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GRADED SELECTIONS.

FIRST YEAR.

I.

THE little birds are wide-awake,
So early in the morn;

Just think how funny it would be
To see the robins yawn!

To hear the little sparrow say
"Oh dear! 't is hardly light!
Mamma, I want to sleep some more,”-
'Twould make you laugh outright.

They hop out of their little nest,
So cosy and so warm,

And sing their merry morning song
In sunshine and in storm.

And, now, my pet, run find mamma,
And whisper in her ear;

That, when she wakes her birdie up,
It will be sure to hear.

II.

GOOD boys and girls should never say
"I will" and " "Give me these:"
Oh, no; that never is the way,
But, "Mother, if you please."

And, "If you please," to sister Ann,
Good boys to say are ready;
And "Yes, sir," to a gentleman,
And "Yes, ma'am," to a lady.

III.

SEE, mamma, 't is half past eight,
I must haste or I'll be late ;
Teacher says, "Make this your rule,

Never to be late at school."

If I tarry here too long,

I shall miss the morning song:
Give me, please, my book and slate;
Haste I'll make, and not be late.

Day by day I'll spell and read,
And my teacher try to heed;
Brightest scholars, as a rule,
Never come too late to school.

IV.

Two ears and only one mouth have you;
The reason, I think, is clear:

It teaches, my child, that it will not do
To talk about all you hear.

Two eyes and only one mouth have you;
The reason for this must be,

That you should learn that it will not do
To talk about all you see.

Two hands and only one mouth have you;
And it is worth while repeating:

The two are for work you will have to do-
The one is enough for eating.

V.

I LIKE little Pussy, her coat is so warm;
And if I don't hurt her, she'll do me no harm,

So I'll not pull her tail, nor drive her away,
But Pussy and I very gently will play:

She shall sit by my side, and I'll give her some food; And she'll love me, because I am gentle and good. I'll pat little Pussy, and then she will pur,

And thus show her thanks for my kindness to her:

I'll not pinch her ears, nor tread on her paw,
Lest I should provoke her to use her sharp claw;
I never will vex her, nor make her displeased,
For Pussy don't like to be worried or teased.
-Jane Taylor.

VI.

WORK while you work, play while you play;
This is the way to be cheerful and gay.
All that you do, do with your might;
Things done by halves are never done right.

One thing each time, and that done well,
Is a very good rule, as many can tell:
Moments are useless, trifled away;

So work while you work, and play while you play.

-Miss M. A. Stodart.

VII.

Do all the good you can,
In all the ways you can,
To all the people you can,

Just as long as you can.

VIII.

POLITENESS is to do and say

The kindest thing in the kindest way.

1X.

I THANK thee, Lord, for quiet rest,
And for thy care of me;

Oh, let me through this day be blest,
And kept from harm by thee.

Oh, let me thank thee; kind thou art,
To children such as I:
Give me a gentle, loving heart;
Be thou my Friend on high.

Help me to please my parents dear,
And do whate'er they tell,

Bless all my friends, both far and near,
And keep them safe and well.

X.

I WILL not hurt my little dog,
But stroke and pat his head;
I like to see him wag his tail,
I like to see him fed.

He is as kind and good a dog
As ever you did see:

Because I take good care of him,
He loves to follow me.

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