OXFOR PREFACE. THE SECOND NATIONAL READING-BOOK is so graduated as to form a fitting sequel to the previous one. Information lessons are more largely introduced. These are on the following subjects: The Months, the Points of the Compass, the Senses, Animals, Vegetables, Minerals, and Metals. Interesting narratives have not, however, been omitted, and the book contains a large selection of poetry suited for children at this stage. Special Spelling lessons are given at the end, and instructions in letter-writing, together with a specimen of a letter. 97 THE SECOND NATIONAL READING-BOOK. THE MONTHS-JANUARY. Jan'u ary, covered, herds'man, hun'gry, win'dows, gen'tle man, haw'thorn, weath'er. JANUARY is the first month of the year. It is then very cold. The ground is often covered with snow. The pond is frozen over, and the cows may be seen standing in a crowd round it, lowing every now and then, and looking for the herdsman to come and break the ice to let them drink. Out in the field, the hungry sheep are bleating among the frozen turnips. There are no leaves on the trees. The robin-red breast is perched on the hawthorn spray. There he sits and sings, and sometimes he comes to our windows for crumbs. The snails are fast asleep in their houses, with the doorways shut up, to keep out the cold. The worms are all deep down in the earth, away from the frost and the cold, and the mole-the little gentleman in the velvet coat-is down there too, for he has no great choice of food in such weather. The boys are sliding on the lake, and some of them are skating. It is fine fun for them. They laugh at the cold, for it makes their feet and fingers glow with heat. |