applause. Yet Harry was not happy; he felt that by his want of determination he had disgraced himself, and disappointed his friends. He was thoroughly miserable, and could no longer bear up against his feelings of self-reproach, and fell into a long and bitter fit of crying. But while he was resolving that for the future he would depend upon his own exertions, since they alone were to be depended upon

11. HE AWOKE, and found himself in the playroom, his book fallen on the floor, his brothers still playing on the lawn, and the kite and scenes in their unfinished state around him. He rubbed his eyes. Tired with his morning's work and excitement, he had gradually sunk to sleep, and dreamt of the fairy, her gift and its sad results.

12. This dream proved a useful one, and often in after life, when tempted to give way to a lazy feeling or to shirk a duty, he thought of it, and remembered that he should never have carried off that first prize with so much honour and happiness, nor have seen such merry faces, nor have had such capital acting, nor would the scenes have received so much admiration, had he given way to his feelings, instead of rousing up with a determination to go through with his duties on that eventful afternoon.

exertions, efforts.

victor, one who wins. audience, company. wand, rod.

temporary, for a short

time.

confident, certain.
dismay, fright or terror.
proceeded, went.
self-reproach, blaming
himself.

resolving, determining.

exceedingly, very much. desired, told.

admiration, praise.
shirk, neglect.

learn-ing in-tend-ed

mis-er-a-ble ex-am-i-na-tion

com-plete dream-i-ly

ex-cite-ment re-cov-er-ing

puz-zle sur-pris-ed hap-pi-ness im-me-di-ate-ly

foot-ball ar-rang-ing beau-ti-ful al-to-geth-er real-ly care-less-ness com-pan-i-ons not-with-stand-ing ap-plause pre-vent-ed in-dus-tri-ous grad-u-al-ly

What was the name of the boy who was striving hard to carry off the first prize? Who were coming to spend the afternoon and evening with Harry after the examination? How did he intend they should pass away the time? Where did Harry go to learn his lessons the day before the examination? Who were playing on the lawn near? What wish did Harry express? While Harry was musing what happened? Who did he think touched him on his shoulders? What did she say? Describe what followed. Why did this not really happen? What caused Harry to fall asleep? What effect had this dream upon him?

SATURDAY AFTERNOON.

1. I love to look on a scene like this,
Of wild and careless play,

And persuade myself that I am not old,
And my locks are not yet gray;

For it stirs the blood in an old man's heart,

And makes his pulses fly,

To catch the thrill of a happy voice,

And the light of a pleasant eye.

2. I have walked the world for fourscore years, And they say that I am old;

That my heart is ripe for the reaper Death,
And my years are well-nigh told.
It is very true-it is very true-
I'm told, and I "bide my time;"

But my heart will leap at a scene like this,
And I half renew my prime.

3. Play on! play on! I am with you there,
In the midst of your merry ring;

I can feel the thrill of the daring jump,
And the rush of the breathless swing.
I hide with you in the fragrant hay,
And I whoop the smothered call,
And my feet slip on the seedy floor,
And I care not for the fall.

4. I am willing to die when my time shall come, And I shall be glad to go,

For the world at best is a weary place,

And my pulse is getting low.

But the grave is dark and the heart will fail
In treading its gloomy way;

And it wiles my heart from its dreariness,

To see the young so gay.

JOHN METCALF, THE BLIND ROAD-MAKER.

1. We are often reminded in our daily experience of the great difficulties that can be overcome, and of the valuable results that can be obtained by energy, industry, and perseverance. The life of John Metcalf, as told by Dr. Smiles in his Lives of the Early Engineers, supplies a most valuable illustration of this fact. We can only give a brief account of this marvellous man, but enough will be told of him to show how much a strong will, united with a hardy frame, and a character of sterling integrity, can accomplish under circumstances that seem impossible to be overcome.

2. John Metcalf was born at Knaresborough, in Yorkshire, in 1717, the son of poor working people. At six years of age he was seized with small-pox, by

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Never yet was Good attack'd,
But the very foe that smote
Whiten'd up what slander black'd,
And abjur'd what malice wrote!

3. What is Good?-the pure and kind; What is Truth?-the wise and right; And, in matter as in mind,

Both will live in death's despite: But the bad, the false, the base, Barely breathe one feverish hour; Dying out of every place,

Like a rootless nosegay flower.

4. How then comes it, that so oft

Good men droop, and good things drown? How that Lies are thrown aloft,

While so many Truths die down?

How? For just a little while,
And by just a herd of fools,
Cheats are praised, and shams beguile,
And sin is stout where error rules.

5. Ay, but look a little higher,

Forward post your eager eye,

You that gloriously aspire,

And on God and Right rely; Evil perishes-forsake it,—

Falsehood dies-renounce its sway,

But the Good, for treasure take it,-
And secure the True to-day!