.

A PRACTICAL GUIDE
TO

·

c0

1
'

M P 0 S I T I Q N,
.

•

WITH

PROGRESSIVE EXERCISES IN
~

PROSE AN.D \ POETRY;

BY CHAR~ES ~ORLEY,

g iociw

;

%mm ?trm 'at I iii

I

.

..

• ,,.

.;

"~~o;r~;i~~?.~OI':.P~~~al Key,", . CoDllljOQ

'

u THEY WHO AR£ LEAR.KUfG TO COMPOSE, AND TO ARRANGE THE JR THOUGOTS WITH A.CCU·
RACY AND ORDER, ARE LEARNING AT THE SAME TIME
.iRDER.-Blair.
•

TO THINIC WITH

ACCURACY AND

.~

'

·.

.

HARTFORD:
PUB L l S H ED

BI; R.

J.8 3 8.

e

W H l TE,

.' •
I

;· q

:

jJ,

..
~

.

..,

.
'

'n•t

...

·{ :·r ' '

- '''•

.I

:

ii

:,_
1!

•
•

Entered according to Act of Congresd in the year 1838, by
.
R. WHITE,
in the Clerk'e Office of the District Court of Connecticut.

.
•

HUDSON & SKINNEiJ Printers.

·,·

.

'

q'

.;. T.o most young persons, composing is an e.xtremely irksome task.
The design of this manual is, to .r ender it a pleasant and interesting
.exercise. ' Its plan has been tested by the author's own experience~
· .and has exceeded his most sanguine expectations ; therefore he has
been induced to offer it to the public.
, ..
· 1~ •
" The first .exercises consist of interesting stories to bti ai:lali~~<;l ,; ·
these are succeeded by descriptions; skeletons of letters, analysis P,f
41:
poetry and of .scripture, general .subjects, 'discussions, poetical ,exer:. ~ ~
cises, an epitome of rl}etorici and a list.of subjects for composition. l ,.
. One prominent object kept constantly in view is, to lead the pupil
i~ think,.to investigate thoroughly ~nd accurately whatever is worthy
of engaging ' his attention . . Let this " system be practiced in every
branch of education, and instead of intellectual dwarfs, our semina•
ries of learning would send forth multitudes of mental giants. :· ·1 • •1
. : "The· great objects 'which .education ought to promote have been
miserably .neglected. A farrago of words has been substituted in the .
pla~e of things; the elements of ldnguagi have been preferred to the
elements of, thought, the key of knowledge ' has been exhibited in:stead of knoiOledge· itself; . arid the' youthful mind at the termination
of the common process ·of instructiori is almost as destitute of ideas
"
:-. • :'.!d
as at the commencement.'' : · ., .. , : r ·.d " ""

•·

iv

-.
·l.

PREF AGE.

PREFACE. 1

" The power of thinking and of communicating thought, constithese branches_, the. pupil does indeed acquire ideas-ideas of words
tute the dignity and glory of man._B:ow momentous the -obJect of .- both \visible and audible, but not ·of the objects which they signify.'
cultivating amt improvlilgtO the utmost, this wondrous po\ver-:-of As it respects oseful knowledge, and the power of recalling or prO.:
unfolding this germ of immortality, ·this' susceptibility of incessant
ducing practical thoughts, his understanding remains almost wholly
progress. It is the improvement of this power more than any thing
barren .and void. · Words, acquired in this pa.rrot-like manner, canelse, more thari every thing else, that raises man above his feliow
not be . intelligibly used, and are but lumber in the mind." The
man, nation above nation, and man above l1imself. Illustrious as he
piipil ·,shou_ld·, first gain· thoughts, clear conceptions of thin~, ~nd
is, bj the prerogative of thinking, he is scarcely less so by language,
thert t:Jroceed to learn their names-this is nature's process with the
the vehicle ·of thought. A great part of the business of education,
infant, and this is . the reason why he makes so much greater pro.:.
then, should be the production and communication of thought. ' It
gress in learning things and names, for the first two or three years of
should begi1i in infancy, and never cease. " This first, this last,
his life, than in double this time in any' other period Tfie. ~ and
this midst, and without end." The two branches of education, telating to intellection and language, are so connected, thut they may
be regarded as nearly a11ied as·a river and its channel. The most
TO YOUTH.
distinguished writer upon thinking, found it impossible to complete ·
his Essay on the Understanding, without writing a book tip~n
language. Lavoirsier made unparallelled imprnvement in chemistry, when he changed the vocabulary of its technical language,
adapting the words to the ideas.
A greater fault in education can scarcely be committed, than the
separation of these branches ; unless the neglect of them . . And yet
I you wou
no fault is more common in our literary institutions; Children and
you must ma e e offs, an
t shrink from any useful exercise; beyouth are taught to spell and read what they do not understand, to
cause it is difficult ; otherwise you will sink into insignificance.
define without understanding the definitions; and to commit to memoThe mind, like the body, is strengthened by exercise, and like it
ry the words of grammar; rhetoric, geography, history, philosophy,
becomes feeble and enervated by inaction ; therefore never say can't,
logic, &c. &c. while scarcely a sentence i.s understood. In studying
or c~nn~t~ to any useful exercise prescribed ; for it is the watch- ·

,· ·,

vi

PREFACE.

word of drones-the harbinger of disgrace ; but let your mot~_eYer
be try; this has raised ma_!!J_a11 obscure-youtlrtolJ~e 'most'
STORIES.
_distinguished--perSoilsOftheir age-this; this alone will raise you t~
' 'j. · · '•
eminence.
,PERSEVERANCE.
It is a prevailing fault of modern writers, to clothe ·cmnmon ideas'
i ,T, . .
l b . ated conqueror Timour, the Tartar, was once forced
.
HE ce e r
,
r,_
. d Irn1'Id'mg. Tl iere I1e
in bombastic words, instead of aiming at striking thoughts clearly
fi
} · nemies in a rume
to takle sh~lter romal ih1souerQ At length, in despondency he cast his
and simply expressed. Simplicity is the universal characteristfo of
sat a one ior i>ever
~·
·
d h'
.·
rtment and saw an ant, that was attemptmg to
distinguished writers. Addison, Homer, Xenophon, and the Bible~ ·
eye_llroun . is/'purn lar;er than itself, up a high wall. Again and
furnish examples of the correctness of this remark. ·
· · ., . . ::· :;: : ·
. carr.y 8: gr_am o co ' • "1·1sh its obiect and failed. Still undaunted,
·
agam 1t strove to accomp
J.
'
•
·
•
No mere imitators will rise to eminence as writers; but theY" 'alone1 gram
.
· task and sixty-nme times T1mour saw tie
who cultivate their own natural style by careful and ffeqtient pra~iic~1 1 . it_ retur~ed to it~ . . But the seventieth time the ant reached the top
fall to t e grc~u n. ·
. . · " and the sight " said he, " inspired me
The habit of rewriting a composition several times, is one of the .best
'
.
d ,,
0 f the wall wit 1 its pnze ,
.
·
d
I
l
ave never forgotten the lesson 1t conveye .
1
eans for improvement. Ilrougham's admirable eulogy on the late
with courage, an
FIRST EXERCISE .
~ ueen of England, was rewritten twenty times. Locke was nine·
7 What other insects are distinguished
teen years writing his celebrated Essay on the Understanding,
What is the meamng of trrbve~a~~e \Vhat' is the difference between distin·
0
7
for their persevernnce
e r~ ~ 1 Give examples of each . Conqueror!
Butler twenty his Analogy, Watts the same time his little work 'on
guished, re~owned,
d. cel.ebTa~ta.ry 1 Forced? Shelter? Enemies 1 Ru 3
1
1
the Mind. Virgil, when composing his immortal iEneid, frequently
:
Who was ~11~our 7
eredi
St~ove 1 Prize? Lesson? Con veyed 1
ined 1 Bmlding 7 Despon ency 7
~rote only one line per day in a finish ed state. Aim at conciseness ;
SECOND EXERCISE .
___Jill unnecessary words mar the beauty of composition.
ELLIPSIS OR SKELETON OF THE STORY •
.........- A premium was offered in a 'rheological Seminary to the student
PERSEVERANCE.
that should produce the best essay on Christ's turning water into
There he
f rom Il is
wine; most of the competitors filled a sheet-the successful candidate .
. The celebrated
was once force d to
at alone
At length
lie saw
attempt ing
to
Agai n
wrote only the following:. "'l'he consciom water · saw its God ahd
S
But the
gave. me
. and I have
1
d
and
.
Still
un
auntec
blushed."
THIRD .EXERCISE.
· The careful reading of good poetry will be beneficfal
you ; it ·
·
·
'
' i
· r -aim al stating the ideas in your own
Write the whole swrdy from I rnem~ !in this story? \Vhat is the r~sult?
has been the favorite study of the best prose writers.

1

\;p

to

language.

\Vim! lesson o you earn r

;,

8

STORTEEI.

~~~~~~~~~~~
----.----:--~-~--..;:-:J:~i:°:::J:-:J::~:;~-=--::::~S~T=O=R=l~E~S
. t~»qi$ back; clenched his staff firmer in~his
hand, and callirlg to Crab/

DAVIE, THE P DLAR.
,,..
!___~----firrl1eWinter of a certain y
h
.
·
were visited with one of the e:~stt ~ nort11
parts of Scotland
witnessed by the oldest peasant of the ;~~~you~ snow s~ohrmshever
i '
sands of sheep were lost . and the n b
·
n one mg t, t oufrom the severity of the ,~eather andu7i er of _traveHers who died
snow drifts, was incredible. Am~ng ma rom hbemg oyerwhelm~.d. in
storm, was one Davie McD
Id
ny w 0 were exposed to this
for the la.st thirty years ovoe~\~a~~ aged pte~larh-;~ho had travelled
his pack of linen
1
' moun am, 1 ' and ·dale, with
little articles, whic~ r:~d:'re~ch~:U h:nd~erchief~, _bool{s, · and all . the
Such as had need of his articles.
we come visit~r .to .the h.ouses of
I
I· ~"
The day precedinu the storm had b
·
· : 1 '.-- • .. •
Jiad taken advantag"'e of it for
e.en
unusua1ly
.ca1m
i and Davie
ma1the
ung . aI Ipass
over ·one
of th ose
· o f mountains, which separate
c 1iams
d
ti
h
1
of that country. The evenin set in eariig ~an s rom t e lo~Ian~s
for Davie to be able to reach ~he ab 0 d ~· athe; ~? 0 early, indeed,
by daylight. Davie had ·ust cl .
e 0 one 0 is old customers
of the mountains, when
fou~°Je~,1 as he thot_ight, th~. worst pass
bank of clouds; so much sooner th
~ sun settmg behrn'd a 'rising
the first time, began to read the fac:~f ~h:~ect,fld,dthat. lrn the1i, for-·
from past experience, that a storm was gatl ~· a~ t~ 11if.er thence,
which must, do wlrnt he would, overtake hi~e~nl .10 / e nm·dth-west,
a place of safety.
-·
e me le cou1 reach
He rested for a moment on his staff. and I I d
.
0
was no place of shelter near. not a · ' 1
rnf around. There
.
'
h ut cou Id 1ie d1scern,
not a plaid
wassmu
t "'be cur1 o f smoke fro
. m any
herd, or home-going peMAnt; he had ~ e seen ~ mount~m shepa?d for once Davie felt himself alone ~:~:::t:twn but. his dog:with a pathless country before him and ti
d~ 0 ~ a mountain;
hind. He drew his plaid nearer t~ his b~~;o:rl~ d th.e temkest be' e e is pac closer

Jrn

'Jk

irn

°

his dog, pursued his way; with no lack of speed, tci~ards the · place'
Qf rhis destination. Scarcely; however, had he reaclied a·: mile, be-'
fo~e 1 the ·storin commenced · in· good earnest;' and Davie .be.g!l~ "to''"
think *ithiri himself that there WR!l but little chance of avoiding thl1ti
death now, which many times before, tinder less threatening circum~'
stances he had providentially escaped. · ;
··
·
.· .
~·,
~ ~·Now, my man Orab;" said ' he to his dog, "there's a 'fearflil
strife before us ;- and I cannot tell whether we two shall '3ver see the~/}.
sight of the blessed ·sun again. \Ve have wandered together for the ~ ' /
liist tw~lve years, fr~m shire to shire, from the northetnmo~t parts of
bonnie Scotland to nearly the middle of old England; and now; it
appears, we are to end our pilgrimage together, in one of the most
·dreadful storms that 'eyes ever saw, and on a spot of earth n~o prud enLl man wou Id c h oose ior
~ h'1s l ast bea. B ut c·I1eer tip my oId tiriend ; '
six 'miles more, and ybu shall have as good a bed as you desire, and :
a· safe· shelter from the storm, in the snug cabin of Sandie McMurray, '
my honest. customer of the heather-glen pf Dimmallen." ' Crab ;
. looked i.tp to his · master, and gave a kind of cheerless whihe; as .
much as to say, "Your cheering up, my master, is all very well;
but I ain just now thinking of any thing but Sandie McMuriay, his
cabin, or· his comforts." The storm, which had been so thick behind
them·, now spread over the whole face of the country; and the wind
began· to blow 'so dreadfully, and the snow to fall in such clouds, as
to shut out from the sight of the pedlar and his dog a1l signs by
which they might trace out their way to the valleys below. The
· t h.e ·s1'de of tie
l mountain,
· on ·w h'1c h ·our unforti.Istorm swept · a Jong
nate adven~urers were no\v bewildered; and the only plan left to Davie was to go on descending, as well as he+could, Jed by the nose and .
experience of poor Crab. Well, on they went, floundering through .
snow-drifts; stumbling over huge stones, and now and then roliing .
down the steep side of a rock into snow-wreaths. below. At length,

10

H

sTolttElS.

l!ITORIES.

-c----------b to me! for there will b~ no
after roaming about nearly two hours in this way, Davie1!lth i11 - -- orilk lire upon us; andllthen, wtioe .det.o 1:peak lest the animal, -who
;.
f
·nu
ewasara1
~
'
. -pa,~~ rolling over a precipice of some _ltlgl1Lor-ten feet, found himself
b
h uld awake and seize upon 1um?
cliance o e~cap_i o·.
s1um ers, s o d
. ned
·• \. • •
in ii hollow, w~hut-1ittle-sr10W1cll; and on groping about, disSt.111 lay snoring in lns
d ti d r
nee an was res1g
.
.
. covered- rllatt here was a part of the rock scooped out sufficiently
so he prayed to Go or e ivera the entrance gave way, and .Davie
large o shelter him, his pack, and Crab, from the fury of the storm,
. At length the bank of sn~w :~ed through the opening, wluc~ l~e
and the danger of instant death. Before this last fall, his limbs were
called out, as he saw 8 p~l
d
t fire for a Christian man ism
so much stiffened ·by the cold, that he could scarcely crawl; and
took for a gt~n, "Goo~ fne,1: s:. He~~en ;eserve us!" said
man
now t1,at he had fallen, he knew not how far, he had so many aches
peril of his hfe on all s1desl
.
f eliar Davie I mn not in my
• and bruises, that he ut first felt disposed to murmur; but when he
without ; "if that be not ~t ~~01ce o
said Davie.' " Ily my faith'
i st 1"
. senses." " Is that you, c ur~ay
. called to mind the storm howling over his head, and the numbers
it is, man! But how came yDou i~1to lmdy pbyg-hi~ dog had stumble_d
that muilt perish while he was sheltered, he fell on his knees, and
c
'
I . ":1
poured out every grateful feeling of his heart to his divine and mer1 tril 't h was now. out: d avie,
Tie
d taken up his rest with llS ' PJg.
oiful Father.
upon the abode of }11s fr.ien Dan . who never forgot the .f anuary
The· laugh was sadly agamst avi_e, .
. ty .
Scarcely had he put up his prayers an<l praises to God, when a
's torm, and the pleasure of slumbenng m a p1g-s .
growl, as of some animal at the extremity of the cave, (for he had
not examined how far it extended,) set every hair on his head brist.
FIRST EXERCISE.
ling with dismay. The dread of some wild animal having found
' ·
.
f . 't
Trern. endous 7 'Wi tness?
, ·
· I
ng o v1s1 1
.
·
shelter there as well as himself-perhaps a wolf-now filled him
Where is Scotland 1 What is t 10 meani . 1 1 '\-Vhat is the mea111ng of sevenwith apprehension. Crab, a bit of a coward too, hid himself under
Peasant 7 '\-Vhat is a person called wh~ trtJv ea~b 7 Dale 1 \V elcome 1 Precety 7 ' Incred1ble T Exposed, 1'1 S~on~afet 7e P~thless 1 Roar 1 \~hat have Yt
the pedlar's plaid, who lay in the utmost suspense and anxiety,
ding 1 Calm
'\-Vhen?
1611 .
t . 'ts opposite 1 Give cxamp es
where he might have slept in comfort under other circumstances,
h~ard roar1 Tempest 1 Desc~md11.1g 7 . rn ll~se LctweeR the words .discornr,
In this state of mind he passed the night, occasionally slumbering,
..,ords Discover? What JS the dd~lerei' . 1 1 Cave 1 Mcnt10n some
o fbotll ..
.
.
I of cac i.
ens 1
' .
. .
1
find and invent 1 Give exa111p cs
', rror 7 How does it d1fler fr om a arm,
as he said, and waking at the snore and snort of the strange bedcav~rus
in
different
pnrt
s
of
the
world.
e
.
l
7
Mention
some
of
the
various
fellow ill fortune had given him. Towards morning he thought he
affrigltt, and dismay 1 G ive ex;mples. ·1c J~Jll~~l;at animals are cowardly 1 \VJia;
heard voices at the mouth of the cave, and shovels at work removin~
kinds of animals. c.oward 7 ts 7,t'.5osl
ddles ·r Joy 1 Its opposite 1 Abo e .
the snow. In any other situation the sound of a human voice would
cou ra aeons 7 \Vhat is a person c~. e w lO pe
Ment~n the abodes of differen t a1111nals.
have given him .ioy; now, however, it filled him with horror; for
the idea struck ltim at once, that some of the mountain hunters had
tracked this unknown animal to his den, n11rl were clearing the snow
away to pom a volley ol' shot upon him in his rctr~at. Now,
thought he, death is more certain than before ; for there is no doubt,
I he very moment these men have made an opening, they will open a

J

nm

1'p

7

I

\v1

1

I

I~

•

i

L

,,

•

STORJES.

s

•

--

THlRD EXERCISE. ·

ELLIPSIS OR SKELETON OF THE STORY.

.

' ~·

1

ANALYSIS OF THE STORY .

: ••

• Fill up the skeleton in your own language ; aim at the ideas,
~ather than the exact words of the story.
DAVIE, THE

''

13

STORIES.

In the
of a
tl1e
were
o f t I1e most
ever "\Vitness•
ed
Iu one night
Among
many
was
one
fi
h l
an · age d .
over
The day
the storm
and Davie '- '
or t e as~
Th& evemng
early
Davie had just
as he · when he
of clouds
of safety
He rested for a
found • setting
momen~
arid looked
there was no place of
lie liad no
compamon
and for once
He drew
belted
and calling
had he reached
before the storm
and
to . scarcely
Davie began . Now,
my man
here
'Ve have
Bttt
cheer up
six
and a safe
Crab looked up
but I atn
The s~orm . now spread
Well, on they
At length
· Before his last
Scarcely had he
when a growl
for he had
The dread o~ some
perhaps a
Crab, a bit of
not
under other
In tins state
'I'owards morning, he thought ' '
In any other
now, however, it filled
death is
and then
Heaven preserve
said the
if that
woe be to
. At length
I am not
But how came
be not the voice of
The truth was now
The laugh was sadly against
and the.
pleasure

· b I / Description of the storm, and its effect~.

.\

·

,

· - ~ .1! •rremendous and unprecedented, for--many sheep--muny
persons
.
.
- -- 2: Account of Dav1e--had travelled, for the last--· articles
tliat he carried· -his fears--a storm--his feelings--his pre'paratiori--his s~eech _to Cr~b--encouragement--dan_gers-­
accidental shelter--lus feelings-expects death--reheved.
FOURTH EXERCISE.

-·; \Vrite the story wholly from memory, in your own language.
l'

'

'

~ 1 'I

•i.

THE BENEVOLENT FRIEND.

' You are aware that ther~ are certain religious people in the world,
who are caJled Friends·, or Quakers. Some few years ago, a gentle-.
ma:n who belonged to this sect, lived in- a small village not many
mile's hence, and was a blessing to the country round. There was
scarcely a charitable' i1'lstitution in the land, in which his name did
ntH 'a ppear as a subscriber ; and so liberal wa~ he with his purse,
and so kind to such
sought his advice, that he was more generally
known by the appellation of" The Benevolent friend," than by his
owti'
Samuel Jones. ' '
, ··.
- ' · 1 ·,'
•1c One fine holiday afternoon, 'a party of our school-boys, strolling
about the country, chanced to see some very tempting apples in a

as

name;

8TORIE8.

poor p~rson 's garden ? and witl~out consid.e.ring- t-he- co-nseqnencew
determined CULposses_sm-gtlreffii1t. So through the hedge they bur~t,1
and commen~ed their attack upon the tree, heedless of the injury
they were do mg the poor owner.
.. .
Now it so happ~ne~ that they were seen by our Ilenev~lent Friend,
~ho was. at that ~ime rn the owner's cottage, on an errand of Christian charity. Without saying a word of the matter to the ir~mates
of the cottage, 11~ _proceeded immediately to the tree whe~e - our
youngsters were notmg on their ill-gotten booty. As soon as they
saw the good man, _the;: desisted from their sport, and one by one
descended t~ie tree m silence, w~ere Samuel Jones waited to · give
t~em a wo1d of seasonable advice and warning. The boys knew
him well, . by person and. report ; and as they were _all too clearly
seen by lnm to effect thelf escape without being recognised they
ma~e no effort to Jeav~ the spot, but seemed rather to choose his correct10n, than nm the n sk of r~ceiving a much severer one at school,
where, they h~d no doubt, lus Jove of justice would induce him to
appeai: as their accu~er. 'Vhen they had all reached the ground
he .desu:ed them to wait a few minutes, having a little to say to them'
which, if duly ?onsidered, might prevent them frorri committing such
an offence agam, and save them much sorrow.
" My. you?g friend.s, '.' said the good man, " I am distressed to see
s'.1ch dorngs ma .Clmstian land, and especially among those who, by
bi;th and edu~at10n, ought to know and act better. And thou, my
friend, (spealung to the leader, who was a great boy,) who ,0 ughtest .
t? have s~t thy.younger brethren a better example, in leading these
htt1!3 ones mto srn, .hast no excuse, for youth ·will not justify thy folly.
If thou hadst_conside:e? but for one moment, the condition of her
whom tho~ hast thus InJured, even the poor widow, whom the Lord
lia~h promised to protect, thou wouldst surely have refrained . from
?01ng _her _lu~rm, and kept thy young friends, who have some excuse
m their earher youth and inexperience. The fruit wl1ich thou with

STORIE!!.

t y companions hast stole~, was all that the poor widow had. to
depend on for the payment of · her retit, and no'Y' she hath noth1.ng
in the world wherewith to meet her landlord'_s claim; for I perceive
tlie greater part of it hath been beaten from the trees, and rendered
al~ost unsaleable, from the bruises received in. falling• Go with me
into 1that humble cottage, and see the ·poor invalid, pale, weak, and
silffe( ing, with her helpless babes crying for food around her, and
t.h'en .return if thou canst, and finish the shameful deed thou -hast
commenced.
·
• ; ·- '
_
'
· " It is well ; I see thy tears, and judge that thou art sufficiently
abased in thy own estimation, and too well convinced of thy fault, to
need further reproof from me; and as for thy companions, from their "
downcast eyes, and sorrowful countenances, I think they also have
become sensible of their fault. I will therefore leave thee and them
· to adjust the matter with the widow, and spare further rebukes." .
· The young depredators were so truly ashamed of the b.a~e action
they had committed, so truly vexed at themselves for the lDJUry they
had thoughtlessly done, and so well convinced of the justice of the
friendly reproof they had received, that without delay they confessed
their error,· and raised such a subscription among them as would
amply repay the poor widow. This they put into the good man's
hand, and begged him to ask her forgiveness, and offer he~ all. the
money they had with them as a small atonement for theu cmile.
This;,with an appoving smile he promised t_h em to do, a~d so . the
matter ended. Some few months after, · the leader of this young
batid of pilferers waited upon the benevolent friend, with his. father,
and put such a sum into his care for the wido'!'s use; as raised her
above her troubles, and enabled her to 'provide for her fatherless
little ones with ease and comfort.
Such was one act of our good Quaker friend. May you never
· stand in need of reproof for such a transgression of all l~w,. human
and divrne ! Or, if you unfortu!}ately do, may you receive it from
lips gentle as his.

16

STORIES.

!TOR.JES.

ll

_ _Flfiltl'_EXER-0-l'SE • .- -

religio~s

TiliRD. EXERCISE.

- -WfiafTs the;;;;;ning of gentleman 1 Sect 1 Mention some of the
,,i' •' ·. ·.· ·
ANALYSIS QF THE STORY.
sect11. Retired? Charitable 1 Appellation 1 Benevolent 1 Its opposite. Crime 1 ' · , .
•
. ,.
,.
, ,
Its opposite. Reflection? What 1s the difference between reflection and remem· , .i·· t":i')l,:;.>l l ' .:' . ·
. ..
·.. .' . · .
.
ber!ng? . Cottage_ 7 Booty 1
1 Mention some of the different wa>:s in ,;q ·..
of' tlus
mterview. d
which this word 1s used. Recogmsed 1 Effort 1 Folly 1 Harm 1 Perceive 1
'Effects upon the boys--conduct of the ea er.
0 •
Invalid 1 DeprE:dators 1 Vexed 1 Confeased 1 Solich 1 Reproof 1 Trnus. · • (<I•
·
·,
. .
.
· '
.
.,
1
·
gressiou 1 Law? How many kinds of law ore there 1 What are their objects 1 ·
·
·
·
··
,
·
·
Approving? Leader 1 Band 1 Pilferers 1
• • 1i'. , .'
FOURTH EXERCISE.

Rep~rt

'Characl~i'

.f'ne~d--h1s

/
SECOND EXERCISE.

. : ,;·Write the story frmii. memory, and the lesson from it.

ELLIPSIS OR SKELETON OF THE STORY.

·· ·.OBs. For a few more exercises, if you choose, you can ,write in
our own language, stories which you have heard,. or r~ad ; as t~at
t~' Cohirhbus; Franklin; Putnam· and the wolf, stones fro~ h1s&c.. ..
·

THE BENEVOLENT
You need not
that there
Some few
who belonged .
lived in a small
There was
and so liberal · · Some few
years
chanced to
and, as some
So through the hedge
and commenced
fearless of
Now it happehed · who was
He, without mentioning
As soon as they saw
they desisted
The boys knew him
and as they
they made ·no
effort
When they had all
My young
said he
I am
distressed
who ought from birth
And thou my
' If thou
hadst considered
whom the Lord hath
The fruit which thou
was all that
Go with me
It is well
I see the 1 The
young depredators were so truly
Tl1is they put
Some few
months after, the leader of this band
Such was -one act of our
good

~~- -,-

- -·· - ...

{orf',
r~":

,

:;..~ ·· . .
"I'.)

·,,.

·
1

'
· •·... .

18

- --

PUNCTUATiON.

----

_

£_
U N-CT-UA-'P-16N:- - - - - -

DESORl'PTIOWOF ANIMALS.

- - ---.r--

is the art of pointing out corr~ctly the pauses
written composition.
, ,
" A contented mind is a treasure, which all ;do '-'J,Iot possess."
Here a comma is placed between those parts of a seritt'ince, which,
though closely connected in sense and construction, reqttfre shor
pause between them.
: . : -',''
A semicolon is usually placed between the parts of a compoun
sentence, when the conjunction is expressed; when it is not ex
pressed, a colon. Ex. "Do not flatter yourself 'viththe hope of per
feet happiness; for there is no such thing _on earth.!'
A period is placed at the close of a coh1plete sentence, and after
abbreviations, as Rev. A. D.
· ·
The dash is used to express hesitation, m!d to point out interrup
tious, or unexpected p:rnses ; as " I thought it would do no harm
just to take one look, so I opened the box-and-and-somehowit fell." " But had you not better wait until the"-" no, no, I wil
go this moment." "And :while it was burning they murdered
twenty thousand men." "He had committed numerous crimes
was tried-found guilty--nnd sentenced to hard labor for life." ·
The intcrrog·ation mark shows when a question is asked; as" Can
love be bought with gold 1"
An exclamation point is used to express sudden emotl.on ; as
"Ah ! my poor bird!" " 0 ! what a beautiful picture!"

"
... , p..E~,QR~.~;t:I_O_N <;>F _ANIMALS.

- -PUNCTUATION

a

19

.

;,; ;:·:~\:~:~. ;,\;~:~~:;~y·'·•-~
..
:·

:,..:·

.

-r ·.-

r .•

,;_
"'

..:,·\.

"

Dogs. ·

'

DESCRIBE THE DOG.

· l. Description of.-. 2. Use of.--Have you ever read of a dog that saved a person's
life 1 REF. The faithful American dog. Dogs on the Alps of
. Switzerland. Dog that preserved his master's life against robbers.

EXERCISES IN PUNCTUATION.

\Yrite the following sentences on your slate, with the proper pauses and marks.
Good scholars wilt stndy with diligence a11d use their books with care,
The purest happiness on earth springs from a contented mind and resignation
to the witl of God
This is the way of life that of death
What is it 0 how large
Wh1J broke this glass I do not know

DESCRIBE THE HORSE.

Size--Form--Difference of color--Use--of his skinof his hoofs--Wild horses in Arabia--their habits. REF. Natural History.

20

DESCRIPTJON OF .~NIMALS.

DESCRIPTION OF ANIMALS.

Beaver.
Musk Ox.
DESCRIBE THE BEAVER.
DESCRtnE THE OX.

U se--of his horns--hair
fl
· .
·
an account of the Musk Ox.
- - es11--lude-hoofs.

sse of.--habits-mode of building.

-=-

.. ..
~

Lion.
DESCRIBE THE LION.

.

~ta~e ti~ ane.cdote of Androcles ancl the Lion . . ·. . .:, ..

. .
escnbe the Elephant n d . l
.. ·..
seen or read of.
' n ot rnr anunals t1int you
.

DESCRIDE YOURSELF.

Reference-Gallaudet's Natural The 1

,.
II·'
'!. ·~·

~

·

THE PEACOCK.

'

, · The peacock is the most beautiful bird in the world. Its beauty
excels that of all other animals. Its bill is about two inches long,
and is of a brown color. Its head and neck, and part of its bre., ast,
are of a dark blue color. On the top of its head there is a tuft of
p~etty green feathers, which adds to its beauty. lts neck is iong
arid slender, and its back of a whitish grey color, spotted with black.
[_ But the plumage and taii of this splend~d bird are th~ most bem~tiful
L parts of its bo<ly. They are adorned With colors so rich and various,
ihat no human art can make any thing iike them. ·when this binl
I walks in th e sunshine, evP-ry moment produces a thous and ;;h ades of
coloring, which are beautiful and ever varying. These fine colors

.
OOf!:Y·
.
hac are the different parts of
ti~ coat? ~Vhy so called? Cori~eu:1eyes call~d 1 Wh'.lt is the use of the 8clero.
.Y;!reo!1s ~;1mor 1 Crystalline. Jen•? .Hn~.h.?~o.id_ 7 !let.ma 1 Aqueous hnmnr?
u
lleS ! >:ltate the process of r]j estio~ vi> """'}till~ W/Jat are the Uses of our - ·
blood. What lesson do you learn from y -the fidormatwn and circulation o/ the
.
our won erful made hcdy 1
W

(

•

.

a

f[
;:

t

~
ii.

..

exceed the lustre of the fillc st fl owers of the fields a11tl ganlcm:.

But,

22

-

llESC:RlPTJON- OF A"NIMALS.-

DESCRIPTION ,·OF . BIRDS.

DESCRIPTION OF BIRPS.

'"

I
Lion.
!
' ~

DESCRIBE . THE LION.

State ti1e anec
· d ote of Androc1es and tl L. ·
N . B. Describe the El I
. ie 10.n. , .
seen or read of.
ep 1ant, und other animals that you have
THE PEACOCK.
.

DESCRIBE YOURSELF.

The peacock is the most beautiful bi1:d in the world. Its beauty
excels that of all other animals. Its bill is about two inches long,
. "Vhat are the differeut parts of our e
and is of a brown color. Its head and neck, and part of its breast,
he coat? Why so c·1lled? C y
yes called 1 What is the use of the I
V't
l
'
·
ornea 1 Cl
"d 7 R .
sc ero,
are of a dark blue color. On the top of its head there is a tuft of
etma 1 Aqueous humor 1
b I reous mruor 1 Crystalline lens? H ioro1
ones 1 State the process of di e~tion~w manynn~ what are.the uses of your ,: Pf.e tty green fea~hers, which ad.d.s to its beauty. Its nee~ is long
blood. "Vhnt lesson do you learn from
the fcdormntlon and circulation of the
and slender, and its back of a whitish grey color, spotted with black.
your won erful made body ?
But the plumage and tail of this splendid bird are the most beautiful
parts of its body. They are adorned with colors so rich and various,
that no human art can make any thing like them. 'Vhen this bird
, walks in the sunshine, every moment pro~uces a thousand shades of
coloring, which are beautiful and ever varying. These fine colors
exceed the lustre of the finest flowers of the fields and gardens. But,
Reference-Gallaudet's Natural Theology.

(

i

,.

. • - -.,

24

DESCRIPTION OF BIRDS.

D£8CIUP-TION OF BIRDS.

25

like the flowers, they fade eve:;- ~
- ~ '
bodies and are again renew dy year, and the feathers drop from their
. THE
SAGACIOUS SWAN.
.
cock, from the tip of the ~-Jle;er{ spring. ,The length of the peafeet eight inches. Some 0 / ·t ~ t ie end of the tail, is about three i1 :- T)lere is a nice little amusing toy which is sold in some toy shops,
This bird appears hau ht an~s ~ngest feathers ~re ~our fe~t long. ·f·~alle4 the Sagacious Swan. This swan is made of very thin tin
p oud_, and loves to display its fine :"j>l~te~, ~r o_thet ~ight substance, and is hollow within. Near its mout~,
colors to those who
_r'.hf are proud of their fin~n~ ~;~~:ike~~rnse little kboys and gfrls .;in the ,' ms1de, is fixed a small magnet "o~ loadsto~e. The swan is
ug 1 places, and Jives upon b ·J
· <l le pea~oc perches upon : placed in a large basin full of water, in which it swims. A small rod
beautiful plumage does not a ai e~
an.
.ot~ier kinds of grain. Its ~ of m.eta] about five or six inches Jong, with a piece of bread fastened
1
'Vhen it drops its fine fcuthcrs ~~~~ e u?til it is nearly _four years old. ~to one end of it, is held out to the swan, at the distance of an inch or
1·0 be seen, but seeks to hide ~t lf · tune of harvest, it does not like · two from its mouth. The swan then moves forward after the rod, as
1
the peacock is very beautiful i~e ut:n. some gl~omy place. Though , .·if it wished to take hold of the piece of bread. If you move the rod
cry. For whole hours it
eis ~ very rnrsh and disgusting .~ ge~tly fro~ the s~au, it will sw~I? ~fter it all. r~rnnd the ba~in, ~nd
t_he most hideous noise. It ca~i~feat .t JC cry of eko, eko, eko, with. ·. from one side of 1t to another, as 1f 1t were a hvrng swan sw1mmmg
lrnnet and the blackbird It ·
ot ~rng a pleasant song, like the · · ~ after its food. But if you present the · other end of the rod to the
with any other bird excep. t tl is. so wicked thnt it will scarcely Jive '!- swan, it will swim backwa.rds, and try to avoid it, as if you were
t] ·
·
'
ie pigeon · and it tear
d
·1
nng 1 ~ gets a hold of with its bill. •_f.'i1 is b" ·d
s ~n spo1 s every ( :wishing to mock or insult it. The rod on which the piece of bread
a far distant country, from the East ludi JI w_as _fost brought from ,. is fastened is also a loadston~. A loadstone attracts or draws to it
d · es, and it lives to tlie age of ' needles, and any small bits of iron or steel that are near it. Every
twenty-five years Litt! b0
pr~:md and vain, ~n acco~nt [fs an . g~rls, be not like the peacock, , loadstone has two ends, which are called its north and south poles.
for humility and goodness are a{om t0e~uty and your fine clothes; ; When the nm th pole of. one loadstone is brought near to the south
ways
e preferred to beauty. pole of another, they will attract each other. But when the north
FIRST EXERCISE.
.• pole of one is brought near the north pole of another, they will repel
Write the definition and 0
f
r~ or move from each other. When ~ sniall loadstone is placed on a
·
·
1 foJiowing words~ B. eauty· · ·
slender splendid
·
p}posite 0 tie
p. ieee of cork or light wood, and made to swim in a basin of water,
, vanous, iaughty ptoud
I
.
'
h I'd eous,' &c.
'
' g oomy, disgusting, ~. it will turn itself round, till it point nearly north and south. The
,. compass which directs sailors in their course along the sea, consists
SECOND EXERCISE.
-;;·or a small loadstone which· moves upon a pivot.~ It shows them how
Skeleton as before.
' •. ·to steer to the East and' the West, to. the Noi·th and the South. By
· means of this small bit .of -loadstone, they can find their way over
.
THIRD EXERCISE.
gra seas and oceans, to the East Indies and America, and round
\Vnte the description from memory.
the whole world. God created the loadstone for this purpose; and
if we had never known its properties, we should never have been
·\ '

ar! 1:01 · 1
0

I

1

will

I

26

----

-- . - ,
.,, ,
·. .
DESCiUPTloN · o:r INSECTS.

DESCRIPTION OF BIRDS.

able ~to bring tea from China, or sugar from the West Indies, or to
send Bibles to the people that dwell in the far distant isles of the sea.
Exf:nc1sEs as before.
1:

'

·• .. i·

DESCRIPtrION OF INSECTS.

·~

JI\\

. . . .:. .....·..

·~ ,

I

DEscRrnE THE FLv. WI1~i e11~h~es· hiPi
glass with his head downward 1 . His usl'.1

:
..

:

to walk upon

,·.
BUTTERFLY ,-his

changes-.

Bird of Paradise.

BEE,-·habits-. use--

DESCRIBE

Parrot.
E.W H-their lrnbits--countries where-

I

DESCRIPTION OF PLANTS •

. DESCRiPTION OF PLANTS .

.'

/
Ei PIDER,-habits--perseverance..;,___; ·
. ·~ .. :. ~

.

~

,

-

'

After Robert Bruce had been defeated twelve times, as he. l~y ori.som~ straw in a .
barn brooding over his misfortunes, and on the point of giving up in despair, he,
beheld a spider attempt in vain twelve times to ascend the beam; but its thir!eenth
attempt was crowned with success. He then arose, and determined to make one
more vigoruus effort in the cause of liberty; he did so., audit was crowned with
equal 11uccess.
'

'
• y'

I

·.".:

'What are the different parts of a .flower call~d 1 ~EF. Botany." W.hat is the
. Stamen 7 Pistil 1 Corolla 1 Mention the vanous k111ds of trees. Fruit trees.

I'

~

__ JJO_

DESCRIPTION OF MINERALS.

DESGRIF'l'ION OF OCCUP-ATIONS;BUILDINGS 1 &c.

31

A CHURCH. . A ScnooL HousE. A Smr.
FmE ENGINE. TELE•
1. THE F ARMER,-his business and usefuln~ss.
" SCOPE. MrcRoscorE,-different kinds. RAIL RoAD. THE TowER
2. MECHANrc,-vadous kinds:--importance. REF. Hazen's Pano- ..,_~ J)F ' BABEL ; THE T EMPJ,E OF SOLOMON. 'l'HE AUTOMATON LADY
rama.
-.. MINSTREL. · A BA LLOON. A RocKET. A CoTTON FACTORY. A
3. MERCHANT,-his usefulness.
PAPER l\IrLL. A SILK FACTORY.
4. SAILOR,:DESCRIBE

DESCRIPTION OF OCC{JPATI9NS.

A

HomiE.

A STEAM BoAT. A CLocK . . A "VATCH.

\Vhich is the most_useful 1 'Why 1 \Vhat would be the consequence if there
were no division of labor? In what parts of the .world is this..the case?

DESCRIPTION OF MINERALS.

' r

DES.C RIPTION OF BUILDINGS; &c.
.

" I

1 1' ..

SUNDAY SALT .

I

· THE tises of snit arc various. You nil know that it improves the
" taste of food , that it helps to preserve mea t from putrefaction , and is
favornhle to lienl th. It is nlso use<l in tlie f11sion of metals, in the
manufacture of glass, and sometimes to quicken the ferti lity of cold
and barren soils.
· It is agreeable to domestic animals. It is especially salutary to
those that feed on grass. The careful farmer gives it statcdly to his
flocks and herds. It is pleasing to see the sheep and the cows, the
oxen and horses, each eagerly receiving their portion of what seems
.
the
dessert to their simple meat
· ,
·
: . :
,.
•;
; .' , .W ild animals discover -where the earth is impregnated with salt.
.There they gather in throngs, to taste the luxury~ In our 'Vestern
States, thel'e are multituqes of such spots, which are called licks.
Thither aJso the hunters repair an.d lie in wait for ,th~ir prey.
. ·In eastern countries, lions imitate this cunning of the huntersj
A City.
Fountains are there scarce , and they make 'their dens in marshy
places, to seize the animals who resort thither to drink. . rl'his was
DESCRIPTION oF A C1TY,-its streets-public buildings-manufacso often the ·case in Palestine, that some of the Hebrew po~ts called
tories-occupation of its inhabitants.
·
·
the Hon, the " wild beast of the reeds." There, like the hunter at

•

\

I

":"'

DESCRIPTION OF MINERALS.

DESCRlPTiON OF MINERALS.

33

the salt-licks, he lay crouched in his lair, and when .the "hart came · where boats conveying visiters glide, sparkle in the torch-light, as if
panting for the water-brooks," or other feeble ammals .. hasted to f overhung by a fret-work of diamonds.
·
quench thefr ~hirst he was r~ady to devour them.
·. ; · · . · .
. .. ~ ... Salt is scattered in masses, over America and Asia, as well as over
Since salt 1s so necessary to man, the Creator has dis~nb~ted .1t
Africa arid Europe. Innumerable fountains of brine spring up
1
with a liberal hand . . It mingles with seas and oceans-:-1t nses 1ll • throughout the globe, whence salt is manufactured for the inhabithe form of rocks-it is found in mines-it c?vers, for 1?tles, the sur- : tants, and for commerce. Many parts of the United States are rich
face of some regions-it breaks forth in bnny fountams from the ~. in these. You have doubtless heard of the very productive ones at
bosom of the earth.
.
.
.. Salina, in the State of New-York.
Rock salt is sometimes of a pure white, and sometunes vano~sly . . ·' Salt is a source of revenue in various regions. The Emperor of
colored. In Africa, are many mountains of entire salt. In the kmg- . Austria is said to derive £100,000 annually from his mines of salt.
dom of Tunis, is one composed of red an~ violet ?olor. Grent masses
There are various ways of preparing it, froui sea-water, from saltof solid ~alt, cover the summit of mountams wlnch bound the desert " ·· lakes, and springs. It is sometimes boile<l, anJ. sometimes made in
on the west of Cairo.
. the open air, by solar evaporation.
There is a village in Spain, situated at tli.e h~se of a rock of salt,
Bay-salt is what is made by the heat of the sun. It is of two
five hundred feet in height, and a league 111 circumference. . Most · .kinds; the first drawn from sea-water, the second from springs or
of this is white, though some is of a fine blue. At Halle, . m the , ·· lakes. Marine-salt is extracted from the water of the sea by boiling.
. Tyrol, are ranges of salt-rocks, worked by means of galleries cut . Fishery salt is made by slow evaporation, and is known by its large
into them.
.
.
.
and coarse crystals.
Historians have said that dwellings were anciently bmlt of rock- , ' 1 ' The white salt of Normandy, has been quite a source of gain to
salt in Lybia. They are still found in Arabia, and other parts of ~he ,. France. It is prepared by suffering the rising tide to flow into
globe. In the vast salt-mines of Poland, house~ and chapels exist, · · ~eservoirs, where, after. parti3;l evapora~ion, it. filters t.hrou~h. st~aw
and wheti illuminated by torches, have a magmficent appearan~e. . mto vessels placed for 1t. It 1s then boiled, with contmual st1rrmg,
You remember the palace of ice built by .an Em.press of R.ussm,
and purified by draining through large osier baskets. ·
which was so brilliant when the lamps were lighted m the evenmg.
:ir· But, my dear young friends, I think I hear you say, "Was not•
The salt-mines near Cnicow in Poland, have been wrought for · ,the title of this es1my Sunday-salt 1 We have been told of rock-salt,
and bay-salt, and marine-salt, and fishery-salt, ~nd the white-sa1t of
six hundred years', and still P.roduce six thousand tons annually.
The excavations extend for miles, and near two tho?-sand labo~ers
Normandy, but not a word about what we expected to hear described.
are employed there. Di~ere~t pa.rts of the Carpatluan mountams,
·Now what can Sunda!j-salt mean 1 I am just going to tell you.
and of Siberia, are also nch m verns of salt.
.
·
- I was once attendmg the leetures of a professor, who, among
The mines of Salzburk, in Austria, ar~ more ~han a.thousand fee} ·. ·other means of acquiring information, had travelled in Europe. He
in depth. Their subterranean expanse Is dazzling with crystals 0 . , 'said, that when he was in Scotland, he observed what might often be
seen in his own country, that the salt obtained by the action of fire,
the most brilliant hues, and, now and then, the waters of n lake,

,I

·~

1

••

1

3

•

34

DESCRIPTION

OF

LETTERS.

MINERALS.

35

instead of the heat of the sun, was · sometimes injured
· .~ ·' .Carl we sep ot,tr Sunday-salt 1· 'Yes ; at the gate of heaven. ",The
the process.·
samts who .ha.ve· ~nternd there, "through much tribulation '"·wiJI teU
By a too rapid evaporation, many foreign and earthy substance!!
·you th.at it was the ·putifying principletin the·rough sea of hre. ,., An•
are apt to be left behind. In Scotland, the manufacturers of' salt
· g~lski\cHv)tsvalue.:.._itwill bring the gold of eternity. ·· . ;. • :. ,. , ,1
continue their labors until twelve on Saturday night. They then · . ..pr ' .I -· · "r .
.
·
. ·
.
.
kindle a large fire under it, and retire to their homes.
' ,, · DESCRIBE TH~ CoA~-l\lrNES of • Pennsylvania-of Englai:.J~..::.:_
The crystillization going on more slowly than usual during the
· ~()L.P~SILVER-IRoN-TIN--LEAD~-their location-use. Dr.A.Sabbath, those impurities which cause bitterness, are separated and
. .~ 0.NI!S-:-where found 1 Name other · minerals-loca.tion • . SALT..:_
exhaled. The material thus elaborated, is of superior excellence;
w,here found 1.· Which is the most useful 1 ,Next 1 Why 1
It commands a higher price in the market, and is sold by the name · ·¢,:(·t·
of Sunday-salt.
·
n1 ' ·
After I had heard. the learned professor's description of Sunday· ~ ',
. , DESCRIPTION OF CURIOSITIES.
salt, it occurred to me that we might make it ourselves, though in a r · ~··: . .
different way. The cares and pursuits of the
like ' . . . . 1:• .GROTTOS . CAVES • C ATARACTS, MusEUMs. PYRAMIDS of
. week
b.d sometimes,
M. h
fierce ~res, o;ver h eat t h ~ sou1, an d ren d er 1t .tur 1 :
1g t ~e not :· ' Egypt: ' PoMJ?EY's PILLAR.
,
. •- References,-Cabinet of Curiosities or Cabinet of N ~ &
so avoid them, one day m seven, and so cultivate different .tra!ns of
thought, as to have Sunday-salt of our own 1
:1:1
·
·
'
. atu e,, . c.
If we take the time which God reserves to himself for our own
'
employments-if, like the unbelieving Israelites, we go forth to . :i ·
gather our daily foo<l on the Saubath-what we consider gain wiH , :h
prove a mixture of trouble. It will be like what our blessed Saviour
:,:
calls, "'!:ialt that has lost its savour; wherewith shall it be salted 1"
. ;. N?w my young.~riends,. I will intro~?ce you to a very important
The Almighty hath said, "remember the Sabbath day to · keep it
species of coD?pos1t1011; viz., le.tter wntrng. To be able to write an
* holy." We cannot disobey him and be happy. 'Ve cannot sweep
elegant letter is a rare accoD?phshment-but if you will persevere ift
manna from the earth on this consecrated season, and prosper. Bu~ -, a careful and frequent exercise, you can attain to it. · .
we may make Sunday-salt in the laboratory of a meek and prayerful ·j · . For your encouragement, I insert a letter written by~ young lady
spirit.
'
, fWelve years of age; also, as a model, a letter addressed to the feMay we not carry with us throughout the week, this Sunday-salt, ''males of Greece.
' ·
·
OcT. 1st, 1829.
·to purify our lives and conversation 1 It may sometimes be in clan- '
Mr. T
, Jamaica.
ger of dissolving in the humid atmosphere of the planet that we in-·
habit. But may '"e not preserve it in the casket of a watchful soul 1 r. My Dear U ncle,-Although it is several years since I saw you,
yet time has not lessened, but rather increased, my affection for you.
I.et us try.

:'10

I .'

'

LETTERS~

LETTERS.

Your sweetest little Mary grows an engaging little dear. I often
think how it would rejoice your heart to see her. Her lovely temper
endears her more and more to us. She very much delights ·to hear
us talk of you. When th~ letter was being.read in which yo~ me~­
tion her, she was quite delighted. AJI the. time she kept looking m
her aunt's face, and laughing as though she understood all that was
said. She often gets a piece of paper, and tells us it is her Papa's
letter. She very much likes to talk of her Mama in !maven ; and
to hear about Jesus Christ. I have the honor to have her for my
little scholar, and a very tractable one she is. She is now beginning
to spell Jittle words, and do a little work. She is always ready to
leave her play, when I call her to her lessons. She is very intere~t­
ing, and will often put pretty questious to me about Jesus Christ
and Heaven, and her dear Mama.
.
And now, my dear Uncle, that I have told you about your little
Mary, I must tell you about myself. You have heard the hand of
the Lord has been upon me some time, now nineteen months; but
the time has not been long to me; for, blessed be his name! he has
enabled me to seek Him before I was ill. Oh how blessed it is that
I can feel it as comin from the hands of a kind Father, who will not
lay upon me more th~n I can bear; ~ feel happy in gi.vi?g. myself
up i!_ltO his hands, He hath done all tlungs well. I find 1t IS mdeed,
(J'

"Sweet to lie passive in his hands.
"And know no will but his."

My dear Uncle, I have reason to thank you for persuading my
Aunt to let me accompany her to the Sunday School. I have found
much benefit there. I have not been able to attend for many months;
the Teachers and Superintendents have often visited me. Mr. L--has been peculiarly kind. He visits me with the tenderne~s ?f a
Father. Under his ministry I was brought to love Jesus Christ, and

37

· to· seek an interest in his blood . .. I long had a great desire to become
· ft. member of his Church.' When I told- him; he was quite willing;
'. ·' a~d · re'quested me to write him a few lines; and Oh! . wh'a tjoy it was
_ to· m«1: when I was enabled, for a few Sabbaths in the summer, to
attend the Chapel. On one of them I was privileged to receive the
. memorials of my Saviour's death ; but now I am again laid by• .· I
can hardly do any thing for myself. I feel convinced ·I shall soon
be · called home. I feel no fear of death; Jesus will be with me
t'or ·he· has promised, "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.'~.
When I am in great pain, if I can think of what Jesus suffered for
. me, then I can bear it the better. I feel a longing to be free from
/ this sinful body. ·My corruptions nre n clog to my soul, that wants
to be soaring to Jesus; but I will, in his strength, wait his time with
patience. His is the best time ; when he calls I am ready ; as long
as He wishes to keep me here I am willing to stay. Dear uncle; I
al'Y'a.rs remember you at the throne of grace; praying that your
M1ss10nary labors may be blessed. · I entreat you to do the same fot
ine, that I may have a happy entrance into Heaven. ·
.
I remain; &c.
J.E. TAYLOR.
".

LETTER TO THE FEMALES OF GREECE.
. ~HEN Greece was passing through
ga1~ed freedom from the Turkish /oke,

the revolution by which it
great pity was felt in the
United States for the sufferings o its inhabitants. Especially was
' the sympathy of our females excited, for the miseries that the war
brought upon their own sex. .
.
, They were represented in -co~tinual terror of their Turkish op. pressors, often forced from their owil homes, scarcely clothed, and
wretchedly feeding, with their ~hildr~n, upon the snails. and meagre
herbage of the barren mountams whither they .were driven.
·

/

as

I

LETTERS•

39_
'• .

·" ln o·n~ of the cities of Ne,v England, wpen_the boxes of apparel,
The letters of Dr. Howe, now the Principal of the Institution for
and the barrels of provisions, were ready to be sent, it \vas sugg~sted
the Blind, in Boston, powerfully described their sorrows and . their
.
that a letter sho?ld accompany them. One was accordingly writteh,
patience. His residence in Greece had rendered him famiHar .with
and trahslated rnto modern Greek.
· ' ·
':
. '
the evils which he related, and his appeal to the bounty of his native
~.,··It ~~s received .and r~ad by those desolate women with the weepland was not in vain.
·
.
· · ,
ing ?f Joy. . And i_t affords · a lesson to those who have nothing else
Vessels were freighted with provisions and cl~thing, an'd trusty
~o
.give,, that the krnd words of affectionate sympathy are balm to
agents sent out to distribute them. Not only in the larger cities,
the
afflicted heart. Here is a copy of the letter to the females Of
but in the villages of our country, the spirit of benevolence was
Greece.
·
awake and active. The cry of Greece seemed to enter into eyery
"HAR'.J'FORD,
CoNN., March 12th, 1828. ·
ear.
..
~isters and Friends,
Donations were given. Contributions were gathered. . Ladies
'' · · From our years of childhood, the land of your birth has been
formed societies, and consulted how the money thus collected; might
the them~ of our admiration. With our brothers and husbands, we
be best disposed of for the benefit of Greece. Even the poor believ•
early learned to Jove the country of Homer and Solon, of Aristides
ed that they had a garment to spare, and brought it with tears, for
·
a nd Herodotus, of Socrates and Plato.
the poorer women of Greece.
·
· ·
.
That enthusiasm which the glory of ancient Greece enkindled in
Cloth was purchased, and garments cut out, for those of every age,
our
bosoms, haa kept alive a fervent friendship for her children. 'Ve
from the infant, to the hoary-headed. The little girls from the
have
seen . with deep sympathy the horrors of Turkish domination·,
schools, forgot to play on their holidays, and sat down to work for
~nd the struggle so Jong and nobly sustained, for existence and for
.
.
the children of Greece.
· liberty . .
Ladies of the greatest wealth, plied their needl_es industriously,
. 1:'he co1!1munications of Dr. Howe, since his return from your
that the unfortunate Greeks might be clothed. Their servants also
afflicted chme, have made us more intimately acquainted with your
came, offering a part of their wages. They sat down by their side,
personal
sufferings. His vivid descriptions have presented you to
working for the same charity.
us·
;
seeking
refuge in caves, and dens of the earth, listening in terror
It was like one great sisterhood, in which narrow distinctions
were forgotten. Such was the spirit of harmony breathed iritd every ' · · for the footsteps of .the destroyer, · or mourning .over your dearest
·
·
·
· . .,
··
heart, it would seem that we were debtors to the Greeks, and not ' · '011es slain iri battle.
·,
'Sisters
and
friends,
our
hearts
bleed
for
you.
Deprived
of
parents
·
they to us. It was the happiness of benevolence. There is no
and protectors by the fortune of war, ani:l continually in fear of evils
other like it.
·
than death, our prayets are with you, in all your wanderings,
worse
, The little ones partook of it, and their smile was brighter; 1vhile
your
wants,
and yQur woes.
.
they learned the luxury .of doing good. Their voices were tender
.In
thi~
vessel,
(~hich may God send in safety to your shores,) you
and sweet, as they said to each other, " Greece hungered, and we
will
receive
a
port10n
of that bounty with which he hath blessed us.
·
·
gave her food; she was naked, and we clothed her."

I

40

LETTERS.

'l'he poor among us have contributed, according to their abilities.
Our children have added their gifts and their industry, that your
children might have bread to eat, and raiment to put on.
Could you but have seen the faces of our little ones brighten, and
their eyes sparkle with joy, as they gave up their holiday sports, that
they might work with their needles for Greece,-could you have
beheld those females who earn a subsistence by labor, gladly casting
a mite into your treasury, or taking hours from their repose, that
you might have an additional garment,-could you have witnessed
the active benevolence inspiring every class of our community,-it
would cheer for a moment the darkness and misery of your lot. ·
Inhabitants, as we are, of a part of one of the smallest of the
United States, our don ations must of necessity be more limited than
those from the larger and more wealthy cities. But such as we have,
we give in the name of the dear Saviour, with our hlessiugs and our
prayers.
We know the valu e of sympathy, how it girds the heart to bear,
how it plucks the stin g fro1n sorro\v. Therefore we have written
these few lines to assure you, that in the remote parts of our country,
as well as in her high places, you are remembered with pity and
with love.
Sisters and friends,~we extend across the ocean, our hands to
you, in the fellowship of Christ. 'Ve pray that his cross, and the
banner of your land, may together rise above the crescent and the
minaret,-that your sons may hail the freedom of ancient Greece
restored, and build again the waste places, which the oppressor hath
trodden down,-and that you, admitted once more to the felicities
of home, may gather fro11l past perils and adversi_ties, a brighter
wreath for the kingdom of heaven."
·

LETTERS.

41

GENERAL .DIRECTIONS.

1. Be' par_ti~ular that you spell correctly, and violate no grammatical rulP-.
' 2. Mark the pauses and capitals, as in the rules for punctuation.
3. Be particular in the proper selection of words, and .not to repeat the same word or idea where it can be avoided.
··
~ ·
4. Express your ideas with clearness, and at the same time fo few
'. words.
· 5. Mark important words with a horizontal line under them-very
important ones with two.
· _ The following skeletons, are guides to assist you in writing, and
: ... to suggest some,trains of thought, which you may draw out in your
"'
language.
r ::
FiIJ up the skeletons of the following letters.
··

owri

LETTER I.

Hartford, November 1st, 1838.
Dear Sister,
I take this opportunity to write you a few Jines.
I. Mention the state of your health, and that of your. friends. 2. Of your school and how you like it-of your stndies-:-the pro: . . . gress you make in them-how you like each, and which the bestarid why.
.
,
.
'
3. Use of these branches-and which the most usefu],
'.- 4. Particulars.

/

42

LETTERS.

CONSTRUCTION OF SENTENCES

LETTER JI.

LETTER V.

. .:

i

. .
.

TO A FRIEND IN EUROPE.

Troy, May lst, 1839. ·
_Dear and valued Friend,
I once more attempt to address you by letter.
I. An account of yourself and friends.
2. Of your school-Sabbath school.
3. Public works going on in your country.
4. Name the principal officers at the head of our governmentof your state.
5. Prospects of your country.
6. Concluding remarks.
LETTER III.

Albany, Jan. 1st, 1839.

43 '

'

Paris, June 1st, 1840.
l DeEir Sister,
· · ·
1" ·
I Iio~v wri!.e t? you from this city of fashion and splendor. · .
I. Descnbe this c1ty_;_people-manners and customs_;_reJigionainusements-institutions-how does it compare with the other capitals of E ui·ope.
·
·
· .
J

Ons. · Continue the practice of letter writing:._a ness-billets, or notes of invitation to tea, &c; &c.
y
.
.

CONSTRUCTION
OF SENTENCES.
.
l

Dem: Brother,
U8E OF WORDS IN SENTENCES. '
Although it is several years since I saw you, yet time has not
. . ·'\Trite a sentence containing one or more of the following wor~s:
· at all lessened, but rather increased my affection for you.
~Jood; Great, Large, Small, Sweet, Sour.
I. New year's wish-events of the past year.
2. Describe this city-institutions-churches-schools-societies
~- EXAMPLE. · 'Vashington was a good and great man.
-occupations of the people.
. , , · In what respect was he good and great 1 ·
3. Interesting news.
. .· .Excellent, Ben~volent,. Well, Sick, Learning, Ig~orance, ..Begin,
LETTER IV.
; - Life, Deatli, Wm~, Fire, Water, Geograph:y, Ar~tl1metic, Boston, Albany, Wasliington, Columbus, Franklin Alexander Cicero
Algiers, llfay 7; 1839•. ·
Ne1fton, Bird, Fish, Horse, Ox, Bees, 'River: Mountain,' Ocean:
Dear Fi'iend,
Sliip, Stage, Bo.ok, Slate, Sun, llfoon, Idlenes~, Industry, Paris,
You perceh:e by the caption of my letter, that I am in one
L?ndon,
Connecticut, Hartford, Pantlter, Bear, Girl, Steel, Gold,
of the chief cities of Barbary.
Bank,
Church, Capital, Capitol,-What is the difference
Silver,
· I. Describe the inhabitants-manners and customs--dress-them
1
·
between
classes-religion, etc. etc.

44

ANALYTICAL EXERCISES.

ANALYTICAL EXERCISES.

ANALYTICAL EXERCISES.

Example of analyzing poetry.

Analysis is separating or taking apart.; as separating a compound
sentence into simple ones; also, explaining words or sentences, or
drawing out the meaning in simple and amplified language.
Example of the analysis of a compound sentence.
The air, the earth, and the water teem with delighted existence.
Thus analyzed :
·
The air teems with delighted existence.
The earth teems with delighted existence.
The water teems with delighted existence.

Analyze the following examples.
T he forests , the hills , and the mountains, lift their headsl in
. unalterable repose, and furnish the. same sources of contemp atlon to
us, that they did to those generat10ns that have passed away.

"A Novel was a book three-volumed, and once read; and oft
crammed full of poisonous error, blackening every pa&"e ; and of'te~er still of trifling, second-hand remark, an~ old, disease~, ~utr1d
thought ; and miserable incident, at war with nature, w1~h itself,
and truth at war; yet charming still, the gr~edy reader on, till do?e,
he tried to recollect his thoughts, and nothing found, but dreaming
emptiness. 'l'hese, like ephemera. sprung in a. day, from le~n and
shallow-soiled brains of sand, and rn a day expired: yet. while t~ey
lived, tremendous oft.times was the popular roar, and cries of-hve
for ever.......struck the skies."

I

ON PROCRASTINATION-Br Youlra. ·

Be wise to day, 'tis madness to defer;

'

'. · That .·is, ·perform now your whole duty, and thus secure the apprebation of your conscience and Maker ; then yoti will ~e prepared
for life or death. To act otherwise, i. e. to put off the duties of.this
.i
. day to any future period, is the Climax of foJJy.

.1

Next day the fatal precedent will plead;

If you neglect present duty, this very act paves the way for a repe. tit,ion of the same. You are like a rock rolling from the summit o(
a lofty mountain ; at first its course is slow-but each revolution
gives it a new impulse, and increases its power, until like a furious
. tornado, it scatters ruin in its course.
··
Thus on till wisdom is pushed out of life.
·
As the rock at length reached its uttermost bound!!--so life wiJI
soon close with eternal ruin to the delayer.
,
Procrastination is the thief of time.
· ' As our final destiny depends on the use we make of time, there·
fore with time it steals also eternity.

Year after year it steals, till all are fled.
1

How insatiable this thief-not satisfied even with the last drop of
the life's blood of its victims. /

And to the mercies of a moment leaves
The vast concerns of an eternal scene.
When the poor deluded being is led to the very verge of ruin.! the

.I
I

46

ANALYTICAL EXERCISE!IJ,

ANALYTICAL EXERCISES,

mask is removed-the awful gulf of P.erdit~o.n yearni~g be~eath his ' .
feet bursts upon him. He utters one despamng, hornd shnek, and
sinks to rise no more .. ·
Questions on the aboTJe 1'erse . .What is the meani~g of wise.7

.
·i

Why ou~ht we to
be wise to-day 1 . Ma?ness 1 J?efer 1 ·w hy madness to defer 1 What 1~ stated
about present time m the Bible 1 Fatal? Precedent 7 Plead _7 \Yisd~m 1
Who were called the seven wise men of ~reece 1 What ~enqers time . mfimtely . t
valuable 1 Give exampl es of persons rumed by procrastination, What woul.d
be the resu It if we should follow the direction to be wise to day 1 What lesson IS
taught in this verse 1
·

Analyze tlie following lines.

l'l

Of man's miruculou;i mistakes, this bcnrs
The palm: That all men are about to live :
Forever on the brink of being born.
_
All pay themselves the co~pliment to tl~ink,,
They one day shall not dnvel ; and .their pnde,
On this revision, takes up ready praise ;
.At least their own ; their future selves applauds.
How excellent that life they ne'er will lead!
Time lodu'd in their own hands is folly's vails ;
That lodg'd in fate's to wisdom they consign;
The thing they can't but purpose, they postpone.
'Tis not in folly, not to scorn a fool;
And scarce in human wisdom to do more.
r
All promise is poor dilatory man ;
And that through ev'ry stage.
Happy the man who sees a God employed
In all the good and ill that chequer.

PICTURE OF ·A GOOD MAN. _

Analyze the following lines as before, dnd draw tlte lessons ·therefrom.
. Some angel guide ·~y· pencil; while I dra~,
What nothing else than angel can .exceed, .
.~ .
A man on earth, ~evoted to the . skies;
.
Like ships at sea, while in, above the \vorld.
With aspect mild, and elevated eye, ·. .
Behold hirrt seated on a mount serene,
Above the fogs of sense, arid passion's storni:
A~l the black cares, and tumults of this life,
Like harmless thunders brenl\ing at his feet,
Excite his pity, not impair his peace. ·
Eart!1's genuine sons, the sceptred, and the slave,
A mmgled mob. I a wandering he1·d l he sees
.
Bewildered in the vale ; ·in all unlike !
His full reverse in all ! What higher praise 1
What stronger demonstration of the right 1 ·
The pres,e nt all their care; the futnre his.
When public welfare calls, or private want,
They give to fame ; his bounty he conceals.
· Their virtues vai·nish nature; his exalt.
Mankind's esteem they count; and he his own.
Theirs the \Vild.chase of false felicities ;
His the compos'd possession of the true.
Alike throughout is his consistent piece;
All of one color, arnl an even thread;
'Vhile party-color'd shade~ or happiness,
With hideous gaps between, patch up for them
A madman's robe ; each puff of fortune blows
The tatters by, and shows their nakedness. ,
..;,,
He sees with other eyes than theirs : where they
Behold a sun, he spies a Deity.
1

'

•

.·

..

ANAL YT I CAL

ANALYTICAL EXERCISES.

•~..
-/.

What makes .them only smile, makes him adore.
Where they see mountains, he but atoms sees ;
An empire in his balance, weighs a grain.
They things terrestrial worship as divine ;
His hopes immortal blow them by, as dust,
That dims his sight, and shortens his survey,
Which longs, in infinite, to lose all bound.
Titles and honors, (if they prove his fate,)
He lays aside to find his dignity;
·
No dignity they find in aught besides.
They triumph in externals, (which conceal
Man's real glory,) proud of an eclipse ;
Himself too much he prizes to be proud,
And nothing thinks s9 great in, as man.
Too dear he holds his int'rest, to neglect
Another's welfare, or his right invade ;
Their int'rest, like a lion, lives on prey.
They kindle at the shadow_of a wrong;
Wrong he sustains with temper, looks on heaven,
Nor stoops to think his injurer his foe.
Nought but what wounds his virtue, wounds his peace.
A cover'd heart their character defends;
A cover'd heart denies him half his praise.
With nakedness his innocence agrees !
While their broad foliage testifies their fall !
There no joys end, where his full feast begins:
His joys create, theirs murder future bliss.
To triumph in existence, his alone,
And his alone triumphantly to think
His true existence is not yet begun.
His glorious course was, yesterday, complete:
Death, then was welcome ; yet life still is sweet.

E~ERCISE,S.

49~

Analysis of Scripture.-Luke iv. 38, 39.

en- '

Ver. ~8. "And he (Jesus) arose out of the synagogue, ~nd
tered into Simon's house; and Simon's wife's mother was taken with
' a: great fever; and they besought him for her."
Ver. 39. "And he stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and it
left her; anrl immediately she arose and ministered unto them."

General Analysis.
38. And Jesus arose from the house of prayer, and went to Simon's house, wh ere Simon's mother in law was sick with a fever·
and they besought, or earnestly e ntreated him to heal the disease-a;
they had perfect confidence in his power thus to do.
·
·· 39. He complied imi:ne<liately with their request; by his sovereign
~ower he stoppe~ the v1?lence of the fever, and caused it to depart
from her; sbe imm ediately arose and prepared refreshments for
1 • them, an~ attended to their necessities.
' '·
Particulm· Analysis.

1

•

1. Christ attended the public worship of God in the synagogue.
· 2. After worship he retired for refreshment and rest.
. 3. Simon received Jesus into his house, and gave him rest and
refreshment.
.
.
.
. 4. Peter and his wife supported, cherished, and prayed for their
aged and sick parent.
.
.
. 5. Peter, though a good man, and a disciple of Christ, was visited
with family affliction.
·
·
6 .. All the people in the house joined together, in praying to
Chnst for the cure of the fever.
·
. 7, They prayed for the woman when she could not pray for herself.
8. Jesus heard their prayer, and answered it.
:'.. "'•· '
. 9, At Christ's word the fever was cured.
:.-f.i. ....
...

4

.,

I[
!

/'

'l
j

1

j

lI

...,
I

50

ANALYTICAL KXERCISEB.

ANALYTICAL EXERCISES.

on those who cannot, or will not, pray ·for themselves, and pray"for
them ; a]so, that we should assist and encourage our brethren in their
prayers for the temporal or spiritual welfare of their · friends -0r·
others.
·
·Jesus heard and answered tlieir prayers,-hence we learn that
God will hear and answer our prayers, if offered in faith.
Jesus cured the fever with a word,;--hence we learn that alJ troubles
and afflictions are under the control and direction of Christ, who ~an
remit or remove them when he pleases.
When the woman was cured, she did not continue on her bed~ but
·arose to her duty,-hence we ]earn that it is wrong to indulge in
laziness or idleness; also, that when God gives us health and opportunities of usefulness, we otight diligently to improve them.
., · · The woman, when cured, employed herself in ministering to the
' · · wants of Christ and his disciples,-hence we shou]d be grateful for
· the mercies and deliverances of God's providence; a]so, our love·.
and gratitude to him should be exhibited by our conduct in Jife, by
activity in his service, and kindness to his people : while we are
.
blessed with health to perform every known duty.
_
The woman upon being cured,· rose immediately and served Christ,
.; )hence we learn that we ought not to delay duty, but should im, pro~e the present time in coming to Christ, and engaging in his
· ·service.

10. When the fever was gone, the woman arose to her duties immediately, and ministered to the wants of Christ and his disciples:

Practical lessons frmn these verses.

f l.

Ch1·ist attended the synagogue, or J ewish Church, for public
worship,-hence it is our duty to attend public worship regularly,
because Christ is our example.
Simon took J esus and his dis ciples into his house, and gave them
1·est and refreshment.-From this ~".e learn that we ought to be affectionate and hospitable to one another, and should supply the wants
and refresh th e bodies of our brethren when they require it.
Peter and his wife supported and clwrislted tlt eir aged and sick
parent,-hence we ought to be kind and dutiful to our parents in
health, but especiaJly in sickness.
Peter and !tis wife prayed for their aged and sick parent,-hence
we learn that we should pray for our parents ; and not on1y attend to
the supply of their tern poral, but a]so of their spiritual wants.
Peter, although a g ood man, was ajjlicted,-h ence other good men
may ·e xpect trials. W e also learn that temporal calamities are no
sure sign of God's displeasure-also, that afflictions to God's people,
1
are real blessings; otherwise they would not be se nt.
The p eople join toge th er in prayer,-h ence we should not only
pray by ourselves in secret, but also with and for one another.
Tiu, people prayed to Christ to !teal th e woman of her fever.This teaches us th a t we ou ght to Juy all our wants and afflictions before God, and seeking the sanctified use of them, submissively to '
pray for their removal.
· '
They prayed f01" the woman wlien she could not pray for herself,·hence we learn that times may occur in providence which may great- ·
.If mpede prayer; also, that we should be diligent in the exercise of ·
'it. . ....1ten we have the opportunity ; likewise, that. we should take pity
1

~\

&l

'. ,

f

History of tlte Prophet Jonah.
ANALYSIS.

·•

Jonah attempted in vain to flee from GorJ,,-for while on his way
. to Tarshish, he was overtaken by a great storm, and the ship and
men were in much danger of being lost: · But at this time· Jonah
iwas asleep. He was awoke and called on to ' pray. The $Jiilb 'f
' _also cried to their gods ; but the raging waves did not ceas
•

I

52

it was ascertained that Jonah was the cause of their trouble; so that
by Jot-i. e. the names of all in the slup were put into a vessel, which
was shaken, and Jonah's name was drawn out:__and he was cast
into the sea, and swallowed of a fish sent by Goel. Jonah prayed
unto God from the belly of the fish, and it vomited, i.e. cast him out
of his stomach, upon dry land. lie then obeyed God in preaching
to the city of Nineveh. The people, repenting, were spared.
Jonah was angry at the mercy of God, and waited to see the city
destroyed ; but a gourd growing up in the night, and dying by a
worm, reproved him.

First Lessons.-Special Inference.

11

i

I

ANALYTICAL EXERCISES.

ANALYTICAL EXERCISES.

1. It is sinful and dangerous to attempt to flee from God.
2. We should never be careless or indifferent to the consequences
of our sins.
3. That we should invite and encourage others to pray.
4. That God is very merciful and kin<l, even in his judgments.
5. That he will, in answer to prayer, deliver his people from
trouble.
·
6. That if we repent and turn to him, he will forgive and spare us.
7. That we should reJ'oice at the penitence, rather than at the
punishment of sinners.

Second Lessons.-Analysis and Remarks.
Wl1en Jonah fled from God, a great storm overtook ltim,-froin
which we learn, that they who neglect and forsake God, can never
expect to he happy.
By Jonah's presence, sl1ip and men were almost lost,-from which
we · Jearn, that we should endeavor to avoid the company of those
l)'I{ : rebel against God.

Tlte sai~ors in their fear, c~ied to their false gods without e.ffe.ct,
--f~om wh1~h we learn, that 10 every time of difficulty and trouble;
~ehverance 1s to be had from God only.
1
Jon_alt by lot was cc:st into the sea,-from which we learn, that
. there is n? way of eluding the eye or the anger of an all-seeing God.
. Jonah m. the fislt prayed to God,-from which we learn, that
whe_n suffen.ng by reason of our sins, we.should not delay praying to
God for their pardon.
'.,\ :[onalt when delivered went and preached in Nineveh,-from ~hich
w~ learn, that we should take the earliest opportunity of remedying
former errors.
• ' · 0 nalt was displeased at the mercy of God to tl1e Ninevites,-from
l~luch w~ learn, that we should , never be displeased with the wise
'
..
d1spensat10ns
of God, and more particularly when they are 'a dis1
· play of his mercy.
'
' .
A gou;d i~as made to reprove Jonalt,-from which we learn, that
every .tlung rn natu_r~ and providence, can by God be made the instrument of admomtwn when we do wrong.
·
1
·:· "~ Ana. Iyze the parable of the Prodigal Son, and draw the lessomi
r
~· trom
it; a 1so o f t 11e B arren Fig Tree, the History of David, Daniel,
, Saul,Baalam, Joseph, Abraham, Noah, Lot, Solomon, I-Ierod, Felix,
Tb , p au z; a 1so, any portion
· of t11e Bible as the Commandments
·
"o
: the Lord's Prayer, o/c. o/c.
'
'

-!

GENERAL SUBJECTS.

GENERAL SUBJECTS.

GENERAL SUBJECTS.
I·

Specimens of Juvenile Composition.
A FADLE,-lly n lad!) years of age.

THE Two Boo1rn.-An Arithmetic and Picture Book were lying
on the same table: the latter strutted up hefore the former, and
commenced boastinO' of his beauty and splendid ornaments. The
Arithmetic replied~although my dress is not so gaudy as thine, yet
I furnish much valuable knowledge; while you afford nothing .h ut
an empty show.
'
]Jforal.-The proud make a good ou~ward appearance, but that is
ail; for their covering only conceals their deformity from public
view.
The following is by a young lady of 17, who had just completed
her course of studies at Mrs. "Villard's Seminary, and while on her ,
way home, in the packet Home, with many others, found a watery
O'rave. The lines following were written at the close of a letter, addressed to her brother, a few days before her death.

.....

/

·when fancy lifts her radiant wing,
And morninrr birds around. thee sing·
"' up thy beaming eye, '
'Vhen joy lifts
And love's enchantment too is nighWhen calm blue waters round thee flow,
Then hear thy sister, breathing low,
I love thee, dearest brother.
$hou~d

f .

t'

TO MY BROTHER.

'Vhen the last rays, at twilight's hour,
Fall gently o'er the drooping flower; ·
When mists are gathering on the hill,
Nor sound is heard save mountain rill,
Then hear the echo whispering near,
In softest accents to thine ear,
I love thee, dearest brother.

When silence reigns o'er earth and sea,
When glows the star of memory,
When music wakes her. thriJling tone,
And autumn winds around tliee moan
Their accents hear; and oh, rejoice ! '
For hark! there comes a well known voice1 Jove thee, dearest brother.

·.,,
'l .
,, i .

'·'

disappointment's withering breath, .
Consign thy brightest hopes to death ;
Should friendship's treat in boyhood made,
In after years prove faith betrayed,
.
Then to thy sister yet return,- ·
For oh! her heart will fondly burn
To clasp her dearest brother.
Should sorrow cloud thy coming years,
And bathe thy prospects all in tears,
Remember that the rainbow's hue
Is bright 'mid clouds and sunshine too ;
Remember though we're doomed to part,
There lives one fond and faithful heart ,
·
That loves her dearest brother.

'
... .<'~~','..;:' ; ·c}j;;
·. \'.~

.

H.~,"~;J
:~ ·-~: J .;.,
· · · . . ;: ,~;¥ 1 ~_· ! _;"'

CYNTHIA

' ' ..

Troy, August, 1837.

·

.

-- -

~

. ~

l

.

.

I'-

; "·

.·~
~-~

c:~: ~~ -~ ~·, :: .

56

· GENERAL SUBJECTS.

GENERAL SUBJEC'fS.

' being, still we see in him a splendid ruin,-a mighty wreck ;-the
has been crushed, buflight and beauty sparkle from its
' dismembered fragments. Who can look without an emotion of awe
THE EX1'ENT OF INDIVIDUAL INFLUENCE,
.. :into lhe recesses of his soul, where thought sits enthroned in sublimiB!f a young lady of tlie Albany Female Academy, aged 17.
. ·"ty, or define the power of that wonder-working mysterious mind 7The power of the Divine Architect is impressed in living charac. '. Mind, which recalls from the past the fleeting images of time-looks ·
' through the dimness of the future-reasons-projects-and executes.
ters on all His works. His vastness is mirrored on the ocean, extending like a silvery girdle around the earth ;-strength is written .
:Mind, that has computed the rapid tra nsmission of light, separated
on the brow of the "cloud capt mountain," towering in imposing . ; the rainbow's heavenly hues, scanned the sapphire vault of heaven,
grandeur towards the heavens. His voice is heard in the rolling . · '. ,7 calling each star by name, and numbering the blazing comet's
thunder,-in the whirlwind's blast,-and in the "sound of many .
tuircling years-mind, that . has fathomed the mighty deep, and
waters." His goodness is seen in the protecting care which pro'.•brought rich stores of knowledge from the coral caves of ocean, and
vidcs for the happiness and enjoyment of tl1e myriads dependent on ·· ·1discovered exhailstless treasures of mineral wealth that lie buried
His bounty, from the mightiest angel that vei ls his foce before the . _-,; _b eneath the surface of the earth,-mind, that swells the tide of eloThi"one, to the smallest insect that floats on its wing of gossamer ', · :~ quence, when listening crowds are borne along by the resistless torthrough the ambient air. Ilut, power, greatness, an<l beneficence .. - •rent-mind, that weaves the magic spell of poetry, bathing in richer ·
were united in the creation of mind,-when the breath of Omnipo- · . ihues the imagery of nature-that breathes in the ravishing strains of
tence animated the senseless clay, and kindled that immortal spark · · »music; in undulations soft and sweet, till the rapt soul is lifted · from
which shall burn unextinguished tl1rough the unnumbered ages of'_ .'H lie earth, and in its extatic trance hears the sound of the golden
eternity, long after the splendors of this material universe shall have , -~·harps of Heaven. Even in man's degradation we behold a created
passed away. If not possessing a seraph's fire, for man was created ;- , ~'ihtelligence · capable of mighty effort, of unbounded influence.a little lower than tlte angels, yet majesty was stamped upon his . · :Wherever his powers have been directed, suc_cess invnriably follows;
brow, and his soul was the seat of purity, refl ecting the image of the '- '·: and, as if to arouse the slumbering energi~s of every human breast;Deity, and all the powers of the human mind shone with unclouded > :ihe most. brilliant discoveries in science""-the most splendid achievelustre. We can form but Jittle conception of the extent of those · ~hients of ambition-the most glorious efforts of philanthrophy, have
powers, when he stood amid the magnificence and the glories of , ' · ~been projected and accomplished by individual exertion. According
creation, unmarred by sin, and associated with pure and heavenly . . , ·as he directs his energies, he may diffuse a moral beai.1ty over every
beings, and held high converse with those spirits of Jig ht, and drank , . ·. scene; converting this world into a blooming 1 paradise, or; like · the
deep of those streams of knowledge that flow fresh front the Fount , .. ,ill<;>hon Upas, he tnay spread · a b1ighting, withering influence cm
of InteUigence. Though sin has hurled him from his proud pre...\yery side, transforming the earth into a sterile waste. Turn 'over
eminence, and the sword of justice has forever barred the bright por- •'
~~lie crime-stained records of history; ioee How much of human misery
tnls of Eden from his entrance ;-though he is n fallen1 a degraded
filepends upon the will of one. · We see error widely disseminated;
EXTRACTS l•'ROM

,_. diamo~d

/

I

.I

____

_,,..
~w't;:.;r~

- ~, ---

GENERAL SUBJECT~.

GENERAL SUBJECTS.

59

not only communities but nations are included within its circle;-.
. ocean. The mightest revolution that has ever shaken the earth,
we trace its origin to the influe11ce of one man ;-in every age master
·, ~nd that has · been productive of consequences more .glorious ilmd
spirits have arisen to direct the energies of the multitude. There is : ,·.more· beneficial in its results, than any other recorded rn ·the annals
a fascina!ion in superi~r intellect which is irr~sistible ; when talent ' / of .history, originated in the cell of an obscure monk.. Its effects are
and gemus are combrned, when eloquence 1s the channel through ~ · ' and will be felt; they will increase from age to age, till the trump of
.. which error flows, wl~o shall ~heck its course 1
'
. · ·
. ·~ the Archangel shall arouse from the repose ~f ~ges the slumbering
Let gold be the rulrng passwn of the soul, to the attarnment of
dust of myriads of the human race ;~they will mcreuse even · when
which all its energies are directed, the heart becomes steeled to the .'.·,the contest between mortality and immortality shall have been desweet sensibilities of our nature, and its fatal influence, worse than
·, cided and when the destiny of man shall have been irrevocably sealthe poisonous brea·h of the Siroc, spreads desolation and death on
:.'e d. · Constantine had led persecuted, suffering, and uncontaminated
every side. 'V ~ attribute to some mighty c~use those revolutions
. ,Christianity to the · precincts of the pala~e, a?~ placed her at. the
that have demohsl~ed thrones, subverted empires, and shuker,i . the t ' tight hand of the Cmsurs; there the pure simplicity .o f her doctr1~es
ear~h; but, how frequently hnve they result~d from the um~1twus · .,~; htid been pervertecl, . an<l the powers of darkness tnumphed . 'I he
designs of a few. \<Ve have seen even ancient and consohdated
J'"Eternal City from her seven hills looked down on the . enslaved. nagovernments, those that, to all human observation, appeared fixed : ~· iibns .at her feet, receiving the treasures of her vassal kmgs,-mi~red
on a firm and imm~table basis, where the divine r~ghts of sovereign- ' \priests swayed the destinies of Europe; and the triple c!·own gleamty were never questwned, tossecl by the convuls10ns of the moral . · ,e d on the brow of corruptiol!,.; the thunders of. the Vatican shook ti
earthquake, and scattered to the winds of heaven by the tempests of . ·fremblino- world; the· inquisition raised on lugh her hydra-head;
civil c<?mmotion ; we have seen_ the tide of ci.vihzation ebbed t<? ~he ~ . ·fanaticis~ opposed fanaticisrr~; faction clash.ed witl~ !'~ction; and
barbansm of former ages, the hght of lenrnmg quenched, rehg10n ' . :War· followed war, with ull its attendant evils, exl11b1tmg one vast
banished' her temples overthrown, and her altars violated by the . . rarena of contention and bloodshed, as if the vials of wrath were
daring efforts of a determined mind.
•
•
*
~
li!( poured out on a world sunk in the deep gloom of moral darkness.
Il?t turn we ~r~nn the r~cords of ~njustice and · oppression ;. . of ' : . _I.gnorance held unlimited sway ; the light of science :ind the splenavance and. amb1t10n, at wluch hum~mty shudders;. from the n~1se ' :.''.dors of Gospel truth we~·~ obscured a?d nearly obliterated. by the
of the warnor and garments rolled m blood, to bnghter and fairer · ' ·glOom of monkish superstition, merged rn the sable hues of idolatry
1
exhibitions of human energy and human action, where all that is ' '- and popish cruelty: no ray of heavenly glory shone on the degraded
grand and imposing in human intellect has been devoted to the me- · · . mind. "darkness· covered the earth, and gross darkness the people.','
_' But this moment, when, to all human observation, error w~s enfiorution of the condition of mankind. There is not a country bµt
what affords illustrious examples ; there is not a page of history but : l throned in immutahihty, one arose, whose discerning eye pierced
what is luminous with the r~ys that emanate from human ~enius. • • · '.': l hfotigh priestly craft, and the mystic creeds of . p,9.pacy. ~ut?er, the
Dut talent, energy and mfluence, belong not exclus1vely to the
. rutgH of the Reformation, appeared ; and stream~ ~f sanctifying and
ermine and the purple; the richest pearls lie hidden in the dep~hs llf .~fertilizing truth came with salutary and reviving · irtfluence ·upon the

;t

1

00

!

·!

11{

,,

""~

GENERAL

SUBJECT~.

moral deserts of the Roman earth ; an<l a flood of celestial light,
fl.o\vii1g from the cross of a dying Saviour, iJJummed a benighted
world. Thus religion diffused her mild radiance, and science re•·
fleeted her silver rays. Philosophy received n new impulse; dis•·
covery succeeded cliscovcry ; experiment exp~rirnent ; the field .of
literature was widened; and the human mtnd, roused from its
lethargy, gazed with deep and absorbing interest on that endless va~ '
riety that was presented to its enraptured vision.
"
Those livinO' gems that glitter in the blue vault of Heaven have,
from the earlr~st records of time, afforded a subject of inquiry, and ·
claimed tlie attention of mankind. The Chaldean ' shepherds on
Shinar's plains, watche<l the 111otio11s of yon rolling worlds, nnd incense rose on heathen altars to. those celestial orbs.;. even · Judah's -,
favored sons, forcretful of the Ring Eternal and lnv1s1ble, at whose.
shrine their fath~rs worsl1ipped, poured out drink offerings to the .!
Queen of Heaven. Ever objects of intense interest, in the middle
ages they were blended with the superstitiom1 of the Eas~, and the ,
wisest and the best among mankind regarded those starry rnfluences ·
as presiding over human destiny. Still, the laws by "'.hich th.ey.
were bound in their orbits remained imperfectly known, till the ·mventive genius of Jtalia's persecuted son, extended the boundaries of,
mortal vision, discovering unnumbered W?rlds, system upon system,~
rollincr with harmony through the illimitable regions of space, and
affording a greater display of the glory and magnificence o~ · crea-.
tion. But it was Newton, godlike Newton, that threw as1?e the
dimness of uncertainty, wl1ich shrouded for so many centunes the '
science of Astronomy ; who penetrated the arcana of nature, and ·
soared in his eagle flicrht far, far beyond the wildest dreams of all 0
former ages, defining ~vith ceitainty the motions o~ those flaming·'
worlds, and assilTninlT laws to the farthest star that hes on the con·
fines of creation~ that glimmers on the verge of im.mensity. · . Who
shall assign !units to the power of mind when once Its concentrated~

61

GENERAL SUBJECTS.

energies are directed to ·one object 1 The Jightning as it flashes
from cloud to cloud, or plays around the metaJJic rod, immortalizes
the efforts of . our Franklin; and perhaps some kindrnd spirit, in
following out tlrnt track · which he has opened, may ascend the
nor~hern dome, '~here the aurora-borealis holds its mystic dance, in
radiated,, undulatrng columns of polar Jight, and analyze that secret
· fluid which circ~lates. through all nature and pervades all space.
~Jie, comprehe.ns1ve mmd of a Fulton grasped an object considered
Iwherto unattarnable; and, by his happy application of a most stupendous powe1:, .he has triumphed over the winds, conquered the
eie_m ents, anmhilated space, extended the bounds of social intertourse; thus cementing tlie bonds of union between distant nations.
Even no~v, th~ swift-win~ed heral~s. of l1is fame are dashing through
th~ foamrng b11lows, bearrng the spmt of enterprize from the Thames
tcdhe Mediterranean, from the blue wa~ers of the Hudson to where.
. ~uphrates rolls its silver flood. ,
.
fl
": ~-While science and the arts boast so many illustrious names, there
Is~another and a more extended sphere where individual effort has
been ·' exerted ~ith the happiest results, and their authors, by their
deeds of chanty, have won bright .and imperishable crowns in the
r~alms of bliss. . 'Vas it the united effort of nations, or of priestly
SJ-9ods, that first sent the oracles of eterna] truth to the inhospitable
sh.ores of Greenland-or placed the ]amp of life in the hut of the.
Esquimaux-or c~rried a message of Jove to the burning climes of
~fnc~-or, that directed the deluded votaries of idolatry in that benighted land where the Ganges rolls its consecrated waters, to Calv.ary'~ Sacrifice, a Sacrifice that sprinkled with blood the Throne of
.I!istice; rendering it accessible to ruined degraded man. Let the
ar,ghives of missionary efforts trace back their origin to the immortal .
few1 ·.~hose names are enrolled as the benefactors of mankind, and .
·whose' bright example has found so many imitators in the present",,.
ag~~J ~>.: : .:

·

/

62

GENERA\.

SU~JECTS,

GENEl\AL .SUBJECTS.

'

63

The spirit of truth is abroad in the earth, enlightening and evan· ,, \!here the fathom line will tell no soundings; wiiere human observagelizing the whole world; wherever we turn, we see marshalled in bon must be confined to the surface. But when earth's gre t d .
bri 0uht array the champions of civil and reliu:ious
liberty. As long M ' !hall .· be
.a those
rama
~
, .closed ' wl1en th e i;~crets o f a II 11earts shall be revealed;
time shall last, grateful Africa will cherish the memory of him, at , con11e~t1ohs shall be exhibited-those motives analyzed-" 1 d
whose iutrepid voice the chains which had so long bound her captive ·alihd thwk dnrl~ness" wi11 no longer shroud thode relations . f~ro~h!
sons were burst asunder ;-from future ages the incense of grntitude : . ght»bf eternity shall be poured upon human effort and h
will arise to Lancaster, whose system of education is diffusing the, mfluence.
'
urpan
light of knowledge from the rising to the setting sun ;-and, until the /'i~ '· '." ·
millenial morn shall usher in its glories, let every child of poverty :a:r>I
,
DUTY.
bless the name of Raikes. Ilut where pause amid this galaxy of ·>+.J. State the .meaning of duty.
"i:.2. 'Vhat duties do you owe to your parents 1 Teacllers 1
Jiving light, whose blended rays have diffused such splendor over the ·p
moral universe 1
'
·' . ~."' v"'es
1 Y ourse Jf? y ourcbuntry 1 Creator? Why?
Friends 1
·,
A.re the pow<::rs of the mind to be limited to this sphere of action 1 •
Are these burning spirits to be forever extinguished in the aarkness J<-,;~ 1. Definition.
PRIDE.
·
of the tomb? 'Ve cannot raise the veil that conceals futurity-we :.;~'2. Is a proud person 1
· cannot look beyond the portals of the unseen world-but, this mind,, .'J1roud 1 .
iappy 1. is he loved 1 is he wise for bei.n g
so noble in its origin, so vast in its conceptions, so powerful in its
.3 T
h ·
efforts, must have a more glorious theatre on which to display its ..;":. • '· 0 w at animals is he indebted for his fine clothe!'! 1 Do fine
Ci,.othes make a gentleman or lady 1 ·what tlien 1
'
energies. Even here, its influence is commensurate with its efforts:
4 A
The con.s equences of man's actions are not confined to himself; lik~ ~ • re pt~oud persons g:enerally poRsessed of brilliant talents?
the sun he is t.he centre of a system-a system, though small, ye . ~ • ere Washrngton, Franklin, and the other good and great mer1 f
our country proud 1
o
reflecting to others the light that emanates from himself. Mind act
· 5 WI ·
upon kindred mind; like the wave it gives an impulse to succeedin
.~·; 1:~ . , rnt is stated in the Bible about pride and proud. persons 1
wave, spreading in everlastrng circles, growing wider and wider, tµI
"·
TRUTH.
it mingles with the ocean of eternity. It is a thrilling thought, a : ·
Definition.
thoug·ht replete with awful interest, that human actions have a beai· · • ~; Always to be spoken-why 1 Anecdote of 'Vashington when
ing upon futurity-that they are a constituent part of one vast, un '1x 'years old.
broken chain, originating in the first creative act of Supreme lntelli
·3 ~ Consequence:-not believed-when-hated-by whon:i 7 Etergence, and extending to the most distant future, embracing in its va ".;9i}. ~·
~onnect~ons the traasactio?s of the moral emp~re of Jehovah. ~o ; ,,. 4; What is stated in the B!ble about lying 1 . Anania~.
rnconce1.vable, how mysterious t~e con.ca.tenat1on of human acttonl, . .<l· ~.Re,stdts of always speakmg the truth.
and the rnfiuence of human motive ;-1t IS a deep of stormy water
Jl....Js It always safe to follow God's directions 1 Examples-Noah,
' Damel, Paul. How safe 1
·

A.:

#

'

64

DISCUSSIONS.

GENERAL SUBJECTS.

EDUCATION.

DECISION:

I. Definition.
2. Overcom es difficulties-Demosthenes, Columbus, Franklin. ·
3. Who are th e most useful persons in community 1 Should you.
be decid ed to be diligent in your studies 1 Why 1 h it always safe
to decid e to do right 1 "Vhy 1 '\Vho wilJ protect you 1 do you
thus decid e 1
4. Its use wilJ raise you to eminence-its neglect will sink you to
rum.
N oTE . A li1tl e c hip, flo a tin g on the strr:: am, is toss ed here nnd there by every
littl e breeze and wav e ! whil e th e huge log ploughs its course majestically nlong,
undi sturb ed by th e ra ginl! w i11ds or fo a ming billows. The form e r represents the
und ecid ed, th e latte r th e decid ed man.

-,; I. Definition.
~ ::. 2. ' Advantages-honors-usefulness-happiness-how?
· · 3. rln proportion to the education of a nation, it is rich and power·if!Jl· . Compare. England ~ith Spain, China, &c.-our country with
Mexico, and with Barbarians.
··
'. · 4. Alexander was more indebted to his tutor Aristotle than to his
: father Philip.
·
'
: . 5 .. Show the effe~t. of e?ucation .on our own country, by contrast!Ilg its present condition with what 1twas 300 years ago.
·,' .: 6. What are the most important branches of education 1
~~tli 1. Definition.

EARLY PIETY.

TIME.

., 2. Examples of early piety recorded in the Bible-other examples.
~'Yere they ha~py, do you suppose. ? ~hat other reasons can you
I. D efini tion.
2. 'Vhy is tim e more valu abl e than mon ey 1 If you hinder a give for early piety 1 What promises m the Bible are made to the
scholar from study in g , of what are you robbing him 1 Why
young 1 What commands 1
t+f: ., .
robbers of tim e more guilty than robbers of money 1
3. Idle perso ns end th eir lives in disgrace.
4. Our eternal destiny depends on the use we make
DISCUSSIONS.
Ilible.
NoTE . A man is confin ed in prison; he has access to water only by means
can take sides-one part the affirmative the
.
' '
or a small tu he, throu gh th e wall or his cell, by turni11g th e stopper-the re:lervbir
is con cealed from hi s view , so that the qu anlity or water in it is unknown to him.
At his e ntrance he ia told th at he mu st die th e ve ry moment the last ·drop of watef ._
...~! Wltich liave tlie•most beauties, the works of Nature or of Art?
is gone . Afte r bein g a sho rt time in th e prison, he unthinkingly turns the stop· ii! .l:
.
. ' .
per and )el.s the water spirt a bout 1he room for amusement; but al length, sudden
;
·[',~;,
·
Affirmative.
r eflection brings hi111 to con side r wh at he is doing; and he exclaims to himsel(
Alas ! what a fo ol I am, thu s lo was te this w a ter; for the last drop seals my doom
Definition of the works of Nature.
.
.
in death, I nm ignorant of th e q•1 a ntity-there may be hundreds of hogsheads, and
· !t~~.· Beauties of the creation-trees-flowers-meadows-birdsthere may not be u gallon; l will henceforth use only what necessity compel!
me to do.
. .... ~ca!aracts-natural bridges-caves-grottos--sun-moon-stars:....
:rambow.
'fhe prison is this world , and time is the water. We know not how
mains to us-may we then rightly improve it.
5

;t.

-------

--------

DISCUSSIONS,

DISCUSSIONS.

Negative.

==~"· Juilt in proportion that knowledge is diffused among a nation,

1. Definition of the works of Art.
2. Glass-watches-ships-steam-boats-pyramids--temples~
cities.
3. Our country was once under nature's control-one unbounde
wilderness---now covered with cities, &c.
·

United States-.
, , 5. Knowledge is the very foundation of wealth and of nations.
,. -~· Conclus~on-for knowledge man braves every danger-exP.lorers of Afnca, &c.

67

,·,I

!

\I
i,

i

·I
·,

Does wealtlt exert more influ!!nce over society than knowledge ?
A.ffinnative.

i.

Definition of wealth.
2. Many under the control of a man of wealth-commerce manufactories-brmks-tcuants. Examples-Girard, Astor,
childs.
3. 'l'he mainspring of the worst vices-Arnold-Hull-the pirat"
-robber.
4. The prop of commerce-rnanufactories.
· lus
· to1·1 -1or
c
·
5. Conclusiou-it coutcuts t lIC 1a Lorcr 111
it,
braves every danger.

Negative.

1. Definition of knowl edge.
2. Influence of the teacher-lawyer-clergyman-statesmai1.
3. Influence of the man of knowledge almost unlimited, as to e~·
tent a·nd time. Aristotle*-Locke-Watts-Newton-Franklin ·
Cresart-Napolean-the press.
"Aristotle held unlimited control over the opinions of men for fifteen cen turie ,
and governed the empire of mind wherever he was known .
··
;.- :
t Cresar's superior skill enabled him to conquer his adversary Pompey, with o-n,.
half the force that was opposed to him.
.: ·

ii the same proportion is it wealthy, and powerful.

Mexico~England-China.

-

Does civilization increase happiness?
Affirmative.

.. l~c Definition of civilization-and happiness.

·, ~.· Compare the condition of the inhabitants of the civilized with
e uucivilized country-females in both.
·
'
. L~' Contrast the present with the ancient inhabitants ofEngland*-· Sandwich Islands, in 1820 and 1839.
.
J.. !,The comforts and luxuries of life-numerous sources of happin~~~~books-friends--domestic-social-religious.

Negatine.
,• ·).:'Pain and sickness are often the result of luxury.
-" 2. ·,.The wants of the savage are few, aud he is contented with natlfre's bounty. Not so with the civilized man; he is dissatisfied amid
;hi~,_1,uxuries-the poor man laments his poverty, the rich man craves
for ~ore wealth, and is continually anxious for what he now owns.
· 3 • . The civilized world are slaves to fashion, discontent, appetite,
and passion.
.
· ··
. · ·
-:- ·
· 4~ Numerous diseases.
· ·-~5 -'. Vice assumes numer?us ~orms u.nknown to the savage--Friendll;~Jsl~nds-hence, less crn~e m reahty ; therefore, less misery.
.. · N~T~. The civilized w?rld could enjoy haJ?pi~es~ far superior to the uncivili- '
!&ed1J~1t w_ould only use anght the sources of It w1thm its grasp.
j 'P•

·

·

ll' The rude Britons once drank wine from the skulls of their enemies slain in
battle.

68
.I

DISCUSSIONS.
DlSCUSSIONS.

.

1·

1·

I

l
1,

Has one person naturally a superior genius to anotlier?
Affirmative.
1. Definition of genius, and naturally.
2. Difference among children of the same family and school
different taste:,:. Examples-Newton, Watts, Linneus.
3. Difference among savages-Oceola, BJack Hawk, &c.

69

~ 3. The mind must be busy : hence, those who are interested in
Novels, may thus be deterred from bad company and dissipation.
t"-l.:
···~ t

1

... r.,.,"t.

"'

/

Negative.

4d l. '1\-fost Novels give distorted and unnatural views of life.
... . 2. They are the flimsy and ephemeral produclions of those who
:write for bread, or are the offspring of vanity in the idle.
. -~~ 3. They decorate vice in gaudy colors, and entice the young and
unwary to enter her polluted temple-and discredit virtue; at least
Negative.
they disrobe her of much of her loveliness~ .
1. Many dull and unpromising scholars have become the most '·~·: 4. Novels vitiate the taste, as strong liquors do the stomach-the
distinguished men ; as Milton, Newton, Walter Scott, Adam Clark ~ Novel reader disrelishes nil useful rending.
Daniel W ehster.
l '' 5. They ruin the health of their votaries.
2. Newton stated of himself, that his superiority to common mind ~~~-. 6: Desti-oy sympatliy, and all n9blc feelings-many will weep and
was not natural, but acquired by mental discipline. Ref. His me -~~ry over imaginary suffering depicted in the silly Novel; but when a
moirs. Hence, we perceive that the mind is capable of wonderfi ' real case of suffering meets their eye, their hearts are steeled, and
improvement. In addition to the above, we have eminent example ·~ proof against feeling.
.
in Sir 'Villiam Jones,· H enry Martyn, and Pollock. How
~'~· 7. They ruin many-Burrows, the counterfeiter, states that Novels
"Education forms the mind."
., first caused him to stray from rectitude-they are the only reading of
~·.Difference a~ong sava~es may be owing to .their differei;t 'i the worst members of society-the only books found in Helen
trauung and educat10n-so of the cluldren of any family-Napolean lewett's room after · she was murdered, were many of the popular
was educated differently from his brothers.
.
:t : Novels of the day---in proportion that a taste for Novel reading has
4. Nations are what their training or education have made them"' ·increased, in the same proportion has vice increased:
·.
Arabs, Chinese, Turks.
,
. 8. · Books have a silent, but powerful influence m the formation
5. Sects--Roman Catholics, Mahomedans, Pagans.
- of character: says a distinguished clergyman, "let me see the private books of an individual, and I will tell you his character;" says
6. Conclusion---a summing up of the arguments.
another, " let me write the private books of a nation, and I care not
Are Novels beneficial?
who .makes the Jaws." The poems ot Homer inspired Alexander
with an insatiable thirst for fame and military glory, and they were
Affirmative.
, 'the foundation of the superstructure that covered the world. The
I. Definition.
. i': -. 'tit~moirs of this conqueror stamped.a like cha~acter .upon C~sar;
2. Excite a taste for reading-afford amusement-intended to ~these; and similar ones, made Napolean a second Alexander. '
excite a love of virtue and a hatred of vice.
·

- 70--

DISCUSSIONS.

71

DISCUSSIONS.

s

NoTP: I. Th~ 1!1emoirs of Ilraina.r<l, nlso stamped hi!1 character upon Henry
Martyn: hence 1t 1s of the uttermost importance, that youth read only books that
will have a correct influence. The Managers of the Sabbath School Union have
discontinued the publication of Religious Novels; for, to their surprise, they dis·
covered that they were sowing the seeds of infidelity in the minds of even Sabbath
School children. Undoubtedly Novels are the chief props of infidelity. An atheist'
of this city, when asked the cause of his unbelief, stated that Novels had produi::ed
this state of mind; these were his only reading ; he had 110 taste for any other.

. • . .They cannot think
those that never entered an I n f.an t . c I1 ool
t·
• t ly J. udge or reason ; their mrnds a1 e nun ed.
~ccma e '
.
But the defects lie most1
~The same remarks apply al sod tot.he ~f n~ste~·~~ fe:~~ith
proper management,
.
. Jf iti the wronu method of con uctmg 10 •
they may beco~ne powerful auxiliaries of education.
. .
~.'
. (
l tcd while the understanding remams 111 darkness
~· NoTE. The memory is s imu a '
NorE 2 . An inhabitant of Macedon vi sited ..-\thens, when in the meridian o ..,,.and desolation.
its glory and splendor. He was struck with wonder at the brilliant scenes, mngnifi. · A. re Tlicatrcs beneficial?
cence, and beauty that met his eye 011 every side. All is strange and new to hirH i
1>the people are poli shed, and very intellige nt. He eagerly inquiree the cause of 1-1,).. :
Affirmative.
all that seem~ so strange to him; he is led into a tern pie and is shown a BOOK, which. il'· · ·
h ·
· ta Ims 1' t 111
· t o 111s
· trem bl'mg h an ds, ·. ~'· l All )ersons renmre
.
•
'1 cs
e 1s to Id·1st I10 cause; Iie w11· h st1·11 more surprise
amnse ment-ocr,11r,
· the mind.' and keeps
.
and reads on the title pnge, Homer's Odyssa.
·
•
I
f d ' . ·1 t ' _ . f there were 110 I heatres, pet haps wot se
scenes o
iss1pa
.
NoTE 3. The Koran is the Mnhomedan's idol nnd guide. The Bihle f'Anses from
·
lJ Li 1011 ]1t
the \vilderncss and ~oli t ary place Lo Lduum u11d lilossom as the rose; its influence· amuse me.uts wou
c sou g 1 • •
d d'
d fi m vice.
transforms the tiger fury and madness of man, into the gentility of the lamb, and ~·... 2• .Intended to recommend virtue, an
issua e ro
the harmlessness of the dove .
,

1

Negative.
Are Infant Schools beneficial?
Affirmative.
1. The system interests cl1ildre11-amuserne11t is blended with
structiu11- t aste for lu1owlcdgT.
2. ]Horal instrnctio11-rcli~io11~ .
Early impressio11s the lllOSt lasting.

7~1· . A

school of vice-clerks rob their employers-the drunka~d~s
. •
bb ·'s den-the
hi)hie-the
harlot's rendezvous-t 1ie ro er
f
l . a:ssassmbins
11

· enIoon- S·ltnrl'"
U- J·iou"c
··
, " ·~ .""ll
, •'t -cro -rrnc-a s I·,111cr"' 1l t,.
~ -of the father's i"1 ope~, tfie mother's JOY·

a.

.Negative.
1. The memory and sight 6nly are called into exercise-no mental effort is made; hence, in stead of dis c iplini n g, tl1ey uuhinge the
mind, and lay it in a chaos of broken thought; this accounts for ·
the notorious fact, that the pupils from these schools who enter '
other seminaries, are not able to compete in any mental effort with'

0

"011
~

s rnnumcra "

..

72

VERSIFICATION.

VERSIFICATION.

73

, All poetic feet consist either of two or three syllables, and are
reducible tn eight different kinds ; four of two, and four of three
syl!ahles as follows :
'ltVERSIFICATION, is the art of arrangiug words into lines of cor1'rissyllables.
~ r_esponding l~ngth, so as to produce harmony by n regular alterna- . ~"" Dissyllables.
........ -·
An
Anapaest,_,..._.. tion of. a vanety of accented and unaccented syllables, according to , : An Iambus,_, certain laws.
A Dactyl, - _, ..._...
A Trochee, - _,
An
Amphibrach, '"--" - ..._..
A Spondee, - RHYME.
A
Tribrach,
._ _, ._
A Pyrrhic, _, _,
Rltyrne, is a similarity of sound between the last syllables of dif- . The principal l<iucls of English verse are fo~r, viz.: !an:ibic, Trocliaic!t, Anapaes- .
ferent lines.
· tic and Dactylic-hence these may he clenom111ated principal fed; because poht~y
VERSIFICATION.

BLANK VERSE.

IAMBIC VEHSE.

j

, I:

i
I

r

The Lord I descen!ded from I above I and bow'd I the heavlens
Quantity, is the relative portion of time occupied in pronouncing i
high.
a syllable. A syllable or vowel is considered long, when the accent
ANAPAESTIC VERSE.
is on the vowel ; as, nO.me,farne; and short, when the accent is on·
t~1e conson~nt ; as, art baronet. In poetry, every sylJable is con-: · "':·· At the close I Of the day I when the ham\let is still.
-'t·
.
· s1dered as either long or short.
TROCHAIC VERSE.
Every emphatic word, and every accented syllable, forms what is
terlned a long syllable. The unaccented syllable and unaccented
'· Restless I mortals I toil lor nf.1.ught.
rnonasyllabick words form short syllables.
A long syllable generally requires double the time of a
DACTYLIC VERSE.
in pronouncing it.
Boys will anlticipate I lavish and I dissipate.
QUANTITY.

*
i

""i

~

POETIC PEET.

In poetry, every line consists of a successive combination of acc1mted and unaccented syllables, called feet. 'I' hey are ca11ed feet,
because, by their aid, the voice, at it were, steps along through the
verse in a measured pace.

.

r.

m~y be formed of either of these. 'l'he other four are secondary feet, because t e1r
chief use is to diversify and improve the others.

, ,._ Blank verse, is verse without rhyme.

.;.

.

>~ (

"

POETICAL EXERCISES.

POETICAL EXERCISES.

Point out the following Poems into poetic feet, and state
kind of verse-then cliange into prose.
THE SETTING SUN AN EMBLEM OF A GLORIOUS FUTURITY.

Yon sapphire clouds, and those gleams divine,
Oh ! they tell of a rest far brighter than mine :
A land of all that is hallow'd and dear;
A ]and of love, undash'<l with a tear;
Of spring, whose warblers no winter shall dread,
Of flowers, ne'er braided to die o'er the dead;
Of glories unknown in a world such as this,
Of transports untold, in an Eden of bliss !
THE SERENADE.

•

Li.st! mother, the strains of soft music I hear;
How sweetly the melody falls on my ear:
Withdraw those dark curtains, the moon's silver light,
Will make the sad chamber of sickness seem bright;
'l'hrow open the lattice-I pine for the air,
And give me yon roses to twine in my hair;
I feel what those exquisite numbers must be,
I know my young lover is singing to me.
Ob ! hush, gentle daughter, no lover is nigh,
He bas left thee in sorrow and sickness to die ;
Thy beauty has vanished-thy triumphs are o'er,
And gay serenaders shall woo thee no more.

POETICAL EXERCISES.

75

My voice only greets thee with pityin~ strain,
...
I set by thy pillow, I weep for thy pam;
Thou hast now, my poor child, on this desolate sod,
No friend but thy mother, no hope but thy God.
Hark ! mother, the sounds more exultingly rise,
A peal of loud joyfulness swells to the skies ;
Our friends some glad festival surely prepare,
And summon us thus in the pageant to share.
Our friends are all changed, love-they pass by our door,
Their smiles and their banquets rejoice not the poor;
0 heed not their faithlessness-quick heaves thy breath,
These subjects befit not the chamber of death. .
Again the clear voices that chorus repeat,Say, mother, was harmony ever so sweet 1
I listen, my child, but I .h ear not a tone,
That music is breathed to no ear but thy own.
0 think not of passion, of pomp or of mirth,
Thy heart must be weaned from ~he trifl~s of earth;
Those voices proceed from a reg10n of hght,My daughter, I feel thou must leave me to-night.
O mother, a knowledge prophetic is thine,
I am passincr from life, yet I do not repine:
Thanks, th~nks for thy patience and tenderness past,
But most for this faithful rebuke at the last: ...
.
Though the world has its injuries heaped on my head,
I mourn not--my mother hangs over my bed;
And the God whom she taught me to serve and to love,
Has sent his kind angels to call me .a bove.
.
.

I

.,

...
76 _ _
POETICAL EXERCISES.

Write tlie vacant line in eaclt verse to measure, rltyme, and sense;
t!tcn transpose, i. e. cltange it to prose.

And I have still some little books
She learned me how to spell ;
And the chiding, or the kiss she gave,

THE ORPHAN GIRL.

*

I have no mother! for she died
When I was very young;
But her memory still, around my heart,
Like morning mists has hung.

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

Up rose the mountain billows high,
And swept a stormy path;

*
*

*
*

*

*

*
*

" The words of a pious captain, in a storm at sea, to his wife,-who was surprised at his composure and calmness. When all others on board were in extreme
fear, and inquired the reason, he made no reply; but drew a sword, and held it to
her breast with a stern look, and inquired if she feared it i ~o-was the reply.
Why not 7 asked he . It is in my husband's hands. So, rejoined he, "the wind
is in the hand of my God, and he directs the storm.

1

I remember, too, when I was ill,
She kissed my burning brow;
And the tear that fell upon my cheek,

*

The spirit of the tempest shook
His wing of raven hue,

*

*

*

MY GOD DIREC'rs THE STORM."

For I know she is in heaven now,
That holy place of rest ;
For she was always good to me,

*

*

O, mother ! mother ! in my heart
Thy image still shall be,
And I will hope in heaven at last

For they say the mother's heart is pleased
'Vhen infant charms expand ;
I lvonder If she thinks of me

*

*

And teach me how to pray,
And raise my little hands to heaven,

And that same hand that held my own,
When I began to walk,
And the joy that sparkled it~ her eyes,

*

*

And then she used to kneel with me,

They teJI me of an angel form,
That watched me while I slept,
And of a soft and gentle hand,

*

77

/., ,
,I

i

j
!

78

POETlCAL EXERClSES,

Crash echoed crash ! the quivering spars
Broke o'el' the leaning side,

•

•

*

*

*

The sturdy seaman strugled hard
To hold the yielding helm,

•

•

*

*

*

*

*
*

And when the plunging ruin spurned
Their impotent control,

•

*

*

*

Upon the raging ocean then,
Helpless was left the bark;

•

*

*

*

Upon the deck, alone, there stood
A man of courage high ;
*
*
*
*

*

'Vith folded arms erect he stood,
His countenance was mild-

"

.

*

*
*

A wild shriek from the cabin roseU p rushed his beauteous bride ;
~
*
*
•

"

•

POETICAL EXERCISES.

/

79

"0 why, my love, upon thy lip,"
She cried, " doth play that smile,
.,,

*

ff

•

..
..

No word the warrior spake-but he
· Drew from beneath his vest

....

.

She started not, nor shrieked in dread,
As she had shrieked before ;
*
~
*
*

"
"Now why," he asked, "dost thou not start,
May not thy blood be spilt 1
ff
*
*
~

•

Dost wonder then that I am calm,
That fear shakes not my form 1
*
*
"
"'

.

*

'r1 N. B. In addi~ion to the exercise of transposing poetry into prose,
,transpose prose mto poetry-blank verse into rhyme-and rhyme
into blank verse, &c.

80 - -

STYLE.

FIGlJll.A'fIVE LANGUAGE.

FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE.
A figure of speech is a departure from simplicity. _ They are di~
vided into two classes; viz.: figures of words, and figures of thought
-the former are TROPES; the latter, METAPHORS.
TROPE means to turn. It is the turning of a word from its origi·
nal signification ; as, "to t1.1e u~ri.ght there ?riseth li~ht . in .dark·
ness ; ,, Jicrht is turned from its ongmal meamng, to sigmfy JOY or
.
0
prosperity , and darkness ac1vers1ty.
.
.
.
MET APH OR m eans a tran sfe r. " A Metaphor IS a figure, m whwH
the words are u s1~d ill their original sig11ificat10n ; but the idea which
it conveys, is transfcrnd from the subject to which it prop~rly be!ong~.
to some other which it resembles : thu s we speak of a d1stmgmshed
statesman-" he is the pill ar of the state."

81

:~ ·APOSTROPHE, is an address to an absent person, as if present?r to an inanimate object, as if living; as, " 0 my son Absalom,
would to God I had died for thee!" Listen, ye mountains, to my

-!Qng. /
'. J'.A S1~nLE, is a res~mblance between two objects, expressed in
: r~rm ; as, "A troubled conscience is like the ocean when ruffled by
.a storm." ~-< ·cii ANTITHESIS, is the opposite of comparison ; or it is one idea opposite, or opposed to another ; as, " Vice is detest:ible ; but virtue is
· · bl ,, l' I ·
1.1 d k
d'
bl
•..amia e - ig lt IS agreau e, ar ness isagreea e.
f-< i CLIMAX, is the regular ascent of a subject, to the highest degree;
-as, "Man is noble in reason! infinite in faculties! in form and mo' Hon expressive and admirable ! in action like an angel! in appre.~.~ nsion like a God!"

Cliangc tltc follo wing figurative expressions into plain language.
1.
2.
3.
4.

The meridian of our days.
.:.r .1 "
STYLE.
The ship ploughs the lonely deep. .
•.~ ·1 . ..
The king of <lay, an<l the queen of mght.
:'., lPERSFICUITY; or CLEARNESS, is the first requisite of style. Unin.;
The mornin g and evei:1ing of life.
_t~lligible language, fails of its purpose.
5. The wilderness and solitary place shall bloom and blossom as
31'. t Prefer words of Saxon origin. 2. A void vulgarisms, super- · fluities, and technical terms.
the rose.
·
6. All the trees shall clap their hands.
•' ENERGY, is next in importance. 1. Choice of words.-Prefer
,those which are the least abstract and general. The impression
An ALLEGORY is the representation of one
produced on the mind by a simple or singular term, is like a distinct
parables, fables, and riddles are allegories.
·vjew.-. taken in by the eye. The more general the tnms, the fainter
A HYPERBOLE, is an exaggeration ; thus, "as quick as lightning.' · lS the picture ; the more particular or specific the brighter.
PERSONIFICATION is the attributing of life to inanimate objects, r WitLUSTRATION. Specific-" Consider the lilies, how they grow:
as," the earth thirst's for rain," "the angry ocean," "raging storm 1!1. th~Y. toil not, they spin not ; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon
all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so
"the calm shade."
6

·in

ii

11
I

I'

I.

)

I

I,I

~1

I

I'
I

STYLE,

STYU!.

.

$3

clothe the grass, which to-day is in the field, and to-morrow is cast ' H!4. ARRANGEMENT, is very important to energy. The arrangement
,
into the oven, how much more will he clothe you 1"
the phrase" Great is Diana of the Ephesians," is far superior to
. General-Consider the flowers, how they gradually increase in i11dhe Frerich translation," Diana of the Ephesians is a great Goddess,"
size; they perform no labor, and yet I declare unto you, that not anYi -, l>r;~ Beausolre's, "The great Diana of the Ephesians," or Saci's,
king is in his most splendid attire equal to them. If then God so 1· 1 ~Live great Diana of the Ephesians." "Blessed is he that co~eth
clothe the vegetable wor.l<l which will soon decay, and be used foi '* ' fo. ,t he name of the Lord," is much more energetic than " he that
the meanest purposes, how much more readily will he provide cloth;
coineth in the name of the Lord is blessed." Also, "Fallen, fallen is
ing for you 1
, ' B.ab.ylon, that great city," than "Babylon is fallen, is falle~;" :
2. METAPHOR is to be preferred, in most kinds of composition, to
RECAPITULATION.
comnarison.
. .
l~LUSTRATION. Metaphor-" Cromwell trampled on the laws." .. ~in:: ,St,u dy clear ideas on the subject in view, and practice frequentComparison-" Cromwell treated the laws with the same con~ ·l.Y: c_oi;nposing.
,.
tempt as a man does who tramples any thing under his feet.
-~ ..
Beware of a servile imitation of any author whatever; bt'tt you
3. NuMBER.-The more briefly a sentiment is expressed, the · .niay with profit read carefully standard writers, then close the book,
greater is the energy.
.• 8.iiq. write the ideas from memory, and compare them with the origiILLUSTRATioN. The smaller the spot upon which the rays of the ~ :nal.i:· · ·
1
sun are collected into a focus, compared with the surface of the glass, ' J: 3. 1 .A.dapt the words and expressions to the subject.
the greater is the splendor; so in exhibiting our sentiments by ,-:~~1 ~:··Aim to make your expressions so lucid and impressive as to
-seem like a distinct image of the reality. Homer, in the descriptions
speech, the narrower the compass of words wherein the thoughts ar
comprised, the more energetic is the expression. The sentiment, bJJ : ~f.: . ;his battles, "works up the hurry, the terror, and confusion of
a multiplicity of words, is like David in Saul's armor, incumbered t Jii~~' in so masterly a manner, as to place the reader in the very heat
and oppressed.
I ._, ·' g( the engagement."
Bunyan's Pilgrim, and Holy War, place the
In a concise style, take care that it be not crowded. It should b .' ,v cir~ful reader in imagination in the midst of the scenes described.
suggestive ; that is, without mentioning every particular, but such a , !".>* 6. • Comparison is one powerful means of heightening any emoshall put the reader's mind into the same train of thought as th . tion, if we represent the present case as stronger than the one it is
writers, and suggest to him more than is actually expressed. Sucli . (foiripared with. If comparisons are raised to a climax, the effect is
a style may be compared to a good map, which marks distinctl)l .. l!l.~ch stronger than the mere presentation of the most striking object
the great outlines, setting down the principal rivers, towns, mou ~ ~~1.0.ripe. , The traveller who ascends the Alps, or other stupendous
tains, &c., leaving the imagination to supply the villages, hillock§ j nc?Hn.tains, fo:ms a very inadequate notion of the vastn~ss of the
and streamlets; which, if they were all inserted in their due propo~ . ~ater ones, till he ascends some of the less elevated, (which yet are
tions, would crowd the map, though after all they could not be dis ' h\;ge~niduntains,) and thence views the others towering above him".
cerned without a microscope.
-. , ,'.,. ~!1d the mind, no less than the eye, cannot so well take in and .do
. __, · .· just.ice to any vast object at a single glance, as by several succ~ss1ve

or

:2.

.

.
'

..

11-

84

+..

SUBJECTS . FOR

- STYLE;

approaches •and comparisons'; as in Cicero's oration against Verres:
" .~t. is an ·outrage to bind a Roman citizen ; to scourge hini' ah atro
cio'tis crime ; to put him to death is almost parricide ; but to crucij]
him-what shall I call it 1'' Also in his oration for Milo-" Ali'
assa.ssin was placed in the Porum, and in the very porch of th~
Senate-house with a design to murder the man on whose life depend.I
ed tJ.ie safety of the state, and at so critical a juncture of the republicy
{hat~ if he had fallen, not this city alone, but all nations must hav~
;· fallen with him."
· 6. Unity, is very important; i.e., a connection of the several parts
with some one leading design of the sentence. · There should b
but' one proposition expressed ; if it consists of parts,' they must Jj ·
so inlimately connected as to make the impression of but one object·
on the mind ; for this purpose, take care that in the constructioH
the scene be changed as little as possible. Never crowd into on
sentence, things 'vhich have so little connection, that they could bea ·
to be divided into two or more. Never insert parenthesis in the .
middle of a sentence, but let it be complete and brought to a full and
perfect close.
·
:
7. Harmony, means agreeable sound; for which purpose, cafe
must be taken that such words be chosen as are composed of 'smoot
and liquid sounds, with a proper intermixture of vowels and cons .
nan ts.
· '
·
8. The Introduction of a theme should be brief and livid. '
9. Arguments may be embodied under the following heads: ls
Example-these may be divided into real and· invented; the form~
being drawn from actual matter of fact, the other from a suppos
case ; therefore the former is the strongest. 2d, Testimony-a.
agreement of several concurrent testimonies, where there had bee.
110 concert, is good proof. 3d, :From cause to effect. 4th,. Fro·
analogy; i. e., slight resemblance.
' ~
10. Beware of letting one division of the subject run
other.

colJP.OSfTION.

85

41<

.·..

I

· ~. t r:,.LIST OF SUBJECTS FOR COMPOS1:1oi\( ..

', ~(~~~es
~

of knowing how to

.4 ,,.v 4i read. ·

,; - -~~f Writing. .

· ··:... ~

i~ )i Composition.
1

·!i, 'Grammar.
-~~- Geography.
. •<'.Taking a Newspaper.
~ · ,; ... Attending a Sabbath school
· '., / . ·ri~) or Bible class~
..,. . .: Adversity. .
·
: · .' Affectation.

~yiJ11Affection.
· •, •. 'Anger;
!~,Beauty.
: Benevolence.
· Biography.
·•· 10a'relessness.
·
· ;· · " ·oit.lumny
·~ ~ ~ lJhoi~e of companions.
~. 1lt·:Q Cl~amy •. ' ·
r. · • · Cdhdor.
·' .·· .r6onsistency.
'l ·-' ((.ontentinent.
~.:.:.~'. Courage.
: .. S j;Qr.u·eJty
f Curiosity.
: .· PHigence.
; '-eJQ.isease.

Dissipation:
Disobedience.
Early piet,.
Education.
Envy.
Evening.
.
·Extravagance.
Fashion.
Faith.
Forgiveness.
Fortune.
Friendship.
Genius.
Habit.
Happiness.
History.
Horiesty.
Hope.
Humility.
Hypocrisy.
Immorality.
Immortality.
Indolence.
Industry.
Ingratitude.
Jealousy.
Joy.
Kindness.

.

..

J>

.::.· •.,
. , · "': ,,.

..

I

......... ..

~-

~

~~- , ~ .

..
y;

.

•• •

•
·.•

_86

MISCELLANEOUS SUBJECTS.

SU-BJECTS FOR COMPOSITION.

Learning.
Love ..
Luxury.
Modesty.
Morning.
Music.
Negligence. ·
Order.
Pride.
Seasons.
Self-government.
System.
Vice.
". Virtue.
Use of domestic animals.
Wild animals.
Birds.
Insects.
Reptiles.
Trees.
Plants.
Minerals.
Fire.
Water.
Air.
Steam.
Sun.
Moon.
Stars.
Your senses.
The ocean.

87

Has Intemperance caused
MISCELLANEOUS SUBJECTS.
. misery than War 1
Who does the most injury to so- ·
ciety, the robber or slandered
ournal of a voyage to London-Paris
,- ; ' .. cutta-around the world. Description of Boston-HartfordWhich is the most useful study;
~e~ York-~hiladelphia-Ilaltimore-Washington--London. DeArithmetic or Geography 1 >'
~ .. scribe· the. various re!igious sects ?f the world-manners and cusReading or 'Vriting 1 ·
' ~o?1s· of different n.at10ns. Describe a storm at sea-a shipwreck- /
Grammar or composition 1
Natural or Mental Philoso- . .. .a Journey. Describe a fire-a fire engine. Describe a tour to New
,£ ~rte. ans-to South America-to Mexico. An account of Washphy1
'
.1~gton-Laf~yette-~ ap?leon-Henry Martyn-Brainard--NewChemistry or Botany 1
. .t on-:-Fr?-nkhn. Which is the strongest passion, love or anger 1
History or Logic 1
. _' W~1ch 1s the most useful, fire or water 1 The ocean or the land 1 ..
Languages or Sciences1
· I~ 11~ht matter 1 Is heat matter? Why is it that the pressure of.,- •
Is tobacco necessary 1
.,., 1~qmds d~p~nds only on altitude? Why do we see objects ei·ect,
Tea or coffee ?
·i
\-Vhat are the props of our repub~·
, , ~1~c~ t!1e1r 1ma&'es on . the r~tina are inverted 1 Are the reasons
lie 1
· ·f
· gJven m our .philosophies satisfactory 1 What are the advantages "
Was N apolean a curse or blessing ,
·, E~Jhe expans1011 of ~eat and the. contraction of cold ? What would
e the consequence if the freezmg of ice was not an exception to
to the world 1
tpis la~ 1 ~hy is it t~at any thing let fall from the mast of a vessel ·#/<
Is ambition a vice 1
.
Is it wise to follow the fashions 1 '
_ ~11 motion, stnkes .a pomt directly perpendicular from whence it was
:.dtopped 1 Describe a farm-a garden.
Is it right to wear mourning ap; ..
,, .
parel 1
1
:
Have males more influence over
..
society than females 1
Is a lie justifiable in any case 1
Is the intellect of the Europea••·_..,_,."'·'·"'""'
superior to the African 1
Is war right?
Jg slavery right 1
1.:
Why should you avoid evil
pany1
1

~

