De La Salle Fifth Reader Part 19

[Footnote 002: NOTE.--Many trees in our country are landmarks, and are valued highly. The early settlers were accustomed to plant trees and dedicate them to liberty. One of these was planted at Cambridge, Ma.s.s., and it was under the shade of this venerable Elm that George Was.h.i.+ngton took command of the Continental army, July 3rd, 1775.

There are other trees around whose trunks and under whose boughs whole families of children pa.s.sed much of their childhood. When one of these falls or is destroyed, it is like the death of some honored citizen.

Judge Harris of Georgia, a scholar, and a gentleman of extensive literary culture, regarded "Woodman, Spare that Tree" as one of the truest lyrics of the age. He never heard it sung or recited without being deeply moved.]

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THE BOSTON TEA PARTY.

Shortly before the War of the Revolution broke out, George III, King of England, claimed the right to tax the people of this country, though he did not permit them to take any part in framing the laws under which they lived.

He placed a light tax on tea, just to teach Americans that they could not escape taxation altogether. But the colonists were fighting for a principle,--that of no taxation without representation, and would not buy the tea. In New York and Philadelphia the people would not allow the vessels to land their cargoes.

The women of America held meetings in many towns, and declared they would drink no tea until the hated tax was removed. The ladies had a hard time of it without their consoling cup of tea, but they stood out n.o.bly.

Three s.h.i.+ploads of tea were sent to Boston. On the night of December 16, 1773, a party of young Americans, painted and dressed like Indians, boarded the three vessels lying in the harbor, opened the chests, and emptied all the tea into the water. They then slipped away to their homes, and were never found out by the British. One of the leaders of these daring young men was Paul Revere, whose famous midnight ride has been immortalized by Longfellow.

When the news of the Boston Tea Party was carried across the ocean, the anger of the King was aroused, and he sent a strong force of soldiers to Boston to bring the rebels to terms. This act only increased the spirit of patriotism that burned in the b.r.e.a.s.t.s of all Americans.

[Ill.u.s.tration:]

George P. Morris, the poet, describes this Tea Party, and the origin of the tune "Yankee Doodle," in the following verses, which our American boys and girls of to-day will gladly read and sing:

Once on a time old Johnny Bull flew in a raging fury, And swore that Jonathan should have no trials, sir, by jury; That no elections should be held, across the briny waters; "And now," said he, "I'll tax the tea of all his sons and daughters."

Then down he sate in burly state, and bl.u.s.tered like a grandee, And in derision made a tune called "Yankee doodle dandy."

"Yankee doodle"--these are facts--"Yankee doodle dandy;"

My son of wax, your tea I'll tax; you Yankee doodle dandy!"

John sent the tea from o'er the sea, with heavy duties rated; But whether hyson or bohea, I never heard it stated.

Then Jonathan to pout began--he laid a strong embargo-- "I'll drink no tea, by Jove!" so he threw overboard the cargo.

Then Johnny sent a regiment, big words and looks to bandy, Whose martial band, when near the land, played "Yankee doodle dandy."

"Yankee doodle--keep it up--Yankee doodle dandy-- I'll poison with a tax your cup, you Yankee doodle dandy."

A long war then they had, in which John was at last defeated, And "Yankee Doodle" was the march to which his troops retreated.

Cute Jonathan, to see them fly, could not restrain his laughter; "That tune," said he, "suits to a T--I'll sing it ever after!"

Old Johnny's face, to his disgrace, was flushed with beer and brandy, E'en while he swore to sing no more this Yankee doodle dandy.

Yankee doodle,--ho-ha-he--Yankee doodle dandy, We kept the tune, but not the tea--Yankee doodle dandy.

I've told you now the origin of this most lively ditty, Which Johnny Bull dislikes as "dull and stupid"--what a pity!

With "Hail Columbia" it is sung, in chorus full and hearty-- On land and main we breathe the strain John made for his tea party, No matter how we rhyme the words, the music speaks them handy, And where's the fair can't sing the air of Yankee doodle dandy?

Yankee doodle, firm and true--Yankee doodle dandy-- Yankee doodle, doodle do, Yankee doodle dandy!

The people of the thirteen original colonies adopted as a principle, "No taxation without representation." What did they mean by this? Name the thirteen original colonies.

Are the last syllables of the words _principle_ and _princ.i.p.al_ p.r.o.nounced alike? Use the two words in sentences of your own.

What does "with heavy duties rated" mean?

p.r.o.nounce distinctly the final consonants in the words _colonists, insects, friend, friends, nests, priests, lifts, tempts._

Write the plural forms of the following words: solo, echo, negro, cargo, piano, calico, potato, embargo.

How should a word be broken or divided when there is not room for all of it at the end of a line? Ill.u.s.trate by means of examples found in your Reader.

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THE OLD OAKEN BUCKET.

How dear to my heart are the scenes of my childhood, When fond recollection presents them to view!

The orchard, the meadow, the deep-tangled wild-wood, And every loved spot that my infancy knew;-- The wide-spreading pond, and the mill that stood by it; The bridge, and the rock where the cataract fell;

The cot of my father, the dairy-house nigh it, And e'en the rude bucket which hung in the well: The old oaken bucket, the ironbound bucket, The moss-covered bucket, which hung in the well.

That moss-covered vessel I hailed as a treasure; For often, at noon, when returned from the field, I found it the source of an exquisite pleasure, The purest and sweetest that nature can yield.