LESSON XXI.

CONSONANT SOUNDS IN COMBINATION.

rp as in carp, harp, sharp, warp.
rs as in curse, nurse, purse, worse.
rst as in burst, curs'd, first, worst.
rt as in art, cart, part, tart.

We one day descried some shapeless object drifting at a distance.*

To an American visiting Europe, the long voyage he has to make is an excellent preparative.

Returning Good for Evil.

"I WILL be revenged on him, that I will, and make him heartily repent it," said little Philip to himself, with a countenance, quite red with anger. His mind was so engaged, that, as he walked along, he did not see his friend Stephen, who happened at that instant to meet him, and consequently heard what he had said.

"Who is that," said Stephen, "on whom you intend to be revenged?" Philip stopped short, and, looking at his friend, soon resumed the smile that was natural to his countenance. "Come with me,"

* This sentence is sometimes read as if it were spelled thus I one day descried some shapely sobjic driftin utty distance.

said he, "and you shall see. You have seen the little cane which father gave me, and farmer Robinson's son has broken it in pieces."

Stephen very kindly asked him what induced the farmer's son to break it. "I was walking very peaceably) along," replied Philip, "and was playing with my cane, by twisting it round my body. By accident, one of the two ends got out of my hand, when I was opposite the gate near the wooden bridge, and overset a pitcher, but did not break it, which he had placed there.

"He (immediately) came up to me, and began to call me names; when I assured him I did not intend any harm what I had done was by accident, and I was very sorry for it. Without paying any regard to what I said, he instantly seized my cane, and broke it, as you see; but I will make him heartily repent it."

"He is a very wicked boy," said Stephen, "and finds it very difficult to get any good boys to play with him. If he attempts to intrude, himself into their company, they all instantly leave him. When you consider this, I think you will not care for the injury he has done you."

"But he has broken my cane," replied Philip. "It was a present from my father; and a very pretty present it was. He will ask me what has become of it, and will be very sorry to hear that it is broken. The boy has injured me, and I will be revenged."

"My dear friend," said Stephen, “I think you will do better not to notice him, as your contempt will be

the best punishment you can inflict upon him. You may be assured that he will always be able to do more mischief) to you than you would choose to do to him. He attempted to be revenged, not long since, and I will tell you how he succeeded.

"He one day caught a bee that was hovering about a flower, and was about to pull off its wings, out of sport, when the animal found means to sting him, and then flew in safety to the hive. The pain put him into a furious passion, and, like you, he de termined to take a severe revenge.

"He accordingly procured a little hazel stick, and thrust it through the hole into the beehive, twisting it about therein. By this means he killed several of the little animals; but, in a few moments, all the swarm issued out, and, falling upon him, stung him severely In many places.

"You will naturally suppose that he uttered the most piercing cries, and rolled upon the ground in the excess of his agony. His father ran to him, and with the greatest difficulty rescued him; but he was so much injured as to confine him to the house for several days.

"Thus, you see, he was not very successful in his pursuit of revenge. I would advise you, therefore, to pass over this insult, and leave others to punish him, without your taking any part in it."

"I must own," replied Philip, "that your advice seems very good. Go with me to my father, and I will tell him the whole matter. I value the cane

only as it was a present from my father, and I wish to convince him that I take care of every thing he gives me."

He and his friend then went together, and Philip told his father all that had happened. His father thanked Stephen for the good advice he had given his son, and gave Philip another cane equally as good as the first.

A few days afterwards, as Philip was riding along upon his father's horse, he saw this ill-natured boy sitting by the side of the road and crying bitterly. Philip stopped his horse, and asked him why he cried The boy replied that, in getting over the wall, he had hurt his foot so badly that he could not walk.

so.

Philip then kindly offered to assist him in getting home. He got down from the saddle, helped the boy to get on, and then walked by the side of the horse till he came to farmer Robinson's house. After helping the boy dismount, and go into the house, he went on his way.

Young Robinson was now quite ashamed of his bad behavior to Philip in breaking his cane, and heartily repented of it. Philip went home quite satisfied with himself, because he had assisted one he did not love, from pure motives of tenderness and humanity "This," said he, "is the noblest revenge I could take returning good for evil.”

LESSON XXII.

We are Seven.

A SIMPLE child,

That lightly draws its breath, And feels its life in every limb, What should it know of death?

I met a little cottage girl;

She was eight years old, she said; Her hair was thick with many a curl, That clustered round her head.

She had a rustic, woodland air,
And she was wildly clad;
Her eyes were fair, and very fair;
Her beauty made me glad.

"Sisters and brothers, little maid, How many may you be?" "How many? Seven in all," she said, And, wondering, looked at me.

"And where are they? I pray you tell." She answered, "Seven are we; And two of us at Conway dwell,

And two are gone to sea.

"Two of us in the churchyard lie,

My sister and my brother;