by instinct; that is, God has implanted in them a desire for traveling at the season which he knows to be proper; and he has also given them an impulse to lead them in the right direction. They steer their course through the wide expanse to the proper spot. 12. "Sometimes, however, storms and contrary winds meet them, and drive the poor birds about until they are quite spent, and fall into the sea, unless they happen to meet with a ship, on which they can light and rest themselves. 13. The swallows of England are supposed to go as far to the south as the middle of Africa to spend the winter; for the weather is always warm there, and insects are to be obtained all the year. In spring, they take another long journey back again to the northern countries. 14. "Sometimes, when we have fine weather very early, a few of them come too soon; for when it changes to frost and snow again, the poor creatures are starved for want of food, or perish with the cold. Hence arises the proverb, One swallow does not make a summer.' 15. "But when a great many of them have come, we may be sure that winter is over; so that we are always very glad to see them again. The martins find their way back safely over this great extent of sea and land to the very same villages and houses in which they were bred. This has been ascertained by catching and marking some of them. 16. "They repair their old nests, or build new ones, and then commence laying their eggs and hatching their young. Pretty things! I hope you will never destroy their nests, take their eggs, or injure their young ones; for, as they come so long a distance to visit us, and lodge upon our houses without fear, we ought to use them kindly. 17. "The ancient opinion that swallows passed the winter in holes and crevices, and even in the mud and water, is now exploded. Some weak birds may be unable to follow the march of their tribe southward, and may be seen occasionally, on a warm day, after the rest have departed, or may be found laid up in crevices, in a half-torpid state, and be revived by the warmth of a fire; but these are exceptions to the great law of migration." QUESTIONS. - What is said in the note? 1. What did William's father say to him? 3, 4. What kind of birds were they? 4. Where do they build their nests? 6, 7. What story is here told of a pair of martins? 8, 9. Where do they go during the winter? 11. How do they find the way? 14. From whence arose the proverb that "One swallow does not make a summer"? 17. What is said in the last paragraph? LESSON XXXV. 1. Trow, to believe, to trust. 2. Ca-rouse', to drink together. 2. Gob/let, a kind of cup or drinking vessel. ERRORS. for dance in. 2. Ech'o-ing, sounding. 4. Pomp'ous, showy, with grandeur. Com'in for com'ing; blas for blast; shouts zof for shouts of; dance sin WINTER. 1. WINTER is coming! Who cares? Who cares? Not the wealthy and proud, I trow; "Let it come," they cry; "what matter to us How chilly the blast may blow? 2. "We'll feast and carouse in our lordly halls; We'll mock at the wind with shouts of mirth, 3. "Little care we for the biting frost, While the fire gives forth its blaze ; While we dance in the wax-light's rays?" 4. 'Tis thus the rich of the land will talk; But think, ye pompous great, That the fierce, raging storm, ye laugh at within, 5. Winter is coming, — O, think, ye great, Deal with them kindly as man with man, QUESTIONS. — 1-3. How are the wealthy here represented as regarding the winter? 3. For what do they little care? 4, 5. Of whom should they think? What pauses, marks, and inflections in the first stanza? LESSON XXXVI. 1. Shepherd, one who tends sheep. 10. Trib'u-ta-ry, subject to. 15. Throt'tle, to strangle, to kill. 18. Im-pu'ni-ty, without punishment. Articulate correctly If in him-self', wolf; ndz in hounds; ld in mild'est; rdz in shep'herds, herds; nt in went; con-tent'. THE WOLF AND SHEPHERDS. A Fable. 1. A WICKED Wolf found himself growing old; and he thought it would be for his interest to make friends with the shepherds. So he set out, and went to the shepherd whose flock was nearest his den. 2. "Shepherd," says he, "you think me a bloody robber; but I am not so. To be sure, I must eat sheep when hungry; for hunger is hard to bear. 3. "Only save me from hunger,- give me enough to eat, and you will never have any cause to complain of me. In fact, I am one of the mildest and sweetest tempered of beasts when I have enough." 4. "When you have enough! That may well be," said the shepherd; "but when do you ever have enough? You and avarice are never satisfied. Away with you! 5. The disappointed wolf went to another shepherd. "You know, shepherd," said he, "that I can devour a good many sheep in the course of the year. Now, are you willing to allow me six sheep per year if I will be on friendly terms? Then you may sleep in peace; and the hounds may dispense with watching." 6. "Six sheep!" exclaimed the shepherd; "why, it is a whole flock!" 7. "Well, seeing it is you, I will content myself with five," said the wolf. 8. "You must be joking," said the shepherd; "for I do not offer more than five sheep a year to the god of the shepherds." 9. "Will you give four?" asked the wolf. But the shepherd shook his head. "Three? two?" said the wolf. "I 10. "Not a single one," was the final answer. should be indeed a fool to make myself tributary to an enemy, against whom I am very well able to protect myself, by keeping a sharp look-out." 11. "All good things go by threes," thought the wolf; and he went to the third shepherd. 12. "I feel quite hurt," said he, "that I should be regarded by you, shepherds, as a fierce animal. I will just show you, sir, what injustice you do me. Give me one sheep a year, and your flock may wander freely through these woods, where there is nothing to fear but me. 13. "Only one sheep!" still continued the wolf. "What a trifle! Could I offer more generous or more liberal terms? You laugh, shepherd. Pray, what do you laugh at?" 14. "O, nothing. But, friend, what is your age?" said the shepherd. |