though by our own power or authority we had made this man to walk?" etc.

Narrative.

A SHIP ON FIRE.

All hands were called up. Buckets of water were dashed on the fire, but in vain. There were large quantities of resin and tar on board, and it was found useless to attempt to save the ship. The pas sengers rushed forward and inquired of the pilot: Personation. Change the voice for passengers and pilot.

"How far are we from Buffalo ?"

"Seven miles."

"How long before we can reach there?"

"Three-quarters of an hour at our present rate of steam." "Is there any danger?"

"Danger! here—see the smoke bursting out-go forward if you would save your lives."

Narrative.

Passengers and crew-men, women, and chil dren-crowded the forward part of the ship. John Maynard stood at the helm. The flames burst forth in a sheet of fire; clouds of smoke arose. The captain cried out through his trumpet:

"John Maynard !"

Personation. "Aye, aye, sir !"

"Are you at the helm ?"

"Aye, aye, sir !"

"How does she head ?"

"South-east by east, sir."

"Head her south-east and run her on shore," said the captain.

Nearer, nearer, yet nearer, she approached the shore. Again. the captain cried out:

"John Maynard !"

The response came feebly this time, "Aye, aye, sir !"
"Can you hold on five minutes longer, John ?" he said.
"By God's help, I will."

The old man's hair was scorched from the scalp, one hand disabled, his knee upon the stanchion, and his teeth set, with his other hand upon the wheel, he stood firm as a rock. He beached the ship; every man, woman, and child was saved, as John Maynard dropped, and his spirit took its flight to its God.

THE POWER OF HABIT.

The voice should be changed to personate each speaker.

I remember once riding from Buffalo to the Niagara Falls, and said to a gentleman, "What river is that, sir ?" "That," said he, "is the Niagara River."

"Well, it is a beautiful stream," said I; "bright, and fair, and glossy; how far off are the rapids ?"

"Only a mile or two," was the reply.

"Is it possible that only a mile from us we shall find the water in the turbulence which it must show when near the Falls?"

"You will find it so, sir." And so I found it; and the first sight of Niagara I shall never forget. Now, launch your bark on that Niagara River; it is bright, smooth, beautiful, and glassy. There is a ripple at the bow; the silver wake you leave behind adds to your enjoyment. Down the stream you glide, oars, sails, and helm in proper trim, and you set out on your pleasure excursion. Suddenly some one cries out from the bank, "Young men, ahoy !”

"What is it?"

"The rapids are below you ["

Laughter.

"Ha ha! we have heard of the rapids, but we are not such fools as to get there. If we go too fast, then we shall up with the helm and steer to the shore; we will set the mast in the socket, hoist the sail, and speed to the land. Then on, boys; don't be alarmed; there is no danger."

THE SINKING CUMBERLAND.

Narratice. We felt our vessel sinking fast,
We knew our time was brief.

Personation. “Ho! man the pumps !" But those who worked,
And fought not, wept with grief.

Personation. "Oh, keep us but an hour afloat!
Oh, give us only time

Narrative.

To mete unto yon rebel crew
The measure of their crime !"

From captain down to powder-boy
No hand was idle then;

Two soldiers, but by chance aboard,
Fought on like sailor-men.

Personation. "Up to the spar-deck! save yourselves !"
Cried Selfridge. "Up, my men !

Narrativa

Personation.

Narrative.

Yet staying seemed but vain,
Knee-deep in water; so we left;

Some swore, some groaned with pain.

We reached the deck. There Randall stood
"Another turn, men,—so !"

Calmly he aimed his pivot-gun :
"Now, Tenny, let her go!"

It did our sore hearts good to hear
The song our pivot sang,

As, rushing on from wave to wave,

The whirring bomb-shell sprang.

Brave Randall leaped upon the gun,

And waved his cap in sport;

Personation. "Well done! well aimed! I saw that shell
Go through an open port."

Narrative.

It was our last, our deadliest shot;

The deck was overflown;

The poor ship staggered, lurched to port,

And gave a living groan.

Down, down, as headlong through the waves

Our gallant vessel rushed,

A thousand gurgling watery sounds

Around my senses gushed.

THE STUDY OF EXPRESSION.

The practice of reading or reciting aloud, selections con taining different emotions and passions, secures variety of expression. The student should try to personate the passion, or enter so fully into the meaning of the quotation that he will vary the pitch, force, and voice to correspond with the emotion.

The organs of speech should be so disciplined as to adapt themselves naturally and easily to all the changes, even the most abrupt and frequent, that are required in continuous reading or speaking. This comprehends the particulars in the above analysis, and secures variety of expression, which is the great object to be gained by the student of elocution.

II.

READING LESSONS.