1. If you have access to the Catholic Encyclopedia, Alzog's Universal History of the Church, or Darras's Complete History of the Church, read about the early persecutions of the Church. 2. Make a clear statement in writing of the steps that are taken in the canonization of a saint.

BALLAD OF TREES AND THE MASTER

Into the woods my Master went,

Clean forspent, forspent.

Into the woods my Master came,
Forspent with love and shame.

But the olives they were not blind to Him,

The little gray leaves were kind to Him;

The thorn tree had a mind to Him

When into the woods He came.

Out of the woods my Master went,

And He was well content.

Out of the woods my Master came,

Content with Death and Shame.

When Death and Shame would woo Him last,

From under the trees they drew Him last;

'Twas on a tree they slew Him

When out of the woods He came.

last

SIDNEY LANIER.

WILLIAM COWPER

When a boy six years of age, William Cowper's mother died. On account of this great loss to the family William was sent to a boarding school in Bedfordshire. There, on account of his delicate health, he was exposed to the laughter and ridicule of his companions. One of them especially made young Cowper's life

miserable.

When this matter was brought to the attention of his father, William, after passing a year or two under a doctor's care, was sent to Westminster School. There, too, his experiences were anything but pleasant; so much so that he contracted a hatred for schools; and he carried that feeling to the grave.

As a young man, he selected the profession of law. But unfortunately his heart was not in the study. Consequently, when he took possession of an office, he neither sought business, nor did business seek him. He naturally grew more and more discouraged until finally, at the age of fifty, he gave up the practice of law and began his career as a poet and writer.

It appears that Cowper was a victim of melancholy. On one occasion a literary friend, Lady Austin, paid a visit to the poet's home; and, finding him in a despondent mood, she related the facts contained in the story-poem of John Gilpin, in order to cheer his spirits. Cowper was delighted with Lady Austin's visit, and at once set to work to put into poetic form the tale which she had told him.

It was a great surprise to his friends to see how thoroughly he rid himself of his melancholy to enter into the spirit to write such a witty and humorous ballad. But, when his task was finished, he went back again to his sad and sorrowful mode of life.

When fogany

COWPER

JOHN GILPIN

John Gilpin was a citizen
Of credit and renown;
A trainband captain eke was he,
Of famous London town.

John Gilpin's spouse said to her dear
"Though wedded we have been
These twice ten tedious years, yet we
No holiday have seen.

"To-morrow is our wedding day,
And we will then repair
Unto the Bell at Edmonton
All in a chaise and pair.

"My sister, and my sister's child,
Myself, and children three,

Will fill the chaise; so you must ride On horseback after we."

He soon replied, "I do admire

Of womankind but one,

And you are she, my dearest dear;

Therefore it shall be done.

"I am a linen draper bold,

As all the world doth know;

And my good friend, the calender,

Will lend his horse to go."

Quoth Mrs. Gilpin, "That's well said;
And, for that wine is dear,

We will be furnished with our own,
Which is both bright and clear."

John Gilpin kissed his loving wife;

O'erjoyed was he to find

That, though on pleasure she was bent,

She had a frugal mind.

The morning came, the chaise was brought,
But yet was not allowed

To drive up to the door, lest all
Should say that she was proud.

So three doors off the chaise was stayed
Where they did all get in

Six precious souls, and all agog

To dash through thick and thin.

Smack went the whip, round went the wheels

Were never folks so glad;

The stone did rattle underneath,

As if Cheapside were mad.