that of the beavers is the most conspicuous. Their operations, in preparing, fashioning, and transporting the heavy materials for building their winter habitations, are truly astonishing; and, when we read their history, we are apt to think that we are perusing the history of man, in a period of society not inconsiderably advanced. 4. They never quarrel nor injure one another, but live together, in different numbers, in the most perfect harmony. Their association presents a model of a pure and perfect republic, the only basis of which is mutual attachment. They have no law but the law of love, and of parental affection. Humanity prompts us to wish, that it were possible to establish republics of this kind among men. 5. Pairing birds, in some measure, may be considered as forming proper societies; because, in general, the males and females mutually assist each other in building nests and feeding their young. 6. The honey-bees not only labor, in common, with astonishing assiduity, but their whole attention and affections seem to center in the person of their queen, or sovereign of the hive. While some are busily employed, at home, in constructing the cells, others are equally industrious, in the fields, collecting materials for carrying on the work. 7. If bees did not associate and mutually assist one another, in their various operations, the species would soon be annihilated. But Nature has endowed them with an associating principle, and with instincts which stimulate them to perform all those wonderful operations that are necessary for the existence of individuals, and the continuation of the species. 8. The ants not only associate for the purpose of constructing their habitations, but for cherishing and protecting their young. Every person must have observed, when part of a nest is suddenly exposed, their extreme solicitude for the preservation of their chrysalids or nymphs, which often exceed the size of the animals themselves. 9. With amazing dexterity and quickness, the ants transport their nymphs into the subterraneous galleries of the nest, and place them beyond the reach of any common danger. The fortitude, with which they defend their young, is no less astonishing. The wisdom and foresight of the ants have been celebrated from the remotest antiquity. 10. Another kind of society is observable among domestic animals. Horses and oxen, when deprived of companions of their own species, associate, and discover a visible attachment. A dog and an ox, or a dog and a cow, when placed in certain circumstances, acquire a strong affection for each other. The same kind of association takes place between dogs and cats, and between cats and birds. QUESTIONS.-1. What would be the consequence, supposing men did not assist each other? 2. What is said of the intelligence of the beaver? 3. How do these animals agree with one another? 4. What is said of the habits of the bees and the ants? 5. What is said of some domestic animals, when deprived of companions of their own species? 6. What moral ought we to derive from these animals? 1. THE TOWER OF BELUS, in ancient Babylon, arose in the midst of the sacred precincts of Jupiter Belus. The whole structure was divided into eight separate towers, rising one above the other, and gradually decreasing in size to the summit. It was of immense hight, and served, (among other uses,) as an observatory. An ascent, winding round the towers on the outside, led up to them. THE LARK. WILSON. 1. Higher and higher than ever rose 'THE Tower of BELUS, uplifted by ecstasy, soars the LARK, the lyrical poet of the sky. (P) Listen! listen! and the more remote the bird, the louder seems his hymn in heaven. He seems, in such altitude, to have left the earth forever, and to have forgotten his lowly nest. The primroses and the daisies, and all the sweet hill flowers, must be unremembered in that lofty region of light. 2. But, just as the lark is lost-he and his song together as if his orisons had been accepted—both are scen and heard fondly wavering earthward, and, in a little while, he is walking with his graceful crest, contented along the furrows of the bearded corn, or on the clover lea, that, in man's memory, has not felt the plowshare; or, after a pause, in which he seems dallying with a home-sick passion, dropping down, like one dead, beside his mate in her shallow nest. 3. Of all birds, to whom is given dominion over the air, the lark alone lets loose the power that is in his wings, only for the expression of love and gratitude. The eagle sweeps in passion of hunger,-poised in the sky, his ken is searching for prey on sea or sward; his flight is ever animated by destruction. 4. The dove seems still to be escaping from something that pursues, afraid of enemies even in the dangerless solitudes, where the old forests repose in primeval peace. The heron, high over houseless moors, seems, at dusk, fearful in her laborious flight, and weariedly gathers her long wings on the tree-top, as if thankful that day is done, and night again ready with its rest. 5. "The blackening trains o' craws to their repose," is an image that affects the heart of "mortal man who liveth here by toil," through sympathy with creatures partaking with him a common lot. The swallow, forever on the wing, and wheeling fitfully before fancy's eyes, in element adapted for perpetual pastime, is flying but to feed,-for lack of insects, prepares to forsake the land of its nativity, and yearns for the blast to bear it across the sea. 6. Thou alone, O lark! hast wings given thee that thou mayest be perfectly happy,-no other bird but thee can, at once, soar and sing,-and heavenward thou seemest to be borne, not more by those twinkling pinions than by the ever-varying, ever-deepening melodies effusing from thy heart. QUESTIONS.-1. Higher than what does the lark soar? 2. Can you describe its descent? 3. What is said of the eagle? 4. Of the dove? 5. Of the heron ? 6. Of "the blackening trains o' craws?" 7. Of the swallow? 8. In what respect does the flight of the lark differ from other birds, as it soars heavenward? 9. What is meant by "bearded corn," 2d paragraph? LESSON LXXIX.. WORDS FOR SPELLING AND DEFINING. BLITHE SOME, gay; cheerful. FELL, barren or stony hill. HEATHER, kind of shrub; heath. ODE TO THE LARK. 1. Bird of the wilderness, Blithesome and cumberless, JAMES HOGa. Sweet be thy matin o'er moorland and lea! Blest is thy dwelling-place; O, to abide in the desert with thee! Far in the downy cloud; Love gives it energy, love gave it birth, Where art thou journeying? Thy lay is in heaven, thy love is on earth. 2. O'er fell and fountain sheen, O'er the red streamer that heralds the day, Over the rainbow's rim, Sweet will thy welcome and bed of love be! Blest is thy dwelling-place, O, to abide in the desert with thee! QUESTIONS.-1. What is said of the song of the lark in the 1st stanza? 2. What is meant by calling the lark an "emblem of happiness"? 3. What is meant by "red streamer," 2d paragraph? LESSON LXXX. WORDS FOR SPELLING AND DEFINING. UN MAR' RED, uninjured. RE FIN ED, purified; delicate. SUL' TRY, very hot. PALL' ED, deprived of vigor. UN SUR MOUNT A BLE, that can not be overcome. AS SERT', affirm; declare. 1. РHE BUS, (which name, literally, signifies bright or pure,) is an old epithet of the Sun-God, Apollo. Hence, often, as in the piece following, the term Phoebus is poetically employed to designate the Sun. IMPORTANCE OF EARLY RISING. CATHARINE TALBOT. 1. Awake, my Láura, break the silken chain, |