Longest Day set off westward in beautiful crimson and
gold--the rest, some in one fashion some in another, took
their departure.

--_Last Essays of Elia._

1. Lord Mayor's Day falls on November 9. Explain
the reference to Mist. Quarter Day is the day
usually looked upon as the day rent falls due. Why
did April Fool decide against the Quarter Days in
behalf of the Forty Days before Easter? The Second
of September is the beginning of the open season
for shooting. Explain the reference to "pheasant."

2. How many were at this feast? Why did the
Festivals come? Why have only twelve carriers, in
the fourth paragraph? Explain how April Fool added
to the merriment in seating the guests. What pun
did April Fool make?

3. What American holidays would you add if you were
writing this essay? How could you make them fit in
humorously?

4. Charles Lamb (1775-1834), English essayist, is
noted for his humorous sketches. You should read
his "Dissertation on Roast Pig" With his sister
Mary, he wrote _Tales from Shakespeare_, which you
will enjoy reading.

AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN

(WRITTEN FOR JESSE W. FELL, December 20, 1859)

Abraham Lincoln enjoyed telling stories of his
youth and early manhood, but he wrote very little
about himself. The following is the longest
statement he has set down anywhere about his own
life. And he did this only at the earnest request
of a fellow citizen in Illinois, Mr. Fell. You
should read this brief autobiography with two
things in mind: the facts of Lincoln's life, and
the simplicity and modesty of the statement of
these facts.

I was born February 12, 1809, in Hardin County, Kentucky.
My parents were both born in Virginia, of
undistinguished families--second families, perhaps I
should say. My mother, who died in my tenth year, was
of a family of the name of Hanks, some of whom now reside 5
in Adams, and others in Macon County, Illinois. My
paternal grandfather, Abraham Lincoln, emigrated from
Rockingham County, Virginia, to Kentucky about 1781
or 1782, where a year or two later he was killed by the
Indians, not in battle, but by s