5.  The minute hand, being quick at figures, presently replied, “Eighty-six thousand four hundred times.”  “Exactly so,” replied the pendulum.  “Well, I appeal to you all, if the very thought of this was not enough to fatigue anyone; and when I began to multiply the strokes of one day by those of months and years, really it was no wonder if I felt discouraged at the prospect.  So, after a great deal of reasoning and hesitation, thinks I to myself, I’ll stop.”

6.  The dial could scarcely keep its countenance during this harangue; but, resuming its gravity, thus replied:  “Dear Mr. Pendulum, I am really astonished that such a useful, industrious person as yourself should have been seized by this sudden weariness.  It is true, you have done a great deal of work in your time; so have we all, and are likely to do; which, although it may fatigue us to think of, the question is, whether it will fatigue us to do.  Would you now do me the favor to give about half a dozen strokes to illustrate my argument?”

7.  The pendulum complied, and ticked six times at its usual pace.  “Now,” resumed the dial, “may I be allowed to inquire if that exertion is at all fatiguing or disagreeable to you?” “Not in the least,” replied the pendulum; “it is not of six strokes that I complain, nor of sixty, but of millions.”

8.  “Very good,” replied the dial; “but recollect that, although you may think of a million of strokes in an instant, you are required to execute but one; and that, however often you may hereafter have to swing, a moment will always be given you to swing in.”  “That consideration staggers me, I confess,” said the pendulum.  “Then I hope,” resumed the dial plate, “that we shall all return to our duty immediately; for the maids will be in bed if we stand idling thus.”

9.  Upon this, the weights, who had never been accused of light conduct, used all their influence in urging him to proceed; when, as if with one consent, the wheels began to turn, the hands began to move, the pendulum began to swing, and, to its credit, ticked as loud as ever; while a red beam of the rising sun, that streamed through a hole in the kitchen, shining full upon the dial plate, it brightened up as if nothing had been the matter.

10.  When the farmer came down to breakfast that morning, upon looking at the clock, he declared that his watch had gained half an hour in the night.

Definitions.—­1.  In’sti-tut-ed, commenced, began.  Pro-test’ed, solemnly declared. 4.  Cal’cu-lat-ing, reckoning, computing. 5.  Pros’pect, anticipation, that to which one looks forward. 6.  Ha-rangue’ (pro. ha-rang’), speech.  Il-lus’trate, to make clear, to exemplify. 7.  Ex-er’tion (pro. egz-er’shun), effort. 8.  Ex’e-eute, to complete, to finish.  Con-sid-er-a’tion, reason.

XXXIV.  THE DEATH OF THE FLOWERS.