man may clothe or find employment for one in great need; a boy may assist an old lady who slips and falls upon the icy road or sidewalk. II. Opportunities of showing gratitude for these favors. The charitable child may lose its way in the forest; the kind-hearted man may be attacked by robbers, his house may be entered by thieves, or set on fire by wicked persons; the good boy may become an orphan and grow sick. III. Gratitude shown in these cases. The poor boy may find the lost child, and lead it home; the poor man may save the life or the property of his benefactor; the old lady may bring medicine, and wait upon the sick orphan, and find him a good home. 35. FORGIVENESS. I. Some offenses which one may commit against another. A scholar may speak unkindly to another while at play; a student may, without just cause, accuse another of some fault; a brother may wilfully break his sister's toys. II. Forgiveness. The offended scholar does not scold in return, or inform against the one who has spoken unkindly; the student passes the false accusation over in silence, and continues to treat the wrong-doer generously; the sister does not scold or revenge herself by breaking her brother's playthings, nor does she complain to her parents. III. Consequences. - The scholars become fast friends; the student feels remorse for his wickedness, and endeavors to repair the wrong he has done; the brother weeps in sorrow for his unkindness, and gives part of his toys to his sister; joy of the parents. 36. THE ENVIOUS PERSON. I. Name a fortunate circumstance which may give happiness to any one. A person may fall heir to a fortune; a scholar may receive a beautiful reward of merit, or may advance to a higher class; a farmer's fields may be blessed with abundant crops. II. Persons who may in consequence become envious. - A poor man; a classmate; a neigh bor. By this fortune come to The classmate blames III. How may they show their envy? murmuring, Why did not me, who need it so much? the teacher or the school-officer for partiality, and is so mean as to try in secret to spoil the gift. The neighbor says, A stupid man is always the most lucky; this is the case with my neighbor: he knows nothing of politics, and hardly can, on election-day, wake up his dull ideas to tell whom he will vote for; yet, plague on him! his crops always throw mine into the shade. IV. Effects on the envious person. His face bears the marks of his passion; he is not beloved, but blamed or pitied by every one. I. Definition. 37. LETTERS. A letter is a written communication of thoughts or feelings, sent to a distant friend or other person. II. Necessary qualities. Clean paper; freedom from blots, &c.; legibly written. III. Parts. Date, complimentary address, body of letter, complimentary closing, signature; address, title, &c., of the person to whom the letter is to be sent; envelope, with the address repeated. "The language of a letter should be pure and simple English, neither vulgar nor over-learned. Correctness in composition is even more essential than in conversation. In the latter, 'slips of the tongue' are often excusable; but, in writing, we are supposed to have more leisure, and therefore there is no excuse for an improper word, for the violation of a rule of syntax, or for the misspelling of a word."* The following general form is given for the guidance of the young letter-writer : * " Essays on Politeness and Education." FORM OF A LETTER. [DATE.] Detroit, Mich. July 14, 1864. [COMPLIMENTARY ADDRESS.] My dear friend, --- [BODY OF LETTER.] To-day a most interesting ceremony took place in this city, the particulars of which I shall now with great pleasure relate to you. [COMPLIMENTARY CLOSING.] I remain, as ever, [ADDRESS, TITLE, &c.] Your affectionate friend, Mr. W. K. Pierce, South Bend, Ind. 38. A LETTER. Subject. A scholar is chosen by his fellow-pupils to request their teacher to take them upon a short excursion. PLAN. I. The scholars still remember quite well the pleasure they enjoyed during last summer's vacation in company with their teacher. II. They are very happy, therefore, to call to mind the promise, that this year also he would give them a similar opportunity for enjoyment, provided they should be diligent scholars. III. They believe that they have done their best to win his approval, and now beg that they may in consequence realize his promise. IV. Name of the place which the scholars wish to select for the excursion (reasons for choosing this place). V. They promise to conduct themselves during the trip in every respect as good scholars, and subscribe themselves, with much respect, his dear pupils. 39. Subject of a Letter.-Edward proposes to write to his friend George, who has sent him a problem for solution. PLAN. I. Both friends had agreed at their separation to write to each other occasionally. |