Eliza Cook (b. 1817, VIII. WORK. was born at London. In 1837 she com menced contributing to periodicals. In 1840 the first collection of her poems was made. In 1849 she became editor of "Eliza Cook's Journal." 1. WORK, work, my boy, be not afraid; Take up the hammer or the spade, 2. There's glory in the shuttle's song; There's triumph in the anvil's stroke; 3. The wind disturbs the sleeping lake, 4. And so the active breath of life Should stir our dull and sluggard wills; With health, that stagnant torpor kills? 5. I doubt if he who lolls his head Where idleness and plenty meet, As those who earn the meals they eat. 6. And man is never half so blest DEFINITIONS. 3. Měsh, net-work. 4. Rife, abounding. Stǎg'nant, inactive. Tôr'por, laziness, stupidity. 5. Lolls, reclines, leans. IX. THE MANIAC. 1. A GENTLEMAN who had traveled in Europe, relates that he one day visited the hospital of Berlin, where he saw a man whose exterior was very striking. His figure, tall and commanding, was bending with age, but more with sorrow; the few scattered hairs which remained on his temples were white almost as the driven snow, and the deepest melancholy was depicted in his countenance. 2. On inquiring who he was and what brought him there, he started, as if from sleep, and, after looking around him, began with slow and measured steps to stride the hall, repeating in a low but audible voice, "Once one is two; once one is two." 3. Now and then he would stop, and remain with his arms folded on his breast as if in contemplation, for some minutes; then again resuming his walk, he continued to repeat, "Once one is two; once one is two." His story, as our traveler understood it, was as follows. 4. Conrad Lange, collector of the revenues of the city of Berlin, had long been known as a man whom nothing could divert from the paths of honesty. Scrupulously exact in all his dealings, and assiduous in the discharge of all his duties, he had acquired the good-will and esteem of all who knew him, and the confidence of the minister of finance, whose duty it is to inspect the accounts of all officers connected with the revenue. 5. On casting up his accounts at the close of a particular year, he found a deficit of ten thousand ducats. Alarmed at this discovery, he went to the minister, presented his accounts, and informed him that he did not know how it had arisen, and that he had been robbed by some person bent on his ruin. 6. The minister received his accounts, but thinking it a duty to secure a person who might probably be a defaulter, he caused him to be arrested, and put his accounts into the hands of one of his secretaries for inspection, who returned them the day after with the information that the deficiency arose from a miscalculation; that in multiplying, Mr. Lange had said, once one is two, instead of once one is one. 7. The poor man was immediately released from confinement, his accounts returned, and the mistake pointed out. During his imprisonment, which lasted two days, he had neither eaten, drank, nor taken any repose; and when he appeared, his countenance was as pale as death. On receiving his accounts, he was a long time silent; then suddenly awaking, as if from a trance, he repeated, "Once one is two." 8. He appeared to be entirely insensible of his situation; would neither eat nor drink, unless solicited; and took notice of nothing that passed around him. While repeating his accustomed phrase, if any one corrected him by saying, “Once one is one," his attention was arrested for a moment, and he said, "Ah, right, once one is one;" and then resuming his walk, he continued to repeat, "Once one is two." He died shortly after the traveler left Berlin. 9. This affecting story, whether true or untrue, obviously abounds with lessons of instruction. Alas! how easily is the human mind thrown off its balance; especially when it is stayed on this world only, and has no experimental knowledge of the meaning of the injunction of Scripture, to cast all our cares upon Him who careth for us, and who heareth even the young ravens when they cry. DEFINITIONS.-1. Ex-tē'ri-or, outward appearance. De-plet'ed, painted, represented. 3. Con-tem-pla'tion, continued attention of the mind to one subject. 4. Rev'e-nues, the annual income from taxes, public rents, etc.. Seru'pu-lous-ly, carefully. As-sĭd'u-ous, constant in attention. Fi-nănçe', the income of a ruler or a state. 5. Děf'i-çît, lack, want. Dŭe'at, a gold coin worth about $2.00. 6. De-fault'er, one who fails to account for public money entrusted to his care. 9. Ob'vi-oŭs-ly, plainly. In-june'tion, a command. X. ROBIN REDBREAST. William Allingham (b. 1828, -) was born at Ballyshannon, Ireland. His father was a banker, and gave him a good education in Irish schools. He showed his literary tastes at an early date, contributing to periodicals, etc. In 1850 he published his first volume of poems; in 1854 his "Day and Night Songs" appeared, and in 1864 a poem in twelve chapters entitled "Laurence Bloomfield in Ireland." His reputation has been established chiefly through his shorter lyrics, or ballad poetry. Since 1864 he has received a literary pension. 1. GOOD-BYE, good-bye to Summer! O Robin dear! Robin sings so sweetly In the falling of the year. 2. Bright yellow, red, and orange, The trees are Indian princes, But soon they'll turn to ghosts; It's Autumn, Autumn, Autumn late, Robin, Robin Redbreast, O Robin dear! And what will this poor Robin do? For pinching days are near. 3. The fireside for the cricket, The wheat-stack for the mouse, The branches plumed with snow,- O Robin dear! And a crumb of bread for Robin, NOTE.-The Old World Robin here referred to is quite different in appearance and habits from the American Robin. It is only about half the size of the latter. Its prevailing color above is olive green, while the forehead, cheeks, throat, and breast are a light yellowish red. It does not migrate, but is found at all seasons throughout temperate Europe, Asia Minor, and northern Africa. XI. THE FISH I DIDN'T CATCH. John Greenleaf Whittier (b. 1801, was born in Haverhill, Mass. His boyhood was passed on a farm, and he never received a classical education. In 1829 he edited a newspaper in Boston. In the following year he removed to Hartford, Conn., to assume a similar position. In 1836 he edited an anti-slavery paper in Philadelphia. Since 1840 he has resided in Amesbury, Mass. Mr. Whittier's parents were Friends, and he has always held to the same faith. He has written extensively both in prose and verse. As a poet, he ranks among those most highly esteemed and honored by his countrymen. "Snow-Bound," published in 1865, is one of the longest and best of his poems. 1. OUR bachelor uncle who lived with us was a quiet, genial man, much given to hunting and fishing; and it was one of the pleasures of our young life to accompany him on his expeditions to Great Hill, Brandy-brow Woods, the |