near and dear to him, the influence and the benefits of this liberty, and of these institutions. Let us, then, acknowledge the blessing; let us feel it deeply and powerfully; let us cherish a strong affection for it, and resolve to maintain and perpetuate it. The blood of our fathers, let it not have been shed in vain; the great hope of posterity, let it not be blasted. 5. It cannot be denied, but by those who would dispute against the sun, that with America, and in America, a new era commences in human affairs. This era is distinguished by free, representative governments; by entire religious liberty; by improved systems of national intercourse; by a newly awakened and an unquenchable spirit of free inquiry; and by a diffusion of knowledge through the community, such as has been before, altogether unknown and unheard . of America, America, our country, fellow-citizens, our own dear and native land, is inseparably connected, fast bound up, in fortune and by fate, with these great interests. If they fall, we fall with them; if they stand, it will be because we have upheld them. LESSON XXVI. SCENE FROM DOUGLAS. — HOME. [Characters-GLENALVON and NORVAL. - See Personation, p. 202.] Glen. Has Norval seen the troops? Nor. The setting sun, With yellow radiance, lightened all the vale; And, as the warriors moved, each polished helm,† * Home, (John,) a clergyman and writer of Scotland, born in 1724, and died In 1808. Пelm, for helmet, defensive armor for the head. Corslet, *. or spear, glanced back his gilded beams. The hill they climbed, and, halting at its top, Of more than mortal size, towering, they seemed Glen. Thou talk'st it well! no leader of our host, Now prompts my tongue, and youthful admiration Of praise pertaining to the great in arms. Glen. You wrong yourself, brave sir! Your martial deeds Have ranked you with the great: but mark me, Norval, Lord Randolph's favor now exalts your youth Above his veterans of famous service. Let me, who know these soldiers, counsel you: Else, they will scarcely brook your late-sprung power, Nor. Sir!I have been accustomed all my days Glen. I did not mean To gall your pride, which now I see is great. Glen. Suppress it, as you wish to prosper : Your pride's excessive! yet, for Randolph's sake, ⚫Corslet, armor formerly worn by pikemen in battle, to protect the body. T I will not leave you to its rash direction. If thus you swell, and frown at high-born men, Glen. Yes. If you presume To bend on soldiers these disdainful eyes, As if you took the measure of their minds, And said, in secret, - Nor. Hast thou no fears for thy presumptuous self? Nor. Didst thou not hear? Glen. Unwillingly I did: a nobler foe Had not been questioned thus. But such as thou Glen. Norval. Nor. So I am ; And who is Norval, in Glenalvon's eyes? Glen. A peasant's son, a wandering beggar boy, At best, - no more, even if he speak the truth. Nor. False as thou art, dost thou suspect my truth? Glen. Thy truth! Thou 'rt all a lie, and false as fiends Is the vain-glorious tale thou told'st to Randolph. Nor. If I were chained, unarmed, or bed-rid old, I have no tongue to rail. The humble Norval Did I not fear to freeze thy shallow valor, And make thee sink too soon beneath my sword, Draw, and defend thy life. [They draw their swords.] I did design To have defied thee in another cause; But Heaven accelerates its vengeance on thee. [Enter Lord Randolph.] [They fight.] Lord Randolph. Hold!-I command you both: The man that stirs, makes me his foe./ Nor. Another voice than thine, That threat had vainly sounded, noble Randolph. Glen. Hear him, my lord, he's wondrous condescending! Mark the humility of shepherd Norval! Nor. Now you may scoff in safety.— Lord R. Speak not thus, [Both sheathe their swords.] Taunting each other; but unfold to me The cause of quarrel; then I'll judge betwixt you. Lord R. Thus far, I'll mediate with impartial voice: The ancient foe of Caledonia's land, Now waves his banners o'er her frighted fields. Suspend your purpose, till your country's arms Repel the bold invader; then decide the private quarrel. Glen. I agree to this. • Cal-e-do'ni-a, the ancient name of Scotland. Let not our variance mar the social hour, Smooth thou thy brow, Nor let our strife disturb the gentle dame. Nor. Think not so lightly, sir, of my resentment; When we contend again, our strife is mortal. LESSON XXVII. A RILL FROM THE TOWN PUMP.- HAWTHORNE. [Humorous. See rule 9, p. 186. Scene, the corner of two principal streets. The Town Pump talking through its nose.] Truly, we public And, among all the 1. Noon, by the north clock! Noon, by the east! High noon, too, by these hot sunbeams, which fall, scarcely aslope, upon my head, and almost make the water bubble and smoke, in the trough under my nose. characters have a tough time of it! town officers, chosen at March meeting, where is he that sustains, for a single year, the burden of such manifold duties as are imposed, in perpetuity, upon the Town Pump? 2. The title of "town treasurer" is rightly mine, as guardian of the best treasure that the town has. The overseers of the poor ought to make me their chairman, since I provide bountifully for the pauper, without expense to him that pays taxes. I am at the head of the fire department, and one of the physicians to the board of health. As a keeper of the peace, all water-drinkers will confess me equal to the constable. I perform some of the duties of the town clerk, by promulgating public notices, when they are pasted on my front. 3 To speak within bounds, I am the chief person of the |