PART I.

PROSE.

LIFE.

THERE are insects which live but a single day. In the morning they are born; at noon they are in full life; at evening they die. The life of man is similar to that of these insects. It is true his life is longer, but it is composed of days, any one of which may be his last.

Our existence is like a journey. As every step of the traveller brings him nearer to the end of his journey, so every hour brings us nearer to the grave. Like the insect's life, ours may be divided into three parts;-youth, or morning, noon, or middle age, and evening, or old age.

In youth we get our education, and lay up those

stores of knowledge which are to be of use in the journey before us. As this journey is of importance, we should be as busy as the bee, that improves each "shining hour." Every moment should be well improved in order that we may become wiser and better as life wears away.

Middle age is the time for action; and if we rightly improve the time and privileges which we now enjoy, we shall become prepared to act usefully our parts in life. Let us, then, be diligent now, and store our minds with valuable knowledge, that our future journey may be a useful and pleasant one.

WHAT I HATE.

I HATE to see a boy often absent from his school without any good reason. He not only wrongs himself, but he injures his school; and I fear that he will become an ignorant and bad man, if he lives to grow up.

I hate to see a boy lagging into school "half an hour too late." It makes me feel that he has no true interest in his school and its studies, and

no regard for the wishes of his teacher or the rights of his schoolmates. I fear he will be

"behindhand" in all life's duties.

I hate to see a boy enter school with a dirty face, uncombed hair, or untidy dress. I fear that he has no regard to personal néatness, and, if he lives, he will become a careless and slovenly man and an unpleasant companion.

I hate to see a boy sitting idle in school, or spending his precious time in whispering or troubling his neighbors. I feel that he will not know his lesson when called to recite, and that he may get punished by his teacher.

I hate to hear a boy use wicked or improper language, or speak unkindly to his schoolmates; for a bad or unkind boy will, I fear, become a wicked man, a troublesome neighbor, and a lawless citizen.

I hate to see a boy running after carriages in the street, or behaving rudely in any way. I fear he will become a rude man, and be regardless of the wishes or rights of others.

These are some of the things that I dislike; and I hope all in our school will avoid them, and then we shall have a happy and pleasant time, and improve in our studies.

WHAT I LIKE.

I LIKE to see a boy, with "shining morning face" and happy countenance, on his way to school. I feel that he loves his school and all its exercises, and that, if he lives, he will become an intelligent, useful, and happy man.

I like to see a boy enter school in season, and take his seat in a quiet manner. It makes me think that he will make a man who will be punctual in performing all his duties, and one who will regard the rights of others.

I like to see a boy, while in school, attending to his lessons, and trying hard to learn them perfectly. I feel that he is a good boy, and that, if he continues so, he will store his mind with much valuable knowledge, which will be of use to him in after life.

I like to see a boy kind and obedient to his parents and teacher, and ever ready to do what he can for them. I feel that the obedient and affectionate boy will make a useful and faithful citizen, and "act well his part in life."

I like to see a boy pleasant and obliging to his

companions, and to all with whom he may meet. It makes me feel that he will be loved by all who know him, and that he will never suffer for want of friends.

I like to see a boy who is careful not to use any improper language, and who feels a proper regard for the wants and feelings of others. I feel that he is one of those of whom the Bible says, "Blessed are the pure in heart."

OUR PARENTS.

Let us

I FEAR, my beloved schoolmates, that we do not consider, as we ought, how much we owe to our dear parents for all their kindness to us. give a moment's attention to the subject, and see if we have either done what we could, or what we ought.

When we were so small as to be entirely helpless, who took care of us, supplied all our wants, and protected us from every danger, giving us food, clothing, and shelter? I answer, dear parents."

"Our

When we were suffering from sickness and