Chapter 18

5. I shall not attempt to describe the brilliancy of the undergrowth and dwarf trees, upon whose limbs hung a delicate frosting, like unwrought silver, nor the crimson glow of the holly-berries through their transparent and icy covering,--all, all was a dazzling and splendid winter array,

"That buries wide the works of man."

It brought to my mind some of the Eastern fairy tales, and their gardens ornamented with shrubs and plants of sparkling crystals.

6. The exposed sides of the rocks and fences were completely iced over, not the smallest particle escaping the penetrating and congealed ether. It was truly astonishing to examine its thickness. On some twigs, not larger than a wheat straw, the ice measured half an inch through. One would scarcely imagine what an immense weight of the frozen mass a tree will sustain, before it breaks under the unusual load. Many branches were bent so low that I could reach them with my hands; and, shaking off their frosted barks, they would instantly spring far above my reach. Every few minutes, I was startled by the rattling noise of these falling icicles from some neighboring tree or grove.

7. Just when the sun went down, there was not a single cloud to be seen in the horizon, and his cold, bright, setting rays brought out, on every hand, frozen gems, diamonds, rubies, and sapphires, in every possible prismatic beauty, wherever his departing beams fell. Presently the moon bathed the whitened earth, and every congealed drop, in her soft light, burnishing, with dazzling icy brilliancy, trees, dwellings, and streams. I am an ardent lover of Nature and her scenery, and have often, delighted, gazed upon the Queen of Night; but _never_ did I behold such a brilliant moonlight night as this.

8. Who could help bringing to mind the sublimities of Job and of David,--"The hoary frost of heaven, who hath engendered it? The waters are hid, as with a stone, and the face of the deep is frozen."--"By the breath of the Mighty God, ice is produced, and the waters which were spread on all sides, are held in chains." The Psalmist says, "He giveth the snow like wool, He scattereth the hoar-frost like ashes. Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow."--Well may poets look to the falling snow-flake for their images of purity and innocence, ere it receives the stain of earth. I know of no litter emblem.

9. Such a winter's night! _and the skies! the skies!_ So resplendent in brightness are the hosts of heaven at this moment, that they should be contemplated by every lover and student of the works of God. Their numbers who can count,--their twinkling beauty who can describe, as onward they roll in the deep blue of midnight? In their contemplation are inspired "thoughts that wander through eternity," with an elevation of feeling, as if we were separated from the toils and tumults of earth, and exalted into a higher state of being than that in which we toiled through the day! These heavens tell us of a WISDOM and POWER we can not search or estimate. There we seem to stand more immediately in the vailed presence of the Infinite Majesty, who "laid the foundations of the earth, when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy."

QUESTIONS.--1. Describe the appearance of frosted trees. 2. What is said of the appearance of shrubs, bushes, &c.? 3. What, of the weight sustained by a single tree? 4. What was the appearance at sunset? 5. What passages of Scripture did the scene bring to mind? 6. Of what is the snowflake an emblem? 7. What is said of the skies?

* * * * *

LESSON LXXIII.

SPLEN' DOR, brightness; glory. E TER' NAL LY, everlastingly. WAY'-WEA RY, tired; fatigued. GAZE, eager look. EV' ER GREEN, always green. LONG' ED, earnestly desired. RE POSE, rest; quietude. RAN' SOM ED, redeemed. PAL' ACE, mansion; abode. UN CEAS' ING LY, constantly.

THE MOUNTAINS OF LIFE.

JAMES G. CLARK.

1. There's a land far away, 'mid the stars, we are told, Where they know not the sorrows of time,-- Where the pure waters wander through valleys of gold, And life is a treasure sublime; 'Tis the land of our God, 'tis the home of the soul, Where the ages of splendor eternally roll,-- Where the way-weary traveler reaches his goal, On the evergreen Mountains of Life.

2. Our gaze can not soar to that beautiful land, But our visions have told of its bliss; And our souls by the gale from its gardens are fanned, When we faint in the desert of this; And we sometimes have longed for its holy repose, When our spirits were torn with temptations and woes, And we've drank from the tide of the river that flows From the evergreen Mountains of Life.

3. Oh! the stars never tread the blue heavens at night, But we think where the ransomed have trod; And the day never smiles from his palace of light, But we feel the bright smile of our God. We are traveling homeward, through changes and gloom, To a kingdom where pleasures unceasingly bloom, And our guide is the glory that shines through the tomb, From the evergreen Mountains of Life.

QUESTIONS.--1. What is said of that land far away? 2. How do we know there is such a land? 3. Of what do the stars remind us?

* * * * *

LESSON LXXIV.

IM AG' IN A RY, not real. AN TIC' I PATE, take beforehand. PRE FER' RED, chosen. OC CUR' RED, happened. SUS TAIN', support; uphold. PER MIT', allow. IN VIS' I BLE, unseen. EN CHAIN', bind; fasten. FORE BOD' ING, dread of evil. IN VEN' TION, contrivance. CON FER' RED, bestowed. AP PRE HEN' SION, dread; fear.

IMAGINARY EVILS.

CHARLES SWAIN.

1. Let to-morrow take care of to-morrow; Leave things of the future to fate; What's the use to anticipate sorrow? Life's troubles come never too late. If to hope overmuch be an error, 'Tis one that the wise have preferred; And how often have hearts been in terror Of evils that never occurred.

2. Have faith, and thy faith shall sustain thee; Permit not suspicion and care With invisible bonds to enchain thee, But bear what God gives thee to bear. By His Spirit supported and gladdened, Be ne'er by forebodings deterred; But think how oft hearts have been saddened By fears of what never occurred!

3. Let to-morrow take care of to-morrow; Short and dark as our life may appear, We may make it still darker by sorrow, Still shorter by folly and fear; Half our troubles are half our invention, And often from blessings conferred, Have we shrunk in the wild apprehension Of evils that never occurred!

QUESTIONS.--1. What is said of imaginary evils? 2. How may we be supported under trials? 3. What tends to shorten life? 4. Whence proceed half our troubles? 5. What rule for doubling the _r_ and _d_ in such words as _occurred_, _saddened_, &c.? See SANDERS' NEW SPELLER, page 168, Rule II.

* * * * *

LESSON LXXV.

WASTE, desolate region. PRO CEED', come forth. CHASM, gap; opening. COILS, folds; convolutions. MAN I FEST, plain; evident. PRE SERV' ER, protector. AL LE' GI ANCE, duty; loyalty. RAY, make bright; adorn. EX PAND, swell; dilate. FA' THER LAND, native land. GUER DON, reward; recompense. PROF' FER, offer; tender. PIT' E OUS, mournful; sorrowful. IM PET' U OUS LY, furiously.

AT TRACT', (AT, _to_; TRACT, _draw_;) draw to; allure.

IN VEST', (IN, _to_; VEST, _clothe_;) clothe in or with; inclose; surround.

PRO TEST, (PRO, _before_; TEST, _witness_;) witness before; openly declare.

[Headnote 1: PY THON is the name of a large serpent, fabled to have been slain by the god Apollo.]

SIR WALTER AND THE LION.

A. WALCHNER.

1. Sir Walter of Thurn, over the Syrian waste, Rides away with a flowing rein; But he hears a groan that checks his haste, As if death were in the strain. He spurs his steed Whence the sounds proceed; And there, from a rocky chasm, arise Fierce cries of pain, that assail the skies; And his horse uprears In excess of fears, As the glance of a lion attracts his eyes.

2. Fierce struggling there in the monster folds Of a serpent that round him twines; Sir Walter a moment the scene beholds, Then to save the beast inclines. His good sword stout From its sheath leaps out, When down it falls on the Python's [Headnote 1] crest, And cleaves the coils that the lion invest; And the noble beast, From its thrall released, Shows grateful joy most manifest.

3. He shakes his mane, and bends his form, And licks his preserver's hand, As if he yields allegiance warm To his supreme command. Like the faithful hound To be constant found, And follow his steps for evermore; And thus he follows, on sea and shore, In the battle's tide, He stands by his side, Or with him rests when the strife is o'er.

4. In Palestine Sir Walter is known,-- Long years attest his fame; And many brave deeds he there hath done, That ray with glory his name; But his heart doth expand For the fatherland, And he fain its pleasant scenes would see, With his friendly lion for company; But with fearful breast, The sailors protest, As they glanced at the beast and his majesty.

5. Rich guerdon he proffers, and golden store; But though the prize were great, The sailors hurry away from the shore As if from the doom of fate. The poor beast moans In piteous tones, Then darts impetuously o'er the sands,-- Then looks to the ship, and mournfully stands; Then plunges into the gloomy wave, The perils of the depths to brave. Already he nears the flying bark, Already his roar of grief they hark; But his strength is spent, and the sea is strong, And he may not the fearful struggle prolong. His dying glances are fondly cast Along the track where the loved one passed; Then sinks to his grave Beneath the wave, And the night and the ocean behold him the last.

QUESTIONS.--1. What did Sir Walter discover as he was riding over the Syrian waste? 2. What did he do? 3. What did the lion do, after being released? 4. Did the sailors allow the lion to go on board the ship? 5. What did the lion then do? 6. What became of him?

* * * * *

LESSON LXXVI.

VAL' IANT, strong; courageous, INC LI NA' TION, desire; tendency. RE PLEN' ISH ED, filled up. DIS SEV' ER, part; sunder. SHIV' ER, dash to pieces. EC STAT' IC, rapturous. CON CLU' SION, result. CON CEP' TION, thought; idea. DEF' ER ENCE, respect. PHYS I CAL, material. AR' RANT, mere; vile. TIME'-BAN DI ED, time-lost. DE VEL' OP ED, brought out. CON STEL LA' TIONS, clusters of stars. DE SIGN ED, planned. COM BIN' ED, united.

UNINTERRUPTED, (UN, _not_; INTER, _in between_; RUPTED, _broken_;) not broken in between; unbroken.

It is sometimes desirable to have each member of the class read a piece complete in itself. To answer this end, the following collection of brief, though beautiful productions, have been brought together all under one head.

CHOICE EXTRACTS.

I.

WHAT REALLY BENEFITS US.

It is not what we earn, but what we save, that makes us rich. It is not what we eat, but what we digest, that makes us strong. It is not what we read, but what we remember, that makes us learned. It is not what we intend, but what we do, that makes us useful. It is not a few faint wishes, but a life-long struggle, that makes us valiant.

II.

GOD'S LOVE.

There's not a flower that decks the vale, There's not a beam that lights the mountain, There's not a shrub that scents the gale, There's not a wind that stirs the fountain, There's not a hue that paints the rose, There's not a leaf around us lying, But in its use or beauty shows God's love to us, and love undying!

III.

LIFE-WORK.

To acquire a thorough knowledge of our own hearts and characters, to restrain every irregular inclination, to subdue every rebellious passion, to purify the motives of our conduct, to form ourselves to that temperance which no pleasure can seduce, to that meekness which no provocation can ruffle, to that patience which no affliction can overwhelm, and that integrity which no interest can shake; _this is the task which is assigned to us_,--a task which can not be performed without the utmost diligence and care.

IV.

HUMILITY.

The brightest stars are burning suns; The deepest water stillest runs; The laden bee the lowest flies; The richest mine the deepest lies; The stalk that's most replenished, Doth bow the most its modest head. Thus, deep Humility we find The mark of every master-mind; The highest-gifted lowliest bends, And merit meekest condescends, And shuns the fame that fools adore,-- That puff that bids a feather soar.

V.

BENEFITS OF ADVERSITY.

A smooth sea never made a skillful mariner. Neither do uninterrupted prosperity and success qualify man for usefulness or happiness. The storms of adversity, like the storms of the ocean, rouse the faculties and excite the invention, prudence, skill, and fortitude of the voyager.

VI.

OUR MOUNTAIN HOMES.

MRS. S.R.A. BARNES.

Why turn we to our mountain homes With more than filial feeling? 'Tis _here_ that Freedom's altars rise, And Freedom's sons are kneeling! Why sigh we not for softer climes? Why cling to that which bore us? _'Tis here we tread on Freedom's soil,_ _With Freedom's sunshine o'er us!_

VII.

MAKE A BEGINNING.

If you do not begin, you will never come to the end. The first weed pulled up in the garden, the first seed set in the ground, the first dollar put in the savings-bank, and the first mile traveled on a journey, are all important things; they make a _beginning_, and thereby give a hope, a promise, a pledge, an assurance that you are in earnest in what you have undertaken. How many a poor, idle, erring, hesitating outcast is now creeping his way through the world, who might have held up his head and prospered, if, instead of putting off his resolutions of amendment and industry, he had only made a beginning!

VIII.

INFLUENCE.

GEORGE W. BUNGAY.

1. Drop follows drop, and swells With rain the sweeping river; Word follows word, and tells A truth that lives forever.

2. Flake follows flake, like sprites Whose wings the winds dissever; Thought follows thought, and lights The realm of mind forever.

3. Beam follows beam to cheer, The cloud a bolt might shiver; Throb follows throb, and fear Gives place to joy forever.

4. The drop, the flake, the beam, Teach us a lesson ever; The word, the thought, the dream Impress the soul forever.

IX.

PLEASURE IN ACQUIRING KNOWLEDGE.

CAROLINE F. ORNE.

1. Note the ecstatic joy of the student, who has labored long over a problem or proposition, but finally comes to a logical conclusion; who has struggled with the misty darkness of his own mind, for a clear view of some difficult subject, until the clouds, one after another, have dispersed, and he beholds, with his mental vision, in bright and glorious light, the conception for which he labored. Think you he would exchange his joys for the pleasures of sense'? It is of a higher and more ennobling character, and not to be bartered for paltry wealth.

2. What dignity and self-respect invest the man of thought! His very looks bespeak of mind. He is approached with deference, as a being of higher order in the scale of intelligence,--as one who has a right to command and be obeyed. For what moves mind, but mind? A strong intellect, coming in contact with one of less energy, will as naturally move it, as superior physical strength will overcome the weaker.

X.

WHAT IS FAME?

MOTHERWELL.

What is glory`? What is fame`? The echo of a long-lost name`; A breath`, an idle hour's brief talk`; The shadow of an arrant naught`; A flower that blossoms for a day`, Dying next morrow'; A stream that hurries on its way, Singing of sorrow'; A fortune that to lose were gain`; A word of praise, perchance of blame`; The wreck of a time-bandied name`-- _Ay` this is glory`! this is fame`!_

XI.

CULTIVATED INTELLECT.

Ah! well do we all know the worth of intelligence, the power of knowledge, and the beauty and glory of wisdom. It is _educated manhood_ that wakes up the sleeping soil, covers the earth with good, that gathers in the golden harvest, that clothes the naked, that feeds the hungry. It is the _cultivated mind_ that applies the strength of the ox and the fleetness of the horse; that bridges the river, that turns to use the flying winds, that makes the lightning its swift messenger, that makes beautiful palaces of dull clay, that rouses the dead ore to active life, that covers the sea with ships, and the land with mighty engines of wealth. It is the _developed intellect_ that flies through the upper air, that mingles with the stars, that follows the moon in her course, that overtakes the constellations in their orbits, that weighs the sun, that measures the distance to the polar star. It is the _enlightened soul_ that worships God.

XII.

GOD'S WORKS ATTEST HIS GREATNESS.

MRS. OPIE.

1. There's not a leaf within the bower; There's not a bird upon the tree; There's not a dew-drop on the flower, But bears the impress, Lord, of Thee.

2. Thy hand the varied leaf designed, And gave the bird its thrilling tone; Thy power the dewdrop's tints combined, Till like the diamond's blaze they shone.

3. Yes, dewdrops, leaves, and buds, and all The smallest, like the greatest things,-- The sea's vast space, the earth's wide ball, Alike proclaim Thee King of kings.

4. But man alone to bounteous Heaven, Thanksgiving's conscious strains can raise; To favored man alone 'tis given To join the angelic choir in praise!

* * * * *

LESSON LXXVII.

MO NOT' O NOUS, dull; uniform. HAR POON', barbed spear. AG' I TA TED, disturbed. RE VER' BER ATES, rebounds; re-echoes. WRITHES, twists, or turns in agony. CON TOR' TIONS, twistings; writhings. VE LOC' I TY, swiftness. IG NITES', takes fire. FRIC' TION, rubbing together. COILS, winds into a ring. PRO JECT' ED, thrown out or forward. VO CIF' ER A TED, shouted. IN FU' RI A TED, enraged. UN RE LENT' ING, unfeeling. CON VUL' SIONS, violent spasms. REN COUN' TER, fight; conflict.

CAPTURE OF THE WHALE.

1. Let the reader suppose himself on the deck of a South-seaman, cruising in the North Pacific ocean. He may be musing over some past event, the ship may be sailing gently along over the smooth ocean, every thing around solemnly still, with the sun pouring its intense rays with dazzling brightness. Suddenly the monotonous quietude is broken by an animated voice from the masthead, exclaiming, _"There he spouts!"_

2. The captain starts on deck in an instant, and inquires _"Where away?"_ but, perhaps, the next moment every one aloft and on deck, can perceive an enormous whale lying about a quarter of a mile from the ship, on the surface of the sea, having just come up to breathe,--his large "hump" projecting three feet out of the water. At the end of every ten seconds, the spout is seen rushing from the fore part of his enormous head, followed by the cry of every one on board, who join in the chorus of _"There again!"_ keeping time with the duration of the spout.

3. But, while they have been looking, a few seconds have expired. They rush into the boats, which are directly lowered to receive them; and in two minutes from the time of first observing the whale, three or four boats are down, and are darting through the water with their utmost speed toward their intended victim, perhaps accompanied with a song from the headsman, who urges the quick and powerful plying of the oar, with the common whaling chant of

"Away, my boys, away, my boys, 'tis time for us to go."

4. But, while they are rushing along, the whale is breathing; they have yet, perhaps, some distance to pull before they can get a chance of striking him with the harpoon. His "spoutings are nearly out," he is about to descend, or he hears the boats approaching. The few sailors left on board, and who are anxiously watching the whale and the gradual approach of the boats, exclaim, _"Ah, he is going down!"_ Yet he spouts again, but slowly, the water is seen agitated around him; the spectators on board with breathless anxiety think they perceive him rising in preparation for his descent. _"He will be lost!"_ they exclaim; for the boats are not yet near enough to strike him, and the men are still bending their oars in each boat with all their strength, to claim the honor of the first blow with the harpoon.

5. The bow-boat has the advantage of being the nearest to the whale; the others, for fear of disturbing the unconscious monster, are now ordered to drop astern. One more spout is seen slowly curling forth,--it is his last; but the boat shoots rapidly alongside of the gigantic creature. _"Peak your oars!"_ exclaims the mate, and directly they flourish in the air; the glistening harpoon is seen above the head of the harpooner. In an instant it is darted with unerring force and aim, and is buried deeply in the side of the huge animal. It is "socket up;" that is, it is buried in his flesh up to the socket which admits the handle or pole of the harpoon.

6. A cheer from those in the boats, and from the seamen on board, reverberates along the still deep at the same moment. The sea, which a moment before was unruffled, now becomes lashed into foam by the immense strength of the wounded whale, which, with its vast tail, strikes in all directions at his enemies. Now his enormous head rises high into the air, then his flukes are seen lashing everywhere, his huge body writhes in violent contortions from the agony the harpoon has inflicted. The water all around him is a mass of foam, and the sounds of the blows from his tail on the surface of the sea, can be heard for miles!

7. _"Stern all!"_ cries the headsman; but the whale suddenly disappears; he has "sounded;" the line is running through the groove at the head of the boat, with lightning-like velocity; it smokes; it ignites from the heat produced by the friction; but the headsman, cool and collected, pours water upon it as it passes. But an oar is now held up in their boat; it signifies that their line is rapidly running out; two hundred fathoms are nearly exhausted; up flies one of the other boats, and "bends on" another line, just in time to save that which was nearly lost.

8. But still the monster descends; he is seeking to rid himself of his enemies by descending deeply into the dark and unknown depths of the vast ocean. Two more lines are exhausted,--he is _six hundred fathoms deep! "Stand ready to bend on!"_ cries the mate to the fourth boat; (for sometimes they take the whole four lines away with them,--_eight hundred fathoms!!_) but, it is not required, he is rising. _"Haul in the slack!"_ observes the headsman, while the boat-steerer coils it again carefully into the tubs as it is drawn up.