same ground as Master Robert, who saw nothing at all.

14. Whereon says Mr. Andrews, wisely enough, in his solemn, old-fashioned way; "So it is. One man walks through the world with his eyes open, and another with them shut; and upon this depends all the superiority of knowledge which one acquires over the other. I have known sailors who had been in all quarters of the world, and could tell nothing but the signs of the tippling-houses, and the price and quality of the liquor.

you

15. "On the other hand, Franklin could not cross the Channel without making observations useful to mankind. While many a vacant, thoughtless person is whirled through Europe without gaining a single idea worth crossing the street for, the observing eye and the inquiring mind find matter of improvement and delight in every ramble. Do, then, William, continue to make use of your eyes; and you, Robert, learn that eyes were given you to

16. And when I read that story as a little boy, I said to myself, I will be Mr. Eyes; I will not be Mr. No Eyes; and Mr. Eyes I have tried to be ever since; and Mr. Eyes, I advise you, every one of you, to be, if you wish to be happy and successful.

17. Ah, my dear boys, if you knew the idle, vacant, useless life which many young men. lead when their day's work is done, continually

tempted to sin, and shame, and ruin, by their own idleness, while they miss opportunities of making valuable discoveries, of distinguishing themselves, and helping themselves forward in life: then you would make it a duty to get a habit of observing, and of having some healthy and rational pursuit with which to fill up your leisure hours.

THE VILLAGE BLACKSMITH.

smi-thy, a blacksmith's shop. mus-cles, the fleshy parts of

the body by which it moves. brawny, strong, full of muscle. tan, the bark of the oak-tree, means here that his face was very brown. sex-ton, a man who has charge of a church, rings the bell, digs graves, &c.

thresh-ing-floor, the floor on
which grain is threshed.
choir, a band of singers, the
part in a church assigned to
the singers.

toil-ing, working hard.
wrought, worked out, made.
an-vil, an iron block on which
smiths hammer their work
into shape.

1. Under a spreading chestnut-tree
The village smithy stands;
The smith, a mighty man is he,
With large and sinewy hands;
And the muscles of his brawny arms
Are strong as iron bands.

2. His hair is crisp, and black, and long;
His face is like the tan;

His brow is wet with honest sweat;
He earns whate'er he can,

And looks the whole world in the face,
For he owes not any man,

3. Week in, week out, from morn till night, You can hear his bellows blow;

You can hear him wield his heavy sledge,
With measured beat and slow,

Like a sexton ringing the village bell
When the evening sun is low.

4. And children coming home from school Look in at the open door;

They love to see the flaming forge,
And hear the bellows roar,

And catch the burning sparks that fly
Like chaff from a threshing-floor.

5. He goes on Sunday to the church,
And sits among his boys;

He hears the parson pray and preach;
He hears his daughter's voice
Singing in the village choir,

And it makes his heart rejoice:

6. It sounds to him like her mother's voice, Singing in Paradise!

He needs must think of her once more,
How in the grave she lies;

And with his hard, rough hand, he wipes
A tear out of his eyes.

7. Toiling-rejoicing-sorrowing,
Onward through life he goes;
Each morning sees some task begun,
Each evening sees its close;
Something attempted, something done,
Has earned a night's repose.

8. Thanks, thanks to thee, my worthy friend,
For the lesson thou hast taught;
Thus at the flaming forge of Life
Our fortunes must be wrought!
Thus on its sounding anvil shaped
Each burning deed and thought!

TO-DAY.

1. So here hath been dawning
Another blue day:
Think, wilt thou let it
Slip useless away.

2. Out of Eternity

This new day is born;
Into eternity,

At night, will return.

3. Behold it aforetime
No eye ever did;
So soon it for ever
From all eyes is hid.

4. Here hath been dawning
Another blue day:
Think, wilt thou let it
Slip useless away.

WAITING FOR THE MAY.

1. Ah! my heart is weary waiting,
Waiting for the May-

Waiting for the pleasant rambles,
Where the fragrant hawthorn brambles,
With the woodbine alternating,
Scent the dewy way.

Ah! my heart is weary waiting,
Waiting for the May.