NAPOLEON AND THE SAILOR. Napoleon-French Emperor | wattled-plaited Boulogne-a town in N. laborious-industrious France sojourn―stay equipped-furnished Napoleon's banners at Boulogne His They suffered him-I know not how- His eye, methinks, pursued the flight A stormy midnight watch, he thought, To England nearer. At last, when care had banished sleep, An empty hogshead from the deep Come shoreward floating. He hid it in a cave, and wrought Until he launched a tiny boat Heaven help us! 'twas a thing beyond For ploughing in the salt sea field, It would have made the boldest shudder; From neighbouring woods he interlaced But Frenchmen caught him on the beach, With folded arms Napoleon stood, Addressed the stranger:— "Rash man, that would yon Channel pass "I have no sweetheart," said the lad; "And so thou shalt!" Napoleon said; He gave the tar a piece of gold, And with a flag of truce commanded Our sailor oft could scantly shift CAMPBELL. CLASS AND HOME WORK. Learn the spellings and meanings at the top of the page; and write sentences containing these words. On the 23rd of August, about one in the afternoon, my mother desired him to observe a cloud which ap peared of a very unusual size and shape. He had just returned from taking the benefit of the sun, and after bathing himself in cold water, and taking a slight repast, was retired to his study: he immediately rose, and went out upon an eminence from whence he might more distinctly view this very uncommon appearance. It was not at that distance discernible from what mountain this cloud issued, but it was found afterwards to ascend from Mount Vesuvius. I cannot give a more exact description of its figure than by resembling it to a pine-tree, for it shot up to a great height in the form of a trunk, which extended itself at the top into a sort of branches; occasioned, I imagine, either by a sudden gust of air that impelled it, the force of which decreased as it advanced upwards, or the cloud itself, being pressed back again by its own weight, expanded in this manner; it appeared sometimes bright and sometimes dark and spotted, as it was either more or less impregnated with earth and cinders. This extraordinary phenomenon excited my uncle's philosophical curiosity to take a nearer view of it. He ordered a light vessel to be got ready, and gave me the liberty, if I thought proper, to attend him. I rather chose to continue my studies, for as it happened, he had given me an employment of that kind. As he was coming out of the house he received a note from Rectina, the wife of Bassus, who was in the utmost alarm at the imminent danger which threatened her; for, her villa being situated at the foot of Mount Vesuvius, there was no way to escape but by sea; she earnestly entreated him, therefore, to come to her assistance. He accordingly changed his first design, and what he began with a philosophical, he pursued with a heroical, turn of mind. He ordered the galleys to be put to sea, and went himself on board with an intention of assisting not only Rectina but several others, for the villas stand extremely thick upon that beautiful coast. When hastening to the place whence others fled with the utmost terror, he steered his direct course to the point of danger, and with so much calmness and presence of mind as to be able to make and dictate his observations upon the motion and figure of that dreadful scene. He was now so nigh the mountain that the cinders, which grew thicker and hotter the nearer he approached, fell into the ships, together with pumice-stones and pieces of burning rock; they were likewise in danger not only of being aground by the sudden retreat of the sea, but also from the vast fragments which rolled down from the mountain and obstructed all the shore. 66 Here he stopped to consider whether he should return back again, to which the pilot advising him, Fortune," said he, "befriends the brave; carry me to Pomponianus." Pomponianus was then at Stabiæ, separated by a gulf which the sea, after several insensible windings, forms upon that shore. He had already sent his baggage on board; for though he was not at that time in actual danger, yet being within the view of it, and indeed extremely near, if it should in the least increase, he was determined to put to sea as soon as the wind should change. It was favourable, however, for carrying my uncle to Pomponianus, whom he found in the greatest consternation: he embraced him with tenderness, encouraging and exhorting him to keep up his spirits, and, the more to dissipate his fears, he ordered, with an air of unconcern, the baths to be got ready; when, after having bathed, he sat down to supper with great cheerfulness, or at least (what is equally heroic) |