from ever becoming considerables: the one is a lazy the other a frivolous mind. The lazy mind will not take the trouble to search to the bottom of any thing, but discouraged by the slightest difficulties, stops short and contents itself with easy and superficial knowledge, rather than submit to a small de gree of trouble.. 5. Whatever you pretend to learn you ought to have ambition enough to desire to excel in; for mediocritys. is a proof of weakness; and perfection may always be purchased by application. Knowledge, says an elegant writer, is a comfortable and necessary shelter for us in an advanced age; but if we do not plant it while young, it will afford us no shade when we grow old. 6. Yet too close an application9 to the improvement of your mind is not to be expected, so as to exclude pleasure, or banish recrea tion.t 7. Be careful to remember that your foundation of knowledge must be established before you are eighteen; for when you are once introduced into the world, your application will be incessantly interrupted, and your studies suspended. All difficulties may be overcome by 6Superficial as lying on the surface, shallow light. 7Submit, o to let down, to reject to resign. 8 Mediocrity small degree: middle rate or stat, temper ance. 9 Application, s act of applying; close study: + Recreation, s. an amuse ment. perseverance; 2 and even the defects of nature may be conquered. ance s 2 Perseversteadi ness in pursuits. 3 Demonstra tedpart. proved with the high est degree of certainty. 8. A remarkable instance of the power of perseverance is demonstrated 3 in the conduct of Demosthenes, an Athenian orator, who, anxious to obtain perfection in the art of speaking, not only conquered an absolute impediment of speech, but from being one of the most ungraceful, became one of the most & hindrance, opposition. graceful crators of Athens. 9. In the distribution of your time, let the first hour of the day be devoted to the servire of your Maker. Accustoms yourselves to the practice of religious homage, 6 as à natural expression of gratitude to him for all his bounty and benevolence. 10. Consider it as the service of the God of your fathers; of him to whom your parents devoted you; *of him whom in former ages, your ancestors7 honored, and by whom they are now rewarded and blessed in Heaven. 11. Seneca tells us that the first petitions we offer to God, ought to be for a good conscience; the second, for health of mind; the third for health of body. After these petitions, it will be necessary you should accustom yourselves to make a regular distributiong of time, for the different avocations which are 4 Impediment, 5 Accustom, p to inure, to 6 Homage, service to a lord, obeisance. habituate. 7 Ancestor, s one from whom we descend. 8 Petition, s request prave Distribution.s Avocations the act of call to occupy it; this will be found one of the best methods that can be adopted, both for the practice of youth, and those of a more advanced period. The Indian and a British Officer. 1. During the last American war a company of Delaware Indians at tacked a small detachment of British troops, and defeated them. As + Defeated, the Indians had greatly the advan- overthrown. tage of swiftness of foot, and were eager in pursuit, 2 very few of the fugitives 3 escaped; and those who fell into the enemy's hands were treated with a cruelty of which there are not many examples even in the country. 2 Pursuit, s. the act of following, chase. 3 Fugitive, s. a runaway, who under another shelters himself power from punishment. 4 Escape, 2. Two of the Indians came up with a young officer, and attacked him with great fury: as they were armed with a kind of battle ax, which they call tomahawk, he had no hopes of escape, 4. and thought flight, the getonly of selling his life as dearly as ting out of danhe could, but just that time an- ger. other Indian came up, who seemed to be advanced in years, and was armed with a bow and arrows. 3. The old man instantly5 drew his bow; but after having taken his 5 Instantly, ad • immediately. 2 aim at the officer he suddenly dropped the point of his arrow, and interposed between him and his pursuers, who were about to cut him in pieces-they retired with respect. 4. The old man took the officer by the hand, soothed him into confidence6 by caresses, and having conducted him to his hut, treated him with a kindness which did honour to his professions. 5. He made him less a slave7 than a companion, taught him the language of the country, and instructed him in the rude arts that are practised by the inhabitants.They lived together in the most cordial amity ;8 and the young officer found nothing to regret, but that sometimes the old man fixed his eyes upon him, and having regarded him for some minutes, with a steady and silent attention, burst into tears.9 6. In the mean time spring returned; and the Indians having recourse to their arms, again took the field. The old man, who was still vigorous, and well able to bear: the fatigues of war, set out with them, and accompanied by his prisoner. 7. They marched above two hun H 6 Confidence, firmness, trust. 8. assurance, 7. Slave, s. one deprived of liberty, a drudge. 8 Amity, 8. friendship, harmony, good will. 9 Tears. 8. drops from the eyes occasioned by sorrow. + Vigorous, a. full of strength and life, forci ble. 2 League, ss measure of 3 eracy. dred leagues2 across the forest and came at length to a plain where the British forces wereencamped. The miles, a confedold man showed his prisoner the tents at a distance, at the same time remarking his countenance with the most diligent attention.3 8. "There" says he, "are your countrymen; there is the enemy who wait to give you battle. 9. Remember that I have saved thy life, that I have taught thee to construct4 a canoe, and to arm thyself with a bow and arrows; to surprise the beaver in the forest, to wield the tomahawk, and to scalp the enemy. 10. What wast thou when I first took thee to my hut? Thy hands were those of an infant; they were fit neither to procure thee sustenance5 nor safety. Thy soul was in utter darkness; thou wast ignorant6 of every thing; and thou owest every thing to me. Wilt thoa then go over to thy nation, and take up the hatchet against us?" 11. The officer replied: "I would rather lose my own life than to take away that of my deliverer."7 The Indian then bending down his head, and covering his face with his hands stood sometime silent; then looking earnestly at his prisoner, he ⚫said in a voice that was at once sof 3 Attention, s. heed, the act of attending. 4 Construct, a. to build, form, constitute. 5 Sustenance, 8. use of food,.. maintenance. 6 Ignorant, a. wanting knowl edge, untaught. 7 Deliverer, ?! a preserver, saviour. |