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world of good, both in body and spirit, that he also got strong enough before long to come on deck, and to thank me, in his old, generous, self-forgetful way, for having done my duty-the duty which I had learned how to do by his example.

Hearing what our destination had been when we sailed from England, the captain of the brigantine (who had treated us with the most unremitting attention and kindness, and had been warmly seconded in his efforts for our good by all the people under his command) volunteered to go sufficiently out of his course to 10 enable us to speak the first Californian coasting-vessel sailing in the direction of San Francisco. We were lucky in meeting with one of these sooner than we expected. Three days after parting from the kind captain of the brigantine, we, the surviving passengers and crew of the Golden Mary, touched the firm ground once 15 more, on the shores of California.

We were hardly collected here before we were obliged to sep、 arate again. Captain Ravender, though he was hardly yet in good traveling trim, accompanied Mrs. Atherfield inland, to see her safe under her husband's protection. Miss Coleshaw went 20 with them, to stay with Mrs. Atherfield for a little while before

she attempted to proceed with any matters of her own which had brought her to this part of the world. The rest of us, who were left behind with nothing particular to do until the captain's return, followed the passengers to the gold-diggings. Some few 25 of us had enough of the life there in a very short time. The rest seemed bitten by old Mr. Rarx's mania for gold, and insisted on stopping behind when Rames and I proposed going back to the port. We two, and five of our steadiest seamen, were all the officers and crew left to meet the captain on his return from the 30 inland country.

He reported that he had left Mrs. Atherfield and Miss Coleshaw safe and comfortable under Mr. Atherfield's care. They sent affectionate messages to all of us, and especially (I am proud to say) to me. After hearing this good news, there seemed 85 nothing better to do than to ship on board the first vessel bound for England. There were plenty in port, ready to sail and only waiting for the men belonging to them who had deserted to the

gold-diggings. We were all snapped up eagerly, and offered any rate we chose to set on our services, the moment we made known our readiness to ship for England-all, I ought to have said, except Captain Ravender, who went along with us in the capacity s of passenger only.

Nothing of any moment occurred on the voyage back. The captain and I got ashore at Gravesend safe and hearty, and went up to London as fast as the train could carry us, to report the calamity that had occurred to the owners of the Golden Mary. 10 When that duty had been performed, Captain Ravender went back to his own house at Poplar, and I traveled to the West of England to report myself to my old father and mother.

Here I might well end all these pages of writing; but I cannot refrain from adding a few more sentences, to tell the reader what 15 I am sure he will be glad to hear. In the summer-time of this present, year eighteen hundred and fifty-six, I happened to be at New York, and having spare time on my hands, and spare cash in my pocket, I walked into one of the biggest and grandest of their ordinaries there, to have my dinner. I had hardly sat down 20 at table, before whom should I see opposite but Mrs. Atherfield, as bright-eyed and pretty as ever, with a gentleman on her right hand, and on her left-another Golden Lucy! Her hair was a shade or two darker than the hair of my poor little pet of past sad times; but in all other respects the living child reminded me 25 so strongly of the dead, that I quite started at the first sight of her. I could not tell if I was to try, how happy we were after dinner, or how much we had to say to each other. I was introduced to Mrs. Atherfield's husband, and heard from him, among other things, that Miss Coleshaw was married to her old sweet30 heart, who had fallen into misfortunes and errors, and whom she was determined to set right by giving him the great chance in life of getting a good wife. They were settled in America, like Mr. and Mrs. Atherfield-these last and the child being on their way, when I met them, to visit a friend living in the northern35 most part of the States.

With the relation of this circumstance, and with my personal testimony to the good health and spirits of Captain Ravender the

last time I saw him, ends all that I have to say in connection with the subject of the Wreck of the Golden Mary, and the Great Deliverance of her People at Sea.

NOTES AND QUESTIONS

Biography. Charles Dickens (1812-1870) was a great English novelist. When a mere boy he moved to London, where he afterward lived and wrote. As a child he was neglected and his education was limited. He first showed his ability to write when he became a reporter for a London newspaper. Here his unusual powers of narration and description brought him marked success in writing character sketches, which he signed "Boz." Before Dickens was thirty he was the most popular writer in England. He attacked the cruelty and stupidity with which the children of the poor were treated in English schools; he opened the eyes of the people to the injustice that was suffered by laborers and all poor people; he saw also, like Robert Burns, the sincerity and simple happiness that often make the poor more to be envied than the rich. No other novelist has invented so many characters that seem flesh and blood; they appeal to us because they are "folks," not imaginary dwellers in an unreal world. You will note this ability and the author's rare power of telling a story, as you read "The Wreck of the Golden Mary." Dickens made two visits to America, where he was received with great enthusiasm. His second visit was made in 1867, when he gave public readings from his own works. His vivid imagination and keen human sympathy give to his writings a peculiar interest and charm.

Discussion. 1. Has Dickens any purpose in writing this story, except to interest and entertain? 2. Are you more interested in the characters, or in the things that happen to them; that is, is this tale a character study or a story of adventure? 3. Is it both? 4. Does the story contain much conversation, or is it mainly narration? 5. Are there many descriptions in it? 6. Are they descriptions of nature, of people, or of events? 7. Read what you consider the finest description. 8. What two persons tell the story? 9. Which makes the more decided impression upon you? 10. How does Captain Ravender describe himself? 11. Are his words in keeping with his education and occupation-such as a self-educated, seafaring man would be likely to use? 12. Select and read expressions which indicate that he is a sailor and uses a sailor's speech. 13. Name some of the Captain's characteristics and read passages to illustrate each. 14. Notice that his character is revealed to us, (1) through his own words in relating the story; (2) through what he does; (3) through the conduct of others toward him; and (4) through the chief mate's words. Read lines to illustrate each. 15. Which of the other characters is most interesting? 16. Select incidents which show the influence upon others of the Captain's cheerful

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ness, resourcefulness, bravery, common-sense, and determination. 17. Do you think one of the purposes Dickens had in writing this story may have been to picture the influence of a brave, just, and generous spirit in such adverse circumstances? 18. Pronounce the following: extraordinary; calculations; sustenance.

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During the time that France was divided into provinces (or dukedoms as they were called) there reigned in one of these provinces an usurper, who had deposed and banished his elder brother, the lawful duke.

5 The duke, who was thus driven from his dominions, retired with a few faithful followers to the forest of Arden; and here the good duke lived with his loving friends, who had put themselves into a voluntary exile for his sake, while their land and revenues enriched the false usurper; and custom soon made the life of care10 less ease they led here more sweet to them than the pomp and uneasy splendor of a courtier's life. Here they lived like the old Robin Hood of England, and to this forest many noble youths daily resorted from the court, and did fleet the time carelessly, as they did who lived in the golden age. In the summer they lay 15 along under the fine shade of the large forest trees, marking the playful sports of the wild deer; and so fond were they of these poor dappled fools, who seemed to be the native inhabitants of the forest, that it grieved them to be forced to kill them to supply

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