Points. Exercises. Explanation. because it indicates or points out (b) Ask children what the verb (c) Ask children what the verb expresses in the third sentence, "John can run ;" and tell them that because it expresses power, it is Isaid to be in the Potential Mood (potentia, power). (d) Ask children what the verb expresses in the fourth sentence, "If John run;" and tell them that here it is said to be in the Subjunctive Mood. Blackboard. Imperative. Run,John, run. Potential. John can run. Subjunctive. Infinitive. (13) Write full notes of a lesson on the Changes of the Sea sons. (14) Write full notes of a lesson on the Processes of some Manufacture. (15) Write full notes of a lesson on Post-office orders. (16) Write notes of a lesson on the Moon. (17) Write notes of a lesson on Air. (18) Write full notes of a lesson on a Coal mine. EXERCISES IN COMPOSITION. The following are exercises in Composition selected from Fourth (or Fifth) Year Examination Papers. (1) Write an Essay on Poetry. Note. A very long essay might be written on this subject. The following is such a one as would be suitable for an examination paper :— Of the two kinds of literary composition, poetry and prose, the former is the more delightful. Prose is better fitted for historical works, religious and moral essays, books containing narratives of facts, accounts of scientific investigations, and other similar matters. Poetry is more suitable for works in which the imagination or fancy of the writer is called into action. The truth should, of course, not be sacrificed; but the poet is permitted to use fiction to a large extent in illustrating his thoughts. The prose writer employs a sober and matter-offact kind of style; the poet uses figures, and embellishes his subject by ornaments, which should be elegant, chosen with good taste, and suitable to the matter in hand. Metre and rhyme are employed in poetical compositions, but they are not in themselves sufficient to constitute poetry. The thoughts, the language, the whole air of the composition should breathe a poetical spirit, or else it is not real poetry. If we compare the dry, straightforward accounts which the old chroniclers gave of the history of England, with the splendid historical plays of Shakspeare, which are founded on them, we see at once that the difference in effect is not merely that the poet has employed metre. For the purposes of mere literal historical truth, the chroniclers are to be preferred; but in reading the plays we feel that the poet not only relates events, but fills the imagination and elevates the soul. Poetry has been employed by great writers in many kinds of composition. Poems narrating great historical events in a complete manner and in a lofty style, are called Epic poems. The Iliad of Homer and the Æneid of Virgil are famous examples of this kind of poem. Dramatic poems are those which are written in the form of dialogues between characters who appear on the stage and carry on the action of the dramas. The Greeks brought this kind of composition to great perfection. Their great dramatists, Æschylus and Sophocles, have, however, been surpassed by our great poet, Shakspeare. A Didactic poem is one which is of an instructive nature, as the Georgics of Virgil, which treat of agriculture. An Elegy is a poem expressive of lamentation on the death of some person, as Gray's "Elegy," and Tennyson's "In Memoriam." Lyric poetry is written in the form of odes, supposed properly to be set to music. Dryden's "Alexander's Feast," and Collins' "Ode to the Passions," are examples. English literature is especially rich in poetry. Our greatest poet, Shakspeare, has already been mentioned. Milton's "Paradise Lost" is a religious epic poem of great beauty. Spenser's "Faerie Queene," is a splendid poem, illustrating the age of chivalry. Chaucer's Tales are among the finest in existence. The poems of Dryden and Pope are famous for their admirable versification. Cowper is a great religious poet. Wordsworth's poems are some of the best written in the present century. Alfred Tennyson and Robert Browning are our greatest living writers of poetry. (2) Write an Essay on a Parliamentary Election. In a free country like England, the people have a large share in making the laws which they are required to obey. They are not ruled entirely by persons set over them without their own consent, but possess the right of self-government, which com prises the power of forming the laws, appointing those who are to administer them, and controlling the levying and expenditure of the public revenues. The most natural and complete form of self-government would be for all the citizens of a country to meet together in order to make laws and administer the affairs of the country. This mode of conducting public business is, however, manifestly impossible in a nation which numbers some millions. Hence the principle of representation is adopted, by which the people in the various parts of the country choose deputies to act as their substitutes in the National Assembly, which in England is called the Parliament. The process of selecting members of the British Parliament is called a Parliamentary Election, from the Latin word eligo (electus), I choose. Members of Parliament are chosen by certain towns, called boroughs, and by the different counties. Most householders who live in boroughs, and pay the rates, have a vote; in the rural districts the privilege is somewhat more restricted. The Parliamentary Election which took place in the British Islands in 1880 was a General Election, since it was caused by a Dissolution of Parliament, and was therefore held throughout the United Kingdom. No Parliament can continue in existence longer than seven years, and very few last so long as that. Most of them come to an end before the expiration of that period. Sometimes an election takes place only in some particular borough or county, in order to fill up the place of a member who has been removed by death, resignation, or other cause. The Members of Parliament selected by the people sit in the House of Commons. England is represented by 493 members, Scotland by 60, and Ireland by 105, making a total of 658. A parliamentary election is a matter of great public importance, since the House of Commons is by far the most powerful branch of the Legislature. It has the command of the national revenues; and since the Prime Minister, who acts for the Sovereign, is by constitutional usage obliged to command a majority in the House of Commons, the latter has really the power of controlling the whole policy of the Government. Hence it is very desirable that electors should exercise their privileges under a feeling of great responsibility. They should carefully study the affairs of the nation, understand the principles of the two great political parties, acquaint themselves with the views of the leading statesmen on both sides, and especially learn as accurately as possible the opinions of those who offer themselves for election at their hands. When called upon to exercise his right of choice between two or more candidates, the elector should ask himself the question, Which among them is the most suitable to assist in the government of the country and of the whole empire? Great care is taken to protect the elector in exercising his electoral rights without fear or favour. Formerly much bribery and intimidation were used to induce persons to vote in a manner not in accordance with their own wishes. To prevent these abuses, voting now takes place by ballot; that is, votes are given in secret, and no one but the elector himself has the opportunity of seeing how his vote has been given. (3) Write an essay on the English Monarchy. (4) Write an essay comparing Town and Country Schools. (5) Write an essay on "Home Lessons," how to plan and examine them. (6) Write an essay on Economy of Food. (7) Write an essay on Newspapers. (8) Write a short essay on Fresh Air and its Uses. (9) Write a short essay on Instinct in Animals. (11) Write out a short essay on Christmas. (12) Explain what is the difference between giving a lesson to a class and giving a lecture to one, and why a lecture is easier to give than a lesson. (13) Relate the advantages of early rising. Note. We here point out a few heads that might be taken. (a) Benefit to health; (6) Gain of time; (c) Morning the best |