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constant emission of caloric from the freezing substances operates favourably; for thus the severity of the frost is mitigated, and its progress retarded. This accounts for its often feeling warmer after a great fall of snow. On the other hand, if the return of caloric to the frozen body of water were not equally slow, what sudden inundations would be occasioned in those countries where large masses of ice are collected, at the first approach of summer!

In general, all bodies, whether solid or fluid, contract their dimensions, and become of more specific gravity in cooling. This axiom has been long known and acknowledged; but WATER affords a remarkable and striking exception. Water, as it cools below 42°.5, instead of contracting and becoming of greater specific gravity, actually becomes increased in bulk, and its specific gravity continues to lessen as it cools.

We shall see how strikingly the wisdom and goodness of the great Artificer of the World is manifested in this arrangement, if we only for a moment consider what would have been the consequences had water been subject to the general law, and, like other fluids, become specifically heavier by the loss of its caloric. In winter, when the atmosphere became reduced to 32°, the water on the surface of our rivers would have sunk as it froze; another sheet of water would have frozen immediately, and sunk also the ultimate consequence of which would have been, that the beds of our rivers would have become repositories of immense masses of ice, which no subsequent summer could unbind; and the world would have shortly been converted into a frozen chaos.

1. Name the six sources from whence caloric is procured.

2. From what does the sensation of heat and cold arise ?

3. Do not all bodies, in general, whether solid or fluid, contract their dimensions in cooling?

4. What is an exception to this general law?

LESSON LXXXVI.

MARCH THE TWENTY-SEVENTH.

The Value of Good Advice.

THE value of wise and honest counsel can scarcely ever be overrated at any period of our lives; but it is of more especial importance that a youth should consult the opinions and attend to the counsel of those whom experience has ripened into judgment, to guide and direct him in the

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ordinary concerns of life. If he rushes in the ardour of his imagination to take possession of the world, without the guidance and counsel of age, it is more than probable that his future course will be rugged and full of perils. The sails of life may be filled, but the ocean on which the fragile bark is launched is often dark and tempestuous; and without the assistance of some friendly pilot the haven of peace and prosperity may be sought in vain.

As a youth sets out in life, he is likely to continue to the end; and as the several weaknesses to which he is exposed require to be well fortified by the barrier of wisdom and experience, he will, by comparing his own crude notions with the good judgment of others, imbibe a just and reasonable distrust of his own talents and abilities; and this will greatly recommend him to those who are kindly disposed to warn him against the evils which beset the paths of busy life. In the book of Proverbs it is said, "He that walketh with wise men, shall be wise." Example is more effectual than precept, and for this reason-by the practice of others we discover virtues which appear so lovely that we are induced to imitate and copy them. Their example, indeed, is a mirror to our minds, by which we discern those deficiencies in ourselves which before have escaped us; and when we see how much we are excelled by their knowledge and goodness, it stimulates us to the same noble pursuits, and we naturally desire the company of those friends whose actions are so well weighed in the scale of discretion.

With what satisfaction in after life does a dutiful child look back upon those lessons which he has made the rule and guide of his conduct! and how visibly they influence every leading action of his life! The respectful son is not, generally speaking, far behind in all other points of duty; for as he proves worthy under the parental roof, such, in all probability, he will appear under his own. Where this good principle exists, it is followed by those benevolent actions, which not only dispose him to filial obedience, but to its universal application in all social concerns and general intercourse.

The fifth commandment may truly be considered the foundation of all social duties; and its powerful injunction is expected to operate as a forcible lesson to all whom Providence has directed its solemn and positive command. It applies to those who by the bonds of nature we cherish the most and love the best; who have inclined us from helpless infancy to meritorious principles; and prepared

us by virtuous discipline for those more extensive engagements which unite us in the various events of life. It entreats us to treasure their counsel, and to follow their precepts; that by honour, and due obedience, we may obtain a long life, to be happy here, and blessed hereafter. And these are the words of wisdom: "Whoso honoureth his father, maketh an atonement for his sins, and he that honoureth his mother is as one that layeth up treasure." My son, help thy father in his age, and grieve him not as long as he liveth. And if his understanding fail, have patience with him, and despise him not when thou art in thy full strength. For the relieving of thy father shall not be forgotten; for in the day of thy affliction it shall be remembered; thy sins also shall melt away as the ice in the fair warm weather."

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1. Repeat the first line of the second paragraph.

2. What is said in the Book of Proverbs?

3. What are we taught by the fifth Commandment?

4. Repeat the scriptural quotation at the end of this lesson.

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On this day, in the year 1801, died Sir Ralph Abercrombie. This able general was mortally wounded in Egypt in the moment of victory. An expedition having been ordered to dispossess the French of that country, Sir Ralph was appointed to command it, and he landed at Aboukir on the 8th of March, 1801, after a severe battle, in which the English were victorious. The landing, the first dispositions, the gallant attack, the high confidence of the army in their general, and the decided superiority of the British infantry under his command over the French, which till then was thought the bravest and best disciplined infantry in Europe, all demonstrated that the highest qualities of the greatest commanders were united in Sir Ralph Abercrombie.

After having repulsed the French in a general attack upon the British army near Alexandria, the French made a second advance, which was contested with unusual obstinacy, and they were again forced to retreat. On this memorable occasion he received a mortal wound in the thigh, which he concealed until the enemy were totally routed, when he fell from his horse through loss of blood.

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He was conveyed from the field of battle on board the admiral's ship, where he died seven days after the battle, and was interred under the castle of St. Elmo, in La Valetta, in the island of Malta.

The following just and admired tribute to his memory was contained in the despatch from Lord Hutchinson, who succeeded him in the chief command:-"We have sustained an irreparable loss in the person of our neverto-be-sufficiently-lamented commander-in-chief, Sir Ralph Abercrombie, who was mortally wounded in the action, and died on the 28th of March. I believe he was wounded early, but he concealed his situation from those about him, and continued in the field, giving his orders with that coolness and perspicuity which had ever marked his character, till long after the action was over, when he fainted through weakness and loss of blood. Were it permitted for a soldier to regret any one who has fallen in the service of his country, I might be excused for lamenting him more than any other person; but it is some consolation to those who tenderly loved him, that, as his life was honourable, so his death was glorious. His memory will be recorded in the annals of his country, will be sacred to every British soldier, and embalmed in the recollection of a grateful posterity."

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There is a handsome monument to his memory in St. Paul's cathedral, unanimously voted by the House of Commons, and a pension of 20007. per annum was settled on his family.

1. What illustrious general expired on this day, in 1801 ?

2. Where was he interred?

3. What just tribute to his memory was contained in the despatch of Lord Hutchinson ?

4. What was voted by the House of Commons ?

LESSON LXXXVIII.-MARCH THE TWENTY-NINTH. Battle of Towton.

On this day, in the year 1461, was fought the famous battle of Towton, near York, between the deluded adherents of the Houses of York and Lancaster, which terminated in favour of the Yorkists, after a slaughter of 36,000 human beings.

Edward is said to have gained this victory over Queen Margaret by means of a violent storm of snow, which blew full in the face of the queen's troops, and so blinded

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them that they could scarce make any use of their arms. After this disaster the queen fled to Scotland with her husband and son; and, notwithstanding all her misfortunes, resolved once more to enter England at the head of 5000 men, granted her by the King of France. But she was again attended by her usual bad fortune. Her little fleet was dispersed by a tempest, and she herself escaped with the utmost difficulty by entering the mouth of the Tweed. Soon after, a defeat which her few forces sustained at Hexham seemed to render her cause entirely desperate; and the cruelties practised upon her adherents rendered it very dangerous to befriend her. By these repeated misfortunes the House of Lancaster was so effectually ruined, that Margaret was obliged to separate from her husband, and both of them to manage for themselves in the best way they could.

King Henry was still protected by some of his friends, who conveyed him to Lancashire, where he remained in safety for a twelvemonth; but being at last discovered, he was thrown into the Tower, and kept close prisoner. The queen fled with her son to a forest, where she was set upon by robbers, who stripped her of her rings and jewels, treating her otherwise with the utmost indignity. A quarrel which happened among them about the division of the spoil afforded her an opportunity of escaping into another part of the forest, where she wandered for some time without knowing what to do.

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At length, when quite spent with hunger and fatigue, she saw a robber coming up to her with a drawn sword in his hand. Finding it altogether impossible to escape, she suddenly took the resolution of putting herself under his protection. Advancing towards him, and presenting young prince, "Here," says she, my friend, I commit to your care the safety of your king's son." This address so much surprised the man, that instead of offering her any injury, he professed himself entirely devoted to her service; and after living for some time concealed in the forest, she was at last conducted by him to the sea-side, where she found a ship which conveyed her to Flanders.

1. What famous battle was fought on this day in 1461?

2. Between whom was this battle fought ?

3. By what means did Edward gain this victory over Queen Margaret? 4. What did Margaret after this disaster?

5. What befel the queen when she fled to the forest?

6. In what words did she address the robber; -and what was the result?

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