VII.

"Twenty-five pair of fowls - now how plaguesome it is
That I can't reckon up as much money as this!
Well, there's no use in trying; so let's give a guess ;
I will say twenty pounds, and it can't be much less.

VIII.

"Twenty pounds, I am certain, will buy me a cow,
Thirty geese, two turkeys, and eight pigs, anyhow ;
Now, if these turn out well, at the end of the year
I shall fill both my pockets with guineas, 't is clear.

IX.

"Then I'll bid that old tumble-down hovel good-by;
My mother she'll scold, and my sisters they'll cry;
But I won't care a crow's egg for all they can say ;
I sha' n't go to stop with such beggars as they!"

X.

But forgetting her burden, when this she had said,
The maid superciliously tossed up her head;

When, alas for her prospects! her milk-pail descended;
And so all her schemes for the future were ended.

XI.

This moral, I think, may be safely attached :

Reckon not on your chickens before they are hatched.

Jeffreys Taylor.

EXERCISE.

1. A milkmaid poised a full pail on her head.

2. She mused on her prospects in life.

3. This milk will procure fourscore good eggs.

4. How plaguesome it is that I can't reckon up so much money. 5. I will bid that tumble-down hovel good-by.

6. She forgot her burden when she had said this.

7. The maid superciliously tossed up her head.

8. Her milk-pail descended; and so all her schemes for the future were ended.

THE CAPTURE OF QUEBEC.

XII. THE CAPTURE OF QUEBEC.

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T was towards the last of June, 1759, that the English

Orleans, a few miles below Quebec. Here Wolfe had an opportunity to examine the difficulties he had to overcome. He perceived that they were very great, but declared to his friends that he would either take the city or die in the attempt.

2. He devised various schemes, and made several efforts, but without success. Montcalm, the French commander, was exceedingly vigilant, and even the confident spirit of Wolfe began to be dejected.

3. But at length a narrow path was discovered, by which the soldiers might climb the heights of Abraham, and thus overlook the forts and the town. Wolfe knew that if he could get possession of these heights, he should obtain a great advantage. Accordingly, he resolved to make the attempt. But it was necessary that the enterprise should be conducted with the greatest secrecy.

4. In the stillness of night, a part of the army landed at the foot of the cliff which overhung the river. They were ready to climb the rocks by daybreak. Wolfe was himself among them, and they began their difficult task.

5. Clambering up the steep, they caught hold of roots, bushes, and angles of the rocks, and at length stood safe upon the plain above. Before sunrise the whole army had gained the heights, and were all arranged under their several leaders.

6. When Montcalm heard of all this, he thought it impossible, and would not believe the story; but he soon found it to be true. Knowing that he must now come to battle, he drew out his men upon the plain in front of the English army.

7. When all was ready, the French advanced briskly. The English stood still, and received them with a dreadful fire. A fierce engagement followed, and after a long

struggle the French were defeated. Montcalm and Wolfe were both mortally wounded.

8. General Wolfe died on the field of battle. He had received a bullet in his wrist, and another in his leg; but he concealed these wounds, and pressed into the thickest of the fight. But by and by he was shot in the body, and carried off the field.

9. When he was dying, he heard some one say, "They fly! they fly!" "Who fly?" said he. The French," was the answer. "Then I die contented," said the hero, and expired.

10. Five days after this battle, Quebec surrendered to the English, and it has ever since remained in their posS. G. Goodrich.

session.

Why, sir, d' ye think I've lost my eyes? “”T were no great loss," the friend replies ; "For if they always serve you thus, You'll find them of but little use."

VIII.

So high at last the contest rose,

From words they almost came to blows:
When, luckily, came by a third ;
To him the question they referred,
And begged he 'd tell them, if he knew,
Whether the thing was green or blue.

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IX.

"Sirs," cries the umpire, 66 cease your pother;
The creature 's neither one nor t' other.
I caught the animal last night,
And viewed it o'er by candle-light;
I marked it well; 't was black as jet.
You stare; but, sirs, I've got it yet,
And can produce it." "Pray, sir, do;
I'll lay my life the thing is blue,"

And I'll be sworn, that when you 've seen
The reptile, you 'll pronounce him green."

X.

"Well, then, at once to end the doubt,"
Replies the man, "I'll turn him out;
And when before your eyes I've set him,
If you don't find him black, I'll eat him."
He said; and full before their sight
Produced the beast, and lo! 't was white.

IN THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES THE SCHOLAR WILL CHANGE AS MANY WORDS OR PHRASES AS HE CAN WITHOUT ALTERING THE SENSE.

1. I have often observed a haughty, vain, prating fellow.

2. He returns from a finished tour, grown ten times perter than before.

3. He asks you to submit, and rest satisfied with his conclusion. 4. Two travellers of such a cast passed over the wilds of Arabia. 5. The foot of a chameleon is with triple claw disjoined.