Nor wonder if you find that none SECTION VI. EXPRESSION OF IDEAS (continued). Let the Pupil amplify the following passages, expressing the ideas in sentences of his own construction and arrangement :- EXAMPLE. In whatever state I am, I first of all look up to heaven; I next look down upon the earth; I then look abroad into the world: and thus I learn where true happiness is placed; where all our cares must end; and how very little reason I have to repine or to complain. In whatever condition or situation Divine Providence places me, I first of all look up to heaven, and reflect that my principal business here is to get to that blest abode. I next look down upon the earth, and call to mind that, when I am dead, I shall occupy but a small space in it. I then look abroad into the world, and observe what multitudes there are, who, in every respect, are less fortunate than myself. Thus I learn where true happiness is placed; where all our cares must end; and how very little reason I have to repine or to complain. EXERCISES. 1. Our needful knowledge, like our needful food, And bids all welcome to the vital feast. 2. A fox, being inclined to play a practical joke upon his neighbour the stork, asked him to dinner, which he caused to be served up in broad shallow dishes. The stork, perceiving the trick, took no notice, but, at parting, pressed the fox very much to return the visit. When the day arrived, and he repaired to his appointment, Reynard was very much displeased to see the dinner served up in long narrow-necked glasses. 66 They that cannot take a jest," said the stork, "should never make one." 3. Alexander the Great having taken Sidon, ordered one of his generals to bestow the crown upon the citizen who seemed to be most worthy, when he offered it to two brothers in whose house he was quartered. Both, however, refused it, stating that it was contrary to the laws for any one to wear the crown, who was not of the royal family, and, at the same time, recommending Abdolonymus, whom misfortune had reduced to the necessity of cultivating a small garden in the suburbs of the city. Abdolonymus was weeding his garden, when the messengers went to him, and at first thought that they were insulting his poverty, when they saluted him as king; but at last he was prevailed upon to go to the palace, and accept the regal office. Pride and envy created him so many enemies, that Alexander sent for him, and inquired with what temper of mind he had borne his poverty. "I pray," replied Abdolonymus, "that I may bear my crown with equal moderation." Alexander was so highly pleased with his answer, that he confirmed him in the throne, and added a neighbouring province to his government. 4. Once I beheld a captive, whom these wars Had been my playmate. One morn,-I'll ne'er forget!- To warp a cradle for our child unborn, I think he's gone; and now I only wish For liberty and home, that I may see, And stretch myself, and die upon that grave. 5. Androcles, the slave of a noble Roman, who was proconsul of Africa, having fled into the deserts to escape punishment for some offence, went into a cave, in which he had scarcely seated himself, when a huge lion entered, and, coming up to him, laid its paw upon his lap. When he had recovered from his fright, he pulled out a large thorn, which he observed had caused the lion's foot to swell; upon which the grateful animal went away, and soon after returned with a fawn, which it had just killed. For many days he was supported in the same manner; till, tired of this savage society, he determined to give himself up to his master. He was condemned to fight with wild beasts in the amphitheatre at Rome. When the day at last arrived, and every thing was ready, a monstrous lion sprung from its den; but it no sooner saw Androcles, than it fell to the ground, and began to lick his feet. It was his friend of the African deserts; and the spectators having heard the story, interceded for the slave, who was immediately set at liberty, and received the lion as a present. He used to lead it through the streets of Rome, the people saying to one another, as they passed, “This is the lion, who was the man's host; this is the man, who was the lion's physician." 6. Then Commerce brought into the public walk The boat, light-skimming, stretch'd its oary wings; While deep, the various voice of fervent toil From bank to bank increased; whence, ribb'd with oak, The roaring vessel rush'd into the main. SECTION VII. EXPRESSION OF IDEAS (continued). Let the Pupil write from the following hints, expressing the ideas in sentences of his own construction and arrangement : EXAMPLE. The Rein-deer; in what countries found; importance to the inhabitants; what animals it supplies the place of; in what respects; what got from it; what trained to draw; mode of travelling. The rein-deer is a native of the icy regions of the north, where, by a wise and bountiful arrangement of Providence, it exists for the support and comfort of a race of men, who would find it impossible to subsist among their frozen lakes and snowy mountains, without the advantages which they derive from this inestimable animal. To the Laplanders, the horse, the cow, and the sheep, are unknown; but the rein-deer supplies the place of them all. It supplies the place of the horse, in carrying them over tracks that would otherwise be impassable; that of the cow, in affording them milk; and that of the sheep, in clothing them. Its flesh affords excellent food; its very sinews supply them with thread; and there is scarcely any part of the animal that is not, in some way, conducive to their comfortable existence. The rein-deer are, at an early age, taught to draw the sledge, which is an extremely light sort of carriage, that can be used only in winter, when the ground is covered with snow. The person who sits in it, guides the animal with a cord fastened to its horns, and drives it with a goad. The Laplander will in this manner travel about thirty miles a-day, without forcing the rein-deer to make any extraordinary effort. EXERCISES. 1. The Camel; where found; the varieties of this animal found in some countries; description of countries in which found; what got from it; what its special use; how adapted for travelling; its docility; anecdotes of the camel. 2. The Cotton-plant; where cultivated; how raised; what it yields; how produce gathered; how prepared; cotton-manufactures; where carried to greatest perfection; by what means; improvers of cotton-manufactures; influence upon comfort, habits, and civilisation of mankind. 3. Fable of the Boy and the Butterfly; why he pursued it; where and how he tried to seize it; where at last he caught it; what the butterfly an emblem of; moral of the fable. 4. Regulus; by whom taken prisoner; for what purpose sent to Rome; what advice gave to the Romans; why he gave this advice; what he had pledged himself to do; what he did in consequence of this pledge; what he suffered; of what virtue an extraordinary example. 5. Who are our neighbours; in a literal sense; in the Scriptural sense; who taught us this; in what parable; what gave rise to it; the circumstances of the parable; the practical lessons which it teaches. 6. A Waterfall; the surrounding country; the approach; the stream above; the banks; the precipice; the fall; the noise; the foam; the mist; the pool beneath; the course; a comparison; a quotation. SECTION VIII. EXPRESSION OF IDEAS (continued). Let the Pupil write from memory the substance of the lessons read in the class, expressing the ideas in sentences of his own construction and arrangement.* SECTION IX. EXPRESSION OF IDEAS (continued). Let the Pupil write from memory the substance of what has been told or read by the Teacher, or of lectures or sermons which he may have heard, expressing the ideas in sentences of his own construction and arrangement.t The exercises under this and the following Section are necessarily left to the Teacher. The Master will find it of great use, in teaching his Pupils fluency of expression, to make them do orally what they are required to do in writing in the two preceding sections. |