A verb that does not form the past tense by adding ed or d to the present is called an irregular verb; as, come, came; do, did.

WRITTEN EXERCISE.

Write in one column the verbs below that express present time, and in another column those that express past time, and then mark the regular and irregular verbs as follows:

Some forms of the verb do not assert, but assume or imply certain actions; as,

1. We met a boy leading a horse.

2. Hearing his name, Henry turned quickly.

3. The tree, broken by the wind, fell to the ground.

Tell what words in the foregoing sentences assert, and what words assume, that certain actions have taken place. What does leading describe ?

Leading is part adjective and part verb. As an adjective it describes boy, and as a verb it takes an object.

How is hearing like an adjective? How is it like a verb?

Of what verb is leading a form? Hearing? Broken?

Words like leading, hearing, and broken, which are part adjective and part verb, are called participles.

A participle that denotes unfinished action is called a present participle; as, breaking, writing.

A participle that denotes finished action is called a past participle ; as, broken, written.

Read the following sentences, and tell the use of each word in Italics :

1. Opening her eyes, she saw the bright sunshine.

2. The clouds, gathering in the east, warned us of the coming rain.

3. Taking a key from his pocket, he unlocked the chest. 4. The traveller, fatigued by his journey, slept soundly.

5. She rose, trembling with fear, to unbar the door.

6. Entering the room, he found the captain sitting alone.

Copy these verbs, and add ing to each, to form the present par

ticiple:

Copy the past participles in the following list, and write oppo

site each the verb from which it is derived:

LESSON LIX.

COMPOSITION.

PICTURES IN POEMS.

"Goldenhair climbed up on Grandpapa's knee;

Dear little Goldenhair! tired was she,

All the day busy as busy could be."

When you read these lines, what persons do you see? Where is "Grandpapa" in the house or outdoors? Is he walking, standing, or sitting? Is he large or small, young or old? Of what color is his hair? Does he look cross, or has he a kind, pleasant face?

Describe the little girl. How old is she? Of what color are her eyes and her hair? What do you see "Goldenhair" do? How does Grandpapa" receive her?

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WRITTEN EXERCISES.

Study carefully the following extracts, and then give full descriptions of the pictures which you see in each:

I.

"Somewhat back from the village street

Stands the old-fashioned country seat.

Across its antique portico

Tall poplar-trees their shadows throw."

II.

"The little bird sits at his door in the sun,

Atilt, like a blossom, among the leaves."

III.

"Before her home, in her accustomed seat,
The tidy grandam spins beneath the shade
Of the old honeysuckle; at her feet

The dreaming pug, and purring tabby laid ;
To her low chair a little maiden clings,

And spells in silence, — while the blackbird sings."

IV.

Heaped in the hollows of the grove, the autumn leaves lie

dead;

They rustle to the eddying gust, and to the rabbit's tread."

V.

"Our bugles sang truce; for the night-cloud had lowered,
And the sentinel stars set their watch in the sky;
And thousands had sunk on the ground overpowered, -
The weary to sleep, and the wounded to die."

VI.

"Woodman, spare that tree!

Touch not a single bough!

In youth it sheltered me,
And I'll protect it now.
'Twas my forefather's hand
That placed it near his cot;
Then, woodman, let it stand,
Thy axe shall harm it not!"