The merchant replies, expressing surprise, as the goods are exactly what were ordered, and asks for a more exact statement of what you want.

Answer, explaining. The merchant acknowledges your letter and states that he is sending articles as indicated. Reply, inclosing your check.

Divide the class into two sections for these letters, one half representing the one ordering goods and the other, the merchant.

(4)

Imagine yourselves in business relations and through your school post office write letters to one another.

LI

A SACRED POEM

Read and memorize :

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament sheweth his handiwork.

Day unto day uttereth speech and night unto night sheweth knowledge.

There is no speech nor language; their voice is not heard. Their lines are gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.

In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun.

Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.

His going forth is from the end of the heaven and his circuit unto the end of it, and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof. - THE BIBLE.

Study this poem until you see its pictures.

There are two: one, of the heavens speaking; the other, of the sun moving through them.

Suggestions:

How do the heavens declare the glory of God?

What speech do day and night utter, though "there is no language"?

Is this contradictory?

Their and them refer to the heavens.

The Sun's abiding place or tabernacle (tent) is in the heavens.

He goes from end to end of the heavens in his circuit. Nothing escapes him.

o'clock. The clouds which have

March 3d, Four been gathering in the horizon for a long time are become darker; it thunders loudly, and the rain pours down! Those who are caught in it fly in every direction, some laughing and some crying.

I always find particular amusement in these helter-skelters, caused by a sudden storm. It seems as if each one, when thus taken by surprise, loses the factitious character the world or habit has given him, and appears in his true colors.

See, for example, that big man with deliberate step, who suddenly forgets his indifference made to order, and runs like a schoolboy! He is a thrifty city gentleman, who with all his fashionable airs, is afraid to spoil his hat.

That pretty lady yonder, on the contrary, whose looks are so modest, and whose dress is so elaborate, slackens her pace with the increasing storm. She seems to find pleasure in braving it, and does not think of her velvet cloak spotted by the hail. She is evidently a lioness in sheep's clothing.

Here, a young man who was passing stops to catch some of the hailstones in his hand, and examines them. By his quick and businesslike walk, just now, you would have taken him for a taxgatherer on his rounds, when he is a young philosopher, studying the effects of electricity. And those schoolboys who leave their ranks to run after the sudden gusts of a March whirlwind; those girls, just now so demure, and who now fly with bursts of laughter; those national guards, who quit the martial attitude of their days of duty, to take refuge under a porch! The storm has caused all these transformations. ÉMILE SOUVestre.

This is a selection from the diary of a man who called himself "The Attic Philosopher." He writes as if he were looking upon the world from the window of the attic where he lived.

Observe how he draws his fine thoughts from the simple things that he sees.

(2)

Look out of your window, and then write a description of the things you see, just as you see them. If they suggest any thoughts to you, write them.

It is well to write in your diary every day, not merely what has happened, but what you have thought about it and the people you have met.

I was convalescing from one of the maladies peculiar to children, measles or whooping-cough, I know not which, - and I had been ordered to remain in bed, and to keep

warm. By the rays of light that filtered in through the closed shutters I divined the springtime warmth and brightness of the sun and air, and I felt sad that I had to remain behind the curtains of my tiny white bed; I wished to rise and go out; but most of all I had a desire to see my mother.

The door opened and she entered smiling. Ah, I remember it so well! I recall so distinctly how she looked as she stood upon the threshold of the door. And I remember that she brought in with her some of the sunlight and balminess of the spring day.

I see again the expression of her face as she looked at me; and I hear the sound of her voice, and recall the details of her beloved dress that would look funny and old-fashioned to me now. She had returned from her morning shopping, and she wore a straw hat trimmed with yellow roses and a shawl of lilac barege (it was the period of the shawl) sprinkled with tiny bouquets of violets. Her dark curls (the poor beloved curls, to-day, alas! so thin and white) were at this time without a gray hair. There was about her the fragrance of the May day, and her face as it looked that morning with its broad-brimmed hat is still distinctly present with me. Besides the bouquet of pink hyacinths she had brought me a tiny watering pot, an exact imitation in miniature of the crockery ones so much used by the country people.

As she leaned over my bed to embrace me, I felt as if every wish was gratified. I no longer had a desire to weep, nor to rise from my bed, nor to go out. She was with me and that sufficed. -PIERRE LOTI.

This is from the story of a man's recollections of his childhood and is a noble tribute to his mother.

Read it carefully; then try to see the picture of the little boy, sick in bed, and of his mother coming with the flowers and the gift. Discuss it in class.

(2)

Write a composition on "My Mother."

Tell your

first recollection of your mother. Mention the many things she does for you. Tell why you love her, and how you think you should treat her. Introduce any incidents that will make your sketch more lifelike.

LIV

RUTH

Literary Study

The story of Ruth in the Bible is a perfect story of simple country life among the ancient Hebrews.

Read it carefully. See how brief and yet how pathetic is the story of Naomi's bereavement. "And the woman was left of her two sons and her husband."

Observe the tender affection between Naomi and her daughters-in-law. Commit to memory Ruth's reply,

beginning "Entreat me not to leave thee."

Ob

Study the picture of Ruth among the reapers. serve the generosity of Boaz and the peculiar customs of the people.

Rejoice with Ruth in her marriage with the rich Boaz and in that her grandson, years afterward, was the great King David.

Tell the story of Ruth.

Write what you see in the picture, page 106.

Point out the figures of speech in the poem, page 107.