"£1, 10s. 5d., is what our neighbour Hodge pays for the acre which he cultivates, and with it supports his family. It is the interest of the sum necessary to purchase the horse and cart, which the tax-collector has for sale. With this money, spent every morning to the damage of my health, I can create for myself an independence, rear a family, and lay by for my old age."

'These calculations decided me. I laid aside the false shame which had made me once yield to the solicitations of my comrades. I laid by what I should otherwise have spent, and ere long was able to drive a bargain with the carrier, whom I had succeeded. I continued to economise while not denying myself the necessaries or comforts of life, while John persevered in the life of a "jolly fellow ;" and now you see to what end we have both come. The rags of my poor comrade, his premature old age, the contempt with which all respectable men regard him, on the one hand; on the other, my sound health, my personal comfort, my good reputation-both this and that, the results of a habit early formed. His wretchedness may be traced to the morning-glass; my success, to the penny which it cost.'

[Write from dictation]

He was a comparatively young man, and possessed a face indicating a good conscience and a cultivated mind, and the respectable independence of his manner formed a strong contrast to the craven wretchedness of the premature old man, whom he treated with so much familiarity.

་་་

THE TRAVELLER.

1.

A weary man with dusty feet,
Came slowly down the village street,

And paused to look with wistful gaze,
Where, through the smithy's open door,
The restless fire doth crack and roar,
For the great bellows evermore
Do set it in a blaze.

2.

The blacksmith has a six-year child,
A blue-eyed maiden, coy and mild,

She saw the wish his look expressed;
And with her small white apron neat,
She dusted down the dark brown seat,
And prayed him, with a smile most sweet,
To enter there, and rest.

3.

The child brought forth the cup of milk, With tiny hand as soft as silk,

She held it to the traveller's lip;

And as he drank it thankfully,
He whispered to the maiden shy,
How far away his home did lie;
Beyond the mountain's tip-

4.

Beyond the river rolling bright;
And he had far to go that night,

By barren hill, and wooded vale:
The blacksmith on his hammer leant,
The boy above the bellows bent,
The fire died out; while both intent,
Hung on the traveller's tale.

5.

And still he spoke in gentle tone,
Unto the little child alone,

While glistened soft her eyes of blue,
'And art thou grieved because for me
The road outspreads so wearily?
Child, better should I weep for thee,
Thou art a traveller too.

6.

'Life's journey long, before thee lies,
In summer heat, 'neath wintry skies,
A weary way thy foot must roam;
For every one who treads the earth,
In joy or pain, in woe or mirth,
Is but a traveller from his birth,
And all are going home.

7.

'Yet on, my child, nor look behind,
But journey with an earnest mind:

God and His angels give thee aid,
Till, the long toilsome journey done,
Thou see at last at set of sun,
That distant country duly won,
And rest within its shade.'

8.

The old man rose, and passed once more With feeble step the open door,

The child scarce bidding him to stay; The blacksmith struck another blow, The fire roused up, began to glow, And still she stood, and murmured low,

'My home is far away.'

THE FARMER AND THE LAWYER.

[Spell and write]

business, reputation, numerous, fatigued, inheritance, opportunity, difficulties, neighbouring, experience, consequently.

One day, a farmer named Bernard, having finished his business at the market-town, found some hours of leisure at his disposal, and resolved to employ them in consulting a lawyer. He had often heard of Mr Longhead as a man of the highest reputation; and inquiring the address, he I went to his house.

Having found his way into his presence, after numerous other clients had departed, he was asked to take a seat and state his business.

'The fact is, Mr Longhead,' said the farmer, turning his hat round and round in his hand, 'I have heard so much of your wisdom that, finding myself in town, and with an hour or two at my disposal, I thought I could not spend them better than by having an opinion from you.'

'I am obliged by your confidence, my friend,' said the lawyer; 'no doubt you have some case going on in the courts of law?'

'Case! I hold all cases in horror; and never has Bernard had a word of dispute with any one.'

Then it is a division of family property?'

'Excuse me, sir; our family, living as we do all together, have never divided our inheritance.'

'Some contract of sale or purchase, then, is what you want.'

'Oh, no-not at all!'

'What, then, can you want with me?' said the lawyer, much surprised.

'Why, sir,' said Bernard, with a broad grin, I have told you; I want an opinion-my money is ready, of course for I wish to profit by being in town, do you see." Mr Longhead smiled, took a pen, and asked the farmer his name.

'Peter Bernard,' he replied, glad at being at last understood.

'Your age?'

'Forty years, or thereby.'

"Your profession?'

'My profession! You mean what I do? Oh, I am a farmer.'

The lawyer wrote two lines, folded the paper, and gave it to his strange client.

'Done already?' cried Bernard. before one can say Jack Robinson. learned sir?'

'One guinea.'

'Well, to be sure—

What is to pay,

Bernard paid gladly, made his bow, and went away much pleased at having profited by the opportunity.

When he reached home, it was four o'clock. The journey had fatigued him, and he entered the house resolved to rest. His hay had been cut for some days, and was now dry; and a lad came to ask if it should be carried in.

'To-night!' said the farmer's wife, who had now joined her husband; it would be a sin to go to work again so late, when the work can be done as well to-morrow.'

The lad said that the weather might change, and that the carts and everything were ready; but the farmer's wife would not hear of it.

Bernard listened to the two, and was at a loss how to decide, when all of a sudden he recalled the lawyer's note. 'A moment,' he cried; 'I have an opinion. I had it of