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and afterwards in Natchez, I found all this was true. Hundreds of them are seen in these cities, and they do much good in keeping the yards and streets clean.

4. In South America they are very numerous; and they are not only useful in the cities, but they destroy the alligator's eggs.. Mr. Comstock tells us that the alligators of Brazil are sometimes twentyfive or thirty feet long. A few are nearly as long as this, in the Mississippi river.

5. Mr. C. also says that the vulture watches from the neighboring trees, when the alligators come upon the sandy shore, to lay their eggs and cover them in the sand. When the alligators have gone away again into the sea or river, the vulture that saw them will call many others; and they all descend, and uncover the eggs and eat them.

6. An alligator lays a hundred, and sometimes two hundred eggs in a year. If the vultures did not destroy them, the whole coast would be so covered with these terrible animals, that no man could live there. Thus you may learn, that even the most disagreeable animals are made to do much good.

ERRORS.

1. feels for fields 2. vulter for vulture; yallerish for yellowish. 5. kivver for cover. 6. distroy for destroy.

QUESTIONS.

What is the first Rule?

2. You do not know the name that Y stands for; how should you read this line?

3. Here the dash stands for a name, and you must read it thus: • Mr. (blank) another companion on my voyage.'

5. Here you know that Mr. C.' stands for 'Mr. Comstock,' who was named in the 4th paragraph; how should you read it?

Remember always to read such things according to these rules.

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RULES. 1. When the mark for a note comes at the end of a sentence: Read the note where the mark is.

2. When the mark does not come at the end of a sentence. If the note is not longer than half a line, read it where the mark is; but if it is longer, read it when you have finished the sentence.

3. Read notes in a low tone of voice, as though they were in a parenthesis.*

MUSIC.

1. It is a very common opinion, that a great many persons cannot learn to sing, and that they could not have been taught when they were children. Those who have attended most to the subject, tell us that this

*NOTE FOR TEACHERS. Scholars who can understand it, may be taught that many notes do not require to be read by one who is reading to others: such as references to books and chapters from which quotations are made.

The above rules are as plain and correct as the author can make them, for children: but older persons can understand, that notes are to be treated in reading, as the remarks of another are, when you are conversing. If a person interrupt you with a question or remark while

is a great mistake. They say that nearly all children are capable of learning to sing and that older persons find it difficult, for the same reason that they would find it difficult to speak or walk, if they had not learn ed when they were young.

2. In Italy and Sicily, and some other countries, it is very common to hear the children sing in the streets, and when at play; and it is said to be uncommon to see a child that can talk, and cannot sing.*

3. A gentleman who came from Palermot about ten years ago, told me that he was greatly surprised to hear so many of the common children in the streets singing so sweetly and correctly. He frequently stopped to hear their songs, and observe how happy they seemed to be.

4. I have frequently noticed that all the children of some families could sing, and that all of other families were said to have no ear for music. The truth was, that the former had been taught at the proper age, and the latter had not..

5. It is to be much lamented, that any children are suffered to grow up without knowing how to sing their Maker's praise. We are frequently commanded in

you are telling a story or making a statement to another, you commonly answer when you are interrupted, if you can do it very shortly; otherwise, you wait till you have finished your sentence, or your whole story. You change your tone in answering such question or remark, and resume it when you resume your statement.

When you do not read a note where the mark occurs, it is often necessary to tell your hearers what part of the sentence it relates to.

* The reason of this doubtless is, that almost every mother sings to her children, and takes almost as much pains to teach them to sing, as to talk. † In Sicily.

the word of the Lord, to sing praises to our God. Thus, in the thirtieth Psalm; Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of His, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holiness.' If you read the book of Psalms, you will find a great many similar precepts.

6. If you love to keep all the commandments, you will love to sing of His truth and His goodness-of His greatness, His power, and His mercy. You will not love to sing, nor to hear, foolish and wicked songs; but when your hearts rejoice in all the blessings which the Lord gives, you will love to sing praises to His name.

7. In many schools in Switzerland and Germany children are taught to sing, when they are taught to read. In some schools in America they do the same; and it is found that nearly all children learn singing as easily as they learn reading and spelling. I hope they will all love to sing psalms and hymns of praise to the Lord, while they live in this world and in the world

to come.

ERRORS.

1. uppinion for opinion. 3. supprized for surprised 7. luf for love.

What is the first Rule?

QUESTIONS.

2. Where should this note be read?

3. What is the Rule for reading this very short note?

* Foolish and immoral songs should be avoided, as much as deadly poison. They make the mind frivolous and impure. Those who will sing bad songs, will talk and act wickedly. We should sing to express good feelings; impure and idle songs are for those only who have wicked feelings

Repeat the whole of the second Rule.

6. Where should this long note be read? If the mark for it had been placed at the end of the sentence, where would you read it? Repeat the third Rule.

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RULE. Do not read easy lessons too fast: but always think what you are reading, and read as though you were at nding to it carefully.

THE TWO COUSINS.

He

1. JAMES BROWN was born at a farm-house. had not seen a town or a city when he was ten years old.

2. James Brown rose from his bed at six in the morning during the summer. The men and maids of farm-house rise much sooner than that hour, and go to their daily work. Some yoke the oxen to plough, some bring the horses in from the field, some mend the hedges, some manure the land, some sow seed in the ground, and some plant young trees.

3. Those who have the care of sheep, and who are called shepherds, take their flocks from the fold, and

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