pressions of his character." "But I can not find in that letter any evidence proving your late partner to be a dishonest man-he will not agree to your proposed method of settlement, because he does not see it to be the most proper way." He won't agree to it, because it is an honorable and equitable method of settlement-that's all !" responded Mr. Singleton, still excited.

3. "There you are decidedly wrong," said the lawyer "You have both allowed yourselves to become angry, and if I must speak plainly, I think you the most unreasonable in the present case. Two angry men never can settle any business properly. You have very unnecessarily increased the difficulties in the way of a speedy settlement, by writing Mr. Williams an angry letter, to which he has responded in a like unhappy temper. Now, if I am to settle this business for you, I must write all letters that pass to Mr. Williams in future."

4. "Well, let me answer this letter," said Mr. Singleton, "and after that I promise that you shall have your own way.' "No," said Mr. Trueman, "I shall consent to no such thing. It is the reply to that letter which is to modify the negotia tion for a settlement, in such a way as to bring success, or failure; and I have no idea of allowing you, in the present state of your mind, to write such a one as will most assuredly defeat an amicable arrangement."

5. After some pause Singleton replied. "indeed I must write this letter. There are some things I want to say to him, which I know you won't write." "There is in the Bible," said Mr. Trueman, "a passage peculiarly applicable to the present case. It is this; A soft answer turneth away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger.' I have found this precept in a life that has numbered more than double your years, to be one that may be safely and honorably adopted in all cases. You blame Mr. Williams for writing you an angry letter, and are indignant at certain expressions therein contained. Now is it any more right for you, than for him, to write an angry letter with cutting epithets ?"

6. "Well, I suppose, then, I shall have to submit. When will it be ready?" "Come this afternoon, and I will give you the draft, which you can copy and sign." In the afternoon Mr. Singleton came, and received the letter prepared by Mr. Trueman It ran thus" I regret that my proposition

did not meet your approval. The mode of settlement which I suggested was the result of a careful consideration of our mutual interests. Be kind enough to suggest to Mr. Trueman, my lawyer, the plan which you would think best. You may rely upon my consent to it, if it meets his approbation.” 7. "Is it possible, Mr. Trueman, that you expect me to sign such a cringing letter as that?" throwing it down, and walking backwards and forwards with great irritation of manner. "Well, what is your objection to it?" replied Mr. Trueman, mildly. Objection! How can you ask such a question? Am I to go on my knees to him, and beg him to do me justice? No! I'll sacrifice every cent I've got in the world first, the scoundrel!"

"Of

8. "You wish to have your business settled, do you not?" asked Mr. Trueman, looking him steadily in the face. course I do, honorably settled." Well, let me hear what you mean by an honorable settlement." "Why I mean— the young man hesitated a moment, and the lawyer said, "You mean a settlement in which your interest shall be equally considered with that of Mr. Williams ?" "Yes certainly, and that—” "And that," continued Mr. Trueman, 'Mr. Williams shall consider, and treat you as a gentleman." 9. "But I'll never send that mean cringing letter though." "You mistake its whole tenor, I do assure you, Mr. Singleton. You certainly carefully considered the proposed basis of settlement before you adopted it, did you not?" "Of course, I did.” "So the letter which I have prepared for Now I am sure you are willing to grant him the same privilege which you asked for yourself—that of proposing a plan of settlement. Your proposition does not seem to please him; now it is but fair that he should be invited to state how he wishes the settlement to be made."

you states.

10. "I can't say that I am not convinced by what you say; but as you seem bent on having it your own way, let me copy the thing, and sign it," said the young man, suddeuly changing his manner. "There now!" passing across the table the brief letter he had copied, I suppose he'll think me a low spirited fellow, after he gets that. But he's mistaken. After it's all over. I'll take good care to tell him that it didn't contain my sentiments." Mr. Trueman smiled as he took the letter. and went on to fold and direct it. ***

11. "Good afternoon, Mr. Singleton," said the lawyer, as that gentleman entered his office on the following day

'Good afternoon," responded the young man. "Well, have you heard from that milk-and-water letter of yours? I can't call it mine." "Yes, here is the answer. Take a seat and I will read it to you," said the old gentleman.

hear it."

"Well let's

12. "Dear George-I have your kind, reasonable, and gentlemanly note of yesterday, in reply to my harsh, unreasonable, and ungentlemanly one of the day before. We have both been playing the fool; but you are ahead of me in becoming sane. I have examined more carefully, since I got your note, the tenor of your proposition for a settlement, and it meets my views precisely. My foolish anger kept me from seeing it before. Let our mutual friend, Mr. Trueman, arrange the matter according to the plan mentioned, and Í shall most heartily acquiesce. Yours, &c."

"It

13. "He never wrote that letter in the world!" exclaimed Singleton, starting to his feet. "You know his writing, I presume?" said Mr. Trueman, handing him the letter. is Thomas Williams' own hand as I live!" ejaculated Singleton, on glancing at the letter, "my old friend Thomas Williams, the best-natured fellow in the world!" he continued, his feelings undergoing a sudden and entire revolution. "What a fool I've been !". -"And what a fool I have been," said Williams, advancing from an adjoining room, at the same time extending his hand to Singleton. "Heaven bless you, my old friend!" exclaimed Singleton, grasping his hand, "Why, what has been the matter of us both ?"

14. "

My good friends," said old Mr. Trueman, “I have known you long, and have always esteemed you both. This pleasant meeting and reconciliation, you perceive, is of my arrangement. Now let me give you a precept that will both make you friends, and keep you friends. It has been my motto through life, and I don't know that I have an enemy in the world. It is this- A soft answer turneth away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger.'"

QUESTIONS.-1. Whose remark commences this piece? 2. Where do you suppose he was at this time? 3. With whom was he angry, and on what account? 4. What kind of a letter did he wish to write to Mr. Williams? 5. What was the character of the one which Mr. Trucman wrote? 6. Why was Mr. Singleton unwilling to send it? 7. What effect did it have on Mr. Williams? 8. Describe the meeting of the two old friends. 9. What precept did Lawyer Trueman give them?

Why is the circumflex used on you, fifth verse? (Les. VII. Rule IX.) Why the rising inflection on the repetition of rijection; seventh

verse? What is the use of the dashes, eighth verse? Point out the different uses of the apostrophes in the tenth verse. What is meant by the marks at the end of the tenth verse? Where is the quotation at the end of the last verse found? Ans. Prov. 15th Chap. 1st verse.

LESSON LXXIX,

SPELL AND DEFINE.-1. Positively, really. 2. Pernicious, causing injury. 3. Criterion, established rule. 4. Borne, limit; entrance of the grave. 5. Replete, completely filled. 6. Biography, history of the life of some individual. 7. Incurious, not curious, or inquisitive. 8. Specimens, examples. 9. Volume, a book. 10. Manifold, many in number.

Advantages of Reading.-HAWES.

1. It is the glory of man, that the Creator has made him capable of endless improvement in knowledge, virtue, and happiness. And it is the high privilege of those who dwell in this favored land, that they enjoy, in rich abundance, the means of such improvement. Among these means, books hold a prominent place. They are indeed our principal instructors, and perhaps do more in the formation of our intellectual and moral habits, than all other means combined.

2. But as books are of very various character, some good some indifferent, and some of a positively pernicious tendency, it is plainly a inatter of great importance, to make a wise selection of them, and to read them with due caution. Especially is this true in regard to young persons, and those to whom the active duties of life leave but little leisure for reading.

3. It is a maxim ever to be borne in mind, to “ take heed what you read." read." To acquire useful information. to improve the mind in knowledge, and the heart in goodness, to become qualified to perform with honor and usefulness the duties of life, to be prepared for a happy iminortality be yond the grave, are the great objects which ought to be kept in view in reading.

4. Taking this as the criterion by which to regulate your choice of books, you will, I think, be led to give an important place to Historical Reading, especially, to that which relates to our own country. History is the mirror of the world. In it we behold the origin and progress of society, the rise and fall of empires; we see, as in a moving picture, the generations of our race, as they have risen into being,

acted their part on the stage of life, and passed in rapid succession, beyond that borne from whence no traveler returns.

5. Such scenes contemplated in the light of authentic history, are replete with the most interesting and profitable lessons. Especially are they so when they relate to our own country, With the history of our own country, every American citizen should be familiar. It is the history of a new world-of a new state of society, established for new purposes, developing new views of the character and destiny of man, and marked in every stage of its progress, with the most signal interpositions of a gracious and all-pervading

Providence.

6. Nearly related to history, and not less important, is Biography. This is a kind of reading, most happily adapted to minds of every capacity and degree of improvement. While it possesses a charm, that can hardly fail to interest the feelings and engage the attention even of the most incurious, and least instructed, it furnishes lessons of wisdom and prudence, by which the wisest and best may be profited.

7. It makes you acquainted with the fairest and most excellent specimens of human character. It introduces you into the society of the great and the learned, the wise and the good; you mingle and associate with them in all their walks and ways; you hear them converse; you see them act; and mark the steps by which they attained their excellence, and rose to their elevation in honor and influence.

You

8. The effect of this can not be otherwise than eminently happy. While conversant with such characters, a process of assimilation will be going on in your own minds. will feel within you an influence, raising you above whatever is base and polluting, and inspiring in you the love of whatever is noble and excellent.

9. Few authors can be read with more profit than those that illustrate the natural sciences, and show their application to the practical arts of life. Authors of this character teach us to read and understand the divine volume of creation. They show us the admirable structure of nature; unfold to our view the beauty, order, and harmony, which characterize the works of God.

10. While in the study of these works, our minds are invigorated, our hearts improved, our views enlarged, and the sources of our enjoyment multiplied, we rise to the contemplation of the Great Being who created and governs all;