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seed sown in New England was as pure and full of life as ever fell on any soil, and it has borne fruit worthy of its origin.

6. Labor, the endurance of hardships, and constant struggles with the Indians gave the people great muscular strength and sagacity, with quickness of thought and action.

7. By the fireside, in the field or shop,-everywhere, they were constantly discussing the nature of government, the duties of rulers, the doctrine of equal rights, man as an immortal being, and similar topics.

8. The machinery of their government was understood by all. It was founded on the will of the people, and began with the town meeting, in which all local affairs were discussed and decided.

9. In each town the male inhabitants, twenty-one years of age, assembled at least yearly in the meetinghouse or town hall, voted the taxes, elected its officers, which were called selectmen, discussed and settled its public affairs in pure democratic form.

10. At one time there were restrictions to voting based on a property qualification, and, in some parts of New England only members of the church could vote, but, later, the suffrage was practically free to all males of "voting age."

11. As the country became settled, each town chose deputies to a General Court, to agree upon

laws which should govern the towns in matters of common interest.

12. The colonists dressed very simply and in quiet colors, the Puritans especially being opposed to showy clothing. The ordinary dress for men was a frock of some plain color, short in front and very long behind, with large brass buttons in two rows, and sometimes with a shoulder-cape. Lace was often put into the sleeves for Sunday dress.

13. The vest was made of linsey-woolsey. Short clothes came down to the knees, where they were met by long home-made stockings, while the feet were covered with coarse leather shoes set off by enormous buckles.

14. The hair was long and done up in a queue something like a Chinaman's, and often powdered so white that young men seemed to be gray-haired and old. A huge three-cornered hat completed the dress.

15. The gown of the women. was made of linseywoolsey, and reached a little below the knees, Aprons were generally worn. Long worsted stockings, high-heeled shoes with their silver buckles, and a cap from which a long braid of hair seemed escaping down the back made up the general attire.

1. Parallel, austere, armory, responsibility, infallibility, intellectual, endurance, muscular, sagacity, machinery, qualifications, deputies.

2. In what was the character of the colonist strong? Is it safe to think the majority right? Ought each man be allowed to believe as he pleases? What is meant by a "property qualification"?

LXXXIII. THE RAIN.

1. Like a gentle joy descending,
To the earth a glory lending,
Cometh gentle rain;

Fairer now the flowers are growing,
Fresher now the winds are blowing,
Swifter now the streams are flowing,
Gladder waves the grain;

Grove and forest, field and mountain,
Bathing in the crystal fountain,
Drinking in the inspiration,

Offer up a glad oblation;

All around, about, above us,

Things we love and things that love us
Bless the gentle rain.

2. Beautiful and still and holy,
Like the spirit of the lowly,
Comes the quiet rain;

"Tis a fount of joy distilling,
And the lyre of earth is trilling
With a music low and thrilling,

Swelling to a strain;

Nature opens wide her bosom,
Bursting buds begin to blossom;
To her very soul 'tis stealing,
All the springs of life unsealing;
Singing stream and rushing river,
Drink it in, and praise the Giver
Of the blessed rain.

3. Lo! the clouds are slowly parting,
Sudden gleams of light are darting
Through the falling rain;

Bluer now the sky is beaming,
Softer now the light is streaming,
With its shining fringes gleaming
'Mid the golden grain;

Greener now the grass is springing,
Sweeter now the birds are singing,
Clearer now the shout is ringing;
Earth, the purified, rejoices
With her silver-sounding voices,
Sparkling, flashing like a prism,
In the beautiful baptism

Of the blessed rain.

1. Descending, crystal, inspiration, oblation, distilling, purified, baptism.

2. Compare this poem with Lowell's "Summer Storm," on page 204. Would this meter be as well suited to that? What is "the lyre of earth"? What are "the springs of life"?

LXXXIV. COLONIAL DAYS IN NEW ENGLAND.

PART II.

1. The Puritan's house was as plain as its occupants. The kitchen was the general "living room," and its chief feature was the huge fireplace, which occupied nearly all of one side of the room. The ceiling was low, with its large beams or rafters left conveniently uncovered to serve as a receptacle for pumpkins, ears of corn, herbs, and the thousand and one things which the thrifty housewife hung up for winter use.

2. The walls were whitewashed generally, as paper was scarce and dear. Iron cranes with numerous hooks were fastened in the fireplace, and pots and kettles suspended from them served for boiling or stewing, while the roasting was often done in the ashes or on a spit before the fire.

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3. The "Dutch oven" was a large tin box, with the side toward the fire opened, so that the heat could bake the bread or cook anything else exposed on its shelves. Sometimes great ovens, like the baker's oven of to-day, were made in the chimneys, and used when pies and cake and bread were cooked. The best light was a tallow candle, which with its snuffers and candlestick seemed quite ornamental.

4. Nearly all the ware was made of wood, tin, or pewter. The spinning wheel and reel, with a table

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