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do they manage to rise? 8. How can they guide them. selves in any direction they may choose?

LESSON XLVI.

Spell and Define-1. CEN' TU RY, 2. GI GAN' TIC, like a giant; very large. size; bulk. 4. UN MO LEST' ED, free 5. DIS PERS' ED, separated; scattered.

a hundred years. 3. DI MEN' SION, from disturbance. 6. UN A VAIL' ING,

9. POIS' ED,

10. AT MOS PHERE,

useless; ineffectual. 7. CLAM' OR OUS, noisy; loud. 8. IN DE CIS' ION, (IN, not.), want of firmness. balanced; made equal in weight. the surrounding air. 11. TAL' ONS, claws of a fowl. 12. DIS TRI BU' TION, act of dividing. 13. Ec' STA SY, excessive joy; transport.

jured.

14. PER' SE CU TED, harassed; in

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THE OLD EAGLE TREE.

1. In a remote field stood a large tulip tree, apparently of a century's growth, and one of the most gigantic of that splendid species.

It looked like the father of the surrounding forest. A single tree, of huge dimensions, standing all alone, is a sublime object.

2. On the top of this tree, an old eagle, commonly called the "Fishing Eagle," had built her nest every year, for many years, and, unmolested, raised her young. What is remarkable, as she procured her food from the ocean, this tree stood full ten miles from the sea-shore. It had long been known as the "Old Eagle Tree."

3. On a warm sunny day, the workmen were hoeing corn in an adjoining field. At a certain hour of the day, the old eagle was known to set off for the sea-side, to gather food for her young.

4. As she this day returned with a large fish in her claws, the workmen surrounded the tree, and, by yelling, and hooting, and throwing stones, so scared the poor bird that she dropped her fish, and they carried it off in triumph.

5. The men soon dispersed ; but Joseph sat down under a bush near by, to watch, and to bestow unavailing pity. The bird soon returned to her nest without food. The eaglets at once set up a cry for food, so shrill, so clear, and so clamorous, that the boy was greatly moved.

6. The parent bird seemed to try to soothe them; but their appetites were too keen, and it was all in vain. She then perched herself on a limb near them, and looked down into

the nest with a look that seemed to know not what to do next."

say, "I

7. Her indecision was but momentary; again she poised herself, uttered one or two sharp notes, as if telling them to "lie still," balanced her body, spread her wings, and was away again for the sea!

8. Joseph was determined to see the result. His eye followed her till she grew small,-smaller, a mere speck in the sky, and then disappeared. What boy has not thus watched the flight of the bird of his country in this way?

9. She was gone nearly two hours, about double her usual time for a voyage; when she again returned, on a slow, weary wing, flying uncommonly low, in order to have a heavier atmosphere to sustain her, with another fish in her talons.

10. On nearing the field, she made a circuit around it, to see if her enemies were again there. Finding the coast clear, she once more reached her tree, drooping, faint, and weary, and evidently nearly exhausted. Again the eaglets set up their cry, which was soon hushed by the distribution of a dinner, such as-save the cooking-a king might admire.

11. "Glorious bird!" cried the boy in ecstasy, and aloud; "what a spirit! Other birds can fly swifter, others can sing more sweetly, others can scream more loudly; but what other bird, when persecuted and robbed

when weary-when discouraged--when so far from sea,-would do it!

12. "Glorious bird! I will learn a lesson from thee to-day. I will never forget hereafter, that when the spirit is determined, it can do almost any thing. Others would have drooped and hung the head, and mourned over the cruelty of man, and sighed over the wants of the nestlings; but thou, by at once recovering the loss, hast forgotten all.

13. "I will learn of thee noble bird! I will remember this. I will set my mark high, I will try to do something, and to be something in the world; I will never yield to discouragements.'

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QUESTIONS.-1. Can you describe the tulip tree, on which the eagle built her nest? 2. How far did it stand from the sea-shore, where the eagle procured food for her young? 3. What trick did the workmen play upon the old eagle, as she returned one day with a fish in her claws? 4. What did the eaglets then do? 5. Did the old eagle try to soothe them? 6. What course did she finally pursue? 7. How long was she gone? 8. What did she do as she came near the nest ? 9. What did Joseph say as he saw the old eagle's resolution and perseverance?

10. What lesson did he learn from the conduct of this "Glorious bird ?"

LESSON XLVII.

Spell and Define-1. PRO FOUND', deep; learned. 2. ZEPH' YR, a gentle west wind. 3. EX PANSE', a wide extent of space. 4. MAJ ES TY, grandeur; dignity. 5. NA' VIES, ships of war; fleets. 6. AN' CHOR, an iron instrument for holding ships. 7. DE PLO' RA BLE, lamentable; sad. 8. PU' TRIL, corrupt; rotten. 9. SAL' U TAEY, wholesome; healthful. 10. AL TER' NATE LY, by turns;

in succession. 11. RE PINE', to murmur; to complain. 12. IN FEC' TIOUS, corrupting.

Which Rule is to be observed in reading this piece?

THE FORCE AND EFFECTS OF THE WIND.

1. How often we observe a profound calm over the face of nature. Every breeze is hushed, and not a zephyr breathes to disturb the glassy expanse of the ocean; but short and deceitful is this appearance. Suddenly the wind is heard, gathering strength as it advances, and grows up into the majesty of a storm.

2. The raging tempest now spends its fury; navies are rent from their anchors; trees are torn up by their roots; and houses are swept from their foundations. Such are the effects of wind; and whatever may be its consequences, it becomes us not to repine at the dealings of the Almighty, or account those the most deplorable evils which are wisely sent us for the best of purposes.

3. But still more dreadful would be the consequences, did neither air nor ocean feel the wind; to both of which it is as necessary, as the motion of the sap in plants, and the circulation of the blood in animals.

4. It is, however, happily so ordered, that where putrid and poisonous substances would prove fatal to life, wholesome breezes and salutary gales alternately spring up to sweep away their infectious influence, and so purify the atmosphere, as to render it both safe and pleasant; and where heat is felt to an alarm

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