As threatening, in their angry play, But none the kindling eye could brook For in that wrathful glance they see Its meek, unperishing renown, The Persian, in his mighty pride,* But it was worthier far of thee To know thyself, than rule the sea! 1. Of what countries was Canute king? 2. How great did his flatterers say his power was? 3. To what verb is they, in verse 4th, the nominative? 4. When seated on the shore, what command did the monarch give the sea? 5. What effect did it produce? 6. Who are meant by the word all, in verse 5th? 7. What mightier monarch is meant? 8. When did Canute flourish? 9. What keeps his name still alive in our minds? 10. Relate the historical fact referred to in the last verse. ABOU BEN ADHEM AND THE ANGEL. LEIGH HUNT. 1 John iii. 14. We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. ABOU BEN ADHEM (may his tribe increase!), - And to the presence in the room he said, "What writest thou?"-The vision raised its head, And, with a look made of all sweet accord, Answered, "The names of those who love the Lord." * Xerxes, king of Persia, was the son and successor of Darius. He raised an immense army of nearly three millions of men, it is said, to subdue Greece, caused a bridge of boats to be built over the Hellespont, and in his folly had the sea flogged for breaking the bridge to pieces. This great army was completely scattered, and the fleet also destroyed by the bravery of the Greeks, and Xerxes himself was assassinated by Artaba'nus, the captain of his guard. Xerxes is called in Scripture Ahasuerus. "And is mine one?" said Abou. "Nay, not so,' The angel wrote, and vanish'd. The next night And show'd the names whom love of God had bless'd, STUDY OF THE WORKS OF NATURE. THOMSON. O NATURE! all-sufficient! over all! A search, the flight of time can ne'er exhaust! In sluggish streams about my heart, forbid And whisper to my dreams. From Thee begin, 1. What is meant by Nature here? 3. What would the poet like to learn about these worlds? 4. Name the kingdoms of Nature in their order, beginning with the lowest. 5. Where are the strata or beds of minerals found? 6. Whence is the vegetable world thrust? 7. What system of works stands above the vegetable kingdom? 8. What is the grandest work of creation here below? 9. What perfections of God may we learn from the material world? 10. Ah! but where do we learn that He is a God of mercy and justice combined? NAPOLEON AND THE BRITISH SAILOR. I LOVE Contemplating-apart CAMPBELL. 'Twas when his banners at Boulogne, They suffer'd him, I know not how, His eye, methinks, pursued the flight A stormy midnight watch, he thought, At last, when care had banish'd sleep, He hid it in a cave, and wrought By mighty working. Oh, dear me! 'twas a thing beyond For ploughing in the salt sea field, From neighbouring woods he interlaced A French guard caught him on the beach, Till tidings of him chanced to reach With folded arms Napoleon stood, Serene alike in peace and danger, "Rash youth, that wouldst yon channel pass ONE morning (raw it was and wet, A foggy day in winter time), A woman on the road I met, Not old, though something past her prime; Majestic in her person, tall and straight; And like a Roman matron's was her mien and gait. The ancient spirit is not dead,— Such strength, a dignity so fair. She begg'd an alms, like one in poor estate; When from these lofty thoughts I woke, Protected from this cold damp air?" She answer'd, soon as she the question heard, "A simple burthen, sir-a little singing-bird." And, thus continuing, she said, I had a son, who many a day Sail'd on the seas, but he is dead; In Denmark he was cast away: And I have travell'd weary miles to see If aught which he had own'd might still remain for me. "The bird and cage they both were his : 'Twas my son's bird; and neat and trim He kept it: many voyages This singing-bird had gone with him; When last he sail'd, he left the bird behind; From bodings, as might be, that hung upon his mind. "He to a fellow-lodger's care Had left it to be watch'd and fed, And now, God help me for my little wit! I bear it with me, sir;-he took so much delight in it." 1. On what kind of morning did the poet meet the old woman? 2. Describe her appearance. 3. What thoughts were suggested by her appearance and manner? 4. What lofty thoughts are meant in verse 3rd? 5. What did the old woman carry beneath her cloak? 6. What was her son, and where was he lost? 7. What had been the object of his mother's present jonrney? 8. With whom had the lad left the bird? 9. What, did the mother say, might make him leave it behind? 10. Why did she prize the bird so much, and carry it with her? DANGERS OF THE DEEP. Per'il-ous, adj. (L. periculum). A-vail', v. (L. ad, valeo). SOUTHEY. In-cum'bent, adj. (L. in, cubo). "TIS pleasant by the cheerful hearth to hear |