LESSON CXXXVIII.

GEOMETRICAL LINES AND FORMS.

1. Parallel lines are lines which extend in the same direction and keep at the same distance from each other. This is the case whether the lines be straight or curved, thus:

2. Angles. When two lines meet in a point, they form an angle, or what is termed a corner. Angles are of various kinds. A right angle is formed by a perpendicular line falling upon or down from a horizontal line. If the line, which in this figure is upright, inclines, or leans towards the horizontal line, it is called an

acute angle. If the line opens, or strikes out, from the horizontal line, it is called an obtuse

angle.

3. Triangles. A triangle having three sides of an equal length, is called an equilateral triangle. Angles of three sides, whatever may be their shape, are all called triangles. A triangular figure having only two sides equal, is called an

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isosceles triangle. But when all the three sides are unequal in length, it is called a scalene triangle. If you accustom your eye to observe these figures, you will at once recognize the forms they describe, when they appear in any object which is presented to you.

4. Quadrangles. A figure of four sides, having four angles

or corners, is called a quadrangle. All figures which have four corners are generally called square, but it is only proper to apply that term to figures which have the four sides equal. An oblong square, as it is sometimes called—that is, a figure, the sides of which are parallel, but two of which are longer than the other two, is called a parallelogram.

5. Rhombs. There are two kinds of rhombs. When the lines forming the quadrangle, or square, incline, as in this figure, it is called rhombus. But where the figure is of an oblong form, having only two of

its sides equal, it is called a rhomboid.

6. A Trapezium is a figure which has four sides, none of which are of equal length. Where two of the sides are parallel, though not equal in length, it is called a trapeziod.

LESSON CXXXIX.

ROBERT OF LINCOLN.

1. MERRILY Swinging on briar and weed,
Near to the nest of his little dame,

Over the mountain-side or mead,

Robert of Lincoln is telling his name;
Bob-o'-link, bob-o'-link,

Spink, spank, spink;

Snug and safe is that nest of ours,

Hidden among the summer flowers.
Chee, chee, chee.

STELL.

2. Robert of Lincoln is gaily drest,

Wearing a bright black wedding coat; White are his shoulders and white his °crest, Hear him call in his merry note,— Bob-o'-link, bob-o'-link,

Spink, spank, spink;

Look, what a nice new coat is mine,
Sure there was never a bird so fine.

Chee, chee, chee.

3. Robert of Lincoln's Quaker wife,

Pretty and quiet, with plain brown wings, Passing at home a patient life,

Broods in the grass while her husband sings
Bob-o'-link, bob-o'-link,

Spink, spank, spink;

Brood, kind creature; you need not fear
Thieves and robbers while I am here.

Chee, chee, chee.

4. Modest and shy as a nun is she;
One weak chirp is her only note.
"Braggart, and prince of braggarts is he,
Pouring boasts from his little throat,-
Bob-o'-link, bob-o'-link,

Spink, spank, spink;

5. Never was I afraid of man;
Catch me, cowardly knaves, if you can,
Chee, chee, chee.

Six white eggs on a bed of hay,

"Flecked with purple, a pretty sight!

There, as the mother sits all day,
Robert is singing with all his might,

Bob-o'-link, bob-o'-link,

Spink, spank, spink;

Nice good wife, that never goes out,
Keeping house while I frolic about.
Chee, chee, chee.

6. Soon as the little ones chip the shell,
Six wide mouths are open for food;
Robert of Lincoln bestirs him well,
Gathering seeds for the hungry brood.
Bob-o'-link, bob-o'-link,

Spink, spank, spink;

This new life is likely to be

Hard for a gay young fellow like me.
Chee, chee, chee.

7. Robert of Lincoln at length is made
Sober with work, and silent with care;
Off is his holiday garment laid,
Half forgotten that merry air,
Bob-o'-link, bob-o'-link,

Spink, spank, spink;

Nobody knows but my mate and I
Where our nest and our nestlings lie.
Chee, chee, chee.

8. Summer wanes; the children are grown;
Fun and frolic no more he knows;
Robert of Lincoln's a humdrum °crone;
Off he flies, and we sing as he goes,
Bob-o'-link, bob-o'-link,

Spink, spank, spink;

When you can pipe that merry old strain,

Robert of Lincoln come back again.

LESSON CXL.

EXERCISE ON INFLECTION.

RULE 10.-The COMPOUND COMMENCING series is best read with the FALLING slide on every particular but the LAST; the compound CONCLUDING with the falling on every particular except the last BUT ONE.

1. To dread no eye, and to suspect no tongue, are exemptions granted only to invariable virtue.

2. Nothing tends more powerfully to strengthen the constitution, than moderate exercise and habitual temperance.

3. To instruct the ignorant, to relieve the needy, to succor the afflicted, are duties which fall in our way, every day in our lives.

4. Every beholder must contemplate, with heartfelt pleasure,

the verdant lawn, the shady grove, the variegated landscape, the boundless ocean, and the starry firmament.

5.

Still on thy banks so gaily green,

May num'rous herds and flocks be seen,

And lasses chanting o'er the pail,

And shepherds piping in the dale,

And ancient faith that knows no guile,

And industry embrowned with toil,

And hearts resolved, and hands prepared,
The blessings they enjoy to guard.

6. There as I passed with careless step and slow,
The mingling notes came softened from below;