6.  “My friends, you want corn for your subsistence.  God has blessed me with abundance.  Assist in thrashing out a quantity, and each of you take what he wants for his family.”  The peasants were amazed at this unexampled generosity; for sordid propensities exist in the village as well as in the populous city.

7.  The fame of Flor Silin’s benevolence having reached other villages, the famished inhabitants presented themselves before him, and begged for corn.  This good creature received them as brothers; and, while his store remained, afforded all relief.  At length, his wife, seeing no end to the generosity of his noble spirit, reminded him how necessary it would be to think of their own wants, and hold his lavish hand before it was too late.  “It is written in the Scripture,” said he, “Give, and it shall be given unto you.’”

8.  The following year Providence listened to the prayers of the poor, and the harvest was abundant.  The peasants who had been saved from starving by Flor Silin now gathered around him.

9.  “Behold,” said they, “the corn you lent us.  You saved our wives and children.  We should have been famished but for you; may God reward you; he only can; all we have to give is our corn and grateful thanks.”  “I want no corn at present, my good neighbors,” said he; “my harvest has exceeded all my expectations; for the rest, thank heaven:  I have been but an humble instrument.”

10.  They urged him in vain.  “No,” said he, “I shall not accept your corn.  If you have superfluities, share them among your poor neighbors, who, being unable to sow their fields last autumn, are still in want; let us assist them, my dear friends; the Almighty will bless us for it.”  “Yes,” replied the grateful peasants, “our poor neighbors shall have this corn.  They shall know it is to you that they owe this timely succor, and join to teach their children the debt of gratitude due to your benevolent heart.”  Silin raised his tearful eyes to heaven.  An angel might have envied him his feelings. 
          
                                             —­Nikolai Karamzin.

Definitions.—­1.  Ex-tol’, to elevate by praise.  An’nals, history of events.  En-gross’, to occupy wholly.  El’o-quence, the power of speaking well. 2.  Drought (pro. drout), want of rain or water. 4.  Es-tate’, property in land. 5.  Gran’a-ry, a storehouse far grain. 6.  Sub-sist’ence, means of support.  Pro-pen’si-ties, bent of mind, inclination. 10.  Su-per-flu’i-ties, greater quantities than are wanted.  Suc’cor, aid, help.

Notes.—­l.  Vergil was the greatest of Roman poets.  He was born in the year 70 B.C., and died 19 B.C.

Augustus Caesar was emperor of Rome in the latter portion of Vergil’s life, and received many compliments in the verses of his friend the poet.

2.  Lower Volga is a district in eastern Russia, bordering on the Caspian Sea, and takes its name from the river Volga.