FIRST LESSONS IN SCHOOL- KEEPING, 149

of the Sandwich Isles, and of the surf-boards, and of
the almost incredibly early age at which the infants
can take care of themselves in the water. When the
tide made it safe, and the weather was favourable, this
was a chief recreation of Carl and his boys. |

Among the entertainments of odd hours, he formed
the purpose of teaching all the school to sing, as he
had himself been taught in Germany. The thing is
much more easily accomplished than is commonly
thought. Most of the difficulty complained of resides
in what is not always detected, the utter inability of
the teacher to sing.

One fine summer evening, the whole company was
gathered under one of the shadiest trees, on a knoll
directly over the river The sun had set, and a re-
freshing breeze was rippling the water, without, how-
ever, interrupting the calm that everywhere prevailed.
It was a favourable moment for impressions from
sacred song, and the school let out all their voices with
right good will, as people are apt to do who sing in
the open air. Carl and Ludwig added a very good
accompaniment, in certain parts, on the flute and violon-
cello. Such a volume of sweet sounds did not fail to
reach those who were passing in boats, and among the
rest a family party, who had come out from the city
for an airing. Turning the head of the boat towards
Sunnyside cove, they made directly for the land. Two
boys, aged about sixteen and fourteen, leaped ashore