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GRADED SELECTIONS FOR MEMORIZING.

"Dear little blossoms down under the snow,
You must be weary of winter, I know;
Hark while I sing you a message of cheer!
Summer is coming! and spring-time is here!

"Little white snow-drop! I pray you arise;
Bright yellow crocus! come open your eyes;
Sweet little violets, hid from the cold,
Put on your mantles of purple and gold;
Daffodils! daffodils! say, do you hear?—
Summer is coming! and spring-time is here!"
-Emily Huntington Miller.

GRADED SELECTIONS.

THIRD YEAR.

I. A GOOD NAME.

CHILDREN, choose it,
Don't refuse it;

'Tis a precious diadem;

Highly prize it,

Don't despise it;

You will need it when you're men.

Love and cherish,

Keep and nourish;

'Tis more precious far than gold;

Watch and guard it,

Don't discard it;

You will need it when you're old.

II.

THE fisher who draws in his net too soon, Won't have any fish to sell;

The child who shuts up his book too soon, Won't learn any lessons well.

If you would have your learning stay,
Be patient, -don't learn too fast;
The man who travels a mile each day,
Will get round the world at last.

III.

MERRY little sunbeams

Flitting here and there, Joyous little sunbeams

Dancing everywhere!

Come they with the morning light,
To chase away the gloomy night.

Kind words are little sunbeams,
That sparkle as they fall;
And loving smiles are sunbeams,
A light of joy to all.

In sorrow's eye they dry the tear,

And bring the fainting heart good cheer.

IV.

IF you tried and have not won,

Never stop for crying;

All that's great and good is done
Just by patient trying.

Though young birds in flying, fall,
Still their wings grow stronger;
And the next time they can keep
Up a little longer.

Though the sturdy oak has known
Many a blast that bowed her,
She has risen again, and grown
Loftier and prouder.

If by easy work you beat,

Who the more will prize you?
Gaining victory from defeat,-
That's the test that tries you!

-Phebe Cary.

V.

WE should make the same use of books that the bee does of a flower: he gathers sweets from it, but does not injure it.

VI.

LITTLE children, you must seek
Rather to be good than wise,
For the thoughts you do not speak
Shine out in your cheeks and eyes.

If you think that you can be
Cross or cruel, and look fair,
Let me tell you how to see

You are quite mistaken there.

Go and stand before the glass,
And some ugly thought contrive,
And my word will come to pass
Just as sure as you're alive!

What you have, and what you lack,
All the same as what you wear,
You will see reflected back;

So, my little folks, take care!

And not only in the glass

Will your secrets come to view;

All beholders, as they pass,

Will perceive and know them, too.

Cherish what is good, and drive
Evil thoughts and feelings far;
For, as sure as you're alive,
You will show for what you are.

-Alice Cary.