prayers in the dining-room, where the butler afterwards presided over a side table, on which bread and cheese and beer were spread for such young gentlemen as desired to partake of those refreshments. The ceremonies concluded 5 by the Doctor's saying, "Gentlemen, we will resume our studies at seven to-morrow;" and then, for the first time, Paul saw Cornelia Blimber's eye, and saw that it was upon him. When the Doctor had said these words, "Gentlemen, we will resume our studies at seven to-morrow," the 10 pupils bowed again and went to bed. — Dickens. 15 EXERCISE XXXVIII. Orator Puff. MR. ORATOR PUFF had two tones in his voice, Oh! oh! orator Puff, One voice for one orator 's surely enough. But he still talked away, spite of coughs and of frowns, So distracting all ears with his ups and his downs, That a wag once, on hearing the orator say, 20 "My voice is for war," asked him, which of them, pray? Oh! oh! &c. Reeling homewards, one evening, top heavy with gin, And rehearsing his speech on the weight of the crown, He tripped near a saw-pit, and tumbled right in, 25 "Sinking fund," the last words as his noddle came down. Oh! oh! &c. 66 "Ah! me," he exclaimed, in his he and she tones, Help me out-help me out-I have broken my bones!" Help you out!" said a Paddy who passed, "what a bother! 30 Why, there's two of you there; can't you help one another?" Oh! oh! &c. T. Moore. EXERCISE XXXIX. THUS far we run before the wind. An apothecary! Make an apothecary of me! - What! cramp my genius over a pestle and mortar! or mew me up in a shop, with an alligator stuffed, and a beggarly account of empty boxes! To be culling simples, and constantly adding to the bills of mortality! No! no! It will be much better 5 to be pasted up in capitals, "The part of Romeo by a young gentleman, who never appeared on any stage before!" My ambition fires at the thought. - But hold; may n't I run some chance of failing in my attempt? Hissed pelted — laughed at - not admitted into the 10 green room; that will never do- down, busy devil, down, down! Try it again-loved by the women - envied by the men-applauded by the pit, clapped by the gallery, admired by the boxes. "Dear colonel, is n't he a charming creature?- My Lord, don't you like him of all 15 things?-Makes love like an angel! What an eye he has!- Fine legs! - I shall certainly go to his benefit." Celestial sounds! — And then I'll get in with all the painters, and have myself put up in every print shopin the character of Macbeth! "This is a sorry sight." 20 (Stands an attitude.) In the character of Richard, "Give me another horse! Bind up my wounds!" This will do rarely. And then I have a chance of getting well married. Oh glorious thought! I will enjoy it, though but in fancy. But what 's o'clock? It must be almost nine. 25 I'll away at once; this is club night-the spouters are all met little think they I'm in town -they'll be surprised to see me -off I go; and then for my assignation with my master Gargle's daughter. Limbs, do your office, and support me well; 35 EXERCISE XL. Facetious History of John Gilpin. [been JOHN GILPIN was a citizen of credit and renown; A train-band captain eke was he, of famous London town. John Gilpin's spouse said to her dear, "Though wedded we have These twice ten tedious years, yet we no holiday have seen. "To-morrow is our wedding-day, and we shall then repair Unto the Bell at Edmonton, all in a chaise and pair. My sister and my sister's child, myself and children three, Will fill the chaise; so you must ride on horseback after we." He soon replied, - I do admire of woman-kind but one; 40 And you are she, my dearest dear, therefore it shall be done. I am a linen draper bold, as all the world doth know; And my good friend, Tom Calender, will lend his horse to go." 5 10 Quoth Mrs. Gilpin, "That's well said, and, for that wine is dear, We will be furnished with our own, which is so bright and clear. John Gilpin kissed his loving wife; o'erjoyed was he to find, That, though on pleasure she was bent, she had a frugal mind. The morning came, the chaise was brought, but yet was not allowed The stones did rattle underneath, as if Cheapside were mad. For saddle-tree scarce reached had he, his journey to begin, more. 'T was long before the customers were suited to their mind, 20 When Betty screamed into his ears "The wine is left behind!” "Good lack!" quoth he; "yet bring it me; my leathern belt likewise, In which I bear my trusty sword when I do exercise." Now Mrs. Gilpin - careful soul-had two stone bottles found, To hold the liquor which she loved, and keep it safe and sound. 25 Each bottle had two curling ears, through which the belt he drew; He hung one bottle on each side, to make his balance true. Then, over all, that he might be equipped from top to toe, His long red cloak, well brushed and neat, he manfully did throw. Now see him mounted once again upon his nimble steed, 30 Full slowly pacing o'er the stones, with caution and good heed. But, finding soon a smoother road beneath his well-shod feet, The snorting beast began to trot, which galled him in his seat. So "fair and softly," John did cry, but John he cried in vain; The trot became a gallop soon, in spite of curb or rein. 35 So stooping down, as he needs must who cannot sit upright, He grasped the mane with both his hands, and eke with all his might. Away went Gilpin, neck or nought, away went hat and wig; He little dreamt, when he set out, of running such a rig. The horse, who never had before been handled in this kind, 40 Affrighted fled; and, as he flew, left all the world behind. The wind did blow, the cloak did fly, like streamers long and gay; Till loop and button failing both, at last it flew away. Then might all people well discern the bottles he had slung; A bottle swinging at each side, as has been said or sung. 45 The dogs did bark, the children screamed, up flew the windows all; And every soul cried out, "Well done!" as loud as they could bawl. Away went Gilpin - who but he? his fame soon spread around "He carries weight! he rides a race! - 't is for a thousand pound." And still as fast as he drew near, 't was wonderful to view, 50 How, in a trice, the turnpike men their gates wide open threw. And now as he went bowing down his reeking head full low, The bottles twain behind his back, were shattered at a blow. Down ran the wine into the road, most piteous to be seen, And made his horse's flanks to smoke, as he had basted been. 5 But still he seemed to carry weight, with leathern girdle braced; For still the bottle necks were left, both dangling at his waist. Thus all through merry Islington those gambols he did play, And till he came unto the wash of Edmonton so gay. And there he threw the wash about on both sides of the way, Just like unto a trundling mop, or a wild goose at play. At Edmonton, his loving wife, from the balcony, spied Her tender husband, wondering much to see how he did ride. Stop, stop, John Gilpin, here's the house!" they all at once did cry 10 "The dinner waits, and we are tired!" Said Gilpin, "So am I! But ah, his horse was not a whit inclined to tarry there: For why? his owner had a house full ten miles off, at Ware. So like an arrow swift he flew, shot by an archer strong; So he did fly-which brings me to the middle of my song. 15 Away went Gilpin out of breath, and sore against his will, Till at his friend's, Tom Calender's, his horse at last stood still. Tom Calender, surprised to see his friend in such a trim, Laid down his pipe, flew to the gate, and thus accosted him: "What news, what news? the tidings tell; make haste and tell Say, why bare-headed are you come, or why you come at all?" Now Gilpin had a pleasant wit, and loved a timely joke; And thus unto Tom Calender in merry strains he spoke : "I come because your horse would come; and if I well forbode, 25 My hat and wig will soon be here, they are upon the road." 30 35 Tom Calender, right glad to find his friend in merry pin, Returned him not a single word, but to the house went in. [hind, Whence straight he came with hat and wig, — a wig that drooped beA hat not much the worse for wear; each comely in its kind. He held them up, and, in his turn, thus showed his ready wit:"My head is twice as big as yours, they therefore needs must fit. But let me scrape the dirt away that hangs about your face; And stop and eat for well you may be in a hungry case! Said John- 'It is my wedding-day; and folks would gape and stare, - If wife should dine at Edmonton, and I should dine at Ware." Then speaking to his horse, he said, "I am in haste to dine; 'Twas for your pleasure you came here, you shall go back for mine." Ah! luckless word, and bootless boast, for which he paid full dear; 40 For, while he spoke, a braying ass did sing most loud and clear: Whereat his horse did snort, as if he heard a lion roar; And galloped off with all his might, as he had done before. Away went Gilpin - and away went Gilpin's hat and wig; He lost them sooner than at first: for why? - they were too big. 45 Now Gilpin's wife, when she had seen her husband posting down Into the country far away, she pulled out half a crown; And thus unto the youth she said that drove them to the Bell, "This shall be yours, when you back bring my husband safe and well." The youth did ride, and soon they met; he tried to stop John's horse, 50 By seizing fast the flowing rein; but only made things worse: For, not performing what he meant, and gladly would have done; He thereby frighted Gilpin's horse, and made him faster run. Away went Gilpin- and away went post-boy at his heels; The post-boy's horse right glad to miss the lumber of the wheels. Six gentlemen upon the road, thus seeing Gilpin fly, With post-boy scampering in the rear, they raised the hue-and-cry. "Stop thief!- stop thief!-a highwayman!" not one of them was mute, 5 So they, and all that passed that way, soon joined in the pursuit. 10 Cowper. EXERCISE XLI. The Departure of the Gypsies from Ellangowan. It was in a hollow way, near the top of a steep ascent upon the verge of the Ellangowan estate, that Mr. Bertram met the gypsy procession. Four or five men formed 15 the advanced guard, wrapped in long, loose great coats, that hid their tall, slender figures, as the large slouched hats, drawn over their brows, concealed their wild features, dark eyes, and swarthy faces. Two of them carried long fowling-pieces, one wore a broad-sword without a sheath, 20 and all had the Highland dirk, though they did not wear that weapon openly or ostentatiously. Behind them followed the train of laden asses, and small carts, or tumblers, as they were called in that country, on which were laid the decrepid and the helpless, the aged 25 and infant part of the exiled community. The women in their red cloaks and straw hats, the elder children with bare heads and bare feet, and almost naked bodies, had the immediate care of the little caravan. The road was narrow, running between two broken banks of sand, and Mr. 30 Bertram's servant rode forward, smacking his whip with an air of authority, and motioning to their drivers to allow free passage to their betters. His signal was unattended to. He then called to the men who lounged idly on before, "Stand to your beasts' 35 heads, and make room for the laird to pass." 66 He shall 40 have his share of the road," answered a male gypsy from under his slouched and large-brimmed hat, and without raising his face, "and he shall have no more; the highway is as free to our cuddies as to his geldings." The tone of the man being sulky, and even menacing, |