+_Direction_+.--Combine the following statements into sentences and
paragraphs, and make of them a complete composition:--

Water is a liquid. It is composed of oxygen and hydrogen. It covers about
three-fourths of the surface of the earth. It takes the form of ice. It
takes the form of snow. It takes the form of vapor. The air is constantly
taking up water from rivers, lakes, oceans, and from damp ground. Cool air
contains moisture. Heated air contains more moisture. Heated air becomes
lighter. It rises. It becomes cool. The moisture is condensed into fine
particles. Clouds are formed. They float across the sky. The little
particles unite and form rain-drops. They sprinkle the dry fields. At night
the grass and flowers become cool. The air is not so cool. The warm air
touches the grass and flowers. It is chilled. It loses a part of its
moisture. Drops of dew are formed. Water has many uses. Men and animals
drink it. Trees and plants drink it. They drink it by means of their leaves
and roots. Water is a great purifier. It cleanses our bodies. It washes our
clothes. It washes the dust from the leaves and the flowers. Water is a
great worker. It floats vessels. It turns the wheels of mills. It is
converted into steam. It is harnessed to mighty engines. It does the work
of thousands of men and horses.

+_To the Teacher_+.--Condensed statements of facts, taken from some book
not in the hands of your pupils, may be read to them, and they may be
required to expand and combine these and group them into paragraphs.

LETTER-WRITING.

In writing a letter there are six things to consider--the _Heading_, the
_Introduction_, the _Body of the Letter_, the _Conclusion_, the _Folding_,
and the _Superscription_.