EDITED BY MAURICE PATERSON, B.A., ETC., LONDON: 1880. 392. 53. PREFACE. THE THIRD READER is suited to pupils who have surmounted the mechanical difficulties of Reading, and are now in possession of a considerable vocabulary of words. The lessons are longer and slightly more difficult than in the Second Reader. While the chief aim of the book has been to interest the pupil in his reading lessons, the subjects selected are always such as are fitted to furnish instruction in an easy and pleasing form. The Exercises in Spelling from memory will profitably occupy the pupils when not receiving direct instruction from the teacher. Dictation lessons, equally with those in Oral spelling, should form part of the Home Preparation. THIRD READER. BLUE SKY, GREEN EARTH. leaden, having the colour dazzle, to hinder from seeing by too strong light. of lead. 1. Of what colour is the sky? It is blue, and there is no colour more beautiful. On a bright day, after a storm, is it not pleasant to look up to the deep, clear, beautiful blue of the sky? 2. The colour of the sky is blue, because blue is a colour which it is cheerful for us to look at. It makes us glad and happy, and almost ready to clap our hands for joy when we see it. 3. Suppose that the sky had always been of a dull leaden colour, or always black, what a different world this would have been! How miserable it would have made us feel! 4. Now look at the woods and fields. Of what colour are they? They are green, and green also is a beautiful colour. It is one of the most pleasing on which the eye can rest. 5. When spring comes, and the new grass shoots up from the earth, and the trees put forth their young leaves, how delightful it is to look out on the fresh green which the fields and the woods. everywhere present! 6. Suppose that the grass of the fields and the |