placed in the 1oBritish Museum; some of them having been brought over by Captain Cook. In the museum at 11Kew Gardens, nets, cordage, and clothing, coarse and fine, made from the plant before mentioned, may be seen, and deserve attention. Since 1770 a large colony of Europeans has settled in New Zealand, and the natives have become more civilized. Who discovered New Zealand? When? By whom was it explored? What kind of scenery did Captain Cook find in New Zealand? What did he find respecting the sea, the plants? What plant greatly interested the explorers? Why? Describe the appearance of the natives, their size, complexion, mode of dressing hair, marking their bodies. Describe their canoes, tools, weapons. What horrible custom did he find existing among them? What New Zealand curiosities can be seen in the British Museum, and in the Kew Gardens ? Tell what you know of Captain Cook, the British Museum, the Kew Gardens. 1 6 Captain Cook, one of England's most celebrated navigators; he explored the Pacific Ocean, and discovered the Sandwich Islands. He explored the coasts of New Zealand, Australia, Tasmania, and New Guinea. He was killed by the savages of Owyhee, one of the Sandwich Islands. 2 New Zealand, a British colony in the South Pacific Ocean. 3 yam, the root of a climbing plant. The yam, when baked or boiled, is a nutritious and wholesome food. sweet potatoes, roots of a trailing plant of a sweet taste, much used for food. 5 red ochre, a kind of fine clay. canoe, a boat formed of the trunk of a tree, or of bark or skins. jasper, a stone of a dull yellow or red colour, breaking with a smooth surface. 8 perpetual, continual. 9 apprehension, fear; dread. 10 British Museum, a national institution in London; opened in 1759. It contains a large library and an immense collection of objects of natural history, works of art, and objects of antiquity. Kew Gardens, near Richmond, in Surrey. Besides a museum, the Gardens contain hot-houses and conservatories. Specimens of nearly all the principal trees, plants, and shrubs of the world are cultivated. The Gardens are open to the public every afternoon. "I am out of humanity's reach, I must finish my journey alone." (p. 37.) I am out of humanity's reach, I must finish my journey alone, Never hear the sweet music of speechI start at the sound of my own! The beasts that roam over the plain My form with 'indifference see; They are so unacquainted with man, Their tameness is shocking to me. Society, friendship, and love, In the ways of religion and truth; Religion! what treasure untold Ye winds, that have made me your sport, Some 'cordial endearing report, Of a land I shall visit no more. My friends,-do they now and then send A wish or a thought after me ? O tell me I yet have a friend, Though a friend I am never to see. 10 How fleet is a glance of the mind ! Compared with the speed of its flight, The tempest itself lags behind, And the swift-wingéd arrows of light! When I think of my own native land, In a moment I seem to be there; But, alas! "recollection at hand Soon hurries me back to despair! But the sea-fowl is gone to her nest, Even here is a season of rest, And mercy, encouraging thought! Gives even affliction a grace, And reconciles man to his lot. 15 Cowper. Explain Who were Alexander Selkirk, Cowper, and Defoe? solitude, sages, assuage, knell, affliction. Show that thought is quicker than light. What is meant by "humanity's reach"? What journey does Selkirk speak of? Why did he so ardently desire to escape from solitude? Do you remember any ways in which shipwrecked mariners have tried to communicate with other people? Which part of the story of Robinson Crusoe do you like best? What does Selkirk consider more precious than silver and gold? In what sense was the shore desolate, although a fertile one? When we wish to tell something to distant friends, we write to them; why didn't Selkirk write and tell all his trouble? What thought soothed and consoled him? Why do you feel sorry for him? Who wrote these beautiful verses? 1 Alexander Selkirk, a native of Largo, in Scotland. He was wrecked on the island of Juan Fernandez, and lived there in solitude for four years. His story is supposed to have led Defoe 6 7 5 8 to write the well-known and favourite tale of Robinson Crusoe. Juan Fernandez is a rocky islet in the Pacific Ocean. 2 solitude, a state of being alone. 3 sages, wise men; it applies especially to aged philosophers. indifference, unconcern. assuage, relieve; soothe; ease. age, aged persons. sallies, gaiety; frolic. knell, the tolling of a bell at the death or the funeral of a person. 9 cordial, cheering; reviving; hearty. 10 how fleet, etc. This verse means that the mind can recall scenes very quickly, more quickly even than the passing of a flash of lightning. 11 recollection, the power of the mind which enables it to recover or recall the knowledge of anything. 12 lair, the bed or couch of a wild beast. 13 affliction, prolonged suffering. reconcile, to bring to quiet submission; to make contented. 15 Comper. William Cowper, an English poet, born in 1721. (see app.) 14 HE LIVES LONG WHO LIVES WELL. ONE fine day in summer, my father was seated on the lawn before the house, his straw-hat over his eyes, and his book on his lap. Suddenly a beautiful blue and white flower-pot, which had been set on the window-sill of an upper story, fell to the ground with a crash, and the fragments clattered round my father's legs. "Dear, dear!” cried my mother, who was at work in the porch; "my poor flower-pot that I prized so much! Who could have done this? Primmins, Primmins!" Mrs. Primmins popped her head out of the 'fatal window, nodded to the call, and came down in a 3trice, pale and breathless. "Oh," said my mother, mournfully, “I would rather have lost all the plants in the greenhouse in the great blight last May; I would rather the best tea-set were broken! The poor geranium I reared myself, and the dear, dear flower-pot which Mr. Caxton bought for me my last birthday! That naughty child must have done this!" "Hush!" said nurse, more frightened than ever, while gazing at my father, who had very 'deliberately taken off his hat, and was regarding the scene with serious eyes, wide awake. Hush! And if he did break it, ma'am, it was quite an |