7. This last observation of Mr. Weller's bore reference to a demonstration Mr. Winkle made, at the instant, of a frantic desire to throw his feet in the air, and dash the back of his head on the ice.

8. "Now, Winkle," cried Mr. Pickwick, quite unconscious that there was anything the matter. "Come: the ladies are all anxiety."

"Yes, yes,” replied Mr. Winkle with a ghastly smile, "I'm coming."

"Just going to begin," said Sam, endeavoring to disengage himself. "Now, sir, start off."

66

9. Stop an instant, Sam," gasped Mr. Winkle, clinging most affectionately to Mr. Weller. "I find I've got a couple of coats at home that I don't want, Sam. You may have them, Sam."

"Thank 'e, sir," said Mr. Weller.

10. "Never mind touching your hat, Sam," said Mr. Winkle hastily. "You needn't take your hand away to do that. I meant to have given you five shillings this morning for a Christmas box, Sam. I'll give it you this afternoon, Sam."

"You're very good, sir," replied Mr. Weller.

11. "Just hold me at first, Sam: will you?" said Mr. Winkle. "There, that's right. I shall soon get in the way of it, Sam. Not too fast, Sam; not too fast!"

12. Mr. Winkle, stooping forward, with his body half doubled up, was being assisted over the ice by Mr. Weller, in a very singular and unswanlike manner, when Mr. Pickwick most innocently shouted from the opposite bank, —

"Sam!"

"Sir?" said Mr. Weller.

"Here! I want you."

"Let go, sir," said Sam: "don't you hear the gov ernor calling? Let go, sir."

13. With a violent effort, Mr. Weller disengaged

himself from the grasp of the agonized Winkle, and, in so doing, administered a considerable impetus to him. With an accuracy which no degree of dexterity or practice could have insured, that unfortunate gentleman bore swiftly down into the center of the skaters, at the very moment when Mr. Bob Sawyer was performing a flourish of unparalleled beauty.

14. Mr. Winkle struck wildly against him, and with a loud crash they fell heavily down. Mr. Pickwick ran to the spot. Bob Sawyer had risen to his feet, but Mr. Winkle was far too wise to do any thing of the kind in skates. He was seated on the ice, making spasmodic efforts to smile; but anguish was depicted on every lineament of his countenance.

15. "Are you hurt?" inquired Mr. Benjamin Allen, with great anxiety.

Not much," said Mr. Winkle, rubbing his back very hard.

16. "I wish you'd let me bleed you," said Mr. Benjamin, with great eagerness.

"No, thank you," replied Mr. Winkle hurriedly.

"What do you think, Mr. Pickwick?" inquired Bob Sawyer.

17. Mr. Pickwick was excited and indignant. He beckoned to Mr. Weller, and said in a stern voice, "Take his skates off."

“No; but really I had scarcely begun," remonstrated Mr. Winkle. "Take his skates off," repeated Mr. Pickwick firmly.

The command was not to be resisted. Mr. Winkle allowed Sam to obey it in silence.

"Lift him up," said Mr. Pickwick. Sam assisted him to rise.

18. Mr. Pickwick retired a few paces apart from the bystanders; and, beckoning Mr. Winkle to approach, fixed a searching look upon him, and uttered in a low but distinct and emphatic tone, these remarkable words:

"You're a humbug, sir."

19. "A what?" said Mr. Winkle, starting.

"A humbug, sir. I will speak plainer if you wish it: an impostor, sir."

With these words Mr. Pickwick turned slowly on his heel, and rejoined his friends.

LANGUAGE STUDY.

I. Write the analysis of: elegant (legere); objection (jacere); describe (scribere); inscribe (scribere); satisfaction (facere); encourage (cor), opposite (ponere); accuracy (cura).

Write the analysis of: graceful; uncomfortable; assistance; uncommon; innocently; remarkable.

II. Analyze this sentence: "Trundle had a couple of pairs, and the fat boy announced that there were half a dozen more downstairs; whereat Mr. Winkle expressed exquisite delight, and looked exquisitely uncomfortable."

III. In paragraph 2, what simile does one of the young ladies use to express her appreciation of the grace of skating? What amusing comparison in paragraph 5? Quote a sarcastic remark by Sam Weller. Point out other droll or ludicrous situations and descriptions.

făsh'ions, shapes.

bärds, poets.

fondly, hopefully.

51. Progress.

hue, tint, color.
sāve, except.

vĕnt'ūr-oŭs, daring, fearless.

1. Steadily, steadily, step by step,
Up the venturous builders go;
Carefully placing stone on stone:
Thus the loftiest temples grow.

2. Patiently, patiently, day by day,
The artist toils at his task alway;
Touching it here, and tinting it there,
Giving it ever, with infinite care,
A line more soft or a hue more fair:
Till, little by little, the picture grows,
And at last the cold, dull canvas glows
With life and beauty and forms of grace
That evermore in the world have place.

3. Thus with the poet: hour after hour
He listens to catch the fairy chimes.
That ring in his soul; then, with magic power,
He weaves their melody into his rhymes;
Slowly, carefully, word by word,

Line by line, and thought by thought,
He fashions the golden tissue of song:
And thus are immortal anthems wrought.