1. Joseph, Moses', and Mary', were one day talking of the rays of light', and the warmth of the sun. Joseph took four pieces of cloth', of one size but of different colours`; one black', another blue', a third brown`, and a fourth white', with a view to make an experiment.

2. It was a clear', cold day`; the ground was covered with clean snow, and the sun shone bright. Joseph spread the pieces of cloth upon the snow', quite near each other', where they were left for some hours'.

3. In the afternoon', the little folks went out to see the pieces of cloth. They found the black piece had sunk some way below the surface of the snow; the blue had dropped almost as far`; the brown had sunk some', but the white piece lay fairly upon the surface where it was first placed.`

4. Now, observe', said Joseph', the rays of light act upon the particles of matter in the atmosphere', and produce heat. Black receives and retains all the rays', and', consequently', the greatest share of heat'; hence, it has melted the snow', and sunk down'.

5. The blue has produced nearly the same effect, while that of the brown is sensibly less. At the same time, the white has remained stationary`; hence, we may conclude that no warmth has been imparted to this piece'.

6. We may learn from this experiment, that dark clothes', are best for winter,' and white for summer. But in warm climates', white may be worn the year round`; also, that while hats with brown linings', are the best to guard the complexion'.

7. Knowledge and virtue', are like the rays of light', and should act upon the heart in a similar manner. the heart', like the piece of black cloth', should receive and retain every good and useful impression', and like the white', reflect them upon all around us. Then we shall be esteemed and beloved by others', and be happy in ourselves'.

3. Take a. 32 3

177 3 13

14 from a. 800; and (4) a. S3 from

30, and add the remainders into one sum.

3. From T. 76 - 2 - 29 - 2, take T. 19 - 3 add the remainders.

GRAMMAR.-LESSON 24.

Of the Adjective.

2

0

3 1

3 -0,

Adjectives refer to nouns to express their quality or property. The quality of objects differ only by comparison, and adjectives express the shades of difference by a difference in their ending.

The adjective expresses a positive state, a comparative degree, and a superlative degree.

The positive state is expressed by the simple adjective, as: a wise man, a sweet apple, a high tree, &c.

The comparative degree, an increase or decrease of the positive state, and is formed by annexing r, or er to the simple adjective, as: a wiser man, a sweeter apple, a higher tree, &c.

The superlative degree implies the greatest increase or decrease of the positive state; it is formed by affixing, st or

1

est to the simple adjective, as: the wisest man, the sweetest apple, the highest tree, &c.

The adverbs more and most, and less and least, may be used to express the degrees, as: a wise man, a more wise man,

a most wise man; a wise man, a less wise man, a least wise

NOTE. Some adjectives admit of no comparison; such as round, square, white, black, &c. a state of these some thing below the positive state, may be expressed by the termination ish, as: roundish, squareish, whiteish, blackish, &c.

1. "I can hear the scratch of a pin'," says Moses', "at the distance of fifty feet." "That is impossible," says Ralph'; "no one can hear it half fifty feet." "Joseph'," says Ralph', "do you believe that Moses can hear the scratch of a pin ten feet'?"

2. "I do not imagine'," says Joseph', "that Moses has any better ears than we have'; yet I do not approve of your hasty decision'. It is neither wise' nor prudent to affirm a thing impossible of which we have little or no knowledge'. You do not understand the nature of sounds', nor the various ways in which its progress may be quickened`."

3. "Modesty'," said Joseph to Ralph', "should have led you', in a case like this', to suspend your judgment, untill you could make inquiry', inform yourself, make some experiments', and compare the results'; then you might hazard an opinion with means of your own to sustain it'; and not call on your neighbour to help you out'."

4. "Here is a stick of timber'," says Moses', "that is more than sixty feet long; now', Ralph', you place your ear at this end', while Joseph scratches the other with a pin. Do you hear the sound'?" "I do', distinctly," said Ralph', "and I am convinced now the thing is practicable'.

5. "We may learn from this'" said Joseph', "that there are objects which contribute to increase sound, and convey it with greater force'. In this case', the sound is conveyed through the little tubes of the wood', and is increased in loudness, the same as in a speaking trumpet', or the huntsman's 'horn'.

SUBTRACTION OF COMPOUND TERMS.-LESSON 27.

3. The moon goes round the earth, 360°, in 291 days, about; her daily motion is 13° 10 35; what is left of her journey after travelling four days?

GRAMMAR.LESSON 28.

Exercises in Parsing.

RULE. 7. Every adjective refers to some noun, expressed or implied, in qualification, as: Mary writes long letters.

Mary is a noun proper, third person, singular number, feminine gender, subject of the verb writes; writes is a transitive verb, third person, singular number, and agrees with its subject, rule 1. Long is an adjective, positive state, and refers to the noun letters in qualification, rule 7. Letters is a noun common, third person, plural number, no gender, and the object of the verb writes, rule 3.

Good boys read large books. Faithful boys get good lessons. Small ships carry light burdens. Ann's apple is sweet, Mary's, sweeter, and Bell's, the sweetest.

OBS. 1. An adjective, with the definite article before it, and no noun after it, may always be used as a noun of the plural number, as: the rich help the poor.

In parsing this sentence, say, the rich, is a noun common, third person, plural number, of one or both genders, and the subject of the verb help; help is a transitive verb, third person, plural number, and agrees with its subject, rule 1. The poor, is a noun common, third person, plural number, of one or both genders, and the object of the verb help, rule 3.

OBS. 2. One, two, three, &c. are termed numeral adjectives, but first, second, and third, &c. are termed ordinal adjectives. OBS. 3. Adjectives of one syllable are mostly compared by er and est, while those of two or more syllables are compared generally by more and most, less and least.

1. Menalcus was a youthful shepherd'; temperance marked his life, and health, his face. The morning lark cheered him