1. One bright morning, as Elvira was looking at her flowers, in the garden, a beautiful butterfly came, and alighted on a red peony. Its large wings were striped with red and purple, and marked with brilliant spots.

2. Elvira watched it for a time as it fluttered about, and spread its gaudy wings in the sunlight; and, as often as it alighted, she approached with the desire to catch it. She thought to herself, how beautiful it will look in my cabinet!

3. But the insect was too wary to be easily caught. She would creep up slowly and softly, while it seemed to have its head buried in a large flower; but it was too quick for her, and at last flitted over the garden fence.

4. Elvira then thought she would have to give up the pursuit; and, indeed, she said to herself, "Go, beautiful butterfly, I will not harm you. You would be a precious treasure among my pretty insects and shells; but, after all, I am glad you are free."

5. She thought she really meant this; but at that moment she saw her two brothers, Orson and Oliver, who had just come home from the stream, where they had been fishing; and she called out to them to catch the butterfly.

6. Orson, who was a rough, rude boy, had a small net in his hand; and he at once started in pursuit of the fluttering insect. He dashed along, striking at it whenever he had a chance; and at last when, wearied with its long flight, it settled upon a bush, he caught it with great force in the net.

7. On taking it out, its frail wings were found to be torn and entirely spoiled; and Elvira could not restrain her tears, as she gazed at the poor insect. It was of no use for her cabinet, and it would never fly any more.

8. Orson was sorry to see his sister so grieved; and he said he would be more careful in catching butterflies at another time. His father, when he heard it, remarked, "My son, thus it is with those who are too eager in the pursuit of pleasure; it perishes as soon as it is grasped."

A light' ed, rested.

DEFINITIONS.

Ap prōached', came or went near.
Bur' ied (ber' rid), covered.
Єăb'i net, small case or closet.
En tire' ly, wholly.

Frail, easily broken or injured.
Gaud' y, showy.

Pē' o ny, a large showy flower.
Pur suit', chase; following.
Re strāin', to keep back.

Flut' tered, flapped its wings; Wa' ry, watchful; cautious. moved to and fro.

Wea' ried, tired; fatigued.

LESSON XXXIV.

WILLIE'S DEATH.

1. "O, what shall I do, now that dear Willie is dead?" said a little boy to his mother, who was still mourning for the loss of her son. what shall I do; for there is no one to play with me now!" His mother listened with tearful eyes, and the boy went on.

2. 66 It is summer now, you know; and I can no longer go out into the fields, and gather

flowers, and chase the pretty butterflies, as we used to do. Besides, the flowers he and I planted are all growing wild, and I can not bear to look upon them. O mother, call dear Willie back!"

3. "My dear child," said his mother, "he would not hear my voice, though I should call ever so loud. You will never see your brother on earth again. He has gone to a better, happier home than ours. You must learn to play alone."

4. "And will he never come again'?" asked the boy, sadly. "Has he left forever his birds, his flowers, and all his pretty playthings'? And will he never wander with me any more in the fields, or by the brooks'?

O, then, how sorry I am that, when he was with me, I had not loved him better, and treated him more kindly!"

5. Saying this, the little boy wept bitterly, as he thought that he could never see little Willie again, and could never show him how much he loved him.

6. Little brothers and sisters should love each other dearly, and should always treat each other with kindness; for they know not how soon they may be parted, never to meet again in this world.

LESSON XXXV.

[NOTE. The subject of this piece is the same as that of the preceding lesson, the object of which is to prepare the pupil for the better understanding and appreciation of these beautiful lines by Mrs. Hemans.]

THE CHILD'S FIRST GRIEF.

1. "O, call my brother back to me,
I can not play alone!

The summer comes with flower and bee,-
Where is my brother gone?

2. "The butterfly is glancing bright Across the sunbeam's track;

3.

I care not now to chase its flight,
O, call my brother back!

"The flowers run wild, — the flowers we sowed
Around our garden tree;

Our vine is drooping with its load, ·

O, call him back to me!"

4. "He would not hear my voice, fair child!
He may not come to thee;

The face that once like spring-time smiled,
On earth no more thou 'lt see.

5. "A rose's brief, bright life of joy,
Such unto him was given;

Go,- thou must play alone, my boy!
Thy brother is in Heaven."