5. The boy who _did it for himself_, has taken a stride upward, and what is better still, _has gained strength_ to take other and better ones.

The boy who waited to see _others do it_, has lost both strength and courage, and is already looking for some good excuse to give up school and study forever.

6. DO IT YOURSELF. Remember the counsel given to the artist, who lay reclining upon his couch, and wondering what the fates would work out for him. Directing his attention to a block of unhewn marble, with a chisel lying by its side, the sculptor in the vision is represented as thus addressing him: "Sir,

"There's the marble, there's the chisel, Take it, work it to thy will; _Thou alone_ must shape thy future, Heaven send thee strength and skill!"

QUESTIONS.--1. Who is benefited in studying? 2. What really rewards the labor of study? 3. What is said of the boy who succeeded after six hours of hard study? 4. What, of the boy who gave up, after the first trial?

5. What counsel was given to the artist who wondered what the fates would work out for him?

How are the words to be read, which are printed in Italics and in capitals? See page 22, Note III.

LESSON XVI.

SLACK' EN, relax; lessen.

EN DEAV' OR, effort; exertion.

WHOLE' SOME, useful; salutary.

EX CEL', surpa.s.s; outdo.

OUT STRIP' PED, outrun; excelled.

SUR Pa.s.s' ED, excelled.

VIC' TO RY, conquest; triumph.

UT' TER MOST, very best.

DAR' ING, courage; bravery.

DE FECT', fault; deficiency.

REPIN'ING, fretting; complaining.

UN A VAIL' ING, vain; useless.

COR RECT', amend; make right.

MAX' IM, proverb; saying.

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER.

1. _Life is a race_, where some succeed, While others are beginning; 'Tis luck, at times, at others, speed, That gives an early winning.

But, if you chance to fall behind, Ne'er slacken your endeavor; Just keep this wholesome truth in mind: _'Tis better late than never!_

2. If you can keep ahead, 'tis well; But never trip your neighbor; 'Tis n.o.ble when you can excel By honest, patient labor.

But, if you are outstripped, at last, Press on, as bold as ever; Remember, though you are surpa.s.sed, _'Tis better late than never!_

3. Ne'er labor for an idle boast Of victory o'er another; But, while you strive your uttermost, Deal fairly with a brother.

Whate'er your station, do your best, And, hold your purpose ever; And, if you fail to beat the rest, _'Tis better late than never!_

4. Choose well the path in which you run,-- Succeed by n.o.ble daring; Then, though the last, when once 'tis won, Your crown is worth the wearing.

Then never fret, if left behind, Nor slacken your endeavor; But ever keep this truth in mind: _'Tis better late than never!_

5. Yet, would you cure this sad defect, Repining's unavailing; Begin, _at once_, and _now_ correct This very common failing.

_This day_ resolve,--_this very hour,_ Nor e'en a moment wait; Go, make this better maxim yours,-- _'Tis better never late!_

QUESTIONS.--1. To what is life compared, first verse? 2. What advice is given _if you chance to fall behind?_ 3. How ought you to treat your compet.i.tors? 4. What is a very common failing? 5. How may it be corrected? 6. What is the use of the apostrophe in the word _repining's_, fifth verse?

LESSON XVII.

A DOPT' ED, taken as one's own.

PIL' LAR ED, supported by pillars.

TWI' LIGHT, faint light after sunset and before sunrise.

THYME, (_time_,) fragrant plant.

VINE' YARD, plantation of grapevines.

DYE, hue; color.

SPARK' LING, emitting bubbles.

THE ADOPTED CHILD.

MISS. HEMANS.

LADY.

Why wouldst thou leave me, O gentle child?

_Thy home_ on the mountains is bleak and wild, A straw-roofed cabin with lowly wall; _Mine_ is a fair and a pillared hall, Where many an image of marble gleams, And the sunshine of picture forever streams.

BOY.

Oh, green is the turf where my brothers play, Through the long, bright hours of the summer-day; They find the red cup-moss where they climb, And they chase the bee o'er the scented thyme; And the rocks where the heath-flower blooms they know, Lady, kind lady! oh, let me go!

LADY.

Content thee, boy, in my bower to dwell; Here are sweet sounds which thou lovest well,-- Flutes on the air in the stilly noon, Harps which the wandering breezes tune, And the silvery wood-note of many a bird Whose voice was ne'er in thy mountains heard.

BOY.

My mother sings, at the twilight's fall, A song of the hills, far more sweet than all; She sings it under our own green tree, To the babe half-slumbering on her knee; I dreamed, last night, of that music low,-- Lady, kind lady! oh, let me go!

LADY.

(_pl._) Thy mother hath gone from her cares to rest; She hath taken the babe on her quiet breast; Thou wouldst meet her footstep, my boy, no more, Nor hear her song at the cabin-door: Come thou with me to the vineyards nigh, And we'll pluck the grapes of the richest dye.

BOY.

Is my mother gone from her home away?-- But I know that my brothers are there at play, I know they are gathering the fox-glove's bell, Or the long fern leaves by the sparkling well; Or they launch their boats where the bright streams flow, Lady, kind lady! oh, let me go!

LADY.

Fair child, thy brothers are wanderers now, They sport no more on the mountain's brow; They have left the fern by the spring's green side, And the streams where the fairy barks were tried: Be thou at peace in thy brighter lot, For thy cabin-home is a lonely spot.

BOY.

Are they gone, all gone from the sunny hill?

But the bird and the blue-fly rove o'er it still, And the red deer bound in their gladness free, And the heath is bent by the singing bee, And the waters leap, and the fresh winds blow,-- Lady, kind lady! oh, let me go!

QUESTIONS.--1. What kind of words are _straw-roofed, heath-flower, wood-note,_ &c.? 2. What is the use of the apostrophes in the words _o'er, ne'er, twilight's_, &c.?