THE SAILOR AND THE MONKEYS.

A sailor once went ashore on the coast of South America. His desire was to reach a town at some distance from the coast.

He had with him a number of red caps which he wished to sell there. On his way he had to pass through woods in which he saw almost everywhere bands of monkeys climbing among the trees.

At mid-day, as the sun was right overhead, the sailor sat down to rest under the shade of a large tree. Taking one of his caps out of his bundle, he put it on his head, lay down, and soon fell fast asleep. He awoke after an hour, and got up to go on his way.

But where were his caps ?

A most noisy chattering was going on among the thick leaves above him.

He looked up quickly and saw the trees alive with monkeys, and on the head of each monkey was a red cap!

The little mimics had watched him put one on, and, having stolen his caps while he was sleeping, had put them upon their black heads, chattering and grinning their delight with their new prize.

The sailor shouted at the monkeys, and called to them, and ground his teeth in rage. The monkeys only grinned at his anger, scattered themselves among the trees, and chattered the louder.

At last, the poor sailor gave up trying to get his caps back. Tearing off the one which he had on his head, and out of all patience, he threw it upon the ground, crying out: "There! you little rogues, if you will keep the rest, take this one too!"

To the sailor's great surprise, as though his act had been a signal, each little monkey snatched the cap from his head and threw it upon the ground.

So, the sailor got back all his caps and traveled on very proud and happy.

THE MONKEY AND THE CATS.

Two hungry cats, that had stolen some cheese, could not agree how to divide it between them.

So, they went to law, and took counsel of a cunning monkey, who was also to be the judge and decide for them.

The monkey put the two pieces of cheese, which the cats had brought him, upon the two sides of the scales, to see if they were of equal weight.

"Let me see," said the judge, with a sly look; "this piece weighs more than the other;" and he bit off a large mouthful.

"Here, sir! that isn't your cheese!" cried one of the cats.

"Well," said the monkey, "don't I have to see that neither of you has more than the other?"

The other side of the scales had now

become too heavy; so the honest judge helped himself to a second bite; this time from the other piece.

"Stop! what are you eating our cheese for?" cried the other cat.

"My friends, your pieces must be both alike," said the very just judge.

Upon this, he nibbled first one piece and then the other, till the poor cats, seeing all their cheese about to be eaten up, cried as with one voice:

"Hold! hold! Give me my part of what is left, and I will be content!"

"If you are content," said the monkey, "justice is not; the law, my friends, must have its course." And he took another bite.

Then the cats most humbly asked him not to put himself to any further trouble, but to give them the little that was left.

"Ha! ha! ha! not so fast, good ladies," said the monkey; "I owe justice to myself as well as to you! What is left belongs to me as the lawyer."

Upon this, he crammed the whole into

his mouth at once, and very gravely broke up the court.

This story teaches us that it is better to put up with a small loss, than to go to law and lose all we have.

LANGUAGE LESSONS.

Let pupils give answers in complete sentences, oral or written.

How many animals are spoken of in this lesson?
What did two of them differ about?

Who was called in to help them agree?
Describe the scales.

Was the monkey a good judge?

What is meant by "justice ?"

What does this lesson teach us?

By "law?”

COMPOSITION.

Subject: THE MONKEY.

What is his shape? His size?

What is his color?

Where does he live ?

What can he do? Is he active ?

What can you say of his hands?

How does he use his tail?

What tricks can he do?

Is he a mimic?

Have you seen a monkey? Where?
What was he doing?