much I miss it: I learned to read like my neighbors, but I never learned the meaning, and I find it a hard thing to turn up the dictionary for every word.'"

The truth is, from the manner in which the education of the lower orders has generally been conducted, parents in that rank of life have for the most part been quite satisfied that their children have received a good education when they have been taught to read, conceiving that this mechanical attainment is in some inexplicable way or other to act as a charm, though they be quite unable to apply it to any beneficial purpose. In good truth, set a young learner, or an old one either, thus educated, to read any book in which words occur unfamiliar to him in the narrow range of his every-day talk, and he will not understand perhaps one word in twenty, and that is called reading!

But why speak only of the lower orders? Go a step higher-and you find hundreds and thousands of very pleasant ladies and gentlemen, who are no deacons in their vernacular. They are far indeed from being mistresses and masters of their own tongue, however glibly they may wag it. Set one of them to read rather a difficult sermon, on a Sunday evening, and you will perceive from a peculiar expression of face, that many wordsof considerable importance-go in at one ear, and out at the other, without having deposited-in transitu-anything in the shape of an idea. In the more advanced classes of all academies-grammar-schools,-a portion of the time of the lads ought to be devoted to the study of their own language. But the boys, it is said, will despise such a class-and still think themselves not in the grammarschool," but the "reading-school." Not if the class be taught on right principles. Not

"If, along with due attention to good reading, the understanding of the pupils be at the same time cultivated, which is the best source of that elegant accomplishment; if they be made

well acquainted with the full force and meaning, as well as the grammar, of their own tongue, and also its connexion with those languages which they learn at their other hours of study; if, as they advance, they be instructed in the principles and trained to the practice of composition; and if their English reading be throughout rendered the means of forming their taste, and the vehicle of general information."

All judicious mothers do, in fact, teach their little ones according to their ability, by the explanatory method; and when the time comes, when more or all mothers shall themselves have been taught by that method, the rising generation, before they even go to school at all, will know more than they now often do after they have been at some schools for a year or two years. For, in teaching her child to read, does not the judicious mother take pains to show her child the benefit of reading,-or rather to make him feel the benefit of it? Would she not, says Mr. Wood, in picking out for him the smallest words, when she comes to the word ox, for example, tell him not by any regular definition, but in the simplest language, that it meant the animal which he had so often seen grazing in the meadows? Would she not do the same with regard to every tree or plant? Or, as his capacities unfolded, would she not gradually proceed to communicate to him such higher information, as his lessons might suggest? But this natural teaching has been too often banished by artificial teaching; and the meanings of words have been less attended to than the sounds. Gentle reader! You can now read excellently well, and are seldom if ever puzzled to understand even our Magazine. But tell us now-were you not accustomed, when saying your lesson, to mouth out the words as fast as you could, with a strong but not unpleasant pulpit accent, (which, by the way, you still retain,) and with an indifference, too, and ignorance of the meaning of multitudes of them

by what means we know not-a finished scholar-you look back upon with shame and astonishment?

Mr. Wood, who frequently enlivens his discussions by little apt anecdotes and allusions, refers to the account which the amiable Murdoch, the preceptor of Burns, gives of his own method of instruction, which coincides remarkably with that practised in the Sessional School.

"The books,' he says, 'most commonly used in the school, were the Spelling Book, the New Testament, the Bible, Mason's Collection of Prose and Verse, and Fisher's English Grammar. They (Robert and Gilbert Burns) committed to memory the hymns, and other poems of that collection, with uncommon facility.

method pursued by their father and me in instructing them, which was to make them thoroughly acquainted with the meaning of every word in each sentence, that was to be committed to memory.' [Why only in these ?] By the by, this may be easier done, and at an earlier period, than is generally thought. As soon as they were capable of it, I taught them to turn verse into its natural prose order, sometimes to substitute synonymous expressions for poetical words, and to supply all the ellipses. These, you know, are the means of knowing that the pupil understands his author. These are expedient helps to the arrangement of words and sentences, as well as to a variety of expression.' (To be continued.)

YOU'LL come to our Ball;-since we parted, I've thought of you, more than I'll say; Indeed, I was half broken-hearted,

For a week, when they took you away. Fond Fancy brought back to my slumbers Our walks on the Ness and the Den, And echoed the musical numbers

Which you used to sing to me then.
I know the romance, since it's over,
"Twere idle, or worse, to recall :
I know you're a terrible rover;

It's only a year, since at College

You put on your cap and your gown; But, Clarence, you're grown out of knowledge,

And changed from the spur to the crown; The voice that was best when it faltered

Is fuller and firmer in tone;

Miss Hyacinth threatens a rout; The walk is laid down with fresh gravel; Papa is laid up with the gout:

And Jane has gone on with her easels,

And Anne has gone off with Sir Paul ; And Fanny is sick of the measles,— And I'll tell you the rest at the Ball.

tered,

Dear Clarence, it is not your own: Your cravat was badly selected,

Your coat don't become you at all; And why is your hair so neglected? You must have it curled for our Ball,

I've often been out upon Haldon,

To look for a covey with Pup; I've often been over to Shaldon,

To see how your boat is laid up: In spite of the terrors of Aunty,

I've ridden the filly you broke; And I've studied your sweet little Dante,

And the Fairy of Willowbrook Farm, And Lucy, who made me so silly

At Dawlish, by taking your arm; Miss Manners, who always abused you, For talking so much about Hock; And her sister who often amused you, By raving of rebels and Rock; And something which surely would answer, An heiress, quite fresh from Bengal ; So, though you were seldom a dancer, You'll dance, just for once, at our Ball. But out on the world!-from the flowers It shuts out the sunshine of truth;

But of those you remember most newly, Of those who delight or enthrall, None love you a quarter so truly

As some you will find at our Ball. They tell me you've many who flatter, Because of your wit and your song; They tell me (and what does it matter?) You like to be praised by the throng: They tell me you're shadowed with laurel, They tell me you're loved by a Blue; They tell me you're sadly immoral,—

Dear Clarence, that cannot be true! But to me you are still what I found you Before you grew clever and tall; And you'll think of the spell that once bound

you;

And you'll come-won't you come ?—to our Ball!

[The following is an extract from a letter supposed to be written by a Frenchman, showing the extreme difficulty of teaching our language to foreigners, on account of our having so many significations to the same word,—a beauty and a fault (and it is both) in which, it is believed, the English language surpasses all others. The amusing stranger complains that the servants mystified him "with all the boxes," so "that it was impossible that a stranger could miss to be perplexed."]

I AM a gentleman, and my goods are in the public rentes,* and a chateau with a handsome propriety on the bank of the Loire, which I lend to a merchant English, who pay me very well in London for my expenses. Very well. I like the peace, nevertheless that I was force, at other time, to go to war with Napoleon. But it is passed. So I come to Paris in my proper post-chaise, where I selled him, and hire one, for almost nothing at all, for bring me to Calais all alone, because I will not bring my valet to speak French here where all the world is ignorant.

The morning following, I get upon the vaporing boat to walk so far as Douvres. It was fine day-and, after I am recover myself of a malady of the sea, I walk myself about the shep, and I see a great mechanic of wood,

with iron wheel, and thing to push up inside, and handle to turn. It seemed to be ingenuous, and proper to hoist great burdens. They use it for shoving the timber, what come down of the vessel, into the place; and they tell me it was call "Jacques in the box" and I was very much please with the invention so novel.

Very well. I go again promenade upon the board of the vessel, and I look at the compass, and little boy sailor come and sit him down, and begin to chatter like the little monkey. Then the man what turns a wheel about and about laugh, and say, "very well, Jacques," but I not understand one word the little fellow say. So I make inquire, and they tell me he was "box the compass.' "" I was surprise, but I tell myself, "well, never mind ;" and so we arrive at Douvres. I find myself enough well in the hotel, but as there has been no table d'hote, I ask for some dinner, and it was long time I wait: and so I walk myself to the customary house, and give the key to my portmanteau to the Douaniers, or excisemen, as you call, for them to see as I had not no snuggles in my equipage. Very well-I return at my hotel, and meet one of the waiters, who tell me, (after I stand little moment to the door to see the world what pass by upon a coach at

Sir," he say, Сс

the instant,) dinner is ready.”

'your Very well," I make response, "where was it?" "This way, sir," he answer, "I have put it in a box in the café room." "Well-never mind," I say to myself, "when a man himself finds in a stranger country, he must be never surprised. 'Nil admirari.' Keep the eyes opened, and stare at nothing at all."

I found my dinner only there there,* because I was so soon come from France; but, I learn, another sort of the box was a partition and table particular in a saloon, and I keep there when I eated some good sole fritted, and some not cooked mutton cutlet; and a gentleman what was put in another box, perhaps Mr. Mathew, because nobody not can know him twice, like a cameleon he is, call for the "pepper box." Very well. I take a cup of coffee, and then all my hards and portmanteau come with a wheelbarrow; and, because it was my intention to voyage up at London with the coach, and I find my many little things was not convenient, I ask the waiter where I may buy a night sack, or get them tie up all together in a burden. He was well attentive at my cares, and responded, that he shall find me a box to put them all into. Well, I say nothing to all but "Yes," for fear to discover my ignorance; so he bring the little box for the clothes and things into the great box what I was put into; and he did my affairs in it very well. Then I ask him for some spectacle in the town, and he send boot-boy with me so far as the Theatre, and I go in to pay. It was shabby poor little place, but the man what set to have the money, when I say "how much," asked me if I would not go into the boxes. Very well,"

I say, never mind—oh yes—to be sure;" and I find very soon the box was the loge, same thing. I had not understanding sufficient in your tongue then to comprehend all what I hear only one poor maiger doctor, what had

* Là là, signifies passable, indifferent.

been to give his physic too long time at a cavalier old man, was condemned to swallow up a whole box of his proper pills. "Very well," I say, "that must be egregious. It is cannot be possible ;" but they bring little a box not more grand nor my thumb. It seem to be to me very ridiculous; so I returned to my hotel at despair how I could possibility learn a language what meant so many differents in one word.

I found the same waiter, who, so soon as I come in, tell me, “Sir, did you not say that you would go by the coach to-morrow morning?" I replied "Yes-and I have bespeaked a seat out of the side, because I shall wish to amuse myself with the country, and you have no cabriolets† in your coaches." "Sir," he say, very polite, "if you shall allow me, I would recommend you the box, and then the coachman shall tell everything.""Very well," I reply, "yes-to be sure-I shall have a box then-yes;" and then I demanded a fire into my chamber, because I think myself enrhumed upon the sea, and the maid of the chamber come to send me in bed: but I say, "No so quick, if you please; I will write to some friend how I find myself in England. Very well

She was

here is the fire, but perhaps it shall go out before I have finish." pretty laughing young woman, and say, "Oh no, sir, if you pull the bell, the porter, who sit up all night, will come, unless you like to attend to it yourself, and then you will find the coal-box in the closet." Well-I say nothing but "yes-oh yes." But, when she is gone, I look direct into the closet, and see a box not no more like none of the other boxes what I see all day than nothing.

Well-I write at my friends, and then I tumble about when I wake, and dream in the sleep what should possibly be the description of the box what I must be put in to-morrow for my voyage.

In the morning, it was very fine time, I see the coach at the door, and I walk all round before they bring the horses; but I see nothing what they can call boxes, only the same kind as what my little business was put into. So I ask for the post of letters at a little boots boy, who showed me by the Quay, and tell me, pointing by his finger at a window-"There see, there was the letter-box," and I perceive a crevice. "Very well-all box again to-day,” I say, and give my letter to the master of postes, and go away again at the coach, where I very soon find out what was coach-box, and mount myself upon it. Then come the coachman, habilitated like the gentleman, and the first word he say was"Keep-horses! Bring my box-coat!" and he push up a grand capote with many scrapes.

"I

So

"But-never mind," I say; shall see all the boxes in time." he kick his leg upon the board, and cry "cheat!" and we are out into the country in lesser than one minute, and roll at so grand pace, what I have had fear we will be reversed. But after little times, I take courage, and we begin to entertain together: but I hear one of the wheels cry squeak, so I tell him, "Sir-one of the wheel would be greased;" then he make reply, nonchalancely, "Oh-it is nothing but one of the boxes what is too tight." But it is very long time after as I learn that wheel a box was pipe of iron what go turn round upon the axle.

Well-we fly away at the pace of charge. I see great castles, many; then come a pretty house of country well ornamented, and I make inquire what it should be. "Oh!" responded he, “I not remember the gentleman's name, but it is what we call a snug country box."

Then I feel myself abymed at despair, and begin to suspect that he amused himself. But, still I tell myself, "Well-never mind; we shall see." And then after sometimes, there come another house, all alone in a forest, not ornated at all. What, how you call that?" I demand of 10 ATHENEUM, VOL. 2, 3d series.

him.-" Oh!" he responded again, That is a shooting box of Lord Killfots."-" Oh!" I cry at last out, "that is little too strong;" but he hoisted his shoulders and say nothing. Well, we come at a house of country, ancient, with the trees cut like some peacocks, and I demand, "What you call these trees?"-" Bor, sir," he tell me. "Devil is in the box," I say

at myself. "But-never mind; we shall see." So I myself refreshed with a pinch of snuff and offer him, and he take very polite, and remark upon an instant, "That is a very handsome box of yours, sir."

"Morbleu !" I exclaimed with inadvertencyness, but I stop myself. Then he pull out his snuff-box, and I take a pinch, because I like at home to be sociable when I am out at voyages, and not show some pride with inferior. It was of wood beautiful with turnings, and color of yellowish. So I was pleased to admire very much, and inquire the name of the wood, and again he say, "Box, Sir!" WellI hold myself with patience, but it was difficilly; and we keep with great gallop, till we come at a great crowd of the people. Then I say, "What for all so large concourse?"—" Oh !" he response again, "there is one grand boxing match-a battle here to-day.""Peste !" I tell myself, "a battle of boxes! Well, never mind! I hope it can be a combat at the outrance, and they all shall destroy one another, for I am fatigued."

Well-we arrive at an hotel, very superb, all as it ought, and I demand a morsel to refresh myself. I go into a salon, but, before I finish, great noise come into the passage, and I pull the bell's rope to demand why so great tapage? The waiter tell me, and he laugh at same time, but very civil no less, "Oh, sir, it is only two of the women what quarrel, and one has given another a box on the ear."

Well-I go back on the coach-box, but I look, as I pass, at all the women ear, for the box; but not none I see. "Well," I tell myself once more, "never mind, we shall see ;" and we