'/,) ·

, _;ce. - , ~.
·

r-'·,./~ :1 ·r
. ' 'o/<:J~;. ~-

MURRAYlS

:

it.}~GLISff l<i~I«R5I~~s.x:A,
•·

.

'~ .;~~

. CON: ISTINIJ OF

o~

.: 1ERCISES IN PARSING; INSTANCES
FAI;iiE filTuoG iu,°PHf;
· VIOLA,TIONB OF TH~ R ULES IN SYNTAX; 'DEFECT.a 1N'J ~··
;
. PUNCTUATION j AND VIOLATIONS OF TJIE·
.

, .·

~RuLES

REsPE£!.l NG

PE~.PJcuo~B ......;.,

~

.

·~~
.~·

.

,

' ·

·. .·~~~~/~~

. uh 'which the corresponding Notes, Rules, and Observations ,.
. · in Murray's Grammar are incorporated; also
'- '
Re
_iferences in promiscuous Exercises to '
~' .
· . · • the Rules /J'g"which the Errom:s ·< 1 · '

._i.?:.

-~·-

, :_;,.a7.eto:,~ corrected.: _

:~;,

. : ,

~

J\EVISEIJ 1 PREPARED, AND PARTICULARLY ADJ- P.TEI? T ? THE ":_
1

-

~

USE OF SCHOOLS :
'"(

,;

;.,

BEl!IG A COUNTERPART TO THE

'•
'l'E~OHEB.

ENGLISH

Li

Tl

c\

ti \.,\ .~ Y(~

k _::i

)t

BY ISRAEL ALGER, Julf;',. A , M. ·
~·

~
-

--

0

:....

\

J! 0

~

.

·.,

...

.

S 1\0'N :

PUBLISHED BY ROBERT S. DAVIS,
AND

GOULD, KENDALL, AND LINCOLN.

1838.

;u:· •' ~~-;:})

·•

~

,

...

••

:.

'
·'" ·-'~ .. , . t ...'--.
- ~, , ,,

t •. s..

-PE1101

.. . :. ·v' ._ ,. _.,. .... ,

M~

1g

y.

3e

AX,~rnR'S MURRAY 'S GRAMMAR.
•

~'- .......;

~

' . .•

..

•

IN17RODUCTION.

i

~w-ray's~ngli~h Grammar, with' an Appendix con....,~~1h{lg exerc1ses .rn Orthography, in Parsing, in Syntax, anJ · in Punctuation ;._designed for the younger
classes of learners. By LmJley Murray. To which
Questions are added, Punctu ation, and the notes under
Rules in Syntax copiously supplied from the author's
' . larg~ Q~ammar, b~ing ' his OWJ.1 abridcrement enµre : ,
Rev1sei:f, i. prepare.d, and a<lapt!ld ~o ' th~ :hse of the, ,,
"English Exercises," by Israel Alger; Jr., A. •M.
Improved ste~eotype edition.
·•

06- Th~ School Com~ittee of Bostol1 passed a
vote, _authorizing the use of this work in all the public '
Rea~mg and Grat?mar Schools of the City, which is :
considered a sufficient. Recommendation of the work'.
'.!'he Grammar, and Exercises have also been adopted
m many of the best Schools, in various sections of the
United States.

.-

.•

..
I

~

Entered according to act of Congress in the year l 838,

By

ROBERT

s . DAVI•,

in the Clerk's office of the District Court of the Distr ict of Mass3.chusetts.

, · ..

..

'

-·
THE principles of knowledge become most intelligible ' to
:'( Oung persons, when they are explained and inculcated by prac''"'-' iJcal illustration and direction. This mode of teaching is attended
with so many advantages, t}lat it can scarcely be too much recom.... ·mdnded, or pursued. Instruction which is enlivened by pertinent
. ~amples, and in which the pupil is exe~cised in reducing the
•., rules prescribed to practice, has a more · striking effect on the
mind, and is better ada pted to fix the attention, and sharJlen the
..;·understanding, than that which is divested of these aids, _an1) con- ·
' ,. fined to .bare positions and precept• ; in which it too frequently ·
, · · 1;appem, that the leg.mer has no further . 'Concern, than to read
; rmd repeat them. The time and· 9are employed in practical
·. ?,pplication, give occasion to.survey the subject minutely and in
:·;lilferent points of view; by · whlch it becomes more known and
.. familiar, and produces stronger an~ more du~able impressions: .
~ · ' THESE observations are pecuharly apphcable to the study of
'." > ( rammar, and the method of teaching iL The rules require fre··.;-,;..auent explanation ; and, besides direct elucidation, they admit of
} ·"lxamples erroneously constructed, for exercising ' the · student'•
_ sagacity and judgment. To rectify these, attention arid reflection
. are requisite ; and the knowledge of the rule necessarily results ~
,1 from the study and correction of the sentence. But these -are not
all the advantages which arise from Grammatical Exercises. By
discovering their own 'abilities to detect ·and ,amend errours, and
their consequent improvement. the scholars bec<;>me pleased with
· their studies, and are animated to proceed, .and surmount _the ob·f.stacles which 0ccur in their progress. The insti;ucter,too iii re·
. 1Jieved and encouraged in his labours. :fly discerning,exactly the
'powers and improvement of his pupils, he. peq:eive! . ~.~ · proper
season for advancing them '· and by observmg the pomtB m which
they are deficient, he kno;.v~ precisely where to apply his direction•
and explanations. ·
"·
THESE considerations have induced the Compiler to collect
and arrange a variety of erroneous examples, adapted to the
ditrerent rules and instructions of. English Grammar, and to·tbe
principles of perspicuous and accurate writing. · It ha• not indeed ·
'. 1

. . . . . .~····

_

, r

INTRODUCTION.

5

be•n usual, to make Grammatical Exercises, in our language, very (
.to improve his work, by blending inoral and useful observation•
numerous and extensive: but if the importance and usefulness \
of them be as great as they are conceived to be, no apology will
with Grammatic'!! studies. Evep sentiments of a pious and re·
be necessary for the large field of employment, which the follow·
, . ·• !igious n:iture, liave nqt' been thought improper to be occasionally
( mserted m these Exercises.- The understanding and sensibility of
ing work pre sents -to the student of English Grammar. If he be
detained longer than is common in' this part of his studies, the
·
young persons, are much underrated · by those who think them in·
probable r_esult of it, an accurate and intimate knowledge of the
capable of comprehending and reli•hing this kind of instruction.
The sense and love of goodness are early and deeply .implanted in
subject, will constitute an ample recompense.
THE reader will perceive that some of the rules and observathe human mind ; and often, by their infant energies, surprise the
tions, under the part of Syntax, oontain a much greater numbei
intelligent observer :-why, then, should not _these emotions find
of examples than others. This has arisen from the superiour imtheir proper support and incentives, among the elements of learnportance of those rules, and. from the variety requisite to illustrate
i11g? . Conge_nial sentiments, thus disposed, besides making permath"em properly. When a few instances afford sufficient practice
M_nt ;mpresSJons, may serve to 'cherish and expand those generous
on the rule, the atudent is not fatigued with a repetition of examples
pnnc1ples; or, at least, to prepare them for regular operation, at a
future period: The importance of exhibiting to the youthful mind,
which would .cast no ne.v light on the subject.
In selecting the instances of false construction, the Compiler
the deformities of vke; and of giving it just and animatino- views
has studied to avoid those that are glaringly erroneous, and to fix
of piety and virtue, makes i_t. not only warrantable, but iur duty
upon. such only as frequently oc;cur in writing or speaking. If
also, to ·embrace every proper occasion to promote, in any degree .
there be any of a different ·complexion, it is presumed that they
these valuable ends.,
·
are but few, and that they will be found under th ose rules only,
In p r~senting the learner with so great a number of examples,
which from the nature of them, could not have been otherwise
it was difficult to preserve them from too much unifom»-- •.....:.'Ptu.-- - - clear)y exemplified to young persons. The examples applicable _ _.~_.;;C:;o:;m"f,i':'le':'r~7'..s,..hm""""·r;-beeu stud10us to gi.ve them an arrangement .
axefoUy-an~
an diversity, as agreeable as the nature of the subject would adto the principal notes and observations .
_JJ-___....Ju~n~:-;';'.'.'.'.:,"'.."!,:'.eli¥~ yntax; and regularly numbered to
mit; ~nd to render them interesting, as well as intelligib_le and instruct1ve, to young persons.
.
make them correspond to the subordinate rujes in the Grammar.
As many of the examples contain several errours in the same
Holdgate, near York, 1797.
sentence, and some of them admit of various constructions in
amending them, it has been thought proper to publish a KEY for
ascertaining all the corrections: and this has been the more exI
'
pedient from the work's being designed for the benefit of private
learne rs, as well as for the use of schools. The Key to the .pan
of Orthography might have been omitted, had not some of the
sentences contained so many words erroneously spelled, as ·to
render it probable that several of them would, in that case, have
been inadvertently passed over: especially by persons who may
not have the advanta~e of a tutor. In . forming the Key, it appeared to be more ehgible to repeat the sentences at large, with
their corrections, than simply to exhibit the amendments by
themselves'. In the mode adopted, the work has a more regular
and uniform appearance ; the corr.espondent parts may be more
readily compared; and the propriety of the corrections will be
more apparent and striking.
In a work which consists entirely of examples, and with which
the learners will, consequently, be much occupied and impressed,
the Compiler would have deemed himself culpable, had he exhibited such sentences as contained id eas inapplicable to young
mind s, or which were of a trivial or injurious nature He has,
therefore, been solicitous to avoid ·au exceptionable matter ; and

J

l

GE.N'EJUJL DIRECTIONS

ADVER'TISEMENT.

-

IT is believed that both Teachers and Pupils have laboured under numerous and serious inconveniences in relation to certain parts of these Exercises for the ~ant of
those facilities which this volume is desi~ned to supply.
Indeed, s 0 m~ parts of this useful work, h ave too frequently
bee!l either entirely omitted, or very imperfectly attended
t ?, m conse q~ence 1 of the absence of those rules and princ1ples by wh1c.h the errours were intended t o be corrected.
1
Those rul~s, m M.r .. Murray's Grammar, which relate to
the correct10n of each part of the Exercises in Ortho .. raphy
Synta;c, Punctua.tion, and Rpetorical conslructio;, hav; ,
been mtr?duced into this manual immediately' pr~ceding
the ~xerc1s es to which they relate. Th e pupil bein .. thus
fur~1sh e~ with t~e principles by which he is to be g~vern, ed m his. corrections, may pursu e his task with profit and
pleasure.
----=------llr
'In the promiscuous F..xercise~ote.-are-ifilro uced re_..Jlf..-- - - -fi:::_"-:-:-;t- the--pupiilo those rules and principles, in the' respective parts of this Book, by which the corrections should
b~ m_ade, and which, he should be able to repeat in. his re.
.
c1tatwns to his Teacher.
. The Editor does not pledge himself., that h e has, in every
t
d
.
ms ance, ma e the same reference which Mr. Murray
"'.ould have made, were h e to have performed this service
himself H h b
t ' fi d
h
.
e as een sa is e , w en two ru 1es would ap-Pl)_' ~o the s~me ~orrectiou, with giving that which, in his
opimon, applies with the greater force.
·
- In this edition, more than forty 18mo. pages of matter
have been added from Mr. Murray's Grammar. In this
enlarge.ment, great care has been taken . to preserve the
sentim~nts and langua£e of the Author, and to render the
work, Ill every respect, correct. It is hoped, that the improveme:its will meet with a favourable reception from
the Pubhck, and result in the extensive benefit of the rising
generation.
EDITOR •.

Harvard-Place, Boston, .l.lugiut, 1824.

FOR USING THE EXERCISES.

-

1. As soon as the learner has committed to memory,.the defini'tions of the article and subs.tantive, as h ·pressed in the Grammar.
he should be employed i11'parsing those parts <1fspeech, as they are
arranged in tins volume of the Exercises. , - .
. 2. The learner. should proceed, in this manner, through all the
definitions of the parts of speech contained in Etymology, regularly parsing the exe<cises of one definition, before he .applies ·to
·another.
·
3. As the pupil will then be able to understand all the rules in
Orthography, he should be directed to correct, in regular order,
tl!e orthographical exercises attached to the particular rules.
4. In this stage of his progress, he may vary his employment, by
occasionally parsing the promi scuous exercises, contained in the_- - -- t1
ninth 'section of the chapter. of_E_ty_mologieaJ-PaTSilfg, and by writcl;
' g...the-plu-ral$""0f-nouns, &c. in the · eighth section of the same
chapter.
'
5. ·When the first rule of Syntax is committed to memory, the
correspondent exercise in parsing, should be performed. Then
I
.!he·se_n_tences of ~alse syntax, under the rul~, should)le corrected,
m wnung. In this manner, both as to parsing 1tnd forrecting, all
the rules of Syntax should be treated, proceeding regularly according to their order. The pupil may n·ow be occasionally employed
in correcting the promiscuous exercises in Or\hography,
6. The preceding directions (except those upon Orthography) respect only the leading rules of the Grammar, which are
· printed in a larger type. When the exer,cises on those general
rules are co.mpleted, and n~t bef?re, the.learner is to apply to the
~rstsubordtnalerule~contamed .m ,the smaller type. He is to read
1t very attentively! assi~t~d by the'teacher's explanations; and af- ·
terwards correct, m wntrng, the false. construction of the exercises b el~ngi n~ to it. Thus, he is to proceed, rule by rule, till the
whole IS. finished.* The lear~er should now be, occasionally, em·
ployed m parsing the pronuscuous exercises, contained in the
eighth section of the chapter on Syntactical parsing.
. • The pupil ought to review every leading rule, and again rectify a few of the sentences under it, before he en ten on its subordinate rule• and their correspondent exercises.

.I '

8

GENERAL DIRECTIONS •

7. When the student has corrected all the exercises appropriat·
ed to the. particular ru~es, he should regularly proceed to rectify •
the promiscuous Exercises, m Syntax and Punctuauon. In this
employ, he should write over each correction, the number of the
rule, principal or subordinate, by which he conceives the correc·
tion ought to be made.
. ·
8. After. this progress, the learner will he qualified to enter on
th~ Exerc1se.s respecting perspicuous and accurate writing. In
this part, he 1s to proceed irl a manner as similar to the preceding
dHections, as the subject will admit.
. 9.. Wh~n all the Exercises have been regularly corrected, in
writing, it would tend to perfect the pupil'·• knowledge of the
rules, and to give him an ·habitual dexterity in applyin• them, if
he we-re occasionally desired to correct, verlJ.ally, erro:eous sentences purposely selected from different parts M the book; to recite the rules by which they are governed; and, in his own languag~, to detail the reasons on which the corrections are founded.
The following examples will give the student an idea of the man·
ner in which he is to make the verbal corrections.
•"The man is prudent which speaks little."
This sentence is incorrect; because which is a pronoun of the
neuter gender, anrl does not agree in gender with its anteoedent
man, which is masculine. But a pronoun should agree with its
antecedent, in gender, &c. according to the fifth rule of . Syntax.
Which should therefore be .who, a relative pronoun agreeing with
its antecedent man; and the sentence should st~nd thus : "The
man is prudent who speaks little."
~
". fter I visited Europe, I returned to America."

'

This sentence is not correct; bec~use the verb visited is in the
imperfect tense, and yet used here to express an action, not only
past, but prior to the time referred to by the verb returned, to
which it relates. By the thirteenth rule of syntax, when verbs
are used that, in point of time, relate to each other, the order of
time should be observed. The imperfect tense visited should,
therefore, have been had visited, in the pluperfect tense, represent·
ing the action of visiting, not only as past, but also as prior to the
time of returning. The sentence corrected would stand thus :
"After I had visited Europe, I returned to America."
"This was the cause, which first gave rise to such a barbarous
practice."
This sentence is inaccurate . The wordsfirst and rise have
here the same meaning; and tpe word such is not properly applied

,l

GENER.AL DIRECTIONS.

9

This word signiJies of that kind; but the author does not refer to
a kind or species of barbarity. He means ,a degree of it: and
therefore the word so, instead of such, ought to have been used.
The words cause and gave rise, are also tautological: one of them
should, consequently, be omitted. . The sentence corrected would
stand thus : "This was the original cause of so barbarous a practice:" or; 1 ofa practice ·so barbarous."
10. As pursing is an exercise of great importance to the pupil,
'it should be continued, regularly, through the whole. course of his
grammatical instruct10n.
·
11. To the learner who has not tile aid of a teacher, the Key is
indispensable. But it should, on no occasion, be consulted, till the
sentence which is to be rectified, has been well considered, and
has received the learner's best correction.

.ADVER'TISEMENT.

I,

As there are some teachers who doubt the propriety of
presenting exercises of bad English to youth of the junior
classes, it seems proper in this place, to' make a few observations on the subject.
The author is persuaded, that exercises of this nature, can- ,
not · be too soon engaged in, bJ, the student of grammar.
Simple rules, and examples of rectitude, make light impression, comp11red with the effect of contrast, in \vhich errours
and correctio)ls are opposed to each other. A child generally sees and hears so many instances of erroneous construclion, that, unless he is early iaught to distinguish and corr~ct
them, hjs imitative powers will be more influenced by errour
than by rectitude, Besides, children in detecting and amend ing errours, feel their own powers ; and however s.mall the
exercise may be, it. is a most pleasing and animating incen tive to application and study. What they learn in this way
will not only gratify them : it will also improve their judgment and sagacity, and be long an.d accurately remembered~
On these grounds, it is evident, that th.e practice of correcting errours, should be introduced into the early stages of
grammatical studies.. Instead of expoeing children to " the
danger of e".il c_ommunication," as some ingenious pers?ns
, have supposed, 1t seems to be the best means of teachmg
them, first, to discover the irregularities, and then, to avoid
the contagion, of bad examples.

CONTENTS.

-

PART I.

Exercises in Parsing.
Exercises in Parsing, as
mology alone - - 2. Exercises in Parsing,_as
Etymology and Syntax

CH.AP, 1.

it respects Ety~ - - - - 1t respects both
-

13
28

PART II.

Exercises in Orthography.
Instal)ces of false Orthography, arrang, ed under the respective Rules
2. Instances of false Ortpography, promiscuously disposed -

CHAP. 1.

40
46

PART III.

Exercises in Syntax. ·
CHAP·

I • Ins tances of false s1ntax, disposed under
the particular Ru es
- - -. - - , 2. Instances of false Syntax, promiscuously
disposed

59
130

PART IV.

Exerciae1 in Punctuation.
CHAP.

1. Se,n tences which require the application
of the Comma, disposed under the particular Rules - - - ~ - . - - - 1 1&0
2. Sentences requiring the mserhon of the
Semicolon and Comma - - - - . - .- 163
3. Sentences requiring the appllcat10n of
16~
the Colon, &c:·

12

CONTENTS.

CHAP. 4. Sentences which require the insertion of ,
the Period - - - - - - - - - - 167
5. Sentences requiring .the application of
the Dash; of the Notes of Interrogation
and Exclamat~on ;· and of the Parenthetical Characters - - - - - - 6. Prpmiscuous instances of defective Punctuation - - - - - - - ·- - - - 171 •
PART

EXERCISES.

PART I.

y.

--

Exercises to promote perspicuous and accurate Writing

EXERCISES IN PARSING.

First, With respect to single Words and Phrases.
cHAP. 1. Violations of the· Rules of Purity - - 2. Violations of the Rules of Propriety - 3. Violations of the Rules of Precision - -

182
184
193

Second!~, With respect to the Construction of Sentences.
CHAP. 1. Sentences in which the Rules of Clearness are violated - - - - - - - - 195
2, Sentences in which the Rules of Unity
are . violated - - - - - · - - - - 203
, 3. Sentences in which the Rules for promo ting the strength of a sentence are
violated - - • - - - - - - - 4. Instances of an irregular use of Figures
of Speech - - - - - - - - - 5. Violations of the Rules respecting perspicuous and accurate Writing, promiscuously disposed
- - - - APPENDIX.
CH.A.P.

1. On transposing the members
tence - - - - - - - '
2. On variety of expression 3. Figures of Speech - -

CHAP. I.
. EJxercises in· PARSING, as it respects

ETYMOLOGY

alone.

SECT.I.
Etymological Parsing Table.
part of speech ?
L An article. What kind? Why-?
2, . A substantive. Common or proper? What gender ? Number? Case 1 Why 1
An adjective. What degree of comparison 7 To
what dOes it belong 1 Why an adjective?
4. A pronoun. What kind 1 Person 1 Gender ?
Number 7 Case? _Why?
A verb. What kind? Mood 1 Tense? Number?
Person? Why? If a participle, Why? Active
or passive 1
·6. An adverb. Why is it an adverb?
,, 7. A preposition. -Why a preposition ?
8. A conjunction. Why 1
' 9. An iµteljection. Why 1
. WHAT

14

qERCISES.

PARSING.
J

SECT. II.

Speci~n

of Etym~logical Parsing.

"HOpe a~imates us."

Hope is a common substantive, of the neuter gender0 the third
person, in the singular number, and the nominative case• .[Decline
the substantive.] .llnimates is a regular verb active, indicative .
mood, present tense, third person singular. [Repeat the present
tense, the imperfect ten;se, and the perfect participle ; and sometimes conjugate the verb entirely.] Us is a personal pronoun,
first person p(ural, and in the objective case. (Decline tM pr<>noun.]
"A peaceful mind is virtue'.s reward. 11
.II is the indefinite article. Peaceful is an adjective. ( RepUJt
the degrees ef comparison.] Mind is a common substantive, of
the neuter gender, the third person, in the singular number, and
the nominative case. [Decline the substantive.] Is. is an irreg.
ular verb neuter, indicative mood, present tense, and the thi rd per•on singular. [Repeat the present tense, the imperfect tense, and
the participle ; and occasionally conjugate the verb entirely.'
Virtue's is a common substantive, of the neuter gender, the thud
person, in the singular number, and the possessive case. [Decline
the substantiveJ Reward is a common substantive, of the neuter
gender, the thir person, the singular number, and the nominative
case.

SECT. III.

Article and Substantive.
A bush
A tree
A flowe r
An, apple
An orange
An almond
A hood
A house

A hunter
An hour
An honour
An hos tler
The garden
The fie lds
The rainbow
T he clouds

T he girls' school
The scholars' duty
Depravity
The horizon ·
The constitution
Virtue
The laws
The vices
Beauty.
Temperance
A consumption
A variety
Africa
George
The continent
The Rhine
Roundness
A grammar
A declivity
Mathematicks
Blackness
· The elements
An inclination
An earthquake
.
The King'g prerogative The undertaking
Penelope
A prince
Constancy
A rivulet
An entertainment
The Humber
I
A fever ·
Gregory
The stars
' The pope
A comet
An abbess
A miracle
An owl
A prophecy
A building .
The Grocers' Company An elevation
' The conqueror
Europe
. An Alexander
The sciences
Wisdom
Yorkshire
America
The planets
The Cresars
The sun
The Thames
A volume
A river
· Parchment
The shadows
The pens
A vacancy .
A disposition
The hollow
Benevolence
An idea
An oversight
A whim
A design
Something
The governess
N othing.
An ornament

10

16

EXERCISES.

SECT. IV.

.IJ.rticle, ,114jecti11e, and Substanti-ve .
A good heart.
A wise head.
A strong body.
Shady tr:ees.
A fragrant flo we r.
The verdant fields.
A peaceful mind.
Composed thoughts.
A serene aspect.
An affable deportment.
The whistling winds.
A boisterous sea.
The howling tempest.
An obedient son.
A diligent scholar.
A happy parent.
The candid reasoner.
Fair proposals·.
A mutual agreement.
A plain narrative. ·
An historical fiction.
Relentless war. ·
An obdurate .heart.
Tempestuous passions.
A temper unhappy.
A sensual mind.
A gloomy cavern.
Rapid streams.
Unwholesome dew!.
A severe winter.
A useles~ drone.
The industrious bees.

Harmless doves.
The careless ostrich.
The dutiful stork.
The.spacious firmament
Cooling breezes.
A woman amiable.
A dignified character.
A pleasing address.
An open countenance.
A convenient mansion.
Warm clothing.
A temperate climate.
Wholesome aliment.
An affectionate parent.
A free government.
The diligent farmer.
A fruitful field.
The crowning harvest.
A virtuous conflict.
A final reward.
Peaceful abodes.
The noblest prospect.
A profligate life.
A miserable end ..
Gloomy regions.
The babbling brook.
A limpid stream.
The devious walk.
A winding canal. '
The serpentine river.
A melancholy fact.
An interesting hi~tory.

PARSING.

A.·happier life . .
The woodbine's fragrance.
A cheering prospect.
An harmonious sound.
Fruit delicious.
The sweetest incense.
An odorous garden.
The sensitive plant.
A garden enclosed.
The ivy-mantled tower.
. Virtue' s fair form.
A mahogany table.
Sweet-scented myrtle.
A resolution wise, noble,
-disinterested,

17

Consolation's lenient
hand.
A better world. A cheerful, go_od old
man.
A silver tea-urn.
Tender-looking charjty.
An
incomprehensible
subject.
A controverted point.
The cool sequestered
vale.
My brother's wife's
mother, J
A book of iny friend's.
An animating, wellfounded hope.

Pronoun and Verb, o/c.

The accident had hap:
I am sincere •.
·. Thou art industrious
pened.
,
H_e is disinterested.
He had r~signed himself.
·
Thou dost improve.
Their fears will detect
He assisted me .
. We completed our jourthem.
ney. /
You shall submit.
Our hopes did flatter us.
They will obey us.
They have deceived · Good humour shall prevail.
me.
' your expectation has We honour them.
' failed. ·
. '.
You e_ncol.lragc us.
They commend her.
B

18

EXERCISES.

She had beeii admired.
Let him consider.
L et us improve our- Virtue will be' rewarded·.
The person will have.
- selves.
been ·executed, when
Know yourselves.
the pardon ;i.rrives.
Let them advance.
Let him be animated.
They may offend.
Be you entreated. ·
I can forgive.
He' might surpass them. Le t them be prepared.
We could overtake him. It can be enlarged.
You may be discovered.
I would be happy:
He might be convinced.
re should repent.
He may have deceived It would be caressed.
I may have been deceivme. ·
ed.
They may ha~ e forgotTo Jive well is honour. ten.
·
able.
Thou mightst have imTo have conquered
proved.
himself was his highWe should have considest praise.
ered.
To see the sun is pleas- They might have been
·
ant.
honoured.
He will have determin- To be trusted, we must
, be virtuous.
ed.
To have been admfred,
We shall have agreed.
availed him little.
Let me depart.
Ridiculed; persecuted, 1
Do you instruct him.
despise(!,.he maintainPrepare your lessons. ·
ed his principles.
Promoting others' wel~
fare, they advanced Being reviled, w:e bless
Having been deserted,
their own interest.
he became discou.r ag-:
He liv.es respected.
ed.
Having resigned his ofThe sight being new,
fice, he retired.
he startled.
They are discouraged.
This uncouth figur'j
He was condemned.
startled him.
We have been rewarded.

19

PARSING

l have searched, I have
. found it.
,
They searched those
rooms ; he was gone.
The book is his; it was
mine.
' Th~se are yours, those
are ours.
Our hearts are deceit. ful. '
'
Your conduct met their
approbati<;m. .
None met who · could
avoid it.
His esteem is my honour.
Her · work does her
credit.
Each 'must answer th~
question.

Every heart knows its
own sorrows; . .
Which.was his choice 7
It was neither.
Hers is finished, thine is
to do.
This is what I feared.
That is the thing which
I desired.
Who can preserve hhnself?
Whose books are these ?
Whom have we served?
Some ar!! neglig~nt, others industrious.
One may deceive one's
self.
All have a talent to improve .
Can any dispute it ?
Such is our condition.

SECT.

VI.'
)

', .fl.dverb, ,P_reposition, Conjunctfon, and Interjection.
I have seen him once,
perhaps twice ..
· Thirdly, and lastly, I
shall conclude.
The t;i.sk is already performed.
we could not serve him
· 'then, but we will here. after.

Tliis plant is found here
and elsewhere.
Only to-day is properly
·ours. ·
They travelled through
France; ·in . haste, towards Italy.
From virtue to vice, the
progress is gradual .

'2 0

EXERclSES.

We often resolve, but
seldom perform.
He is .much more promising now than . . formerly.
We are wisely and happily directed.
He has certainly been
diligent, and he will .
probably succeed.
How sweetly the birds
smg ! ,
Why art thou so heed- .
less?
He is little attentive.
nay, absolutely stupid.
When will they arrive? ,
Where shall we stop?
Mentally and bodily, we
are curiously .and wonderfully formed.
We in' v·ain look for a
t-- - - -pa·t:lr '!Jetween virtue
and vice.
He lives within hi_!l income.
The house was sold at
a great pdce, and
above its value.
She came dowii stairs
slowly, but went briskly up again.
By diligence and frugality, we arrive at competency.
We are often below our

wishes, and above our
desert.
Some things make for
him, others against him.
By this imprudence, he
was plunged into new
difficulties.
·
Without the ~id of charity, he supported himself with credit.
Of his talents much
might be said: concern~ng his integrity,
nothmg.
On all occasions, she behaved with propriety.
We ought to be thankful, for we have received much.
Though he is often advised, yet he does not
reform.
Reproof either softens
or hardens . its object.
His father and mother
and uncle reside at
Rome.
We must be temperate,
if we would be healthy.
He is as old as his class.
mate, but not so learped.
Charles is estemeed; because he is both discreet and benevolent.
We will stay till he arrives

PARSING.

He retires to rest soon,
. · ·that he may rise early.
She will , transgress, unless she be admonished.
, If. he were encouraged,
.he would 'amend.
.Though he condemn me,
. I will re spect him.
Their talents are more
brilliant th~n useful.
Notwithstanding . his
poverty, he is a wise
and worthy person.
·If our dlj.sires are mode. rate, our wants will be
few.
Neither prosperity, nor
. , adversity, has improved him.
He can acquire no virtue, unless h~ make
some sacrifices.
Let him that standeth,
take beed lest he fall.
If thou wert .his superi•
our, thou shouldst not
have boasted.

'Zl

· He will be detected,
though he deny the
fact.
If he has promised, he
should act accordingly.
O, peace ! how desirable thou .art !
I have been often occupied, alas! with trifles.
Strange ! that 've should
be so i'nfatuated.
0 ! the hurniliatio~ to
· which vice reduces us.
Hark! how sweetly the
woodlarkr sings ! ·
Ah ! the delusions of
hope.
Hope often amuses, but
seldoms satisfies ·us.
Though he is lively~ yet
he is not volatile.
Hail, simplicity! source
of genuine joy.
Behold ! how pleasant it
is for brethren to dwell
together in unity !
welcome again ! my
long lost friend.

SECT. VII.
11 few instances of the same words constituti?ig, feveral of the parts of speech.

· Calm 'was the day, a~d
the scene •delightful.

We may expect
after a storm.

acalm

22

EXERylSES.

To prevent passion, is
have their preposses~
easier than to calm it.
sions.
Better is a little with Few days pass without .
content, than a great
some clouds.
deal with anxiety.
Much money is corThe gay and dissolute
rupting.
think little of the mis- Think much, and speak
eries, which are steal- .
little.
ing softly after them. 'He has seen much of the
A little attention will
world, and been much
rectify some errours.
caressed.
'
Though he is out of dan- His years are more than
' ger, he is ·still afraid.
hers ; but he has not
He laboured to still the
more knowledge.
tumult.
'
. The more we are' bless~
Still waters are comed, the more grateful
monly deepest.
we should be. ~ ·
Damp air is ,unwhole- The d_esire of getting '
some.
more is rarely satisfied
Guilt often casts a damp
He has equal knowlover our sprightliest
edge, _b ut inferiour
hours.
·
judgment.
Soft bodies damp the
She is his inferiour in
sound much more
sense, but his equal in
than hard ones. .
prudence.
..
Though she is rich and , We must make a like
fair, yet she is ndt amispace between the
able.
li.nes.
They are yet young, and
Every being loves its
must suspend their
like.
' judgment yet a while.
Behave yourselves like <
Many persons are better
men.
.~
than we suppose them
We are too apt t<;> like
, to be.
pernicious company.
The few and the many
He may' go or stay as he , ,. .
likes.

PARSING.
. They strive to learn.
He go!ls to and fro,
'r.o ,his wisdom we owe
' our privilege:
The proportion is ten to
one.
He served them with his
utmost ability.
When we do our utmost,
no more is required.
I will submit, for submis-

23

sion brings peace .
It is fbr our health to be
temperate.
O ! for better times.
I have a regard for him.
He is esteemed, both on
his own account, and
on that of his parents.
Both of them deserve
praise.

SECT. VIII.
Nouns, .11.djectives, and Verbs, to 'be declined, compared, and conjugated, ,

WRITE, in the non!inative c.ase plural; the following nouns : apple, plumb; orange, bush, tre~,
plant, convenience, disorder, novice, beginning,
defeat, protuberance . .
Write the following substantives, in the nominative case plural : cry, fly, cherry, fancy, glory,
duty, boy, folly, play, lily, toy, conveniency.
Write the following nouns in the possessive case
singular: boy, girl, man, woman, lake, sea~ church,
las~, beauty, sist~r, bee, branch. ,
Write the following in the nominative case plu. ral : loaf, sheaf, self, muff, knife, stuff, wife, staff,
wolf, half, calf, shelf, life.
. Write the following in the possessive 'case plu_ral : brother, child, man, woman, foot, tooth, ox,
mouse, goose, penny.
,
·. Write the following nouns in,the nominative and
possessive cases plural : wife, chief, die, staff, city.
river, proof, archer, master, cr~tch, mouth, baker,
distaff.

' 2J.

J<:XERCISES.

write the possessive singular and plural of the
pronouns; I, thou, he, she, it, who, and other.
Write the . objective cases, singular and plural,
of the pronouns, I, thou, he, she, it, and who.
Compare the following adjecti.ves : fair, grave, .
b.right, long, short, tall, white, deep, strong, poor,
nch, great.
Compare - the following adjectives : amiable
mode,rate, disinterested, favourable, grateful, stu:,
~ious, attentive, i;iegligent, industrious, perplexmg.
Write the following adjectives, in the comparative degree : near, !ar, little, low, good, indifferent, bad, worthy, convenient.
Write the following adjectives in . the superlative degree : feeble, bold, good, ardent, cold, bad, ,
base, little, strqng, late, near, content.
Conjugate the following verbs in the indicative
mood, present tense : beat, gain, read, eat, walk, .
desire, interpose.
.
Conjugate the following verbs in the potential
mood, imperfect tense : fear, hope, dream, fly,
consent, improve, controvert.
Conjugate the following. verbs in the subjunctive mood, perfect tense : drive, prepare, starv~
omit, indulge, demonstrate.
.
Conjugate the following verbs in the imperative mood : believe, depart, invent, give, abolish,
contrive. Write the following verbs in the infinitive mood, present and perfect tenses : grow, decreas.e, live, prosper, separate, incommode.
Write the present, perfect, and compound participles, of the following verbs : confess, disturb, .
please, know, begin, sit, set, eat, lie, lay.
Conjugate the following verbs in the indicative
mood, present and perfect tenses of the passive

PARSING.

25

·voice. : honour, abase, amuse, slight, enlighten,
displease, envelop, bereave.
Conjugate the following verbs in the indicative
mood, plup.e rfect and first future tenses : fly, con. trive, kno;w, devise, choose, come, ~ee, g9, eat,
.grow, bring, forsalrn.
·
Write the following verbs in the .present aJld
'impea-fect tenses of the potential ana subjunctive
' mo'ods : know, shake, heat, keep, give, blow, be~- ~t~w, beseech.
.
.
.
·
Write the following verbs in the indicative
mood, imperfect and second future tenses, of the
. passive voice : slay, draw, crown: throw, defeat,
grind, hear, divert.
Write the . following verbs in the second and
third ·person singular of all the tenses in tlie in~
dicative and subjunctive moods : approve, condemn, mourn, freeze, ·know, arise, drive, blow,
investigate.
Form the following verbs in the infinitive and
· imp.e rative moods, with their participles, all in the
' passive voice ·: embrace; draw, defeat, smite.
SECT. IX.
P,J'omi~cuous Exercises in. Etymological Parsing.
• TN yo/Jr whole behavi?ur, be humble and obligmg.
.Virtue is the universal charm .
.True politel).ess has its seat in the .heart.
\Ve should endeavour to please, rather than .to
shine and dazzle.
·
· Opportunities occur daily for· strengthening in .
ourselves the hab-its of virtue. .
.
Compassion prompts · us to relieve the wants of
others.

c

28

EXERCISES.

In the moments of e~ger contention, every thing
is magnified and distorted in its appear,ance.
Multitudes in the most obscure stations, are not
less eager in their petty broiis, nor less tormented
by their passions, than if princely honours were
the prize fbr which they contend.
·
The smooth stream; the serene atmosphere, the
mild zephyr, are the proper emblems of a gentle
temper, and a peaceful life. Among the sons of
strife, all is loud and temp estuous.

CHAP. II.
EXERCISES IN PARSING, AS IT RESPECTS BOTH ETYMOLOGY
AND SYNTAX.
SECT. I.

.Article.

Substantive.

.qdjective.

P~un.

Verb.

Syntactical Parsing Table.
Why is it the definite article I
Why the indefinite ?
Why omitted ? Why repeated!
Why is it in the possessiv e case?
Why in the objecti ve case ?
.
.Why in apposition 1
Why is the apostrophick s omitted ?
Whot is its substanti ve ?
Why in the si ngular, why in the plural number I
Why in the compa rative degree, &c. ?
Why placed after its substantive ~
Why omitted ? Why repeated ?
What is -its aniecedent ?
Why is it in tbe singular, why in tbe p_lural num~
ber?
Why of the masculine, why of the feminine, why
of the neuter gend er?
Why of the first, of the second, or of tbe third
person-?
Why is it the nominative case ?
Why the possessive? Why the objective ·f
Why omitted ? Why repeated?
·
What is its nominative case 1

PARo! Nti.

29

What case rloes. it govern ?
Why is it in the singula r ? Why in the plural
number?
Why ln the fi1st person, &c.
Why is it in the infinitive mood?
,,, Why in the subjunctive, &c. ?
-Why in this particular tense r.
What relation has it to another verb, in point of
time?
Why do participles sometimes govern tbe objec·
tive Case ?
Why is the verb omitted ? Why repeated?
What
is its proper situation ?
.Adverb.
Why is the double negative used ?
Why rejected 1
What case does it govern ?
Preposition.
Which is the word governed ?
Why this preposition ?
Why omitted ? Why repeated ?
Conjunction. What modes, tenges, or cases, doesi it connect ?
Anti wliy ? ' What mood does it require ? Why
omitted ? Why repeated ?
1Vhv
does the nominative case follow it ? Why
Interjection.
th.e objective? Why omitted? Why repeated?

SECT. II.
Specimen of Syntactical Parsing .
" Vice degrades us.''

:Vice is a common substantive, of the neuter gender, the third
- person, in the singular number, and tbe nominative case. Degrades is a regular verb active, indic;:ative mood, present tense,
third person sing ular, agreeing with its nominative u vice," according to RULE r. which says; (here repeat the rule.) Us is a

personal pronoun, first person plural, in the objective case, and
governed by the active verb "degrades," agreeably to RULE xx.
which says, &c.
·
"He who lives virtuou jly, prepares for all events."
H e i ~' a personal pronoud, of the third person, singular number,
and masculine gender. Who is a relative pronoun, which has for
its antecedent "he,''i with which it agrees in gender and number,
according to RULE v. which says, &c. Lives a regular verb
neuter, indicati ve m~o d ,prese nt tense, third person singular, agree..

30

PARSING.

EXERCISF.S.

"who, 11

iog with its nomir:ative.
accorcliug to RU L J!: VI. which
says,,&c. Virtuously is •n adverb of quality. Prepares a regular verb neuter, indicative mood, r resen t tense . third person sin·
gular, .agreeing wi~h its nominative." he." .fi'or is a preposition.
.All is an adjective pronoun, of the indefinite kind, the plural number, and belq_ngs to its substantive, " events," with which it agrees,
according to Rur.E VIII . which says, &c. Events is a common
substantive, of the neuter gend er, the third, person, in the plural
number, and the objective'case, gbverne'd by the preposition,

0

for,"

according to RULE xv.rI. which says, &c.
·.. If folly entice ti1ee, reject its allurements."
If is a copulati ve conjunction. · F olly is a common sub stanti~e,
of the n euter gemlei, the third person, in the singular number, and
the nomin ati ve case. Entice is a regular verb active, subjunctive
mood, present tense, third person singular, and is governed by the
conjunction," if," according to RUL E x rx. which says, &c. Thee
i? a personal pronoun, of the • ec~md person singular, in the objec·
h ve case, governed by the active verb "entice," agreeably to
RULE XI. which says, &c.
R eject is a regular active verb, imperative mood, second person singular, anrl agrees with its noniinative case "thou," implied. I ts is a personal pronoun, third
person, singular number, and of the neuter ~e nde r, to agree with
its substantive "folly," according to RULE v. which says, &c.
It is in the possessive case, governed hy the noun u allurements,''
agreeably to RULE x. which says, &c. .!lllurements is a common substantive, of the neuter gender, the third person, in the
plural number, and the objective case, governed by the active verb,
"reject," according to RULE XI. which says, &c.

SECT. Ill.
E'l:ercises on the first, second, thi.rd, and fourth Rules
of Syntax.*
1. The contented mind spreads ease and cheerfulness around it.
The school qf experience teaches many useful
lessons.
In the path of life are many · thorns, as well · as
flowers.
"In parsing these exercises, the pupil &houid repeat the respective rule of Sy11iax, and show that it ap plies to the sentence which
he is paroing.

31

Thou shoµldst do j\15tice . to all meI), even to enemies.
.
2. Vanity and presumpti<m' ruin many a promising youth .
Food, clothing~ and credit, are the rewards of
industry.
H e and William live toge ther in great harmony.
3. No age, nor condition, is exempt from trouble.
Wealth, or virtue, or any valuable acquisition,
is not attainable by idle wishes.
.
4. The British nation is great and generous.
The company is assembled. It is cop1posed of
persons possessing very diffe rent sentiments.
. A. herd of cattle, peacefully grazing, affords a
ple asing sight.

SECT, IV.
E xercises on the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth Rules
nj Syntax.1

, f?·

The man, who is faithfully attached to religion, may be r elied on with confidence.
The vices which .we sl10uld especially avoid,
are those ,which most easily beset us.
6. They who are born in high stations, are not
always happy.
Our par:ents and teachers are the persons whom
we ought; in a particular manner, to respect.
If our friend is in troubl ~ , we, whom he knows
and loves, may console him.
7. Thou art the maQ. who has improved his
privileges, and who will .reap the re ward. ·
I am the person, who owns u fault committed
and who disdains to conceal it by falsehood.

32

EXERCISES.

8. That sort of pleasure weakens and debases
the mind.
Even in t~~se times, the~e are many persons, ·
who, from d1smte~ested motives, are solicitous to
promote the happmess of others.
SECT. V.
Exercises on the ninth, tenth, eleventh, and twelfth
Rules of Syntax.
9. The restless, discontented person is not a
good friend, a good neighbour, or a good subject.
The young, the healthy, and the prosperous
'
should not presume on their advantages.
10. The scholar's diligence will secure the tutor's approbation.
·
'.l'he go~d parent's greatest joy, is, to see his
children wise and virtuous.
11. Wisdom and virtue ennoble us. Vice and
folly debase us.
Whom can we so justly love, as them who have
endeavo ured to make us wise and happy ?
12. When a person has nothing to do, he is almost always tempted to do wrong.
We need not urge Charles to do good : he loves
to do it.
,
We dare not leave our studies without' permis. _
sion. ·

SECT. VI!
Exercises on the thirteenth, fourteenth, fifteenth, 5ixteenth, and seventeenth Rules of Syntax.
13. The business is, nt last, completed ; but
long ago I intended to do it.

PARSING.

33

I -expected to see the king, before he left Wind. sor.
The misfortune did happen; but we early hoped
and endeavoured to prevent · it.·
. To have been censured by so judicious a friend,
would have greatly discouraged me.
14. Having early disgraced himself, he became
. mean and dispirited.
.
.- Knowing him to be my superiour, I cheerfully
submitted.
15. We should always prepare for the worst,
• nnd hope for the best.
A young man, so learned and vi~tuous, promises
to be a very useful memb.e r of society.
· When our virtuous. friends die, they are not lost
for ev_er ; they are only gone before us to a ·hap·P.ier world.
.
.
16. Neither threatenmgs, nor any promises,
could make him viblate the truth.
·Charles is not insincere_.; and thel'efore we n:i ay
, · trust him. ·
_
· · - 17. From w horn was that information received?
To whom do that house, and those fine gardens,
belong?SECT. VII.
Exercises · on the. eighteenth, nineteenth, twentieth, twen·
ty-jirst, and twenty-second Rules of SyTJ:,tax.

18. He_ and I commenced our studies at the
· same time.
. lf we contend about trifles, and violently maintain our opinion, we shall gain but few friends.
19. Though James and myself are rivals, we
do not cease to be friends. ·

34

35

EXERCISES.

PARSING • .

If Charles acquire knowledge, good
'.•·
and virtue, he will secure esteem.
William is respected, because he is 1ipright and ·
obliging.
.
· ·
·
20. These persons are abundantly more oppress~
ed .than we are.
·
Though I am not so good a scholar as he is, 1
am, perhaps, not less attentive th'an he, to study.
21. Charles was a man of knowledge, learning,
politeness, and religion.
.
In ,our travels, we saw much to approve, and ,
much to condemn.
2~. The book is improved by many .useful cor- '
r ect10ns, alterations, and additions.
She is more talkative and lively than her brother, but not so well . informed, nor so uniformly
cheerful.

·g1>0.d. offices and kind affections, which, .by a pleasj rig charm, attac,:hes men to one another, and cir:
culates rational enjoyment from .heart to heart !
. .Jf we view ourselves, with all our imperfections
and faiJings, in a just light, we shall rather be sur·prised at our enjoying so many good things, th an
· piscontented, becaus.e there ar~ any which \Ve
· want.
. True cheerfulness makes a man happy in him..sel,f, and promotes the happiness of all around him.
It is the cle ar and calm sunshine of a mind illuminated by piety and virtue .
Wherever vie,ws of interest and prospects of r~­
turn, mingle with the feelings of affection, sensi. bility acts an imperfect part, and entitles us to
small share of commendation.
,
Let not. your expectations from . the years that
are to come, rise too high; and your disappoint. ments will be fewer, and more easily supported.
. To live long, onght not to be our favourite
wish, so much as to live well. By continuing too
long on · earth, we might only live to . witness a
greater number of melancholy scenes; and to expose ,ourselves to a wider compass of human wo.
How many pass away some of the most valuable
years of their lives, tost in a whirlpool of what
cannot be called pleasure, so much .as mere g iddi~
11ess and folly !
Look roun.d you with attentive eye, and weigh
, characters well, before you connect yourselves too
closely with any who court your society.
· The true honour of man consists not in the multitwl.e of riches, pr the elevation of rank ; for experience shows, that these ·may be possessed by
tlie .wu1•thless, as well'as by the deserving.
Beauty of form has often betrayed its possessor.

SECT. VIII.
Promiscuous Exercises in Syntactical P arsing.
PROSE.

D~ssrnULATION in yo.uth, is the forerunner of per-

fidy m old age. Its first appearance is the fatal·
omen of growing depravity, and future shame.
If we possess not the power of self-govern- · .r
i:ient, we 8hall be the prey of every loose inclina· .
trn? that chances .to arise. Pampered by continual rndulgence, all our passions will become mutinous and headstrong. Desire, not reason will be
the ruling principle of our conduct.
'
Abs_urdly we spend our time in contending about
the trifles of a day, while we ought to be preparing for a higher existence.
How little do they know of the true happiness
of life, who are strangers to that intercourse of

36

EXERCISES.

PARSING,

37

giands perpetual caution. Moderation, vigilance,
The .flower i~ ~asily blasted. It is short-lived at the .
and self-government, are duties incumbent on. all ;
best '· and triflmg, a;t any rate, in comparison with
.but especially on such as are beginning the JOUrthe higher, and more lasting beauties of the mind. ~
oey of life.
contented temper opens a clear sky; • and
-The charms and comforts of virtue are inexbrightens every object ar.ouud us. It is in the ·
pressibl~ ; and can only be justly conceived b1
sull~n an~ . dark shade of discontent, that noxious','
· those who possess her. The consciousness of Dipass10ns, ltke venomous animals, breed and prey
vine approbation and support, and the steady h?pe
upon the heart.
.
of future happiness, communicate a peace and Joy,
Th?usands wh.om indolence has sunk into con·
to which all the delights of the world bear no retempt1ble obscur:ty, might have come forward to . •
_us_efu\nes~ and honour, if idleness had not frustrat- .. . semblance.
If we knew how much the pleasures of this life
ed the e~ec~s of all their powers.
·deceive
and betray the ir unhappy votaries ; and
~loth is hke t~e slowly-flowing, putrid stream, ,
reflected on the disappointments in pursuit, the
w~1ch stagnates .m the marsh, breeds venomoQs "
dissatisfactioIJ in enjoyment, or the unc_ertainty of
anm~als,. and poisonous plants ; and infects with
·
possession, which every where attend them ; we
pestrlentra~ vapours the whole country round it. .. should cease to be enamoured· wi_th these brittle
.Disappomtmen'.s derange, and overcome, vulgar
and transient joys; and should ·wisely fix our hearts
~runds. The patient and the wise, by a proper
on those virtuous attainments, which the wor\d can
. 1mRrov~ment, frequently make them contribute ta·
- ' neither give_nor take away.
their high advantage.
. Whateve~ fortune may rob us of, it cannot take
away .what 1s most valuable, the peace of a good
POETRY.
consc1e?ce, and the cheering prospect of a happy
conclus10n to all the trials of life in a better ·
Oroer is Heav'n's first law.; and this confest,
world
·
'
Some are, and must be, gre,ater t!1an the rest,
More rich, more wise ; but who ·infers. from hence,
· _Be not overcome with the injuries you meet
That such are happier, shocks all common sense.
~1th, so as to purs.ue revenge; by the disasters of
Needful austerities our wills restrain;
life, so as to srnk rnto despair; by the evil exam~
As·thorns fence in the tender plant from harm.
pies of the. w:or!d, so as to- follow them into sin.
Reason's whole pleasure, all the joys of ~ense,
Ov~rcome rnJ_ur1es, by forgiveness; disasters, by
Lie in three wo.rds, health, peace, and competence·
But health consists with temperance alone .;
fortitude ; evil examples, -by firmness of princiAnd peace, Oh virtue! peace is all thy own.
ple.
_
_
On earth, nought precious is obtain' d,
Sobriety of mind is one of those virtu~ which
But what is painful too·;
the ~resent conditio~ of hu~an li~e strongly inculBy travel and to travel* born,
cate~. 1:he uncertamty of its enjoyments checks
Our sabbath• are ·but few.
lit The same as travail.
presumption; the multiplicity of its dangers; de·

!'-

38

PARSING.

E.XERCISES.

Along the cool sequester'd vale of life,
They kept the noiseless tenour of lheir way.
What nothing earthly gives, or can destroy,
The soul's calm sunshine, and the heartfelt joy,
Is virtue's prize.
Pity the sorrows of a poor old man,
Whose trembling limbs have borne him to. thy door
Whose'days are dwindled to the shortest span:
Oh! give relief. and Heav'n will bless thy store.
Who Jives to nature, rarely can be poor :
Who Jives to fancy, never can be rich.

Who noble ends hy noble means obtains
Or failing, smiles in exile or in chains '
Like good Aurelius let him reign, or b'ieed
Like Socrates, that man is great indeed.
Our heart• are fasten'd to this world
'
By strong and endless ties;'
But every ,sorrow cuts a string,
·
And urges us to rise.

Oft p.ining cares in rich brocades are drest
And diamonds· glitter on. an anxious breast.
T each me to feel anothe r' s wo,
To hide the fault I see ·
That mercy I 'to others show
That mercy show. LO me. '

When y~ung, life'> jo~rney I began,
The glitt'ring prospect charm'd my eyes;
I saw, along th' extended plain,
J oy after joy, successive rise.
But soon I found 'twas all a dream ;
And learn'd the fond pursuit to shun,
vVhere few can reach the purpos'd aim,
And thousands, daily are undone.
'Tis greatly wise to talk with our past hours ;
And ask them, what report they bore to Heav'n.
All nature is but art, unknown to thee;
All chance, direction, which thou canst 'n ot see;
All discurd, harmony not understood;
All partial e~il, uni versal good.

This day be bread, and peace, my lot:
All else beneath the sun,
Thou know's~ if best bestow'd or not,

And let thy will be done.
Vice is a 'mon ster of so frightful mien,
As, to be hated, needs but to be seen :
Yet seen too oft, familiar with her face
We first endure, then pity, then emh rac~.
. If nothing more th~n purpose in thy ·power,
Thy purpose. firm, is equal to the deed:
vYho does the best his circumstance allows,
Does well, acts· nobly; angels could no more.
In faith and hope the. world will disagree ·
But all mankind 's concern is charity.
'

Heav 1 n's choice is safer than our own;

Of ages past inquire,
'Vhat the most formidable fate?
"To have our own desire."
If ceaseless, thus, the fowls of Heav'n he feeds,
If o'er the fields such lucid robes he spreads;
Will he not care for you, ye faithless, say ?
Is he unwise ? or, are ye less than they 1

To .be resign'd when 'ills betide,
Patient ;vhen fa vours are denied
And pleas'd with favours give~:
Most surely this is Wisdom's part
This is that incense of the hea rt '
\'\'hose fragrance smells to H:av'n.
All fame is foreign, but of true desert·
Plays round the head, but comes not t~ the heart
O~e sel.f-approving hour whole years outweighs
O. stupid stare~s, and of loud huzzas;
And more true joy Marcellus exil'o feels
Than Cresar with a senate at his heels. '
Far fr~m the ma.dding crowd's ignoble strife,
Then sober \VtShes never learn'd to stray;

1

The spacious firmament on high,
With all the blue ethereal sky,
And spangled heav'ns, a shining frame,
Their great Original proclaim : .
·
Th' unwearied sun, from day to day,
Does his Creator's power display,
And publishes to ev'ry land,
The work of an Almighty hand .
Soon as the evening shades prevail,
The moon takes up the wond'rous tale,

39

40

EXERQISES.

Aud, nightly, to the list'ning earth,
Repeats the story of her birth :
Whilst all the stars that round her bum,
And all the planets in their turn,
Confirm the tidings as they roll,
~nd spread the truth from pole to pole.
What tho', in solemn silence, all
Move round · the dark terrestrial ball !
What tho' nor real voice nor sound,
Amid their radiant orbs be found!
In reason's. ear they all ·rejoice,
And •Utter forth a glorious voice ;
For ever singing as they shine, .
"The hand that made us is Divine."

ORTHOG_RAPHY.

41

,
Our manners should be neither gros, nor exces.' si vely refined.
RULE II.

. Monosyllables ending with any consonant but j, l,
or s, and preceded by a single vowel, never double
the final consonant ; exceptiqg only,. add, ebb,butt,
egg, odd, err, inn, bunn, burr, purr, and buzz.
A carr signifies a chariot of war, or a small carriage of burden.
In the name of druggs and pl!lnts, the mistake
in a word may endanger life.
Nor undelightfu! is the ceaseless bumm
To him who muses through the woods at rioon. -

PART II.
EXERCISES IN ORTHOGRAPHY.

-

The finn of a fish is the limb, by which he balances his body, and moyes in the water.
Many a trapp is laid to insnare the feet of youth.
Many thousand families are supported by the
simple business of making matts.

CHAP. I.
Containing instances. of false Orthography, arranged .
under the respective . Rulc~-for the correction of
which, private learners may also have reference to
Dr. Johnson's Dictionary.
RULE I.

Monosyllables ending with j, l, or s, preceded
by a si~gle vowel, double the final consonant ; as,
staff, mill, pass, o/c. The only exceptions are, of;
if, as, is, has, was, yes, h~, this, us, and thus. ·
It is no great merit to spel properly ; but a
great defect to do it incorrectly.
·
Jacob worshiped bis Creator, leaning on the
·
top of bis staf.
We may place too little, as well as too much
stres upon dreams.

RULE III.

Words ending with y, preceded by a consonant,
form the plurals of nouns, the persons of verbs,
· · verbal nouns, past participles, comparatives, and
superlative·s, by changing y into i ; as, spy, spies,
I carry, thou carriest ; he carrieth or carries ; carrier, carried ; happy, happier, happiest.
Th'e present participle in ing, retains the y, that
i may not be doubled ; as, carry, carrying ; bury,
burying, <Ye.
·
, But y, preceded by a vowel., in such instances as
the above, is not changed ; as, boy, boys ; I cloy,
he cloys, cloyed, o/c. ; except in lay, pay, and say ;
from which are formed, taid, paid, and said ; and
their compounds, unlaid, unpaid, unsaid, o/c.
We should subject our fancys to the government
of reason.

D

42

ORTHOGRAPHY.

EXERCISES.

·el ; as, wit, witty ; thin, thinnish ; to abet, an abettor ; to begin, a beginner.
. • But if a diphthong precedes, or the accent is on
the preceding syllab le, the consonant remains single ; as; to toil, toiling; to offer, an offering; maid,

If thou art seeking for the living amongst
dead, thou wearyest thyself in vain.
If we have denyed ourselves sinful pleasures,·
we shall be great gainers in the end.
We· shall not be .the happyer for possessing talents and affluence, unless we make a right use of
them.
The truly good mind is not dismaied by poverty, afflictions, or death.

1.

, ui,aiden, o/c.

RULE IV.

Words ending with y, preceded by a co n s?n~nt,
upon assuming an additional syllable .beg1;inmg
with a consonant commonly change y mto i ; as,
happy, . happily, happip,ess. But when y is p:eceded by a vowel, it is very rarely changed. m the
additional syllable ; as, coy, coyly; ?oy, ?oyish, ~uy­

43

1

hood; annoy, annoyed, annoyance; Joy, Joyless, JOYful, o/c.
·
.
.
lt is a great bles~ing to have a sound mind, unin-

fluenced by fancyful humours.
.
Common calamities, and common blessmgs fall
heavyly upon the envious.
The comelyness of youth are modesty and frankness ; of age, condescension .and dignity.
When we act against conscience, we become the
destroiers of our own peace.
We may be plaiful, and yet innocent ; grave,
and yet corrupt. It is only from general conduct ,
that our true character can be portraied.
RULE V.

Monosyllables, and words accented on the last .
syllable, ending with a sh1gle consonant preceded ·
by a single vowel double that consonant, when
they take another syllable beginning with a vow-

When we bring the lawmaker into contempt,
we have in effect annuled his laws.
By defering our repentance, we accumulate our
sorrows.
The pupils of a certain ancient philosopher,
were not, during their first years of study, permit·ed to ask any queslions.
We all have many faillings and lapses to lament
and recover.
There is no affiiction .with which we are visittedi that may not be improved to our advantage.
The Christian Lawgiver has prohibitted many
things, which the heathen philosophers allowed.
RULE VI.

Words ending with any double l~ tter but 1, and •
taking ·ness, less, ly, or Jul, after them, preserve
the letter double; as, harmlessness, carelessness,
carelesly, st~ffly, successful, distressful, o/c. But those
words which end with double l, and take ness, less,
ly, or Jul, after them, generally omit one l; as, fulness, skilless, fully, skilful, o/c.

Restlesness of mind disqualifies us, both for the
enjoyme.1t of peace, and the performance of our
duty.
The arrows of calQ.mny fall harmlesly at the
feet of virtue.
- The road to the blisful regions, is as open to
the peasant as to the king.

44

45

EXERCISES.

ORTHOGRAPHY.

A chillness or shivering· of the body
precedes a fever.
To recommend virtue to others, our lights must
shine brightly, not dullly.
·
_
·

,; A judicious arrangment of studies facilitates
. irnprovment.

The silent stranger stood amaz'd to see
Contempt of wealth, and willful poverty.
· • RULE VII.

.

Ness, less, ly, and Jul, added to words ending
with silent e, do not cut it off; as, paleness, guileless, closely, peaceful : except in a few words ; as,
duly, truly, awful.
·
The warmth of disputation, destroys that sedatness of mind which is necessary to discover truth.
All these wilh ceasless praise his works behold,
Both day and night.

In all our reasonings, our minds should be sincerly employed in the pursuit of truth.
Rud~ behaviour, and indecent language, are peculiarly disgracful to youth of education.
The true worshiJ? of God is an important and.
-aweful service.
Wisdom alone is truely fair: folly only appears so.
RULE VIJI.

Ment, added to wo-rds ending with silent e, generally preserves the e from elision ; as, abatement
cha~tisement, incitement, o/c. The words judgment; · ,.
abridgment, acknow ledgment, are deviations from the
rule.
Like other terminations it changes y into i, when
preceded by a consonant ; as, accompany, accompaniment ; merry, merriment.
The study of the · English language is making
daily advancment.

To shun al!urments is not hard,
To minds resolv'd, forewarn'd, and well prepar'd.
RULE rx:
'ilble and ible, when in_c orporated into words
ending with silent e, almost always cut it ?ff; as,
· blame, blamable ; cure, curable; sense, sensible, <}-c.
· but if c or g ~oft comes before e in the original
:· word, the e is then preserved in words compounded with able ; as, change, changeable ; peace, peace.
•-able, o/c.
. Every person and thing connected with self, is
, 'apt to appear good and desireable in our eyes. .
Errours and misconduct are more excuseable m
: ignorant, than in well-instructed p~rsons.
The divine laws are not reverse1blc by those of
men.
Gratitude is a forceible and active principle in
good and generous minds.
•
- Our natural and · involuntary defects of body.
are not chargable upon us.
We are made to be servicable to others, us well
·- is to ourselves.
RULE X.

When ing or ish is added to words ending with
. ' silent e, the e is almost universally omitted ; as,
place, placing ; lodge, lodging; 3/ave, slavish; prude,
· prudish.
.
. .
.
_
An obligeing and humble d1spos1t10n, is totally
· unconnected with a servile and cringeing humour.
· · By solaceing the sorrows of others, the heart i~
improved, at the same time that our duty is per-formea.·

46

EXERCISES.

Labour and expense are Jost
spirit.
.
Th~ inad~ertencie s of youth may be excused, bu't
knave1sh tricks should meet with severe reproof. . ·
RULE XI.

Compounded words are generally spelled in the
sa.me manner, as the simple wo;ds of which they'
a1e formed ; as, g lasshouse, skylight, thereby hereafter. Many words endinO'
0 with double l a;e ex-'
ceptions to this rule ; as, already, welfar~, wilful,·
fulfil: and also the words, wherever Christmas lam- ,
fl •
·
'
'
mas, ~c.
r.• e.· Cl.'
irist s mass,
latter mass.
The pasover was a celebrated feast among- the
~
Jews.
A virtuous woman l ~oketh well to the ways of
her houshold.
These people salute one another .. by touching
'
the top of their forheads.
That which is sometimes expedient, is not all- .
ways so.
We may be hurtfull to others, by our example ·.·
as well as by personal injuries.
'
In candid minds, truth finds an entrance and a
wellcome too.
·
'
Our passtimes should be innocent · and they
should not occur too frequently.
'
'
CHAP. IL
Containing instances of fal.se ORTHOGRAPHY, promis- "'
cuously disposed.
·
.
A~ the learners !"ust be supposed to be tolerably versed in the
spelling of words rn very fam1lar use, the Compiler has generally

s~lected, for the followrng exercises, such wo 1ds as are less obvi~usly erroneou~, a~ll in the use of which young persons are more
likely to coi:i~1t mJStakes. Though the instances which he givo& 1
:>f these deviations a1e not very numerous,.> et, it is presumed, they

ORTHOGRAPHY.

47

are exhibited with sufficient variety, to show the necessity of care
~nd attention in combining letters aml syllables ; and to excite
the ingenious stud ent to investigate the principles and rules of our
Orthography as well as to distinguish the exceptions and variation>
, . which every where attend them.
In rectifying these exercises, the Compiler has been governed
by Docto; Johnson's Dictionary, as the standard of propriety.
This work is, indisputably, the best authority for the Orthography
of the English language ; though the author, in some instances,
has made . decisions, which are not generally approved, and for
1vhich it is not easy to account.

SECT. I.
The figures which are incorporated with these Promiscuous
: -Exercises, and which follow certain errours, denote the numbers of the Rules in Orthography, or exceptions to the Rulu,
· by which those errours should be ' correcte.d :-thus, (5) denptes Rule fifth, and (5 ex.) the exception lo Rule fifth.

·

Neglect no oppurtunity of doing good.
No man can stedily build upon accidents.
How shall we keep, what, sleeping or awake,
A weaker may surprize, a stronger take ?

Neither time nor misfortunes should eraze the
rememberance of a friend.
Moderation should preside, both in the kitchin
·and the parlor.
Shall we recieve good at the Divine hand, and
shall we not recieve evil ?
In many designs, we may succede and be mis·erable.
1
We should have sence and virtue enough to re• ceed from our demands, when they appear to be
·unresonable.
All our comforts procede from the Father of
~ Goodness.

The ruin of a state is generally preceeded by a
universal degenaracy of manners, and a contempt
of religion.
.
· His father omited (5) nothing in his education,

r·

48

EXERCISES.

(

p romiscu011i.

that might render him virtuous and usefull. (11 ex.)
The daw in the fable was dressed in . pilferre<l (5 ex.) ornaments.
·.
A favor confered ( &) with delicac_y, doubles · .
the obligation.
They tempted their Creator, and limitted (5 ex.)
the Holy One of lzrael.
·
The precepts of a good education have often
recured (5) in the time of need.
We are frequently benefitted ( & ex.) by what we
have dreaded.
It is no great virtue to live lovcingly (10) with
good natured and meek persons.
The Christian religion gives a more lovly (7)
character of God, than any religion ever did.
Without sinisterous views, they are dextrous
·
managers of their own interest.
Any thing commite<l (5) to the trust and care of
another, is a deposit.
Here finnish'd he, and all that he had made
Vieu'd and beheld ! All was intirely good .

It deserves our best ski! ( 1) to enquire into those
rules by which· we may guide our judgement. (8 ex.)
Food, clotheing, (10) and habitations, are the
rewards of industry.
If we lie no restraint upon our lusts, no controul upon our apetitcs and passions, they will hurry us into guilt anJ misery.
·
An Independant is one who, in religious affairs,
holds that every congregation is a compleat
Church.
Receive his council, and securly (7) move ;
Entrust thy fonune to the Power above.
Following life, in cretures we disect,
We lose it in the moment we detect.

The acknowledgement

.Promiscuous.)

ORTHOGRAPHY.

4~

.s,ions must precede,- the · forgivness (7) of them.
··; Judicious .abridgements (8 ex.) often aid the studys
: (~) of youth.
.·
· Examine how ·thy humor is enclin'd, ·
And which the ruleing (10) passion of thy mind.
---H~ faulters at the question :
· His fears, his words, his look,s, declare him guilty.

Calicoe is a thin cloth made of c~tton'. ; some'
· , ; To · promote 'iniquity . in' others, is nearly . the
",..same as :being the acters of it ourselv:s.
1
; ,The glasier's business was unknown to . the an. tients. · ·
The antecedant, in grammer, is the noun or
' ··pronoun to which the relative refers. ·
ti~es stained with lively colors.

SECT. II.
Be not affraid of the wicked : they are under the
. controul of Providence. Consciousness of guilt
may justly afright us.
, Co.nvey to others no inteligence which you
would be ashamed to avow. ·
.
Many arc weighed in the ballance, and 'found
·wanting.
.
How many disapointments have, in their conse.
·
. quences, saved. a man from ruin l
A well-poised mind makes a .cheerful counle. nance.
.
. .·A certain housholder ( 11) planted a vinyar<l,
;, (11) but the men imployed in it made ungrate- . full ( 11 ex.) . returµs. ,
·
·. . · Let us show dilligcnce in ev.e ry !audible. under. .taking._
· Cinamon is the fragrant bark of a low tree in
'the iland of Ceylon.
F.

50

EXERCISES

(Promiscuous. ·.

'
A nm will but (2 eq;.) with his head, though he :
.
be brought up tame, and never saw the action,
We percieve a piece of silver in a bason, when ·
water is .poured on it, though we could not di~cov- ·
e r it before.
Virtue imb::ilms the memory of the good.
The King of Great 'Brittain is a. limitted (5 ex.)
monarch ; and the Brittish nation a .free people.
The phisician may dispence the medicin, but
Providence alone can bless it.
In rriany persuits we .imbark with pleasure, and.
land sorrowfully.
·
Rocks, mountains, and caverns, are of inclispensible use, both to the earth and to man.
The hive of a city, or kingdom, is in the best
condition, when their is the least noize or buz
(2ex.) in it. ' ,
The roughnessess found on our enterance into
the paths of virtue and learning, grow smoother
as we advance.
.
Tha~ which was once the most beautifull (11 e:i.·,)
spot ot Italy, coverred (5 ex.) with pall11ces, imbellished by princes, and cellebrated by poets, has
,
now nothing to show but ruins.
Batterring (5 ex.) rams were antiently used to
beat down the walls of a city.
.
J ocky signifies a man who rides horses i.n a race
or who 1..lcals in horses.
·
The harmlesness (6) of many animals, and the
injoymcnt which they have of life, should plead .
,
tor them against cruel use;:ige. (11 ex.)
We may be very buzy, to no usefull (11 ex.)
pgrpose.
·
We cannot plead in abatment (8) of our guilt,
that we are ignorent of our duty.
Genuine charaty, how liberal soever it may be, ·
.

.'Prcnn,iscuQ1J.S.)

. ORTHOGRAPHY •

.51

will never empoverish ourselves,· If we sew spareingly, (10) we shall reap acordingly.
' However disagreable, we must resolutly (7)
perform our duty. ·
A fit of sickness is often a kind chastisment (8)
and disciplin, to moderate our affection for the
things of this life.
It is a happyness ( 4) to young persons, when
they are preserved from the snares of the world,
as in a garden inclosed.
Health and peace, the most valueable (9) ·posessions, are obtained a.t small exp~nce.
Incence signifies perfumes exh~iled by fire, and
made use of in religious ceremomes.
True happyqess (4) is an ennemy to pomp and
noize.
,
.
Few reflexions are more distresing, than those
which we make on our own ingratitude .
There is 'an inseperable connection betwee.n
piety and virtue.
.
.
.
. Many actions have a fair complechon, which
have not sprung from virtue.
, Which way soever we turn oursel".s, we . are
incountered with sensable demonstrations of a
Deity.
If we forsake the ways . of virtue, we cannot
alledge any color of ignorance, or want of instruction.

SECT . . lll.
There are more GUltivaters of the earth, than
of their own hearts.
Man is incompassed with dangers innumerable:
War is attended with distresful and dessolatmg
effects. It is confesedly ·the scorge of our angry
passions.

52

EXERCISES.

(

PromiscuQU3.

The earth is the Lor<l's an<l the fullness (6 ex.)
thereof.
The harvest truely ('7 ex.) is plenteous, but the
laborers are few. '
• The greater our incitments (8) to , evil, the
greater will be our victory and reward.
We should not incourage persons to do what
they beleive to be wrong.
Virtue is placed between two extreams, which
are both equally blameable. (9)
.
We should continually have the gaol in our
view, which woul<l direct us in the race.
The goals were forced open, and the .prisoners
set free .
'
.
It cannot be said that we are charitible <loners,
when our gifts proceed from selfish motives.
Straight is the gate, and narrow the way, that
lead to life eternal.
Integrity leads us strait forward, disdaining all
doubleings, (1.0) and crooked paths.
Licenciousnes and crimes pave the way to
ruin.
Words are the. countres of wise men, but the
money of fools.
Recompence to no man evil for evil.
He was an excellent person ; a mirrour of antient faith in early youth.
Meekness controuls our angry passions; candor,
our severe judg'ements. (8 ex.)
He is not only a descendent from pious ances- .
ters, but an inheriter too of their virtues.
A dispensatory is the place where medicines are
dispensed : a dispensary is a book in which the
'
composition of them is described.
Faithfulness and judgment are peculiarly requi·
sit in testamentory executors.

. Promiscuous.)

53

ORTHOGRAPHY.

To be faithfull (11 ex.) among the faithles, ar' gues great strength of principal.
Mountains appear to .be like so many wens or
unatural protuberancies on the face of the earth.
· Tn some places the sea incroaches upon the
land ; in others, the land upon the sea.
Philosopners agreed in despizing· riches, as the
incumbrances of life.
Wars are regulated robberries and pyracies.
Fishes encrease more than beasts or birds, as appears from their numrous spaun.
The piramids of Egypt have stood more than
three thousand years. .
' Precepts have small influence, when not inforce.d by example.
How 'has kind Heav'n adorn"d the happy land,
And scatter'd hlessings with a wastfu! (7) hand ·!

A friend exaggarates a man's virtues, an enemy
enfiames his crimes.
A witty and humourous vein has often produced
ennemies.
Neither pleasure nor buziness should ingross our
time and affections ; proper seasons should be aloted
for retirment. (8) ·
It is laudable to ·enquire before we determin.
Many have been visitted (5 ex.) with affictions,
who have not profitted (5 ex.) by them.
. We may be succesful, (6) and yet disappointed.
SECT. IV.
The experience ·of want inhances
plenty.
.
To maintain opinions stifly, (6) is
of their truth, or of our moder.ation.
Horehound (11) has been famous
decinal qualities : but it is now little

the value of
no evidence
for its meused.

54

EXERCISES.

(Promiscuous.

The wicked are ofte1(ensnared in the trap which ·
·
;
they lie for others. ' ·•!'
It is hard to say what diseases are cureble:(9) · , .
they are all under the guidence of Heaven.
_·
Instructors should not only be skillful! (6) (11 ex.) ·
in those sciences which they teach ; but have
skil (1) in the method of teaching, and patience
in the practise.
Science strengthens and inlarges the minds of
men.
A steady mind may receive council : but there
is no hold on a changable: (9 ex.) humour.
We may enure ourseh's by custom, to bear the
extremiti~s of whether. without injury.
f'.xcess1ve merryment (8 'ex.) is the parent of
gre1f.
Air is sensable (9) to the touch by its motion
'
and by its resistence to bodies moved in it.
A polite address is sometimes the cloke of malice;
To practice virtue is the sure way to love it.
Many things are plausable in theory, which fail
in practise.
Le~rning and knowlege must be attained· by
slow degrees ; and ,are the reward only of dilligence and patience.
We should study to live peacably (9) with all
meo.
A soul that can securly (7) death defy,
And count it nature's priviledge tn die.

Whatever promotes the interest of the soul is
also condusive to our present felicity.
'
.Let not the sterness of virtue afright us ; she
will soon become airnable.
Tlic spatious firmament on hi•h
With all the blue etherie! sky~ '
And spangled heav'ns, a shinein• (10) frame,
Their great Originel proclame. b

:: Promiscuous.)

ORTHOGRAPHY.

55

~ ~ ,Passion is the drunkeness ~of the mind : it super.. 'cedes the workings of reason.
·
·. If .we .are sincere, we may be assured of an ad' vocate to intersede for us.
: . · We ought not to consider the .encrease of another's reputation, as a dimunitiop of our own.
The reumatism is a painful distemper, supposed
to procede from acrid humors.
The beautiful and accomplished, are too apt to
'
'
· study behaivour rather than virtue.
. · The .peazant's cabbi:i contains as mucl1 content
as the soverein's . pallace.
·· True valor protects the fee bl~, and. humbles the
op presser.
,
David, the .son of Jesse, 'yas a wise and valient
man.
.
Prophecies and miracles proclaiped· Jesus Christ
to be the Savior of the world.
·
. Esau sold his· birthright for a savory mess of
potage. (5)
A regular and virteous education, is an inesteemable blessing.
Honor and shame from no condition rise :
Act well your par,t; . there, all the honor lies.

The rigor of monkish disciplin often conceals
great depravity of heart.
We should recollect, that however favorable we
may be to ourselves, we are rigourously examined
by others.
SECT. V .
Virtue can render youth, as well as old age,
honorable.
Rumor often tells false tales.
W e~k minds are ruffed by triffii ng things.

56

EXERCISES.

- The cabage-tree ii .very common in the Carib.
bee ~l~nds, vi: here it g,rdws to a prodigious heighthY'
VlS!t the sick, feed the hungry, cloath the nak· ·
ed.
, .·
His smiles and tears are too artifitial .to be relied Oil.
The most essensial virtues of a Christian are '.
'
, .
love to God and benevolence to man.
· .
We should be chearful without levity. ·
A calender signifies a register of t,h e year; and a
calendar, a press in which clothiers smooth their
cloth.
Integrity and hope are the sure paliatives of
sorrow.
C~momile is an_ o_douriferous plant, and possesses· ·
considerable medicrnel virtues.
· .
The gayty of youth should be tempered by the :
precepts of age.
..
Certainty, even on .distresful (6) occasions ·. is' ·
somtimes more. eHigible than suspence.
. '
Still green with bays each antient alter stands
'
Above the reach of sacriligious hands.

The most acceptable sacrifise, is that of a contrite and humble heart.
We are accountable for whatever we patrClnize
in others.
·
·
. ·
It marks a savage disposition, to tortur animals,·
to make them smart a?d agonise, for our diversion~ J
The edge of cloath, where it is closed by com- ... '
plicatrng the threads, is called the selvidge.
Soushong tea and Turky coffee were his favorite beveridge ;· chocolade he seldom drank.
The guilty mind cannot avoid many melancholly apprehensions.
.·
·
lf we injure others, we must expect retalliation.

ORTHOGRAPHY.

57

· man be · fully ;tl~~s·waded in his own ·
mind.
}~#"' • ·
;,.· Peace
and
bar.
. ' honour are
. the sheeves .of virtue's
.
vest.
·
' .·'Jlhe black earth, every where obvious on the
surface of the ground; we call mold.
_ .The Roman pontif claims to be the supream head
. of the church on earth.
''. High seasoned food viciates the pallate, and oc. casions a disrelish for plain fare.
· : The conscious receivor is as bad as the thief.
Alexander, the conquerer of the world, was, in
fact, a robber and a murderer.
·
. The Divine Being is not only the Creater, but
. the Ruler and Preserver of the world.
: ·. · Honest endeavours, if persevered in, will finally
' be ~uccesful. ( 6)
'
l. He who dies for religion, i~ a martyr: he who
suffers for it, is a confessour.
•'. Jn the paroxism of passiop, we sometimes give··
'occasion for a life of repentence.
The mist which lnvelopes many studies, is dissipated when we approach them .
. .The voice is sometimes obstructed by a hoarsness, (7) or by a viscuous phlegm.
.' . The desart shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.
'I'he fruit and sweetmeats set on table · after the
~ meat, are called the desert.
·o We traversed the flowry fields, .till the -falling
" dews admonished us to return.
SECT. VI.
. There is frequently a worm at the root of our
• most ftorishing condition. ,
. The stalk of ivey is tough, and not fragil.

58

EXERCISES.

( Promiscu~iu

The roof is vault!)d, and distills fresh water fro~
every part of it.
·,
.'
Our imperfections are discernable by other.s
when we think they are concealed.
. ,.. }
They think they shall be heared for there much ·
speaking.
True .criticizm is not a captious, but a liberal art;'
Integrity is our best defense against the evils of,'
life.
,'.
No circumstance can licence evil, or dispence :
with the rules of virtue.
·we may be cyphers in the world's estimation '
whilst we are advancing our own and others' value'. ·
The path of vertue is the path of peace.
·
A dipthong is the coilition of two vowels to form ',
one sound.
However forceable (9) our temptations
may be resisted,
'
I acknowlege my transgression ; and my sin is
ever before me.
The col!edge of cardinals are the electers of the
pope.
He had no colorable excuse to palliate his con~
duct.

PART III.
EXERCISES IN SYNTAX.

-

T_hy lmmourous vein, thy pleasing folly,
Lie all neglected, all forgot.

If w~ are so conceited as obstinat!y (7) to reject
all advice, we must expect a direlection of friends.
. Cronology is the science of computeing (10) ,and
- aJusting the periods of time.
,
In groves we Jive, and lay on mossy bed~,
By chrystal streams,. that murme.- thro' the meads.

It is a secret cowardise which induces us to com·
plement the vices of our superiours, to applaud the ' ,
libertin, and laugh with the prophane.
.· .

59

SYNT.AX.

. 1The lark each morning aw!:lk,,ed me with her
Jl>ritely lay.
•
,'.!'here are no fewer than thirty-two species of
tile' li!Jy.
'
·
.
W.e owe it to our visitors as well as to ourselves,
to entertain them with useful and sensable (9) conversation.
\ -Sponsers are those who become sureties for tlie
children's education in the Christian faith.
, The -warrier's fame is often purchased by the
blood of thousands.
Hope exhilerates the mind, and is the grand elixer, under all the evils of life.
; The incence of gratitude, whilst it expresses our
duty, and honors our benefacter, perfumes and regails· ourselves.
'

CHAP. I.

•,

Containing instances of false SYNT.AX 1 disposed under
':
the particular Rules .
RULE I.
I· :11 verb must agree with its nominative case, in mtinber and person; as, "I learn;"" Thou .art improved i" 'The birds sing.''
.

r

.

- ·Jlppendage. The phrases as follows, as appears, form ,what

60

Disappointments sinks the heart of man; but th. ·
renewal of hope give consolation. .
· ·..
. The s~iles tha~ e~cour.age severity of judgmen
" •-,\
hides malice and msmcer1ty.
He dare not act contrary to his instructions. .'.'.'
Fifty pounds of wheat contains forty pounds ot
fl.our.
·l
T ,he mechanism of clocks. and watches, weret~
tally unknown a few centuries ago.
·
. ·iff
The number of the inhabitants of Great Britain ·
and Ireland, do not e~ceed sixteen millions.
.,._ •
Nothing but vain and foolish pursuits delight
some persons.
,•
A variety of pleasing objects charm the eye . . ·."
So much both of ability and merit are seldom
found.
"
In the conduct of Parmenio, a mixture of wisdom
and folly were very conspicuous.
·
He · is an author of more credit than Plutarch
or any other, that write lives too hastily:
· '·
. The inquisitive 'and curious is generally talka.:
t1ve.
. ··
Great pai,ns has been taken to reconcile . the par-i
ti~
.
.
I am sorry to say it, but there was more equiv--~·
ocators than one . . · ·
:q
The sincere is always ·esteemed.
'
Has the goods been ~old to advantage ?
thou embrace the proper season ?
,
There is many occasions in life, in which silence :
and ~impliclty ls true wisd'oni.
· · ~
The generous never recounts minutely the ;ac: ,

61

SYNTAX.

EXERCISES.

are called impersonal verbs, and should therefore be cc>
ed to the singular number: the constr~ction bei~g '!at ·.
follows," " as it appears ; " and such as follow, · su~h {u a]I"
pear, to the plural number; as, "The aro-uments w~re ·
follow,'' "The positions were such as appear." · ·
:

ons..they ·have done; nor the prudent those . they
ill do.
· ·
'lfe need not proceed in such haste:
The business that related to ecclesiastical meet-.
~· 7 matters, and persons, were to be ordered ac. ~Q.ing to the king's direction.
r· in him were happily blen(l.ed true dignity with
oftness of manners.
".The support of so many of his relations, were a
'eavy tax upon his industry : but thou knows he
~id it cheerfully.
· What avails the best sentiments, if persons do
~ot Jive suitably to them?
'tReccnciliation was offered, on conditions as moderate as was consistent with a permanent union. .
Not one of them whom·thou sees 'clothed in purle, are completely happy.
And the fame of this person, and of his wonder(\!.! actions, were diffused throughout the country.
I ['he variety of t~e productions of genius, like
: .~t of the .operations of nature; ai:e· without' limit.
· In vain our flocks and fields increase our store,
When our abundance make us wish for more.

·1.'hou should Jove thy neighbour as sincerely as
thou loves thyself.
,
Hast thou no better reason for censuring thy
friend and companion?
·
. Thou, who art the Author and Bestower of life,
can doubtless restore it also: but whether thou will
please to restore it, or not, that thou only knows.
'.'-

:

"0 Thou my voice inspire,
Who touch'd.Jsaiah's _hallow'd lips with fire."
Accept these grateful tears ; for thee they flow,
· . F'or thee. that. ever felt another's wo.
Just to thy 'vord, in e v'ry thought sincere;
Who knew no wish but what the world might ·hear. ·

62

EXERCISES.

Note 1. The infinitive mood, or part ef a sentence, is. 1~
tim~s put as Uie no.minative case to the verb, and. may have an q,i;
Jeclive a~reeing with it; as, "To see the sun is pleasant;" "To
be good i s to be happy."
Observation. The infinitive mood does the office of a sub1l411o
tiv e in different cases: ·in the nominative; as, "To play is ple~
ant :''-in the objective; as, "Boys love to play;" "For to will
is pre•ent with me ; but to peiform that whicb is good, I find noL•

,,,,Rule. 1.)

63

SYNTAX.

-be the ultimate wish of many, who, as far as we
."an judge , deserves it as much as ourselves.
· All that make a fig ure on the great theatre of
the>world, the employments of the bu~y, the enter,.p.rises of the ambitious, and the exploits o~ the war"'IJ!ie; the virtues which forms the happmess, and
-;the crimes which occasions the misery of man~ind;
originates in that silent and secret rece·ss of thought,
which ure hidden from every human eye.

0

To do. unto all merr, as w.e would that they; in
similar circumstances, should do unto us, constitute
the great principle of virtue.
From a fear of the world's censure, to be asham• " Nut• 2. Eve>"y v erb, except in the infinitive mood, or the par·
ed of the practice of precepts, which the heart ap-_ ,fi dple, ought to have a nominative case, either expressed or im.·
plied; as," Awake; arise;" that is,' Awake ye ; arise ye."
proves and embraces, mark a feeble and imp~rfec(
character.
·
If the privileges to which he has an undoubted
The erroneous opinions which we form concern.;right, and he has long enjoyed, should now be
ing happiness and misery, gives ris_e to all the miSf, .;;wrested · from him, would be fl agrant injustice.
take n and dangerous passions that embroils OW'
,, ·T hese curiosities we have imported from China,
life.
.
., ;ind are similar to those which were some time ago
To live soberly, righteously, and piously,.
··b.rought from Africa.
required of all men.
Wil.l martial flames for ever fire thy mind,
That it is our duty to promote the purity of our
And never, never be to H eav' n resign'tl? '
mi nds and bodies, to be just and kind to our. fellow
~: ·'.
• JYote 3. Every nominative · case, except the case absoluie, and
creatures, and to be pious and faithful to Him that
when an address is made to a person, should belong to some verb
made us, admit not of any doubt in a rational and . '. 'tither
'eip rcss ed or implied,· \ as, u Who wrote this book?''
· · ..
well-informed mind.
• 0 Jam ~s;'~ that.i s, "James wrote it. "
To w hom thus Adam."
tlJat i_s, spoke."
To be of a pure and humble mind, to exercise
benevolence towards others, to cultivate piety to-. ·;: Two substantives, when they come together, and
1.vards God, is the sure means of becoming peace;
p npt signify the same , .t hing, the f01·mer must
be
1
ful and happy.
.. ·
: in the genitive case .
It is _an important truth, that religion, vital relf\ ·Virtue, however it may be neglecteQ for a time,
·men are so constituted as ultimately to acknowledge
gion, the religion of the heart, are the most power·
fol auxiliaries of reason, in wagi ng war with the
iiritl respect genuine merit.
passions, and promoting that sweet composure'
. ' Note 4. lVhen a verb comes between two nouns, either of which
which constitute the ·, peace of God.
·
, may be uriderst~od as tlie subject of the ajjirmation, it · m;'Y
agree with either of them; but some 1·egard must be had to tna_t
The possession of our senses enti.r e, of our limbs' ". wnich
is more naturaiiy the suhject of it, as also to t/1~t w/11ch.
uninJured, of a sound understanding, of friends and· k itands nex/ to the verb; as, "His meat wa• locusts and wild hou·
companiou,s, are often overlooked; though it would' :{ e! ;" " The wages of siu ii death.''
11

11

64

EX~CISES.

SYNTAX.

The crowll'·of virtue is peace and hon.our. ,•. \
His chief occupation and enjoyment were control'

.

"~

Note 5. - When .the nominati11e case has no personal tense of 4
tJerb, but is put before a participle, independently ·on the . rest qf
the senten~e, it is,,called. the case absolute ; as,,, Shame behig lost. ~.
• a!l v~rtue is lost; " Ti\e lesson having been. recited, the b'oy was.
U1sm1ssed."
·

- -.- ·----Him destroy'd,
Or w.on to what may work his utter loss,
· All this will soon follow.
- - - - - W h o s e gray top
Shall tremble, him_descending.
RULE II.

· Two or more nouns, ~c. in the singt1lar number,~·
joined together by a copulative conjunction, expressed ··
or understood,. must have verbs, nouns, and proWYUns;.
agreeing with them in the plural number ; as, " Socrates and Plato were .wise; they were- the most em~ ·

inent philosophers of Greece;" "The sun that ro.lls ·
over our heads, the food that wet receive, the rest.
that we enjoy, daily admonish us of a superioul'. and ': ·
superintendip.g Pow·er."
·
Idleness and · ignorance is. the .pare.nt of many
vices.
Wisdom, virtue, happiness, dwells with the gold- ·
en mediocrity.
In -qnity consist the welfare and security of every society. ·
-- ~ .
Time and tide waits for no man.
·
· His politeness and good disposition was, on fail- :
ure of their effect, entirely changed.
· ._
Patience and diligence, like faith, removes moun- tains,
-Humility and knowledge, with poor apparel, ex- .'
eels pride and ignorance under costly attire.
.'
The planetary system, boundless ~pace, and the-· ·

65

. ·immense ocean, affects the mind with sensations
'of astonishment.
·
'
Humility and love, whatever obscurities may in:;. vol \'e religious tenets, constitutes the essence of
' true religion.
'' Religion and virtue, our best support and highest honour, confers on the mind principles of noble
' independence.
What signifies the counsel and care of preceptors, when youth think they have no need of assistance?
Note I. '/¥hen the nouns are nearly related, or scarcely di~­
tingv.ishable in sense, some- authors have improp_erly th~ght \I
• allowable to put the t"erbs, nouns, and pronouns, in the si ngular
o number.
The following sentences are ungrammatical. "Tran. quillity and peace dwells there;" "Ignorance and negligence has
produced the effect."

Much does human pride and self-complacency
require correction.
' Luxurious living, and high pleasure.s, begets a
· languor and satiety that destroys all enJoymeut.
, Pride and. self-sufficiency stifles sentiments of de- pendence on our Creator: levity and attachment
· to worldly pleasures, destroys the sense of gratitude to him.
Note 2. In many complex sentences, it is difficult for learne_rs
to determine, whether one or more of the clauses are to be considered as the nominative case; and consequently, whether the verb
in the singular or plural number. The following are correct examples of both numbers. "The ship, with all her furniture, was
destroyed;" "The prince, as well as ~he people, w":' blame-war·
thy.'' u Virtue, honour, nay, even self-interest, conspire to recommend the measure." " Nothing delights me so much as the
works of nature."

Good order in our affairs, not mean savings, produce great profits.
: The following treatise, together with those that
accompany it, were written, many years ago, for
my own private satisfaction.
F

66

SYNTAX.

EXERCISES.

That great senator, in concert with several other
eminent persons, were the projectors of the revo- ~
lution.
The religion of these people, as well as their customs and manners, were strangely misrepresented. ,·
Virtue, joined to knowledge and wealth, confer
great influence and respectability. But knowledge,
with wealth united, if virtue is wanting, have a
very limited influence, and are often despised.
[Exception to Ru LE n. When a copulative Conjunction con·
nects two or more nouns, which refer to the same person or thing,
the verb should be singular.
'

That superficial scholar and critick, like some renowned criticks of our own, have furnished most decisive proofs, that they knew not the characters of
the Hebrew language.]
The buildings of the institution have been enlarged; the expense of which, added to the increased price of provisions, render it necessary to
advance· the tarms of admission.
One, added to nineteen, make twenty.
What black despair, what horror fills, his mind!
Note 3. If the singular nouns and pronoun s, which are joined
together by a copulative conjunction, be ef several persons, in
making the plural pronoun agree with them in per son, the second
takes place ef the third, and the first of both ; as, "Thou and he
shared it between you." "James, and thou, and I, are attached to
our co~ntry."

Thou, and the gardener, and the huntsman, must
share the blame of this business amongst them.
My sister and I, as well as my brother, are daily
·
employed in their respective occupations.
RULZ III.

The conjunction disjunctive has an effect contrary to
thnt of the conjunction copulative ; for as the 1•erb,
noun or pronoun, is referred to the preceding terms taken separately, it must be in the singular number ; as,

67

"Ignoranc~ or negligence has caused this mista,ke ;" " John, Jam es, or Joseph, intends to accompa,uy me;" "There is in many minds, neither
knowledge nor understanding."
·
Man's happiness, or misery, are in a great measure, put into his own hands.
; Man is not such a machine as a clock or a watch,
". which move merely as they are moved.
Despise no infirmity .o f mind or body, nor any
·condition of life: for they are, perhaps, to be your
'.OWn lot.
Speaking impatiently to servants, or any thing
that betrays inattention or ill humour, are certainly criminal.
: There are many faults in spelling, which neither
. a_nalogy nor pronunciation justify.
· "' When sickness, infirmity, or reverse of fortune,
,: affect us, the sincerity of friendship is proved.
.,· Let it be remembered, that it is not the uttering,
.:· or the he.a ring of certain words, that constitute the
worship of the Almighty.
. .· · A tart reply, a proneness . to rebuke, or a captious and contradictious spirit, are capable of im. bittering domestick life, and of setting friends at
variance.

. Note 1. When singular pronouns, or a noun and pronoun,

,. of different persons, are d·i•junctively connected, the verb must
agree with that person which is placed nearest to it; as, "I or
thou art to blame;" "Thou or I am in fault;'' "I, or thou, or he
is" the author of it;" "George or I am the person." But it would
\le better to say, "Either I am to blame, or thou art," &c.

Either thou or I art greatly mistaken in our judg, ment on this subjec.t.
.. I or thou am the person who must undertake the
business proposed.
Note 2.

~Vhen

a disjunctive occur3 between a singular noun,

or pronoun, and a plural one, the verb i• made to agree with the

68

EXERCISES.

plural noun and pronoun ; but in thia case, when it can be dun; '
the P_lural noun or pronoun should be placed next to the verb; , a~
"Neither poverty nor riches were injurious to him"'"' I or .they '
were offended by it."
'
•

·Both of the scholars, or one of them at least was
present at the transaction.
'
Some parts of the ship and cargo were recovered; but neither the sailors nor the captain was ·
uve~
.,
Whether one person or more was concerned in ,
the business, does not yet appear.
The cares of this life, or the deceitfulness of
riches, has choked the seeds of virtue in many a
promising mind.
'
RULE JV.

JJ. noun of multitude, or signifying many, may have
a verb or pronoun agreeing with it, either of the sinf?ular or plural number ; yet not without regard to the
~mport of the word, as conveying unity or plurality of. .
idea; .as, '.'The meeting was large;" "The parlia·ment is dissolved;" ·"The nation is powerful·"
"My people do not consider : they have not kno~n ·
me_;'~ ".The multitude eagerly pursue pleasure as '
their chief good ;" "The council were divided in
their sentiments."
The people rejoices in that·which. should give it
sorrow.
The flock, and not the fleece, are, or ought to
be, the objects of the shepherd's care.
· ·.
The court .have just ended, after having sa.t
through the trial of a very long cause.
The crowd were so great, that the judgeS\ with
·
'
difficulty made their way through them.
The corporation of York consist of a mayor, alderman, and a common council.
-

SYNTAX.

69

,!•? .. The

British parliament are composed of king,
· :Jords, and commons.
·· When the nation complain, the rulers should listen to their voice.
. In the days of youth, the multitude eagerly pur~ues pleasure as its chief good.
.The church ha:ve no power to inflict corporal
punishment.
' The fleet were seen sailing up the channel.
The regiment consist of a thousand men.
The meeting have established several salutary
.
, · regulations.
.
The council was not unanimous, and it separated
without coming to any determination.
The fleet is all arrived and moored in safety.
This people draweth near to me with their
mouth, and honoureth me with their lips, but their
heart is far, from me.
The committee was divided in its sentiment~,
· · anJ it has referred the business to the general
meeting.
The committee were very full when this point
was decided; and their judgment had not been
called in question.
Why do this generation wish for greater evidence,
when so much is already given ?
The remnant of the people were persecuted
with great severity.
Never were any people so much infatuated as
the ·Jewish nation.
Th.e shoal of herrings were of an immense extent.
No society are chargeable with the disapproved
misconduct of particular members. ·
RULF. V.

Part I. Pronouns must always agree with their antecedents, and the nouns for which they stand, in gen-

70

EXERCISES.

SYNTAX.

71

der and 1wJ1nber; as, "This is the friend · whom I
love;" "That is the vice which I hate ;" "The
king and the queen had put on their robes;" "The
moon appears, and she shines, but the light is not
her own."
·
Part 2. The relative is of the same person as' the
antecedent, and the verb agrees with it accordingly;, .
as, "Thou wJ.o lovest wisdom;" "I who speak from

.JJ.pp. 7. The neuter pronoun it is sometimes employed tQ express ;• · 1st The subject of any discourse or inquiry; as, "It happen-

experience."

The exercise of reason appears as little in these
sportsmen as in the beasts whom they sometimes
hunt, and 'by whom they are s?metim~s hunted.
They which seek wisdom will certaml_y find her.
The male amongst birds seems to discover no
beautv but in the colour of its species.
. Tai{~ handfuls of ashes of the furnace, and let
Moses sprinkle it towards heaven, in the sight of
Pharaoh · and it shall become small dust.
Rebec~a took goodly raiment, which were with
her in the house and put them upon Jacob.
The wheel killed another man, which is the sixth
'which have lost their lives, by this means.
The fair sex whose task is not to mingle in the
.·labours of publlck life, has its own part assigned it
to act.
·
The Hercules man of war foundered at sea ; she
' ~verset and lost most of her men.
The mind of ma'n cannot be long without some
·rood to nourish the activity of his thoughts.
What is the reason that our language is less refine,d than those of Italy, Spain, or France?
I do not think any one should incur cens;ire for
being tender of their reputation.
Thou · who has been a witness of the fact, can
give an account of it. .
..

.!lpy. l . Every relative must have an antecedent to which
it rejers, either eX[iressed or implied ; as, " Who is fatal
to others, is so to himself;" that is, " the man who is fatal .
to others."
.!lpp. 2. ·what is very fr eq uently used as the representative of two cases; one the objective after a verb or prep.
osition, and the other, the nominative to a subsequent verb;
as, ." I heard what was said." "He r elated what was
seen."
.App. 3. The relative fr equently refers to a whole clause
in the sentence, instead of a partiwla r word in it ; as,
"The · resolution was adopted ' hastily, and without due
consideration, which produced great dissatisfaction;"
that is," which thing," namely, the hasty adoption of the
resolution. ·
,
.App. 4. Whatever relative is used, in one of a series of
clauses relating to the same antecedent, the same relativt
ought generally to be used in them all. In the following
sentence, this rule is violated: "It is remarkable, that
Holland, against which the war was undertaken, and
that, in the very beginning, was r educed to the brink
of destruction, lost nothing." It should have beep.,
"and which in the very beginning.'
.App. 5. The neuter pronoun, by an idiom peculiar to the
English language, is fr equently joined in explana,tory sentences, with a noun or pronoun of the masculine or femi·
nine gender; as," It was I;" "ft was the man or woman
that did it."
,
.App. 6. The neuter pronoun it is sometimes omitted ,,..
and unilerstood: thus we say," As appears, as follows;"
for" As it appears, as it follows;" and" May be," for
"It m:.y be."

ed 0 ~ a summer's day;" "\\'ho is it that ca~ls 0~1 me?''
.
' 2d, The state or condition of any person or thing; as, "How is
it with you?"
.
.

3d, The thing, whatever •.t be, that is the cause of any .eff~.ct or

, event or any person considered merely as a ca1:J:Se; as, We
beard°her say, it was not be;" "The truth is, it was I that helped

·her."

[Remark. What is sometimes applied, in a manner which appears to be exceptionable; ns, "All fevers except what are called

72

SYNTAX.

EXERCISES.

nervous," &c. It would at least be better to
which are called nervous."

In religious concerns, or what is conceived to be
such, every man must stand or fall by the decisio.n
of the Great Judge.
Something like what have been here. premised,
are the conjectures of Dryden.]
Thou great First Cause, least understood !
Who all my sense confin'd
To know but this, that thou art good, '
And that myself am blind:
Yet gave me in this dark estate, &c.
What art thou, speak, that, on designs unknown,
While others sleep, thus range the camp alone ?

Note 1. Personal pronouns being used to supply the place of
the rwun, are not employed in the same part ef a sentence as the
noun which they represent; for it would be improper to say,
"The king h• is just;" "r saw her the queen;" "The men thty
were there."

·

Whoever entertains such an opinion, he judges
erroneously.
The cares of this world they often choke the
growth of virtue.
.
Disappointments and afflictions, however di~a­
greeable, they often improve us.

73

who the interrogative ; "Who that has any sense of religion,
would have argued thus ?" Secondly, when persons make but a
1
part of the antecedent; "The woman, ~nd the e~tate, that became
•his portion, were rewards far beyond his desert.

The men and things which he has studied have
·not improved his morals.]
' Note 3. The pronouns whichsoever, whosoever, and the like,
. are elegantly divided by the i~terposition of t.he corre~pondin~
substantives; thus," On which side soever the kmgcast his eyes.

Howsoever beautiful they appear, they have no
real merit.
In whatsoever light we view him, his conduct
will bear inspection.
On whichsoever side they are contemplated, they
appear to advantage.
However. much he might despise the maxims of
' the king's administration, he kept a total silence on
that subject.
Note 4. Many persons are apt, in co~versation, to put the objectiv e case ef the personal pronou.~s. in the place of these an~
those ; as, u Give me them books, mstead ".f " t.hose bo~ks.
It is better to say, "They that, or they who sow ID tears somel!mcs
reap in joy," than to say, u Those who,1o1 &c.
Remark. It is not, however, always easy to say, whether a per3onal pronoun. or a demonstrative i~ prefe· r~ble, in certain conliructions. "We are not unacquamted with the calumny of
them [or those] who openly make use of the warmest professions."

Noto 2. The pronoun that is frequently applied to person• Ill
well as things ; but after an adjective in the superlative degree,
and after the pronominal adjective same, it is generally used in
preference to who or which ; as, "Charles XII. King of Sweden,
was one of the greatest madmen that the world ever saw;"" He is
the same man that we saw before."

· 'Which of them two persons has most distinguish. ed himself?
None more impatiently suffer injuries, than those
that are most forward in doing them.

Moses was the meekest man whom we read of in
the Old Testament.
Humility is one of the most amiable virtues
which we can possess.
They are the same persons who assisted us yes-.
terday.

· Note 5. The word what is sometimes improperly used for that;
as "They will never believe but what I have been entirely to
bl~me. " The word •omewhat, in the following sentence, is improperly used. "The~e punishments seem .to ~ave been exerdsed in somewhat an arbitrary manner; that 1s, m a manner which
is in some respects arbitrary."

[Remark. There are ca>es wherein we cannot conveniently di.J.
pen.e with the relative that, as applied to persons; as First, after

· ·He would not . be persuaded but what I was
greatly in fault.
1
These commendations of his children, appear to
G

74

SYNTAX.

EXERCISES.

have been made in somewhat an
ner.
Note 6. The pronoun relative who should be confined to the.'proper names of persons, or the general terms, man, woman, &c.

.,, Flattery, whose nature is to deceive and betray,
'should be avoided as th~ poisonous a.dder.
. ' Who of those men came to his assistance ?
Note 9. There should be no ambiguity in the use ef the pronoun relative; as, when we say, "The disciples of Christ, whom
we imitate." Is Christ or disciples the antecedent?

except when a term directly and necessarily implies persons. It is
in.correct to say," The fact.ion who;" ° France who;" u The Court. ·
who;" "The family who," &c. In the following, and similar sen·

: The king dismissed his minister without any inquiry ; who had never before committed so unjust
an ·action.
There are millions of people in the empire of
· China, whose support is derived almost entirely
1rom rice.
·

tences, who is admitted; "The inhabitants with whom some citi ... .
abound;" "None of the company whom he most affected," &c.

He instructecj. and fed the crowds who surroun.ded him.
Sidney was one of the wisest and most · active
governours, which Ireland had enjoyed for several
years.
He was the ablest minister which James ever
possessed.
,
, .
The court; who gives currency to manners, ought
to be exemplary.
·
I am happy in the friend which I have long
proved.
Note 7. ·The personal pronoun is improperly applied ·to chiZ.
dren and to animals; thus we say," It is a lovely child."' "That
fowl which nature has taught to dip the wing in water."

The child whom we have just seen, is whole~ .
somely fed, and not injured by bandages or clothing.
He is like a beast of prey, who destroys without
pity.
Note 8. When the name of a person is used merely as a name,
and it does not refer !o the person, the pronoun which and not
who sho,lld be used; as, "It is no wonder if such a man did not
;hine at the court of queen Elizabeth, which was but another
name for prudence and economy."
~Vhich is also used to distinguish one person of two, or a par.
ticular person among a number of others; as, " Which of the
two," or," 1Yhich of them is he or she?"

Having once disgusted him, he could never regain the favour of Nero, who was indeed another
name for cruelty.

75

'I

Note 10. It is and itwa>, are often used in a plural construction;
as, u It is a few great men who decide;" "It is they that are the
real authors;" "It was the hereticks that first began tO rail."
Remark. This license in the construction of it is, (ifit be prop, _er to admit it at all,) has, however, been certainly abused in the
following sentence, which is thereby made a very awkward one.
"It is wonderful the very few accidents, whicn, in several years,
hapven from this practice."

It is remarkable his continual endeavours to
serve us, notwithstariding our ingratitude.
, It is indisputably true his assertion, though it is
: a paradox.

. Note 11. The interjections O! Oh! and .Ah"! require the objectivecase of a pronoun in the first person after them; as.• " 0 me! Oh

me! Ah me !'' But the nominative case in the secom.l person; as,

"Othoupersecutor !" "Oh ye hypocrite•!" "0 thou, who dwellest," &c.

Ah ! unhappy thee, who art deaf to the calls of
duty, and of honour.
Oh! happy we, surrounded with so many blessings.
!lULE VI.

Part 1. The ;elative is the nominative case to the
verb, when no nominative case comes between it and
the verb; as, "The master who taught us;" "The
~rees which are planted."

76

EXERCISES.

(Rule

6

Part 2. When a nominative comes between the rel- '
at-ive and the verb, the relative is governed by some
word in its own member of the sentence; as, " He
who preserves me, to whom I owe my being, whose
I am, and whom I serv~, is eternal."
Jlpp. !. When both the antecedent a.nd the relative become
nominatives, each to df(ferent verbs, the relative is the
nominative to th eformer, and the antecedent to the latter
verb, as, " True philosophy, which is the ornament of
our nature, consists more in the love of our duty, and
the practice of virtue, than in great talents and exten.
sive knowledge."
Jlpp. 2. As the r e lative pronoun, when used inte!·rogatively, refers t0 the subsequent word or phrase· containing· the answer to the question, that word or phrase
may prope rly be termed the subsequent to the interrogative.
.11.pp. 3. Pronouns are sometimes made to precede the
things which they represent; as, "If a man declares in
autumn, when he is eating them, or in spring when
there are none, that he loves grap&s," &c. But this is a
construction which is very seldom allowable.

We are dependent on e·ach other's ass.istance :
whom is there that can subsist by himself?
If he will not hear his best friend, whom shall
he sent to admonish him ?
They who much is given to, will have much to
answer for.
It is not to be expected that they, whom in early life, have been dark and deceitful, should after- _
wards become fair and ingen uous.
They who have laboured to make us wise 'and
good, are the persons who we ought to love and
respect~ and w~o we ought to be grateful to.
The persons, who conscience and virtue support,
may smile at the caprices of fortune.
From the character of those who you associate
with, your own will be estimated.

Rule

7.)

SYNTAX.

77

That is the student who I gave the book to, and
.whom, I am persuaded, deserves it.
Note 1. The noun or p·ronoun conta;.ninP' the answer must be
. in the same case as that which contG.ins the q~estion; as, ;l Whose
books are these? They are John's." "Who gave them to him?
We." "Of whom did you buy them? Of a bookseller· him
who lives at the Bible and C1own."
'

Of whom were the articles bought? Of a mercer ; he who resides near the mansion house.
· Was any person besides the mercer present?
Yt;!S 1 both him and his clerk.
Who was the money paid to ? To the mercer
-and his clerk.
Who counted it ? Both the clerk and him.
RULE Vll.

When the relative is preceded by two nominatives of
different persons, the relative and verb may agree in
person with e·ither, according to the sense ; as, " I am
the man who command you;" or, "I am the man
who commands you."
'.f1_pp. When the relative and the verb have been determin~d to agree with either of the preceding nominatives, that
agreement must be preserved throughout the sentence ; as
in the following instance : "I am the Lord that malceth
all things: and stretcheth forth the heavens alone." Isa.
xliv. 24.

I acknowledge that I am the te'acher, who adopt
that sentiment, and maintains the propriety of such
measnres.
Thou art a friend that hast often relieved me,
and that hast not deserted me now in the time of
peculiar need,
I am the man who appToves of wholesome discipline, and who recommend it to others ;. but I
am not a person who promotes useless severity, or
who object to mild and generous treatment.
I perceive that. thou art a pupil, who possesses

78

EXERCISES.

bright parts, but who has cultivated them but little.
Thou art . he who breathest on the earth with
the bre'.1th of spring, and who covereth it with
verdure and beauty.
·
I am the Lord thy God, who teacheth thee to
profit, and who lead thee by the way thou shouldst
go.
.
Thou art the Lord who did choose Abraham ·
and bro ugh test him forth out of Ur of the Chaldees'.
Rl/LE VIJI.

Part 1. Every adje~tive, and evr,ry adjective pronoun, belongs to a substantive expressed or understood ·
as, " Re is a good, as well as a wise man ;" "Fe~
are happy;'" th?.t is, "persons;" " This is a pleasant walk;" that is, "this walk is," &c.
.Part 2: .!ldjective.pronouns must agree, in number,
with their S11bstantives; as, " This book, these
books; that sort, those sorts; another road, other
roads."
J1pp. J1n adjeotive pronoun, in the plural number will
sometimes properly associate with a singular noun'· as
" Our de.sire, your intention, their resignation."
' '

These kind of indulgences soften and injure the
mind.
Instead of improving yourselves, you have been
playing this two hours.
These sort of. favours did real injury, under the
appearance of kmdness.
The chasm made by the earthquake was twenty foot broad, and one hundred fathom in depth.
How . many a sorrow . should we avoid if we
were not industrious to make them.
'
He saw one or more person;; enter the garden.
1. ADJECTIVE PRONOU~S.
Note 1. The phrases this means and that means should be used
ouly when they refer to what is singular; these means and those

d~.ule

8.)

SYNTAX.

79

.means, when they respect plurals; as, " He lived temperately,
and by this means preserYed his health;" "The scholars were at·. tentive, - industrious, and obedient to their tutors; and by these
means acquired knowledge."
~

Charles was extravagant, and by this mean li€came poor and despicable. .
It was by that ungenerous mean that he obtained
his end.
Industry is the mean of obtaining competency.
Though a promising measure, it is a mean whicl1
' I cannot adopt.
This person embraced every opportunity to dis. play. his talents ; and by these means rendered
himself ridiculous.
Joseph was industrious, frugal, and discreet ; and
by this means obtained property and reputation.
Note 2. That is u sed in reference to the former of two persons
·or things, and this in reference to the latter; as, "Self-love, 'Yhich
is the spring of ac tion in the soul, is ruled by reason: butfo~ that,
man would be inactive ; nml but for this, he would be active to
no end."

· Religion raises men above themselves; irreligion
sinks them beneath the brutes : that, binds them
down to a poor pitiable speck of perishable earth ;
this, opens for them a prospect to the skies.
More rain falls in the first two summer months,
'than in the first two winter ones: but it makes a
much greater show upon the earth in those than
in these ; because there is a much slower evaporation.
Rex and Tyrannus are of very different characters. The one rules his people by laws to which
they consent; the other, by his absol ute will and
power: this is called freedom, that, tyranny.
. Note 3. The distributi ve adjective pronouns, ea.ch, every, either,
agree with the nouns, pronouns, and verbs, of the srngular number
only, except the plural noun convey a coll ective idea; as, 0 Tl~e
king of Israel, aud J c h6shaphat, the king of Judah, sat each on Ins

80

. Rule 8.)

EXERCISES.

~hror:e. ;" ",f1very tree is known by its fruit;'' ''Either of U_1e two ·
is eligible ; "Every six months."•
. Obs. Each signifies both of them taken distinctly or separately.
e~ther p~operly signifies only the one or the other of them take~

disJ unct1 vely.

'

Ea~h of them, i~ their turn, receive the benefits
to which they are entitled.
My c.ounsel to each of you is, that you should
make it your endeavour to come to a friendly
agreement.
~y discussing what relates to each particular, in
their order, we shall better understand the subject
Every person, whatever be their station are
bound by the duties of morality and religion. '
Ever.y le~f, every twig, every drop of water
teem with life .
'
Eve~y man'~ heart or temper is productive of
much mward JOY or bitterness.
Whatever he undertakes, either his pride or his
folly disgust us.
Ev:ry man and every woman were numbered.
N e1th.er of t.hos~ men seem to have any idea,
that their opm1ons may be ill-founded .
When benignity and gentleness reign within we
are always least in hazard from without: e~ery
person, and every occurrence, are beheld in the
most favourable light.

.. r

Remark. Eit~er is often used improperly instead of each; as,
Nadab and Ab1hu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them h".
censer."
1s

. On either side of the river was there the tree of
life.]
2. ADJECTIVES.
Note 4. Part 1. .!ldj ectives are sometim£S improperly applied
as adve;bs; as, "Indifferent honest; excellent well· miserable
poor;" mstead of "Indifferently honest; excellently ~veil · mis·
erably poor."
' ·

*This note forms another exception to Rule JI.

SYNTAX.

81

She reads proper, writes very neat, and compo!!es accurate .
· He was extreme prodigal, and his property is
now near exhausted.
They generally succeeded; for they lived conformable to the rules of prudence.
We may reason very dear, and exc.e eding strong,
' without knowing that there is such a thing as a
syllogism.
He had many virtues, and was exceeding beloved.
The amputation was exceeding well performed,
and saved the patient's life.
He came agreeable to his promise, and conducted himself suitable to the occasion.
He speaks very fluent, reads excellent, but does
not think very coherent.
He behaved himself submissive, and was exceeding careful not to give offence.
They rejected the advice, and conducted themselves exceedingly indiscreetly.
He is a person of great abilities, and exceeding
upright; and is like to be a very useful memlier of
the community.
The conspiracy was the easier discovered, from
its being known to many.
Not being fully acquainted with the subject, he
could affirm no stronger than he did .
He was so deeply impressed with the subject
that few could speak nobler upon it .
We may credit his testimony, for he says e-xpress, that he saw the transaction.
Part 2. .!ldverbs are likewise improperly used ,as adJeclives;
as, " The tutor addressed him in terms rather warm, but suitably
to his offence;" it shouhl be, "suitable tu his offence."

Use a little wine for thy stomach's sake, and
thine often infirmities.

82

EXERCISES.

(Rule 8.

From these favourable beginnings, we inay hope
for a soon and prosperous issue.
,
He addressed several exhortations to them suitable to their circumstances.
Conformably to their vehemence of thought
'
was their vehemence of gesture.
We should implant in the minds of youth, such
seeds and principles of piety and virtue, as are
likely to take soonest and deepest root.
, Part 3. The adjective pronoun such, is often misapplied; as,
' He was such an extravagant young man, that he spent his whole
patrimony in a few years ;" it should be, " so extravagant a young

man."

Such an amiable disposition will secure universal regard.
Such distinguished virtues seldom oc,cur.

83
SYNTAX.
R-ule 8.)
Virtue confers the supremest dignity on man ;
and should be his chiefest desire.
.
His assertion was more true than that of his opponent; nay, the words of the latter were most
f.
.
untrue.
.
,
His work is perfect; his brother s more per ect ,
and his father's the most perfect of all.
.
He gave the fullest and most sincere proof of
the truest friendship.
Note 7. The degrees of compai:ison are of'.en inaccurately aplied and constructed; thus, "This noble nation ha.th, of all o.t!1p s admitted fewer corruptions;" it should be, "This noble nat10n
~~th admitted fewer corruptions than any other." ,','The weakest
of the two;" it should be, "The weaker of the two, b.ecause on!}
two things are comparec.l.

.Not~ 6 . •qdjectives that hav~ in themselves a superlative signification, do not prop~rly admit of the compar'!tive or. superlative
form; such as, " Chief, extreme, perfect, nght, universal, su.
preme," &c.

Covetousness, of all vices, enter,;

A talent of this kind would, perhaps, prove the
likeliest of any other to succeed.
.
He is the strongest of the two, ~ut not the wisest.
He spoke with so much propriety, that I understood him the best of all the others, who spoke on
the subject.
Eve was the fairest of all her daughters.

Note- 5. Double comparatives and superlatives should be avoided; such as, u A wore.er conduct i" u A more serener temper ·"
1
" The most straitest sect."

'Tis more easier to build two chimneys than to
maintain one.
·
The tongue is like a race-horse; which r~ns
the faster the lesser weight it carries.
The pleasures of the understanding are more
preferable than those of the imagination, or of sense.
The nightingale sings : hers is the most sweetest voice in the grove.
The Most High~st hath created us for his glory,
and our own happmess.
The Supreme Being is the most wisest, and most
powerfulest, and the most best of beings

11

the deepest into the soul;" it should have been, "Most deeply.

.

Note s. Jn some cases, adjectives sh?uld not be separatedf:om
their substantives, even by words which modify their meaning,
and mnke but one sense with th em ; as, "A la rg,~ enough number
surely;" it should be, "A number large enough.

He spoke in a distinct enough manner to be
heard by the whole assembly.
.
Thomas is equipped with a new pair of shoes,
and a new pair of gloves ; he is a ~ervant of an old
rich man.
·
The two first in the row are cherry-trees, the
two others are pear trees.

84

EXERCISES.

(Rule 9

·RULE IX.

Part I. The article a or an agrees with nouns in
the singular number only, individually or collectively,
as, " A Christian, an infidel, a s-core,' a thousand." ·
Part 2. The definite article the may agree with
nouns in the singular or plural number ; as, " The
garden, the house, the stars."
Part 3. The articles are often properly omitted :
when used, they should be justly applied, according to
their dist-inct nature ; as, "Gold is corrupting; The
sea is green ; A lion is bold."

The . fire, the air, the earth, ar.d the water, are
four elements of the philosophers.
Reason was given to a man to control his pas.
sions.
We have within us an intelligent principle, distinct from body and from .matter.
A man is the noblest work of creation.
Wisest and best men sometimes commit errours.
Beware of drunkenness : it impairs understanding ; wastes an estate ; destroys a reputation; consumes the body; and renders the man of the brightest parts the corr.mon jest of the meanest" clown.
He is a much better writer than a reader.
The king has conferred on him the title of a
duke.
There are some evils of life, which equally affect prince and people.
We must act our part with a constancy, though
reward of our constancy be distant.
We are placed here under a trial of our virtue.
The virtues like his are not easily acquired
Such qualities honour the nature of man.
Purity has its seat in the heart; but extends its

(

SYNTAX.
,, Rllle 9.)
influence over so much of outward conduct, as to
form the great and material part of a character.
The profligate man is se ldom ~r never found to
be the good husband, the good father, or the beneficent neighbour.
·
,
.
.
True charity is not the meteor? wh~c~ occas1on·ally glares; but the luminary, wlu~h, m 1~s orderly
and regular course, dispenses bemgnant mfluence.
Note 1. JJ. nice disti:nction of the sense is sometimes made .by
the use or omission of the art~cle ?· I~~ say, " He beh~;ed w1~~

a little reverence;" my mea~mg 1s pos~t1v~. If I _say,
havcu with little reverence; my meaning i s negauve.

He b

He has been muc.h censured for conducting him. self with a little attention to bis business.
So bold a breach of order, called for little severity in punishing the offender.
.
His errour was accompanied with so little contrition and candid acknowledgment, that he found a
.
· few persons to intercede for him.
There were so many mitigating circumstanc~s
attending his misconduct, particularly t_hat of bis
open confession, that he found few. fri~nds who
were disposed to interest themseh:es Ill h_1s favour.
As his misfortunes were the fruit of his own ob~tinacy, a few persons pitied him.
Note 2. Jn general, it may be suJJicient to prejix the a•:;icle lo
the former of two words in the. same constr~ctwn; as, There
were many hours, both of r.he mght and day.
. .
.
For the sake of emphasis, we often r epeat the article_ in a series
of epithets. ;, He hoped that ~hi s,,title would secure him an ample .and an independent authonty.

The fear of shame, and desire of approbation,
prevent many bad actions.
.
In this business he was influenced by a JUSt and
generous principle.
He was fired with desire of doing something,

86

EXERCISES.

(Rule 10.

though he knew not yet, with distinttness, eithP-r
end or means.
Note 3. In common conversation, and infamiUar style, wefreruentl'!f . omit the a.rticle_s, which might be inserted with propriety
in writing\ especially in a grave style. "At worst, time might
be gained by this expedient ;" " At the worst," would have been
be.t ter. "Give me here John Baptist's head;" better, ·•John the
B3ptist's head;" or, "The head of Jahr the Baptist."

At worst, I could but incur a gentle reprimand.
At best, his gift was but a poor offering, when
we consider his estate.
RULE X.

One substantive governs another signifying a differ· ·
ent thing, in the possessive or genitive case ; as, "My
father's house ;" "Man's ·happiness;" " Virtue's
reward."
.!lpp. 1. Substantives govern pronouns as well as noum
in the r,ossessive case ; as, " Every tree is known by its , ,
fruit;' "Goodness brings its reward;" "That des)!: is
mine;" " This composition is his. "
·
.!lpp. 2. The pronoun his, when detached from the noun
to which it relates, is to. ~e considered not as a possessive
pronoun, but as the genitive case of the personal pronoun,
as, "This composition is his.'' "Whose book is that?"
~'His."

Illustration. The difference between the adjective and
personal pronouns wi'ft be seen in the following sentences:
"Is it her or his honour that is tarnished?" "It is not
hers, but his."

My 11ncestors virtue is not mine.
His brothers offence will not condemn him.
I will not destroy the city for ten sake.
Nevertheless, Asa his heart was perfect with the
Lord.
·
A mothers tenderness and a fathers care are
natures gifts' for mans advantage.

Rule 10.)

SYNTAX.

87

A mans m·ann~r's frequently influence his fortune.
Wisdoms precepts' form the good mans interest
and happiness.
.!lpp. 3. T-Vhen two or more nouns come together, or a
noun and pronoun, and signify the ~ame thing, they are
said to be in apposition, and agree in case.; as, " Paul

the apostle;" " George, King of Great Bntam, elector
of Hanover," &c. "Maria rejected Valen us, the man
[him] whom she had rejected before."

They slew Varus, he that was mentioned bef~re.
They slew Varus, who was him that I mentioned before .
.!lpp. 4. Nouns are not urifrequently set in apposition
to sentences, or clauses ef sentences; as," If a man had·

a positive idea of infinite, either duration or space~ he
could add two infinites together; nay, ma.k.e one mfi~
nite infinitely bi.-.·ger than another; absurdities too gross
to be confuted.''l Here the absurdities are the whole
preceding propositions.

Note 1. Part 1. When several nouns come together in the possessive case the apostrophe withs is annexed to the last, and understood
, in the ;est; as, "John and Eliza's books;" "This was J.ll.Y father,
mother, and uncle's advice."

But if any words intervene. the sign ef the possess~ve sho!il~
. be annexed to each; as, "They are John's as well as Ehza s books.
Part 2. rVhm any subject or subjects ai-e considered as the
common property of t""o or more persons, the sign ef the pos~ess­
ive is affixed only to the noun ef the last person; as, "Tins is
Henry, William, and Joseph's estate."

Part 3. Butwhen several subjects are consider~d ':s.belonging
icparately to distinct individuals, the names vfthe individuals have
the .si'o·n
of the possessive case annexed to each of them ; as, l These
0
are H enry's, William's, ancl Joseph's estates."

Remark. It is, howeve~. better to say, "It was th~ advice of my
father, mother, ·and uncle ;" "This estate belongs m common to
Henry, William, anrl Joseph."

88 .

(Rule. 10..
lt was the men's, women's, and children's lot, to
EXERCISES.

suffer great calamities.
Peter's, John's, and Andrew's occupation, was
that of fishermen.
This measure gained the king, as well as the
people's approbation.
Not only the counsel's, and attorney's, but the
judge's opinion also, favoured his cause.
JYote 2. Part I . In poetry, the additional s is frequently•omitted, but the _apostrophe ntained ; as, "The wrath of Peleus' son."
The f ollowing examples in prose are erroneous : Moses' minister;" " Phinehas' wife;" ° Festus cam e into F elix.' room ·" it
11

should have been, "Moses's, Phineas's, Felix's."
'
Pa,-t 2. But when ~ases occur which would g ive too much

of

the _hissing sound, or inc~ease the dijficulty of pronunciation, the
omission ef the apostrophick s takes place even in prose · as "For

righteousness' sake;'' ° For conscience' sake."

~

'

'

And he cast himself down at Jesus feet.
Moses rod was turn ed into a serpent.
For Herodias sake, his brother Philips wife.
If ye suffer for righteousness's sake, happy are ye.
Ye should be subject for conscience's sake .

"Vote 3. Explanatory circumstances ou o·ht not to be used between
the possessive case and the word which ]allows it ; as, " She began to extol the farmer's, as she called him, excellent understanding, .. it ought _to be, "The e xcellent understand ing of the farmer,
as she called him ."

. Remark. The wo~d in the genitive case is fr equently placed
improperly; as, .. Tll!S fact appears from Dr. Pearson of Birmingit should be, "From the experiments of
Dr. Pearson of Birmingham."

ham's experimehts ;"

They very justly condemned the prodigal's, as
he was called, senseless and extravagant conduct.
They implicitly obeyed the protector's, as they
calle d him, imperious mandates.
Nute 4. Part I. 1¥/ien terms signifying a name and an <1fice are connected, that which denotes the nnme efpersonshouldbepos·
sessive; as, " I left the parcel at Smith's the bookseller."

SYNTAX.

89

Part 2. .fl phrase in which the words are so connected and dependent, as to admit of no pause before the conclusion, necessarily
requires the gen·itive sign at or near the end ef the phrase ; as,
11 Whose prerogative is it?
It is the king of Great Britain's;"
"That is the duke of Bridgewater's canal," &c.

Part 3. When words in apposition follow each other in quick
succession, the genitive sign should have a similar situation ; es~
pecially if the noun which gov ems the genitive be expressed; as,
11 The emperor Leopold's;" "Dionysius the tyrant's;" u For David
my servant's ~ake ;" "Give me John the Baptist's head;" "Paul
the apostle's advice."
,

Part 4. But when a pause is proper, and the governing noun
n Ji e:i.pressed ; and when the latter part ef the sentence is extended; i t appears to be requisite that the sign should be applied to
the first g enitive, and understood to the other; as, " I reside at
Lord Stormont's, my old patron and benefactor;" "Whose glory
did he emulate ? H e emulate1l Cresar's, the greatest general of
antiquity."

I bought the knives at Johnson's, the cutler's.
The silk was purchased at Brown's, the mercer's
and haberdasher's.
Lord Feversham the general's tent.
This palace had been the grand sultan's Mahomet's.
I will not for David's thy father's sake.
He took refuge at the governour, the king's
-representative's.
Whose works are these? They are Cicero, the
most e loquent of men's.
Note 5. The En@lish genitive, o»· possessive case, has eften an
unpleasan t sound, so that we daily make more use ef the particle of
to express the same relation; thus, instead of saying, 11 Th e army's
name, the commons' vote. the lords' house;" we say, ''The name
of the army, the vote of the commons, the house of lords."

The world's government is not left to chance.
She married my son's wife's brother.
This is my wife's brother's partner's house.
It was necessary to have buth the physician'~
and the surgeon's advice.
H

90

EXF.RCISES.

Rule 11.)

(Rule ll•.
,'

R emark. The use of three substantives dependent on one another, and connected ·by the prepositi on of applied to each of them,
is not to be recommended.

The extent of the prerogative of the king of
England, is sufficiently ascertained.
N ote 6. In some cases we u se both the 11ossessive termi1iatio11
and the prepositi-On of; as, "It is a discovery of Sir Isaac New.
ton's." The word genius, or p roperty, &c. may be unJerstood at
the end of such ph rases, and the noun or pronou n signifying the
possessor, is gove rned in the possessive case, by the noun signify·
ing the thing possessed.

This picture of the king's does not much resemble him.
These pictures of the king were sent to him
from Italy.
This estate of the corporation's is much encumbered.
That is the eldest son of the king of England's.
Note 7. When an entire clause of a sentence, beginning with
a participle of the present tense, is used as one name, or to e.+•
press one idea of circumstance, the noun on which i t depen ds may
be put in the possessive. case ; thu s, we say, 11 \ Vhat is the reason
of thi s person's dismissing of hi s servant so hastily ?" Just as we

say, "What is the reason of this person's hasty dismission of hi;
servant?"

What can be the cause of the parliament neglecting so important a business ?
Much depends on this rule being observed .
.
The time of William making the experiment, at
length arrived.
It is very probable that this assembly was called, tci clear some doubt which the king had, about
the lawfulness of the Hollanders their throwing off
the monarchy of Spain, and their withdrawing, entirely, their allegiance to that crown.
If we alter the situation of any of the words, we

·

SYNTAX.

91

~hall presently Le sensible of the melody s.uff~ri~g.
Such will ever be the effect of youth associatmg
with vicious companions.
RULE XI.

Jlctive verbs govern the objective case; as, "Truth
ennobles her ·" " She comforts me ;" " They sup'
port us ;~ ' " Virtue
rewards her "io II owers."
.flpp. 1. Verbs neuter or intransitive donotactupo~; or
o-overn, nouns and pronouns. "He sleeps ; th ey muse; &c.
~re not tr an sitive , and .therefore are not follo~ved by an
objective case specifying the obj ec t of an action.
.11.pp. 2. In the phrases, "To dream a dream," "To
li ve a virtuous life," "To run a r ace," "To walk the
horse " "To dan ce the child," th e verbs certamly assume 'a tran sitive form, and may not in these cases, be
imprope rly denominated transitive verbs.
.!J.pp. 3. Part of a sentence, as we;ll as a noun or pronoun, may be said to be in the ob1ective case, or to be put
objectively, governed by the active verb ; as, " W, e sometim es see virtue in distress : but we should consider how
great will be her ultimate rewa:d."
Sentences or phrases under this c ircumstance, may
he te rmed objective sentences or phrases.
·
Jlpp. 4. Some verbs appear to go·vern t'll'.o words in the
objecti·ve case; as," The Author of my b eing formed "!"e
man, and made me accountable to him." " Th ey desired me to call them brethren." "He seems to have made
himwhathe was."

They who opulence has made proud, and who
luxury h as corrupted, cannot relish the simple
pleasures· of nature.
.
You have reason to dread his wrath, which one
day will destroy ye both.
Who have 1 reason to love so much as this friend
of my youth .
Ye, who were dead, hath he quickened.

9.2

EXERCISES.

(Rule 11.

WJl<? did they entertain so freely ?
The man who he raised from obscurity, is dead.
Ye only have I known of all the families of, the
earth.
He and they we know, but who are you?
She that is idle and mischievous, reprove sharply.
Who did they send to him on so important an
errand?
That is the friend who you must receive cordially,. an? who you cannot esteem too highly.
He rnv1ted my brother and I to see and examine
his library.
He who committed the offence, you should correct, not I who am innocent.
We should fear and obey the Author of our beingt e ven He who has ·power to reward or punish
us tor ever.
They who he had most injured, he had the
greatest reason to love.

Note 3. Neuter verbs of motion and chanire•. are varied like
the active,. and admit of the passive form, relaimng still the '"":·
ter signification,· as, u I am come; I was gone; I am g1ow.n ,
I was fallen." The following examples should have an active,
and not a passiveform: •• We are infinitely swerved; the ~hole
obliO'a.tion was also ceased; the number was now amounted , &c.

i'f

such maxims, and such practice~ prevail,
what has become of decency and virtue .
· I have come according to the time proposed ; but
I have fallen upon an evil hour.
The mighty r ivals ~re now at length agreed.
The influence of his corrupt example was then
entirely ceased.
.
He was entered into the connex10n, before the
consequences were considered.

Nole 4. Part 1. The verb to be, and other intransitive verbs,
through all their variations, may have the same case after !hem,

",!

No!e. 1. .Some writers u'.e certain neuter verbs as if they were
f1ransitiv~, imr.roperly.puttir:g a.[,ter them the o~iect·ive case; as,
R epenting mm of his design; u The nearer his successes ap .
proacned him to the throne;" "The popular lords did not fail to
enlarge themselves upon the subject;" " R epenting of his design.
'
approached to the tluone; enlarge upon the subject."

as that which next precedes them; as ,
am he w~om they 1nv1.ted ;" " I believe it to have been them ; "He desired to be their
king ;.' ' " She walks a queen."
Part 2. When the verb to be is understood, it has the same cam
before and after it as when it is expressed; as," He seems the
leade r of the party;'' 11 H e shall cont~nue steward;'' ".Thel ap ..

Though he now takes pleasure in them he will
one day repent him of indulgences so un~arranta­
ble.
The nearer his virtues approached him to the
great ~xample bef~r~ him, the humbler he grew.
It will be very difficult to agree his conduct with
the principles he professes.

is," He seems to be the leader of the party, &c.
Part 3. Passive verbs which signify naming and others of a
similar nature have the same case before and after them ; as,
"He was called Cresar ;11 " She was named Penel'ope ;" "Homer
is styled the Prince of poets;" "James was create<l a duke," &c.
Part 4. The verbs, to Become, wande1·, go, return, expir.e, appear, die, l'ive, look, grow, seem, roam, and others, are of this na
lure.

Note 2 . .llctive verbs are sometimes as improperly made neuter .
H I
~ust p~emise. wit~1 three circumstances ;" "Those tha~
~.hmk to ingratia_te with him b.l'. calumniating me;" it should be,
premise three circumstances, ingratiate themselves."
as!

(

93
SYNTAX.
Rule 11.)
To ingratiate with some by traducing others,
marks a base and despicable mind.
I shall premise with two or three general observations.

pointed me exe cutor;'' "I supposed him a r;;an of learning;

that

Well may you be afraid ; it is him ind~ed.
.
. I would act the same part if I were him, or m
hie eituation.
Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye

94

EXEl\(;JSES.

(R11le 12.

have·i.et~·rnal life, and they are them which testify of be~ .
Be composed : it is me : you have no cause for
fear.
I cannot tell who has befriended me unless it is ·
him from whom I have received man/benefits.
I know not whether it were therri who conduct~
ed the business; but I am certain it was not him.
He so much resembled my brother that at first
'
'
sight, I took it to be,he.
After all their professions, is it possible to be
them?
It could not have been her, for she always behaves discreetly.
If it was not him, who do you imagine it to have
been?
,
Who do you think him to be?
Whom do the people say that we are ?
. Note 5. T,~e auxilieJ:ry let, gov_erns the objecl'ive case; as. h Let
/nm beware; "Let us judge candidly;" "Let them not presume 1·"
" Let George study his lesson."

Whatever others do, .let thou and I act wisely.
~et them and we umte to oppose this growing
evil.
RULE XII.

On~ ~erb g?verri:s. another that follows it, or depends

upon it.in the infinitive mood; as, " Cease to do evil·
learn to do well;" " We should be prepared to
der an account of our actions."
. JJ.pp. 1. T~e infinitive is frequently governed by adjectives, s;;bsta;ntiv.es, and participles : as, " He is eager to
lea:n; ''.She is \~?rthy to be loved;" "They have a
desire t~ 1mprov:e ; . '~ Endeavouring to persuade." .
·
JJ.p~; - · Th~ infiniti~e sometimes follows the word as:
t'.1us, An object so high as to be invisible;" "A question so obscure as to perplex the understanding.''

ren:

(

SYNTAX.

95

.11.pp. 3. The infinitive occasionally follows th~~.after a
comparison; as, " He desired nothing more' than to
know his own imperfections."
· ' "
.11.pp. 4. The infinitive mood is often made absolute, or
used independently_on t.he rest of ~he sentence, ~upplying
the place of the conjunction that, with the potential mood;
as, ''To confess the truth, I was in fault ;" that is,
"That I may confess," &c.
.11.pp. 5. The verbs, Bid, dare, need, make, see, hear,
feel, and also let, not used as an auxiliary; and a few others, have, in the active form, the infinitive after them without the sign to before it; as, "I bade him do it ;" " Ye
dare not do it;" " I saw him do it;" " I heard him say
it;" · " Thou lettest him go."

It is better live on a little, than outlive a great
deal.
You ought not walk too hastily.
I wish him not wrestle with his happiness.
[ need not to solicit him to do a kind action .
l dare not to proceed so hastily, lest I should give
offence.
· , I have seen some young persons to conduct themselves very discreetly:
Note 1. The particle to, the sign efthe infinitive mood, is sometimes improperly used; as, "I have observecl some satirists to
use." &c. ; "To see so many to make so little conscience of so
great a sin;" " I am not like other men, to envy the talents I can·
not reach."

It is a great support to virtue, when we see a
good mind to maintain its patience and tranquillities,
under injuries and affliction, and to cordially forgive its oppressors.
. It is the difference of their conduct, which makes
us to approve the one, and to reject the other.
We should not be like many persons, to depreciate the virtues we do not possess.
To see young persons who are courted by health

96

(Rule 13.

EXERCISES.

and pleasure, to resist all the allurements of vice,
and to steadily pursue virtue and knowled 0o-e is
'
cheering and delightful to every good mind.
They acted with so much reserve, that some
persons doubted them to be sincere.
And the multitude wondered, when they saw the
lame to walk, and the blind to see. ·
RULE XIII.

. In the use of words and phrases which, in po·i nt of
time, relate to each other, a dne regard to that relation
should _be observed. Instead of saying, " The Lord·
hath given, and the Lord hath taken away;" we
should say, " The Lord gave, and the Lord hath
triken away." Instead of, "I remember the family
more than twenty years;" it should be "I ·have
. more than twenty years."
remembered the family

'

Obs. Whatever period the governing verb assumes, whether
present, past, or future, the governed verb in the infinit·ive always
respects that period, and its time is calculated from it.

The next new year's day I shall be at school
three years.
And he that was dead, sat up, and began to
speak.
I should be obliged to him, if he will gratify me
in that particular.
And the multitude wondered, when they saw the
dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame
walk, and the blind seeing.
I have compassion on the multitude, because they
continue with me now three days.
In the treasury belonging to the Cathedral in
this city, is preserved with the greatest veneration
for upwards of six hundred years, a dish which the;
pretend to be made of emerald.

Rule 13.)

SYNTAX.

97

The Court of Rome gladly laid hold on · all the
opportunities, which the imprudence, weakn_ess, or
necessities of princes, afford it, to extend its authority.
'Fierce as he mov'd his silver s!lafts resound.

They maintained tliat scripture conclusion, that
all mankind rise from one head.
John will earn his wages, when his service is
completed .
· Ye will not come unto me that ye might have
life.
,
, Be 't hat as it will, he cannot justify his conduct.
I have been at London a year, and seen the king·
last summer.
After we visited London, we returned, content
and than\dul, to our retired and peaceful habitation.
Note I. .flllvei·bs expressive of hopP, desirP, intention, or command. must invarinbly oe followed by the present, and not the
peifect of the infin-itive. "The last week I intended to have written ;" it ought to be. " The last week I intended to write."
Obs. When the action or event, signified by a verb in the infinitive mood, is contemporar'IJ orfuture, with respect to the verb
to which it is chiefly related, the present of the infinitive is required; When it is not contemporary nor future, the perfect of the
infinitive is necessary: thus, in recollecting the sight of a friend,
souie time having intervened between the seeing and the rejoicing,
I should say, "I rejoiced to have seen my friend ." If my joy aml
the presence of my friend were contemporary, I should. say, " I
rejoice d to see my friend."
'

I purpose to go to London ill a few months, and
after I shall finish my business there, to proceed to
America.
These prosecutions of William seem to be the
mo;;t iniquitous measures pursued by the court, during the time that the use of parliaments was sus.
pended.

. 98

EXERCISES.

From the little conversation I had with him, he
appeared to have been a man of letters.
I always intended to have rewarded my son, according to his merit.
It would, on reflection, have given me great satisfaction, to relieve him from that distresse d situation.
It required so much care, t,hat l thought I should
have lost it before I reached home.
\Ve have · done no more than it was our duly to
have done.
He would have assisted one of his friends, if he
could do it without inju ring the other; but as that
could not have been done, he avoided all interference.
Must it not be expected, that he would have defended an authority, which had been so long exercised without controversy ?
These enemies of Christianity were confounded,
whilst they were expecting to have found an opportunity to have betrayed its Author.
His sea-sickness was so great, that"l often feared
he would have died before our arrival.
If these persons had intended to de ceive, they
would have taken care to have avoided, what
would expose them to the objections of their opponents.
'·
It was a pleasure to have rece ived his approbation of my labours ; for which I cordially thanked
·
him.
It w,ould have afforded me still greater pleasure.
to receive his approbation at an earlier period;
but to receive it at all, reflected credit upon me.
. 'fo be censured by him, would soon ·have proved a~ insuperable .discouragement.

Rule

l 4.)

99

SYNTAX.

Him portion'd maids, apprentic'd orphans blest,
The young who labour, and the old wbo rest.

Obs. 2. "Jn riferring·to declaration; m'.'~e by. ar>;otlier perso~,
. the present tense must be used, if the positioTn t;"sb.i7mu~ab:y t de
same at all time.s. or supposed to be so; as, ':

e is lop_ ec are '.

that virtue is always advantageous." But if the assertion rifer·
red to something, that is not always the same, or s":pposed to be so,
the past t•"!f' must be an>lied ; as, " George said that he was
very happy.

The doctor, in his lecture, said, that fever always produced thirst.
RULE XIV.

Participles have the same government as the verbs
have from which they are derived ; as, " I am weary
with hearing him;"." She is instructing us;" "The
tutor is admonishing Charles."
.!1pp. 1. .fl participial or verbal noun: wh.ether simple .or
compound, may be eithert in the n?m~native. or. obJect~ve.
a d may have a verb and adJective referring lo it ,
casei, n adin" is useful;' ' " He. mentioned a boy's hi;-v~!g b~~ cor;tcted for ?is fau~ts ;,',' " The b~y's having
been correcte_d is shametul to him.
. .
.!1pp. 2 • .!1 partfripial noun, governed by a .'Pr~position'.
or used as a noiniriative, may govern the ob;ective. case ,
as " John was sent to prepare the way by preachmg .ree'ntance, and by instructing the people ;" ." Makmg
books is bis amusement;" " Her employment ls drawmg
maps."
. .
.
.
.!1
3 The active participle is frequently used without PJ:i• obvious reference to any noun or pronoun; a~l
"Generally speaking, his conduct was very bo'!'ourable;
" Granting this to be true," &c. In such insta~ces, a
pronoun is to be understood.

Esteeming theirselves wise, they became fools.
Suspecting not only ye, but they also, I was studious to avoid all intercourse. ·
I could not avoid considering, in some degree,

L

JOO

EXERCISES.

(Rule 14

they as enemies to me ; and he as a suspicious
friend
From having expose d hisself too fr ee ly in dif~
ferent climates, he entirely lost his health.
·
. Note l . VI' hen the. arti cle a, an, or the, precedes the participle,
1t becomes a •ubstant1ve, and must have the preposition of after
Jt; a~,
By the obse_rvmg q.f'the rules, you may avoid mistakes;"
" This was a betrayrng of the trust;" " It is an overvaluing ·of
11

ourselves.''

By observing of truth, you will command esteem,
as well as secure peace.
He prepared them for this event, by the sending
to them proper information.
A person may be great or rich by chance ; but
cannot be wise or good, without the taking pain8
for it.
N othin ~ could have made her so urd1appy, as
the marrymg a man who possesse d such principles.
Th e changin~ times and seasons, the removing
and se tting up longs, belong to Providenr.e alone.
The middle station of li fe seems to be the most
advantageously situated fo r gaining of wisdom.
Poverty turns our thoughts too much upon the supplying our wants; and riches, upon the enjoying
ou r sup erfluities.
Pliny, speaking of Cato the Censor's disapproving the Grecian orato rs, expressed himself thus.
Propriety of pronunciation is the giving to every word that sound, which the most polite usage of'
the language appropriates to it.
Th e not attending to this rule, is the cause of a
very common errour.
This was in fac t a converting the deposite to his
own use.
Notr; _2. When the proqo~n precede• the participial noun, the
prepos111on ef should follow 1t ; as, " Much depends on their ob
0

Rule 14.)

SYNTAX.

101

• serving of the rule, and err.our will be the consequence of their
neglecting of it."

There will be no danger of their spoiling their
·faces, or of their gaining converts.
For his avoiding that precipice, he is indebted to
·
his friend's care.
It was from our misunderstanding the directions,
that. we lost our way .
In tracing of his history, we discover little that
is worthy of imitation.
By reading of books written by the best authors,
his mind became highly improved.
Note 3. The perj'ect participle and the impe·i fect tense, when
different in form, must not he used indiscriminately ; as, it is
frequently and erroneousir said, 11 He begun," for "he began ;"
u He run," for "he ran;' "He tlruuk," for H he drank.''

By too eager pursuit, he run a great risk of beinP, disappointed.
He had not long enjoyed repose, before he begun to be weary of having nothing to do.
He was greatly heated, and drunk with avidity.
Though his conduct was, in some respects, exceptionable, yet he dared not commit so great an
offence, as that 'which was proposed to him.
A second deluge learn ing thus o'er-run;
And the monks finish'd what the Goths begun.

If some events had not fell out very unexpectedly, I sho'!.!ld have been present.
He ' would have wen.t with us, had he been invited.
He returned the goods which he had sto1e, and
made all the reparation in his power.
They have chose the part of honour and virtue.
His vices have weakened his mind,. and broke
his health.
·

102
I

EXERCISES

He ha<l mistook his true interest, and found him- •
self forsook by his former adherents.
·
The bread ~hat has been eat is soon forgot.
No content10ns have arose amongst them since
their reconciliation.
The cloth had no seam, but was wove thr~ugh­
out.
. The French language is spoke in every state
m Europe.
to be shook by
His resolution was too strono0
·
slight opposition.
He. was not n:uch restrained afterwards, having
took improper liberties at first.
He has not yet wore off the rough manners which
he brought with him.
'
You who have forsook your friends are entitled
to no confidence.
'
They who have bore a part in the labour, shall
share the rewards.
When the rules have been wantonly broke, there
'
can be no plea for favour.
He writes as the best authors would have wrote
had they writ on t\1e same subject.
'
He heapt up great riches, but past his time miserably.
He talkt and stampt with such vehemence that
he was suspected to be insane.
·
'
RULE XV.

.!ldverbs, tho:ugh they have no government of case,
tense, ~:c. require an appropriate situation in the senten~e, viz.for the most part before acl.jectives, after verbs
active or neuter, and frequently between the auxiliary
and the verb; as, "He made a very sensible discours~ ; he spoke unaffectedly and forcibly, and was
attentively heard by the whole assembly."

Rule 15.)

SYNTAX.

103

H e was pleasing not often, because he was vain.
William µobly acted, though ·he ' was unsuccess- \
. fol.
We may happily live, though our possessions are
small.
From whence we may date likewise the period
of this event.
It cannot be impertinent or ridiculous therefore
to r emonstrate.
He offered an apology, which be ing not admitted, he became submissive.
· These things should be neve r separated.
Unless he have more government of himself, he
1yill be always discontented.
Never sovereign , was so mu.c h beloved by the
people.
,
He was determined to invite 'back the king, and
to call too-ether his fri ends.
·
So well e ducated a boy gives great hopes to his
friends.
Not only he found he r employed, but pleased and
tranquil also.
·
We al ways should prefer our duty to our pleasure.
It is impossible continually to be at work.
The heavenly bodies are in motion perpetually.
Having not known, or having not considered, the
meas ures proposed, he failed of success.
My opinion was given on rather a cursory perusal of the book .
It is too common with mankind, to be engrossed,
and overcome totally, by present events.
When the Romans were pressed with a foreign
enemy, the women contributed all their rings and
jewels voluntarily, to assist the government.
' Note 1. Part 1. The ' adverb never generally precedes the verb
as, u I ner,er was there;" "He never comes at a prop~r time."

104

EXERCISES.

(Rule 15

It is placed indifferently, either before or after an. auxili~1·9
verb; as, "He was never seen (or neve r was seen) to laugh from
that time."

Part 2. Ever is sometimes improperly used for never; as, " I
SP.} ~lom _or ever see him;" it should be, " I seldom or never," .i.e.

They could not persuade him, though they were
never so eloquent.
If some persons' opportunities were ne1'er so favourable, they would be too indol ent to improve
them.
Note 2. Part 1. The adverb of place wltere, is often improperly
used instead of the pronoun relative and a preposition; as," They
frame d a protestation, where they repeated all their former claims;"
that is, ''in which they rep~at ed."
Part 2. The adve rbs here, there, where, are often improperly
npplied to verbs signifying motion, in stead of hi(!w., thither,
whither; as, "He came here hastily ;" "They rode there with
1

speed;" ' Where are you going t" They should be, "He came
hither 1 ''. "They rode thither ;" 11 1-Vhither are you going?"

He drew · up a petition, where he too freely.
represented his own merits.
His follies had reduced him to a situation where
he had much to fear, and nothing to ~hope.
It is reported that the prince will come here tomorrow.
George ·is active; he walked there in less than
an hour.
Where are _you all going in such haste ?
Whither have they been since they left the \:ity?
Note 3. Some adverbs arc imprnperly used as subst.mtives;
as," In 1 6~7, he erected it into a community of regulars, since
when, it has begun to increase ;" that is,"' Since which time." "1t.
is worth the:irwhile ;'' that is," It deserves their time and pains."
"To do a thing anyhow;'' that is, 11 in any manner ;" or," somehow ;'' that i s, 11 in some manner."
'

Charles left the seminary too early, since when
he has made very littl e improvement.
Nothing is better worth the while of young persons, than the acquisition 9f knowledge and' virtue.

Rule 16, 17.)

SYNTAX.

105

RULE XVI.

Two negaiives, in English, destroy one ando~dherth' or
,n;
t'ive'. as ' "Nor
i
are eq·11ivalent to an aJJ.rma
.
. ey
.
h'
·''
that
is
"they
did
perceive
not perceive 1m '
'
t ·
t
, him." " His language, though ine 1eg~n ' ,1,s no
,
tica
· z ,·" that is ' " it is grammatical. .
ungramma
. Neither riches nor honours, nor no sue~ penshi
ing goods, can satisfy the desires of an immorta

spirit.
bl
of
. Be honest, nor take no shape nor sem ance
fi
h'
rations
disguise.
V\' e nee d not, nor do not, con ne is ope
·1
to narrow limits.
l am res olved not to comp ly with ~he proposa '
ne ither at present, nor at any oth~r .ti~e .
There cannot be nothing more ms1gn1ficant than
vanity
h'
·
Nothing never affected her so much as t is misconduct of her child.
Do not interrupt me yourselves, nor let no one
disturb my retirement.
t k
These pe ople do not judge wisely, nor a ·e no
)fO er measures to effect their purpose.
I ,/he measure is so exceptioJ:!able, that we cannot by no means permit it.
.
I have , received no infor~atio.n on the subject,
ne ither from him nor from his friend. .
.
Precept nor discipline is not so forcible as exampl~fhe king nor the queen was not at all deceived
in the business.
RULE

xvn.

Prepositions govern the objective casB; as, ~:I h:{~
heard a good char~cter of her;" "From im a

106

EXERCISES.

(Rule 17.

is ne~dy turn not away;'; "A word to the

.

.

~nffic~ent for (lwm ;'' "We may be good a ;1she is

PY without riches."

.!lpp. 1. Participlesarefrequentl u d

'n

ap-

..

~t~~cye\;~fe' ~t{ziec;ingti
touching, &m~!rn~~r?c~;~~f:;'.
rn iaul1 except or excepting him ,,
.!1§.P· 2..

The prepositions to and for are ofle~ d
as, "Give ;:: t~~
oo" '
e.t me some paper;" that is " To me . .fi·
me. "
·""
.
'
, or
is " To mWeo·'~s ,r;i-Fe'
HE e wl asdbamshed England;" that
'
,
rom ng an . "

~1ook,·"c~,ir}y before the pronouns;

We are all accountable creatures each for h'
self
'
.
IBTheky willingly, and of theirselves endeavoured
t 0 ma e up the difference.
'
He laid the suspicion upon somebo dy I know
not who, in the companv.
'
I hope it is not I whC: he is displeased with
"To poor we there is not much hope remai~in
d Do es that boy know who he speaks to? Wh~
oes he offer such language to ?
·
I,t was not he that they were so angry with.
Wh~t c~ncor<l can subsist between those who
commit crimes, and they who abhor them ?
The p~rson who I travelled with, has ~old the
horse which he. rode on during our journey. .
It 1s no.t I he 1s engage d with.
Who did he receive that intelligence from?
J\"ote 1. The prepositwn · 0ift
,r,
the relative which it gove,.,,;s. a e~; ~trac~ u_lly separated from
instead of," T o whom will y~u gsi,ve it?"om will you give it to?"

ro ~ave no one whom we he~rtily wish well to
an wb om we are warmly concerned for is a de:
P1ora 1e state.
'
He is a friend whom I am highly indebted t(l_

Rule 17.)

SYNT,\.X.

107

Note 2. Some writers inelegantly separate the preposition
fr om the noun or pronoun which it go·ve rns, in order to connect
dijferent prepositions with the same word; as, "To suppose the
zodiac~. and vlanets to be efficient of, and antecedent to ihemselves .
0 1·•· In forms of law, where fulness and exactness of expres sion must tak e place of every other con>ideration, this construction
.may ·be admitted.

On th ese occasions, the pronoun fs governed by,
and consequently agrees with, the preceding word.
They were refosed entrance into, and forcibly
driven from, the house.
Note 3. Different relations, ~nd dijferent senses, must be expressed by different p1·epositions, though in conjunction with the
same verb or adjective: Thus we say, " To converse with a person, upon a subject, in a house," &c.

We are often disappointed of things, which, be' fore possession, promised much enjoyment.
I have frequently desired their company, but
have always hitherto been disappointed in that
ple as ure.
Note 4. Jln accurate and app1·opriate use of the preposition is
of great importance.
FIRST-1-Vith respect to the preposition OF ; as,
u He is resolved of going to the Petsian court;'' "on go ing,'' &c.
"The rain hath been falling of a long time·;" "falling a long
iime."
0 He went out

of an

evening;" "an evening."

SECOND-With respect to the prepositions "TO and FOR; as,
"You have bestowed yo ur favours .to the most deserving persons ;'' " upon, the most <leserv ing," &c.
"He accused the ministers for betraying the Dutch;" "ofhavrng betrayed," &c.
THIRD-With respect to the prepositions WITH, ON, · and
UPON; M,
"R econciling himself with the king;" "to the king."
" It is a use that perhaps I should not have thought on;'
0 thought of."
, "A great quantity may be taken from the heap, without making
al)y sensible alteration upon it;" , "in it."·
·
r

108

(Rule -17.

EXERCISES.

FOURTH-With respect to the ]!repositions IN FROM
INTO~ AFTER, BY, OUT OF, AT, &c.; ~s, ..
'
" 'b' Th~?' should be ~nformed m some parts of his
a out, or "conce.rlllng," &c. &c.

charac~r ·"
'

She finds. a di.fficulty of fixing her mind.
·
. Her sobriety is µo derogation to her understandmg.
There was no water, and ·he died for thirst
We can fully co?fide on none but the truly good.
I have no ocqts1on of his services.
Many h_a:re profited from good advice.
Many ridiculous practices have been brought in
vogue.
The errour was occasioned by compliance to
earnest entreaty.
This is a principle in unison to our nature.
. I~ e should entertain no prejudices to simple and
rustick persons.
They are at present resolved of doing their du~·

.

That boy is known under the name of the Idler.
Though conformable with custom, it is not warrantable.
·
This remark is founded in truth .
. His parents think on him, and his improvements
with pleasure and hope.
'
His excuse was admitted of by his master.
What went ye out for to see?
Th, ere appears to have be .n a mi·11·ion men
brought into the field.
His present was accepted of by his friends.
Mo.re than a thousand of men were destroyed.
It 1.s my request, that he will be particular in .
speakmg to the following points.
Th~ Saxons reduced the greater part of Britain
to their own power.
0
r,

109
SYNTAX.
Rule17.)
He lives opposite the Royal Exchange.
.
Their house is situated to the north-east side of
the road.
The performance was approved of by all who
understood it.
He was accused with having acted unfairly.
She has an abhorrence to all deceitful conduct.
They were some distance from home, when the
accident happened.
His deportment was adapted for conciliating re1
gard.
·
•
My father writes me very frequently.
Their conduct was agreeable with their profession.
.
We went le isurely above stairs, and came hastily below. We shall write up stairs this forenoon,
and down stairs in the afternoon.
The politeness of the world has the same rese!11blance with bene_volence, that ~he shadow has with
the substance.
He had a taste of such studies, and pursued them
earnestly.
When we have had a true taste for the pleasures of virtue, we can have no relish of those of
vi-ce .
How happy is it to know how to live at times
by one's self to leave one's self in regret, to find
one's self ag~in with pleasure! The world is then
less n_ecessary for us.
.
.
.
Civility makes its way among every kmd of persons.
Note 5. Part 1. The preposition to is used before nouns of
place, when they follow verbs and participles of motion; as, "l
went to Lon<lon ;" u I am going to town."
Part 2 . In ls set before countri e~ , cities, and large towns .; as,
1 ~ He ){ves in France, in London, o'r in Birmingham."
-P art 3 . .11.t is generallr used after the verb to be; as, u.1 have

I

l

110

EXERCISES.

(Rule 18

been al London ;" and. before villages, single houses, and ciiies,
which are in distant countries; as,
resides at Montpelier." ·

u

He lives at Hackney;" .. He

I have been to London, after having_ resided a
year at France; and I now live in Islington.
ThQy have just landed in Hull, and are going
for Liverpool. They intend to reside some time
at Ireland .
l)lULE ,XVIII.

Conjunctions connect the same moods and tenses oj
verbs, and wses of nouns and pronouns; as, " Candour is to be approved and practised;" " If thou sincere ly desire, ·and earnestly pursue virtue, she v1ill
a<;suredly be found by thee, and pru.ve a rich reward;" "The master taught lzer and me to write;"
"He and she were school-fellows."

Professing regard, and to act differently, discov"
er a base mind.
Did he not tell me his fault, and entreated me
to forgive him?
My brother and him are tolerable grammarians. ,
If he understood the subject, and attends to it industriously, he can scarcely fail of success.
You and us enjoy many privileges.
If a man ha Ye a hundred sheep, and one o'f them
is gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and
nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketb
tl~at which is gone astray 'I
She and him are very unhappily connected.
To be moderate in our views, ·and proceeding
temperately in the pursuit of them, is the best way
to ensure success.
Between him and I there is some disparity of
years; but none between him and she.

Rule 19.)

111

SYNTAX.

By forming themsefres on . fantastick models, and
ready to vie with one another in the reigning follies, the young begin with being ridiculous, and
end with being vicious and immoral.
J'rote 1. Conjunctions are, indeed, frequently made to connect

different moods and lenses

of verbs;

but, in these instances, the

nominative must gener"ally, {f not always, be repea ted; as,

11

He

l·ives temperately, and he shoulcl live temperately."

We have met with many disappointments; and,
if life continue, shall p~obably meet with many
more.
Rank may confer influence, but will not nec.essarily produce virtue.
'
He does not want courage, but is defective in
sensibility.
These people have indeed acquired great riches,
but do not command esteem.
Our season of improvement is short; and, whether used or not, will soon pass away.
He might have been happy, and is now fully
convinced of it.
Learning strengthens the mind ; and, if properly
" applied, will improve our morals too.
RULE XIX.

Part 1. Some conjunctions require the indicative,
some the subjunctive mood, after them. It is a general rule, that when something contingent or doubtful is
implied, the subjunctive ought to be used; as, "If I
were to write, he would not regard it;" "He will
,
not be pardoned, 1mless he repent."
Part 2. Conjunc.tions that are .of a positive and absolute nature, req1tire the indicative mood. "As virtue advanoes, so vice rP,cedes ;" "He is healthy, because he is temperate."

.' I

112

EXERCISES.

(Rule 19

.!J.pp. 1. The-particle as, when it is connected with the
pronoun such, has the force of a relative pronoun· as
"Let such·as ~resume to advise others, look well to theii
own conduct.'
.!J.pp. 2. The conju.n ctions, if, though, unless except
whether, &c. generally require the subjunctive 1~ood af'.
ter them; but when .the .sentence does not imply doubt,
~hey admit of the mdicat1ve; as," Though he is poor he
'
is contented."

If he acquires riches, they will.corrupt his mind,
and be useless to others.
Though he urges me yet more earnestly, I shall
n.ot comply, unless he advances more forcible reasons.
I shall walk in the fields to-day, unless it rains.
As the governess were present, the children behaved properly.
She disapproved the measure, because it were
very improper.
Though he be high, he hath respect to the lowly.
Though he were her friend, he did not attempt
to justify her conduct.
Whether he improve or not, I cannot determine.
Though the fact be · extraordinary, it certainly
did happen.
Remember .what thou wert, and be humble.
0 l that his heart was tender, and susceptible
of the woes of others.
Shall then this verse to future arre pretend
Thou wert my guide, philosophc~, · and frie~d ?.

. JYote 1. L est and that, an.nexed to a command preceding, necessarily requtre the su!lJUncuve mood; as," Love not sleep, lest
thou c01r.e to poverty;' "Take heed that thou speak not to Jacob."

Despise not any condition, lest it happens to be
your own.

(

Rule 19.)

113

SYNTAX•

L et him that is sanguine, take heed lest he miscarries.
Take care that thou bi·eakest not any of the established r.ules.
If he does but intimate his desire, it will be
sufficient to produce obedience.
At the time of his return, if he is but expert in
the business, he will find employment.
If he do but speak to display his abilities, he is
unworthy of attention.
If he be but in health, I am content.
If he does promise, he will certainly perform.
Though he do praise her, it is only for her
Leauty.
.
If thou dost not forgive, perhaps thou wilt not
be forgiven.
.
If thou do sincerely belie·v e the truths of religion, act accordingly.
JYo te 2. In some instances, the conjunction that, expressed or
under;tood, seems to be improperly accompanied with the subjunctive mood; as," So much she dreaded bis tyranny, that the fate
of her fri end she dare not lament."-" She dar·es not lament.

His confused behaviour made it reasonable to
suppose that he were guilty.
He is so conscious of deserving the rebuke, that
he dare not make any reply.
,
His apology was so plausible; that many befriended him, and thought he were innocent.
Note 3. The same conjunction governing both the indicative
and the subjunctive moods. in the ' same sentence, and in the same
circumstances, seems to be a great impropri ety; as,

11

If there be

but one body oflegi;lators, it is no better than a tyranny; if there
are only two, there will want a casting voice." "(fa man have
a hundred sheep, and one of them is gone astrl!-y," &c.

If one man prefer a life of industry, it is because
he has an idea of comfort in weal~h; if another
K

114

(Rule 19
prefer a life of gaiety, it is from a like idea concerning pleasure.
No one engages in that business, unless he aim
at reputation, or hopes for some singular advantage.
,
Thoug h the des ig n be laudable, and is favourable to our interest, it will involve much anxiety
and Jabour.
EXERCISES.

Note 4. .!jn e llips~s? i". the con;unctitie form of words,
often creates irreguZar:-ties in the construction oj _sentences; as,
" We shall overt~ke !um, though he run;" that is, "though he
should nm."
·
Con tingency and futurity both concur in the ri g-ht use of the
tense of the verb in the subjnnctive mood; as, "If thou
inJu re anothe-r, thou wilt injure thyself;" "If he continue impen-

]Jr~sent

itent, he mu st suffer."

Unless he learns faster, he will be no scholar.
'.,I'hough he falls, he shall not be utterly .cast
down.
On condition that he comes, I will conse nt to stay.
However that affai r terminates, my conduct will
be unimpeachable.
If virtue rewards us not so soon as we desire,
the payment will be made with interest.
Till repentance composes his mind, he will be
·
a stranger to peace.
Whether he confesses, or not, the truth will cer·
tainly be discovered.
If thou censurest uncharitably, thou wilt be entitled to no favour.
Though, at times, the asce~t to the temple of
virtue, appears steep and craggy, be 'not disco ur"
aged. Persevere until thou gainest the summit·
there, all is order, beauty, and pleasure.
If Charlotta desire to gain esteem and love, she
does not employ the proper means.
·

(

Rule 19.)

. SYNTAX.

115

Unless the accountant deceive me, my estate is
considerably improved.
..
Tliough self-government produc_e some u~eas1ness, it is light, when compared with the pam of
vicious indulgence.
Whether he think as he speaks, time will discover.
If thou censure uncharitably, thou deservest no
favour.
Though virtue appear severe, she is truly amiable.
Though success be very doubtful, it is pr0per
that he endeavours to succeed.
·
Note 5. The auxiliary have, in th e perfect tense. of the subjunctive mood, is, by some writers, improperly used rnstead of hast
and has· as ., If thou have dete nnined , we must submit;'' "Unless he have' consented," &c.: they should be, "hast determined,
has consented."

If thou have promised, be faithful to thy engagement.
·
Though he have proved ?is right to submission,
he is too gene rous to exact 1t.
Unless he have improved, he is unfit for the office.
Note 6. The pluperfect and future tenses of the subjuncl~tJe
are sometimes improperly e:1:-pressed : thus, "If thou had apphed
thyself diligently, thou wouldst have reaped the advantage;"" Uoless thou shall speak the whole truth, we cannot determine;" "If
thou will unde rtake the business, there is little do ubt of success."
The auxiliaries hadst, shalt, and wilt, should have been used.

If thou had .succeeded, perhaps thou wouldst not
be the happier for it.
.
Unless thou shaJl see the propriety of the measure, we shall not desire thy support.
·
Though thou .will not acknowledge, thou canst
not deny the fact.

·I I

116

EXERCISES.

(Rule 19

Note. 7'. 7:he second .Pe,.son singular of the impe1ject tense in
the su~1.unctive mood, is sometimes wrongl1J used; as, " If thou
loved h1m truly, thou would st 9bey him;"" Though thou did con·
form, thou hast ga1fed nothing by it; " "lovedst, didst."

If thou gave liberally, thou wilt receive a liberal reward.
Though thou did injure him, he harbours no resentment.
It would ~e well, if the report was only the misrepresentat10n of her enemies.
Was he ever so great and opulent this conduct
would debase him.
'
Was l to enumerate all her virtues it would
look like flattery.
'
Though I was perfect, yet would I not presume.
.Note 8. Part ~· The auxiliaries of the potential mood, when
applied to the. sub1unctive, do not change the termination.of the second person singula.". We properly say, "If thou mayst or canst
go;" 11 Though thou mightst li ve;" "Unless thou coiildst read·"
" If tho~ wouldst learn ;" ~rnl not, "If thou may or ca.n goi'' &~.
. Part -· Some authors. think, that when that expresses the mo·
live or _end, the termination of these auxiliaries should be varied .
as, "I advise thee, that thou may beware;" "He checked thee:
that thou sh~uld not presume:" but there does not appear any
ground for this except10n:

If thou may share in his labours be thankful and
do it cheerfully.
'
'
Unless thou can fairly support the cause, give it
up honourably.
Though thou might have foreseen the danger
thou couldst not have avoided it.
'
If thou could .convince him, he would not act
accorJingly.
If thou would improve in knowledge, be diligent.
Unless thou should make a timely retreat, the
danger will be unavoidable.

(

i17
SYNTAX.
Rule 19.)
I have laboured and wearied myself, th~t thou
may be at ease .
He enlarged on t.hose dangers, that thou should
avoid them.
Note 9. Some conjunctions hav.e their corresponding conjunc·
Hons belonging to them, so tha.t, in the subsequent membe,. of the
sentence, the latter answers to the former ,· as,

Part 1. T1rnuGH-YET, NEVERTRE!,ESS; as, " Though he
was .rich, yet for our sakes he became poor."
2. WHETHER-OR; as, "Whether he will go or not,
cannot tell."
Pad 3. EITRER-C\lt; as, " I will eith<r send it, or bring it
myself."
.
Par t 4. NEITHER-NOR; as, " Neither thou nor I am able to
11
compass it.
Part 5. As- .AS: expressing a comparison of equality ; as, "She
is as amiable as her sister."
Pad 6. As-so : expressing a comparison of equality; ·' .!ls the
stars, so shall thy seed he."
Part 7. As-so: expressing a comparison of quality; as, ".!ls
the one dieth, so dieth the other." .
.
.
Part 8. So-AS : with a verb expressmg a comparison of quality;
as, " To see thy glory, so as I have seen thee m the sanctu·

Part

ary." ·
. .
.
Part 9. So-.AS : with a negative and an adJeCtlve expressmg a
comparison of quantity ; as, " Pompey was not so great a man
as Cresar."
Part 10. So-TR.AT : expressing a consequence; as, "He was·10
fatigued, that be could scarcely move."

Neither the cold or the fervid, but characters
uniformly warm, are formed for friendship.
They are both praise-worthy, and one is equally
deserving as the other.
_ .
.
He is not as diligent and learned as his brother.
I will present it to him myself, or direct it to be
given to him.
Neither despise or oppose what thou dost not
understand.
·
The house is not as commodious as .w e expected ·
it would be.

118

EXERCISES.

'(Rule 19·

I must;· however, be so candid to own I have
been mistaken.
. Th.ere. wa~ something so amiable, and yet so
piercing m his look, as affected me at once with
love an,d terrour.
I ga!n'd a son;
And such a son, as all men hail'd me happy."

_________u

. The dog in the manger would not eat the hay
lumself, nor suffer the ox to eat it.
J:-.s far as I am able to judge, the book is well
written.
We should faithfully perform the trust committed to .us, or ingen~ous ly relinquish the charge.
He rs not as emrnent, and as much esteemed as
he lhiuks himself lo he.
The work is a dull performance · and is nei~her ~ap~ble of pleasing the understa~ding, or the
1magmat10n.
. There is no condition so secure, as cannot admit
of change . .
~his is an event, which nobody presumes upon
or 1s so sangume to hope for.
'
.We are generally pleased with any little accomplishments ofbody or mind.
.Note

1~. Co~j""nctions

are often improperly used, both singl·
The relauons are so uncertain, as that the rJ.
qu~re .~ g~:'at deal of examination;" it should be, "that the~ reThere was n~ man so sanguine, who did not apprehend
quire .. ,
~ome 111 co~se~,uen~e~ ; it ought to be, " so sanguine as not to
apprehend.
This is no other but the gate of paradise·" but
should be than.
·
'

an~ in pairs.

~e ready to succour such persons who need th
y
assistance.
The matter was no sooner proposed, but he privately withdrew to consider it.

119

SYNTAX.
Rule 20.)
He has too much sense and prudence than to become a dupe to such artifices .
It is not sufficient that our conduct, as far as it
respects others,appe'ars to be unexceptionable.
The resolution was not the less fixed, that the
secret was yet comUlunicated to very few.
He opposed the most r emarkable corruptions of
the church of Rome, so as that his doctrines were
embraced by great numbers.
He gained nothing further by his speech, but
only to be commended for his eloquence.
He has little more of the scholar besides the
name.
He has little of the scholar than the name.
They had no sooner risen, hut they applied
themselves to their studies.
From no other institution, besides the admirable
one of juries, could so great a benefit be expected.
Those savage people seemed to have no other
element but war.
Such men that act treacherously ought to be
avoided.
Germany ran the same risk as Italy had done .
No errours are so trivial, but they deserve to
be corrected .
RULE XX.

When the qualities of dijferent things are compared.
the latter noun or pronoun is not governed by the conjunction than or as, but agrees with the verb, or is
governed by the verb or preposition, expressed or understood ; as, "-T!10u art wiser than I ;" that is,
" than I am." ''They loved him more than me;"
that is, " more than they loved me." " The sentiment is well expressed by Plato, but much better
by Solomon than him;" that is, " than by him."

120

EXERCISES.

(Rule 20.

Remark. The word more, when it is used in a comparison, is followed by the conjunction than.

In some respects, we have had as many advantages as them ; but in the article of a good library
they have had a greater privilege than us.
The undertaking was much b.etter executed by
his brother than he.
They are much greater gainers than me by this
unexpected event.
They know how to write as well as him ; but
he is a much better grammarian than them.
Though she is not so learned as him, she is as
much beloved and respected.
These people, though they possess more shining
qualities, are not so proud as him, nor so vain as
her.
Note 1. By not a.ttending to this rule, many errow·s have been
committed; as, " Thou art a much greater loser than . me by his
death;" "She suffers hourly more than me ;" that is,

u

thJ.n I."

Who betrayed her companion? Not me.
Who revealed the secre ts he ought to have conce aled? Not him.
Who related falsehoods to screen herself, and to
bring an odium upon others? N: ot me; it was her.
The re is but one in fault, and that is me.
Whether he will be learned or no, must depend
on his application.
·
[Exception to Rule XX. The rtlative who sometimes follows
than in the objective case ; as. "Alfred, than whom a greater king
never reigned/' &c. " Be-el'ze-bub, than whom, Satan excepted,
none higher sat/' &c. The phrase thnn whom, is, however, avoided by the best modern writers. J

Charles XU. of Sweden, than who a more courageous person never lived, appears to have been
destitute of the tender sensibilities of nature.
Salmasius (a more learned man than him has

Rule 21.)

SYNTAX.

l~l

seldom appeared) was not happy at the close of
life.
RULE

xxr.

Part 1. To avoid disagreeable repetitions, and to express our ideas in few words, an ellipsis, or omission of
some words, isfrequ,ently admitted. Instead of saying,
" He w·as . a learned man, he was a wise man, and
he was a good man;" · w,e make use of the ellipsi,s,
and say, "He was ·a learned, wise, and good man."
!"Part 2. 'fVhen the omission of words would -obscure the
sentence, wealcen its force, or be attended with an impropriety, they must be expressed. In the sentence, " We
are apt to love who love us;" the word them should. be
supplied. "A beautiful field and tre,es," is not proper
language. It should be, "Beautiful fields. and trees; "
or, " A beautiful field and fine tre es."

I gladly shunned w})o gladly fled from me_.
And this is ,it men mean by distribuiive JUstice,
and is properly termed equity.
His horiour, interest, religion, were all embarked in 't his undertaking.
When so good a man as Socrates fell a victim to
the madness or' the people, truth, - virtue, .religion
fell with him.
'The fear of death; nor hope of life, could make
him submit to a dishonest action.
All elegant house and furniture were, by this
event, irrecoverably lo~t to. the owner.
Note 1. Part 1. The ellipsis of th~ article ls thus used ' ' A
man, Woman, and child;" that is, " a man, a woman, and a
child." 11 The sun antl moon ;" that is, " the sun aud the moon.~
Part 2. Peculiar emphasis upon the noun, requi-res the r epetition of the a,rlicle ; as, in the following sentence : " Not only the
year, but the day anrl the hour."
. .
_.
·
Part 3. Whenadijferentform of.the article is requinle,_thear;,
ticle is also properly repealed ; as, "a house an<l an orchard ;
instead of, "a house and orchard."

L

124

EXERCJi;!ES.

(Rule 21.

disagree~le nature, and to him were wholly unaccountable.
The captain had several men died in his ship of
the scurvy. _
'
He is not only sensible and learned, but is religious too.
·
The Chinese language contains an immense
number of words; and who would learn them must
possess a great .memory. ·
By presumption and •by ·vanity, we provoke enmity, and we incur contempt.
In the circumstances I was at that time my
'
troubles pressed heavily upon me.
H e had destroyed his constitution, by the very
same errours that so many have been destroyed.
Note 5. P art 1. The ellipsis of the vt>rb is frequentiy used
" The man was old and crafty;" that is, " the man was old and

'

the man was crafty."
'
Part 2. Do'. .di~, hav•, had, shall, will, may, mi ght, and ,the

rest of the aux1han es of the compound tenses, are frequently used
alone, to spare the repetition of the verb · as, "He regard 5 hl 8
word, but thou dost not;" i. e. "dost not ;egard it " &c.
Part 3. T~e a:ixiliary verbs are often very pr~perly omitted
biforf the principal verb ; as, " I have seen and heard him fre-

quently ;'',,not, 11 I have h~ar~. '' "He will lose his estate, an<l incur
repr~a ch; not, 11 he wi.ll. m c~r." But when any thing is em-

phat1ca! , or when oppos1t10n is denoted, this ellipsis should be
avo1.ded; as, "I have seen, an<l I have heard him too ;'' "He was

adm1red, but he wa-.. not beloved."

125
SYNTJ.X.
Rule 21.)
liberately look back on · the past, ·and .can quietly
anticipate the future.
Th e sacrifices of virtue will not only be rewarded hereafter, but recompen~d even in this life ;
All those possessed of any office, resigned their
former commission.
If young persons were determined to conduct
themselves by the rules of virtue, not only would
they escape innumerable dangers, but command respect from the licentious themselves.
Charles was a man of learning, knowledge, and
benevolence; and, what is still more, a true<,:hristian.
0

Note 6. The ellipsis of the adverb is used in the following manner : " He spoke and acted wisely;" that is, " he spoke wisely
and acted wisely."

The tempe:r of him who is always in the bustle
of the world, will be often ruffled, and be often disturbed.
We often commend imprudently as well as censure imprudently.
How a seed grows up into a tree, and the mind
acts upon the body, are mysteries which we can·
.
not explain.
.
Verily, there is a rew.ard for the righteous! There
is a God that judgeth in the earth.

He is tempe~ate, he is disinterested, he is benevo~ent ;
is an ornament to his family, and a

Note 7. The ellipsis of the preposition as well as of the ve rb,
is seen in the following instances: "He went into the abbeys,
halls and publick building• ;" that is, " he went into the abbeys
he w'ent into the halls, and he went into the publick buildings."

credit to his profession.
.
Genuine virtue supposes our ·benevolence to be
strengthened, an? to be confirmed by principle. ·
Perseve_rance m laudable pursuits) will reward
all our toils, and will produce effects beyond our
calculation.
·
·
It is happy for us, when we can calmly and de-

ChanO'es are almost continually taking plac~, in
men and in manners, in opinions and in customs, in
private fortunes an.d publick conduct.
Averse either to contradict or blame, the too
complaisant man goes along with the manners that
prevail.
·

?e

126

EXERCISES.
(Rule 21.
By this habitual indelicacy, the virgins smiled at
what they blushed before .
They are now reconciled to what they could not
formerly be prompted, by any considerations.
Censure is the · tax which a man pays the publick for being eminent.
Reflect on the state of human life, and the society of men, as mixed with good and with evil.

.Note 8. Part 1. The ellipsis of the conjunction is as follows:
the power, wisdom, goodness, and love of their
" They confess
11
Crea to~ ; i. e. "the power, and wisdom, and goodness, and love
of," &c.
P art 2. ·There is a very common ellipsis of the conjunction that;
as, " He told me he would proceed immediately;" instead of, "he
told me that he would proceed immediately." _
Obs. This ellipsis is tolerable in conversation, and in epistolary
writing; but it should be sparingly indulged in every other species
of composition.

In all stations and conditions, the important relations take place, of masters and servants, apd· husbands and wives, and parents and childr<: n, and
brothers and friends, and citizens and subjects.
Destitute of principle, he regarded neither his
family, nor his friends, por his reputation.
Religious perso ns are often unjustly represented
as· persons of roman tick character, visionary notions,
unacquainted with the world, unfit to live in it.
No rank, station, dignity of birth, possessions,
exempt men from contributing their share to publick utility.
.Note 9. The ellipsis of the interjection is not very common; it,
11
Oh! .pity and shame!" that is.
·

however, is sometimes used; as,

" Oh pity! Oh shame!"

Oh, my father! Oh, my friend ! how great has
been my ingratitude !
Oh, piety! virtue ! how insensible have I been ·
to your charms· !

Rule 22.)

SYNTAX.

.

127
.

l
e 1' roduced to ·show the im·
.Note 10. Thefollowing examp et ~ a,l·· ,. cases . "The land ,was
. ty ,,. l/ipsis in some par icu a
,
l . I ti
proprie '!! e .
.
l
re by those intruste< wit l ie
always

po~~e~sed,

d1:1rrng

.,p t~~ss~

'e1·sons intrusted ;" or, "those

comman<l ;, it shou!~ b~, be ha/ read further, be wou,ld have
who were rntrustetl.
. ff
i· ht have been spared;'· that is,
found several of his obJectwns n lg fhis ob· ections " &c. "There
u he would have found that sefiv~rato.
thln know\ncr their own
e more Jc cien m,
o d
I
h.
is not mg 1!;e~ ar I t be "nothing in which men;" an ' "t )an
characters ; it oug lt o '
/
in knowing.''

'.I'hat is a property most men h av e ' or at least

ma~:~t~~·ye

that, which is not lawful to do on the

sab;~~~~;:b?rea,d, whi~h

is not lawful to eat, but

for the priests only.
d
'tt d th
l\'lost, if not all the royal fi1:mily, ha qui e
e

pl~;· th ese happy labours, they who sow and reap,
will rej9ice together.
RULE XXI!.

.All the arts of a sentence should corresp?nd to each
other . a Pregu lar an d dependent construction
h ~ II . should,
sen
thrott~ho·iit, be careJ.ully preset~~: :a~ :o~~n!elov~
tence is therefore macc~ra e.
.
. " It should
d b t ot so much admired, as Cmth10.
eb ' '~ ite was more beloved than Cinthio, but not
, e,
. d"
.
so much admire .
·
Several alteration.sand additions have been made
to the work
.
t
d
. The first proposal w.as essentially differen ' an
· feriour to the second.
.
&
m He is more ·bold and active, but not so wise an
stud iouii ai hi!i companion.
.
h
Thou hearest the sound of the wmc\, but t ou

J'e

I'

I I,
I

123

,-

(

(Rule 2<2.
canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it
goeth.
Neither has he, nor any other persons suspected so much dissimulation.
'
The court of France, or England was to have
been the umpire.
,
'
In the reign of Henry II. all foreign · commodities
were prenty in England.
There is no talent so useful towards success in
business, or which puts men more out of the reach
of accidents, than that quality generally possessed
by persons of c:ool temper, and is, iq. common language, called discretion.
1:he first project was to shorten discourse, by
cuttmg polysyllables into one.
I shall do all I can, to persuade others to take the
same measures for their cure which I have.
The greatest masters of critical learning differ
among one another.
Micaiah said, If thou certainly return in peace
then hath not the Lord spoken by me.
'
I do not suppose, that we Britons want a genius
'
more than the rest of our neighbours.
The deaf man, whose ears were opened, and his
t?~gue l ~osened, doubtless glorified the great Physician. ·
Groves, fields, and pleadows, are 1at any season
of the year, pleasant to look upon ; but never so
much as in the opening of the spring.
· · ·
The multitude rebuked them, because they
·
should hold their peace.
The intentions of some of these philosopher~, .
nay, ?f many, might and probably were good.
It 1s an unanswerable argument of a very refined
age, the wonderfol civilities thnt have passed between the nation of authors, and that of readers,
EXERCISES.

Rule 22.)

SYNTAX.

1~9

It was an unsuccessful undertaking; which, although it has failed, is no objection at all to an enterprise so well concerted.
The reward is his due, and it has already, or
will hereafter, be given to him.
By intercourse with wise and experienced persons who know the world, we may improve and
rub 'off the rust of a private and retired education.
Sincerity is as valuable, and even more valuable,
than knowledge.
No person was ever so perplexed, or sustained
the mortifications,· as he has <lone to-day.
The Romans gave, not only the freedom of the
city, but capacity for employments, to several towns
in Gaul, Spain, and Germany.
.
Such writers have no other standard on wha:h
to form theIMelves, except what chances to be
fashion able and popular.
Whatever we do secretly, shall be displayed
and heard in the clearest light.
To the happiness of possessing a person of so uncommon merit, Boethius soon had the satisfaction
of obtaining the highest honour his country could
bestow.
()::7" The figures enclosed in ·parentheses, in the promiscuous exercises, refer the student to those Rules and
JVotes in the Syntax of this volume, by which the erronrs,' near or directly after which they stand, are to be
corrected: thus, figure ( 4) denotes Rule IV-figures ( 5 p 1)
denote Rule V. Part 1-ngures ( 19 .llpp_. 2) denote Rule
XIX. and .llppendage Second of that rule-figures (21 n
4) denote Ru1e XXL and Note 4th of that rule-figures
(8 n 4 p 2) denote Rule YIU. Note 4 and Part Seco;i-d
of that note-Rem. denotei Remark-Obs. Observation
- ex. Exception-which may .be found_ under the respective Rules with which they are mentioned. ·

jl

I'

130

EXERCISES.

(Promiscuous.

CHAP. II.
Containing instances of false Syntax, promiscuo-u.yly
disposed.

SECT. I.
. Though great has (2) been his disobedience and
his (2 1 n~) fo.lly, yeti(he sincerely acknowledges
(1 9 p 1) his misconduct, he will be forgive!) .
.on these. causes depend (3) all the happlness or
misery, which exists (5 p 2) among men.
The property of James, I mean his books and
furmt?re, we.re (2 n 2) wholly destroyed.
This. prod.1gy of learning, this scholar, critick,
and antiquanan, were (2 n 2 ex) entirely destitut-'
of breeding and civility.
~
That writer has given an account of the manner, in which Christianity has (13) formerly been
propagated among the heathens.
. We adore ~he Divine Being, he (10 .fl.pp 3) who
1s from eternity to eternity.
Thou, Lord, who hath (7) permitted affliction to
con:e upon us, shall (Note, page 139 )-( 6 .fl.pp l )-( l)
deliver us from it, in due time.
In this pl ace, there were (3) not only security
but an abundance of provisions.
'
By these attainments are (1) the master honoured, and the scholars (21 p 2) encouraged.
The sea appeared to be (22) more than usually
(8 n 4 p 2) agitated.
. Not one in fifty of those who 'call themselves deists, understand ( 1 n 2) the nature of the relig·10
(21,p 2) they reject. (5 J!_1 & 2)
.
n
\ Irtue and mutual confidence is (2 and 1 n 4) the

Promiscuous.

SYNTAX.

131

soul of friendship. Where these are wanting, disgust or hatred often follow (3) little rlifferences.
Time and chance happeneth (2) to all men; but
every person do (8 n 3) not consider (5 .fl.pp · 1)
who govern (5 p 2) those powerful causes.
The active mind of man never or seldom (15)
rests safo;fied with their (5 p 1) present condition,
.
howsoever (5 n 3) prosperous.
Habits must .be acquired of temperance and of
self-denial that we may be able to resist pleasure,
and to endure pain, when either of them interfere
(8 n 3) with our duty.
.
The errour ofresting wholly on .faith, o~ (21 p 2)
on works, is one of those seductions which most
easily misleads (5 p 2) men; unde: the semblance
of piety, on the one hand, and of virtue on the other hand. (21 n 2)
It was no exaggerated tale ; for she was r~ally
in that sad condition that (21 n 4 p 2) her friend
(13) represented he~.
.
.
An army present ( 4) a painful sight to a feeling
mind.
The enemies who (6 p 2) we have most to fear,
are those of our own hearts.
'
Thou art the Messiah, the Son of God, who was
to come into the world, and (7 .flpp) hast ( 5 p 2)
be en so long promised and desired.
.
Thomas (10) di5position is better than his brothers; (10 n 4 p 2) and he appears to be the h~ppi­
est (8 n 7) man: but some degree of troubl_e J.S all
mens (10) portion.
.
Though remorse (15) sleep (19 .flpp 2) sometimes during prosperity, it will (15) awake surely
in adversity.
.
It is an invariable law t,o (17 n 4 p 3) our present' ·condition, that every pleasure that are (5 p 2)

I!
I

I
i;

I

132

EXEP,CISES.

(Promiscuous.

pursued to excess, convert (8 n 3) themselves
(8 n 3) into poison.
.
If a man brings (19 p 1) into the solitary retreat o.f age, a vacant, and unimproved mind, where
no kno':le.dg~ dawns, no ideas rise, (21 p 2) which
(22) w1thm itself has nothing to feed upon, many
a heavy and many a comfortless day he must necessarily pass.
I cannot ;Yield to such (8 n 4 p 3) dishonourable
conduct, neither (16) at the present moment of diffi. culty,nor, (16) I trust, under no (16) circumstance
whatever.
Themistocles concealed the enterprises of Pausanias, either thinking (22)-(21 p 1) it base to betray the secrets trusted to his confidence or (22)
imagine~ it impossible for such ( 8 n 4 p dangerous and 111 concerted schemes to take effect.
Pe ricles gained such an ascendant over the minds
of. the Atheni_ans, that he might (13) be said to attam (13) a monarchical power in Athens.
Chri~t did applaud (13) the liberality of the
poor widow, who (6 j> 2) he had (13) seen casting
her two mites in the treasury.
A multiplicity of little kind offices, in. persons
frequently conv.ersant with e.ach other, is ( 1 n 4)
the bands of society and of friendship.
To do good to them that hate us, and,on no occasio~, ~o seek revenge, is (1 n 1) the duty (2) of
a Chnstian.
If a man ·profess (19 Jlpp 2) a regard for the duties o~ religion, and neglect (18) that (8 p 2) of
morality, that man's religion is vain.
Affiuence might (13) give us respect, in the eyes
of the vulgar, but (18 n 1) will not recommend us to
the wise and good.
·
1
'
The polite, accomplished libertine, is but (19 n

3)

Promiscuous,)

SYNTAX.

133

10) miserable amidst all his pleasures: the rude inhabitant of Lapland is happier than him. (20)
The cheerful and the gay, when warmed by
pleasure and by mirth, lose that sobriety an~ that
(21 p 1) self-denial, which is ( 5 p 2) essential to
the support of virtue.
SECT. 'II.
There were, (1 also 1 n 4) in the ~etropolis,
much to amuse them, as well as many thmgs to excite disgust.
.
.
.
How much is (2) real virtue and.1!1-erit exposed
to suffer the hardships of a stormy life !
This is one of the duties which requires (5 p 2)
peculiar circumspection.
·
More complete (8 n 5) happiness than that (21 n
4 p 2) I have described, seldom falls to the lot of
mortals.
There are princi"ples in man, which ever have,
(13) and (21 p 2) ever will incline him to offend.
Whence have there arose (14 n 3) such a great
variety of opinions a.nd tenetR in religion ?
.
Its stature is less than that of a man ;- but its
strength and agility (21 p 2)-(2) much greater.
They ( iJ .flpp 1)-(11) that honour me, them (21
p 1)-(22) will I honour.
H'e summonses ( 1) me to attend, and I must summons ( 1) the others.
Then did the officer lay hold of him, and executed (13) him immediately.
Who is that (21 p 2) whom I saw you introduce,
,
and present him (21 p 1) to the duke?
I offer observations that (21 n 4 p 2) a long and
chequered pilgrimage have ( 1) enabled me to make
on man.
Every church and sect of people have (8 n 3)

134

EXERCISES.

( Promiscue>U8

Promiscuous.)

SYNTAX .

135

a set of opinions peculiar to themselves. (8 n 3)
May (1) thou as well as me, (20) be meek patient, and forgiving.
'
These men were ·under hig!i obUgations to have
adhered (13, Obs)-(13, n 1Obs1) to their friend in
every situation of life.
After I visited (1 3) Europe, I returned to America.
Their example, their infl~ence, their fortune,
every talent they possess, dispenses (2 and 3 n 2
with 8 n 3) blessings on all around them.
When a string of such sentences succeed (2 n 2)
one another, (22) the effect is disagreeable.
I have lately been (1 3) in (17 n 5 p 3) Gibraltar, and have seen (13) the commander-in-chief.
. ~ropriety of pronunc iation, is (22) the (14 Jlpp 2)
g1V1ng to every word the (9 p 3) sound which the
politest* usage of the language appropriates to it.
The book is printed very neat, (8 n 4) and on a
fine wove (14 n 3) paper.
.The fables of the an dents are many (22) of them
highly instructive.
He resembles one of those solitary animals, that has
(5 p 2) been forced from its for est (5 p 1) to gratity human curiosity.
T.here is not, (16) nor ought not (1 6) to be, such
a thmg as constructive treason.
He is a (8 n 4 p 1) new created knight, and his
·
dignity sits awkward (8 n 4 p 1) on him.
Hatred or revenge (3) are things deserving of
(2~) censure, wherever they are (5 p 2) found to
exist.
l~ you please to employ your thoughts on ·that
subject, you would (13) easily conceive our miserable condition.

His speech contains one of the grossest and infamousest* calumnies which ever was uttered.
A too great (9 p 3) variety of studies dissipate
(2 n 2) and weaken (18) the mind.
·
Those (22) two authors have each of (8 11 3)
them ·their mer.it.
Jam es was resolved to not ( 15) indulge himself
in such (8 n 4 p 3) a cruel (9 p 3) amusement.
.The not attending (22) to this rule, is the source
of a very common errour.
Calumny and detraction are sparks, which if you
do not blow, (21 p 2) they (5 n l) will go out of
themselves.
.
Clelia is a vain woman, whom (6 Jlpp 1) if we
do not flatter, (21 p 2) she (5 n l) will be disgusted.
· That celebrated work was ( 13) nearly ten years
published, before its importance was at all understood.
Ambition is so insatiable that (19 n 10) it will
make any sacrifices to attain its objects .
A great mass of rocks thrown together by the
hand of nature, with wildness and confusion, strike
(2 n 2) the mind wit.h more grandeur, than if they
(22) were adjusted (13) to one another with the
accuratest* symmetry

•See C(}mparison of Dissyllablu, .lllger's.lrlurray,page,21 ,

• See Note, page 134.

SECT. III.
He showed a spirit of forgiveness, and a magnanimity,that does (5 p 2) honour to human nature.
They (11) that honour me, I will honour; and
them (6 p 1) that despise me, (1 n 2) shall be lightly esteemed. .
. Reason's who)e pleasure, all the joys ofsen,se,
Liea \'.2) in three worus, health, peace, and \l(JIDpelence

,.

..
l 36

EXERCISES.

(Promiscuous.

~aving thus began (14 n 3) to throw off the restrarnts of reason, he was soon hurried into deplorable excesses.
These arts have enlightened, (21 p 2) and (18
n 1) will enlighten, every person who shall attentively study them.
·
When we succeed in our plans, it is not ( 15) to
be attributed always to ourse lves: the aid of others often promote (2 n 2) the end, and claim (18)
our acknowledgment.
Their intentions were good ; but wanting prudence, they mist* the mark for (17 n 3 4) which
they aimed.
'
I have not, no'. (18 n 1) shall not (16) consent to
a -proposal so unjust.
We have subjected ourselves to much expense
that thou may (19 n 8 p 2) be well educated.
'
This treaty was made at ( 10 n 5) earl Moreton
the governour's castle.
Be especially careful, that thou givest ( 19 n 1)
no offence to the aged or helpless.
The business was no sooner opened, but ( 19 n 1U)
it was cordially acquiesced in.
As to (22) his general conduct, he·deserved punishme~t as much? ( 19 n 9.p 5) or more than ( 19 n
10) his compamon. He left a son of a sin.,.ular
ch.a racter, and behaved so ill that he was p"ut in
pnson.
If he does (Hl p 1) but approve my endeavours
·
'·
it will be an ample reward.
I beg the favour of your (£2) acceptance of a
copy of a view of the manufactories of (17 n 5 p 2)
the West Riding of the county of York. (22)
~ Some v_erbs are irregul~r in familiar writing or discourse, and

which a~e improperly ternunated by t, instead of ed; as,- learnt;
8f~lt, spilt, &c. These should be avoided in every sort of compoiltion.
·

Promiscuous.)

....

SYNTAX.

,,.

;.~\ '·

"?; /'

'

l37

I intended ( 13) to have written ( 13 n 1) the letter, before he urged me to it; and, therefore, he
has not all the merit of it.
All the power ofridicule, aided by the desertion
of friends, and the diminution of his estate, were
(2 n 2) not able to shake his principles~
In his conduct was treachery, and in his words,
(21 p 2) faithless professions.
.
Though the measure be (19 Jlpp 2) mysterious,
it is worthy of attention.
Be solicitous to aid such deserving persons, (19
Jlpp 1) who appear to be destitute of friends.
Ignorance, or the want of light, produce (3) sensensuality, covet,ousness, and those v iolent contests
with others about trifles, which occasions (5 p 2) so
much misery and (21 n 3 p 2) crimes in the world.
He will one day reap the reward of his labour,
if he is (19 p 1) diligent- and attentive. Till that
period comes, (19 p 1) let him be contented and
patient.
To the resolutions which we have, (15) upon
due consideration, once adopted as rules of conduct, let us ( 15) adhere firmly.
He has little more of the great man besides (20,
Rem) the .title.
.
_
Though he was (19 p 1) my superiour in knowledge, he woul.d not (lb) have thence a right to
impose his sentiments.
That picture of the emperor's, (IO n 5) i& a very
exact resemblance of him.
Ho·w happy are the virtuous, who. can rest on
(17 n 3, 4) the protedion of the (9 n 1) powerful
arm, who (5 p 1) made the earth and the heavens'!
Prosperity and '.adversity may be (15) improved
. equally; both the one and the otjicr proceeds (2)
from tha same Author.
M .

. 138

EXERCISES.

.

•

(Promiscuous.

'

. l~e acted_ conformable (8 n 4.p 1) with ( 17 n 3, 4)
his mstructions, and .cannot be (15) ~ensured justly.
The orators did not forge t to eµlarge themselv es
( 11 n 1) on so popular a subject.
.The language of Divine Providence to all (22
with 8 n 3) human agents, is, " Hitherto shalt thou
come, and no further.''
. ldle · per:o?s imagine, (21 n 8 Obs) howsoever
(5 n 3) deficient they be (19 n 2) in point of duty:
they ( 15) consult at le as t the ir own satisfaetion.
Good as the cause is, it . is one from which numbers are (11 n 3) deserted.
The man is prudent which (5 p 1) speaks little.
SECT. IV.
He acted indep(endent (8 n 4 p 1) of fore ign ass istance.
Every thing that we here enjoy, change, (8 n 3)
decay, and come fo an end.. All float ( 4) on the
surfa~e of ~he (9 p 3 with 22) river, which ( 22)(15) 1s runnmg to (17 n 3, 4) a boundless ocean, with
a swift current.
Th e winter has not been as ( 19 n 10) severe as
we expected it to have been. (13 n J) ·
T emperance, more than medicines, are (20 'with
1 n 4) the proper means of curing many diseases.
They understand the practical part better than
him; (20 with 21 p 2) but he is much bette r ac- .
quainted with the theory than them. (20 with 21
p 2)
When we have once drawn the line, by (17 n 3,
4) intelligence and· precision, between our duty
and sin, the (9 p 3 with 21 n 4 p ~) line we ought
on no occasion to transgress.

(

Promiscuou.v.)

SYN',!'AX.

1'39

All those ( 22 with 5 n 4) distinguished by extraordinary talents, have e'xtraordinary duties to perform.
No person could speak stronger ( 8 n 4) on this
subject, nor ( 16) behave nobler, (8 n 4) than our
young advocate for the cause of toleration.
His conduct W<;lS so provoking, that many will
condemn him, and a (9 n l) few will pity him .
The peoples ( 10) happiness is the statesmans

(1.0)

~10nour.

We are in a perilous situation. On one (9 n 2
p 2) side, and (21 p 2) the other, dangers meet us;
and each (8 n 3 Obs) extreme shall* be pernicious
to virtue.
Several pictures of the Sardinian king (10 n 6)
were transmitted to France.
When I last saw him, he had (i'l n 3) grown
considerably.
If we consult (19 n 9 p 3) the improvement of
(9 p 3) mind, or the health of (9 p 3) body, it is
well known ( 2 1 n 8 p 2 Obs) exercise is the great
instrument for ( 17 n 4) promoting both.
If it were them (11 n 4 p 1) who acted so ungrate.
fully, they are doubly in fault.
Whether virtue promotes (19 p 1) our interest
or no, (8 n 4) we must adhere to her dictates.
We should be studious to avoid too much indulgence, as well as (21 p 2) restr~int, in our managemen t of .c hildren.
• Will, in the first person singular and plural, intimates re solution and promising; in the second person and third, only foretels ; as, "I will reward the good, and will punish the wicked.' . .
Shall, on the contrary, in the first person, simply foretels; in
the second person and third, promises, commands, or threatens ;
as,~~ I ~hall go abroad;'' u We shall dine at home;'' uThou shalt,
or you shall, inherit the land ."-The ~oreigqer )Vhb, <IS it is said,
fell into the Thames, and cried out; "I will be drowned, nobody
shall help me ;" made a sad misapplication of these auxiliaries.

,
140

EXERCISES.

(

l'ro11nstuo11s

No human ~1appiness is so complete, (8 n 6), 'as
does. n9t con tam ( 12 .fl.pp 2) some 1mperlection. '
His father cannot hope for this success unless
his s?n gives ( 19 p I) better proofs of ge~ius, or
applies ( 18) himself with indefatigable labour.
The house framed a remonstrance, where (15
n 2 p 1) ~hey spoke with great freedom of the king's
prerogative.
·
.The conduct which has been mentioned, is one
of those artifices which (15) seduces (5 p 1, 2) men
most easily, under appearance of benevolence.
This is the person (17 & n 1) who we are so
much obliged to, and ( 17 & n 1) who we expected
to have seen, (13 n 1) when the favour was confer·
red.
He is a person of great property, but (18 _n 1)
does not possess the esteem · of his neighbours. '
They were solicitous to ingratiate ( 11 1i 2) with
those, who (6 p 2 & 11) it was dishonourable to fa-.
vour.
The great diversity which takes place among
men, is no't owing to a distinction that nature (13)
made in their original powers, as (19 n 9 p 9) much
as to the superiour diligence, with which some have'
improved those (8 n 2) powers beyond others.
While .w.e are unoccupied i~ (17 n 3, 4) what is
good, ev1l 1s (15) at hand contmually.
· -, ·
Not a creature is there ( 15 & 22) that moves,
nor a vegetable that grows, but what, (5 p 2)
when minutely examined, furnished (13) materials
of pious admiration.
What can be the reason of the committee ' (10)( 14 Jlpp 1) having delayed this business?
- ·. , I know not whether Charles was the author but
[ understood it to be he. ( 11 n 4.)
'
A good and well-cultivated mind,· is far more

Promiscuous.)

SYNTAX.

141

preferable (Un 6) than. (19 n ~O with 1,7 n 4) rank
or riches.
Charity to the poor, when (15) it is governed
by knowledge and prudence? t?ere are n~ persons
who will not (21 & 22) admit it .to be a VI.r tue. ·
His greatest concern, and highest enJoyment,
were ( 1 n 1 n 4) to be approved in the sight of
his Creator.
Let us not set our hearts on such a (8 n 4 p 3) mutable, such an (8 n 4 p 3) unsatistying (9 p 3)
world.
SECT. V.
Shal~ you attain success, without that pr~pa­

ration, and escape dangers without that precaut10n,
which is (5 p 1 p 2) required of others?
When we see bad men to -be (21 p 1) honoured
and prosperous in the world, it is some discouragement to virtue.
The furniture was all purchased at Wentworth's
the joiner's. (10 n 4 p 1)
..
Every member of the body, every bo~e, JOmt,
and muscle, lie (8 n 3) exposed to man:y disorders;
~ and the greatest'prudence -0r precaution, or .the
deepest skill of the physician, are (3) not sufficient
to prevent them.
' .
. .•
It is right (8 n 4) said, that th?ug.h faith J~shfy
.(19 Jipp 2) us, yet works must justify our faith ..
If an academy is ( 19 p 1) established _for the
cultivation of our language, let them (22) stop the
license of translators, whose idleness and ignorance,
if it (5 p 1) be suffered to proceed, will reduce us
to babble a dialect of French. It is of great consequence that a teacher firmly

II

( Prormscuous.
' '
believes, (13) both the truth and (21 n 'lp 2) importance of those· principles which he incu]cafos
upon (17 n 4) others : and that (22) he not only
speculatively believes ( 13) them, but has (13) a
'
.
lively and serious feeling of them.
It ~s not the uttering, or the hearing (14 n 1)
certam words, that constitute (3) the worship of
the Almighty. It is the heart that praises, or
prays. lf the heart accompany (19 .fl.pp . 2) not
the words that are spoken, we offer a (9 p 3) sacrifice of fools.
Neither flatter or (19 n 9 J>
contemn the rich
or ' the great.
He has travell ed much, · and passed through
many stormy seas and (17 n 3 & 21 n 3 p 2) lands.
You must be sensible that there is, and can be
no other person but (19 n 10) me, (20) who could
·
give the information desired.
To be patient, resigned, . and thankful, under afc
fiictions and disappointments, demonstrate (l ' n 4)
genuine piety.
· ·
Alvarez was a man of corrupt principles, and of
detestable conduct; and, what is still worse, (1 n 2)
gloried in his shame.
As soon as the sense of a Supreme Being is lost,
so soon the great check is taken off which keep
(5 p 2) under restraint the passions of men. Mean
desires, (21 p 2) low pleasures, takes (2) place of
the greater and the nobler sentiments which reason
•
and religion inspires. (2)
1
We should be careful not to follow the example
of many persons, to ( 12 n 1) censure the opinions,
manners, and customs of others, merely because
they are foreign to us. ( 5 p l) ·
Steady application, as well as genius and abili.·
ties, are (2 n 2) necessary to produce eminence.
EXERCISES.

45

Promiscuous.)

SYNTAX.

143

. There is, (1) in that seminary, _several students
(21 p , 2) considerably skilled in mathematical
knowledge.
'
ff Providence clothe ( 19 .fl.pp 2) the grass of the
field, and shelters and adorns the flowers that e.very where grows (5 p 2) w\ld amongst it, will he
not ( 15) clothe and protect his servants and children much more ?
We are too often hurried with (17 n 4) the violence of passion, or with (22) the allurements of
pleasure.
, High hopes,. and florid views, is a great enemy
(2) to tranquillity.
,
Year after year .steal (1) something . from us ;
till the decaying fabrick totters (19 p l) of itself,
and crumbles (18) at length into dust.
I intended (13) to have finished (13 n 1) ,t he letter before the bearer called, that )le might not
have been (13) detained; but 1 was prevented by
company.
George is the most learned and accomplished of
all the other (8 n 7) students, that belong to the
seminary.
This excellent and well written treatise, with
others that might be mentioned, were (2 n 2) the
foundation of his love of study.
There can be no doubt but (19 n IO) ,that the
pleasures of the mind excel those of sense.
- SECT. VI.
The grand temple consisted of one. great, (8 p
2) and several ·s maller edifices.
Many would (15) exchange gladly their honours,
beauty, and riches, ,for that more quiet and humbler (8 n 7) station, (17 n 1) which you are now dissatisfied with.
:

I

144

EXERCISES.

(Promiscuuus.

Though the scene was a ve ry affecting . one,
Louis showed a (9 ·n 1) little emotion on the occa·
sion.
The climate of England is not so pleasant as
those (8 p 2) of France, Spain, or Italy.
Mucl1 of the good and evil that happens (5 p 1
p 2) to us in this world, are (2 n 2) owing to app ~ r­
ently undesigned and fortuitous events: but it is
the Supreme Being which (5 p 1) secretly directs
and regulates all things.
To despise others on account of their poverty,
or, to value ourselves for our wealth, are di s p os i~
tions (3) highly culpable.
This task was the easier (8 n 4 p 1) perform ed,
fr om the cheerfulness with which he engaged in it.
She lamented the unhappy fate of Lucretia,'
who (22) seemed to her another name (22) for
chastity.
.
He has not yet cast off all the (9 p 3) regard
for decency; and this is the most (5 n 2) can be
advanced in his favour.
Th e girls (10) school was better (15) conduct·
ed formerly than the boys.
Th e disappointments he has met with, or the
loss of his much-loved friend, has (3 n 2) occasioned a (9 p 3) total derangement of his mental
powers.
.
The concourse of people were ( 4) so great,
that with difficulty we passed (22) through them.
All the women, children, and treasure, which
(5 n 2, Rein) remained in the city, fell under the
victor's power.
They have already made great progress in their
studies, and, if attention and diligence continues,
(19 p 1)·(18 n I) will soon fulfil the expectatio,ns
of their friends.

.t'romiscufJus.)

SYNTAX.

141>

ft ( 5 n I) is amazing ( 22) his propensity to this
vice, against e very principle of interest and honour.
These (8 p 2) kind of vices, though they inhabit
(5 p 2) the upper circles of life, are (2 n 2) not
less pernicious, than those (5 p 1)-(21 p 2) we
meet with amongst the lowest of men
He acted agreeable (8 n 4 p 1) to the dictates
of prudence, though he were ( 19 p 1) in a situation excee ding (8 n 4 p I) delicate.
If I had known the distress of my frien<l, it would
be (1 3) my duty to have relieved (13, Obs) him,
and it would always have yielded me pleasure to
grant (1 3 n 1 Obs 1) him that relief.
They admired the countryman's, as they called
him, (10 n 3) candour and uprightness.
The ne w set of (8 n 8) curtains did not correspond io th~ old (8 n 8) pair of blinds.
The tutor commends him for being more studious than any other (8 n 7) pupils of the school.
T wo principles in human nature reign;
to urge, and reason to restrain :
Nor that (8 n 2) a good, nor this (8 n 2) a bad we call;
Each works its end, to move or govern all.

~e lf-love

Temperance and exercise, howsoever little
( 5 n 3) they may be r egarded, they are the best
means of prese rvin g health.
He has greatly blessed me ; yes, eveB I, ( 10
Jlpp 3) who, loaded with kindness, hath (5 p 2)
not been sufficiently grateful.
No persons feel ( 15) the distresses of others, so
much as them (20) that have experienced distress
the mselves.

140

Z X.t:llCl:.ii:S .

( Fromiscuous.

Promiscuous.)

.; SECT. Vll.
· t '. m
· w hich
(2)
Constantinople was _the pom
f th was
~orld.
t d th learomg and science o
e
concentra e
e
t t'
by that grossness ot
Diso-race not your s a ion, . .
h . _
lity that levity of dissip ation, or t ~t mso
.
sensua f ' k which bespeak (3) a little mmd.
ran .' s uare a triangle, or a hexagon;
lence ?
1
.
b; their (5 p 1) regularity, as
) d'
(9 n 1) beautiful figures. (3)
His conduct was equally unjust as (19 n 10 ishonourable. (Or 19 n 9 P 5)
(l
3) to defend
4n
Thou h at first, he begun
.
h'
himself,~e~, when the proofs appeared a(1~n~t !~)'
he dared (14 n 3) not any longer to
PP

pl:is~ C~l)e,th: e~e

contend.
. .
t believe but (19 n 10)
Many persons will no
· . d'
what (5 n 5) they are free from (2 ~) p~~J~ I(~)
The pleasure or pain of one passion, I er .
h
(8 2) of another.
fro~h~ ~~~ and fall of the tides, in this place, makes
k
( 2 ) a difference of about twelve feet.
Five and seven make twelve, and one ma es
(18) thirteen.
t
He did not know who (6 P 2) to suspe c .
I had (13) intended yesterday( t~) ~~:~nw~l:aepd(l3 n 1) out, but I have been 1
"
pointed.
. w ho (5 n 6) gave the order,
The court of Spam,

were (4) not _a ~~~re %ih; ~)n~=q~=:~;de, and (5
If the acqms1 wn l'fi d him to be a useful mem.11.pp
4)-(21_pt 2) hq~~l~ ~ave been ( 13) misapplied,
ber of
soc1e y, s

5

he will be highly ~!pa~~=· and wrote on each side
There was muc spo
h
(14 n 3) to susof the question; but l have c ose
pend my decision.

.;
I

SYNTAX.

147

Was (1) there no bad .men itn the world, who
(12 Jlpp 1) vex and distress th e good, they (8 n. 2)
might appear in the light of harmless innocence;
but (21 p 2) could have no opportunity for (17 n
4) displaying fidelity and magnanimity, patience
and fortitude.
The most ignorant, and the most savage tribes
of men, when they have (1 3) looked round on the
earth, and on (21 n 7) the heavens, could not avoid
ascribing their origin to some invisible, designing
cause, and felt (18) a propensity to adore their
Creator.
Let us not forget, that something more than gentleness and modesty, something more than complacency of temper and affability of manners, are (2
n 2) requisite to form a worthy man, or a true
Christian.
One of the first, and the most common extreme
(8 n 7) in moral conduct, is (21 p 2) placing all
virtue (19 n 9 p 3) in justice, ( 21 p 2) or in generosity.
It is an inflexible regard to principle, which has
ever marked the characters of them (5 n 4 Rem)
who (1 3 & 15) distinguished themselves eminently
in publick life ; who (7 Jlpp) patronised the cause
of justice against powerful oppressors; (5 Jlpp 4) in
critical times, have supported the fa lling rights and
liberties of men; and (2 1 p 2) reflected honour on
their nation and country.
When it is with regard to trifles, that diversity
or contrariety of opinions show themselves, (3) it
is childish in the last degree, if this becomes (19 p
l) the ground of estranged affection. When, from
such a cause, there arise (2 n 2) any breach of
fri endship, human weakness is discovered then (22)
in a mortifying light. In matters of serious mo-

148

F.X E RCISES.

ment, the sentim~nts of th e best and worthiest
might (13) varyfrom that (8 p 2) of their friends,
accorcling as their.Jin es of life di\•erge, or as their
temper, and habits of thought, presents (3 n 2) objects under different points of view. But with
candid and libe1al minds, unity of affection still
will (15) be preserved.
D esires and wishes are the first spring (2) of action. When they become exo rbitant, the whole
of the character is like (8 n 4 p 1) to be tai nted.
If we should (19 p 1) suffer our fancies, ( 22) to
create to themselves worlds of id eal happiness;
if we should ( 19 p 1) feed our imagination with
plans of opulence and of (21 n 7) splendour; if we
should ( 19 p 1) fix to our wishes certai n stages of
a (9 n 1) high advancement, or certain degrees of
an (9 n I) uncommon reputation, as the sole station
(22) of our felicity ; the assured consequence shall
(not e pnge 139) be, that we will (note page 139) become unhappy under (17 n 4) our present state;
th at we 9hall be (2 1 p 1) unfit for actiQg the part,
and for discharg ing the duties that belong to it;
and (2 1 p 1) we shall discompose the peace and
order of our minds, and shall foment many hurtful
passions.
Maria always ap pears amiably. She never
speaks severe or contemptuous.* (8 n 4 p 2, I)
" Y oung persons "ho study grammar, find it difficult to decide,
in particular construrt10ns, whether an adjective , or an adverb,

ought to he used. A few observations on thi s point may serve to
inform their judgment, and direct their dete rmina ti on. They
should carefully attend to tht definiti ons of the adjective and the
adverb; antl consider whether, in the case in que~tion, qurLlity or
mann.e r , is indicated.

In the fo rnle r case, an adjective is proper,

in the latter, an adverb.

I'romim10us.)

( Promiscucrus.

A number of examples wili illu strate

this direction, and prove useful on other occasions.

She looks cold-She looks coldly on him .
He feels warm-He feels warmly the in sult offered to him.

He became si ncere and

149

SYNTAX .
virtuous:~e ·~be~,afl e

QUS,

, .

sincerely virtu·

I

Sh e~l iv es

free fr om care-He lives •free!y at another's expense.
Harriet always appears neat-She <l re5"~ s. neatly.
Charle; has grown great by his wisdom-He has grown greatly

l.

in reputation.

.

Th ey now appear happy-They now appear happily in earnest.
The statement seems exact-The statement seems exactly in
point.
The verb to be, in all its moods au<l tense s, generally requ!res
the word immediately r.onnecte<l with it to be an adjective, not an
adverb; and, consequently, when this verb can be substituted for
~ny other, without varying the sense or the construction, that other
verb must also be connected with an adjective. The following
sentences elucidate these observations: " This is agreeable to our
interest: That behaviour was not suitable to his station; Rules
is
should be .conformable to sense :" " The rose smells sweet: How
b

b

sweet the hay smells! How delightful th e country appears ! How
are
are
pleasant the field• look! The clouds look dark : How black the
was
is
,
were
sky looked! The apple tastes sour ; How bitter the plums tasted !
is
He feels happy" In all these sentences, we can, with perfect pro·
priety, substitute some tenses of the verb to be for the other verbs.
But in the following sentences, we cannot <lo this: "The <log
smells disagreeably; George feels exquisitely; How pleasantly
she looks at us!"
The directi ons contained in this note are offered as useful, not
as complete and unexceptionable . Anom'alies in languagE> every
where encounter us; but we must not reject rule.a, because they

are attended with exceptions.

·

PUNCTUATION.

EXERCISES IN PUNCTUATION.

PUNCTUATION is the art of dividing a written compo~ition into sentences, or parts of sentences, by
P?mts or stops, for the purpose of marking the
different pauses, which the sense and an accurate
pronunciation require.
The Comma represents the shortest pause · the
Semicolon, a pause double that of the comma'. the
Colon, double that of the semicolon; and the Period, double that of the colon.
The pre?ise quanti~y or <lu~ation of each pause, cannot be defin~d.; for 1t vanes wah the time of the whole. The same com-

pos1t10~ may be rehearsed in a quicker or a slower time; but the
proporuon between. the pauses should be ever invariahle.
COMMA.

The Comi:ia usually separates those parts of a
sentence, which, though very closely connected in
sense and construction, require a pause between
them.

-

CHA,P. I.
Sentences ~hich require the application of the Comma,
disposed under the particular Rules.
RULE

151

(a 21 A s-!mple sentence, howev.er, w~en _it is a long on_e, and
the nominative case 1s accompanied ·.with inseparaole adJuncts,
•nay admit of a pause immediately before t}te verb; as, "The g?od
taste of the present age, has not allowed us to ~eg.lect the cult1~n­
ti on of lhe English languag~ :" "To be ~?tally mdtfferent to praise
or censure, is a real defect 1n character.

,.PART IV.

1.

(a) T¥ith respect to a simple sentence, the several words of
~hich i t consis.ts have so n~a; a relation to each other, ~hat, ~n
b :n_~ral, no points are requ~site, except a_ full stop at the end <
f ii ;
a., The fear of the Lord 1s the begmmng of wisdom." "Ei·ci..
part of matter swarms with li ving creatures."
y

1

The tear of repentance brings its own relief.
Manhood is disgraced by the consequences of
neglected youth.
.
Idleness is the great fomenter of all corruptions
in the human heart.
It is honourable to be a friend to the unfortunate.
All finery is a sign of littleness.
S1ovenl iness and indelicacy of character com.
monly go hand in hand.
The (riend of ord er has made half his way to
virtue.
Too many of the pretended friendships of youth
are mere combinations in pleasure.
The indulgence of harsh dispositions is the introduction to future misery,
,
The intermixturc of evil in human society senes
to exercise the suffering graces and virtues of the
good.
RULE Il.

(b) When the connexion of the different parts of a s~mple sen·
tence, is interrupted. by an imperfect phrase, a comma .i s usually
introduced before the beginn;ng, and at the end of_,!h;.s P.hrase ;
as, "I remember, with gratitude, lns goodn.ess to me,
His work
is, in many respects, very imperfect. It ts, therefore, not much
approved ."
.
.
.
( b 2) But when these interruptions are_slight ":nd ummp~rtan;;
the comma is better omitted; as , "Flattery 1s certainly per111c10us;
"There is surely a pleasure in beneficence."

Gentleness is in truth the great avenue to mutual enjoyment.
.
.
'Charity like the sun brightens all its objects.
The tutor by instruction and discipline lays the
foundation of the pupil's future honour.

152

/',
EXERCISES.

Trials in this stage of being are the lot of man.
No assumed behaviour can always hide the
real character.
The best men often experien~e disappointments.
Advice should be seasonably administered.
RUI,E IU.
( c) Wlien two or more nouns occur in the same constructioJJ.,
they are parted by a comma ; as, "Reason, virtue, anBwer one great

aim;" "The hu sband, wife, and children, suffered extremely;'' :ii.
"They took away their furnitur e, clothes, and stock in trade;"
" He is alternately supported by his father, his uncle, and his elder
brothe r."

(c 2) From this rule there is mostly an exception, with regard
to two nouns closely connected by a conjunction; as, " Virtue and
vice form a strong contrast to each Other;"" Lib'ertines cUll reli ..
gion bigotry or superstition;" "There -is a natural difference between merit and demerit, virtue and vice, wisdom and folly."
(c 3) But if the parts connected are not short, a comma maybe
inserted, though tlie conjunction is expressed; as, "Romance.;;;
may be said to be miserable rhapsodies, or dangerous incentives
to evil;" "Intemperance destroys the strength of our bodies, a11d
the vigour of our minds."

Self-conceit presumption and obstinacy blast th e
prospect of many a youth.
In our health life possessions connexions pleasures there are causes of decay imperceptibly working.
Discomposed thoughts agitated passions and a
ruffied temper poison every pleasure of life.
Vicissitudes of good and evil of trials and consolations fill up the life of man.
Health and peace a moderate fortune and a few
friends sum up all the undoubted articles of temporal felicity.
We have no reason tD complain of the lot of
man or the world's mutability.
•As a considerable pause in pronunciation, is necessary betw~en
the last noun and the verb, a comma should be inserted to denote
it. · But as no pause is allowable between the last adjective a n<l
the noun, unde r Rule IV. the comma is there properly omittccl.

163

·•" PUNC'l'uATION.

. RULE .IV.

. .
be1ongi·n,,.
rd) Two or more a dJectives
~ to. the same substanti11e,
h
U
\
· 1 .· ·sese aratedbycomma.s; as, "Pla1n,honesttrut ,wan,~
are
I eo!ering ·" "David was a brave, wise, and pious

I

I

li~~"'.'
man~
::°A
a~~,~~~'
gent le, s~nsib~:~ ~~~i-::~~~::t'\~:d~~lt~:i~~~~;.~h:
most innocent p1easures
. "
'
o..st affecting and the most Jastmg.
. c
m (d 2) But two adjectives, immediately connected byha. conJ~n s~
.
t db a comma,· as, uTrue wort is ~o e.
a~.er:do·~ s:fi:~t~ is ~air and artless, simple a~d sinchere,.uman
• . t en t"
"We must be wise or foolish; t ere is no
for~ re
anid cons1s
·
11
medmm
h
·

twJ,

An idle trifling society is near akin to sue

as is

corrupting.
· •t d f
ous
Conscious guilt renders us mean-spin e imor
t a ·s
and base.
l
An u rio-ht mind will never be at a oss o I cern w~at is just and true lovely hones!.tand of good

re~]~~ vicious man is often lookinl? round him
with anxious and fearful circu~spectrnn ..
True friendship will at all times avoid a careless or rouo-h behaviour.
Time brl~gs a gentle and powerful opiate to a 11
misfortunes.
RULE V.

•
b I · ,,. the same nominative case, and
( e) Two or more. ver s, :::~~r are also separated by commas;
·immediatelyfollo~m.g ~~~ersity ~oderates in prosperity:" "In

as, "Virtue suppor s .1n

c.

hort

~offifort

request, anrl discuss.''

" letter, we may ~dv~se, e:. tely connecicd· by a conjunction, are
"The study of natural history
(e 2) Two ver s imme i~
mi exception to thP. abov~ ru .e ;d ~~'"Whether we eat or drink, laexpands and elevates t e ~l:oderate."
!
hour or sleep, we should ~ . ·. l
e sub>J'ect to asimilar rule, an~
(e 3) Two or more par icip es ar .
. d 1 i his Creator;'
except·~on;
as,"~ mt~· ~~~~!Js:~~~~~e~~
a;; r~~pe.cted ;" "By
" He was happy in Jetno
'
t d"
.
d
.
d
and
flattered
we
are
often
corrup
e .
oernO' a nure
'
t d

The man of virtue and honour wiH be trne.e
re\if)d uron and esteemed.

154

Deliber:ite slowly execute promptly.
. A true .friend unbosoms freely advises justly assists readily adventures boldly takes _all patiently
defends resolutely and continues a friend unchangeably.
Sensuality contaminates the body depresses the
understanding deadens the moral feelings of the
heart and degrades man from his rank in the creation.
Idleness brings forward and nourishes many bad
passions.
We must stand or fall by our own conduct and
character.
The man of order c.a.tches and arrests the hours
as they fly.
The great business of life is to be employed in
doing justly loving mercy and walking humbly with
our Creator.
·
RULE ·1'J.

(f) Two or more adverbs immediately succeedin~ 01~ ~riother.
must be separated by commas ; as, "We arc fearfully wonder:
fully .framed;". "Succes~ generally depends on acting prudently,
steadily, and vigorously, m what we und ertake."
(f2) But when two adverbs are joined by a conjunction, Iii<)/
are not parted by the comma; as, " Some men sin deliberately
and presumptuously;" "There is no middle state; we must live
vfrtuously or viciously."

Th!s unhappy person had often been seriously
alfect10nately admonished but in vain.
To live soberly righteously and piously comprehends the whole of our duty.
When thy friend is calumniated openly and bold
ly espouse his cause.
Benefits should be long and gratefully remembered.
RULE VII.

(.g) When participles are follow6d b'JI something thnt depend,

155

PUNCTUATION.

EXERCISLS.

un them, they are generally separate~from the rest

ef th~ sentence

by a comma; as, "Th~ kiug, approving the plan, put 1t m execu1 not fail
tion;" "His talents;jormedfor great ente.rprises, cou.d
of rendering him conspicuous;" "All mankmtl compose one fam·
1Jy, assembled u~der the eye of one common Faths.;."

True gentleness is native feeling heightened and
.
improved by principle.
The path of piety and virtue pursued w1tb a
firm and constant spirit will assuredly lead to happ~ea.

.

.

Human affairs are in contmual motion and fluctuation altering their appearance every moment
and passing into some new forms.
.
What can be said to alarm those of their danger who intoxicated with pleasur~s b~come giddy
and insolent· who flattered by the 1llus10ns of prosperity mak~ light of every serious ad monition
which their friends and the changes of the world
give them?
RULE VIII.

(h) When a conjunct~on is divided b~ a phra_se or sentence
j1'om the verb to which it belongs, s-uch intervening phrase has
usually a comma at each exfremity; as!" They oet out e~~ly, and,

before the close of the day, arrived at tlie destmed place.

If from any internal cause a m~n's ~eace. of mind
be disturbed in vain we load him with riches or
honours.
Gentleness delights above all thing~ t~ alleviate
distress ; and if it cannot dry up the ,fallmg tear to
sooth at least the grieving heart.
Wherever Christianity prevails it has discouraged and in some degree abolished slavery.
We may rest assured that by the ste(ldy pursuit
of virtue we shall obtain and enjoy it.
RULE IX.

(i) Expres1ions in a direct address, are separated from th1

156

EX ERCI Sl' S .

PUNCTUATION.

~est of the. seatence by comm~.s; as, "My son, give me thy heart;'·
I am obliged to you, my fri ends, for your many fav ours."

_Co~tinue my dear children to make virtue your
prmc1pal study.
To you my worthy benefactors am I indebted
under Providence for all I enjoy.
Canst thou expect thou betrayer of innocence to
escape the hand of vengeance ?
Come then companion of my toils let us take
fresh courage persevere and hope to the end.
RULE X.

(j) The case absoiute, and the inji>iitive mood absolute, are sepef the sentence ; as, "His father

ar~led by commas from the body

dying, he succeeded to the estate;" "At length, their mini>try
perJbrmed, and race well rim, they left the world in peace·"" To
confess the tfuth, I was much in fault."

'

_Peace of mind being secured we may smile at
misfortunes.
Virtue abandone_d and . co~science reproaching
us we become. terrified with im aginary evils.
Charles havmg been deprived of the help of tu
tors his studies became totally neglected.
To prevent further altercation I subm itted to
tlie terms proposed.
To enjoy present pleasure he sacrificed his fu
ture ease and reputation.
To say the least they have betrayed great want
of prudence.
'
RULE XI.

. (k) Nouns in apposition, that is, nouns added to other nouns
in the s~me "!se, by. way of ex-plication or illustrntil'J'7, when accompanied with ad~uncts, are ~ei ojf by commas ; as, '·I 'aul, the
~po o tle of the G e n~1les, was eminent for his zeal and knowledge {
The butterfl.l'.• child of the summer, flutters in the sun."
(k 2) But if such '!'ouns are single, or only form a propu
name, they ar~ not dvvided; as, "Paul the apostle;" "The emperour Antonius wrote an excellent book.' ·

157

Hope the balm of life sooths us under every misfortune.
Content the offspring of virtue dwells both in
retirement and in the active scenes of life.
Confucius the great Chinese philosopher was
eminently good as well ·as wise.
The patriarch Joseph is an illustrious example
of chastity resignation a.nd filial affection.
RULE XII.

(l) Simple members of sentences connected by comparatives, art
for the most part disfinguished by a comma ; as, ".!ls the hart
panteth after the water brooks, so do th my soul pant after thee;"
·•Better is a dinner of herbs with love, than a stalled ox and hatred with it."
(l 2) If the members in comparative sentences a•·e short, the
comma i s, in general, better omitted; as, '"How much better is it
10 get wisdom than gold!" "Mankind act oftener from caprice
than rea son."

Nothing is so opposite to the true enjoyment of
life as the relaxed and feeble state of an indolent
mind.
The more a man speaks of himself the less he
likes to hear anothe r talked of.
Nothing more strongly inculcates resignation
than the experience of our own inability to guide
ourselves.
The friendships of the world can subsist no longer
than interest cements them.
Expect no more from the world than it is able
to afforcl you .
RULE xm.
(m) VVhen worrls o.re placed in opposition to each · other, or
wtih som< marked variety, they nquire to be distinguished lry a
comma; as,

"Tho' deep, yet clear; tho' gent!e, yet not dull;
Sttong, without rage; without o'erflowir.g, full."

..
158

EXERCISES.

PUNCTUATION.

'.' Go".d me~, IIl thi~ frail, imperfect sta te, are often found, not on!
m unwn wi th, but m oppcs n1on to, the views and conduct of on~

another."

·

(m 2 ) .Som etimes.when the word with which the lastpreposition agrees, is single, it is better to o:nit the comma bej'ore it. as
states were in alliance with, and under the protecti~n (o}

~~e~1,

(m 3) The same rule and restrictio1< must be applied when two
or more nouns refer to the sa~e preposition; as, "He was com.
posed. both under the threaternng, and at the approach, ef"- cruel
:~·hi hngenng death;" "He was not only the king but the f:ather
oJ
ts people.''
'

He who is .a stranger to industry may possess but
he c:annot enJoy.
Contrition though it may melt ought not to sink
or overpower the he art of a Christian.
. The g?ods of this world were given to man for
his o~cas1onal ~efres hment not for his chief felicity.
It is the provmce of superiours to direct of inferi?urs to obey; of th e learned to be instructive of the
1gn.o rant to be docile; of the old to be communicative of the young to be attentive and dilio-ent.
0
Though unavoidable calamities make a p art yet
they make not the chief part of the vexations and
sorrows that distress human life.
An inquisitive and meddling spirit often interrupts the good order and breaks the peace of sod
cty.
RULE XIV.

. (n ) .I.I. remarkable expression, or a shurt observation, •omewhat
the manner
ef a quotation, may be properly marked with 4
1

in

comma; as, : It hurts~ man's i:;ride to say, I do no t know·"" Plu
tarch calls lymg, the vice of slaves."
'

Vlce is not of such a nature that we can say to
it" Hitherto shalt thou come and no further."
One of the noblest of the Chi istian virtues is "to
love our enemies."
Many too confidently say to themselves "Mx

lb9

mountain stands strong and it shall never be removed."
We are strictly enjoined "not to follow a multitude to do ev ii "
RULE XV.

(o) Relative pronouns are connective words, and generally admit a comma before tliem; as," He preaches sublimely, who lives
a sober, righteous, and pious life ;"

11

There is no charm in the

female •ex, which can supply th e place of virtue."
(o 2) But when two member•, or phrases, are closely connected
by a relative, restraining the general notion ef the antecedent to
a particular sense, the comma should be omitted; as, " Self-denial is the sacrifice which virtue must make ;" "A man wh0 is of

a detracting spirit, will misconstrue the most innocent words that
can be put together." In the latter exa mple, the assertion is not
of" man in general," but of" a man who is of a detracting spirit;''

and therefore they should not be separated .
(o 3) The.fifteenth rule applies equally to cases in which the relati.ve is not expressed, but understood; as, "It was from piety
warm and unaffectetl, that his morals de ri ved strength."

"This

sentimen t, habitual and strong, influenced hi s who~e conduct."
In both of these examples, the relative anrt verb which was, are unnerstood.

The gentle mind is like the smooth stream which
reflects every object in its just proportion and in
its fairest colours.
Beware of those rash and dangerous connexions
which may afterwards load you with dishonour.
Blind must that man be who discerns not the
striking marks of a divine government exercised
over the world.
It is labour only which gives the relish to pleasure.
In that unaffected civility which springs from a
gentle mind ,there is an incomparable charm.
They who raise envy will easily incur censure.
Many of the evils which occasion our complaints
of the world are wholly imaginary.

160

161

EXER<{ISES.

PUNCTUATION.

HP who is good before invisible witnesses is eminently so before the visible.
His conduct so disinterested and generous was
universally approved.

if not employed about what is good will naturally
and un:ivoidably engender evil.
He who formed the heart certainly knows what
passes within it.
·
To be humble and mod est in opinion to be vigilant and attentive in conduct to distrust fair appearances and to restrain rash desires are instructions
which the darkness of our present state should
strongly inculcate

RULE XVI.

( P) .11 _simple member ef a sentence, contained within another
~r following ~nother,must be di stinguished by the comma; as:
To improve time, whilst we are blessed with health, will smooth
the bed .of sickness.'' . "Very ofte n,_while we are complaining of
the .vanity, and the ~vtls of human life, we make tha t rnnity, and
we increase those evils."
( p 2) If, however, the mem.bers succeeding each other, are very
closely connected, th~ comma i s unnecessary; as, "Revela tj on tells
us flow we may attain nappiness."
.
. (p 3) TYhcn a verb in the infinitive mood, follows its govern·

ing ver/J, with several words between t/wn, those words should
generally h:'ve a comma at the end ef tit em; as, "It ill becomes
go~d aud wise men, to oppose and <leorade one another."
(p 4) Several verbs i~ the infinili~e mood, having a common
dependence, and succeeding one another, are also divided by commas,· a~, " To relieve the indigen t, to comfort the affl icted, to pro·
tect the innocent, to rewa,rd the deserving, are human e and noble
employments."

. The fum~s which arise from a heart boiling with
VIOien t passions never fail to darken and trouble
the understanding.
If we delay till to-morrow what ought to be done
to-day we overcharge the morrow with a burden
which belongs not to it.
By whate ver means we may at first attract the
attention we can ho.Id the esteem and secure the
hearts of others only by amiable dispositions and
the accomplishments of the mind.
If the mind sow not corn it will plant thistles.
One day is sufficient to scatter our 'p rosperity and
bring it to nought.
Graceful in youth are the tears of sympathy and
the heart that melts at th e tale of wo.
The ever active and restless power of thought

RULE XVII •.

(q) When the verb to be. isfol!owed by a 1"rb in th.e i11:finitive
mood, which, by transposi tion, might be made the nominative case
to it, thefurmer is generally seprirated from the .latter verb, by a
comma ; as, "The most obvious remedy is, to w1th<lra~ from all
associations with bad men." 11 The .first and most oby10_us ren;e·
dy against the infection, is, to withdraw from all assoc1atmns with
bad men."

The greatest_misery is to be condemned by our
own hearts.
The greatest misery that we can endure is to be
condemned by our own hearts.
Charles's highest enjoyment was to relieve the
distresse d and to do good.
'l'he highest enjoyment that Charles ever experienced was to relieve the distressed and to do
good.
RULE XVIII.

(r) rvhen adjuncts or circumstances are of importance, and
oflen when ·1he natural order ef them is inverted, tltey may be set

off by commas; as, "Virtu ~ must be .formed an~ s u~por! e<~.. not
1 \ tees,
by unfrequ ent acts, but by da tly and repeated exeruons.
like shadows, towards the evening of life, grow great. and monstrous." "Our interests are interwoven by threads innumerable ;" "By threads innumerable, our interests are int~r wovcn."

If opulence increases our grat_ifications it increases in the Harne proportion our desires and demands.

0

162

EXf<.RUST;S.

He whose' wishes r especti ng the posses~ions of
this world are the most reasonable and bounded is
likely to lead the· safest and for that reason the
most desirable life.
By aspiring too high we frequently miss the
happiness which by a less ambitious aim we might
have gained
By proper. management we prolong our time ;
we live more in a few years than others do in
many.
In your most secret act!ons suppose that you
have all the world for witnesses.
In youth the habits of industry are most easily
acquired.
What is the right path few take the, trouble of
inquiring.
RULE XIX.

(s) Where a verb is understood, a comma may often be prr;perly introduced. This is a general rule, which, besides compri3ing some of the preceding rules, will' apply to many cases not
determined by any of them ; as, " From law arises security ; from
security, curiosity; from curiosity, knowledge ." In thi s example,
the verb " arises" is unde rstood before 11 curiosity" and u knowl-

edge ;" at which words a considerable pause is necessary.

Providence nev~r intended that any state here
should be either completely happy or entirely miserable .
As a companion he was severe and satirical; as
a friend captious and dangerous ; in his domestick
sphere harsh jealous and irascible.
If the Spring put forth no blossoms in Summer
there will be no beauty and in Autumn no fruit So
if youth be trilled away without improvement manhood will be contemptible and old age miserable.
RULE XX.

(I) The words nay, 30, hence, again,fir3t, second;y,formerly,

PUNCTU.&TION.

163

"!'"''

now, lastly, once more, above all, on, the contrary, in the
place, in short, and all other words and phrases of the same kmd,
must generally be separated from the context by a comma, as,
" Remember thy best and first friend ;formerly, the supporter, of
thy infancy, and the guide of thy childhood ; no'::, the guardian
of thy youth, and the hope of thy coming years.
"He feared
want hence he over-valll •.d riches." "This conduct may h eal
the differe~ce, nay, it may constantly prevent any. in futu~e-::
"Fi nally, I shall only repeat what ·has been often ;ust!Y said.
" If the spring put forth no blossoms, in summer ~re will be . no
oeauty and in autumn no fruit; so, if youth be .trifled away with
o~t im'pro;,ement, ripe; years may be contemptible, and old age
,moe rable.

Be assured then that order frugality and economy are the necessary supports of every personal
·
;md private virtue ,
I proceed secondly to point out the proper state
of our te mper with respect to one another.
Here every thing is in stir and fluctuation : there
all is serene steady and orderly.
.
I shall make some observations first on the exte rnal and next on the internal condition of man.
Sometimes timidity and false shame prevent our
opposiug vicious customs ; frequently expectation
and interest impel us strongly to comp ly.
(}:'.;l- In many of the foregoing rules and example3, greaJ .regard must be paid to the length of the clauses, ~nd the proportio1•
which they bear to one another.

CHAP. II.
SEMICOLON.

The Semicolon is used for dividing a compound
sentence into two or mor.e parts, not so closely
connected as those which are separated by a comma, nor yet so little dependent on each other, as
those which are distinguished by a colon.

..'

164

16b

EXEJ;lCISES.

PUNCTUATION.

(u) The semicolon is sometimes user/. when the preceding member efthe sentence does not ef itself git c a rnmp/ete sense, but de.
pends on the following clause : (u2) and sometimes wilen the sense <if
that memh~•: w?uld he co~plete w1 thout the concluding one; as in
the following_ instances : "!'s the desire of approbation, when it
"'.orks acconhn~ to reas~n, improves the amiable part of our spe·
c_1.es m every thrng _th.a t 1s laudable ; so nothing is more destruc.
tl~~ to the'!', when It 1s governed by vanity ancl folly."
f; . E~penence teache~ ~'· that an entire retreat from worldly afaus, is not what reltg10n requires; nor does it even enJ· oin a
long retreat from them."
:: Str.aws swim upon the surface; but rear!~ lie at the bottom."
Ph1losopl~ers assert: that Nature is un hmited in her operations;
th.at she h~s 1nexhaust1.ble treasures in reserve; that knowledge
will .always be progr_css1ve ; and that all future generations will
f~.:::'.~ue to make discoveries, of which we have not the least

Heaven is the region of gentleness and friendship hell of fierceness and animosity.
The path of truth is a plain and a safe path that
of falsehood is a perplexing maze.
Modesty is one of the chief ornaments of youth
and it has ever been esteemed a presage of rising
merit.
Life with a swift though insensible course glides
away _and like a river which undermines its banks
gradually impairs our state.
The violent spirit like troubled waters renders back the images ot things distorted and broken
;md communicates to them all that disordered motion which arises solely from its own agitation.
Levity is frequently the forced production of
folly or vice cheerfulness is the natural offspring of
wisdom and virtue only.
Persons who live according to ox:_der may be
compared to the celestial bodies which move in
regular courses and by stated laws whose influence
ia beneficent whose operations are quiet and tranquil.

Sentences requiring the insertion
Comma.

of the

Semicolon and

That darkness of character where we can see
no heart those foldings of art throuO'h which no
na~ive affect!on is _allowed to penetrate present an
~bJect unamiable m every season of life but particularly odious in youth.
'.1'o give an early preference to honour above
gam when they sta_nd in competition to despise every advantage which cannot be attained without
dishone~t .arts t~ brook no meanness and to stoop
to_ no d1ss1mulation are the indications of a great
mmd the presages of future eminence and usefulness in life.
!'-s there is a worldly happiness which God perceives to be no other than disguised misery as
there are wordly honours which in his estimation
~re ~evroac~ so there is a worldly wisdom which
m his sight 1s foolishness.
The passions are the chief destroyers of om ·
peace the storms and tempests of the moral world

UBP. III.
COLON.

The Colon is used to divide a sentence into two
or more parts, less connected than those which are
separated by a semicolon ; but not so independent
as separate distinct sentences.
The Colon may be properly applied in the three following cases:
(v)
When a member of a sentence is complete in itself, but
followed by some supplemental remark, or further illustr.a tion ef
the subject; as, "Nature felt her inability to extricate herself
from the consequences of guilt: the gospel reveals the plan of Di\'ine interposition and aid." "Nature confessed some atonement

166
lo

EXERCISES.

(Colon.

be necessarr: the gospel discovers that the necessary atone-

ment i.s made.'
(v 2.) Whe,. several semicolons have preceded, and a still greater pause is necessary, in order to mark the connecting or conclud.
ing sentiment: as, 0 A divine legislator uttering his voice from
heaven; an almighty governour, stretching forth his arm to punish

or reward ; informing us of perpetual rest prepared hereafter for
the righteous, and of indignation and wrath awaiting the wicked :
these are the considerations which overawe the world, which sup
port integrity, and check guilt."
(v 3.) The Colon is commonly used when an example, a quotation,
or a speech is introduced: as, u The Scriptures give us an amia.
ble representation of the Deity, in these words: ' God is love.'"
" He .was often heard to say: ' I have done with the world, and I
am willing to leave it.'"
( v 'J,.) The propriety of usin"' a colan, or sP:micoWn, is sometime/<
dt'rtrali11cd by a conjunction's 11eing expressed, or not e.r:pressed :
as, "Do not flatter yourselves with the hope of perfect happiness'
there is no such thing in the world." "Do not flatter yourselves
with the hope of perfect happiness ; for there is no such thing in
tile world."

The three great enemies to tranquillity are vice
superstition and idleness vice which poisons and
disturbs the mind with bad passions superstition
which tills it with imaginary te.rrours idleness which
loads it with tediousness and disgust.
To sail on lhE tranquil surface of an unruffled
lake and to steer a safe ccurse through a troubled
and stormy ocean require different talents and
alas human life oftener resembles the stormy
ocean than the unruffled lake.
When we look forward to the year which is beginning what do we behold there . All my brethren is a blank to our view a dark unknown presents .
itself.
Happy would the poor man think himself if he
could enter on all the treasures of the rich and
happy for a short time he might be but before he
had long contemplated and admired his state his
possessions would seem to lessen and his cares would
11;row.

PUNCTUATION.

167

By doing or at least endeavouring to do our d~­
ty to God and man by acquiring an humble trust m
the mercy and favour of God through Jesus Ch~ist
by cultivating our minds and properly emplo;:mg
our time and thoughts by governmg our passions
and our temper by correcting all unreasonable expectations from the world and from men and in the
midst of worldly business habituating ourselves to
calm retreat and serious recollection by such means
as these it may be hoped that through the Divine
blessing our days shall Bow in a stream as unruffled
as the human state admits.
A metaphor is a comparison expressed in an
abridged form but without any of _the words th_at
denote comparison as " To the upright there aris.
eth light in darkness."
All our conduct towards men should be influenced by this important precept "Do unto others as
. you would that others should do unto you."
Philip III. king of Spain when he drew near the
end of his days seriously reflecting on his past li~e
and greatly affected with the remembranc_e of his
mispent time expressed his deep regret m these
terms "Ah! how happy would it have been for
me had I spent in retirement these twenty-three
years that I have possessed ·my kingdom."
Often is the smile of gaiety assumed whilst the
heart aches within though folly may laugh guilt
will sting.
There is no mortal truly wise and restless at
once wisdom is the repose of minds.
CHAP. IV.
PERIOD.

When a sentence is complete and independent,

169

EXERCISES.

PUNCTUATION.

and not connected in construction with the following sentence, it is marked with a period.

Riches in our dark and solitary Hours no foss than
when surrounded with friends and cheerful Society
The mind of a good man is a kingdom to him and
he can always enjoy it
We ruin the Happiness.of life when we attempt
fo raise it · too high A . tolerable and comfortable
State is all that .we can propose to ourselves
on Earth Peace and Contentment not Bliss nor
Transport are the full Portion of Man Perfect joy
· is reserved for Heaven
If we look around us we shall perceive that the
Whole Universe is full of Active Powers Action is
indeed the Genius of Nature by Motion and exertion the System of Being is preserved in vigour
By its different parts always acting in Subordination
one to another the Perfection of the Whole is car. ried on The Heavenly Bodies perpetually revolve
Day a nd Night incessantly repeat their appointed
course Continual operations are going on in the
Earth and in the waters Nothing stands still
Constantine the Great was advanced to the sole
Dominion of the Roman World A D 325 and soon
after openly confessed the Christian Faith
.
. The Letter concludes with this Remarkable
Postscript " P S Though I am innocent of the
Charge and have .been bitterly persecuted yet [
cordially forgive my Enemies and Persecutors"
The last Edition of that valuable Work was care.fully compared wit,h_the Original M S

168

(w) Some sentences are independent qf each other, both in their
sense and construction ; as, "' F ear God . Honour the king.
Have charity towa rds all me n." Others are indPpendent only in
their o·rammatical constru ction ; as,'' The Suµr e me Be mg changes

not. e~ther in his desire to promote our happin ess, or iu the. plan
of his administration. One light always shines upon us from above.
10
One clear and direct path is always pointed out to nian.
The period should he us ed after every abbrevi a ted word : as,

.. M. S.

P. S.

N. B.

A. D.

O. S.

N. S." &c.

Sentences which require the insertion of the Period,

q'c.*
Th e absence of Evil is a real Good Peace Q,uiet exemption from pain shou ld he a continual feast
Worldly h appin ess ever tends to destroy itse lf
by corrupting the hea rt It fosters the_ loose a~d
the Violent passions It e ngend ers noxious habits
and taints the mind wi th false D elicacy which
makes it feel a· Thousand unreal Evils
Feeding the hungry clothing the Naked comfortincr the afilicted yi eld more pleasure than we
recei;e fr:om those actions which respect only Ourselves Benevolence may in this view be termed
the most refined self-love
The Resources of Virtue remain entire when
the Days of trouble come They re ~ain with. us in
Sickness as in Health in Poyerty as m _the midst of
" As every learner is supposed to know, that the fir~t wo1d in
a se ntence mu;t have a capital lette r, there _would be little ex~r­
cise of his jurlgment, in applying the penod. 1f no wor~ s were distinguished hy capital letters, b_u t such as propr.1ety required. The
compiler has, therefore, in this and the followrng clrnpters, affixed
capital s to many words, which should pnipe rl,r liegin with small
letters. This method bes ides the use chi efly Intend ed, will also
serve to exercise the ~tuJent in the proper application of capital
letters.

----------~-~-""'-

CHAP. V. .

S:cnt~nces r.equiring the application of ~he Dash,
of the Notes of Interrogation and E:x:cla:matwn ; and
of the Parenthetical characters.
p

170

EXERCISES.

PUNCTUATION.

(x) Denotes the Interrogative point?
(x 2) " the Exclamation point!
y)
" the Parenthesis ( )

~

z) . " a Quotation '.' "
z 2) " a Dash or Break ening a pause.

·

making or lengih-

Beauty and Strength combined with Virtue ~nd
Piety how lovely in the sight of men how pleasmg
to Heaven peculiarly pleasing because with every
Temptation to deviate the.y voluntarily walk in the
Pat,h of Duty
Sometbino- there is more needful than expense
And something .previous e'en to taste 'tis sense
" I'll live to·morrow" will a wise man say
To-morrow is too late then live to-day

Gripus has long been ardently endeavouring tJ
fill his Chest and lo it is now full is he happy and
does he use it Does he gratefully think of the Giver
of all good 'I'hings Does he distribute to the Poor
Alas these Interests have no Place in his breast
What is there in all the pomp of the world the
Enjoyments of Luxury the Gratification of Passion .
comparable to the tranq11il Delight of a good Conscience
To lie down on the Pillow after a Day spent in
Temperance in beneficence and in piety how sweet
is it
We wait till to-morrow to be Happy Alas Why
not to-day Shall we be younger Are we , sure_ we
shall be healthier Will our passions become feebler
and our love of the world less
What shadow can be more vain than the life of ,
a <>'reat Part of Mankind Of all that eager and bustli~g Crowd Which . we behold on .Earth how fa'!
discover the path of true Happiness How few can we

171

find whose Activity has not been misemployed and
whose Course terminates not in Confessions of Disappointments
On .the one Hand are the Divine Approbati,en
and immortal Honour on the 9tlrer remember 'and
beware are the stings of Conscience and' endless
Infamy
.
As in riper Years all unsea~onable .Returns to the
Levity of Youth ought to be avoided an Ad~onition
which equally belongs· to both the Sexes still more
are we to guard against those intemperate Indulgences of Pleasure to which the young are unhappily prone
The bliss of man could pride that.blessing find
Is not to act or think beyond mankind
Or why so long in life if long can be
Lent Heaven a parent to the poor and me

CHAP. VI.
Promiscuous examples of difective Punctuation.
SECT. I.
EXAMPLES IN PROSE.*

When Socrates was asked n what man approached the nearest to perfect happiness p he answered v 3 That Man who has the fewest Wants
•
She who studies her Glass o 2 neglects her
Heart
Between Passion c 2 and Lying p there is not a
Finger's breadth
.
.
The freer we feel ourselves in the Presence of
others b the more free are they v he who is free
o 2 makes free
Addison has remarked b wit.h equal b Piety and

* The. notes i'I!> ihese Examples rifer the Student to the Rules
· in Punctuation,

172

EXERCISES. ·

Truth that .the Creation is a perpetual Feast to the
Mind of a good Man
·
He who shuts out all evasion when he promises
a 2 loves truth
'
The laurels of the Warriourare dyed 'in Blood u 2
and bedewed with the Tears of the Widow and the
Orphan
Between Fame and true Honour r a Distinction is
to be made w The former is a loud and noisy Applause v the latter s a more silent and internal Homage w Fame floats on the Breath of the Multitude
v Honour rests on the Judgment of the Thinking w
Fame may give praise p while it withholds Esteem
v true Honour implies Esteem mingled with respect w The one regards Particular distinguished
Talents v the oth-er looks up to the whole character.
There .is a, certain species of rel.igion (p )-(y) if
we can give 1t that N ame o which 1s placed wholly in Speculation and Belief u 2 in the Regularity
of external Homage u or in fiery Zeal about cori'tested Opinions ·
. Xenophanes o who was reproached with being
~1morous o beca~se he would n.ot venture his Money
m a Game at Dice p made this manly and sensible
Reply v 3 I confess I am exceedingly timorous v 4
for I dare not commit an evil Action
He loves nobly o I speak of Friendship (p )-(y)
who is not jealous p when he has Partners of lov.e
Our happiness consists in the pursuit l much
more than in the Attainment m 3 of any Temporal Good
Let me repeat it u He only is Great who has the
Habits of Greatness
.
l'rosopopi.eia c 3 or Personification c* is a Rhetori_cal ~igure by which we attribute LLfe and Action
to mammate obJects v 3 as (t)-(z) the · Ground

PUNCTUATION.

173

thirsts for Rain u 2 (z) the Earth smiles with Plenty
The proper and rational Conduct of Men b with
Regard to Futurity b is regulated by two Considerations v First t that much of What it contains o 2
must remain to us ab~olutely Unknown u Next t
that there are also Some Events in it o which may
be certainly known and foreseen
The Gardens of the World produce d only deciduous flowers w Perennial ones must be sought a in
the Delightful Regions Above w Roses without
Thorns are the Growth of Paradise alone a
· H~w many Rules and Maxims of Life might be
spared p could we fix a principle of Virtue within
u 2 and inscribe the living Sentiment of the love
of God in the affections x 2 He who loves righteousness o 2 is Master of all the distinctions in
Morality
He who o 2 from the Benignity of his Nature b
erected this World for the abode of Menu He who
furnished it so richly for our accommodation o 3
and stored it with so much Beauty for our ·Entertainment .u He who p since first we entered into
Life p hath followed us with such a Variety of
Mercies v 2 this Amiable and Beneficent Being c 2*
. surely can have no pleasure in our Disappointment
and distress w He knows our Frame u 2. he remembers we are dust u 2 and looks to frail Man p
' we are assnred p with such Pity as a Father beareth to his children
One of the first Lessons b both of Religion and
of Wisdom b is q to moderate our Expectations and
hppes u 2 an<l not to set forth on the Voyage of
Life l like Men .who expect to be always ·carried
forward with a favourable Gale w Let us be satisfied if the path we tread be easy and smooth p
· th9ugh it be not strewed with Flowers

174

Promiscuous.)

EXERCISES.

Providence never intended p that the Art of living happily in thi~ World a 2 should depend on
that deep Penetration c that acute sagacity c ·and
those Refinements of Thought o which few possess
w It has dealt more graciously with us u and made
happiness depend on Uprightness of Intention p
much more than on Extent of Capacity
Most of our Passions a flatter us in their Rise w But
their Beginnings are treacherous u 2 their Growth
is i~perc~ptible. u 2 and the Evils which they carry m then· Tram o 2 lie concealed p until their
Dominion is established w What Solomon says of
one of them a2holds true of them all n (z) that their
Beginning is as when one letteth out Water w It issues fro~ a small Chink o which once might have
been e?s1ly stopped u 2 but being neglected j it is
soon widened by the Stream u 2 till the Bank is at
last \otally thrown down p and the Flood is at Liberty to deluge the whole plain
Pro~perity debilitates m instead of strengthening
the Mmd w Its most common effect is g to create
an extreme sensibility to the slightest Wound w It
f?ments imp~tient Desires u 2 and raises Expectat10ns o 2 which no success can satisfy w It fosters
a false Delicacy o which sickens in the midst of Indulgence w By repeated Gratification r it blunts
the feelings of Men_ to what is pleasing u 2 and
leaves them unhappily acute to whatever is uneasy w Hence t the Gale o 2 which another would
scarcely feel a 2 is g to the prosperousPa riideTempest w Hence t the Rose-Leaf doubled below them
on the Couch p as it is told of the effeminate Sybarite p breaks their Rest ·W Hence t the Disrespect shown by Mordecai a 2 preyed with such Vi·
olence on the Heart of Haman
a Anxiety is the Poison of Human Life w It is the.

.

PUNCTUATION.

175

Parent of Many Sins p and of more Miseries w In
a World where every thing is' so ·doubtful u where
we may succeed in our Wish e and 'be .miserable u
· where we may be disappointed e and be blessed
in the Disappointment u what mean this restless
Stir and Commotion of Mind x Can our Solicitude
alter the Course m 3 or unravel the Intricacy m3 of
Human Events x Can our Curiosity pierce through
the Cloud o which the Supreme Being hath made
impenetrable to Mortal Eye
No situatiop. is so remote p and no Station so unfavourable l as to preclude access to the happiness
of a future State w A Road is opened by the Divine Spirit to those blissful Habitations· p from all
Corners of the Earth p and from all Conditions of
Human Life u 2 from the peopled City p and from
the solitary Desert u 2 from the Cottages of the
Poor p and from the Palaces of Kings u 2 from the
Dwellings of Ignorance and Simplicity p and from
the Regions of Science. and Improvement
The Scenes o 2 wh ich present themselves rat our
entering upon the World r are commonly flattering
w Whatever they be in themselves p the lively
Spirits of the yonng gild every opening Prospect w
The Field of Hope appears to stretch wide before
them w Pleasure seems to put forth its Blossoms on
every Side w Impelled by Desire p forward they
rush with inconsiderate Ardour u 2 prompt to decide p 4 and to choose u averse to hesitate p 4 or
to Inquire u credulous r . because untaught by Experience u rash r because unacquainted with Danger u headstrong r because unsubdued by Disappointment w Hence arise the Perils to which they
are exposed u 2 ahd which r tc:o often r from Want
of Attention to faithful Admonition r precipitate
them into Ruin irretrievable w

1 i6

EXERCISER.

(Promisc·uous.

Promiscuous.)

EXAMPLES IN POETRY.

Where s thy tru_e treasure x G?ld says n not in me ( v )-( z)
And (n)-(z) not m men the Diamond w Gold is poor w
The scenes of business tell us z 2 what are men u 2
The scenes of pleasure z 2 what is all beside w
Wo then apartj if wo apart can be
·
·
From mortal man (p)-(y) and fortune at our nodj
The gay c rich g reat triumphant and august
What are they x The most happy p strange to sayx2-(y
Convince me most of human misery w
All this dread order break z 2 for whom :r; for thee x
Vile worm(x 2)-(z .2) 0 madness x 2 pride x 2 impiety x2
Man r like the genrous vine r supported lives u 2 The strength he gains a 2 is from th embrace he gives w

177

Know n natures children all divide her care "
The fur that warms a monarch o 2 warm d a bear w
While n:ian exclaims (n)-(z).see all things for my use x 2
See man for mine n replies a pamper d goose w
And just as short of reason he must fall o
.
Who thinks all made for one m not one for all w
Th Almighty b from his throne b on' earth surveys
Nought greater than an honest d humble heart v
An humble heart his residence o 3 pronounc d
His second seat w
Bliss there is none r but unprecarious bliss w
That is the gem v sell all e and purchase that w
Why go a begging to contingencies x
Not gain d with ease o 3 nor safely lov d if gain d w

. By the unhappy Excesses of Irreg.ular Pleasure
m Youth r how many amiable Dispositions are corrupted or destroyed x 2 How many rising Capacitie~ and Powers are suppressed x 2 How many fiattermg Hopes of Parents and Friends are totally extinguished x 2 Who but must drop a Tear over Human N atur~ p when be beholds that Mqrning which
arose so br1ghtg overcast with such untimely Darkness u 2 that Sweetness of Temper which once engaged many Hearts s that Modesty which was so
prepossessing s those Abilities which promised
extensive Usefulness g all sacrificed at the Shrine
of low Sensuality v 2 and one who was formed for
passing through Life r in the midst of Publick Esieem g cut off by his Vices at the Beginning of his
C_ourse u or sunk b for the whole of it b into Insigmficance and Contempt x These i 0 sinful Pleasure .x2 are thy Trophies w It is thus that g co-operating with the Foe of God and Man r thou degradcst Human Honour e and blastest the opening
Prospects of Human Felicity w
SECT. II.

PUNCTUJ.TION.

'

..

There is a time p when toil must be preferrd p
Or, joy b by mistim d fondness b is undone w
A man ofpleasure is a man of pains w
Thus nature gives us y let it check our pride
The virtue nearest to our vice allied w
See the sole bliss Heavn could on all bestow x 2
Which who but feels can taste m but thinks can know v
Yet poor with fortune mand with learning blind m
The bad must miss u the good untaught will find w
Wh atever is a 2 is right w This world p tis true p
Was made for Cresar (m)-(z 2) but for Titus too w
And which more blest x who chain ·d his country s_Say i
Or he whose virtue sigh d to lose a day x
The first sure symptom-of a mind in health a 2
, Is rest of heart c and pleasure felt at home w ·
True happiness resides in things unseen. w
No smiles of fortune ever hless the bad u 2
Nor can her frowns rob innoc~nce of joy w
Oh the dark days of vanity x 2 while here m
How tasteless x 2 an.d how terr~ble m 'w hen gone x 2
Gone x they ne er go 'V when past m they haunt us still 10
Fatll'er of light and life x 2 Thou good supreme x.2
0 teach me what is good x 2 Teach .me thyself x 2
Save me from folly c vanity c and vice c
From ev ry low pursuit u 2 and feed my soul

178

EXERCISES.

(Promis cuous.

With knowledge c conscious peace c and virtue pure c
Sacred d substantial d never fading bliss x 2
If I am right p thy grace impart p
Still in the right to stay v
If I am wrong p 0 teach my heart
To find that better way w
Save me alike from foolish pride c 3
Or impious discontent p
At aught thy wisdom has deny d·c 3
Or aught thy go0dness lent w
0 lost to virtue p lost to manly thought p
Lost to the nobfe sallies of the soul o
Who think it solitude to be alone x 2
Communion sweet le communion large and high k
Our reason k guardian angel k and our God w
Then nearest these p when others most remote u 2
And all b ere long b shall be remote r but these w

Benevolence.
God loves from whole to parts u 2 but human soul
Must rise from individual to the whole w
Self-love but serves the virtuous mind to wake l
As the small pebble stirs the peaceful lake v
The centre movdj a circle straight succeeds u 2
Another still s aild still another spreads w
Friend c parent c neighbour c first it will embrace u 2
Hi~ country next u '.2- and next s all human race; v 2
Wide d and more w1~e th o erflowings of the mind .a 2
Take ev ry creature m m of ev ry kind w'
Earth smiles around r with boundless bounty blest u 2
And Heavn beholds its image in his breast w

Happiness.
Know then this truth (n )-(y) enough for man to know k
z Virtue alone is happiness below v '
The only point where human bliss stands still e
And tastes the good without the fall to ill u 2
Where only merit constant pay receives e
·
ls bl~st in what it takes c and what it gives u 2
The J.OJ'. uneq uall d m if its ~nd it gain p
And if it lose m attended with no pain v

Promiscuous.)

PUNCTUATION.

179

Without satiety m though e er so blest u 2
And but more relish d as the more distress d v 2
The broadest mirth unfeeling folly wears o 3
Less pleasing far than virtues very tears w
.
Good b from each object b from each place ~cqmr du 2
For ever exercis d m yet never tir d u 2
·
Never elated p while one mans oppress d u 2
Never dejected p while another s blest v 2
And where no wants s no wishes can remain u 2
Since but to wish more virtue q is to gain w

Gratitude.
When all thy mercies i 0 my God x 2
My rising soul surveys r
Transported with the view g I m lost
In wonder c Jove c and praise w
Oh how shall words b with equal warmth b
The gratitude declare o
That glows within my ravish d heart x
But thou canst read it there w
Thy providence my life sustain d e
And all my wants redress d p
When in the silent womb I lay e
And hung upon the breast w
To all my weak complaints and cries r
Thy mercy Jent an ear p
Ere yet my feeble thoughts had learnt
To form themselves in pray r w
Unnumber d comforts to my soul
Thy tender care bestow d p
Before my infant heart conceiv d
From whom those comforts flow d w
When in the lilipp ry paths of youth b
With heedless steps b I ran ]I
Thine arm o 3 unseen convey d me safe e
And led me up to man w
Through hidden dangers c toils c and death r
It gently cleard my way u 2
And through the pleasing snares of vice o 3
More to be fear d than they 10

180

{ Promucuous.
When worn with sickness p oft hast thou p
EXERCISES.

With health renew d my face u 2
Andhwhen in sin. and sorrow sunk p
Reviv d my soul with grace w
.
Thy bounteous hand b with worldly bliss b
Has made my cup run o er u 2
And h in a kind and faithful friend h
Has doubled all my store w
Ten thousand thousand precious gifts
My daily thanks employ u 2
Nor is the least k a cheerful heart o That tastes those gifts with joy w '
Through ev ry period of my life r
Thy goodness Ill pursue u 2
And h after death r in distant worlds h
The glorious theme renew w
When nature fails p and day and night
Divide thy worki no more p
My ever grateful heart i 0 Lord x 2
Thy mercy shall adore w
•
Through all eternity r to thee
A joyful song Ill raise u 2
For 0 x 2 eternity s too short
To utter all thy praise w

The Voyage

of Life.

Self flatter a d unexperienced d high in hope d
When young b ~ith sanguine cheer c and streamersgayr
We cut our cable e launch into the world e
And fondly dream each wind and star cur friendj
All in some darling enterprise embark d w
But where is he can fathom its event x
Amid a multitude of artless hands r
y Ruins sure perquisite k her lawful prize (p)-(y)
Some steer aright v but the black blast blows hard e
And pu~s then:i wide of. hope w With hearts of proof r
Full agamst wmd and tide g some win their way u 2
And when strong effort has deserv d the port e
And tugg d it into view p tis won x 2 tis lost x2
Though strong their oar ,m still stronger is their fate"'
They strike u 2 and while they tri,umph p they expire'°

•

t
Perspicuity.)

P£1tsl>1cmTY, &c.

!St

In stress of weather r most s some sink outright w
O er them p and o er their names r the billows close v
To morrow kn<;>ws not they were ever born w
Others o 3 a short memorial leave behind r
Like a flag floating, r when the barks ingulf d u 2
It floats a moment e and is seen no more v 2 ·
One Cresar lives u 2 a thousand are forgot w
How few o 3 favor d by ev ry element o 3
With swelling sails make good the promis d port r
With all their wishes freighted x 2 Yet ev n these g
Freighted with all their wishes p soon compl.ain w
o 3 Free from misfortune m not from nature free m
They still are me!] u 2 and when is man secure x
As fatal time l as storm w The rush of years
Beats down their strength u 2 their numberless escapes
[n ruin end v and t nowt their proud success
But plants new terrour~ on the victors brow w
What painstoquit foe world just made their own x 2
Their nests so deeply down de and built so high (x2)-(z2)
Too low they build o who build beneath the stars w

PART V.
Containing rules, observations, and Exercises, for aJsisting
young persons to write with perspicuity and accuracy, whicll
ohov.ld be studied after they have acquired a competent knowl·
·
edge of English Grammar.

-

PERSPICUITY

Is the fundamental quality of style: a quality so essential in every
kind of writing, that for the want of it nothing can atone. It is
not to be considered as merely a sort of negative virtue, or freedom from defect. It has higher merit : it is a degree of positive
beauty. We are pleased with an author, and consider him as
4eserving praise, who frees us from all fatigue of searching for
his meaning ; who carries u~ through his suhject without any
embarrassment or confusion; whose style flows always like a
limpid stream, through which we see to the very bottom.
,
The study of penpicuity and accuracy of expression consists
of two parts : and requires attention', first, to Single Words and
Phraoe8; and then, to the Co11.stntction of Sentences.

11:2

EXERCISES.

Purity.)

(Purity.

PART I.
Of Perspicuity and .!lccur<t_cy of Expression, with respect to
Single Words and Phrases:
These qualities of styl e, considered with regard to words and
phrases, req uire the following properties: PURITY, PROPRIETY
and PRECISION.

CHAPTER I.
OF PURITY.

Purity of style consists in the use of such words, and such con·
structions, as belong to the idiom of the language which we speak;
in opposition to words and phrases that are taken from other
languages, or that are ungrammatical, obsolete, new·coined, or
used without proper authority.
·
(I.) All such words and phrases as the following, should be
avoided : Q-uoth he ; I -wist not; erewhile ; behest ; selfsame,
delicatesse, for delicacy; politesse, for politeness; h!luteur, for
haughtinesa; incu'[nberment, connexity, fflartyrised, for encuffi..
brance, connexion, martyred.
The introduction <if foreign and learned words, unless where
necessity requires them, should never be admitted into our com·
position. In general, a plain, native style, is not only more intelligible to all readers, but by a proper management of words, it can
be made as strong and expressive as Latinised English, or any
foreign idioms.
·

We should be employed dailily in doing good.
It irks me to see so perverse a disposition.
I wot not who has done this thing.
He is no way thy inferiour; and, in this instance,
is no ways to blame.
The assistance was welcome, and timelily afforded .
For want of employment, he stroamed idly about
the fields.
We ought to live soberly, righteously, and godlily
in the world.
He was long indisposed, and at length died of
the hyp.
That word follows the general rule, and. takes
the penult accent.

•

PERSFJ CU ITY,

&c.

183

He wa~ an extra genius, and attracted much attention.
The hauteur of Florio was very disgracious, and
disgusted both his friends and strangers. .
.
He charged me with want of resolut10n, m the
which he was greatly mistaken.
They have manifested great candidness in all
the transaction.
The naturalness of the thought greatly recommended it.
The importance, as well as the authenticalness
of the books,.has been clearly displayed.
It is difficult to discover the spirit and intendment
of some laws.
The disposition which he exhibited, was both
unnatural and incomfortable:
His natural severity · rendered him a very impopular speaker.
.
.
. .
.
The disquietness of his mm4, made !us stat10n
an,'\ wealth far from being enviable.
I received the gift with pleasure, but I shall
now gladlier resign it.
· These are the things highliest important to the
growing age.
It grieveth me to look over so many blank leaves,
in the book of my life.
It repenteth me that I have so long walked. in the
paths of folly.
.
.
. .
.
Methinks I am not mistaken .m an opm10n, which
I have so well considered.
'They thought it an important subject, and the
·'luestion was strenuously debated pro and con.
Thy speech bewrayeth thee ; for thou art a
Galilean.
.
~ Let us not give too hasty credit to stories· which
may injure our neigh~JOur : p~radventure. they are
.the offspring of calamity, or m1sapprehens10n.

! U-4

EXERC ISES . ,

(Propriety.

The gardens were void of simplicity and elegance,
and exhibited much that was glaring and bizarre.
CHAPTER IL
OF PROPRIETY.

Propriety of language is the selection of such words as the best
usage has appropriated to those ideas, which we intend to express
hy the m ; in opposition to low exp ress ions, and to words ant.I
pinascs which woul<l be less signi ficant of the ideas ·that we mean
to convey. 'Style may be pure, that is, it may be stri ctly English,
without Scotticisms or Gallicisms, or ungrammatical, irregular ex·

pression• of a ny kind , a nd may, nevertheless, be deficie nt in propriety: for the wor<ls may be ill chose n, not adapted to the sub·
ject, n or fully expressive of the author's sense.
J '

SECT. I.
(2.) Avoid low e.~pressions : such as, " T opsy . turvy, hurly
burly, pellmell ; having a month's mind for a thing ; curryi ng
favour with a person ; dancing attendance on the great," &c.
"Meantime the Britons, left to shift for themselves, were forced
to call in the Saxons for their defence." The phrase "lift to
shift for thtmselves,"'is rather a low phrase, and too much in the
familiar style to be proper in a grave treatise.

I had as lief do it myself, as persuade another to
do it.
Of the justness of his measures he convinced his
opponent by dint of argument.
He is not a whit better than those whom he so
liberally condemns.
He stands upon security, and will not liberate
him till it be obtained.
The meaning of the phrase, as I take it, is very
different from the common acceptation.
The favourable moment should be embraced;
foT he does not hold long in one mind.
He exposed himself so much amongst the people,
that he ha<l like to have gotten one or two broken
·heads:
He was very dexte rous in smelling out the views
and designs of others.

P ropriety.)

PERSrlCU!TY 1

.185

&c.

If his ed ucation t~as_ but a Ii ttle taken care of, he
might be very useful amongst his neighbours. ,
He might have perceived, with h alf an eye, the
difficulties to which his conduct exposed him.
If I happen to.have a little leisure upon my hands
to-morrow, I rntend to pay them a short visit.
This performance is much at one with the other.
The scene was new, and he was seized with
.w onderment at all he saw.
SECT. II.
(3.) Supply words that are wantin~. " Arbitrary power I look
upon as a greater evil than anarchy itself, as much as a savage is
a happier state oflife than a slave a t the oar:" it should have
been, "as much as the slate of a savage is happier than that of a
slave at the oar." "He has not treated this subject li berally, by
the views of others as well as his own;" "By adverting to th ~
view s of others," would have been better. "This generous action greatly increased his former services;" it should have been,
," greatly . increased the merit of his fo rmer services." " By
the pleasures of the imagination or fancy (whi ch I shall use promiscuously) I here mean," &c. This passage ought to have ha:<l
the word " terms" supplied, which would have made h correct:
"terms which I shall use promiscuously."
The repetition ·of a rticles and prepositions is proper, when we
intend to point out the objects of which we speak, as distingui shed from each other, or in contrast ; and when we wish that th e
reader·s attention should rest on that distinction ; as, " Our sight
is at once the most delightful, and the most useful of all our sense,,'

Let us consider the works of nature and art, with
proper attention.
He is engaged in a treatise on the interests of
the soul and body.
Some 'productions of nature rise in value, according as they more or less resemble those of art.
The Latin tongue, in its purity, was never in this

.

. w~

. ,

For some centuries, there was a constant ,intercourse between France and England, by the dominions we possessed them, and the conquests we
made.

Q.

186

EXERCISES.

(Propriety.

He is impressed with a true sense of that function, when chosen from a regard, to the interests
of piety and virtue.
The wise and · foolish, the virtuous and the· vile.
the learned and ignorant, the temperate and prof:
ligate, must often, like the wheat and tares, be
blended together.

Propriety.)

PERSPICUITY,

&c.

187

grading an~ injurious passions: and yet we see
·honour is the motive which urges the destroyer to
take the life of his· friend. 1
He will be always with you, to support and comfort you, and in some measure to succeed your labours; and he will also be with all his faithful
ministers, who shall succeed you in his service.

SECT. III.

SECT. IV.

( 4.) In the same sentence, be careful not to use the same word
too frequently, nor in different senses. "One may have an air
which pr.oceeds[rom a just suflicie,ncy and knowledge of the matter
before him, which may naturally produce· some motions of hi•
head and body, which might become the bench better than the
bar."
The pronoun which is here thrice used, in such a manner as to
throw obscurity over the sentence.
"Gregory favoured the undertaking, for no other reason than
this, tnat the manager, in conntena:ice, favoured his friend." It
should have been,, " resembled his friend."
,
"Cnarity expands our hearts in love to God and man: it is by
th~ virtue of charity that the rich .are blessed, and th e poor supphed." In this sentence, the word" charity" is improperly used.
in two different senses ; for the highest benevolence, and for almsgiving.

(5.) Jlvoid the iajudicious use of technical terms.* To inform
those who do not understand sea-phrases, that "vVe tacked to the
larboard, and stood off to sea," would be expressing ourselves
very obscurely. Technical phrases not being in current use, but
only the peculiar dialect of a particular class, we should never
use them but when we know they will be understood.

An eloquent speaker may give more, but cannot
give more cdnvincing arguments, than this plain
man offered.
'
They were persons of very moderate intellects,
even before they were impaired by their passions.
True wit is nature dressed to advantage ; and yet
some works have more wit than does them good.
The sharks, who prey upon the inadvertency of
young _heirs, are more pardonable than those, who
trespass upon the good opinion of those,. who treat
them with great confidence and respect.
'
Honour teaches us properly to respect ourselves,
and to violate no right or 'privilege of our nei<>"hbour: it leads us to supjJort the feeble, to reli~ve'
the distressed, and to scorn to be governed by de-

Most of our hands 'were asleep in their births,
when the vessel shipped a 'sea, that carried away
our pinnace and binnacle. Our dead-lights were
in, or we should have. filled. The mainmast was
so sprung, that we were obliged to fish it, and bear
a\vay for Lisbon .
The book is very neatly printed : the scaleboarding is ample and regular, and the register
exact.

SECT: V.
(6.) Jlvoid equivocal or ambiguous words. The following
sente,nces are exceptiona:ble in this respect. "As for such animals as are mortal or noxious, we have a right fo destroy them.''
" I Jong since learned to like nothing but what you do.'' "He
aimed ,at nothing less th;i.n the crown." may denote either, " Nothing was less airned at by him than the crown," or '~Nothing inferiour to the crown could satisfy his ambition." " I will have
*The examples und er this section, and perhaps a few others in
different parts of the book, may be too difficult for learners to correct without assistance; but as some illu stration of the rules to
which they relate, was requisite, th ey could not properly be omitt~cL
By an attentive perusal of them, and a subsequent application to the T eacher, or to the Key, th e scholar will perceive the
nati1re of the rule, and the mode in which similar errours may be
rectified.

188

EXEltCJSES .

(Propriety.

mercy, and no~ sacrifice." The first part of this se ntence de notes
".~ '~111 .~xerc1s~ mercy ;" wherea~ it !s in thi s place e mployed t~
s1g;mfy, I requ11 e others to exe rcise 1t." The tran ~ lation should
~:!e refu r e hav e been accoimnouated. to th ese diffe re nt nwanings.
fhcy wei e both inu ch mo re an c ie nt :1111011 <> t. he P e rsia ns than
Zo roaster :o•· Ze rdu sht." The or in thi s s 1 ~1t.e n cc is e1pii~ocal.
It gc r.ves either as a copulative to syno 11y111 011s wo rd s, or as a t1isJ_u11 cll ve of d~fferen1. tl11n gs. If, th e refore, th e stud e nt should not
k 1~ow t'.1 a t Zoroaste; a nti ~.c rdu s h~ lll e<tn th e sa me pe rso n, he will
:;11 sta kc th e Eense.
" l he n srng to111b a lofty column bore:"
And thu s th e so11 the fe rv e nt sire aclilrcs t." Did th e tomb
b_ea.r th e co ln11111, or th e col ullln th e tulllb ? Did th e so 11 address th e
sn e, or tlH: sire th e >o n?

. Wh e n onr friends hip is c onsi<lere J, how is it poss1ble that I shoulJ not o-rieve for his loss ?
The eagle killed th~ hen, and ea t her in her
own nest.
It may be justly sai<l, that no laws are better
than the English.
'I'he pretenders. to polish _an? refine the English
lang uage, have clu c lly ruu1L1ph e d abuses and abs u rcliti es.
'I'he. Eng li sh adv ~ ntur e rs ,. ins te a cl of r ec laiming
th e nah ve:; f~· o1:i th e ir uncultivate d mann e rs, we re
gradu a lly assimilate d to th e anci e nt inhabitants, and
dege ne rated from th e customs o r th e ir own nation.
.It has been said, that not on ly .J es uits c an e qui vocate.
. You will not think that these p e opl e , when inJtlre d, have the leas t ri g·ht to our protection.
So lomon th e son of David, wh " built tli e tem ple
of J e rusalem, was th e ri c hest monarc h tl1at re igned ov er the Jewish peopl e .
Solomon th e son of David, who was persecuted
IJy Saul, was th e ri c hes t monarc h of the J ews. ·
1t i ~ ce rtain th at al l words whi c h are sig ns of complex id e as, may furni sh matte r of" 111is bk e and cavi l.
Lisias promise d to his fath er neve r to abandon
his friends.
'

Proprieiy.)

PERSPICUITY l

&c.

189

The Divine Being heap d h favours on his servants, ever lib eral and faiti1 rul.
Every w e ll instructed scrib e, is like a bouseholde r. who bringeth out of his treasure things
ne w :tnd o ld.
H e was willing to spend a hundre J or two p o unds
rath e r than b e enslaved .
Dryd e n makes a v e ry h a nrlsome oliservation; on
Ov id 's writin g a le tte r from Dido to Mne'as, in th«:
follow in g words.
imprudent associations di squ alify us for the instruction or reproof of othe rs.
SECT. VI.
(7.) Jfooid nnintelligible and inconsistent words or phra ses.
'"I have observ Pd," says Steele, "tha t th e snperiority am ong these
coffeehouse politicians, proceeds fr o m a n opinion of gallantry arnl
fashion." Thi s sentence, consid e red in itself, evidently conveys
' no meaning. First, it is not said whose opinion, their own, or
th a t of others: Seco ndly, it is not said what opinion, or of wha t
sort, favourabl e or unfav ourable, tru e or fals e, but in ge neral , " a n
opinion of g;illantry and fashion," whi ch co ntains no definite expr ess ion of any meaning. V\lith th e j oint assista nce of th e context, refl ection, and conj ecture, we shall perha ps con clmlc th at
the author intended to say, "Th a t the rank among these poli.tiici a ns was determin erl by th e opini on ge nernlly ente rtain ed of the
rank, in point of galla ntry a nd fa shi on, that each of th em had at
tained."

I seldom see a noble building, or any gTeat pie c e
of magnificence and pomp , but I think: how little
is all this to satisfy the aml1ition, or to fill the itle a,
of an immortal !"oul !
A poet, speakiu g of the univ e rsal delug e, s<"ly s;
Y e t w hen that ll oorl in its ow 11 de pth was dro wn'd ,
lt left be hind it fal se and sli pp' ry g ronn rl.

The author of the Sp ec l<ttor says, that a man is
not qualified for a bust, wh o ha s not a good deal of
wit and vivacity, e ven in th e ridi c ulous side of bis
characte r.

. ':

I

'-.i

·''

J UO

EXEHCJSES .

(Propriety .

And De-z;1Je-el made the lavcr of brass, and the
foot of it of brass, of the lookin g-g lasses of the
women.
And, in the lowes t deep, a lower deep
Still threat'ning to devour me, opens wide.

SECT. VII.
(3.) The 7th and last rule for preserving propriety in our
words ancl phrases, is, to avoid all those which are not adapted to
the idens we m ean to cominuniw.tc; or which ai-e less significant
than othe 1·s, ef those idens . "He feels an y so rrow tha t can ar•
1·iv e ~.t man;" better "happ en to man." "The conscience of approviug one's se lf a benefactor, is th e bes t recompense for being
so;" it. should ha ve been " conscioii.sness." ]-l e firml y believed
the divine p rece7Jt, "There is n ot a spa rrow falls to the ground,"
&:c. It should ha ve been" doct.-ine."
"It is hut ope ning th e eye, and the scen e enters." A scene
caunot be said lo enle1·: an actor enters; but a scene appears or
711·esenls i tsc(j:
"VV c imnw di ate ly assent to th e beauty of an obj ect, without
inquiring into th e causeR of it:" it is prope r tu say, that we assen t
to th e trnth of a proposition; but it ca nn ot so well be saicl, that
we ttss cni lo the beauty <f an olij ect. .fl cknowledge woulcl have
cxp rcssrcl th e se nse with propriety.

No less than tw o hundre cl sc holars have been
ed ucated in th at school.
The attempt, h owever laudabl e, was found to
b e imprac ti ca ble .
He is our mutual benefactor, and deserves ou.r
r c:>pect aml obedieuce.
Vivacity is often promoted, by presenting a sen!"- ibl e ouj ec t to th e mind, instead of an intelligible
one.
T h ey broke down the Lanks, nucl th e conntry
H·as soo n overflown .
The g·;1 rm e nt was dece ntly formed, and SO"l-yn
\ Cr.Y 11 e ;~ lly.
Tlte h ouse is a c old one, for il has a north expo:-: ili o1l.
Th e propositio11 for each of us to r e linquish

(Propriety.

PEllSPICUJTY,

&c.

191

something, was complied with, and procluced a
cordial reconcilement.
· Though leam'd, well hred ; and tho11gh well bred, sincere;
Modestly bold, and humanly severe.

A fop is a risible character, in every one's view
but his own.
An action that excites laughter, without any mixture of conte mpt, may be call e d a ridiculous action.
It is diffi c nlt for him to speak three sentences
together.
lly this expression, I <lo not intend what some
persons ann ex to it.
The negli gence of timely precaution was the
cause of this g rea t loss.
AIL the sophism wh ich has .been employed, can.not obsc ure so plain a truth.
Disputing should always be so managed, as to
1'e member that the only end of it is truth.
My friend was so ill that he could not set up at
all, bnt was ol.1liged to lay continua lly in be d.
A ce rtain prince, it is said, wh en he invade d th e
Egyptians, placed, in the front of his army, a munber of cats and othe r animals, wh ich we re worship
pe<l by those people. A rev e r ence for th ese phan
toms, made the Egyptians lie down their arms, an<l
become an easy conquest.
The presence of the Deity, and the interest such
an august cause is e:.ippose<l to take in our concerns,
is a source of consolation.
And when they had kindled a fire in th e midst
of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sef
down among them.
By the slavish disposition of the senate and people of Rome, under the emperours, the wit and e loquence of the age were wholly turned into panegyrick.

'·

' •

I

."·
:,

. ,./

. ' ·..

...

'•

EXEH.CISr:s.

(Propriety.

The refreshment ca me in seasonably, before they
were laid down to rest.
We speak th:.l t we <lo know, and testify that we
have seen.
They shall fle e as the eag·le that hasteth to eat.
The wicked lly when iJO mall purs uelh: uut the
ri ::-,o·h teous are bold as a lion.
A creature of a more exa lted kintl
VVas wan ting yet, anu til en was 111a n tl cs ign'tl.

·I

·•

He died with violence; for he was killed _by a
sword.
He had scarcely taken the medicine, than he
began to feel himself r~lieved.
.
No place and no object appear to 111m void of
beauty.
.
When we fall into a person's co nversation, the
first thing we should consider, is, lhe intention of it.
Galileo discovere r! the telescope; Hervey invented the circulation of th e blood.
Philip found an obstacle to t~i e m_ana&'ing ?~ the
Athenians, from the nature of the ir <l1 spos1l1ons;
but the e loquence of Demosthenes was the greatest
difficulty in his des igns..
. ..
A hermit is rig·orous m !us Ide; a judge, austere
in his sentences.
A candid man avows his mi stake, and is forgiven;
a patriot acknowledges his oppusilion to a bad minis ter, and is applauded. . .
vVe have enlarged our lamil y :ind expenses; and
increased our garden allll fruit orc hard.
By proper refl ec tion, w.e n~;i y be taught to mend
what is erroneous and. <lctect1v c.
.
Th e good man is not overcome by disappoint·
ment, when that which is mortal pas,;es away; wl~en
that which is mutable, di es ; aud when that which
he knew to be transient, hegins lo change.

Precision.)

PERSPICUITY 1 &c.

193

CHAPTER Ill.
OF PRECISION.

Precision is the third requisite of p e rspicuity with respect to
words and phrases.
(9)Itsignifies retrenching supcrfluit·ies, and p1'ztning the expres
sion, so ns lo exhibit neither more no1· less than an exact copy of

the person's iden who nses it.
Th e words used to express ideas rn ;1y be faulty in three rrspects.
1st, They may not express the id e <i w ilich the author intends, but
some other which only resembles it; secondl"!f, They may ex pres'
that id ea, hut n ot fully and comple t<dy; thirdly, They may ex·
press it, together with something more than is intend ed.
Precision stands opposed to these three fa ults, but chiefly to the btst.
Propriety implies a fre edom fr om the two former faults. Th"
words whi ch are used may be prop er; that is, they may expres>
the idea inte nded, and they may express it fully; but to be precise,
signifies that they express that idea and no more.
(10.) The great source of a loo se style in opposition to precision, is the injudicious use of the words termed svnonymous.
They are call ed synonymous, because they ag ree in expressing
tone principal idea; but, for the most part, if not always, th ey express it with some diversity in the circumstances.
'The following instances show a difference in the meaning of
words reputed synonymous, and po int out the use of attending,
with c;i rc and strictness, to th e exact import of word s.
Custom, habit.-Custorn, respects the action; habit, the act or.
By custr>1n , we mean th e frequen t repetition of the samC' act; by
habit, ti"' effec t which that re petition produces on the mind or
body. By the custom of walking often in the streets, one acquire~
ll habit of idleness.
Pride, 1;rinitv.-Pride, makes us estee m ourselvC's; vanity, makes
us des ire the esteem of others. It is just to say, that a man is too
proud to he vain.
llrwghtiness, disdnin.-Haughtincss, is found ed on the hirrh
opinion we e ntertain of ourselves; disdain, on the low opinion ,~e
hav e of others.
Only, nlone.-Only, imports that there is no other of the same
kind; alone, imports being ;.i.ccompanicd by no other. An onlv
child, is one that has neither brother nor sister; a child alone,
one who is left by its e lf. There is a difference, therefore, in precise langu;ige, between th ese two phrns cs: " Virtue on ly makes u>
happy;" a nd" Virtue alone makes us lmppv."
. Wisdom, prurlence.-W:stlom, leads us "to speak and act 1d1a t
1s mo st proper. Prudence, preve nts our Si>eaking or acting ~m­
prope rly.
Entirr., cornplete.-A thing is e ntire, by wanting none uf its
puts: comple te, by wanting none of th e appendages that belonu

1-

',

....
.
~ ~.

~> '

I

j

•/I

~-

:i.~
";
\:
,·1,'

'·:

rs

R

b

.

'•

.,

'.

I

(I

·.I,\
t, I
l
1,:·t
,I
·,
H

(Precision
to it. A mnn rnflY ]pvc an entire house to him se lt~ ancl yet not
have one complet~ ;1partment.
Surprised, astonished, nmazed, conjimndcd. - 1 am surprised
with what is new or u1uexpccte<l ; I am astoni shed at what is vast
or great; I am am:iz cc! :1t what is incomprehe nsible; I am CDn·
founded by what is shocking or terribl e.
1'ranquiUity, l'eace, calin.-Tramp1i\l ity , res pec ts a situat ion
fr ee from tr ouble, con sidcrc cl in its e lf; pea ce, the s:irne situation
with respect to any c:wses that might inl•!rrnpl •l; ca lm, with
rega rd to a clisturbccl sit.nation go in g before or fo ll owing it. A
good m:111 enj oys tranqu illity, in hims elf; peace , with others; and
ca lm, uftcr th e storm.
"VVhilc we arc a ttendin g to precision, we must be on our guard,
Jest, from th e desire of pruning too close ly, we retrench all copiousne ss. T o unite copiousn ess and precision, lo be full and
easy, and ut th e sa me ti me correct and exact in the choice of
eve ry wore!, is,nn cloubt,011 c of the high est ancl mo st dillicult at·
t1inmcnts in writin g.

This great politician desisted from, and renounce d his designs, when he found them impracticable.
He was of so high and ind epe nd en t a spirit, that
he abhorred and deteste d being in de bt.
Though raise d to an exalted slalion, she was a
pattern or piety, virtue, and religion.
The liu man body may be divided into the head,
trunk, limbs, and vi ta ls.
His end soon approached; and he died with great
courage an<l fortitude.
He was a man of so much pride aml vanily, that
he despised lhe sentiments of o.t hers.
Poverty iudu ces and cherishes depe nden ce ; and
dependenc e strengthens and increases co rrnption.
This man, on all occas ions, treated his inforiours
1Vith great hau g·hlin css and disdain.
There can be no regularity or order m the life
and conduct of that man, who does not give and
allot a due share of his time, to r e tirement and
reflection.
Such equivocal and ambiguous ex pressions, mark
a formed intention to deceive and abuse us.

Ulearness.)

PERSPICUIT\'

&c.

19b

His cheerful, happy temp er, remote from discontent, keeps up a kind of daylight in his mind,
exclmlcs every gloomy prospect, and fills it with a
steady and perpetual serenity.

.)

,.

!

t

. i.·i

PART II.

..

Of Pe1·spi cuity and .llccuracy of Expression, with respect to the
Construction of Sentences.
Sentences, in general, should neither be ve ry long, nor very
short: long ones require close attention to make us clearly perceive the connexion of the several parts; and short ones are apt
to b1cak the sense, and weake n the connexion of th ought. Yet
occasionally they may both be used with force ancl prnpriety.
A train of sentences, constructed in the same mann er, and with
the same number of members. shoulcl ne ver be allowed to succeecl
one anothe r. A long succession of ei th er long or short sentence5
should also be avoidecl; for the ea r tires of ei th e r of them when
too long continued.
l Whereas, by a proper mixture of long an cl short periocls, and of
periods variously constru cted, not on ly the ear is gratified ; but
ai\,imation and force are given to our style.
\Ve now proceed to consider th.e things most essential to an accurate and a perfect sentence. They appear to be the four fo llowing: 1. CJ,EARNESS. 2. UNITY. 3. STRENGTH. 4. A JU-

l.

i~ r ~ ~ ~
'
I

.

.'

'·

i

.....

i

'

'

DICIOUS USE OF TllE FIGURES OF SPEECH.

CHAPTER L
OF THE CI,EARNESS OF A SENTENCE.

Puri ty, propriety, anrl precision, in words and phrases scparatelv
conside red, have already been explain ed, and sho wn to he necessar}· to pe rspicuous ancl accurate writing.
Th e just relat ion of
sente nces, and the parts of sentences, lo one another, and th e due
arrangement of the whole, are the subjects which remain to be
discussed.
THE FIRST requ isite of a perfect sentence is clearness.
Whatever leaves the mind in any sort of suspense as to the
meaning, ought to he avoi rl ed. Obscurity arisr.s from two causes;
eithrr fr:)~n a wrong c hoice of words. or a lVrong arrangrmen t of
the m. [he choice of word s anrl phrases, as far as rr~ards perspicuity, has hcen already cnnsiclered. The dispo,ition of them
comes now under co11siclcrntio11 .
The first thing to h" slucl ied here, is grammatica l propriety. But
as the grammar of our la ngu:1gc is co111para tivcly not. extensive,
there may be a n obscure order of words, where there is no trans-

:•

J. ,·:·,

. , I

I,

I· ,

196

E

:~ !'·~llCi Sl·:S .

(Clearness.

gression of any grammatical rul e. Th e ~e lati ons of words, ~r
memhe rs of a peri od , are, w ith u s, asccrtamc tl only by the pos1tio11 i11 \\'hi ch th ev sta nd .
(1].) H ence a ·capital rul e in th e arrangement of se ntences is,
tha t the words 01· members, most clearly r ela ted. should be ]'laced
in the sentence as near to each other as pussil1 le, so as to make
th eir mnlua l r elation d enrly appear. It wil l he prop c ~· to produce
so111e in stances, in order to show th e i111port:111 ce ol tlu s rul e.

SECT. 1.
f] 2 .) Jn the p osition of ad1J erhs. "The Rom a ns und e rstood
lihe rty,.a~ least, as well as we. " Th ese w~rd s. arc ca pable oftw_o
diffe re nt senses, according as th e e mph asis, rn reading th e m, JS
laid u po n li btrly, or upon at least. Th e won.l s should l~ave been
thus arranged: "The Ro man s un1l crstood lib erty as well, at least,
as \Ve."

Hence th e imposs ibility appears, that an undertakinomanao-ed
so, should proye successful. .
b
b
May not we here say with the poet, that" virtue
is its own r e ward?"
Had he died be fore, would not th e n this art have
be e n wholly unknown?
Not to exasp e rate him, I only spoke a ve ry few
words.
The works of art receive a great :id vantage, from
th e resemb lance which th ey h ave to those of natur e ; beca use here the similitude is not on ly pl e asant, but th e patte rn is p erfect.
ll may be prop e r to give som e accouut of those
practi ces, anci e ntly u,sed on suc h occasions, and
only discontinued th rough th e neglect and deg eneracy of late r tim es.
Sixtus th e fourt h was, if I mista ke. not, a g reat
coll e ctor of books at least.
Jf Louis XIV. was not the greatest king, he was
th e bes t actor of maj es ty, at leas t, that e ve r filled
a throne.
Th ese forms of conversation, by degrees, multipli e d and gr e w troubl esome.
Nor does this false modesty expose us only to

Clearness.)

rrm sricu rr v, &c.

such actions as ;1re incli sc ree l, but ve ry often to
such as are higlily crimina l.
By greatness, I do not only mean the bulk of any
sing le obj ect, but the largeness of a whole view.
I was c ngngcd form e rly in th:i.t business, but 1
ne ve r sha ll be again conce rn ed in it.
We <lo those things frequ e ntly, which we repent
of afterwards.
By doing the same thii1g, it often becomes habitual.
Most nations, not even excepting th e Jews, were
pmne to idolatry.
Raised to greatness without merit, he employed
his power for th e gratification sole ly of his passion5.
SECT. II.
t ( 13.) Jn , the position of circumstances, and of particular.
m embers.
An author, in his di sse rtation on parti es, thus ex presses him self: "Are th ese des igns whi ch any ma n, who is born a Briton,
m any circum stanc es, in any situation, ou ght to be ashamed or
Rfra id to a vow?" Here we are left a t a loss, whether these
word s," in any ci rcum stances, in any situ a tion," are connected
with " a man born in Britain, in a ny circ umstan ces or situation.''
or with that man's " avow ing hi s des igns in a ny circum stances o r
si tu ation into which he may be brou ght. " As it 1s pro ba ble th<tt
th e la tte r was intend ed, th e arrange me nt ought to lt<tve bee n condu cted thu s: "Are th ese designs whi ch any man, who is born a
Briton, ought to be a~hamecl or afraid , in any situation, in any circumstances, to avow?"
(14.) It is a rul e, too, n e ver to cro wd mo.ny circ um sta nces togeth e r, hut r<i.t.h e r to interspe rse th em in different parts of th e sEntence, join ed with the princi p<tl words on which they de pe nd. For
instance: " What I had the opportunity of mentioning to my
fri end, so me time ago, in co n versation, was not a new thought."
Th ese two ci rcurn stances, " snrne time ago." a nd" i n conv c1·sntion,"
whi ch arc hc rr. put to?;ethe r, would have had a better elfoc t di sjoined, thu s : " \V hat l had th e opportu nity, so me tim e ago , of
ment ionin g to my fri l' ncl in co nv ersation, was not a ne w th ought.'
(15.) JVnrds expressing things conne cted in the thought,
ought lo be plu,ced as n ear toge ther as possible, even when t!Mi r
separation would convey no arnbig;ui ty. This will he seen in the
following, passages from Addison . " For the En gli sh are natural-

'' t·f:.
,,

....

. 1.,1

.'

, ,\

...
!

~ i ': ~
' . '!

I'
'•'

'"
,.,
I '

~

•

...,, I''

198

EXERCISES.

(Clearness.

ly fanciful, and very ~ften disposed, hy that ~ l oomines~ and me Ian ·
c holy of te m;1er which are so frequent 111 o ur nation, to many
wild notions ancl extravagancies, to which others are not so liable." Here the ve rb or assertion is, by a pretty long circumstance,
separa ted from t.hc subject to which it refe r;< . This might han'
hccn ea sily prev e nt e d, hy placing tlw ci rc11111st.ance ho·fore th e
verb, thu s: "For the English are naturally fanciful, and hy that
glo<.llniness and m e ~ancholy of tempe r. which are ~.o frequent in our
nation, are often di spos ed to many w1lcl notLo ns, &c.
(16.) From th ese examples, th e fo ll owing; o bservations will occur: t!wt a cii-cwnslctnce ought 1, mrrJ er to be placed between two
capital members of a period; but· either between the parts qf th_c
member to wh·ich i t belongs, or in such a ma11.11e r us will confine ·ii
to its prope1· mcmher. v\'hen the sense ad:n;ts it, the sooner a circumstance is introcluced, generally speaki ng, th e bette r, that the
more important and significant won.!s may possess th e last place,
qu ite clis encumhe rerl. Th e following sentence is, in this respect,
fonltv. "The Emperour was so inte nt on th e establishment of his
absolute power in Hung;uy, that he ex posecl the empire doubly to
deso lation ar;rl ruin for the sake of it." Better thu s: "That, for
the sake of it, he ex posed the empir e doubly to desolati on and ruin."
(17 .) This appears to be a proper place to observe, ~hat when
dijf"ercnt things have 1m obvious rclal·i on lo ca.ch other, in resped
to the order of na.ture or ti.ine, tlwt order should be nga.rdcd, 1.n
assigning them their pln.ces in lh.e s1'nl cncc ; unl ess th e scope of
the pa ssages require it to he varierl.
The conc lu sion of the followin" Jines is inaccurate in this res pect: "Hut still there will be
suc h ;~mixture of deli ght, as is prnp ortio1wd to t.he degree in
which any one of these qualifications is most conspicuoug and pre1·ailine;." The order in which th e two la st words are placed,
should have been reversed, and mad e to stand, prcva.iling and
conspictwu.s.-They arc conspicuous, b~: caus e they prevail.

Tlic embarrassments of the artil-icers, rendere<l
the progress very slow of the work.
.
1-J e J"o11ntl the place replete with wonders, ol
which he proposed to solace himself with th~ contemplation, if he should never be able to accomplish his flight.
They are now engaged in a study, of which they
have long wished to know the usefulness.
This was an undertaking, which, in the execution, proved as impracticable, as had turned out
every other of their pernicious, yet abortive
~chemes.

Clearness.)

PERSPICUITY,

&c.

199

He thought that the prcs'byters would soon become more dangerous to the magistrates, than had
ever been the prelatical clergy.
Frederick, seeing it was impossible to trust, with
safety, hi s lii"c in their hand s, was obliged to takf'
the Maliometans for his guard.
The emperour refused to co1we rt,at once, the
truce into a definitive treaty.
However, the miserable remains were, in thr
night, taken down.
I have settled the meaning of those pleasures o!"
the imagination, which are the subject of my present undertaking, by way of introcluction, in thi;::
paper; and endeavoured to recommend the pursuit
of those pleasures to my readers, by several considern tions: I shall examine th e several sources
from '\hen ce' these pleasures are derived, in mv
next paper.
Sir Francis Bacon, in his Essay upon Health, has
not tl1ought it improper to prescribe to his reader
a po e m, or a prospect, where he particularly dissuades him from knotty and subtle disquisitions;
and advises him to pursue stud ies that fill the mind
with splendid and illustrious objects, as history,
poetry, and contemplations of nature.
If lhe English reader would see the notion explain e d at larg·e, he may find it in Locke's Essay
on the Human Understandiug.
Fields of corn form a pleasant prospect; and if
the walks were a little taken care of that li e between them, they would display neatness, regularity, and elegance.
Though religion will indeed bring us under some
restraints, they are very tolerable, and not ouly so,
hut desirable on the whol e.
I ha\'e confined myself to those methods for th e
auvancem e nt of piety, which arc ia the power of

.'
..,

·, .

I

200

EXERCISES.

(Clearness.

a prince, limited like ours, by a strict e xecution of
the hws.
Thi s morning, when one of the g ay female s was
1ooking ov e r some hoods and riband s, broug ht b.Y
tw r tire woman, with great care and diligence, I
e mploye d 110 less in examining th e box which contained them.
Since it is nec essary that the re should be a p e rpetual inte rcourse of buying an(l se llin g, and de aling· npon credit, where fraud is permitted or
c onnive d at, or has no law to pnni"h it , th e hon est
rle al e r is ofte n undon e, and the kp ;1 •1c ge ts the advantage.
Thoug h energetick brevity is not adapted alike to
-e very subj ect, we ought to avoid i l.s contrary, on
e very occ<1sion, a lan g uid redundan cy of words. It
is proper to Le c opi ous sometimes, lint ne ver to be
verbose.
A monarchy, limited like onrs, may b e placed,
for aught I know, as it has b ee n ortc n r e presented,
just in th e middle point, from wh e nce a deviation
leads, on the one hand, to tyrann y, and, on the
oth e r, to anarchy.
Having already shown how the l":incy is affected
by the works of nature, and arte rw :1 rds considered,
in g e ne ral, both the works of 11;1 l11rc and of art,
how th ey mutually assist and c omplete e ac h other,
in formin g such sce nes and prospects as are most
apt to delight th e mind of the be hold ers ; 1 shall in
this paper throw some reflections, &c .
Let bnt on e g-reat, brave, di si11l c restcJ, active
man arise, and h e will be receiv e<l , ve nerated, and
follow ed
Ambition cre at es se ditions, wars, discords, hatred, and shyness.
Th e ~ fril;cs mad e it th e ir profession to teach a111A
lo study Ili c law oflYioses.

Clearness.)

PERSPICUITY,

&c.

201

Sloth pours upon us a deluge of crimes and evils,
aud saps the foundation of every virtue.

The ancient laws of Rome were so far from suffering a Roman citizen to be put to death, that they
would not allow him to be bound, or even to be
whipped.
His J.abours to acquire knowledge have be e n
productive of great satisfaction and success.
l-Ie was a man of the greatest prudence, virtue ,
.1usli ce , and modesty.
Uis fa vour or disapprobation was governed by the
failure or success ot an enterprise.
He did every thing in his power to serve his
benefactor; and had a grateful sense of the benefits rece ived .
Many persoqs give evide nt proof, that e ithe r
th ey do not fe e l ihe power of the principles of religion, or that they do not believe them.
As the guilt of an officer will be greater than
that of a common servant, if he prove negligent;
so the reward of his fidelity will proportionably be
greate r.
The comfort annexed to goodness is the pious
man's strength. It inspires his zeal. It attaches
his heart to religion. lt accelerates his progress;
and supports his constancy.

'.
'

...

:• ' ' I

SECT. Ill.
( 18.) In the dispo sition ef the relativ e 711·ono1ms, who, •.vhich,
what, whose , and of all those particles which express the connexion
q/' the parts ef speech with one another.
A small e rrour in the position of th ese words may cloud the
in e anin~ of the wh ole se nt e nce ; a nd even wh ere the meaning is
intelli gibl e, we al way s find something awkward and di sjointed in
th e stru cture of th e sent ence, when th ese rela tiv es are out of th eir
prope r pbcP.. "This kind of wit," says an author," was very
muc h in vogue amon g our countrymen, about an age or two ago;
whn ili tl n <Jl practise it for any obliqu e reaso n, but purely for the
s;1ke of being witty." W e are at no loss about the meaning here;

;

~

'·"

.

'

' .'

·• 1

! .

..

.,. ,
'

.· .

202

"

EXEHCISES.

(Clearness.

out the c on struction woulcl evidently be mende d by disposing the
circumstance," about an age or two ago,'' in such a mann er as not
to se parate th e rebtive who from its antecede nt our coimt,-ym en,
in thi s way : "About an age or two ago, thi .; k ind of wit was ve ry
mu ch in vogue among our co untrymen, wh o did not practise it.'
&c.
(1!l.) vVith regarcl to relatives, it may be fnrth cr observed, that
obs cnrit.y often ari ses fr om th e too frprp1 ent rqic tition of th em,
pHt.i cul a rly of th e pron oun s who and they , a nd lho n and theirs,
wh e n we ha ve occas ion to refer to differe nt persons; as in the
following se ntence of Till o tson. "Me n loo k with an ev il eye
upon th e r;ood that is in o th ers, and think lhat their rcputatien
obsc ur l' s th em , and their com me ndabl e fjU :t liti es stand in thei.r
li ght; and there for e they do what they ca n to ca st a c loud over
them., that th e bright shining of their virtues 1nay n ot obsc ure them."
Thi s is a ltoge th er care less writing. Wh e n we fmcl th ese pe rso nal
pron oun s cro wdin g to o fa~t upon us, we hflvc o fte n n o meth ocl
left, but to throw th e whole senten ce into so me othe r form, whi ch
may avoicl those frequent references to p erso n s who hav e befo r<•
been mention ed .

These are the master's rules, who mus t be ob eyed.
'l'hey attacked Northumberland's house , whom
they put to death.
He laboured to involve his mini s te r in ruin, who
had bee n the author of it.
It is true what he says, but it is not applicable to
th e point.
The French marched precipitately as to an assure d v ictory; wh e reas the Eng li s h advanced very
slowly, and disc harg·e d such High ts o f a rrows, as did
grea t execution. When they drew nea r the archers, p e rce iv ing· that they were out of ureath, they
ch<irge d the m with great vigour.
He was taking a view, from a window, of the
cathe'dral in Litchfield, where a p arty of the royalists had fortified th e mselves.
\Ve no where meet with a more splendid or
pl easing show in nature, than what appears in thr
heavens at th e risin g and setting of' the sun, whi c h
is wholly made up of those <lifierent stains of light~

Unity.)

PERSPICUITY,

&c.

t0 3

that show themselves in clouds of a different situation.
There will be found a round million of c reatures
in hnman figure, throughout this kingdom, whose
whole subsiste nce, &c.
It is the custom of the Mahometans, if th ey s ee
any printed or written paper upon the ground,. to
take it up, and lay it aside care fully, as not knowrng
but it may contain some piece of their Alcoran.
Th e laws of nature are, truly, what lord Bacon
styles liis aphorisms, laws of laws. Civil. law s. arc
always imperfec t, and often false deductions fr o ~11
them or applications of them; nay, they stand, in
many' inshmces, in direct opposition to th e m.
It. has not a word, says Pope, but whaf the author
relig·iously thipks in it.
.
Mauv act so directly contrary to this m e thod ,
that fi'om a habit of saving iime and paper, whi c h
the~ acquired at the university, they write in so
diminutive a manner, that they can hardly r ead
what thev have written.
Thus i have fairly given you my own op1ruo11 ,
as w e ll as that of a g reat majority of both hous es
he re, r e lating to this weighty affair; upon whi ch
l am confident you may securely reckon.
lf we trace ~ youth from the ea rliest period . of
life, who has been well educat e d, we shall p erce iv e
the wisdom of the maxims here r e commended .
CHAPTER II.
OF THE UNITY OF A SENTE~\TCE.

requisite of a perfect sentence, is its . Unil_Y· ..
In eve ry composition, the re is always so'.n e conn ecting prn.1c1p1 "
among th e pa rts. Some one object 1~ust rei~n and be P'.·eclo111111a11t.
But mo st of all, in a single se nte nce, 1s rcqu1rccl the sln ctc't unit~ .
For the very nature of a sentence i111pli es that one propositi on 1 ~
expressed . It may consist of part>, i1nl ecd, ~nit th l'~C p :t1l s m no;
he so closely bound together, as to make the 1mprcsswn upm1 l llv
THE SECOND

,.,
1it

:·, ~
.

" !

'

.h

.,...'

204

EXERCISES.

(Unity

mind of one object, not of many. To preserve this unity of a sentence, the followrng rules must be observed.

SECT. I.
(20.) In the first pl:tce, During the course of the sentence, the
scene should be chnnged n.s little as possible. vVe should not be
hurrier\ hy rnrlclcn tran sitions from pc~ rson to person, nor from
subje ct to subject. The re is co111mo11ly, in every sentence, some
perso n or thing; which is the governing word. T!1is should be
continued so, if possible, from the beginning to th e eml of it.
The following sentence varies from this rule : "After we c:tme
t.o anchor, th ey put me on shore, where I was welcomed by all
my fri ends, who received me with the greatest kindn ess." [n this
sentence, thoug,11 the objects contained in it hav e a sufficient connexion with c:tch other, yet, by this manner of representing
them, by shifting so often both the place and I.h e person, we and
they, and I and who, they appear in so di sunited a view, that the
sense of connexion is much impaired. The s<'ntence is rest.ored
to its prope r unity, by turning it after tlu: following manner.
"Having come to an anchor, I was put on shore, where I was
welcomed by all my friends, anti rec eived wiLh the greatest kind·
ness."

A short time after this injury, he came to himself; and the next <lay, they put him on board a
ship, which conveyed him first lo Corinth, ancl
th e nce to the island of Egina.
The Britons, daily harassed by crnc l inroads from
the Picts, were forced to call in ll1c Saxons for
their defence ; who consequently r e duced the
greater part of the islanll to their own power;
drove the Britons into the most remote and mountainous parts; and the rest of the country, in customs, religion, and language, became wholly subject to the Saxons.
By eagerness of temper, and pre cipitancy of indulg·ence, men forfeit all the advantages which patience wonld have procured; and, by this means,
the opposite evils are incurred to their full extent.·
This prostitution of praise does not only a [ect the
gross of mankind, who take their notion of characters from the learned.; but also the better sort must

Unity.)

PERSPICUITY 1

&c.

.20[1

by this means, Jose some pnrt at least of their desire of fame, when they find it promiscuously bestowed on the meritorious and undeserving.
All the precautions of prudence, moderation, and
condescension, which Eumenes employed, were incapaule of mo llifying the h ea rts of those baru;1rians, and of extinguishing their jealousy; and lw
must have renounced his merit and virtue whicl!
occasioned it, to have been capable of appeasinp
them .
He who performs every employment in its due
place and season, suffers no part of time to escape
without profit;' and thus his <lays become multiplied ; and much\of life is enjoyed in little space.
Desires of pleasnre usher in temptation, and the
growth of disorderly passions is forwarded.
SECT. II.
(21.) A second rule under the head of unity, is, Never to crowd
into one sentence, things winch have so little connexion, that they
could benr to be divided into two 01· three sentences.
The violation of this rnle tends so much to perpl ex atHl ob·
scure, that it is safer to err by too many short sentcrn;cs, than by
one that is overload ed and embarrassed. Examples abound in
authors. " Archbishop Tillotson," says an author, "died in this
year. He was exceedingly beloved by king William and queen
Mary, who nominated Dr. Tennison, bishop of Lincoln, to SlCC'ceetl him." Who would expect the latter part of this ~cntence
to follow in consequence of the former? "He was exceedingly
beloved by both king and queen," is the proposit10n of the sentence. We look for some proof of this, or at least something related to it to follow; when we are on a sudden carried off to a new
proposition.

The notions of lord Sunderland were always
good; but he was a man of great expense .
In this nnea sy state, both of his publick and private life, Cicero was oppressed by a new and deep
affliction, the dea lh of his beloved daughter Tullia;
which h;1ppened soon after her divorce from Dola-

.'

, l'

.." ,
I.

: ;;/

206

EXEllCISES.

(Unity

belh; whose manners and humours were entirely
disagre e able to h e r.
Th e sun approaching melts the snow, and breaks
the icy fott ers of th e main, where yast sea-monsters
pierce through floating islands, with arms which
can withstand th e crystal rock; whilst others, that
of themselves seem great as islands, are, by their
bulk alone, armed against all but m an, whose superiority over creatures of such st11p e ndous size
and force, should mak e him mindful or his privilege
of r easo n ; and force him humbly lo adore the grent
Composer of these wondrous fram es, and the Author of' his own snperiour wisl~Om.
I single Strada out among the mod e rns, because
he had th e foolish presumption to censure Tacitus,
and to write hi story himse lf; and my friend will
forgiv e this short excursion in honour of a favourite
writer.
Boast not thyself of to-morrow ; thou knowest
not what a Jay may bring forth : and, for th e same
reason, despair not of to-morrow ; for it may bring
forth good as 'veil as evil; whi c h is a ground for
not vex ing thyse lf with imaginary fears; for the
impending black cloud, which is regarded with so
much drea d, may pass by harml ess : or though it
should disc harge the storm, yet before it breaks,
thou mayst be lodged in that lowly mansion which
no storms ever touch.
SECT. III.
.-(22.) A third rule for prese rving the unity of sentences, is, lo
Teep clea,,· of all unnecessary J>arentheses.
On some occasion6, wh en the sense is n"t too Jong susp ender!
hy th em, and when they are introduced i11 a proper pl~ce, they
may add both to th e vivacity and to the energy of the sentencl' .
13ut for th e most part their effec t is extrcr11cly bad . They nrt
wheels within wheels; sen tences in the rnid>t of sentences; tl w
pe:plexcd met.hod of di spos ing of some t.hn11~lit, which a writl't
wanb jLtLlp; men t to introduce in its proper place.

Strel'lgth.)

P~:Rsr1cunv, &c.

207

Disappointments will often happen to the best and
wises t men, (not through any imprudence of theirs,
nor even through the malice or ill design of others; but merely in consequence of some of those
cross incidents of life which could not be foreseen,)
and sometimes to the wisest and best concerted
plans.
Without some degree of p;i.tience exercised under injuries, (as offences and retaliations would
succeed t9 on(~ another in endless train,) human tile
would ue rendered a state of perpe tual hostility.
Nev e r Uelay till to-morrow, (for to-morrow is
not yours; and though you should live to enjoy it,
you must not overload it with a bur.den not its own,)
what reason and conscience tell you ought to b e
performed to-day.
vVe must not imagine that there is, in true religion, any thing which overcasts the mind with sullen gloom an(l melancholy austerity, (for false ideas
may be entertained or religion, as false and imperfect conceptions of virtue have often prevailed in
the world,) or which d~·ogat e s from that esteem
which men are generally disposed to yield to exemplary virtues.

" ;

.

CHAPTER III.
OF THE STRENGTH OF A SENTENCE.

THE THIRD requisite of a perfect sentence, is, Strength.
By this is me;int such a disposition and manage ment of the
several words and members, as shall brin!!; out the sense to the
best advantage. and give every word and every member, its due
weight and force .
A sentence may be dear, it nmy also be compact in all its
parts, or ha»e th e requisite lt!1ity, and yet, by some cirr:um stance
in the stru cture, it may fail in tltat strength of impression, which
· a better management would have protluct'd.

SECT. I.
(23.) 'l~he.first rule for promoting the strength of a sentence, is
to prune it of all redu11da11t words and me111bers.

...

..

'

208

EXERCISES .

(Strength.

Strength.)

It is a general maxim'. tnat any words whi ch d~ not ~<l 1 l ~ ~111~
importance to th e meanmg of a se ntence, ;ii ways lnJUte it. C<11 c
should therefore be exercised with res pec t to sy nonymo us. wonl s,
exple tives, circumlocu tions, tautol ogies, an? the express10ns. ol
unn ecessa ry cir cum st:u1 ccs . Tl:e attl'11t1on becom es r e m~ ss.•
whl'n words arc 11111!1.iplil'd witho11t a c:o 1T1· s 1H1111l c nt 1111ilt1pl11:at1011
of id ea,. "Co11tt·11t ll'ilh dc servinµ; a t.rn1111pli, 111! .rc l11 scd the
honou r ur it," is be tte r lang uage than to say, "B c111g conte nt
with dese rving it," &c.
.
" In r,h c Attick commonwealth," says ~n author, "1t .was th e
privil c.,.c a 11d birthright of every citi ze n and . poet, .to rail aloud
and in" publick." Better simpl y thus '. '.' ln th e ~t~1ck co.mm,~n­
wealt h, it was the privilege of every c1t1 zcn ~o rail 1~ ~ub li c k.

PERSPIC UITY,

&c.

209

whi c h are e mployed in n m o re loose and uncirr, umscrili e d se nse , than those of the fancy and the imagination.
f inkncJ to make USC or th ese words in tJ1P thrca<l
or 111y 1'11ll ow i11 g s pcculatio11 ~ , ll1 :~t th e r e ad er _111ay
co nc e ive rig l1tly what is th e subJect upon wl11 ch I
proceed.
Commend me to an argument that, like a flail,
there is no fe nce agains t it.
How many are there , by whom these tillin g~ of
goo<l ne ws were nev e r h ca rc~ !
. .
.
Th ese points have been illustrated m so pl am
and evident a manner, that the perusal of the b ook
'has g iven me pleasure and sa tisfaction.
,
However clear and obvious the conduct whi c h
he ought to have pursued, he had not courage and
resolution to se t about it.
I was much moved on this occasion, and left the
place full or a great many se rious reflections.
Th ey arc of those that r e b e l against th e light :
they know not the ways th e r eof, nor ab id e in the
paths thereof
.
This measure may afford some profit, and furnish
some amus e ment.
By a multiplicity and varie ty of words, the
thou g hts and sen timents are not se t off and accommodate d; lrnt, like D a vid dresse <l out and eqtJipped
in Saul's armour, they are e ncumbered an<l oppressed .
Although he was closely occupied with the affairs of th e nation , nev e rth e less he did not n eglect
the co ncern s of hi s fri e nd s.
vVh e reas, on th e other liand, supposing that secrecy had been enjoined, his conduct was very c:.ulpabl e .
L ess capacity is required for this business, but
more time is necessary.

It is six m onths ago, sin ce 1 pa1J a v1 s1t to my
relation s.
Snspencl your censure so long, till your judgmen t
on th e subject can be wise ly form e d.
.
The r eas on why he acteJ in the mann e r he did,
was no t fully ex pl ained.
.
.
If l were to give a r e ason for then· lookmg so
well it would be because they rise early.
u·' I mistak e not, I think h e is improv e d, both in
kn ow le dge aml be haviour.
Those two boys appear to be both equal in capacity.
Whenever he sees me, he always inquires concerning his friends.
.
The r eason of his con<luct will be accounted for
in the conclusion of this narrativ e .
I hope this is the last time that I shall ever act
so imprudently.
The reason of his sud<len de parture, was on account of the case not admitting of delay.
Th e people gained nothing farth e r by this step,
but only to suspend their mise ry.
.
.
I hav e h ere supp ose d that th e r ea<ler 1s .acqt~amt­
ed with that O" rea t modern discove ry , which 1s, at
prese nt, uni:ersally a cknowle dged by a ll the inquire rs into natural philosophy.
There are few words in the English language

s

('

\

Ir

..

I' ,

~

·'

.

,. I

210

EXERCISES.

(Strength

Strength.)

I

PERSPICUITY,

&c

,.

211

i- · ..I

I.

He did not mention Leonora, nor that her father
was dead.
The combatants encountered each other with
such rage, that, being eager only to assail, and
thoughtless of making any defence, they both fell
dead upon the field togeth er.
I shall, in the first place, begin with remarking
the defec ts, and shall then proce ed afterwards to
describe the excellences, of this plan of education.
Numberless orders of beings, whic h are to us unknown, people the wide extent of lite universe.
His extraordinary beauty was such, that it struck
observers with admiration.
Thought and language act and r e-act upon each
other mutuallv.
Their inter~sts were dependent upon, and inseparably connected with each other.
While you employ all the circumspection and
vigilance which reason can suggest, let your prayers, at the same time, continually ascend to heaven
for support and aid.
SECT. II.
(24.) After removing superfluitil's, the second rule for promoting
the strcn?;th of a sentence, is, to attend part icularly to the use of
copulatives, rela~ives, and all the particles employedfo1· transition
and , onnexion.
These little words, {mt, and, or, which, whose, where, then,
therefo re, because, &c. are frequently the most important words
of any; they are the joints or hinges upon which all sentences
turn; and, of course, much of their stre ng th must. depend upon
such particles. The varieti es in using them are, indeed, so many
that. no particular system of rules respecting them can be given.

The enern_y said, f will r111rsue, and I will overtake, and I will divi<le the spoil.
While the earth rernaineth, seed-time and harvest, cold, heat, summer, winter, day and night,
shall not cease.
A man should endeavour to mak e the sphere of

his innocent pleasures as wide as possible, that he
may retire into them with safety, and find in them
such a sa tisfaction as a wise man would not blush to
take. Of this nature are those of the imagination.
The army was composed of Grecians, Carians,
Lycians, Pamphylians, and Phrygians.
The body of this animal was strong, and proportionable, and beautiful.
'l~here is nothing which promotes knowledge
more than steady application, and a habit of observation.
Though virtue borrows no assistance from, yet
it may often be accompanied by, the advautage<.: of
fortune.
The knowledge he has acquired, and the habits
~f application he possesses, will probably render
him very useful.
Their idleness, and their luxury and pleasures,
their criminal deeds, and their immoderate passions,
and their timidity and base ness of mind, have de·
j ecterl them to such a degree, as to make them
weary of life.
I was greatly affected, insomuch that l was obliged
to leave the place, notwithstanding that my assistance had been pressingly solicited.
I strenuously opposed those measures, and it was
not in my power to prevent them.
I yielded to bis so licitation, whilst l perceived
the necessity of <loing so.
For the wises t purpos es, Providence has designed
our state to he checkered with pleasure and pain. In
this manner let us receive it, and make the best of
what is appointed to be our lot.
In the time of prosperity, he had stored his mind
with useful knowledge, with good principles, and
virtuous dispositions.
And therefore they remain
entire, when the days of trouble come.

I

I"; ~~!

ll'.·ii
I .

I'

,I ,

~· ·

: !~. '

: : :·1.

. .1.
',

,.i

'

II'

•

~12

EXERCISES.

Strength.)

(Strength

He had made considerable advances in knowledge, but he was very young, and laboured under
several disadvantages.

SEcrr. III.
. (25.). The thi!·d rule ror promoting the strenp;th of a sentence,
1s, to dispose. oj the :-ap1tal word, or words, so that they may make
the greatest unp•·csston.
Th;tt th?re arc_. ir~ eve ry se ntence, s11d1 capital word s on which
the mean111g prnu;1pally rests, ev e ry one m11st S( ' ' '; and that
~hese words ~ho11ld. possess a conspi<:t1011s and di stin p;11i s heJ place,
1s eqall y pl:i-m. }•or.the. mos t part, " ·i1h us, th e inq)ll rta nt words
are placed m the bcgmnrn!; of the se nl e nce. So in 1h e followiirn
passage s: "Silver ;md gold ha\·e I non e ; bnt s11 (' h a s I hav~t·
give l nnto thee," &c. "Your fath er s, wh e r e ar c th ey ? and tla:
proph e ts, do th ey liv e for e ver?"
Som~ti~11es, however, when we intf'nr\ to g ivr wei ght to a sentence, 1_t 1s. of advantage to suspend the mean in:,; for a Ettie, and
then bnng !t out full at the close. "Thus," sa.ys an author, "on
what~ver s1d~ we. conte mplate this a1H ·.icnt writ er, wh a t principally strikes us, 1s lus wonderful inventi on."
Smrn~ a~1thors grea~ly inve rt the na tural ord e r of sentences;
others write mostly m a natural styl e. Each me t.hod has its advanta~ e s. The inve rted possesses ~ tr e n g th, di !-\nity, and variety:
the ot:•er, more nature, ease, and si111pli city.

I hav~ consi<lered the sulij e ct with a g ood deal
of attention, upon which I was desire d to communicate my thoughts.
Whether a choice altogether unexceptionable
has, in any country, been made, seems doubtful.
Let us endeavour to establish to ourselves an interest in Him, who holds th e rein s of the whole
creation in his hands.
Virgil, who hns cast the whole syste m of Platonick
~>hilosoph~, so far as it I'elaies to the soul of maD,
mto beautiful allegories, in the si;dh IJOok of his
JEneid, gives us the punishm e nt, &c .
And Philip the fourth was obliged, at last, to
conclude a peace, on term s rep1wnant
to his in0
clination, to that of his people, to the interest of
Spain, and to that of nil Europe, in the l'yrene:i11
treaty.

i

PERSPICUITY,

&c.

213

It appears that there are, by a late calculation ,
upwards of fifteen millions of inhabitants, in Great
Britain and Ireland.
And although persons of a virtuous and learned
education, may be, and too often are, drawn by the
temptations of youth, and the opportunities of a large
fortune, into some irregularities, when they come
forward into the great world, it is ever with reluctance and compunction of mind, becanse their bias
to virtue still continues.
Were instruction an essential circumstance in
epick poetry, I doubt whether a single instance could
be given of this species of composition, in any Ian ·
guage.
Some of our most eminent writers have made use
of this Platonick notion, as far as it regards the subsistence of our affections after death, with great
beauty and strength of reason.
Men of the best sense have been touched, more
or less, with these groundless horrours and presage s
of futurity, upon surveying the most indifferent
works of nature.
He that cometh in the name of the Lord, is
blessed.
Every one that puts on the appearance of goodness, is not good.
And Elias with Moses appeared to them.
Where are your fathers ? and do the prophets
live for ever?
'Ve came to our journey's end at last with no
small dilliculty, after much fatigue, through <leep
roads and bad weather.
Virgil has justly contested with Homer, the
praise of judgment; but his invention remains yet
unrivalled.
L e t us employ our criticism on onrselves, instead
of being criticks on others.

'.

.

: :; ~I

:

I'

,'

I'

t'

I,
I
I

2 14

EXEllCI Sl':S.

( Strengtli.

L e t us implore s up e riour assistan ce , for enabli11g
us t o a c t well our own part, le aving olh e rs lo be
judge d uy Him who sea rc h et h th e heart.
'l'h e ve hern e nce of pass ion, afle r it has exerc i ~ rtl
its tyrannical s way for a whil e, may subsid e by de- ·
grees .
'l'his falla cious art de bars us fr om e nj oy ing life,
inste ad of leng th e ning it.
Indulg ing ourse lves in imag inary e njoym e nts, ofte n depriv es us of real ones.
How will th at noble man be able to contluct hirnse lf, wh e n r e du ce d lo poverty, wh o was e ducate<!
only t o mag nifi ce nce and pl eas ure 'I
lt is highly prop e r that a m an sh oul J li e acquainte d with a variety o [ things, o[ whi c h the ulilily is
above a c hild 's co mpre hension ; bu t is it necessary
a child should learn eve ry thing it Lc lt ooves a ma11
to know ; or is it eve n possibl e'!
When th ey fall into s udden di fli.cnlliP.s, they arc
less perplexecl . llian othe rs in th e lik e circ umstances ; a nd when they encou nter da ngers, th ey nrc
less alar111 e <l.
For all your aclionR, you mus t h ereafte r gi ve an
a cco unt, and particularly for the e m p loy me nls of
youth.
SECT. IV.
(2G.) Th efom· th rnl c for pron10ti11g th e strc 11g tli of sentcnccJ.
is , that a weake r assei-tion o•· proposition should n e11er come nfier

" st1·onger one ; and llial, when o·u,. sentence consists r?f twn
/Jers , the longer should, ge 11 u ally, &e the concl1ulin!] one.

111w1

In u;e n c ra l, it is ag re ea ble to ti.ml a sc nlc m:e n sin g upnn ".'·
and grow ing in its im portan ce , to th e \·c ry last word, wlw11 t~m
co ns tru n ion can be mana ~e u with o ut affec tatio n.
"If we nFe
ye t hig;h c r," says Addi so11 , "anti cn11 sidn 1.l1 e f1 xc1f st.a rs as Fil
1llany OL:ca ns of flam e , that ar c ea c h o [ 1.lw111 attc11ded with a d1f·
fon:11t se t of pla11c ts; a 11 J st.i ll dis cov l' r 111·11· lir ma 111 <' 11ls a11d 111•w
li ~ht.s, that arc s11nk fort.l1f'r in tho s(' 11!l f<11.ho n1 ali l1: 1kpth s of
l'th " r; w r are lost i11 s n;,;h a Ja1Jy ri11 : li nl' s1 111s a 111l 11·orld <, a111I
co11 fo uude d v; i th till' 111•1',!;11i ficc 11 ec i! lld i1l'1rl' ·11 city 11f n a t ur< '. ··

Strength .)

PERSP1currv, &c.

215

Charity breathes long-suffering to enemies 1 .courtesy lo strange rs, habitu:1l kin:ln ess towards inends.
Ge ntl e ness ought to diffu se itse lf o,·er our whole
behaviottr, to form our address, an d r eg ulate our
;peech.
.
.
.
Th e prop e nsi ty to lo ok fo rward mto. hie , 1s loo
oft.en g rossly abuse d, and immod erate ly md~l ge d:.
Th e r e o-u )ar tenour of a virtuous and pious Ide ,
will pro v~ th e best preparation for immortality, for
old age, an<l de ath.
Th e~ e rul es are inte nd e d to teac h young p e rsons
to write with propri e ty , e le gance, and p e rspicuity.
Sinful pleasures blast the opening prosp ects of
human fe li city, an<l deg- rad e human honour.
In this state of minJ' every emp loyment of .life
becomes an oppressive burden, and every oh3ect
app e ars g loomy.
.
.
Th e y will acqu ire diffe r e nt vie w s, by applym~
to th e honourable discharge of th e function s of
their station~ and e nte ring on a virtuous course of
action.
By th e perpetual course of dissipation, in which
sensualists are e ngage d ; by the riotous reve l, arnl
the midnight or rath e r m orning hours, to whi c h
they 1)rolong th e ir fesliv itr; by the ~xcesse.s which
they indulge ; they debilitate th e ir b?d1 es 1• ~ ut
themse lves oil from the comforts and duties of life,
and wear out their spirits.
SECT. V.
27.) The fifth rule for the stre ngth o f. s.e nte nces, is •. to auo.id
concluding· them with rm a.dvcrb, a preposition, or any incons1dcrable word, unless i t be emph atical.
.
.
Arrre eably to this rnl c, we sho ulcl not co11clu<le with a n y ot th e
particles, 1![, to, frnm! wi.th, by.. For in s ~ance,. it is a g'.·eat d e~1!
bett e r to sa.y., " A va n cc 1s a ~rn1:e of w!11 ch w1~c me.n .ire of~en
~uilty," than t.o say, "Avance 1s a c nrn c. wl11ch wi se me n. •u.e
often g uilty o f." Thi s is 'l phra.scolog)'. which all co rrec.t w.n:c1.s
shun; and with reason . For as the mrnd cannot help 1es t111 0 "

I Ji.

i

'fj1·1

I, :1.
. '"
i •.
1

'·'

I

I

216
, I

J,'. XEllCISES.

( Sti·ength

littl e , on the import of thr. word w~1ich closes the .sentence, it
mun be <li sa~ re ea ble to be l eft pau sm gon a word, which do es not,
l •y it. se lf, produce any irlca.
.

Dy whal I hav e alrea<ly exp r esse <l, the r c a<lcr
will p erceive the business which I am to proccc1l
11pn11.
.
.
J\ Liy lhe happy 111 Pssagc uc applied lo us, 111 all
t iie virtue, strength, and comfort of il.
Ge n e rosity is a s howy virtue, which many pcr:-ons are very fond or.
These arguments were, without hes ilation, an<l
with great eag e rn ess, laid hold of.
It is proper lo be long in deliberatin g; but we
f'hould speedily execute.
Form your measures with prudence; but all
anxi e ty about th e issu e· div es t yourselves of.
\V e arc struck, we know not bow, wilh th e sy mrn e iry of any thin g w e see; a_nJ im1:1ediat~ly ~c­
knowlcdge the b eauty of an obj ed, without rn~uir­
incr into the particular causes and occas ions of it.
\vith Cicero's writings, th ese p e rs ons arc more
c onversant, than with lhose of D<~rnosthenes, who,
by many degrees, excelled the other; at least, a~
an orator.
SECT. VI.
(28.) The sixth rule re lating to the streng th .of a se ntence, n,
tlwt, in the members of a sentence, where .two llungs are compared
or contrasted with one another; where eil her a resemblance or an
opposition is intended t? be cx1ir cssed; sum e resembl,mue, i n the
language and constructiu1i. shou.ld be prese rv ed. 1' or when tlir
things themselv es cor resp11nd to. each other, we nu lurally expect to
find a similar co1·responde nce in lhe words.

~. !

J

"".'

The folio ,11 i11g pass age from Pope's Prefa ce to his Home r, f~1lly
e xemplifies thr rule jmt giv en:" Hom e r was th e greater ;;e mu s;
Virgil, the br.ttcr artist: h the one, we mo~t aclmir~ the
man ; in the other, the work.
Hom e r hurri es m with a
co mmandi1w impe tuosity ; Viroril
leads us with an allranive
0
majesty. Horner swtte rs with a ge nero n:< prof~1 s ion ; Vi~gil
b•)Stow s with a careful ma6nifw e nce . J lonwr, lik e th e N1lt'.
pnurs nut hi s ri Llws will 1 a sudden overJl uw ; Virgil. li ke a

PE1tsncu1TY 1 S.:.c.

Strength.)

217

river iu its hanks, w ith a l'On stant strc;nn." --Periorls thu~ construct.eel, when introdu ce d w ith propri e ty, and not re turning ~oo
oft.en , hrrvc a se 11 si\Jl1· hca111.y. But we mu st. hcware of carry rng
our att.1·Hti o n t.o thi s IH:a nl y to o f:tr. lt ou g ht. only to he orcasion al ly stud ied, when co1;1pa ri so n or .oppos iti 1?n of ~hje c ts n~t­
urnlh le ad s to it. lf such a co n stru ction rr s Ib is be aime r! a t, 111
all o~r se nte n ces, it lead s to a di sag re eable 1111i for mity; produ ces
a n· ~ tt!;irl y rrt11rni11 1!; l' li11k i11 th e peri od, whi c h tire s th r car ; anrl
plai11l y discov n s aff1·< ·t;tti ou.

Our Drilish g·arden e rs, instea<l of humourin g n'l.lun' , love to d e vi:ite from it. as much as possi ble.
I have obsc r \'c d of late lh e style of some g r eat
mini s te rs, v e ry muc h to excee d that of any other
productions.
The old may inform th e young; anll the yonng
may animat e tb1)se who are advanced in li f"c.
The account is ge nerally balanced ; for what
we are lose rs on th e on e hand , w e gain on the other.
Th e latwh e rs nill be for those wlio h:1 vc m ost
~ rirn1 ~; part o f m :rnknH,
. l .or
I'
wit ; th e se
tl wse who
hav e m os t r e ·.\so 11 on th e ir s id e.
lf m en of f:mi11 c n ce are expose d t o cen sure on
the one l1 a 111l, tli ey are as much liabl e to flatt e ry
on th e o tll!~ l'.
th ey receive reproache s which
are n ot du e lo ll1 (' m 1 th ey likewise rec e iv e praise,;
whi c h th cv do n ol dese n e.
Ile c,;111 "1,rili<', lrnt li e is not able to se duce. He
can buy, but h e h<i s not th e p ow e r of gai ning. He
can lie, lntl 110 one is de ce iv e d by him.
H e e 1nhr:1 c0 d th e c au se o f lib er ty faintly, and
purs u e r] it will1oul re so luti on ; h e grew tire d of it,
wh e n he !J;1J m uc h to h o pe; and g-:ive it up, wh e n
there waf. 11 0 g rr;u nd for appre h e ns ioll.
Th e r e may r e main a sus pi cion that we O\'Crrale
the g-rea(:1t· S~ of !1is g·0rliu s 1 in the S:llllC m:rn.ner c~S
bodi es ap1• ear n1 o r c g ig; anli ck , on account ol their
be ing di sp ropo riionerl ;IJld mi ~d 1:1p c n.

I

:

I

"'

f

I~

I

. I

Jr

11;
"I

·r

'i,.
: ~.\

.. ··1~

..:.~.;
!,
··l.,. 1,. 1
!

1
'

'r:

•

•

•

'

I

•

-

•

., ..

i

. 218

rength.)
~fi:CT.

PF.nSPICUITY' &c.

219

understood, and better remPmbered, than when this rule is not
ended to : for whatever tires the voi ce , and offe nd s tbe ear, is
s (29.) Th_c .1 rn1mlh rnl1: f11r prmnntin;.: thr , lr<' ll gth ,11 , ,i dTn t "' 1t to mar th e s trrngt h nf th e express ion, and to dP,g rade the sense
.ifcntunccs, 1s, I" nl/1:1111 to l/1r s1111111 1, tfi r. 111 ,,.111 ,,, 111 mi d ' '"Y
the a uthor. And thi s is a sufficient g;round fur pay in~ attention
o the worrls mul m eml1crs .
·
·
'
the o rd e r a11d prop<Ht.ion of se ntence s, and th e diffo re11t parts
So1.1111I ~s a qu al ity m ;1c h inforinur to s1·1i s•·: 1·,·t S il • h n•
11 1
' lwh idi thev co n s is t.
not l'.c. d1 ~rcgardcil .. l'o r, a < l111~g as rn 1111 ,i ,· ,,rr, t i"' i • l · i • 7; ~
Wi t h res ppr·t to th e C'adcncr. or close of a sente n ce . care shoultl
c on~cy . 1n cc Jot our '.cl ca~, thf'H' w ill 11 r a y1 • n · 1 ·1n 1, ir'• ·i· 1h)r r n n 1 tak e n, that it be not. ahrupl., or 11np!c asant.
Th e fo ll owing,
n cx1011 lwtWf'f;ll 1h1: Hh •a w hi l' h i< c 1111 vi· yro\. · " "" i lw in tu tr, I
ta1wcs m a y he su!Ti c iC'n t to s how the propri e ty <1 f rn mc atlen<
.
1
the so und
w
l11c:h
c:o
n
v")'
S
it.
-Pl
·:i
,
j
,.
·
,1·
..
,,
r·,
·1
1
·
1
11 . . . 1 1 ·1 ·· 11 ' 1 • 1 , " ' ' t•on ·
n to this pa rt. o f th e rule . " Virtu e , diligc ncc, anrl indu s try,
I
I
11_1g, ca n 1;nd y he lra nsrni1tt·d In till' 111 ind, lo \' 111 ,. "" " 1 1 . • 1
rl
'ncd wit h gnnd tr:m JJ crn 11d prnd c n c <',arc pros 1wrn11 s i11 gt:111·ra l."
I
'
tl1
sa
orr.e·
tl>le
,.
l"I
.
.
"1
'nn
• · ( '=' , :' ·•
·~ 0 11111 ~ u· 11111ul rc\· 11lt~ :rt <..tw i 1 i.111 111 ·'~ ·11 1 t t htt
wo uld!.•: lr r tte r th~ ;;: "Virt.nc, dili g1·ncc , am! inclu sl.ry , joined
1 1r11?rcss1 ~>n of tl11~ ~ t~ nti11H'nl. 11111q 1 ·n 11 ~ 1 ·q1 11 · 11 1l\' 111• \\; .d ,' 1,.-,f
'th good tempe r a11d prudenc". bave e ver been foun 1l thr !;Urcst
T
d to prosp•"rity." An a uthor speak ing of t.h c Trinity, cxprr sse'
() .l11I s .s uhy
I ct1· r<·s prr:I
. . ~ ti11· f'i111i 1·r ni' 11·11 rd < .· ti l! :'. I :, JI I ·'. II '', . !l\ f ' 11 ' . t 1, ..
n Cl an t t 1s pos1t11111 of tllf' 1111•i1tl ll' r< ·rnd t ' 1 . . I
4 1
'mse lf t int s: " It i s a mystery whi c h we firmly be li eve the truth
nf sc ntcnr..cs.
·' '
·1 ' · " ' ' " ' , . ' ''
n~- "'
and humhl y ado1 e tbe depth of." How mu c h h r tte r woultl it
. ('.'. 0.) w. ~ hr,'.!_ ill ll' ilh till' d110i1 ·1· 11f 11·md<
vc be e n with thi s tran s po siti on ! "It is a m ys te ry, the truth of
lnrc d1l y an ~ ! rlfr l'l11:ill ,r, 11·1· lllll<l :11·niol tl w .,·...
ic h we firmly !Je Jicv e , and the d c pt.h of whi c h W C humbly
t h e follow1n µ; : I. ~111 ·h a s an• 1., 11111 ,n <l' d nf " " 1,f , :1l rr ,fr <>IT.,
ore."
µom~ d c dl. th e ~cvera l p:irt s ni'wlri..t 1 arr 11 nt •" t•i h , , 11 .J 1 ,; ,r rnre
Though atten:.10n to t.h e words and me mbe rs, a m! th e c lo se of
not c o s t ~ l y unJl1•d
, · •·1,. , " {') 11.'illro: .~ .y.1·H / 11r .<.t, ,,., .. , 1:• •11n d1 f 111 1 '""
, mtences, mu s t n o t h e n ef?; lccte d, yet it mu st also he k e pt with in
<: ui·I 1 '" I t:l\'I ' t 111 ' syll:il dn 11 lti,.h
·
' 11fi,• 1•I)'
· ·
dti er
'11h'ea.,./cilncs
I
·~ .'·" 2· ..
i111111
ope r bou nd s. Sense has its own h a rmony; and in no instance
0 t°''! .~ ie <1 ccr11ll'd sy ll ;tlil1·, n11 \\'d t•d "' it lt ,."" " ' 11111 1• t h~ t do t ould p e rspi c uity , prr c isio n, or stre ngth of S<' ntim r nt, he sacri·
~ 0 ;·l~I ~ c_:o;1.if' H' P: fl~, 11 (i1t f.t; / i n11f rs s,rftn111i r f r 1 .o:.1 ·11 ,11 ·111 ti r ft•J·"
· et! to so u11d. A ll unml' a nin µ; words, introdu ced mnrl y to round
·! :I j~.~1·c· 1 · "~, ,1'_1 .\·1! 11.111 111a11 y ~-~· J l;ild1 · ~ fi •lln w i11 :: l ;w :t 1· 1 1 l 11f· t • I ~
e period, or fill up the melody, am µ;real hl c mi s hc s in writing .
c .. is . I' /))/l()"l/ _11, , .,,, ...... ,.,1:1. s1111111 1111 ·il •1 . I ' ''.,,, ,.. ,. j ., , .. ·""·
ey arc chi ldi sh an1l triv ial cm1a nw 11ts, by which a se nten ce ;tl . uc h a~ h :tvf' a "' ltnrt or 1111 :1 '1' 1· 111 .. ,f ..:\' l hhl, : 1 1 1.,, .. .,, I nr f 11
d.
ys lo ses m o re in point of weight, than it can gain by sut;h add iby anoth e r ~ ltort or 1111 •11•. , 11 , 1i c. 1·II· ·
·
' •
" · n\v t'
ns to its sou nd .
"II f ' l
· fl "/ .
·' t '! ' . · - ;~hi t · """V '"" ' It "' " lllhli•u · •«..
r .o .i ?f, SI ./ !/• / 11 11'{1/!f • _/ 1wnr7'1/ .
'
Soberminde dness s uits the prese nt state of man.
f he_ ll l' Xl hf' :t1!, J'f'S Jll ' f'li11~ tht', h:trrtlflll\' "' j, j, ·Jr I • • 111 " fro m I
propel arran ~ c 111P1Jt o f wo r d ~. j " a pnint 0 ( :!, l •·:i ti · r 11 j, , tf
....Of
As conventicl e rs, these people were seized and
.le t the word
"f s tlH·111 ~ •·h• t·•' i. .. rvf'r ·<it 11·1·11 i·iI0 '- • ' 11 !l l lr I \\ r 11 "ti0U"...•'
uoished.
" 1f!.j Yct, 1 thr'y IH• ill di ~ JHt<r d, th e nwl11d y of t i;,. • rn t•n r • h
1.~r y_1o s t., or µ; rcatly 1111pairf'd.
To use the Divine name customarily, and without
\V. e mav_, takf'.' li 1r ··111 i 11 ...·1·..,1111. ·n r. : 1 ~ 1 · 11 t. · n ·· rr "'m'' "••Jr
:erion
s consid erati on, is highly irreverent.
. tl11 : f11llo w i1 1'•
, 1•r
'
umonw11~
W
:• frn111 "1'11
I ' I 1111 . ". ·1 r1 •1f
nt\ ,..,, 0 ..._4 ,
From
th e fo.vourahle11css with which he was at first
f
c s~ 1 all. t:nndn1·,t y n11 '" " lriiJ . , j,1,., hl"'l I"" ' l!\'l rrt! , ......
irs t a scent, hut t>J •; 1• so ~ 1 11 ci n 1h ~n ,. 11 n t , 11 1, 111 (
·t i .
eceived,
grea t hopes of success were e ntertain ed.
'rt · I
1 1·
.
,.
•
" ~ ··· ) ,,..,.•
r. c . s,.u~< . ll1('011 0 11 ..:<.: n11n d " . 11111·\· 1 · 1y "'i1 I ·· . rt1n t h.· h!\ 1 1 ,.. (), .
They
c
onducled th e mse lv es wilily, an<l insnare d
µhe
n s • ' " ·LS unt rnnr r 1· !1 :1 1 111111 .•... . "
j.'· ·· '.' .·. ti '1· ' 1 . •f.. t l 1I "' •r
I t1 tr~
.
1s before we ha<l time to escap e .
l:()l\ S jlll' ~S ~ll pr1111u 1t •. tl11 • l1 :11 111nny .
1 11" \ \ n• 1. :\ r•· " rH <hn~ 1
lull <•flt1p11d s. a rr rl •:., fl. ~1111n d·; · /,11, ., , . 1· , 11 ,
_ , "
It b e lon gs not lo ou r humLlca11d co n{in cd sta tion.
/ l'
'
' "
" " 11
' I , f: I f I '1 /:"""G1
m e Ol ious, rhr:.n ·1n1t; : ; 111rl 1l H •( 1• , , . 11r •' .: <t i ~ 1 .. 1 II .
· 1 1 ,..
.o
censure , Lot lo a dore, submit, and trust.
WP.ft' we: to ·t it.
'
.
.
.
·
·
.\ i rr 1 11~ r · . t •at

VII.

(1,.,,.

1

1

sl I

~

·

,

• . _r r trn ~. !' 1t11 ;\t1 11 n of

;1 t1\'

1111 r 11f r l·· 1,• "'.

,1

'l 'll it

c·ntly. be sen s1hl c 11f till' 1111 ·1",1) ·, , 1 ;fT, · ri 11 ~.
··
·~
.,. We pr n'. : c1~d tn 011.1~1 : : 1 · r t;", 111 •. 11 i1, .. 1 r, 1,f :1 ... 111 1 11 .-. ""\t h ,.,,..
,ard tto lt .trrnnn
11 :1·1·
,tio
I y.
. · '1 ""'" ll !O t I' e I' "' I ' ·• n·• r "' ' l, 1'• ~
c: 1 oth c r. \\ 1 1.,. 11 tl ·•·i·
11.1,.,. n ' ' . II I, I , 1 1,, ,,,,,,..
,-. ..·
I . nae
I J" to• r.a
•
.
wna i.1v1 s 10 11. tlll'y ;ir•~ rnu c h ca <in to th l' " " " ! ., "'t"
" I
·
1n11 rf" f ,·('·-4f•
, I

Under all its labot1rs, hope is th e mind 's solace ,

md the ,: i!na!inns w hi ch exclud e it e ntire ly arc few.
Th e humbling of those that are mighty, and the
precipitation of' persons who are ambitious, from

,:

220

the t ow e rin g h e ig- lit tl1 :1l they had
hut littl e llu~ h11lk or m:1n.
Tr:i11q11illity, rcg 11L:rily , and m:1g 11 :t.11i11t ily r l'flf{! ~
with the r c li g icn1 s ;u1d n· ~ i g"ll{ · .J m:i11 .
S lo th, e: tsc, s u cc t ~ s s , nalt1r:tl ly !end l o llf•:; l't \"k l't1
and fo lli es.
By a clt ce rfiil , 1~ r f' 11 : a11cl ope n l0111p 0 r , li0 r. n11d liatc d g·{' nc r: tl f'" r ot1r .
'Ve r c ;1c li cd li te' n1:rn .'- i11t1 IH' lo rc 11 0n11. I! w :1
s tr ong-, gT:111 '1 , C:n l lt if'k l1 o tt~ <'.
I li :1d ;1 Ion ~· :111d l" ' rilrn1 " jfll 1n1 <' y , h1 1i :i c o111 i;1 rl·
:tlJlc c o rnp :1 11i ort 1 \\'l111 r1 ·li n«•.J tl w (;tl ir.:- •w of it .
'l'h c c- p:·cc: h w:t s i11l rod1w Pd l1y n ~P 11 •i lilP l' l'l' :! Ol •
hi e, w hich trJ;t ck :1 E11·011r:tlil c i1111•rt> ~• i .. 11 .
'l'li c C o111111rn1 s 111 :i d1· an :111g-rv n · 111 0 11 tr.,n c~
ag ai nst :;; uc h :u 1 a rlii t r:1ry n •1111i siii 11;1.
T il e 1.rnl v ill11 .~ tri1111 ,; :tr,. tl1 P\' \\'li n .]., 11 0 1 1·o urt
th e p r:1isc ,;r t lH· \\'or lrl, l111 l 111 1« • l" ' r r.,,·111 "" ' " a.ctio ns as 1:1:tlw th1 ·1n irtdi ~ 1 1 11l : dil y rl 1· , 1·11 ,. i r.
Hy t! 1c· !l tf• ;111" or ~ 11 r i1 • lr : COii!' 11·;1111 - ''" Ill •' lo lie
s11pj>li f' d 1 : 11 ~ rl 011r lirt '.' :ir1 ~ 1' f' !t •l1 •r1 ·d "" lll !'n rt.dd(',
as 11·c ll :ts 011 r c; q1;1,. ili1· s 1·til:irg·1·d, :1 n.l "11 r vi1 t111u ·
affe c ti o ns c;11! 1·d f( 1rllt irtfo lllf'ir 11r11111 ·r •·\i· r• i·"·
Li l(~ c. 11111 0[ 111 1[ 11r111·0 r :titt I•• s11 ,.lt 1• 1•r on ~'"
a ffect a diqc li s!i ,, r 1·1·1·ry l'l• ·:1"11r1 •, 11 l1i d1 !· not
ho lh ll C IV a11d 1 ~ x q11i s i(1• : 11w ; 1 .: >1ri 1 1 :~ ll wi r .. 11.i ••.1 "''' fll•
IJ )' (; ISIt j ( )!\ ' S S ( ;i II d;I I'd : ;; I Id I ii >( J ,.I \\ I1·If 11 l • 1 (,. f' l
tl1 cm sc l n~ s ; :111d tlii 11ki 11_:.;· 111: 11 i t' •·111• ·1- .i,,, 11, · n•I·
rnirc th i· ir s l;1 l<', ti 1•y :1r1 · 111i - 1 ·r:~ ld1 · .
l1y cx p1>. ri c 11 i: in•; di - I!'<'"": :11 1 :1r n •:,: :1rd ;11"•"ll• 1l•ll i.
ty or le Ill pe r j <; 1110 ~ [ c ff1•rl 11;1lly ('It)'(, . , tr·.!, fr om
!.li e rc rn c 111hr:111et: or n11r 011·11 .. 111l ,. ri 11:_:~ ll :t l111 :.ffJ
prc rnpli11 g· 11s tn fi•t ·I for nll11 •r• i11 tl11 ·ir .. ,, ,f,.11 11;: ·
allll if' Pr uvid c 11u· li;1 ~ h1"<111n·.! 11 " ... ., " .. 11 .. t i " r11 , ('
us ~: 11l1_j :: cl. i11 011r <>11'11 1111lo11111.-!1 11i' ll 1i - l. i111I · I.!;..
r: ipli 11 <\ 11· r~ sl11 11rld 1•xlr;w.t i11q•r•'I 1·111 · 1:: Ir• n1 !,,..
Jut or oth e r!; lltal is lt:1rd1·r ; :111.! ~ 1· · 1 · ;1-id« ' " !ti<"•

P E P,Sl'lCU IT l"1

&c .

22 1

1mc s fr om the fl o we ry and smooth p a ths whic h

it

·'

pc r m ille d us lfJ w <il k in, in orde r t o vi e w th e
ilso rn c m:ircl1 oCour fo llow-cr eatu res through the
orn y dese r t.
.
As n o on e is with out his failing·s, so fe w want
od q11 <1 liti cs .
Pr o vi de nce de li vere d th em up to th e mse lves,
d th ey to r m e 11tc d tlH•.mse l 1' es.
Fro m di s;tpp oi11trne 11 ts n.rnl tri als, w e IP. am th e
rn fli c ic ncy o f te mp o r a l 1hings t o happi ness, a nd
1
e n e cessity of g oodn ess.

CH Al'TEH l V.
O F F I G UR E S OF SPEECH .

The FO URTH n· r1 uisit e o f a pe r fec t sentence, i s a judi c ious u oe.
the •F igures of Spee ch
.
.
In q:en e ra l, Fig ur es of S pr.cc h imply some departure fr om s 1111
1cit)' of ex: pr c>s ion; th e id e:i. w hi ~h we mean to eon1·ey 1s e x.
essP. cl in ;1 nar t.i r".t tla rmrr n n('I", a nd w ll h some c 1rc11111s tan ce <11ld ?'!·
ich is rl c ~ \ g n c1 rl to re nd er t he impress ion m ore s_tro ng; a11d v1v1_n .
hen I sa y , f< 1r in slrrm:c, "Tha l. :t ;.:oo:l ma n en1 oys c o mfo rt 1n
m id ~: t n f :1tl vc n: ity ;"I _ju st ex p ress my th 0 u ~~ h~ s 111 th e s1mpk s1
nnc r pn, siiJ lc : 1J 111. '.d1 c 11 I ' ''.:-'· " T _o I. li e u pn gh t thc r_e a r_1 s ~~ th
ht in d a rk1w ~~ :" t.l1c sa 111c om11.11 nc: 11l. 1s t ~ X Jll' C S S t '. d 1n a f 1 ~ u1 .t.t'vr.
· le : a n ew ,. j 1ru •ns ta nee i•. i11 t 1od uced; " li ght," is p ~> t in the pl a c t•
· ' co tnl o 1 t," .tnd u darkn cs c:" 1s 11 ·cd to ": u g,~ cst th e 1d e aof arh·e 1Y· In th e s;1m c m:inn er , to say. " Jt is im po s si b~ t~:
nn y s c ar e ~1
can m ake , to f' Xpl ore th e D 11· 11 1 ·~ Nal.1tr<' fll ll y, 1s to mak_
e ,1
mpl e p ropq , iti on : hll l w \i(' \l ""·e .><1y . " C a nst th o u. b y sra n :h1!1 g .
d ou t th e l.o rd ? C :n 1!'1: l lt o u 11111 1 fli '. i. th e J\. ll111 ~ ht y to ]Wil een? I t. is hi g: h a s hc:i·:c 11 . wha t c ;nis t tho u do? t: r e pc r th a 11 he ll ,
hat ca n st th ;111 lrn 1iw ?" 1. l1 i;; i n t rn rl 11 c•~> a li ~ur e into sty le ; 1}lC·
opu silirm l l(' i n~ n ol Pn h · "X fJ "" "·crl , lint \l' i tl 1 it admi :·;1tion a nd
toni sl1n; <".nl .
Th e pr i11 c ip:il :td va 11 ta g1"'' ,,f (1 •~ 11 r c ' o f' spc cc b, :ire t.h r- t w o fol
1

?Y

winff.

4

Fi i~ I. Tiir y Pn ril'.h lan ·~ 1i: 1 ;;e . ;:nd r c11 ,l_e r it mor r: co pi oll s. By
. ir mr a11 s, wo rd s <1 111 1 p \n;1se s ,.,.,, n111lr.1!'i>"d , for. cx prc ss rn g all
tlS o[' i 1iP~ s; for r\1 •sc r ihill ,'. CV l' ll t he lll lll !! le s t di(fr rC ll C(' S : t.h°"
'ces1· ~d1 i1 dt· s a nd co lo ur s ,;r 1h q 11 .~ ltt ; \\' hil'ii no ]a ng u a!.!.c c nuld
ssihl _r du hy prn pe r \\·o rri s :tl<111e, w it ho u t. ;ts, is t:: 11 ce frn n1
ro pes.
.
Srw1ull y , '1' \1 ry fr'" l'"" " '.Y !-'- '"' u s a 111 111 :\i ,.]":1re r ;111d rn o1r.
ri king -, ic11· of t. l> c nrin ci[".1 1 ohj 1.,c t , t han we l' On ld h;t vt'. 1f 11 we ll;

11!,' '11

222

E.\r:i\cisrs.

(

Fig11ru

exprrtsrd i11 si.mpli: term s, and di1·rstccl of its a,.,.,.,iorr

id··~
Dy
c 1oscn /1g11n~, even co 11vit.1io11 is a~">isti · d, :irHI il ir 1•1; ,,,._.
0 ;1 l.rnt.lt 11pnn tlie rnind, rnarl" 111orf' li v1·il· :1111 1 fnr • ,1 ,;,.
It wou < ot l1erw 1sc hl'.
\V 1· IH'rt:(•i v1· tlii' iii ti11 . I II , ·
'11
tral1on of Y<Hn\r'. "\'VI . , . 1.
.
D " ·' 11 · ~ 1 ot·
• ,
• . .
. .-. ·
H . n ,\e 11p too dt)1•p 111 1.J1· a c; 111 , • . \ \f" 1tl·
w._1} ~ st11 .1"~ cl11111"1t that r1 •111l(•rs it i111111nP and '" .· 11 ' ." t ,
a. we

~ IOll ~

~ha.b

igures.)

PERSl'lCUI'l'Y 1

&.c.

In this our day of proof, our land of hope,
The goml man has his cloud s that intervene ;
Clouds that ioa y cli111 hi s suhlu11;ny day,

But can11 ot (' OIH!llt'r: cvc11 1.he best mu st owu,
Patience a1vl rcsi;,\11atio11 arc the columns
Of human peace on c:nt.li.

. \'I. Oif'lll pa ~ .... i n•.X11lll
tl11 s 1nst·inc,.
"A
IH~,..ut. 1 . 1.Ill .~ " ' Ith
"11' 1n
~
c.
.
1<, ,., i l l lll"a
up 111fatu:l1.lll" Ju1ncs to till' l11· acl ,. Jt..1 . .
I
,..
On the wide SC< L or ]1'1.tl'l'S t was tlry b oa~t
.
, •
' 1111 . 1 ~ 1 · l i ;tt J11f"tf"flU
l'k ch c.on!-\ ru .1ty·":'II Jctwcc11 a n1oral
and a <,.
To crowd e 1.ch sail, and tot1c11 at ev' ry cu;ist:
11 ,i Jol,. i· li·:t •rn,.,
iC:i1I. frn111 analogy, to l' Hiurce ll'ir:it tli r atr; li,
:
From that 1ich 111inc ho1,· often hast thot1 brought
1 P. an a1 g111r_
se rt s, and to 1nclure be lid:
n It
The pure and precious pearls of splenclid thought!
The most i111portat1 t li guces arr,
How did st t.hou t.rit1111ph on that subject tide,
(31) Metaphor,
(:li) J\pn<tinpli r,
Till va11ity's wild gust, and stormy pride,
(:1 2) Allt·1-;11ry.
(:HI) J\ntillll'•i•,
])rove thy stron~ wind, in evil hoar, to split
(33) Cn111pari o;on.
(: l~I ) lnt• ·ii n;::it inn,
Upon the fatal rock of impious wit.
(34)
J\kto11y111y,
(•Ill ) Ex <h 111:it in11,
. .,
(35) Sync!'cl(wl:i"
bincc
t I l C time t Jiat reason l.ucgan to bud, and {JUI.
( •11 ) A 111 1'l ifwn ti11n,.or
Cli rn a~. !.:r .
·forth her sh oo ts, th oug ht, during our waking hours,
( ·3 6) J'cn:o11ification,
No h11ma11 Jia , ·ric'.."s ·s ~c
has-b ee n active in ·~ very breast, with out a moment's
t am
The current ot' id eas ha!'l
. any all oy. 1 111 ., 1 "' !'C rc1H' a" 11 01 to con- suspension or pause .
Th e ~e is a ti~nc wh en facti ou ~, hy tlw V('hr rtience bee 11 alwa ys movin g" T he wheels of the spiritual
of their own ferm entation , ~
and di sald f>• one engine ha ve exerted tl1cmseh'es with perpetual
another.
motion .
. I inte nrl l ~> mak e usf' of th ese word~ in the thr~ad
The man who has no rule over his own spiril 1
of my spccnlation ~.
·
, possesses no antidote against poisons of any sor l.
llope, ll1c li;dm of Iii'<' , dar! s a rav of llg-b_t He li es open to eve ry insurrectio n of ill humour,
1
thro 11g- h tl1P thickC' sl g; ioom.
·
and every gale of' di stress. ·w h ereas h e who is
The scheme wa s lti g- hl y f'XP"""in• to him , a.nd employed in regulating his mind, is making proviprov c d th e C J1ary'1di~ 11 f iii ~ i· ~ laft>.
sion agai11f;t all U1e •tccide uls of li!c. Ile is c r ee l. ll e .wa~ so 1n 11 c!1 ,.: killPd in tlw '' lllJ'ir<• of the ing a fortr ess in to whi ch, in th e day of so rrow, he
oar, that few co ul (! e qiial him .
ca11 retr e at witii satisfactio11 .
'l'he deat h or C ato ha ~ n •ndr>n'il the !"l'n:tl c a.n
'J':unerlane th e Great, writes to Bajazet,ewperour
orphan.
of th e Ollom:.uu,, in the following te rms: " ·w 11erc
!_,ct us lJ e atlenti\'!~ to lu•rp 01 ;,
~ ;i q with ll io th e monarch who dares resist us ? Wh e re is tl1 c
Lri~l c; a11d to steer ot ir \'l'~~ '· I a rig-l it . th ;it iq~ rn
potent.ate w ho do cs not g·lory in being numbered
1 among our atte11Ja11ts? As for t.h ce, Je scende J from
avoid the rocks aiHI s hoal~, whicli Iii" .. ,.,. 1 1 whe! ~
around U5.
·
a 'l'urcoman sail o r~ since the vessel of thy unbounded ambition has been wrccke<l in the g·ulf of tliJ
, ;\t length 1''. ra ~ 11111 ~, that gn •:tl i11j 111'd 11 :1 111 ~ ,
self'..love, it would he prop er that thou shouldst
(_f he, ~ J o r y nJ liif' prirstlirnrd, :ind 1111' •lta inr ,)
tak e in th e sa ils of lh.Y teme rity, and cast the an ·
Cu1h d 1h:! wild t1irr"111 of a tr .111t' 1n 11 , 'l!" ' ,
chor of rcpcnLwcc i11 th e p ort of sinc e rity :md
And drove those holy Vauclals off 1111' >t:;".
.. ,.
•

l

•

)() J

Sf.IHI
so n1u

11111

111011111

'
1·. '
• 11

224

'n ·mi.\ cuou.s.)

EXfi:!t CI SES.

j ustice? wl1i c li is tl1 P. p ort of" f.<;d(·ty ; Jpc; f flil' l•·rn·
p est o l 0 11r \'P11g-P; 111 c P 111:ik e ll1 <·1~ p1 ~ ri s h i 11 tlw "'' :t
of th e pu1iis li11 w 11l llio11 dPs1·rvc;;l. "
, It. is pl e asant lo be v irl11011s ;111d g-on d ; l.11' 1· :111 •e
1.na t. is lo exce l m;111 y o tliPrs : it is p!Pa s: 1nl to ~" " ''"'
bl'lte r; I H~c:i11 s f' lliat. is 10 exce l 1111r.•1·l r ,, 8 : it is
pl e asa nt. lo co mn1a11il 01ir app 1·tit 1·" an d p a• <in 11 • .
and to keep tli c. 111 i11 d11<' ord<'r. witl1i11 tli• • 11,, , 111 .r ~
?f .re a,;o n a11ci re li g io11 ; l11•r:1 11se t Iii -; i~ "" l11 ir P: 1; i \ · 1
it is p le asant e r c 11 lo mortify a nd ~ 1tl1d1 w ,·. 111 · 111 - 1 ~
because that is Yicf.ory.
'

PEJtSPlCUl TY ~ &.c.

'l'ha1 Plutarch wr(ltc ( 3) lives of D e mosthenes
mt! C i<' c ro at C h IBrcmca, it ( 23 ) ;s clea1· from his
'own acl:ount.
I wish to cultivate your (9) furth e r acquain-

l

tance.

Jic 1nay pr oh:ihly ( 2:>) make the attempt, hut h e
cann o t possibly ('23 ) s uccee d. .
.
.
,~
No pains w ere f-\pared by Ins t~tor, 111 order ( 2 ~))
to hi s 1.J e ing improved in all use ful knowl edge .
1 [n nc1 sce ne of lier life wa s eve r ( 23) Mary's addref-\S m or e rem a rkably di spl ay ed .
.
This was th e cause wh ic l1 (U) first g ave l'J se to
CJL\l'TEI{ V.
mrJ1 (10) a b i1rbaro11 s practi ce .
.
Violations of the _ _R11lcs rrspcct i11g 7irnl'i r11 11 11• n rvl
He craftily eu<leavoured, (25) by a vane 1y of
. accurate IVntwg, prullli.1·c1w11d!J di.<111 1ud."'
al?.e it 1sinuations which he made use of, to turn the
S l,:C T . I.
enl'p c rnur to hiti purpose .
'fh<) beauty ( 3) in the ea rth e quals 1lH· gT:mdcur
. \Vhat . i ~ li11m a11 lifo to all , li11t .a mixf11n• , (I G)
.
wilh various ca res and lro11hl ec;, of c;01111 • ~f' :tlt f' rN I 13) in the heavens.
··' In ( 3 ) h ea l1h and ~igour of ( 3 ) ~J~dy~ and 111 the
JOYS a11d pl<>as 1m ~s '!
. (2li ) Wlic_n fov1111I's of e rPr_v kind :m· (1':?) co 11 . .(3) state of w11rld ly fortun e, all. l't>.J oice:
What passP.s in the h e arts of men, is geneia lly
le rreJ s pe e dil y, they (I :1) arc d o11 iikd .
.
anlrnown
(8) to the pnl.Jlic~( ey e .
.
. Il e ( 18 ) ll'ill c;uon weary th e c 11111p :rny, wh o ill
Many assc1r.iations arc unite d (!:!) liy Jaws lhc most
himself weari e d. (10)

_He (l l3 ) mu st: c nd11rc the fiil li l'" of o lli <'ni, '"ho
w ill have tl1 e ir kindn esc;.
For th e las t yc:1 rs
111a11 thP li r.i! ( 17) mt ;t

make

provi~io11 .

or

Perpetua l lig· ht -llli11d f' dtH'"" (I ) m11 ot t"· rmiu ~ tC!

( 10) in ig norance.
In th ese , a nd ill c;1w. h lik e ('!) 1· :icl'Q , "' ~' ~lt cH ilJ
( 1.2) in ou r allll s.' i:;r•11f'r:1 ll y "11 1l1·r 11 11 11;. (!') tor.:
witnesses, but J lrrn wlin 111w•I "" " 1·1·1·n· 1hi11 0- .
'l'I1e i:e aso n ( I 0) why lie• i-; " 11 l1 :1dly · •pi:tli1i'"' ,-,1 fo r
the . hu s111 cf;>', is lwc : 111 ~ 1~ Ii" ( '-' -'') ll •'!! l•· •· l<·•I Ii i•
s tudies, and ol'l'orl1111it i1 ·s o( i111111 "• r 1• 1111 ·11f.
K·

Th ese noLPs r!' i"t· r In 11r1·1T tii11 :; 1! 11! •: in I 11 · \

arbitrary.

.

.

.

.

'l'h ese instances, may, ( 9) it is hoped, be snf1ici e nt to sati !'< fy every ren sonal.Jle mind.
.
·
.
By s uch (10) ge11 cral and cn mpre h e ns t\'C rnk :;,
as thi ;;;, (3 ) t he clearest. id eas a t e ~onve)~e d... ~ :
He dete rrnine d not to co mply w ith th e 1110po,,,::u ,
i!xcept (LO) h e should r ece iv e ll more amp le ~om-

, pensation .
, .
There can b e no doubt but ( 23) that h ca ltn 1;:
. preferable to rich es.
.
.. .
.
t ,
Th ey d ecla r e d (10) to 1.h e ll' ln e n<ts, ~llat "he·y.
. \ie lie veJ th e p e rusa l of s uc h books h ad rurn e d then
~ (G) vrincipl e s.

', . ,!

226

EXEllCISF:S.

(Prom uc1101u.

romiscuous.)

rE1tsr1cu n Y, &c.

't27

It i!:1 a happy constitution of mind , to Li: abie to
. John 's tem per great! . 1·
.,
. .
mstructiun.
· Y Jn <ts pn~e d h1111 fu r (:i) view successiv e objects so steadily, as that the
nore (3) may ncyer pre ve nt us from doing ju~tice
Vege tati on is (1 2 ) adv :lllcill
.
no eye ca11 trace tl1 c stc ) . ( ~. )g • .".11 sta 11lly, tli o11g h to th4~ less imp ortant. (27)
· . I s 2 ·3 <if J(;; g radation
'25) Tl , .
Tltis activity drew (16) great numbers of e nte r(
ic i cas0n of r11y co n ~ 1·
I
.
s ure , wa s owi1w tu I . . .
·.< ·11 rn g lo t If ' mrn- prising men ov e r to Virg inia, wh o came e ither in
l .
.
""
11s rn1p orlunrl 1· .
searc h or fortune, or or liberty , whi ch was tlt e only
. l ouce iv e d a great re g ard l(; r I.
not liut rn o.11rn for l1is (G) I ~ .
11111 , a11d co ultl ·ornpensation for th e want or it. (i7)
Tl
11·
o.s.
Th e e rroneous judgment of parents, coucerning
ie 0 rcc r apprehcu<lc I J ·
in his ( 6) own lro _,
< iun , :•nd cortfi11f'1l him
10)
th e conduct of schoolmaste rs, ( 15) bas crushe<l
U :,C.
I"\)
th
e p e ac e of many <rn in ge nious man, who (3)
. C liarlotte, th e fri c11d or J\
I" ·
1mp11tcd ula111 c wa s I
. Ill <' 1.1_. In wliorn 1111 one ·engage d in th e car e of youth; and pav ed th e way
. t") 1)11.
l
, 00 J'I 011111t 111 llf'r (1 ')
. 1·
4,a
I
\'Jfll I ·
lo th e ruin of h ope ful b o.) s.
Me n who arc ri ch and ·1\'at.. . .
SEC'l'. ll.
se lves in a sprin wlii c , .' . 1c1n11-, l o~l' (11) th f' 111 arouud th e m.
g
h mi g ht h;i 1·c c li c ris lt c d all
The Greek doubtl ess is \ 12) a lang uage whi c h
is mu ch sup e riour in riches, \ 8) harmony, and variI sh ould pre fer (D) 1 . t 1 1
parts, than with ( U) .1 L ·Hlml· -o ~ •. ra llH·r of slow
ety, lo (3) Latin.
A.
,
' M t < 1,..pn ~ 1l1 1111.
Those thr ee great genius's ( 1) flouri sh1!<l in tl1 e
s
soo
n
as
Euo-e11i
us
I
·t
I
nrbh i"t . . .1· o
.
lltll r 1 oo ' Ill!' r arP of n
period.
111Hn c 1 1at c ly (0'-l)
.
'
l ' s atlr.11tio11.
hi
-~ c 11 gro~~
1·d lltf' whol e of same
He has mad e a judicious ada ption (8) of th e exampl es lo th e rul e.
'~h e plan will at once co1t!ril
•
ve u1 e11 ce and ·1<ld (23) t ti I i11li. to g1 ·111•ra l co nThis part of kn owle dge l1a;:; bee n aiway s g r owol" lite lo;vn . •
o I C Jl' a11ty :111.f rll·ga11c ..
ing, a n<l (~)will J o (8) so, till th e s111Jjcd b e cxToge th er with th .
·
hauste d.
uatior;al a<l vanta o·ns e ~1at_10'.1al d1•lit, thr• grrit lt••I
A Loy of tw e lv e years ( 8) old may stnJy th e,,:·
t">" ·
a1c .d ~o ('>1) t
·
J
succee rliu g g-e nc rali.ons.
,
-·
r.111•m1t1e to
lessons.
The servant prot!·_1ce d fr om his late maste r a11
Their
intimacy
1
.
I
)
I
'2)
0111111
Jier 'erioil
i, u .
"
••nr,.rJ in tlrr hn -~.
und
e niable (1 0) c har<~ c ter.
.1
. ' p crli ;q>", o tltPir y1 1: 11l 1 . I 1 , · I
I His
s uLi ec ' ·
..· .
. .1111 "1•nirl1\·.
I am surprised that so g rea t a vhiloso pher as (23)
J
" is p1 ec1sP I)' tif ti
t I· 1
•
a clari1w i111; w inatio11 . . 11 . I J;i t:nc • ll'hich (I~)
you are, should s pe nd your (20) tim e in the pursuit
e d.
0
b
C Oii l
,\ onp ~I u) ha n · ad opl ·
of such chime ras.
The ends of a <livine and (3) human kgislator,
e r11 1,e r o r11. CO
. ll.Jllrc
·
·· tThis
{' I.
d th <' ~l'll:tt<' llnt ti
I J )' 0
ll S r c icr11 111irrl t
}
. ' •
If' I'll ·
are
vastly differ ent.
lam in ated L t""1 ' o I 11ot JC ~ta111f'd or ('!:I) ronScarce
(8) had th e "S pirit of Laws" made its ap )'
ll. ul ood CVCll of (I '.>) .
.
'
~-i. ( or.
~
.1 g111 1ty Mf'll·
pearance , than (24) it was a ttack e<l .

. ,I

P28

EXE RCISES.

His don ation was lhe more a cccp t:ilJl<~, tl1:1t (~ ·I)
it was g·ivc n without so li citation .
Thi s subj ect is an 1111w ~ l comr. i11!rnd1•r, _:dTnrdin f?
lrnt (23 ) ;111 1111casy sc 1i ~ at1011, and ( 1'2) linn g-~ (~11)
with it a lwavs n mi xt11rr. or co nce rn and ro mpa •·il• r1.
Il e acconling ly draw s out lii s fore .. ~ , and olfrrs
lrnt ~ l e lo lli ~ ro, w ho immedi;it e ly (".? o) ;11 : n~ l'f <' d it.
Jam es hid (10) lat e in be d y cs tc rd :1y; and thi s
mornin g li e l:i ys ( 10) sfill li1tcr.
Th e r e ason of" t.l1i <; .~ tranp;<~ prnc<'rdi nr.; , wi ll he
acco 11nte<l <
, u), f(H· wli e 11 1 rn ; ilu~ 111 .y d1·fPn<:P.
I hav e .(l 'Z ) ol1 "<' l"l"f'd hirn of!<·n, a11cl (2.r,) hi11
mann e r oJ pror. e Pd in g- is tl111 s : he (I '2 ) P11joi11~ fi rs t
sil e nce ; :incl tl11 ' 11 , &c.
(1 2) 1L1vi11g no! known, or not ( 'l :i) co n ~ idn(' d
the s ubj ect, h e 1n:ui ,, a very ( 2:\) crn dP dP("i •inn.
Th ey iv e re a ll ( 2~) ) decc i\·c d hy hi s r:iir pr<'ten ces, ar id th ey all (2:1) of them l o~ l llt ei r PH>f'
erty.
lt is above (8) a ye ar s in~· c lit e li1!1 P ('1 :l) that I
left sch o(•I.
H e w;15 g- 11ilty of snc li (10 ~ a1ror io11c; cn ntlu ct,
that he I\ as uese rt cd ( 12) by hi,; fri e nd ~ fi1r ( 1)
goo1l and all.
No olber emp loym e nt (:l) h<·~ide ~ :1 h o ok~i· ll f'r
,;; uit e d hi s incl inati on.
H e r e by (I) l arn in~lrn ctc d , ;111.I th ,., n ·!.y ( I ) I
<lll1 honoure d.
l pleaded my good int«~ utioll ; :md :di Pr o; omn tlrnf'
he asse nt ed tl: e rclo; ( I) w h cn•loy (I ) I t•11tir<'I)
esca pe d ;di p11ni slm1C'11L
'l'hi s l am <li sposc d to Iii<~ ( I ) r:tlli f' r.• tl1 :it it will
~.erve lc1 illu 'i tratc t h.; pri11 ci pl«' ~ adv :11 1i:1 1 d alio \"f•.

ro11'HSCllOUS.

1

J

PERS l'! CUlTY ,

&c.

229

Th ese arc pornb too tri vial to take noti_ce of. ( ~7 )
They are objects I am totally unacquamted w1th.

(27)
'l'h e nea re r th at me n approach eai.;h (3) oth er,
he rn orc num e rous (3) th e points of con t a ~ t in ( 23)
Nhiclt th ey to 11 clt , a 11 d th e grea ter ( 3 ) th e n· pl 1~asares or ( ~3 ) pains.
.
Thus I li avc end ca \·9ure d to (8) make th e subject
\e bdter. (lO) und e rstood.
.
.
This is th e most useful art of wlur.h m en (!J) are
I

{ossess e< .
(25) Th e Frcn(' lt wr! t('rs of se rmons study neat·· oess in lay in g- down th elf" heads. (6)
.
.
Th e re is not nny (28) beauty more Ill 01w of
them than in the ot he r .

SECT. Ill .

Study to unite (1 5) with firmnt~ss of _prini; i~l e
;,gen tl e ness of mann ers, an<l affable b ehaviour with
untainte d iutcgTit y.
.
In th at work, we are eve ry now (2) an<l th e n mlerrupte d wilh (8) unnatural tho~ g lils .
\ Bating (i ) one or two express rou s, the compos1, tion is not s ubj ec t ( l 0) to ce nsure .
..
To an s wer hi s purpose effectual ly, h e (8) prtchd (I) upon a ve ry 1~1oving story.
,
.
.. .
, 1 am not abl e to disco ver whether t.l1 ese pomts
are any ( ~~) h ow connected. .
.
Th ese are a rffu ments which cann ot be gilt ( 3)
over uy all th e ~ av ils of infid.e li ty.
. 'l'his matt.e r (25) I had a great min<l to reply
lo. ( 27)
.
.
l hoii e that l may ( 8) not be trouhl cLI m fotur e ,
('>,~1 )
on this, o r any th e ( 2) l'J
1{e occas .ion ~ .
.
Frnm what I iiav e said , yo 11 will ( 1'2 ) l' "rc:!' lt" ,..
It is dillic ul t. to unite toge ther ( 2~) cop10nsness
rPadil y lite s11hj ect I am to l' rn CPP.d i;p:;n. (:27 )
. and (8) precision.

;.,; 11

231
F.XF.RCI SES.
(Prom"'""'
.
........ OtU. ' romiscuous.)
PERSPICUITY, &c.
230
Letour
us purp
c onsid
e r of (23) the proper m c :rn'I· to ef- It is
. not 1rom
r
· world that any source ( 3 1) of
feet
ose.
this

Vv. e

mus~ pay a~let1lion to what goes ('.?i ) be fore

and unm e diat e ly follow s nrte r. ( 27 )
Th e rn o n~ that (23) this track is pnrsued the
more that ( 23 ) e l11que nce is studi e d, th e mor~ (8)
shall w e be g uard ed ag ai11st a fa lse taste .
. ~ru e b e lie vers of e ve ry class (2~l ) nr 11 l cl c nomin.illon nn e arth, make up th e c hurc h :in ' I people
of G od.
This is ti~<:! sum and st~l1s tance ( 23 ) of tl ·, a t whi c h
h as b ee n sa id 0 11 th e suh,1 cc t.
A p e r/f> d .uni on of wit and judg me nt , is one of

:omforl can arise , ( 3 1 lo che er the gloom o( the
ast hour .

SECT. lV.
· It is dange r ous fo r be auty (23) that is mortal, or
:or te rres tri al virtu e, to b e examined by a lig ht
hat is too strong for it. (27)
Be autiful wom e n ( 12 ) possess se ld om any gre at
iccornplishrne nts, (~3) he q .use th ey (1 2) study he\aviour rath e r than solid e xcell e nce, lor th e most

ra.n~fl ~lungs in the world . ( 2)
art.
. Pram:!, _like g olcl and diamon<l s, owes tu it 'I sc ar- • (23) It is to discove r th e t e mper of froward
city only its va lue . ( 25)
:hildre n, not that of me n, far less that of,C hrisI?t emp c ra~ ce (1 3) will makr: lif"P sli orf ;i rHI s;i d. fa ns, ( 25) to fre t an<l r e pine at e very disappoint·
\ 27 ) th oug h 1l may fire th e spirit s for aii lin nr.
ne nt of our wish es .
It is orda in e <l (23) and <l ecr ee d by Pro vid e nce ,
.From th e ir c rro11rs of (G) c> Ju cafi nn, a l I 1Ii c ir mi.;.
c.n es hav e p rocee de d.
ih at n othing shall be obtain ed in our prese nt sta te,
'l"'he ir <lisi~1tc ~·esle<lness r.f (G) co rHlu d produc c tl '23) that is trul y valuable, e xc e pt it be ( 23 ) with
gen e r.11 a.Jm1rat1 on.
\iffi c ulty an<l <l ange r.
l vi e w e <l th e habitalinn of my il c pa r tr d fri e nd.( 25 ) Pauses of e ase an<l r e laxation, Jabour n ec es~' c n e rabl e sh;~<lc ! l th en_ g av e th ee a IL' :ir : (S!Ti ' iarily re quires ; a nd th e de lici ousness of ease (1 2)
,1ccep t now o( one cordial d ro p that 1 : i11 ~ to t h~ nakes us co mm onl y unwillin g to r e turn to labour.
N othin g ( 25 ) whi c h is not rig ht can b e g re at;
me mo1y . ( 25 )
To-.lay W C a rc h e r e; c2r,) to-morr •' IV \\'(! nr~ iothin g (17) c an b e su itabl e to th e di g nity of the
gon e .
human mind w hi c h re ason c ond e mns.
rr~hi,; auth or is m ore r c rnarkahlP for "l r enrr th o( "\V e hav e warm h op es ii i youth, ( 1G) whi ch are
se ntime nt, tb ,m harmo ni ous (2ll ) l;ui~n :i~ t·. n
. (12) hlaste d soon by negli ge nce and r ashn ess ; a nrl
Ma1ty p <·.rsons ar c more <lPli ~ lif Pd 11 it h co rr<'c l ~real desig ns, whi c h a re defea te <l by ine xperie nce
and _e l e~ ant. lang uage , titan wit Ii th <~ iinp•irlance of '23) and ig noran ce of th e world.
i;entrnten t, ( 23 ) and acc uracy of rc; ~ j !;.
Th e h a unts of di ss ipation, by night a nLl (3 ) day,
. I fp e J mrc.lf g ra tc l:ul to my frii·nd , f°ii r all th e
ope i1 man y a wid e and inviting gale (~5) to the
mstan ccs of lus ( 23 ) kmdn es~, whi c h li e li a:i oOcn childre n o f idl e ness an<l s lolh.
(23) manifeste d to me .
T rue virtu e (22) (as nil its parts arc c onnecte d,
piety with morality, charity with justice, benevot11e

1 011 11

·,
';! '

:tJ2

EXERCISES.

( Promisw 0113 • Prmn·iscnous .)

Jenee with tc1nperance and fortitud e,) 11111st 1;ir111
one comp lete and entire syste m.
·
Dissiunil ati o11 ubsc m cs (~8 ) parts ;111d l<' ami11 g ;
<leg rad cs (28) th e lu stre of every a cc.u11 1p li ~·d11111'1lf :
anc~. pl11.11 gcs (I~ ) us i11to 11nire rsal co11t 1·111pt.
Cun hd c11t ( :.!~'l ) as you now ar c i11 yo11 r a s!-'c rti 011 ~
an d positive (2S) as yo u arc in yo ur opi11i o 11 s, '1 1 ~ n !'~
s ur e d('.~) th e time approa ches, \\'h e n (:.!!i) thi11 gs and
me n ml~ appe ar ~ll a c~ ifl e ~·c 11t li g l1t. to you . (~/)
I n thi s age of <l1ss 1pat1011 and l11 x11 rr i1t whi c h
we li ve, how man y a 1·c1111 cs am crn1 ,.; 1a11tly open
that ca rry (8) u s to thr: gates ( ~~ ) of' 1;, 11 \' !
. 'l: hro~.1 g h ext ravaga11 cc a11d idl c 11 P s~ . ;11.1<! (:~)rain
111c l1n at1011, (28) of e 111 ulating othe rs i11 t li 1.~ splt>ndiil
sho_w of Id e, ma11y run (:.!) i11to c harge ;: l!XC<'c din g
the ir property .
<?ojccts _ arc se parated P.O). fr01~ 1 cauh nt l1N, hy
tl~ e 1r qu a li~1 t:s : th ey are <l1 st 1ng u1 slwd (fol) lty thr
<l1stan ce of tn11e or pl:i 1_;c.
C larc 1_1dou Le in /;\' a 111a11 of extc nsir c ( I 11) ahilitir·~,
store<l Ins mrnd wrth a va ri ety of id eas ; ll'hi c h c ircums ta nce co ntributed lo th e success f; il e xertion of
his vigorous capac ity. (8)

SECT . V.
The most l1ig h U·!!>) <l cg rce of r<'1 " r<' rw o n11.J
atten.tio_n should be paid to yo11t.li; a11d 11• 1!l1i 11 1! ('.?:l)
that 1s 1111J ece 11t or 111d c li c at!' ~ h o 11ld 111· ~ 111li · r<·d In
approac h th e ir ey es or th e ir ( ~! I ) Par ~.
He wlr o is blcssc <l with a cl1 ~ ar co11 c: <' i1 ·11<·1', i 11 1hr
worst. co 11j 1.111 ~tur cs of _h11111a11 lif(', <'nj11_1· ~ ( l!l ) :in
cl.e vat1011 of 111111'1 pec uliar to \'irt11 e, as ir1·ll :i s ('..!:l)
d1g n1t.y a ml peace. (20)
(JG) The ha nd of i11d11stry ma y clia11 1! '', in n fi •w
years, th e fac e of a co untry; but (Hi ) ,., alt er ('.lr<)

l'I·:HSl' lCU i'lT 1 &c.

lh e sc ntim e 11[s a nd mann e r,; or a people, (12) r e
quires ol't e n as man y g-e nC' r;1ti on<:.
Wh e n th e h11ma11 mind d11 e ll s ;dl e11li l'c ly (~W )
~and lo11 g· 11po11 any s11'1j ecl, t he p:1 s"i 1111s arc apt ti•
~row (iG) e11th11siastic k, i1d c res te d, a11tl .,,-: 1rm; a nd
,the 1111d c rsta11tli11 g· w l1i c h tl1 cy 01 1g· l1l lo ol1cy, (%G)
they ul'te 11 fo r1_;c i11 lo th e ir St' l' Vi t;P .
1 So me ye ars afte r , ( I 0) lw i11 g- rc lea,., ed from pri so n,
,bj' r easo n of hi s COllSlllll lll ate lrnO\\ le dge oJ" ci vil
law, and of military a/fai rs, he was ( 14) exalte <l to
lhe s upre me pow e r.
'
Th e disco 11t e11tc d man (22 ) (as lii s spl ee n ir ritates
and so nrs l1i s tr- mp (•r, and le ad s him to disc harge
its r e11 0111 n11 a ll with whom he stand s co nnecte d,)
;is neve r fo uud with out a. gTea t share of m;dig-ntiy .
W e ca nn ot doulil hut (U) a ll th e proc ee dings of
Prov id e nce ( 13 ) will ;q1pe <H' as e q11ita lil e, when
full y 1111d c rsloo cl :m il co 111pl e te ly (23 ) inte llig ible,
IS 11 0\V th ey SCC lll irreg 11h1r.
All that g re at wc<llll1 ( 12) g iv es more (8) than
a m ode rat e fortu ne, g· e n<'r: dl y i", more roo m for th e
freaks ol' capri ce, a11 tl (:.i) pri vi lege for ig norance
1m<l vice ; nr /J alt e ri es a qu ic ke r succc;:s io11, ( 25)
mcl a large r c ircl e o r voluptu ous ness. '
Th e mi '>carriages of t he g re:i t des igns of princes
ire record e d i11 th e hi stor ies of th e world, but are
of littl e (<1) use to L11 c bulk of ,nwn kind , who seem
rery littl e i11l e resle d iu (D) records oCmiscarriages
1V hi 1_; h ca1111 ol h;1ppc n lu lli e 111 .
\Ve re th e re a11 y 111 :111 wlio co uld s;iy, in th e c ourse
f hi s life , tha t li e had 11 e rn ( I :3) s1dfon' tl him self
to Le trn11 s porlcd hy J ><1 s~ i(J11 , o r had e ver (23)
~ i VC ll just. gT0 1111 d o r p jfi.11 C<'. In :lll j' 011 e , Sll Ch a man
mi g ht, ( l G) l\'l H· 11 he n ' cc iv c d rr 011 1 o llicrs unrea!onali le ln:alm c1it, li av1 ~ ,:0 111 c l'l l~ a fo r ir11pati e nce.
C hri stianity will , at so1 ue futur e p e ri od, i111lu c nce
lJ

.'1

.,1;
I

23-1

EXF:llCISES .

( Pro111i.,curnu.

Prom1,scuons.)

P EP.Sl' ICll lTY 1

&,r,,

(_,,_, r

........_Jd

th e co ~d11ct of nrttions as w e ll as ( ~) i11divi1l11als. level, uring· ( 13) your mind down to your state ;
But tl11 s ( ~ ) (1 3) wil l (1 2) be, tho11 g li if <; grP:d cs t, lest ( 13) yo t1 spen d y our li fe in a train of fruitl ess
probab ly its lates t triumph: fo r thi s ('1) r-.:111 111 ~ nnlr pursuits, uy aiming too hi g h, and at last bring
IJI'?n g ht (2) about ( 12) throu g h tl 1" 11w di 111 n ni· yourse lf ( 12) to an entire state of insignifi cance and
conte mp t.
I~n:at ~ c h;.1ra clc r; and (3) th e re fore wil! nol lie (:>)
j
Often lra ve we see n, that what we consi<lered
r.1p1d in its progress, and vi silil c ;if " '·<·r v <: ! <> (• ;
but gTadual, (::J) and visibl e (U) ( 1'2) wh c 11 ·cn nqid- 1 (1 3) as a so re di s appointmr~ nt at th e tim e, lias
pro ved ( 13) to lie a me rciful provi de nce in the
erabl e c (frct s only ha ve uce 11 produc ·~ d .
. Th e Hri~i s h cons titution stand s, ( t :\) like an ;111 • .i issue; and th at (lG) it would have been so far from
c1ent oak .111 th e wo od, among th e n:1ii1ms of' (1 1p Jmnki ug n i h a ppy, if what we once eagerly wished
earth; wl11 c h, alte r having ov r~ rco 11H · T11 :111i· a lila><t. ·1 for ha~ bee n obtained, that it would hav e produced
our rum.
ove rt ops th e other tr ees of th e fon ·~t , a·nd c 0 111 •
C an th e stream conti11ue to advance, (8) when it
mands r espect and ve11 e rati o11 .
J is depriv ed (8) ol' th e fountain? Can th e branch imSEC T. VJ.
prove, (8) wh e n take n (8) from the stoc k which
gave
i t nourishm e nt? (1 2) Dep e nd e nt spiritS\can
!Vhnt an nnch or is to a ve s~c l ('.!! J) a mid ~ t a
re be happy, when parted (8) fr om all union
no
mo
bo1s te ro~s ocean, ( 17) on a co:1st 11nlu1 own , :111 d in
with
th
e Fa th er of sp ir its, and th e fountain of hapa da rk rn g ht, tl rnt is th e hop e of f11 t11rP h:1pp irH'""
piness.
to th e so.ul, .w he n be set: (B) hy th e c·.n11 i'1!"i '1n" ni' 11 1,.
Prospe rity is r t~ doubl c d lo a g ood man , bv mcarn;
world: for !11 dan f?'e r, (23 ) it afford s 111 11• fix• ·d point
of tlic ge n crnu ~> use ( 23 ) which h e makds of it ;
of re~t; anmlst ge nera l fluctuati on, ('_;~i ) it g-i vP~
al1li it is r eilf'c lc d bnc k upon him uy ev e ry one
secunty.
whom he mak e ~; happy ; for ( 17) in th e c::; tee m
Our pride and. s.e lf:.co11c c it, ( 22 ) ( l1v 11 n1 1ri•liing
a~d goo d-will of all who kn ow him, in th e gratitude
a .we ;il~ and c hildr sh sc nsiuility Jo 1·11· n · for tdf'<I
of
de pendants, iu th e attachment of fri e nd s, a nd
pomt of our own l1 ono11r and int c rf' ."' · ) ( 'n) wh ll'•
th.ey shut up all regard lo th e h<>rJ1 " 1r nr i11 l" r"~' · th e intercourse of' d o rw~s ti c k affec ti on, (2G ) he see ~
bl ess in gs multipli ed roun<l him, on every side.
of our brethren, r e nd er us q11arrf' lcnr1 1" and c n 11 •
Whoev e r ( H) wo uld pass, (IG ) with honour and
tentious.
dec
e ncy, the latter part of lile, must (l ·l) co nside r
If th ere .be nny first prin c iph of' "i · . dorn, it 1111 •
he is yo ung-, that one day he sha ll ( 1·J) !JI'
when
douutc rlly 1s (13) thi s: th e di ~ tre s~' "' th at ar" ff' ··
1~10v a hl.e , e.n(leavour to re move ; ('21: 1 110,u with 1111 , old; and rem e mb e r (1 3) th a t when h e is old, ]i p
has once bee n yo un g : (l G) he must lay up knowlhttl.c di sqrnct as you can, ( 2f,) tli 0. di -= lr<'~""q whi r. Ii
edge in youth for his support, wh e n his powe rs o f
~an not be r:emov ccl: (I (j) r, orn forts ;1 r1 · to h· fi 111111I
acting shall forsake him; and (1 6) forbear to an1~1 e ve ry s1t11 a tinn and co ndition 11 ! lif i ~ ; li :r\' iug
imad vert i11 ag < ~ with rigour, on fault s which ex pefound thr~m, (2U) 1~njoy th em.
ri e nce can alon e ( IU) correct.
Instead of' aspiri11 g farther (U) th :111 yo 11 r propnt

Ii

:J!

23b

'.

..\J' l'EN IJIX.

of no (13) lon g cfu~at10n ! and lli;il ( IG) wli <' 11 th e C" 11r:h : 111l111f'11f~ of
fancy 111 111 :tf11 r e r :1g·1 · !" li ;11i cc;1o:c , :111 d pii: 11 i1 0111 ~ n<•
more ch11 c0. ( 13) ;1'1011( 1:s, w e ~ l1 a ll ll ; 11· 1 ~ 110 f"ornforts Lui (':!(j ) wi s1~ llH' n's f'"lcc rn , 111 0. apprnli ;tf ion
of Our h e ar( ~ . :111d lii e lllf~ <lll S of' d11i11 g good: and
(2 3 ) l ~t us live as m e n th;1t arc (I :3) (o gTow o ltl
some t11n c, and _!n wl1 0111 ( 17) of ;di e vil s il 11 ·ill he
th e m~s t d_r cadful, to co_1111 t !h c_ir }'f'ars p : t ~ l on ly
by. follt es, _.rnd (o be rPn111HI Pd of thc•ir fo n nPr !n xu.rrnn ce of he altl1 1 (I :3) l1y U1c 111al:idie c; 011 1I' wliiclt
not has produ ce d.
·

I:et us co nsid e r that yo11th

i<>

APPENDIX.
CONTAININ G EXAMl'l.ES 1 TO ASS I ST TITF: STIJ l >f:l\"I' 11' TnAl'\ ~­
POS IN G TllE J>AltTS O F S F:.N TENC ES 1 ANJl I N \" .\HYJl\' t~
THE FOJl~ ! OF E Xl'ltESS I NG A SEN TIMENT .

CH APTE R I.
On transposing the J\Ic1nbers nj a S c11 /r1 1rr .

THE practice of transposing- th <' ll t •· 111 lw r;: 111
se ntences, is an exe r cise so 11scf'ul In yo11 1w llf'r ~ 011 "
that it requires a more parti c ular "xjil :u1 :1; j:,, 1• tl i:u;
co uld ha ve hee n pro j1e rly g iv r n i11 tl11 ' i•r• · 1 · 1 · d" 1 ~
work.
A few of th e various mode s in which 1111• 1•:1r1 Q
of a se nte nc e may
rPr't• r<••
.
. lJe arranged ' h:t\'f' l tli1·
b een co ll ecte d ; ;11Hl thPy arp 1 1rilh ollif'I' rn:ilt<'r
1~rod 11c:: e d iu till! form of' :lll kpp•·ndix 111 1111' l!''' ll t> r:ii
l•,xe rc rses :
Hy cx;11 11ini11g- tl1t •111 ;l(l1 ·1lfii1•lr, Ili c
c: t11<lc11t will p erce ive, in so 111 c d1 ·gT1 '1•1 tl 11 ' 1;a1 11 r1•

and effect of transposition; and, by being frequently
exercise d in show in g- its variety in othe r sente nces,
he will olit ;1in a fa cility in th e op0.ration; an<l a
dex te rity in di scov e rin g and applyin g, 0 11 all occasions, 1.h c clP;1n•.st. and most forcible arrangement
13y this J'l':l c (i c.;' 1 11 1' will ;tl -: o b e abk more r e aclily
lo p c nclr;ite 1h e meanin g of such se ntences, as an~
rencl e re rl obsc 11re and p e rpl ex in g t·o most readers,
uy the irrcg ul:i.r disposit ion of th e ir parts.
'l'hr, fi rst and last form s of each class of examples, are to be c onside re <l ac; lh e least exce pticmable 1

i·1 '
I 14 •

The Roman state ev idently declined, in proportion to the incr ease of luxury.
j ,.I'he Roman state, in pro{JOrtion to the increase
of luxury, evid ently decl ine d.
I In proporti on to th e increase of luxury, the Rolman state ev id e ntly declined.
I am willing to r e mit all that is past, provided
"it may he done wilh safety.
I am willing, provid e d it rnay Le <lon e with safety,
lo remit all th at is past.
Provided it may be don e with safety, l am willing
lo remit all that is past
That greatness of mind which shows itse lf in
dange rs an<l Jabonrs, if it. wants justi ce, is Llameable.
If that g re atne ss of mind, whi ch shows itse lf in
dange rs and l abour~ . is void of justice, it is blam e able.
That g re atne ss 1>! 111incl is bhrn1~ ;1hk , which shows
itse lf in clange rs a11d labours, if" it w<1.11ts justice.
If that greatness or mi11d is YOi!l of justice , which
shows itse lf in Llang-c rs and lah onrs, it is hlam c alJle.
That g re atn ess ;)r mind is hlani c ahlr'. 1 if it is void
of just.ice, whi c h "' h ows ilse lf" i11 d;111g·e 1._, ;111d l:i.bo11rs.

.,
"

,\

l'l'F~ I iIX.

lf it wants ju s ti o c~ , lliat greatness of rnintl, which
shows itse lf in tlan gcrs and labours, is blameable.
He who mad e lig!tt to spring· fr om primeval
darkness, will make order, at las t, to arise from the
seeming co11fr1sion of Ilic world.
From the seeming conf'u~ion of l11e " ·oriel, Ile
who made light to s pring from primeval 1ladrness,
will mak e order, at last, lo arise.
He who made light to spring from primeval
darkness, will, from the see ming confu sion of the
world, make on1cr, at last , to arise.
He who rn~ule li g ht to "Pring /'ro111 pri11H'Yal
darkne ss, wi 11 , at last, f"rorn th e f'eem i ng· co ufu ~ io ·.1
of the world, mak e order to ari se.
He will mak e ord e r, :1l las t, lo arisP f'rnm thP
seeming co11f'usiu11 of Ilic world, wl10 111ad e fig-ht lo
spring from prillleval darlrn css.
Fro111 th e seeming- confus ion of tl1r~ world, li e
will make ord ~ r, at las t, lo arise, who mad e light
to spring frolil prim eval darkness.
He who rnade li g ht to spring from prim cra l
darkness, will , at last, mak e order to arise, from tlH'
seeming confu~ion of' th e worlcl.

Al'Pl•:NDtX.

I

23<:l

~nd

not to pbce too much depcnd~nce on the precarious things of time ; who considers the uncertainly
human affairs, and how often the greatest
hopes are frustrated.

or

j Lei us not conclude, while clange r s nre at a clis·~ tanc e, arnl do not imme diately approach ns, that. we
are secure; nnless we nsc the necessary precaut10ns
to prevent th e m.
. . . .
_
Unl ess we use th e necessary precault0ns to pre
· vent dar.gen;, Jet us not conclude, while they are
at a distan ce , and do not imm edi ately approach \11;;,
that we are secnre.
Unless we use the necessary precautions to pre vent dangers, let us not conclude, that w~ are s~cure ,
. · while they are at a distance, and do not imme<l rn tely

l approach
i

us.
h ·•
Let us not conclude that we are se_cure, ~ 1w
daugers are at a distance, and do not immed iatel y
approach us, unless we use the necessary precarrtions to prevent them.
.
_.
While dangers are at a <listance, and do not JHlmediately approach us, let us not conclude, that. w e.
are secure , uuless we use the necessary p recau tions
to prevent them .

I

Vd1oever considers ilie uncertainty of human
'I'hose thin gs which appe~r gr.eat to .on: '~ho
affairs, arH1 how frequently the grcate-;t hop es arc
frustrate<l; will see .iust rea so n to he ah' ap on hi ~ , knows nothing greater, will s1:ik mto. a dm~mut1v:
size, when h e becomes acquamted with obJects of
g-uard, and 1101 to place too much <l< ·p<•1 1;!e11 c 1~ on
tli ing·s so precarious.
.
..
..
.
a higher nature.
\Vhe n one becomes acqua111te<l with objects ol a
He who considers J1ow fr c qnentl j' tl1c grealei,t
higher nature, those things :-Vhich appeare~ gr~at
hopes are frustrated, and tlie uncertainty of l111mn11
to him whilst b e knew nothing greater, will smk
affairs; will not place too much 1kpc 11cl c 11 cf' on
'into a ditninu1.i "-c size.
.
things so prec:irio11s, and will ,-cc ju"t r1·a~o11 to ""
'I'o one who knows nothing greater, those th11_1gs
a lways on his guard.
which then appc:i.r great, will sink into a <liminuhve
H e w ill sec ju ~ t r<.: a-:011 tu be al\\'ays 011 his g11anl 1

~.i I

24 1

Al'PICNDIX.

APPENDIX.

siz~, wh en h e becomes acqua inte d with OUJ·ecls of

lf it can be done without inconvenience, I shall
not fail to attend the conference.
I shall not absent myself from the conference,
unless circumstances render it necessary.

a highe r nature.

CUA PTER Ii

.
On vrt,r-icty of l~xpres s i on.
J3c;:;id cs lli e tirac l i ~e <Jr lrnn sposin<; the p:1rts of
senten ces, th e C? rnpil cr rcco rnm c lHI ;; to 1ulors fr c~~c;1ll.Y , li~. c.: c m se tl1 ~ ir p11.pils, i11 ex hibitin g- ~om c
t I C ',111011 s 111 odcs, 111 wl11 c h lh c .s;1111 e ~r 11tinw11t
1:1~y Le p1:op e i'l .Y cx p:·esst· d. 'J'l1i s pr:1c ti cP ,,·ill
cxlc• m1 _ tlie1r
lrnowl c d r-J
n·1~
tltP' h1w11 ·1 o•A
,
~ -., .d 11·01 .( I •
,,
var~cly o l. cx 1,rc ss io11 , ;111d l1aliil11 :1k '1ii<·;11 fo di ·lir,·i·
th c 1~· se ~1t1m ~~ 11 t s will1 cka rn css , cas, ·, :111cl pr opri c tv
~twill l1.k e w1se e nab le tl1 osc wli o m:1y h1' i·iw:wt".d
Ill study rn g ofh nr J
,. .
l
. ., .
· '-' . :~11.g-ua~cs , n ot onl ·y to cn 11" qnu•
t l e 11t Willi mor e Jac1'11 y, 111to ·E11 g li s li ; IJ1Jt al"o tn
~L :e rve a ml <•pp.ly more rea dil y, n1 :111 y nl' thP t111 w ;
,mll phrases, wl11cl1 an: Li es t adapt e d t o 1li e o-p 11 11s
of th o:e la11 g u:1ges. A fe w ex ampl es of tit is kind nf
:x:rc1 se , wi ll Li? s111Ji c ic 11 t to ex pl ai n t he 11 a tm c of
tt, and to sh ow its utilit y.

or

I

......

I

......

'\he br.oth e rdescrvcd ce nsure m or e ilwn hi ss i .~ t P. r.
'I h e sister was less repre h e nsib!P than li e r
broth er.
·
'1'11e s ister did not deserve r e prc he n!-' in11. ~ 0 muc h
as her bro th e r.
,
R eproof was more du e lo th e brotlH' t. than to
th e sister.
·
I .will attend the conference, if I c an do it conTe m en tly.
I. inte nd t~ be at th e co nfere nce, u111 Pss it sh ould
be mconv e n1 e nL
If I can do it with co nv e ni e nce, l p11rp ose to IJe
p rese nt at th e conference.

H e who lives always in the bustle of the world ,
liv es in a p erpetual warfare.
rro live continually in the bustle of the world, i<:
to li ve in perpetual warfare.
By li v ing constantly in the bustle of the world ,
l our life b ec omes a scene of contention.
, It is a continual warfare, to live perpetually in
l the bustl e of th e world.
Th e hurry of the world, to him who always liv e~
in it, is a perpetual conflict.
They who are constantly engaged in the tumults
of th e world, a re strangers to the blessings of peace .

l

1
j

The spirit of true r eligion bre a th es gentleness
'•

J and affability.

Gentleness and affability are the genuine effects
of tru e religion.
True relig ion t e aches us to be gentle and affal>le .
Genuine religion will n e ver produc e an austere
temper, or rough demeanour.
Harshness of manners and want of condescension.
are opposite to the spirit of true religion.
Industry is not only the instrument ofimprovement,
but th e foundation of pleasure.
lndustryproduces both improvement and pleasure.
Improvem e nt and pleasure are the products of
industry.
Th e common attendants on idleness are ignorance
and misery.
Valerius passe d several laws, abridging the power
of the senate, and extending that of the people.

x

,,,.

• 1!

242

APPENDIX,

APPENDIX.

243
I

Se veral la"vs were passed by Valerius which
abridged th e power of the senate, and extended that
of th e people.
The power of the senate was abridged, and tl1at
of th e people exte nd ed, by several laws pass(' d
durin g th e consul ship of Valerius.

in the head, and leave the heart untouched and
cold.
·
Speculations which leave tl~e h eart un affec te ~
and cold, though th ey may consist of general bene\ole nce 1loati11g in the h ead, <lo not form the great
Yirtue of ch arity.
.
.
The advantages of this world, eve n when i11110- ~ Uni versal b enevolence .to mankmd, wh en it ~·es ts
iu the abstract, do es not constit~te the u?bl e v~rtu e
cc ntly gained, are uncertain blessi11gs.
of ch arity. It is then a loose, mdetermrn ate idea,
;If th e advantages of this world were innocently
rather than a principle of real e f~ect ; · and flo ats_ as •
gam ed, they arc still un certain bl ess i11gs.
·
a useless speculation in the h ead, mstead of affectmg
W ~ m ay indeed i11noec11tly gain th e ndva11tai;f's
the temp er an d the heart.
of tlus world; but eve n th en th ey arc un certa in
blessings.
A wolf let into the sheepfold, will devour th e
U nce rtain ty attends all the a<lva11tag1~ s of tl1is
sheep.
· b
wo rld, not excepting those which arc innocently
If we let a wolf into the fold, the sheep will e
acq uired.
·
devo ured.
Th e bl essings which we deriv e from th e adrnnTh e wolf" will devo ur th e sh eep, if the sheepfold
tages of thi s world, are not secure, even wh en tl'icv
.
.
1 be left open.
are innocently gained.
·
A wolf being let iuto the sh eepfold, the sheep
will be devoured.
.
"\\Then yo u. behol~l w~cke<l men multiplying in
If
the
fold
be
not
left
carefully
shut,
th
e
wolf
num~er, and m~reasmg m power, imagine not that
w ill devour the sh eep.
Providence particularly favours th em.
There is no defence of the she ep from the wolf
When wicked men are observed to multipl y i11
1
unless
it he kept out of th e fold.
nu mb er, and increase in power, we arc not to su pA
s
lau~ltt.er
will be ma.11c amongst the sh eep, ii"
pose that tl1 cy arc particularly fa.vo1m·d liv Provi the wolf can get into the fold.
den ce.
·
The preceding examples ~ how that the f'.mn " :
From th e in.crease and prospC'rit)· of tl11 : wi ('k.-d, i
w e must not rnfer that they are th e fav ouri li's nf
expressing a se!1tim e1~t ma:Y be JH~p e rly van.ecJ_,. 1'.:
Providence.
turniug the actH'e voice of verb s. rnto th e r as~n . :
a nd the nominative case of nouns mto the ob.1cctiv e;
Charity consists not in speculative id eas of grnhv alte ri11 g the con11exion of short sen tences ; li y
eral benevolence, floating in th e head , flhd k :l\·i11!!
aiffereut adverbs and conjunctions, and by th e use
the h eart, as 8pe<'ulations too often do , 11n!o1icl11• d
of prepositions ; by applying a~jectiv e s and adve ~·b s
and cold.
instead of substanti ves, and vice versa ~ by usrn g;
S peculative ideas of general h c11 e vol r· 11 r.r', !lo not
th e case absolute in place of the nommahve and
form the virtue of charity; for th ese often fln:it

,j,

I

'

Ii

244

ptaphor.)

APPENDl X.

verb ; . and th e participl e instead of th e verb; hy
reversing th e corre spondent parts of the sentence.
and b.y the neg·ati on of the contrary, inste ad oft h~
assertion of the thing first propose d.
By th ese
and oth er mod es of expression, a g reat varie ty of
~orms of speech, exactly or near ly of th e sam e
1mp~rt, ma~ be produce rl; and th e y oung stud ent
furmsl1 ed with a considerable store for hi s se lection
and use .
Wh e n the bus.iness of transposing th e parts of
se
the form s of c, x 11 1·css1on,
·
b ntenc es,f and
. . ot varving
J
e c_omes a~mh a r to th e student, h e may be e mploye d m r e ducm g th e pa rticulars of a fow pa rre~ to
g.e neral h e ads ; a.nd in e ~pandiug senti rtH' rll ~ g-/•n cr.a~l~ expresse d, ~nto th eH" corres pond e nt partirnlcus, and by i_:i a lung th ese op erati ons more or IPss
g en.eral, a~d rnor~ or less parti cul ar, a conside rabl e
vanet:f will be mtro<luce <l into this part of th e
E xercises.
An e mpl oyment of the kind he re proposed, will
not only .mal~e th e learne r skilfu l i11 U1.e rne;;ning
and ~pplt c at10.n of terms, and Jn the na tur e of a
c ?nc1se and of a copious style ; but it will also te ac h
lum to think with orde r and atte nti on· to contract or .expand his vi e ws at pl c a'! ure; arui to dig-<>~ !
the se ntime nts of other p er sons, or hi s om 1, in th t'
mann e r best ad apted to assii>t hi s jud:r. ment an <l
memory.
· ~

AP P ENDIX.

245

·,

CHAPTER lll.
FIGURES OF SPEECH.
METAPHOR.
•i A M etaphor is a fi gure found ed entirely on the resemblance
• which one ohj ect bears to anoth er. H ence, it is much alli ed to
1simile or co mpari son, and is indeed no o~her than a comparison, exprcssr.d in an abri <lge<I form. '!\'hen I say of so me great minister,
That he uphold s th e sta te, like a pillar whi ch sup ports the weight
'of a whole edifice ," I fairly make a compari son : hut when I say
Jof such a mini ster, "That he is the pill ar of the state," it no\~ becomes a meta phor. In the latter ca se, the comparis011 betw ee n
the mini ster and a pillar is made in the mind; bu t it is expressed
without any of the words that denote compari son.
Rul es to he obsc rvtd in th e us e of metaphor s.
, 1. Me tap hors, n.s well as other.figur es, should, on no ocw sio11 ,
be stuck on 1irof uselg; an d should always be sv..ch n.s accord w ith
the strain of our sentiment. The latter part of th e foll owing paslsage , fro m a law hi stori an, is, in this res pect, very ex ce ptionable.
He is giving an account of th e fam ous act of parliam ent against
irreg ular ma rri ages in England . "The bill," says he, " und er\ vent a great numb er of alterations and amendments , which were
'not e ffected without. vi olent contes t. At length, however, it was
1!1oa ted throu gh both houses on the tide of a great majority. and
·.• ~teorod into the safe harbour of royal a pproba tion."
2. Care shouhl be tak en that the resemblance, which is the fo un. dation of the meta pho r , be clenr a.nd per sp icuous, not f m:fetched,
' nor dijficult to disi:01ier . The transgression of this rul e makes
what ar e called ha rsh or for ced meta phors ; whi ch are di splea sing, because they pu ·1.zlc th e re ad er, and instead of illustrating the
thouaht,
rend er it perplexed am\ intricate.
3. 0 In the third pl ace, we should be careful , in the conduct of
' metaphors, n ev e,. to jumhle m eta1ihorical and plain language together. An author, a cldressing himself to the kin g, says :
To thee th e worl1\ its prese nt homage pays ;
The harvest ea rl y. but mature the praise.
It is plain, that, hacl not th e rhyme misled him to the choice of
an improper phrase, he \VO uld have said,
The harvest earl y, but mature th e crnp;
and so would luive continued the fi gure which he had begun.
'l\'hereas, by drop ping it unfinished, and by employing the literal
word "praise," when we we re expecting somethin g that related
to the harvest, the fi!!;ttrc is broken, and the two members of the
sentence have no snitahle co rres pond ence to each other.
4. We should avoid making two inconsistent metaphors meet

f

11
11

24G

Comparison.)

APPENDIX.

APPENDIX.

The hill s were cove red with the shadow of it · and the boug hs
thereof were like the good ly cedars. She sent out her boughs unt o
the sea, a.nd her branches unt.o the river. Why hast thou broke11
· dow11 ltfn- hedges, so lh at all they which pass by the way do pluck
her 1 The hoar oul of the wood doth waste il, and the wild beast of
the fi1 ~ ·! doth devour it. R eturn , we beseech thee, 0 God of hosts:
look dow n front hc a vi:11, aml heltuld, a11<l vi si t thi s viuc 1" Sec a lso
Ezekie l, xv ii . 2'.2-21..
. The first a nd principal requisite in the conduct of a n a llegory, is,

that the jig uratiu and the literal rneaning be not mixed inconsislentiy
together. Indeed, all the rules that were given for metaphors, may
" also he applied to a llegories, on account of the affinity they bear
to each other. The only material diffe rence between the m, besides
the one being sh o r~ an ~l th e other being prolonged, is, th at a metaphor always cxplams itself by the words th at are cohnected w ith
11 in the ir 'prope r and natural meaning; as when I say, "Achill es
was a lion ;" " An a ble ministe r is th e pillar of the state;" the
11
lion" and the "pill ar" a rc sufficiently interpreted by the menti on of
"Achilles" and the" minister," which I j oin to th em ; but a 11 a llegory
is, or may be, ollowed lo stand less connected with the liternl rn eilning, tlte interpre tati on nol IJeing so directly pointed ou t, but le fl to
our own re flecti on.
Allegory was a favourite method of delivering instructi on in a ncient tunes; fnr wh at we ca ll fables or pnrab les, are no other than
allegories. Tiy words a nd actions attributed to beasts or in an ima te
obj ects, tltc dispositions of men were fi g ured ; a nrl what we call the
moral, is the unfigured sense or meaning of the allegory.
COMPARISON.

ALLEGORY.
An A/lccrory 111ay be rcg·;i · I I

it is tlu.\ 7t· )r . i. .. .
' . ~ iccc. as a r~1 c l a j)li11r f'n11ti1111<:d; ~ inc-r
1
! '. le~ it, ,; ml-lw~;~~.;:t.i.~ ~:: aJ~ ~~n~~ai~S~o:·"i1 :•g '.I •111otl1r'1
.· th at.
Scn111t1rcs a Vt"r)' fine ev·1 11111le o f'.
II . \\ c. 111 ") t.1k1 · frn11t tl 11•
"' a. . ;in
I J' I
whe re lit e peopl e of ], r·icl
. a "g"•r
( ·r ' 111 tit1' '· i·11
: I t ' " 111 ·
YiJJC j and lJic fi runJ. ~ j c. . ~ ~-C J C rl .C~C l. ll (•1 11 111.J er lli1 • 1111 ;1gp o f i i
and bea ut )'
I s l7a.t11ccll t n o~1g lt (11t l "".th 1~rr ·;it ' "'',..'"'''''
. .
iou ms u1011g tl a VllJC' nt1t ,.f F, I . I
I
east 1ml lite l1r:atlteJ1. ;i nd J•hlltcd it 'J"J
. .g 1 I' • 1 " '" "' ' '
1
fo re it·' a11cI cit
1· 1st i:a u·~c it lo take
'
·
•ou
1'
' ' ("" '' ' " ' ' """ "' !11 "
deep root, a nd it lill~ d tlte l;i 11d

n»•'lll·

"TT

A Cmnparison or· Simil,e is, when the resembl ance between
two objects is e.:qrressed in form., a nd generally pursued more folly
than th e nature of a metaphor admits; as whe n it is said, "The
act ions of prin ces me like those g reat rive rs, the course of which
every one beholds, but th eir springs have been seen by few." "As
the monHlains arc round about J e rusale m, so the Lord is round
about hi s people." ".Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
for bre th ren to d well too-ether in unity! It is like the prec iou s
ointment, &c. a nd as the (le w that descended upon tlte mount a ins of
Zion."
In comparisons, the understanding is concerned much more than
the fan cy; and therefore the rules to be observed , with respec t to
them, arc, th at they be clear, and th at they be useful; th at they
tend to re nder our concepti on of the principal object more di stinct;
and that they do uot lead our view aside, and bew ilder it with
a ny fal se li ght. W e should always remember th at si milf's arc
not a rg-11me11ls. However apt they may be, they do no more th an
expla in the wri tr:r's sentiments ; they do nol prove them to be founded
on truth .
Comparisons ought not to be founded on likenesses which are

'

248

(Jlfetonymy, ~-~.

APPENDIX.

too foi11t and re mote : for these in place of assi i 1 . .1 .. .
.
11
lo c·ornpr<'hcnd them, and thro,~ 110 light np~n t~~~ ~ ; ~j ~~;n
1
lo 1>c ohsp n ·ed that ·1 comparis
J• I ·
I
'
·
ts ' ""
st;11H.:cs, Cil.JTi ~~ 'a s~1fli,ci c11tly ne;1;'.':.c~"'c::~,'1'.1 ::~cl '~1-~m !1c ipnl cir<'11n1 ural a nd obscure if pushed too far N ;1 . . '. cy icco111t! 11u11;1f1lrc des ig n of rhis flp·urc , than to hunt. allc1~ ·1"~fe·1'st mor,c op1f>osi1." '·"
dc 1 cc ·· ·
·
q
, c. g -( 1wn1 ler o cn 111 ('I ~
, ' s 111 111111n1e po111ts, merely to show J,ow ftr the . .- , ·' · .
. ..
can slrc ld1 Ilic rese111blancc.
,
"' i c1 s rngc J11111y

'j',e -". i"''

11

R.postrophe, o/c.)

APPENDI1'.

240

n101mtain s, that ye skipped like rams; and ye little hills, hke
lamb;;? Tremble, thou ea rth, at th e pre sen ce of the Lord, at the
prese nce of the llo d or .Jacob ."
"The wild e rn ess and th e so litary place shall be glad for lhen i:
md the desc rl shall rej oice and blossom as lhe rose.''

APOSTROPHE .

METONYMY.
. :\ illl'!n11.1;iny is founded on the severa l rc lnlio · s f
lllld co.JJtaiu?d, .~ig·u and thing ~~·uYfic~~us~r~~::
· ·' ' _.) , " L .·.Y r?ad Jllilto11, ' the cause is put iuslc<trl f ti, .ff•: .
111ca 111117 M d1 n1rs wo rb." On ii e 0 ti .. . I
I
o _1c c u I '
~~ c· .
' . · ~ ·I
. )
IC I
I Llll( J whe11 Jt JS said
•1 ay iau, s io11 ld he rcspec lcd ,, we put tir e ff• ·t f
I , , . .
mca11111g, by "gr:i v l1airs,'' old a'a·~ " 'l'he l·etlel.c cl cl ~;.tu. '1ausc,
where 11 .
( I
.
b
•
• '
>01 s, IS a p 1rac·c
co11t·1inc1'r u~:1;~ o I ic contlmer is subst itul cd for th at of the 1h i 1;~.f~ r ; ul.e ri;1
~ '. lS~tnnc t .~c. ~('ep lrc,." is <~ f'ommun exprcJsio~
. signi fi e d. g on ioy al aulho1 ity ' th e sign bemg pu t for the lh i11;;

::'. !~;~.'.'/ , c~! 1 ! t~;1~cr
1

....
SYNECDOCHE.

~\Chen 1h:: whole IS put fo'. a part, or a r<ll't for ll1e whole . a cnu
fo1 a s1:cc 1e~, or a spec ies _for a genus; 111 ge ne ra l, when ~ 11 ~hin s
;?ss, . o1. _a 11y tlm1g 111ore, is put for the precise ohj ect mca1!t . th~
!!; Ill c

1'

Iii en en Tied

a Sy11ecdocl1e or Com re/1c 11 si

]

· ' . ..

;;~;1; 1 zn .fo r ~ns\a11cc, to describe a whole obfeet l~y s~;~;c rc;n~~·k~tr~

"sl1ips .~,' ~SW IC IJ we slay, " a fl ee t of twe nty saif," ill th e place of
ti ;, w ,1,cn we. use 1. ic . " head" fo r the "]JPrsnn " the " waves"
.,.. ,/}~ 011stle1':; r ~ntlhkc,:nanncr, an attribut e may he P_'ut for a subi ect.
" '•
.
JO I . IC
young," the (( d
"
I "
·" J
'
sometun cs a subject for its a l tribute.
ecp
o1 t ie sea ' aHd

fo;

r.

PERSONIFICATION .
l'ersonificalion or Pro<o"
· · I
fi
tribute li fe 'uid act· , t,. O)){l'.la, is t ia t. 1g urc by wl11cl1 we al·
1'1
f
·
·
'
' .ion o ma rnPiate object
figure . is very nal11rnl a ud cx l e nsi~·e: there i:· ' l wo1e I us; , o Lim
II!'" 111 hu 111 n
d
· •
11ce1111 pro11P11
1
\\Tl;c11 \\C say: '~, /i,~ ~ ;~1; 11 :;1·a~J;. ~ ;~~i~'.:;u l'~ <:;11i'.1,1alc ~II ol~jcc r~
wi th pl c 11 1y ·" when we spca l f "
• .(
, _ _the c ,.11 lh s1111ks
., a di sease'; hci111:· I : ·u
· ; / ( -~ o
. am1J1lro1!'s l1cmg restless," or,
with which lhr. o. tJcce'. u ' such express1011s show the facility
·
· llllJH
c,m accommodate th e .
·
f . ·
pr ope rties o 11v111g·
c1·ealurcs to tlri 11 g·s rh a l a. · · · .
' JC ma1111nale or to ·d•slnct c
. own fonniwr . The
fc0II .
:'
. '. ·.· •011ccp 1·1011s
of 1ls
the S criptures . "'\VJ 1e 11 I
lowmg arc st!· 1k.11 1g examples from
.1 I
·
J uua
1 from a people
of st ·asrac 1went out of J•·g·y11t , ti 1c I1ousc o(
Jord a n was' driven back. u?J~ ang·uag·c; the. 'ea sa•v it, n\1(1 tied :
the liulc hills like lami)s. \-JI mom.1llallls slopped lrkc rams, aud
thou lleddest ? thou Jorcian tl~t a11' cd thoe 01-' th ou ~1 ·:i , !hat
1ou wast <1n·cn back 7 ye
,
'

8

.llpostro71he is a turning o ff from th e reg ular cum sc of ll1 e s11bjcc t:, to addres s some person or thing;; as," D eath is sw a llowed up
r,in victory. 0 death! where is thy sting? 0 grnve ! whe re is thy
'vi c tory?"
Tbc followin g is an instance of personifi cation a nd a postrophe
~unite<!: "0 thou sword of the Lord! how lo 11g will it be ere th ou
'. be qui e t? put th yse lf up into thy scab hard, rest anr\ be still! How
can it be rj11i c t, seein g th e Lord hath giv en it a cha rge again st
Askcl on, an d agai nst the sea-shore? the re lmth he a ppointed it."
A prin cip a l erro ur, in th e use of th e Apostroph e , i<, to dec k tl1e
•obj ec t a ddressed with affected ornamen ts ; by whid1 authors relinqui sh th e ex pression of pass ion, anu substitute for it th e Ian·
guage of fan cy.
Another fr equ ent errour is, to extend this figur e to too gre;;t
length. The la nguage of violent passion is always con cise, and
ofte n abrupt. It passes sudd enly from one object to another. Jt
ofte n glan ces at a thou ght, star ts from it, and leaves it unfini sh ed.

AN'l'lTHESIS.
The n ext figure in order, is Jlnli thesis. Comparison is founded on the rese mblan ce; antithesis, on the co ntrast or opposition
o f t wo obj ec ts. Co ntrast has a lways the effect, to mak e each of
th e contrasted objects appear in the ~tron ger light. ~Vhi te, for
instance, neve r a ppears so bright as when it is opposed to hlack;
and wh e11 both are viewed toge th e r. An author, in hi s defe nce
of a friend againsl the charge of murder, expresses himself thus:
"Ca n you be li eve that the pe rso n whom he sc rupl ed to slay.
when h e mi ght hav e done so with full justice, in a convenient
place, at a prop er time, with secure impunity; he made no scruple
to munl cr against j ustice, in an unfavo urah! e place, at an un<e:tsonable time, and at the ri sk of capital cond em nat ion ?"
The follcwi11~ e xampl es furth er illustrate thi s figure .
Tho' de e p, yet c.Jcar; tho' ge ntle, ye t not dull;
f:!tron g, without rage ; with out o'crflowin g, full.
''If yon wish to enrich a pe rson, study 11ul to in crease hi s sto re s
:mt to diminish hi s desires."
'

HYPERBOLE.
Th e next figur e con ce rning which we a re t.o trc3 t, is ca li ed Ilvl'erbolc or E x£Lggcration. It co nsists in magnifying an obje c t
beyond its n a tural bounds. In a.ll !;111g uagcs, Cl'e11 in common
conv e rsa tion, l1 y pcrbolical express ions very fre<1uc11tly oc cur : af

y

250

APP£NDIX.

(Vision, .$-c.

swift a s tli c win<l: a s white a:; the sno w ; and th e like ; ancJ th e
com11lm1 form s of compliment, arc alm.os t aJl o f rli cm extra vagant
hy perbole s. If a11 y thing be reinarkahl y .e;ood o r ~re al in its kind,
w e an~ in stant Ir re ad y l.o add to it some c xa g~c>; rati11 µ: e pith et, and
to 111ak e it t lil! g rt"a lCJ-i l or b e s ~ we cv1: r sa w. 'f'lu• i111ag inati•m
has always a t1: u d cnc y to g ratif y itsel f, hy 111 ag;n il'y i11g its pr csf' nt
olJj eut, and ca rry ing it to excess. More or less of this hypc rboli·
c al turn will pre vail in lang uage, a ccordin f~ to th e li ve liness of
i111a~ i11atiu11 a 11 m11g t il t• pr oplc w ho sp t· a k il.
I l r 11 cc y ollng Jl CO·
p ie d eal 1mu;h i11 h ype rboles. ] l c n c..: c th e lang n aµ, e o f th e Ori cn·
Lais was far mo re h y pc rholi caJ, than that of th e E urop c<lm;, who
ar c o f more pliJcgmati ck, or, pe rhaps we may say, o f mo re correc t
imag in a ti o n. l Jenee, among all w rite rs in e arl y times, a ncl in th e
rud e pe riod s of society, w e ma y e x pect thi s ftµ; un~ to nh otind.
Greater e xpe rien ce, and mo re cultivated soc ie ty, abate the
w a rmth of imag ination, and c h a~ ten th e manne r o f express ion.
Hy pe rbole< arc of two kinds; e ithe r suc h as a re e mployed in
description , or sqch as arc suggested by th e w ar mth o f p 1ssiGn.
All passion s 'yithout e x ce ption, lo ve, te rrour, amazem ent, intlignatio t~, a1~d e ven g ri e f, throw tli e rni nd in to co;i fus ion, a ggra vate
the ir obj ects, and of course pro mpt a hy pe rh oh cal styl e.

VTSION.

Vision is another figu re of s peech, whi ch is prope r onl y in anima ted antl w rt rm cmnp osition. It is prod uced w hen, ins tead of
·re la ting so rn cthi ng that is past, ,1,.-c use th e pr esc 11t te nse, a nd describe it. as ;:u:.t11;1J\ y pa~s in g be fore o ur ey C':;: . 'l' li 11 s Ci ce ro , in hi s
fourth o rn.ti on a.~a in ~ t Catalin r. : " r see m to 111 y ~ .. to be h o ld thi s
c ity , th e o rnarn c 11L of Lhe ea rth , a nd th e cal1 ital o f a ll nations,
s11ddc 11l y i11 vu lvcd i11 o ne co11flag rati o11. l S\'e hc for e inc th e
sJa11 t; hter c;J \J c a.ps Of" c iti ze ns, ly ing t111bu ript{ i11 t he mid st of th eir
ruiu crl co untr y . Th e furiou s co unt ennn ce o f Cctll cgus ri ses to 111 )
vi e w. whil e, w ith a sa vage joy, h e j s triump !ti u ~ in yo ur m ise ri es ."
Thi s ma nn e r of d esi; ri ption su pposes a sor t of enthusiasm ,
whi eh carries th e pc r srn1 wh o d escrib es, in so11u: m ea su re , o ut of
himself; and, wh e n we ll exec ut ed , mu s t 1wcd s 1 Uy th e force o f
sy mpath y, j 111 p rn ss t he re:tdcr or he a re r very stro ngly . But, in
ord e r to a succcss f'ul executio n , it requires a n ut H.:ornm onl y warm
i111a g; i11nti on, autl so happy a srlo ction of t · ir rt 1111 s tarn ~c s , a s shall
1nak e u s thin k w e se c l1cforc o ur eyes th e sn ·11 1· ll.1a t is d cscrih ccl.

1r

I NTERROGATI ON .

lnl r.,- rog alion . The l!nfigur ctl, Jitc ral 11 s t.~ of i11t.c rroga1.i on, is to
ask a qu es ti o11: but w hen men arc s trougly moved, w ha teve r tl ic _y
~vo uld a ffi rm <?r den y, w ith grea t car11 es tn e ss, they n:i.111 rall y p11r
rn th e fo rm of a qu estion, expr ess in ~ tli e rchy th e s trong<'st coufi den ce of the truth of th eir own sc 11ti111 c nt, a11d appcalin ~ to thc i1
hea re rs for th e impo~ s ihility or tlie contra ry. Th us B ;~ \ a a.11 f ' X ·
pressed himself to lhla k. " Th e Lord is not :1 man that li e !'hr. uh!

Exclamation, <$-c.)

APPENDIX.

251

lie n e ither the son of man tha t h e should re pent. Hath he said
it ? and shall he not do it? Hath he spoken it? and shall h e not
mak e it good ?" .
_.
. .
.
_. .
Jnt r. rn wati on giv es ld1~ arnl s p1nt to <11 ."course. We sec tl11 s Ht
th e a11i111~lt'd , int rodui;Lo r y s peech of Ci cero again st Cataline:
,, Ho w \1H1rr w ill yo u, Ca taline , abuse o ur pati ence? D o you not
10
perce iv e tl~at yui1r des igns are discov ered ? ---:-I-I e mi ght indeed
have snid i "\'ou abu se ~mr pati c n ~c a long ~h1l e . Xo.u must be
sc nsihk , th a t yo ur dc ~ 1 ~11 s a rc th sc n ve red.
But ~ t is c:Lsy to
pe rce ive , hmv mn clt thi s J ;-~lt c r mode o f e xpress ion fall s s hort of
the for ce and ve heme nce of th e form e r.

E XCLAMATION.
E .rclmnat.ions are th e e ffe c t of stron g emotions of th e mincl,

.,uch as, surprise , admiration, j oy, gri ef, arnl ~he lik e. "Wo is me
tha t I sojourn in M ese cl1, that I dwell rn the tents of Kellar!" P salm s.
11
O th a t my hear! w e re wate r s, au cl min e e yes a fountain of
I.c ars, that I mi ght wee p (\ay and. ni ght, f?r the slain of tl~c dau ghter of my people ! O that l had 111 the wllclc rness a lodging-place
o f w a y faring me n! " .Jer emiah.

IRONY.
lro ny is ex press ing ourse lves in a manne r contrary to our
th o u g ht~ , n ot with a view to d ece ive, but to ad~ force _to our ob-

ser vati o ns. P erso ns ma y be reproved for th eir n egh geRce , by
sa yin g ; " Y o u have taken great care ind eed." Cice ro says of
th e pe rso n a r!"in st whom he was pl erulin g; "We have.great re ~­
so n to bdi cvc that tli e mod es t man wo uld n o t a sk hun fo r lu s
d e bt, \\~ h e n h e.: p u r~ u cs hi s li fe." '
Iro 11i cn.l e xhortation is a very ag re eabl e kind of fi gur e , whic\1,
afte r having se t th e incon ve ni ences o f a thin g, in th e_ cleare st
haht
0 ed en co urage m ent to pursue 1t. Suc h
0 1 concluclcs with a fe iun
is t h at of H o race. , w h en, ha v ing beautifully d esc ribed the noi se
an<l tumults nf R ome , he a dd s iro ni call y ;
" Uo n ow, and study tun eful ve rse at R o me. ,,
Th e suhj ec:ts of Irony a rc vices and fo lli es of all kimls : and U1is
modo of ex p0!5 ing th e m , is ofte n more effcctua.I than se rwu s
r e:u;o n}n ~~·
The g ra ves t pc rso11 s ha ve not d eclined the use of this
fl).!; 111'1 ~ . 0 11 1.i·rqwr occ a shm s.
Th e wi se n..m l virtuou s S o? r:itcs
umdc b l'l'at u -; 1 ~ o f it, in hi s c wl c a vuurs t.o d1 sco 11n tl' n~11 c e V 1t '.10 L1s
a ml fooli sh practices . E ve n in tile sacred writ ings, we ha ve a
rema.rkablc instan ce of it. The prophe t Elijah, when h e d1allcrwcd the 1, ri es ts of Baal to prove the truth of th e ir deity," mocke d l'hf' m, a n d said: C ry alo ud fo r h e is a. god, e ither h e is ta lking ,
or h e is µur ~ uin g, or he is in a j o urn ey, o r pe ra d ve nture he s l e ep~
e th, a nd mu ~ t. he a w a ke d."
Exda1n al io11 s a nd _Iron y a rc so me ti mes unit ed; a s in Ci cero' s
0 ra tio11 for Ballrn s. w here he derid r.~ hi s a cc u.se r, by say ing, 11 0

i' .-

/

i/ / s

252

APPEND IX,

! /,

,,
i

~~Cl/~w/l

cxccllc 11l interpreter of the law! m aster of antiqu ity...!.. ·corr ert«Y
I
and amender of ou r constitution !"

) !J·1

C T,rnlAX.
Amplification or Clinw:r. cousisls in hei:..;htc11i11g- a ll lhc cirCum .:.
s lanccs of an object or action , whi r h we dc ~ irn to place in a stron g
light. Cice ro g1n·s a li ve ly instance of this fi gu re , 'vhc n ho says ;
"It is a crime to put a Rorn an ci1 ize 11 in bo nds; it is the height of
guilt to scou rge lum; little less th a n parri cide tq put hi m to death :
wh at name then sha ll I g'ive to the ac t of cruci(y iug him ? ~ '
\\Tc shall conclude this a rti cle with an example of a beautifhl
climax, taken from the c harge of a ju,Jg·c to the j ury, in the case
of a womn n acc used of murcle rin o- her own child . " G entlemell
if one man had a ny how slai n a noil1er ; if nn adve rsary had killed
his opposer, o r a woman occasioned the dcalh of her enemy; e ven
these crimin als wonlcl have bee n capita ll y punished by the Co r11clian law; b ul. if this g uiltless in fant, .that could make no e nemy,
had been murde red bj its own nurse, w lwt punishme nt wou ld not
th en lhe mother hat•c dema nded? \Vith what cries and exclam a tions wou ld shcl h<1ve stunned yo ur cnrs 1 'Vh at sha ll we say
then, w hen a wonum 1 g uilty ur homic ide , a mother , of the murde r
of he r innocen t chil d, halh comprised ;111 lhosc m isdeeds in one
single crime ? a c rim e, in its own natur(', de testable; in n wo ma n,
prod igio us; in a mother, incredible ; and pc rpctrnted a.i.;a inst one
whose age called fo r compassio n, w hose nea r relat io n claimed affec ti on, a1ul wh ose in11ocence d cs~ r ved the liig hcsl fi.\\'or. 11
Th e fund a me Ht.al rul e fo r w riting wi th acc ur ary, a nd into w hi ch
a ll others m ig ht be reso l\'ed, undoubt cdJ y is, to communicate, i H
correct language, and in I.he clea.rest and most. 11atw·11 l order, the
irlens which we mean to tran.~ji1$e into tl1P. minds of ot.hrrs. Such ,
a selection a nd a rrange ment of words, il S do mos t justi ce lo the
sense, and exp ress it to most adva nt age· , rnake a 11 agreeable
and stron g impression. To tlie!'e points have tended nll lhe rules
"''hich ha\'e been g iven. Did \ve a lways think c lea rl y 1 a nd we re
we, a t th e same lime, fully mas te rs of the la ng uag·c ~ n w hir h we
write, there would be occasion fo r frw rul c.c::.
Our ~e nt e 11 ees
would then , of course, acquire a ll !hose properties of clearness ,
unity, strr ng th , and' accura cy, which ha ve hec11 recomme nd ed.
Fo r we may res t assured, that whenever we cx pre »fi ou rselves ill 1
besides the mismanagemont of laHgnag·c 1 lhcre is , for the most
pnrt, some mistake in our m a nn er of conceiving the· suhj ecl. Emba rrassed, obscure, and focblc sentences, arc generally, if not a lways, the result of embarrassod, obscure , ::rnd fee ble though t.
Thoug ht and ex pression act a nd re-act. upon eac h o ther. 'l'hc
unde rstanding C'm d language have a stri c t. con11exio11 ; and lhev
who arc learning to compose and a rrange the ir Sf~ ntc nces with
accuracy and o rd eI:, are learning, at the ~a111e tim e, to think wi1li
accuracy and order; a co11 side ra tio11 whic h a/on~ will recompense the student, for hi s all.cn ti on to thi s branch of lite Jal11rc.
1

~N O.

