LESSON XXXVII.

1. AMERICAN VESSELS, 1850.-Richard Cobden, in the British Parliament.

I sometimes quote the United States of America; and, I think, in this matter of national reference, they set us a very good example. Does any body dare to attack that nation? There is not a more formidablo power, in every sense of the word,—although you talk of France and Russia,-than the United States of America; and there is not a statesman with a head on his shoulders who does not know it; and yet the policy of the United States has been to keep a very small amount of armed force in existence. At the present

moment, they have not a line of battle ship afloat, notwithstanding the vast extension of their commercial marine. Last year she recalled the last ship of war from the Pacific; and I shall be very much astonished if you see another. The people are well employed, and her taxation is light, which countries cannot have, if they burden themselves with the expense of these enormous

armaments.

Now, many persons appeal to the English nation under the impression that they are a very pugnacious people. I am not quite sure that we are not. I am not quite sure that my opponents do not sometimes have the advantage over me in appealing to the ready-primed pugnacity of our fellow-countrymen. I believe I am pugnacious myself; but what I want is, to persuade my countrymen to preserve their pugnaciousness until somebody comes to attack them. Be assured, if you want

to be prepared for future war, you will be better prepared in the way that the United States is prepared,— by the enormous number of merchant ships of large tonnage constantly building; in the vast number of steamers turning out of the building-yards at New York,— those enormous steamers, finer than any to be found in the royal navies of any country on the continent of Europe, commonly extending from fifteen hundred to sixteen hundred tons. If the spirit of America were once aroused, and her resentment excited, her mercantile marine alone, the growth of commerce, the result of a low taxation, and a prosperous people,-her mercantile marine would be more than a match for any war navy that exists on the continent of Europe.

2. THE SABBATH.-N. P. Willis

It was a pleasant morning, in the time

When the leaves fall-and the bright sun shone out
As when the morning stars first sang together-
So quietly and calmly fell his light

Upon a world at rest. There was no leaf
In motion, and the loud winds slept, and all
Was still. The laboring herd was grazing
Upon the hill-side quietly-uncalled

By the harsh voice of man, and distant sound,
Save from the murmuring waterfall, came not
As usual on the ear. One hour stole on,
And then another of the morning, calm
And still as Eden ere the birth of man,
And then broke in the Sabbath chime of bells-

And the old man, and his descendants, went

Together to the house of God. I joined
The well apparelled crowd. The holy man
Rose solemnly and breathed the prayer of faith-
And the gray saint, just on the wing of heaven-
And the fair maid, and the bright-haired young man-
And child of curling locks, just taught to close
The lash of its blue eye the while;—all knelt
In attitude of prayer-and then the hymn,
Sincere in its low melody, went up

To worship God.

The white-haired pastor rose And looked upon his flock-and with an eye That told his interest, and voice that spoke

In tremulous accents, eloquent like Paul's,

He lent Isaiah's fire to the truths

Of revelation, and persuasion came.
Like gushing waters from his lips, till hearts
Unused to bend were softened, and the eye
Unwont to weep sent forth the willing tear.
I went my way-but as I went, I thought
How holy was the Sabbath-day of God.

3. LORD BROUGHAM'S ORATORY.-Newark Advertiser, 1848.

Lord Brougham's first sentences, like those of most great orators, are exceedingly ordinary, and delivered in a style that any school boy might equal. He turns to the bundle of small slips of paper beside him, takes up one of them, and, after holding it close to his eyes for a moment, throws it behind him, and goes forward. forward. storm is rising. His manner is becoming every moment more animated; his voice, never pleasing, is growing

The

more loud and shrill; his arms swing back and forth in uncouth, but most efficient gestures; the House is perfectly stilled, and by the time he arrives at the second. head of his argument, it is apparent that he has gained a complete command of his auditors. The second note adds fuel to the flame; and on he goes, like a fire on the prairies, burning, blazing, scorching, and consuming all before him. His opponent quakes with terror as he beholds the strong cords of his logic snapped asunder, like tow in the flame, and shrivelled into thin air; and at last, blistered with sarcasm and galled with vindictive irony, he falls down discomfited, beneath the fiery tempest that overwhelms him. The orator's voice and manner grow more feeble, and he sits down, perfectly overcome with the gigantic effort; while his victim lies before him "flayed alive," and quivering at every nerve. The audience, caring to hear no more, take their hats and disperse; and our American friend walks away with the firm conviction that if Daniel Webster is not the greatest man in the world, that man is Lord Brougham.

4. THIS LIFE.-Henry King, d. 1669.

Like to the falling of a star,
Or as the flights of eagles are,
Or like the fresh spring's gaudy hue,
Or silver drops of morning dew;
Or like a wind that chafes the flood;
Or bubbles which on water stood;
Even such is man, whose borrowed light,
Is straight called in, and paid to-night.

The wind blows out, the bubble dies,
The spring entombed in ocean lies,

The dew dries up, the star is shot,

The flight is past, and man forgot.

5. STUART, THE PAINTER.-B. 1757 d. 1828.

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Of Stuart, the painter, this amusing anecdote is related. He had put up at an inn, and his companions were desirous, by putting roundabout questions, to find out his calling or profession. Stuart answered, with a grave face and serious tone, that he sometimes dressed gentlemen's and ladies' hair. At that time, high-cropped pomatumed hair was all the fashion. "You are a hair- dresser, then?” 'What," said he, "do I look like a barber ? ""I beg your pardon, sir, but I inferred it from what you said. If I mistook you, may I take the liberty to ask what you are then ? ""Why, I sometimes brush a gentleman's coat or hat, and sometimes adjust a cravat." "O, you are a valet, then, to some nobleman ?"— A valet Indeed, sir, I am not. I am not a servant. To be sure I make coats and waistcoats for gentlemen." O, you are a tailor?' "A tailor! do I look like a tailor? I assure you, I never handled a goose, other than a roasted one." By this time they were all in a roar. "What are you, then ?" said one. "I'll tell you," said Stuart. "Be assured, all I have said is literally true. I dress hair, brush hats and coats, adjust a cravat and make coats, waistcoats, and breeches, and likewise boots and shoes, at your service." "Oh, ho! a boot and shoemaker, after all!" "Guess again, gentlemen. I never handled boot or shoe, but for my own feet and