1 cedar tree, a tree of the fir tribe famous for its longevity and for its excellent timber. (see app.) ore, a compound or mixture of metal with other substances. Silver, copper, tin, etc., are seldom found in a pure state; they are generally mixed with earth, stone, etc. none, that is, no flowers. lotus, a name given to several beautiful species of water-lily. (see app.) 5 herb, a plant having a soft stem, usually an annual. The word herb in this instance means food plants. all dyed, etc., with colours of the rainbow. 7 supremest grace, grace, or elegance, or beauty, in the highest degree. 8 outward life, the life of the body. 9 minister, to administer; to give; to furnish; to supply. 10 faith, firm, earnest belief or trust in God's care and goodness. 11 dim, weak; faint. 12 Mary Howitt, an English writer of great merit, (see app.)

ABSENT-MINDEDNESS.

SIR ISAAC NEWTON was often so absorbed in his studies, that he became absent-minded. One day a friend paid him a visit, but was told that Sir Isaac was busy and must not be disturbed. Shortly after the servant placed on the table a boiled chicken, and, as an hour passed and Sir Isaac did not appear, the gentleman ate the chicken and covered up the bones, requesting the servant to prepare another for her master. Before this was ready, Sir Isaac entered the room, and, apologising for his delay, said, "As I feel rather faint, perhaps you will excuse me while I take my dinner.” He then lifted the cover, and with a smile said, "See what a strange set we studious people are. I quite forgot that I had dined already." Just then the servant appeared with the other chicken. The visitor told Sir Isaac what he had done, and with a hearty laugh the hungry philosopher sat down to dine.

"GOOD news! great news! glorious news!" cried young Oswald, as he entered his father's house. "We

"Good news! great news! glorious news." (p. 112.)

have gained a com

plete victory, and have killed, I don't know how many thousands of the enemy; and we are to have bonfires and illuminations."

"And so," said his father, "you think that killing a great many thousands of human creatures is a thing to be very glad about.". Os. No-I do not quite think so; but

surely it is right to be glad that our country has gained a great 1advantage.

F. No doubt, it is right to wish well to our country, as far as its prosperity can be promoted without injuring the rest of mankind. But wars are very seldom to the real advantage of any nation; and when they are even useful or necessary, so

many dreadful evils attend them, that a humane man will scarcely rejoice in them, if he consider at all on the subject.

Os. But if our enemies would do us a great deal of mischief, and we prevent it by beating them, have we not a right to be glad of it ?

F. Alas! we are, in general, poor judges which of the parties may have had the most mischievous intentions. Generally, they are both in the wrong, and success will make either of them unjust and unreasonable. But putting this out of the question, he who rejoices in the event of a battle, rejoices in the misery of many thousands of his species; and the thought of that should make him pause a little. Suppose a surgeon were to come with a smiling countenance, and tell us triumphantly that he had cut off half a dozen legs to-day-what would you think of him?

Os. I should think him very hard-hearted.

F. And yet those operations are done for the benefit of the sufferers, and by their own desire. But in a battle, the "probability is that none of those engaged on either side have any interest at all in the cause they are fighting for, and most of them enter into the scene of blood because they cannot help it. In this battle, that you are so rejoiced about, there have been ten thousand men killed upon the spot, and nearly as many wounded.

Os. On both sides?

F. Yes-but they are men on both sides. Consider, now, that the ten thousand sent out of the

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world in this morning's work, though they are past feeling themselves, have left, probably, two persons each, "on an average, to lament their loss, either parents, wives, or children. Here are, then, twenty thousand people made unhappy, at one stroke, on their account. This, however, is hardly so dreadful to think of as the condition of the wounded. At the moment we are talking eight or ten thousand men are lying in agony, torn with shot or gashed with cuts, their wounds all festering, some, hourly, to die a most excruciating death, others to linger in torture weeks and months, and many doomed to drag on a miserable existence for the rest of their lives, with diseased and mutilated bodies.

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Os. This is shocking to think of, indeed!

F. When you light your bonfires, then, this evening, think what they cost.

08. But everybody else is glad, and seems to think nothing of these things.

F. True-they do not think of them. If they did, I cannot suppose they would be so void of feeling as to enjoy themselves in merriment when so many of their fellow-creatures are made miserable. Do you not remember when poor Dickens had his leg broken to pieces by a loaded waggon, how all the town pitied him?

Os. Yes, very well. I could not sleep the night after, for thinking of him.

F. But here are thousands suffering as much as he, and we scarcely bestow a single thought on them. If any one of these poor creatures were

before our eyes, we should probably feel much more than we do now for them all together. Shall I tell you a story of a soldier's fortune, that came to my own knowledge?

Os. Yes-pray do !

1advantage, anything that brings benefit, gain, or profit, and is thus favourable towards obtaining some desired end. prosperity, happiness; success; good fortune; welfare. mischievous, injurious; harmful; destructive. 4 surgeon, a doctor. probability, chance; likelihood. average, the number which each would have if the total were equally divided. excruciating, extremely painful. mutilated, crippled; deprived of a limb or limbs, or some portion of the body.

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1 THE PILGRIM FATHERS.

THE breaking waves dashed high

On a stern and rockbound coast;
And the woods against a stormy sky

Their giant branches tossed;

And the heavy night hung dark

The hills and waters o'er,

When a band of 'exiles moored their bark

On the wild New England shore.

There were men with 'hoary hair
Amidst that pilgrim band;
Why had they come to wither there,
Away from childhood's land?
There was woman's fearless eye,

Lit by her deep love's truth;

There was manhood's brow serenely high,
And the fiery heart of youth.