The Useful Knowledge Lessons are intended to be prepared

at home by the pupil.

NOTE. To indicate to the pupil the correct pronunciation of such

words as nature, natural, miser, misery, &c., the following principle has

been adopted in dividing them into syllables:-1. When an accented

vowel is followed by a consonant, the vowel is short. 2. When an

accented vowel is not followed by a consonant, the vowel is long-e.g. :

THIRD READING-BOOK.

The words explained in each Lesson are distinguished by an asterisk

"WHAT ails* you, lad?" said Dame* Bell to a little boy, who sat near a wall at the back of her house. He had a book in his hand, and tears were in his eyes.

"We have all got a poem called Little Jim to learn," said the boy, whose name was Tom Blair; "and the one who says it best is to get a prize from the master. But I don't think I can learn it."

Why not?" said the dame.

"The boys say that I can't, and that I need not try," said Tom in a sad tone.

"Don't mind what the boys say. that you can learn it," said his friend.

Let them see

"But I don't think I can," said Tom; "it is so

long, and some of the words are so hard.

I need not try for the prize.

*

I know

But I should like to learn the poem as well as I can; for the boys laugh

at me, and call me 'Slow Tom.'

Well, dear," said the dame, in a kind voice, "if

you are slow, and can't help it, try to be slow and

sure,' as they say.

how slow it is!

Look at that snail on the wall;

And yet, if you watch it, you will

see it will get to the top in time.

So just try to

learn a few lines each day, and you may gain* the prize in the end. And when you are like to lose heart, think of the snail on the wall."

When Dame Bell had said this, she went on her way. And Tom thought that (though he could not keep up with the boys) he might run a race with the snail. So he resolved* to try to learn his task,* by the time the snail got to the top of the wall.

At last, the day came on which the master was to give the prize, and he called up the boys to repeat the poem.

When five or six had recited, it came to Tom's turn. There was a laugh when he got up; for most of the boys thought he would fail. But he did not miss a word; and his heart was full of joy when the master said, "Well done, Tom Blair!"

When the rest of the class had tried, the master said Tom had done best; and he gave him the prize.

"And now tell me," said the master, "how you learned the poem so well."

"Please, sir, it was the snail on the wall that taught me how to do it," said Tom.

There was a loud laugh when Tom said this. But the master said, "You need not laugh, boys; for we may learn much from such things as snails.-How did the snail teach you, Tom?".

"Please, sir, I saw it crawl up the wall bit by bit. It did not stop, nor turn back, but went on, And I thought I would do the same with So I learned it bit by bit, and did not And by the time the snail had got to the

and on. my task.

give up. top of the wall, I had learned it all." "Well done, Tom!" said the master.-"Now, boys, let us give a good the snail on the wall." with a loud, long cheer.

cheer for Tom Blair and

And the old house rang

For all were glad that

"Slow Tom" had got a prize at last.

QUESTIONS.-Why did Tom cry? What did the other boys call him? What did Dame Bell tell him to watch? What did Tom then make up his mind to do? Who got the prize? When was there a loud laugh? Why did the boys at last give a loud cheer?

LITTLE JIM.

Beck-on, call by a wave of the hand.
Bri-ny, salt, like sea-water.
Con-ceal', hide.
Fain, gladly.

Howling, making a loud, dreary

sound.

In thought, in the mind, without speaking.

Moist-en, make wet.

66

Pa-tient, bearing much without a grumble.

Quiv-er-ing, shaking; trembling with
strong feeling.

Strick-en, bowed down with grief.
Thatched, with a straw roof.
To-ken, sign, or proof.

Won-drous, causing wonder; more than
you would look for.

THE Cottage was a thatched* one,
The outside old and mean;
Yet everything within that cot
Was wondrous* neat and clean.

The night was dark and stormy,
The wind was howling* wild;
A patient* mother knelt beside
The deathbed of her child:

A little worn-out creature

His once bright eyes grown dim ;
He was a collier's only child-
They called him little Jim.

And oh, to see the briny* tears

Fast hurrying down her cheek,

As she offered up a prayer in* thought;---
She was afraid to speak,

Lest she might waken one she loved

Far better than her life;

For there was all a mother's love
In that poor collier's wife.

With hands uplifted, see, she kneels
Beside the suff'rer's bed;

And prays that He will spare her boy,
And take herself instead!

She gets her answer from the child;

Soft fell these words from him:

'Mother, the angels do so smile,
And beckon* little Jim!