of a nature to carry conviction to the most illiterate and skeptical 9. Our knowledge, extending to the principles and laws which the Author of nature has chosen to impress upon his work, comprehends the future; it resembles that which has been regarded as the exclusive attribute of supreme intelligence. We are thus enabled, not only to explain those unusual appearances in the heavens, which were formerly the occasion of such unworthy fears, but to forewarn men of their occurrence; and, by predicting the time, place, and circumstances of the phenomenon, to disarm it of its terror. LESSON L. HYMN TO THE UNIVERSE. 1. Roll on, thou Sun! forever roll, Thou giant, rushing through the heaven, Thy golden wheels by angels driven; 2 Roll, lovely Earth! and still roll on, Behold thy tints of mount and stream, 3. Roll, Planets! on your dazzling road, What eye beheld when first ye glowed? Ye dauntless splendors of the skies! The incense of creation rise. 4. Roll, Comets! and ye million Stars! Ye that through boundless nature roam; Around His throne, where dwells your God! LESSON LI. NIGHT AND TRANQUILLITY.— SHELLEY. [See Rule 9, p. 185.] 1. How beautiful this night! The balmiest sigh, 2. Which vernal zephyrs breathe in Evening's ear, That wraps this moveless scene. Heaven's ebon vault, Studded with stars unutterably bright, Through which the moon's unclouded grandeur rolls, Seems like a canopy, which love had spread To curtain the sleeping world. Yon gentle hills, Robed in a garment of untrodden snow; B. Yon darksome rocks, whence icicles depend, So stainless, that their white and glittering spires A metaphor of peace;· all form a scene, Where musing Solitude might love to lift Where Silence, undisturbed, might watch alone, The orb of day, In southern climes, o'er ocean's waveless field, LESSON LII. DAVID AND GOLIATH.- MORE. [Before reading this piece, let the pupil study the character of the speakers, and their language, and tell how it should be read. See I. Sam., chap. xvii., Personation, p. 200, Rules 8, and 12, p. 184, and 193.] Goliath. Where is the mighty man of war who dares What victor king, what gen'ral drenched in blood, Has he to boast? Is his bright armory Thick-set with spears, and swords, and coats of mail, So much a wretch, so out of love with life, I grudge the glory to his parting soul To fall by this right hand. "T will sweeten death, With the dread son of Anak. Latest time From blank oblivion shall retrieve his name, With Gath's triumphant champion. Come, advance, Direct my sight. I do not war with boys. Dav. I stand prepared; thy single arm to mine. Gol. Why this mockery, minion? it may chance To cost thee dear. Sport not with things above thee; But tell me who, of all this numerous host, Expects his death from me? Which is the man, Whom Israel sends to meet my bold defiance! Dav. Th' election of my sovereign falls on me. Gol. On thee! on thee! by Dagon, 't is too much! Thou curled minion! thou a nation's champion! 'T would move my mirth at any other time; But trifling's out of tune. Begone, light boy! And tempt me not too far. Dav. I do defy thee, Thou foul idolater! Hast thou not scorned The armies of the living God I serve? By me he will avenge upon thy head Thy nation's sins and thine. Armed with his name That ever bathed his hostile spear in blood. Gol. Indeed! 't is wondrous well! Now, by my gods, The stripling plays the orator! Vain boy! Keep close to that same bloodless war of words, Touch softly, than provoke the trumpet's rage. Dav. Peace, thou unhallowed railer! Gol. Insulting boy! perhaps thou hast not heard When your weak hosts at Ebenezer pitched |