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stopped to read the inscription, and observe the excellence of its workmanship3. After contemplating it for some time, This golden shield,” cried the black knight - "Golden shield!" cried the white knight, who was as strictly observing the opposite side, "why, if I have my eyes 4, it is silver."-"I know nothing of your eyes," replied the black knight, "but if ever I saw a golden shield in my life, this is one."—"Yes," returned the white knight, smiling, "it is very probable, indeed, that they should expose a shield of gold in so public a place as this; for my part, I wonder even a silver one is not too strong a temptation for the devotion of some people that pass this way2; and it appears by the date, that this has been here above three years." The black knight could not bear the smile with which this was delivered, and grew so warm in the dispute, that it soon ended in a challenge; they both therefore turned their horses, and rode back so far as to have sufficient space for their career 1o, then fixed their spears in their rests, and flew at each other with the greatest fury and impetuosity. Their shock

3 The excellence of its workmanship,la beauté du travail. -4If I have my eyes, si j'ai bonne vue.-5I know nothing of your eyes, je ne sais si vous avez bonne vue. -6 This is one, c'est bien celui-ci.-7 This way, par ici. That this has....., que c'est ici depuis plus de trois ans.-9 Ended in a challenge, se termina par un défi.—19 Rode back so far as............................... s'écartérent

8 -

12

was so rude, and the blow on each side so effectual, that they both fell to the ground, much wounded and bruised, and lay there for some time, as in a trance. A good druid, who was travelling that way, found them in this condition. The druids were the physicians of those times as well as the priests. He had a sovereign balsam about him ", which he had composed himself, for he was very skilful in all the plants that grew in the fields or in the forests; he stanched their blood, applied his balsam to their wounds, and brought them, as it were 12, from death to life again. As soon as he found them suff ciently recovered, he began to inquire into the occasion 13 of their quarrel. “Why, this man," cried the black knight. 'will have it that 14 yonder shield is silver.""And he will have it," replied the white knight, "that it is gold," and then told him all the particulars of the affair. "Ah!" said the druid, with a sigh," you are both of you in the right and both of in the wrong; had either of you you given himself time to look upon the opposite side of the shield as well as that which first presented itself to his view, all this passion and blood

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16

15

à une assez grande distance pour se donner carrière.14 About him, sur lui.-12. As it were, pour ainsi dire.-13 To inquire...., s'informer du motif de.-14 Will have it that, soutient que.- -45 Had either of you, pour, if either of you had.-16 Had given himself

shed might have been avoided; however, there is a very good lesson to be learned from the evils that have befallen you on this occasion 1?. Permit me, therefore, to entreat you by all our gods, and by this goddess of victory in particular, never to enter into any dispute for the future 18, till you have fairly considered both sides of the question."

BEAUMONT.

time to, s'était donné le temps de.-17 There is a.......,' les maux qui....... seront pour vous une bonne Leçon.-18 For the future, à l'avenir.

EXAMPLE OF FILIAL DUTY.

MR HASTINGS was a respectable tradesman in a considerable country-town. He married young, and had a numerous family, over whom, as his temper was hasty and ungoverned, he exercised the paternal authority with harshness and caprice. His wife, a pattern of female mildness and gentleness, made it her sole study, by every softening and conciliatory art', to keep her husband in good humour with herself and her children, but too often failed in both 2.

1 Art, moyen.—2 In both, c'est à dire, dans les

3

Charles, their eldest son, had one of those dispositions, which, though easily managed by prudent and gentle methods, always revolt against the exertions of passionate and rigorous authority. It was, therefore, impossible that he should avoid frequent and angry disputes with his father, whose sternness and severity he returned with 4 sullen unyielding obstinacy. These unhappy contests acquired such additional force with increasing years, that, when the youth had attained the age of fifteen, his father, in consequence of a violent quarrel in which he could not bring him to submission 7, turned him out of doors, with an injunction never to see his face again 3.

6

The lad's spirit was too high to render a repetition of the command necessary. Unprovided as he was, he set out immediately, on foot, for London; where arriving, after much hardship and fatigue, he found out an East-Indian captain, with whom his father had some acquaintance, and, after much solicitation, obtained leave to accompany him in a voyage which commenced in a few days.

efforts qu'elle faisait et pour elle et pour ses enfans.— 3 That he should avoid, qu'il pût éviter d'avoir.— 4 Whose sternness. . . .., ne répondant à sa rigueur et à sa dureté que par.-5 With increasing years, avec les annécs.—6 In consequence of, par suite de.— 7 Bring him to submission, le réduire à l'obéissance.— Never to..., de ne jamais reparaître devant ses yeux.

Exasperated as Mr Hastings was, he could not help feeling considerable regret, on finding' that his son had so well obeyed the command which his passion had dictated; and the mother, for whom the youth had always testified the greatest affection and respect, was long inconsolable. From all their inquiries, they were only able to learn " that their son was gone to sea, but to what part, or in what situation, they could never discover.

To this cause of distress was soon added that of a decline in their circumstances, owing to repeated losses in trade. After the ineffectual struggle of a few years, they were obliged to retire to a small house in a neighbouring village, where, consumed by grief, with health and spirits broken, they brought up their family in indigence and obscurity.

One advantage, however, accrued to Mr Hastings 13 from his misfortunes. His temper was gradually softened, and his passions subsided; he attempted to alleviate by kindness the sufferings of his partners in affliction, and behaved with the greatest tenderness and regard to his wife, of

-9 Could not help feeling, il ne put s'empêcher de ressentir.-10 On finding, quand il vit.-11 From all....... la seule chose qu'ils purent apprendre, après mille recherches, fut que.-12 After the..... après avoir lutte vainement pendant quelques années. -13 One advantage.. Mr. H. tira cependant un