which beamed from the face of the goddess seemed to shed a glory round her votaries happy said I are those who are permitted to ascend the mountain while I was pronouncing this exclamation with uncommon ardour I saw standing beside me a form of diviner features and a more benign radiance happier said she are those whom Virtue conducts to the mansions of Content what said I does Virtue then reside in the vale I am found said she in the vale and I illuminate the mountain I cheer the cottager at his toil and inspire the sage at his meditation I mingle in the crowd of cities and bless the hermit in his cell I have a temple in every heart that owns my influence and to him that wishes for me I am already present Science may raise you to eminence but I alone can guide to felicity while the goddess was thus speaking I stretched out my arms towards her with a vehemence which broke my slumbers the chill dews were falling around me and the shades of evening stretched over the landscape I hastened homeward and resigned the night to silence and meditation.

SECTION III.

DICTATION.

I. Write to dictation the following narrative, inserting the points and capital letters, and forming the paragraphs.

Edward III., after the battle of Cressy, laid siege to Calais. He had fortified his camp in so impregnable a manner, that all the efforts of France proved ineffectual to raise the siege or throw succours into the city. The citizens, under Count Vienne, their gallant governor, made an admirable defence. France had now put the sickle into her second harvest, since Edward, with this victorious army, sat down before the town. The eyes of all Europe were intent on the issue. At length, famine did more for Edward than arms. After suffering the

most dreadful calamities, they resolved to attempt the enemy's camp. They boldly sallied forth; the English joined battle; and, after a long and desperate engagement, Count Vienne was taken prisoner, and the citizens who survived the slaughter retired within their gates.

The command now devolving upon Eustace St Pierre, a man of mean birth, but of exalted virtue, he offered to capitulate with Edward, provided he permitted them to depart with life and liberty. Edward, to avoid the imputation of cruelty, consented to spare the inhabitants, provided they delivered up to him six of their principal citizens with halters about their necks, as victims of atonement for that spirit of rebellion with which they had inflamed the people.

When his messenger Sir Walter Mauny delivered the terms, consternation and pale dismay were impressed on every countenance. To a long and dead silence, deep sighs and groans succeeded, till Eustace St Pierre, ascending an eminence, thus addressed the assembly: "My friends, we are brought to great straits this day. Is there any expedient left, whereby we may avoid the guilt and infamy of delivering up those who have suffered every misery with you, or the desolation and horror of a sacked city? There is, my friends; there is one expedient left! Is there any here to whom virtue is dearer than life? Let him offer himself an oblation for the safety of his people. He shall not fail of a blessed approbation from that Power who offered up his only Son for the salvation of mankind."

He spoke; but a universal silence ensued. Each man looked around for the example of that virtue and magnanimity which all wished to approve in themselves, though they wanted the resolution. At length St Pierre resumed: "I doubt not that there are many here more zealous of this martyrdom than I can be; though the station to which I am raised by the captivity of Lord Vienne invests me with a right to be the first in giving up my life for your sakes. I give it freely; I give it cheerfully. Who comes next?" "Your son," exclaimed a youth not yet come to maturity. "Ah!

my child!" cried St Pierre; "I am then twice sacrificed. But no; thy years are few, but full, my son. The victim of virtue has reached the utmost purpose and goal of mortality! Who next, my friends? This is the hour of heroes." "Your kinsman," cried John de Aire. “Your kinsman,” cried James Wissant. "Your kinsman," cried Peter Wissant. "Ah!" exclaimed Sir Walter Mauny, bursting into tears, why was not I a citizen of Calais ? The sixth victim was still wanting, but was quickly supplied by lot from numbers who were now emulous of so ennobling an example.

The keys of the city were then delivered to Sir Walter. He took the six prisoners into his custody; then ordered the gates to be opened, and gave charge to his attendants to conduct the remaining citizens with their families through the camp of the English. Before they departed, however, they desired permission to take the last adieu of their deliverers. What a parting! What a scene! They crowded about St Pierre and his fellow-prisoners. They embraced; they clung around; they fell prostrate before them; they groaned; they wept aloud; and the joint clamour of their mourning passed the gates of the city, and was heard throughout the English

camp.

This exercise can be multiplied at pleasure.

SECTION IV.

CONSTRUCTION OF SENTENCES TO ILLUSTRATE

PUNCTUATION.

EXERCISES.

1. Write six sentences in each of which a comma is required.

2. Write six sentences in each of which two commas are required.

3. Write six sentences in each of which three commas are required.

4. Write six sentences in each of which four commas are required.

5. Write six sentences in each of which a semicolon is required.

6. Write six sentences in each of which a colon is required.

7. Write six sentences in each of which a point of interrogation is required.

8. Write six sentences in each of which a point of exclamation is required.

9. Write from memory the Lord's Prayer, inserting the points.

10. Write from memory the second, third, fourth, fifth, and tenth commandments, inserting the points. 11. Write from memory the first, twenty-third, and hundredth psalms, inserting the points.

BOOK IV.

ON SIMPLE NARRATIVE.

SECTION I.

FABLES.

Write Fables from the following heads.

EXAMPLE.

THE SICK LION, the Wolf, and the Fox.

The lion-the surfeit the disorder-the visits-the condolence the absence- the accusation - the wrath-the arrival — the discovery—the excuse—the prescription—the experiment the victim-the moral.

FABLE.

A lion, having surfeited himself with feasting, was seized with a dangerous disorder. The beasts of the forest flocked in great numbers to express their concern on the occasion; and scarcely one was absent except the fox. The wolf, an ill-natured and malicious animal, embraced this opportunity to accuse him of disrespect and disloyalty to his majesty, so that the lion's wrath was beginning to kindle. At this moment the fox happened to arrive, and discovered what had been going on, from having overheard a part of the wolf's discourse. He therefore very cunningly excused himself in the following manner : "Some people," said he, "may pretend