do not think you have had time to learn. You are hurrying too much.
You should study more,' his mother replied.

"'But, mother, please let me try,' pleaded Alfred.

"The mother yielded and Alfred brought the big book to her and laid it
on her knee. Then he opened it at the beginning and with very few
mistakes read poem after poem. His mother was more than satisfied, and
when Alfred left the room he was hugging the elegant book and carrying
it to his part of the castle.

"This was only the beginning, for Alfred became the greatest scholar and
the wisest king the Saxons ever had. He made just laws, he ruled kindly,
he founded schools, and he tried in every way to make his subjects
better, wiser and happier. Do you not think it all began in his love for
the beautiful look?"

3. _Recitation._

Ask questions and make the children see in the story:

_a._ (The Introduction.) The first general facts about Alfred.

_b._ (The Body of the Narrative.) The story of how Alfred learned
to read.

_c._ (The Conclusion.) Alfred wins the prize and becomes a great ruler.

Then ask them to tell the story in their own words.

Finally ask them to write the story for a composition.

4. _Additional Information._ Find out what other things about Alfred are
already known to the class. Then tell the story of Alfred and the cakes
(page 261); of his battles with the Danes under Guthrum (page 262); of
his war with the Danes under Hastings (page 263); of his work for his
people (page 264); and of his plans and inventions (page 265).

5. _Supplementary Readings._ If the lessons on Alfred have been well
conducted, interest will have been created in a variety of subjects
relating to early English history. The Saxons, their mode of life,
armor, weapons, manner of warfare, laws and customs; the Danes and their
characteristics; the rulers who followed Alfred; the formation of the
English nation, are topics that readily suggest themselves.

* * * * *

More or less closely connected with these lines of thought are the
following selections in _Journeys Through Bookland_. Interest may be
deflected in any direction. If the selections are too hard for the class
to read, tell the stories in simplified form:

1. _The Legends of King Arthur_ (Volume V, beginning on page 113).

2. _The Attack on the Castle_ (Volume IV, page 322).

3. _The Battle of Hastings_ (Volume IX, page 330).

4. _Beowu