HOME.

"Another went forth on the foaming waves
And diminished the basket's store-
But his feet grew cold-so weary and cold-
They'll never be warm any more-

And this nook, in its emptiness, seemeth to me
To give forth no voice but the moan of the sea.

"Two others have gone toward the setting sun,
And made them a home in its light,

And fairy fingers have taken their share
To mend by the fireside bright;
Some other baskets their garments fill-
But mine! Oh, mine is emptier still.

"Another-the dearest-the fairest-the best-
Was ta'en by the angels away,

And clad in a garment that waxeth not old,
In a land of continual day.

Oh! wonder no more at the dimmed eye-light,
While I mend the one pair of stockings to-night."

119

HOME.

MONTGOMERY.

This choice piece should be spoken in a tone expressive of mingled pride and delight; the eye kindling with pleasure, the voice full and melodious:

There is a land, of every land the pride,
Beloved by Heaven o'er all the world beside;
Where brighter suns dispense serener light,
And milder moons emparadise the night;
A land of beauty, virtue, valor, truth,
Time-tutored age, and love-exalted youth:
The wandering mariner, whose eye explores

The wealthiest isles, the most enchanting shores,

Views not a realm so bountiful and fair,

Nor breathes the spirit of a purer air.

In every clime the magnet of his soul,

Touched, by remembrance, trembles to that pole;
For in this land of Heaven's peculiar grace,
The heritage of nature's noblest race,
There is a spot of earth supremely blost,
A dearer, sweeter spot than all the rest,

120

GOLDEN RULES OF DAVID COPPERFIELD.

Where man, creation's tyrant, casts aside
His sword and sceptre, pageantry and pride,
While in his softened looks benignly blend
The sire, the son, the husband, brother, friend.
Here woman reigns; the mother, daughter, wife,
Strew with fresh flowers the narrow way of life!
In the clear heaven of her delightful eye,
An angel-guard of loves and graces lie;
Around her knees domestic duties meet,
And fireside pleasures gambol at her feet.

Where shall that land, that spot of earth, be found?
Art thou a man ?-a patriot ?-look around;
O, thou shalt find, howe'er thy footsteps roam,
That land thy country, and that spot thy home!

GOLDEN RULES OF DAVID COPPERFIELD.

DICKENS.

The following specimen of fine English prose is here given that the speaker may accustom himself to what every public debater will often find he is frequently called upon to do -namely to read extracts, resolutions, etc. Read slowly; giving to every word its due importance, and enunciating every syllable clearly and distinctly :

I feel as if it were not for me to record, even though this manuscript is intended for no eyes but mine, how hard I worked at that tremendous short-hand, and all improvement appertaining to it, in my sense of responsibility to Dora and her aunts. I will only add, to what I have already written of my perseverance at this time of my life, and of a patient and continuous energy which then began to be matured within me, and which I know to be the strong part of my character, if it have any strength at all, that there, on looking back, I find the source of my success.

I have been very fortunate in worldly matters; many men have worked much harder, and not succeeded half so well; but I never could have done what I have done, without the habits of punctuality, order, and diligence, without the determination to concentrate myself on one object at a time, no matter how quickly its successor should come upon its heels, which I then formed. Heaven knows I write this in no spirit of self-laudation.

The man who reviews his life, as I do mine, in going on here, from page to page, had need to have been a good man, indeed, if he would be spared the sharp consciousness of many talents neglected, many

No. 10.-See Appendix.

123

OTHELLO'S TALE OF HIS WOOING.

opportunities wasted, many erratic and perverted feelings constantly at war within his breast, and defeating him. I do not hold one natural gift, I dare say, that I have not abused. My meaning simply is, that whatever I have tried to do in life, I have tried with all my heart to do well; that whatever I have devoted myself to, I have devoted myself to completely; that, in great aims and in small, I have always been thoroughly in earnest.

I have never believed it possible that any natural or improved ability can claim immunity from the companionship of the steady, plain, hard-working qualities, and hope to gain its end.

There is

no such thing as such fulfillment on this earth. Some happy talent, and some fortunate opportunity, may form the two sides of the ladder on which some men mount; but the rounds of that ladder must be made of stuff to stand wear and tear; and there is no substitute for thorough-going, ardent, and sincere earnestness. Never to put one hand to anything, on which I could throw my whole self; and never to affect depreciation of my work, whatever it was; I find, now, to have been my golden rules.

OTHELLO'S TALE OF HIS WOOING.

SHAKESPEARE.

In this piece the speaker should assume an attitude of calm dignity-equally removed from arrogant hauteur as from timid subserviency. As Othello warms at the recital of his daring deeds and wonderful adventures his voice grows stronger, his actions bolder. Whenever he refers directly to Desdemona, a pleasant smile irradiates his features, and his tones become soft and flute-like:

Othello. As truly as to Heaven

I do confess the vices of my blood,
So justly to your grave ears I'll present
How I did thrive in this fair lady's love,
And she in mine.

Duke.

Say it, Othello.

Oth. Her father loved me; oft invited me,
Still question'd me the story of my life,
From year to year; the battle, sieges, fortunes,
That I have pass'd.

I ran it through, even from my boyish days
To the very moment that he bade me tell it.
Wherein I spoke of most disastrous chances,
Of moving accidents, by flood and field;

Of hair breadth 'scapes i' the imminent deadly breach;