'Just a-goin' to begin,' said Sam, endeavouring to disengage himself. Now, sir, start off!'

8. 'Stop an instant, Sam,' gasped Mr Winkle, clinging most affectionately to Mr Weller. I find I've got a couple of coats at home that I don't want, Sam.

You

'Never mind touching your hat, Sam,' said Mr Winkle, hastily. You needn't take your hand away to do that. I meant to have given you five shillings

this morning for a Christmas-box, Sam. I'll give it to you this afternoon, Sam.'

'You're very good, sir,' replied Mr Weller.

'Just hold me at first, Sam; will you?' said Mr Winkle. There-that's right. I shall soon get in the way of it, Sam. Not too fast, Sam; not too fast.'

9. Mr Winkle stooping forward, with his body half doubled up, was being assisted over the ice by Mr Weller, in a very singular and unswanlike manner, when Mr Pickwick most innocently shouted from the opposite bank:

'Sam!' 'Sir?'

'Here. I want you.'

'Let go, sir,' said Sam. 'Don't you hear the governor a-callin'? Let go, sir.'

10. With a violent effort, Mr Weller disengaged himself from the grasp of the agonised Pickwickian, and, in so doing, administered a considerable impetus to the unhappy Mr Winkle. With an accuracy which no degree of dexterity or practice could have insured, that unfortunate gentleman bore swiftly down into the centre of the reel, at the very moment when Mr Bob Sawyer was performing a flourish of unparalleled beauty. Mr Winkle struck wildly against him, and with a loud crash, they both fell heavily down. Mr Pickwick ran to the spot. Bob Sawyer had risen to his feet, but Mr Winkle was far too wise to do anything of the kind, in skates. He was seated on the ice, making vain efforts to smile; but anguish was depicted on every lineament of his countenance.

11. ‘Are you hurt?' inquired Mr Benjamin Allen, with great anxiety.

Not much,' said Mr Winkle, rubbing his back very hard.

'I wish you'd let me bleed you,' said Mr Benjamin, with great eagerness.

'No, thank you,' replied Mr Winkle, hurriedly.

'I really think you had better,' said Allen.

"Thank you,' replied Mr Winkle; 'I'd rather not.' 'What do you think, Mr Pickwick?' inquired Bob Sawyer.

12. Mr Pickwick was excited and indignant. He beckoned to Mr Weller, and said in a stern voice, 'Take his skates off.'

'No; but really I had scarcely begun,' remonstrated Mr Winkle.

'Take his skates off,' repeated Mr Pickwick, firmly. The command was not to be resisted.

allowed Sam to obey it in silence.

Mr Winkle

Dickens.

EXERCISES.-1. The Latin prefix contra- (which has also the forms contro-, counter-) means against; as contradict, to speak against; contravene, to come against, to oppose; controvert, to turn against; counteract, to act against; countermand, to give an order in opposition to, or against, one already given.

2. Analyse and parse the following: 'Trundle had a couple of pairs, and the fat boy announced that there were half a dozen more downstairs.'

3. Make sentences of your own, and use in each one or more of the following words: Dexterity, anguish, indignant, remonstrate.

UNSELFISHNESS.

1. Selfishness consists in following our own pleasure or interest without regard to the welfare of others. The selfish man cares for himself first; and thinks of others only in so far as they may be useful to him in gaining his private ends.

2. The unselfish man is thoughtful for others. In speech and behaviour he carefully avoids what will give them pain. He is watchful for an opportunity of doing them good, and would cheerfully sacrifice his own comfort and convenience in order to do them a real service. His conduct is a following out and fulfilment of the precept of Scripture, that it is more blessed to give than to receive.'

3. Some young people are disposed to think that they could do a splendid and heroic deed if a great opportunity should arise, calling for a noble effort of self-sacrifice. The ordinary occasions for a life of unselfishness are too homely and commonplace for them.

4. They have read how William Wallace nobly rose against the oppressors of his country, and bravely underwent a cruel death in fighting for its freedom.

They know also how Joan of Arc, though but a young and untutored peasant maiden, became renowned in history as the liberator of France from English domination. Grace Darling, a young woman of like noble character as Joan, fearlessly exposed her life to the angry waves in order to save her fellowcreatures from imminent danger of drowning; and John Howard spent his life in relieving the sufferings of the unhappy prisoners of Europe.

5. Such are the heroes and heroines who are celebrated as the benefactors of mankind, and are handed down as examples to future generations. Some may think that it would be easy to imitate them if we had a like brilliant opportunity for performing some notable achievement.

6. Such a way of thinking is not good or reasonable. If we are neglectful of little opportunities, it is not likely that we shall be found worthy of great ones. We should remember, too, that the unselfishness and generosity which loves to display itself only in a blaze of light and admiration, is of very doubtful character, and is suspiciously akin to vanity.

7. True goodness, like true charity, begins at home. The noblest unselfishness, the most genuine generosity, is shown in the patient and unwearying discharge of the common offices of affection to those whom we meet in the ordinary routine of life. The heroic life may be led in our own home, and in our own street.

8. We are commanded to love our neighbour as ourselves. Who is our neighbour? It is the man or woman, or boy or girl, whom we may meet in the common road of life. It is they with whom we live every day; the members of the same family, father, mother, sister, and brother. It is our schoolmates;