5. The Americans continued to work the whole day, with unshaken constancy; and towards night, they had already much advanced a trench, which descended from the redoubt to the foot of the hill, and almost to the bank of Mystic river. The fury of the enemy's artillery, it is true, had prevented them from carrying it to perfection.

6. In this conjuncture, there remained no other hope for the English generals, but in attempting an assault, to drive the Americans, by dint of force, from this formidable position. This resolution was taken without hesitation; and it was followed, the 17th of June, 1775, by the action of Breed's Hill, known also by the name of Bunker's Hill; much renowned for the intrepidity, not to say the temerity, of the parties; for the number of the dead and wounded; and for the effect it produced upon the opinions of men, in regard to the valor of the Americans, and the probable issue of the whole war.

7. Between mid-day and one o'clock, the heat being intense, all was motion in the British camp. A multitude of sloops and boats, filled with soldiers, left the shore of Boston, and stood for Charlestown*; they landed at Moreton's Point, without meeting resistance; as the ships of war and armed vessels effectually protected the debarkation with the fire of their artillery, which forced the enemy to keep within his intrenchments.

8. This corpst consisted of ten companies of grenadiers, as many of light infantry, and a proportionate artillery; the whole under the command of major-general Howe, and brigadiergeneral Pigot. The troops, on landing, began to display, the light infantry upon the right, the grenadiers upon the left; but, having observed the strength of the position, and the good countenance of the Americans, general Howe made a halt, and sent to call a reinforcement.

9. The English formed themselves in two columns. Their plan was, that the left wing, under general Pigot, should attack the provincials in Charlestown; while the centre assaulted the redoubt; and the right wing, consisting of light infantry, should force the passage near the river Mystic, and thus assail the Americans in flank and rear; which would give the English complete victory.

10. It appears, also, that general Gage had formed the design of setting fire to Charlestown, when evacuated by the enemy, in order that the corps, destined to assail the redoubt, thus

Charlestown is one mile north of Boston, and is connected to it, by a bridge across Charles river.

† Pronounced Kore.

protected by the flame and smoke, might be less exposed to the fire of the provincials.

11. The dispositions having been all completed, the English put themselves in motion. The provincials, that were stationed to defend Charlestown, fearing lest the assailants should penetrate between this town and the redoubt, and thus to find themselves cut off from the rest of the army, retreated.

12. The English immediately entered the town and fired the buildings-as they were of wood, in a moment the combustion became general. They continued a slow march against the redoubt and trench; halting, from time to time, for the artillery to come up, and act with some effect, previous to the assault. The flames and smoke of Charlestown were of no use to them, as the wind turned them in a contrary direction.

13. Their gradual advance, and the extreme clearness of the air, permitted the Americans to level their muskets. They, however, suffered the enemy to approach, before they commenced their fire; and waited for the assault, in profound tranquillity. It would be difficult to paint the scene of terror presented by these circumstances.

14. A large town, all enveloped in flames, which, excited by a violent wind, rose to an immense height, and spread every moment more and more; an innumerable multitude, rushing from all parts, to witness so unusual a spectacle, and see the issue of the sanguinary conflict that was about to commence.

15. The Bostonians, and soldiers of the garrison, not in actual service, were mounted upon the spires, upon the roofs, and upon the heights. The hills, and circumjacent fields, from which the dread arena could be viewed in safety, were covered with swarms of spectators, of every rank, and age, and sex ; each agitated by fear or hope, according to the party he espoused.

16. The English, having advanced within reach of the musketry, the Americans showered upon them a volley of bullets. This terrible fire was so well supported, and so well directed, that the ranks of the assailants were soon thinned and brokenthey retired, in disorder, to the place of their landing-some threw themselves precipitately into the boats. The field of battle was covered with the slain.

17. The officers were seen running hither and thither, with promises, with exhortations, and with menaces, attempting to rally the soldiers, and inspirit them for a second attack. Finally, after the most painful efforts, they resumed their ranks, and marched up to the enemy. The Americans reserved their fire,

The old chief followed the young warriors until they approached the English camp, when, turning to the young officer, he thus addressed him.

3. "You see your brethren preparing to give us battle; I have saved thy life-I have taught thee to make a canoe, a bow, and arrows to surprise the beasts of the forest—and to scalp your enemy; wilt thou now be so ungrateful as to join thy countrymen, and take up the hatchet against us ?" The Englishman declared that he would sooner perish himself than shed the blood of an Indian.

4. The old savage covered his face with both his hands, and bowed down his head. After remaining some time in this attitude, he looked at the young officer, and said in a tone of mingled tenderness and grief, "Hast thou a father?" "He was living," said the young man," when I left my native country." "O how unhappy must he be," said the savage.

5. After a moment's silence, he added, "I have been a father, but I am one no longer; I saw my son fall by my side in battle. But I have avenged him, yes, I have avenged him," said he with emphasis, while he endeavored to suppress the groans which escaped in spite of him. He calmed his emotions, and turning towards the east, where the sun was rising, he said, "dost thou behold the heavens with pleasure ?" "I do," responded the young man. "I do no longer," said the savage, bursting into

tears.

man.

6. A moment after, he added, "do you look with delight upon yonder beautiful flower ?" "I do," answered the young "I do no longer," said the savage, and inmediately added, Depart to thine own country, that thy father may still view the rising sun with pleasure, and take delight in the flowers of spring."

LESSON XVI.

No Rank or Possessions can make the guilty mind happy.— CICERO.

1. DIONYSIUS, the tyrant of Sicily,t was far from being happy, though he possessed great riches, and all the pleasures which wealth and power could procure. Damocles, one of

* Pronounced Di-on-ish'-e-us. He raised himself from obscurity to the throne-reigned 40 years and died 566 B. C., and was succeeded by his son, Dionysius II,

Sicily, an island South of Italy.

# Pronounced Dam'-o-clees.

his flatterers, deceived by those specious appearances of happiness, took occasion to compliment him on the extent of his power, his treasures, and royal magnificence: and declared that no monarch had ever been greater or happier than Dionysius.

2. "Hast thou a mind, Damocles," says the king, " to taste this happiness; and to know, by experience, what the enjoyments are, of which thou hast so high an idea?" Damocles, with joy, accepted the offer. The King ordered that a royal banquet should be prepared, and a gilded sofa, covered with rich embroidery, placed for his favorite. Side-boards, loaded with gold and silver-plate of immense value, were arranged in the apartment.

8. Pages of extraordinary beauty were ordered to attend his table,.and to obey his commands with the utmost readiness, and the most profound submission. Fragrant ointments, chaplets of flowers, and rich perfumes, were added to the entertainThe table was loaded with the most exquisite delicacies of every kind. Damocles, intoxicated with pleasure, fancied himself amongst superior beings.

ment.

4. But in the midst of all this happiness, as he lay indulging himself in state, he sees let down from the ceiling, exactly over his head, a glittering swordt hung by a single hair. The sight of impending destruction put a speedy end to his joy and revelling. The pomp of his attendance, the glitter of the carved plate, and the delicacy of the viands, cease to afford him any pleasure.

5. He dreads to stretch forth his hand to the table.-He throws off the garland‡ of roses. He hastens to remove from his dangerous situation; and earnestly entreats the king to restore him to his former humble condition, having no desire to enjoy any longer a happiness so terrible.

6. By this device, Dionysius intimated to Damocles, how miserable he was in the midst of all his treasures; and in possession of all the honors and enjoyments which royalty could bestow.

LESSON XVII.

Beauty and Deformity.—PERCIVAL'S TALES.

1. A YOUTH, who lived in the country, and who had not acquired, either by reading or conversation, any knowledge of

Page, a boy attending on a great man, rather for formality, or show, than for servitude.

Pronounced Sord.

Garland, a wreath, or band of flowers.

the animals which inhabit foreign regions, came to Manchester, to see an exhibition of wild beasts. The size and figure of the Elephant struck him with awe; and he viewed the Rhinoceros with astonishment.

2. But his attention was soon drawn from these animals, and directed to another, of the most elegant and beautiful form; and he stood contemplating with silent admiration the glossy smoothness of his hair, the blackness and regularity of the streaks with which he was marked, the symmetry of his limbs, and above all, the placid sweetness of his countenance.

3. "What is the name of this lovely animal,” said he to the keeper," which you have placed near one of the ugliest beasts in your collection; as if you meant to contrast beauty with deformity?""Beware, young man," replied the intelligent keeper, "of being so easily captivated with external appearance."

4. "The animal which you admire is called a Tyger; and notwithstanding the meekness of his looks, he is fierce and savage beyond description: I can neither terrify him by correction, nor tame him by indulgence. But the other beast, which you despise, is in the highest degree docile, affectionate and useful."

5. "For the benefit of man, he traverses the sandy deserts of Arabia, where drink and pasture are seldom to be found; and will continue six or seven days without sustenance, yet still patient of labor. His hair is manufactured into clothing; his flesh is deemed wholesome nourishment; and the milk of the female is much valued by the Arabs."

6. "The Camel, therefore, for such is the name given to this animal, is more worthy of your admiration than the Tyger; notwithstanding the inelegance of his make, and the two bunches upon his back. For mere external beauty is of little estima tion; and deformity, when associated with amiable dispositions and useful qualities, does not preclude our respect and approbation."

LESSON XVIII.

The Discontented Pendulum.-JANE TAYLOR.

1. An old clock that had stood for fifty years in a farmer's kitchen, without giving its owner any cause of complaint, early one summer's morning, before the family was stirring, suddenly stopped.

2. Upon this, the dial-plate (if we may credit the fable,) changed countenance with alarm; the hands made a vain effort