Willie," that I heard a ticking noise in the wall, which sounded just like the ticking of a watch; and some one said it was a little insect that made the noise."

13. "Yes, that was the little insect which has been called the death-watch, because ignorant people once thought there would soon be a death in the family where it was heard."

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14. But how does the death-watch make that noise'? just as regular as the ticking of a watch,' said Willie. "And I wonder why it makes it," said Lucy. "Can you tell us, Uncle John' ?"

15. "We know how it makes the noise, for it has often been seen doing it. It is by knocking with its jaws against the wood on which it is standing. And this noise, which has frightened so many people, is said to be the call of the insect to its mate.”

16. "And, then, there is one of the hawk-moths, that makes a mournful sound by rubbing its sucking-tube, or pro-bos-cis, as it is called, against a hard, glassy surface beneath it. Some ignorant people are alarmed when they hear this noise, for they think it is a funeral hymn for the dead."

17. "I am sure I shall never be frightened at any of the noises which insects make," said Willie. "Nor I," said Lucy, "if I only know it is an insect that makes them."

a EN-GAGED', occupied; employed. b SEW-ING, pronounced so'-ing. CAB-RUPT'-LY, suddenly.

d SEEM'ED, appeared.
e POR'-TION, piece; part.
PUZ'-ZLING, perplexing.

[LESSON LX. is a continuation of the study of insects, from LESSON XLV. The manner in which the katydid makes its music is explained. What is said of the noises made by grasshoppers, locusts, the death-watch, and the hawk-moths. The light of science has dispelled many superstitious fancies.]

1. Many pretty little poems have been written about the katydid, and many times the question has been asked of this evening minstrela, "Who is this Katy, about whom you are constantly singing', and what is it that Katy did?" It has been supposed by some that Miss Katydid sings the song we hear. Thus, one has written :

2. "Thou art a female', katydid'!
I know it by the trillb

That quivers through thy piercing notes,

So petulant and shrill."

3. But no! For once, the poet was mistaken; for it is found that Miss Katydid has no words in which to express either her joys or her sorrows. The unfortunate creature is dumb!

4. Again, some one pretends that, while he was listening to the katydid's song, he heard the gentle notes of some little unseen fairy, complaining of what the katydid sung, but hoping that he would not tell any thing more. To this complaint, and request, we may suppose the kind katydid made the following reply:

5. "But never fear' me, gentle one',
Nor waste a thought or tear,
Lest I should whisper what I heard
In any mortale ear.

I only sport among the boughs',
'And, like a spirit hid',

I think on what I saw and heard,
And laugh out 'Katydid.'

6. "I sit among the leaves here,

When evening zephyrsf sigh',
And those that listen to my voice
I love to mystify:"

I never tell them all' I know',
Although I'm often bid;

I laugh at curiosity,

7. So, after all our curiosity, we must still remain ignorant of what "Katy did," although the little chirping' minstrel says he knows. We half suspect, however, that the "Katy" of the song is Miss Katydid herself, and that she did just nothing at all but listen to the evening serenade of her joyful mate.

a MIN'-STREL, a musician; a singer.
TRILL, a quaver, or shaking of the voice
in singing.

PET-U-LANT, saucy; pert.

d EX-PRESS', relate; tell.

e MOR'-TAL, human.

ZEPH'-YR, any soft, gentle breeze.

8 MYS'-TI-FY, perplex; puzzle.

h CHIR'-RUP, to chirp, like a cricket.

1 CHIRP'-ING, pronounced churp'-ing.
SER-E-NADE', music usually performed at
night, and under windows, for the en-
tertainment of ladies.

[LESSON LXI. A fanciful and poetical view is here given of those interesting insects, the katydids. It is a singular fact, that all the musicians among the crickets, the grasshoppers, etc., are, like the feathered minstrels of grove and garden, of the masculine sex.]

LESSON LXII.

THE GOODNESS OF GOD.

1. The Lord is good to all; and his tender mercies are over all his works.

2. The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.

3. The Lord upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that are bowed down. He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.

4. The eyes of all wait upon thee, O Lord; and thou givest them their meat in due season.

5. Thou openest thy hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.

6. The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him he will fulfill the desire of them that fear him: he will also hear their cry, and will save them.

7. The Lord preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy.

8. As for me, I will call upon the Lord, and he shall save me. Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud; and he shall hear my

voice.

9. In God have I put my trust; and I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.

a MER-CIES, goodness; disposition to treat kindly.

b GRA'-CIOUS, disposed to forgive; merciful. • COM-PAS'-SION, pity; a desire to relieve those who suffer.

d UP-HOLD'-ETH, holds up; supports; keeps
from falling.

e DE-SIRE', wants; longings.
TRUST, reliance; confidence.

[LESSON LXII. consists of verses selected from the Psalms, in which the

psalmist celebrates the goodness of God; closing with the declaration that in God he will put his trust, and will not fear what man can do unto him. More solemnity of tone and manner is required in reading this, than an ordinary narrative piece. See also Note to LESSON LXX.]

1. While Edward Jones and George Williams were strapping on their skates, they heard a cry of terror from Henry Lee, who had reached the pond some little time before them. Looking up, they saw Henry struggling in the water. He had broken through the ice, where it was very thin; and as at every attempt he made to get out, the ice broke with the weight of his body, he was in danger of drowning, or of being chilled to death, unless speedy assistance came to him.