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saw on that occasion. Describe events in the order of

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1. Write a letter to some friend or relative, giving an account of your school-work.

2. Write a letter introducing your friend John Smith to John Brown.

3. Write a letter applying for a position as clerk or teacuer.

4. Write an order to some bookseller for some books that you

wish to buy.

5. Invite your friend to dine with you.

6. Write a letter of thanks for a present.

1. To Santa Claus.

III. IMAGINATIVE LETTERS.

2. To the Man in the Moon.

3. To Old Father Time.

4. To the Emperor of China.

5. To the author of any one of your school-books, criticising or

commending his book.

IV. ABSTRACTS FROM MEMORY.

Read aloud to the class, and let pupils rewrite from

memory.

The Ugly Duck.

Towards evening the little Duck came to a miserable hut where there lived an old woman with her Tomcat and her Hen. The Tomcat could arch his back and purr, and the Hen could lay eggs and cluck. They were both very proud of their accomplishments.

In the morning, when they saw the little Ugly Duck, the Tomcat began to purr and the Hen began to cluck. "Can you lay eggs?" said Mistress Hen. "No," said the Ugly Duck. Then the Tomcat, who was master of the house, said, fiercely, “ Can you arch your back and purr?" "No," said the frightened Duck. "Then you

must hold your tongue when sensible people are speaking," said Master Tomcat.

"I think I would like to swim," timidly said the little Duck. "Ask the Cat about it," said the Hen; "he is the wisest animal I know-ask him if he likes to swim."

"Ask the old woman," said the Tomcat, "there is nobody wiser than she is; ask her if she likes to put her head under water." "You don't quite understand me," said the poor little Duck. "Don't be conceited," said both the Tomcat and the Hen, with one voice; "only learn to lay eggs and to purr."

EXERCISES.

Write from memory the story of

1. Bluebeard.

2. Robin Hood.

3. Little Red Riding-hood.

4. Cinderella.

5. The Forty Thieves.

6. Aladdin.

7. A Fairy Tale.

8. Sindbad and the Diamonds.

9. Crusoe and Friday.

10. Crusoe and his Goat.

V. STORIES OF THE IMAGINATION.

Select from the following subjects the one that you like

best, and write a story about it:

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VI. SHORT DESCRIPTIONS OF TREES.

Fill out the following outlines:

I. The Oak.-Size; height; leaves; varieties or kinds; wood; hardness; toughness. Uses: ships; furniture; farming tools; fuel. Acorns; bark and its uses.

II. The Pine.-Where found; size; height; leaves; cones; varieties. Uses: buildings; furniture; ships; masts; fuel, etc.

EXERCISES.

In a similar manner write short sketches of such of the following trees as you have seen growing in your part of the country:

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Fill out the outlines with all you know about the following metals and minerals:

I. Iron.-Where found; how mined. Qualities: tenacity, hard

ness, etc. Kinds: cast; wrought; steel. Uses: machinery; kitchen utensils; implements; cutlery, etc.

II. Gold.-In what countries found; color and qualities. Uses: money; watches; jewelry; gilding; dentistry, etc.

III. Granite.-Where found; color; hardness; durability. Composition: quartz; felspar; mica. Uses.

EXERCISES.

In a similar manner, write all you know about each of

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VIII. MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.

Reproduce this model from memory:

A Dime.-A dime is a coin made from silver with which is mixed a small quantity of copper. It is coined in the United States Mint. The solid bars of silver, called bullion, are melted, refined, and cast into smaller bars, which are then rolled out into long, thin, narrow strips like ribbons. These ribbons are passed under a powerful machine, which cuts out the circular pieces of silver perfectly smooth. These smooth pieces are then stamped in a die, which gives them the ornamental impressions seen on a dime.

EXERCISES.

Write short descriptions of such of the following things as are made in your vicinity:

1. A Nail. 2. A Pin.

4. A Boot.

3. A Brick. 5. A Shoe.
7. Cotton Cloth.
6. A Horseshoe. 8. Woollens.

IX. GEOGRAPHICAL COMPOSITIONS.

My Native Place.

In your description use the following outlines, making a paragraph out of each heading. Mark a new paragraph by beginning the first line half an inch to the right of the left-hand margin. At home, ask your parents about what you do not know.

1. Situation.

Name of place; in what State and country; on what river, lake, bay, or other water; near what large city or town.

2. Description..

3. Special.

METHODS OF TEACHING.

Size, population, trade, railroads, steamers, ships, mills, factories, farm-products, lumber, live-stock,

etc.

Mention any objects of special interest, such as mountains, hills, forests, lakes, ponds, rivers, parks, gardens, buildings, etc. Close with any interesting event in the history of the place.

X. GENERAL EXERCISES.

I. Select your own subject, and write the best composition you can, being particularly careful about spelling, punctuation, and capitals.

II. Write a letter to a friend in the city, describing the appearance of the country at the time you write. [For country scholars.]

III. Write a letter to a friend in the country, telling what is going on in the city. [For city scholars.]

IV. Write a letter to your father, telling him what you have learned during the past year.

V. Composition.-" Our School Games."

VI. Composition.-"Going a-Fishing." [For boys.]
VII. Composition.-" A Fairy Tale." [For girls.]

VIII. Composition.-" How to Make Bread." [For girls.]
IX. My Best Story-book.

X. Write from memory the best piece of poetry you know.

XI. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

Reproduce the following from memory, compare with the original, and correct errors:

1. The Boyhood of Lincoln.

Abraham Lincoln, the son of a farmer, was born in Kentucky in 1809; but his youth was passed mainly in Indiana. His father had chosen to settle at the farthest verge of civilization. Around him was a dense forest, still wandered over by the Indians. The next

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