it must have been under water. As it was, it came up to the houses, and drove the inhabitants to the hills. About noon there was another shock, when the walls of several houses which were yet standing, were seen to open from top to bottom more than a quarter of a yard, but closed again so exactly as to leave scarce any mark of the injury. This earthquake came on three days before the new moon, when three quarters of the tide had run up. The direction of its progress seems to have been from north to south nearly, for the people on the river, south of the town, observed the remotest buildings to fall first, and the sweep to be continued down to the water's edge. Few days passed without some shock for

the space of an ensuing year."-Ansted.

LESSON XLV.—DUTY TO PARENTS.

As children are, in early life, entirely helpless and dependent, God has made it the duty of their parents to feed, clothe, instruct, and govern them, until they shall be old enough to take care of and govern themselves. While, therefore, their parents are fulfilling this duty, children ought to submit to their authority, respect and honour their parental office, attend to their instructions, and be grateful and affectionate, in return for their kindness and love.

Children ought to be submissive to parental authority. To be submissive is to yield a willing and cheerful obedience. The child, who openly disobeys his father or mother, is guilty of great sin. He is not submissive. He rebels. He rebels against the authority of his parents, and thus breaks the commands of God. with the child who secretly disobeys. If we do what our parents command while they see us, and then, when we

So

suppose we are not observed, secretly disobey, we violate our duty.

Children should respect and honour their father and mother. It is very wrong ever to speak disrespectfully to them. Children often do this: sometimes when they are displeased, and sometimes from thoughtlessness. But it is always wrong. If we answer them in an illnatured manner, or express feelings of dislike or resentment, or make them subjects of jest or ridicule, or trifle with their feelings in any way, we do very wrong. Such treatment is entirely inconsistent with the principles which ought to govern the intercourse between the child and his parent.

Children ought to pay very ready and careful attention to their parents' instructions. They are very dependent upon the instruction which their parents give them, and provide for them, for all that they learn; and they ought toreceive these instructions with docility and readiness.

Children ought to be grateful to their parents for all their kindness and care. It is true, that it is the duty of parents to provide for their children; but, in doing it, they do not act coldly and formally, as if they were merely discharging a duty,—their hearts are filled with warm affection and love. How tenderly will a mother watch over her sick child in its cradle! She sits by its side, gently soothing its uneasiness and pain while it wakes, and watching it while it sleeps. She hushes every noise, keeps off every cold breath of air-bathes the little sufferer's face and hands, to soothe his restlessness-carries him, back and forth, across the room, with his cheek upon her shoulder, until her arms ache with the fatigue, and, at midnight, when she lies down, at

last, to steal a few moments' rest, the least movement at his cradle brings her to his side.

When we consider how much fatigue, and anxiety, and suffering, parents endure for their children, it would seem, at first thought, that they never can be repaid; and yet, on the other hand, when we consider how much power children have to gladden their parents' hearts, and lighten all their labours and cares, by a kind and dutiful deportment, we are almost ready to believe that they may fully compensate them day by day.-J. Abbott.

LESSON XLVI.-COLUMBUS AT BARCELONA.

The entrance of Columbus into Barcelona has been compared to one of those triumphs which the Romans were accustomed to decree to conquerors. First were paraded the Indians, painted according to their savage fashion, and decorated with tropical feathers and with their national ornaments of gold; after these were borne various kinds of live parrots, together with stuffed birds and animals of unknown species, and rare plants supposed to be of precious qualities; while great care was taken to make a conspicuous display of Indian coronets, bracelets, and other decorations of gold, which might give an idea of the wealth of the newly-discovered regions. After these followed Columbus, on horseback, surrounded by a brilliant cavalcade of Spanish chivalry. The streets were almost impassable from the countless multitude; the windows and balconies were crowded with the fair; the very roofs were covered with spectators. It seemed as if the public eye could not be sated with gazing on these trophies of an unknown world, or on the remarkable man by whom it was discovered.

There was a sublimity in this event that mingled a solemn feeling with the public joy. It was looked upon as a vast and signal dispensation of Providence, in reward for the piety of the monarchs; and the majestic and venerable appearance of the discoverer, so different from the youth and buoyancy that are generally expected from roving enterprise, seemed in harmony with the grandeur and dignity of his achievement.

To receive him with suitable pomp and distinction, the Sovereigns had ordered their throne to be placed in public, under a rich canopy of brocade of gold, in a vast and splendid saloon. Here the king and queen awaited his arrival, seated in state, with the Prince Juan beside them, and attended by the dignitaries of their court and the principal nobility of Castile, Valencia, Catalonia, and Arragon; all impatient to behold the man who had conferred so incalculable a benefit upon the nation. At length Columbus entered the hall, surrounded by a brilliant crowd of cavaliers, among whom, says Las Casas, he was conspicuous for his stately and commanding person, which, with his countenance rendered venerable by his grey hairs, gave him the august appearance of a Senator of Rome. A modest smile lighted up his features, showing that he enjoyed the state and glory in which he came; and certainly nothing could be more deeply moving to a mind influenced by noble ambition, and conscious of having greatly deserved, than these testimonials of the admiration and gratitude of a nation, or rather of a world. As Columbus approached, the Sovereigns rose, as if receiving a person of the highest rank. Bending his knees, he requested to kiss their hands; but there was some hesitation on the part of their Majesties to permit this act of vassalage. Raising

him in the most gracious manner, they ordered him to seat himself in their presence; a rare honour in this proud and punctilious Court.

At the request of their Majesties, Columbus now gave an account of the most striking events of his voyage, and a description of the islands which he had discovered. He displayed the specimens he had brought of unknown birds and other animals; of rare plants, of medicinal and aromatic virtue; of native gold, in dust, in crude masses, or laboured into barbaric ornaments; and, above all, the natives of these countries, who were objects of intense and inexhaustible interest; since there is nothing to man so curious as the varieties of his own species. All these he pronounced mere harbingers of discoveries he had yet to make, which would add realms of incalculable wealth to the dominions of their Majesties, and whole nations of proselytes to the true faith.

The words of Columbus were listened to with profound emotion by the Sovereigns. When he had finished, they sank on their knees, and, raising their clasped hands to heaven, their eyes filled with tears of joy and gratitude, they poured forth thanks and praises to God for so great a providence. All present followed their example: a deep and solemn enthusiasm pervaded that splendid assembly, and prevented all common acclamations of triumph.-Washington Irving.

LESSON XLVII.-THE PARTRIDGE.

The commencement of the partridge season on the first of September leads us to the smiling corn-fields of the country, where the good providence of God has covered the cultivated land with the rich rewards of industry.