1. PLIN' Y, surnamed the Elder, and also the Naturalist, a distin guished Roman writer, born at Verona, or, as some say, at Como, Å. D. 23. He died of suffocation, A. D. 79, in consequence of having approached too near to Mount Vesuvius, in order to observe the phenomena of its eruption. RIVERS. BRANDE. 1. There are few subjects in physical geography which present so wide a field for speculation as rivers, whether we regard them in a historical, political, economical, or scientific point of view. 2. They are associated with the earliest efforts of mankind to emerge from a state of barbarism; but they are no less serviceable to nations which have reached the acmé of civilization. In the earliest ages they were regarded with veneration, and became the objects of a grateful adoration, surpassed only by that paid to the sun and the host of heaven. 3. Nor is this surprising; for, in countries where the labors of the husbandman and shepherd depended, for a successful issue, on the falling of periodical rains, or the melting of the collected snows in a far distant country, such rivers as the Nile, the Ganges, and the Indus, were the visible agents of nature in bestowing on the inhabitants of their banks all the blessings of a rich and spontaneous fertility; and hence their waters were held sacred, and they received, and to this day retain, the adoration of the countries through which they flow. 4. But it is by countries which have already made progress in civilization, to which, indeed, they largely contribute, that the advantages of rivers are best ap preciated, in their adaptation to the purposes of navigation, and in their application to the useful arts. 5. Like the veins and arteries of the human body, which convey life and strength to its remotest extremities, rivers vivify, maintain, and excite the efforts of human industry, whether we regard them near their source as the humble instruments of turning a mill in their progress as facilitating the transport of agri cultural or manufacturing produce from one district to another, or as enriching the countries at their mouths with the varied products of distant lands. 6. This has been admirably expressed by 'Pliny: "The beginnings of a river," he says, "are insignificant, and its infancy is frivolous: it plays among the flowers of a meadow; it waters a garden, or turns a little mill. Gathering strength, in its youth it becomes wild and impetuous. 7. "Impatient of the restraints which it still meets with in the hollows among the mountains, it is restless and fretful; quick in its turning, and unsteady in its course. Now it is a roaring cataract, tearing up and overturning whatever opposes its progress, and it shoots headlong down from a rock; then it becomes a sullen and gloomy pool, buried in the bottom of a glen. 8. "Recovering breadth by repose, it again dashes along, till, tired of uproar and mischief, it quits all that it has swept along, and leaves the opening of the valley strewed with the rejected waste. Now quitting its retirement, it comes abroad into the world, journeying with more prudence and discretion through cultivated fields, yielding to circumstances, and winding round what would trouble it to overwhelm or remove. 9. "It passes through the populous cities, and all the busy haunts of man, tendering its services on every side, and becomes the support and ornament of the country. Increased by numerous alliances, and advanced in its course, it becomes grave and stately in its motions, loves peace and quiet, and in majestic silence rolls on its mighty waters till it is laid to rest in the vast abyss." QUESTIONS.-1. What is said of rivers considered as subjects of study or speculation. 2. How were rivers regarded in the early ages? 3. What, especially, is said of the Nile, the Ganges, and the Indus? 4. In what countries are rivers best appreciated? 5. What effect do rivers have upon human industry? 6. What is said of the beginnings of a river? 7. What is said of its subsequent course! Where is the river Nile? 8. The Ganges 9. The Indus? LESSON XCV. SPELL AND DEFINE.-1. Ma ter' NAL, motherly. 2. HEARSE, carriage to convey the dead. 3. NURS' ER Y, a room appropriated to the care of children. 4. A DIEU', farewell. 5. AR DENT LY, with warmth; affectionately. 6. DUPE, a person deceived. 7. SUB MIS'BION, resignation. 8. DE PLOR' ED, lamented. LINES ON RECEIVING HIS MOTHER'S PICTURE. COWPER. 1. My Mother, (pl.) when I learned that thou wast déad, -YES. 2. I heard the bell tolled on thy burial day; 3. Thy maidens, grieved themselves at my concern, 3. By QUESTIONS.-1. To whom does Cowper represent himself as speaking! 2. What were his feelings when his mother died? what promise was he, for a time, deceived? last, learn? 4. What did he, at With what modulation should this piece be read? What rule for the rising inflection on mother? What, for the rising on suck, and the falling on was, 2d stanza! LESSON XCVI. SPELL AND DEFINE.-1. BOND' AGE, slavery. Do MAIN', territorial possession. 3. LAND' SCAPE, the view or prospect of a district of country. 4. EN CHANT' ER, one that charms or enchants. 5. PLUME'LESS, without feathers. 6. RAR' EST, Scarcest. 7. BRILLIANT, bright; splendid. 8. RE NOWN' ED, famous. 9. FORE BOD' ING, feeling a secret sense of something future. 10. BANK' RUPT, unable to pay just debts; insolvent. 11. SOL' ACE, consolation. 12. WIZ' ARD, an enchanter; a sorcerer. 13. DIS TRACT ED, perplexed; harassed. 1. O LYM PUs is one of the most celebrated mountains of ancient Greece. It is represented by the poets as being the I abitation of the gods, where Jupiter sat shrouded in clouds and inist from the eyes of mortals. It rises to the hight of about 6500 feet. THE WORLD FOR SALE. 1. THE WORLD FOR SALE!-Hang out the sign; And set me from carth's bondage free: Tis going!-yes, I mean to fling The bauble from my soul away; I'll sell it, whatsoe'er it bring; The World at Auction here to-day! 2. It is a glorious thing to see,— For sale! It shall be mine no more. I would not have you purchase dear; 'Tis going! GOING !—I must sell! RALPH HOTE Who bids?-Who'll buy the splendid Tear? 8. Here's WEALTH in glittering heaps of gold-Who bids?-But let me tell you fair, A baser lot was never sold ;— Who'll buy the heavy heaps of care? ; 4. Here's Love, the dreamy potent spell Who'll buy the plumeless, dying dove,→ 5. And FRIENDSHIP,-rarest gem of earth, -- One, twice, and thrice !—'tis very low! 6. FAME! hold the brilliant meteor high; How much for Faine? (f.) How much for Fame! 7. Sweet star of HOPE! with ray to shine In every sad foreboding breast, Save this desponding one of mine, Who bids for man's last friend and best! Ah, were not mine a bankrupt life, This treasure should my soul sustain; Nor ever may unite again. 8. And SONG! For sale my tuneless lute; Or e'en were mine a wizard shell, Must on its last faint echoes die. |