THE bird that soars on highest wing,
Builds on the ground her lowly nest;
And she that doth most sweetly sing,
Sings in the shade when all things rest.
-In lark and nightingale we see
What honour hath humility.

When Mary chose the "better part,"
She meekly sat at Jesus' feet;

And Lydia's gently-open'd heart

Was made for God's own temple meet;

-Fairest and best adorn'd is she

Whose clothing is humility.

The saint that wears heaven's brightest crown,
In deepest adoration bends;

The weight of glory bows him down,
Then most when most his soul ascends;
-Nearest the throne itself must be
The footstool of humility.

1. What song-bird soars highest?
2. Where does the lark build her nest?
3. Which bird sings most sweetly?
4. Where and when does she sing?
5. Of what christian grace do these facts
afford an illustration?

6. What is meant by the "better part?" 7. In what should we imitate Mary? 8. Under whose preaching did the Lord open Lydia's heart?

9. Who, does the poet say, bends lowest in presence of his God?

COMMON THINGS.

THE SUN is a glorious thing,

That comes alike to all,

Lighting the peasant's lonely cot,
The noble's painted hall.

MRS. HAWKSHAWE.

The moonlight is a gentle thing,
It through the window gleams
Upon the snowy pillow where
The happy infant dreams.

It shines upon the fisher's boat,
Out on the lonely sea;

Or where the little lambkins lie,
Beneath the old oak tree.

The dew-drops on the summer morn,
Sparkle upon the grass

The village children brush them off,
That through the meadows pass.

There are no gems in monarch's crowns,
More beautiful than they ;

And yet we scarcely notice them,
But tread them off in play.

Poor Robin on the pear-tree sings,

Beside the cottage door;

The heath-flower fills the air with sweets,

Upon the pathless moor.

There are as many lovely things,

As many pleasant tones,

For those who sit by cottage-hearths
As those who sit on thrones.

THE DYING BOY.

I KNEW a boy, whose infant feet had trod
Upon the blossoms of some seven springs,
And when the eighth came round, and called him out
To gambol in the sun, he turned away,

And sought his chamber, to lie down and die!

"Twas night-he summoned his accustomed friends,

And, on this wise, bestowed his last bequest:

"Mother! I'm dying now

There is deep suffocation in my breast,
As if some heavy hand my bosom prest;
And on my brow

"I feel the cold sweat stand;

My lips grow dry and tremulous, and my breath
Comes feebly up. Oh! tell me, is this death?
Mother! your hand-

"Here-lay it on my wrist,

And place the other thus, beneath my head,
And say, sweet mother!-say, when I am dead,
Shall I be missed?

"Never beside your knee

Shall I kneel down again at night to pray,
Nor with the morning wake, and sing the lay
You taught to me!

"Oh, at the time of prayer,

When you look round and see a vacant seat,
You will not wait then for my coming feet-
You'll miss me there!"

"Father! I'm going home!

To the good home you speak of, that blest land
Where it is one bright summer always, and
Storms do not come.

"I must be happy then,

From pain and death you say I shall be free-
That sickness never enters there, and we
Shall meet again! "

"Brother!-the little spot

I used to call my garden, where long hours
We've stayed to watch the budding things and flowers,
Forget it not!

"Plant there some box or pineSomething that lives in winter, and will be

A verdant offering to my memory,
And call it mine! "

"Sister! my young rose tree-

That all the spring has been my pleasant care,
Just putting forth its leaves so green and fair,
I give it thee.

"And when its roses bloom,

I shall be gone away-my short life done!
But will you not bestow a single one
Upon my tomb?”

"Now, mother! sing the tune

You sang last night-I'm weary and must sleep!
Who was it called my name?-Nay, do not weep,
You'll all come soon!"

Morning spread over earth her rosy wings-
And that meek sufferer, cold and ivory pale,
Lay on his couch asleep! The gentle air
Came through the open window, freighted with
The savoury odours of the early spring-
He breathed it not !-The laugh of passers by
Jarred like a discord in some mournful tune,
But marred not his slumbers-He was dead!

"And many a message have I brought
To families I cannot find;

Long for John Goodman's have I sought,
To tell them Hal's not far behind."

"Oh! does he live!" my father cried;
My mother did not stay to speak;
My Jessy now I silent eyed,

Who throbb'd as if her would break.

My mother saw her catching sigh,
And hid her face behind the rock,
While tears swam round in every eye,
And not a single word was spoke.

"He lives indeed! this kerchief see,
At parting his dear Jessy gave;
He sent it far, with love, by me,

To show he still escapes the grave."

An arrow, darting from a bow,

Could not more quick the token reach;

The patch from off my face I drew,

And gave my voice its well-known speech.

"My Jessy dear!" I softly said,
She gaz'd and answer'd with a sigh;
My sisters look'd, as half afraid;
My mother fainted quite for joy.

My father danced around his son,
My brothers shook my hand away;
My mother said "her glass might run,
She car'd not now how soon the day."

"Hout, woman!" cried my father dear,
"A wedding first, I'm sure, we'll have;
I warrant we'll live a hundred year,

Nay, may be, lass, escape the grave!"

1. Was the soldier expected home? 2. What time in the day did he reach his native cot?

3. How were his father and mother and the rest of the family engaged?

4. Name the friend to whom Jean was whispering.

5. What might the effects of his sudden entrance have been?

6. How did he manage to avoid giving them too great a surprise?

7. Who only recognised him at once? 8. How did Tray show that he knew him?

9. What word engaged their loves at once, and why?

10. Of whom did the old man speak?

11. What reply did the soldier make? 12. Who is Hal, and what is the full name?

13. Can you tell me what the father's name was?

14. What effect was produced by the information that Harry was alive? 15. What is meant by the rock, in verse 13th?

16. Who knew the kerchief well, and why did she know it so well?

17. Who fainted, and how did the father act?

18. How did the brothers act, and what did the mother say?

19. What is meant by glass, in verse 17th?