LESSON XLVI. THE TOURNEY. Challenge, an invitation to a contest of any kind. Op pō'nent, one who opposes; a foe. EDWAR DWARD the Sixth, then thirteen years of age, ruled in "Merrie England" in 1550, and the festivities of his coronation were of the most varied and entertaining description. 2. The sixth of January was the gayest and busiest day of all. At early dawn there was hammering, and clinking, and industrious stir in the palace yard; for a Tourney, the crowning spectacle of those warlike times, was to be held. 3. The King and the chief members of his council overlooked the scene from a window of the palace, and at other windows were gathered the ladies of the court. The heralds sounded the challenge, and announced that Sir Henry Sydney, Sir Henry Nevil, and Sir Henry Gates, gentlemen of valor and prowess, were ready to break a lance with all comers. 4. After the challenge had been proclaimed, the three knights rode slowly along the barrier, bowing to the King and the ladies. Down one side of the barrier and up the other they rode abreast, until they reached their starting point, when they reined in their steeds, and waited an answer to the challenge. 5. Three times a trumpet sounded, and a herald announced that several valiant lords were willing to ride a course and break a lance with the challengers. Then eighteen knights also rode down the course, bowing to the King, and acknowledging the smiles and greetings of the ladies, and reined up at the other end of the . barrier, opposite the challenging knights. 6. The King lifted a gilded staff, and dropped it as a signal that the Tourney might begin. The heralds sounded the charge, and, like two thunder-bolts, Sir Henry Sydney and the Lord Fitzwalter dashed at each other, lance in rest, from opposite sides of the barrier. 7. They met in the center. The lance of Lord Fitzwalter struck his opponent full on the steel breast-plate, and was shivered to pieces. That of Sir Henry Sidney struck Lord Fitzwalter's helmet, and threw him to the ground. The ladies waved their scarfs and handkerchiefs, the King clapped his hands in delight, and the Successful knight rode proudly back to his place. 8. Next came Sir Henry Nevil, and Sir George Howard. The latter was also struck in the head, but his helmet fastenings gave way, and he rode on bareheaded. One after the other the three challengers met the defendants, and after much riding and many hard thrusts, all were unhorsed, except Sir Henry Sydney, of the challengers, and Sir William Stafford, of the defendants. 9. Great was the excitement as the trumpet sounded the charge for these two. There was a sudden crash. The two horses were thrown back on their haunches, but the riders sat unmoved, holding the stumps of their shivered lances. The King dropped his staff as a sign that the contest should cease, but the two knights rode up to the window and begged permission for the joust to continue until one or the other was defeated. The King was delighted and gave the desired permission. 10. The knights rode back to their places. Again the trumpets sounded, and again they hurled themselves upon each other. But neither fell. The lance of one was shattered, the helmet of the other was broken from its fastenings; but both rode erect and firm. Fresh lances were then supplied, and again the knights dashed toward each other. 11. This time fortune favored Sir Henry Sydney. The lance of his rival struck the visor of his helmet, but glanced off. His lance struck his opponent full in the face, and bore him to the earth. Then the trumpets sounded a victory, and shouts went up from hundreds of throats. The ladies dropped scarfs and ribbons on the successful knight as he passed under the window; and when he made obeisance to the King, Edward presented to him his own ring. J. U. A. Boon. LESSON XLVII. AMERICA'S EXPERIMENT. Pop'u lar, pertaining to the | De gree', a 360th part of a circle; common people. a distance measured on the curve of the earth's surface. Căta lõgue, a list of names, titles, or articles, arranged methodically; a record. serip'tion, something written or engraved, especially on a solid substance, to communicate knowledge. In H ERE is the latest experiment in popular self-government. If in the United States this grand experiment fail, where and when can it be repeated? The Atlantic rolls between us and any formidable foe. Within our territory, stretching through many degrees of latitude and longitude, we have the choice of many products, and many means of independence. 2. The government is mild. The press is free. Religion is free. Knowledge reaches, or may reach, every home. What fairer prospect of success could be presented? What means more adequate to accomplish the sublime end? What more is necessary than for the people to preserve what they have themselves created? 3. Already has the age caught the spirit of our institutions. It has already ascended the Andes and snuffed the breezes of both oceans. It has infused itself into the life-blood of Europe and warmed the sunny plains of France and the Lowlands of Holland. 4. It has touched the philosophy of Germany and the north, and, moving onward to the south, has opened to Greece the lessons of her better days. Can it be that America, under such circumstances, can betray herself? Can it be that she is to be added to the catalogue of republics the inscription upon whose ruins is: THEY WERE, BUT THEY ARE NOT? Forbid it, my countrymen ! Forbid it, Heaven! JUDGE STORY. LESSON XLVIII. THE SHIP OF STATE. HOU, too, sail on, O Ship of State! THO Sail on, O Union, strong and great! Humanity with all its fears, With all its hopes of future years, 2. We know what masters laid thy keel, What workmen wrought thy ribs of steel, Were shaped the anchors of thy hope. 3. Fear not each sudden sound and shock; 4. In spite of rock and tempest's roar, |