which does not contain more, probably, at any one time, than falls yearly in dew alone over the whole earth. In descending, also, this rain discharges another office: it washes the air as it passes through it, dissolving and carrying down those accidental vapours which, though unwholesome to man, are yet fitted to assist the growth of plants. It thus 'ministers in another double manner to our health and comfort, purifying the air we breathe, and feeding the plants on which we live. As soon, again, as the rain ceases to fall, and the clear sky permits the sun's rays once more to warm the surface of the earth, vapours begin to rise anew, and the sweeping winds dry up the rains and dews from its moistened surface. There are regions of the globe, also, where unending summer plays on the surface of the wide seas, and causes a perpetual evaporation to lift up unceasing supplies of water into the air. These supplies the wind wafts to other regions; and thus the water which descends in rain or dew in one spot, is replaced by that which mounts up in vapour from another. And all this to maintain unbroken that nice adjustment which fits the constitution of the atmosphere to the wants of living things! How beautiful is the arrangement by which water is thus constantly evaporated or distilled, as it were, into the atmosphere more largely from some, more sparingly from other spots--then diffused equally through the wide and restless air, and afterwards precipitated again in refreshing showers which cleanse the tainted air, or in long mysterious dews. But how much more beautiful the contrivance-I might almost say the instinctive tendency-by which the dew selects the objects on which it delights to fall; descending first on every living plant, copiously ministering to the wants of each, and expending its superfluity only on the unproductive waste! And equally kind and bountiful, when understood, nature is seen to be in all her operations. Neither skill nor materials are ever wasted; and yet she ungrudgingly dispenses her favours apparently without measure, and has subjected dead matter to laws which compel it to minister, and yet with a most ready willingness, to the wants and comforts of every living thing. (Selections from Spenser, Shakespeare, Ben Jonson, and G. Herbert.) UNA AND THE LION. (Edmund Spenser.) Born, 1553; died, 1599. prease (n.), a press, a crowd un-dight', put off weet (v.), to know puis'-sance, power, strength limn (v.), to paint Principal work, 'The Faëry Queen.' con-serve (v.), to preserve without loss I stole (n.), a robe YET she, most faithful lady, all this while Far from all people's prease, as in exile, Through that late vision which th' enchanter wrought, Through woods and wastenes wide him daily sought, One day, nigh weary of the irksome way, And, with the sight amazed, forgat his furious force: 'The lion, lord of every beast in field,' As the god of my life? why hath he me abhorred ? ' Redounding tears did choke the end of her plaint, To seek her strayed champion if she might attain. The lion would not leave her desolate, Of her chaste person, and a faithful mate Still, when she slept, he kept both watch and ward; Faëry Queen. THE HORSE OF ADONIS. (Shakespeare.) Born, 1564; died, 1616. Principal works:-his celebrated Plays and Sonnets. LOOK, when a painter would surpass the life, Round-hoofed, short-jointed, fettocks shag and long, Sometimes he scuds far off, and there he stares; And whe'r he run, or fly, they know not whether. Venus and Adonis. THE VICISSITUDES OF LIFE. (Wolsey.) Farewell, a long farewell to all my greatness! Henry the Eighth. 'To bid the wind a base:' i. e. to challenge the wind, to contend with him in speed; base, prison-base, or prison-bars, was a rustic game consisting chiefly in running. THE GOLDEN AGE RESTORED. (Ben Jonson.) Born, 1574; died, 1637. Principal works, Plays and Court Masques. Pallas. Look, look! rejoice and wonder That you, offending mortals, are (For all your crimes) so much the care Of him that bears the thunder! Jove can endure no longer, Your great ones should your less invade; And therefore means to settle Which deed he doth the rather, But that his care conserveth, As time, so all time's honours too, (A tumult and clashing of arms heard within.) But hark! what tumult from yon cave is heard? And all the Iron Age were up in arms! Hide me, soft cloud, from their profaner eyes, And as their spirits with their counsels rise, my shield. (She retires behind a cloud), The commencement of the Masque The Golden Age Restored,' |