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2. SNAP, to break short.

LESSON VIII. Y

2. A-SUN'DER, into parts, apart.

4. CO-LOʻNI-AL, pertaining to a colony.

4. AN'ARCH-Y, without government.

ERRORS.

4. UN-CON QUER-A-BLE, not to be overcome.

4. PROS-PER'I-TY, successful progress in any business or enterprise.

5. IM-PORT'ANT, of great consequence.

Chil'dern for chil'dren; ben for been; gov'er-munts for gov'ern-ments; in'tress for in'ter-ests; im-paw'tunt for im-port'ant.

THE BUNDLE OF STICKS. — PARLEY'S MAGAZINE.

1. A FATHER, when on his dying bed, called his children around him, and, giving them a bundle of sticks tied together, told each one of them to try and break it.

2. They each tried, but in vain; the bundle was too strong for them while it was united together. He then ordered the bundle to be untied; and even his youngest boy could easily snap asunder the separated sticks.

3. "Learn from this," said he, addressing his sorrowing children, "that you are strong while united together, and weak when disunited. O my children, regard my dying words, and ever continue together in love."

4. The truth taught by this anecdote has often been applied to the United States. Under the separate, colonial governments and interests, this country would have gone to a state of poverty, anarchy, and utter ruin; but united, with Washington for their leader, the people became unconquerable and rose to prosperity.

5. The same important principle was most happily, as well as beautifully, enforced by the Father of his Country,* in his "Farewell Address," when he said, "United we stand, divided we fall."

QUESTIONS.—1, 2. What is here related of a father and his children? 3. What truth did the father wish to impress upon the minds of his children by this illustra. tion? 4. How is this truth often applied? 5. Where is it enforced? Who is meant by the Father of his Country? Why is he so called?

* The Father of his Country, (George Washington,) so called because he was the most conspicuous person engaged in securing the independence of our country, and laying the foundation of its present government.

LESSON IX.9

2. LITER-A-RY, pertaining to letters.
2. EN'ER-GIES, inherent powers.
3. AN'CES-TORS, forefathers.

3. CUL'TI-VA-TING, improving by study.
3. FAC'UL-TIES, powers of the mind.
4. RE-CRUITING, repairing, restoring.
4. IN-SPIRED, infused into the mind.
7. IM'PLE-MENTS, tools, instruments.

12. JOK'ING, jesting.

13. SUG-GEST'ING, hinting, Intimating.
14. PUZZLED, perplexed, embarrassed.
15. PRIN CI-PAL, money on interest.
15. IN-VESTMENT, an appropriation of
money.

27. CON-GRAT-U-LA'TIONS, expressions of
joy or good wishes.

ERRORS.- Re-spect'ble for re-spect'a-ble; nes'sa-ry for nec'es-sa-ry; cult'va-ting for cul'ti-va-ting; quaint'ed for ac-quaint'ed; ten'tion for at-ten'tion; com-mend'ble for com-mend'a-ble.

FARMER BURRITT AND HIS LIBRARY.

[Narrative and Conversational. See Rule 1, page 109, and also the Rule under Personation, page 125.]

1. FARMER Burritt was a plain, honest Pennsylvania* husbandman, who had been brought up very much as his father and grandfather were before him, — that is, with just knowledge enough to make him a respectable tiller of the soil.

2. He could read and write tolerably well, and cast up simple accounts. There his literary education ended; and henceforth his energies were devoted to that kind of labor which is so necessary to make a practical farmer.

3. At the time to which we now refer, he had six young children, three sons and three daughters. He never dreamed of their being trained up in any other way than he and his ancestors had been. They were all destined to have a little schooling, and to do a good deal of work, suited to their respective ages. There was no thought of cultivating their higher faculties.

4. An intelligent neighbor, who had turned his attention from a city business to farming, with a view of recruiting his health, became acquainted with Mr. Burritt; and he was also

* Penn-syi-va'ni-a, one of the Middle States, and the second in population in the Union.

deeply interested in his family. The kindly feelings he manifested inspired confidence and made him a welcome visitor.

5. Taking advantage of a favorable opportunity, he addressed his friend as follows: "Neighbor Burritt, I was thinking to-day that you were one of our most substantial and thriving farmers."

6. “Thank you,” said Mr. Burritt, "I am pretty comfortably situated; but it is because I work my way. I have no idle folks about me."

But

7. “True, friend Burritt; and it is commendable in you. you will excuse me if I say I have felt some surprise, that you have not all the implements which a good farmer should have."

8. "Have n't I though? I guess, if you will look about, you will find that I have all I need."

9. 66 Well, I have been looking about; and I have not found a half-dozen good books in your house."

10. "O, that's what you mean! What do I want of books? What's the use of them? They can't teach me farming. Your book-farmers are not worth much, always trying something new, and coming out with short crops."

11. “Ah, but, friend Burritt, books teach many good and useful things besides farming; and, to tell you the truth, I really think they might be useful to your children, whom I know you love, and would like to see a little more intelligent than your neighbors. Now, if you will only consent to spend fifty dollars for good books, I will make such a selection as I am sure will be instructive to your children."

12. "Whew! fifty dollars laid out in books! Why, you must be joking!"

13. "No, I am not. I never was more serious in my life. My only motive for suggesting it is the interest I feel in your family. I will promise you that, if at the end of six years you repent of the purchase, I will refund the fifty dollars with full interest for the whole time."

14. Farmer Burritt looked puzzled. He knew his neigh

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bor to be a good friend; and, although he thought the suggestion a foolish one, yet he was touched at the kind interest expressed in his children. After a silence of some minutes, as if he knew not what to say, he replied, "Well, well, I will think of it."

15. A day or two afterward, these two neighbors met again, and the farmer said, "I have been thinking of what you said, and, out of respect for you, here are the fifty dollars for the books. It is a foolish affair, and I would not like to have it get abroad. But remember I hold you to the promise to pay principal and interest at the end of six years; so I can't lose much by the investment."

16. His friend took the money with great pleasure; and he saw that a new light was about to dawn on Farmer Burritt's household. The books were purchased. The selection contained some valuable religious books, a number of biographies, a choice volume or two on agriculture and gardening, several on general as well as natural history, a few good books of travels, and various others both entertaining and instructive.

17. In due time, the little library was properly arranged in a neat case; and the children promised to spend some of their leisure time in trying to find out what the books contained; and soon they all became deeply interested.

18. We pass over a few years. No one can pass Mr. Burritt's farm without perceiving some improvement. The external aspect of the old homestead has a more cheerful and comfortable appearance. Instead of the straggling and unsightly objects which used to be seen around the house, every thing has a tidy look.

19. The grass is growing, and the flowering shrubbery creeps up the walls, and adorns the pathway. The vegetable garden is in better taste; the ornamental accompanies the useful, and gives evidence that the books on gardening have been well consulted.

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20. A glance inside shows a better-regulated family, and

more obe:lient and better-dressed children. Farmer Burritt acknowledges that Thomas, his oldest boy, has got something out of his books, which has saved labor and improved his crops. 21. Other years pass, and the improvement is still more visible. Mr. Burritt, ashamed of his deficiencies, has been reading, too, and, marvelous to tell, has expended an additional fifty dollars for books. His conversation has become more intelligent. He knows something besides his employment; and his whole manner has undergone a wonderful change.

22. The religious books, too, have accomplished their mission. Relig on dwells in that household, and has its altar there. There can be no complaint that books have rendered the children idle; for they have given a new stimulus to industry. The farm is more productive than ever; for the farmer has better agricultural implements and more. agricultural knowledge.

23. Mrs. Burritt looks with a mother's pride upon her daughters; and well she may, they are so sensible, so refined in manners, so attentive to their duties, and so anxious to excel in every branch of domestic usefulness.

24. We should here mention that the kind friend, who had been the cause of this improvement, had so far recruited his health, as to be able to return to his city business. never lost sight of the Burritts.

But he

25. Some twelve or fifteen years after, he spent a week or two with his old friends. How did he find things then? Changed, most agreeably changed. James, the third son, was obtaining an extensive practice as one of the best physicians in the neighborhood. Thomas was a successful farmer; and Robert, the second son, what was he?

26. It is the Sabbath; and the stone church of the village is densely crowded. A young minister arises to address the assembly for the first time in the old church. It is Robert; and the many moist eyes, in every part of the congregation, tell the affectionate earnestness of his powerful appeals.

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