Now, that I think you see that you need a guide older, and therefore wiser, than yourself, I will tell you of some of the great classes into which men, who have seen and thought much, group all the objects in the universe.

First, then, there are objects the existence of which we learn through our senses; that is, we either see, hear, or feel them; these are all called material objects, or constitute what we call matter. Then we have powers by which we know and love, or hate, fear, and adore. These all belong to another group of things that are not matter, but are above or beyond it, and are sometimes called abstract subjects. Natural Science, or Natural Philosophy, teaches about the first; while Mental and Moral Philosophy treat of the latter.

If now we direct our thoughts to matter, we shall see that it may be grouped in many different ways. We may, for instance, take all objects outside our earth and its atmosphere;. that is, the heavenly bodies. These may well be studied together; and the science that treats of them is called Astronomy.

Then, turning to the earth itself, we may study it in its outside features; that is, in its varied forms of land and water, its mountain heights and ocean depths; its rivers and plains; its plants, animals, and human inhabitants; all these and more are included in the science of Geography.

And if now we look into the structure of the outside crust of the earth, its rocks, pebbles, sands, and clays, and try to find out how these

materials came to be as we find them, we shall be studying Geology. The study of the living beings on the earth is known as Biology. But besides looking at objects as they commonly come before us in their mixed or compound nature, we may try to separate them into their first or simplest parts, or elements, and we do this by means of a very interesting and useful science known as Chemistry.

Then, again, we can study objects as they most commonly appear to be, in a state of rest, or as in a state of motion. We may also inquire what puts them in motion, and how these forces, as we call them, are called into action, and how they affect each other. This last branch of science is known as Mechanics.

Besides the objects already named, there are many others about which you will gradually learn a little. We will now only just add that art of some kind is allied to almost every science. Thus, there is the science of numbers, and the art of calculation; and to be a good arithmetician you must know the one and practise the other. So, too, Chemistry is the science of the simple elements and their compounds. And as the outcome of this science we have the useful arts of dyeing, tanning, soap-boiling, and others of the useful arts.

Home Exercise.- 1. Define artificial, distinguish, study, compound, gradually, and separate. 2. Name some of the most important classes into which natural objects may be grouped. 3. What do astronomy, geography, geology, chemistry, mechanics, and biology severally treat of?

SOME persons seem always in a state of uncertainty and irresolution. They want to do something, but they see some difficulty in the way of doing it, or some evil that may possibly follow if it is done, and they therefore allow themselves to remain in doubt until it is too late to do the thing even if they then so wished.

Now this is both a very disagreeable state to be in, and often ends in the loss of a good that was very desirable and which might have been casily secured. Let us take an illustration.

You have, perhaps, received an invitation from an aunt to spend a few days in the country with her. The letter ran thus,—

"My dear Nephew,

"The report of your diligence and general good conduct at school has pleased both your uncle and myself very much. You will, I am sure, hear with regret that, at present, he is not in his usual good health. However, we hope it will not become at all serious; and, unless such should occur, we shall be happy to

see you on Wednesday next to spend a few days with us; when we will discuss your last school prize, and we shall take pleasure in showing you something of this part of the country. With love to your dear parents,

"I remain, my dear nephew,

Your affectionate aunt,

A. B."

"P.S.-Should the weather on the day named prove unfavourable, we shall not expect you."

This kind letter is of course a source of pleasure to you for several days. You are highly delighted with the thought not only of visiting those you love, but they perhaps live near the sea-coast, and you know they have many sources of enjoyment that you may well hope to share. For days nothing mars your delight, but as the day approaches you begin to be anxious and nervous and sometimes even petulant and ill-tempered. You think that perhaps your uncle is now seriously ill, and when after one or two cloudy days the rain begins to fall in torrents, you say you are sure you will not go after all.

But soon the weather brightens, and with it your spirits, and you are again in high glee. At last the eve of the very day arrives. The only available conveyance starts early in the morning; what are you to do? know what you ought to do. of your uncle's condition.

You do not You are ignorant Should he be

seriously ill, you feel you ought not to go; for even if there, under these circumstances it would not be to you a time of enjoyment. At one moment you are ready to order the coach to call for you, and the next you think you must give it up altogether. You are pained at the uncertainty, and you almost wish you had not been asked to go at all. Let us now see how a wise parent or friend would settle the matter for you. He would look each matter of uncertainty fully in the face, see what the whole are worth, and at once decide what should be done.

He would reason thus, "Your uncle is not worse, for in that case you would certainly have had a line or two to say so much. As the weather is now fairly promising, and your aunt knows that you must leave early in the morning, and to do this you must make all preparations over night, she will expect you to act on the promise of the evening. Therefore he says: "Off with you, put up your traps and make all necessary preparations to start in the morning; and I wish you a happy time of it.'

All this passes in a minute or two, for the decision is as easily arrived at in two minutes as in two weeks. This is a very simple case; of course others arise in which much may be said on both sides, and then it is not so easy to decide how to act. But even then, and in all matters, the best course is promptly and fully to look right through the whole question. If you cannot remember all the facts or circumstances on both sides, write them down in two paralle1