STUDY OF HISTORY. i 



'Tis not the chime and flow of words, that move \ 

 In measured file, and metrical array ; 



'Tis not the union of returning sounds, 1 

 Nor all the pleasing artifice of rhyme, 



And quantity, and accent, that can give 3 



This all-pervading spirit to the ear, i 



Or blend it with the movings of the souh -i 



'Tis a mysterious feeling, which combines ' 



Man with the world around him, in a chain ' 

 Woven of flowers, and dipped in sweetness, till 



He taste the high communion of his thoughts, \ 



With all existences, in earth and heaven,  



That meet him in the charm of grace and power. J 



'Tis not the noisy babbler, who displays, ' 



In studied phrase and ornate epithet, \ 



And rounded period, poor and vapid thoughts, ] 



Which peep from out the cumbrous ornaments, i 



That overload their littleness. Its words i 



Are few, but deep and solemn ; and they break j 



Fresh from the fount of feeling, and are full ; 



Of all that passion, which, on Carmel, fired j| 



The holy prophet, when his lips were coals, i 

 His language winged with terror, as when bolts ' f^ 

 Leap from the brooding tempest, armed with wrath, ^^ J 

 Commissioned to affright us, and destroy. — Percival. j^ 



Questions. — 1. What is the object of the philosopher ? 2. Of ] 



the orator ? 3. Of the poet ? 4. What is the principal resource of  



the poet ? 5. To what is the poetic genius compared ? . 



LESSON 12. 



Advantages of studying History. 



If we consider the knowledge of history with regard to its 

 application, we shall find that it is eminently useful to us in 

 three respects, namely, as it appears in a moral, a political, 

 and a religious point of view. 



In a moral point of view, it is beneficial to mankind at large, 

 as the guide of their conduct. In a political — as it suggests 

 useful expedients to those who exercise the public offices of 



