LESSON XLVI. SPELL AND DEFINE-1. Auctioneer, one who exposes goods for sale to the highest bidder. 2. Relic, that which remains. 3. Antique', old; old fashioned. 4. Pa tri arch'al, belonging to the age of the fathers. 5. Longevity, length of life. 6. Despotism, arbitrary government. 7. San'ity, soundness of mind. 8. Monitor, one who admonishes of fault or duty. 9. Plumage, feathers; here means, gaudy ornaments. 10. Desecrated, profaned. 11. Degenerate, having declined from natural excellence. 12. Annals, history related in the exact order of time. Another Old Clock.-BOSTON REGISTER. 1. The clock which for many years hung in the interior of the “old brick” meeting-house, in this city, after various fortunes, lately fell into the hands of the auctioneer. At the time of the sale, the auctioneer actually delivered the following speech, which we have been permitted to publish. We venture to affirm that a more appropriate and witty speech never fell from the lips of the most celebrated orators at vendues. 2. “Here is a relic of the early days of our country's annals, a remnant saved; antique of its kind, and venerable for every association connected with its history—the old church clock--bearing a mark of patriarchal longevity in the date, that speaks it one hundred and eighteen years of age. Yet, while it has ticked and struck off the thousands and tens of thousands, who have looked on its calm face, into eternity, it is still in good time, and going! going ! 3. “ Though its existence was begun in the land of kings, moved by the spirit of our pious fathers, it followed them to the land of pilgrims, and was consecrated to serve in the house of God, whom they came hither to worship as the children of his kingdom, and not as spiritual slaves to earthly despotism. This sober, ever-going clock came over in the days of caution and sanity. It came when a sea voyage was a serious thing, and religion a serious thing, and a church clock a serious thing. It counted the moments while the minister of God was preaching, and his hearers listening, of eternity. It echoed his text, • Take heed how ye hear. 4. “ Then was there real clock-work and order in men's minds and principles. Vanity did not then stare this vener. able monitor in the face, and study the while how to display its plumage. Avarice did not dare, under its measured click,' to be planning in the temple how io lay up goods for many years. Nor was pride then puffed up by the breath of its own nostrils, while this minute-hand was showing its duration cut shorter at the beat of every pulse. 5. “Now, who will suffer this venerable memento of those days to be desecrated ? Who will not wish to possess him. self of it, as a relic of the age of simplicity and godly sincerity ? Look at its aged but unwrinkled face. It is calm, for it has not to answer for the sermons it has heard. Look at it, ye degenerate sons of New England ! Do ye not seem to see the shade go back on the dial-plate to the days of your fathers, and to hear the voices of those aged servants of God, who went from their preaching to their reward? I would speak more, but the hour is come. To whom shall it be sold ?” QUESTIONS.—1. What was exposed for sale by the auctioneer? 2. What did he say of its age? 3. When did it come over the sea? 4. What had been its employment? 5. What was then the character of men ? What inflection has going, second verse? What are the two Rules for inflections at questions? How should the last line in the second verse be read? LESSON XLVII. SPELL AND DEFINE-1. Stern, severe; difficult of access. 2. Giant, like a giant--very large. 3. Moored, made fast in a station. 4. Aisles narrow passages in a forest; walks in a church. 5. Hoary, gray. 6. An them, a sacred song. Landing of the Pilgrim Fathers.—Mrs. HEMANS. 1. The breaking waves dashed high On a stern and rock-bound coast, Their giant branches tost; On the wild New England shore. They, the true-hearted, came, And the trumpet that sounds of fame; Not as the flying come, In silence and in fear; With their hymns of lofty cheer. And the stars heard and the sea ; To the anthem of the free. From his nest by the white wave's foam, This was their welcome home! 4. There were men with hoary hair, Amidst that pilgrim-band : Away from their childhood's land ? eye, And the fiery heart of youth. Bright jewels of the mine? pure shrine. The soil where first they trod : FREEDOM TO WORSHIP GOD ! QUESTIONS.—1. Describe the waves, the woods, and the night, when the pilgrim fathers reached the New England shore. 2. How did they not come? 3. What said of their music? 4. Of the ocean-eagle? 5. What different ones were in this band? 6. What did they seek? 7. Where did the pilgrim fathers first land ? 8. What did they leave to their posterity ? Why a falling inflection at afar, fifth verse? Why rising at the other questions in that verse ? What difficulty in giving a distinct articulation in the last line but one, second verse? What exercise is sometimes calculated to secure a distinct articulation ? (Les. II. 7.) Where, in the last verse, occur rhetorical pauses? What two lines in the last verse should be read in a lower tone of voice than the rest ? Do the lines of this poetry contain an equal number of syllables ? LESSON XLVIII. SPELL AND DEFINE-1. Narcis'sus, a flower, otherwise called the daffodil. 2. Strand, shore of the sea. 3. Mystic, having some secret meaning; obscure. 4. Main, the ocean. 5. Supernal, higher; heavenly. 6. Whelming, covering as with water. 7. Ire, anger. 8. Expunge, blot out; hence, to destroy one's self. 9. Vie, to contend; to strive. ` 10. Fran. tic, mad; wild; raving. 11. Chides, rebukes. Rudbari and Hassan.--Woods. Translated from the German Version of a Persian Poem, written in tho thirteenth century.] Strange hap befell a father and his son. vie. He resolved to take him o'er the waters wild. 2. The ship is on the strand-friends, brothers, parents, there Take the last leave with mingled tears and prayer. And the bounding wave shall never tempt me more. 3. Then Rudbari spoke :-" And does my brave boy fear The ocean's face to see, and his thundering voice to hear? [hears; Hold me not back; I will not be denied.” Could I not, Hassan, share that joy with thee." The cause of the mystic air that round him played : Thy words, my father, can not turn away I'll plunge thee headlong in the whelming tide.” And in the depths of boundless being plunge." As the flying snow-flake melts on a summer heath. A moment Rudbari stood, as fixedly bound As the pearl is by the shell that clasps it round. Then he followed his Hassan with a frantic leap; And they slumber both on the bottom of the deep! QUESTIONS.—1. What was Rudbari's occupation? 2. Where did he wish to take his son? 3. Who uttered the last four lines of the second verse? 4. Did Hassan fear the sea? 5. What did his father threaten to do? 6. What did Hassan say and do? 7. What did Rudbari do? 8. What is said of them in the last line? What pause occurs near the middle of each line in this poetry? What are the poetic pauses? (Les. XII. Rem. 6.) Should the sentences, uttered by the father and the son, be read in the same tone of voice? Which should be read in the higher pitch? (Les. X. 4.) What inflection do friends, brothers, parents, take, in the first line, second verse? Why is Infinite, printed in capitals, fourth line, fourth verse? What inflection at hear, third verse? How should the last line of this lesson be read? (Les. III. 3.) |