ho sat on a tree,
Heard the speech of the Brier, and thus answered he:
"'Tis not that she's fair,
For you may compare
In beauty with even Miss Violet there;

"But Violet is always so pleasant and kind,
So gentle in manner, so humble in mind,
E'en the worms at her feet
She would never ill-treat,
And to Bird, Bee, and Butterfly always is sweet."

Then the gardener's wife the pathway came down,
And the mischievous Brier caught hold of her gown;
"O dear, what a tear!
My gown's spoiled, I declare!
That troublesome Brier!--it has no business there;
Here, John, grub it up; throw it into the fire."
And that was the end of the ill-natured Brier.

* * * * *

Directions for Reading.--This lesson should be read in a spirited
manner.

It is suggested to vary the reading exercise by having one pupil read
each stanza, and the class repeat it in concert.

* * * * *

Language Lesson.--Let pupils use other words to express the meaning of
what is given below in dark type.

There are few can _match_ me.

They'd go out of their way to _keep clear of_ the Brier.

Supply letters omitted from the following words: _they'd, gown's, e'en,
'round_. Write the words in full.

* * * * *

LESSON XXV.

ply, _make regular journeys_.

com'merce, _trade between places or peoples_.

might'y, _of great power_.

trav'erse, _pass over; cross_.

re'al ize, _understand the truth of_.

pro pel', _drive forward_.

prop'erty, _any thing that belongs to a person_.

or'chards, _numbers of fruit-trees_.

im mense', _very large_.

glit'ter ing, _sparkling with light_.

* * * * *

WATER.

It is difficult to realize that nearly three-fourths of the surface of
the earth is water; yet it is a fact.

Think of the immense space covered by oceans, seas, lakes, and rivers,
and how useful all this water is to mankind.

Sailing ships and steam-ships traverse the oceans and lakes. Steam-boats
ply along the rivers, carrying people and merchandise to and fro, going
sometimes as far as three thousand miles from their starting point.

It is by water that men float their rafts of logs or lumber to distant
places. Water turns the great wheels of many of our mills, and thus
harnessed