itself. For where there is no regard for truth, there can be no safe society between man and man. And it is an injury to the speaker; for besides the disgrace which it brings upon him, it occasions so much baseness of mind, that he can scarcely tell truth, or avoid lying even when he has no reason for it; and in time he comes to such a pass, that as other people can not believe he speaks truth, so he himself scarcely knows when he tells a falsehood.

As you must be careful not to lie, so you must avoid coming near it. You must not equivocate, nor speak any thing positively for which you have no authority but report, or conjecture, or opinion.

Let your words be few, especially when your superiors or strangers are present, lest you betray your own weakness and rob yourselves of the opportunity which you might otherwise have had to gain knowledge, wisdom, and experience, by hearing those whom you silence by your impertinent talking.

Be not too earnest, loud, or violent in your conversation. Silence your opponent with reason,

not with noise.

Be careful not to interrupt another when he is speaking; hear him out, and you will understand him the better, and you will be able to give him the better answer.

Consider before you speak, especially when the business is of moment; weigh the sense of what you mean to utter, and the expressions you intend to use, that they may be significant, pertinent, and inoffensive. Inconsiderate persons do not think till they speak; or they speak and then think.

Some men excel in husbandry, some in gardening, some in mathematics. In conversation learn, as near as you can, where the skill or excellence of any person lies. Put him to talking upon that subject; observe what he says; keep it in your memory, or commit it to writing. By this means you will glean the worth and knowledge of everybody you converse with, and in an easy and natural manner acquire what may be of use to you on many occasions.

When you are in company with light, vain, impertinent persons, let the observing of their failings make you the more cautious, both in your conversation with them and in your general behavior, that you may avoid their errors.

If

If any one whom you do not know to be a person of truth, sobriety, and weight relates strange stories, be not too ready to believe or report them; and yet be not too forward to contradict him. the occasion requires you to declare your opinion, do it modestly and gently, not bluntly nor coarsely. By this means you will avoid giving offense, or being abused for too much credulity.

If a man whose integrity you do not very well know, makes great and extraordinary professions to you, do not give too much credit to him. Probably you will find that he aims at something besides kindness to you, and that when you have served his turn, or disappointed his hopes, his regard for you will grow cool.

Beware also of him who flatters you and commends you to your face, or to one he thinks will tell you of it. Most probably he has either deceived or abused you, or means to do so. Remember the

fable of the fox commending the singing of the crow, because she had something in her mouth which he wanted.

Be careful that you do not commend yourselves. It is a sign that your reputation is small and sinking if your own tongue must praise you; and it is fulsome and unpleasing to others to hear such commendation.

Speak well of the absent whenever you have an available opportunity. Never speak ill of them or of anybody else unless you are sure they deserve it; and, not then, unless it is necessary for their amendment, or for the safety and benefit of others.

Avoid, in your ordinary communications, not only oaths, but all extravagant expressions.

Forbear scoffing and jesting at the condition or natural defects of any person. Such offenses leave a deep impression, and they often cost a man dear.

Be very careful that you give no reproachful, spiteful, or threatening words to any person. Good words make friends, bad words make enemies. It is great prudence to gain as many friends as we honestly can, especially when it may be done at so easy a rate as a good word; and it is great folly to make an enemy by ill words, which are of no advantage to the party who uses them. When faults

are committed they may, and by a superior they must, be reproved; but let it be done without reproach or bitterness, otherwise it will lose its effect, and, instead of reforming the offense, it will exasperate the offender, and lay the reprover justly open to reproof.

If a person be passionate, and give you ill language, rather pity him than be moved to anger.

You will find that silence, or very gentle words, are the most exquisite revenge for reproaches; they will either cure the ill-temper of an angry man, and make him sorry for his passion, or they will be a severe reproof and punishment to him. But,

at any rate, they will preserve your innocence, give you the deserved reputation for wisdom and moderation, and keep up the serenity and composure of your mind. Passion and anger make a man unfit for every thing that becomes him as a man or as a Christian.

Read these directions often, think of them seriously, and practice them diligently. You will find them useful in your conversation. Their utility will every day be the more evident to you as your judgment, understanding, and experience increase. SIR MATTHEW HALE.

Biography.-Sir Matthew Hale was born at Alderly, England, in 1609, and died in 1676.

He was left an orphan at an early age, and intended to devote himself to a military life.. This intention was fortunately changed, and when twenty years old, he began the practice of law. He soon rose to eminence in his profession, and was employed in some of the most important cases of his time, one of them being the trial of King Charles I. In 1671, he became ChiefJustice of the King's Bench, from which position he was obliged by illness to resign.

He was a man of upright character and of noted impartiality as a judge. While studying law, the rules which he laid down for himself, prescribed sixteen hours a day of close application, and prove not only the great mental power, but also the extraordinary physical strength he must have possessed.

Language. -Notice the frequent use of the command in this lesson. Does the reason following a command strengthen the force of the command?

Are there any questions in the lesson?

Instead of using the terms, statement, command, question, and exclamation, sentences may be designated as, declarative, imperative, interrogative, and exclamatory.

With face against the pane,
Looks out across the night
And sees the Beacon Light N
A-trembling in the rain.
She hears the sea-birds screech,
And the breakers on the beach

Making moan, making moan.
And the wind about the eaves
Of the cottage sobs and grieves;
And the willow-tree is blown

To and fro, to and fro,

Till it seems like some old crone
Standing out there all alone,
With her woe!

Wringing, as she stands,

Her gaunt and palsied hands;
While Mabel, timid Mabel,

With face against the pane,
Looks out across the night,
And sees the Beacon Light
A-trembling in the rain.

Set the table, maiden Mabel,

And make the cabin warm;
Your little fisher-lover

Is out there in the storm;

And your father-you are weeping!