RULE.

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LESSON XIV.

The letter e is not sounded before 7 in the following words, shekel, weasel, ruvel, swivel, drivel, shrivel, shovel, grovel, hazel; but in nearly all other words e is sound ed when it comes before 1.

HENRY, THE TENTH EARL OF PEMBROKE.

1. THE Earl of Pembroke kept a number of swine at his seat in Wiltshire, and crossing the yard one day, he was surprised to see the pigs gathering round one trough, and making a great noise. Curiosity prompted him to see what was the cause; and on looking into the trough, he perceived a large silver spoon.

2. Just at this instant a servant-maid came out, and began to scold at the pigs for squealing so. 'Well they may,' said his lordship, when they have got but one spoon among them.'

3. This nobleman, who had many good qualities, but always insisted on having everything in his own way, was often very singular. He thought of a method for preventing others from teasing him with their opinions and requests; this was, to feign himself deaf. Under pretence of hearing very imperfectly, he would always form his answer, not by what was really said to him, but by what he desired to have said.

4. Among his servants was one who had lived with him from childhood, and served him with great fidelity, till at length he became coachman. This man by degrees got the habit of drinking rum, for which his lady desired that he might be dismissed.

5. His lordship always answered, 'Yes, indeed, John is an excellent servant.' 'I say,' replied the

lady, that he is continually drunk; and I desire that he may be turned off.' 'Ah,' said his lordship, 'he has lived with me from a child, and, as you say, a trifle wages should not part us.'

of

6. John, however, one evening as he was driving from Kensington, overturned his lady in the street. She was not much hurt, but when she came home, she went with her complaints to the Earl.

7. Here,' said she, is that beast, John, so drunk hat he can scarcely stand. He has overturned the coach, and if he is not discharged he may break our necks.'

8. 'Ah,' said the Earl, 'is John sick? I am very sorry for him.' 'I am complaining,' said the lady, 'that he is drunk, and has overturned me.' 'Ah,' said his lordship, he has behaved very well, and shall have proper advice.' The lady finding that he would not understand her complaints, went away in a pet.

9. The Earl having ordered John into his presence, spoke to him very coolly in these words: 'John, you know that I have a great regard for you, and as long as you behave well you shall be taken care of in my family. My lady tells me that you are taken ill, and indeed I see that you can hardly stand. and I will take care that you have proper 10. John, thus dismissed, was taken to bed, where, by his master's order, a large blister was put on his head and another between his shoulders, and sixteen ounces of blood were taken from his arm.

Go to bed,

advice.'

11. The next morning he found himself in a woful plight, and was soon told all that had been done, and the occasion of it. He had no remedy, however, but

to submit, for he would rather have had as many more blisters, than lose his place.

12. The Earl sent very formally twice a day to know how he was, and frequently congratulated his lady upon John's recovery, whom he directed to be fed on water-gruel only, and to have no company bu an old nurse.

13. In about a week, John having constantly sen. word that he was well, his master thought fit to under stand the messenger, and said he was extremely glad to hear that the fever had left him, and desired to see him.

14. When John came in he said, 'Well, John, I hope this ill turn is over.' 'Ah, my lord,' said John, 'I humbly ask your lordship's pardon, and I promise never to commit the same fault again.' 'Yes, yes,' said the Earl, 'you are right; nobody can prevent sickness, and if you should be sick again, John, I shall see it, though perhaps you should not complain; and I promise that you shall have the same advice, and the same attendance you have had now.'

15. O, I thank your lordship,' said John; 'I hope there will be no need.' 'So do I too,' said the Earl : your duty to me, never fear, I

'but as long as you do

shall do mine to you.'

ERRORS.

3. singelar for singular; uppinions for opinions; requess for requests. 12. nuss for nurse. 13. disired for desired.

QUESTIONS.

In what words is e silent before ? Pronounce these words, chap

el, parcel, satchel, morsel, flannel, travel, gravel, rebel, vessel, marvel.

What is the Rule before Lesson 5 ?-before Lesson 6?-before Lesson 7 ?

RULE. In words that end in en, the e is commonly silent, when that syllable is not accented: But it should be distinctly sounded in the words, sudden, kitchen, hyphen, chicken, jerken, aspen, platen, marten, latten, patten, and sloven

IMPATIENCE.

1. ON the day that Mr. Stanmore removed from his town residence to his new house in the country, there was much bustle and business in the family.

2. The servants were all employed in unpacking and arranging chairs, tables, sofas, and sideboards in their proper places. Some men were putting up beds, while others were hanging window curtains, and nailing down carpets.

3. The only idle persons in the house were Henry and Isabel, and they could find nothing to do but to skip from room to room, ask questions, admire their new dwelling-house, and talk of the pleasure they should receive in a visit their father was engaged to

make that day to Mr. Morton, his intimate friend, whe lived about one mile and a half distant.

4. So desirous were Henry and Isabel of seeing Morton Park, or rather perhaps of eating some of the fine grapes and melons which they had heard grew in Mr. Morton's hot-house, that the morning seemed to be the length of a whole day.

5. When people are without employment, time hangs heavily on their hands, and minutes will appear to be as long as hours. Half a dozen times in the course of the morning these children ran to the door of the library, to ask their father when he would be ready to go; and though he was engaged, sorting papers, and arranging his books, they did not forbear their troublesome inquiries, till he was quite displeased with them.

6. At length, however, the joyful tidings came to Henry and Isabel, that they were to dress directly, as their father would be ready to set out in half an hour As the day was very fine, and the coachman's assist ance was useful to the other servants, busied in dispos ing the furniture in the various apartments, Mr. Stan more chose to walk to Morton Park; but after he had dressed, and the half hour had elapsed, he still had orders to give, that detained him.

7. Henry and Isabel meanwhile were standing at the hall-door, almost wild with their impatience to be gone; and, at last, Henry proposed to his sister, that they should go on first, as their papa could soon overtake them and Isabel eagerly ran to ask the housekeeper whether they must take the right or the left hand road.

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