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Stanza IV
What is the theme? The farewells. What is the emotion? Fear and anguish. What words show this? "Gathering tears", "tremblings of distress", "cheeks all pale", "sudden partings", etc. Give a line in a preceding stanza that expresses the same thought as "mutual eyes". "Soft eyes looked love to eyes which spake again."
Stanza V
What is described? The muster of the troops. What is the prevailing feeling? The haste of the soldiers and the terror of the citizens. How does the poet show this haste? By the use of such phrases as "hot haste", "mustering squadron", "clattering car", "impetuous speed", "swiftly forming", as well as by the rapid movement of the verse. Why did the citizens of Brussels fear, since they had not to fight? They dreaded the pillage and ruin which would follow a French victory. Describe the scene in your own words—the cavalry forming in line, the movements of the artillery, the noise of distant cannon, the "alarming drum", and the panic of the citizens.
Stanza VI
The gathering of the Highlanders. Does the poet address the ear or the eye in this description? Only the sound of the bagpipes is described, though it may suggest a picture of the Highland regiments. What words describe the music? "Wild and high", "war-note", "thrills savage and shrill". Why does the poet mention proper names—"Lochiel", "Evan", "Donald"? The bagpipes recall stirring memories of these men, which inspire the clansmen to prove worthy of their ancestors. What is the "Cameron's gathering"? The war-song of the Cameron clan. Were there only Camerons in the Highland regiments? No, the Camerons were only one famous clan, but are taken here as representative of the heroism of all the Highlanders. Again, the use of individual specific cases produces a greater impression than a more general term. What was the "pibroch"? A wild, irregular species of music played on the bagpipes, adapted particularly to rouse a martial spirit among troops going to battle.
Stanza VII
What is described in this stanza? The march to the battle-field. What words show that? "As they pass". They were going through the forest of "Ardennes". What is the mood of this stanza? Sadness. The trees are represented as shedding tears when "Nature" thinks of the sad fate awaiting so many brave men. What were those tears? The expression refers to the dew of the early morning on the leaves of the trees, but the poet has called it "Nature's tear-drops". It is only a fanciful presentation of a natural phenomenon. Explain, "if aught inanimate e'er grieves". If inanimate nature, such as trees or grass, can express sorrow. Nature cannot grieve, but we appreciate the beauty of the imagery. Point out a contrast in this stanza. "This fiery mass of living valour", and "shall moulder cold and low".
Stanza VIII
What is the purpose of this stanza? It gives a summary of the preceding ones. Which stanza corresponds to line 2? Stanza I. Which corresponds to line 3? Stanzas II, III, and IV. Which stanzas picture the "marshalling in arms"? Stanzas V and VI. What stanzas picture "Battle's magnificently stern array"? Stanzas V and VII. Now contrast all these pictures with the last. The story is epitomized, and the end described—"friend, foe,—in one red burial blent!"
The pupils should now read the poem, in order that the teacher may judge by the varying tones and movements whether it has been properly appreciated.
THREE SCENES IN THE TYROL
(Fourth Reader, page 336)
AIM
To lead the pupils to appreciate the thrilling pictures and to understand the means by which the author has produced this vividness.
PREPARATION
The pupils have been required to read this lesson at their seats or at home.
Where is the Tyrol situated? It is a province in the Austrian Alps directly east of Switzerland. (Show its position on the map.)
The mountains are majestic, high, precipitous; the people daring and independent. The Tyrol is noted for the many accidents which happen to mountain-climbers. Who are the chief persons concerned in these three scenes? Maximilian I, Charles V, and Napoleon.
The author wishes to give, amid the most impressive surroundings, three stirring events in the lives of three great Emperors. State briefly the first story. The Emperor Maximilian was hunting a chamois, when he slipped on the edge of the precipice, rolled helplessly over, and caught a jutting ledge of rock, which interrupted his descent. An outlaw hastened to his assistance and guided him to safety.
PRESENTATION
I
Yes, this story is often called "The Rescue". Let us note how the author helps us to see the picture. Where does he place the spectator? On a "thread-like road" running between the rocky bank of the Inn River and the foot of the precipice of the Solstein.
What does the author ask you, as the imaginary spectator, to do? To throw your head back and look upward.
Why? The precipice towers perpendicularly many hundred feet above you. He wishes you to imagine you are standing on this road and the scene is taking place before your eyes.
What do you see? A hunter in pursuit of a chamois.
Describe this hunter. He is lofty and chivalrous in his bearing.
What happens? He is bounding on after a chamois toward the edge of a precipice, when he loses his footing and falls.
How does the author make you see this plainly? He uses the present tense, as if the scene were happening now—"is bounding", "loses his footing", "rolls helplessly".
Any other way? Yes, he utters exclamations, "Mark!" "Ah!" Every act is told in the form of an exclamation.
"What is it that arrests him?" This is a question. Does the author expect an answer? No, he asks the question as I would ask it of myself if I saw the hunter stopped in his descent.
Why does he not tell you who this hunter is? I see now for the first time that it is the great Emperor Maximilian who is in such peril.
Does any one else see him? Yes, the Abbot, or head of a neighbouring monastery.
Why does the author mention him? To indicate that, apparently, human aid could not save the Emperor.
What has been told us in this first paragraph? The peril of the Emperor.
What is told us in the next? His rescue.
Who else sees the danger? Zyps of Zirl.
Who is he? A famous hunter and outlaw.
Do you see him at first? No, I hear his cry. The author says "Hark! there is a wild cry!" Then I recognize the outlaw.
Why does he utter the cry? To encourage the Emperor and let him know there is some one coming to his rescue.
Again how does the author make the picture vivid? By the use of the present tense, by commands, questions, and exclamations, and by making the spectator, in his excitement, address the mountaineer directly; for example, "thou hunted and hunting outlaw, art thou out upon the heights?" etc.
By what means does the author show how the outlaw comes to the Emperor's aid? By comparing him with the chamois, the insect, and the squirrel. This man combines in himself all their powers of movement.
What does the spectator now do? He fears that all may yet be lost, so he shouts to the Emperor to have courage, that the hunter is coming.
How does the author show his relief from the strain of the last few moments? His sentences are now longer and smoother.
How was this event afterwards regarded? The peasants maintained that an angel came down to their master's rescue.
What does the author seem to think? That his rescue was due to the interposition of Providence.
What is told in the next paragraph? Zyps' reward.
What did he receive? He was created a Count and received a pension from the Emperor.
What was his title? "Count Hallooer von Hohenfeldsen."
To what does this refer? To his "wild cry" from the high peaks, when he saw the Emperor in danger.
How can you prove that this story is true? By inspecting the pension list of the Royal House of Hapsburg and by looking at a cross in the mountains that has been erected on the very spot where Maximilian was rescued.
II
Whom do you see in the second vision? The Emperor Charles V. pursued by his enemies.
Who was he? One of the greatest monarchs in Europe, greater even than his grandfather, Maximilian I. In this scene he is ill; his army has met with reverses; he has made his escape from Innsbruck, the capital of the Tyrol, and is being conveyed through the mountains to a place of safety, closely pursued by Maurice of Saxony.
Describe the scene. It is at night, the wind is high, and is driving the rain against the Emperor's litter, which is borne by mountaineers and surrounded by his faithful officers.
What is given in the first paragraph? A description of the storm.
How does the author prepare you for the scene? The night suggests danger and mystery, and the moon looks out from a cloud, as though at something taking place in the gorge. The spectator hears something besides the roar of the wind.
Select all the words that show what a fearful night it is. "Night", "dark", "wild", "gusty winds", "howling", "sheets of blinding rain", "whirling", "hissing eddies", "rent asunder", "ravings of the tempest".
Notice all the details the author has made use of to convey the idea of terror and danger.
What is described in the next paragraph? The passage of the litter through the dark gorge.
Is the spectator forgotten in this scene? No, he first hears the "tramp of feet", then he sees the torches, and, lastly, the Emperor's litter surrounded by his attendants.
What words show you the difficulty of their situation? "Hurried", "crowding", "crushing", "steep and narrow gorge", "suppressed voices", "fitful glancing of torches", "anxiously shielded", "melee", "struggle onward".
Why are their voices suppressed? As a natural result of their perilous position.
Why do they keep their torches burning? To find their way through the enemy's country amid the dangers by which they are surrounded.
What do the lamps look like? A "constellation" of stars moving on in the same relative position.
Does the author still refer to the storm? Yes, in "derisive laughter", "rude wrath of the tempest", and "plumes streaming on the wind". The author wishes to picture continuously the fitting surroundings for this adventure, and so emphasizes these details.
Why does he speak of the "derisive laughter of the storm"? He compares it to a fiend who mocks the attempts of man to battle against his power.
Who is described in the third paragraph of this vision? The Emperor himself.
Why is he not described before, as he is more important than either the storm or his comrades? The story runs in a natural order. First are seen the figures surrounding the litter, and, as it approaches, the Emperor's face is distinguishable.
What is first mentioned in connection with him? His firmly set teeth.
What does this indicate? His great physical pain, and his determination of character.
What is mentioned next? His age; he is but fifty-three, but his wrinkles are deep and his hair turning gray.
What are next described? His forehead, his nose, his eye, his underlip.
Why does the author picture these features in such detail? To show the character of the Emperor.
What are we led to infer are some of his characteristics? A strong intellect, imperious manner, cruelty, and stubborn pride.
What strong contrast is drawn? The fugitive invalid is the great Emperor. The author first discusses his illness, his flight, his suffering in the storm, his adverse fortune, and then gives him his full titles—"Emperor of Germany, King of Spain, Lord of the Netherlands, of Naples, of Lombardy, and the proud chief of the golden Western World".
Where does the author place the blame for his present sufferings? On Charles himself, whose sufferings, humiliation, and ultimate deliverance were perhaps intended as a discipline to lead him to repent for past cruelties.
What is described in the last paragraph of this scene? The escape.
Who is first mentioned? The pursuer, Maurice of Saxony.
Describe him. He is first compared to an "avenger of blood" in pursuit of a man fleeing to the cities of refuge referred to in Joshua xx. 3. He is next compared to the hound relentlessly following his prey.
Who wins in this race? Charles eludes his pursuer.
To whom should he show gratitude for his escape? To Providence.
Does he acknowledge God's protection? No, he gives all the credit to his "lucky star".
Explain this. Astrologers had said that the "Star of Austria" was always at the highest point in the heavens; and of this favoured House of Austria, Charles was Archduke.
III
The first scene is called "The Rescue"; the second, "The Run"; and the last, "The Ruin". What is described in the last scene? The destruction of the French Army.
Where is the scene laid? In the Tyrol, beside the River Inn.
What is described in the first paragraph? Bonaparte's decree that the strongholds of his enemies—the Tyrolese warrior hunters—shall be destroyed.
Why should he wish to do this? The Tyrolese were an independent people, who would not submit to conscription and taxation at the hands of the Bavarians.
By what names does the author call Napoleon? "Bonaparte." That was his surname. The French Emperor had no hereditary right to the throne, but he wished to be called Napoleon, instead of Bonaparte, just as we speak of our King as George V. and rarely refer to his surname of Guelph.
Who advised Napoleon? "His own will is his sole adviser." He ruled arbitrarily, consulting no one.
What does he do in this case? He sends ten thousand French and Bavarian soldiers to crush the Tyrolese.
Why were the Bavarians taking part in the struggle? They were at this time allies of France, and Napoleon had given to their Elector possession of this new but hostile province.
What does the second paragraph describe? The army entering the narrow gorge in the mountains.
How does the author give vividness to this picture? He endows inanimate things such as the "gorge" and the "river" with human attributes. The "gorge" looks gloomy, forbidding, and unfriendly, and the "river" seems to roar indignantly, as though at the attempt of "the mountain walls" to impede its progress.
The next sentence is in the form of a question and its answer. Who is supposed to ask this question? This is the question the leader of the army would ask and the answer he would make when he discovered the narrow road. The construction of the sentence suggests the idea of danger.
Why does the next sentence begin with "But"? "But the glittering array winds on." It suggests that some precautions for the safety of the army should have been observed; but it may have been impossible to take these precautions, and the orders of Bonaparte had to be obeyed at all hazards.
What is described in the next sentence? The author gives full details of the progress of this imposing army. The River Inn seems to share the feelings of the Tyrolese themselves and protest angrily against this invasion by a foreign power.
How is the next sentence related to the preceding? "But" marks a contrast. The noise of the army and the river is contrasted with the silence on the heights.
Why are the "eagles" mentioned? The silence is rendered more impressive by the occasional "shrill cry" of the eagles, and the "wings" of the eagles hovering above are an omen of the coming disaster which is to overtake "the gilded eagles of France" below.
What is described in the next paragraph? The "voice" from the "heights".
How does the author make this paragraph impressive? As he wishes to indicate the critical moment, he still uses the present tense, direct narration, short sentences, exclamation, and interrogation; he suggests, through a mysterious voice far up the heights, that supernatural agents are at work. The army, in its helpless length, is compared to an "uncoiled serpent".
What is the subject of the next paragraph? The destruction of the entire army.
How is this ruin accomplished? Unseen in the heights above, the Tyrolese peasantry hurl down rocks, roots, and trunks of pine trees, as well as sending a "deadly hail" from their rifles along the "whole line" of the defenceless army below.
Notice the richness of detail. What words help to make the description of their destruction more vivid? "Bounding", "thundering", "gathering speed", "headlong way", "launched down", "powerless foe", "deadly hail", "fearful storm", "crushed to death", "tumbled, horse and man, into the choked and swollen river".
Notice the contrast of this paragraph with the picture in the second paragraph of this vision of the gallant invading army.
What is the subject of the last paragraph? The reflections of the author.
Of what does he speak? Of the wonders and beauties of creation and the sad power that man possesses of spoiling and staining these wonders by giving rein to his own "evil ambitions and fierce revenges".
How has he emphasized this? By the use of exclamation, question, ellipses, and the mention of the "serpent" as the symbol of evil.
How does the interrogative form of the sentence give it vividness? Contrast the effect of saying, "Who would willingly linger on the hideous details?" with "No one would willingly linger", etc. The author does not expect an answer, he throws the sentence into the question form for the rhetorical effect. The reader pays more attention to the thought by trying to find an answer to the question.
What is the value of the ellipses in "Sorrowful that man ... should come"? It is stronger than saying, "It is sorrowful that man ... should come". The subject and verb are omitted, as they are not strong words, and "Sorrowful" is placed in the most prominent position on account of its importance.
SUMMARY
In these three pictures, what is the constant element? The scene used as the background. All three visions take place in the Tyrol, two of them on the banks of the Inn River. They are three companion pictures of this historic mountain province.
How does this style compare with that which you find in other lessons? It is abrupt and abounds in many rhetorical forms—ellipses, use of the present tense, exclamation, direct address, and accumulation of details.
Would it be suitable for all prose expression? No; it is impassioned prose, full of emotion and picturesque detail. The smoother, more regulated sentence-structure, such as is in place in ordinary narration, would be too cold for these descriptions. On the other hand, this style is not suitable for expressing a quiet mood or giving a clear explanation. It is too turbulent, and would pall upon the reader if continued at too great length, but it is often very suitable in an oratorical selection.
The pupils should finally read the lesson aloud, to show how they have appreciated the story.
CHAPTER VIII
SUPPLEMENTARY READING
Before studying these lessons in supplementary reading, it is suggested that the teacher read again what has been said on "Extensive Reading", p. 39 of this Manual.
SOUTH-WEST WIND, ESQ.
(Third Reader, page 86)
You have read the story of South-West Wind, Esq., in the Third Reader.
Who were the persons mentioned in this story? Three brothers, Schwartz, Hans, and Gluck.
What were their characters? Schwartz and Hans were rich but very miserly; they were quarrelsome, drunken, and cruel. Gluck was kind, polite, and unselfish.
How did Gluck show these qualities? He admitted the stranger into the house for shelter from the rain, when he knew his brothers would punish him for so doing; he asked politely to take the stranger's cloak, when the water dripping from it was putting the fire out; and he offered him his share of the mutton, although he knew it meant that he must go without his own supper.
When the older brothers returned what did they do? They tried to punish Gluck and to force the stranger out of the house.
What happened? They were hurled to the ground by the stranger, who was much stronger than they supposed.
What other punishment did they receive? The roof was blown off the house while they slept, and their beautiful valley, together with their crops and cattle, was utterly destroyed by the heavy rains.
Who was the stranger? He left his card with "South-West Wind, Esq." written on it.
Now the story in the Reader is only the first chapter of a longer story, which relates what fortune came to the three brothers. What should you expect would happen to them? I should expect that Schwartz and Hans would have more troubles, and that Gluck would be rewarded for his kind-heartedness.
CHAPTER II
Read the second chapter of this longer story called The King of the Golden River.
Give me the main points in this chapter?
1. The valley was turned into a desert. 2. The brothers became goldsmiths. 3. The mug 4. Gluck's wish that the river would turn into gold 5. The voice from the furnace 6. The dwarf 7. The King told Gluck how the river could be turned into gold.
What are the characters of the two brothers in this chapter? They were very dishonest and even tried to mix copper with the gold. They were drunken and wasted their money, and they were lazy and cruel.
Describe the mug that was being melted. It had been given to them by their uncle, and Gluck was very fond of it. It was made of gold almost in the form of a human face. The face was fierce and red, the eyes were bright, the beard and whiskers were of fine gold, and the hair was of fine spun gold, forming the handle of the mug.
While the mug was being melted in the furnace, what did Gluck see as he looked out of the window? The range of mountains overhanging Treasure Valley, with the mountain tops shining in the sunset.
This is a lovely description of a sunset in the mountains. Pick out the details of the picture. "Rocks ... all crimson and purple with the sunset", "bright tongues of fiery cloud", "the river ... a waving column of pure gold", "the double arch of a broad purple rainbow", "flushing and fading alternately in the wreaths of spray".
What words suggest colours? "Crimson", "purple", "fiery", "pure gold", "purple rainbow", "flushing", "fading".
What did this picture suggest to Gluck? It made him wish that the river were really gold.
Describe the dwarf who came out of the furnace. He was a foot and a half high; his hair and beard were long, curled, and delicate, and his face was copper-coloured.
Account for the dwarf being in such a place. It was owing to the malicious enchantment of a king stronger than himself that he had been turned into the golden mug, and, when the mug was melted, Gluck poured out the metal, and, thus freed the King of the Golden River from the power of his enemy.
How did the King show his gratitude? He told Gluck how the river could be turned into gold.
What must Gluck do in order to gain this end? He must climb to the top of the mountain and cast three drops of holy water into the stream at its source.
CHAPTER III
What are the main facts in this chapter?
1. The brothers returned and beat Gluck because the mug was a total loss. 2. Schwartz and Hans fought. 3. Schwartz was arrested. 4. Hans stole a cupful of holy water. 5. Hans taunted Schwartz. 6. Hans attempted to change the river to gold. (1) The dog; (2) the fair child; (3) the old man. 7. Hans was changed into the Black Stone.
What characteristics of the older brothers are shown in this chapter? They were drunken, brutal, quarrelsome, dishonest, malicious, and selfish.
Why are the dog, the child, and the old man introduced into the story? To show how indifferent Hans was to the suffering of animals, children, and aged people. The sight of these helpless creatures should have aroused his pity.
Were there any indications in the story that Hans would be unsuccessful? Yes, there was "a strange shadow"; the air "seemed to throw his blood into a fever"; "a dark gray cloud came over the sun"; "long, snake-like shadows"; "leaden weight of the dead air"; "flash of blue lightning"; "tongues of fire"; "flashes of bloody light".
Why was Hans unsuccessful? He had led a bad life, had been dishonest, and had been selfish to the dog, the child, and the aged man.
Show that it was an appropriate punishment that Hans should be turned into a Black Stone. His heart was as hard as stone, and his deeds were black.
CHAPTER IV
What is the main theme of this chapter? Schwartz's attempt to turn the river into gold.
What are the chief incidents recorded?
1. Gluck paid Schwartz's fine. 2. Schwartz refused water to the child, the old man, and to the spirit of Hans. 3. He was also changed to a Black Stone.
What were the indications that Schwartz would be unsuccessful? There was a "black cloud rising out of the West"; "a mist of the colour of blood"; "waves of the angry sea"; "bursts of spiry lightning"; "the sky was like ... a lake of blood"; "its waves were black, like thunderclouds"; "their foam was like fire"; "the lightning glared into his eyes".
CHAPTER V
What is the theme in the last chapter? Gluck's attempt to turn the river into gold.
Give the main incidents.
1. The priest gave him holy water. 2. He gave water to the aged man and the child. 3. He gave his last drop of water to the dying dog. 4. The dog was transformed into the King of the Golden River. 5. He gave Gluck three drops of dew. 6. Gluck cast the water into the river. 7. Treasure Valley again became a fertile garden, and Gluck became very rich.
What were the indications that Gluck would be successful? After giving the old man some water, the "path became easier"; "grasshoppers began singing"; there was "bright green moss"; "pale pink starry flowers"; "soft belled gentians"; "pure white transparent lilies"; "its waves were as clear as crystal".
What strong contrast is brought out in this story? There is a contrast between this chapter and the two preceding ones. Gluck's conduct is so different from that of Schwartz and Hans; and the aspect of nature, as it appears to him, is very different from the scenes viewed by his brothers.
Describe Treasure Valley after it was changed. The "fresh grass sprang beside the new streams"; "creeping plants grew"; "young flowers opened"; "thickets of myrtle and tendrils of vine cast lengthening shadows"; "his barns became full of corn and his house of treasure".
Why did Gluck deserve so much kindness? He had been hospitable to South-West Wind, Esq.; had suffered hunger and punishment on his account; had been industrious; had freed the King of the Golden River from his enchantment; had obeyed his instructions; had felt sorry for Hans; had paid Schwartz's fine; and had shown mercy to animals and helpless people.
Was there anything said about the two older brothers? Yes, there are two black stones, which people still call "The Black Brothers", at the top of the cataract. This story tells how these stones came to be there.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
(Fourth Reader, page 39)
The pupils have read Scrooge's Christmas, in the Fourth Reader. They have also read the synopsis of A Christmas Carol at the beginning of the lesson. If they have read the first four staves of the carol in a general way, they will be in a better position to study intensively the last stave, or chapter, which is the lesson in the Reader. They will understand the causes that have changed this "covetous old sinner" to the man "who knew how to keep Christmas Day well". This lesson should be taken up near Christmas. The pupils will discuss Stave I, after having read it at home.
Stave I
What is the title of this work? A Christmas Carol.
Why is it called a carol? In England, it is the custom for bands of singers, called "waits", to go from house to house on Christmas Eve. The author calls this ghost story of Christmas a carol in prose, for it pictures the joys and sorrows of this season.
What does a stave mean? It keeps up the idea of a carol. Each chapter is called a stave, or stanza of the carol.
What is the title of the first stave? "Marley's Ghost."
Who was Marley? He had been Scrooge's partner, but was now dead. He had been as miserly as Scrooge himself.
Where is the scene laid? In London.
When? On Christmas Eve.
Describe Scrooge. "Oh but he was a tight-fisted hand ... one degree at Christmas". (See Stave I of A Christmas Carol.)
Notice the wonderful accumulation of strong adjectives and phrases in this description. Why does the author use so many? He wishes to emphasize the cold miserliness of this man.
What is the first incident? Scrooge's treatment of his nephew, who has invited him to dinner on Christmas Day.
What does this incident show? His churlishness, and his contempt for those who spend money freely.
What is the next incident? His refusal to subscribe to any charities in the city.
What comes next? The account of his treatment of Bob Cratchit.
What does this show? His meanness and tyranny.
When he returns from his supper, what does he encounter? Marley's Ghost.
What does the ghost tell him? How it must wander through the world without rest, in atonement for Marley's cruelties and his neglect of other people. It laments his misspent life.
What does it promise to do to Scrooge? It promises to send him "Three Spirits".
What good description is found in Stave I? Besides the character sketch of Scrooge, there is a picture of Christmas Eve in the London streets, in the paragraph beginning "Meanwhile the fog and darkness thickened".
Stave II
What is described in this chapter? The visit of the first spirit.
What was it? The "Ghost of Christmas Past".
Read me a description of it. "It was a strange figure ... like a child ... which it held under its arm".
What does the spirit do? It forces Scrooge to accompany it and shows him former Christmas scenes in his life.
What are these scenes? Scrooge as a solitary boy at school; his boyhood stories, Ali Baba and Robinson Crusoe; his sister; Fezziwig's ball; Scrooge's sweetheart; scenes in her married life.
What is the mood of these different scenes? There is humour, and a great deal of fun, as well as some pathos. It is all told in a lively style.
What are the best descriptions? Fezziwig's ball, and the remembrance of the scenes in Ali Baba.
Stave III
What is told in this chapter? The visit of the second spirit.
Who was it? The "Spirit of Christmas Present".
What does it show Scrooge? Scenes of Christmas shopping; Christmas out-of-doors; the Grocers; Bob Cratchit's family, the goose, their dinner, the puddings; the miner's home; the lighthouse keepers; the sailors; Scrooge's nephew at home—blindman's bluff, forfeits, Yes and No; vision of "Ignorance" and "Want".
What do all these scenes go to show? How different kinds of people keep Christmas; how kind and merry most people are at this season of the year: and how some have to struggle in order to get this one day's pleasure.
Select some examples of humour. Peter's conceit, some of the descriptions of the grocery stores, the anticipations lest harm befall the goose and the pudding.
Select any examples of pathos. The references to Tiny Tim.
Select and read the best descriptions. The grocery stores, the fruit stores, the goose, the pudding.
Stave IV
What is told in this chapter? The visit of the third spirit.
What was it? The "Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come".
What does it show Scrooge? A vision of his death—how he is plundered by laundress, charwoman, and undertaker; the phantom of Death; Scrooge's creditors; the grave.
Had these scenes actually taken place? No, but they will be realized if Scrooge does not change his manner of thinking and living.
What is the effect of these three visions? Scrooge promises the "Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come" "I will honour Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year".
Why are the scenes in this chapter not so pleasant as those that the two former spirits had shown him? The scenes that the first spirit had brought before him were his joys at the Christmas season before he had hardened his heart; those that the second spirit had shown were scenes in the lives of people who do something for others and enjoy themselves in the true Christmas spirit; those that the last spirit had shown were the sordid scenes which would be sure to come if he did not change his attitude toward life. The last scenes shown him by the third spirit furnish a strong contrast to the others.
Stave V
What does this chapter relate? How Scrooge actually kept Christmas Day.
What were the other chapters about? The first and the last were the only chapters where he was awake. Chapters Two, Three, and Four are visions or dreams. Notice how the phantom changed into the bed-post.
This chapter should be studied closely. Who wrote this story? Charles Dickens, an English novelist.
Do you know any other good stories by the same author? David Copperfield, The Pickwick Papers, Nicholas Nickleby.
Yes, we have had extracts in the Readers from these books.
What lessons are they? The Pickwick Club on the Ice, in the Third Book; David Copperfield's First Journey Alone, and The Indignation of Nicholas Nickleby in the Fourth Book.
Some day you must read these stories. David Copperfield tells us a great deal about Dickens' early days. The Pickwick Papers is full of humour in scenes such as that depicted in The Pickwick Club on the Ice, and has some fine characters in it, and Nicholas Nickleby gives a vivid picture of the brutality existing in some schools in England at the time the book was written.
THE LADY OF THE LAKE
(Fourth Reader, page 270)
The pupils will have read the account of the stirring combat between Fitz-James and Roderick Dhu. They will be curious to know the circumstances that led up to this combat and also the conclusion of the story.
The aim of the teacher is to lead the pupils to appreciate the construction of the story, the fine character sketches, and the descriptions of natural scenery, as well as to give them an impression of Highland life. The pupils will take delight in the rapid movement of the verse and in the deeds of valour.
Some passages should be dwelt upon at greater length by the teacher, and others more lightly touched upon, so that the connections of the various parts will be understood. A close and tedious consideration of all the lines would not show a good critical taste, as some passages are very fine, while others have only ordinary merit.
The teacher should disclose the identity of Fitz-James as James V of Scotland and should explain the cause of the exile of the Douglas Family. He should also sketch the life of rebellion and consequent outlawry led by some of the Highland clans before they were reduced to submission.
CANTO I
The teacher should study with the pupils the Invocation of the three opening stanzas and ask them to read the first canto. He should next discuss it briefly, as suggested in the following outline:
What are the main divisions of the first canto?
1. The chase 2. Description of the Trossachs 3. Description of Ellen Douglas 4. Description of Fitz-James.
Why is the story of the chase introduced? It brings Fitz-James alone into the enemy's country, where he meets Ellen Douglas, and prepares the way for the adventures that follow.
What is the story of the chase? The hundred huntsmen and the horses and the dogs become wearied in the long pursuit after the stag. One huntsman alone is left to enter the deep ravine where the stag escapes.
This description of the Trossachs made the spot famous, and ever since it has been a favourite resort of tourists.
CANTO II
The Island
What are the divisions of this canto?
1. The departure of the huntsmen 2. Description of the minstrel 3. The story of Roderick's love 4. Return of the Clan-Alpine 5. Malcolm Graeme 6. The quarrel.
What is the value of this canto? It explains many facts that we did not understand. Among others, it shows us the relation of the Douglases to the King and to Roderick Dhu. It tells of the love of Malcolm Graeme for Ellen and of Roderick's hopeless love for her. It shows us Roderick's noble traits of character and the fearful cruelties of which he is capable. He cannot possibly win Ellen's love.
CANTO III
The Gathering
What are the main divisions of this canto?
1. Roderick's determination to renew hostilities 2. Brian the Hermit 3. The ceremony 4. The message of the Fiery Cross 5. Roderick's devotion to Ellen 6. The gathering.
What are the best passages in this canto?
1. Description of Loch Katrine 2. The coronach 3. Hymn to the Virgin.
Why are funeral and wedding scenes introduced? These serve to show how the message of the Fiery Cross was looked upon as more important than even death or marriage.
What insight into the life of the clansmen is furnished in this canto?
1. The superstition of the Highlanders. This is shown in Brian's faith and in the weird ceremonies in connection with the Fiery Cross. 2. The method of mustering the clans by means of the message of the Fiery Cross. 3. Their funerals and weddings.
Notice also the vigour of the stanzas that describe the flight of Malise.
CANTO IV
The Prophecy
Give the main themes in this canto.
1. Return of Malise 2. Norman's guard 3. The augury and the prophecy 4. Return of Fitz-James to Ellen Douglas 5. The ring 6. Blanche of Devan 7. Death of Murdoch 8. Fitz-James meets Roderick Dhu.
What are the best stanzas? The ballad of "Alice Brand".
Why is this ballad introduced? It shows the character of Scottish minstrelsy, the belief in the world of fairies, and the lesson of hope that at the darkest moment the hour of happiness may be near. It furnishes another example of Allanbane's prophetic insight.
The introduction: "The rose is fairest when it is budding new." Why is this stanza appropriate? It shows the tenderness of Norman's love, as contrasted with the fierce warfare in which he is engaged.
Why is Blanche of Devan introduced? To furnish an example of Roderick's cruelty, so that Fitz-James should feel justified in punishing him. Blanche of Devan also warns Fitz-James of Murdoch's treachery. This stanza explains the allusions in the lesson in the Fourth Book, for example: "a braid of your fair lady's hair", and "There lies red Murdoch stark and stiff".
What characteristics of Roderick are shown in the canto?
1. His care for the defenceless in his clan 2. His cruelty to his enemies 3. His hospitality 4. His superstition.
What was the prophecy?
Who spills the foremost foeman's life That party conquers in the strife.
What is the value of the prophecy in the poem? It furnishes a reason for the eagerness of the clansmen to take the life of the huntsman, as the former would then "conquer in the strife".
CANTO V
The Combat
Give the main events in this canto.
1. Roderick guides Fitz-James to neutral ground 2. The combat 3. Douglas surrenders 4. The games 5. The popularity of Douglas.
What is the most striking part of this canto? The story of the combat.
Why? It is a fine example of Scottish bravery and chivalry.
What Scottish characteristics are found in this canto?
1. The character of Scottish games in the city 2. The fickleness of the mob 3. The chivalrous conduct of the combatants.
CANTO VI
The Guard-room
What are the main themes in this canto?
1. The rough soldiers 2. Ellen presents the ring 3. The battle of Beal' an Duine 4. Death of Roderick 5. Ellen's request to James 6. Happiness of the Douglases and of Malcolm Graeme 7. Farewell to the Harp.
Why are the rough soldiers introduced? This passage furnishes a good description of the character of the soldiers, and shows the power of Ellen's quiet dignity and modesty.
What is the value of the battle of Beal' an Duine? It affords an opportunity to the valiant Roderick to imagine himself in battle, so that when death comes he does not realize that it finds him a prisoner and his clan vanquished.
How does the poem end? Ellen, her father, and Malcolm Graeme are united and happy, and Fitz-James reveals his identity and shows his magnanimity.
What should be read in connection with the last three stanzas? The first three stanzas of the poem. They are an Invocation to Scottish minstrelsy. We now have the Farewell.
Which cantos do you consider are the best? The first and the fifth.
Why? The first contains such wonderful word-pictures and the fifth seems to be the crisis of the story. The interest is not sustained in the sixth canto, as one knows matters are sure to be adjusted.
CHAPTER IX
SELECTIONS FOR MEMORIZATION
Little deeds of kindness, Little words of love, Make our earth an Eden, Like the heaven above. —BREWER
God make my life a little light, Within the world to glow,— A little flame that burneth bright. Wherever I may go.
The world is so full of a number of things, I'm sure we should all be as happy as kings. —STEVENSON
Be kind and be gentle To those who are old, For dearer is kindness And better than gold.
Politeness is to do and say The kindest thing in the kindest way.
Two ears and only one mouth have you; The reason, I think, is clear: It teaches, my child, that it will not do To talk about all you hear.
Whene'er a task is set for you, Don't idly sit and view it, Nor be content to wish it done; Begin at once and do it.
Work while you work, play while you play; This is the way to be cheerful and gay. All that you do, do with your might; Things done by halves are never done right. —STODART
Five things observe with care,— Of whom you speak, to whom you speak And how, and when, and where. —GRAY
See that little sunbeam Darting through the room, Scattering the darkness, Lighting up the gloom. Let me be a sunbeam Everywhere I go, Making glad and happy Every one I know.
Sing a song of seasons! Something bright in all! Flowers in the summer, Fires in the fall! —STEVENSON
Do all the good you can, In all the ways you can, To all the people you can, Just as long as you can.
When you come to think of it, The day is what you make it; And whether good, or whether bad, Depends on how you take it.
Slumber, slumber, little one, now The bird is asleep in his nest on the bough; The bird is asleep, he has folded his wings, And over him softly the dream fairy sings:
Lullaby, lullaby—lullaby! Pearls in the deep— Stars in the sky, Dreams in our sleep; So lullaby! —F. D. SHERMAN
Dare to be true; nothing can need a lie.
The face you wear, the thoughts you bring, A heart may heal or break.
He who is good at making excuses is seldom good for anything else.—FRANKLIN
To be good is the mother of to do good.
I'll not willingly offend, Nor be easily offended; What's amiss I'll try to mend, And endure what can't be mended.
A man of words and not of deeds, Is like a garden full of weeds; For when the weeds begin to grow, Then doth the garden overflow.
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. —ALICE CARY
To tell a falsehood is like the cut of a sabre; for though the wound may heal, the scar of it will remain.—SADI
All that's great and good is done Just by patient trying.
'Tis a lesson you should heed, Try, try again; If at first you don't succeed, Try, try again.
If a task is once begun, Never leave it till it's done; Be the labour great or small, Do it well, or not at all.
For every evil under the sun, There is a remedy, or there is none. If there be one, try to find it; If there be none, never mind it.
There are many flags in many lands, There are flags of every hue, But there is no flag in any land Like our own Red, White, and Blue.
The inner side of every cloud Is always bright and shining; And so I turn my clouds about, And always wear them inside out, To show the silver lining.
I would not hurt a living thing, However weak or small; The beasts that graze, the birds that sing, Our Father made them all.
Little drop of dew, Like a gem you are; I believe that you Must have been a star. When the day is bright, On the grass you lie; Tell me then, at night Are you in the sky? —F. D. SHERMAN
How beautiful is the rain! After the dust and the heat, In the broad and fiery street, In the narrow lane, How beautiful is the rain! —LONGFELLOW
In spring, when stirs the wind, I know That soon the crocus buds will show; For 'tis the wind who bids them wake And into pretty blossoms break. —F. D. SHERMAN
O, pause and think for a moment What a desolate land it would be, If, east or west, the eye should rest On not a single tree! —GRAY
It was only a sunny smile, And little it cost in the giving, But it scattered the night, Like the morning light, And made the day worth living.
Keep pushing—'tis wiser Than sitting aside, And dreaming and sighing, And waiting the tide. In life's earnest battle, They only prevail Who daily march onward, And never say "fail".
One step and then another, And the longest walk is ended. One stitch and then another, And the largest rent is mended. One brick and then another, And the highest wall is made. One flake and then another, And the deepest snow is laid.
Speak the truth and speak it ever, Cost it what it will. He who hides the wrong he did, Does the wrong thing still.
Whichever way the wind doth blow, Some heart is glad to have it so; Then blow it east or blow it west, The wind that blows, that wind is best.
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.
I smile, and then the Sun comes out; He hides away whene'er I pout; He seems a very funny sun, To do whatever he sees done. And when it rains he disappears; Like me, he can't see through the tears. Now isn't that the reason why I ought to smile and never cry? —F. D. SHERMAN
If fortune, with a smiling face, Strew roses in our way, When shall we stoop to pick them up? To-day, my friend, to-day. If those who've wronged us own their faults, And kindly pity pray, When shall we listen and forgive? To-day, my friend, to-day.
Are you almost disgusted with life, little man? I will tell you a wonderful trick That will bring you contentment if anything can— Do something for somebody, quick. Are you very much tired with play, little girl? Weary, discouraged, and sick? I'll tell you the loveliest game in the world— Do something for somebody, quick.
"Were it not for me", Said a chickadee, "Not a single flower on earth would be; For under the ground they soundly sleep, And never venture an upward peep, Till they hear from me, Chickadee-dee-dee!" —SIDNEY DAYRE
The world at noon belongs to the sun, At eve to the home-coming herds; But while the dew is early—very, very early— The world belongs to the birds. As still as in a dream lie the meadows and the stream, 'Neath the soaring and outpouring of the birds. —WETHERALD
I know, blue modest violets, Gleaming with dew at morn— I know the place you come from, And the way that you are born! When God cuts holes in Heaven, The holes the stars look through, He lets the scraps fall down to earth,— The little scraps are you.
The blossoms, down in the meadow, In the gardens, and woods, and the hills, Are singing, too, with their playmates, The birds, and the breezes, and rills. And I think, if you listen closely, In the sweet glad days of spring, With the song of the brook, the breeze, and the birds, You can hear the flowers sing. —MOOREHOUSE
Good-night, little shivering grasses! 'Tis idle to struggle and fight With tempest and cruel frost-fingers; Lie down, little grasses, to-night! Good-night, little shivering grasses! Lie down 'neath the coverlet white, And rest till the cuckoo is singing; Good-night, little grasses, good-night! —A November Good-night.—BEERS
Daffydowndilly came up in the cold, Through the brown mould, Although the March breezes blew keen on her face, Although the white snow lay on many a place. I can't do much yet, but I'll do what I can. It's well I began! For unless I can manage to lift up my head, The people will think that the Spring herself's dead. O Daffydowndilly, so brave and so true, I wish all were like you! So ready for duty in all sorts of weather, And holding forth courage and beauty together. —WARNER
One to-day is worth two to-morrow's.—POOR RICHARD'S ALMANAC
The future is purchased by the present.—SAMUEL JOHNSON
The sober second thought is always essential, and seldom wrong.—MARTIN VAN BUREN
Recollect that trifles make perfection, and that perfection is no trifle.—MICHAEL ANGELO
Have more than thou showest, Speak less than thou knowest. —SHAKESPEARE
Sin has many tools, but a lie is the handle that fits them all.—O. W. HOLMES
Let all the end thou aim'st at be thy country's, Thy God's and truth's. —SHAKESPEARE
Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.
Learn to obey and you will know how to command.—LUBBOCK
One who is contented with what he has done will never become famous for what he will do.
Be not simply good, be good for something.—THOREAU
The better part of valour is discretion.—SHAKESPEARE
They that touch pitch will be defiled.—SHAKESPEARE
Ill blows the wind that profits nobody.—SHAKESPEARE
Honour and shame from no condition rise; Act well your part, there all the honour lies. —POPE
True happiness consists not in the multitude of friends, but in their worth and choice.—BEN JONSON
One "do" is worth a thousand "don'ts" in the destruction of evil or the production of good.—HUGHES
I look upon the simple and childish virtues of veracity and honesty as the root of all that is sublime in character.—EMERSON
Remember that though it is a good thing to be a great man, it is a great thing to be a good man.
Striving not to be rich or great, Never questioning fortune or fate, Contented slowly to earn, and wait.
In the workshop, on the farm, Or wherever you may be, From your future efforts, boys, Comes a nation's destiny.
It is a low benefit to give me something; it is a high benefit to enable me to do something of myself.—EMERSON
Greatly begin! though thou hast time But for a line, be that sublime,— Not failure, but low aim, is crime. —LOWELL
Never give up! 'Tis the secret of glory; Nothing so wise can philosophy preach; Look at the lives that are famous in story; "Never give up" is the lesson they teach.
It is a good thing to be rich, and a good thing to be strong, but it is a better thing to be beloved of many friends.—EURIPIDES
Do what conscience says is right; Do what reason says is best; Do with all your mind and might; Do your duty, and be blest.
What men want is not talent, it is purpose; in other words, not the power to achieve, but the will to labour.—BULWER-LYTTON
So nigh is grandeur to our dust, So near is God to man, When Duty whispers low, Thou must, The soul replies I can. —EMERSON
Habit is a cable; we weave a thread of it each day, and it becomes so strong we cannot break it.—HORACE MANN
Ponder well, and know the right, Onward then, with all thy might! Haste not! years can ne'er atone For one reckless action done. —GOETHE
Our grand business is not to see what lies dimly at a distance, but to do what lies clearly at hand.—CARLYLE
Slight is the sting of his trouble whose winnings are less than his worth: For he who is honest is noble, whatever his fortune or birth. —ALICE CARY
Press on! There's no such word as fail! Push nobly on! The goal is near! Ascend the mountain! Breast the gale! Look upward, onward—never fear!
He who has a thousand friends Has not a friend to spare; And he who has one enemy Will meet him everywhere. —OMAR KHAYYAM
Work for some good, be it ever so slowly; Cherish some flower, be it ever so lowly; Labour!—all labour is noble and holy. —FRANCES S. OSGOOD
A man should never be ashamed to own he has been in the wrong; which is but saying in other words that he is wiser to-day than he was yesterday.—POPE
Tender-handed stroke a nettle, And it stings you for your pains; Grasp it like a man of mettle, And it soft as silk remains.
Fill up each hour with what will last; Buy up the moments as they go; The life above, when this is past, Is the ripe fruit of life below.
New occasions teach new duties; time makes ancient good uncouth; They must upward still and onward, who would keep abreast of Truth. —LOWELL
The heights by great men reached and kept, Were not attained by sudden flight; But they, while their companions slept, Were toiling upward in the night. —LONGFELLOW
Nothing useless is, or low, Each thing in its place is best, And what seems but idle show Strengthens and supports the rest. —LONGFELLOW
And not by eastern windows only, When daylight comes, comes in the light, In front, the sun climbs slow, how slowly, But westward, look, the land is bright. —CLOUGH
Full many a gem of purest ray serene The dark unfathom'd caves of ocean bear; Full many a flower is born to blush unseen, And waste its sweetness on the desert air. —GRAY
If a man empties his purse into his head, no man can take it away from him. An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.—BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
I do not know Where falls the seed that I have tried to sow With greatest care; But I shall know The meaning of each waiting hour below Sometime, somewhere!
Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time; Let us, then, be up and doing, With a heart for any fate; Still achieving, still pursuing, Learn to labour and to wait. —LONGFELLOW
Begin while life is bright and young, Work out each noble plan; True knowledge lends a charm to youth, And dignifies the man. Then upward, onward, step by step, With perseverance rise, And emulate, with hearts of hope, The good, the great, the wise.
The night has a thousand eyes, And the day but one; Yet the light of the bright world dies, With the dying sun. The mind has a thousand eyes, And the heart but one; Yet the light of a whole life dies When love is done. —FRANCIS BOURDILLON
In the darkness as in daylight, On the water as on land, God's eye is looking on us, And beneath us is His hand! Death will find us soon or later, On the deck or in the cot; And we cannot meet him better Than in working out our lot. —WHITTIER
The Royal Navy of England hath ever been its greatest defence and ornament; it is its ancient and natural strength—the floating bulwark of our Island.—BLACKSTONE'S Commentaries
It is the land that freemen till, That sober-suited Freedom chose. The land, where girt with friends or foes A man may speak the thing he will; A land of settled government, A land of just and old renown, Where Freedom slowly broadens down From precedent to precedent. —TENNYSON
O triune kingdom of the brave, O sea-girt island of the free, O empire of the land and wave Our hearts, our hands, are all for thee. Stand, Canadians, firmly stand, Round the flag of our Fatherland. —LACLEDE
Sharers of our glorious past, Brothers, must we part at last? Shall we not thro' good and ill Cleave to one another still? Britain's myriad voices call, "Sons, be welded each and all Into one Imperial whole, One with Britain, heart and soul! One life, one flag, one fleet, one Throne!" Britons, hold your own! —TENNYSON
"England! What thou wert, thou art!" Gird thee with thine ancient might. Forth! and God defend the Right. —NEWBOLT
Believe not each accusing tongue, As most weak people do; But still believe that story wrong Which ought not to be true. —SHERIDAN
He prayeth best who loveth best All things, both great and small, For the dear God who loveth us, He made and loveth all. —COLERIDGE
For whatever men say in blindness, And spite of the fancies of youth, There's nothing so kingly as Kindness, And nothing so royal as Truth. —ALICE CARY
To do something, however small, to make others happier and better, is the highest ambition, the most elevating hope, which can inspire a human being.—LUBBOCK
Small service is true service while it lasts. Of humblest friends, bright creature! scorn not one: The daisy, by the shadow that it casts, Protects the lingering dew-drops from the sun. —WORDSWORTH
Look up and not down; Look forward and not back; Look out and not in; And lend a hand. —HALE
Have you had a kindness shown? Pass it on. 'Twas not given for you alone, Pass it on. Let it travel down the years, Let it wipe another's tears; Till in heaven the deed appears. Pass it on.
A little spring had lost its way Amid the grass and fern; A passing stranger scooped a well Where weary men might turn. He walled it in, and hung with care, A ladle on the brink; He thought not of the deed he did, But judged that Toil might drink. He passed again; and lo! the well, By summer never dried, Had cooled ten thousand parched tongues, And saved a life beside. —MACKAY
Evil is wrought by want of thought As well as want of heart. —HOOD
Nature has given to men one tongue, but two ears, that we may hear from others twice as much as we speak.—EPICTETUS
Count that day lost whose low-descending sun Views from thy hand no worthy action done.
If happiness have not her seat And centre in the breast, We may be wise or rich or great, But never can be blest. —BURNS
A kindly act is a kernel sown, That will grow to a goodly tree, Shedding its fruit when time has flown, Down the gulf of eternity.
If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain; If I can ease one life the aching, Or cool one pain, Or help one fainting robin Into his nest again, I shall not live in vain. —DICKINSON
It is pleasant to think, just under the snow, That stretches so bleak and blank and cold, Are beauty and warmth that we cannot know, Green fields and leaves and blossoms of gold.
Under the green hedges after the snow, There do the dear little violets grow, Hiding their modest and beautiful heads Under the hawthorn in soft, mossy beds. Sweet as the roses, and blue as the sky, Down there do the dear little violets lie; Hiding their heads where they scarce may be seen, By the leaves you may know where the violets have been. —MOULTRIE
The linnet is singing the wild wood through; The fawn's bounding footsteps skim over the dew. The butterfly flits round the blossoming tree, And the cowslip and bluebell are bent by the bee; All the creatures that dwell in the forest are gay, And why should not I be as merry as they? —MITFORD
Do the duty which lies nearest thee! Thy second duty will already have become clearer. —CARLYLE
Live truly, and thy life shall be A great and noble creed.
I slept, and dreamed that life was Beauty; I woke, and found that life was Duty. —HOOPER
Great is the art of beginning, but greater the art is of ending.—LONGFELLOW
Opinions shape ideals, and it is ideals that inspire conduct.—JOHN MORLEY
You cannot dream yourself into a character; you must hammer and forge yourself into one.—FROUDE
Not once or twice in our fair island story The path of duty was the way to glory. —TENNYSON
Know thy work and do it, and work at it like a Hercules. One monster there is in the world—an idle man.—CARLYLE
Every evil to which we do not succumb is a benefactor. We gain the strength of the temptation we resist.—EMERSON
In every common hour of life, In every flame that glows, In every breath of being rife With aspiration or of strife Man feels more than he knows. —W. W. CAMPBELL
Never to the bow that bends Comes the arrow that it sends; Never comes the chance that passed: That one moment was its last.
Oh, fear not in a world like this, And thou shalt know ere long, Know how sublime a thing it is To suffer and be strong. —H. W. LONGFELLOW
Sow an act, and reap a tendency; sow a tendency, and reap a habit; sow a habit, and reap a character; sow a character, and reap a destiny.—THACKERAY
The gifts that we have, heaven lends for right using, and not for ignoring, and not for abusing.
It is not what he has, nor even what he does, which directly expresses the worth of a man, but what he is.—Journal—AMIEL
My good blade carves the casques of men, My tough lance thrusteth sure, My strength is as the strength of ten, Because my heart is pure. —TENNYSON
True worth is in being, not seeming,— In doing each day that goes by Some little good—not in the dreaming Of great things to do by and by.
No work which God sets a man to do—no work to which God has specially adapted a man's powers—can properly be called either menial or mean.—CARLYLE
Truth, crushed to earth, shall rise again; Th' eternal years of God are hers; But Error, wounded, writhes in pain, And dies among his worshippers. —BRYANT
To thine own self be true; And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou can'st not then be false to any man. —SHAKESPEARE
No life Can be pure in its purpose or strong in its strife And all life not be purer and stronger thereby. —LYTTON
Knowledge and wisdom far from being one, have ofttimes no connection. Knowledge is proud that he has learned so much; wisdom is humble that he knows no more.—COWPER
Wish not to taste what doth not to thee fall; Do well thyself, before thou striv'st to lead, And truth shall thee deliver without dread. —GEOFFREY CHAUCER
Oh, many a shaft, at random sent, Finds mark the archer little meant! And many a word at random spoken, May soothe, or wound, a heart that's broken. —SIR W. SCOTT
Govern the lips as they were palace doors, the king within. Tranquil and fair and courteous be all words which from that presence win. —EDWIN ARNOLD
Whene'er a noble deed is wrought, Whene'er is spoken a noble thought, Our hearts, in glad surprise, To higher levels rise. —LONGFELLOW
Love thyself last; cherish those hearts that hate thee; Corruption wins not more than honesty. Still in thy right hand carry gentle peace, To silence envious tongues; be just, and fear not. —SHAKESPEARE
Not by the power of commerce, art, or pen, Shall our great Empire stand, nor has it stood, But by the noble deeds of noble men— Heroic lives and heroes' outpoured blood. —F. G. SCOTT
Take up the white man's burden— In patience to abide, To veil the threat of terror And check the show of pride; By open speech and simple, An hundred times made plain, To seek another's profit And work another's gain. —KIPLING
Love thou thy land, with love far-brought From out the storied Past, and used Within the Present, but transfused Thro' future time by power of thought. —TENNYSON
For as long as conquest holds the earth, Or commerce sweeps the sea, By orient jungle or western plain Will the Saxon spirit be; And whatever the people that dwell beneath, Or whatever the alien tongue, Over the freedom and peace of the world Is the flag of England flung. —W. W. CAMPBELL
Of old sat Freedom on the heights, The thunders breaking at her feet; Above her shook the starry lights; She heard the torrents meet. Her open eyes desire the truth. The wisdom of a thousand years Is in them. May perpetual youth Keep dry their light from tears. —TENNYSON
If I have faltered more or less In my great task of happiness; If I have moved among my race And shown no glorious morning face; If beams from happy, human eyes Have moved me not; if morning skies, Books, and my food, and summer rain Knocked on my sullen heart in vain— Lord, Thy most pointed pleasure take, And stab my spirit broad awake. —R. L. STEVENSON
A good book is the precious life-blood of a master-spirit, embalmed and treasured up on purpose to a life beyond life.—MILTON
The book which makes a man think the most is the book which strikes the deepest root in his memory and understanding.
Men at some time are masters of their fates: The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, But in ourselves, that we are underlings. —SHAKESPEARE
No book is worth anything which is not worth much; nor is it serviceable until it has been read and re-read, and loved, and loved again; and marked, so that you can refer to the passages you want in it, as a soldier can seize the weapon he needs in an armoury, or a housewife bring the spice she needs from her store. Bread of flour is good; but there is bread, sweet as honey, if we would eat it, in a good book.—RUSKIN
Goodness moves in a larger sphere than justice. The obligations of law and equity reach only to mankind, but kindness and beneficence should be extended to creatures of every species.—PLUTARCH
My heart leaps up when I behold A rainbow in the sky; So was it when my life began, So is it now I am a man, So be it when I shall grow old, Or let me die. The child is father of the man; And I could wish my days to be Bound each to each by natural piety. —WORDSWORTH
Be but yourself, be pure, be true, And prompt in duty; heed the deep Low voice of conscience; through the ill And discord round about you, keep Your faith in human nature still. —ELIZABETH WHITTIER
Four things a man must learn to do If he would make his record true; To think, without confusion, clearly; To love his fellow-men sincerely: To act from honest motives purely; To trust in God and Heaven securely. —HENRY VAN DYKE
Give thy thoughts no tongue, Nor any unproportioned thought his act. Be thou familiar, but by no means vulgar; The friends thou hast, and their adoption tried, Grapple them to thy soul with hooks of steel. —SHAKESPEARE
Never do anything of which you will have cause to be ashamed. There is one good opinion which is of the greatest importance to you, namely, your own. "An easy conscience", says Seneca, "is a continual feast".—LUBBOCK
There is a tide in the affairs of men, Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune; Omitted, all the voyage of their life Is bound in shallows and in miseries. On such a full sea are we now afloat; And we must take the current when it serves, Or lose our ventures. —SHAKESPEARE
Man is his own star, and the soul that can Render an honest and a perfect man, Commands all light, all influence, all fate, Nothing for him falls early or too late; Our acts our angels are, for good or ill; Our fatal shadows that walk by us still. —BEAUMONT AND FLETCHER
Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting; The soul that rises with us, our life's star, Hath had elsewhere its setting, And cometh from afar, Not in entire forgetfulness, And not in utter nakedness, But trailing clouds of glory do we come From God who is our home. —WORDSWORTH
Be wise to-day; 'tis madness to defer; Next day the fatal precedent will plead; Thus on, till-wisdom is pushed out of life. Procrastination is the thief of time; Year after year it steals, till all are fled, And to the mercies of a moment leaves The vast concerns of an eternal scene. —EDWARD YOUNG
Build thee more stately mansions, O my soul, As the swift seasons roll! Leave thy low-vaulted past! Let each new temple, nobler than the last,
Shut thee from heaven with a dome more vast, Till thou at length art free, Leaving thine outgrown shell by life's unresting sea. —O. W. HOLMES
Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be, The last of life for which the first was made: Our times are in His hand Who saith, "A whole I planned, Youth shows but half; trust God: see all nor be afraid!" —BROWNING
Were a star quenched on high, For ages would its light, Still travelling downward from the sky, Shine on our mortal sight. So when a great man dies, For years beyond our ken, The light he leaves behind him lies Upon the paths of men.—LONGFELLOW
It is not growing like a tree In bulk doth make man better be; Or standing long, an oak, three hundred year, To fall a log at last, dry, bald, and sear. A lily of a day Is fairer far in May, Although it fall and die that night— It was the plant and flower of light. In small proportions we just beauties see; And in short measures life may perfect be. —BEN JONSON
We shape ourselves the joy or fear Of which the coming life is made, And fill our Future's atmosphere With sunshine or with shade. The tissue of the Life to be, We weave with colours all our own; And in the field of Destiny We reap as we have sown. —WHITTIER
Heaven is not reached at a single bound, But we build the ladder by which we rise From the lowly earth to the vaulted skies, And we mount to its summit round by round. I count this thing to be grandly true: That a noble deed is a step toward God,— Lifting the soul from the common clod To a purer air and a broader view. —J. G. HOLLAND
Let me but do my work from day to day In field or forest, at the desk or loom, In roaring market-place or tranquil room; Let me but find it in my heart to say, When vagrant wishes beckon me astray, "This is my work; my blessing, not my doom; Of all who live, I am the only one by whom The work can best be done in the right way." —HENRY VAN DYKE
Good name, in man or woman, dear, my lord, Is the immediate jewel of their soul. Who steals my purse, steals trash; 'tis something, nothing; 'Twas mine, 'tis his, and has been slave to thousands; But he that filches from me my good name, Robs me of that which not enriches him, And makes me poor indeed. —SHAKESPEARE
God give us men! A time like this demands Strong minds, great hearts, true faith, and ready hands; Men whom the lust of office does not kill; Men whom the spoils of office cannot buy; Men who possess opinions and a will; Men who have honour,—men who will not lie. —J. G. HOLLAND
To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable; and wealthy, not rich; to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly; to listen to stars and birds, babes and sages with open heart; await occasions, hurry never; in a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common,—this is my symphony.—CHANNING
O, may I join the choir invisible Of those immortal dead who live again In minds made better by their presence; live In pulses stirred to generosity, In deeds of daring rectitude, in scorn Of miserable aims that end with self, In thoughts sublime that pierce the night like stars, And with their mild persistence urge men's minds To vaster issues. —GEORGE ELIOT
A thing of beauty is a joy forever: Its loveliness increases; it will never Pass into nothingness; but still will keep A bower quiet for us, and a sleep Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing. —KEATS
Sunset with its rosy feet Stains the grasses low and sweet; And the shadow-beeches softly fall Across the meadows, dark and tall; O fold away The dusty day, Sweet nightfall, in thy curtains gray. —JAPANESE
Now fades the last long streak of snow, Now bourgeons every maze of quick About the flowering squares, and thick By ashen roots the violets blow. Now rings the woodland loud and long, The distance takes a lovelier hue, And drowned in yonder living blue The lark becomes a sightless song. —TENNYSON
A cloud lay cradled near the setting sun; A gleam of crimson tinged its braided snow; Long had I watched the glory moving on O'er the still radiance of the lake below. Tranquil its spirit seemed, and floated slow! Even in its very motion there was rest; While every breath of eve that chanced to blow Wafted the traveller to the beauteous west. —WILSON
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Transcriber's Notes:
Obvious punctuation errors repaired.
Page 32, the first paragraph under ALLUSIONS contains a sentence fragment: "If these allusions." As no meaning could be ascertained, it was retained intact.
The OE-ligature is denoted in this work by brackets [OE].
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