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LESSON 49.

DR. HENDERSON'S INTERVIEW WITH THORLAKSON.

92. From the following hints, arrange a connected Narrative, properly divided, according to the preceding Directions No. 89.

Like most of his brethren at this season of the year we found him in a meadow, he assisted his people in haymaking, when he heard of our arrival he made all the haste home which his age and infirmities would allow, welcomed us to his humble abode, ushered us into an apartment where he had translated Milton into Icelandic, the door is not quite four feet high, the room about eight feet long, six broad, at the inner end the poet's bed close to the door, over against a small window not exceeding two feet square is a table, here he commits to paper the effusions of his muse, I told him my countrymen would not have forgiven me if I had passed this part of the island and not paid him a visit, nor could I have forgiven myself, he replied the translation of Milton had yielded him many pleasant hours, it had often given him occasion to think of England, his residence was far north, he had lived long without seeing any of Milton's countrymen, he had not entertained the most distant idea that he should ever be favoured with such a gratification, for some years past the poet has been occupied with a translation of Klopstock's Messiah, the first fourteen books are ready, the fifteenth was begun last spring, he acknowledged the impossibility of reaching the bold and adventurous heights of that poet so happily as he had reached the flights of Milton, he was now upwards of 70 years of age, he alluded to his halting and said it was not matter of surprise, Milton had used him for several years as his riding horse, spurred him unmercifully through the celestial chaotic and infernal regions, he has also translated Pope's Essay on Man, also various Danish and German poems, composed nu

merous original pieces of a miscellaneous nature, the most beautiful of these is the poem of thanks to the British and Foreign Bible Society.

SECTION III.

ORIGINAL NARRATIVES.

LESSON 50.

93. In this Section, the pupil is presented with some original subjects which he is expected to discuss in accordance with the Directions previously given. Let him carefully avoid protracting the narrative. On the contrary, let the facts and events be exhibited in due order, clearly and briefly expressed, so as to leave a pleasing impression on the mind.

94. The first Lesson in this Section will consist of a Journal, &c., of the Occurrences of a Dayor Weekor Month.

LESSON 51.

95. Select one or more of the following Subjects as suitable Exercises for this Section:

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1. An account of the progress which the pupil has made in

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

his education.

of some transaction in which he has been concerned.

of the particulars of a visit to some friends; -or a Christmas party.

of some particular event of a public nature. of the conduct of some person in particular circumstances.

of some ramble which he has lately taken, stating what he observed, and what were his reflections.

7. An account of the particulars of some conversation which he may have had with any person.

Let

him state what was said on both sides.

LESSON 52.

Alfred born in 849 began to reign 871- died in 901 A.D.

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96. From a perusal of English History (Keightley's, Goldsmith's, or White's) give a connected account of King Alfred, in which all the following heads are neatly and sufficiently developed:

1. Alfred, youngest son of Ethelwulf, King of Wessex, born at Wantage, Berks, in 849. His early education - his thirst for knowledge-excelled in bodily exercises.

2. His brother Ethelred attacked by Danes appoints Alfred at the age of twenty-two to the command of his armies various changes of fortune-Ethelred wounded dies leaving the crown to Alfred in 871.

3. At Alfred's accession, the country split into several distinct kingdoms and distracted by the incursions of the Danes he is compelled to fight several battles.

4. During an interval of peace Alfred built a navy- - the benefits of this-his repeated conflicts with the Danes and reverses of fortune-compelled to take refuge in the Isle of Athelney-anecdote of him here in the cow-herd's cottage.

5. Alfred being encouraged by several circumstances at last emerges from his hiding-place-the plan which he adopts to surprise the Danish camp - result of this - Guthrum having been baptized receives accession of territory-his subjects gradually acquire peaceful habits.

6. Fresh swarms of Danes Alfred's final success.

in 901.

dies

7. The people at Alfred's accession sunk in gross ignorance Alfred founded schools - afforded an example worthy of

imitation-he wrote or translated several works-encouraged commerce-results of his exertions.

8. He is said to have divided the country into hundreds and tithings-to have invented trial by jury—the advantages of these measures.

LESSON 53.

Harold, son of Earl Godwin, began to reign 1066 — killed in the same year.

97. From a perusal of English History give a connected account of Harold, son of Earl Godwin, in which the following heads are neatly and clearly developed :

1. Harold, eldest son of Godwin Earl of Kent, and brotherin-law to Edward the Confessor elected king by the witenagemot, or assembly of great men, on the death of Edward to the exclusion of Edgar Atheling, the rightful heir at the commencement, the people returned to their national usages which had been abandoned in the former reign.

2. Harold had two competitors, his brother Tostig, and William of Normandy. Tostig prevailed upon the King of Norway to invade England with a fleet and army - York was captured by the invaders — but these were shortly afterwards attacked by Harold at Stamford Bridge the result.

3. William Duke of Normandy landed at Pevensey in Sussex — engaged Harold near Hastings-the attack commenced by the Norman archers—afterwards followed by the steel-clad horsemen the Normans began to waver- - William reported to have been slain-effect of this- the Normans disheartened -William's stratagem to break the English ranks-death of Harold and his brothers courage of the Kentish men— - the conclusion -loss on each side.

LESSON 54.

William I. began to reign 1066—died 1087.

98. From a perusal of English History give a connected account of William I., in which the following heads are neatly and clearly developed :

1. William Duke of Normandy whose son?—why induced to invade England?

2. After the battle of Hastings, William marches to London which he invests - consequence of divisions in the counsels of the English-William forces the citizens to submit.

3. He exercises cruelty towards those who had survived the battle of Hastings- despoils the English in general rewards the Normans.

4. After six months' absence William revisited Normandy when the English revolted in several parts-he returns and marches northward against Earls Morcar and Edwin - his cruelties at this time.

5. William experienced unhappiness in his family — died of a fall from his horse-ignominiously interred.

6. Domesday-book, its object.

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7. The Forest Laws, object of cruelty in enforcing them -effects.

LESSON 55.

Richard I. began to reign 1189 - died 1199.

99. From a perusal of English History give a connected account of Richard I., in which the following heads are neatly and clearly developed:

:

1. Richard I. son of Henry II. on his accession to the throne conferred favours upon those who had been faithful to

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