE DEEP. MRS. HEMANS. 1. WHAT hid'st thou in thy treasure-caves and cells? We ask not such from thee. 2. Yet more, the depths have more! what wealth untold, Sweep o'er thy spoils, thou wild and wrathful main ! 3. Yet more, the depths have more! thy waves have rolled Above the cities of a world gone by! Sand hath filled up the palaces of old, 4. Yet more, the billows and the depths have more ! High hearts and brave are gathered to thy breast! They hear not now the booming waters roar; The battle-thunders will not break their rest. Keep thy red gold and gems, thou stormy grave! Give back the true and brave! 5. Give back the lost and lovely, those for whom The place was kept at board and hearth so long, The prayer went up through midnight's breathless gloom, 6. To thee the love of woman hath gone down; QUESTIONS.-1. What are some of the treasures of the deep? 2. What treasures has the sea won from trading vessels? 3. Over what does the sea roll? 4. What does the writer call on the sea to restore? Gently and humanly; Not of the stains of her; All that remains of her Now, is pure womanly. 3. Make no deep scrutiny Into her mutiny, Rash and undutiful; Past all dishonor, 6. Loop up her tresses Escaped from the comb,Her fair auburn tresses; While wonderment guesses Where was her home? 7 Who was her father? Who was her mother? Had she a sister'? Had she a brother'? 8. Alas! for the rarity 9. Sisterly, brotherly, 10. Where the lamps quiver So far in the river, With many a light 11. The bleak winds of March Made her tremble and shiver. But not the dark arch, Or the black flowing river, Swift to be hurled- 12. In she plunged boldly, No matter how coldly The rough river ran— Picture it-think of it, Dissolute Man! 13. Take her up tenderly, Lift her with care, Fashioned so slenderly, Young, and so fair! 14. Perishing gloomily, Spurred by contumely, Cold inhumanity, Burning insanity, Into her rest, Cross her hands humbly, 15. Owning her weakness, Her sins to her Savior! |