essary. 8. PRO POR' TION ED, made with due symmetry, or suitableness.

HOW TO IMPROVE THE PRESENT TIME.

1. It is said, by a distinguished writer, "Take care of the minutes, and the hours will take care of themselves." This is an admirable hint, and might be very seasonably recollected, when we begin to be "weary in well doing," from the thought of having a great deal to do.

2. The present is all we have to manage; the past can not be recalled; the future is uncertain; nor is it proper to burden one moment with the weight of the next. Were we to walk a hundred miles, we should take but one step at a time, yet this progress continued, would infallibly lead us to our journey's end.

3. Fatigue always increases, by calculating in a minute the exertions of hours. Thus, in looking forward to future life, let us recollect that we have not to sustain all its toil, sufferings, and crosses at once. One moment comes laden with its own little burden, then flies, and is succeeded by another no heavier than the last.

4. In looking forward even to a single day, the spirit may sometimes faint, from an anticipation of the labors and trials that may be expected. Now, this is unjustly laying the burden of many moments upon one.

5. It seems easier to do right to-morrow than to-day, merely, because we forget that when to-morrow comes, then will be now.

This life passes with many, in resolutions for the future, which the present never fulfills.

6. It is not thus with those who, "by patient continuance in well doing, seek for glory, honor, and immortality." Day by day, minute by minute, they execute the appointed task, to which the requisite measure of time and strength is proportioned; having worked while it was called day, they at length rest from their labors, and their works follow them. Let us, then," whatever our hands find to do, do it with our might," recollecting that now is the proper and accepted time.

QUESTIONS.-1. What valuable remark is given in the first paragraph? 2. What portion of time have we the most to do with? 3. In what way is fatigue increased? 4. How are we enabled to sustain the toils, sufferings, and crosses of life? 5. How do many persons pass their time? 6. Which is the most proper time to perform what we have to do?

LESSON LXVI.

Spell and Define-1. OUT' STRIP, to outgo; to advance beyond. 2. HU' MOR ED, yielded to in wishes or desires 3. AS SIGN', to allot; to appoint.

Can you repeat Rule XI?

THE PAPER KITE.-A FABLE

1. ONCE on a time, a paper kite
Had mounted to a wondrous hight;
Where, giddy with its elevation,
It thus expressed self-admiration :

2. "See how yon crowds of gazing people, Admire my flight above the steeple!

How would they wonder, if they knew
All that a kite like me could do!
Were I but free, I'd take a flight,
And pierce the clouds beyond their sight;-
But ah! a prisoner, lo, I'm bound
By this vile cord, so near the ground;
But let me go without a string,

And I'll outstrip the eagle's wing."

3. It tugged and pulled, while thus it spoke, To break the string;-at last it broke! Deprived at once of all its stay,

In vain it tried to soar away;
Unable now its weight to bear,

It fluttered downward through the air;--
Unable its own course to guide,

The winds soon plunged it in the tide.
O, foolish kite! thou hadst no wing,
How couldst thou fly without a string?

1. My heart replied, "O Lord, I see
How much the kite resembles me.
Forgetful that by Thee I stand,
Impatient of Thy ruling hand,

How oft I've wished to break the lines,
Thy wisdom for my lot assigns!
How oft indulged a vain desire

For something more or something higher!
And but for grace and love divine,

A fall thus dreadful had been mine."

QUESTIONS.-1. What do you understand by self admiration? 2. What is the kite represented as thinking it could do without a string? 3. What became of the kite

when it broke the string? 4. What does the falling kite resemble ? 5. Do we not sometimes wish to break away from the restraints of our best friends?

LESSON LXVII.

Spell ana Define-1. SI MOOM', a hot suffocating wind that blows occasionally in Africa and Arabia. 2. SPEED'. ING, hastening; hurrying. 3. A'RAB, a native of Arabia; literally, a wanderer, or dweller in a desert. 4. Sus' TENANCE, food; that which supports life. 5. DES' ERT, a wilderness; a vast plain in its natural state. collection of trees or shrubs closely set. uninhabited. 8. GI RAFFE', the comelopard. In reading this lesson, avoid a singing tone. Which words should be emphasized, in the first line, 1st verse?

THE OSTRICH.

6. THICK' ET, a 7. DES' O LATE,

1. NoT in the land of a thousand flowers,
Not in the glorious spice-wood bowers,
Not in fair islands by bright seas embraced,
Lives the wild ostrich, the bird of the waste.
2. Come on to the desert, his dwelling is there,
Where the breath of the simoom is hot in the air;
To the desert, where never a green blade grew,
Where never its shadow a broad tree threw,
Where sands rise up, and in columns are wheeled
By winds in the desert, like hosts in the field;
Yes, there in the desert, like armies for war,
The flocks of the ostrich are seen from afar,
Speeding on, speeding on, o'er the desolate plain,
While the fleet, mounted Arab pursueth in vain!

3. But 'tis joy to the traveler who toils thro' the land,
The egg of the ostrich to find in the sand,
'Tis sustenance for him, when his store is low,
And weary with travel, he journeyeth slow

To the well of the desert, and finds it at last, Seven days' journey from that he nath passed. 4. Or go to the Caffre-land-what if you meet A print in the sand of the strong lion's feet! He is down in the thicket, asleep in his lair; Come on to the desert, the ostrich is there; There, there! where the zebras are flying in haste, The herd of the ostrich comes down o'er the waste, Half running, half flying,-what progress they make! Twang the bow! not an arrow their flight can o'ertake. 5. Strong bird of the wild, thou art gone like the wind, And thou leavest the clouds of thy speeding behind; Fare thee well! In thy desolate region, farewell; With the giraffe and lion, we leave thee to dwell.

QUESTIONS.-1. Where is the ostrich found? 2. What description is given of the desert? 3. Do ostriches gather themselves in flocks? 4. What sometimes produces joy to the traveler, as he journeys over the desert? 5. What is said of the speed of the ostrich? 6. Mention some of the animals that live where the ostrich does? 7. What use is sometimes made of the feathers of the ostrich ? 8. What is said of the ostrich in the book of Job? See Chap. xxxix. from the 13th to the 18th verse.

LESSON LXVIII.

Spell and Define-1. E LEC TRIC' AL, containing electrio ity. 2. DI VER' SION, sport; play; literally, a turning aside, as that of stream. 3. IR' RI TA TED, provoked; excited. 4. Be numb' ED, deprived of feeling. 5. MESS'-MATE, an associate in eating. 6. RUD' DER, the instrument, by which a ship is steered. 7. A GHAST', amazed. 8. CON' VEX, roundish on the outside. 9. AB RUPT LY, suddenly. 10. CoмMU' NI CA TED, imparted. 11. LEAGUE, a contract between two or more persons; a union. 12. CON DUCT' ORS, leaders; substances which receive and communicate Electricity.