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HARPER'S LANGUAGE SERIES.
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SCHOOL

.COMPOSITIO~~:

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\VILLIAM S\VINTO:N, A. l\f.,
At:TllOH OF "LA:>GUAGE rnnrnn, " "LAXG ti.\GE LESSO:\'S, "
'' PROG HES51\'E GfuUUL\H, " l:."fC.

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PREF ACE.

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Jittlo l1r:1uk i·; ll•1l ;,11 :• 1l1lit i•m to i1 :.1r1 .:.ly L'r · .
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t.lC' Lll i' li_'.-) (ll l 1~1 ( 11.Il('l'
\'i'Ol'!-:S (!ll t . ~ 1 _• Ld ·~ _l L ..·1• ~ ~ l! 1L
my,steric.s of stvle. lt i~ strictly a 111awHl ft1r ;c··hr:,1ly;~1rk, nn;J h::s •bC'L'll l!LtrJo with sreci:tl reft<: Clll'C to tJi o
rational remodeling recently accomplished, or new: in tho
1vay of being nccomplishec1, in the Courses of StuJy iu
our public schools, - n. remodeling in which J,anguagctraining for .the first ti mo receives the attention that is its
due. The ·writer tru sts that inquiring teachers will find it
in harmony with thoir views and aims.
In the plan here adopted, composition is begun with tho
very commencem ~nt of the study, nnd is carried on pari
passu with the d evelopment of rules nud principles. 'It is
n matter of common experience that children's power of
producing, in an empirical way, is much in advance of
their Jrnowle<lge of the rationale of writing; hence, in tho
present vrnrk,
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Jl~lill !Cl'

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J.'I~OFESS OI~

S\Yll\ T O:::\.

LANGUAGE PRIMER. 1oS pp. 40 cents.
LANGUAGE LESSONS.

176 pp.

sO cents.

SCHOOL COMPOSITION. 157 pp. 50 cents.
PROGRESSIVE ENGLISH GRAMMAR. 208 pp. 75 cents.

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Entered nccortling to Act or Congress, In the year 1S74,
llY

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l!ARPEI( .AND nnor1n:ns,

ofll ce of the Ulmufan of Coni;t coi'. l'l Wa shiugtiin.

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, ":.='"~~ =~~~~~¥ It shon1d
Th'tthc"do111ai1C1s ·ruiil:10-oh' tho scholar

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will not be found beyond hhi powers. Ho is providoll
with tho rnatDrial to 1rnrk on, nml his attention is limit;:,..,l
to
process of building this material in lo shape, - tho
author's co11victio11 being ilwt tr~1iuillg in the AnT oF Ex l'HEss ro~ is ns much ns cnn w isely be aimed ut in school
composition. Pnpils must first be faught how to wrifr at
all, b oforo thoy ran bo shown how l ll wri t<J wcl~ - a
maxim that lw...:; 110vcr been out of rniml in tho nuk i11 :~
of thi .3 lJ.JoJ:.

the

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PREFACE,

"\Vith this view tho present manual has been divided
into Five Parts : In Part I. the scholar is initiated into the construction
nncl combination of sentences,-under which head a great
variety of practical exercise:> will be fou? d.
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In Part II. it is sought to ex tend hls :resources of ex. prcssion by nccustomiug him t o v ary both the st ructure
and the p h raseology of sentence.5.
r art III. is an npplication of the principl es nl ica(l y
l earned t o

C.1.SJ

compos ition exercises from

C 0 N '.rE NT S.

Ou TLI NEfi.

111 P int IV. '\Yhat can !Hhm1t«1gco11s1y lir· taught to 11nys
micl girls respecting 8TYLE is prescutcd in a form '\Yl1icli
th e au thor h opes will bo fo und l>olh fre:oh nm1 fruitful.
I)iut. V. ck'1! s wi t h tho composit ion of Themes ancl Esi:;;i.ys, on models achplcd to a fair cstim,i te uf tho pupil's

1

PAET

c.ap ;i.city.
It h as seemed to th o '\>ritcr th:it there is r oom for a

schooi manual of proso composition of medium size, arranged on a simple and natural plan,. and dcsi ed not to
teach the theor of st_
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chi

I.

I.

T i n~

SrnrLE S1 : ~;n:~;c1: :
1. Nature of the Simpl" Sen tence

2. Punctuation of the Simpl e Sentenc e
3. Construction of Simple Sentences .

1.-

II. · TnE

Col!PLE X SEN T E KCE :

1. Nature of Compl ex Sentenc.es .
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2. Punctuation of the Complex. Senteuce
3. Synthesis of Complex Sentcncc:l

Ill. Tn E

CO M POUN D S E!'."TE X CE :

l. Nature of CompounJ. Se n te n c e .~

WlLLIA1iI SWINTON.

Tho ncknowlcdgm ~nts of the author arc especially clue to
the following works : ' ·
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Engli~h Prose Con~i;os ition, by JAMES CunmE. E<linburgh.
Cornwall's Yomig Uomposcr. London.
- Dalgleish's English Composition. Edinburgh. [The chapter
on. th e Analysis of Styl e is, i n t he main, an adaptation from
this work.
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.11r~ - _ t~~illpu0 itw11.
[Tlrc,tb:-i hm ts o:f-;'±;f:wm
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j--_~ ;:::-::~:citlru!R1a'int"a!l7~Jl_til'tt@-:{!~~~ :] · ·

2. Cont racted Compound Sentences
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3. Punctuation of Compound Senten ces
4. Synthesis of Compoun d Sen tences

IV.

Co!f VERSION OF 8Eh'TEN CES :

) . Expansion
2. Contraction

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Y .'dll!l.Tl 0 X i !'.' ;\ 1:1:.lXIJL\EST A.Xll STI: lT1T::t:

OF l ' n1: .'l.SEl'LOt:Y :

1. lly foe l 'se d Srnonyt::s .
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Jl y drn yi ng t Ii t' l \,n tr:ny
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Co~rn I~ATIO N OF Si::s-rExcr.s

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OONTENTS•

PART III.
SIMPLE COMPOSITION EXERCISES.
·DmEcTroNs TO Ptrrrrn :
1. On Scnte nce-rnal:i 11g .
2. On t he Choico of W orJs

3. On l'urngmphs
I. DESCRIPTIVE
Outlines.

II.

SCHOOL COMPOSITION.
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SunJECTS:

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NARRATIVE SUBJECTS:

.A. Letter-writing

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B . N ewspnper Purngrnpbs
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C. Business Composition •
D. St ories from Ilrads •
K Historical Sketches
F. Biographical Sketches

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75

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7£)

80

BI

PART IV.

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STYLE; OR, HOW TO WRITE GOOD ENGLISH.

I. Cuo1cE o~ ·wonos:
Misused Words

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R'<nmples of Redundancy
Examples of Tautology
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Example of Circumlocution

II.

III.
IV.

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CONSTRUCTION :

I. Unity •
2. Clearness
3. Strength

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FIGURES OF LANGUAGE

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ANALYSIS OF STYLE

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. REVIEW 01r PUNCTUATION, CAPITALIZINO, ETC.

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PAHT V.
PRACTICAL COMPOSITION.
SECTION
SECTION
SECTlON

I. Compositions •
II. Thomes
I II. Essays .

ExrLANATION OF

TmtMs •

INTRODUCTION .

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.l \VE arc now to begin the" most useful and most
beautiful of all studies, - the art of expressing our
thoughts on p aper, the art of ·writing good English.
2. This art· is called CmrPOSITIO:;{. It treats of the
construction of sentences, nnd of the arrangement
of sentences int.o n. series c.:'l.lled a Theme.
3. A thought may be expressed m different ways.
So the sentence may be, 1. Affirmative ; as, Life is short.
2. Negative; as, Man shall not livo by bread alone.
3. Imperative; as, Sound tho loud timbrel.
4. Interrogative; as, ·who saw the sw1 to-<lr.y 1
5. Exdama.tory; as, What n. pieca of work is man!
4. A sentence consists of two essential parts, SUBJECT and PREDICATE.
5. The SUBJECT is that part of a sentence which
names the thing ,spoken of; the PREDICATE, that ·
which asserts something of the subject; as, Little .
drops of water (sub.) nwke the 1n1'ghty ocean (prod).
6. No collection of words is a sentence unless it
.c ontains both a subject and n predicate, and e..xprcsses
n complero thought.
7. A collection of words iu a sentence containing
a stibject and B predicate, but not expressing n complete thought, is called n. CLAUSE; ns, 1Vh<.'n spring
'1'eturned, the campaign was begun.
8. A combination of \Yords forming nn elomout of
a sentence, but not containing subject or prcdicat-0, is

a

PHRASE.

SOIIOOL COMPOSITION.

2

9. Thero uro two main classes of phrases :
I. Tho Prepositional phrase, introduced by n preposition.
2. Tho Participial phrase, of which tho key-word is al. wnys a participle. ·
I'repooitlonal.

PART I.

r articipitl

l'crsons of a quarrelsome disposi· The Ycsscl, haring ci1,·ou11tacd n
tion urc <langerous ussociates.
slorm, was completely wrecked.
Beneath, th~ [owe.st deep, a lower Beneath the lowest deep, a lower
deep, still threatening to devour
deep, still thrcutcning to "devour me, opens wide.
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me, opens wide.
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th1\c:c rxr1:1: ~:;srn:-:s ?·;do full ~cntcnc,·;;:

1. Two nnd two . ... ... ..
~- Lc:trl jq rn:rny tim e.'; ns hc:i.Yy ....... . .
:~ . As soon ns mornincr lhwncrl . .. .. .. . .
'1. Tbt nll m en slwuf-l think nlike on any sulij c·d .. . .. . . . .
G. 'When Fr<mkliu's kite ren.cherl the thurnlcr-clollll .. . . . . .. .
G. The :min hrwing continued' without intermission ........ .

10. Sentences are of three kinds : SrnPJ,E, COMPLEX,
and COMPOUND.
11. In beginning the work of coniposition-writing
observe the following points:·.. '
I. TERMINAL MARKS •• Use n period(.) .at the end of every
complete st~tement ; n pomt of mterrognt10n (1) at the end of
a direct question ; and a point of excln.mntiqn (1) nt the end of
every exclamatory sentence.
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II. A perioo is nsed after enry abbrevin.ti~n: ns,
Wushington 11 ; ' " C. 0. D."
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III. A perioo is used after a title or heading, and after an
address, nn<l n signature ; as, "Milton's Paradise Lost." "'Chapt er III." "A. T. Stewart, 13roadwny, New York."
IV. CAPITALS . .A Capital lett~r should begin, I. 'rho first word of every sentence.
2. The first word of every line of poetry.
3. The first word of every direct quotntion.
4. All proper nouus, and udjcetivcs derived from them.

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6.
ycnr
7.

'1 HE CONSTRUCTION OF .SENTENCES.

N nmes of things used ns persons.
Na mes of the days of the week,": and .of tl1c months of tho
; but not of tho seasons.
~11 words used as titles, or particular Jin mes.
8. N nmes of the Supreme llctng, unu gcmcra1ly u p-0rso11nl prvnoun that refers to n im.
,
9. '1'.hc pronoun I, tho intorjoctlon 0, and sing1o letters formiug
nbbrov1atlons shonltl bo capitals.
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CIIA.PTEH I.
T ITE SBfPLE SENTENCE.
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I .-N a t ure of tho S impl e Sontonco .,

12. A Simple Sentence consists of n. single st~tc­
ment, and contains but one subject and one predicate;
as, Stearn has changed the face of the world.
13. A simple sentence can con~ist of only 1t·ords or
p hrases; because, if a clause or another member i,vcrc
introduced, the sentence would contain more tbun one
subject and predicate, and would, therefore, 1wt be a
simple sentence.
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14. A sentence may contain almost any number of
words and phrases,, and it will still be simple, provided it has but one thing spoken about (subject), and
makes but one stat{mient (predicate).
15. Each of the following sentences is n. simple
sentence:
l. Birds
2. Some birds
3. Somo bil'l.ls of prey
4. Somo birds of p rey, hnving

fly.

fly swiftly.
fly very swiftly.
fly with it very swiilly to their
seclll'\.."<l thclr vict.i.rn,
nests.
• .. • I n tho fi rs t exampfo, wo hn'i'o tho simple;;tform of.tho sim pltJ

s.entenc.e. It consists of tho snhjcd nnJ. pn.xi ic·,1tt\ w1 tho_ut any
ruo<lifyiug words or rh.ra.<;;:>,q_ In tho tliroo s.c.u t e11c~ foll ow iug ~:o
1rnltl oot ru1J. tho J;lrodlCAto nro ci1l~, or exp3.Utle<l. 1 by tho Kra• h .,,,l
nddition of certam particulars. Tlio first scutcuco l-S 11 sort of skel·
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4. We may derive ma.ny useful lessons from the lower ari.imals. ·
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5. A profusion of beautiful objects everyw ere surr~:mn s us.
6. Beware of desperate steps - the darkest day will by tomorrow have passed away1-~
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Praotieo.1 Exercise in Composing.
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Read aloud the following piece, and t!u::n make. ~n
Abstract from, J,fenwry. Be particular in. ymir clwice
of word~:
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THE SWORD OF DAMOCLES.

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SCHOOL COMPOSITION.

:Damocles, one of .the courtiers of Dionysius, tyra_nt of Syra.cuse, was perpetually extolling with raptures . lus. treasn;e,
~ndeur, the !lumber of }~is troops, the ext~nt o.f his domm1ons, the magmficence of his palac~, and th~ . un~versal ab.undance of all good things and enjoyments .m lus po'.38ess1?n,
always repeating that neve~ ~nan i~ happi~; t~~ pwnysii1:3.
"Since yoti are of that op1111on," said the kmg, will you m
person make proof of my felicity_1" The offer was accepted
with joy : Damocles was placed upon a gold~n bed, covered
with hangings of inestimable val~e. The sideboards "'.ere
loaded with vessels of gold and silver ; the most beautifu~
slaves, in the n1ost splendid habits, stood rom:i~ him watchin~
the least signal to serve him. ~he most exqmsite essences a_n(
perfume were not spared, wlule the table w~ spread with
proportionate rimrrnificence. Damocles was all JOY, and looke~
upon himself ns the happiest man in the \Vorld: . Just at this
time he chanced to cast his eyes up to the ceilrng, where he
saw the point of a sword that .hung· by a sin.gle hor;:ie-hair.
.From that moment his joy vamshed, he lost his ap.petite, and
became a most miserable man, for be could see nothmg bu~ the
sword, nnd think of nothing but his danger.. In this. state of
mind he .begged to be restored to the security of hLS former
position.
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The request wns granted, nod only then did he ~ren_the freely.
The ru1cicnt writers say that Dionysius thus tacitly acknowledged that his happiness was poisoned by a cons~nt terror he
was under, of the punishmerit he deserved for his cruelty nud
injustice.
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PART III.
SIMPLE COMPOSITION. EXERCISES.
TEAc.11.En's NOTE. - It can no! be ~oubtcd that the fii-St step in
composition must qe to teach the begmner how to wriu at all; the
second, to show him how t9 write well. Hence, before proceeding
to the subject of STYLE (contained in Part IV.), pupils should be
trained in the ordinary qualities of good writing, - in the use of
correct syntax, and in some facility of expressiou. The following
~imple Corup?s.ition exercises arc designed to givo scholars practice
lD theso qualities.
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DIRECTIONS. TO PUPILS.
I .-On Sentence-making.

I. Aim at Unity in your Sentences. . In each sentence some one person or thing · should usually be
· the subject of thought from beginning to end. Any
departure from this rule tends to destroy the miity
of the sentence.

II. Aim at Variety in the Sequence of Sentences;
that is, do not make them nil of the same kind, - SimI)le, Complex, or Compound. A succession of unvarying little short sentences has n disagreeable, chopped-up
effect; while a succession of uniformly long sentences
is trying to eye and ear.

III. Aim at Coherence in your Sentences. In ·writ- ·
ing Compound Sentences, be very careful not to bring
t-0gether thoughts that are not naturally and logically
connected: And whenever you have written a very
long sentence, break it up into two or more clear
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statements. Remember that th_e d~nger o~ falling
foto grammatical error increases m direct ratio to the
lenath
of a sentence.
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DIRECTIONS TO PUPILS. .

SCHOOL CO.\IPOSITION.

.69

I. Descriptive Subjects.

TVrite a short composition from the f oll01.oing

OUT-

LINES:

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SunJECT: GOLD.

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2.-0n the Choice of Words.

I. Prefer Simple Words to those that arc abstruse

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or unintelligible.
· IL Avoid Circumlocution, or a roundabout way of
expressing a simple idea.

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III. Avoid Redundancy, or the addition of words
that the sense does not require.

Outlines......

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IV. Avoid Tautology, or the repetition of the same
idea in different words.
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V. The substance of these rules is : Put the Maximum of Thought in the Minimum of Words.
3. -On Paragraphs.

86. A composition of any length-.- cv~n a letter
(unless the very briefest not~)-reqmres~ in order .to
please the eye, and to have its scope readily .taken m,
a division into Paragraphs. A Paragraph is a ?onnocted series of sentences i~olating to the same snbJect,
or part of a subject.
1. Make a now paragraph ·at every marked break
in the subject, - at every new turn in the treatment.
2. Let nil the sentences in a paragraph relato . to
the same topic, and arrange the sentences so as ~ .
carry the line of thought easily and naturally from
the one to the other. For this imrpose free use should
be niade of tho continuativo imrticles and phrases;
as, however, moreover, indeed, conscqitcntly, at the same
tim e, in like manner, etc.

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Co ruposltlon .

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A precious metal- inost abundant in California
and At1stralia - found in many other places
- color, bright yellow- nM.rly ns soft ns lead
- most malleab.le of all metals. - one grain can
· be beaten so thin as to cover nearly six thousand rinches -very ductile - the Bfillle qunn .
tity ca.n be drawn out into five hundred feet
of wire-gold coinage, alloyed with copper. use of gold in gilding - articles in a· jeweler's
shop. ·
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Gold _is t~e ~ost valuable o(the precious metal~.
It 1s d1stnbuted throughout the world, but is
found most abundantly in California and Australia. Its color is bright yellow, and it is
n early as soft as lead. It is the most valuable
of all metals, and cm1 be beaten s·o thin that a
single grain may be made to coYer nearly six
thou sand inches. I.t is also very ductile, the
same quantity of gold being capable of being
drawn out · into five hundred feet of wire.
Gold is coined into pieces of money, ns eagles,
h alf-eagles, etc., but for this purpose it is alloyed with copper. Its uses in gilding imn
jewelry are well known. Look into the j eweler's store, arid sec how many articles arc
made of this metal l There arc watches, chains,
brooches, rings, vases, vessel«, nnd ornaments
of CYery description.
·
OUTLTh"ES.

C OAL:

An inflammable substance - color; black or lirown - supposed to be of vegetable origin -folmd in nll parts of tho
world- occurs in beds or strats - coal-pits' and collieries
· - uses of coal. : as fuel, in the arts, gas - tho coal-fields
of tho U nit.eel States : where they aro - th o great manufac tmi1ig cities that hnve grown i1p in comeq11e11ce.

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LETT.ER-WRITING. . ,

S.CHOOL COMPOSITION.

70
THE ·WRALE:

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Belongs to one of the species ·of mammals - w?ere found enormous size and strength -;-v~ry broad .tail, and powerful enough to toss a boat high mto the au. Surroun,d~d
with coating of blubber or f<1;ttJ: matter b~neath the skin
_(use of this). Whalebone m its mouth mstead of teeth,
acting like a .sieve to ~train fr9m the water t~e .mollusco:is
and other ammals which are its food - nostril m top of its
bead, by which it breath?s. and blows out ~he water fro1n
its mouth in columns, rismg to a great height. _Hunted
for whalebone obtained from it alone, and made rnto ~umcrous article~ of utility - also for its blubber, ~ro,m which
great quantities of oil arc extracted-whale-ship~, etc.

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BRE AD:

A preparation from one of the gra~ns, or cereals - ~an~e t~e
leadina ones - mention the kinds of bread- :which lS
most i~1 use in your part of the country 1- mode of pre-.
parina wheaten bread: trace the process from the thmshrna of the wheat till the loaf comes from the oven - the
st.~ff of life - us~d for food everywhere - what~ver else a
country nses, its· food is cheap or dear accordmg to tho
price of bread.
THE SHIP:

Simplest form - the canoe of the savage_..:. ships_of the ai;cients - the caravels of Columbus- modern ships - their
kinds: steamers and sailing-vessels- their constniction
- size - spccu - utility in commerce.
II. Narrative Subjects.
A.
LETTER-WRITING . .

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-Tho arrangement
of tho parts of a letter is importan~, a~d the following points should be attended to :
. ·i. The Date and the Place where it is written. Tho
day, month, and year.should be given in full. Never
date a lett~r nierely by tho day of the week ; us,
"Sunday ovenina."
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2. The Fonn of A ddrcss; ns, " s·n,,,· " D ear s·ir,"
"My clear Charles,_" " My clearest Father,,, according
ARRANGEMENT

OF A LETTER

71

to the terms of intimacy between the \niter and the
person addressed.
· ·
3. The Nar·ratii·e, or letter proper.
4. The Hubscription; as, · "Yours truly," "Yours
faithfully," "Your affectionate brother," etc. (varying,
as in No. 2, with the relations 9f the parties), and the
Name of the writer.
., _
5. The Name of thc·Recipient.
SUPJ.j:RSCRLPTIONS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS.

The following superscriptions, subscriptions, etc., of letters
arc designed to show what is now regarded the most approved
nrran~ement · nr,id ·style _
of these parts; and th ey may serYc as
models, accordmg to cucumstances.
·
Some of the mo·st common fo11ns of adclress nre Sir, Dear
Sir, My dear Sir, Respected Sir, Sirs, Dear Sirs, Gentlemen,
Ladies, Madam, Dear Madnm, etc. ; Friend Brown, Dear Susnn,
My dear Friend, l\Iother, Brother, etc. ; according to the relations of respect, intimacy, or affection existing between the
parties. Note that the form of address, Madam, Dea r Madam,
is as applicable to unmarried ns to ma rried ladies.
The closing part may be Yours, Yours truly, · Most truly
yours, Very truly yours, Yours respectfully, Respectfully, Sincerely yours, Your friend, obedient servant., et.c. ; Yours affectionately, Your affectionate friend, Your loving brother, sister,
etc., followed by . the name of the writer. The closing will
vary with the relations of the parties.
Mr., l\Irs., Miss, and Master nre common titles, nnd should
be u sed unless the person has a higher title. Messrs. nnd
Misses . are prcfix.ed· to the name of a finn, or to the names of
persons collectively, nnd .the name is followed by Sirs, Dear
Sirs, Gentlemen, or Laclie.s, as the rase may be.
l\rcdical m en ha,;e th e titles Dr. and M. D. Legal gentlemen, artists, nnd sometinies others of high social sta11ding have
the title Es<]. But th e title Esq. has so completely lost all
m canin rr in this country that persons of good taste nre wholly
ccasinrr to use it : thus, " Mr. J ohu Smith," not "John Smith,
E sq." b w- Be careful never to use.the form" .Mr..John Smith,
Esq." Militmy men h ave the titlM Gen., MaJ.-Gen. , Col.,
Capt., etc., according to rank. Graduntes of colleges have s?mc
acauemic title, ns A. B., A. M., etc. Clergym en ha Yo the. titles
Rev., Rev. Dr., arnl, if bishops, that of Rt. Rev. Hon. is the
proper title for judges, congre...c.smen, State senators, DHlY?rs of
cities, bends of government depnrtnl'ents, nnd others of srntll1ir

1:.

I

.

-~

.

...

~

72

' .

SOHOOL OOMPOSITION.

rank ; and His Excellency, for the governor of nny State, OT
an ambassador of the United States. The .President may be
nndressed His Excellency, but strict .etiquette prescribes the
form ns included in the following models.
·
1. Heading or Date.

. <?Javu1u~c, . G/kJJ., d!lfel. 8, 7 JJ78.

G%
•

.

.

fime.1
4.87

GY'&m.mond,
!!?Zluiaclzoay, GI'! ~ .
cfll.

·

~ntlevu:n, -

·· ··· ························ ······················
UZfc~ u,Yuc0~!tp,
·

4. Body.

eP;/, ujtl}

.

ec'c!wa ltf <f:t,a nJ .

~r/'·

.k.Vcai <.:::::/tt, -

7 Ot;f e~Mt.,

1.

o/

ttfc !!J§oauf
8clacat/on.,
' ~tfc~, #(I. .
..

S. Introduction.

mx

11'

73

..................................... , ................... .

2. Address.•

Q~.

. LETTER-WIUTlNG• .

I

t'o you·t . dt/cJ,

o/ c~

1.

efFd'~ l'o day that eJT ?JUJ;Jt ctfu1/u~

acccd, co yoett

m;ty

······ ···· ···· ····· ···································

tca;Jonad'fe u7rtc.Jt, etc.

················· ····················································

5. Subscription.
-

~aLJ uJftcctjtuf},
&'~nty

&c·l la·ut}; yoaJ.J,
8/2"::1z1/. C2/a l m m z..

G/C: G1dczm.J.

1.

················· ··· ··································
.................. .... ... .........................
....... ~ ..... .. .

efF 4av" -t~

~not l o tfc, &e't,
6Jfou t otfcd~n t vc-J.vant,

#am, ycntlem~n,

& inot.ly cf? &"tu.JI/'

.<0,'r.yuctj{t!t} yor~LJ
iPlfavt"cl !!JZJ.

d/Jmch, fl.
r£~a lt i1 ~ GJ/t':-u1.Jton,
"IJ{,.J lf't i7 t (J,)/ , @'. C(J.

~ 'J'.ho nddrcss inside the letter should be identi cal with tho super-

~cnt pt ion .upon tho envelope, nnd it mny bo put either before tho
Ill ro<1uction, or nt tho bottom of tl10 ]Ptlrr.

f

;i

!A

,.,. /

..

.74

SOHO~L

COMPOSITION•

NE WSJ>APER PARAGRAPHS.

75

7. Write the results of the last examination - whether you
were promoted__; what studies you are pursuing with most
interest, etc: ·
·
n.

•

NEWSP.A.PER P ~GRAPHS . .

~at elf~let Qf/t"a,, -

On the follcnv-ing heads write pai·agraphs such as yon
read i n tltc "loca ls " of th e ncw:S_papcl's:

~aJ. a;ffc.ctrona~ ~olht,

"'/f'f:/itam.
RUNAWAY.

-A ho11'e attached to John Gilpin's Leer wagon

~ dcat ~- .2?Jwum,Q/(o.:Jt

lt:._1-1} ;yottl:J,

A FmE. - Late Inst iught our rp1iet t own \Yn.s stnrllctl Lynn
nlarn1 of fire ........... .. ... ....... .... .. , ...... ... , .... .. ......... ....... ... .

9ffunckt g'/;uxr.

············:··············.····· ·· ······ ········ ·········· ·······················
Cf;:Oau, a.j c.vcJ.,

G/tbkzc~ 'lf~t.

/_,

PRESBYTERIAN SocL\DLE. -The Lndies' Sot:ialikco1rncct.c,l
\1ith the Presbyterian Chnrch met ....... .. ..... ...... ... .. ........ .. .

.............. .. .... : .... : ... ...................
.... ... .. .... .... .. .. .. .. ...... ..
.
.
.......................................................................
;

EXERCISE 28.
~ A•

I. Write a letter to your teacher 11arrating your "Experi-

ences during your last vacation."
.
2. Write cm<l. tell your duties at school-your amusements
or i·ecreations -your walks - books·-thougbts or observations.
3. Write nnd tell about a visit to a museum or public garden - the objects of interest, etc. · ·
4. Write about tho days of your childhood-your earliest
recollections -your first days at school-your impressions your ideas about that period of your life.
·5. Tell about the book you nre reading-the name-the
subj ~ct - the style - the information - your opinion of itany other works by the same author.
6. Write and tell about an evening party-the numbertho amusements - tho mufil c - tho pleasures of social intcrcourse.

!
I

.
t~

~

. ­

J: ._.. . .

- ...._._....

A NEW SCHOOL-HOUSE. -To-day the layinrr of the cornerstone
of .the Lincoln School
in this city will take phce. ........ ..
.
.

.

·················································································
........ ... ...................... ................... .. ........ ..... ........

RAILROAD AccIDENT. - Y cstertlny ns the car:> were sbrting
from t he Brond Stree t Station ..... ........ ....... .. ....... ..... .. .. ... .

............................ ... .. .... .. .... .................... ... ... .......... .
................................................ ················· ··· ···· ·· ····
~

MARR I ED.* -•....•....•..........••......•........•..•..................

····························· ······ ··········· ·· ····· ·· ··················· ·· ···

I.

• Thoro ia but one pro1JCr wny of making tl1is nnnouncom cnt, nn<l
it is nearly nhrnys wrong in the newspapers.
4:lt

76

·I·.'·

SOHOOL COMPOSITION.

I

c.

I

BOSTON, Oct.
HENRY

L.

STONE,

Bought of

G .EORGE

48 yCls. Muslill,
. 12 " Drilling,
20 " French Chintz,
1 doz. Spool.S Thread,

..

at
"
"
"

17, 1872.

.

.

s.

THOMPSON

& .Co . .

.22
.18
.40

S 10.46

.37

.37

~

·:·

77

BUSINESS COMPOSITION.
Receipt for Rent.

$ 309:i'~·

.May 15, 1873.
Received of MESSRS. HARPER & BROTHERS, Three Hundr~d
Nine and i~ Dollars, in juU for rent of store No. 20 Canal St.,
to Sept. l, 1873.
WILLIAMSON & RICH..\ RDSON,
per Jas. H. JoHNSO::-T.

BUSINESS CO?rrPOSITION.

.Mn.

.

NEW YORK,

2.16
8.00

Recclpt In full of all Dem.ruids.

$ 500-fn\.

.

CA11nnrncF:, Oct. 15, 1872.

Received of ROBT. H;. JENKINS, Five Hundred and 1~ Dollars, in full of all demands.
·
·

$20.99

Received Payment,
GEO. S. THOMPSON & CO.

*

"

0

GEO. II. POWELL.
EXERCISE 30 •

. SAN FRANCISCO,

Mn.

Make out receipts as above:

EDWARD EDSON,

To
To
"
"
"

Nov. 1, 1872.

10 lbs. Java Coffee,
5 " Green Tea,
12 " Brown Sugar,
4 gals. Molasses,

BENJAMIN

"
"

H.

FENTON,

.. 40
1.20
.14

I · l. ·Henry A. Nichols receives, Mnrch 3, 1873, of Arthur A.
\Andrews, $ 840.25 on account. Make out the receipt.
2. Geo. R. Stone, of Cambridge, this day gives Henry Gilbert
125, in full for one quarter's rent of house, No. 10 J<:lm St.
ake out the receipt.
3. Make out n. r eceipt for the rent of n ho'l.1sc ; for scrYice.3
\Jrendered; for interest on a note to date; for m oney received
~On flCCOunt j in settlement of fill il{;COUDt to dutc j for inYCStment, etc.

Dr.

$4.00
6.00
1.68
1.50

.37~

~

$ 13.18

Received Payment,
BENJ. H. FENTON,
per FRED.
Dow.

c.

$ 500.

1. Henry Dixon bought, Feb. 3, 1873, of Peter Brown & Co.,
·2 lbs. of sugar, at 10 cts. ; 8 lbs. of coffee, at 45 cts. ; 4 lbs. of
·!.l-1 tea, at 7!5 cts.
· ·
· .t4-' . 2. Jameson & Son sold, April 6, 1873, to Richqrd Roby, 2
..,.
tfoz. men's black beaver hats, at $ 4 apiece ; 6 doz.', boys' drab
~.;,.
hats, at $1.50 apiece ; ! doz. silk umbrellas, at $ 4.50 ; :1 doz.
:'..:i leather satchels, ut $ 3.50.
. ·.
~ 3. Mako out a bill for labor; for m-ticles ptirchnsed at a
·;'hardware store; boot una shoe store; bookstore; dry-goods
:,,;tore ; grocery store ; lumber yard, etc.
""!'.;

~
I

A ugust g; 1873.

(.

1oill J!frase d.diver to QUEEN & V ALE~"'rINE
goods t-0 the amount of 1' iw Hundred Doll{Lrs, and cliarge the
same to
WILLIAM A. STEW.ART.

I

Order for Moue;y.

EDW. H. HAMLIN

. Make md the bills for the fallowing articles, and
·
. . receipt them, : ·

~·'. \

CAMBRIDGE,

nosTO~,

$ 33.
hlESSM. BROWN

~·~'
~f·

~if

'."•'

.

.

.E

..Order for G<>od.B.

EXERCISE 29.

fl"'

Feb. 10, 1873.

I

.-·11~~
M

I1.1
~'.i

;j! ;
i~~

& HOOKER.

•. <

Gentlem~n, - Please pay to 'l'nol£AS ANDREWS, or order,
Thirty-three Dollars, du.iJ 01~ my account, ailll oblige,
Yours respectfully,
HENRY W. WILKINS.

fil

~4
'i t
·~~~
r , ~t'"

. .·h·:I·
!:

/

sciiiJot•COMPOSITION.

78

STORIES FROJ,f HEADS.

Bank Check.

"
CmcAao, NO'v. 3, 1872.

No. 27.
§i rsit

Pay to WM. H.
$ 69 18r,'b-.

BOWKER,

!}.ational !lank,
or oraer, Sixty-nine and

M

Dollars.

SAMUEL WALLACE.

.,

EXERCISE 32.

1V~itc

I

·~

}rfake out the foUowing orders in due f or1n, supplying dates:

I. Curter Brothers give to Wm. H. Brown nn order for 10
barrels of flour Genesee Extra, on Robt. L. Fuller.
2. Lewis Cl~rke gh·es Stephen Dennison nn order on Drown,
Lewis, & Co., for$ 2000.
·
3. Robt. Fulton gives to Hiram Day a check on Charles
·ni,·er National R:'l.nk for $ 1000.
4. Order somebody to pay money to somebody,-or to deliver
goods to .somebody, nnd chn.rgo to your nccount, or to the account of somebody else.
Prom.lssory Note Payable to Order.

TIIcmrn::-m, Aug. 8, 1872.
$ 300.
Ninety .days after date, for t:alu-0 received, I promise t.o pay
JAMES DICKERllAN, or ord<:r, Three Hundred Dollars.
HENRY G. GRAHAM .

..

Promissory Note Payable to Bearer.

CINCINNATI, May 20, 1873.

On or before April 20, 1874, f or i·alue received, I promise to
pay RICHARD Rowii, or bearer, One Jfondred Ninety-tt1.xJ and
lo% Dollars.
JAMES W. WARD.
Joint and 8-0voral Note.

$30GIM.

Bosrn:-.', Sept. 4, 1873.
On demand, for 'Value received, we jointly and severally promise
to pay WALTER 'VIIEELER, or order, Three Thousand Sixty-one
and 1't!-cr Dollars, with interest at 7 per cent.
WARD, WOOD, & 00.

01.t.t

the following acc~rding to the models:

I. John Scott, of Cambridge, owes Thomas Hooker $ 400,
for which he giyes his note, payable to him, or to his order,
in 4 months from March 3, 1873. Write the note.
2. On or before the 10th of October, 1873, Stephen Morse, Jr.,
of Boston, promises to pay )-to William Stickney, or bearer,
$75.75~ Write the note, ·nnd dnto it April 10, 1873.
3. Writen. note, drawn by Henry S. HalTi..nglon; of Boston,
in favor of Fra}1cis Raymond & Co., for $GOO, payable on demand, with interest a~ 718li per cent. . Da~c th e note Feb. 16,
1871, ancl record in due form the followmg rndorsements : June
1, 1871, $ I.50 ; Sept. 13, 1872, ~ 200.
4. John Smith of Peoria, thi s day promises to pay to Willjam
Stone, or order,' 8400, three months after date. ·write the
note.
D.

i

EXERCISE 31.

79

STORIES FROM HE.ADS.

1Vritc stories from, thcfoll.(YUJing heads:

,·' .

I

I.

CoLuMnus AND THE

Eoa :

The cardinal-the banquet-the courti er-the cnvythe detraction-:-the egg-the c4allenge-the n~ten;pts
- the failures-the accomplishment- th e application.
2. THE CHARTER OAK :

· The tyrant And'ros - vis~t to Hartford - h.is objcct-.the meeting - the precious <l ocume:1t - sudden darkness - the document gone - Cnptam ·w ordsworth the secreting in the Charter Oak- when brought forth.
3. THE OLD MAN AND THE BUNDLE 01'' STICK.fl :

. Tho sons - the disngreem ent ___:_the <lcnth-bed - the
m eetinn - the advice - the bundle - the comman<ltho fo&ire - tho ~ing1e slick - the m ornl.
4. "DoN'T GrVE UP THE Smr I "

Challenge of tho British ship Shnnnon - the bri:£ fig~:
- the drendful slaughter - the surrender - Lrn rcncc 8
memoroblo wor<ls.

80

'BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

SCHOOL COMPOSITION.

2. Sm

E.

1Vritc historical narratii:cs frorn the following outlines:
L GnoWTII OF oun COUNTRY SINCE THE REYOLUTIO)l :

!
I

t ·.

'

...

Extent of ter~ito;y at the Close of the Revolution~ry W~r
- compare with present extent .- ho~v the clnef. add1t ions ·were m:-vlc : bjr pnrc1wse from } ranee, Sp:i.m, 1J.Y
l\foxican \Var - population then and now-1111m1ier
of States comixueJ. - smallness of commerce ru1J. manufactures then contrasted with great development now
- what our forefathers did not h:i.vc : railroads, steamships, telegraphs, etc.

2. CAUSES OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION ;
Deepest cause, an.ti~monarchical churacrer 'of American
institutions, ideas, nrnl habits - by their very circumstances Americans were trained in self-government colonies would have left the mother-country under any
circumstances - the circumstances that o.rose to hasten
the separation, what were they 1
F.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

1Yritc short biographical skctchd from the following
01ttlincs :
··
. .
1. GEORGE WASHINGTO~ :
Founder of the Republic of the United States - born nt
l3ridge's Creek, Va., 1732 - education, simple and meagre - early taste for military life - becomes public
surveyor to Lord · Fairfax - adjutant-general of the
Virginia militia - encroachments of tho French- his
first campaign - cn.mpuign under Braddock...:_ marries
nnd settles at Mount Vernon - outbreak of tho Revolution - appointeu commander-in-chief , 1775 - (two
or three general sentences o.bout Washington's conduct
during the war) - el ected first president - re-elected
- dies - his character : simple, truthful, sincere, patriotic - patient, persevering, <lisintorcsretl - his influence on the young republic.

WALTER RALEIGH:

Birthplace - education__..:, his first wiyage - other employments - his appearance nt the con.rt of ~lizabeth
- his accomplishments - anecdote of lus ~·eaclmess .and
tact - the queen ~ncl the velvet cloak - h~s pron;oti?m
and rmvards - his next voyage to Amen ca - tne nnportation of. to?~cco nf1;cl po~atocs into Enghrn~ - t!1e
colony of Virguna - his a:rest for treason, ~ncl imprisonment in the Tower - his r elease after th irteen years
- his expedition to tlic <?ronoco, ~ml i ts ~lJject - circumstanceil tliat kd to lus cxccut10n - hl3 c1wractc r,
moral 1md intellectual.

HISTORICAL SKETCHES.

1.

81

l

I

.I
'·'!'!

. I

83

. CHOICE . OF · WOIWS. .

· NOTE~ -Accuracy in the use of words cannot be acquired in a ·
few easy le8sons. All that ean be done is to put scholars in the
way of tMnking about the word$ they empl<nJ; and this habit, once
gained, will gradually bring about correctness in the use of Ian·
guage.

PART IV .
STYLE; OR, HOW TO WRITE GOOD.
ENGLISH.

ILLUSTRATIONS.

1. There never was such n quantity of animols at any cattlcshow.
A "quantity" means a single mass, o.nd hence this term cann ot
be used to denote many dij/'crcnt animals. It should be, "There
never were so many" ; or, ''There n ever \1·:13 such a nionl1.:r," e;t.~.

2. ·The attempt was fouml to lie impraclio.i/Jfr.

,,.
87. THE manner in which thoughts are expressed
constitutes Style.
. • ... * "Style " is derived from the Latin worcl stylus, -the namo
of the instrument with which the Romans wrote. The change by
which the word, from designating the instrument, came to denote
the use made of it, is similar to the transformation in the meaninfl
of the English word "pen." Thus, "Swift wields a caustic pen'
= his manuer of 1writing (i. c. his "style") is caustic.
88. The excellence of a piece of writing depends

primarily upon that of its separate sentences. Now,
the ex~ellence of a sentence depends upon two things :
l. Language, or the choice of words.
2. Constmction, or the arrangement of the parts of a sent ence.
·

CHAPTER I.
CHOICE OF WORDS.

89. FmsT REQUISITE. -

Accuracy in the Use of

Words. Accuracy is that quality of language which
consists in using the "right word in the ri~ht place."
It is the most important of all tho qualities of language, and claims tho first attention~

An "attempt" mfl.y be unsuu:cssful, or f ut ile; liut ns an altcm11t
imJ?lies some effort made, it cannot be saiJ to be "im1m1cl icalilc,"
which means impossible of doing.
.

3. I have p ersuaded him that he is \\Tong •
·wo persuade a person t o do something, not to

belier~

It should be, " I have convinced him that he is wrong."

something.
.
.

EXERCISE 33.

Substitute terms of correct signijhxr.t ion jerr the
ICIZED

ITAL-

"\Vonns :

l. A child is educated in the grammar of a lunguage, nmi
instructed to speak it correctly.
·
, ·
2. He spoke most contempt ibly of th e man.

3. The veracity of the statement 'Yas calle<l in question.
4. His apparen t .[evident] guilt justified his friends in disowning him.
·
·
5. I do not wan t nny cranberries.
.
G. By the obser1xrn..ce of the h abits of the l ower unuual s we
may l earn many interesting facts.

90. Be careful in the use of Prepositions, Conj unctions, A u xiliaries, and other Particles.
ILLUSTRATIONS.

l. I find no lliillculty of keeping up with my cla.3s.

This should be, " in k eeping," etc.
2. The sultry d;\y wns followed 1c-ith a hca1-y :;torrn.
Should be, ''followed by," etc.

~

-_

l

3. The following facts may, or have been, given as reasons
on the other side.
There is nu improper ellipsis of the word be after ?1Uly. The
· omission is made under .6. confused impression that been in have been
1applies also to the auxiliary may; but we cannot say may been.
Hence, in such cases, make no ellipsis of a part of n compound
tense when confusion would arise from the omission. The sentence
should be, "The foJlowing factsniay ~c, or have been given," etc.
EXERCISE 34.

In the fallowing scn,tcnccs correct the wrongly itscd
PARTICLES:

I. Poetry has the ·same nim with Christianity.

2. Scarcely bad he uttered the fatal word, than the fairy
disappeared.
3. We should always be ready to assist such poor persons
who are unable to obtain n livelihood.
4. I fi.nd great difficulty of writing now.
. 5. The Italian universities were forced to send for their professors f mm Spain and France.
G. He drew 6. different conclusion from the subject than I
did.
7. Favors arc not always bestowed to the most deserving.

-·

OHOIOE OF WORDS.

SCHOOL COMPOSITION.

84

MISUSED WORDS.

91. There are in current use many words employed
in a sense that docs not properly belong to them. _ A
few of these are here given : they should be carefully
noted, nncl their misuse avoiclecl.
Aoo nA YATE .... for irritate; us, " He aggravates me by his impudence."
·
ALWDE ......... for refer. To allude m~'\ns to hint at in nn ·
indirect way.
BAI,,\NCE....... . for remainder; ns, "The balance of the people
went home."
·
.
.
CALCULATE ..... for design or intend, or .as un equivalent to likely,
apt_; .as, " Sensational newspapers nre calculated
to lllJ tue the morn ls of the young" ; they nrc
no.t "cnJcnluted 11 to clo so ; but they nre certmnly likely to do so.

·

85

COUPLE ......... for two,- ns, "A ample of ladies foll upon the ice ·
yesterday." A "couple 11 means properly two
that are coupled.
·
DEMEAN ......... for debase; ns, " I would not demean myself by
doing so." To demean means to behave in any
way, and hns no connection with the term mean.
EMBLEM •.. ..... for motto, sentiment, or meaning; generally up-

plied t9 flowers. "The emblem of thi~ flower rn,
'I live for -thee.'" In this case the flower itself
is the emblem: "I live for th ee " fa the rnca11ing
gh·cu to it.
ExrECT ..... .. .. for suppose, cir th ink; us, "I e-:r-pcct yon hucl a
pretty Lar<l time of it yesterJ.ay," for I suppose
or I think you had, etc. Expect rcfer3 only to
that which is to come.
INAUGURATE .. .for begin, or set up. To inaugurate hi to induct
into office with solemn ceremonies ; thus we
·
speak of the President's being inau911ral,;d. But
we cannot "inaugurate" n thing.
_
__
MAnRmD ....... often wrongly used in announ ce ments; ns,
. "Marrz'.ed-John Smith to Mary Jo1ws." It
should be "Mary Jones to J ohn · Smith," as,
properly speaking, it is the woman th at is married (French nwri, n huslxmd) to a rnnn.
NAl!E ....... . .. . .for mention; us, "I never named the mnttcr
to any one."
PnEDICATED ... for founded, or based; us, "This opinion is
. predicated on the plainest tE:achiJ1gs of comm9n
sense," meaning founded on, etc.
\VIT.N'ESS •••••... for see; ns, "This is the most splcnd irl bay I
ever witnessed." We may witness n11 act at the
performance of whi ch 'ye nre })l'CSC11t, bnt ;yo
cmrnot "itness n thi11g.

92. SECOND REQUISITE.-Simplicity of Words. \Yo
should ordinarily uYoid n.11 such words as rcq uirc pcrsons to consult f'. dictionary, provided simpler ~nd
· easier words can be found to express the 111eanmg.
\Ve sh_o uld also n.Yoicl pompous expressions nud higl~­
flown words and phmses, bccauso tho use of these is
always n. sign either of ha_if-leu.rning or of n1lgar tusto.

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SCHOOL COMPOSITION.

. CHOICE ~ OF WORDS.

·" O," said n channing and highly cultivated womnn, speak- ·
· ing hi my hearing of one of her _own sex of ihferior breeding
and position, but '~·ho wi;s making literary p~etensions - "0,
save me from talking with that woman I · If you ask her to
come and see you, she never says she 's sorry she can't co-me, but
that she regrets that the multiplicity of her engagem.ents precludes
her from accepting your polite invitation." *

· EXERCISE 35.

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Remember that large 'vorcls
the size of small thoughts.

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Stilted Expressions found in many
Newspapern .

.,

·wm

not mcrease

Meaning in plain English.

=
=

I

An individual was precipitated
They called into requisition the
services of the physician

,f

His s:eiri~ quitted its earthly _ H li <l
hab1tat10n
e( e .

11

A disastrous conflagration commenccd to rarre
= A grea t c.JlTO b ro· k·e ou t .
'
0
A va.st concourse of citizehs assembled to behold the spec- = A great crowd came to see.
tacle
·
·
The confla151'ation extemlod its _ Th f1
. d
e trc sp1ea .
-.-devastating career
The progress of the devourinrr
·
clement could not be arrested = The fll"e could not be checked.
One of those omnipresent char. ncters who, as if in pursuance of some previous urrnngcment, are certain to be = A bystander aclrisecl.
encountered when an accident occurs, ventured the
suggestion
However, the edifice was totally consumed, notwithstundBut the house was burned
iug the most energetic efforts
to the grotmd, in spite of
of those noble m en who on
all that the firemen could
such occasions, rush to 'the
do.t
call of duty

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A man fell.
They sc11t for the doctor.

* "\Yards nnu their Uses," by R. Grant Whito.
t Bonnell' a ".Manual of Composition."
··

Translate the fallowing into sirnple, natilral Engl·ish:
1. There are some youthful personages whom it al ways delights you to accompany.
·
2. There are others, the very aspect of whose focial features
superinduces disagreeable emotions.
3. Mary wns the possessor of n diminutive specimen of the
sheep species.
·
4. Your uncle was ev'iclently laboring under some hallucination.
. 5. At the present moment I retire to slumber : I offer up my
petitions to the Lord to preserve my spiritual part in safety ;
but should I quit thls earthly sphere ere I awake, I beseech
Him to receive my soul.
6. Ceteris paribus, when a Saxon and a Latin word offer
themselves, we should choose the Saxon.
7. Deity is my pastor. I shall not be indigent. He maketh
me to recmnb on the verdant lawns ; he leacleth me beside the
unrippled liquidities ; he reinstalleth iny spirits, and conducteth me in the avenues of rectitude, for the celebrity of hiB
appellations.

93. · Tmnn REQUISITE. - Conciseness, or. :Brevity of
Language. Conciseness consists in using the smallest
number of words necessary for the complete expressicin of a. thouaht. The following will be found a
useful general i~1le of conciseness : Go critically o-vcr
what you have written, and strike out every word,
phrase, and clause which . it is founcl ''.'iJ.l leave. t~e
sentence neither less clear nor less forcible than it is
without them.
"It is nn invariable mnx.im," says Campbell, "that :vo~is
which add nothing to the sense or to the clearness must dumnish the force of the expression."

94. This quality of good writing is violated in
three ways:
1: By R ednndaricy, that is, the udclition of words
which the sense docs not require.
2. By Tautology, that is, the repetition of the srune
idea in different words.

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COMPOSITIONS.

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rnndc of wood. It seITes us n resting-place for one eml of the
barrel, and is, nt the same time, .attached to the lock. The
. gun is used in 'yur and in field sports.
EXERCISES.

PART V.

A Scythe.
A Plow.
A Reaper.

PRACTICAL COMPOSITION.

A Cart.
A Penknife.
An Umbrella.

A Carriage.
A Balloon.

A S~camboat.

A Rnilroutl.
A W ntch.
A Bridge.

2. TVrite a short account of the following operations:
E.s:A.\IT LF.. -

131. \VE arc now to rn ako practical application

o[

~}l ·we 11aYo J ~;irnetl, in tho form of Compositions,

1 bomcs,

~1d .

l'...ssays.

·

. NOTE._-.:.. ~n this. book .the terr:1 Composition will be npplied to
s1myle exerc1s~s wntten from outlmcs. A Theme is an exercise in
. wlucl~ the subJcct is t~·eatcd.nccor~ing ton set of Heads methodicnlly
nrmn<>cd. An Essay rn a cl1scuss1ou of a subject ou o. plan not so
fornw.l ns that of o. Theme.

Section I. - Compositions.
DESCRIPTIVE CQMPOSITION.

!'

"I .. .1,i:ritc r~ short a~co;mt of th.c jollowing objects,
dcsc1 ilnng thclr constrnctwn, ?1uttcrwls, form, and 7.tse:
Ex,url.'LE. - The Gun. · ·

T_he gnn consists of a stock lock and barrel 'The 1 · • 1 ·
a lo 1rr t b
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• '. :d_ }1 u m~c c o wrought iron, which is formed into the req ~m~c s .rnpc either ~.Y being bCHtcn upon another piece of iron
01 · b~ . b cmg bored w1 lh a sharp steel instrument
Its u se is to
rcceivd tf c. charge, whi ch consists of gunpowder ;ncl shot fir~ily
pressc t own ~o the CllCl by means of a rod called the rnmrocl.
i~he lock c<;>11s1sts of the spring, the trigger or handle for mov~
Cl~ ~lJe sprrng, the dog-b erHl, !lllU the nipple for fix.inrr the pcr)l ~SlOll-CHp. By m e.nus of this contrivance, a quick blow is
gn en to ~he pcrcnss1on-cap, upon .the drawinrr
of th
·
0
A strk 1 ~ thus prodnc1xl, which sets fire to thc gu~1 ;~~!~~;
~hu :hll~( m \he barrel. An explosion follows mHl carries off
e s o or ot ier contcnls of th e gun. 'The stock is generally

1

Lithography,

is

Lit11rwrap11y
the rtrt of takin~ irnprcs:::i0ns from stone.
Th e
stc1i in the llroc c:=;c; is t o "·~·ite witlt li tlW_'.;Iil]'liic ink,
~111 prcprtrccl i1rtpcr, a copy of'' hrtt i ~ t._1 b e printed .. 'l'!1c st l11ie
lS th en h eateu at a fire, !lJl(l th e con· l :S np11li (·1l to Jt lll on.l<.:r
to be transferred. After remaining for rnme time, tl1c p;iper i:0
gently washed off, when the wTiting is found to l){) i mpresscd
on the stone, which has the property of absor1ing the lithographic ink. -The stone is now laid upon a press, nnd its surface bcinc7 dampetl with a cloth, the printing-ink is applied by
means of' a roller. The ink, being oily, adheres t o the impression, but is repelled by the other parts of the stone, wl1i ch
are defended . by th e water. Paper is then phcetl upon th e
stone, and the whole is lXtsseLl through the press, when the irn·
pression is printed.

first

Ex.EncrsEs.
Sowing.
Plowing:
neaping.

H ay-making.
Thrashing.
Plumbing . ..

Brewing.
Ha king.
Printi.ng.

Book-bimling.
Engr<n-i.ng.
Dy eing.

3. JV9··ite a short account of the process of making
the following substances:
E.s:.urrLE. - Gunpowder.

Gunpowder is comrosed of nitre, or saltpetre, char~oetl, allll
sn!phur. These arc ~rst . rcdrn~ed to fl fine P?wd cr, a:1tl .t~ 1.~1'.
mixed. The proportion ~Jl wlnc~ they arn un:tecl m:-i) ;lifl c1.,
but good gunpowder collSlsts of 1 G )Huts of rntre, 15 01 ~ha1conl and 9 of sulphur. After l1Crng th oroughly combrned,
· tbci arc formed into a thi ck paste with wat er. Tb is. is al ~ o~re<l
to Llry, , \•h en it hi passed through a kind of sic\"(\ wl uch dm~les
it into grains. Tho gmi n.s nre m~do coarse or fm c, ncco1\i111g
to tho size of the holes rn the sieve.
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COMPOSITIONS.

SCHOOL COMPOSITION.

t·'
EXERCISES.

Flour.
Butter.
Cheese.

Paper.
Ink.
Gas.

Salt.
Soap.
Glass.

· Scaling-wax.
En.rthen ware.
Gluc.

·4. 1Vritc a short account of tlw work and 1naterials
of tlw following tradc.smcn:
Ex,rnrLE. -

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The Cooper.

The cooper is i1rincipally employed in making barrels for
the presernttion of various substances. These barrel;; differ
greatly in size, from the huge vat, required by the distiller and
brewer, to the small cask used by the merchant. Besides these,
he manufactures tubs, pails, and other vessels of domestic
utility. The best kinds of wood for cooperage m·e oak, beech,
nnd fir. For the purtoses of the cooper, these nre cut into
Jon~, flat pieces, cnllct staves, n few inches broad, and about
half an inch thick. _ In making barrels, the staves arc cut a
certain length, and tapered a little toward each end. They nre
also formed with"n slight curve, whi ch produces the swcllin<'.1
in the centre peculiar to barrels. The bottom of the barrel
consists either of one piece of wood, or of several joined together. The staves b eing arrnnf7ed round it, they are kept in
their places by iron hoops. The cooper then forces on the
hoops, and, after placin? m the head, continucg to drive them
t?wartl the centre until the vessel is r endered perfectly watertight. The adze, the plane, and a peculiar kind of knife,
called n drawing-knife, are the principal instruments used by
the cooper.
EXERCIS ES .

Tho
The
The
The
The
The

blacksmith.
book-binder.
boiler-maker.
turner.
painter.
plumber.

~ '

The basket-maker.
The trunk-maker.
The wheelwright.
The ro12e-spiuner.
The sh1p-mrpenter.
The glass-blower.

1Vrite slw'rt compositions on the f ollozlling snbjccts :
MODEL. - Plants nnd Animals.

Life _is common to ~oth animals nnd plnnts ; nnd in the
possession of that attnbuto they are both d istinguished from
things inanimate.

125

Plants as well as animals, reqUire food to maintain them in
existenc;, and, like them, are furnished ~ith vessels to ~onny
nourishment to the different parts of their system ; the ctrcnlation of the sap in the one, an~ t?nt of the ~lood in the other,
presenting one of the most stnkmg analogies between them.
They breathe by means of the leaves, which thus perfon.n th e
functions of lungR, and they also nbsorb and exhale mornturc
abundantly.
.
. .
.
In many other r espects plants exlnlnt a close ~csemb1 ance to
animals. They are benumbed by .~old and .revived .by beat;
· frost or poison dcpri,·cs them of htc ; and, m ad.nptrng .themselves to the situation in \\'hich th ey nre placed, m .closrng or
shifting their le..'l.Y~S on synq~l?ms of (1a.11 ge~·, .~IH~ _rn :·rrno'.1s
other ways, th ey display qu fl.lihcs that nre \ e1y like \\hat m
animals we call instinct.
Finally, in its development, n plan~ pnsses through successive stages of existence, just ns nn ammal g.oes through a. progress from birth to death. Both are nt first comparatIY?lY
feeble. Both ncq1iire, us they adynnce, .greate.r power.of net.ion
or r esistance. Both must, i:fter n c~rtam pcnod o~ tune, ~,mk
under the same decay of thcIT faculties, nncl go buck to be r esolved into the elements."
1. A BEE-HIVE AND A SocrAL Co:inrn~ITY :

Congregation into distinct i;o~ietics ~0?1mon to bot!1 various classes in a commnmty - chflercnt or<le1'8 111 n.
bee-hive - the bee-hive and n m?nur~~Y. - bod y-guard
of the queen-bee - r esemblance m d1v1s1on of 1aborco-operntion of all toward the common benefit - the
hive - a city in miniature - streets - palnce;i - ?torchouses - provident industry of th e bee - urn o? m r epelling invasi~n-: likcnesa between the swnrmmg of n
hive and colornzatJon.
2. FRIENDSHIP :
N 0 voice so welcome ns that of friendshiJ,1- it. rej.oicc.s i.1 ~
1)rospe.rity - speaks words of comfort m a<l.\ ers1ty- J:s
foll of sympathy and love - it cbeCl'il the mourner gladdens the wretched-lighte~rn the l oad of the careworn breast - entreats an ernng brother to repe.ut
the sentiment of friern1ship exC1".iscs a bcnefic~1 t
enco on the human character by ex.pal:t~ing t 0 . n e~­
tions - its t endency to promote nnuabihty of d1~~~s1t ion - fri endship in its true sense must first, ho\\
be founded on virtue and wdl-gronndcd cs~em e

nwu-

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friendship of the go~ seldoin di?tmbe~ · by conflict of
interests - the transition from fnendsh1p to the more
expansive sentiment of philanthropy, natural and easy.
3. T1rn BENEFITS OF Co:miEnCE :

Affords employment to large numbers-increases wealth
and prosperity- cnlls forth energy, enterprise, activity
- creates a demand for education - leads to rural ancl
social elevation - binds men together by promoting
common interests - binds nations together, and thus
promotca peace - importance of commerce in our own
country- the two most commen:i,t l nalions of Europe
- contrast modern commercial nations with nncient
nations based on military power - the more likely to
be the more enduring.
REFLECTIVE C01fPOSITION.
Outlines.
CIVILIZATION AND TI..urnAnIS~I :

CiYilization .and barbarism defined- difference in intell ectual position between the civilized mah aml the barbarian - enjoyments of the barbarian chiefly sensualcontrast with the pleasures to be derived from the cultivation of the mind - the physical comforts of man keep
pace with his ndvance in civilization-wretched condition of the barbarian with respect. to the comforts Qf life
-illustrations - Hot ten tot- Bushmen -indolence of
t he ~:wage - content with the gratification of bis imrnedrnte wants - energy of the civilized mind in making provision for the future - barbarism unfavorable to
lnunanity- disregard of life evinced by uncivilized nations - exemplify- immolation of children by Hindoos
- destruction of deformed infru1ts by negrocs - of th eir
ngecl parents by certain tribes - ' contrast with the philanthropic institutions of civilized life.
l~DUST RY AND IDLENESS :

Ind us try a l~1can s of prosperity- il11eness predicts mis!ortune ~ mdustry a preservative.from evil hn~i ts-: th o
1cll? peculiarly expose.d to tcmptat10u - beneficial effects
of mclustry t~pon .the mtollec h~al character- prejudicial
ancl enervatmg rnfiu cncc of idleness - tho two chn.r-

127

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ncters ns cori.trnsted by Solomon - industry ancl idleness viewed as national characteristics - their effects illustration - Holland- Spain.
SELFISHNESS AND BENEVOLENCE :

Selfishness essentially mean ~nd degrading - the character
consequently rcpulsfre-the aims of benevolence noble
- the character therefore nttractivc - the colcl uncl suspicions nature of selfishness- the "\Yarrnth and inr•en uousncss of _uc11cvolencc - sclfishne-~s apt to hcDcome
unprincipled- such a feature incompatible with bc11cyolc11 ce - th e sclfi~l1 man kt.s no true frirnd- the
bc11cYok11t ma11 universally licln.-.::d - sclfislrn cc_s fn:quently defeated in its encl - couscqucnt bittcrnc~s a11<l
humiliation - the exercise of benevolence always accompanied by gratification and self-approval- illnstrntions.
Additional Subjects.

1. Why Education shoultl be
compulsory.
2. The Choice of Companions.
3. Advantages of Travel.
4. Uses of Hecreation.
5. Cleanliness.
6. Importance of Early Trnin· ing.
7. Power of Trifles.
8. How has Slavery been justifi ed Y
9. Charnctcr of ·washing ton.
10. Character of P1-(.s't Jackson.
il. 'l'ho American Government.

12._ AJvantagcs resulting from our
Ignorance of the Future.
13. That the Pb.nets are i11habitctl.
14. Th at th e Pb.nets arc not inh abited.
15. Proofs of the Earth's Motion
round the Sun.
16. ProofsoftheEnrth's Hotation.
17. The Durning of Chi mgo.
18 •. Influence of Physical ·wcliL-Oing on Moral.
19. Temptations of Pon rty.
20. - The lnflucnce of Art.

Section 11.-Tllcrnes.
FIRST METHOD.

I. I NTTIODUCTION : l\fako o. few prolimiuary remarks
applicable to tho subject.
II. DEFINITION: State the subj ect distinctly, and,
if necessary, explain it by n. formal definition, n. parnphmso, or n description.

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SCHOOL COMPOSITION.

III. ORIGIN: Explain the origin of the : subject,
or state the principles upon which its origin may be
accounted for.
IV. PROGRESS: Gi,;e an account of the development of the subject from its origin to the present
time.
V. PRESENT CONDITION: Describe tho subject as it
is now in operation.
VI. EFFECTS: Show the influence of the subject
upon society, and the relation in which it ·stands to
kindred subjects.
VII. CONCLUSION : Conclude with such remarks,
or reflections, apposite to the subject, as could not
have been conveniently introduced under any of the
previous heads.
·
1. THE ART OF PRINTING :
!NTRODUCTIO}I". - Necessity for diffusion of knowledge m eans for this encl in ancient times - their inefficiency
- our great means.
DEFINITION. - Printing-what it is.
Onrnrn. - First attempts in the art - their deficiency the inventor of modern printing- story of Faust aml
Gutenberg- first printed book.
.
PROGRESS. - Its introcluction into England - into America - application of steam to printing.
PRESENT CONDITION. - Extent to which printing is now
npplied.
EFFECTS. - Effects of this invention on the condition of
the world o.s r egards knowledge, and the moral improvement of men. ·
CONCLUSION. - God snhl, "Let there be light, and there
was light " - so printing diffuses, etc.
2. AGRICULTURE : *

The various sources of subsistence which Goel has put in
ma.n's power - ngriculturc - what is mcnnt by i t - i ts

* Tho pupil should bo required to arrange the i1oints unuer tho
vnrious Bends ns set forth in tho }?rnsr METHOD.

129

nntiquity- Scripture proof - how it has been estimated
by various nations - i ts progress not so rapid M that of
some other arts-war its special enemy-its present
advanced position - effects on tho condition of man
shown by considering his state without it - its connection with civilization - real dignity anu iudcpencle11ce
of the farmer's life.
·
·
3. N EWSP.A.PERS :
One of the many atlvantnges of print in~ - newspapers us
n branch of the periodical press - date, country, and
circumstances of their origin - feeling that gave th em
birth~ what contributed to their spread-introduction
into the United States - their present universalityprocess of printing newspapers - illustrate by a newspaper in your town - their effects- contributions to
freedom, justice, humanity, the promotion of general
intelligence - influence on literary tnste ~p oss ible
abuse of their influence - aclvantnges derived from
r eading newspapers - different position of the ancients
and moderns m this re.;;pect - duty of a modern citi zen
with regan.l to them.
'
4. TELESCOPE :
Feebleness of our senses compru-cd with the extent of the
universe around u s - value of nny invention that extends their range - th e t el escope - what it is - how it
acts - its different parts - author of the invCJ1tion d efects of the first telescope - en uses - by what successive improvements removed - authors of th ese improvements - the two most famo us t el escopes - the
one of the las t century - whnt it achieved - the other
- difficulties of its construction - its nchi ernmen ts u ses of the telescope for astronomical nucl nautic.al purposes - illustrate both - general extension of our
knowl edge of tho system of tho UlliYerse - enlargeJ.
idcns of the Creator.
5. ARCHITECTURE :
What it is-its orirrin- its emly stnte - di\·ersity of 1'.atioual taste in nr~tecturc - intluenct~ th ut nctet.l on its
development- variou s kinds of cl well i11gs in primjtirn
times - mention of th eJu in Sc.ripture - character of
the nntfous by wh om ench wits used - th e two elements

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SCHOOL COMPOSITION.

130

in nll architecture - bow both arc necessary to its advancement- the nations of antiquity eminent for architecture - the most celebrated orders of architecture illustrate by the most splendid r emains and imitations
- modern styles - then· characteristics and best examples -necessity of architecture to civilized society how it has contributed to its. physical and ·moral improvement_;_ illustrate by considering the condition of
man without it.
6.

s:

TRAVELING:

N~turally

suggests itself to civilized man as a means of
- estimation in which it has always been
heM - earliest tro.velers, as Solon, Pythiworas, Herodot:1s - fo~ w.hat th?.Y prepared themselves by it - necessity of it . m theu ci..rcninstances - general objects of
travel - d tscovery- kuowle<lrre in all its departments
- cultivation of the mind ancl formation of the character - illustrate the exter\t of its benefits in all theso respects- the preparations rcqnisito for traveling to advantage:
improve~nei~t

131

Musrn:
1\-Ieaning of the term, nnd the considerations invol>ed in it
- its. first · development in melody- what arc the two
constituents of this - show that they are implanted in
our .nature, and manifest themselves spontaneouslymusic, then, ns the expression of feelincr0 has its foundation in the constitution of our nature- ~vhat is harmo11y
- h~longs to. an advance~ sta9e of musical cultivation
- ~iiferent kinds ?f music - its antiquity naturally to
be inferred - earliest record of it - chief musical nations of antiquity- Hebrew music - Greek · music with what intimately connected - ext~t of our knowledge of ancient music - early use of music.

COMMERCE :

The meaning of the term and the considerations involved
in it - its oi:igin in the mutual dependence of the nations of the world for the supply of their various wants
- its consequent anti<J uity - earliest instances recorded
- principal commercial states of antiquity mentioned
in sacred and profane history - extent to which ancient
commerce was carried on - illustrate - what c..'l.use se t
limits to it - state the circumstances that made Eu.rope
the centre of the worlcl's commerce - the causes that
secured · its permanence as such - chief commercial
states at the present time -from its origin we may infer its uni\•ersality- no country that may not beneficially engage in it- effects of commerc·e - extent of its
contributions to the necessities and comforts of riumkind - it is the elm.in that bimls savarre ancl civilized
countries t ogether, overcoming whatcve~ obstacles may
sep.arate them - its consequent influence on civilization
-:-- its ad vantages illustrated by considering .the condition, physical and moral, of any country without it conclusion : everything tenclinrr0 to promote commerce
may b e coirni<lered n. blcssincr0 to ihe world- war generally its greatest enemy.

7.

THE.MES.

9.

GOVERNMENT : .

/
/

.

·what is meant by government-its olJjects-its necc.ssity
to mankind- its <l.i vine sanction - the found ati on and
characteristics of good government ns opposed to mere
force - universality of government tmder different asrects - its antiquity- earliest form - various fonns
prevailing at present, with their cha1'acteristics - examples - the aclvant.<lges of our own form of government
-influence of government on civilization-on the happiness nncl uclvn.ncement of mankind, rncia1, mental, and
moral- the condition of th ose countri es " ·here it is
imperfectly developed - the duty of citizens ''ith regard to it.
SECOND METHOD.

I. INTTIODUCTION: l\1akc a fow preliminary remarks
applicable to the subject.
II. DEFINITION: State the object distinctly, and, if
necessary, explain it by a formal definition or n description.
III. NATunE: GiYe such nn account of tho suoject
as may serve to determine its charack~r.
IV. OrEIUTION AND EFFECTS: How tho subject is
Illanifostcd, a.ncl in whnt manner it n.flects tl10 imlividnul or society.
V. EXAMPLES: Adduce examples in illustration of
the subject.

132

[.·

SCHOOL COMPOSITION.

THEMES.

VI: APPLICATION : Show what our duty is with
reference to the subject, and how we may profit by
an examination of it.

operation, both on the subject of it, ns involving the exertion and expansion of his faculties, nnd as raising him
to a higher sphere of influence and happiness - and on
mankind as experiencing the happy results of nil thfacxtent of its benefits from the universality of its operation - every mnn in every occupation "·ho has raised
himself to eminence an example of .i_t - ambition in its
bud sense - its characteristics ; for example, its exclusiveness and consequent inhumanity ..:....its unscrupulousness, in&'l.tiablencss - show how these necessarily spring
out of it- its effects - makes the subject of it the unhappy prey of ' conten~1ing passior:s, nn.d witbclraws him
from the true encl of bis bemg - its eftects on the world
- endless misery, mental, moral, and physical - examples from civil nnd ecclesiastical history - Cwsar, Al exander, Pynhus, Sextns V., \Volsey, Henry VIII. - the
hollowness of its attainments often reluctantly tcstiftcJ
to by conscience - anecdotes of N apolcou ___:_ practical
inferences from the foregoing.

1. FRIE:N'DSIIIP:

Instinctive aversion of our nnture to solitude and its associations - the mere presence of our fellow-men gives
cheerfulness - how much more friendBhip - whn.t is
true friendship, and what is included in it - acquaintance not friendship - distinguish it from its counterfeits - it~ characteristics - it is rare, like everything
of true value - it is limited in its objects, i.e. we cannot ha\re a great many true friends - it is unselfish its effects - it largely contributes to the happiness of
the world by the symJ?athy and ~id which it offers reference to this in Scnpture - it purifies and elevates
the nature of him who cherishes it - ardor which may
pervade it - example from history : David and Jonathan, Damon and Pythias, Achilles and Patroclus,
Douglas and Randolph, Wallace and Graham - application - 'advantage of cultivating it ·- necessity of caution in selecting friends, from its great influence on our
character 1md prospects - constancy in friendBhip when
once entered into.

Ii
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!
f

f

4. AVARICE:

Like many other vices, nri~es .fron: the alm sc of. a ~lght
principle - ~vl:at th~t principle is - wb~t ava:1 ce is its charactenshcs - its effects on th e subj ect himself how it tyriurni zes over nnd degrades hi s spb:it, con~ra­
dicti.n(1 the nobler fcelin\!S
of nature, such as generosity,
0
. charity, and staLJ:s h_is character :vith other feelin g;;
equally hateful with itself, ~uch as Jealousy, hnt:OO, deceit - the moral and physical comfort of which tl:c
avaricious man deprives himself, an.cl th e dange'." he IS
exposed to - its effects on hi s fnn:1ly.- on society, as
he contributes nothi.n(1 to promote its mt erest - examples - dissuasivcs frog1 this P.assion - n picture .of th e
nvaricious m an suffici ent to disgust us - the ol1Ject of
it fl eetin(1 and contemptibl e compar ed with the true e;1d
of man's Ufe - dictates of Nature, and prcce:r:ts of Scripture - our du ty then t o u se our means aright, nml to
contribute by tl{c.m t~ t~ c pro1:1otion of l.rnman h~ppi­
n css so far as the rnnuediatc clfilillS of foll11ly nnd fneIHls
'
allow.

2. Amrnn.:

What anger is - not in itself to be condemned - the testimony of Scripture - occasions for virtuous anger ad.vantage and duty of manifesting it - quite consistent
with the character of meekness - Moses -unjustifiable
anger - what constitutes it - its intolerant nature its weakness - its effects - tendency to dissolve tho
bonds of friendship- misery of all exposed to it - consequences often irreparable - its vicious influence on
the mind and body of him who indulges it - examples
- application - our duty to guard against this passion
- its beginnings specially dangcrons.
3.

AMDITION :

So.me of the passions commo1~ly condemned nre implanted
m mnn for goocl cuds - mention instances, nnd show
their propriety - nmbition one of these - not necessarily bacl - define it in it.s good sense - tho end it seeks
to nttain - the means it will employ -its beneficial

\

133

5.

E~YY:

·what it is - its tend ency-- i ts foun dation, sclfislm l'&l its components, hnlhxl and grief - }i fllrcd of.nn oth~r for
wbnt he h as, grief for our wimt or it - h ow it marnfcsts

134

SCHOOL COMPOSITION.
·' itself in slander and outward opposition to its objectits characteristics - malicious, as having no apparent
motive and ns convertina goodness itself into a source
· of evil'- weak n.s it can~ot gain that good for its sub. ject which mig~t. be obtained. ~y ?ther .m~ns-: unrelenting, ns admitting no rec.onc1hat10n with its objec.tungencrous, ns directed without. scrupl~ even agarnst
friends and those who have . a JUSt claim to the good
wi sh es of its snhject - what qnali~i es most expos~ a
man to it - prcv11lence in ewry 8lat101.1~110 yrotcct.1011
n:;,1inst its thrts - its effo~t on the Rpmt o_f i ts snhJ_cct
- its inflncn ct: 011 fricn tUnp nnd nll the ti c.~ that. lmHl
m en torrcthcr - actual c\·il which it has prorhicc <l, as
f'liown in history - exemplify by the case of Sanl nntl
D;tYiLl - pmclic:tl i11fcre11ccs.

1t

i

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G.

Co:\TE:\n1 E~T :

THIRD l\IETIIOD.

I."'j.
!'
[;

..
I:

I. Tim PROPOSITION 011 STATEMENT: Show tho
meaning of the subject, by nmplification, paraplmlso,
or oxplrmation.
II. THE REASON OJt PnooF : Provo the truLh of
the proposition : by some reason or argument.
_ III. THE CoNFI!lMATION: Show tho unrc2sonflblencss of tho contrary opinion, or all van co some other
reason in supporL of tho former.

135

. IV. Tin~ ANALOGY OR Sr~IILE : Illustrate the truth
of what is affirmed by introducing some cornparison.
V.

Bring instances from history to
corroborate the truth of your affirmation, or tho soundness of your reasoning.
THE EXAMPLE :

VI. THE TESTIMONY : _Introduce proverbial sentences or passrrge3 from good autbor3, to sbr_nr tlw.t
others think rrs you clo.
VII. Tm: Co:\CLUSIOX: Sum 11p the 1d 1()1e, <lml
Bhow the practical use of the sulijcct liy some appropriate oLscrnttions.
1.

There is much that we cannot possess in the ·world - folly
of sti-ivinrr after such things - the essentials of happin ess gene~'llly easy of acquisition - what does contentm ent imply - it springs not from outward sources - a
man may change his condition often without findin g it
- it is contained in the mind it.self - not to be confounded w!th indifference to external things - not antagonistic to honorable exertion - happiness which a
contented spirit carries within itself, and impartS to
those with whom it comes in contact - example Curius Dentatus, Cincinnatus, 'Vashington - advantage
of cultivatfog such a spirit as the contented man has-:whnt the ambitions, with entlless labor ancl risk, are
only seeking to obt<1in, namely, the attainment of their
wishes.

I

THEMES.

PETISEYEIL\::\CB OYEH CO)!ES ALL DHTICCLTIES :

Proposition-reason-it is in_ th~ n ature of things ~bat a
spirit such as pers~yerance md1c..'l.t~s should at tam the
end for which it stnves - conflrmat10n - most of whnt
is great in the world, ;whether the production of the
m ind or of the bmicl, is the result of pen::cwrance illustrate yariously- analogy- dropping wat er hollo11:s
out the stone in course of time -perseverance exemplified throucrhout creation - the spider, beanr, and other
animals__..'.:'. most men of eminence - examples - Hobert
Bruce - Columbus - testimony or qu otation - lPs.;;ons
drawn from th e proposi tion-:-: cnco uragcme~1t nffonlctl
by a knowl cllgc of the way to .rnsnrc sn c~css m our p1~r­
suits - fate of the character mfcctcd with an opposite
habit.
2. DELAYS ARE DA~crmo'Cs :

Proposition - reasons - prob:1ble n?n-nttn_inmcnt of th o
encl t1 elayccl - th e nncertmnty of our ln'L':3 - l'lW~ta1'.t
change i1~ th e po:>ition of nlfair:;. - othern will iwt ':·<lit
-for us - C\'L~ n if the en<l be nttamcd, mnch loss uf tim~
anrl mmoynuce arc cntnilccl, both on the subject hi1!1,;elt
and on others - illustrations - the stories of ~~ r.Jua~, ,a
marrislrnte of Thebes, and of M1uk Antony-} mnl lm s
atl \~ cu -prndic~ii i i1fcrcnccs -- nthni1t;1t;c of t~vi nc; e Ye~-y­
thiw• i.n it.s ln't1pcr tirne - our cluty to prndtcc nntl lllculc;?tu rci:;n nritY, if ,1·c \\·uuhl prL':'l'l'\'l' our own Cl•lllfort OJ' l\'ipt.'d [tli'ifity.

...

136

3. HONESTY IS THE DEST POLICY :

'

I

The meaning of the proverb - 'vhat it does not mean reasons supportinN the proposition -honesty procures
· the esteem and c~nfidence of others, which is· a great
means of ndvnncement -the probability of dishonesty
being discoYered, though it benefit at the instant - conseq uenccs of this discovery - danger. of one dishone.st
act succcedinN another, thereby rendermg the utter rum
of one's cha~ctcr, and its consequences not improbable
- the feelings engendered by clishonesty - the ili_shoncst man, having wronged others, has many enemies to.
fear - most honest men can furnish from their own
lives instances of the truth of the proposition -history
records many, ns the story of Washington, of Earl Fitzwilliam and the farmer - testimony or q notation - our
duty to practice h?nest~ and to fr1 culcate it as evinced
hy the above cons1dernt10ns - why we should carefully
r efrain from speaking lightly of it.

-

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4.
I

' -

ESSAYS.

SCIIOOL · COMPOSITION.

PUNCTUALITY rnocunES CONFIDENCE:

The pro:position - how 1mnctnality procures confidence qualities it indicates in its subject, as resolution, :perseverance, promptness in action-Nature seems to inculcate this habit on us - it is regular in all its operations,
so that we place implicit confidence i11 their performance - most of those whose talents have raised them to
eminence illustrate the truth of the proposition - exemplified also in every-day life -testimony or quotation - what the above considerations should teach uR,
both with reference to ourselves and others-danger of
allowin9 trifling excuses to induce a violation · ·o f the
habit 01 punctuality.

· cumstances it onJy shines the more - may be compared
to n fragrant flower when crushed, or to beauty amidst
suffering or in tears, which appears to us with additional
charms - everjr . virtuous man feels the truth of our
proposition, and is an instance of its trnth - histo_!l
furnishes abundance of examples - Aristides, Phocion,
Fabricius, Sir Philip Sidney- mankind spontaneously
testify to the excellence of virtue--; this testimony. umversal-quotation-:-- what the proposition teaches us virtue the highest ornament of character - what hopes
its connection with happiness authorizes the virtuous
man to cherish as to a futmc state - the grounds of
this expectation.
1\Ilsccllaneous Subjects for Themes.

1. The l\Iicrescopc.
2. Tho Art of Writing.
3. Emulation.
4. Poetry.
!5. Sculpture.
6. Custom is second Nature.
7. N over too late to Learn.
8. Tho Cotton 1Ianufocturo.
9. The Silk Manufacture.
10. Geography.
11. Painting.
12. Benevolence.
13. Affectation.
14. Knowledge is Powrr.
15. Necessity is the Mother of
Invention.

17. Hope.
18. _Astronomy.
19. :Mechanics' Inst i tn lions.
20. Charity.
21. Frugality is n great Rennue.
22. Evil Communications corrupt
good :Manucrs.
23. Acrostation.
24. ·well begun is half done.
25. Politeness.
26. Independ ence.
27. Se1f-clenia1.
28. Self-esteem.
29. Rxample is better than Pre·
cc pt.
30. Deserve Success, ::mu you will

command it.

16. Piety . . .

Section III. - Essays.

5. VIRTUE IS ITS OWN llEW ARD :

What virtue is - its tendency to procure worldly prosperity - such a. reward is not without value in the eyes of
the vi1tuous man - yet virtue must be pursued for its
own sake -whether its legitimate tendency be realized
or not, it is of the essence of virtue to reward him who
practices it - the nature and excellence of this reward
- reason of this to be sought in our moral nature vast influence for good of this appointment, us virtue is
often unrewarded, sometimes persecuted, in this world
- sufllciency of virtue's own reward - singularity cannot shame it, oppression cannot crush it- in such cir-

137

1Vrite

ESSAYS

from the following outl ines :

1. o~ CnuELTY TO AKDI.ALS:

a. Tho obligations of mun to tho lower animals - the ingratitude of multrenting his benefactors.
b. The goodnesB of Go<l in providing t l1 esc Mimuls fo r our
use, nnd in g iving mun" dominion owr them" - th~
injustice or innnomlity of n1m sing 0 0<.l's 1_::ift .~ nm1 ol
Y~olnting the tn:st wh icl: th at" cl omini or\ " unp1 ic'3.
c. 'lhe duty of cmmg for tlJe helples..s. of b.: rn f! krnd to the

138

ESSAYS.

SCHOOL COMPOSITION.

· du~b- the , cowardice of taking ~vantage of their
, helplessness and inability' to plead their own cau~e.
d. The hardening effect upon the hca.rt and affect~ons o~
systematic ill-treatment of d~mh ammals - the mtclhgence that can be developed m th~m - the ple..~t\re derivable from their companionslnp - the fid~hty an.d
love with which they arc capable of rewardmg their
benefactors.
2. .A TASTE Fon READING:
a. Variety of work requires variety of recreation - contrast the cases of mental and of manual lab?r - one re.·
source always available is the .taste for r~mlmg.
b. Eminently a rational recreat10n - ftm~1shes the n:mcl
with snbstant.ial ideas and eloquent mrnges - dnves
away listlessness - exclmlcs temptation - lightens
labor. ·
.
c. Reading not only .gives o_ccupat.ion, bnt mt:oduccs a
man into the choicest fnendslnps - the wisest, the
best, and ·the worthiest of all time.: this society is en11011 ing.
·
.
.
.
d. All may find in reading somethmg to smt their taste instrnction, incident, adventure, scenes from nature aml
from human life - to increase the store of knowledge,
stimulate ima<Tination,
purify the sentiments.
0
e. A source of h appiness to others as well as to one's self
- prompts 11.nd enriches conversation.
..
J. "\Vhat a great French writer (Montesquieu) has ~mcl,
" He had never known 11.ny cares that were not lightened by an hotu"s r eading" - experience of all who
have the taste.
3. '1'1rn Goon AND TIIE E\'IL OP \VAn:

a. The good : calls forth noble sentiments, courage, manliness - rouses 11. nation from lethargy- counteracts
the effeminacy, luxmy, weakness, indolence, which a
l ong peace engen<lcrs - fre<J.uently 11.vcngca tyranny,
murder, and banishes barbarism.
.
b. The evil: excites angry pn.ssions, sncrlfi ces hum an life,
destroys property, devastates nature, entails nutionul,
social, 11.nd domestic misery. .
c. Summincr up: i)robn.bly inust be acknowledged as an
evil; bnt° thns for a 11ccessary evil, antl with many attendant benefit s - hope that the world's disputes may
hereafter be settled without the sword.

139

4. RAIN .....:... ITS USES :
~ith which w~ arc apt to regard a rainy tlay
- disappomtment nnd initation from interruption of
pleD.surc. · ·
·
· b. C?nsi~er to wha~ drought l eads when long continuedeftects on vegetation - on cattle -illustration of these
points - effects on man's comfort thereby.
c. But now rain comes - changed aspect of the fields cattle llllcl man relieved - the air freshened - the walk
enliv.ened - in short, languishing nati.ue r evived.
cl. Agamst so palpable good we must not place what is at
best to ~1s a l\ttle disuppointment _:__with patience in
hope of mcreased plc~ure another <lay--,- the rainy day
not 11.lways, as common langua 0(Te would lead us to think
'
'
a bad <lay.

a. Fee:µngs

v.

ON FonEraN

TRAVEL:

a. Solitude often prouuces selfishness- men's sympathies
expand the more, the more they mix with their fell ows
- the m en of a small circle and limiteJ experience arc
narrowest aml most bigoted in their views.
b. Men who know no country but their own nrc apt to be
filled with national prejudices, to underrate other countries - travel r emoves those prejudice.;:;, ex panels th e intellect, increusCB our knowledge of men anll thillgs, shows
u s nature.~d art und er different circumstances, makes
u s l ess vrun, nnd more charitable.
6. ON TIIE ADVANTAGES OF A Goon EnucATIO::-<:

a. M~iming ot "education" in i ts limited or school sense
-its more enl arged mem1ing: the development of all
our faculties, and the formation of character.
b. Fortune may be left to us by our parents or rdati\·es ;
but education must be acquired by ourselves, or we must
l ack it forever. Fortun e may be acquired at an advanced
time of life - if education is neglected in youth, Cllmost
impossible to make it up. ·
·
c. Education to be gained by work- anecdote : when
Dionysius, the tyrant of Syracuse, wanted Art~himedes
to instruct him in geom etry by an easier method than
common, the philosopher replied, "I know of 110 royal
road to geometry."
d. It is to C{lucntion that men owe th e superiority they
have over their fcllow-cre<itlll'eB, more th&U to any ad-

7

;lf'""'i,·•~~'"¥~'"~~·~..-:

· .' ··: .·.icJ2~_r.;,:,rc:.:~:::~c:'"":l~. ~4:'~~".:F~":*~:sv:~:'.~~:f(~~·<>J.,. ~~''"~t?c,.a,,;~"'":"''<·~0;,;;;;~2,7;...,~";,,:u""'~'2.,.;,;~wz£~k2L~~~ffs:'1Ja~~..s..~'4..:~~"""''·J,;;i,..-·

c. • •

, ·

' 140

SCHOOL '. COMPOSITION.

vhnt.ages of natu re. Many persons · would have risen
high, hrid they been educated. Fine illustration from

. Gray's Elegy:

.

.

·

.

. ·

"But knowledge to their eyes he r ample p:ige,
Rich with the spoils of time did ne'er unroll:
Chill penury reprcss'd their noble rage,
And frozo the genial current of the soul.

"Full many a gem of purest ray serene,
The dark u u fot h omcLl en.Yes of ocean licar :
Tnll rnany n flower is born to hlnsh unse•·n ,
And \1·a~tc: its swcl'lncss 011 t11e desert air."

b. The proper division of time will do for the individual
who.t the division of labor does for the comrimnity.

c. Much time .is wasted in thinking what we arc to do
next ; much by not taking our duties in a proper succession (illustration), ns if a letter-carrier were to take
out his )etters in a general heap, and deliver them j ust
as the addresses turned
d: Show how organization is npp1icablc to various occupations nncl pursuits ; t o 'd aily b u;;in ess ; to t h e weekly
ronrnl of <lntie.s ; to rrmuscmcllts ; to tr:n ·cl i11;; ; to the
ns~ocia\io11s of men for all purposes, aq r1rnrd1u, inrnrnnce cornp:mics, r;1ilroat1~, pt:l>lic liLrariL::\ c·tr.

u.r. .

c.
u , l'll':bnre of ] l ci11~~ nlrme ·with 1i:1tme - in early morning
t lt e lmsll e of the day's ·work dol':O not yet cli~tract 11:-; - 01111' so much of hm;wn acti vity as to l ead t o rncclitation
in.stead of disturbing it.
•
b. Beauty of the scene on n fine summer morning - clear

ntmosphere - familiar scenes appear in a new light ··dewy fragrance of flowers and leaves-:-music of birds (name some in illustration).
c. Ample :reason for the common belief that it is good to
Le up ?etD;ies- morning air fresh and exhilarating n~ter ma ht s repose the temper is calm and unmfiled c11sposed for cheerful contemplation - n. wholesome introduction to the work of the day.
d. Such pleasure may be commended with all confidence
- its experience not attended with loss or recrret - on
the contrary, leaves no impression but such as a~e healthful and gratifying.
8. ON HISTORICAL READING :

Increases the s1~here of our knowledge;
Expands our sympathies.
Presents nobl e pictures of patriotism and cotirarre.
0
A souree of gratification and amusement.
e. Enables us to draw Iesson.s from the past applicable to
the present.
··
.
·
f. Gives .us n1odels for J)ersonal imitation, and leads to the
format10~ of sound views of life and conduct.

a.
b.
c.
d.

u.

o~ METHOD

rn

DAILY

141

ESSAYS.

L1FE:

a. Enables us to do mote work, und better work in less
time. ·

.

.

Th e~ grc:iter comfort nrnl l1:q1p incs:; nri.-:in~~ fru:n tLin;;
'\':(lrk rnc:tLotlil'::.lly, tlwnrn;;hly, ;mL11Yvll.

J'1If;-;ccllanco11s

Sr.;.1)jc~~t..:;

1. liccollcctions of E arly Childhood .
2. Advantages of Life Insurance.
3. I nfluencc of Climate on People.
4. Wisdom of God.
5. Making the best of Things.
o. God in Na tu re.
7. God in History.
8. Value of Time.
·
9. RavaO'es of 'l'ime.
10. Regufarity of N aturo.
11. Economy of Nature.
12. History.
13. Bipgrapliy.
14. Industry.
15; Pride.
16. Prejudice.
17. Importance of Geology.
18. Importance of Mathenia tics.
19. Pleasures of Memory.
20. Pleasures of Con versa ti on.
21. Colollization.
22. Flattery.
23. Remorse.
24. Economy.
25. Power of Custom,
26. Importance of Trifles.
27. Decision of Character.
28. Public Opinion.
20. A good 'l'cmpcr.
' 30. Taste.
31. Sublunity.

for Essays,

32. l'owcr of Associat ion .·
33. Love of Fame.
34. Conscience.

35.
36.
37.
38.
30.

40.
41.

42.

43.
4!.
-!5.
.fO.
47.
48.
40.

50.
51.
5»
53.

..

54.
55.
56.

57 .
58.

50.

I ntempcrance.
Revenge.
True Greatn e2s.
Truth.
Genius.
Curiosity.
Advantages of a Classical
Education.
Adrnnta~es of n. \Ycli-cultivated !ind.
Power of Application.
Evanescence of Pleas ure.
Heroism. ·
The Study of tho Bible.
The Imagination.
Sensibility.
Sources of our Country's Prosperity.
Ongin nll(l Progrl'ss of Lan guago.
Ch aracter of the I:omaus.
Greek Litemture.
Uses of Adversity.
Qu alifications of a General.
Qualificat ions of n. Historian.
Power of F ashion.
Society.
Yaluo "of Character.
Value of Common Qualities.

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142

SCHOOL COMPOSITION.

60. On the Choice of a Profession.
61. Trne Happiness.
62. E..xtravagauce.
63. Insufficiency of Genius without Learning.
64. Modesty.
6~. Morality of Christianity.
66. National Charact er.
67. 'l'he Domestic Yirturs.
68. Knowledgo of the ·world..
G\1. ]'rogres.'l of th e Fin e Arts .
70. The :Study of N:iture .
71. On T rngc~l y .
7'2. On Co11wdy.
7J. l<'rancc viewed ns a Comrn ercial Couulry.
74. The Advantages to be dc1fre<l
from a proper .Method of
Reading.
75. On the Progress of Science
within the Nineteenth Ccntury.
76. Advantages conferred Oil Socicty by Literary Men.
77. Party Spirit.
78. The Eloquence of the Ancicnts.
7D. Dangers of Railroau Monop·
oly.
80. Style.
81. Tho Adaptation of External
N atmc to the .Moral Constitution of .Man.

82. Tho Necessity of subduing
the Passions.
83. Division of Labor.
84. The Regulation of the Affections.
85. The Mythology o! the Hindoos.
86. The Literature of the Reign
of Queen Anne.
87. Female Suffrage.
88. 'l'hc Cultivation of the Mem-

so.
00.
fll.
!l2.
!)3.
!H.

95.

EXPLANATION OF TERifS.

ory.

Th e ·l'lcasmcs of .Anlicipat ion .
N;1tion:il Anrn scmc11ts.
Tlw Folly of Pretension.
AllegGrical Ins lrnct io11.
National Cos tu n'rns.
Present Condition nnd Future l'rospcct.s of Australia. ·
The Benefits conferred upon
History by Antiquarian
l~cscarchcs.

06. Mythology of the Greeks
and Homans.
97. The Superstitions of the An cient Egyptians.
!JS. The Saxon Raco and its Influences.
!l9. The Spirit of Controversy.
100. The Arctic Expeditions, and
their Influence upon Science.

r1l'legory (Orcc·k allos, other, nnrl ar1or«ucin, to f'pcak in tl 1e as-

sc mlJly ). A 11arratiw: r eprese ntin g o11jr·ch rtrnl cnnt~ tk ltn rc
i11tcmld io lJe symbol ical of other o1>jL·cts arnl cYcnt.s h:w i11g
n m oral or spiritual c11aracte r. Th e l'iluri m's l'rogrcs.~, 1y
Johu Bunynn, is a well-kn own example. In it the spiritual
life or progress of the Clrristinn is rqnw cntcd in det ail by
the story of n pilgrim on a j ourn ey to a di s t~mt c orn~ t ry, whi ch
he reaches aft er many struggl es ancl clifilcultics. Other exmnples : S~en scr's Fairy Queen, Thomson's Casile of I11 dolence, Swifts Tale of a Tub, and Travel.s of Gitllirer,

Alliteration (Latin ad, to, and Zif cm, n Jetter). The deYi cc of
beginning successive words with th e same initial letter; ns,
"Up the high hill

he heaved n huge round stone." -

roPE.

It formed · the distinctive mark of the oldest English poe try.
It is usell occasionally for effect by modern authors ; out its
frequent introduction savors of affectation.
Ambiguity' (Latin ambi9 1ws, from ambigere, to wam1er ubont

with irre8olute mind). A double meaning invohed in the
construction of a sentence ; us, "John promised his father
n ever to abandon his fri ends." It is impo::siblc to decide
1l'hose friends are meant, whether those of John or of his
father.

Analogy (Greek ana, according to, and logos, rnlio, 11roporlion).
A similarity of relalio11ship, -n?t .a d irect resemblance .of
thin!!B them scln~s, but of the rdut1ons they h old t o w mc thud
thin~ .. Thus there is an analogy between un egg and n seed.
Not that the two things arc alike ; but th ere is n similar!ty
bctwcc1.1 the relation \\:hich cm c<>g bears to th e l>:ucut lnr1l
uml t o h er future n estlinrr0 and tl1 c relation w111d1 n scc<l
bears to the old aud to thc )·ollJlg phmt, and t1iis n 'scmbl ancc
is nn analogy.

