n the Receipt of My Mother's Picture_ (Volume VII, page
331) raises among other subjects for descriptive writing the following:

1. Describe Cowper's mother.
2. Describe the picture he received.
3. Describe the home of his infancy.
4. Describe the "well-havened isle."

Children should be taught to look through the entire poem for facts that
bear on the topics. When writing, they must not misrepresent these facts
nor give others that contradict those in the poem. Where nothing is
said, the child may see what he likes. Such exercises tend to make
children appreciate good literature, and, when they are reading, to
visualize the things to which allusion is made.

EXPOSITION. In Volume IV, beginning on page 14, is the story of Martin
Pelaez, the Asturian, which will offer good material for a composition
of another kind. The introduction to _Cid Campeador_, page 9, will give
you information you are likely to need to answer questions.

As in the exercise just given, begin to read and make such explanatory
comments as are needed to show clearly the character of Martin. You
will, of course, need to make the story lucid to the children. Show
that--

_a._ Pelaez was a Spanish grandee of great strength and noble form.

_b._ He was a coward at heart.

_c._ Twice he ran from the enemy and avoided battle.

_d._ Both times he was asked by the Cid to sit with him at the table,
and not with the noblest knights.

_e._ The first time Martin thought it an honor to himself; the second
time, he saw it to be a grave reproof.

_f._ Thereafter he fought nobly, was seated with the great knights, and
became one of the Cid's most favored friends.

When these points have been fixed in mind, proceed to develop an outline
for the composition. It may be something like this:

_a._ The character of Martin as we first meet him in the story, with
instances to prove the nature of it.

_b._ His character after he was changed by the Cid, with evidences to
show it. Exemplified:

1. He was a coward. We know it from--
(_a_) His flight during the first battle.
(_b_) His retreat during the second battle.
(_c_) The fact that he was large, strong and well versed in arms
yet would not fight.
(_d_) The fact that he hoped to escape the notice of the Cid.

2. He was teachable. We know it because he needed but two lessons.

3. He was brave. We know it from his conduct in battle.

4. He had many noble characteristics. We know