So slender, so brief in its course!
It will never be useful or grand,
Like the waterfall foaming and hoarse,
Or the river benignant and bland,
That sweeps far away through the valley,
And turns all the mills in the land.

IV.

Just a brooklet, so perfect, so sweet,
Like a child that is always a child!
A picture as fair and complete,

As softly and peacefully wild,

As if Nature had only just made it,
And laid down her pencil and smiled.

V.

The strong eagle perched on these rocks
And dipped his proud beak, long ago;
In the gray of the morning the fox

Came and lapped in the basin below;
By a hoof-printed trail through the thicket.
The deer used to pass to and fro.

VI.

Now the jolly haymakers in June

Bring their luncheon, and couch on the cool

Grassy margin, and drink to the tune

The brook makes in its pebble-lined pool,

From grandfather down to the youngsters
In haying-time kept out of school,

VII.

They joke and tell tales as they eat,
While, wistful his share to receive,
The dog wags his tail at their feet;

Then each stout mower tucks up his sleeve As the farmer cries, "Come, boys!" The squirrel Dines well on the crumbs which they leave.

While the meadow-lark sings, and above them
The woodpecker drums on the birch.

IX.

Is the drop the bee finds in the clover
More sweet than the liquor they quaff?
It drips in the cup, and runs over;

And, sipping it, spilling it half,
Hear their mirth!

Did Grace learn of the brooklet

That low, lisping crystalline laugh?

X,

For music I'm sure it taught

To its neighbor, the pied bobolink,-
Where else could the fellow have caught
That sweet, liquid note, do you think,
Half tinkle, half gurgle? The wren, too,
I'm certain has been here to drink!

XI.

O, teach me your song, happy brook!
If I visit you yet many times,
If I put away business and book,

And list to your fairy-bell chimes,

Will your freshness breathe into my verses,
Your music glide into my rhymes?

J. T. Trowbridge.

EXERCISE.

1. It is only the tiniest stream, with nothing whatever to do.

2. It spills from the rock, and besprinkles the flowers with dew. 3. It slides over the ledges, and drips in a basin.

4. Its course is slender and brief.

5. The deer used to pass to and fro by a hoof-printed trail through the thicket.

6. The jolly haymakers bring their luncheon.

7. Thy couch on the cool, grassy margin.

8. Is the drop the bee finds more sweet than the liquor they quaff?

A REVOLUTIONARY HERO IN THE PULPIT. 213

LXXXVIII A REVOLUTIONARY HERO IN THE PULPIT.

T was Monday, March 6, 1775,-a memorable day in the history of Boston. The streets were crowded with an anxious throng, stores were closed, and business scarcely thought of. Over the Neck, and by Charlestown Ferry, country people were coming into town on foot, on horseback, and in wagons, while here and there a chaise, as it rolled along, showed that the squires and the gentlemen had an interest in the passing events. Groups collected at the corners in animated conversation; and occasionally a soldier in the scarlet uniform of King George went hurriedly by, his ears tingling with the imprecations and mutterings that reached them from every side.

2. The Boston Massacre was, as usual, to be commenorated by an oration. The anniversary properly came the day before, on Sunday; but the sacredness of holy time was observed, and the services deferred. Four of these sad occasions had already passed, each succeeding year bringing new and heavier troubles and dangers. But that unfortunate affray in King Street, when Preston's soldiers fired upon the excited crowd, was kept fresh in mind; and its anniversary, with the attending ceremonies, served, as was the intention, to foster the liberty-loving spirit of the people.

3. Each succeeding year only intensified the animosity to British rule; for the authorities scorned conciliatory measures, and the Colonists were learning to assert their rights. War was actually impending; but the presence of hostile troops, the tyrannical acts of the imperious British general, the fortifications erected in various parts of the town, the destitute and suffering condition of the population, all could not restrain the patriots from publicly observing the day. Conflict was in the air and on the tongue; and the people, educated by rapidly succeeding acts of oppression, did not shrink from the now inevitable struggle for liberty.

4. The excitement increased; and, while there was no actual disturbance, countenances were grave with the momentous interests that seemed to centre in that anniversary. British troops held the town, and Tories were exultant. Strong fortifications had been erected across the Neck, then the only avenue into the country, and these were mounted with cannon, and manned by three hundred and forty soldiers. On the Common, seventeen hundred troops were stationed, and extensive intrenchments thrown up. Fort Hill, Beacon Hill, King Street, Castle William, and other prominent points, were well guarded, and an army of thirteen thousand men was expected early the next month.

5. But with all this display of military power, with all this attempt to overawe and subdue the town, and with all these precautions against any uprising of the citizens, or inroads from the country, the patriots manifested such indomitable spirit, and such persistent fidelity to their principles, that the royal authorities, civil and military, much against their inclination, felt, like Falstaff, that "the better part of valor was discretion.”

6. They knew full well that it would be unwise to attempt to prevent a gathering on the 5th of March; but it was "given out" that it would be at the price of his life for any man to speak of the Massacre, and that any unfavorable reflection upon the King and royal family would be promptly recognized by the military.

7. But the people cared not; the meeting should be held; the oration should be delivered, and by some one, too, who would not quail before the enemies of his country. The post of honor was the post of danger. Warren coveted, asked for it. Samuel Adams, the incorruptible patriot, was chairman of the appointing committee; and the friendship of these men was like that of David and Jonathan. Warren had given the oration once before when it was less hazardous; and, as he desired, he was now appointed when there was real peril.