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nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war.

2. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field as a final resting-place for those who gave their lives. that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. But in a larger sense we cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground.

3. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it far above our power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us, the living, rather to be now dedicated to the unfinished work which those who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced.

4. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us, that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion; that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain; that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that Government of the people, by the people, and for the people, shall not perish from the earth. ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

THE USES OF ENMITY.

Where thou art strong and stout thy friend to thee will show

Where thou art weak alone is taught thee by thy foe. Though friend with flattery soothe, or foe stab through and through,

Praise cannot save the False, nor malice kill the True. W. W. STORY.

LESSON XXXVI.

THE WILL.

Mr. SWIPES, a Brewer. Mr. CURRIE, a Saddler. FRANK MILLINGTON, Squire DRAWL.

Těs'ta ment (Law), a will; a ¡ Trust ees', persons to whom

solemn, authentic instrument in writing, by which a person declares his will in regard to the disposal of his property

after death.

Im pri'mis, in the first place; first in order.

Rěp'ro bate, a wicked person; one morally lost.

property is legally committed in trust, for the benefit of others.

Chaise, a two-wheeled carriage for two persons, with a top,

and the body hung on leather straps, called thorough-braces. In'stru ment (Law), a legal writing expressing some act, contract, or process, as a deed, writ, etc.

SWIPES. A sober occasion this, Brother Currie. Who would have thought the old lady was so near her end? CURRIE. Ah! we must all die, Brother Swipes, and those who live longest only bury the most.

SWIPES. True, true; but since we must die and leave our earthly possessions, it is well that the law takes such good care of us. Had the old lady her senses

when she departed?

CURRIE. Perfectly, perfectly. Squire Drawl told me she read every word of her testament aloud, and never signed her name better.

SWIPES. Had you any hint from the Squire what disposition she made of her property?

CURRIE. Not a whisper; the Squire is as close as an underground tomb; but one of the witnesses hinted

to me that she has cut off her graceless nephew with a cent.

SWIPES. Has she, good soul! has she? You know I come in, then, in right of my wife.

CURRIE. And I in my own right; and this is, no doubt, the reason why we have been called to hear the reading of the will. But here comes the young reprobate; he must be present as a matter of course, you know. [Enter FRANK MILLINGTON.] Your servant, young gentleman. So your benefactress has left you at last?

SWIPES. It is a painful thing to part with old and goods friends, Mr. Millington.

FRANK. It is so, sir; but I could bear the loss better had I not been so often ungrateful for her kindness. She was my only friend, and I knew not her value.

CURRIE. It is too late to repent, Master Millington. You will now have a chance to earn your own bread—

SWIPES. Ay, by the sweat of your brow, as better people are obliged to. You would make a fine brewer's boy, if you were not too old.

CURRIE. Ay, or a saddler's lackey, if held with a tight rein.

FRANK. Gentlemen, your remarks imply that my aunt has treated me as I deserved. Allow me to bid you good day. [He meets the Squire.]

SQUIRE. Stop, stop, young. man! We must have your presence. Good morning, gentlemen; you are early on the ground.

SWIPES. It is a trying scene to leave all one's possessions in this manner.

CURRIE. It really makes me feel melancholy when I look round and see everything but the venerable owner of these goods.

SQUIRE. Please be seated, gentlemen, and I will read the last will and testament of your deceased relative. [He reads.] "Imprimis: Whereas, my nephew, Francis Millington, by his disobedience and ungrateful conduct, has shown himself unworthy of my bounty, and incapable of managing my large estate, I do hereby give and bequeath all my houses, farms, stocks, bonds, moneys and property, both personal and real, to my dear cousins, Samuel Swipes, of Malt street, brewer, and Christopher Currie, of Fly Court, saddler"—

SWIPES. Generous creature! Kind soul! I always loved her!

CURRIE. She was always a good friend to me, and she must have had her senses perfectly, as the Squire

says.

FRANK. Gentlemen, I must leave you. [Going.]

SQUIRE. Pray, gentlemen, keep your seats. I have not done yet. Let me see where was I? Ay--“ all my property, both personal and real, to my dear cousins, Samuel Swipes, of Malt street, brewer"

SWIPES. SQUIRE. saddler"-

Yes!

And Christopher Currie, of Fly Court,

CURRIE. Yes, yes!

SQUIRE. "To have and to hold-IN TRUST-for the sole and exclusive benefit of my nephew, Francis Millington, until he shall have attained to lawful age, by which time I hope he will so far have reformed his evil habits as that he may safely be intrusted with the large fortune which I hereby bequeath to him."

SWIPES. You don't mean that we are humbugged? In trust! How does that appear? Where is it?

SQUIRE. There; in two words of as good English as I ever penned.

CURRIE. Pretty well, too, Mr. Squire; if we must be sent for to be made a laughing-stock of. She shall pay for every ride she had out of my chaise, I promise you.

SWIPES. And for every drop of my beer! But we will make him feel that trustees are not to be trifled with, CURRIE, That will we!

SQUIRE. Not so fast, gentlemen; for the instrument is dated three years ago, and the young gentleman is of age and able to take care of himself. Is it not so, Francis?

FRANK. It is, sir.

SQUIRE. Then, gentlemen, having attended the breaking of this seal according to law, you are released from any further trouble in the premises.

W. B. FOWLE.

LESSON XXXVII.

THE BUGLE-SONG.

HE splendor falls on castle walls

Tand snowy summits old in story;

The long light shakes across the lakes.
And the wild cataract leaps in glory.

Blow, bugle, blow, set the wild echoes flying,
Blow, bugle; answer, echoes, dying, dying, dying.

2. O hark, O hear! how thin and clear,

And thinner, clearer, farther going!

O sweet and far from cliff and scar

The horns of Elfland faintly blowing!

Blow, let us hear the purple glens replying:
Blow, bugle; answer, echoes, dying, dying, dying.

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