1. The Falls of Lodore, in the Lake District, England, consist of a series of cascades in which a small stream rushes over a great rock about 200 feet high.2. Read this poem aloud and notice how the sound fits the sense. Does it give you an idea of the sound of the waterfall? Why do you think the poet uses first two, then three, and then four, participles to a line? Other poems in which this method of creating an impression of sound and motion is used are Poe's "The Bells" and parts of Browning's "How We Brought the Good News from Ghent to Aix" and "The Pied Piper." Words likebubbleandgurgleimitate sounds. Look for such words in this poem and elsewhere.3. Compare this poem with Lowell's "The Fountain," Tennyson's "The Brook," and Lanier's "Song of the Chattahoochee." Decide which you like best, and why.
1. The Falls of Lodore, in the Lake District, England, consist of a series of cascades in which a small stream rushes over a great rock about 200 feet high.
2. Read this poem aloud and notice how the sound fits the sense. Does it give you an idea of the sound of the waterfall? Why do you think the poet uses first two, then three, and then four, participles to a line? Other poems in which this method of creating an impression of sound and motion is used are Poe's "The Bells" and parts of Browning's "How We Brought the Good News from Ghent to Aix" and "The Pied Piper." Words likebubbleandgurgleimitate sounds. Look for such words in this poem and elsewhere.
3. Compare this poem with Lowell's "The Fountain," Tennyson's "The Brook," and Lanier's "Song of the Chattahoochee." Decide which you like best, and why.
STORIES THAT TEACHIf any man can convince me and bring home to me that I do not think or act aright, gladly will I change; for I search after truth, by which man never yet was harmed. But he is harmed who abideth on still in his own deception and ignorance.—Marcus Aurelius.
STORIES THAT TEACH
If any man can convince me and bring home to me that I do not think or act aright, gladly will I change; for I search after truth, by which man never yet was harmed. But he is harmed who abideth on still in his own deception and ignorance.
If any man can convince me and bring home to me that I do not think or act aright, gladly will I change; for I search after truth, by which man never yet was harmed. But he is harmed who abideth on still in his own deception and ignorance.
—Marcus Aurelius.
An Adventure in BrotherhoodAn Adventure in Brotherhood(See opposite page)
In an ancient city of the East there were seven brotherswho were constantly quarreling among themselves. Theyfell out about the way their father divided his propertyamong them; they argued about the number of camelseach had a right to; they disagreed over the management5of their business; and altogether they behaved sorudely to each other that their acquaintances came to speakof them as the "unbrotherly brothers."
Their father was much grieved over the actions of hissons, and he pondered long what means to take to teach them10a lasting lesson. At length he called them together inhis own house and spoke to them in this manner:
"As you know, I still have much wealth of my own. Thewhole of this I shall bequeath to that son of mine who canperform a task I have to set. Should two or more succeed,15the property will be divided equally among the winners.But before any of you can take part in this contest, eachmust pledge himself to live up fully to any lesson he mayhave exemplified here this day. Are you willing to makeme this promise?"20
Each stepped forth in turn and gave a solemn assurance tohis father that come what might he would be true in spiritand in deed to any lesson that the test might bring forth.
The father then took from a chest a bundle of seven sticks,ingeniously tied together. "In accordance with what I25have said," he told them, "whichever of you breaks thesesticks shall be the winner of the prize."
Each tried in turn, beginning with the youngest. Eachtugged and strained in vain. At best the bundle could onlybe bent. Finally the turn of the seventh came, and hetoo was unsuccessful. They all said the task could not bedone and agreed that they had failed.5
Thereupon the father took the bundle, sought out theend of the cord that held the sticks together, and unwoundit at a single pull. Seizing each stick separately he brokeall seven, one after another, before his astonished sonscould protest.10
"Now," said he, "those broken sticks are you, my sevensons. As long as you hold together, nobody can break yourfriendship or your reputation. When you fall apart, anybodycan make broken reeds of you. Need I say moreabout the lesson that you have pledged yourselves to learn15in spirit and in deed?"
The rebuke touched the seven brothers. They agreed toforget their petty grievances, thanked their father for thelesson he had taught them, and gladly joined in a big feasthe had had prepared. And thereafter all who knew them20spoke of them as "the seven blood brothers."
1. Did the seven brothers have any good reason for quarreling? About what matters did they disagree? What is the difference between disagreeing and quarreling? How did they probably get into their contentious habits?2. What was their father's agreement with them? Was it a fair one? What part of the story is illustrated on page 214?3. This is an old story retold. Groups of seven, three, or twelve are very common in folk tales and legends. See how many famous groups of seven you can find.
1. Did the seven brothers have any good reason for quarreling? About what matters did they disagree? What is the difference between disagreeing and quarreling? How did they probably get into their contentious habits?
2. What was their father's agreement with them? Was it a fair one? What part of the story is illustrated on page 214?
3. This is an old story retold. Groups of seven, three, or twelve are very common in folk tales and legends. See how many famous groups of seven you can find.
Dear Lord! kind Lord!Gracious Lord! I prayThou wilt look on all I love,Tenderly to-day!Weed their hearts of weariness;5Scatter every careDown a wake of angel wingsWinnowing the air.Bring unto the sorrowingAll release from pain;10Let the lips of laughterOverflow again;And with all the needyOh, divide, I pray,This vast treasure of content15That is mine to-day!
1. James Whitcomb Riley (1853-1916) is an American poet, best known for his poems for and about children. You probably know "The Raggedy Man," "Little Orphant Annie," and "The Circus-Day Parade." "The Prayer Perfect" is an example of his serious verse.2. From what three evils does the poet pray to have his friends delivered? What good things does he want them to have? What, beside the things he says here, shows that Riley thought laughter a blessing?(From the Biographical Edition of the Complete Works of James Whitcomb Riley, copyright 1913, used by special permission of the Publishers, The Bobbs-Merrill Company)
1. James Whitcomb Riley (1853-1916) is an American poet, best known for his poems for and about children. You probably know "The Raggedy Man," "Little Orphant Annie," and "The Circus-Day Parade." "The Prayer Perfect" is an example of his serious verse.
2. From what three evils does the poet pray to have his friends delivered? What good things does he want them to have? What, beside the things he says here, shows that Riley thought laughter a blessing?
(From the Biographical Edition of the Complete Works of James Whitcomb Riley, copyright 1913, used by special permission of the Publishers, The Bobbs-Merrill Company)
This selection is a sermon that begins with an illustration. The text is the title. The whole incident of Lincoln's letter to Hooker is used to enforce the text, whose title might be "Loyalty." Why?Elbert Hubbard (1859-1915) is an American writer of essays and biography. He was interested in the revival of the old handicrafts, especially in the art of printing and binding books.
This selection is a sermon that begins with an illustration. The text is the title. The whole incident of Lincoln's letter to Hooker is used to enforce the text, whose title might be "Loyalty." Why?
Elbert Hubbard (1859-1915) is an American writer of essays and biography. He was interested in the revival of the old handicrafts, especially in the art of printing and binding books.
If all the letters, messages, and speeches of Lincoln weredestroyed except that one letter to Hooker, we shouldstill have a good index to the heart of "The Rail-splitter."
In this letter we see that Lincoln ruled his own spirit;and we also behold the fact that he could rule others.5The letter shows frankness, kindliness, wit, tact, wisediplomacy, and infinite patience.
Hooker had harshly and unjustly criticized Lincoln,his commander in chief, and he had embarrassed Burnside,his ranking officer. But Lincoln waives all this in deference10to the virtues that he believes Hooker possesses, and promoteshim to succeed Burnside. In other words, the manwho had been wronged promotes the man who had wrongedhim, over the head of a man whom the promotee had wrongedand for whom the promoter had a warm personal friendship.15
But all personal considerations were sunk in view of theend desired. Yet it was necessary that the man promotedshould know the truth, and Lincoln told it to him in a waythat did not humiliate nor fire to foolish anger, but whichcertainly prevented the attack of cerebral elephantiasis to20which Hooker was liable.
Perhaps we had better give the letter entire, and so hereit is:
"Executive Mansion, Washington, January 26, 1863.Major-General Hooker:General:—5
I have placed you at the head of the Army of thePotomac. Of course I have done this upon what appearto me to be sufficient reasons, and yet I think it best foryou to know that there are some things in regard to whichI am not quite satisfied with you.10
I believe you to be a brave and skillful soldier, which,of course, I like. I also believe you do not mix politicswith your profession, in which you are right.
You have confidence in yourself, which is a valuable, ifnot indispensable, quality.15
You are ambitious, which, within reasonable bounds,does good rather than harm; but I think that duringGeneral Burnside's command of the army you have takencounsel of your ambition and thwarted him as much as youcould, in which you did a great wrong to the country and20to a most meritorious and honorable brother officer.
I have heard, in such a way as to believe it, of yourrecently saying that both the army and the governmentneeded a dictator. Of course it was not for this, but inspite of it, that I have given you the command. Only25those generals who gain successes can set up dictators.What I now ask of you is military success, and I will riskthe dictatorship. The government will support you to theutmost of its ability, which is neither more nor less thanit has done and will do for all commanders. I much30fear that the spirit you have aided to infuse into the army,of criticizing their commander and withholding confidencefrom him, will now turn upon you. I shall assist you asfar as I can to put it down. Neither you nor Napoleon,if he were alive again, could get any good out of an armywhile such a spirit prevails in it. And now beware ofrashness; beware of rashness, but with energy and sleepless5vigilance go forward and give us victories.
Yours very truly,A. Lincoln."
One point in this letter is especially worth our consideration,for it suggests a condition that springs up like10deadly nightshade from a poisonous soil. I refer to thehabit of sneering, carping, grumbling at, and criticizingthose who are above us.
The man who is anybody and who does anything issurely going to be criticized, vilified, and misunderstood.15This is a part of the penalty for greatness and every greatman understands it; and understands, too, that it is noproof of greatness. The final proof of greatness lies in beingable to endure contumely without resentment. Lincolndid not resent criticism; he knew that every life must be its20own excuse for being; but look how he calls Hooker'sattention to the fact that the dissension Hooker has sown isgoing to return and plague him! "Neither you nor Napoleon,were he alive, could get any good out of an armywhile such a spirit prevails in it." Hooker's fault falls on25Hooker—others suffer, but Hooker suffers most of all.
Not long ago I met a college student, home on a vacation.I am sure he did not represent the true collegespirit, for he was full of criticism and bitterness towardthe institution. The president of the college came in for30his share, and I was supplied items, facts, data, withtimes and places, for a "peach of a roast."
Very soon I saw the trouble was not with the college,the trouble was with the young man. He had mentallydwelt on some trivial slights until he had got so out ofharmony with the institution that he had lost the power toderive any benefit from it. No college is a perfect institution—a5fact, I suppose, that most college presidents andcollege men are quite willing to admit; but a college doessupply certain advantages, and it depends upon the studentswhether they will avail themselves of these advantagesor not.10
If you are a student in a college, seize upon the good thatis there. You get good by giving it. You gain by giving—sogive sympathy and cheerful loyalty to the institution.Be proud of it. Stand by your teachers—they are doingthe best they can. If the place is faulty, make it a better15place by an example of cheerfully doing your work everyday the best you can. Mind your own business.
If the concern where you are employed is all wrong,and the Old Man is a curmudgeon, it may be well for you togo to the Old Man and confidentially, quietly, and kindly20tell him that he is a curmudgeon. Explain to him that hispolicy is absurd and preposterous. Then show him how toreform his ways, and you might offer to take charge of theconcern and cleanse it of its secret faults.
Do this, or if for any reason you should prefer not, then25take your choice of these: Get Out or Get in Line. Youhave got to do one or the other—now make your choice.If you work for a man, in heaven's name work for him!
If he pays you wages that supply you your bread andbutter, work for him—speak well of him, think well of30him, stand by him, and stand by the institution he represents.
I think if I worked for a man I would work for him; Iwould not work for him a part of the time, and the rest ofthe time work against him. I would give an undividedservice or none. If put to the pinch, an ounce of loyalty isworth a pound of cleverness.5
If you must vilify, condemn, and eternally disparage,why, resign your position, and when you are outside,damn to your heart's content. But, I pray you, so longas you are a part of an institution, do not condemn it.Not that you will injure the institution—not that—but10when you disparage the concern of which you are a part,you disparage yourself.
More than that, you are loosening the tendrils thathold you to the institution, and the first high wind thatcomes along, you will be uprooted and blown away in the15blizzard's track—and probably you will never know why.The letter only says "Times are dull and we regret thereis not enough work," et cetera.
Everywhere you find those out-of-a-job fellows. Talkwith them and you will find that they are full of railing,20bitterness, and condemnation. That was the trouble—througha spirit of faultfinding they got themselves swungaround so they blocked the channel and had to be dynamited.They are out of harmony with the concern, andno longer being a help they had to be removed. Every25employer is constantly looking for people who can help him;naturally he is on the lookout among his employees for thosewho do not help, and everything and everybody that is ahindrance has to go. This is the law of trade—do notfind fault with it; it is founded on nature. The reward30is only for the man that helps, and in order to help, youmust have sympathy.
You cannot help the Old Man so long as you are explainingin undertone and whisper, by gesture and suggestion, bythought and mental attitude, that he is a curmudgeon andhis system dead wrong. You are not necessarily menacinghim by stirring up discontent and warming envy into strife,5but you are doing this: You are getting yourself upon a well-greasedchute that will give you a quick ride down and out.
When you say to other employees that the Old Man is acurmudgeon, you reveal the fact that you are one; andwhen you tell that the policy of the institution is "rotten,"10you surely show that yours is.
Hooker got his promotion even in spite of his failings;but the chances are that your employer does not have thelove that Lincoln had—the love that suffereth long and iskind. But even Lincoln could not protect Hooker forever.15Hooker failed to do the work, and Lincoln had to try someone else. So there came a time when Hooker was supersededby a Silent Man, who criticized no one, railed at nobody—noteven the enemy. And this Silent Man, who ruled hisown spirit, took the cities. He minded his own business and20did the work that no man ever can do unless he givesabsolute loyalty, perfect confidence, and untiring devotion.
Let us mind our own business and work for self by workingfor the good of all.
1. Find in the letter instances of the qualities named in paragraph two. What is the moral of the selection?2. What is there humorous about the third paragraph on page 221?3. Explain: ranking officer, waives, cerebral elephantiasis, dictator, deadly nightshade, data, disparage, curmudgeon, chute, superseded.4. You are a clerk in a shoe store on Saturday afternoon, and learn that your employer is overcharging some customers. What should you do?5. What incentive to loyalty is suggested here? Name a better one.
1. Find in the letter instances of the qualities named in paragraph two. What is the moral of the selection?
2. What is there humorous about the third paragraph on page 221?
3. Explain: ranking officer, waives, cerebral elephantiasis, dictator, deadly nightshade, data, disparage, curmudgeon, chute, superseded.
4. You are a clerk in a shoe store on Saturday afternoon, and learn that your employer is overcharging some customers. What should you do?
5. What incentive to loyalty is suggested here? Name a better one.
(Used by permission of Elbert Hubbard II, East Aurora, N. Y.)
This anecdote about a great American begins with a short account of his life and work. It goes on to tell about his appearance and habits and then relates the story that illustrates something fine in his character. Judge Marshall was born in 1755 and died in 1835. By recalling what events happened during his lifetime and what great men were his contemporaries, you will get a clearer idea of the setting of the story. In reading it try to picture costumes, houses, etc.
This anecdote about a great American begins with a short account of his life and work. It goes on to tell about his appearance and habits and then relates the story that illustrates something fine in his character. Judge Marshall was born in 1755 and died in 1835. By recalling what events happened during his lifetime and what great men were his contemporaries, you will get a clearer idea of the setting of the story. In reading it try to picture costumes, houses, etc.
Among the great men of Virginia, John Marshallwill always be remembered with honor and esteem.He was the son of a poor man, and his early life was spentin poverty; but he was not afraid of labor, and everybodysaw that he was a person of more than common ability.5
Little by little he rose to distinction, and there wasscarcely any public office in the gift of the people that hemight not have had for the asking. He served in the legislatureof Virginia; he was sent as envoy to France; he wasmade Secretary of State; and finally he became Chief10Justice of the United States. When he died at the age ofeighty, he was one of the greatest and most famous menin America.
My father knew him well and loved him, and told memany things about him. He was very tall and thin, and15dressed very plainly. He wore a suit of plain black cloth,and common yarn stockings, which fitted tightly to his legsand showed how thin they were. He was a very greatwalker, and would often walk out to his farm, which wasseveral miles from Richmond. But sometimes he went onhorseback, and once he was met riding out with a bag ofclover seed on the saddle before him.
His manners were plain and simple, and he liked to talkabout everyday matters with plain country people andlaugh and jest with them. In a word, he was so great a man5that he never thought of appearing greater than otherpeople, but was always the same unpretending JohnMarshall.
It was the fashion among the gentlemen of Richmond towalk to market early in the morning and buy fresh meats10and vegetables for their family dinners. This was a goodold fashion, and some famous gentlemen continued to doso to the end of their lives. It was the habit of JudgeMarshall, and very often he took no servant with him. Hewould buy what he wanted and return home, carrying his15purchases on his arm; and on one of these occasions a littleincident occurred which is well worth telling.
Judge Marshall had made his purchases at the marketand was just starting for home when he heard some oneusing very rough and unbecoming language. He turned20round and saw what was the cause of the hubbub. Afinely dressed young man, who seemed to be a stranger,had just bought a turkey in the market. Finding thatit would not be carried home for him, he became very angry.Judge Marshall listened a moment to his ungentlemanly25talk, and then stepping up to him asked very kindly,"Where do you live, sir?"
The young man looked at the plainly dressed old countryman,as he supposed him to be, and then named the streetand number where he lived.30
"I happen to be going that way," said Judge Marshallwith a smile, "and I will take it for you."
The young man handed him the turkey and left themarket, followed by Judge Marshall. When they reachedthe young man's home, Marshall politely handed him theturkey and turned to go.
"What shall I pay you?" asked the young man.5
"Oh, nothing," answered Marshall. "You are welcome.It was on my way, and no trouble at all." He bowed andwalked away, while the young man looked after him,beginning now to see that he had made a mistake.
"Who is that polite old gentleman who carried my turkey10for me?" he asked of a friend who was passing.
"That is John Marshall, Chief Justice of the UnitedStates," was the answer.
The young man was astounded and ashamed. "Butwhy did he offer to carry my turkey?" he exclaimed.15
"To give you a reprimand and teach you to attend toyour own business and behave like a gentleman."
This little anecdote will show you the character of JohnMarshall; and I cannot believe that it was his wish merelyto reprimand the foolish young man. He was too sweet-tempered20and kind to take pleasure in reprimanding anyone;and I have not a doubt that he carried the turkeysimply from the wish to be obliging.
—Stories of the Old Dominion.
1. What were the offices that Judge Marshall held? What great men did he probably meet and talk with? What important events happened during his lifetime? Describe his appearance, character, and habits.2. Relate the story about the turkey. Did the young man mean to be disagreeable? About whom was he thinking? What was the difference between his point of view and Judge Marshall's? Why did Judge Marshall carry the turkey for him?
1. What were the offices that Judge Marshall held? What great men did he probably meet and talk with? What important events happened during his lifetime? Describe his appearance, character, and habits.
2. Relate the story about the turkey. Did the young man mean to be disagreeable? About whom was he thinking? What was the difference between his point of view and Judge Marshall's? Why did Judge Marshall carry the turkey for him?
This poem is an allegory. In reading it try to get a clear picture of the scene described, and at the same time remember that everything in it has a hidden meaning; to understand it fully, you must find out what the pictures represent. The title gives you the necessary key.
This poem is an allegory. In reading it try to get a clear picture of the scene described, and at the same time remember that everything in it has a hidden meaning; to understand it fully, you must find out what the pictures represent. The title gives you the necessary key.
This I beheld, or dreamed it in a dream:—There spread a cloud of dust along a plain;And underneath the cloud, or in it, ragedA furious battle, and men yelled, and swordsShocked upon swords and shields. A prince's banner5Wavered, then staggered backward, hemmed by foes.A craven hung along the battle's edge,And thought, "Had I a sword of keener steel—That blue blade that the king's son bears,—but thisBlunt thing!" He snapped and flung it from his hand,10And lowering crept away and left the field.Then came the king's son, wounded, sore bestead,And weaponless, and saw the broken sword,Hilt-buried in the dry and trodden sand,And ran and snatched it, and with battle shout15Lifted afresh, he hewed his enemy down,And saved a great cause that heroic day.
1. What do the following represent: the battle; the swords; the craven; the king's son; the broken sword buried in the sand? Express the meaning of the allegory in a sentence of your own.2. Define an allegory, a fable; a parable. Most allegories are long. Bunyan'sPilgrim's Progressis a very famous one.
1. What do the following represent: the battle; the swords; the craven; the king's son; the broken sword buried in the sand? Express the meaning of the allegory in a sentence of your own.
2. Define an allegory, a fable; a parable. Most allegories are long. Bunyan'sPilgrim's Progressis a very famous one.
Dr. Frank Crane is an American writer whose little essays you often see in newspapers and magazines. This description of the right sort of boy is put in the form of a "Want ad" in a newspaper. While you read it, consider whether the boy you are best acquainted with could apply for the job.
Dr. Frank Crane is an American writer whose little essays you often see in newspapers and magazines. This description of the right sort of boy is put in the form of a "Want ad" in a newspaper. While you read it, consider whether the boy you are best acquainted with could apply for the job.
(Used by special permission of the author.)
A boy who stands straight, sits straight, acts straight,and talks straight.
A boy who listens carefully when spoken to, who asksquestions when he does not understand, and does not askquestions about things that are none of his business.5
A boy whose finger nails are not in mourning, whoseears are clean, whose shoes are polished, whose clothesare brushed, whose hair is combed, and whose teeth arewell cared for.
A boy who moves quickly and makes as little noise about10it as possible.
A boy who whistles in the street but not where heought to keep still.
A boy who looks cheerful, has a ready smile for everybody,and never sulks.15
A boy who is polite to every man and respectful to everywoman and girl.
A boy who does not smoke cigarettes and has no desire tolearn how.
A boy who never bullies other boys or allows other boys20to bully him.
A boy who, when he does not know a thing, says, "I donot know"; and when he has made a mistake says, "I'msorry"; and when requested to do a thing immediatelysays, "I'll try."
A boy who looks you right in the eye and tells the truth5every time.
A boy who would rather lose his job or be expelled fromschool than tell a lie or be a cad.
A boy who is more eager to know how to speak goodEnglish than to talk slang.10
A boy who does not want to be "smart" nor in any wiseattract attention.
A boy who is eager to read good, wholesome books.
A boy whom other boys like.
A boy who is perfectly at ease in the company of respectable15girls.
A boy who is not a goody-goody, a prig, or a littlePharisee, but just healthy, happy, and full of life.
A boy who is not sorry for himself and not foreverthinking and talking about himself.20
A boy who is friendly with his mother and more intimatewith her than with anyone else.
A boy who makes you feel good when he is around.
This boy is wanted everywhere. The family wants him,the school wants him, the office wants him, the boys and25girls want him, and all creation wants him.
1. What is the difference in use between the first two and the last two "straight's" in the first paragraph?2. Which of the requirements are matters of good manners? Of health? Of courage? Of ambition? Of unselfishness? Of honesty?3. Which of these items would you cut out, if any? What others would you put in the list?
1. What is the difference in use between the first two and the last two "straight's" in the first paragraph?
2. Which of the requirements are matters of good manners? Of health? Of courage? Of ambition? Of unselfishness? Of honesty?
3. Which of these items would you cut out, if any? What others would you put in the list?
John Littlejohn was stanch and strong,Upright and downright, scorning wrong;He gave good weight and paid his way,He thought for himself and said his say.Whenever a rascal strove to pass,5Instead of silver, a coin of brass,He took his hammer and said with a frown,"The coin is spurious—nail it down!"John Littlejohn was firm and true,You could not cheat him in "two and two";10When foolish arguers, might and main,Darkened and twisted the clear and plain,He saw through the mazes of their speechThe simple truth beyond their reach;And crushing their logic said with a frown,15"Your coin is spurious—nail it down!"John Littlejohn maintained the right,Through storm and shine, in the world's despite;When fools or quacks desired his vote,Dosed him with arguments learned by rote,20Or by coaxing, threats, or promise triedTo gain his support to the wrong side,"Nay, nay," said John with an angry frown,"Your coin is spurious—nail it down!"When told that kings had a right divine,And that the people were herds of swine,That nobles alone were fit to rule,That the poor were unimproved by school,That ceaseless toil was the proper fate5Of all but the wealthy and the great,John shook his head and said with a frown,"The coin is spurious—nail it down!"When told that events might justifyA false and crooked policy,10That a decent hope of future goodMight excuse departure from rectitude,That a lie, if white, was a small offense,To be forgiven by men of sense,"Nay, nay," said John with a sigh and frown,15"The coin is spurious—nail it down!"Whenever the world our eyes would blindWith false pretenses of such a kind,With humbug, cant, or bigotry,Or a specious, sham philosophy,20With wrong dressed up in the guise of right,And darkness passing itself for light,Let us imitate John and exclaim with a frown,"The coin is spurious—nail it down!"
1. What kinds of cheating are mentioned? Which is most dangerous?2. Littlejohn could detect and put down lies because he kept his head clear and told the truth to himself. What lines tell you this? Who is the person most likely to deceive you about right and wrong?3. Explain: spurious, mazes, logic, despite, quacks, rote, policy, rectitude, cant, bigotry, specious.
1. What kinds of cheating are mentioned? Which is most dangerous?
2. Littlejohn could detect and put down lies because he kept his head clear and told the truth to himself. What lines tell you this? Who is the person most likely to deceive you about right and wrong?
3. Explain: spurious, mazes, logic, despite, quacks, rote, policy, rectitude, cant, bigotry, specious.
An old clock that had stood for fifty years in a farmer'skitchen without giving its owner any cause of complaint,early one summer's morning, before the family wasstirring, suddenly stopped. Upon this, the dial plate (ifwe may credit the fable) changed countenance with alarm;5the hands made a vain effort to continue their course;the wheels remained motionless with surprise; the weightshung speechless; and each member felt disposed to lay theblame on the others. At length the dial instituted a formalinquiry into the cause of the stoppage; when hands, wheels,10weights, with one voice, protested their innocence. Butnow a faint tick was heard below from the pendulum, whothus spoke:
"I confess myself to be the sole cause of the stoppage;and I am willing, for the general satisfaction, to assign my15reasons. The truth is, that I am tired of ticking." Uponhearing this the old clock became so enraged that it was onthe very point of striking.
"Lazy wire!" exclaimed the dial plate, holding up itshands.20
"Very good!" replied the pendulum. "It is vastlyeasy for you, Mistress Dial, who have always, as everybodyknows, set yourself up above me—it is vastly easy foryou, I say, to accuse other people of laziness! You, whohave had nothing to do all your life but to stare people in25the face and to amuse yourself with watching all that goeson in the kitchen! Think how you would like to be shutup for life in this dark closet and wag backward and forward,year after year, as I do."
"As to that," said the dial, "is there not a window inyour house on purpose for you to look through?"
"For all that," resumed the pendulum, "it is very dark5here; and although there is a window, I dare not stop, evenfor an instant, to look out. Besides I am really tired of myway of life; and if you wish, I'll tell you how I took thisdisgust at my employment. This morning I happened tobe calculating how many times I should have to tick in the10course of only the next twenty-four hours; perhaps someof you, above there, can give me the exact sum."
The minute hand, being quick at figures, instantly replied,"Eighty-six thousand four hundred times."
"Exactly so," replied the pendulum. "Well, I appeal to15you all, if the thought of this was not enough to fatigueone? And when I began to multiply the strokes of oneday by those of months and years, really it is no wonder ifI felt discouraged at the prospect; so after a great deal ofreasoning and hesitation, thinks I to myself,I'll stop!"20
The dial could scarcely keep its countenance during thisharangue, but resuming its gravity it at last replied:"Dear Mr. Pendulum, I am really astonished that such auseful, industrious person as yourself should have beenovercome by this suggestion. It is true you have done a25great deal of work in your time; so have we all, and arelikely to do; and though this may fatigue us tothinkof,the question is, will it fatigue us todo?Would you, now,give half a dozen strokes to illustrate my argument?"
The pendulum complied, and ticked six times at its30usual pace. "Now," resumed the dial, "may I be allowedto ask, was that exertion at all fatiguing to you?"
"Not in the least," replied the pendulum; "it is not ofsix strokes that I complain, nor of sixty, but ofmillions."
"Very good," replied the dial; "but recollect that althoughyou maythinkof a million strokes in an instant, youare required to execute but one, and that however often5you may hereafter have to swing, a moment will alwaysbe given you to swing in."
"That consideration staggers me, I confess," said thependulum.
"Then I hope," resumed the dial plate, "we shall all10immediately return to our duty; for the maids will be inbed till noon if we stand idling thus."
Upon this the weights, who had never been accused oflight conduct, used all their influence in urging him toproceed; when, as with one consent, the wheels began to15turn, the hands began to move, the pendulum began toswing, and, to its credit, ticked as loud as ever; while abeam of the rising sun that streamed through a hole in thekitchen shutter, shining full upon the dial plate, made itbrighten up as if nothing had been the matter.20
But when the farmer came down to breakfast that morning,he looked at the clock and declared that his watchhad gained half an hour in the night!
1. Write a single short sentence expressing the moral of this story.2. Why did the minute hand make the calculation (page 233)? Is its calculation correct?3. What play on words is made in line 21, page 233. In line 13-14, page 234?4. There is an old saying to the effect that we should let each day's work take care of itself. How far is this true?
1. Write a single short sentence expressing the moral of this story.
2. Why did the minute hand make the calculation (page 233)? Is its calculation correct?
3. What play on words is made in line 21, page 233. In line 13-14, page 234?
4. There is an old saying to the effect that we should let each day's work take care of itself. How far is this true?
In the days of knight-errantry and paganism, one ofthe old British princes set up a statue to the goddess ofVictory in a point where four roads met together. In herright hand she held a spear, and her left hand rested upon ashield. The outside of this shield was of gold and the inside5of silver. On the former was inscribed, in the old Britishlanguage, "To the goddess ever favorable"; and on theother, "For four victories obtained successively over thePicts and other inhabitants of the northern islands."
It happened one day that two knights completely armed,10one in black armor, the other in white, arrived from oppositeparts of the country at this statue, just about the same time;and as neither of them had seen it before, they stopped toread the inscription and to observe its workmanship.
After contemplating it for some time, "This golden15shield—" said the black knight.
"Golden shield!" cried the white knight (who was asstrictly observing the opposite side); "why, if I have myeyes, it is silver."
"I know nothing of your eyes," replied the black knight;20"but if ever I saw a golden shield in my life, this is one."
"Yes," returned the white knight smiling, "it is veryprobable indeed that they should expose a shield of gold inso public a place as this! For my own part, I wonder thateven a silver one is not too strong a temptation for the25devotion of some people who pass this way; and it appearsby the date that this has been here above three years."
The black knight could not bear the smile with whichthis was delivered and grew so warm in the dispute that itsoon ended in a challenge; they both, therefore, turnedtheir horses and rode back so far as to have sufficient spacefor their career; then, fixing their spears in their reststhey flew at each other with the greatest fury and impetuosity.5Their shock was so rude, and the blow on eachside so effectual, that they both fell to the ground muchwounded and lay there for some time as in a trance.
A good druid who was traveling that way found them inthis condition. The druids were the physicians of those10times as well as the priests. So he stanched their blood, andbrought them, as it were, from death to life again. As soonas they were sufficiently recovered he began to inquire intothe cause of their quarrel.
"Why this man," cried the black knight, "will have it15that yonder shield is silver."
"And he will have it," replied the white knight, "thatit is gold."
And then they told him all the particulars of the affair.
"Ah!" said the druid, "my brothers, you are both of you20in the right and both of you in the wrong. Had eithergiven himself time to look at the opposite side of the shield,as well as that which first presented itself to view, all thisill feeling and bloodshed might have been avoided. Allowme, therefore, to entreat you by all our gods, and by this25goddess of Victory in particular,never again to enter intoany dispute till you have fairly considered both sides of thequestion."