of differentiating (seeing the differences of things) becomes more accurate and complete.

For example: To the unthinking, all the books in a library seem much alike; but the observing reader soon learns that each individual book differs from every other; and, if he would give a clear description of any given book, he must call our attention not to what is common to all books, but to the points wherein this given book differs from the other books.

Or, in giving a clear idea of any character in history, the writer speaks not of such common traits and deeds as were shared with the many, but of those peculiar attributes and acts which distinguish him from all othersthose things which characterize him as an individual.

And so, to give a clear picture of any kind on any subject, the author must seize on the special points which individuate it.

A favorite means of making an idea more vivid and distinct (especially in poetry and eloquence) is by comparing it with something similar, but more familiar and striking. But the most distinctive way of expressing an idea is by contrasting it with its opposite.

THESE DISTINCTIVE POINTS OF GOOD THINKING AND WRITING ARE THE IMPORTANT IDEAS WHICH IN ELOCUTION DEMAND SPECIAL EMPHASIS AND EXPRESSION.

But these ideas are innumerable; and how can we ever learn to read well the hundredth part of them?

By grouping similar ideas into one class; so that, when we learn to read understandingly a few representative ideas of any given class, we learn essentially how to read all ideas of that general kind.

This classification must be purely elocutionary. By "similar ideas," we mean such as have naturally similar vocal expression.

IV.-WINTER.

1. When icicles hang by the wall,

And Dick, the shepherd, blows his nail,
And Tom bears logs into the hall,

And milk comes frozen home in pail,
When blood is nipped, and ways be foul,
Then nightly sings the staring owl,
Tu-whoo!

Tu-whit, tu-whoo!-a merry note,
While greasy Joan doth keel the pot.

2. When all aloud the wind doth blow,

And coughing drowns the parson's saw,
And birds sit brooding in the snow,

And Marian's nose looks red and raw,
When roasted crabs hiss in the bowl,
Then nightly sings the staring owl,
Tu-whoo!

Tu-whit, tu-whoo-a merry note,

While greasy Joan doth keel the pot.

William Shakespeare.

FOR PREPARATION.-I. From "Love's Labor's Lost," Act V., Scene 2. The song in praise of the owl, representing winter. It is a good specimen of Shakespeare's songs.

II. I'-çi-ele (i'si-kl), shěp'-herd (-erd), frō'-zen (-z), night'-ly (nit'-), greas'-y, eough'-ing (kawf'-).

III. Shepherd (sheep-herd); frozen (explain the suffix en); doth (th); nipped (ed).

IV. Nipped, brooding.

V. "Ways be foul" (i. e., bad roads). Why is the owl called “ star"Parson's saw 99 (saw = a speech or sermon). "Crabs" (crab

ing"

V. MARMION AND DOUGLAS.

1. Not far advanced was morning day,
When Marmion did his troops array,
To Surrey's camp to ride;

He had safe conduct for his band,
Beneath the royal seal and hand,
And Douglas gave a guide.

2. The ancient earl, with stately grace,
Would Clara on her palfrey place,
And whispered in an undertone,
"Let the hawk stoop, his prey is flown."
The train from out the castle drew,
But Marmion stopped to bid adieu:

3. "Though something I might plain,” he said,
"Of cold respect to stranger guest,
Sent hither by your king's behest,
While in Tantallon's towers I stayed;
Part we in friendship from your land,
And, noble earl, receive my hand."

4. But Douglas round him drew his cloak,
Folded his arms, and thus he spoke :

My manors, halls, and bowers shall still
Be open at my sovereign's will,

To each one whom he lists, howe'er
Unmeet to be the owner's peer.
My castles are my king's alone,
From turret to foundation stone:
The hand of Douglas is his own,
And never shall, in friendly grasp,
The hand of such as Marmion clasp."

5. Burned Marmion's swarthy cheek like fire,
And shook his very frame for ire;

And "This to me!" he said:
"An 't were not for thy hoary beard,
Such hand as Marmion's had not spared
To cleave the Douglas' head!

6. "And, first, I tell thee, haughty peer,
He who does England's message here,
Although the meanest in her state,
May well, proud Angus, be thy mate;
And, Douglas, more I tell thee here,
Even in thy pitch of pride—
Here in thy hold, thy vassals near
(Nay, never look upon your lord,
And lay your hand upon your sword),
I tell thee thou'rt defied!
And if thou saidst I am not peer
To any lord in Scotland here,
Lowland or highland, far or near,
Lord Angus, thou hast lied!"

7. On the earl's cheek the flush of rage O'ercame the ashen hue of age;

Fierce he broke forth: "And dar'st thou then

To beard the lion in his den,

The Douglas in his hall?

And hop'st thou hence unscathed to go?-
No! by Saint Bride of Bothwell, no!

8. "Up drawbridge, grooms-what, warder, ho! Let the portcullis fall!"

Lord Marmion turned-well was his need-
And dashed the rowels in his steed;

Like arrow through the archway sprung;
The ponderous grate behind him rung;
pass there was such scanty room,

To

The bars, descending, grazed his plume.

9. The steed along the drawbridge flies,
Just as it trembles on the rise;
Not lighter does the swallow skim

Along the smooth lake's level brim;

And when Lord Marmion reached his band,
He halts, and turns with clenchéd hand,

And shout of loud defiance pours,

And shook his gauntlet at the towers.

10. "Horse! horse!" the Douglas cried, "and chase!"
But soon he reined his fury's pace.
"A royal messenger he came,

Though most unworthy of the name.
A letter forged! Saint Jude to speed!
Did ever knight so foul a deed?
At first, in heart, it liked me ill,
When the king praised his clerkly skill.
Thanks to Saint Bothan, son of mine,

Save Gawain, ne'er could pen a line."

Sir Walter Scott.

FOR PREPARATION.-I. Selection from Canto VI. of "Marmion, a Tale of Flodden Field." Have you read "Sunset on the Border"? (XXVI.) The Scotch king, James IV., in 1513, made an inroad into the north of England, capturing four border fortresses and encamping on Flodden, the last of the Cheviot hills. There he was defeated and killed by the English under the Earl of Surrey. The scene here is laid at Tantallon Castle, the home of the great Earl Douglas (fifth Earl of Angus, called "Bell the Cat"), three miles from North Berwick. Marmion is an English lord come hither as envoy, and now returning to the English camp with Clara, who has been intrusted to his charge by the Scotch king. Gawain, the son of Douglas, translated Vergil's "Æneid" into Scottish verse in 1513.