The capture of Samson being a national triumph, the Philistines resolve to celebrate it with every circumstance of pomp and ostentation. A festival in honour of Dagon, their favourite idol, is accordingly ordained; for to his power they foolishly ascribe the downfall of Samson. Gaza is, therefore, on this momentous occasion, a scene of extraordinary bustle and excitement. Countless multitudes flock into it from every city and village of the Philistines, all eager to gaze on the man who had scattered like chaff the flower of their warriors, and whose very name had become a terror to the whole country. Nothing but rejoicings are heard; congratulations are everywhere exchanged; and exultation is in every countenance. The temple of Dagon is the appointed place of rendezvous and triumph, and thither the vast concourse repairs. Already it is crowded with an imposing array of Philistian nobility, counsellors, warriors, and priests; an immense multitude surrounds the outside of the building; and all await the arrival of Samson with curiosity and expectation.

At length he appears. With a feeling of mingled wonder and awe, the assembled multitude survey him for a moment in death-like silence; and the recollection, perhaps, of that stupendous achievement, by which a thousand men sunk before his single arm, fills them with a dread presentiment of some new and terrific disaster. But their vain confidence quickly returns; and one universal shout announces the delight with which they behold their hated foe a prisoner in their hands, groping his way in total darkness, and more incapable than a child of moving a step without assistance. Loud and frequent are the shouts of praise that ascend to Dagon; and their merriment is unbounded when Samson appears so completely subdued as to be under the necessity of exhibiting for their amusement, that strength which had been so frequently wielded for their destruction. But the term of his humiliation and of their triumph is fast approaching. Two pillars support the gigantic pile in which the assembly is seated; and

between these, after a time, he is placed, probably with the intention of affording him an interval of rest. He now feels that the moment for avenging his own disgrace, and striking his last blow for the deliverance of his country from Philistian oppression, has arrived. Imploring, in silent prayer, the assistance of God, he embraces the pillars with his arms, and, exerting to the utmost his heaven-gifted strength, rends them from their foundation as the rock-ribbed mountain is rent by the earthquake. The shriek of despair that follows is drowned in the thundering crash of the falling edifice; the wrongs of the Israelites are avenged; and the mission of Samson is accomplished.

EXERCISES.

1. Abel's Death. 2. The Offering of Isaac. 3. The Passage of the Red Sea. 4. The Death of Goliah. 5. The Raising of Lazarus. 6. The Crucifixion. 7. The Destruction of the First-born of Egypt. 8. The Consecration of the Temple. 9. The Scene at the Pool of Bethesda.

2. Write a short description of the following Scenes from Nature.

MODEL.

Nature in Spring.

The iron rule of winter is now past, and Nature, exulting under a milder sway, comes forth in beauty and gladness. The stern frown of the wintry sky has brightened into smiles, and the rude unkindly blast yields to the soft and playful breeze. The hills and meadows begin to assume their green vesture; the shrubs put forth their tender buds; and on every side may be witnessed symptoms of the reviving energy of vegetation. The feathered songsters welcome the benignant change with cheerful warblings, and, obedient to the dictates of unerring instinct, begin the erection of their habitations. The husbandman is now seen preparing the ground for the reception of the

seed that he is shortly to consign to its bosom. With steady hand and encouraging voice, he guides the team, whose course is marked by a succession of long black furrows. As the season advances, the flowers that begin to spring up on every side, charm a new sense with their fragrance. The bees rouse themselves from their lethargy, and, lured forth by the growing geniality of the season, hum their delight as they hover round the odorous treasures. The pleasing monotony of the cuckoo's cry has for some time been heard among the trees, and the grove now resounds with a universal chorus. Flocks and herds roam through the meadow, cropping the juicy pasture; and the lively gambols of the lamb, with its plaintive bleat and innocent aspect, form one of the most pleasing features of the landscape. Balmy shower and bright sun vying with each other in frequent alternation, vegetable life no longer creeps, but seems rushing to maturity; and the appearance of the swallow, with its welcome twitter and graceful sweep of wing, proclaims the departure of Spring and the approach of its successor.

EXERCISES.

1. Nature in Summer. 2. Nature in Autumn. 3. Nature in Winter. 4. Sunrise. 5. Sunset. 6. A Thunderstorm. 7. A Moonlight Scene. 8. A Description of the Sea.

3. Write a short outline or description of the subject of each of the following Poems.

MODEL.

Pleasures of Hope.—Part I.

The benignant influence exercised by the passion of Hope over the soul of man, in soothing and sustaining him under the numerous afflictions of life, and in giving birth to an infinite variety of pleasing emotions, is illustrated in this poem by a succession of beautiful

pictures. The subject is finely introduced by a comparison between the features of a summer evening landscape, mellowed and etherealized by the magical effects of distance, and those shadowy scenes of prospective felicity in which the human fancy delights to indulge. The future being wisely and mercifully hidden from our knowledge, Hope is thus perceived to be absolutely essential to our happiness. Wisdom, which "darkly sees the fate of man," would frequently, if unaccompanied by Hope, contribute only to our misery. A fine allusion to the ancient myth of Pandora's box is followed by exemplifications of the operation of Hope in circumstances of distress and danger. The mariner, "careering o'er unfathomed fields," is blessed with sweet visions of Home in his lonely midnight watch; and he dwells with rapture on the anticipated welcome that is to greet him on returning from his long and distant voyage. The warrior, fighting in a righteous cause, kindles with enthusiasm in the hour of battle, and his heart throbs high as Hope presents to his ardent imagination the glory and the triumphs of victory.

A

The potent and inspiring influence of Hope on the efforts of youthful genius is next described. Exhorting the young aspirant, in lofty and captivating strains, to emulate the illustrious example of a Newton, a Linnæus, or a Plato, she stimulates his ardour and encourages him in his exertions, by glowing and enraptured visions of future eminence and renown. touching picture of conjugal affection succeeds. A virtuous pair, struggling with the difficulties of poverty, are comforted by the fond and delightful dream, that all their cares shall yet be amply rewarded by the worth and filial duty of their beloved children. The mother watching o'er her sleeping infant; the forlorn wanderer, indulging in visions of fancied bliss; and the soothing delusions of the unhappy maniac; all afford striking illustrations of the power of " Hope, the charmer," to mitigate human sorrow.

From contemplating the alleviations of private misery, the poet makes a natural transition to the prospects of amelioration in those countries that are in a state of

barbarism or oppression. As knowledge and civilisation advance in the world, the ferocity and murderous deeds of the Red Indian are to be replaced by scenes of pastoral innocence and security; the bloody superstitions of Africa are to disappear; and slavery, with all its demoralizing concomitants, is to be for ever banished from the earth. By association of ideas, we are next led to reflect upon the melancholy fate of Poland; and our sympathies are awakened, while our indignation is justly and powerfully excited, by the success of a barbarous despotism over the efforts of a brave people struggling in behalf of their liberty. With the destruction of Poland, Freedom seemed to receive a mortal wound, while

"Hope, for a season, bade the world farewell."

But it is only for a season; and she soon returns to gild the future with her heavenly rays. Confident in the ultimate triumph of truth and justice, the poet views with lofty scorn the attempts of a few miserable tyrants to subdue the dignity of the human mind, and tells them, with proud and indignant eloquence,

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"That man hath yet a soul, and dares be free!" Elevated by such ennobling sentiments, and sustained by the assurance that Oppression shall yet be hurled prone to the dust," we contemplate, under the cheering influence of "prophetic Hope," the wrongs of Africa and the unfeeling policy long exercised upon the natives of Hindostan. A series of beautiful passages is devoted to the illustration of these topics; and the First Part of the poem concludes with a fine image derived from Indian mythology. According to the belief of the Hindoos, their god Brama, who has already appeared nine times on the earth under various forms, is to descend at last as their avenger, in the figure