the flies and wasps, with its web which it stretches before them."

7. "Does it, then, do this," inquired the boy, "to defend the fruit, or is it not rather to satisfy its own thirst for blood?"

8.

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Truly," answered the father, "it is not to be supposed that the spider cares much about the grapes!"

9. "O," said the boy, "then the good which it does not intend, has no merit."

10. "True," replied the father, "our thanks for this service, are due to the Creator alone, who can cause even the evil and ill-disposed to favor the good and useful."

11. "And why does the spider," said the boy, "abide alone in her solitary web, while the bees live together so quietly, each laboring for the general benefit of all? Why do not the spiders join together to make one large net?" 12. "My dear boy," replied the father,

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many can not live in harmony together but for good purposes. The union of the wicked and the selfish, carries in its bosom the seeds of dissolution. Wise Nature, therefore, would not attempt to effect that, which men often find from experience, to be impracticable and ruinous."

QUESTIONS.-1. What did the boy find as he walked in the garden? 2. What did he do with them? 3. What did the father say to him? 4. What reason did the boy give for releasing the bee, and destroying the spider's web? 5. Why did the father commend the judgment of the boy? 6. Was it the object of the spider to defend the grapes?

7. Can good deeds have merit, which are not designed for good? 8. Does good sometimes result from evil designs ? 9. Why can not the wicked and selfish live together in harmony?

LESSON LI.

Spell and Define-1. Ex PAND' ED, opened; spread. 2. PET' AL, flower-leaf of a plant. 3. RE SPECT IVE LY, as relating to each. 4. DIF FU' SES, sends out in all directions. 5. FRA' GRANCE, sweetness of smell. 6. BE SPAN'GLE, to deck with something brilliant. 7. LIM' PID, clear; transparent. 8. FIRM' A MENT, the region of the air. 9. WREATHS, garlands; chaplets. 10. EM BEL' lish es, makes beautiful. 11. As sO CI A' TION, union; connection of ideas. 12. Bow' ER, or AR' BOR, a seat shaded with 13. RE FLECT ED, thrown back, as light.

trees.

THE FAVORITE FLOWERS.

1. GUSTAVUS, Hermon, and Melissa, the blooming children of a country gentleman, walked forth on a fine spring day into the fields. The larks were singing their morning song, and the flowers expanded their petals in the dew, and in the mild rays of the rising sun.

2. The children looked around them with delight, as they tripped from hill to hill, and made wreaths of flowers. They celebrated also in hymns the charms of spring, and the love of that Almighty Father who hath clothed the earth with herbage and flowers. Thus did the spring time of life, and of the year, appear in lovely association.

3. Then said the children one to another: "Let us each choose a flower to be a favorite, in preference to all others. We will meet again in yonder bower," cried they; and re

joicing in their purpose, they ran forth different ways into the field to seek their flowers.

4. Soon the happy children were all seen hastening toward the appointed arbor, bringing in their hands large bunches of their favorite flowers. When they saw one another, they held up the flowers, and, entering the arbor with joy, said, "Now let us each declare, respectively, the reason of our choice."

5. Gustavus, the eldest, had chosen the violet. "See," said he, "it blossoms and diffuses its fragrance in modest retirement, amidst moss and bushes; and its operations are as secret as the soft approach and bounty of spring.

6. "But it is honored and loved by men, and celebrated by poets, who call it the first born of spring, and the flower of modesty. For this reason I have chosen it to be my flower." Thus spoke Gustavus, and he offered some of his flowers to Hermon and Melissa. They accepted them with pleasure; for the violet was now their brother's flower.

7. Hermon then stepped forward with his bunch of flowers. It was composed of the delicate lily of the valley, which grows in the cool shade of the grove, and lifts up its little bells, strung together like pearls, and white as the driven snow.

8. "Look," said he, "this is the flower that I have chosen; for it is the emblem of innocence and purity of heart, and it proclaims also to me the love of Him who bespangles

the heavens with stars, and the earth with flowers.

9. "Was not the lily of the field selected in preference to all other flowers, as an evidence of the paternal love of Him, in whom all things live and move? On this account, I have selected the little lily for my favorite flower." Thus spoke Hermon, giving some of his flowers to his brother and sister, who received them with joy and respect.

10. Then came Melissa also, the lovely maiden, with the bunch of flowers which she had collected. It was the delicate blue forget-me-not. "See, my dear brothers," said the sweet girl, "these flowers I found near the brook.

11. "Reflected in the limpid stream, on whose margin they grew, they twinkle like bright stars in the firmament of heaven. It is the flower of love and affection; therefore have I chosen it for my favorite." She then presented the flowers to her brothers with a kiss, which they thankfully accepted.

12. The favorite flowers were thus selected. Then said Melissa, "Let us weave them into two wreaths for our beloved parents." So they formed two garlands of the beauteous flowers, and carried them to their parents, and related to them all that they had done, and the choice of their flowers.

13. And the parents rejoiced over their affectionate children, and said, “A truly charm

ing wreath!-love, innocence, and modesty, entwined together!"

14. "See how one sets off, and embellishes the other; and thus they form together the most beautiful of garlands," replied the children, with grateful emotions, as they crowned their father and mother with the wreaths!

15. Then the hearts of the parents were moved with joy, and they tenderly embraced the children, and said, "Such a wreath is more precious than a monarch's crown!"

QUESTIONS.—1. What is said of Gustavus, Hermon, and Melissa, as they walked forth into the field? 2. What did they conclude to do? 3. What did they agree on, as they entered the arbor? 4. What reason did Gustavus offer, for choosing the violet for his favorite flower? 5. What reason did Hermon give, for selecting the lily? 6. What did Melissa select for her favorite, and for what reason? 7. Did each present some flowers to the others? did Melissa propose to do with their flowers? virtues were represented, as being combined in the two garlands of flowers ? 10. What did the parents say, as the children crowned their heads with the garlands?

LESSON LII.

8. What

9. What

Spell and Define-1. A NOINT ED, set apart; consecrated with oil. 2. STAT' URE, hight of an animal body. 3. PRE VENT' ED, hindered. 4. PER PLEX' ED, embarrassed; puzzled. 5. AP PEAR' ANCE, semblance; apparent like6. RES' CU ED, delivered from danger. 7. LIN' GERED, hesitated; delayed. 8. COUR AGE' OUs, brave; bold. 9. IN VEST I GA' TION, a searching for truth.

ness.

THE SHEPHERD BO7 CHOSEN KING.

1. SAMUEL, the judge of Israel, was troubled about Saul, whom he had anointed king; for he did evil, and ruled the people badly.

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