5. I forgot the weeds which sprung up and grew so much faster than the flowers. It was true, I was sometimes reminded of them, as I went to view my plants just peeping out of the ground; but then I thought I could not yet distinguish between them and the weeds; so I let them grow together.

6. My mother, as it happened, left home just as I began my garden, and returned in time to find my plants and flowers choked and over-run with weeds. I was vexed with myself, and ashamed, and did take the hoe to commence what I ought to have done long before; but, it was too late! for, in attempting to remove the weeds, I was obliged to destroy my poor stunted plants, which seemed only to reproach me for my neglect.

7. As my mother went out to look at my garden, I wondered what she would say; for she was all mildness, and never spoke roughly. Now she was silent,-I turned away, and as I was doing so, I heard her sigh, and that was all I heard.

8. It was more than a month after this, that I came home from school one day, tired and vexed, and throwing down my books, pettishly exclaimed, “I will never study any more; it is of no use; I am tire 1 of such drudgery!" 9 My son," said this kind mother, "do you remember your garden? What choked the growth of your flowers? And what is destroying your peace of mind? Is it not

some weed that might be rooted out now, but which, if you suffer it to remain, will overspread and destroy all that is lovely and amiable in your character?"

10. There was a gentleness in the manner, in which she said this, that overcame me. Had they been harsh words, I am sure I should not have regarded them as I did. I not only felt her kindness, but saw her meaning, young as I was; and after that, whenever I neglected any thing which I ought to have done, or was overcome by bad passions, there was something connected with that garden and myself, which seemed always to whisper;-"Take care of the weeds!"

11. Should any of my young readers feel disposed to cultivate a little spot of ground, they too may learn wisdom from it; for it will teach them that nothing can be perfected without labor; and also, if they would improve their own character, they must subdue those evil passions that so often disturb thair peace and happiness.

QUESTIONS.-1. For what purpose was a spot of ground given to Arthur? 2. What reasons were assigned, that morning was the best time to till his garden? 3. While Arthur attended to this advice, what effect did it nave on him? 4. Why did he not continue to rise early? 5. What did he forget to do after he had sown his seeds? 6. How did Arthur feel when his mother came home, and found his plants and flowers choked with weeds? 7. What was he at last obliged to do, in puling up the weeds? 8. What did Arthur say as he came home from school one day? 9. At what time, and in what way, did his mother kind y

reprove him for his negligence? 10. What is meant by the remark, "Take care of the weeds ?" 11. Why are bad passions like weeds? 12. Can any thing be perfected without labor?

LESSON XXI.

Spell and Define-1. GE' NI AL, enlivening. 2. REFRESH' ING, reviving; cooling. 3. CRIM' SON, a deep red color.

Be careful to observe Rule III. in reading this lesson.

YOUNG ARTHUR'S REQUEST.

1. "MOTHER, I want a spot of earth,
To sow my garden seeds;
For I can plant them all myself,
And keep them free from weeds.
2. "But let it be a sunny place,
Where they may spring up soon;
So, tending them with choicest care,
They will the sooner bloom."

3. "My child, the same request you made,
But one short year ago;
And do you not remember well,
Why scarce a plant would grow?

4. "For not alone the genial sun,
Nor the refreshing shower,

Will make them thrive, but you, with care Must guard the tender flower.

5. "And you must pluck the smallest weed, When first it springs from earth;

Or else, however rich the soil,

They'll be of little worth.

6. "And need I tell you farther, child,
How often we compare

The hidden treasure you possess,
To flowers we guard with care?

7. "But ah! within thy sparkling eye,
An answer I can find;

Thy crimson cheek gives the reply;

Mother, you mean the mind."

8. "Then guard this treasure well, my boy,
And let no weeds spring there;
Water and watch it every day,
And keep it pure and fair."

QUESTIONS.-1. How does this lesson differ from the one before it? 2. What is the difference between prose and poetry ? 3. Which do you prefer to read? 4. What does Rule XI. caution you against ?

LESSON XXII.

Spell and Define-1. PRE' CIOUS, of great price; costly. 2. JEW EL, a precious stone. 3. AP POINT ED, fixed; established. 4. VEN' TURE, to risk; to dare. 5. PRAISE'. WOB THY, deserving praise. 6. HU MAN' I TY, kind disposition; compassion; mankind. 7. MOD' EST LY, not bold. ly. 8. PREC' I PICE, a steep descent of land or rocks. 9. A BYSS, a gulf; a deep pit. 10. IN TRUST' ED, delivered to the hands or care of another. Which rule teaches you what words to emphasize? HOW TO WIN A PRECIOUS JEWEL.

1. THERE was once a rich old man who had three sons. Being near his end, he resolved to divide his property among them. But he had a very precious jewel besides, which he promised to give to that son who should

per

form the most noble and generous action, within three months.

2. At the appointed time, the young men came to make their report to their aged father. The eldest spoke first:-"I met an entire stranger who intrusted to me the whole of his property. I might easily have kept it all to myself; for he had no witness, nor any means of proving the fact. But I faithfully returned to him the whole. Was not that noble and generous?"

3. "No, my son," replied the old man, you did nothing more than was strictly just." 4. Then the second son said, "I saw a child which had fallen into the river, and was on the point of being drowned. A crowd of people stood around, but none dared to venture into the waving flood. I plunged in, and at the risk of my life, I saved the drowning infant. Was not that noble and generous?"

5. "The act was indeed praise-worthy," said the father, "but it was only the dictate of humanity."

6. The youngest son then modestly stepped forward, and blushed at having to tell of his own good deed. He said, "I found my mortal enemy, who once attempted to take my life, fast asleep on the edge of a precipice, to which he had approached in the night, without being aware of his danger.

7. "His life was in my power; for the least motion would have plunged him down the