LESSONS.

SECTION THIRD.

33. Patriotism.

Celebrated; renowned, famous. Per'sonages; persons of importance. Condemn'ed; found guilty, sentenced. Jealous; envious, suspicious. Ungrateful; unthankful. Entreat'; beseech. Zeal; ardour, enthusiasm. Fidel'ity; faithfulness. Recompensed; rewarded. Engaged'; met in conflict. Approach'ing; advancing to. Memo'rial; remembrance. Defeat'; discomfiture. Mourn'ful; sad, grievous. Spec'tacle; sight, exhibition. Abate'; lessen, diminish.

THE great Phocion, one of the most celebrated personages among the Greeks, was condemned to death by his jealous and ungrateful countrymen, and when about to drink the fatal hemlock, was asked if he had any thing to say to his son. 'Bring him before me,' said he. They went in search of the young man, brought him, and presented him to his father. 6 My dear son,' said

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Phocion, I entreat you to serve your country with as much zeal and fidelity as I have done, and above all to forget that an unjust death was the price with which she recompensed my ser

vices.'

The son of Crassus, a Roman celebrated for his wealth and power, having engaged the enemy with too much zeal, was killed in the action. The enemy placed his head on the point of a spear, and, approaching the Roman camp, shewed in an insulting manner this trophy as a sad memorial F

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of their defeat. The mournful spectacle did not in the least abate the courage of his father. That general went from rank to rank encouraging the soldiers. Romans,' he cried, the death of my son is the misfortune of an individual: this loss concerns me alone, and I comfort myself in thinking that those who survive him, can, by their courage, save the republic.'

A Roman soldier named Pomponius, after having fought in a heroic manner, was made prisoner, and led to Mithridates, king of Pontus. That prince treated his valiant prisoner with kindness, and ordered the wounds with which he was covered to be dressed, and after he was cured asked him, if, for the care and attention he had bestowed upon him, he could count upon his friendship. I am your friend,' replied Pomponius, if you desire to be the friend of the Roman people, but if you persist in your hatred towards my country, you shall always find me an implacable enemy.'

The Athenians laid siege to Thasos, an island in the Ægean sea, and the inhabitants were at length reduced to the most frightful famine, but no one dared to speak of surrendering, as there was a law which prohibited any one, on pain of death, from proposing to treat with the Athenians. Hegetorides, a citizen respectable both by his birth and his riches, deeply affected with the evils of his country, resolved to sacrifice himself for her benefit. He came into the assembly of the ple with a rope about his neck, and said, "citizens, I am well aware of the fate which awaits me, but I shall think myself happy to be able to accomplish your preservation by my death, I advise you then to make peace with the Athenians.'

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The Thasians admired his devotedness and generosity, and, instead of punishing him, abrogated the law which they had made.

Eternity and Omnipotence of the Creator.

Of Him who all created sing the praise,
Though wanting numbers meet for such a theme,
For not archangel, high in eloquence,
Can sound the fame of the stupendous plan,
Where boundless wisdom, power divine, appear
In myriads of rolling suns and worlds,
Supplied benignly by Omnipotence
With light, and heat, and vital energy.

Long ere the annals of revolving time
Were registered in heaven, or on the earth
Old Ocean yawned, and rolled his foamy waves,
Before the earth itself had any form;

Before the moon, reflecting solar light,

Began her monthly course and shone on earth;
Ere yet the brilliant sun was lighted up

To cheer surrounding planets with his beams ;-
And long, immensely long, ere fairest stars
Enlightened systems rolling round their blaze,
Long ere all this-lived the Eternal One-
In glory, light, and knowledge, infinite;
Supremely happy in his wondrous self,
And planning out Creation's mighty scheme.

Thus independent of extraneous joy,
But bent on ponderings of paternal love,
Did the Great Architect stretch out all space,
And fill it up with systems infinite
Of suns and comets, planets, satellites,
Replete with various modes and forms of life,
From viewless animalcules, sporting wide

In microscopic particle of mist,

To mighty seraphim, whose ampler scope Extends through regions vast as mortal ken Can pierce with greatest power of telescope. Original.

34. Brotherly Love.

Har'mony; agreement. Mu'tual; passing from the one to the other, reciprocal. Support'; assistance. Opportunity; occasion, fit time. Allied'; united. Exist'ence; life. Received'; got, obtained. Source; origin. Inspire'; impart. Va'riance; discord. Com'monly; generally. Complaints'; lamentations. Accus'tomed; used, habituated. Wretch'ed; miserable. Corrupt'; depraved. Provi'ded; supplied, furnished. Affection; love. Sep'arate; go different ways.

THE duties which brothers owe to each other consist in harmony, mutual support, and strict union.

Nothing should be a source of greater pleasure to a man than the opportunity of being useful to a brother; to one in whose veins the same blood flows as in our own, to one who is most allied to our own existence, and who has received it from the same source as ourselves. Nothing can inspire greater horror than to see brothers and sisters at variance among themselves; nevertheless, it too commonly happens that we hear our courts of justice sounding with complaints of brother against brother, and sister against sister; and it may be justly said, that the people most accustomed to scenes of this kind, are wretched and corrupt in their morals.-Morlet.

Ye are the children of one father, provided by his care; and the breast of one mother hath given

you suck. Let the bonds of affection, therefore, unite you, that peace and happiness may dwell in your father's house. And when ye separate in the world, remember the relation that bindeth you to love and unity, and prefer not a stranger to your own blood.

If thy brother is in adversity, assist him: if thy sister is in trouble, forsake her not: so shall the fortunes of thy father contribute to the support of his whole race; and his care be continued to you all in your love to each other.-Dodsley.

The son of a rich London merchant had delivered himself up to all kinds of excess and indulgence. By his misconduct and disregard to paternal admonitions he had so incensed his father that he determined to disinherit him, and when the old man was on his death-bed he made a will to that effect. Dorval, for this was the young man's name, no sooner heard of his father's death than he began to lament his past life. He was soon informed that his father's will excluded him from the enjoyment of any part of his fortune; but this intelligence did not produce a murmur against the memory of his deceased father he respected it even as an act the most disadvantageous to his interest; and only said these words, I have deserved it.' This moderation reached the ears of his brother Jenneval, who, delighted to perceive this change in the conduct of Dorval, went to find him, embraced him, and addressed him in these memorable words :'My brother, you see that our father has by his will left me sole heir of his fortune, but it was only his intention to disinherit you as you were then, and not as you are now, therefore I restore you the portion which belongs to you.'

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