ing. Because a bird lives in a chimney, he need not be smutty. There is many a fine feather that lives in a chimney-corner. Nor are birds the only instances. Many men are born in a garret, or in a cellar, who fly out of it, as soon as fledged, as fine as any body. A lowly home has reared many high natures. 11. On these bare sticks, right against the bricks, in this smoky flue, the eggs are laid, the brooding goes on, the young are hatched, fed, grown. But then comes the day when they spread the wing, and the whole heaven is theirs! From morning to night, they can not touch the bounds of their liberty! 12. And, in like manner, it is with the human soul that has learned to know its liberty. Born in a body, pent up, and cramped, it seems imprisoned in a mere smoky flue for passions. But, when once faith has taught the soul that it has wings, then it begins to fly; and flying, finds that all God's domain is its liberty. 13. And, as the swallow that comes back to roost in its hard hole at night, is quite content, so that the morning gives it again all the bright heavens for its soaring-ground, so may men, close-quartered and cramped in bodily accommodations, be quite patient of their narrow bounds, for their thoughts may fly out every day gloriously. 14. And as, in autumn, these children of the chimney gather in flocks, and fly away to heavens without a winter, so men shall find a day when they, too, shall migrate; and, rising into a higher sphere, without storm or winter, shall remember the troubles of this mortal life, as birds in Florida may be supposed to remember the northern chills, which drove them forth to a fairer clime. QUESTIONS.-1. What birds seem to love the neighborhood of man? 2. In what respects may men be like birds? LESSON XXIX. THE first part of each verse, or that portion read by the First Voice, should be expressed in a slow and despondent tone of voice: the second part, or that read by the Second Voice, should be expressed in a more sprightly and cheerful manner. THE DOUBTING HEART. ADELAIDE A. PROCTER. FIRST VOICE. 1. Where are the swallows fled? Frozen and dead, Perchance, upon some bleak and stormy shore. SECOND VOICE. O doubting heart! Far over purple seas, They wait, in sunny ease, The balmy, southern breeze, To bring them to their northern homes once more. FIRST VOICE. 2. Why must the flowers die? In the cold tomb, heedless of tears or rain. SECOND VOICE. O doubting heart! The soft, white, ermine snow, While winter winds shall blow, To breathe and smile upon you soon again. FIRST VOICE. 3. The sun has hid its rays Will dreary hours never leave the earth? SECOND VOICE. O doubting heart! The stormy clouds on high That soon, (for Spring is nigh,) FIRST VOICE. 4. Fair Hope is dead, and light What sound can break the silence of despair? SECOND VOICE. O doubting heart! The sky is overcast, Yet stars shall rise at last, LESSON XXX, DECK' ED, dressed; arrayed. UN FAIL' ING, constant; continually. CRISP' ER, more brittle. 7. Storms are trailing, Winds are wailing, Howling, railing, At each door. QUESTIONS.-1. What is the first sign of the coming of winter? 2. What, the second? 3. What, the third? 4. What are some of the pleasures of winter? 5. What is said of the poor in winter? 6. What is the use of the apostrophes in the words autumn's, o'er, pleasure's, 'midst, &c. ? 1. TIRED of play'! tired of play'! How hast thou spent it',-restless one'? 2. Playing? But what hast thou done beside, What promise of morn is left unbroken'? |