Politeness is as natural to delicate natures as perfume is to flowers.

DE FINOD.

We remain shackled by timidity till we have learned to speak and act with propriety. - SAMUEL JOHNSON.

Avoid all haste; calmness is an essential ingredient of politeness. ALPHONSE KARR.

Life is not so short but there is always time enough for courtesy.

EMERSON.

The things which now seem frivolous and slight will be of serious consequence to you after they have once made you ridiculous. ROSCOMMON.

The person who screams, or uses the superlative degree, or converses with heat, puts whole drawing-rooms to flight. If you wish to be loved, love measure. You must have genius or a prodigious usefulness, if you will hide the want of measure.

EMERSON.

The courtesies of a small and trivial character are the ones which strike deepest to the grateful and appreciating heart.

HENRY CLAY.

Ungraciousness in rendering a benefit, like a hoarse voice, mars the music of the song.

FELTHAM.

Gentleness, cheerfulness, and urbanity are the Three

Graces of manners.

Manners are an art.

MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.

Some are perfect, some com

mendable, some faulty; but there are none that are of

no moment. Joubert.

It is a rule of manners to avoid exaggeration.—

EMERSON.

The truest politeness comes of sincerity. - SMILES.

Kind nature is the best; those manners next
That fit us like a nature secondhand;

Which are indeed the manners of the great.

TENNYSON.

Politeness consists in a due regard for the rights and feelings of others, and for the customs of the people among whom one is placed.

Exercise II.

A young friend wishes to know what, he should do with his hat, overcoat, umbrella, and gloves when making a call; when he should precede a lady; and how he should give introductions. Write a set of directions for him upon these questions of polite conduct.

Exercise III.

Write a set of directions on the following subjects:

1. Polite Manners at School.

2. Polite Manners in the Street.

3. Polite Manners at the Table.

4. Polite Manners at a Party.

III. SUBJECTS AND HINTS FOR ESSAYS.

TO THE TEACHER. - Any of the following subjects in which pupils have little interest, or on which they cannot readily obtain information, may be omitted and other subjects taken.

1. Gypsies.-Tell what you can of the history, habits, and means of living of the gypsies.

2. Old and Modern Furniture.

Contrast the furni

ture and decoration of a dwelling-room of olden time with those of a modern one.

4. Landscape. Describe a beautiful landscape. 5. Scenery. - Describe the changes of scenery in crossing our country.

6. The Senses.- How many senses are there? What is the organ of each? What do we learn or what do we enjoy by means of each? Which do you think is the

most precious?

7. The Seasons.

of seasons?

What is the cause of the change

How do the seasons of our country differ from those of tropical countries? From those of the frigid zones? Describe the appearance of our country in each season. What employments and games are suitable for each season? Which season do you

like best? Why?

size of the pupil?

8. The Eye. What is the shape, and what are the parts, of the eye? What peculiarity is there about the What motions has the eye? How is it protected? Of what use are eyelashes and eyebrows? Of what use are tears? What are some of the things which should not be done to the eyes?

9. Battle.

Give the events which led to some famous battle. Tell what you can about the battle. Mention the results which followed from it.

10. Earthquakes. — Where are earthquakes of frequent occurrence? How are they caused? Mention some famous earthquakes, and tell about one of them.

II. Analysis. Write full and definite instructions as to the way in which a sentence should be analyzed. Analyze the first sentence of your composition as an example.

12. Spelling.

Why is good spelling important?

Describe a spelling match.

13. Chinese. Give as full a description as you can of the appearance, habits, and food of the Chinese.

The House

14. The Senate and the House of Representatives. — Of how many men does the Senate consist? of Representatives? How many senators are there from each State? How many representatives from each State? How is a senator chosen? A representative? How long does each hold office? Where do these legislators meet? What is the difference between the duties of a senator and those of a representative?

15. A Foreign Street. Describe a street in Japan or in India, giving the appearance of the houses, the shops, and the people.

16. A River. — Describe any river you choose, tracing it from its source to its mouth, and naming the important places along its banks.

17. Scenery. Describe the scenery along the Hudson; the Columbia; the Yellowstone; the Nile; the Rhine.

18. Ice. Write an essay about ice by answering the following questions:

1. What is ice? 2. What different forms does it take? 3. What is an icicle? 4. What is hail? 5. What is sleet? 6. What is a glacier ? 7. What is an iceberg? 8. Of what use is ice? 9. Where do we get it? IO.

How is it harvested?

II. Is there any country where

there is no ice? 12. When water freezes, does it expand 13. What causes water pipes to burst in

or contract?

very cold weather?

14. Describe a winter scene where

boys and girls are having great sport upon the ice.

19. The Trade Winds. Tell where the Trade Winds are found. In what direction do they blow? What causes these winds?

20. A Book Review. - Tell who wrote the book. When was it written? Where? Why? Give an outline of its plan. What are some of its finest passages? What impression do you retain from reading it? advice do you give others as to reading it?

What

21. Current History. Write an account of the current history of the last week.

IV. NEWSPAPER ARTICLES.

1. Write a newspaper article telling about the improvements that have been made in your city during the past year.

2. Write an article praising some summer resort.

3. Last night the residence of Mr. William Robinson, at No. 37 Atwells Avenue, was visited by a burglar, who gained an entrance through a window in the rear of the house.

Finish this article by describing the circumstances. State that a neighbor saw a suspicious-looking character lurking in the alley back of Mr. Robinson's house, and describe the burglar's appearance so closely that the police will have no difficulty in identifying him.