move in the air, and to fly on the wings of the wind? And yet how slowly did this enterprise obtain the public favor! I myself have heard the illustrious inventor relate, in an animated and affecting manner, the history of his labors and discouragements.

6. "When," said he, "I was building my first steam-boat * at New York, the project was viewed by the public critics with indifference, or with contempt, as a visionary scheme. My friends, indeed, were civil, but they were shy. They listened with patience to my explanations, but with a settled cast of incredulity on their countenances. I felt the full force of the lamentation of the poet :

"Truths would you teach, or save a sinking land?

All fear, none aid you, and few understand.'

7. "As I had occasion to pass daily to and from the buildingyard, while my boat was in progress, I have often loitered unknown near the idle groups of strangers, gathering in little circles, and heard various inquiries as to the object of this new vehicle. The language was uniformly that of scorn, or sneer, or ridicule. The loud laugh often rose at my expense; the dry jest; the wise calculation of losses and expenditures; the dull but endless repetition of the Fulton Folly.' Never did a single encouraging remark, a bright hope, or a warm wish cross my path. Silence itself was but politeness vailing its doubts or hiding its reproaches.

8. "At length, the day arrived when the experiment was to be put in operation. To me it was a most trying and interesting occasion. I invited many friends to go on board to witness the first successful trip. Many of them did me the favor to attend as a matter of personal respect; but it was manifest that they did it with reluctance, fearing to be the

*This was the Clermont, which sailed in 1807. The boat was launched in 1806.

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partners of my mortification, and not of my triumph. I was well aware that in my case there were many reasons to doubt my own success. The machinery was new and ill-made; many parts of it were constructed by mechanics unaccustomed to such work; and unexpected difficulties might reasonably be presumed to present themselves from other causes.

9. " The moment arrived in which the word was to be given for the vessel to move. My friends were in groups on the deck. There was anxiety mixed with fear among them. They were silent and sad and weary. I read in their looks nothing but disaster, and almost repented of my efforts. The signal was given, and the boat moved on a short distance, and then stopped and became immovable. To the silence of the preceding moment now succeeded murmurs of discontent, and agitations, and whispers, and shrugs. I could hear distinctly repeated, 'I told you it would be so, It is a foolish scheme, I wish we were well out of it.'

10. "I elevated myself upon a platform and addressed the assembly. I stated that I knew what was the matter; but if they would be quiet, and indulge me for a half-hour, I would either go on or abandon the voyage for that time. This short respite was conceded without objection. I went below and examined the machinery, and discovered that the cause was a slight mal-adjustment of some of the work. In a short period it was obviated. The boat was again put in motion. She continued to move on. All were still incredulous. None seemed willing to trust the evidence of their own senses.

11. “We left the fair city of New York; we passed through the romantic and ever-varying scenery of the Highlands; we descried the clustering houses of Albany; we reached its shores; and then, even then, when all seemed achieved, I was the victim of disappointment. Imagination superseded the influence of fact. It was then doubted if it could be done again; or, if done, it was doubted if it could be made of any

great value." Such was the history of the first experiment, as it fell, not in the very language I have used, but in its substance, from the lips of the inventor.

Judge Story.

ANALYSIS. The history of the steam-engine. Watt's improvement. Washbrough's improvement. Dr. Darwin's prediction. Has it been fulfilled? What is meant by the "flying chariot"? Fulton's account of the construction of his steam-boat. What was said of it while building? Account of the experimental voyage. What doubts were entertained subsequently? Who relates this?

WORD ANALYSIS AND DEFINITIONS.

In ven'tion (in, upon; vent, come; ion, act of), act of coming upon; finding out.

In vent'or (or, one who), one who invents.

Pre dict' (pre, before; dict, tell), to tell before; to say what is to happen or is coming to pass.

Ro'ta ry (rota, a wheel; ry, pertaining to), pertaining to a wheel; turning like a wheel.

Su'per sede (super, above; sede, to sit), to displace, or set aside.

LESSON XI.

THE BRIGHT SIDE.

1. There is many a rest in the road of life,
If we only would stop to take it,
And many a tone from the better land,

If the querulous heart would wake it!
To the sunny soul that is full of hope,

And whose beautiful trust ne'er faileth,
The grass is green and the flowers are bright,
Though the wintry storm prevaileth.

2. Better to hope, though the clouds hang low,
And to keep the eyes still lifted;

For the sweet blue sky will soon peep through,

When the ominous clouds are rifted!
There was never a night without a day,
Or an evening without a morning;
And the darkest hour, as the proverb goes,
Is the hour before the dawning.

3. There is many a gem in the path of life,
Which we pass in our idle pleasure,
That is richer far than the jeweled crown,
Or the miser's hoarded treasure:
It may be the love of a little child,
Or a mother's prayers to Heaven;
Or only a beggar's grateful thanks
For a cup of water given.

4. Better to weave in the web of life
A bright and golden filling,

And do God's will with a ready heart
And hands that are swift and willing,
Than to snap the delicate, slender threads
Of our curious lives asunder,

And then blame Heaven for the tangled ends,
And sit and grieve and wonder.

LESSON XII.

WE'VE ALL OUR ANGEL SIDE.

1. The huge, rough stones from out the mine, Unsightly and unfair,

Have veins of purest metal hid

Beneath the surface there.

Where, through the windows of the soul,
God sends His smiling ray.
In every human heart there is

A faithful, sounding chord

That may be struck, unknown to us,
By some sweet, loving word.
The wayward will in man may try
Its softer thoughts to hide, -
Some unexpected tone reveals
It has an angel side.

3. Despised, and lone, and trodden down,
Dark with the shades of sin,
Deciphering not those halo-lights
Which God has lit within;
Groping about in endless night,

Poor, poisoned souls they are,
Who guess not what life's meaning is,
Nor dream of heaven afar.

O that some gentle hand of love

Their stumbling steps would guide,
And show them that, amidst it all,
Life has its angel side!