And mamma in her kerchief and I in my cap
Had just settled ourselves for a long winter's nap,
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter;

Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash;
The moon, on the breast of the new-fallen snow,
Gave a lustre of mid-day to objects below;

When what to my wondering eyes should appear
But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer,
With a little old driver so lively and quick
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick?

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,

And he whistled and shouted and called them by

name:

'Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and

Vixen !

On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen! To the top of the porch, to the top of the wall, Now dash away, dash away, dash away all."

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the

sky,

So up to the housetop the coursers they flew,
With a sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too;
And then in a twinkling I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof;

As I drew in my head and was looking around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound;

He was dressed all in fur from his head to his foot, And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;

A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,

And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

His eyes, how they twinkled! his dimples, how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry; His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, And the beard on his chin was as white as the

snow;

He was chubby and plump--a right jolly old elf-
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk;
And laying his finger aside of his nose,

And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose.

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, And away they all flew like the down of a thistle; But I heard him exclaim as they drove out of sight, "Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night."

LESSON CII.

CLEMENT C. MOORE.

Write the names of all the holidays that you know.

LESSON CIII.

The names of the four seasons, beginning with the coldest.

LESSON CIV.

The names of the days of the week in order.

LESSON CV.

The names of the months in order.

LESSON CVI.

The names of ten things that you would like St. Nicholas to bring you.

LESSON CVII.

Ten animals whose skin or hair is used to make materials for clothing.

LESSON CVIII.

Review the six stanzas already learned. When does Christmas come? What are sugar-plums? What is a clatter? In what countries do the reindeer live, and of what use are they? What is a hurricane?

LESSON CIX.

Write the names of all the kinds of vehicles that you have ever heard of.

LESSON CX.

The names of ten animals whose flesh is used for food.

LESSON CXI.

The names of ten animals that eat the flesh of other animals.

LESSON CXII.

The names of all the authors mentioned in this book whose pieces you have learned.

LESSON CXIII.

The names of ten books or stories which you have read.

LESSON CXIV.

Write the names of all the things you can see in the picture at the beginning of this piece.

LESSON CXV.

Review the last five stanzas. Can St. Nicholas get down the chimneys they build nowadays? What does tarnished mean? What is a thistle? Tell the story in your own words. Who is the author, and what can you say about him?

TWENTY-THIRD PSALM.

The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures;
He leadeth me beside the still waters;

He restoreth my soul;

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil; for thou art with me;
Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies;

Thou anointest my head with oil;
My cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life;

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

LESSON CXVII.

Write the names of ten persons mentioned in the Bible.

LESSON CXVIII.

The names of the first four books in the New Testament.

LESSON CXIX.

The names of ten beautiful things.

LESSON CXX.

The names of ten good things.

LESSON CXXI.

The names of five pieces in this book, Part I., that you think prettiest.

LESSON CXXII.

Review twenty-third Psalm.