who performed an act of courage which, about forty years ago, was talked about by nearly everybody in England and Scotland.

The name of the daughter was Grace Darling. She lived with her father in the lighthouse on Longstone, one of the Farne Islands. By looking at the map of England, you will see that these islands are opposite the coast of Northumberland, in the extreme north of the country, and very near the borders of Scotland. Here she spent a very lonely life, helping her father in trimming his lamps and in various other duties. It was very seldom that she visited the mainland, which was often the scene of terrible storms and wrecks in winter.

On the morning of the seventh of September 1838, the steamer Forfarshire was driven upon the rocks near these islands, and wrecked. Of the sixty-three persons on board at the time, many were drowned. The rest of the poor creatures clung to the rocks as well as they could. Every moment they expected to be washed off, for the wind was very violent, and the waves were mountains high.

From the lighthouse window Grace saw the wreck; in fact, she heard the screams of the poor people far above the raging of the storm. Their cries for help moved the heart of the brave girl, and she begged of her father to allow her to make an effort to save some of their lives. Her father replied that he had nothing but an open boat, that could not possibly live in such a sea. As the moments passed, the poor shipwrecked people were washed off the rocks and found a watery grave. This made Grace all the more carnest in her appeals to her father for help,

saying that if he would not go with her she would take out the boat herself.

At last her father yielded. He got the boat ready for sea, and then Grace and he each took an oar. Several times did they attempt to push off, but were driven back by the strong wind and waves. When at last the rocks

were

cleared, the sea was so rough that every moment they were in danger of being swamped. The brave girl would not give up, but spoke words of courage and comfort to her father until the wreck was reached.

By their united efforts and skill they were able to get nine persons into their boat and take them to the lighthouse. Care and attention soon restored them, and their lives were saved. The rest of the poor people, both passengers and crew, were drowned.

The courage and bravery shown by Grace Darling were soon made public, and became the talk of the whole nation. Honours, rewards, and thanks came to her from all parts of the country. Wherever she went, people treated her with the greatest kindness and respect, and many tempting offers came for her to dwell in other parts of the land. But besides being brave, she was a gentle, modest girl, and wished to live with her father in the old home. Indeed, she had not long to live. Four years afterwards she died, and her body now rests in the same graveyard as many of the poor people whom she tried to save on that fearful September day.

5. THE KITTEN AND THE

LEAVES.

con-jur-or, one who plays | prey, what is seized

to and fro, backwards and

tricks

feats, clever deeds

Dancing, leaping to and fro,
What a pretty baby-show!
See the kitten on the wall
Sporting with the leaves that fall.

Withered leaves-one, two, and three →
From the lofty elder-tree!

There are many now-now one

Now they stop, and there are none.

Bless the kitten! how she starts,
Crouches, stretches, paws, and darts,
First at one, and then its fellow,
Just as light, and just as yellow.

With a tiger-leap, half-way
Now she meets the coming prey;
Lets it go as fast, and then

Has it in her power again.

Now she works with three or four,
Like a clever conjuror ;

Quick as he in feats of art,
Far beyond in joy of heart.

WORDSWORTH,

Although the first word at the top of this page is rather a difficult one, there are not many boys or girls who do not know what it means. When we are at school every time at the right hour, when we do everything exactly at the right time, when we are true to all our engagements, then we are said to be punctual. If we get into habits of punctuality while we are young, it will help us to get on in life. People will learn to depend upon us, and when we make an appointment, they will know we shall keep it to the minute.

You may take it as a general rule, that boys and girls who are always late in whatever they do will never make successful men and women. Many a lad has missed his chance of rising in his trade or profession by not being punctual. His master could not depend upon him, and so some other lad has had to take his place. The following story of George Washington will show what importance he attached to punctuality,