Notes and Meanings. 1 Blithe-some, sprightly. Lea, meadow.-Em-blem, token. Her-alds, announces. 4 Gloam-ing, twilight. 5 James Hogg (1770-1835), poet. He was at one time a shepherd in the vale of Ettrick, watered by the Ettrick river, hence called the Ettrick Shepherd; but he was better known as a poet. The Sky-Lark.-The sky-lark is one of the best-known British birds. It has brown feathers, with a spotted breast. It is distinguished from other birds by the extreme length of its hinder claws, which extend in an almost straight line behind. From this formation, it has scarcely any power of seizing branches of trees; but it is well fitted for running along the ground. It is a general favourite on account of the sweetness of its song, which it pours forth while soaring in the air. It is valued as a cage-bird. Exercises: 1. Parse and analyze: The sky-lark is one of the best-known British birds. 2. Change into Adjectives--happiness, cloud, love, energy, heaven, earth. 3. Make Sentences containing-adds, adze; affect, effect; airy, eyry. 4. Write in your own words anything you have heard or read about the Lark. THE UNKNOWN PAINTER. 1. Murillo, the celebrated artist of Seville, often found on the canvas of one and another of his pupils unfinished sketches bearing marks of rich genius. They were executed during the night, and he was utterly unable to conjecture the author. 2. One morning the pupils had arrived at the studio before him, and were grouped before an easel, uttering exclamations of surprise, when Murillo entered. His astonishment was equal to theirs on finding an unfinished head of the Virgin, of exquisite outline, with many touches of surpassing beauty. He appealed first to one and then to another of the young gentlemen, to see if any one of them would lay claim to it; but each returned a sorrowful nega (770) tive. "He who has left this drawing will one day be master of us all," said Murillo. 3. "Sebastian," said he to a youthful slave that stood trembling by, "who occupies this studio at night?" No one but myself, signor." "Well, take your station here to-night; and if you do not inform me of the mysterious visitant to this room, thirty lashes shall be your punishment on the morrow." The slave bowed in quiet submission, and retired. 4. That night he threw his mattress before the easel, and slept soundly until the clock struck three. He then sprang from his couch and exclaimed, Three hours are my own, the rest are my master's!" He seized a brush, and took his seat at the frame, to erase the work of the preceding night. With brush in hand, he paused before making the fatal stroke. "I cannot, oh, I cannot erase it!" said he; "rather let me finish it!" 5. He went to work: a little colouring here, a touch there, then a soft shade; and thus three hours rolled unheeded by. A slight noise caused him to look up. Murillo with his pupils stood around! the sunshine was peering brightly through the casement, while yet the taper burned. 6. Again he was a slave. their eager gaze. His eyes fell beneath "Who is your master, Sebastian?" "You, signor." "Your drawing-master, I mean?" "You, signor." "I have never given you lessons." 'No; but you gave them to these young gentlemen, and I heard them." "Yes, and you have done better; you have profited by them." 7. Turning to his pupils, he then said, "Does this boy deserve punishment, or reward, my dear pupils ?" Reward, signor," was the quick response. "What shall it be?" One suggested a suit of clothes, another a sum of money; but no chord was touched in the captive's bosom. One said, "The master feels kindly to-day; ask your freedom, Sebastian." He sank on his knees, and lifted his eyes to his master's face: "The freedom of my father!" 8. Murillo was touched, and said: "Your pencil shows that you have talent; your request, that you You are no longer my slave, but my Happy Murillo! I have not only painted-I have made a painter." have a heart. son. There may still be seen in classic Italy many beautiful specimens from the pencils of Murillo and Questions:-1. Who was Murillo? What did he often find on the canvas of his pupils? 2. What did he find on entering his studio one morning? 3. Who was standing by? What instructions did Murillo give him? 4. Where did Sebastian sleep that night? What did he get up early to do? 5. What did he do? What caused him to look up? Who were around him? 6. How had the boy learned to paint? 7. What rewards were proposed for him? What did Sebastian ask? 8. What did Murillo then say? Where may specimens of the works of Murillo and Sebastian be seen? Notes and Meanings. Ex-qui-site, very fine; delicate. 3 Sign-or, sir; master. 8 Tal-ent, power to do great work. Summary:-Murillo often found in his studio unfinished sketches, which had been painted during the night. One morning the picture so painted was a head of the Virgin. It was very beautiful. Murillo threatened to flog Sebastian, the slave-boy, who slept in the room, if he did not discover the unknown painter. Next morning at three o'clock the lad arose to erase the picture. Instead of doing so he began to finish it. Before he had done, Murillo and his pupils entered the room. The great painter was so pleased with the slave's work that he adopted him as his son. Exercises: 1. Parse and analyze: Murillo and his pupils entered the room. 2. Change into Verbs-punishment, seat, response, clothes, captive, knees. 3. Make Sentences containing-aloud, allowed; ark, arc; aught, ought. 4. Describe a Picture in your own words. Look at it carefully before you begin to write. Say all you know about the subject of the picture. EXCELSIOR. 1. The shades of night were falling fast, 2. 3. Excelsior! His brow was sad; his eye beneath The accents of that unknown tongue, In happy homes he saw the light Of household fires gleam warm and bright; 4." Try not the Pass!" the old man said; The roaring torrent is deep and wide!" 5." O stay!" the maiden said, "and rest |