fine apparel, and are careful not to waste it upon those whom they think cannot appreciate its superiority. The worldly polite man often bears two different characters; in the society which he frequents, that of a gentleman; and in that which he considers beneath him, he is termed impolite and unrefined. In proportion as the heart-not the brain or understanding—is cultivated and filled with the love of others, true politeness developes itself. Self-denial and this quality go hand in hand. As a love of self increases will it diminish, and, by degrees, a person who yields to its promptings, will become so habituated to it, that at last he will consider the wishes and feelings of others as being of secondary importance. Attention to the aged should be first among the qualities which constitute true politeness; but I think there are few who can so far forget the honor which is due gray hairs, as to suffer themselves to pass their possessors without evincing proper respect. The standard of true politeness is so high that it is often disgraced by us all. Who has not blushed when calling to mind the instances in which, through thoughtlessness, perhaps, and with no intention of rudeness, he has vide the sum of these two results by two, to get the percentage of the whole school. Others make an original calculation upon the absences of the whole school for the percentage of the school. In some cases the difference in the results is very considerable. The following example will illustrate: In a certain school the average number belonging is 120-100 boys and twenty girls. Half-days absence of boys, 0; of girls, 200. Length of term, 10 weeks, or 100 half-days. The boys, of course, have no percentage of absence, as they have no absence. As the average number of girls belonging (20) is to the average number absent, (2) so is 100 per cent to the per cent of absence, which gives 10 per cent, 0+10=10. 10÷2=5 as the per cent of absence for the school. By the other process: As the average number belonging to the school (120) is to the average number absent, (2) so is 100 per cent to the per cent of absence, which gives 13 as the true per cent of absence for the school. Difference in results, 34 per cent. C. H. transgressed this law of kindness; and if by From Poems by Isa, W. Blackwood & Sons, Edinburgh.. this we become lowered in our own estimation, how shall we appear to others? The advantages which result from the practice of this superior virtue, are of a character not unworthy their origin. It renders happier, and more at peace with mankind in general, those to whom it is extended, and they who exercise it are happy in the consciousness of doing as they would be done by. In proportion as we evince respect for others, will it be extended to ourselves. All who practice this virtue will secure to themselves a vast fund of love and affection. It acts as a refiner of the manners and morals, and is a bright and shining example by which all may profit. A SCHOLAR. For the Schoolmaster. Percentage of Absence-Manner of Computing it. Percentage of absence is calculated by the too following processes. Some get the percentage of boys and girls separately, and di Going Out and Coming In. IN that home was joy and sorrow Where an infant first drew breath, While an aged sire was drawing Near unto the gate of death. And his eye was growing dim; On the path they both begin, Going out unto the triumph, Coming in unto the fightComing in unto the darkness, Going out unto the light, Although the shadow deepened In the moment of eclipse, When he passed through the dread portal With the blessing on his lips. And to him who bravely conquers Death is but the gate of life; On the path we all begin, We owe an apology to our contributor "J. W. O." His first article was mislaid or it would have appeared in the March number. We here insert both articles, and hope to hear from him often: are in daily use in business, and those which expressed Humor or Satire all come from the original Saxon. According to Bosworth's Anglo-Saxon Grammar, considered to be good authority, the letters of the Saxons were nearly the same as our own. Of the exceptions, the letter Q does not appear in their alphabet, the letter I serves for both I and J, while U and V were used interchangably as they were but a few centuries ago; signs for th as in their and th as in this were always employed instead of the Our Own and the Anglo-Saxon Language. present combinations. Some of the letters, Our language essentially Saxon-Saxon Words retained in the English-The Letters of the Saxons-Anglo-Saxon Poetry. A since the Anglo-Saxon age, have changed their form; the comparatively recent disease of the f-s, would have been unnecessary had we retained the ancient shape of those letters; the signs were sufficiently distinct to prevent confusion. The form of the final d, in writing, made by turning over the top to the left, probably had its origin in the small d, which, in the alphabet of our ancestors, resembled the Greek small letter delta. The Poetry of the Anglo-Saxons is generally supposed to be harsh and what, by a common term, is called common-place. It has, it is true, none of that euphony which the reader finds in Byron, neither has it the A large portion of the words used in conversation, as well as nearly two-thirds of those used by good English writers, are either pure Anglo-Saxon or of Anglo-Saxon origin. The English translations of the Bible are freer from foreign words than any contemporary or subsequent writing; "an extract from the book of Genesis," says Spalding, "has, of foreign words, one twenty-sixth; and another from the Gospel of Saint John has one thirty-jingle of sound at the end of each line which seventh; the average of the two being one twenty-ninth." Gibbon and Hume have little more than one-third from foreign sources. As these writers are of our own period, these facts are sufficient to show that, as spoken and written to-day, our language remains essentially Anglo-Saxon; it is true that the ornamental and the scientific style seeks for the engrafted fruit, but, as the life of the tree comes from the root, so the life of the English language depends upon its origin, in the old but hardy Saxon stock. This assertion is something more than a mere declaration. By an examination of the words now in good use, it may be readily seen that nearly all the Relation words, such as prepositions, conjunctions and pronouns; the Adjectives; most of our names of Colors; of particular Actions; such words as appeal to the Affections, as home, father, mother, brother, sister; the words love, hope, sorrow, fear, hate; the names of Seasons-spring, summer, harvest, winter, together with such as has been skillfully employed in many of the works of that poet; if, however, the reader seeks for bold and manly, though homely writing or for true soul-stirring poetry, let him seek it in such works as the Saxon poem of Beowulf. A Glance at Anglo-Saxon Literature. The Poem of Beowulf-Its Figurative Language— B The poem of Beowulf, in a rhymed English translation,* may be found in some libraries. To the edition which we have read, Notes are appended, in which many expressions are given in the original Saxon, with literal translations. Some of these are striking and beautiful and *Beowulf; an epic poem," &c. "London: William Pickering, 1849." act of winding about. The dragon, with which the hero fought, writhou, (wound,) himself about the body of the brave champion. The word "deer," now applied specifically, was then a symbol of any beast; e. g. hilde deor,-a "war beast." show that, even at that early age, probably before the migration of the Saxons, Jutes and Angles from Central Europe to the Territory of the Britons,† figures of speech were skillfully and effectively employed. Even in modern poetry, few figures are so beautiful as that in Beowulf which, speaking of the ocean, Our grandfather's pronunciation of the word calls it the swan rade,-" swan path," or the "hearth "probably had its origin in the heorth path of the swan. This figure is repeated two of the Beowulf Saxon; so does the broad or three times in similar connections, when Scotch pronunciation of "world" find its the poet sings of the crossing of the sea, from spelling there, in the word worulde of the exDenmark, by the battle party, who went to pression worulde ge-dal,-"world leaving," perform mighty deeds of strength and valor or separation from the world, signifying death. for the support of their German allies. The Of other of the many distinguishing pecumythical boundaries of the ocean are windiye liarities of the Anglo-Saxon tongue, the wallas "windy walls that girt the main." literal translations of some of their ancient The huge war weapon of one of the party is works furnish interesting and beautiful extermed an iren threat,—" iron threat," signify- amples. They may still be found in public ing at once the ponderous weight and material and private libraries. of the weapon and its threatening appearance. One expression is full of meaning. When the hero, Beowulf, meets the friendly chieftain, after passing over the swan rade, the poet says, describing their greeting and their conversation, word hord on leac, "word hoard unlock," they unlocked their store of words, for the proper term, " they conversed." In richness, this expression surpasses any of the artificial metaphors employed by the most popular of modern English writers. For the Schoolmaster. The Value of an Expanded Habit of BY H. N. SNYDER. Reading cannot be too extensive in practice nor too diversified in subject. It is not more necessary to be done by one class of persons than by another. Many have the idea that reading is not necessary to any but professional The dropping and changing of words occurs men. It might as well be said that knowledge in all languages which may be called living. is of no consequence to any but professional A language which neither changes per-men. This idea, absurd as it is, is carried into petually in its words nor in its idioms practice to a great extent. The consequence is a dead language. Of this class, is is that the agriculturist is fitted only to guide the Latin tongue. Of the living tongues, the plough, the merchant to barter, and the the English and German may be especially mechanic to practice his craft. Why should instanced. Each bears upon its face the visible not persons who are not engaged in profesmarks of change. Some words used in Beo- sional occupations possess as much general wulf, although effective then, are not in good knowledge as those who are? Why should use now, and a few have but very recently they not have their mental powers as fully debeen dropped. Of the latter, is hond slight,veloped and as thoroughly disciplined? "hand slight,"-slight of hand, signifying then, a dexterous "blow of hand," but, lately, an idea expressed by the word legerdemain, which has taken its place. Still preserved is one form of the word writhou, the past tense of the verb to writhe; "Gesler. But it may make thee writhe."+ In the Beowulf, this verb is used for the +England. Sheridan Knowles. There can be no reason for having one part of society governed by a less elevated moral standard than another, on the contrary it is desirable that all acknowledge the same standard. So in respect to knowledge; the more that is possessed by the followers of any one occupation the better it will be for them and for those engaged in all other occupations, indeed, for society at large; and it is by reading that knowledge is gained. It is true that some information may be gained by oral instruction; much, also, may be acquired by conversation and much by observation; but the principal means of acquiring knowledge is by reading. By this means the minds of those engaged in any occupation will be improved, the sphere in which they move will be enlarged, and the ends they seek to gain will be more beneficial to mankind. Their ideas will become more liberal, universal and enlightened. Those who are engaged in the professions, though they are compelled to read by the nature of their occupation, and though they can only be successful in their calling by this means, are apt to think that they need not read "out of their profession." They seem, too often, to think that constant and general reading is unnecessary. They appear to disregard the fact that there is but very little that can he learned but what relates, at least, indi rectly, to all professions. A "highly educated," or in other words, a "well read" professional man makes all knowledge—all science subservient to his purpose. He is able to form more accurate decisions-to make wider generalizations. The farmer and the mechanic who gains a livelihood by the sweat of his brow, may also gain position by his erudition, and fame by his pen. Elihu Burritt, the learned blacksmith, is an example of what may be accomplished by an expanded habit of reading. History affords many similar examples where persons improving their odd hours in reading have at length been able to accomplish that which was an honor to themselves and a benefit to their race. It is only by acquiring general information that a person can possess extensive conversational powers, or can become an easy and fluent orator. To be able to converse readily in a mixed company or to speak freely to a varied assembly, at any time, is an acquirement as rare as it is valuable, and one which can never be possessed if the habit of reading is directed only in one channel. When we consider the importance of our social relations and of the duties which grow out of them, we must be impressed with the value of an expanded habit of reading. Whether we regard our pecuniary interests which depend on the business in which we are engaged, or the mission we have to perform as social beings, it should be remembered, in each case, that "reading makes the ready man.” Clarkson, N. Y., April, 1857. An April Memory. THE following poem is from the pen of EDWARD CAPERN, rural postman of Biddeford, Dover. Mr. Capren, we should tell our readers, is a rural lettercarrier, enjoying a salary of ten shillings and sixpence per week, and having a wife and two children to support. He has a defect in his vision, which seems to increase with age; and he has, under the advice of his (from which we quote,) as a means of raising a sum to assist in the education of his rising family, and to commence a provision for the future: friends, consented to the publication of a little volume Far up on high the great sun walked, In stately grandeur proud; While the moon from the bright blue April sky Peeped from her noonday throne on high Like a softened beam in a maiden's eye, Or a shred of pearly cloud. And where but late the lightnings flashed, And thunder drove his car, Higher than might-winged eagles stray, As he trembling hung by a golden lay— A lark poured forth a melodious lay, A musical noonday star. Down where the fairy-winged zephyrs sport The gray gulls had left their rock-built home, And, trooping away from the rocking sea, Like saints to the spirit-land. Away in the forest, birds talked of love, And yet 'twas a time when the young year weeps— For gay things weep, you know; The bride with her orange-bloom round her head, During our connection with the Providence Yea, every joy a grief must wed, Like the cloud the radiant bow. For the Schoolmaster. High School,-a period of more than four years, either as pupil or instructor-we never witnessed mathematical, scientific or classical talent superior to that which may now be Good Advice,-But Too Seldom Followed. found in the above school. All the higher sciences, and the French, Greek and Latin languages are pursued with a most praiseworthy zeal. Quite a large class of young gentlemen will soon be prepared to commence a collegiate course. The annual exhibition of the school took place on Thursday and Friday of the present month. In reading never permit yourselves to pass over words, with the meaning of which you are unacquainted, in works you are perusing. Go at once to the fountain head-to a dictionary for unintelligible words, to an encyclopædia for general information, to a classical A crowded audience,-more than authority for mythological and other similar facts. You will not read as fast, by adopting six hundred persons, was held with unflagthis plan, but you will soon realize that you ging interest and attention for four hours each are, nevertheless, advancing much more ra- evening. A large number of the pieces were pidly, in the truest sense. When you have original, and elicited much applause. It is not works of reference at command adopt the no more than justice to the school to state practice of making brief memoranda, as you that a professional gentlemen, and a severe go along, of such points as require elucida-critic, who was present both evenings, and tion, and avail yourself of the earliest oppor- who has witnessed numerous exhibitions at tunity of seeking a solution of your doubts. High Schools and Academies in MassachuAnd do not, I beg of you, think this too setts, remarked that he never was present at laborious. The best minds have been trained one which, in his opinion, could be called by such a course. Depend upon it, genius is superior. no equivalent for the advantage ultimately derived from patient perseverance in such a course. I remember well, that to the latest year of his life, my old friend, De Witt Clinton, one of the noblest specimens of the race it has been my fortune to know, would spring up like a boy, despite his stiff knee, when any doubt arose in conversation, upon literary or scientific subjects, and hasten to select a book containing the desired information, from a little cabinet adjoining his usual We have asked a place in the Schoolmaster for the above, at the risk, perhaps, of censure, from our personal interest in the school, that the readers of this valuable periodical may know what the people of Woonsocket are doing for the cause of education. The next term will commence on Monday, April 20. Scholars are admitted from the neighboring villages and from abroad on most reasonable terms. Board may be obtained in the village at low prices. H. R. G. |