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SKELETONS.

A Plant and an Animal.

Animals possess the power of voluntary motion and of sensation-Plants are rooted to one spot and have no consciousness of their existence-Animals require a stomach-Plants have no internal digestive apparatus -The aliment taken in by animals undergoes various operations before it is received into the system-Nature presents to vegetables juices ready for absorptionAnimals and plants differ in their constituent principles -The circulation in plants is carried on by the influence of heat and atmospheric action-The circulation in animals is effected by internal innate energies-Animals continually demand oxygen-Plants almost perpetually exhale it—Animals generally have a limited size— No limit is usually placed to the increase of plants.

The Whale and a True Fish.

Whales viviparous-True fishes oviparous-Whales suckle their young and rear them with tender solicitude -Whales breathe by lungs-Fishes by gills-Whales

are

warm-blooded animals-Fishes cold-blooded— Whales differ from fishes in their internal structure, particularly in the possession of a double circulationIn whales the tail is horizontal-In fishes it is vertical.

Courage and Rashness.

Courage is a native quality-Rashness may be the offspring of timidity-Courage displays itself only on necessary occasions-Rashness often courts danger gratuitously-Courage deliberates-Rashness acts without consideration-The courageous inspire confidence —The rash are regarded with distrust-Courage is usually prosperous-Rashness frequently ruinousIllustrations.

SECTION X.

CONTRASTS.

Write a short illustration of the Contrasts between the following subjects.

MODEL.

Peace and War.

One of the most lamentable consequences of the fal of man from a state of innocence, was the introduction of strife and animosity into the world, which, previous to that fatal event, had been a scene of universal love and harmony, that would never have been otherwise interrupted.

The effects of war are equally apparent in the natural and the moral world, both of which furnish too many proofs of its pernicious character. Injustice is one of the most enormous and deplorable of the evils with which it is inevitably accompanied. Seldom does it happen that those who come within the sphere of its ravages have any interest or concern in the quarrel out of which it may have arisen; and yet, how many thousands become its miserable victims, only because they have the misfortune to lie in the path of the contending parties! Let us contemplate war as it may be witnessed in the battle-field, with its blind ferocity and multitudinous carnage; in the town taken by storm, where, amidst murder and pillage, it revels in jubilant and unrestrained atrocity; in the country wasted by fire and sword, where, amidst smoking ruins, scorched and blackened fields-amidst pestilence, famine, and every form of suffering and despair-one common doom overtakes the torturers and the tortured, the instruments and the victims of war: let us contemplate all this, and we shall yet realise but a faint picture of its manifold and revolting horrors.

Contrast with the misery and devastation inflicted

by this scourge of mankind, the beneficent influence of peace upon the human race.

"Peace hath its victories, no less renowned than war.” But the victories of peace involve no violation of the principles of justice and humanity-they fill not the world with widows and with orphans-they can be obtained without crime, and enjoyed without remorse. Peace rends not the ear with shrieks, nor distresses us with spectacles of irreparable woe; it blasts not the labours of the husbandman, nor converts a country into one vast charnel house. Peace gladdens the heart with a sense of security, fills the air with the voice of song, and "scatters plenty o'er a smiling land." Finally, instead of stimulating the passion of hatred and perpetuating national antipathies, peace draws together by the bonds of amity the inhabitants of different countries, teaches them to seek a common interest in the pursuits of commerce, and encourages the hope so ardently expressed by the poet-the hope that a time is yet to come

"When man to man, the warld o'er,
Shall brothers be for a' that."

SKELETONS.

Civilisation and Barbarism.

Civilisation and barbarism defined-Difference in intellectual position between the civilised man and the barbarian-Enjoyments of the barbarian chiefly sensual -Contrast with the pleasures to be derived from the cultivation of the mind-The physical comforts of man keep pace with his advance in civilisation-Wretched condition of the barbarian with respect to the comforts of life-Illustrations-Hottentot-Bushman-Indolence of the savage-Content with the gratification of his immediate wants-Energy of the civilised mind in making provision for the future-Barbarism unfavourable to humanity-Disregard of life evinced by uncivilised nations-Exemplify-Immolation of children by Hin

doos-Destruction of deformed infants by negroes-Of their aged parents by certain tribes-Contrast with the philanthropic institutions of civilised life.

Industry and Idleness.

Industry a means of prosperity-Idleness predicts misfortune-Industry a preservative from evil habits— The idle peculiarly exposed to temptation-Beneficial effects of industry upon the intellectual character— Prejudicial and enervating influence of idleness-The two characters as contrasted by Solomon-Industry and idleness viewed as national characteristics-Their effects-Illustration-Holland-Spain.

Selfishness and Benevolence.

Selfishness essentially mean and degrading-The character consequently repulsive-The aims of benevolence noble-The character therefore attractive-The cold and suspicious nature of selfishness-The warmth and ingenuousness of benevolence-Selfishness apt to become unprincipled-Such a feature incompatible with benevolence-The selfish man has no true friend-The benevolent man universally beloved-Selfishness frequently defeated in its end-Consequent bitterness and humiliation-The exercise of benevolence always accompanied by gratification and self-approval-Illustrations.

BOOK III.

ON NARRATIVE.

SECTION I.

DESCRIPTIVE EXERCISES.

1. Write a short description of the following Scenes from Scripture.

MODEL.

The Scene at Samson's Death.

After Samson, by his own weakness and the treachery of his wife, had fallen into the power of the Philistines, it might have been expected that they would improve their advantage by putting him to death, thereby securing themselves for ever from the terrible effects of his superhuman strength. Death, however, was not suf ficient to gratify their intense thirst of vengeance. By putting out his eyes and condemning him to labour among slaves and criminals in the common prison of Gaza, they at once deprived him, as they thought, of the power to do them any further injury, and insured themselves the daily enjoyment of witnessing his degradation, misery, and helplessness. Thus, too, did he live to fulfil the purposes for which he had been raised up by Providence.

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