OUTLINES
OF

COMPOSITION:
DESIGNED TO

SIMPLIFY .AND DEVELOP THE PRINCIPLES OF THE ART, BY ME.ANS
OF EXERCISES m THE PREPAitATlON OF

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FOR TIIE USE OF

SCHOOLS, COLLEGES, AND PRIVATE STUDENTS.

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BY

_,

H. l ZANDER, AND T. E. HOW ARD, A.M.

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BOSTON:
PUBLISHED BY RODEH'l' S. DA VIS & CO.
NEW YORK : D.

&

J. SADLIER, AND OAKLEY & MASON.

Pl llL A O Rf,l' HlA: .T. ll. L lPPI NCOT'l'
DALTBfOHE: KF.LI,Y & l'IET.

&

CO.

CllI CAOO: S. C. GRIGGS & CO.

S'l'. LOUlS: HENDRICKS & CHITTENDEN.

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·------·-~·---

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Entered, nccording to .Act of Congress, in the yenr 1868, by
H. JOSEPH ZANDER,

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the D'18 t · t f
Indiana.
nc 0

NEW AND VALUABLE

COURSE OF COMPOSITION.

THIS

manual is presented to the public as something

new in American school literature.
Numerous treatises have been written on the theory of
composition ; but comparatively little has been published to
illustrate the practice of the art. It is not enough to tell

Outlines. of
Com'l)osi
tfon.
.
1

the young writer h ~ w he should compose : it is necessary

Elenients of Coniposition.

to have him, as it were, see the actual process of composmg. There is not a more disheartening task than that

D es1·gnecl to simplify and develop
the Pnnc1ples of the Art, by means of Exercises in the preparation
of Essays, Debates, L ectures, ancl Otati ons. 12 mo. 203 pages. ·

plan to the OUTLINES.

I2mo.

ROBERT

s.

An introductory course ; similar in
About 300 pages.

co.,

DA VIS &

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[ht preparation. ]

PUBLISHERS, BOSTON.

·:

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Geo. C. Rand & Avery, Electrotypers and Printers, Boston.

proposed to the young, unpracticed writer, when h e is
required to think out a subj ect fol' himself, and to put his
crude, disjointed thoughts into a composition. Now here are
hints and suggestions, or direct aid, more n eeded: nowhere
are these so sparingly given. Besides acquiring the habit of
right thinking, the learner should be taught an orderl y
arrangement of his ideas, giving to ea~h division and
sub-division of any proposed topic its due consideration and
its proper position.
v.r e have therefore aimed to assist the student in these
two essential points, - the formation of correct ideas, and
their systematic arrangement.

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------ ------PRE:E'ACE.

IV

PART FrnsT, intended for beginners, contains forty-one

simple

su~j ects,

all carefully exhibited in outline, and three

of them 'fritten out in full, as examples of what the learner
must airn to accomplish.
SccoNJ>,. for more mature minds, contains niu ety11i11 c sul.ij ects of general interest, also in outline, which
present to the student a -\vide range for the exercise of his
original ity anJ ingenuity in their treatment. •
Many uf tlie general outlines, it will Le noticed, li a vc

CONTENTS.

PART

divisions, wl

, with their r espective sub-divisions, afford

a~11pl e

range for ::;i ngle compositions. Therefore, if deemed
aclvisal.ilc, certain parts tif an outline may be taken as
topics for separate and distinct treatment.
\ Vorks of like plan and scope have been long used with
great ::;uccess in G Cl'many, a country noted th e world over
for thorough cnltnre. Th is volume is now sent out Hpon .
its mission, with the hope that it may contribute, in like
mann er, large ly to elevate the standard of good writing

PART I.
PAQ E .
PAGE.

1. J~ r oom ............. .. .. ······· · · 1
2. A gar<l c n . . . ..... . . . ...... · · · · · · · 9
3. My native town . .. .. . .. . .. ....... 10
4. 'l' he tee tll . . . ... .. ......... · · · · · · . 11
5. Flo,~ers . .... ... . ... .. . . . · · · · · · · .11
6. Fruit ... . ......... ... . ··· ··· ·· · · .12
7. 'l'he goat . ...... . ........ . · · · · · · · .12
8 . A school-day .... .. .. . . . . .. . · .. · · .13
9. Th e frog .......... . ·. ···· · · ··· · · .14
10 Ilird s' nests .. . . . . . .. . • . . ... · .· · · .14
11: Tim e ........... · . .. · ······ · · ·· · .15
12. Courtesy ... .. . .. .... . .... · · · · · · . l~
13. Tbough tlesR persons .... . ...... · . li
14. Uow a stmlcnt m ay succeed in hi s
stmlies .. . .... . ....... . . · · · · .17
15. Utility of woocl .. . .... . .. ... ..... 18
16. Advantages of reading .... . ..... . 19
li. Th e month of May ........ ... .. · .19
18. Cleanlin ess . . .. ... .... . ....... · · . 20
19. Authority ............ ..... · . .... · 20
20. Utility of forests .. . .. .... .. .... .. 21

22
CompasAion ... . · · · · · · · · · · · · · · • · ·
T lw se nse of Ame ll. . .... . . · · · · · .2~
Play . . ........... .. . . · · · · · ····· · .2.
IIcaltll .. ... ... · .... · · · · · · · · .... · · 2;
2
25. Dress .... .. . ·· ···· · ·· ·· ········· · ~
2
26. Feath ers . . ... ·.· ·· · ····· ··· ··· ·· ·
26
27 . A wagon .... . · · ················ ·
28. l"tain ........... · ·. · · · · · · · · · · · · · · .27
29. The earth-worm . ···· · · · · · · · · · · · · 27

21.
22.
23.
24.

30 . Grafting fruit-tr ees . · · · · · · · · · · · • · ;~
31. Society .... . · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·
30
32. Cotton .. ... · · · ··· · ············ •· ·
33. The b enevolent man · · · · · · · · · · · · · 31
34. The grate ful p erson.· ·· · ··· · · ··· .33
.
3'1
35. Forgivene ss ... · ·· · · · · · ········ · ·· r.
3
36. The e nviou s man · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ~
37. L etters ..... · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 3
37
38. A letter .... · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·
3
39. A lette r .... ·· ······ · ··· ·· ··· · · · · · ~
3
40. A lette r . . . · · .. ·· .. ···· ·· .. ······ ·
0
41. A letter .... · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · .4

among the youth uf our country.
OcTOllErt

1, 1868.

PART II.
1. On tlJC arrangem ent of materi als
for composition ... .. .. . ..... 41
2. ·writing .... . .. .. . ... ... · · · · · · · · 42
3 Head ing .. ........ . .... .. · · . · · · · 43
4: Language .... ............ ..... · · 45
5. Good books the best companions 46
6. Th e to ngue .. . .. ......... · . . · · · · 48
7. No memories so pleasin g as those
of chilclhoocl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
8. The noblest e njoyments of youth 51
9. Life is a journey ....... . ....... . 52
10. Utility of traveling .. .. .... .. .. . . 54
11. Di ffere nt kinds and mod es of "
travel ......... . .... .. . · · . . · 06
12. Travel on foot . . .. . ... ,•.. .. .. : . · 57
13. Traveling w~th profit.· · · · · · · · · · · ~8
14. K eening a diary . .. · .. · · · ·. · • · · . o9

15. Concerning th e right of y~ung
p e rsons to judge of th eir cl·
ders ...... . · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 61
16. Hegn lations of a community ·· · · G3
17. The cclncat.ion of Sparta com·
p a rcel with ours.··· ········ 65
18. On the prop er u se of time· . .. :· 66
19 . Every one th e a r chitect of his
ow n fort un e .... · · ···· · ··· ·· 68
.
Knowledge
is the b est riches.·· · ~9
20
21. Early ri sin g ...... . . . .. . · · ·: · · ·: il
22 . Duties of th e stnrl cnt to th e rnst1·
tution in w h ich 11c h as r eceived his education · · · · · · · · 72
23 . On th e abu se of the translation ~
of th e classics.· · .... · ······ 13
24 . On the prope r use of vacation . . 75

CONTENTS.

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25. Utility of tl1 c stutly of natural
lii s tory . ...... . . . . .......... i7
20. Suff<'r 11 0 pa r t o f lif'c t o r emain
1111i111proH<I ...... . ....... .. 78
2i. "'':111!, <l t'\T lo p s Rlrcngth ... . .. ... 80
28 . 011 th o .f">rc c of gout! 0:rnmple . . . 82
2'). Th e lif't· o f th t• warrior...... . .
83
3U. Vocation, or co 11 Ridl'rntio11' 1\'l ti ch
s h u 11l cl intln t·11cc a y o u ng
111a11 in th e l'l1oicc of his occ 11p :t\it> 11 for life .. . ... . ..... 85
31. Th e Rafe,t '""Y to 1.Jc·co me
w ealth y . .. ...... . ..... . ... . Si
32. Valu e a11<l tl:111 g(' r of riches .... . S!J
33. A11 al'co111pli s h ed ge 11tlcma11 . . . . \l2
34. !>Iotksty ...... . .. . . . ..... . ...... 94
35. J nkli<'etual pleas m es .. .. .. . .• . . \lfJ
3u. lmp o lilcne.,s . . ........ ... ....... \Ji
37. <James an cl pl:ly s ............... \l\)
:>8. Comage a11cl fort itude . ...... . •. 100
39. On th e rights of man oycr a 11im:1l s . .. . ..... . .. . ........ .)02
40. Frugality ailll arnr icc ..... .. . , • . 103
41. The us e o f :.irdc11t R.pi ri ts . . ...... 105
42. S leep . . ... . ....... . ......... . ... 107
43. S it' <'P; nu ot lH'r Yi C\\' . ........... 108
44 . Th e human co u11lc nance ........ lO!J
43 . J\ f oner .. . ....... . . ..... . ..... . .. lll
40. N a,· ig:1 li o11 :tn <l rom111c r ce . ..... l 12
47. Enlogy o n Cnl 111nh11 R ...... . .... lU
43~ The Rll p crio rily o f Europ e O \'l'l'
tlw ol.h t·r parts of t.h c Enstcrn l [ cmi sph c re . . .. .. .. . ... 116
4\J. Thou g ht e 011 Kew-year's Day . . 11 8
50. Thought s at th e lomll of Nnpolcon in S f.. J Te lct1a .......... ll!J
Gl . A p c :i c0ful cl isprJ' iti on .. ... . . . •. 121
[.~. ]>i , cord, l1 ow it 111:iy h e aYoidccl.122
r,3, Th e lll cs s in gR of Chri stianit.y .. . .J 2!i
f>i. 011r c11c111i cs ..
. . . ... ·127
5,-,_ ')ur fri c 111ls . . ... . . .. .. ......... . 120
fiG . Hc11clils of w:11·.
. .130
57. l'h ili p of j\I '""'<1011 , :111d N a po·
. . . .. 1~32
DS. l~nilr n :u l ~ :in<l i-;fe:1111lw:ll ~ .. . .... 1: t~
:,~) . Cn11so latin11 Ft i11 :uhTr ~ ity .. ... .. :t:J:j
lt •n n Bo 11ap:1rtP...

(j0.

01.
62.
03.
04.
65.

Not

o ne may h cco rnr pres id e nt . . .. . .. . . . . . . .
136
"Gnl<l li es dcl'p in t.hc 111ount :i i11 "..... .. ...
..137
S p cc<' h nf a li11ihln a ft 1• r th 0 cn,ctinn o f a ~c h o nl-ln1il c l_ing . . .. 138
AdclrcsR aft.e r th' fon c· r:il solcmnili cs of a i>c lon"l tcaclirr .. 140
Tl1 c f11t11ro is n ot so cl ark a s m:iny
bc li c 1·c . . . . . . . .. . .. .... . .... Ht
Joys of old age .... . .. , ........ 143
<'\T IT

PAGE.

66. Why it is so natural to respect
old age . .. . ........ . .... . ... lH
67. Th e g oo d o ld times .. . . . .. . ...... 146
(j3, Sh ould 1\'e" clo as of.h ers do"· .. 143
69. "It is m ore ble sse d to give tbnn
to l'CCl' iY e" ... - - . ... .. . . - . . 149
70 . Chee rfuln ess in tl1c pr esence of
N nt.ure . . .. . ...... . ..... . .•. 150
71. ""~ h y tl ocs Horace so often prais e
l h e go ld e n m ean? . . ..... . . ... 15.L
72. W h y did Cicero, in his old ngc ,
app ly him self t o the study
of philosophy ? . . ........ . .. 152
73, The inllu c ncc which pub lic dis co u rse exercise d 11pon the
Greeks a 11cl I{om:rns . . . ..... 154
74. Wl1 y young p e rs ons shouhl vo l ·
11ntarily limit their love of
p erso nal lil.J erty ... . .. . ..... 156
75 . Vice has no conrnge ......... .. . 158
76. EYil communi cations corrupt
goo d manner s . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
77. On vi sits .... . . . . ... .... . ... ..... 162
iS . Carthage and Rome, England
and France ... .. . ........ . . . 163
rn. Ep:u n in o nd as and Gustants Ado lphu s . ...... . ... . . . . . . . ... . . 165
80. Co mpari so n 1.Jctween Socrates
a11d Se neca ........ . .. . ...•. 167
81. Cicc r.)'s oratio n in favo r of King
D cj o ta rns .. .... . ... . ...... . 169
82. "Vhy s o many persons have no
fri end s . ........ . .......... . 170
83. "Kn ow thy self" ................ li2
8,1. Youth ... ..... . ............ . . . .. 174
85 . L uxnry . . ................... . ... 177
SG . !>[cmmins' O r:ilinn .............. 179
87. Value of the study of the classics . ......... .. . . .. . ....... . 181
88 . C haracte ri s tics of th e Jtomnns .. 183
8\1. Th e merits of Au g u s tus in rcganl to the w ell- beiug of the
Romnn e mpire ... .... ....... 186
!)0. Public s pir it... . ....... . ...... l S!l
nl. Nati n11:1 ! f<'s til-:ils .. ..... . .. .. ... mo
02. A go ltl cn wcdcling ....... . ..... . 1U2
!J3. I s th e world" a \-:tlley of tears"? 193
\l-1. PoRt,h 11111 0 11 s prai se .... ...... . .. 195
!J5. The E gy ptian custom of ju(lging
the <lcacl. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .196
!JG. Agric ulture a s a so ur ce of civil·
i za tion... . .. .... . ..
.rn7
\Ji. Aclv:rnt:1g cR n f com 111 0r cc . . .. . .. 1!)\)
!JS. J cll cncss the motlier of v ice .
. 200
\l9. Is Europ e in danger of relapsing
into barbarism? . ... . ....... 202

OUTLINES Ol CO~fPOSrrION°
1

:FIRST.

1.
A ROOM.
I. Definition.

IL Inclos,w re.
a. Four walls.
b. Floor arnl ceiling; llirection, height.

III.

Openings in the walls.
a. ·windows. Describe.
b. Doors. Describe.

IV.

..1-11~ticles contained in a room.
a. Stove.
b. :Furniture ; uses of the same.

V.

.

Diffe'rent ldncls of rooms, according to thcu- nsc.
Schoolrnoms.
7'. Living rooms; p:.rlors, dining-rooms, kitchens, &c.

0 .

c. Bedrooms.
d. Offices, studies, libraries, &c.

VI.

Ccf/re necess:iry.

Write

a.
b.
c.
a

Painting, papering, or whitening.
Sweeping, dusting, &c.
V entihting.
.
composition according to the above suhiect ancl outlme.

9

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITlON.

8

· OU'l'Ll.N11S OJ!' UO.Ml'OSl'l'lON.

visitors· a bed-chamber (c), in which we sleep; an office (cl),
. cou,11tin0'-room. where bu sin ess is transacted.
or a
o
'
· b
th
VI. Whenever the walls of a room lose thell" _eau~y, ey
r equire renovatin g by pai11ting, papering, or wh1temng (ct).
vVhen the floor becornes dusty, it must be swept (b), and the
furniture brushed or dusted. If the air in the room b ecomes
vitiated by t oo much heat or vapo_r, or the presence of many
persons, it has to Le aired or vent1latecl (c).

A HOOM.

I. A room is a certain div isiou of a house or other building, usually incloscd uy four wa!Js, a flo or, and a ceiling.
II. 'Th e siJes which inelose the room are called wali8 ( ct).
rrh~
ave a perpendicular direction. 'They are often painted
white, or some other color, and frequently pape red. Thi ci
adds to th eir beauty, though not always to their utility.
Sometimes, in tl1c houses of the wealthy, we see them ornamen ted wi th tapestry, or woven hang ings of wool ancl silk.
The tlirection of the floor :mcl ceiling (b) is horizontal;
their clif;t:u1ce fron1 each other formin g the height of the
room. If a man of onlinary height can, while standing,
t ouch th e l'eiling with his hand, the room is called low. High
room s 11ave the advantage of being less damp, close, or hot
than low o n es.
III. T o allow the light to enter the room freely, windows
(a ) are place<l in the walb. They consist of glass, set in
wooden or metallic fram es, aml arc generally rectangular in
. form. vVindows arc so arranged as to be easily opened'tr
shut in airing tho room. .Mnch light renders a room cheerful; but there should not be too many windows, on account
of the colcl air, which in winter will penetrate through chinks
Lcsido the fram es.
To enter or leave a room, there must be a door (b), which
hangs on hinges, and is fastened with a latch, and som etimes
also with a bolt or a lock.
IV. A room con tains many articles for comfort and conYcnionce. A stove is noe<lful for warming in cold weatherDcds, chairs, sofos, bureaus, tables, &c., and other movable
articles, constitute tlte furniture of rooms, according to their
use.
V. The different kinds of rooms take their respective
names ·according to the use made of them: as a school-room
(a), which is an npartment in which the young are instructed ;

No·n ;. - ln th e aLovc, the letters and nurnbm-in g of th~ divisions
tl' . ·etainetl. but m general
. l
a ntl sub-div is ions noticetl m t ie ou me ai e. ~
they may be omitted -~n the written compos1t10n.
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2.
A GARDEN.
I. SUiiat-ion.
a. Between the honse and the front gate .
b. Dehillll th e h ouse, to the right or to the left.
c. By itself (in a large town or city).

II. Inclosurre.
a. W alls.
b. F ences.
c. Hedges.

III. . Corite1its.
a. Beds for flowers, kitchen-vegetables, ~~;; .
b. Divisions among the beds, paths, walks.
c. Sometimes summer-houses, bowers.
d. Trees.

IV. DijfePmit k incls of gardens.
a. Flower.
b. Fruit.
r.. Ki.tcli.' 'n.

10

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

OUTLINES Ol!' COMPOSITION.

v.

Wm·k done in gardens.
a. Digging, plowing, manuring.
b. Planting and sowing.
c. Hoeing :-i:ml weeding.
d. Sprinkling or watering.

11

4.
THE rrEETH.
I. What they Ct1"e, where

placed, number (thirty-two

in grown persons).

IL D ·i jfe1•ent kinds, - name them.
UL

Thei1" pa1•ts,- crown, enamel, root, cavity, with
nerve and vein (describe all).

I.

3.

IV.

MY NATIVE TOvVN.

v.

b. Taking hot n.nd cold n.rticlcs into the mouth one after

SU'llation. -In what county and state; on what

•· another.
c. Picking with a knife ,or other metallic instrument.
d. Cracking nuts, or biting any 1iard substance.
e. Uncleanliness. Necessity of brushing and washing every
morning, and after meals. (Pure soap and water are
the best cleansers of the teeth.)

Si."te.
a. Number of inhal>itants, hou ses, markets.
b. Steamers, railroads, and other public means of convey·

What injiwe the teeth.
a. Hot food n.nd drink.

_ river, or near what lake, mountain or other noted
natural object. How far, and inf1tvhat direction,
from what large city.

II.

Use~ -in chewing and speaking.

•

ance.

St·1·eets Cf/JUl 1•oacls, their direction.
IV. Na1nes, location, aml number of l'mblic buildings,-

III.

churches, schools, colleges, court-houses, halls, banks,
hotels, &c.

V.

Occupations of the inbabitants,-teachers, clergymen, mechanics, merchants, lawyers, physicians,
laborers, farmers, &c.

VI.

S'll1·1·0 w1uling scenery.
a. The fl nest views, - forest, hills or mountains, lakes, rivers,
.
plains, farms, &c.
b. Any other object of note in the vicinity; as village, college, fine country-residence, nurseries, gardens, manufactorics, &c.

5.
FLOWERS.
I. Definition. -The most beautiful part of plants,
after whose decay comes the seed.

U . Pa1"tS of a flower. - Crown, leaves, anthers, dust
or pollen.
III. Seasons. - Spring, summer (chiefly), autumn, and
some ev~n in winter.
IV. Gene1~al cha/Pactm·ist1,cs of the flowers of each
n. - Spring, delicate blue nnd white, &c.

·•:1·

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OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

v. Kinds

which appear at the different seasons in your
locality.

VI.

Use.
a. To produce seed.
b. To beautify Natut'e, and give pleasure to the sight and
smell .
c. To aUord food for many insects, - bees, butterflies, &c.

OUTLINES Ol!' COMPOSITION.

·n.

"

13

Fo,r 1n and general appearanee.
a. Size; about four feet long, two and a half high.
b. Color; white, black, or spotted.
c. Shape; heau short and small, with a beard on the under lip; often two horns ; large yellow eyes; neck
long; tail short and s1110oth ; legs thick ; foct cloven
(divided into two parts).

nr. Cha1-ctcteJ>istics. -

Lively, changeable, foll of
tricks, lives to the ago of twelve years. The fomale
boars two young goats every year, called kids.

6.
which grows from the seed-

vessel of a flower.

"

II. Diffel'ent pa'r ts.
a. Seeds.
b. Seed-coverings.

III. Kinds of fru,it.

kinds of herbs, as hay, straw, &c. Rose and vine
leaves are its dainties. Salt and bread are good for
its health. Its stable should be clean and warm,
ano well ventilated.

v. Uses
a.
b.
c.
d.

a. The nut; the seed being incloscd in a hard shell.
b. Stone-fruit; the covering flesh-like, as the peach.
c. Seed-fruit, ; the covering flesh-like, as the apple. Describe the different kinds, and give other examples of
each.

IV.

1

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1

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f

•j

j

IV. Food cf/Jul treat1nent. - Feeds upon nearly all

FRUI11.
I. Definition. -That

I

of the go.at.
Its milk is pleasant to the taste, arnl very wholesome.
Itf; fl ef;h makes very good food.
From its skin ki<l gloves ::ire made.
Its hair is used for making lrn,ts, anrl the horn is manufacturnd into various articles, as knife-handles, &c.

8.

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A SCHOOL-DAY.
I. Fm"enoon.

I. Class of aninutls to which it• belongs, - mam-

a. At what hour do you rise, pray, breakfast, play?
b. ""\Vhen do you begin study'?
c. ""\Vhat branches do you pursue?
d. ""\Vho are your teachers ? ""\Vhat interest do you take in
your sturlie.s? ""\Vhat progress do you make? Give a
true acco1m t.

mi forous (milk-giving), rnminating (cud-chewing);
dorn estic. a 1rn.t.ivP. nf p,,,.";...,

IL Afternoon. - Continue to nftrrate the events.of tltc

THE GOAT.

~

'j

Use. - Wholesome food for man and beast.

7.

lj

"J
·\

!\

:i11

14

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

II.

9.

b. 13rus}lwood.
c. Hair, moss, or wool.
d. Clay and dirt.

1 IIE FROG.
Class to which it belongs, - amphibious (living
partly on lanJ, and partly in water), cold, red
Llood.

III.

II. Desc1•iption. - Two to three inches long; color,
green, with black spots, and three long yellow
stripes on the back; the fore fe et shorter than the
hind ones, the former having four, the latter five
•
toes.
a. Prodn et'S itR youn g from eggs.
b. Uml crgoes chan ge of form. The young are called tadpoles,
or p olliwig ~ ; have a tail, a~no legs ; and live only in
water or mml.
if
c. l\Ioves in the "·atcr hy ~wimming, on the land by jumping, for 1d1icli its hind legs are admirably adapted.

F01•,11i.
a. Hound and hollow the prevailing form. The bird, in a
sitting posture, turns round and round, ruLLiug the
brink and sides sn10oth with h er breast and n eck.
b. Birds of prey have deep, flat nests, more coarsely made.

IV. Places where they build.
a. On the g round (whippowil, quail, thrnsh, &c. : hens are
not particular where or huw they Luild).
b. Upon rocks and high tr ees (birds of prey).
c. Under the eaves of hou ses awl barn s, or other places in
the ncighborltootl of man ( swallows, martins) .
cl. In bushes, hedges, &c.

III. PecnUa1·iUes.

v.

Use of birds to.. man. - They preserve our garcle11s,

orchards, and fi elds from numberless injurious
insects, which infest plants, trees, fruits, and vegetables. vV e should therefore not kill birds, but
rather protect them from the attacks of others.

IV. Abode. - St:ig11:int water, banks of ponds, hkes,
rivers, and other moist places; and in winter in
the mud.

V.

1'.Icitcrials.
a. Straw and feathers.

1

I.

15

Uses.
a. Parts goorl for food .
b. Destroys flies and other noxious insects.

11 ..

10.
BIRDS' NESTS.
I. PirlJ''}_JOses for which they are built.
a. For laying and hatcl1ing

~ggs .

I.

Vctltw. - It is the most precious of all things; for
a. It passes quickly.
b. Once lost, it can not be recovered.

! '

16

OUTLlNES OF 00.l\[l'O SLTlON.

OUTLINES OF CO.l\iPOSITION.

II. How to be spent.
a.

Co11 s<:icntiu11~ly,

13.

in industry.

b. Not in icllc11 cs~.
c. Not in tuu 1m1<: li pby.
d. Nut iu Luo 11rnch sleep.

III.

'l\HOUGII1'LESS PERSONS.

:The 1Jwst precioiis time,- the time of youth;

I. A

a. The time when we learn most easily.
b. ..And the time of preparation for future usefolucss. IVe
should bear constantly in mind tlrnt our success in
manLoml will depend upon the wanner in which we
spenu om· youth.

I.

II.

Sorne of the act'imis of such a person.
b. Speaking without reilcction.
c. Drinking cold water, or bathing, when over-heated.
d. E <ttin g um;ipc fruit.
e. Exposing himself, without necessity, to the inclemency of
the weather.

What parents are obliged to do to such
children.

I'

a. To ad vise.
b. And sometimes to punish.

JJienninf!. -The quality of plensing others by our
proper con1luut towanls them. By courtesy is not

IV . .Evil conseqiiences sure to result to those who

me:111t any thing that concenrn personal appearan ce,
bnt only what conce rn s rn:mn crs, words, and actions.

a. They will never rise in the world ; never do much good

·will not improve in this respect.
for themselves or for others.
b. They will remain thoughtless even in manhood.
c. They will be apt to contract h abits which bring on consLUllption and other kinds of disease.

II. Source. -Love for Goel will inspire us with love for
our follow-men, - a love free from all selfishness.

III.

person is one who docs not re-

a. Studyim.g without any obj ect in view.

III.

12.

thoughtl~ss

flect upon the consequences of what he does; who
acts without thinking.

for it is

COUR'l1 ESY.

17

Valiw of Coio•tesy.
a. It, win s us tl1e esteem of others, aml this sweetens life .
71. It 1111ih·s rn cn in social intereourse, and thus prevents uis. putc~ an1l 11n:1rrels.

14.

IV. Co,w rteous Acts. - \Voulcl that all were to act
courtconsly townn1. one another; each one yieldinO'
b
a little for the sake of peace nml happiness !
a. Should we rnmctimcs yicl1l in fiwor of evil for the sake
of peace? Nnver ! That wonlcl be weakness and sin,

HOW A srrUDENT UAY SUCCEED IN HIS STUDIES.
I.

Diw,i ng class-ho-iws.
a. Ile must uc atte nLin~, giv in g ~ll hi s thougl1t to liis r eci-

18

OUTLINES OF COl\IPOSlTION.

OUTLlN.E S O.F CO.i\IPOSiTlO.N.

b. Ile mu st answer promptly, and try to un<ler sta.n<l fully
the 111 c:111ing of what h e says an<l docs, always thinking for lii111 scl1~.

II.

16.
ADVANrl1 AGE~

UF HEADING.

J_u, ."!f H(l!J-lWlll'S.

a. lle
b.

c.
d.

e.

f

~houhl

rceall to mind what he has learned in class,
a1Hl end eavor to co~npreheml it more un<lcrstarnling ly.
Ile 011ght to prepare his lessons well for next class, al way s
trying to unclcrstaml , as well as to cou1111it to m c11101·y.
Ile slwulil set apart a certain time for learning ead1 lesson, so th:tt n one m:1.y he ncgh•cted.
J i l~ should 1H':1rkl'11 aLtc11Lin·ly wlteu wi se rnc11 speak, :i.n•l
try to put their good connscl into prac tice.
IIe sh ould rea<l those books which give him valuable
i11 f( mn:1.t.io11, or make him think on noble sul~jects.
Ifo f;huu ld k eep the company of none but virtuous and
diligent companions.

I.

Pleas1ure.
a. l~ca<ling interesti ng books, n e wspapers, and periodicals.
b. lte:vling letters from <list~wt friemls.

II.

Uscfalness.
a. Ena.Jiles 1is to oht,:1in i11f(mnatio11.
b. l'rotects 11 ~ against li·a uJ, aml cn:1.bl es us to transaet Lu ~ i­
Hess.
c. Enal>les us to nmlcrstaml the laws of the laml, and our
duties to our country.
d. Fits u s for public oflice, and other high positions in sot:iety, if we d esire them.
e. Ena.bles us to grow better, by reaLling good books, a nd
j oining in the sing ing of the· praises of God in the
ehm·ch.

15.

17.

Url'ILITY OF WOOD.
I. As fuel.

THE MON'rH OF .MAY.

a. In Llwelling-hou~es .
b. In fnrnnces, engines, work-s~ps, &c.

II.

For buil<liny purp oses, !:lfto construct,

Narnw, -Latin Iviaius (from the goddess Maia).
II. Ntitiirctl appcwrcuwes.
I.

a. Jiouscf;, rlu1rcliu ~, &e.
b. Shi pf;, rail roa• l-ca rs, w:igons, :uul other means of convey-

a. Length of the dn.y, - fomteen to fifteen hours.
' b. In cre:i,se of h eat, neither too 1van11 nor too (•old.

c. Uapi(l g rowth of pl:t.uts; m any in 1Jlnsso1u, especi:i11r
c. llridgL~~, pl:rnk-ro:i ..J s, side-walk!', pavements, fo nees, &c.

III.

fruit-trees; the orcharrls Yery bcauti!\11.
cl. Delightful singing of lJirLls returned from the wan 11 ::r
elirnates.
e. Insects and m any animals come forth from the earLlJ , o r
wake from their winter sleep.

Fo1• flf J'nitu J'C, - to rn :1kc,
a. Arlieles nf' conn•nience, - talJks, chairs, &c.
b. 1\fo:rns of prn ~c rving or covering what is preeious or
small, - bo xes, c11pho;trrl~, &c.
c. In stn11n c11 t~, 111acl1i1w s, tools, &c., - org:1.ns, pianos, f:.tn11i11 n·-111il1'-:

nfnnrc;:

s.

F f\ _

III.

Other causes which render the month be::i.ntiful.

20

OUTLINES

OUTLINES OF COl\iPOSITION.

Unpleasantness.
a. The first days arc often cold, wet, a,ml otherwise <lis:i~1·r•c­
ablc.

II.

.

:u

Necessity.
a. To make laws for the administration of justice and the
preservation of liberty.
·
b. To enforce la ws and punish criminals.
c. To settle Llisputes.
d. To provitle public institutions, - schools, asylums, poorhouses, prisons, &c.

c~cn t~1is is bencficirtl ; for it pr~vcn ts the growth of
nox10us msects, a,nd keeps the ground moist.

b. Yct

COMPOSITION.

c. Conquerors ( Napoleon).
d. Discoverers (Columbns).
e. 'Vise auu gooLl rnen (\Va.slti11 gto11).
J. Hcligion, teachers, the consent of a virtuous people.

b. Relig ious fostivals, -Ascension of our Lor<l, \Vhitsunday, the rno11th of J\lary.
c. Pleasure, -1\lay Day, walks, picnics, &c.

IV.

Ol!~

18.
CLEANLINESS.
I.

20.

Clcnnl i1tcss 1·cqt1.ircs
a. That we ~hould use pmc language.
b. ::hat we sl10ul(l keep onr person free from impurity.
c. llrnt we should remove dirt from every thing belonging
to us, - dress, Looks, utensils, &c.

U'l1 ILITY OF FOUESTS.
I. To ncttiirc in general.
a. They beautify it.

II. Ad'l·an ta yes.

b. They <lraw vapors from t]1 c clouds, and shelter the

a. It tcndR to make us good aml industrious. J\fany wicked
and idle persons arc dirty, as drnnkards, qua,rrelsomc
11crso11s, swearers, aml loafors.
b. It promotes health.
c. It adds to our comfort aml prosperity. Clean persons are
not wasteful.
d. It wins for us the respect and love of otlf/ts.

grouml: h ence rains, dews, springs, and streams.

II.

1~0

liviriy crcatiw""cs, in particular,

a. To men; furni::lting wood, sugar, pitch, &c.
b. To beasts : gi; ing them
1. Shelter from the heat of summer and the storms
of winter.
2. Also food by their own lca,ves, and by sheltering
the more . tender grasses aml plants.

.P-rcscrve the forests.

19.
AUTllOllI11 Y.
I. So·u rccs. -

Go1l is the first source of all authority:
secomlary sonrucs are,
~· ~'.1thcrs of fa ~~t~~ ies, ~r patriarchs ( ALrahaw).

a. Dy protecting them from injury or destruction.
b. And by planting re rl "ultivating if necessary.

The above may be written out as follows:-

UTILITY OF FORESTS.
If the eye wore to rest everywhere only on open fielf1s and
trPPlPRR nh.inR. it w1111 lrl Ronn wPf.ll"v wit.h t.hP. r111 ll monoton v.

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

0 UTLlNES O.F CO.i\IJ:'OSlTlON.

It is the ever-changiug variety of field, garde n, and forest,
that makes Nature charmiug awl beautiful. The forests not
only form a pleal:lin g foaLure in a landscape, but serve many
oLhcr useful purposes. They draw vapor from th e atmosphere, awl shelter the gro nnd fi:om the heat of the s urnm er'::;
::illn, arnl front tli e winds and frosts of winter. They keep the
earLh moist; cau::iiug rain to fall from the cloud::;, and springs
to g ush forth from tlie so il.
ForesLs furni sh man with pine and oak for building, wiLh
fu el for coo king his foocl, riml for supplyin g him wiLlt
the necessary warmth in wiuLcr. From the uuts of some
trees are pressed valuable oils, aud from the sap of the maple
is extracted sugar. BeasLs, birds, aml insects find in shady
cl cpths of forests shelter from the inclemency of th e
'r ea thcr and a safe retreat from the pursuit of enemies.
There, protected from the scorching hcaL of s ummer and
the seve re frosts of winter, pl::tnLs abound at all times for the
sub s i~Le n ce of :mi111:1ls.
S in ce the fores ts arc of so g reat utility, we sh onlc1 not
neg lect the mean s of t heir preservation. B y sparing youu g
trees, an<l t:1king away of the larger growth only so much
as sl1all not exhaust, forests may not only be kept in good
conClit.ion, bnt improverl. A fore st may be obtained in a
fow ye:-i rs by plantin g trees of a rapid growth, such as the
poplar, locust, or walnut. Th e c:uefnl own er of a fore st
will see that trees while small are protected, an<l, if too
thickly planted, arc properly thinned, so as to admit air, arnl
space for growth.

Cmnpcission

II.

1n~oni1Jts us

a. Tu help others,
b. An<l to console them when they arc in trouble.

III. Recisons f orr being c01npcissionate.
a. IL is t,l1e <luty of a Christia,11.
b. We wish others to be compassionate towards us in our

need.
c. By being comp:issionate, we win the love of others.

22.
UTILI1'Y OF TIIE SENSE OF Si\IELIJ.
and perfumes.
savor of food.

II. P1·otects cigcii·n st llanger, - poisonons ~)lants,

fonl air, fire in a builtli11g, poison, spirituous liquors,
impure water, &c.

III. A 1neans of CfjJplyi'ng 1·cstm·atives to the
faint and weak,-camphor, hartshorn, &c.

23.
PLAY.
I.

C0 nI P AS SI 0 N.
I.

11Ieanin{f, -

a feeling of sorrow for another's mis-

the fra?rance of ~owers
A hung ry person is pleased with the

I. Affo'rlls cnjoy1nent, -

.t:1

21.

23

II.

1'Ieaning -

any occupation intended for amusement, or for the recreation of mind or boLly . .

Othm,. objects.
a. Strengthening and developing the body, - games of ball
.
and other gymn astic exercises.
b. Improving the faculties of th~ n~i.nd, - che;s\1~1~~~es, &c.

. . I.
"I

. I'

2·±

III.

OUTLINES OF COl\IPOSITION.

In what kinds we should engage .

Those which
strength en t he Lolly are best for persons whose occu~
pation is mental or seJentary,- stn<lents, t each0rs,
and oth ers 01Jgagec1 in professional pursuits. Those
which streu g then th e miud are best for one whose
daily occupation is chiefly of the body. NO ONE
should eugage in vicious plays intend ed for g:1i n:
that would be gambling, and sure to end in tho
ruin of both miml and body.

OUTLINES OF COl\IPOSITION.

25

IV. Diit-i es of the s-ick.
a. To suffe r patiently, and receive their sickness from the
h and of God.
b. To recover their health, if in their power.
c. To submit t o th e requirements of tl1c physicinn.
d. To be cairn, keep mind aml liouy free from all unnecessary agitation.

IV. P 'J'O]'>CJ' tinic f01• play. - After finishing our

25.

regular occupation, when the overtasked mind or
body needs rest or relax:Ltion.

DRE SS.

V. Coruluct llwring play.
a. l'eaceaLk, j oyo us.
b. No hoa ~ t in f:!:, or very loncl t;ilking.
c. 1\lost i1uport;L11t rul e, - AVOlD ANGER.

24.

I.

Definition. - That state of mind and body in

:L'he greCltc8t of ca1•thly blessings; for
a. Only t.l10sc who arc h ealthy can enjoy lire.
b. \Vit11011 t it, ma,n ea,n do no good for himself or others.

III.

Dntics of those who arc in good health.
a. To be tha,nkf'ul to God for th eir hcn,lth.
b. To use it in the service of Gou, for their own good, and
for the good of others.
c. To prcscnc it;.
1. Hr trrnper:inrr .
2. ny ] ; il l!ll' :111 11 cxe n..: isc, and
::l_

n,. 1.J r>n nli>> P~Q

JAecison, of dressing.

II. JJLciking of cl1·ess .

which all t l1 eir parts are in proper order; that is,
t l1 c natm:i.l state.

II.

01~

a. ProtccLion against h eat, colu, moisture, and all other
external dangers.
b. R espectable appearance.

lIEAL'fH.
I.

Objects

4.

a. 1\Iaterial.
1. Animal kingdom , -wool, furs, skins, h air.·
2. V cgetablc kingdom, - cotton, linen, silk.
b. 1\fakcr.
1. Tailor, dress maker.
2. Shoemaker, stocking-weaver, or knitter.
3. Hatter, milliner.

:N ecessa,1A y qtialUies: it ::;houkl be
a. Clean.
b. Not torn.
c. Well-fitting.
d. Comfortable, according to the scaimn.
e. Not too cxpcmive, bnt plain n.ml goorl-l ooki n ~ .
J. In the fashion, n ot to appear odd; bnt (for ;i, m;i,n or boy
cspccinJly) never too styliRh or Jlashy in any way,
which would Le vulgar and foppi sh.
3 .

'·,

! ~~

..

I•

I

~ i

\

~

';

: \

26

OUTLINES O.ff COMPOSl'.f.'lON:

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

26.

28.

FEA11 HEHS.

RAIN.

Definition.
II. J..>a1·ts.
I.

I.

III.

JJieftning cind ca,1,.ise. - Water falling from tho
V[tpors rise from the earth, and form into

clouds.
clouds.

a. Sh:1Jt.
b. V :mes (bcarcl), consisting of thin laminre.

II.

Use.

27

Dijfm~ent

kinds.

a. General rain throughout the country, which may be
1. Heavy, with or without thunder and lightning, or
2. Light mist or drizzle.
b. Parti<tl rain, confineu to certa,in places.
1. A thnmler-storm, sudden and bursting, with floods
of rain.
2. A sun-shower.

a. To tbe l.Jirds.
1. To keep them warm, - down, small feathers.
2. To gi vc them a beautifol appearance, - plumage.

3. To enable them to fly, and steer their course, cp1ills, in wings and tail.
b. To us.
1. B eds, pillows, &c.

. III.

2. The r1nills, - for writing, drawing, tooth-picks, &c.
3. As ornamen ts, - plumes for heacl-clresses, ladies'
hats, &c.

IY.

1~fiinbow.
Always seen opposite
the sun after a rain or during a snn-shower; caused
by the sun shining on the drops of rain.

Desc'r ibe the

Utility of 1·ciin.
a. Refreshes the earth and the atmosphere, thus
1. Promoting the growth of plants, and

27.

,

A vVAGON.

'

I.

2. Re-invigorating man and beast.
b. Renews .the springs and streams.
c. Either excessive rain or long-continuecl drought is lllJU~
rious to the growth of plants antl the health of
animals.

.

Chief paJ>ts. - '\Vheels, axles, tongue or pole, box,
rack, &c.

.

2D.

II. Persons mnployed in making. - 1-Vagon-maker,

THE EARTH-\VORU.

smith, p:i,i11 ter.

III.

Utility. -To farmers, to merchants, &c.

IV.

Other UJh cel-v ehicles. carts, stngu-eoaclws, &c.
uses.

Carriages, buggies,
Describe their forms and

I.

S'i:°:e. - A span or less in length, the thickness of a
quill.

II.

Covm•iny and col01". - Moist an cl slimy skin of

28

29

OUTLINES OF CO:MPOSl'l'ION.

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

III. I?01•1n. - Long, stretched or contracted, round,

point of a k nife ; in sert a good bnd with its bark,
letting the \Jud itself peep out; put on wax to keep out
the moisture ; and bind firmly with the soft bands.
b. Common or standanl grafting. - Saw off the top of the
stock; split the stump, and in Rcrt a scion at each edge
of the slit, so tbat the two barks sh all come in contact;
protect with wax as b efore.
c. Root-grafting may be clone in the same way as standard;
but, if the stock be small , it is be tter to cut it arnl the
scion both oliliqucly with the knife, and then bind them
together, Lark to bark.

poi u tec1 at each encl , covered with a hundred and
forty-five rings.

IV. Abocle. -1\Ioist rich earth, into which it drills deep
holes. In winter, it remains sever:tl feet nnder
gromH1 .

v. JJfa,11/JWJ' of Uving. -

At night ::ind dnring moist
weatl1 er, it leaves its abode, feeding upon
moist earth, fonl snbst:mccs, ancl fresh roots.

VI. Ifn1·tfnlness rind UtUity.
a. Injures tend er roots.
b. Serves as food for h ons and other animals.

31.
vqo .

GRAFTING FR UIT-'rREES.

SOCIE'l'Y.
I.

of :i scion (small shoot) of a good tree to the
stock of :i common tree. vVhen the scion grows, it
bears good fruit.
a. A good sc ion, which should be cut from the tree the winter
before, and preserve<l in smul in a cellar: sometimeR,
however, the scion is cut from the tree at the time of
,graftin g (ju st before the bmls swell in the spring) .
b. A sharp knifo to t.rim the sc ion.
c. A fine Rharp Raw (for common graftin g).
d. Gra.ft:.in g-wax, cnmposc<l of r es in, beeswax, and tallow.
e. Soft, st.rong banclR, s11e!t as the in side bark of trees (for
budding or T-gr:iJi-.in g, and for root-grafting) .

III.

Dijfe1•ent 1norles of g raftin g.
a. Bwlding or T-rrr;ifring. - Cnt th e h:irk oft.h e trrc in the

m~rny f~milies,

forming, as it were, a great lionsehok1; then· purp oses being mntu al aid in (huger, security of
p erson am1 property, mutual help in the acquisition
of wealt.11 and ia the attainment of useful knowledge.

I. Defin,ition aJlfl object. - Grafting is the joining

II. Requisites f01• u1•afti11g.

Definition. - An association of

II.

Relief in clnnuer.
a. On the outlircak of a fire, - firemen, fire-engines, r elief
for the sufferers.
b. In case of inundiition s.
c. Support of the poor and the unfortunate, -orplian aRylums, free schools, asylums for the in sane, the dea,f,

di.unb, and liliml, &c.

. III.

Seciwity of pe1·son a1ul propm·ty .
a. To settle clisp11 tcs hy pro per n.nthority, - as by a judge,
mayor, just.ice of th e peace, arlJitrator, &c.
b. To protect the innocent, a.11(1 detect cr imin als, policemen, constableR, sheriffa, a nd th e mi li tary.

by

,· '

"

30

OUTLINES O:F COMPOSITION.

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

IV. AcqiiiPing wealth.
a. C
Layi11g out
1·o~ds
~nd bn·c1o-es.
'
"
, ,_,
"
. rt rnl 11t:1ki1JO'0 street~, , walks
b. onstnwtrng houses, churches, public works, &c. ;
o
c. Thus g~ ving employment to mech anics and labor ers and
opening a market for far mer s, and
'
d. Securing a flourishing business for rucr ch,'tnts and other
trad c~ m c n.

v.

Attaininy know ledge, by means of
b. T ertcltcr s, - pri n ttc instruction, schools, nntl collcrres.
0
c. Nc~v sp~pcrs, public libraric,,, r cauing-room s.
d. Daily rntcrco ursc, aml intcrchan rrc of thotwltt a1
..
·f
o
o , ' nong
pc1sons
. .
. o r efinemen t '·111d· good s'cnsc, - a c1iaracter1siic of the Am erican people.

VI . .The PJ'C:'WJ'Vation of society requires for all
t hose th 111gs various ex1ienses ; hon co
a. Taxcf', rtn<l,

o:·~l er

to cnfor_cc laws and goocl ens toms, moral , and, if

nee1l h~, physica l support, - goou advice, good exampl e, pol1i.;c, arniie,_, &c.

III. The Cf/lnOu/nt iised yon rl y is imm ense.

E ngland
alone cons umes more than eig hty million pount1s. It
is spun by machin e ry~ Ono poulHl Jllakes a. threacl
sixty miles in 1011 g Lli. Tlt c spi1111i11 g-lll:tchi11 e was
invented by n l\Ir. Higl1, aud improved in 1775 by
R ichard Arkwright.

IV. '11lw clijj'c-rcnt 'ttses to which cotto n is applied by

1
·'j,
'•

~
<

man.

33.

co11 11 0N.

'l1HE DE NEVOLEN'f MAN.
Yrtu1ws which may befall
I. Nci11ic s01ne 1n/isf<

a. Cotton-tree, fonrtecn to cirrhtccn
feet 1ug
. l1, -poor wool
o
b. N an Imen or yellow wool a celeb .. t cl
.
.
' '
LL c
vanct}' - from a
'

from a 11lrtnt
. rr sown every
• , th e seecI b crn
0
ye;i i·.
Stem nnrl leaf of stock cl otted bl k
l
slw rrn- , . I • .
. .
'
ac '-• anc
. ,.,,_.,\. , ert.\ cs po111 tt>1l ; blossoms pale yellow, about the
size of th e fl owc1· of the cherry-t1·cc ., scc11 111
. a case
somewh at larn-cr t!i:-111 n, w~ lii tit
l 'l
d
.
"' .
'
'"
·
ie see -cn sc explodes w1th
a slw"' ht noise ' 'and sl1011l·'u tlicn. 'ue
- pie
. Iccd.
.
Tli c wool
is
seprtratecl
fro
m
the
seed
L}'
1
l
•
ianc, or l1Y a
nt:l('11tn e called the cotton-f!in (invP nt0rl 1, .. Vl! ·nn' • ,

c. Comm on wool' -

warm climates, bnt chiefly the south ern parts of tho
United States, Egypt, A lgiers, parts of Asia, &c.

32.
I. 801n•ces from which it is obtained.
slll'llb.

ney) : it is then formed into bales for ~hipmen t.
In
the Southern State:-, there :Lrc, i11 ge 11 er ;d, t1rn kinds of
cotton, - the upland, or short st;Lpl c, aml the sea-isla nd
or long staple, - the l.;ttter beiug ii.u c, loug, white, a.nil
very s tro11~, and citsily separated from the scc1l: the
former is of two kind s, the n u,nkccn, or yellow, a nd
the grecu-scCLI, a while variety.

II. ':L1he cotton-g J'Owing count1··i es arc n10stly

a. The d crgy, - sermon s and lectures.

b. 1n

31

men. A child may lose its parents; a man, his
house by fi re. A poor mechanic, the father of a
large family, may become sick.

II. Consequences. - T he chilcl is quite h elpless, and
oblirre
cl to bco· tli e mnn who has lost his house
:::i
o '
becomes poor, and cnnnot sh elter his fomily; tho
m ccli m1i c, lJcing nw1bl c to provide food for his
fa.mil y, contrncts debts.

[II. .Assistance. - A rich person takes the child to his
- ---

1 . ---- -

___ _:i

_ _ __ _;i_

1.-: .~ •- ~ nnh r.r.l • t>lti'7Pn !'!

C\Oll 0.r.t

lj

',,i

32

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

t o Luild a Louse for him ' h
amoney
t.
l
:v ose
cs IO) Ct uy fi re, mea uwltile o11 e of t h

IV.

1.

33

•

It will Le noticed t h nt t l , b
.
for thr
.. r
,
.1 e a ove nnalys1s furni shes material
ce cssa) R, o11 e of wln cl1 we g i rn [ I S au example.
THE DENEVOI,li;NT MAN.

1\Ir. "\Valker, a poor hLorcr -}10 l l l
·i
·
.·
' ''
iac a ways supported
H S .urn y Ly honest tot!, c:11ne hom e one eveni1w ] · 1 h"

J · f:

Jrnrd-carn cd money on the t :-tbl c
i
l
,
' ancL
ex iausted upon a chair, sayin o·, "]Hv d ear
dreu I d
t fi
°
·'
'
o n o ec1 well; all my Jim Ls ache. I
to be sick."
'

l
b ' a.1c
is
t irew lumself
' 'fi
d l ·1
v1 c an c .11 _
fear I a
. .
,, m g omg

All
· wit
· ·l1 g ra ve app rehensions. He is obli ed
. . ,surrou ncl l.11m
to lt e down upon t he bed while Mrs "\iV·ill e1. .
g .
cu f t
b
.
·
' r p1 epares a warm
. p o ca; ut tl11 s provcRof n o avail and th e n ext
.
m o- lw hn s er . •
'
•
m o1nc;
, o l O \\ II w_o rsc : lie can n ot leave l1i s bed, and J1i s
111 8
fi .Leconi c more violen t. I n t his condition, Mr. "\·Valkcr
l t} 1"
ay OJ three Wcch ·
,.
•
' ' ' nn t ·1c ( 1st rcss of J1is p oor fom i1y was
c1,11 1y on t he rn crcnse.
Tli• e ·7'o-ood .fa• .tl ic1· con11
( not, as fo rm er] )', brin o- jn Ji1"s c1.,1·1y
ean11no-s f(01. tl 1
..
.
.
·
o ·
• .tu
) l"O ,. ::"
e supp ot t of Jus fanul y. Th eir small stock of

r

1

OUTLINES OF COlVIPOSI'.l'lO N .

h

ome was
.
fam ·1 J It
·
em gw es the
,
I y s ie. er u11L1l th e h ouse is 1Jui1 t .. 1·· l
J .
•
}
]
j
.
' <L dl1( Jl J VSl
c1a11 iea s t ic sick m echanic n· .. t ' ,
l
.; . .
.
b 1.1 rs, anc thro1w h lii s
u1 ten .:ess1011 th e sick 111 a n is furni -·1 . ·1 •• ·L .r b
..
- J
•
" JCt '"it l OO d au cl
ot icr nccessan es which soon r est . 1 .
.
01e HS str en nth.
G1·a~it 1.ule of t h ose wh o Lave r eceived hel b 'l'l
~~1tlll n tt~1~lls to his stnclies, and le~tCls a us~i'ul anlt~
'irtuons lrfe; th e man on h ch olc]'
J•
.
f 1
'
. rn g H S new h ouse
sI1ct s tears of joy, n11d call s d o wu tli c LicsRi11 0-s ~/
l ca ven lllJOn 11,· s l" 1
. l
b
.
-im u eig i bors ; th e children
of the sick man surround th e physici::m , kiss his
lwml: nntl loo k gr~tef'.1lly. up on him; t h e wi fo, full of
crn ot10n, t lwnks 1um 111 silen ce.
r

'1 s1ons was soon cxhn1rntetl, and all bega n t o snffer for

provid e r efr eshment for the sick in an, and fo od for his wife
Th ~ state of JUL ·\ Valker's h ealth became
aucl children.
d aily m ore and more pe rilous ; a1Hl his wifo at last found
herself oh1igecl to call a ph ysician. This slio did with a
heavy heart, fo r bow would sit e pay hirn?
The ph ys ician came, and found Mr. vValker's sickn ess of
a ve ry crit ical nature. H e prescribed so1n.e m edicine, and
r ecommend ed him t o t ak e nutritious fo od . The poor wife
wept at this, an<l saitl, " A las, doctor! bow a m I t o procure
nutritious fo od? For fo urtee n d ays, potatoes an<l dry Lrcad
h ave bee n onr onl y foo(l." The pli ysician looke<l around
the room; and as h e perceivccl th e emaciat ed d1ik1re11, and t he
g reat scantiness of e ve ry t hin g, h e Leen.me m oved with pity.
"Grieve il.ot yourselves, good peopl e," said h e : "God will not
forsake y ou. I will charge you nothin g fo r 111y trouLle, and
will so manage it, th at yo u will ge t t h e m edicine free."
Many rich :famili es to wh om he spok e of this poor family
sent th em from time t o time abunc1ance of food . The g ifts
of those fri endly pe rso ns wore so m any, that t he poor family
had n ow even m ore th an th ey n eec.lecl.
~ By careful nursing and t h e skill of the ph ysician, , Mr.
Walker soon reg ained his h ealth ; and, as th e g ood doctor
came fo r th e last time, all t his p oor, but n o w h appy family
shed t ears of g ratitud e. The children kissed his h a nds; arnl
the hearts of the t ha nkful mother and the r ecove red fath er
tfr'ere so full of . emotion, th at they could scarcely utter a
worcl, but th anked the g ood m an in silence, while th ey
. looked up to heaven, and prayed in their hearts that God
would bless him. ·

34.
1

~ IIE

GRA 'fEFUIJ PERSON.

I. A. fav or which on e m ay do for another. - A child

:1,

;1.
':i

't'
::.I

i'

I

/'

·•,j''

,.
..

,j
'

34

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

man may clothe or find employment for one in
~rcat.neccl; a boy i:1ay assist au oh1 lady ·who slips
.ind falls up ou tbe wy rnatl or sidewalk.

II.

III.

I

,

<

.

.tvo1S. - lhe chantable child may lose 1·t
·
I
_
s wny
m - ~ ~e forest ; the }~incl-hearted man may be
at~:-tcl"ecl by robbers, lus h ouse may be ente red Ly
tlueves, or set on fire by wicked persolls; the goocl
Loy may become an orphan and grow sick.

III.

Coniseq,u ences. - The scholars become fast friends;
the student foels remorse fo r his wickecluess,
endeavors to rep air the wroug li e has done;
brother ' veeps in sorrow for his nnkiurJncss,
gives part of his toys to his sister; joy of
parents.

Oppo1·tunitles
of showi1w0 0rrratitud e !Or
.r
tl- Jese
•
;
r
i

G1Yttitnfle shown i1~ these cases.-The poor boy

Ncvnie ct fm·tun atc ci1'cwnistance whi ch m ::.iy

II." Persons who 11'uty i:n conseqiwnce becorne
cnvioiis. - A . poor mau ; a classmate; a u oigh-

I. Smne offenses

scoltl in rctnrn, or inform ngainst the one who has
spoken unkindly; the stud ent . passes the false
a?cusation over in sil ence, and continues to treat
the wrong-doer genero nsly; the sist e1· does not
scold
or revenge h erself by breakina
her brother's
...... 1 ..... __J.. , _ ~ -b

th e

give happin ess to any 011e . .:_ A person may fall
heir t o a fortune; a schol:ll' may receiYe !J, beautiful
r eward of merit, or may advance to a l1igh er class ;
a farm er's fields may Le Llcssecl with aLundant
crops.

35.

II. Forgii:eness. - The offended sclrnlar does not

::.incl

'fHE ENVIOUS PEllSON.
I.

which one may commit against
anoth.er. - A scholar may speak unkindly to another wlnle at play; a student may, without just cause,
accnse another of some fault; a brother m ay wilfully break his si:s ter's toys.

antl
the

36.

may find th e lost cluld, an cl lead it home ; the poor
man may save the life or the property of 11is benefactor; th e ol<l Indy may bring medicine, an d wait
upon the sick orphan, and find him a good home.

FORGIVE NESS.

35

bor.

III"'0 IIow nuiy they

<ti'.·

shoitJ

theri/P envy?

By

murmuring, \ Vhy did not this fo rtune come to
me, who need it so much? The cl mismnte Lbmos
the t eacher or the school-oflicer for r:ntialit.y , :111<1
is so mean as to ·try in Recre t to spoil th e g ift. 'l'he
n eig hbor says, A stupid mnn is alwnys the most
lucky; this is the cnse with my neighbor: he
knows nothing of politics, an cl hardly can, on
eloction-chy, wake np hiR <1nll ideas to t oll whom
b e will vote for; yet, pl:ig ne on him! his crops
1

3(j

OUTLINES OF CO:MPOSlTION.

OUTLINES OF COlVIPOSITION.

IV. Efj'ects on the envious pe,r son. - His face

FORill OF A LETTER.

bears the marks of his passion; he is uot belov ed,
but Lla111ccl or pitieJ Ly every one.

(DATE.)

tQlfeaot'I,

ulftcl fet~ /d, /cftJd ·

37.
LET 11 ERS.
I.

Definition. - A letter is a written communication
of thou ghts or feelings, sent to a distant friend or
other person.

·· ············ ..... ···· ·

"t
k

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

II. JYecessary qualities. - Clean paper; freedom
fr om blots, &e.; legibly written.
III.

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

"The hngunge of a letter should be pure and simple ·
Engli sh, neither vulgar nor over-learned. Correctness in
composition is even more essential than in con vcrsation. In
tl1e latter, ' slips of the tongue' are often excusable; but,
in writin g, we are supposed to hav e more leisure, and therefore there is no CXl'. llSe for an improp er word, for the
vi olation of a rule of f.:yntax, or for the misspelling of a
word." *
The fo ll nwing p;cnernl form ir> g 1ven for the guidance of
the young letter-writer: -

* "Essays on l'olitcncss anu Education."

•

I

•·..

··· · · · · ·· ·· ·······
I .

Parts. - D:tto, complimentary address, body of let- ·
ter, complimentary closing, signature; aJdress, title,
&c., of' th e person to whom the lotter is,. to Le
sent; envelope, with the :-tddress r epeat ed.

·

- ---- -· · · ·· · - · ····· · ··

,,.

--·

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

·· ··· ··

.. .... ................. -··.. ....... ........ ..... ... ..... ........ .. .... .. ...····· ... ··············
........................................ ... .... ...... ... ... ................ ... ..........

'\

i

'
.~

I

I ~ _..

:~

;ir.
,I

(COMPLIMENTARY CLO SING .)

J

icnzat?z, aJ . cvci,

~at

a;fottonalc fend,
~o1;1c rf:'don .

(ADDRESS, TITLE,

Jlt. 1'. Ylf

<~c.)

Pftetcc,

-ct,n/~ ~~id '%id.

I
1

. 38

OUTLINES OF CO.l\lPOSITlON.

0 UTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

os .

IL

To give interest to their correspondence, it is n ecessary,
that, besides relating the news, they sl1 ould also
choose subj ects fo r discussion: he is pleased, therefore, that Geo rge has sent him this problem .

III.

He is happy to inform his friend, that, afLer severe
study, he has been ena!Jlecl to sol vo the problem ;
then states his manner of solution.

u

A LET1 ER.
1

. Snbjec~. - A scholar is cl10sen by his fo llow-pupils to
i equcst their teacher to take them

lllJO U

a s1u·o .t·~v ex curs10n.
.

PLAN.

I. 'l'L c schol:irs still
l
,
.
r~m e m )er qui te well t he pleasure
t he y cn~oycd :1unng l:tst summer's vacation in company with their t eacher.

JI. They are ve ry hn1>11 v tlwrefore to C" ll t
•
J '
'
•
"
0

. 1 t lJe
pr~m'.sc, that t l1iR yea r also he " ·otil d g iv e tl1 em
a su111l:tr opport1111ity fo r cnj oymeut, provid ed tli cy
sho11l!l lJc diligent sclwl:-trs.

III.

lllll1 C

They believe that they h:wc cl one their best to- ~.vm
. }·i1. s
. approval, ~nd J.IOW beg that th ey may m con scqncncc realize h1S prolllisc.

IV. After relating such items of news as he thinks will be
of interest to his friend, he proposes the following
question, and requests an answer in George's next
letter: vVlrnt are th e elates of tlie births and
deaths of th e five most celebrated men in American
history? (This q11 estio11 will test George's knowledge of the history of his country, and also show
his j ~lclgment in selecting the greatest men of the
land.)

IV. Name of the phcc which t he scl1 0Iars wish to select
for th e excursion
place).

v.

(reasons for choosing

Siibject.' - Lucy congratulates her friend Mary on the

39.
I. S~~bJect of a Lcttc1·. - E<lward proposes to write to
us fi tend George, who l1:1s sent him a problem for solution.
PLAN.

I. Both fricrn1s h:H1 agreed ~it their separation to write to
r d · l ,,..... ... ,..... ...... ............ _ ~ _ __ _

40.

this

. They p1:·om.isc tcJ' conduct tlwmselves during the trip in
eveiy i c~p ec t as good scholars, and subscribe themselves, Wtth much respect, his dear pupils.

P!'lfl ll

39

11

return of her birthd ay.

,.

PLAN.

A year ago, these two friends were t ogether at a young
ladies' academy : sin ce then many things have
changed, but their love has r emain ed t h e same.

II. To-day, on Mary's birthday, the r emembrance of her
dear fri end is as live]y as ever; am1 Lucy feels
herself urged to express her affection by a letter
and a gift.

III. She wish es Mary a.11 happiness; that she ma,y often see
this thy, arnl enjoy it in health a,nd ple:isnre. Her

' 1

4U

OOTL.INES OF COMPOST'i'ION.

IV.

V.

Lncy has 111 a~l e a sum·J: :t11tl scm<ls it to her dear fri eml
as a toke n of h e r affocLion and a sig n of h ur kincl
rcmeJUlJl':tnce. vVhe11, among the many presents
1ritb whiub she will Le ihvore<l on li er LirLIHhy, the
g ift of h er fri eml will fi g ure as an inferior one, she
Legs h er t o boa~· in miml that the g ift, however
small, has come from a loving h eart.

OlJ'fLINES OF COMPOSITION.

Sh e h opes for her continued fri endship, aml the accepta11 ce of the gift, ancl assures h er of undying
r ememl>rauce.

PART SECOND.

1.
41.
8'uJ~j cct .

- \Villimn requests his frieml H enry to pur-

ch::ise certain Looks for him.

PLAN.

I.

\Villi;im's te:1Ch er h as lately sh own him his fine library;
aml th e Loy has bee n so delighted with it, that he is
resolve(l to Legin the collection of a small one for
himself:

II.

\Villiam's fat her is pl eased with his son's r esolution,
ancl has g ir on him a sum of mon ey for the purpose
of c:-urying it out.

III. Bnt \Villiam liY es in

vilbge where there is n o bookstore ; aml h e 1vi shcs to engage his frieml Henry,
w ho resi1lcs in !he city, to m:1ke tlie pnrchase of a
fow boo ks for him, nam es the bo oks, and en closes
a mou cy-onl er.

IV.

ON THE ARRANGEMENT OF 'l'IIE UATERIALS OF A
COUPOSI'l'ION.
·

;i,

Ile h opes that he m:iy soon be able to r eturn the favor
of his fri end in some way, and assures him of his
~front;

rvn

n 4-n ,• Arwon vrl

I.

The division of the subj ect being of g re::ttest in~­
portance, the :111th_or, as well. as th.e rend er, is
oLligeJ to pay the closest ntten t1011 to it.

IL The 'tisiicil /atilt

of young 1nitcrs is to compose
without order, due reflection, aml proper arrangement of thought. They write at r~rn d om, and, by
doina so obscure their rn e:ming, and wake but a
b
'
•
1
feeble impression upon the minds of thell' reac ers.

By a'r range11imit we arc to und erstand the c.orb elon 0a mg
. g success10n
·
rcspondm
o f tl1 e t]·1· ouuhts
o
·to th o snhject: tJfri supp oses
a. A col !Pelion of mntcri:tls or th onghtR) which is obtnincd,
1. By obRcr vation.
2. By re(tlling.

3. Hy conwr ~ :ition.
4. Dy rell cction.
b. ·vv e procccLl to arr(tngc our thonghts,
d'
tl .
1. Dy examining them separately, accor rng to · 1c ll'
l.. - -

-·-

_,

!.-- -- ,,...._ ~..t.. ..,,

................ .

42

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

2. Grouping those that arc like, and putting them together under general h eads ;
3. Awl, finally, plneing the separate thonghts under
each hea<l in the order of their importance and
mutual relation; always remembering that each
general heading must correspond with the subject,
arnl serve for its dc velopnrnut.
c. !Living acquired a certain fa cility, we nrny analyze the
different divisions of the subject, and introlluce alltlitional sentences, found by reflection, until the whole
subject is fully dcvclope<L

IV.

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

b. It is the preservative of language, the business man's
security, the poor boy's capit<d, and the ready servant
of the world of mind.
c. Bad writing requires 110 small amount of patien:e, ou
account of the time lost in making out the meanmg.
d. Good hand-writing is an evillence of good tast~ and a
love of the beautiful, and thus indicates the cuaraetcr
of the writer.
e. It affords pleasure both to the writer and the reader.

III. W'l"itilnf} is still further worthy .of our attention on
ncconnt of its benefits to mankrnd.

Such an aPranymnent is cert[1inly not e[1sy ::it
first; but it is complete, nnd will teach us to tliinl.:
out n su~ject in ::i, more thorongh manner ; and,
having by prnctice overcome the difficulties, we
sh:ill find oursel \res cnnbled to set down onr
thoughts in a system:itic manner, according to the .
requirements of gooll composition.

a. Before its invention, tho voice of wis<lom perished; but
little knowledge coul1l Le ac(1uircd or preserved.
b. 'Vitl.i its invention, the mi1ul of man may Le almost
said to have Leen re-created.
c. Bcrore its invention, the voice of man only conld COllllllU- •
nieate ideas, ancl but a few thous:i nil coulu listen ; now,
tho whole wodd may road.
d. Before its invention, the mind of one country was
estranged from that of another ; now, wisdom seems
endowed with the gift of tongues, and, through her
interpretors, speaks to .all the nations.
e. Before its invention, history and thought faded from the
minds of men; since, they have become imperishable.

2.
I. A young 1nan who writes a poor hand complains
t~ a friend that his teacher urges him to improve
lus penmanship. He finds this request troublesome
thinks himself unable to become a-good penman, and:
in order to justify himself, mentions the fact that
some eminent men do not write a very legible hancl.

IV. A practicctl knowlcclge of this elegant nrt, tl~ere­
forc, each one should gnin: for, as long as ho lives,
it will be to him n source of pleasure, profit, :Lnd
improvement; ancl, after his death, it will remain n
monument to his character.*

II. IIl8 friend, who thinks good hand--writing a valuable accomplisl11ncnt, cnrlc::tYors to convince him of
his error, [llHl nscs the following rcn sons to induce
lii.111 to foJlow th e [ttlvice of his tencher: a. A g-nocl h:incl-wriling rccornmencls a person to a stranger.
1n
thi 8 rei::pcd,
it is like neatness of dress, which malrns
I'
,
T

•

43

3.
READING.
I.

In these ti11rics, when nearly every one reads, nncl
when the number of books is legion, the taste for

44

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.
0 UTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

reaJillg certaiuly dese1.vos a chapter f . 't
.
eratio11. The . V
.
01 I ·s cons1dL: I - .
su uect has its dark as well a 't
u g it su1e: readiug may b -1. . - .s I s
injurious.
e P oft table, and also

4.

II. Realliny is infulrio us,

LANGUAGE.

a. \VJ ie n we r c·ul for J
•
.
,
ucrc p astuuc and
111 vi ew.
'

III.

. •·h

Wh

.
out any oL.ieo~

I. Int1•od'ucUon. - Language, which

constitutes th o
g lorious pr e-eminence of man over the brute, is tho
means by which >ve an ange our ideas, and reveal,
by articulate sonn<ls or sensible signs, our inmost
thoug hts and feelings .

b. -\ Vlw11 we read, without cl1oicc, the ·ood and ·h

1Vhat we shonlll 'l 'Call.

g

t e bacl.

a. JJ~oks ffhich ,arc in structi \'C as w II
.-- . .
b. 13wfrra11J11 • t.1 1.
c . as wtc1es trng.
- h'
1
"'
-'
a c s, 1story
t

aml relio·ious L l'. poc ry, general literature,
S .
. . "' - oo ,s, especially the Holy BiLl'
.
c. cwnt1f1c works, which enlarge th .1
.
e.
e<l o·n
c -.omam of our knowl-

II. The injliw1-i ce exe1•cised by lan g unge.
a. L anguage is a symbol of mental activi ty, and a medium

>:>'-"

of communication between differ ent minds. Man is a
mirror of all objects: he digests and assi milates in his
mind the mat erial furnishecl by his senses, and then
communicates it by speech.
b. Every people, according to its own geniu s, amalg amates
the phonetic element with its own feelings and conceptions into organic unity. Our very t houghts are not
clear and well d efined until united with the symbols of
speech ; for,
1. Thought crystallizes the momentum of the mind,
aud is then uttered by words.
2. Speech i s as much a function of thinking as
breathing is of livin g.
·
c. Speech is developed only in society; and men can neitb~r
understand themselves, n or thei r own ideas fully, except by- trying the intelligibility of their words on one
another.
d. Mutual communication sharpens the intellectual powers;
so that, with the increase of social intercourse, language
gains id perfection.

·1v. Ifow 'W e should 'l'Call.
a. ' Vitli nitt~ ntio n

'

1. Tu tl1 c su1Jsta 11 cc.

2. Tu the ~ I- d e

v.

It

b. 'Vith p en i11 J1~ lll; CYcr rc::it1y t 0
copy
· t s.
c. N CYCr t o l o:"t~ si.,Ji t' of' th ' ·I
. choice- e x t iac
of tl
I
lG. Aftl'r p ern si nrr ab Lo 1· 1 c cm or dcswn
"'
lC wor L
.
. .
"'.
o ~, ct us :isk ourscl ves '\Vh. t b -6
11.l\ e 11-c d en ved fro n . t ?
1 .
'
a ene t
o11 our rni nrl ? how i'.1:1 c;1 ,;~· ti'.t impression h as it left
e. lt 'II I
.
rnc1 anLl licttcr are we?
w1
JC well for two fri ends to 1. .1 L
ton-ct]
l ·
' cau t c same book
"" . icr, anc intt!JToo-ate
c~c 11 otl
•
b
«·
· icr now a d tl
concerning tli c s11Lstancc of tl ' . , " .
' n
icn,
one mri '
,
.
. .
ieu rca.drng, wli cn each
Tl. , ? c~p1css lus. op111 1011 upon this or t.1i at suL' cct
u~ will g 1i•c Hew i11tclli 0o-cncc and J'f'
t
h ~ .
1 e o eac
f , ·]
l
nund ·
, '
ot Jc cas arc ike s1xirks t11c 1· . 11
'
'
Y dill c n ew fires.

WOI 1 7 l

' '

l

JC

45

'W ell if cveryb ocl y, C'fi]Wcinlly tl

.

yo nng, wore more carefu l in t ho cl1 01·co of . 1· ie
,
.
I C[L( UJ g ;
Ol n11.'.11bers of bo~ks contain, und er a h:mdso1:ie
appeai .111 cc, t he poison of t11e son] . J. - t
:fl 0 , , .
f
. . -'
, llS .'lS m::my
. ' c1s o cnt1c111g be:u1ty have within them the
pmson of tho bod y., Roacl tl . f-'
1
.
, ' 101e ore, only snch
Joo ks ns cul t ivate and en noble the . J b th:it debase it.
mrnc, ut nono
f . ·

. III.

As lcingiiage is of such importance, g reat care
should be bestowed upon its cultivation,
a. To endeavor to acquire a correct pronnnciation.
b. To learn to apply the principles of grammar in our conversation.

4G

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

c.

T~ attend to. these five requisites of purity and propriety
lll

the choice of our words, _

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

II. Th/is socictl

co1n,pctnionship is, however,
atten<le<l with many disappointments am1 inconveniences. It often costs mou ey, and wast es still
more precious time. Aud, insteacl of satisfying his
wishes and expectations, man often finds himself
sadly disappointed in the character"and disposition
of those persons on whom h e relied. Sad delusions
arc generally the result of inexperience : we should,
therefore, be on our guard iu the ch oice of comp::m1ons.

1. The words should belong to the language we use.
2. They sh?uld be arranged in phrases and sentences
according to the syntax of our language.
8. They should be emp103red in tl1at
~ense which
usage lrns annexed to them.
4 · 1Ve should avoid obsolete terms.
5. 1Ve should r eject n ewly-coined words, as well as
those that are low and provincial.

IV.

Othm• 1~ieans of improviug our language.
a. Reading goou au thors.
b. Conversation with persons of refined t t
p
.
as e.
c. raet1cal cxcreises, as loud rcadin,,. &c
d Attcnti 01 to
.· _
.
b>
•
•
l
punty ot h eart and mind by which
shall learn to prize noLlc wortls refo;cd id
we
tl
rht
1 l .
'
eas, pure
lOU6
s,. am ( csp1sc what is vulgar in thouo-ht
-'
convcrsat10n.
b
anu

v.

III.

a. It is true th::i,t they, too, cost money, but not so much as
false fricntls : moreover, once iu possession of them,
they arc always ours, ncvc1; prove fi:iithless.
b. 1i\Te may consult them at any time; for they are ever
rcatly to amuse and instmet. Even on our travels,
they arc cheap and useful companions. Arc we tiretl of
them? \Ve ma.y lay them aside, withont fear of offence.
c. If, during our r catling, we firnl a llcautiful, important, or
difficult passage, we mar tlw cll and reflect on it at
pleasure, without becoming ted ious or bmclcnsome to
any one; while in society we are oLligecl to submit to
the customai-y rules, which often compel us to sacrifice
our inclin ations for the sake of pleasing our companions.
d. If we arc not pleased with a pass:igc, we may express our
disapprobation, and mentally confote it, without runninrrb the risk of givincr
offence. In society, it is for the
0
most part quite otherwise, which nrnde Mrs. H ale
exclaim,-

.· LJ
b
_
'
e llCu Y rewarded
y the advantages nnd pleasure we shall 1 .·
i.·
tl
_
c euve, uy
10 - esteem of .our co mpanions, and especially
by the approbation of Him who
1
gave angnage to
man, ~or no other r;nrpose than that it should serve
l
as an rnstrumentaltty to promote his tern , I
.
poia ancieternaI happiness.

5.
I. JJI((.n is

by na.t1o·e 8ocinl. -He
looks for Jiis
cq 11als, oi tlter to :111nrne himself, or
to enjoy the
ad v::in tfl f)'p ,Q f)t """"A .. __ L! -

Goocl books are companions in whom we may confide.

Conclusion. -Such care will b

GOOD l300KS 1'1IE JJEST COMPANIONS.

47

" The burning soul, the bunlcned mind,
In books alone companions find."

JV.

Oit/J'

constrint enr,leetV01" shonld then be to pro-

cure good books; for they not only g ive t estimony
of the tendency of onr mind, but they are also
aclmir:-ible companion s, which enlighten, instruct, and

48

OUTLINES Ol!~ COl\tIPOSlTlON.

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

d. It is the organ of eloquence, the true gucmli an of

G.

Cla.y.
e. From th e tongue, life receives its most attractive charm,
con vcrsation.
J. .It enahlcs u s to worship Goel in hymns of praise, -

The most nsefnl and the most hurtful member of the
hnm:m body.

I. ./E sop was once ordered to buy the best article the
niarket affo rded, and he brought home a tong ue: ou
another occasion, wh en ordered to buy the worst,
he again brought a tongue.

" The songs thnt fl oweLl on Zion's hill
Arc chanted in God's temples s till."
g. vVithout the ton gue, there would be no wonls ; conse-

quently, no written language, no hooks.

a. The tongnc, capaHc of rendering the greatest services in

B.

favor of all that is noble and goou, is likewise the
source of much evil.

i ~,

therefore, the rn edi11m of our sensations of pleasure
in eatin g awl drinking ; and consequently gives
encoura gement to the art of cookery, and promotes the
in teres ts of commerce by its fondness for spices, &c.,
from di stant co un tri es.
b. Dut it also encourages the desire for dainties, revelry,
drunkenness, lavi ~hn css, &e. It may even reduce meu
to a state of p o\'ert.y, - Apiciu s. And, according to
Sh akspcarc,
"Dninty bi ts
l\fake ri ch the ribs, but banlcrupt quite the wit."

III.

~rhe 01·gcin

A.

Its hurtful effects : a. It is th e instrument of lying, <1eccit, b ackhiting, calumn'y,
indiscretion, wicked in stigation, and :{ht tcry j anu the
poet is right in sayin g, -

The principal 01·yan of th e sense of taste.
a. It

of spcccl"i.

Its beneficial effects : a. It en ables us to express our sensations of joy, grief, &c.,
not in mere rongh, abrupt sounds, as animal s, but by
arti culate word s, fi gurative lang nage, foreign tongues.
b. It is the chief rn edinm of the cul ture of the mind, awakening an<l animating the slumbering though t.
c. It enabl e ~ us to make known onr wants and desires ; to
co n ~ol e, advise, warn, and defend those who are in

fre~

institutions, - Greece and 1(,omc, Demosthenes an
Cicero; Great Britain and lrelaud, Durke, ritt, and
O'Connell; the United States, H enry, ..\V ebster, aucl

THE 'l'ONGUE.

II.

49

"There is n lust in m n.n 110 elm.rm can tame,
Of Jomlly p11bli sl1i11g hi s n eig li \Jor's shame :
On eacrle's win gs immortal, scanrlal s fly;
""\V hileb virtue's acti on s arc \Ju t born to cl'1c. "

b. By its means, p er sons have disgraced themselves by sing-

i1w vicion s songs.
c. By i~s means, de1; 1 :igognes pervert th e truth , a~1~l sow the
infor n:tl scccl of <li ~conl in p<':lC'cfnl e01 11mm11 t. ics.

IV.

Be cri1r Uotts, the1•ef<Yrc, in usin g yonr tongue: .it
1

is the source of much good, but :i.1so of much ev11.
Keep it in proper b ounds, nm1 bear in 1:1inc1 th:i.t
man has to render an account of every idl e wor<1.
"Speak little, but think much;" for "m:my wonl s
and good juclgme~t seh1om go . to~e tl:~r," ::incl
"speaking is very c11:fferent from tlnnlong.
5

50

0 CTTLIN l~ S OF COl\U'OSl'I.'10.N .

OUTLINES OF COl\ll'OSlTION.

7.
b.

NO J\IK~IOJ1IE8 SO PLEASINGAS 1'1IOSE OF CHILDHOOD.
I.

J1I n n scl<lmn u 1ulm·stan_,,-:"'
•
/ """

11 o \v
~n--csc llt. ~1'utu_re a nd p_ast (h ope nncl
.r'
ue. the favonte
s ubj ects' of h is
.
l lus w e 1mc1 to be mo re o r less t l ~

t·O l"1ve 1n
· t 1I C•

r cm ernlirnn c;c)
c on t ernp 1nt1011.
.
.
., o ·
.• •
r
.
.
le case In e very
st.10 e of_ lt le. .r o liv e m the fotnrc is more p ec uli a r
to t he tun e of youth ; t o live in the pnst, more to
that of ad vancecl age.

c.

d.

II. Expel'ience tenches, t h at, from th e nge of manhood, t lt u g ray-ha ired si re k eeps in r e membrance
t he pleasant rath e r t h :cu t he o-loo my h o nrs A
c I11·11
\ rc11, \\' C cn::;ily forge t so rrow° and pleas ure ·; buts
w l1 c11 w e L ·co me ohler, w e re membe r th e j oys lll o r~
t h.:111 t l1 c_ so rrows of o ur y oun ger days, and d well
with dcl1g lit upon them.

e.

it is that we are so pleased to think of the time of
cliiklhood: and it was thus the ancie nts formed
th eir id eas of th e golden age, which was but the
age of childhood.

a. N egatively.

IV.

:rhc Cfl U 8e mu st li e i11 sorn ctl1i11 g el se.
a. Cliil ilrr n are n1 nrr inn ocent: t hey liavc no idea of the
~11 or:i l rl r pr:nit.y of man. Every thin g appear s tu th em
m pl c>:1 ~ i11 gco l o r s: t..Jwy know n utLin 12-. in f:1ct. ofh11111an

of chilclhoo<l is sel1lom r'.:Jn neeted with r epentance for
past wic kedness ; or, r a,ther, it stands out in sweet contrast from the darker li te of our after-ye a.rs.
In th e yea.rs of' childh ood, the first sen se of feeling for
the bcautih.1l m:inifosts i tself; aml the memory of this
pleasure is of. lasting sweetness. As these arc .our first
j oys, they arc · the l.iases of all tlrnt succeed, and this
cxpbins their deep imprint upon the memory .
Children easi ly fo rget trouLlc, and rather prefor to dwell
upon pleasing transactions ; and these thus make an
impress npon t heir minds which even the latest tim e
cannot e fface.
The years of childh ood arc th e years of h opes. Frequent ch anges, varieties, prom otions from class to clas s
in school, even the const:wt growth of mind and body,
keep li fe contimmlly new.
The child needs li ttle to make him h appy. His j oys are
cheap: he is free from cares, for his parents provide fo r
him.

v. On cwcoiint of obsm·vations siich cis these

III. I Iow can this be expla-i-nell?
Not Lccansc th e pl c:isures of childhood are .
g rc:1.tcr; fo r who still po~scssc s in later age a r ca,l
cl cs1rc and taste for tltc merriments of clulilrcn ?
" TJio wishes to engage in them? It is true we look at
th e piny of cltildrcn with rl clight; but we never ch cri ~h • t he leas t wish to cxeh:rn ·=>
~.. e them ·for tliosc
· .
•
JOJS
wlud~ '"c ar c. now ca pa lJlc of foolin g. If we compare
the high er cn.1 oy 111 r nt s of the time of youth wi th th ose
of ni ~ nh ood, we ~h a ll src at once th a,t th ose of age arc
su~ c n or. .1\ n<l .vrt tl1 e r em r m brancc of the j oys of
clnldhornl 1s excrerlingly lJcanLifol.

51

8.
THE NOBLEST ENJOYMEWr OF Yourrn.
- I.

1t£cin is not m•eatecl /01· contin·n al worl:,.
His mind is naturally inclined to partake of enjoym ent.
a. This enjoyment affords strength to mind and body. \¥ e
should, therefore, not abstain from the delights of innocent pleasure. Every age sh ould partake of th em, youth ::tR well a,s m::tnl1 ood.
b. B ut we frcfJu cntly comm it fanl ts in t11 c pnrsuit of pleas-

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

52

II.

Which a1·e the noblest enjoy1nents of
youth?
a. All plensnrcs
their· pi·omi' ..,,,
sn l\I any l eave a
..
.<lo not fulfil
.
g1r-.tt emptrncss
Ld11ncl them ' ':iml fill tl1c so u1, sooner
.
or later, w1tli deep r emorse
,, "~ 1.·c tiw sc nsnri.1
· · These
pleasures, many of wl1id1 ar c incom1iat1'Llc
.
•
w1' ti 1 mno,
ccncc aml Yirtuc.
b. Among the nobl est enjoyments of youth arc r eckone d 1. T .1c
l ~.oys wlu· ch Natnrc afford ~, - a. plc:-isant CY'c11111g s w;1.lk, or . a walk on a Lrigl1t spring or
sm n~n cr. s mornuit;, a little travdiug 011 foot, the
c11 t1vat10n of flowers, &c.
2. The joys which we dcrir e from •trrreeable c
. .·
.
.'"' '
ornpan1011 s a nd plcaRa.n t co1n-ersat ion.
3. The ,i oy.s 'd1ich arise from observing our adv::m ccrncnt m know leclgc, fro m the co nrielion that we
learn "·i th more c:-irn th:m formerly, and that our
labors arc crownccl with better success.
4. T~ ie j~y s we feel on knowi ng t hat we daily advance
111 nrtuc, goo dn c~~, mornlity.
5. Th e. j oys which tli c appr obation of good men
:ifiords.

1

III. These joys possess the excellent qualities

U1~

'

a. '~'hey arc att:-i in able by all , poor and wealthy.
b. 111cy leave after them no sorrow.

Ilcmembcr the golden maxini," Enjoy thyself; bnt sin not."

9.
LIFE IS A JOUR NEY.
I.

53

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

Zif~ of 11ian iR frequen t ly compared to differc11 t t limgR, - ns,thc seasons ; the divisions of the
day;. a tree " ·hi ch g rows, blossoms, bea rs frnit, all(l

Th e

IL

lJfan's Ufe mn.y also Le comparec1 to a j ourney.
a. In general , 1. A s t he traveler h as a destin ation in view, so is there

fixed before man during his earthly pilgrimage a
twofold obj ect, - one pla nted Ly Natur e; namely,
death: the oth er, Ly himself; namely, the station
which, by his cxcrLions, h e in tend s to reach.
2. The journey of one traveler is. pl easant, and free
from all cares ; that of anoth er is quite the contr:iry. So in the lifo of mau. On on e, Fortune
sm iles from th e very cradl e ; on a uother, she
al ways looks coldly.
3. The traveler needs a guide : man n eed s faitW'ul
friends.

A . The life of the child.
a. The traveler begins his j ourney with out knowing wh at
awaits him : the chilcl ucgin s life in c<1ual ignorance.
b. At the outset, every thing looks h opefu l to the traveler:

th e child also enjoys the present, and indulges in
glow in g anticip ations of the future.
c. U uac'l uainted with the road, the traveler at first needs
way-nrnrks: the child also needs h elp to g uide him.

B. Th e life of the youth.
a. After a ch eerful j ourney, the traveler inquires for the
best and nearest r oute to th e next station : so th e
youth, after the time of play has passed, enter s a new
state of life, and tries to prepare himself for it.
b. R elying more on him self, the traveler tries to proceed
without guides : the youth, too, begins to r ely on his
own strength.
c. Stl'ivi11g to advance too quickly, the traveler becomes
e<1 sily exh austed: so the youth, ,vh cn amuition spurs
him on.
d. The traveler Q:ro1rn lonesome : h e look s for associates,
but, from want of cx peric11cc, often find s himself disa ppointed in his con1panions. The youth abo seeks
for friends, but often find s fhttcrcr s and dccei vers, who
t " 1, ,. ".w"v hiR r<ood name and his virtu e.

54
C.

2. The more he knows of men, the more his prejudices

The li fe of man in his prime.

<1 i sa ppe~Lr .
·
r · tl t
3. H e limls so nm ny men wit,h goocl ~na i.t1cs, ia
h e b ecomes convinced t!icit rnanku'.d is not so
l
vetl as some would Jia ye him believe.
t epra ·. '
..
· · . tl usual accomlh1vrers aml accid e nts, .te
4. F rerpi ent ' b •
h .. ·t .
.1
.
. . f' t. ' ·I strc11 n-t,h en t,hc c a1,ic Cl an u
"'
panunents o 1a \e'
fortify the mind .
.
t l ith his coun try am1
5. lle l.Jecomcs more con t en Cl w . . , . .
'
"Ll to its laws and m st1tut10n s, espernore a tt aell "
chll v if h e is an American .
It ::fi';ri1s l1i m pleasant w collcctions, and furnish es
G.
1
"'Vl t we learn
his minrl with useful th oug 1t.
' ta
.
from ohscnation ma.k es a deeper im prcss1on. on
. ls t11a11 wlnt
our. mtnL.
' we learn from the narrat10ns

a. l\lore prudent Ly ex perience, the traveler goes forward,
and, in spite ot' oLstade s, never loses sight of his desti1rnLio11. l\la.11, too, meets difficulties : Lut, iusteaJ of
being llisma.yed by them, h e is rather stimulateJ to
m:ike new exertions, till he h as attai11 e1l his end ;
namely, a posit.ion of h onor anJ r espect in society,
wh ere h e may do good, both for himself aml for Lis
follow-men.

D. Th e life of the old man.
a. On account of the toils of his journey, the traveler has
become weary, and longs for r epose. Even so with the
old man, - the staff with which h e once playeJ is now
hi s neeessary support; but he is consoled with the
r efl ec tion tha t the troubl es of life are past, the battle
is fo ugh t, and he has come off victorious: now h e may
live on the r emembrance of his good deeds, till death
lca<l s him gently to a better land.

10.

of others.

B.

tion (inst.a.ncef\).
.
. ,
rromotion of gcncrrrl intercour se b etween the 111hab1t;tnts
c.
of (lilfo rcnt co untries, antl advantages of the same.

IL

In oiir llcty, people tJ•cwel

111/llCh more th an
formerly, - some on business, some to gain info rmation, and som e to r ecruit their minds an<l
l>oclies.

':l1lw Ctll,v antages of tPavel nre manifo ld.
A.

In rega rd to the traveler himself,

a. H e stre ngthens his mintl aJ1(l bQ(ly by a ch ange of ~ti r.
b. Ile lc am s to kn ow men i11 their d ifferent modes of life,
anrl ther eby cnltirntes his rniml aml re!ines his t aste.
c. It for111 s hi s character.
1. Ile comes in to contact with men of di(forent dispo~ i ti o n s and h abits, and thus learns tli eir pec uli arities, rlraws comparisons, adopts the goorl, and

In rcgar(l to oth ers.

t .
of makiii ~ importan l1I S1
a. Tr:t1·eli11 g h :is b een tic me:ins
~
co vcrics (instances)·
T h e juLlicious tr:welcr learns f'.·om f~reign p eople m.a~1y
b.
beautiful and nscful things, with which h e may ac11uamt
er
, conatr)'lllen ·1 as org..~1·1 '1z"'tL io 11 ..« , law"
' .. , mann
1!I·.S O \\ll
f · 't
of livin g, 11sel'ul inrcn!.ion s, eusto111s worthy o lllll a-

U11I LI11 Y OF rr·RA VE LING.
I.

55

OUTLlNES OF COMPOSlTTON.

OU TLINES OF COMPOSITIO N.

c.

Particubrl Jv in regard to inotives of travel.
a. On business, political negotiation s, &c. .
1. By being present in l)cr son,

.

bu.smes~ .r~latmg

to

commer ce, th e rntt ion, or to founly a.ffau s, m ay be
comluetell with greater sa.foty than by letter.
.
2. T ho merch:1.11t d'.cri1'Cf\ particular advan tage fror.n it,
in th e extension of his trade, business conn ect10ns,
&c.

3. By travelin g, lhre:itenin g <l anger s may be warded
~rr: _ banluuptcy, money-crises, &c.

·;,

·,.

56

OUTLINJ,.;S 01'' UOl\il'OSlTlON.

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

II.

11.

']_l'}'fWels
JU .

1. InlanJ. mwigation,- on rivers, lakes, an<l canals.

2. Sea-voyages.
b. On !awl.
1. Afoot.
2. On h orseback, or on camels.
3. B.icling in a carriage, stage, sleigh, reindeer-sledge,

J. OUPneys
fi1·om p 1ace to place.
•
- ost pe~ple are foud of traveling, particularly the
y?u~1~ :I m ndvauced ::ige, this inclination seems to
irnrn1s 1. vVliy?
lf./l°C

&c.
4. On the railroad-cars.

d

c. In the air.
1. In balloons.
2. Flying-machines.

1na11
, ~.r:
.
II. :I_TJ•avels
.
u . be c·l ass'i.
iWCl accordrng
to the
pm pose for w Inch they me undertaken.

IV. Exa1nine · the excellence ancl the llefects

Trav els on business.

A.

of these various modes of travel, the fituess of each
for the different purposes of travel, nuc1 the influence
which they exercise upon the advancement of civili-

a. l\forclrnnt.s
travel to sell or buy ' or· t o ex t en <l t h eir
. com
.
llH'.rcwl relatio11s.
b. Olli(·crs
of
th
e
Slate,
a
111ha
srn!lors
&c
t1--1'·cl
1'11 tl
.. "
•
.
'
., " · •
l C SCI'\ l l L ul th<'ll' g c.n·c rlllll C IJ [ S .
.
c. Ot.lwrs
tr:in•I
n11
:H
Tu
rn1L
off
·1
.
.
l·
.·
.
1
1
. ,.
. ..
.
.un } c ,tt10n s ; a s sickne ss
Ol dc«th of Jr1c11ds, rnh e rit ~~ n ce of property, &c.

D.

Dijfere·n t 1no(les of u·avel.
a. On water.

DHiFEllEN1' KINDS AND 1'10DES 0], TRAVEL.
I.

zation.
.'I

'l'r:wcis
for m ere })Ic::isure, o1· .('101. tl 1e sak e of rc. .
cnut111g hca!Lh.
'I,o waterrng--placcs.
.
b. To hill y coun tries.
c. T o warmer or more Lracing climates, &c.

57

12.

it.

C.

Trav els for information.
a. Scholars
tnwcl to consult libraries , examine monuments,
o.
~'((' .

b. Art.i s t~, to v isit. mu ~c11m s of paintings a rnl sc ul1)ture or
ol.h er \\'Orks o! a.rt.
'
c. Tlie~ c :rnd oth ers alrn <lef'irc to stud)' man in h1"s . .·
I ' f r' .
r
• val lO US
~10< l. ~ o . i~e, anJ to ~cc the manifohl charms of Nature
olh m t li eH' mn1 a n<l in foreig n countries.
'
d. Voyages
:uc
mad
e
on
~ca
to
ol
t·
.
.
·
"
.
.
.
•
.
J <1.ui 1111 m matwn ronr crnrng new places (Columbus, Vaseo <le Ga 111" l\I 0 . 11
·
<'"'
a c an
- 1>
"'
'
l . a rry , ](·in(')
Cno,,
rivr
. , ,:1JH1 on 1a.nLl f'or tlie same pur1Jose
nnH()

l >~l rl l"

l~i'JJ (l f\

TT 111nhnlil t\

'

I. :I1raveliny on foot h as fallen into disrepute.

At
a time when steamboats auc1 stea1n-cartiages focilit:~te traveling in every way, almost everybody
ric1cs, anc1, as a general thing, l ooks with contempt
on him who walks. And yet travelin g on foot i~,
in many p:lrticubrs, to be preferred to auy other
mode.

II. To wh01n it 1na11be1"ec011Mnmuled.
a. To young })ersons.

He who is vigorous should tr:wel on
foot, and confide in bis strength, which is increased by

i.;
'

58

OLJTLTNES OF UOl\1PO S l'l'10 N.

OUTLIN ES Ol!' COMPOSITION.

b. The utility and pleasure of traveling is promoted,
1. By a proper preparation; a:o:, among others, a
knowledge of the language of the people among
whom we propose to tra vel.
2. A knowleLlgc of the geography and statistics, as
well as the form of government, and the most
important laws, of the co untry in which we are
auont to travel.
3. Prclirui1rnry information concerning the most remarkaulc scenes and curiosities we wish to visit.
4. lk commcnd atory letters from prominent and rcspectalJle p er s o n ~ , to iu surc our wcleomc among
strangers.
c. Precautions to ]Jc t aken : 1. In h otels, it is rnmetimes well to give our valuaulcs
into the safo k eeping of the l:mdlonl.
2. To be on our gmtn l in formiug n ew acquaintances
(smooth-faced rogue:;:, &c.).
3. To uc well ncquain1 c!l with the clangers commonly
expcriencc<l in travelin g.
4. To keep a. diary, or daily record of events.

b. To those whose mode of life requires much sitting or confin ement. They need quick move ment 011 foo t, to
purify aml invigorate the lungs, and prevent depression
of spirits.
c. To the n ~tturalis t. Ile who hastens over Nature docs
not enj oy it, or observe its most ins tr ue ti ve de tails.

III.

General cidvantages of traveli'n g on fo-o t.
a. It furnishes us with more exact information concernin«,.,
localities, men, and countries ; the ouscrvcr fimling
himself restricted by no obstacles, such as continually
impede those traveling uy the ordinary means.
b. It promotes independence, reveals our inherent strength,
and teach es us the proper use of both.
c. It invigorates the bocly, elevates the mind, fortifi es health,
and g iYes to life ne w charms.
d. It is, besides, liable to fewer dangers than other modes
of travel.

IV.

Conclnsion. He who travels for the sake of pleasm c, recreation, ancl information, will, if his health
permit, Jo well to travel as much as possible on
foot.

,-,
1 '-l.
11RA YELIN G -WI11I-I PROFIT.
I.

III.

I -Ie 'Who t'r avels in such a mann er may be sure
that li e travels not only ·w ith aclY:mtage, but that
he al so enjoys th e plcasnrcs whi ch travcliu g is able
to nfford. H e who neglectR these precautions is
liable to meet with difliculties and disappointments.

Traveling 1nay ajf01·ll 1nuch pleas1we
and advantage: still, it happens very often
that he who sets out as a fool returns as such.

II.

59

14.

The qnesti on a ,r ises, vVhat is required in order
to travel with adv::m tage ?
a. The obstacl es to the pleasures, and sometimes even to the
advant:i gcs, of travel, arc, 1. A feeble constitution; for there are many hardships connected with traveling. (N ame some of
them.)

KEEPING A DIARY.
I. JJi mno1•y

is the storehouse of many beautiful ideas
and pleasant thoughts.
a. This storehou se may have its rich es incrcasc<l, if we
accustom ourselves to keep a diary.

60

OUTLINES Ol!'

b. A diary is a lJook in which we write tlown r e markable
occ11rrence'1, as well as observations, though ts, and
aetion s wor thy o( remembra nce.

II.

Lecome t he slav e of om v:m it.y, nml serve only to
make us hypocrites: we should therefore write, a. \Vi th imp:irtial t ru th atlll camlor to1rnnls ourselves,

ft <llrrry of this kiud 111[1,y re:ilize its <lesig n.
- It is to be obscrvc(l, i11 tl1 e first place, that the

JVhnt we .'3houlll,
w ·1•itc in a 1li:iry.

ltJUl

encl e:i1·oring, iH i ts priv: Lcy, to expose and correct our
fa ul ts, as we ll as to note our good thoughts, words, and
aeLion s.
b. \ .Yith I >J'eviLy, writing only snfficicut to recall the past to
our 111 e111ory .

'J..1/w benefits

V.

only ;i l o~s of I inw .
b. There ;ire two cla sses of Sllhj cc ts wliieh may properly
reeeil'C atte nt ion in ~t well-kept lliiiry : -

As mc111ory l1eg i11 s to foi l i11 later years, we slioulJ
n ote, -

a. Tlw m·c·111Tc nccs of our Offn lifo, which, at some future 1l:ty, ma.y he uf ser vice or intm·C'st to llS or to ou r family;
~is eha.11 gcs fro111 one occupation in life to another, p romoti ons in cl;1ss aml other h onors at sch ool or eollc• •":Irrc.1
our elii ef cmpl oy111cuts aml those which a re occasional,
short j ourneys 01· more cxten<lcd travels, n ew acquaintances, impol'tant family events, marri<lgcs, sit:lrn css,
<lcath s, birth s, &c.
b. llcrnarkahle occurrences concerning our dwdling;-places,
or tl1ings ro11nd a.liont ys, which may form the 11-1:1.Lerialg
or ;:;11lise111tc11t history.

R

llesi(ks Lli ese occurrences, we should note wiLh
e:i rc, a. Our 1ri ~h cs, pcrccpt·ion s, arnl feelings .
b. Our o pinion s of events, men , l;ooks, &c.
c. Oc easi111t :1 I th011g;ht;:;, ideas, a JHl aspirations.
d. lleJl c1·I io1t s on our ow n thoughts, words, and action s, anu
on tho se of olhcrs.

to Le derived from k ee piug a diary: -

a. lt affords from time to time an a.greeaJ.>le reernation from
severe mcntnJ toil.
b. It all'on ls pleasing recollcetions for the future .
c. In important ma tters, it aids th e mernory.
.
cl. I3y leading us to rcfice t npon our ow n aclim1s. aml
th oughts, it g ives us a more correc t knowl edge of 011rscl ves, a.nc l lca<ls us to nsoid fan ! ts, an< l t:tKc greate r
prcca.nLion s in our aetious.
e. It c n:ibles us to form more rcasonal.Jle and chari tahlc
judg ments of others.

'W luit we should not,

a. Notlii11 g in sig nifi cant or commonplaec, which woulLl Le

A.

til

lV. The cUwry is fo ·J' OU./l'Sel·v es; otherwise it may

ITow

book is iutendcll sol ely for liim wl10 k eep s it: if
written fo r the eye of auoLher, much of the spirit
oC truth aml simpli ciLy wbieh shoukl characte ri ze
sueh a work will Le lost.

III.

OUTLINES O.F UOMPOSITlON.

COllll'OSTTlO~.

15.
' CONCERNING THJ~ HIGil'l' O~-, YOUNG PERSONS TO
JUDGE OF 'l1IIEilt ELDEUS.

I.

Iri

OU/J'

clciy, we often hear persons complain, and

not withont renso11, of the forwan1 and decisive
judg ments of yon11g m en . JYfany ::dnrm that yo.nng

person s have too mnch liberty, ancl talk about
thin gs which :ire Leyond their experience.
a. On the oth er lrnnrl, ohlcr per son s frequently commit the
error of altogether d eny inµ; to the young the right of
forniing jwlgmcnts ronce rning ma.ttcrs of general inter-

OUTLlN]<}S 01•' UOl\IPOSlTlON.

OUTLINES Ol•' CO l\IPOSITIO.N.

b. By acti ng in the contr:try ma nner, h e oversteps the limits
drawn by hi s Crea,tor. B esides, these rnsh jm1gmcnts
are often injurious to his best interests.

b. \Vl1 at idea does tl
.
le term "J. udbo·me11t"
rn11Hl ?
convey to the
1. It certain ly docs. II o t ·111. can the same as"
. .
no c>rr c could J'01 ·IJ. l
opm10n; "for
ll a no ther vomio·
l·'
an opinion.
' J
b or o u, to hani

Of what natu1·e sl10ulJ be the judgments of the

L.

lll.

young?
A . Concerning younger persons:-

2. "To J. ud b<r e " mean s to liave and t

•

.
a positiv e and d . .
'
o utter an opinion in
ecis1ve manner.

II. Is .it allowed fo1• younf"J

'J

•

a. Imp arti:1l a nll just.

•

m. any m::m uer, of the _fl -~ m s~ns to J itllye,
tmuly.
actions of others ? Ccr-

b. Not wounding the feelings, or bitter in their nature.
c. Gen tle and drnritablc, cousiLlcring that h e himself is yet
young, and liable to err.

A. In general : _

B.

a. Th~ fa cul ty of juug mcnt belon cr
.
.
I clbs to man, for God ha s
gu cn it to him. '111<1 it
' ,.
wou < be wron
t
Jt R proper nsc SCl'Vcs to ]
·
g no · to use it.
"
l C\' C1OIJ th
· .1 r
m :t n, ther efore
11
c miuu. The }'Otrncr
.
Jlldgc.

' as we

as th

a. Not too forward.
b. L e t others jmlge first, a.11l1 listen attentively to them.
c. To form his jmlg mcnts upon those of older a nd wiser

lu h
o
c 0 ' as the rig ht to

p er sons.

d. T o utter his views with becoming diffidence, and ask for

b. If h e h aR the ri()'ht t . 1
o
a. Jlll rrc, h e must h
l
express l1i s J"ml rrmc11t . o
ave t le ri 0oht
.
o
JU words · for tl
·.
18 also hi s.
'
lC gilt of la1wuanc
b • b

information in case h e is wron g.
Not
t o be rash, not to speak ·without due r eflection, a nd
e.
al ways with that modesty so b ecoming to the young m
the presence ef t.heir clLkrs.

to

c. It 11:1s nc n'r been
.
. <1c ru c< 1 to the yo mw
.
.
o man to form JHtln:mcnts co11 ccr11i 1trr i·J , .·f'
.
.
o
· i o .~c o equal ;:i o 0
1'r
· 0
assocratrn o· wit!
o ·
oung per~o n s
.
. . o
l one. another often 1
d1spos1t.10ns be t ter tl1~
]·'
. rnow each otlt er·s

" n o ucr IJers
th eir i1arcnts a11·' t
1
ou s, even better tl1·111
' u cae icr s.
'
d. Bu t yotmoo J1C 1..suns 1ia vc '~" l 'so t iI c l'i<"
. Ilt t • d
•
cases, conccr11ing older
.
o
o JU gc, lll some
l'J
p ct sons.
1·
lC }·ounrr
~ n w110 cl evotes I .
o n1. ...
I
not on ly loves t o re~d
l bum se f to study, wl1 0
.
.
.
' goo( ooks but I
' . a so gives
h ts mmd to reflection fit
' o en possesses a h. h
tnre of intellec t thar 11
' ig er cul2 n 'l
.
' l 0 ( er p ersons.
.
· CSll cs, elderl y pc.
t
.
I sons somc tun es cling too much
o views and opinion s of ti 1c p ast.

Concerning older persons : -

Conip lciints woiilil disappewr if the young

IV

woulc1 keep themsel ves within these bounds : the
prejudice against their forwardness would soon
cease, and there wonlt1 be no n eed for them to
yield their ri ght of thinking and speakin g, upon all
proper occasions, concerning matters of general
interest.

'

16.

B.

But not in all cases may yo uth pri ss cl · · •
m e nt, or cndeavo 1: t
l· . '. . ec1s1ve Jnd g .
o ma "e t lr e1r v1ews })re ·1
a. Not m tlrin!:!;s hcyond their c
.
va1 .
·
·
x pcn cnce
lVI·i
.
present tlr c111sc lvcs to
r
•
. .ny act1011 s
1.
.
a } omw p er son'
. 1
us bcinrr yet a ble t f: l
;:, .
s l111J1(, witlrm 1t
o
o ,it wm th cu· n . t ,
I . .
rucnt must alwn.,-~ Jrt.,,.,n ,, n ,. n · -- ' "- , • am e. -I1s Jwlg-

REGULA'rIONS OF A COMMUNITY.
I.

Whnt is a cmn/m/WJtity ?
a. An association or collection of many families, acting in
harrnnnv fnr

thP f'.on1n1on

fTOOcl.

65

OUTLTNES OF COMl'OSlTlON.
OU'l'LLNES OF UOMPOSITION.

"Then g rowin g (0111m1rnitie~ r ear their beaus,
And gathering crowds cxpam1,
Far as my faucy's ' ' isio11 spreads,
O'er rnany a houmllcss land ;
Till what was once a world of savngc strife
T eem s with the riches t g if'ts of social life."

b. Their ol~eds are : mutual aiLl in d:rnger, sccnrity of per~~n .:i n<l p roperty, gr~ater facilities for ol1taining t cmpo1,11
.
• ,rn <l eternal h appmess,. and better me·111s
' · of' oc
<• qmrrng •all the 11ecessarics and brrood thinrrs
of
l'
,.
.
ll
lle, espec1a y
0
usc! ul knowleJ ge.

II.

JJiutnnl 1·cUef fn clanger.
a. On t.he outbreak of fire, awl ot.h er sudden calamities.
F ire-engines anLl other mea ns of assistance.
b. Li fo allll fire insurance couqnu1ies.
c. S11 pport of the poor, orphans, &c.

III.

Sec 1w:f.ty of pePson aruZ
a.

A~JH S ~me11t of tli ~putes

THE EDUCNrION OF SPAfffA cmIPARED WITH OURS.
I.

Int'ro<.l·i wtion.
a. St;i,te of Sp;i,rta before Lycurgus.
b. Design of his r cguhtions.
c. llis prcserip tious in r egard to education.

II.

GCJie1··cil c01npcirison.

tCJnpm~a l

a. \ ViLh us, the n .' '- ponsibilitirs of edu cation r est with the
paren ts: ::mon.~ tl1c Sp<trtanR, it was a concern of the

a. Th e lmil<lin '='« :iml
of 1.o:u 1s b n·a ges &e
· 1wcce1·vat1"o•n
"
b. T he l111ildi11g of houses, churehes, ~. ml ot~~r l.Jublic

b. The principal aim of the Sp :trL;.n::; was to train up youth

G1·enfel' faci.UUcs i ·n acq1iirtng
f!OO<l.'1.
0

'

work~ .

c. All of which :iffonl crnployment fo r many h:111ds.

v. Better ~nenns of obtaining happiness and
'l.tsefnl knowlellye.
~ennons, lect.11rcs, &c.
g ,\' j·cach cr R, - education of yontb.
- JWWSJXt[1ers l1l<V'':tZir1cs o.
rf\y tlte11·pnhl. ie pre$~,
.
'
cxc.
"i pn J 1c hurancR, r ca<1ing-rooms &c.
Dy t 1:u·1y rnter
·
' o of thong·It
conrRe, an<l iu ter<;h anO'e
1 , a1nong
pm RO H S of v:u ie<l expeneuce.

a. Dy the d ergy an<l oth er public speakcr8, b.

c.

'

<•

e.

VI.

17.

p1~ope·rty.

by per sons of authori ty, as mayor,
,. JU S!ice. of the peace, arl1itrator, &c.
b. The pmushm ent of thi eves aml other public offenders.
c. Co11 se<1ncntl y constables, police, and, in great cmergcncics, th e milit:wy.

IV.

I'AULDING.

0

)

•

••

•

·

a.

Tax c~ .

• ,

1

The 11ur:intcnnrice of these
1 ·eqniPcs 1noney; therefore,
1

•

1~cgiilations

State.

( Gi vc historic~.1 foe ts.)

as warriors: with us, the end of education is t o prepare
th em to live well, also fo r business and public lifo .

III. Plwticiila·r pey·iilations.
a. :F or boys: they r emni11 e<l till their seventh year in the
paternal h ome, then they were pb cc<l in the h onseii of
pnhlic educ:ition (Ii vin g together i 11 common).
b. w ·ith us, it <1cpemls on the parent or g uanl iau where the
chil<l shall be edncateu.

l v: Physicnl t1"ai1·ii11,y .
a. Before their fev enth yeri r, the boys h ad to submit to great
severities aml lrn.n1 ~1rips. In what mann er do parents
treat chil<lren of 11t:tt rige in onr country?
b. From their seventh yc:i.r, t11 cir patience an<l fortitmle were

most severely te~tetl on the oeca~ious of a certain festival cclebmtc<l in honor of Uiana. (Give description
J'.':.._.._...... .,,..,.

1 ..,, ; ..,. 1- r. ~ur \

GG
V.

OUTLlN ES OF CUl\1 P08l'l'l0N.

OUTLINES OF COJ\'LPOSlTlON.

Intellectual cnltu/re.

C\Vliat we call learni11g, or erudition, was unknown to tho
Spartans.)
a. Their education, properly speaking, was only an apprenticeship to obedie uee.
b. The young men aml boys were allowed to be pre"ent; at
the public meetings of their el<l ers, as bein g n•al
schools of temperance and wisdom. There they hc:tnl
di scourses 0 11 grave and interesting matters.
c. The stmly of deceit was considered honorable. (GiYe
hi storical instan ces.)
These facts show the weakness of ltunmn reason .
when not gu ided by the light of revelation an<l
Christian principle.
d. Their study of silence. At the moment when the Loy
entere<l the rlinin g-lrnll, the elder addre,;sed him in
these words: "Nothing which is spoken h ere mu st bg
heard ont there" (pointing to the door). How is it
1rit-.Ji

ll S '(

e. F or girls : tl1 cy were nccnstomed to manunJ bLor (l',· 111 ' t::J
nast.ie exl' rl'irn><, &c.; but they knew nothing of
schools, toil et, dance, or lJaJ!s. How with us '?

VI.

Point ou,t whnt 1ue A1nericnns 'JJtay allovt
from the Spart:m system of education.

·

18.
0 N 'l'IIE PllOPER USE

O~'

THIE.

(After se ntences of Confu?ius.)

I.

IntPot.l uction.
a. Short is th e li te of man.
b. Y<~ t rn:rny Jim n,s though death were at a great distance.
c. Time is all important, and we must use it wisely. Ilow

GI

II. Let the sentences of Confucius giiide us
in nnswe-r-i-ng this qiiesti on.
a. Threefold is the stride of Time: future, present, past.
I. "Loitering slow the Future crccpeth; "

( What does this mean ? )
"Impatience, fret howc'er she may,
Can not speed the tardy goer."
2. "Arrow-swift the Present sweepcth;
Fear antl doubt, that crave delay,
Ne'er can make the fleet one slower."
(What docs this mean?)
3. " And motionless for ever stands the Past;

Nor one spell repentance knows,
To stir the still one from repose."

(Meaning ).

b. Therefore use Time wisely, thu s : "If thou wo uld st, wise and happy, sec
Lifo's solemn j ourney close for thee,"
I. "The Loiterer's counsel thou wilt heed,

Though readier tools must shape the deed."

2. That is, when you undertake any thing of importance, consider the consequences which it may
produce; but, if you are convinced that it should
be clone, do it at once, and never wait till " Time
may show a better plan."
c. " T ake not for thy friend the fleeting one." That is, .
do not live for the mere present; remember also the
~ future.
1. Cultivate thy mind in thy youth, while it is yet plastic. Develop thy talents (intellectual and moral),
even at the cost of mnclt tronble aml sclf-Llenial.
2. \ Vhen the time of eLlueation is passeLl, then Ii ve not
for pleasure ouly, but :tlso for labor. R ememba
the creeping future.
d. "Do not make the motionless thy foe." That is, act
so that n,t some future da,y you m:'.Y not be ashamed of
l_-

J_

-- -

--

l _ --- -

_, _ __ -

!_ .Ll - -

-- -

- J-

GS
III.

OU'. rLlN.I:<:S OF COMP OSITION.

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

Jliay, then, the Ftititre, loitering c1•eep,

a. H ealth of body.
It is true that m ~rny men arc inurm and sickly by
nature, some even from their very infancy ; but
b. A regular mode of living, a proper distrib ntion of t ime
between bbor autl recreation, promotes h ealth, while
the opposite course cnfoeLles it.
c. Aim nJter a proper Llcgree of temporal prosperity. Riches
arc not necessary ii1 order t o be h appy; but a persuu
shou ld h ave a competency. Precaution in th e choice
of vocation, skillfulncs:::, love of order, and industry, add
mnch to success in t11i s.
d. Th e acqni sition of h onor and esteem J cpcntls entirely
upon our own Lleportment. :Man, in whate ver position
h e may be pbcecl, will Le r espec ted if h e respects himself.
e. To h ave domestic h appin ess, cnrleavor to lcatl a virtuous
lifo ; for th at only can n.fford true j oy, antl p eace of
mind.
.f. In rcga.nl to social enjoyments, try to "be all t o all."

The Present swift as arrow sweep,
And mutiouless the Past for ever stand;

(Provilled we have sown well in the spring-time of lifo.)
" Sure of the spring that warms them into birth
The gokl en seeds thou trustest to the earth; '
And dost thou doubt the eternal spring sublime,
l'or deeds, the deeds which wisdom sows in time?"

19.
EVERY ONE 'l'IIE ARCHI1'ECT OF HIS O"\VN FORTUNE.
I.

IntJ'Olluction.
a. Men often compbin of their fate ; sometimes murmuring
again st tlieir follow-men, anJ sometimes even aga inst
U otl 11 i mself'.
b. As it is cvitlcnt tha t man's interior h appiness tlepcnus
11po11 himself, we shall speak only of that which is
exterior.

II. In what external ha1Jpiness consists.
a. In health of bQ(ly.
b. Jn a rcason:tble amount of wealth.
c. In the honor <tnd esteem of others.
d. Jn (lomestic happiness.
e. fo wei<-Ll enj oyments.

A.

Tu all these man himself may add mn ch; for
th ere ex ists a natural connection b etween our
exertions :tllll our snccess h ere, as eYerywl1 (')"()
else; effects corresponding t o th eir c:rnscs.
Tli ong h m:tn is not lord over every c:isu:il ty
or fate whi eh a liigher h and m ay sencl him,
still liis own actions exercise a visible in fl 11 e11 co
" "n "

~J,n.n

69

JU.

Consillm• not yoi r/I'' f ellow-rnien or yonr Creator .as the cause of yonr fate if thin gs do n ot g o
according to your wishes: the causes are, for the
. most p:i,rt, within yourself; and, if they are 11 ot,
remember that God's ways are mysterious, and that
he very often chastens those whom he loves .

20.
-KNOWLED GE IS rl'HE DES 'l' RICHE S.
I. Int1·mhiction.
a. The m <~j ority of men aim after rich es. By this th ey
nn rkrsta,nJ an abunrlance of earthly goods : but the
wore! may h ave a more general signification ; namely,
tl1 e p o~ ~cssion of whatever is worthy of tlcsire, as

70

OUTLINES OF UOMPOSI'I'ION.

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

71

"Extol not riches, then, the toil of fools,
The wise man's cumbrance if not snare, more apt
To slacken virtue, and abate her edge,
Than prompt her to do aught may merit praise."

b. An abunJance of earthly gootls affords, indeed, numerous
a<l vant:1ges. (.Mention some things that are really
desirable, which the wealthy may obtain, antl which tho
poor are depriv ed of.)

MILTON.

II. :rlw best l'iches cmisist,
1

a. Not in earthly goods; for,
1. \Ve may easily lose them by accident.
2. If not gained by sclf~cxertion, we can claim no merit
in their possession.
3. To what consid eration arc they entitled who have
obtained their riches by their own exertions?
4. If acquired in an unlawful manner, they can not 00
called true riches.
5. Riches arc f1wp.wntly misused : in what manner?
b. Knowl cJge is the best riches; for,
1. vVe owe it to self-exertion; and it therefore entitles
us to the esteem of others.
2. Neither acciflent nor force can snatch it from us.
3. It sccnres to the poor a certain independence.
(Artists, mech anics, - what places may they
occupy iu society?)

III.

The 1·es1ilts of the possession of knowleclge wre:a. The possessor is able to add to the pleasures of life .
b. He is enabled to fulfil the duties of life with great.er

facility.
c. Also to please ancl benefit himself and others.
d. Knowle(lge elevates the min:l, and makes man, as it were,
a high er kind of being.
e. It prevents wca.r incss by giving us a pleasant mode of
occupying onr time.
.f. It procnrcs the respect of others, while the rich dunce i!
despised.

21.
EARLY RISING-.
"Early to bed and early to rise
Maketh man healthy, wealthy, and wise."

I. In,t1·odtiction.
a. Most per sons wish to Ii ve long : they can a<ld much to the
length of their lives by sleeping less ; for only he who
is awake and occupied can be t.rnly said to live.
b. It is true that sleep is necessary for the renewal of
strength; but too much sleep is ir0urious to healt.h, and
robs us of a portion of time which should be better
. employed.
c. The ques tion therefore arises, whether we shall prolong
our time by working late into the night, or by rising
early in the morning. Night is appointed for rest; day
for labor : this is the order of nature. The old adage
is true, Aurora musis amica; tlmt is, the morning
h ours arc Lest for useful aml earnest labor.

ir. Advantages of early 1·ising.
@fl.. It is

useful, -

a. For the health of the body.
b.

c.

IV. The yonng 1ncin who wishes to becorne
tJ•nTy 1•ich, therefore, besirlcs aiming nftcr

d.
e.

worll11y goods, will seek also for wisdom; for that

f.

(Show how, and also the
unhealthfnlness of la,tc rising.)
For the mind; which is then fi:esli, cheerful, and capable
of studying with great ea~e.
A person is not yet distracted with the cares of the day.
He thns gains time for study; conse.quently,
He lw.s rnore interior peace and contentment.
He can llo much; for a long day is before him. (Show

72

OUTLINES OF COMPOSI'.rION.

OUTLINES OF COlVIPOSl'l'lON.

g. P er sons living in certn in condi tions of life arc obliged to
ri~c rarl y, in order to mai11 b1in their good st:111tli
wit.11 their employers, or to :;upcrinLc1nl Lheil' a1!:1int,.
- art.isaus, owners of manufhetories, certain public offi.
ccr s, &c.

B.

IL

Biit the stiulent ctlso niay cHlll to 01• take
f1•0JJi Us Pepntcttion. llis d eportment may
elevate or lower the e::;timatio u in which the iu stitution is helcl by t he public.
A. By his belrnvior at the institution .

It is pleasant.

a. In observing its rules aml regulations, bearing m mind
th;Lt they arc made for n oLhing else than to promote
his own in tercst.
b. In being diligent in his studies, ;1nd punctua l in his r ecitations.
c. In al ways giving a good example to his fellow-students,
espec ially the younger ones.
d. In retaining his esteem fo r his teachers, whose labors and
pains are sometimes too <1uickly forgotten .

a. Acti lahuris .f ucw1di, the night's r est is swcetenc<l by th
thongh t th:tt the l<tLors of t.he day h ave been 11 •ll
douc; and Lhcy arc the sooner anJ the bctlcr tlvllc!
when we h:tY C l_icg 1111 early.
b. The morning is the most beau tiful p:.ut of the <lay: it Ii
dclightfu 1,
1. To behold the rising sun and the sparkling <lcw s.
2. To br eathe the r efreshing and invigorating air.
3. To li sten to the warbling of the birds.
4. And to smell the sweet fra grance of the fl owers.
c. llc who loses the rnoming loses the loveliest :i.ncl pu ~
joys of earth, besides wasting his t ime and injuring I.iii
h enlth.
L et us then r emember our motto,-

"Enrly to bed nnd early to rise
l\1aketh man healthy, wealthy, and wise."

73

B.

By his behavior away from t he iustitution.
a. In show inn·
a consta~1 t zeal for the cause of education.
0
b. In considering Lhe instruction he h as rece ived as only the
founllation on which his in tellectual ed ifice is to be.
r earcll.
c. In endeavoring to make the best use of his acquirements.

Ill.

As ·the stiident oives

to th e institution
where he was ccl ucatecl, h e is bouncl
111/tlCh

a. To r ecommend it to others ; and,
b. To defend it if calumniated.

IV.

22.

acted in confo rmi ty with the spirit of the institution; consequent gratitude.

nurJ1IES OF THE srrUDENrl' TO THE INSTITU11ION
WHICH HE HAS RECEIVED HIS EDUCATION .
I.

'.11/w 1•eputation of an instit'l,,ition

d e pc m~

fo r the most part, on t he proper management of it.a
:mthorities.
a. In the crc(1tion of spacious and comfortable huilcling!l, lAJ•
i11g ont pb y-gro un rl~, &c.
b. In a proper co urse of in stru ction.

Aclvcinta,ges 1•eaped by the student who has

23.
ON rHE ABUSE OF THE TRANSLA~ ION OF THE
CLASSICS.

1

I.

The design of trcinslcttion in general.
a. A writer translates a work from a foreign tongue into his
- - - --

! _ _ _ _.]_..~.

J.. ~

-

... ......... . , .. ~ "'

.t'r. ~ • 1-. : o

nn1 1 ,..,f1~umo n tl'lo ll-n inv-

74

OUTLINES OF. COMPOSITION.

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

b. To those who possess sufficient firmn ess of ch aracter not
to allow themselves to submit to self-deception.

ment and instruction which it has afforded those for
whom it was origin ally written.
b. It seems ueciuedly improper to tran slate books to be used
by stud ents in assisting them in their recitations.

II.

C.

Such translations ct/J'e injru1•,i oiis to the stu-

As such students are rarely found, it is better not
to enco urage the use of translations in the study of
the classics.

dent : first,
A. In regard to the disciplin e of the mind.
a. They ltinuer th e application of its faculties, and habituate
it to pass quickly over passages best adapted to sharpen
the powers of reasoning and to cultivate the taste.
b. They hind er solid knowledge, aml prevent real progress
in the mastery of the language.
c. Dep ending on translations, the student gradually loses
his elasticity of mind, and soon falls into h abits of
idleness.
d. It is injurions to th e iml'or tance of public instruction;
for the stmlent im agines himself in no need of the
expla na,tions of his teach er, and gives away to distrac-_
tion in class-hours.

24.
ON THE PROPER USE OF VACATION.
I. Intr oduction.
a. After Iona
and a.rduous labors, man needs to recruit himo
self: n ature requires it.
b. F or this purpose, the Christian Church h as in stitt"1ted the
Sunday and the festival. B esid es th ese, th ere is given
to the student at the close of each year the time of
vacation.
c. But it not unfrequently h appens that some students
abuse this salutary season in the same manner as certain persons abuse the- Sunday and the festival.

B. In reganl to morality.
a. The teacher is deceived, and the character of the student
is cloudctl by untruthfulness.
b. Th ey give to th e student more leisure, which is seldom
applied to self-improvement.

c.

IL

How,

then,, should the stiident spend his
vacation?

a. Simply according to the design for which it was intended.
1. Namely, to afford to student and t each er an opportunity to recruit their health and r efresh their
minds.

In regard to other evils.

a. They deprive the student of the intellectual pleasure of
self-exertion.
b. Also of manly self-confidence.

III.

Conclusion. - Cases in which they may be allowed.
A.

Th ey may serve to verify or to correct translations already made by the student, and to enable
him to read from the original a more flu ent and
graceful translation.
B. This rnay be allowed to students,
a. "'Vho have aJrea<ly ma<lc considerable progress, and wh o
wish to enter more full y into the spirit of the original;
'

75

A.

The design of vacation is not for,
a. Entire absence of intellectual occupation. That would
be waste of time, of which an intelligent student will
not be guilty.
b. Nor is it for mere sensual pleasure; for this, instead of
strength ening, rather tends to weak en and enervate,
both mind &nd body.

B.

V acation should afford, a. R est from the severities of accustomed labor.

76

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

b. An opportunity for Yoluntary and spontaneous activity, in
whieh the Liest qmditics of character and genius may
manifr st tli c m ~cl ms.
c. Al so a Lillie Jor e 1~j oymcnts suited to the taste of tho
young rn an, - tJ1c pleas ures of' Lom e, the co111panionsb ip of' re ht Lives a nd friends among the scenes lwllowed by Lhe recollections of youth.

C. The <lesign of tliis happy time will Le answered, a. Not by iulencss: this would injure the tone of the mental
and uioral clrnraeter, and, in the end, afford no rea l
pleas ure .
b. To accnstorn himself to regularity, it is well for tho
student to draw up a plan for at least a portion of Lis·
time.
1. To solve certain difficulties in his stllllies wl1ich hail
g i vcn Lim trouulc .
2. To make up something lacking in one branch or
another.
3. To read sonic in structive work not used in liis
classes.
4. To devote himself to some favorite science, ef'pccia.lly to Lccomc acquainted with that Lranch or
profossion which he intends to make the object of
his pursuit during life.
5. To read the Lest current or classical English literature.

D.

But vacation is especially a time of rest and recreation : among its eujoyments are, a. The Lca,utics of natural scenery, walks, gymnastic exercises, games, &c.
b. Short jourr1cys (the best are made on. foot) to visit
r emarkable places, to meet friends or r elatives, " to
do goocl and to bet good."

III.

Vacation thns spent makes the Rtudent cheerful, leaves no room for remorse, elevates the rniml,
gives health to the body, and invigorates the whole
mau for the intellectual labors of the new year.

OUTLlNES OF COM:POSlTION.

77

25.
UTILITY 01!1 TlIE SrUDY OF NATURAL HISTORY.
1

I!

,.

I f .,

'1 1/1/l:;; .<.>cience is the histwry of all .that is

in Nntnre, comprehending the description and

classification of animals, vegeta~s, and min erals.
As no age has paid g reater attention to the
science than ours, we will en<leavor to define its
intlueuce upon m an.

II. '11reatise.
A.

11cbting to the Lo<ly.
a. B eing much in the open air strength ens the body, and
promotes the rcgubr exercirn of its functions.
b. Also improves the ac uteness of the senses.

B.

Relating to the rninc1.

.a. It improves the fa•culty of thinking by cultivating, 1. The perception.
2. The r eason.

3. The memory.
b. It checks, 1. Ignorance.
2. Super stition.
3. Infiu clity ; for its study leads to God, showing his
power, his wisdom, his goodness.

11. ':I_The stucly of 'Jlff.tn1•aJ ldstm·y is very instructive and intcrestiu g; for _it teaches the 1'liversity al1L1
characteristics of animnls, plnnts, :mc1 minerals.
A. Regarding the functions and lrnliits of animals.
a. Some prey upon oLli er ani111 als.
b. So me live 11pou pl a11ts alo ne, arnl
c. Some partly on auiu1al, an<l 11artly on vegetable food.
d. Some eYinee feelings of at.tacluncnt for one another, and

...

78

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

OUTLINES 01!' COMPOSITION.

e. Others are unsocial, and prefer solitude.

A.\ He can; for he is endowed with free will.

They arc nil

subj ect to man.

a. Youth.

The young are in th e period of ::tpprenticeship:
their future depenJs upon the manner in which they
spend the preseut. L e t thew prepare for Lhc battle of
. life : be virtuous, models of innocence, lovers of good
companions, assiduous in the culture of the mind and
the h eart ; then will success be most certainly theirs.

" Ilea Yen from all creatures hides the book of fate:
J?rom brutes what men, from men what spirits know."
l'OPE.

B. R elating to plants.
a. vVhat a worlu of wonder do they present to our senses I
b. vVhat beauty and m agnificence in their diilereut. spe<:i( · ~,
espeoi~ly in that of the flow ers !
c. \Vhat admiration must we have even for the weakness of
the latter I

c.

Relating to minerals.
a. Mineralogy is the science of inorganic bodies belonging
to or found upon or within the earth.
b. In its domain are included all natural products which

b elong neither to animal nor vegetable bodies.
c. Not, however, those artificial compounds which are produccu by the hanu of man.

In conclnsion, bear in mind that the basis of nil

IV.

science is the immutability of the laws which tho
Creator has given to nature and to events.

26.
SUF~ ER

1

I.

NO PAR'r OF LIFE TO REMAIN UNBIPROVED.

Tlnie is all-i1npo'r tant, is fleeting, never re-

,. ,

" Youth is not rich in time : it may be poor.
Part with it as with money, sparing; pay
No moment but in purchase of its worth.
And what its worth 1 Ask death-beus : they can tell."
.
Yo UNG .
b. Manhood.

Man, in whatever sph ere of life he moves,
should be true to his manhood ; im active and virtuous
citizen; true to his fellow-men, to his country, anu,
above all, to his Maker ; a, counselor to those in distress ; a helper to those iu n eed ; auu a father to the
poor and to the orphan.
"Angels are round the goou man to catch the inceuse of
his prayers;
And they fly to minister kindness to those for whom he
TUPPER.
pleadeth."

c. Old age. Even the old man m::ty do much good by
counseling the young, ::tnu making them wise from his
long experience. L et him Le a model of patience ::tncl
wisdom; and then, like the setting sun, even while
departing he will still be a Llessing.
"Age sits with decent grnce npon his visage,
And worthily becomes his silver locks :
He wears the marks of many years well spent,
Of virtue, truth well-tried, and wise experience."

turns.
"Touch ns gently, Time!
Let us gfole adown thy stream
Grntly as we sometimes glide
Through a quiet dream."

II.

JJfan can nuike fJOOll iise .of his Unw, :mtl
1.

~

! -

L

_ __ __ 1

.1_ _

.:t _

79

Rowi;.

B. Man is bound to m ake good use of bis time in
order, a. To show his gr atitud e to God, who mn.de Lim but a little
lower th::tn the n.ngels.
b. To not waste the labors of mankind, who have toiled for

. .'J
• , I ,!

80

c. Ami to show respect to himself as one who is cr eated for
nob le purposes.

Ill.

III. Results to him, who hcis spent his timo
'Well.

"TVltnt ltevelops t he 1nwral powm·s.

a. Courage, sclf~coHfiLlencc (warriors, mw igators, - "\Vashin gton, J ai_:k son, Paul Jones, Sherman, Grant, Farra-

gut, &c.) .

J oy fo r his success.
]nteriur tranquillity and satisfac tion.
Th e esteem of his follow-men.
Pros1,ects of a h appy old age.
e. Blissful en trauee in to etem al lifo .

c.

]t

'

DE c 1rnn.

" K in dness by secret sy mpathy is tri ed;
]fo r 11oblc so uls in nature arc allied.I'

27.

II.

IV.

1Vant tlcvelops the intellectuxil powers.
forC'CS th e rnincl to r cncetion, and sharpens the jll!lgmc11t: it is the caurn of' many new discoveries. Nccc~s i ty is th e motli er of in vention .
b. F rom s1Hl1len calamities we learn circumspection, presence
of mind (navigation, - Cook, Sir John Franklin, Dr.
K an e). ·

a . It

DRYDEN.

JVcint clevelops the 1Jhysical 1wwm~s .
a. It compels us to make bod il y exertions by which our
st1·ength is in creased, :i.m1 , therefore,
b. ·Enables us to face misfortune with still greater courage.

Introtluct im i.
a. 'Ve sc l1lom know the wholeextent of our powers : opportunity is often needed to develop them.
History
would haYe furni sh ed us with the names of many moro
g rc;:i,t men if thefr natural talents had been developed.
Contin11e1l good fortune generally effeminates and enervates: it hinders the development of pow er. ' Vant and
calamity arc very often the means which awake our
slumberin g fac ulties ( Robinson Crusoe). AfJliction ancl
want arc therefore very often blessings in disguise.

itants of continual prospe1'd.y.
tc~idi cs us to IJca,r wiLh rni slOrtunc s which c:rn not be
:woi(lecl; thu s leading to GoLl. Nei_:essity teai_:hes how

to pray.
.
d. Jt leads to th e practice of virtue, ns temperance, frugality, imlustry, &c.
Sensuality, idleness, &c., are
generally associated with abundance.
e. It inspires us with sentiments of g rrttitmle towards those_
who assist us, and of sympathy for those in d i::;tress.

" There's a perpetual spring; perpetual youth :
Famine nor age have any being there."

'VA N1' DEVEL.OP S S1'RENG TH.

.

b. Adver sity ch ecks arroga.n cc :ind pnLle, the usual concom-

a.
b.
r.
cl.

I.

81

OUTLINES OF CO.IliPOS.lTION.

U UTLl .N .1.;3 UF CUIY.lPOS l'l'lON.

v.

~J!Ve

shoulll not, thm •efoPe, corn.plain too

1nnch wh en we are v i1Sited w ith troubl e..; for, if
r igl1tl y used, it may b eco me t o us the so.urce of
blessin gs. It is in deell not pleasant to b e rn w ant
of an y t hin g ; lrnt thifl is on e of th e n ecessary
evil s of human life, nml h as b een and still is the
• moth er of g reat results.
" ·want is a bitter an d a 1mtcful good,
Because its virtues :ire not nnr1crstood;
Yet many th in gs im po,sililc to thong-h t
H ave been by need to ru ll vcrfcction Lrought."
DRYDEN.

82

83

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

c. It convinces.
1. By removing all doubts concerning the value of good

28.

actions.
d. It encourages.
1. By involuntary incitements to resolutions of amendment.
2. By affording strength in the combat with evil.
(Give examples from history of those who have
gained comagc to suffer in a just cauw by cn llin g
to mind how others h:wc sufforc1l and <lied before
them, - martyrs of religion, of liberty, &c.)
3. It inflames the soul with emulation of all that is
good and noble.
e. It conquers.
1. No power on earth is able to hinder its final
triumph.
2. No length of time can prevent its fame from bein~
handed down to posteritt

ON THE l1 0RCE OF GOOD EXAl\f PLE.
I. InstJ"ltction is indeed a great blessing.

What
would man be.. without it? It serves to set the
youth right in the path of life; and he will profi t
by it, for ho feels that it makes him wiser and Letter for the time to come. But instruction, howen~ r
good in itself; would be of little or no avail if ho
who instructs did not support his teaching by setting forth a good example. According to the old
proverb, "vV ords teach, example wins."

II. Difference between cxa1nple and pctttern.
a. Example comprehends wha t is either to be followed or
avoided ;
b. Pattern, only that which is to be followed or copie<l.
(Every one, let his age and station be what they may,
can often afford a pattern of Christian virtue. The
student may be a pattern of diligence and duti!itlncss to his follow-students; the citizen may be a
pattern of sobriety and conformity to the laws.
•
Our Saviour h as left us an example of Christian perfection, which we ought to imitate, though we can
not copy it.)

III.

"For as the light
Not only serves to show, lmt render us
Mutually profitable; so our lives,
In acts exemplary, not only win
Ourselves good names, bnt do to others give
Matter for virtue's deeds, b3 which we live."
MIDDLETON.

29.

Cha1"acte1"istics of a good exa1nple.
a. It shows the contrast between good and evil in e striking
manner.
1. So that even the most indifferent becomes stirred
up.
2. And the moral feeling is aroused with such force,
th:i,t at least some degree of emulation is excited.
b. It instru cts.
1. By bringing it.s lessons to the comprehension of tho
dullest intuition,
2. And conveying to the mind what language can

THE LIFE OF THE WARRIOR.
(Reflections of a young man after seeing a regiment of
troops march by.)
I.

A beautiful sight: such a splendid regiment of
finely-dressed soldiers, charming music, excellent
order, pretty uniform, everywhere welcomed with
bountiful receptions. One may well feel a desire to
Jorn. The outside is indeed handsome and allurlll!!.

•, :

'·'
!.:

84

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.
0 UTLlNES 01!' COl\fl'OSlTION.

II.

85

J_1Jw Ufe of the soldim·.
A.

e. l'crha ps an iu valiJ for lifo, m<timed, unable to work
to make a li1·in;;. Hnt a g ratel'11l p eople will not forget
him, who, in the hour of danger , acl va n cell to the post
of peril, and ac ted manfully for his country.

The reernit.

a. l'arting fr om home aml friends.
b. Drilling, fa tigue, &c.

B.

Th e t1ri1lcd soldier.
a. In time of peace, _
1. In g:i rrison ; cumpellell to a ssociate with men of

dilTereut ch aracter s, &c.
2. D ays un Lluty ; how tedious !
3. Off cl nty; how may this time be profitably spent 'l
b. l\farch i ng, 1. lfanl ship, toil, &c.
2. Obl~ged to . com~e~ men who consi1ler him only an
. o~1 cc t of impos1t10n to furni sh him <]uarters .
c. In tim e of :1 ctual war, -

the fir~t deadly combat. (The
honor .of l~is conn try, th e preser va tion of its la"~s
:irnl ltbertrns.
P cre<on:i l considerations: I s Lo
alw:iys prep ar ed for cl e;i,th ?)

1. Th o11g hts

0.

h~fore

•

VOCATIO N;
ori,

I.

(Anxiety felt by the people waiting for the result of
the eng:igcrnent.)

During and after battle.

tl.ie . thonght t~rn.t l~ e is "uf-rcring fo r his country nen l's
11.m to glory rn lus p:1in . Even if lie ~houl d die lie
will he reconciled to God, :ind prep ar e hopefully fo1'. Lis
end ; for he h as <lone his duty.

Introclnct-ion .
w e pass from the sUtte of boyhood t o tha t of
you th, we ch oose fo r om selv es an occ upa tion in which
we intencl to benefit ourselv es and ot.her s. l\fan has
in this respec t a gre:i.t ail vantage over woman: the
field from whieh h e ma.y ch oose is Yery bro:itl ; h er s is,
owin g perhaps to unjust prej11dices, much more restrictecl.
b. But too often is m;~n's d10ic0 a mistaken one, even wh en
he imagines tha t he h as chosen j~1st the occ upation for
which h e is bes t fitted.
c. Sometimes, ho wen~r. the choice Llo ~s not depen1l on the
young man himself: he k ts ofte n little or no share in
it. The stat e of lifo in 1y]1ich h e wa s born , as well as
the inclinations of his p:ir ents, exercise, in many cases,
an umlne influence upon his future comlit.ion in life.
Bnt, if he is a t liberty t o r']10ose, he m:i y a ,:k l1im "elf:

JUrirehin g to battle.

a. Victorious. l
b. D e f.eated. Jc \Vhat different trains of r eflection I
c· Not .woundt~d.
J"" l'irt Ii, .l"J',
·
.
much blood shcLl; but the
pnce is n ut too g rc;1t for the purcha se. P eace is rcstorc<l ; a new cpncli bPgin s.
d. \Vonnd
cd ·
Ah ·I Jl'.im,
·
].
·· I
.
iosp1t.:i
, ex treme :i ngm·sl1; lrn L

CONS IDERATION S WIJJCJI S HO U LD IN F LUENCE A YOUNG'
MAN IN THE CHOICE OF HIS OCCIJP ATION FOii LIFE .

a. vVhen

a. ·~~hro 11 gh fri endly coun t ry .
b. lhro11gh hostile territory.
c. 111 ca111p.

D.

oo.

u

IL

What h e, i n p<:wticiiln r , h cis to con.-;illcr.
It lJein g suppose <l that in e v ery stat e of life th ere
is l1nppiness in store, provid ed he makes the prop er
choice, h e oug ht not
a. To be guided, 1. By vanity or ambi tion ; fo r they arc often the ca use
,...f rnni'I~ 111 isfor tunn t han n ro,: neritv. \Voe to him

86

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.
OUTLINES O.F COMPOSl'rION.

wh~ in such cases is not able to fill th I
wl11ch he h as chosen ' I b
e p ace
"t
· · 1C ecomes an obicct 0 f
1
P T and contempt TI I
.
·
.J
hi oh lifo has · 1 . l.
. 1C ong111g after so-callc<l
o
' • ,t ' eal y rum e<l too m an .
2. Nor mu st h e be rruidc<l b I
.
y
y ~ve of case, an<l frar of
bodily toil . m ~ c1.1tal excrt10n s arc more dinll'ul t.
1'1IC f'a1 .mer .at J11
s I
l
sh
.
, P ow, tie rn cchauic in hi s \r orkop, Cll.J oys r es t and . . , ·
than the man of 1 ettcrs1~~~at101~ more r.cgn larly
have fower rc~po11 s ·1 ·r·1 ."
cy a1c more free, and
b
.
· ·
· 1 H 1 ;ics.
. H e should be gu illc<l hy other motives, A.

c. He must also consider, in some degree, the importance,
utility, and rcspcctalJility of the proposed vocation; but
these considcr<Ltio11s are of least importance, for his first
thought must be to find that state of life for which
God and Nature have fittetl him.

III.

A faithfiil cxw1niriation of this kind is not
easily macle ; there.fore g reat pains should be t aken
to form a correct decision on this most important
step of life . • The counsel of parents, friends, and
persons of experience, shonkl always bo taken:
especially should vve endeavor to be guided by the
will of Heaven, which we should seek by earnest
prayer; for never is the help of God more needed
than when we are about to set out in our frail bark
up on the unkn own sea of life.
B eing on ce in possession of such guidance, let
om· aim be higl1, - for perfection in whatever we
bn.ve chosen. We live in a country where the
highest honors await the successful in every vocation of life. Washington, a former, led our armies
to victory, and afterward occupied the presidential
chair.
Franklin, a tallow-chandler, g uid ed the
counsels of the nation, and, as a man of science as
well as a statesman, received the homage of the
civilized world; and the list of names such as these
could be extended at pleasure. Virtue, ability, and
labor are the only titles which in our country
ennoble man.

Exterior co11sidorations.

a. His parents' station in li fe.
b. Persons of the so-c·ill cd h' i.
'
•guer ranks often
1.
whose aim is upwar<l .
oppose tuosc

c. The wealth of his 1rn.r cnt~

If th
""
ey are po
_, .
h"
' . - . or, many ui sa<lvantagcs m ay result fr
1om rs choice · If th
·
gooll circum stan ces cv•·r1 then th . 1 '
ey arc -.111 .
'
"'
e rtO" 1 ts
f 1· 0 I
crs and sisters may Le infrin <lb
o.
o u s rot tin his favor.
ge Y lay mg out too mud1

B. Consill erations with regard to himsel£
a. l\farkc(l iHclination to a

. f' .
.
.
' p1 o css10n or trade TL. .
manifes t itself without the. b .
. . . IS may
the occupation . 1 t 1 .
re emg any mtenor call to
b
.
'
· e nm consult, therefore _
'
. His strength an<l capacities.
Many trades are of such a nat .
t'
' ' lll c
as to requi ·
h ' ltl
1 I e par rcu1ar consi<leration respccti110ca 1, - UnO"S
e}'CS
&
b
0
'
' c c., as well as rcg·ardi1w
strennth and viD"or of b 1·1
. .
'
o
I . "'
.
o
Ol I Y const1tut10n.
Others
w uch rerp11re activity of rn ind n eed al
I"
natural rrifts &
A
·
' so p ccu 1ar
b
' c c.
. speakcl' mu st have a stronrr
0
breast a.nd a distinct well s
1·
·
2 I
'
- OUJH mg voice.
•
11 t0llcctual power s
The
. .·
·
m ere1iant, manufacturer
ai t1st, scholar, fa.rrner
each i· 11 I .
,'
l
'
us respec tive
sp ~ere, needs a certain degree and a cert . l . <l
of mtellectual ability. The yo
am {111
pare his own . d .
un? man must comstate.
nun with the r equirements of each

87

1. Bo<lily strength.

31.
THE SAFEST WAY TO BECOME WEALTHY.
I.

Int·r odiiction.
a. The desire to live in prosperity is so n atural to man, that
we must b elieve it to be intended for his good by the

88

89

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

OUTJ,lNES OF CO.l\IPOSITIOU.

all-wise Creator. The possession of wealth is ccrLai11ly
a rn ca ns of procuring a l1i ghcr cul ture fo r one's ~t:lf,
and of lloing bo01 l to others.
b. Fortune i'? fre<111 cnt ly inlwrit.cd , and often ac<1nireil by
h :t.ppy d1anccs. The fo rL1lll atc ma n h as t.L c rl'tlin~ 11 0
claim to merit; fo r his good things lia \·c not. bee n
oLtainc<l by his 01rn effort: wher eas the pro'Jll' r11n ~
m an rn:1.y clailll a sh ar e of merit proportionate to Iii ~·
011·11 exertions.
c. There arc diJforc11 t mca11s of atta ining to prosperity; ln1L
many arc Lhngcrons, and some e ven unlawful. Among
the Llangcr ons fire, 1. Gam es of h az:ml a n<l wild sp ec ul atio n ~ .
2. Those ar c unlawJi.il wl1ich differ from the spirit of
di 1 in c law am! the laws of th e laud.

llfe, a nd gain friends, p : t tru n ~, arn l .customers.
Even if one were so ba se as to forget that,
"An honest man 's tltc nobles t work of God,"

he must, at least, in order to lie successful, remember that,
"Honesty is the best policy."

IV:

"Oh, then, th at wisdom m:iy we know,
'Vhich yields a life of J.!Cacc lielow ! "
SPRA GU E.

v.

F1·iigalUy withoiit ava1"ice, in avoiding all
unn ecessary expenditures, was t e, &c.
"\Var destro ys men; hnt Jnx nry mankind
• l ."
At 0111:c corrupts, - the LolIy UH (l t J1c mmc

VI.

Success

may not al w:cys be sp ee1ly by th ese means;
lrnt it will be safe and sure, :i.n(l give t hat tranquilli ty to the soul wit brrnt w hich no riches can be
enjoyed.

32.

III. Love of m·<lcr.
a. Give ex ampl es of t wo h ousehold s, in one of which ord er
is tl1 c rule, in the other th e exception, of daily lifo ; anu
llll'lltio11 the eonsc<111enc es in each case.
b. In lrn f; i11 L' '"· chow th e ;-vi \' :rn tagc of onler in gaining tim e,
which m:iy l.1c dc l' oteLl to relaxation, to mental and
moral im proY e111c11 t, or, in cases of emergency, to tlic
pre ~~ in g: dP111a11tl s of tl1 c business.
1. Ord er "·ill promote th e h ahit of look ing alie:ill , to
g 11 arcl aga in st dangers, and to provide for im purta.n t emergencies.
2. It will conduce to fairness, h onesty, and integrity,

expensive

law-suits, &c.

II. The safest ·n ieans.
a. In1ln ::;try. The yonLh sh ould pursne with r egular 'n111l
1·l m:c ;1ppliL·ati1111 those studies which will fit him for
Lktt ::-L:1 I iL>ll in Iill: to which h e is call ed 1Jy P roviil e11 c1'.
1. In t.hc fa 111ily, Cllllcarnr to uc a living exampl e of
Yirtuc, - pnn ctual arnl constant in every du ty.
2. In li11 siness, a.t.tencl to the Ll11 ~ ics of your ca llin ~
wif .h forethought a nd ear efnlness ; be prnrnpt. anti
fai thful in kee pin g engagements, and thus "·in
confidence and esteem.

Pecteefiilness 1n"events vexcition,

VALUE AND DANG ER OF RICHES.
I.

In spite of the fcict that p ersons m nrnclerate
circurn st:-inces, aud even tho se w h o me po or, m:1y
b e v ery h:1ppy, whil e t he we:-ilLhy me often ve1J
nu h appy; in spite of all t h at can be aclv:-inced m
support of the co ntrary, - men generally seek for
ri ch es as tbe means of h appiu ess ; auc1 yet they do
n ot seem to r efl ect np on the clangers and responsibilities connected with w ealth.

•

90

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

e. The, most accomplished teachers are always ready to
train the children of those who have abundance of

II. lliches a ,r e certainly <lesi1•able in 1nany

1·espects.
A.

money.
d. The children of the rich, coming into contact with ladies
and gentlemen of eleg<tnt manners and accomplish-

In regard to exterior welfare.
a. Bouily health.
1. The
nee<l not' as th e poor mu st, tire· out
l . rich
b d man
.
2 I n~ o y rn. order to procure the necessities of li fe.
. n .case of sICkness, h~ can easily procure medical
aid an<l careful nursing.' 'and· h e nlcty
, poss1·1J I\' recover sooner on account of his manifold
I: t
3. vVhe
l
'
COlll or s.
n_.co~1v a escent, he can strengthen himself v.-itl1
nounslung
food a nd comfortable i·cst
l
· ' ""~n<l t rave I to
peasant places, where change of' au,
. . an <l mcd1..
c1na l • waters
or
sea-bathi
.
·11
. .
•
<
ng, w1 re-mv1goratc
L.is.
deb1htatc<l constitution.

B. In regard to domestic and social comfort. Riches
may
. ·
b
. not only .secure life friom p1essrna
cares
', ut even make it full of beauty and ple~m~e. '
a. lhc '~ealthy man is well accommodated with a fi11c" l l.
fatLOJ
l ·
f
·
<
· Jn J I" .
i , c cgant
urmture, choice articles of diet
. nch and comfortaLlc clothing.
' and
b. Ile has
. also the enJ· oyment of a greater independence of
_act1011 .
c. More refined pleasures.
d. A m~re cultivated society.
e. An<l
t is h appy in the ability to d o goocl to those in need ,
o support charitaLlc institut1'on~
d to promote usefiuI pu bl'
"' an
· ic enterprises.

C. In regard to interior welfare
.
.
' especially mtellectnal
culture the ma . f
.
'
, u o wea1th cert:iinl . .
y E'll.JOYS lll:lll Y
aclvant:lO'('S. ~ . . 11
o
' c. pecw y the gre:it bo .
f , 1·1crn l cd ucation.
on o a I ua. The chil<l of the rich man ma ' em
.
.
cultnre of the . t '11
. 'J
ploy lus leisure in tl1 e
m ,c ect, while th . l '11.
mn st assist their parents
. e c n c Ien of th e poor
labor.
' 01 support themselves by
b. Books, and other means of rnent' I .
P.. (' l·11·1,1( 1l 'Pn
improvement,
are
always at thcconunand of th
'
nf WP<l.llJ1.

91

ments, learn from their example.

III.

But the 1Jossess,i on of 'riches is also attendecl 'W ith 1nany dangm~s.
A.

I

I

In regard to exterior welfare.
a. The rich man, on account of his very freedom from toil
and exposure, is less able to bear bodily fatigue .
b. He is liable to give himself up to sensual pleasures, from
which he often contracts disease.
c. He is exposed to envy, malevolence,
d. And even personal danger of lifo and property; whereas
the poor man is never an object of the speculations of

..
·;

thieves ancl robbers.

B. In regard to interior welfare.
a. Because wealth gives so many means of satisfying the
desire of pleasure, the rich are often careless of the
intellectual joy that comes from mental cultivation;
hence mn,ny of the childi·en of wealthy parents grow
up with very superficial acquirements, while poor boys
often become the intellectual leaders of the land.

C. In regard to morals.

a. The wealthy n,re o~en in cfanger of falling into the hands
of flatterers, and of b ecoming so fond of adulation as
to forget the true state of the mind and h eart.
b. They arc often in danger, according to the use they make
of their riches, of falling into, 1. Avarice ; or,
2. Prodign,lity, revelry, dissipation, and sensuality.
c. Wealth sometimes cngcrnler s pride, arrogance, and cont empt of real merit.

the wealth of this ,world is fu,ll of
IV. Thiis
dange'r as well as of ad vantage to the possessm· '.

Reek it, therefore, with caution, remembering at

•

93

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.
OUTLlNES O:E' COl\fPOSI'.L'ION.

th~ s:1me time, th::it there is a better ri ches, whieh
11 e1tbcr the r'.i st 1_10r the moth can co rnmm c, auil
whos: possess1011, rnstea<l of danger, will bring onl y
scc1mty aml happiness . .

III. 1J'Ia/1i's ccipacUy for becoming accomplished is v ery

gl'eat.
He h as alrn ud ance of tal en ts an c1 p o wers.
D nt only U1ose person8 w ho h ave thoroug hl y c1evelopcll tl1eir t:1lents can be jtl8tly saill to b e accomplish ed.
\:Ve h ave then to consider, first,

A.

a. The <lcvelopmcnt of the body by p1·acLical exer cises.
1. For stre ngth (gynrna.stic exercises, <:tml moderate nm1u 1<1l hhor of all kind ~).
2. For fl exibili ty or case of carrin.ge (cbncing, riding ,
walking, fencing, an LLligh t lalJors ; o; uch as most of
those in t he g:trdcn and on the far m).
b. Graceful rnovcment.s and postu res are most quickly
ac<pired. by those wh o li ve with Natnrc, and foll ow h er
g niLbncc, or who a.srmci:1tc with persons of r efin ement.

33.
AN ACCOMPLISHED GEN'l'LEMAN.
I.

•

twr~n "acco1nplishcd,'' like many other
exp ressive words, is often ab used. JVfany undcrstnrnl Ly an "accomplished gentleman" a perso n
w~10 possess~s merely a certain social polish, moY cs
w1tli a certai n clccon1111, a u cl co n verses with ense.
'l'li c'.se exte rn :d qualities clo iucl eed fo rm a p:irt
of soc~: d accu111pli shme nts, and rnnst by 11 0 m e :tWl
lie IH'g lectell. vVe should remembe r, besides, that
tl1 C' re :we learned men , ancl men of excellent cl1nracter, wlt o cau not be re ckoned as trnly accom plished
gentlemen.
'
Th e id ea is a broacl a nd comprehen sive one.

:The

II. Exa,1nine the 1neaniny of the iv01·d "ac-

c01nplish: " it signifies,-

·

a. Li tcr:Ll_ly, to complete or fini sh, and, in a ge neral semr,

?!Ye tri !111 awkwanl, sh apeless uody, a, furm ade<1nate
to it.s pmposc.
11. Fi;;m:1lin·l y, arnl in a limi ted sense, to <>·ive to 1he
. l
b
~111m of man a n appropriate direction, or prnpcr tra intn

111 :'~·

c. Th e :1d,i<'ctive "~i ccomp li shcrl," when :ippli1 ~< l to man ,
c111lir:1ces lJoth n1.cani ngs ; for both lJoll,r :111 '1 mi11 <1 m:i y
become !1Cc01npl1 sh ccl, are capable of 1Je i1t •r tr:iiu ctl to
their best use a nd. exercise : hence the n~Ll of inst i-

External ed ucation, to which belougs,-

B.

Internal, or i.n to llcct uaJ arnl moral ecluc::itiou,
w hi.ch co ncerns, a. Our ~cn sibilil.y to the c ultnrc of ar t ancl taste, th e lo\'e of
the

beautiful , di slike for coarseness and vulgarity,

a1lmira.tion of Nn.turc.
b. Our fac ulty of thinking ; scientific education, without
n ecessarily b eing a sch olar or lea rn ed.
c. Our moral culture. A vicious m:w, h owever refined and
le!1.rnc1J he may be, can not properly be called an accomp lished gentleman.

l \T.

An, acconuplishe(l yentlcrna/n

iR 11ot merely

one whorn Nature ltas ab ulllh nt ly favored , but
r ather h e who uses t h o gifts wl1ich h e possesses in
the best man ner; that is, ::iccon1in g to the design
of his Creator and the dictates of his own consmonce.
a. ·The idea expressed by this word "!1ccomplisheL1" k
therefore q11ite cmnprc.hen~ivc, a.ml we sh ould not be
too libera.l in th e use of the term. Not e very one so
called is in reality au accomplished gentleman.

...

94

OUTLINES Ol!~ COMPOSITION.

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

..

b. Because it is a charming habit or principle of the mind,
whiuh endears the possessor to every one.
c. Because it lliscovers itself by no external mark, b egets,
therefore, no j ealousy.
d. Because it attracts, r ecommends, and opens the avenues
to th e human heart.
e. Because it .renders the mind and heart susceptible of instruction and good counsel.

34.
~IODESTY.

I. Every age, evm·y sex, and evm•y condition of life, has its peculiar virtues and its peculiar vices.

II. Ideas concm·ning 1nodesty.
a. ·w hat it is not.
1. Not an entire ignorance of our own merits.
2. Not too great a uistrust of our own abilities.
b. What it is.
1. Modesty consists in a fair and moderate estimate of
our character anu qualifications. It prompts us to
a self-estimation below our r eal deserts.
2. It thus shields us from the mortification and disappointmcn t which assail the self-conceited man on
every side.
3. A modest person conciliat es the good will and wins
the esteem even of an enemy and a rival , makinrrb
all pleased with him by making them at ease with
themselves.
" There is a proud modesty in merit."

V. ' Oiiltivcite nwdesty, therefore, and consider it as
one of the most precious jewels of youth. The
example set by so many truly great men ought
indeed to be an inducement for every young person
to follow their noble guidance, ancl to bear in mind
that its opposite never can be justified, according
to the language of the poet, when he says, "Immodest words admit of no defense ;
For want of decency is want of sense."
·
Rosco111J110N.

35.
INTELLE01'U AL PLEASURES.
·I. Int'l"Olluction. - Few persons know and appreciate the pleasures of the intellect. The vast majority
of men are more attnchecl to sensual pleasures,
even in their old age. The cause of this is either an
ill-directed education, or a want of npplication to
thin tias l)ertaininO'
to our true interest.
0

DRYDEN.

III. 1'Iodesty co1npa1•ed rwith hu_1niUty.
a. The humble man is always filled with a sense of his
own unworthiness, placing every one above him from a
sC'nt:e of their superior merit, sceiug only his own de-·
merit.
b. A humLle man freely allows all aclvantages to another : _a
m0tlcst man claims nothing for himself:

IV.

1'Iodesty pa1·ticula1•ly desi1•able in young
persons.
a. BccallSe it is peculiarly characteristic of every virtuous
youth.

95

"Men, in general, are too partial in favor of a sensual nppetite to take notice of truth when they have found it."
L'E STRANGE.

II.

Conception,. - Intellectual · ple::isures are those
which result from our own mentn:l activity rather
than from the impression which outward things
exercise upon onr senses; but,

'

,'

::1

I

'.

DG
III.

:L1hm·e co·e a,lso 'U /nlawful intellect ual
plca.<;n1·cs, as, fur i1rnta11ce, those of the seoffor,

e. Charitable and kindly disposition towards others.
"He who gives most in proportion to his circumstances,
and not he who gi 1'cs absolutely most, is the most charitaLlc person."
w ATERLAND.

mocker, Jlatterer, &c.
"Flattery more abusive and reproachful than the rn<lc.st
scoffs and the sharpest invectives."
.t:;ouTll.

Even innocent intellectual pleasures may become
dangerous when indulged in to excess. Th ey
always are blamable when they iuterfore with our
du ties.

j. Devotion, meditation on God a nd religious suujects.
" w·ith heart arnl voice and eyes
Directed in devotion to adore
And worship God supreme."

a. They leave b ehind no remorse.
b. They generally n eetl less time and money than the sensual pleasures.
c. They assist us to achieve the end for which we were create<l.

IV. Praisewm·thy intellect'licil 1Jleasu/res.
VI.

a. Improvement in knowle<lge.

Conclusion. - All persons, even the poorest, may
partake of these enj oyments.
'In our pleas ures v!'e should not forget to practice
moderation, remembering the exhortation of Holy
Writ, "Be ye fill ed with the Holy Spirit."

"Throngh knowledge we behold the world's creation,
How in hi s cradl e first he fostered was;
An1l j11tl ge of Nature's cunning· operation,
How thin!,;·s ~ h e fo rmed of a fo rml ess mass:
Dy knowledge we do learn ourselves to know,
And what to man and what to Gml we owe."
SPENSER. ,

36.

b. R eflections concerning ourselves, our moral character, our
capacities, ~...1d our high destination.
"There is one art of wl1ich every man should be mnstcr,
CoLEIUDGE.
the art of reflection."

MILTON.

v. Benefits.

"Pleasures, or wrong or rightly understood,
Our greatest evil, or our greates t good."
POPE.

IMPOLITE NESS.
I. Denotes what is contrary to rule and order m

c. Our morn,! improvement.
"'Vlintcver improve men t we make in onrselves, wo
thereby sure to meliorate onr fnture condition."

97

OUTLINES 0], COl\lP OSlTION.

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

relation to the forms and manners of social life.

oro

d. Instru ctive conYer sation with good men of exp erience.
"That is the l1:i.ppies t conversation where there is no
co mpct.ition, no vanity, but only a calm, quiet intcrchn11gcof

JI.

Synony,n is. - Awkwardness, clumsiness, coarseness, ruden ess, impertin ence, &c.
a. Awkwardness is generally the consequence of neglected
education.
"Awkward, embHrrassed, stiff, without the skill
Of moving gracefully or standing still."

98

b. Clumsiness is chiefly a natural defect.
c. Coarseness or roughn ess is opposed to that which is fin e
or dc.licate. Coal'sc language is used only by persons
of naturally co:wse foelings.
d. Rudeness (the opposite of polish) springs from an ignoranec of what is due to other s.
e. Impertinence seems to come from too high a regard fur
011e's self': it is allied to r udeness ; for,
1. H e who does not respect the laws of civil society in
his in terco urse with others, and t ries to assume to
himself what belongs to another, is impertin ent.
2. If he carry this impertinence so far as to commit
any violent breach of cleconun in his behav ior,
h e is rude.
·
3. An impertinent person will ask questions for the
mere gratification of curiosity.
4. One wh o is rnclc will stare in anot}::ier's face in order
to please himself.
5. An imper tinent person will take possession of th e
best seat, without regard to the right or com cnicnce of another.
6. One who is rn(le will burst into the room of anoth er, or
pi 1sli ;igainst his person, regardless of all ceremony.

Ill.

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

0 UTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

Sou1~ces

of i1npolitcness.

37.
GAMES AND PLAYS.
I.

a. Creates in others an unfavorable opinion.
b. D cprfrcs us of m:rny social pleasures.
c. Produces cl crii:;ion an<l hard feelings.
d. I s an offense :ig::iinst t;h e laws of lmm anity; ana he who
is guil ty of it deprives himself of one of the most
pl<';i i:;ing ;iccomplishments of nrnn .

Histo1Aical int1•oduction. - Games were pract iced among t he most ancient people. vV restling,
box ing, chariot-racing, ancl the like, had become
popular in the earliest ages : among them were
th e Olympi c, the Pythian, the N emeau, and the
I sthmian games.

II. Definition.
a. Tl.ic words "play" an.d "game" both signify exercise,
bodily or mental; but play is, strictly speaking, unsystematic ; game, systematic exercise. Plays are
peculiarly a<laptecl to children : games are more suitable for older persons.
1. Play is t l.ie necessary unbending of mind or body to
allow free exercise to either.
2. A game is the clirection of the mind to the higher
obj ects of intellectual pursuit.

III.

Va1•iety of garnes and plays.
a. Game. Any exercise in which there is a contention for
victory, for amusement or for a prize ; as chess, boating, cards, billiards, &c.
b. Play. Any exercise, or series of actions, intended simply
for pleasure, amusement, or cliversion from serious
occupation; such as the games already mentioned, when
they are not engaged in for the · purpose of contest or
victory.

a. Natmal defect.
b. '\V:mt of acquaintance with social habits.
c. Bacl e<luca tion.
d. L aziness.
e. Fantastic manners.
f. Stupi<lity.
g. rritlc, presumption.
li. Baseness, natural h:uln ess of heart.

IV. Evil conseq1tences.

99

IV.

Utility of ganies and plays.
a. They strengthen the body, :i,ncl give it agility and grace.
b. They recreate the mind, and gladden the heart.

V. Dctngm"s .
a. They often stifle the desire for earnest occupation and
scientific and litera ry pursuits.

100

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.
OUTLINES

b. The game being often for gain, as in betting, gambling,
&c., leads to,
1. Dit;l10nesty, cheating, &c.
2. Arnl, by exciting the passions in contentions, undermines the health, and destroys peace of mind.
c. The game often exerts a ban~ful influence on social and
family life by ca.using, through repeated losses,
1. Melancholy and discontentment, and sometimes
even,
2. Poverty, degradation, ruin, crime.

OJ.<~

a. The man of courage goes with the same coolness to the
mouth of the cannon,
b. As is shown Ly the man of fortitude in undergoing the
amputation of a limb.
c. vVe can not boast of co11ragc unless we are r eady to set
aside every present and personal consideration in the
conduct we should pursue.
" vVhat can lie more honorable than to have courage
enough to execute the commaml of reason autl conscience ? "
COLLIER.

VI. JJieans of civoiding dangm·.
a. Ph1.y only when in need of rebxation.
.
b. Ne ver spend much time in this way, but return promptly
to your regular occupations.
c. Never engage in any g:une for the sake of gain; do not
bet even the value of a pin: little by little every evil
grows.
d. Prefer those amu~cments which exercise the body without fati guing the mind; those in the open air rather
than those in close rooms; those in which you walk
abont ra,ther tlum those in which you stand or sit.

cl. vVe can not boast of fortitude when the sense of pain provokes a murmur or a· token of impatience.

III.

introduce lively out-door games and plays into all
the schools of our land.

38.
COURAGE AND FORTITUDE.
I.

Cou1·ar1e 'Pespects actions; f01"titiide, feel-:
ings : a person has courage to meet danger, fortitude to endure pain.

II.

Cou,1·ar1e t/.s tha.t powe·r of the mind which bears
up ngnin st e vil to come.

Coii1·age tlristinyuished f1"011i b1"aVC1"Y•
a. Bravery seems to be involuntary, an instinctive movement
that does not depend on ourselves.
b. Courage requires conviction, and gathers strength by
delay.
c. Bravery is of utility, only in the hour of attack or cont est.
d. Courage is of service at all times and under all circumstances.

VII. 1 10 1n"eser1Je and p1"oniote h ealth and

vigor of mind and body, it would be well to

101

UOl\iPOSITION.

IV.

Value of cou/rage anll fo1·titutle.
a. They arc sometimes the oHly means of freeing us from
danger a.ml the effects of misfortune.
1. Horatius Cockles displaye1l his courage in defending
a bridge against a whole army of Etruscans.
(Mention names and actions of men in our own
country.)
2. Mutius Sc::evola showed no less fortitude when he
thrust his hand into the flame, in presence of King
Porsenna, and awed the prince as much by his
language as by his action.
b. To these great qualities we owe many important discoveries and inventions (Columbus, Capt. Cook, Fulton).
c. They ennoble heroes. Th e three lmndrerI Spartans who
defended the Pass of Thermopylm. (Name heroes of

102

OUTLINES OF COMPOSI'rION.

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

d. These qualities were uisplayeu Ly hosts of martyrs in tho

c. Too great an increase of animals would disturb the
equilibrium of natme, and endanger lnnnau lifo. Selfpreservatiou cowpels us, therefore, to uestroy some of
the anim;iJs. N<Lture herself also provides for this in
allowing voracious beasts, Lirds of prey, &c.

· cause of truth and j usticc.

V.

I-Iow they 11uiy be cicq'iti1·ecl.
a. Dy exercise. The lifo of man oilers opportunities to
every one. "lYlau's lifo is a warfiire."
b. By u1H.:easing application to virtue; for this will inspire
true courage anu fortitude, and raise man as it were
above himself.

B.

IV. In what 11ian's ·r ights consist.

39.
ON THE RIGHTS OF MAN OVER INFERIOR ANIMALS.
Intl'Olltiction.
a. From the very beginning, the lower animals have Leen
in the service of m<tn.
b. Ma.11, however, has not always useu his authority over
them with justice and moderation.

IL I-Ias nian n right to this

A lso from the superior organization of man.

a. Nature shows everywhere that the lifeless is subject to
the living, and the irration al to 'rhe rational.
b. Man, the most perfect of organic beings, derives from his
perfection his right of domi11ion.
c. In the economy of things, animals are but means, man
the end.
d. Many animals are carefully treated by man : their servioes are, therefore, in some degree, but a compensation.

"Let Fortune empty her whole quiver on me;
I have a soul, that, like an am['l e sl1ield,
Can take in all, and verge enough for more ;
Fate was not mine, nor am I fate's :
DRYDEN.
Souls know no conquerors."

I.

103

_

V.

~i

'•
;.:.
;

...

i.:

1: •

11lw 11ianner of exe-rcising his 1·" ights.
a. ·without cruelty.
1. To give no unnecessal'y pain in putting them to
death when needed for food or any other purpose.
2. To allow sufficient food and rest to those that labor.
3. Not to overburden them with work.

r,tutho1~ity?

and, if
so, what is the exteut of bis authority? ancl liow
e
should it be exercised ?

III. That 1ncin ruis a 'right to this

a. He may use auimals as food.
b. To furnish clothing.
c. He may use theit· labor for his advantage, comfort, or
amusement. (Name certain animals which are useful
in different ways to mankiu<l.)
d. H e may hinder the hurtful increase of animal life (by
destroying r eptiles and dangerous wilLl Leas ts )

,.

aiith01~ity rn

!" '

evident; first,

.ll ::
!''

A.

From his physical frame. ·
a. TLe organzaition of the human body, in i11ost climates,
requires the use of animal food. Imbecility is generally the result of livin g entirely on vegetable food from
one generation to another.
b. In the absence of vegetables in many parts of the globe,
man is obliged to subsist entirely on animal food (Arctic

40.
FRUGALITY AND AVARICE.
I.

We s01netinies heap pc1·sons say that frugality is the same as avarice ; but there is a great

'. :.

:''
I'

104

OUTLINES OF COMPOSlTION.

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

..
d. The miser is distrustful of his wifo, children, and servants.
Their lifo is a gloom in which no star glistens; unh<i.ppy
fa,mily ! Quite the c011tr;try is the st.ate of the fruga1
man' s h ousehold. He impar ts his inw ard peace and
joy to th ose around him. Lifo p asses pleasantly and

IL Th/ls llijj'ePence exi sts,
a. 1u the motives Ly which those who practice one or tho
oLher arc actuated.
1. TL.e miser cherishing an insatiate love of money,
and being unwilling to p mt with it.
2. ·While the frugal man only pr ac tices a pi·oper economy : Frugality may therefore be t ermeJ tho
J a ughter of Prudence.
3. The miser shun s no means, however batl, for tho
sake of winning lucre : Lleccit, lying, fra uJ, &c.,
are his falllili:Lr practices.
4. The fr ugal 111:1.11 detests such base means of acq1iiring wealth.
b. In the ripplicalion which is made of wealth,
1. The miser tlocs not enj oy lifo ; the thought of
accumulating absorbs his whole attention, antl
prevents those enj oyments which delight 1'11c
maj ority of men. His desire is still to heap up;
but he enj oys nothin g, for he denies himself and
his family the ordin ary comforts of lifo .
2. The frl!gn.l m::m avoids mmecessary exp enses, wa stes
not.J1ing that may be turned to some good u ~e ;
but consid ers him self only as God's steward, from
whom h e rccei vcs all that he lrns. Ile is th erefore
ever r muly to distribute hi s wealth for chariLalile
purposes, to churches, schools, orphan asylum ~,
&c.,
c. In their lives, as men and citizens.
1. The appe:iranee of the miser, as well as his s'Urr ou11dingR, - h ouses, furniture, clothing, - is, as a
gcnernl thing, quite peculiar. In the dwelling of
the frugal man, every thing looks contented, chec;rfol, ancl inviting.
2. The miser h as a wicked h eart. For the sake of
money he is alwa.ys reaf1y to s;:icrifice wbntcver is
dcnr to hnnmnity. The frugal mnn delights to
h elp those in neerl, particularl y the modestly
(1c~ervin g, whom delica te feeling prevents from

105

smoothly.

41.
'rIIE USE 0~1 AllDEN'r SPIRI'rS.
I.

S1Jiri ti w iis

liqum~s are not in themselves poi-

son : in many cases they n1ay become even an
effective mcclic;in e. But their immoderate, or ev en
habitual, use is rninous to mind, body, and soul.
As for atlulterated liquors, they should be used in
no case wha tever.

II. · E ·vil con scq iwnccs of
A.

tlwi1~

itse.

vVith regard to the body.
a. Directly.
1. Intoxication, dullness, t ottering walk.
2. An obj ect of pity, laughter, contempt.
(The L aced::ernonians t aught their children to abhor drunkenness by inhumanly making poor slaves drunk in
their presence.)
b. Indirectly.
1. ·w eakening of th e body, corruption of th e bloml,
relax~Ltioi.1 of the muscles, trembling of th e nerves.
2. Disfig ured countcrntnce, red, bloated; drunken quarrels, wounds, <lisease, death.

B.

With regarcl to the mind.
a. Directly.
1. Self-command ceases, rudeness b egins : often ends in

•"

·:

: '

106

OUTLINES 0.b' UO.iYIPOSI'rION.

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

b. ln<lireetly.

42.

1. Decline of the intellectual powers, delirium".

2. Disgust with life, despair, too often further debasement in erimc ; even suicide.

SLEEP.

III. :I_leniporcil cifj'airs.
A.

I.

Business or occupation.

B.

I

II.

Property.

"To how many temptations are all, especially the young
ancl gay, exposed to squander their whole time and property
amid the circles of debauchees!" &c.

Reputation.

III.

Vt ilit !J.
a. Strengthens mind and body.
b. Prevents weariness of lifo. Every morning life begins
as it were anew.
c. Consoles those suffering from trouble and affiiction.
d. Brings to the unfortumite, at least for a short time, forgetfulness of misery. "Blessings on him who invented
sleep," as Sand10 Panza says. It is the mantle that
covers for a while many human sufferings.

a. Good men will avoid his company.
b. Nobouy will have confiuenee in him.
"The pnrcst treasure mortal times afford
Is spotless reputation."

D.

Cniises.
a. Exhaustion; all the powers of body an<l mind being more
or less actively engage<l in time of wakefulness (natural sleep).
b. Sloth, or a torpid state of body and min<l, often induccJ
by disease, by over eating or drinking, or by a superabundance of ilesh (unnatural sleep).

a. Lack of improvement, gradual decline of value.
b. Squandering in order to gratify passion.

C.

Sleep is a temporary or periodical repose of the organs of sense, the intellectual faculties (altogether,
or in part), and a cessation of voluntary motion.

a. Negleet of daily pursuits; or, even,
b. Entire unfitness for them.

107

Family relations.
a. Discol'tl, bad education of children.
b. Negleet of hou sehold, poverty.

E. In relation to other persons.
a. Disturbance of their happiness.
b. Dael example.

IV.

fVhett featwres llo the United Stcites 1n"esent in regard to this subject? Has King Alcohol his worshipers amongst us? His victims? If
so, what me:i,ns are best adapted to counteract his
influ ence? Stringent laws? or rather moral per-·
suasion and sound eel ncation?
"V\That lighter
drinks could be introduced as substitutes? Light
native wines, as in France and Italy?

IV.

Ki1uls of sleep.
a. Ordinary repose, fo r which Nature has appointed the veil
of darkness and silence.
b. Slumber; light, happy sleep.
c. Nap; short, taken by day rather than night.
d. ·winter sleep (torpidity). Some animals remain · in a
torpid state (without apparent animation) during the
excessive cold of winter.

V . . Ayai,n st too 111/1.teh sleep,
a. Sleeping too long enfeebles the body,
b. Stupefies the miml,
c. Caqses loss of time; espcciully late morning sleep, which
wastes the most <lclightful an cl invigorating part of the

108

0 UTLHIES 0 .1!' CO.lVIPOSITION.

OUTLINES OF UOM:l'OSITION.

VI. How to obtain 1•efresh/ing sleep.

109

Sleep, lt 11ii·r ro1• of cha;l'ftcte1·.

III.

a. Devo te 1.lte 1.hy to autive employment, not to iilling or

a. lu sleelJ are reilected the tra,ces of our prominent inclinatio11 s. Dreams of the lazy, the wiekeLl, the good.
Why ?
/;. Hope ;wet memory delight in clay-Jre<Lms and reveries.

sleq1i 11 g .
b. Sleep i n wholesome aml airy rooms intu which the sun
~hin es

at some part uf the chy.
c. Jn d e:rn, Lut not very W<Ll'lll Lelis.
rl. D o not ea t and llrink, e ven moLlerately, just before rctiri 11g in th e evening : heavy supper s, sleepless ni ght ~ .
e. Keej' t.]J\, l'. OllSl'il'IH' l' p11re, t.hat; t.l1 e evil done in Lhc light
may nut bring remorse in the silence and darkness.

• boon
A n i.nes tinu ,tblc

IV.

Lo

all living creatures.

a. The restorer of stre ngtl1, tlie glad reward oi' laLor, the
;;ooLl 1c1: of' a lll ietiun.

" Nature's sweet res torer, balmy sleep."

b. vVhat thanks, therefore, <lo ma.11, a nd all Jiving creatures,
owe to God.? (Adam's 111orni11g hymn of praise.)

"l ll:el within me
A peace above all earthly uignities,
A still and qu iet conscience."

SHAKSPEARE.

Sleep, the friendly brot he·r of tleath.

V.

a. In holy writ, lifo is cmup:ire<l to day, aJHl <lca,th to night;
the deceasecl to the f'lecping : 11ight follows Ja.y ; death,
life.
b. Sleep removes the tro uhlcs of the day; death, those of
life : a goo<l <lay, a h a,ppy sleep; an e vil thty, it restless
night: ;;o life mul tkat.h.
c. They arc brothers, - a ns d s ifwc will, evil spirits if we will.

43.
SLEEP, AN OTHER VIEW.
I.

Sleep is a necessary consequence of our human
nature.

VI. · Sleep prep a -res i ts f OP a n ew d a y ; death, for
a new life: both nre intended by th e same good
Being for our welfare, temporal and eternal.

a. Man is inclined to be active : activity n eeds strength ;
but,
b. The measure of streng th is limited, and we must hn.vc
relaxation. A bow too long bent at last loses its elasticity.
c. Necessity of recuperation; difference b etween rccrca,tion
and idleness; beneficent effects of sleep ; necessity to
the inuustrious.

II.

"Ha.ving promise of the life that now is, anu of that which
is to come." - 1 Tur. iv. S.

44.

Sleep, a 1>·i ctiirc of oifJr 'W eakness and dependence.
a. Ca,n the weary one resist sleep? No more than he ca,n
resist the course of his own blood, or ch;i,nge the pa,ths
of the pl :incts.
b. H elplessness of the sleeper. The stron g and the wca,k,
the wise a,ml the simple, arc on a,n et1ua,lity.
c. Gotl wa,tchcs over us : we depend upon him. ·with
,ul , .. 1- ,l; c- n f\ c.<lf·in n c;:h nn Ll

·ur Cl

i-.h n l'nfi-n"O

l "Cl f-.-iPP

r-;

'I'HE IIUUAN CO UN 'l'E NAN CE.
I.
•

'I..rlw 1nCftns by which the soul enforces exteriorly
her will arc the voice ancl the motions of t he bocly.
Besides these, there is but one means by which the
mind expresses directly its ·will, namely, the look,
rw

ovn1•o" ci i r.n r.f t .hi:. ('()11111".Pnfl.ll"A .

110

IL

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

f'_1_1he look.

IV. As the look exp1·esses 11uin's clisJJOsition,
strive to acquire th at disposition which will enno1le
the countenance, the true mirror of the human soul.

a. As the eye, the instrument of the active soul, lies directly
exposed to external impressions, so likewise docs it
serve as the direct medium of conveying the interior
dispositious of the soul.
b. The direct language of the som is exceedingly m:rnifolt! ;
fur, by the agency of the look, one is alile to cx pre ~s
desire, enthusiasm, courage, wrath, scorn , &e.
c. This language is supported by the mechanical changes of
the eye.

45.
MONEY.

"A beautifnl eye makes silence eloquent; an enrnge(l
eye makes heanty deformed: this little member gives life to
every other part about us. "
ADDl S Ol\~
d. By the look, expression, and gesture, one may assume

I.

ai1y

II.

PoifJer cl1ul effects of the look.

MnnnT7'

Classijiccition.
a. Gold coin.
b. Silver coin.
c. Copper and nickel coin.
d. Paper (bank-notes, drafts, &c.).

a. In gcncr:il , 1. It is cx tcnsi ve over men and animals. The look,
with full force, will suLduc the haughty, disa rm
the pasf:ionate, and confound the liar.
b. In different individu als.
1. It is suscepti ble of many varieties, according to tho
character and disposition. In the strong, it is
strong; in the weak, weak ; so that it is a pretty
sure measure of a man's capacity.
2. Still there arc exceptions. The look may be impaired by causes, to counteract which is bcyon<l
the power of even men of great genius, as Milton,
Beethoven, and our own Prescott.
3. The look is generally affected by the interior im- ·
pulses of the min<l ; h ence, at cliffercnt tim es, it
may be severe or mild; fierce or gentle, angry or
patient, &c.
"And then hi s look, - oh! where's the heart so wise,
Could un bewildered meet those matchless eyes 1
Quick, restless, strange, hnt exquisite withal,
Like those of angels."

Definition. -The term "mo1~ey," originally signifying stamped coin, is uow applied to"'. hatever serv_es
as a 9ircnlating medium of value m commercial
intercourse.

air 01· manner, for the purpose of impressing a beholder.

III.

111

III. Necessity.
a. In the present relations of the world, it is indispensable
to the well-being of society.
b. It enlivens and facilitates commerce.
c. Promotes the adv:rncement of art, science, and literature.
d. It is even uscfol in advancing our mental, moral, and
religious welfare.
e. It facilitates the execution of great projects.
f It elevates the enj oyments of life.

, ~ IV.

Vi'r tiws 1•equi1·ed fo1· its 1n·o1Je'r use.
a. Hon esty.
b. Frugality.
c. Caution, self-command, wise forethought.
d. Charity and public utility.

•

" The truly generous is the truly wise;
Aud. he who loves not others lives unblest."
DouGI,As.

112

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

OUTLINES OF 001\:IPOSITION.

2. W"hile by the com pass, nrnp s, and astronomical
observations, we ar e ennJJlctl to navigate the waters of the whole earth.
c. These improvements kw c certainly also brought about
much ev il, as piracies, cruelties, unjust wars, the slavetratle, &c.

e. Humility.
"Humility, that low, sweet root
.From which all lteaveuly virtues shoot."
MOORE.

v.

JTlce:~

113

to 'W hich its iise 1nay lead.

o. Di sh onesty.

Jf.

{i, Jdl L' ll !!SS.

N otwithstanding cill these things, the good

c. lliss ipnJ,ion, and a.n inordinate longing after ei1ioyme 11 ts.
r/. l'riilc nrnl in solence.

e. Ava rice an<l coveteousness.
Envy an<l ill-will.

f

A.

"Base envy withers at another's j oy,
Anu hates that excellence it can not reach."
THOJIISO N.

g. Self-interest.
h. Lov e of pomp.
i. lhnlncss of)ieart.
le. "WidrnLlncss.'

" Wickedn ess mny well be compared to a bottomless pit
in:o w~iich it is .ensier to keep one's self from fallin g, thnn'.
berng fall en, to give one's self any stay from falling infinitely."
SIDNEY.

46.
NAVIGA1'ION AND COMMERCE.
I.

clone by navigation arnl commerce far outweighs
the evil.

·

I1itrolliwtion.
a. To na~ignJ.ion ;incl commerce the ancient poets n.seribcu
111nch evil. To it they ascribed the ruin of nmn, the
dec lin e of mora.18, &c.
b. Ancl yet their nn.vigation, compared with ours, was quite
in s i ~ nifi c:mt; for,
1. Onl y a smnll portion of th e globe was known to .
them. Seldom, by occasional tempes ts, were they
driven out for a short distance into the great

In regard to intellectual culture.
a. \ Ve h ave acquired a more correct knowledge of the
globe, and of n ations and peoples formerly unknown
t o the civilized world.
b. By introducing to them our civilization, and the elevating
doctrines of Christianity, we h ave become their benefactors.
.,

B.

In regard to commercial intercourse between c1ist:mt nati ons.
a. En.sier interch ange of th eir mntu al productions.
b. ·D evelopment of trade, aml im:rc:1se of opul ence, by the
rich gold and silver mines of America and Au straJia.
c. The employment and support of thousands of men in ·
maritime enterprise.

C. In regard to new productions, pl::mts, &c.
a. Acquaintance with many valuable medicines, as quinine,
Peruvian bn.rk, &c.
b. Importations into Europe; potatoes, maize, cocoa, vanilla,
tobacco, tea, spices, &c.
c. fo to America ; coffee, sugar, cotton, &c.

D. Th e apprehension of an excess of population in
Europe has dis:-ippeared. Million s of opp ressed
people have fo und in n ewly-discovered countries not only bread, but liberty. They, in
turn, have repaid these benefits with interest ;
f",w l!i hm· is canital.

I

/'

114

III.

,,'
OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

01J"TLINES OF COMPOSI'.rION.

land, and America. (Henry IV., Louis XIV.
and the great men of his age, Napoleon ; Alfred,
Bacon, Newton , Shakspearo, vVelliugton; vVashingtou, l!'rankliu, Jefferson, Webster, Lincoln,
Douglns).

Cm'wliision.
a. Let us hupe that the evil which navigation and commcrco
have brought upon certain portions of the human
family may grnu ually disappear, that the voice of
humanity may be listened to, that cruelties may cea ~r,
and that civilization, based upon the principles of
Christianity, may bceome common to all.
b. A good beginning is made; the free, rapiuly-gro wiu~
Uniteu States inspire the friends of humanity wit.11
great h ope.

B.

47.
EULOGY ON COLUMBUS.
I.

Introcliiction.
A.

'

thP.ir OTP.at. mP.n.

WP.

mn.v mc:>nt.ion Frn.nP.P. Rnrr-

But if it reflects great credit upon those na'
.
tions to have thus honorec1 the men 'lvho chstinguished themselves in the service of their
respective countries only, how much more honor is due to ti.at man who is not only the benefactor of on e country or nation, but of all
mankind! The man of all men who has thus
pre-eminently distinguished himself is Christopher Columbus.

II. :L11"ecitise.
A.

Men who rend er great services to their country .
will al ways be remembered and honorell Ly
posterity. Nearly every age has produced such
m en . They a.re, in a certain sense, the elect of
,,God's provid ence on earth, whom, from time to
time, he calls forth to open new resources for
mankind, and to point out new roads to tho
activity of the human mind. Every gen oration,
as if by one common impulse, has expressed
its gratitude to them, either by written eulogies
and orations, or by monuments and statues, in
ord er to transfer to fnture ages, not only a
r ecord of the exalted deeds of their great men,
but also to show in what manner they themselves acknowl e<1ge and appreciate the merits
of those whom Providence was pleased to place
in their midst.
Among the nations that h ave thus hon ored

115

Short glance at his history.
a. Description of the imperfect knowledge of the earth at
that time.
b. Sketch of the life "of Columbus.

D.

ilis great qualities.
a. Intellectual capacities. Although we learn from history
little concerning his youth, still it is evident that bis
talents were most extraordinary.
1. From this, - th at in him the conviction originated
that the Indies coulu be reacheu by sailing west. w:iru.
2. From the fact, that, in spite of great obstacles, he
found means to act in such a manner upon others
as to convince them of the truth of his opinion.
3. And , finally, from bis presence of mi11d, and his
power to command respect.
b. Force of will.
i. Untiring perseverance in the pursuit of his ucsign,
which conld be ch eck eu by no obstacle whatever.
2. :Magnanimity, di sinterestedness.
3. Great in good for tune, firm in adversity.

117

OUTLINES ·oF COMPOSI'rION.

116

OUTLINES OF COMPOSI'l'ION.

C.

Ad vantages which the world has derived from his
discoveries.
a. In rcganl to science irncl th e pro<luctions of the earth.
1. A more correc t lrnowletlge of the globe.
2. Information concerning races hitherto unknown.
3. Propa gation of Christianity, aml consequent i 11 tclligence in uarbarous couutries.
4. Knowlellgc of foreign productions, which :Hhl to
the comforts of life, or furnish the means o!' preserving it (medicines, spices, dyeing m aterial~,
potatoes, and toba"co to Europe ; coffee, &c., to
America).
b. A more active intercourse among men and nation s, am!
thereby an increase of prosperity. The stimulus of
the mind to higher kinds of imlustry, g iving ri se to
useful inventions and discoveries. Gohl and siln;r
mines of Mexico, P eru, and California.

III.

001!,clusion. - Great and illustrious man, you havo
h vell for all; therefore your love and praise should
come from_ all. E specially should we the peopl e ·
of the Urnte ~ States not only g rat efnlly cherish
yonr memory, but also transmit it to posterity. lJ
thinl~ing of or pronouncing the word" America," w~
consider that word as but a veil Lehind which
shines in great lustre the name of him whom tho
world must call its benefactor.

b. Some of these nations h ave declined, as E gypt; others
h ave ceasc<l to progress, as C!Jina and Japan.

.

IL . Trca,Use. - \Vli nt ::tre th e causes which have given
Europe a prepond erance in power a.nd intelligence
over the l:Dastern nations?
A.

So nrces of power.
a. lfor Christian civilization.
b. IIer military skill. Europeans are masters not only of
large portions of the world inhabite<l by barbarous
people, but also of portions inhabited by those, who,
centuries ago, enjoyed a certain kind of civilization
(Hindostan, Abyssinia).
c. Iler spirit of eommercial enterprise. European ships
carrying 011 the trade of the globe; 11011-Europeans,
Americans always excepted, seldom sailing their ships
in foreign waters.
d. H er superior go vernments and social organizations.

B.

Sources of intelligence.

a. Early introuuction and sprea<l of the doctrines of Christ.
b. Better education of the people.
·c. Improved trade, agriculture, and manufactures.
cl. Fine arts.
e. Science.
f. Her better modes of social life, especially the greater
esteem in which woman is h eld, and h er r efining and
elevating influence.

C.

This preponderance is remarkable, on account of,
a. H er small extent of territory.

48.
THE SUPERIORI1'Y OF EUROPE OVER THE 01'HER
PARTS 0~ THE EASTERN IIEUISPIIERE.
1

I. Introtlnction.
a. History teaches 1h at, formerly, the north-east of Africil, arnl
some countries of' Asia, were in possession of a hicrhcr
civilization th an th cv eniov at nrP. RP.nt..
b

b. H er small population.
c. L ate civilization.
cl. Barren soil in many regions.
e. vVant of rich min eral productiom<.
f. Many r evolutions, political and religious.

D.

Physical causes of superiority.
a. L oca,tion in the temperate zone.
b. Unfertile soil.

•

•

118

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

.(In warmer and more fertile countries, men nro n
compelle~ to make such exertions to obtain the IH'CCS ,. · . .
ries and comforts of life; hence the ascendency of th ·
European mind, which has grown by labor, and, tluu
roused to activity, astonished the feebler nations with lh .
superior fruits which it has produced.)

III.

a. On the fleetness of time.
b. Its irrecoverableness.
c. The nothingness of all that is earthly. How many ties
have been severed in the past year ! how many tears
shed I how niany troubles and anxieties buried in its
oblivion I how many rich reduced to poverty I how
many happy to misery I

III.' Lessons.

following reasons : -

a. Cast a scrutinizing glance upon the past.
b. Form good resolutions for the future.

1. More favorable geographical position (Europe and

Africa on the east ; Asia, Australia, and tho
islands of the Pacific, on the west).
2. Free institutions.
3. Great natural resources.
4. Enterprising spirit of her people.
(America has all the advantages of Europe, nnd
these last in addition : her superiority seems, thcrofore, assured in the order of Providence.)
.

..

II. Reflections.

1Vill this p r eponde1·ance continue ? \Ybnt.
has Europe to expect in the future from America?
a. Europe must eventually be eclipsed by America, for tho

119

OUTLINES OF CO:M:POSI'.l'iON •

IV.

JVwrning.
a. vVaste no more time in idleness.

V. Acl11ionition.
a. Return thanks to God for all his goodness and blessings,
and beg his protection for the future.

VI.

Concltision. - If such be some of our thoughts on
"New-Year's" Day, and if our actions correspond
with our resolutions, then need we fear no future;
. but, woe to him who is obliged to say, "Youth,
return, that I may lead a better life I "

"Columbia, Columbia, to glory arise,
The queen of the world and the child of the skies."
Dwrnr!T.

49.
50.

THOUGHTS ON NEW-YEAR'S DAY.
I.

Int1·o<lztct~on .. - There are clays that speak forci- .
.)Jly to the mind of man, and produce, even i11 tho
giddy, some passing serious thought. The day
when a dear friend departed will always be kindly
remembered. The days of our country's struggletL
and successes will never be forgotten. " Now
Year's" is one of those clays, full of the most seri·
ous as well as the most happy thoughts.

THOUGHTS AT 1TIE TOMB OF NAPOLEON IN ST.
HELENA .
I.

No bells tolling, no report of cannon, no winding funeral-procession, no gorgeous sarcophagus ;
mournfnl silence, contrasting so strikingly with the
noisy life of this man: a plain, homely tomb is
left for him who once possessed the vast territories
and the palaces of Europe.

120
II.

OU'.N,INES OF COMPOSITION.

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

Even the fa/1J01•ite of Fortune is

j. How great was he in his misfortune ! - the modern Prometheus.
g. Posterity will yet judge the great man with more justice
than his contemporaries have done. Prou<l France
will never forget him. Peace to his ashes I

against her caprices. There is none can say, wb
life is closing," Fortune has al ways smiled upon nt
III.

IV.

JJfllUons f ea·r ed hi·rn, millions loved him, millions hated him. To the fearful and to the hntfo
death has made the last atonement: the emperor'
no more.

" Proud was his tone, but calm : his eye
Had that compelling dignity,
His mien that benring, haughty and high,
W'"hich common spirits fear. "

Glances at his Ufe.
a. Enclowecl with extraordinary mental power and foT'('O ti
will, he enters as a mere youth upon the stago of
world, at a time peculiarly well calculated to clo
talent to power ; and he rose from grade to grndo UU
he attained the highest.
b. Lorli, Marengo, Austerlitz, Jena 'Vagram, proclnimM
him a hero. Tranquillity re-established in distract
:France, and the dizzy height upon which he nUMd
his own throne, proved his ability as a ruler. All
listened to him. His wish was a command. Euro
obeyed his word.
c. Herc he shoul<l have rested on his laurels, should h
enjoyed the fruit of his deeds ; here he should haw
made France happy by the arts of peace: bnt it w
his misfortune never to be able to remain at rest. llo
intended to bear his arms to the utmost bounds of
Em:opc; and the. distant Moscow became the vcrg ol
bis fortune. " Thus far, and no farther!" cried inccn
Heaven; and many of the fairest fruits of former fortune turne<l to ashes in his grasp.
d. Even now it was in his power to save his empire, nnd
make his people happy, had he been capable of mod•
• cration ; but he heeded no warnin~. Lei p~ic hrok
his power anew, an<l hostile armies cnt1 ~red rar1-.
even as his own armies ha.d once entered Milan, Hom
Naples, Madrid, Lisbon, Vienna, Berlin, ancl Moscow.
c. Elha was to his mind too small ; and once more h
braved the fortunes of war. vVaterloo proved his
fornl overthrow, and this remote islan<l received him u
a poor prisoner and exile.

121

ScoTT.

51.
A PEACEFUL DISPOSITION.
I.

~

Int11~odiiction.

a. One should practice no virtue for selfish purposes only.
b. But it may nevertheless not be amiss for us to consider
some of the advantages which arise naturally from the
virtues which we should practice for their own sake.
c. Peacefulness is the virtue which inclines us to live in
harmony with our fellow-beings, and to endeavor to induce them to li vc so with each other.

II. ·Advantages.
A.

External well-being.
a. Preservation of bodily health.
1. Discord often ends in violence, brawls, duels, &c.
2. From discord, anger ; from anger, contention;
from contention, violence; from violen ce, injnry,
blood, broken limbs, even death, which is theu
murder.
b. Business-prosperity.
1. One who is peaceful devotes all his time to his calling, and con sequently prospers.
2. People generally prefer to deal with a person of
gentle disposition.

122

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

3. In case his rights are infringed, the peaceful m:m
easily comnrn,uds the sympathy and active as ist.ance of troops of friends.
4. Receives favors from his fellow-citizens, ofllccs, privil eges, &c.

b. This is true of state s as well as of individuals. ·whole
nations have enfeebled thern sel ves, or even become
ruin ed, by internal discord. \Yell may we say with the
wise Roman, "By concord, the smalles t states become
mighty, and by discord the most powerful fall to
ruin."
c. As in public affairs, so in private life; society abounds
with evils brought about by discord.

B. Tranquillity of mind.
a. Quarrels disturb the mind, and destroy its inward pence,
even as they hinder external well-being.
b. The man of peace h as good neighbors and many fri ends;
consequent h appiness of so ul.
c. Al ways well recei vcd in social circles, is beloved; wbilo
the man of quarrelsome disposition is shunned.
d. Ile can :ilso spread h appiness around him by restoring
peace between persons a t variance, whilst the brawler
out adds fuel to the ilame.

III.

This vi1·tue, like m any other good qualiti es, mny
l>c c:uri ecl to excess. It then becomes a weakn csR.
VVe must not give up tlie right to save any contest:
such pcncefuln ess is mere weakness and sin rath er
th a11 a virt11 e. \ V herc the honor of God, or tho
rig hts of mnn, are :it stake, th e truly peaceful rn:1 11
becom es the bold est and the bravest, even l:i yi11g
clown his life, if neecl be, in the sacred cause; whil e
the quarrelsome man, in the hour of trial, too often
turns out bnt an arrant coward.
" 0 beauteous peace!
Sweet union of a state; what else but thou
Gives safety, strength, and glory to a people!"
THm1soN.

52.
DISCORD; HO"\V IT MAY BE AVOIDED.
I. Int1·o<l1.tetion.
· a. Discord and quarrels arc common among men; but lrnppi-

123

IL

The principal soiM"ces of d 'iSC01"d are:
A.

Defects of temperam eut.
a. The choleric temperament; hot, violent, passionate disposition.
b. Sanguine temperament; frivolity, rashnesf', inconsiderate
actions, without refl ecting on consequences.

B.

Defec ts of character.

a. Prille, self-conceit, and immoderate ambition, from which
proceed immodesty, ignoble emulation, spirit of opposition, passion for judging, spirit of litigation, a too
strict adherence to apparent or real rights.
. b. Avarice, envy, disaffection.
c. Distrust, apprehension, false interpretation of looks,
speech, or actions of others.
d. Inconsiderate use of the tongue; indiscretion, communication of secrets, calumny, slanderous disposition,
mockery.

C.

Accidental circumstances.
a. Defective education ; indulgence of parents in granting
every wish of their cl1ildrcn, from which comes a positive disposition, a.n obstinacy, which often sets their
parents and other pcr$Oll s at varianec.
b. Different views concerning important concerns of life,
especialiy religion nncl politics, on account of which
the most intimate friend s often quarrel.
c. Neighborly relations ; questions concerning domestic
authority, boundaries, animals or oth er property, the
"mine and thine," affairs of inheritance.
_J

l\f" ______ __

,! _____ _1

_ __ __ , _

_1•

124
III.

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

2. Besides, we can never know in what frame of mind
our writing may finll the p erson with whom we
wish to lJecome reconciled; while, if in his presence, we can form our words and tones according
to circumstances.

To avoi<l clisco,rcl examine in yourself tho sou roos
from which it may come, and strive to cradicnt
them.

A. If they arc certain defeetive impulses and

i11clin n~

tions.

a. Strive with all your might to master those con ~tituti omll
faults, as ardor, violent passion, irritability, ftck lt> nt''-5,
imprmlence, &c.
b. Fight en,rncstly against your tlefocts of ch ara cter which
have been mentioned.
Consider tlrnt others h :n ·o
rights as well as you, antl insist not too OU$tinat<•ly
upon your own; be indulgent, and consitler tha t you
also are often in need of tl1 e forbearance of others ;
carry your distrust not too far; learn to take a jok e ;
be no tattler ; give ear to no idle gossipping; lJe ca ~il y
propitiated, and ever ready to make proposals of
peace : in most cases yon will discover that your proposal is gladly accepted. To the noble, the manly or
womanly soul, there is no weakness, no disgrace, but
rather high-toned honor, in such a proposal.

IV.

a. Meddle not with matters that do not concern you.
b. ·w ith those who differ with you in religion or politics
aYoid angry disputations, and all conversation which is
not carried on in a perfectly decorous manner. Di 11pntes of this nature are of little avail, especially in
matters of religion, for faith is a grace of God.
c. In disputes caused by n eighborly or friendly relation~,
in sist not too obstinately upon your own views or
rig:hLs; ue in<lnl gent to those of others.
d. Do not try to remove misunderstandin gs by written
cornmunic:itions, unless for the be~t reasons, but al way~,
if possible, by personal ex plan ation s; for,
1. Littera scripta 111.anent (the writing remain s agaimt
you, to remind the other party of the dispute, or,
perhaps, to make matters worse by some biun<lcr
of yonr pen).

By iisiny these 'JJ'W ans, we shall enjoy a trauqnil mind; for our tranquillity d epends very much
upon the peace which we may maintain with the
worlU arouncl u s.

53.
THE BLESSINGS OF CHRISTIANITY.
I. Int,rochwtio11" -To those who in all earnestness
doubt the blessings of Christianity, by pointiug to
the multitude of sects, c1it-:pntes, :md combatf:, and
to the Inquisition,· the following r escareh may not
be amiss.

B. If they are accidental relations or circumst:mccs,
the n,

125

II.

Ch1'istianity has in an extra01·dincH'Y
cleg1·ee llcvelopell the intellectual ca1uwit'les of those nations who mnb1·acecl
it.
a. By overthrowing idolatry, arnl establishing the doctrine
of monoth eism (a belief in one God).
b. By introducing a ceremonial worthy of the worship of
the Supreme Being.
c. By transmitting to us the book of books, and by encouraging and promoting the stud y of philosophy.
d. By not only preserving the classical writings, but also by
nursing n,ml <leveloping ~eiencc in general.

III.

Ch1"istianity has clevelopecl the 11'w1·ctl
ciiltu1·e of 1nan; for,
a. Its precepts have elevated the dignity of human nature,
and promoted the happiness of mankind.

12()

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

b. Thia happiness is the natural result of Christi:rnit.y, by

5. ·w hat would be the present condition of Europe,
America, the United States, in such a case?
6. Why?
7. What do w e therefore owe to Christianity?

the exercise of love and gratitude towards God, nntl
re1'ig11 :1.tion to his provid ence; as well as of intl'grity
and gou1l will tow:ml men, and the due go\'crnun•nt
of our appetites and passions.
c. Its precepts inspire mankind with mild, benevolent, and
peaceful Llispositions.
d. lt represents the Deity and his attributes in Lhe fai n~
light, even so as to r ender our ideas of his nat11n·, lllnl
the nrnnner in which he exerts his power, cou~is knf
with the most correct principles of morality.

IV.

" ·w hilst politicians arc disputing about monarchies,
aristocracies, and republics, Christianity is alike applicable, meful, and friendly to them all."
PALEY.

Christianity has also p 'r mnoted the cultti1·e of the ccsthetic.

54.

a. Architceture.
b. Painting.
c. Poctrx.

d.

V.

0 UR ENE MI E S.

l\Iu~ic.

ChristiClnity has also 1n•mnoted
physical well-being of 1nan.

th e

I. Introduction.
a. In a world where good and bad are living together, a person can hard ly live without having enemies.
b. The cause of the hostile sentiments of others against us
is,
1. P artly in ourselves. vV e m ake enemies through
want of knowledge of the world arnl men, by th e
vehemence of our passions, and by unbendin g perseverance in what we consider to lie our rights, by
indiscreet blame of others, by a manin. for ridicule
and sn.tire, :irnl Ly a too-ma.riced disapprobation of
public regubtions.
2. Partly in things external to us, - envy of others,
their self-interest, obstinacy, vanity, ambition, &c.
c. But we frequentl y mistake those for enemies who are in
reality not rnch.

a. Hy keepin g holy the Sunday (abstaining from all manual labor).
b. By establishing numerous charitable institutions.

VI.

127

ChristiauUy has given to CJw·istian nations ti preponde1·ance ove·r <:ill others.
a. Christia11 nations hav e extended their rule over millions
of infid els.
b. And have extomlccl their commerce to all countries.
c. They also exercise a great moral influ ence over other
nati ons. This leaLls, in conclusion, to the following
question s : 1. \Yhat 11ations humbled Chinn. some years no-o and
t:> '
took the capitn.l of the country?
2. \Vhat is the present state of the once dreaded :Molw 111 medans ?
3. By whose mercy (or rather mutual jealousy) i~ their
head still suffered to reside in Constantinople ?
4. \Vhat would be the state of civilization at prr~ r nt,
if Charles Martel had suffered a <lefe:it by t.he

II.

Who, then, wre

O'Wf'

eneniies?

a. National enemies are not here considered: by that name
we understand those belonging to a country with
which ours is at war. '
b. W e h er e speak of private enemies; that is, of those who

'

I

I

128

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

A.

129

O UTLINES 01!' COM:POSlTION.

By such we do not mea11,
a. Those whose duty it is, in certain cases, to check our ri)

b.

c.

d.

e.

Il.

i11d in atio11s, vices, :md faults: these arc rather fri ondt
than c11e1Hies.
Nor those who defond rights which we strirc to t.U
away: we a rc the enemies in that case.
Nor those who strive against us i11 a lawful and proper
ma nn er, in a suit at law ( when Lo th parties seek only
fo r ju stice), or for a,n ofl-ice, a situation, &c.: such JK't'sons m;iy often he our rivals, Lut arc not 11 ccc~ F:tri l1
our e nemies.
Nor those who differ from us in ma,tters of religion, poU.
Lies, or pri vatc affairs : their opinions ar c en tit led to
our rcspeet, a nd we mu st not consi1ler them our
en emies on accouut of their honest convic tions.
N or those who have offemled us unintentionally.
•
O nly weak-minded persons would consider a11y of thc.ao
as enemies.

Among our e nemies mrty be rn e11tioned,

GG.
0 U R l R I E NDS.
1

"A fri end is gold ; if true, he' ll never leave thee:
Yet both, without a touchstone, mny deceive thee. "
U ,ANDOLPII.

I. Lnt'J'Olluct'lon.
a. The word "friend" is sometimes u sed in too liberal a
sense. \ Ve occasionally call persons our friends, who
arc conn ected with us in any way, those with whom we
hunt, trade, work, or play ; even to strangers, we often
apply the sacr ed word "friend."
b. Such an abuse of the term should be avoided.

II.

1Vho, then, is

a. Those w l1 0, wi thout any authority, seek to Jcprirc us f
our ri;;ltts ~rnd pri vi leges, or fo ster arnl eultirnt c pl"()o
fr ssio1w 1 j ealousy iu such a manner that our call i11g in
life su ffe rs.
b. Those who seek to injure us because our conscience com·
pcls us to oppose their measures.
c. Those who try to injure O lll' character, honor, good nnmc.
d. Those who seek to corrupt our morals, and emlc:nor to
draw us from the path of virtue into that of vice.

III.

Conclnsion.
a. One f'hou ld not fear enmity too much ; for, m mnn •
cases, t.hosc who are without enemies arc of wc:\k
ch aracter, or void of principle altogether.
b. On ly bad men arc capable of h ate : h ence, to he hated , is
ofte n pretty good evidence of a per son 's worth; for
that is not poor fruit upon which the wasps fee d.

O'U/J'

friend?

a. I-le who is attach ed to us by affec tion; who entertains for

b.

c.
d.
e.

f
g.

us sentiments of e. teem, r espect, and love, such as lead
him to desire our company, and seek to promote our
happin ess; not al ways,
1. Those who ar c related to us, or with whom we h a,ppen to hav e occasional dealin g or companionsh ip : many such prove themselves but "summer
fri ern ls."
2. N01· those who arc always r eady to applaud whatever we do, even our bad actions.
3. Nor those who talk to us in a friendly mann er to
win favor, or gain some selfi sh end; but he is a
'friend,
·who is di sinterested, :md r eady to make sacrifices for us.
\~Thos e fricrnl ship is firm an_rl constnnt.
\ Vl10 secs our fhnlts, a11 tl strives to correct th em in order
to r ender us more worth y of his esteem.
\ iVho cheers, consoles, an<l assists u s in adversity.
vVhom nothing can change, n citl1 cr th e smiles nor the
frowns of fortune .
'Vho is attached to us on account of our own moral worth,
• congenial sentiments, and good heart.

130

OUTLINES 01!' COMPOSITION.

It. 1Vho leans on nothing artificial in our circumstances, but

upon ourselves.
i. vVho, even wheu disappointed in us, will cherish for us feelings of pity rather than anger.
j. 1\Tho will lament over a false friend as over one who h M
fa,llen from the high position in which his own hc:1rt
had placed him.
'r\Thoever has made the acquisition of ~uch a fri end
may be said to have doubled his mental resources.

"A golden treasure is the tried friend ;
But who may gold from counterfeits defend~
Trust not too soon, nor yet too soon mistrust:
·with the one thyself, with the other thy friend, thou hurt'st.
vVho twines betwixt, and steers the golden mean,
Nor rashly loveth, nor mistrusts in vain. "
MIRROR FOR MAGISTRATES.

56.
BENEFrrs OF

wAR.

I. It is the right of evm"y orie to 1n"otect him,-

self against unjust attacks. For the indiviclttal,
there are laws and jndges; but, for nations, there
exists neither judge nor tribunal: they must protect
themselves as best they can. Hence, if diplomacy
fail, war becomes necessary.

11.

1'Ve look at wwr as s01nethi11,g te'r rible, nrnl
call it the scourge of nations; and certainly much
evil <foes proceed fro!n it.
a. Partly in reg;tnl to the belligerent States. By it, many nations have lost their in<lependence; others have diminished their popnl:i.tion; some burden themselves with
debts, and suffer the evils of large standing armies, stagnation of trade, famine, pestilence, destruction of
nronP.rt.v. of work->: of l'lrt.. &,-._

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

131

b. Partly in regard to individual citizens; separation from
parents and friends, privations and lrnrdships, mutilations, imprisonment, mourning families, plundering
bodies of soldiery, guerrillas, &c.

III. And still there is niuch good connected
wUh WU/I'.
a. For States.
1. A long peace enervates a nation; war restores it to
vigor and energy.
2. It awakens patriotism; enthusiasm for the success of
our country and the character of our nationality.
3. Increase of esteem for others : we learn the noble
qualities in other peoples. Even the victorious
army is forced to admire the bravery of the defeated.
4. Increase of the circulation of money.
5. Neutral States gain by commerce.
6. Culture spreads from one nation to another, so that
the defeated often become the intellectual and
moral benefactors of the conquerors (Greeks and
Romans, Romans and Barbarians), (Crusaders
and Saracens).
b. For individuals.
1. Necessity is man's best instructor. Peril produces
heroes, restores elasticity of mind and greatness
of soul.
2. )Var affords an opportunity of developing talents
and winning renown.
3. Brings into exercise courage, decision of character,
presence of mind, fortitude in adversity, perseverance, mildness, and generosity, and totally reforms
many a depraved character.
4. The scarcity caused by war leads back to former
sirbplicity of manners: "Necessity teaches us to
pray."
5. If it impoverishes some, it enriches others : it gives
employment and room for activity.
6. Increases human knowledge by acquainting men
with the wisdom· of other lands, with their cus..I._ - -- - -

--

.1 - -

--~

,.., __

132

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

7. Though war causes the deat.h of many, yet there iJ
some compensation in the noble death that n.wnltf
the hero.

IV.

b. Turning the dissensions of the neighboring states to their
own advantage: thus Philip became general-in-chief of
all Greece; Napoleon, Protector of the Confederation
of the Rhine.
c. Crafty in negotiations, in order to gain time.
d. A show of generosity towards conquered nations.
e. Disregard of treaties.
f Both found active opponents in unwarlike nations.

Be not lliscou:rayetl then, when tlie Lbst of' tho
w:i.r-clenouncing" trnmpet is hearcl: its sound
may be the harbinger of good instead of evil.
<(

" ·who dies in vain
Upon his country 's war-fields, and within
The shadow of her altars~"
Mus.

133

0.

lkllA!'!l.

As rulers in time of peace.
a. Remarkable knowledge of men, especially in the choice of
their o!lieers.
b. Energy in preserving internal tranquillity.

D.

a. They both submitted their brilliant intellectual faculties
and force of will to the service of mere ambition and
egotism.
b. Both considered men as mere tools, and means for their
purposes.

PHILIP OF MACEDON AND NAPOLEON BONAPARTB.
I. In hist01·y, g1·eat nie·n,, often ·re.~enible each

othe1• in character, and their lives have much in
common.

It was thns with Philip and N apolcon.

IV.

II. In their e.xtm·io1· life.

With regard to their qiialities,
A.

B.

58.

As warriors and generals.
a. Grc:i.t gcncrnlship of both; presence of mind, acutcncs!I,
courage, quickness, the art of g:i.ining the affections of
their sol1licr R, improvements in methods of warfart',
good nse of victories.
b. Great success in war.

As statesmen, in reference to foreign nations.
a. Common maxim : Divide et impera (divide and rule them).

These 1nanifoltl si1nilwrities are the more
striking when we reflect that the men were quite
different in their temperament and social virtues. ·
Philip, cheerful, friendly, flattering; Napoleon,
gloomy, grave, reserved, impetuous. What has the
race gained by them ?

a. Ead1 educated at a distance from home. - Thl'i>c!t,
Bricnne.
b. Their appearance in public life at an equal age, and under
similar circumstances.
c. Philip, in spite of his deficient claims, becomes king;
Napoleon, emperor.
d. Each was divorced from his first wife.

III.

As men.

RAILROADS AND STEAMBOATS.
I.

One of the 1nost sliccessfiil of invention/s,
which keeps pace in importance ·with the art of
printing, is the steam-engine. · It is applied to the
uses of travel and traffic on railroads and steamhm1tl'\_ nn1l hn!'I m!.l!P.rl forth a nowerful revolution.

134

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

OUT LIN ES OF COMPOSITION.

d. By the growing wealth, enterprise receives constant stimulus, arnl opens new fields of inuustry: the rich, in stead
of becoming danµ; erou s to our institutions, rather feel
that, for the most part, they owe their prosperity to those
free institutions. B esides, public opinion has become
such a power in our da,y, that even wealth is obliged to
submit to it.
e. El'en family ties arc drnwn more close, and new ones arc
formed by means of easier intercourse.
f In times of war, a mor e speedy concentration of troops
takes place ; h ence, a quicker decision, a,nd shortening
of the snfforing produced by war. The Jta,li an campaig n of 185!), the Prnssian and Au strian of 18GG, and
our own civil wa r, would have had quite diflerent
results if these modern improvements had not been
brought into requisition.

which has found its opponents as well as its d efen ders. \Ve shall th erefo re speak of the advnnt:igrR
and the disal1 vantages of these rapid moll cs of
locomotion.

A. Disadvant:tges.
a. Many per sons, as drivers, inn-keepers, &c., have lost their
occupation.
b. Smaller towns h ave either become desolate, or l1 an)
arlvancecl very slowly; while larger ones g row wi th
amazing rapidity. In these latter is rusl1i11 g to :rn1l
fro a population not having the least interest at ]!("art
in t.h e welfare of the city, speculating for 111unt'_r, :11111
desecrating the place with immoral and irn·ligions
principles; whence the sad state of a large portion of
the population of our great cities.
c. The g rnwing wealth of many of the citizens, may, i11 the
course of tim e, be the means of making them hostil e to
our free institutions, and imbuing them wi th a ~ piri t
foreign to our Constitution and S tate organizations.
'Vith in creasin g riches, luxury enters, which may in the
end d c~t.roy all simplicity of manners among the peopl e.
d. The quickness of travel lessens the enj oyment and in formation which should be desired from that source.

B. Advantages.
exceedin~ly by the case and
quickness of intercourse. "Time is money." 'lbo
peculiar products of different places find new markets.
b. Agriculture is benefited; the farmer is not compcllccl to
sell his products in the nearest market ; hence higher
prices, aud, consequently, increase of wealth with improved modes of cultivating the land, new machinery,
fine stock. Famine, formerly so common, may now, in
mos t case~, lie avoid ed, by sentling the surplus of one
country to foe(l the sufforing population of another.
c. General culture is rliffusctl by the facility of commun icntion : every one may see more in a clay than formerly
in a we<>lc. No t only is commerce promoted, but also

a. Commerce and trauc gain

135

II.

Conchision. - Which are greater, the advantages
or the disacl vn.ntages ? What would be the condition of onr country, with its great inland lakes n.nd
rivers, its broad expanse of territory, if the steamengine had not bee n invent ed? God brings about
great revoluti ons in the ntfairs of men when t hey
are most neecl ecl : look at the map of Emope ancl
at that of Am eri ca, am1 it will be apparent that
there was design in reserving the great i1wentions
of the steam-engine and the telegraph until the
discovery of the ·w estern continent, with its broad
inland territories, should render them necessary.

59.
CONSOLAJ'IONS IN ADVERSITY.
I. !17w goocl 1ncin is not always successfiil;
the reasons for this depend upon,
a. Unforeseen

circumstance~ ,

over which he has no control.

b. Onnosition anu nlottinrr of lii s follow-mPn.

136

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

OUTLINES OF COMPO SITION.

b. The highest mark of distinction is often reached unexpectedly.
·
c. Fortune does not smile alike on every one.

c. Or upon himself; namely, in his application of un suitabl
means.

II.

In such cases, he too often loses co 1u•ayc.
a. This should not be ; fo r a wise man ought to profit by his
misfortu ncs.
b. IJ-c sl10ukl think somewh a t :1fter this mann er : l hav
fa.iled, it is true, but only in a material point of view:
in a larger and bnmder sense, I h:i ve gainecl; for,
1. I h:tve done my duty, <.;Orne what may; I feel th:ll I
have by this become better, more attached to virtue, more true to my Goel .
2. 1\Jy knowledge of man is enlargeu.
3. My failure may perhaps save others from misfort111H\
and give them the llleans of doing that whi ch I
failed to do.
4. Failures, if resulting from good intention s, arc not
misumlcrstood by well-uisposed persons : t lu'y
know that success does not always crown the tk'sening.
5. Perhaps, what I, in my blindness, consicl cr as nn
evi l, mn,y, in the end, prove to be a blessing.
6. The wheel of fortune is ever turning : success may
follow fai lure.
7. Complain ts arc of no avail : they sh ow the we:ikness, not th e nobility, of man.

III.

137

II. Accidentlil ci1·cnrnsta,l'ices.
a. Cir<.;umstances of time, place, &c., often favor one more
than another ; as famil y descent and co nnections, birthplace, property, education, h eal th, agitated times, &c.
b. Also the natural talents of the inuividual, as memory,
power of thought anu exp ression, intellect, temperament.

III.

Consolcitions for those less favored m these respects.
a. E xternal <.;ircumstances are not always decisive: the
chances of fortune are wonderful.
b. Even talents are not a safo g uaranty of promotion; they
h a Ye their dangerous side, - levity, haughtiness, r elaxation, &c.
c. The surest means is common sen se, based upon justice and
brotherly love.
d. Energy, and a correct use of every opportunity, will supply the place of much tl11t i ~ otherwise wanting.

IV. .Con cllis·i on. - In lower places, there is genera1ly
more happiness, and much good may there be done.
Remember the golden 1nean.

Keep up COU/rage, then, even in the darkest hour;
never be dismayed. If you fail, try again, and bear
in min<l that genuine success crowns only him who
perseveres even to the end.

61.
"GOLD LIES DEEP IN 'fHE MOUNTAIN."

60.
N011 EVERY ONE UAY BECOME PRESIDENT.
I. Int,r oduction.
a. History teaches that men h ave often become presid ent,
who, themselves, never aimed after such an exalted

I.

P rec lous things are in general acquired with
1

1

great difficulty; hence their value. It needs prud ence to find the proper means, energy to turn
every thing to the best :vlv:1ntage, foresight to
avoid dangers, anJ fortituJe to bear the troubles
which may come.

138

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

II. Things which are wo1•thy of 1nan's 1'
suit.
a. Virtue, from which res ults quietness of min<l.
precious jewel can be gained only by comL:tL: it.11 o ·
ncnts with which we have to contend arc pride, ~
ality, envy, wrath, &c.
b. Culture of mind, which also can be acquired only b.
great exertion, by constant industry. Like virl Ul'. lt.
too, has its obstacles, such as levity, disgust of studft
weakness of comprehension, &c.

A.

considered the main objects of life.

Concliision. - The miner draws from all his t.oil
and lwrdship very little advantage and comfort:
qnite the reverse is the result for those who min
for the more precious jewels of the soul au<l t.ho
miu<l.

A.

Address to tlie officers who have undertaken and
completed the erection of the lrnillling.
a.

B.

SPEECH OF A BUILDER AFTER THE ERECTION OF A
SCIIOOL-I3UILDING.
I. IntJ'O<ltiction.
a. At the request of my fellow-laborers, I stand before you
to gh·e utterance to our common pleasure in the completion of our work.
b. I am, as yon well know, not a skillful orator, and l1opo
therefimJ for your kind forbearance in listcniug to my
poor effort to entel'tain you.
c. 'V c have fini sliccl m:i.ny a building, but none <lestincJ
for a more noble purpose than this.

Thanks them in the name of the citizens.
l. Pointing first to the small size and uncomfortable
rooms of the old house.
2. And then to the comfort which the new one affords.

Address to the teachers.
a. Exhorts them not to allow themselves to be discouraged
in their noble Lut anluuus duties.
b. Rcfors to the honor to which they are entitled for the
<roa<l which they have <lone.
b

c.

A<k1ress to the citizens.
a. Encourages them to send their children regularly to
school.
·
b. And exhorts them to be grateful to the teachers, to c~-op­
erate with them in every way for the good. of. the
school; and especially hopes that tl~ey w~ll .not unb1tter
the lives of the goocl teachers by rntcrfenng mmecess:irily in the private arrangements of the school.

D.

62.

139

II. 1 11--eatise.

Honor and respect will be the portion of him only
who possesses this virtue and this culture.

B. Prosperity and riches are in themselves things of
inferior value ; but, alas! by too many they ro
III.

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

Acl!lress to the pupils.
Advises them to love
and obey their instructors, and to honor their
new hnil<li1i g,
a. By keeping it clean,
.
.
1
never
losincr
sight
of
the
main
object
for
wluch
they
b. A nL
"'
,_. l . t
le
attend school; viz.; their education, wuic l is o. )
obtained by obedience, and by attention and application to study. Holds out to them the golden reward
which is to be theirs in future if they make good use
of the present time.

140

4. His mildness toward the offendin g was admirably
blcnde(l wi th firnrn Cf'S ; gen tl e wi lhont weakn ess.
5. H e ha(l the h;ip py gif't of communica.ting t o us his
enthu sia~ m fo r whatever is good.
b. L et us live so th at h e shall not h ave lal>orccl for us in

63.
ADDRESS AF11Ell 11IE ~-, UNEllAL-SOLEnINITIES OF A
BELOVED TEACHER.
I.

!i

,,'I
~

!

I
I

vain.
1. vVc will cherish his mmnory, and n eYer neglect the
wisdom whid1 he impar ted to us.
2. vVe will choose him as our model in the fa ithful
disch arge of duty, the love of justice, mildness,
and love of religion.

Introllitction .
a. A good man has departed from our mi<l st: we lt:i a
accompanied his remains to the grave, and paiu to him
the las t h onors.
b. vVe have returned deeply moved; we h ave seen the sorrow depicted on the countenance of many who w ro
not so near to him as we ; to us, he was more than to
other s.
c. W e witnessed the ceremonies, we h eard the solemn
chants, we listened to the words of his yencrnblo
friend, who extolled the vir tues of the departed. It
was not becoming for us to express our feelings th ere ;
d. But it is becoming, that h ere, in this hall, where he l'O
often uttered words of profound wisdom, we should
ex press the <l cpth of our sorrow for one who was ro
near and so dear to us.

II. Treatis e.
a. \Ve have lost much in him: let us recall to ourmilllls what
h e has Leen to ns.
1. H e was a conscientious and faithful teacher, imLucd
with a full sense of the importance and responsibility of his high callin g.
2. To hi s scholars h e was ju st and impartial, without
distin ction of per sons. Only of him to whom 1111 1l' h
was g iv en di<l h e require much; whil e, from tli
less gifted, h e r equireu only good will to do what
they could.
3. Ile was u11assmning, antl never exalted himself at
the cxp cn ~c of others. H e gloried in the s w.: cc s~
of his fellow-teach ers, yielLling his own allrnntagc
whenever h e saw th at the cause of educatiou
would thereby be benefited.

141

O UTLINE S OF COJ\lPOS lTIO N .

OUTLINES OF COl'vIPOSI'l'ION.

. I

Ill.

Tlwiiuh he lu;i s b een taJo,m~ fr01n iis ,

yet

will be :-il ways remain t reasured 111 our hearts ; for
the g ood nev er die, living as they do for ever
in the good th ey h ave done.

64.
THE FUrru1rn IS Norr
I.

so DARK AS ]IANY BELIEVE.

Tlw1·e (t'J°C 11uiny 1wovm·bs whi ch contain mnch
truth; yet some of them are subj ect to limitation
of meaning: among these is this, " The future is
sealed to mortal eye."

II. This is not triie to the ex tent which

many per-

sons b elieve.
a. No one can tell for certain all that wiU h appen to-morrow,
ncx t·wcck, in a month, or in a year, or where or in
what nm nner h e sh all close his life .
b. And crnn the most clear-headed men sec themselves often
disappointed not only in theit· hopes, but also in their
fears, arnl at la,st compelled to say, " That I never
thought of."
c. But, n evertheless, we may often cast sure glances into the
future.

142

OUTLINES OP COM.1' 081'.rION.

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

d. Indeed, the fact that the future in spires man wit11
and fear, that some attemp t is made to lift it!" rnil b1
fortune-telling, i:;pirit-rapping, &c., prows at k:i ~ t thlu
T hat there is cau ~e for this h ope aml fo:ir.
e. DesiJes, man possesses some certain powers which con
him to look in to the future.

A.

Reason, by wliich he is enabled,
1. To apply to the foture the experience of the p;i ~ t.
2. Sometimes with cert:iin remits ; as, " ·c ~ ldl wuw

old and feeble, and fin ally die : sprin g will folio
winter: the snn will rise in the morning.
3. Somct.imes with probable results ; as, "·hen conclitions are fo urn1 in present history similar to thv,
which formerly existed, we may safely conrh11le,
from the law of cause and effect, tha t simila r
suits will follow; the past being in many respccu
the mirror of the future.
4 . By reason, we can also see that all which happc119
mu st hav e its consequences ; as, a loose ancl di ~~
<lered life enfeeb les youth, and brings on tl ccny :
idleness and. wastefu lness bring about poverty.

III.

D.

Free-will, by wh ich man is, t o a great extent, th
dispenser of his own fate; r1 s in choosing his
state of life, how h e will apply his youth, ho\V
he will spend the hours of stud y, on nll of which
the future, to a great degree, depends.

C.

A cer tain interior sense or premonition often predicts to us sorn e extraordinary event; as our
sickness, d er1th, death of a relative, or other
clanger or trouble (this is n ot to he consi(lcre<l
as referrin g to mere superstition; ancl, r1s tho
cases in which we receive knowl eclge i11 this
wny :11'e extremely rare, this mysteri ous senso
must be co11 sicl e1w l with cnution ).

The knowledge, then, which we may have of th o
fntnr e is Hufli cicnt fo r om· lir1ppiu ess : to kn ow more

143

65.
JOYS OF OLD AGE.
I.

Introcluction.
a. The life of man h as often been compared to the course
of the seasons. Among other similarities, they h ave
this in common, - as every season h as its peculiar j oy~,
so has every age of the life of man : th e child ha s l1i s
j oys; the youth his, and even t.h e old man h as also his.
b. It is true, that with old age comes many a n unpleasa nt
accompa.nim ent, - bodil y " ·cmkness (and, as a consequence, less pl e:isurc in ol1j ects of s0 nsc), and al so
diminution of mental powers, - memory, ima gination,
with the consequent increase of wha.t are called the
foibles of elderly persons, -caprice, distrust, moroseness, &c.

II. "The olcl 1nan, too, has h/is joys."
a. H e h~-:,s not ceased to take pleasure in Nature : th ere is
sometimes even an increa se of this pleasure, for the
grosser cares of life, - ambition, money-making, &e.,
- are past, and leave the mind in greater freedom.
b. Social pleasures are still his : h e h as more leisure, lives
free from care, is not wearied, for time flies along without giving opportunity for being tired of its length.
He is communicative, and dwells with delight on the
past.
c. He h as the joys of r est from the toils of life; and, in
general, is h appy in reaping the fruit of these past
labors.
d. H e has the j oys which arise from the esteem and veneration which we manifes t for the old, for their wish es and.
opinions.
e. H e h as the joys which arise from knowing, that, in spite of
h is old :tge, h e can still ma.k c him self usefu l,
1. By giving coun sd from hiRlong experience ;

144

OUTLINES 01!' COMPOSITION.

f

He h as the joys of the family-circle.
1. His children ar e well educated and proviclccl for.
2. In his grandchildren, h e, as it were, r ene ws bi s llf;
3. H e is affectionately cared for in all hi s wants.
g. H e ha.s the joys of memory, calling to mind,
1. The delights of the past;
2. Difficulties surmounted;
3. Good a,ctions done during his life.
Ti. H e has the joys which spring from the consolati on~ (
religion ; and these are sufficient to r ender old :i~c tl1
most beautiful and happy portion of life, even if nil
ot.her j oys were absent.

III.

c. Veneration is manifested by silence and attention when
he who inspires the sentiment is engaged in speaking,
or in doing any thing for the instruction or entertainment of other s.
d. It also spontaneously manifests itself towa,rds older persons. It is ·a time-honored maxim to respect the aged.

II.

Conclnsion.
p erson who has spent a good life, who is not afrni1l 10
look back. Even past pleasnres will but pain the memory if they are imbittered by a guilty conscience.
b. L et the young person, therefore, who wishes to f:pcnd
h a ppy old age, now lead a virtuous life : "Prcparo,
your couch well, arnl you will rest wc~l."

66.
WHY IT IS SO NATURAL TO RESPECT OLD AGE.

III.

Int1~oau, ction.

'Ve dwell with fcclin~
of veneration upon the ruins of the ancient cast.l e. W
preserve and r evere the relics of anti<Jnity, an cl
distinguished persons in Church and State : evc11 certain tombs fill us with emotion (that of Mount Ycr11 0 11 , &c.) .
b. V e ncration is the hi (Thei::t rle(Trce
of r es11ect anrl rcYcrcnc
0
-respect rnin ~l cil wit.h some degree of awe, a, scntimcnL
cxcitctl by the diµ;nity and superiority of a person, or
by the sacredness of his character.

a. Old age is generally respected.

or

~

~

Why is this venmYition so natu1·al ?
a. To those who h ave lived before us, we are indebted for
all the inventions, discoveries, and oth er means of comfort, which we possess. Some of these persons have
even a more pa,rticuhr claim upon our esteem and
ven eration , - our parents, guanlians, clergymen, teachcrR, &c.
b. EYcn the appearance of the aged commands r espect
(gray hairs, fun'\'Jwed ch eek, tottering step; the bent
h ead and stooped shou ld er~, which seem to be looking
for the grave to be at rest fi:om t.oil and trouble).
c. Their experience demands our r espect.
1. By it they ha,ve become wiser and more prudent,
2. And arc therefore fitted to be our counselors.
d. The fact that they will soon pass away for ever in spires
us with a,we: our eyes are drawn to them as to the sun
when it is setting in the west.
e. 'Ve hope to b ecome old onrnelvcs, an<l wish to be treated
then witJ1 respect: we, therefore, but give that which
we expect back at a future clay.

a. It is true that most of this can be said only of the llgOO

I.

145

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

ConcTnsio'n .
a. Y ener atiun is a kind of indem1iifieation to old age iur
the troubles of the past.
b. The thought that we slrnll one <lay b ecome old should 111spire us to store up provision for that time, by giving
freely that respect now which we shall wish for then.
"Age sits with decent grace 11pon hi s v isage,
And worthily becomes his silver locks :

He wears the marks of many years well spent,
Of virtue, truth well tried, anrl wi se experience."

RowE.

14G

OUTLINES OF COMPOSl'l'ION.

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

before the advance of school-houses ; while, in
regard to state government:::, th ere is manifested a
g rP:itPT r Pg n.nl for human righ ts (with the disappearance of despotism and servitude), and a
closer attention to the administration of justice
(compare present modes of punishment with
those of past times) : there is also gr eater security
of life and proper ty, with b etter police-regulations, while the ch aritable and philanthropic
efforts of modern times entirely surpass any thing
that could be conceived by the ancients (cm'e of
the pnor, of the dumb and blind, of orphans,
infant school s, &c.).

v'.
' ~ r=r

1

1 IIE GOOD OLD 11rMES.
(AGAINST THO SE WHO· ARE AL\VAY S PHATSTN G TH E
DEEDS AND THE l\1EN OP THE p AST.)
. •

I. J..11t 1•oll1tcti on.
u. Asl sonH
~ fl n1 l nn lv l!Pw thinrrs rr 1
l l
.
. ..
.
"
,,· hnor anr ic:rnt 1!111. f' im1 111·
llc .111sc they arc n ew . so ihe ,, . ., h
.
.
'
i e are ot ers who can sec
notIung good in what is n ew.
b. The complaint of the increase of evil in the w ·11
I
the d
f ·
•
01 < , an1
.
.ccrcn,se o virtue among men, is a very old
il10 (, n~n k a nd Eoman idea f tl r
one.
. J
·
' O
ie iour ages nf thl'
"or (l rc$ts upon t.li is (Horace Od
. .. 6 ·.
.
It .
.
'
cs, rn. ' 45, 48) .
c.
.~ s a v:ry llf\JUSt complaint; for a more close invest' atwn might show quite the contrary.
Ig

B. Man has become better; for although certain
virtues have become rare (simplicity, love of
truth, candor, &c.) yet man, on the whole, is
1. More compassionate toward the unfortunate and

helpless, more humane in war,
2. L ess severe and cruel to others, probably

II. Treatise.

3. More pious, and
4. L ess rude in private and social amusements.

a. Ilislor.r teaches that,

c. R eason also makes it evident that the oft asser ted degen-

1. Former ~'1g~s, with many good qualities, h ad also
m~.ny ac ones. The latter were even more consp11:11011s th:m at. pref'0nt ( 1n ri n'"
of <
·lie n Olll :lll Clll•.
t·
pcrors,
tltP. l\J .. rovin ocrinn kirws
.,
,.., .. , tl. 10 c I ub l aw m
(<1T lll:l111·. Uw l1l11p hws of c
·
·
o
'.?. 1
··
~ '
·
· 1111cc t'rent) .

11•

A.

~I
11 11

n ('Yt'IT
.
· ;1 ···fe;t' I I 1\'rn· cxi·t
· ~ go u J. a. m I J1ac l
dn n 11npronmie11 l.s shu w

1\l:u1 lias hccome wiser.

'

pPrson~

·· ·

1. ln domestic and social lifo ' wh at
•
' · i' mprnvement rn
the
manner of living, dress food a11d d . k
fi

· l

·

147

' ·

rm , com ort,

so~J:1 enjoyment I although it is certain that some

evils h ave resulted from these improvements snch
as lux nry, and the insane desire for new fashions.
2. In matters
of ·real p rngress
.
.· t 1.10 steam-engme
.
·
. .
the
pnntmcr-r)rcss
&c
·l
1
.
'
":.
'· '
., s rnw t re improvement in the
rn cdiameal
'll'l' S · " 11 d
·
·
'
'
·
'
"
'
••
' In science ' 'vl1"t
{'
h
' <• g I' rr;i 11 t 'IC
s .eps ave be en taken. Ig norance js <lisapp:aring

eracy of man is contrary to t h e divine wisdom and
goodness. Man is individually capable of improvement; why, then, should not mankind collectively be
so ? Can the individual go forward, and the race go
backward?

TTL

JJia,nki1ul taken together h as at least all the
capacities of man taken separately. In old age, we
imagin e that the times are not so good as formerly:
even the s1.in does not seem to shine so brightly.
The years of childhood, youth, and manhood, are
gone; truly a change bas taken pla ce, but it is in
ourselves: even so with mankind. The good of the
past seenis to us more excellent than that of the
present; but in reality it is not so.

148

3. Others, again, do so through weakness of character.
They adrnowledge baseness as an ev il of which
man should never be guilty ; but they have not
the moral courage to Lear the derision and insults
of the greater mass of the people.

68.
SHOULD WE "DO AS OTHERS DO" 1
I.

Introduction.

149

OUTLINES Ol!-, COMPOSITION.

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

III. If we see act'io,n s 'U/J1/Wo1·thy of 1nan,

·we

must not ourselves imitate them on account of any
number of persons doing the same. The right rule
is not to do as others do, but to do as religion,
morality, a)](I conscience command.

a. Proverbs are commonly used in a :figurative sense: llJI
fortune favors the brave; like father, like son, &c.
b. Proverbs are frequently misinterpreted ; as I am not concernctl with what is unknown to me.
c. So with the proverb under consideration. It expressc.' a
principle derived from experience; but one woultl mii.construe it who should consider it a rule of life.

" I feel within me
A peace above all earthly dignities,
A still and q1iiet conscience."

SHAKSPEARE.

II. Treatise.
a. Considered as a rule of life, the proverb is a vicious one ;
for it encourages dishonest dealings, and immoral conduct of every kind, which we should avoid always nnd
everywhere.
1. Thus, when something is required of us whid1
seems sinful, we are not to do it merely Lecnuso
others do so.
2. Or, when something is required of us by the doing
of which our well-being or good name would euffer, we must not do it, no matter who does it.
b. It invites us to dishonest dealings when it is in our power
to do right; for, if we will, we may avoid,
1. Associations which endanger our tranquillity of
mind.
2. Aml not only avoid them, but also warn the in cx~
periencecl against them.
c. Consid ering the proverb as a principle derived from
experience, it is, alas! too true, and brings to mind
another : "Evil communications corrupt good manners."
1. Some "do as others do," because wiek cdn c~~ nfford11
them pleasure.
2. Ot.lrnrs through the mere rap;c of imitation, nc,·cr

69.
"IT IS MORE BLESSED TO GIVE THAN 1'0 RECEIVE."
I. JJ!Larri's natiwal inclination is to do good. To
be charitable is the positive command of religion.
To give is more pleasant than to receive.
~I.

T ,r eatise.
A.

The giver.
a. His situation is more favorable : this is evident from the
fact that he has something to give, something more
than what he needs.
b. Sympathy with the unfortunate: to help where help is
needed fills the heart with joy.
c. The thanks of the receiver, the acknowledgment of
others, and, above all, the approbation of Him who
Ii ves on high, tells him that he has. done a good deed.

B. The receiver.
a. His situation is truly not an enviable one; and the adage

I
I

I

150

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.
OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

b. By the benefit, he feels himself bound, obliged, restrained,

1

b. It leads us to,
1. The fresh air: we breathe more freely, and this
influence upon the body makes a salutary impres·
sion upon the mind ;
2. And places us in a new, purer, and IUore beautiful
world.
3. The mind is occupied with the creation of God,---..,
with the rocks, waters, plants, animals, and men:
everywhere the intellect and the imagination are
occupied in a most worthy manner.
4. Everywhere we behold beauty and harmony, order
and unity. God's goodness, wisdom, and omnipot ence present themselves wonderfully to our sight;
particularly when we ar e privileged to view large
forests, high mountains, volcanoes, cataracts, lakes,
and oceans.

perh;i,ps even ashamed.
Obligations to others n p ;i,inful to the noble mind; particularly when it ill
impossi ble to become fre ed from the 0Llig:itio11 (t.hi ~ I$
especially true in money matters; never owe what you
can not pay, if you wish to preserve your i11dcpcn1l·
cnce).

j

I

III.

151

I£e who gives without syuipathy derives 11 0
joy from his act, and generally no thanks: he wli o
receives without emotion of mind is unable to IJo
grateful.

70.

III. This is all t riw of the good only: The
beauties of Nature make no impression upon the
1

CHEERFULNESS IN THE PRESENCE OF NATURE.
I.

heart of the wicked.

Traveling on foot has at present, even with
young persons, fallen into disrepute. Railroads
lead the majority to the large towns, a knowledge
of which is indeed of great advantage in mauy
respects; while traveling on foot leads, in general,
to tlte haunts of Nature, where even a short stay
tends to elevate the miud in a wonderful degree,
and give us a knowledge of much greater valno
than cities can furnish.

IL A ntay 'W ith Natu1"e 1"efreshes the whole
1nan; for,
a. It r emoves us,

71.
WHY DOES HORACE SO OFTEN PRAISE r11HE GOLDEN
UEAN?
(REFER TO THOSE

PASSAGES IN WHICH HE

EXPRESSES HIS

VIEWS ON THIS SUBJECT.)

I.

Introduction.

1. From the noise, smoke, and dust of towns, with

a. It is a general principle derived from experience, that

their dense population and manifold occnpations ;
2. From daily monotonous and exh austin g toil ;
3. From the sight of the suffering and care around us;
4. From the company of those in whom passions anu
imperfections of character prevail.

the middle wav is the golden one. Greek and Latin
as wtll as English adflges tell us that very often btilliant misfortune exists in the higher walks of life, jus~
as bare misery docs in the lower.
b. Horace, in particular, had many reasons to recall this
experience to his mirnl.

152

OU'.rLlNES OF COMPOSlTION.

OUTLINES OF COMPOSlTlON.

II. Auwny these 'r easons wm·e
A.

His personal relations.

153

b. But, in his old age, the political situation of the state was

'

such, that he was in need of consolation ; an<l this he
foun<l, and at tha.t time coulll find, only in philosophy .

a. He was himself not a fi rst-class poet, but rather ono of
. mo<lcr~te t alents. ; having more of art than of n nh1n>.
•a11(l <p1a 1·t·
I ICS Wh'i
enable<l hun t o become an accom1JliHLe<l court i •r - ,1
·1-1
c,qq
a most amiau ecompanion, - attrilrntcs wliicli " :\Ve W
access to the great ones of his time.
"'
c. Then we h:w.c. to consillcr his external relations, - h ~ I
<lesccnt, his moderate fortune, his social position.
b. Ile was m posscHs10n
of those 1)arts
.
·

II. The tinie of h/it; uz01~y, ({/IHl that of h-is
country, wcis }Jltst, and he was in need of
1

consolation,
a. As an anlent republican ;
b. As a statesman, once celcbrate<l, now obscure and powerless ;
c. As a man whose greatest failing was vanity.

III. Philosophy, in a great measure, gave him this con-

B. The relations of bis time.
a. The most prominent men of that age <lietl an unnatural
death,
- Pompey ' Crosar
•A
.
' ' Brutus , Cass·rns, J.\_nwny,
Cicero.
b. Eve~ the situation of Augustus was not one to be cinlG<h
~s cares and anxieties for the stability of hfa pow 1
his unhappy family affairs, &c.
·with all of which Horace had the best opportuui
to become acquainte<l.
c. Havin~ spent his earl! years among the common pcop1
havmg had experi ence of both extremes of lifo ho
indeed is authorize<l to tell us that
'

A.

solation.
The intellect is kept active by the study of art
and science.
a. The mind is thus turned away from its sufferings.
b. These studies form a worthy anu interesting occupation
for the mind.

B. Of all sciences, that of philosophy is best adapted
to this purpose ; for,
a. It treats of the most important subjects, - God, iinmortality, duty to our country, &c.

'

b. Subjects such as these elevatn and strengthen the mind,

" The middle way is the golden one."

and erase the effocts of suffering.

III. In concl·nsion,
.
. compare bis time with ours, and

c. They prove the value of virtue and truth, the emptiness

exmnme whether bis maxim should also Le ours.

of other goods.

IV.

Olcerro wcis 'Wltetble to soothe his 1nind by
philosophical studies; for,

72 .

•

WHY DID CICERO, IN HIS OLD AGE, APPLY IIDl·
SELP 10 THE srrUDY OF PHILOSOPHY 7
1

.

I. Int1·oduction.
a. Cicero luul a lrn:uly, in his youth, applic(l him self to tl10
stwly of philosophy, and as a statesman he consid·
ererl it :is the basis of eloammcc.

a. He <lid not give himself entirely up to them; still remaining too much a politici:.w .
b. In genera.l, pagan philosophy, as a mere work of rn:w,
did not possess the virtue which could heal the wounds
of the mind: only Christian philosophy, or, more proverly, the Christian religion, has power to do that.

V. The philoso]Jhical writings of Cice·r o are
of great value to us; for in them we find a rich
mine of the history of ancient philosophy.

l

l

I

I

'

154

OUTJ_,INES OF COMPOSITION.

OUTLINES O..E' COMPOSITION.

b Remote and indirect influence upon the civilization of
the people.
1. The common people, who could not read, heard
matters of great importance discussed.
2. Intelligent men spoke in their presence concerning
public and private affairs, and sometimes with
great force of reasoning.
3. They rectified their iueas of right aml wrong ; for all
proceedings of law were transacted in puLlic.
4. They acquired some knowledge of the history of
their country, because the spca.Jrnrs in their orations frequently reforred to it.
5. They formed a part of the government; or, rather,
the government was the result of their free will :
consequently, they were interested in it; they
loved it; hence their patriotism.
6. Public discourses served also to improve and enrich
the language.
7. Their influence upon the young was excellent. By
attending these public discourses, whose efficacy
was often quite apparent, the impulse naturally
awoke in them to gain by exertion and diligence a
like influence, and to win the esteem of their followcitizens by rendering services to their country.

73.

I
I

II

1

THE INl LUENCE WHICH PUBLIC DISCOURSE Ex.ER·
CISED UPON 'l11IE GREEKS AND ROMANS.
(ACCOIWING

TO

THE

TESTil\fONY

OF

REASON

ANO

OF

HISTORY.)

I. Introduction.
a. Eloquence can prosper only in free States. Hi story
proves this, awl its causes can be easily explaineu. In
the earlier States, - Egypt, Babylon, Assyria, anJ
Persia, - we know of nothing like eloquence.
b. The Greeks and Romans, especially the form er, were tl10
first to exercise and develop this art. The Homan1
patterned after the Greeks in all matters pertaining to
art and science. At first, they were unwilling to introduce Greek eloquence, thinking that it woui<l pro,·o.
dangerous to morality and to the welfare of the commonweal th.
c. These two nations were th e first ·who produced wri t.crt
upon the art (rhetoricians).

l

Ii

l

l

f

I
r

II. Influence of the ct1~t 'ltpmi the people.
A.

B.

All this history confirms; for, a. The people decided at the elections : very often they
suffered themselves to be guided by their public men;
in tirnes of dissension, it was the orators who induced
the people to adhere to one or the other party, as we
see clearly in Antony's speech, after Cmsar's death,
against Brutus and his partisans.
b. The Greeks and the Romans were the most accomplished
people of antiquity; and certainly this is one of the
principal of the effects which had their origin in those
public discourses.
c. In their schools of rhetoric were also taught grammar,
history, and law.

Presumptively (considerations drawn from rca..
son).

a Nearest and most direct influence.

Every citizen learned the exact condition of tho
commonwealth, good or bad.
2. Different measures were proposed by different pN'· '
sons, all underwent debate, and the people maclo
the final decision.
·
3. As everybody had a right to express his opinion,
the best method for the promotion of public welfare could easily be discovered.
4. The voice of one judicious man, heard in publlo .
deba.te, would often inlln ence t.he audience in i;uch
a degree that they would adopt his advice.

155

1.

III.

Conclusion.
a. The great power of oratory.

156

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

b. L et us cul tivate tlt e art as much a s is in our p ower.
c. It puTifies the political atmospher e, and comm1111icat<>~ to
the commonwealth new vigor.

74.

157

2. H e is not yet intellectually independent, - possesses
an in sufficient knowledge of man, d oes not yet
understand wh :i t will sec ure his well-being, is yet
driven to and fro on the stormy ocean of life,
where h e needs a pilot to bring him to safe water s,
in which h e can first prepare him self for liberty.

III. The nn.Jici1J1J11 co1·i seq1,1.,en,ces of an iincon -

qtw1··u ble love of libe1·ty are, a. In regard to external h appiness.
1. L oss of h ealth,
2. Of r epu tation,
3. Of propei'ty.
b. In regard to iu terior well-being.
.
.
1. It hinder s the cultiva,tion of the mmd, by d1st,urbcr ·w it·tli1 w it·, lea<li11g, in the end, to what ?
1·11 o'
' h
'
o
....,
2. U nrestr-ain ed }oye of liber ty is gener ally accornparued with vices, - disobedience, &c.
c. In r egard to other persons.
1. It check s b wful order, and counter acts the true
progress and well-bei11g of society.
. .
2. It is liable to leaLl to m any L1i sorder s, - setl1t10ns,
in surrection s, a.utl even r ebellions.

WHY YOUNG PERSONS SHOULD VOLUNTAIULY LIMIT
1
1HEIH LOVE OF PERSONAL 1IIlER11Y.
I. Ii'itroducU01t.
a. The lo ve of libcrLy is a powerful impulse rn the youthful
breast.
1. This is quite na tural, as at this age th e sentimc11 lt

of huma n dignity first begin to d evelop themselves, together with the desire of seeing thci<o
sen tim en ts in action.
2. Much good may come of t his ; for it is a safog 11 anJ
again st fl a ttery, am! g ives firmness to the character.

b. But not nnfreq ncn tly we fi11cl this word" liber ty" mi ,1111.lo •rstood. Y oung p er sons, in particular, often confo1111d it
with license. Liberty is a sacred word, aml slro11 lcl
never degener ate into the meaning of license or <li s~o­
lutencss.

II.

1Vhy young vm·sons should li1nit their

excessi1Je d esi ,r e f01" libe1''ty.
a. Th eir living in civil so('iety r equires it.

.

1. Ci vii society r equires laws for its self-preservation :

but la.ws limit natu ral liberty : con seqn cntly tho~o
who wish to e~j oy the benefit of civil soc iety rn11 ~t
yiehl a part of their natural liberty to these law ~.
b. The young person is bound in a particular manner to do
this.
·
0

1. H e is yet depernlent upon his parents,
and t each er s.

gu ar<lbn ~,

IV.

Conclitsion. - Society nml our w ell-being d emarnl
onr submission t o law and onl er: let us, then, submit even if it shonll1 cost us pain to do so. ~et us
bea:· in mim1 that our ulll1 erstfl,ndin g and e~penenc:
are not yet sufficicnLly w ell inform ed to JUd g~ of
wl.iat tends to our lwst good: let ns trust this to
wiser heads till we g row older ourselves.
.
. tq
"L1t.c£o. _ vVhenee comes tins
rest.nun ·
.
Claudio. -From too rnnch liberty, my Lucio, liberty;
As surfeit is the fa ther of mn ch fast,
So every scope by the immoderate use
SHAKSPEARE.
Turns to restraint."
14

158

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

B. By

studying his actions after the commission of
his wickedness.

75.

a. Anxiety, and fear of detection.

VICE HAS NO COURAGE.

b. Fear of punishment and disgrace.

I. Int1•od,u cUon.

" When by just vengeance impious mortals perish,
The gods behold their punishment with pleasure."

a. Every one of necessity acknowledges the moral law; for
he who shoukl deny th e ex istence of this law would
relinquish all claim to the title of rational being-, nnd
would no longer be considered as a fit mcmb.cr of
society, or one with whom it would be safe to ham
any intercourse.
b. The history of mankind teaches us that vice has no courage; and a more minute investigation of the human
heart discovers to us that the basest villa-in, when in
the calm of serious reflection he compares his actio11 s
with the purity of the moral law, experiences a painful and humiliating feeling, which renders him odious
to himself.

II.

ADDISON.

0.

Causes of their wretched state.
a. They feel that their actions are not conformable to the
moral law.
b. They know that they arc at variance with Goel, their fellow-men, and their own conscience.
"No man ever offended his own conscience, but, first
Or last, it was revenged upon him for it."
SOUTH.

, 76.

How we 1nay know that vice has no cou1·age.
A.

By studying the disposition of the vicious person

befo?'e the execution of his wicked designs.
a. By watching his means we find that he resorts to, 1. Deceits.

"A villain, when he most seems kind,
Is most to be suspected."
LANSDOWNE.
2. To falsehood.
"Dishonor waits on perfidy. The villain shonl<l
blush to think a falsehood; 'tis the crime of cowards."
3. To <li ssemhling.
4. To hypocrisy.

159

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION

JOHNSON.

" I-I,''poc1·1· sy 1·s a so1·t of h omage tl. m t vice
· pnys t o
virtue."

b. ·we find him continually alarmed (the rustling of a leaf,
the barkin g of a dog, alarms him).
c. He is suspicious, even towards the partners of his crime.

EVIL cm1MUNICATIONS CORRUPT GOOD MANNERS.
I.

I1it1,• oduction.
a. This proverb contains a wholesome admonition to youth
to be careful with whom they converse. Evil conversation, or, as the proverb terms it, communication, is as
contagious as the plague. The malignity of the one,
as well as that of the other, steals so insensibly upon
us, that it is hardly perceived till almost past cure;
and youth more especially ought to avoid the one with
as much solicitude as they woukl the other, and the
more so as it is an ever-reigning plague, and often
appears when least expected.
b. The love of company, and of social pleasures, is natural;
but like every other love, when it proceeds beyond the
limits of moderation it ceases to produce its natural
effect, and terminates in disgust and satiety.

.

mo

OUTLINES OB COMPOSITION.

161

OUTLINES Ol!' COMPOSITION .

•
c. Recreation is necessary for man; but as in the Loun
of recreation we are most in danger of being 111i~ l ed, tl
greatest care should ue taken in maki11g choice or th
whom we associate with; for from our cl1oicc of c-0 111panions both our character and dispu~itiu11 will
recci ve a tincture, as waters passiug through min erula
partake of their taste and eflicacy.
d. As by chemistry we learn that disconlant mixture~ pro<lucc nothing but broil and formeutation, till Oll C o(
them gets the ascendency over the rest, so may n-o
see how impossible it is for any one to ]Jc tl1011ght
person of real goodness and integrity, whil st h e choose1
fo1· ltis comp;mion the abamlouc<l :tml licentiou s; tur,1. By choosing such companions, he will not u11ly I ~
his character, but also his virtue. \Vhy ?
2. The society of sensual men is peculiarly cusnariug.
Why?
" Manners are corrupted and. depraved by tho loT'O

of riches and Inst."

C1c1rno.

3. Their amusements at first appear harmless; th<'nt
when partaken of, they leave a longing relish 00hind them; and one appointment makes way for
another, one expense leads on to a second, m11l It<>
time and fortune arc wasted away to very lit tlo
purpose.
4. Day after day is spent in the same toilsome rouncl,
till a habit is formeJ which renders dissipation
necessary to existence.

II.

1Vh01n should .we select as oil/J" c01npanions?
a. To derive the prt>per pleasure and improvement from company, it ought to consist of persons of character, rc~pcc­
tablc both for their morals and their undt'rstanuin~.
D efin e character and its importance.
b. Character in human lile is that which is peculiar to tl1c ·
mann ers and conduct of each respective indiYid11:d.
c. The importance of a good character, to those who are to
make their way either to wealth or honor, is no lc~s
necessary than address ancl abilities. \Vhy?

d. \Vhen we choose an assistant, a partner, a servant, our
first inquiry is concerning his character.
e. vVhen we have occasion for a counselor or attorney, a
physician or apothecary, &c., we always choose to trust
our property and person to men of the best character.
f. It is rccommendetl, therefore, to all who wish ·to enjoy
their existence, that they should select persons of good
character as their companions.

HI. By wluit othm" 1neans shoiild we t1·y to
i11ip1"ove oi1,rr 1nannm·s ?
a. By solitude. Every one must sometimes be al~ne ; for, 1. It is then that he is enabled to study himself, and
the world around him.
2. It is then that he has an opportunity of seeing
things as they are, and of r emoving the deceitf'ul
veil which almost every thing assumes in the busy
scene of worldly employments.
3. The soul is enabled to retire into h erself, and to
exert those energies which are always attended
with sublime plearnre.
4. An hour spent every Jay by the votaries of pleasure in serious meditation, would render their
pleasure pure.
5. It would give them knowledge, so that tl~cy woul.d
sec how far they might advance in then· pursmt
without danger; and resolution, so that they might
retreat when danger approached.
6. It would teach them how to live; and it would also
teach them-what they are often too little solicitous to learn - how to die.

:; !

''
;:I . 11'

;11

" Solitude sometimes is the best company,
And short retirement urges sweet return·"
MILTON.

14*

:: I'j

!

~ l l!

I'll

:;.~I

i:

::1
..
'.!j

~

,•

\11:.1
11

;::.,
162

OUTLINES O.F COMPOSITION.

OUTLINES O.F COMPOSITION.

b. It is quite an art to make a graceful exit after a call. To
know how to choose the moment when you will be
regretted, and to retire leaving your friends anxious for
a repetition of the call, is an accomplishment worthy
of acquiring.
c. Keep youl' hat in your hand when making a call. This
will show your host that you <lo not inten d to remain
to dine Ol' sup with him. You leave your umbrella or
cane in the h~ll if you wish ; but y~ur hat and gloves
you must carry into the parlor.
d. Always leave a card when you find the person upon
whom you have called absent from home.

77.
ON VISI'.l1S.
I.

Int1•oduction. - He who lives among men, nn<l
wishes to be liked by them, has to observe certnin
rules. Visits, too, if they shall be of any profiL to
us, demand some attention.

II. Kinds of visits.
a. Those by which we present ourselves to persons.
1. To those in authority.
2. Or those with whom we wish to form an acquaintance or friendship.
b. Farewell visits.
1. To superiors, &c.
2. To those with whom we entertain a frien<lly intel'course; or,
3. Social or business relations.

III.

"Hail, social life ! into thy pleasing bounds,
Again I come to pay the common stock, My share of service, - and, in glad return,
To taste thy comforts, thy protected joys."

Tinrie best allapted to visits.
Generally, after eleven o'clock in the forenoon.
b. Frienus and acquaintances may be visited at any time In
the day, except,
1. ·when th ey are are engaged with business; or,
2. 'Vith their accustomed or usual recreations, :i.musoments, &c.
3. Never make a call upon a lady before eleven o'clock
in the morning, nor after nine in the evening.
"Visiting," says a French writer, "forms th
cord which binds society together; and it is so
firmly ti ed, that, were the knot severed, society
would perish."

Genm•al 1"ltles.
a. If you sec the master of the house take letters or papers
from his pocket, look at the clock, have an absent air,
or in any other way show weariness, you may safely
conclude that it is time for you to leave, though you
may not have been five minutes in the house.

THOlllSON.

78.

rt.

IV.

163

CARTHAGE AND RmIE; ENGLAND AND FRANCE.
I.

IritroducUon.
1. There is no new thing under the sun.

Things or
events which have happened will recur again.
History shows it. As single individuals at different arres
with rerrard
to, character, &c., resemble
b
0
each other, likewise some nations with regard to
theil' history, exertions, destinies, &c., bear a
striking resemblance to one another.
2. Thus Carthage and Rome in the second and third
centuries, B. c. ; so England and France from the
middle of the seventeenth till the first quarter
of the nineteenth century.

II. En{Jland 1"ese1nbles Ca1"thage.

1"ese1nbles R01ne.

Prance

·;·
•,

ilI
I

164

O OTLINES 01!~ COl\lPOSITlON.

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

165

fj'

f

a. lVith reg:iru to their external po'.ver.
1. Cartha.g: and. ltome were at that tim e tlll' ru
powcrfol nat10ns of the then known worl1l .
one on sea, the other on lanc1.
'
2. Thus Engbnd and Fra uce b ' ,u fo1· a l OIJ!r t Jill
. !' (
prepond er ance in Euroi)e · Th e fiorm cr'"' wa s 11 .,
1
tress on the oceans .' 'and , of tl ie l alter,
..
,
. •
1'1'C<h·n
t.,,h e Great used to• s a},, · i'f 110 were k .m" ..,/

,1

II'

r:
i'

"

• Er anee, i~o t so much as the sound of

:t g un ~hm1IJ
be
h
eard
m
Euror)e
'
tl
h'
.
.
.
w1 10ut is p e rrni s~ wn.
b. 1V1th
r
ecrard
to
th
h
.
o< .
e c aracter and enterprise of th '
l!SC D~
t10ns -

A.

Carthage and England.

a. Arts
fl ourishin
()' p ow e11u
.r 1
·
.
b'
naval fiorce, cx t c n ~ i" c C\JID•
·merce, unmcnse rich es, foreign colonies.
b. J ealousy t? war<ls neighboring nations from which
fear ed n valry.
c. Immoderate desire for gain, self-interest, ccrotism (1
usual r esult
of th e spirit
· · o f' s1wp-keepers)
"' want ~
.
true. pa t u· or,ism. I nstead of performing 1l1c' rni lit ~rr .
duties
towanls
the connno11,vealtl1
t iI C Ill Se I l'l'F, 1I •t'
.
,
' ·
r a ther
preferred
to
levy
trOOj)S
& 0 111 tl
' ll S \1\1{
• !•
•
I C Il a t IO
wl11
ch
they
Lael
commercial
co11nectio11s
1'1
.
•
.
•
l e lll l!l"C
til e occupat10u of the maj ority woukl not allow th .
to neglect their busin ess for foreig n con<1u csts. or tho
. defense of r emote possessions.
d. They ~hereforc made a bargain with nat.io11 8 wl io Ii.ad
nutlun~ to dispose of but th e bodi es of th eir <"it i7.t•n
and with this salable commodity provid ed for l
defense of their colonies, or acquired new po~~r~. j
The nobl eR ( a,s a matter of course) r csen cd for tb ~
selves th e high stations, civil as well as milit ary.
e. F or rnnny cent uries, the lower class remnin c1! perfl 111
contented 11·ith the cx i ~ ting stat e of th eir comm no
wealth , un til th e pcriocl wh en the prin ciples of dcm
rac! be?an to spread; then the people becam e aware
thcll' n gh ts, and strove to r egain them. Dcmocrncr
caused the destru ction of Car
th a()'e
<·
b ., an lI E· rw I
:;;tand s Oil the eve of g reat conn1lsio11s.
o

B. Hmne and France.
a. N ational pride and patriotism.

Their p ossession of a
centr al poiu t, from Tihcncc a supreme directin g influence radiated over the whole political body.
b. F or midable land-forces, brave armies.
c. Desire of military glory, and lu st of conquest. Their
influence on Europe and the adj oining countries. The
R oman state from its origin was nothing else than a
well-organized school of war for conquest. France
was continually striving for the preponderance in
Europe, especially under the r eigns of Henry IV.,
L onis XlV., and Napoleon I.
3. 'Vith regard to events, destinies, &c.
L ong and bloody wars between Carthage and
Home, which at last resulted in th e destruction of
Cart;h:ige, the seat of commercial industry, the
repository of wealth, and one of the principal states
of the ancient world. In like manner, England and
France were, for centuries, contending in bl_?ody
strifes for the ascendency.

III. These two 'l"ival powm"s entertain, at prnsent,
fri endly relations wi th each oth er ; but who can
put mnch confidence in this Anglo-Franco cordiality ?

79.
EPAMINONDAS AND GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS.
I. IntPoll'ttetion.
a. It affords us pleasure, and clrnJlengcs our admiration, when
we meet in history with men who di sting uish ed themselves by wisdom and heroism, and rendered themselves
ther eby useful to their people.
b. N ot unfrequ cntl y, we find between m en of thi:" cast a
striking resembl ance wi th r cganl to their ch aracter,
n.nrl the inflnen ce which thPy e:-rnrcised npon their nge.

166

II. This is the case with Epanvinondas an.cl

Gustavus Adolphus.
a. Still there are some points in which they do not r<'..setn•
ble each other.
1. vVith regard to their t emperament. Ep::uninontb
calm; Gustavus, vehement.
2. Gustavus <lestin e<l to rule from his Ycry crndl ;
Epa.minorn.las ha<l first to raise himself to power
an<l influ ence by great exertion.
Gustavus was at once put at the hea<l of a well-drilled.
army; Epaminondas had first to form one.
b. But they resemble each other, -

A.

e. Both were only once ch ecked in their victorious career;
Epaminondas before the walls of Sparta, Gustavus
Adolphus before the strongly-fortified bulwarks of
Nuremberg.
J. Both restored their fame in the next battle ; Epaminondas at l\fantinea, Gustavus Adolphus at"Lutzen.
g. Both re-cstablishe<l the rights of the p eople : * Epaminon<las liberated the Helots.
h. Both foll in the hottest part of the battle ; still the army
of each one was victorious.
"Let laurels drenched in pure Parnassian dews
Reward his memory, dear to every Muse,
vYho, with courage of unshaken root,
In honor's field advancing hi s firm foot,
Plants it upon the line that justice draws,
And will prevail, or perish in the cause."

With regard to their personality.

a. Both were in possession of a clear judgment; both wcro
i<lolizcll by their people.
b. Both were mild, kind, humane, and of pure morals; both
cherished deep r espect for divine and human right.I;
both cxhibitell the utmost contempt for all pomp.
c. Both were friends of art and science.
d. Doth were surrounded by faithful friends.
e. Both distinguishc<l themselves in the art of war, br
bravery an<l h eroism, as well as by prullcncc, nnd
presence of mind.
f. Both were improvers of the military art; both wcro
inventors of new military tactics.

167

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

COWPER.

C.

With regard to their people.
a. Both raise<l their people to power and influence.
b. Both made their countrymen the best soldiers of their age.
c. Both were suspected by their confoderates of aiming at
the supreme authority.
d. Both countries foll from their lofty ascendency not long
after the death of their heroes.
" That man lives greatly,
Whate'er his fate or fame, who greatly dies,
High flushed with hope, where heroes shall despair."
Yo UNG.

B. With regard to their deeds and nclventnres.
a. Both belonged to a noble, but, at that time, not renownoo
people. Thebes was oppresse<l by Sparta and AthonJ.
Sweden possessed no influence whatever in the EuN-.
pean national councils.
b. Both fought with success, and were victorious in all their
battles. •.
c. Both humiliated their powerful oppon ents in two great
battles; Epaminondas at Leuctra, Gustavus Adolphut
at L eipsic.
d. The first victory of each destroyed the belief in the im·in•
cibility of their enemies, and gained them confederate&

80.
cmIPARISON BE'fvVEEN SOCRATES AND SENECA.
I. Int1•0<,ltictio'l"'·
a. No people were ever more remarkable than the Greeks
and the Romans for their philosophical institutions and
•The Thirty Years' War, is, by all impartial modern historians, considered as

a political one, carried on und er the pl ea of religion . The principal act~r in .the
drama, thou gh remaining for a Jong time in tl~e background, was .R1chclt~u,
whose aim was nothing less than to cripple 11,nd dismember the German Empire.

rII
I

J.:I
,,

:;

168

OUTLINES OF C011IPOS1TION.

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

sch ools. Both people abound ccl in men of great men·
tal powers, who, with more or less sincerity, more r
less success, 111:ule open profession to love and F k
the truth.
b. Amongst those who distinguished themselves in a parti
ular manner, and whose liv es and fates have some rcscm·
blance, we may mention Socrates and Seneca.

A.

opened the veins of h is arms and legs; finding
this incffoctual, h e requestetl his friend Statius
Ameses to atl111i11i~ ter a draught of hemlock.
3. Socrates, calmly drinkiug the fatal h ewlock, expirell
a fow mo1ue11Ls after. Seneea, aftel' taking th e
poison, was placed in a warm bath, where h e
breathed h is last.

III.

IL T1"eatise.

vVith regard to the charges brought against them.
a. Socrates was ch arged with three distinct offenses : 1. With not bc·lieving in the national gods.
2. " ' ith introducing novel deities.
3. 'Vith se ducing the Athenian youth.
b. Seneca was charged,
1. " Tith having exorbitant wealth.
2. ' Vi th avarice; grasping continually after more. .
3. ' Vith courting the affections of the people.

C.

•

'<\Tit h regard to their condemnation and death.
1. Socrates was condemned to drink hemlock ; Sen~

was ordered to put himself to death.
2. Wh en th e summons came, Socrates drank the fotal
cnp of hemlock in the midst of hi s wecpi
fri en11f'. When the order came to SenPrn,

Conclusion. - Seneca, as a philosopher, '''as t he
principal orname nt of Stoicism in hi s d ay, and a
valuable instruetor of m::mkincl.
Socrates, ::tt:i a philosopher, was one of the g reatest men that Greece, perhaps even the whole world,
ever produced. His sentiments had the ascendency
over every system of philosophy, 1vith r egard to
moral virtues, sobriety, temperan ce, contempt of
richeR, patience in adversity, an<1 forgiveness of
injuries ; also with regard to the Deity, the unity
of the Supreme Being, &c.

With regard to their life.

a. Socrates l:tbored to lead the Athenian youth to the lo
and practice of virtue; Seneca to teach young N ro
elegant accompl ishments, taste for art, and poli
address.
b. Socrates soon obtained an exclusive influence over thct
Athenian youth ; Seneca, over his pupil.
c. Socrates never assumed the air of a morose and rigia
preceptor : his discourses betrayed no ni.arks of arrogance and vanity. Seneca was not less disting11i5h ~
for his modesty than for his wisdom .
d. Socrates taught nothing which h e did not pract ice himself ; Lut Seneca ?
e. Socrates lovetl poverty ; Seneca, wealth and luxmy.

B.

169

81.
CICERO'S ORATION IN FAVOR OF KING DEJOTARUS.
(Subj ects such as the following must, of course, be well studied in
the original bef<:n·e an attempt is made to fill up the outlines. The
design of these subj ects is to give the student models of the classical
forms of composition.)

I.

Int1~ocluction: embarrassment of the orator.

a. He speaks fol' a king.
b. For a man of high merit.
c. Against low-mindetl and unworthy accusers.
d. In opposition to Cresar, as judge in his own case.
e. At an unaccustomed place (in a private dwelling).

I. The accusers' hopes.
a. Cresar's former displeasure against D ejotarus ; but this
is now ::i.ppeased.

170

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION·
b. Dqjot:irn s' si<lin g wi th Pompey: b11t this action was fo~ t)
npon him , arnl, :is soon as h e was free, Le j oi11L'll C:el'.ir.

III.

!.L1he e 1itl11·e acm.,iscition 'is void.
A.

TLe as::;ertion that Cresar's murder was attempted
is unfounded .
a. Subjective proofS : D ej otarus is not capable of such •
crime,
1. On account of Lis ' 'irtue.
2. And on account of his prudence.
b. Objective proofs.
1. Cmsar's visit to Dejotarus : how easily coul<l n. murtlcr h ave Leen accomplish ed if intentlctl.
2. A prctcntlcd accessory was sent by D ejotarus to
Cmsar.

B.

Th e arming of D ejotarus against Crnsar.
refn tatio11 .

Short

C.

Th e hostil_e feelings of D ejotarus against Crosar.
Ucfutation.
a. nr fad.~ .
b. Dy the character of DE:_jotarus : a tligression, -character
of the acc user antl his proceedings.
c. Dy Cmsar's behavior at his victory.

IV. Concl·i ision.
1. Grateful sentiments of D ejotarus towartl Cresar.

2. D ~jotaru s has already been partlonecl by Cmsar.
3. The appeal to witnesses.

82.

·wIIY

SO MANY PERSONS HAVE NO FRIENDS.

I.

m:w ~vi~hes to have friends; for by
fn endslnp life is r endered happy: but there nro
m.::m y who do not e1~joy the happiness of possessing

Ev~ry

friend~.

II.

171

Recisons for this.
A.

To be without friend s is often not our own fault.
a. \Ve may not Le properly umlerstood by others.
b. Our education and other accomplishments may be tlefcctive.
c. Our disposition may not harmonize with that of those
with wh om we come into contact.
d. \Ve may be naturally gloomy or reserv ed.
e. Our character m<ty be even repulsive to others, without
our ability to change it.
f Our occ11pation ma.y shut us out from those capable of
bein g our f'ri cmls.
g. Religious or political views may confine us to the company
of those unable or unwilling to appreciate our good
qualities.

B.

But the cause is often in our dislike of the society
of others.
a. Their h abits or chara,ctcr ma.y b e vicious, immoral, or
faulty in some respec t.
b. Ev en a <l~'3covery of want of sympathy for what we
admire, for our subj ects of thought, &e., weans us from
friendship with another.
c. vVe may notice in others slight faults of character, not
enough to make us dislike them, but sufficient to make
us remove them from our list of friend s ; such as levity,
too much sensiLili ty, eccentric conduct, misa,nthropy,
priLle, arrogance, a want of an obligi ng disposition,
qu arrelsomeness, suspicion, fondness of riLlicule, spirit
of fault-finding, indiscretion, want of power to keep a
secret.

C.

A person is sometimes sflid to have no friends,
when it is merrnt tl1flt he has no benefactors or
protectors. This may sometimes be without his
fault, on account of the envy, backbiting, or
slander of others.
a. But more frequently h e is to bhmc himself,
1. Ry trying to appear what he i~ not.

112

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.
OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

2. By
By
By
By
By
By

3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

presumption.
violating the laws of co urtesy.
an irregular motle of living.
being too proud to speak of his want~.
neglecting his professional or other dutic~.
being ungrateful for past favors.

3. Eoth may be set on foot on any subj ec t; but the
examinatiOn is direct, it is the setting before the
mind of things corporeal or mental.
"The body of man is such a subject as stands the
utmost test of examination."
ADDISON.

"The wretch whom gratitullc once fails to bind,
To trn t.lt or honor let him lay no daim ;
.But st.and confessed t.hc brute disguised in mnn ."

The inquiry is indirect, and is in this case a
circuitous method of arriving at the knowle<lgc of
one's self'.
c. By faithful application to this study, a person acquires
such a clear insight into, such a convincing knowledge
of, hi ,; di spositions, th:ct he is cnal.Jled to arrange properly his com se of life. The true mel1imn of self knowl edge is one's f:'c lf : to know ourselves, we must
examine and inquire into ourselves.

FROUD &.

83.
KNOW rrHYSELF.

,

III.

.

ff ,;

I.

Exordiu1n. - God knows all thn.t man thin k!!,
wishes, aml lloes, and all that will happ en to him,
JUa11, tuo, very often secs in a most striking 111a1111 c1·
tbe merit or demerit of his fellow-man. SliotilJ
t hi s, therefore, not stir every one np to learn to
know hims e lf~ in order to become conscious of his
vi rtues as well as of his defects ?

i~i

.

"
.

II.

Fl

f~
i=l

E;i
~

Cllge,

~
Lil

a. l\Lm

"'~!

~ ~·
~

D
fj

ti

beeonw~

:wqnainted with his own moral state,

Iii ~

dPfl'cts ;111.J Yirtncs, perceiving, as he <locs, all that
p:isscs within himsl'lf. his nctionf', wol'flf', nncl thfl11ghu.

~
~

Ii

Conception. - To know oue's self is to know
one\; d1:1r:1cLer, abilities, opinions, virtues, :rnd
nccs: these are its marks, and by tLis know l-

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.

173

b. These he discerns by a conscientious examination and
earnest irn}l1iry.
1. By examination is meant an action or effort to finJ
out tlrnt which is unknown : it is made by the niJ
either of the senses or of the unrlerstanding.
2. The inquiry is chiefly inte11cctual, and is made in
order to arrive at the truth.

Reasons showing the :lcqu isition of

se li~knowl eclgc

to be proper and neccss:Lry .
a. It would be quite inco nsistent in any one, if after having
acquired diverse aml extensive knowlellgc of nature,
man, and the worltl, b e should yet lack, or be in defoctive possession of; information still more important, the knowledge of himself'.
b. The knowledge of himself is indispcnsalilc to man's moral
well-being : to remove defocts, they must first be known
to be such.
c. Our fellow-men watch us with a sharp eye : the frailty of
human nature is inclincfl rather to blame than to
praise. God himself knows and judges us: let us
therefore freyuently enter into ourscl vc~, that we m:iy
perform worthy actions; then we r-:hall b e snrc of the
approbation of good men and of the all-wise God himself.

d. Self-knowledge gives to man a true insight into his real
power, and prevents him from either lm<1ervaluing or
overrating it : hence, less danger of failure in enterprises.
e. Holy 'Vrit urgently recomm ends the knowledge of one's
self: Matt. vii. 3-5; Lnke vi. 41, 42; Luke xii. 56, 5 7;

1i4

IV.

JJieans by which m::m may acquire the knowleclgo of
Li llll:'lelf:
wi ~ht•'\

with those of persons of gootl r eport, especially ''"i tl1
the life and precepts of our divine Saviour.
b. To pay more attention to the blame than the prai~c
oth ers : not allow himscl f to be outdoue by thP pa~a n ~
who begged their gml s, " To grant them the pow(•r or
beholtling themselves with the eye of their l\.· 111•' •
111cn."
c. To struggle against self-love, the great enemy of !'cliknowledge.
d. To trust in the assistance of Hirn who is the Su11t'l'l' of
light awl the Disperser of <larkness. Beg of llim, in
the hnguage of St. Paul, "The eyes of your lu•arl
enlighten" (Eph. i. 18), and exclaim " ·ith J):n iii,
"l'rove me, 0 God! and know my heart: examine me,
and know my pa ths." Ps. cxxxviii. 23.

or

Conclusion. - I f you would h ave

self-knowlctl ~<'t

the mother of moral perfection, bring forth w orth y
fruits; let its foundation be laid in your very yout h.
God, your parents, teachers, and good men will
assist you to rear up your morr1l edifice, arnl help
you to secure its endurance for time and eternity.

84 .
YOUTH.
I.

II.

Trent-ise.
a. The youth is really happy in his youth : he enjoys the

a. To compare his actions, intentions, words, and

V.

175

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

Introduction.
a. E very rige has its advantages: time affonls its pl easuro-1
to the cl1ild, to the youth, and to the okl man.
b. Particuhr praise is bestowed upon the age of yn11tlt: fn.,..
quent.ly do the aged dwell with delight upon tlii s timo
of life ; it must therefore possess neculiar charms.

present.
"Youth treads on flowers where' er he goes,
And ll11ds on every thorn a rose."
1. Ilis lifo is more free.

E\'en the appai·ent r estraint
of his parents, teachers, &c., t ends to ennoble and
beaut.if)- his pleasures.
" The paths of bliss are joyous, and the breas t
Of merry youth is easy to be Llest."
llEnnERT.

2. Ile has no citre: all l1is wants are provide1l for.
3. His time is agreeably divided between play and

study,"Beholding the bright countenance of trnth in the
quiet aml still air of delightful stmli es."
lVfILTON.

4. His constant cheerfulness enables him quickly to
forget injuries.

"Young men soon give and soon forget affronts :
Old age is slow in both."
ADDISON.
5. He feels the constant growth of vigor and strength:
hence his great attachment to lifo, merely for the
joy of living; every day, as Long fellow says, it is
enough for him, " to be, and not t o do."
6. The heart of youth is more open to the pleasures of
friendship; and friend ships formed in youth last
even till old age.
7. Youth is the time of first love, which is generally
characterized by purity and ten<lerness.
"Oh! love, love well, bnt only once ; for never shall the dream
Of youthful hope return again on life's dark rolling stream."
lVIns. NonTON.

8. Youth is easily inspi.recl with a love for all that is
noble, grand, anrl beautiful.

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176

OUTLINES 01!' COMPOSITION.

b. 1be youth is also h appy in his thoughts of the fu tur(',
which his imag innt ion ever paints in rosy color~ .
1. H e knows nothin g as yet of the sh adow s of li fo;
it passes on smoothly before him as a ge ntle stream :
h e knows not that life is a gulf of troubled water!',
where the soul, like a vexed bark, is tossed upon
the waves of pain and pleasure by the vary ing
breath of passion.
2. He is yet free from distrust and suspicion ; for, so
far, his disappointments h ave been few if any.
3. H e is happy in proj ecting plans for the f'utur(.',
ch oosing a n occ upation, and thinking how he shall
best occupy his time.
4. The frequent a nticipation of ch ange, from st.udy to
play, from school to home, &c., afford s a constant
ch arm, a.ml leaves no room for monotony.
5. The youth is always animated with hopes ; a.ncl th <'~o
will surely be r ealized if he seasons hi s studies
with diligence and energy.
c. A well-spent youth leaves to the memory pleasant recollections ; th:tt is, if it h:ts not been devoted,
1. T o idl eness and sin ; but,
2. To industry and virtue.

850
1 UX UR Y.
"War destroys men; but luxury mankind
At once corrupts, - the holly and the mind."

C1ww"".

I. Introtlnction. -Luxury

is a subject upon which
much h as been spoken and written with inditlerent
success. It is true that a correct id ea of this subj ect is somewhat difficult to obtain ; for the idea is
a relative one, and rests mostly on comparisons.

II.

Conception. -Luxury may b e d efin ed to Le an
in<lnlge nce in the · pleasures which wealth and
abundance afford; epicuri sm, profu::;c ness. Or luxury is an excess of fruitless expenses, wliich exceed
the income of a perso n or a nation. Kant says,
"Lux ury, if carried t o excess, nudcrmiues the wellbeiug of the state and of society."

III. :I1liings which tlo not propm•ly fall under

III. He 1.u ho hns been blest rwith a pious mul
i1Ub.istrioiis yoi t,th may dw ell with <lelight
on the past, enjoy the present, and look forw: ml
with coufid ence to the future; for present an d
futme, as effects, always correspond to their cause,
the past.
In conclnsion, be grateful to your benevolent
Creator, who, in l1i s mercy, g ranted you a 11 evereuclin g .existence : the joys of youth can scarcely
be numbered or measured ; but there arc g rc:1t r r
and purer j oys in store for us,-joys which th e
human ruiud is t oo feeble to fathom.

177

OU'.l'LlNES O.F COJYil'USI'.l'lON.

the h ead of luxury.
a. The overstepping of the ordinary limits with regard to
eating anu drinking, on certain occasions during the
year, provideu this be not h abitual, excessive, or often.
b. \Veal th or high station allow, and sometimes eve n req uirc,
excessive outlays for great public or private receptions,
foasts, celebrations, &c.

I V.

Cttnses of liixiwy.
a. Its germ lies in the very n:ttnre of man himself: accumulation of. riches, with little or no exertion, as by conquest (Rome, Spain, a.ncl Por tugal) , by commerce and
wild speculation (V cnice, Genoa, and the Han seatic
Union) , by inheritance (m :my exampl es in our own and
other countries). Great rich es awaken in man the
desire for greater comforts, which, when immoderately
fostered, prove in the end to be injurious to the indi-

178

OUTLINES 01!' UOMPOSlTlON.

B.

b. By imitation of foreig n m anners anJ customs (formerly
fro m Greece, How from France).

v.

179

OU'l'LJNES OF 00.MPOSlTJON.

lJiany asseJ•t tluit lnxu1·y is benefic ial

opposed to the exe rcise of m a n's b etter powers, and
therefore opposed to r eason itself~ whieh subordinates
sensuality to the moral law.
b. Lux nry generally brin gs on p overty · a nd d egradation,
whid1 latter a re the sourees of immy crimes.
c. Luxury is, lik e p estilence, contagiou s, a nd m al~cs ~ ts
round s through every state and condition, rolJlJmg its
·victims of all happiness.
d. Luxury enervaks man, weak e ns his p ower s of mind and
soul, leadin g hiu1 clown fas t to the lowest estate : the
history of !tome a11ll of oLh er states abounds in exam-

to

the c u1u111011 wcalLh; for they say tlwt,
a. It promotes the circulation of mo11cy, which

is to tho
co111111onwcalth what Llood is to the huma n Locl y.
b. Scco111lly, that i t promotes imlustry, commerce, &c.
c. Thirdly, t ha t it increases the public r evenues by duties, c ' t'.

VI. Eiit szich v icws <.i,r e s iiperjic-i cil, bascJ.

011

fal se policy.
A. '\Vith r cg;i,r11 to division V.

ples of this.

a. History infi:m11 s us that lu x ury was the cause of the ruin
of many powc1-!'ul k ingcloms and empires ; b ecause,
1. As soon as the masses of the p eople indulge in lu x-

ury, th e .-cr y fuumlations of the commonwealth arc
affccterl ; lJUt,
2. If the e Yil takes h old amongs t the higher classes, as
they arc eall cil , th en the more rational p a rt of the
boll}' poli tie ue<.:omes affoctcd; which will lcatl to
cer tain cxtrayag :1nce, corrup tion, &c.
3. It is true that luxnry apparen tly cmieh cs the public
treasury; iJut it is at the cxpc n~c of t.l1 c peopll',
who u c<.:omc impoverish ell by their om1 proJ'usion,
and in time impoverish the na tion itself:
b. ·w i th r eg:ml to sulJtfoision s (a) a nd (b) of division V.,
i t may h e r eplied , that, up to this time, Europe has
f:uccccdcd but too well in draining from our contiu l'llt
immense qua ntities of the prct:ious m etals. Sh ould tl 1i~
continu e? A s for industry, art, and commerce, th1·y " ·ill
increase anll prosp er in the same proportion ::i s th e i:11portation of foreig n articles oflnxury is disco urage d, :111•1
h ome m::i1111 fact urcs encouraged: Only Ly this mea ns
can th e body p oli tic ::ittain a sonnd arnl h c::i lthy st::i te ;
wl1ile the feverish swindle of ln xrn'}' and extravagauco
will , in the cn<l , urnlcrrnin e and overturn its very constitution. In short, let those in power sec that tho
b ala nce of imports and exp orts is always in our favor,
if they would have the country continue to prosp er.

Luxury condemned by reason and inorality.
a. LtL-...::ury sig nifies excess aml cxtravagan<.:e ; h ence, it is

VII.

Means 1·eco nl/JnC1itled for checking th e progress
of luxury.
a. A thorough :md correct education of body and mind
( S parta and Athens).
.
.
b. Goou example 0 11 the p art of those m authonty, and all
those in the high er walks of life.
c. Practice of the precepts of religion, and a r eturn to
simplicity of our forefathers. Based upon these prmciples, our corn monwc:il th will not only stand, Lut
prove to be one of the happiest nation s that have ever

t:ie

existed.

86.
MEMMIUS' ORATION.
(FROM SALLUST'S JUGURT III NE vVAn, CHAP. 31.)

Sec introclnctory note to No. 8 1.

I. Int1·ocl iiction.
a. Ueasons whid1 might induce the orator to r etain silence.
1. The power of the opposite party.

2. The forbea.ra11ee of th e people.
3. ·w ai1t of justice among men.
4~ Danger of defending innocence.

18U

OUTLINES Ol!-, 00.MPOSlTlON.

OUTLINES OF UOM.i:'OS11'10N.

181

b. Hcasons for taking up the defense iu spite of all these
Ji;;coHrage men ts.

(llis own views as follows .)

II.

87.

Thern e. vVliat i::i best to be done in the present ca~;e?
A.

N cgati ve considerations.

VALUE OF THE STUDY OF THE CLASSICS.

a. Armed in tcrfore nce :-tgainst the iwbility is useless : it k1s
never resulted in goml to the people.
1. Note the reforms of the Gracchi.
b. Neither should the people quietly suifor these wron:;s : hy
so Joing,
1. Tlicy sac rifice their just righ ts;
2. A rnl the 11o!Jility become more insolent and Jespotic.
( Description of the present state of
a. The rnliw! nobili ty.
b. And the o ppre~:;ccl people.)

B.

Positive

I.

Objectimis to this study are generally made by,
a. Men who never penetrated deeply into th e spirit a nd
philosovhy of th e classics.
b. Men who j udge the ancients by the same rule which they
apply to those who have the advantages of modern
science.
c. Men who never search after the sources of the present
state of civilization.
d. Men who lmsy themselves more in scckiug for earthly
comforts than in the enjoyment of intellectual pursuits.

con ~ i tl erat i o n s .

a. T he crime mn st be investigated according to law.
b. tTugu rtkt must be triecl.

c. ·what the people would gain by this.
1. A clear in"igh t into th e case.
2. E m:rncip:-tt.ion from the oppression of the nobility.
3. It would pre vent the b:-td conser1uence of their present spirit of forbearance, by restoring to them
orde r and freedom, and giving assistance . to our
con foJ erates.

III.

II.

opinions of,
a. All civilized nations, who have constanly h eld the classics
in high estimation.
b. And of hosts -0f eminent men in every age who h ave
owed th eir cultnre and erudition to the study of the
admirable writings of Greece an cl Rome.
(Give
instances.)

Concl1isio1 i.
a. t)pccial consitlera tions.
1. Crimes should be checked.
2. Exemption from punishment endangers the liberty
of the people.
b. Gcnernl con si d eratio n ~ .
1. Forbearance town.rd ev il is ruinon s to Yirtuc.
2. It is even better to overlook the good than the evi l.
"The gods
Grow an g ry with yo nr patience : 'ti s their care,
And mn st lie yo nrn, that g uil ty men escape nnt;
A s crimes do g row, justice sli onkl rouse itself."
JON SQ'( .

OppoBell to the ctsse1•tions of these men are the

III.

The valiie of the classics also :finds its confirmation in the high qualifications and eminent learning of the ancient writers.
a. Their historical work s furnish vast materials to the
inquirer after the facts of history, to all, indeed, who
possess a scrutinizing mind.
b. Their philosophical works disclose to us the opinions of
the profoundest thinkers of antiquity on the most important subjects of r easoJ?.ing and thought.
1. E ve!1 those before the time of Socrates show, in
spite of their enors, great ingenuity.

1~2

0 U'.l'LINES O.B' COMPOSITION.

OUTLINES 01!' COM.I:'OSI'.rlON.

2. " ' hil e those who wrote after the time of tl· H·S pl11·
·
~ osopli :r arc worthy the esteem of cn:ry tltiukJL~g mrnd, and especially of the in1p1irel' into tlic
history of rnankiud, on aecou11t of their cxcdle11 t
metaphysical and moral principles.

n ameless excellence, which, like t he <lown of the
peach, is lost iu the bands of t h e most careful ttau slato rs : if we wish to quench our th irst with pure
water, let us go to the fountain itself.

" How charm ing is divine ]Jltilosophy !
Not har~_h aml crabbed as <lull foul~ suppose,
But mu sical as is .Apollo's lu te,
An<l a perp etual feast of n ec tared sweets
vVhere no crude surfeit reigns.,,
'

88.
CIIARAC'rERI STICS OF 'l'IIE ROMANS.

MILTON.

c. In poetry a nd cloqncncc, th e ancients still hold the fil'~ t
rank: the brigli te~ L lll odem geuiuses stamlin o·

cr tkm Hom er,

11 0

]1i nh-

.f~ sd1ylus, D emostlicncs, miltCicero~

"O h! ns t he bee 11 po n tl1 e flower, I J1 nng
Upon the honey of thy eloquent tong ne."
DUL\\' Elt.

IV.

Owr oit.ni. aye bea1·s witness to the gooc1 influence wl11clt the study of the clnssics h ns h ad upou
it, for t11cir spirit is more or less refl ected np on
mode rn literat m e. Experience has taug ht us,
a. T l1 at th is study molds aml elevates the mind of tli c
young.

b. ~l~h at '.t 1:cfines the taste, and inspires a love of Icarnii ig.
c. lh.at 1t lunus tl.te character, all(l i 111 bucs us with p alriut1sm, love of lrber ty, and many other virtues.
"I will teach thine infant tono-ue
'I' o call upon t hose h eroes old
b
In t hei r own lang uage, and will mold
Thy grow in ~ spirit in the fl ame
O f Grecian lore; that by each name
A patriot's birthright thou mayest claim."
SrrnLLEY.

v. '° G1·antinfj all this, "some
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give the t ru e sense of the orio-1"11
o al ,. t1ueie

'·

183

(Illustrated by examples.)

I. R01ne owcrl hm· elevcition as 1nist1•ess of
the worlll, chiefly to the characte r of h er people. From the degeneration of that ch aracte r may
Le dated tile decline of the people and th e empire.

II.

OutUnes of the Ronian chct1"acter.
a. Patriotism. Emulatio n of one another in doing the utmost for the safety ancl elevation of the commonwealth. (Curtius precipitati ng himself into the abyss ;
the three Decii <levoting themselves to death; R egulus returning to prison.)
b. L ove of liber ty (Junius B rutus), annual election of civil
and military oinecrs (n,vcrsion to the ve ry words King
and J(in.ydom; Cn,to in Utica; 1VL1rcus Drntus).
c. National p ride, the natural consequence of th ese two
(a, b). This pride can fl oudsh only in a free soil.
The Romans when defeated neYer concluded peace
(battle of Can nm) ; an<l never showc<l greater courage
and enclurancc than in danger nml aclvcr~ity .
d. Love of wn,r and valor, for which sin ce the time of Romulus they distinguished themselves. Their successes
. caused a continual extension of the boundaries of the
empire, which, in turn , stimulated them to snbmit j oyfull y to still greater exertions and enterprises ; h ence,
again, great improveme nts in the military a.rt, with a
consequent neglect of the fine arts, the ar ts of peace,
&c. During the time of war, the temple of J anus was
closed, and seldom indeed were its portals open.

184

e. Love of justi ce and impa r tiality ; mag nanimity to w:ml
en emies (.Junius Brutus towaru his son s ; Fabri i:ius
to ward Pyrrhu s).
f Lov e of frugality. Agriculture was held in hig h estim ation, antl cousidereLl the Lase of the well-beiu brr or tlie
state. ( Cincinn atus, once consul, was fo unu plowing,
when called by the Senate to deliver his coun try from
its aggressors.)
g. Love of virtue a nd r eligion , which latter approached t o
super stition; omen s anJ auspices Leing cou sulteLl on
the g ra Yest occasion s.

III. Decline and loss of 1n·i,1 nUive chalractc1·.
(\:inyne::; L iuurea::;ell rieli es as w ell as g lory; l111 t
wit.h i11<'.r<':1sA of riehe:;: came decrease of th e t rn c
l{o111:1n cl1:1r:wt.cr, :mcl :it b st t l H~ total d ow 11foll of
t!ll' rrp11lilir :1 11 •1 tl1e l oss ot' liberty. At tlic c11d
-

(1{' ti ]( ' t'lliJ

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Jint!,

'J'J1t• lll lil'<l<T
()I' ( :1'.':tr :111 il 1111· t'n·q1w11I. cu1 1opirac ics ac:ai11 ~t Au :..: u>'t11~ <lid not originate in patriot i ~ 111 , so much af' in selfi · Ji
:irnhiti nn .
1

Z,, ln st<·:itl "1· lorn ut' liberty, we JJ.ntl venality : a ll thi ng~ .

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OU'l'LlNES OF COMP OSITlON.

,J11.'-'. 11rtlt:1 l1•:1rn<'1l. W<'n; s:1lal>l<'. at Rome. Tl}(' 111:1 >''1''
of tlw Jl l'" Jlk ;1lluwctl tlll:mst' h·cs to hr, nsr d :is J111 •r1 !
tnols J(1 r 11w Yi le p11rpno=:r s of' 1li r rieh . I l<'ll<'I ' Ca•,:1r\
de:1tlt tli1l 1wL n· , 111 1. in llw i"·"otl (•xpP< ·letl ( 1101 <'. <·n1 1~ • ·­
q11r•nr(' , ). fill' t!t1 · ~o l t• n ·a snn th :it. t!t P penJ>IC ,\.(' J'l' 11"
l<n1g1:r fit. to g()nTn t.li cn1sr1Yc s: they rn'eri <'d n rn asti•r.
c. In~t(':l < l of' national pri<le, we firHl co~etousncss.
En•n
co 11 s11l s, :rnd lca•lcrs of armi es, sniTcrcd tltemsdv Ps to
li t• hrihed (th e wa rs ngaim;t .Ju ~urtlia).
11. Un til this tin w CYcry citiznn was a w:irrior: now li e
lH •ga.n to wil.lt1lra.w fro m rnilit:i ry <lnty, and tr:in ster th e
same to mercenaries and slaves.
e. J ustir'e was b:i nish ecl: pillage and robbery became the
order of the J.ay. Provinces wPre desolated , antl tl1 c
mos t unju st wars wer e wa.geu again st n eighLoring
states ( V~rTes i n Sicily).

f

185

Frugality luttl Lo make room for extravagance. In th eir
d wclling s, mode of dress, and food, th e most irrational
profusi~ n an<l deL~wchery were visiule (preface to Sallust's Catiline), (.Pompey, in honor of his deceased
<laughte r, gave di!fore ut kimls of gallle:>. 2,000 gladiators fought at the hazan l of their liv es, and 22,000
t ables were covered with ever y kinu of ch oice food, for
the gra.tiftcatiou of the p eople). (Tbc country " ·as
covered with mag nificent vill as, s wanning with slaves,
who were dresscu in the most g orgeous array ; besides
these extravagan ces, dish es were serv ed from the
tong ues of nightingales, fi sh es, and p eacocks, at the
cost of $ 100 ~. po und .)
g. The people who once believed in a p lurality of gods
11die \'ell now in ~rnrrPl y <my thing. The faith in their
or:1 L·l c ~ •rn' chakcn, ('YPn C' iccro. sco ffin ~ a t them.

IV. 'l'hu8

J'iNJe .

ihus fell. the Ilomans us a fr·ee

people, :i;Hl that t hrough th eir own fa ult. Fr11111
their hi:olury \YC may learn wlwt we sl1 o u1d flo nwl
.what we sh ould avoid. :Mcau while, let us lwg
Providence to guard :rnrl extend the principles of
sober freedom among all maukincl, th at modern liberty may not suffe r such an eclipse as ilrnL w l1id1
blotte(l ont the liberty of ancient Rome.
" lfasten the day, just lleaYell !
.Al'curnpli~h thy d c,; i ~11;
.An1l 1.. 1 lln· li]cc; .; i11:,;.; tl101t hast freely given

Jt'n·< ·l y 011 all men shine:
Till cquctl righ t ~ he <'•1n:illy enj oyed;
Anrl hnman power for humctn goocl employed ;
Till bw, nn d not t.lw sovereign, rule sustain,
And pence nnd virtue unrli sputed reig n. "
HENRY vVARE, JuN .

lG*

186

OUTLINES OF COMPOSlTlON.

OUTLINES OF COMPOS.LTION.

II.

890
THE l\iERI11S OF AUGUS'l1US IN REGARD TO ~1 HE WELir
BEING Ol1 THE ROMAN El\IPillE.
(Horace, OJ.es, Book iv. 15.)

1

Int1'0£lnction.
a. The <legenerate Homans were no longer fit to upholu the
republic. The old simplicity a111 l purity of mami crs
h ad disappeared. They who once astoni shed the world
. by their patriotism, now debased themselves by actions
unworthy of man. HicLes, luxury, and debauchery
were hencefor th the shrines before which that once
noble people bowed in worship. Unable to govern
themselve ~, they needed the hand of power to rule
them: a monarchy ·was therefore the natural rem it.
The civil wars and the m urdcring of Cmsar, instead
of' prolong ing the existence of the republic, ratl1cr
tendeLi to hasten its downfall, and greatly assisted
Augustus in accomplishing his design.
b. Aug ustu s, even as a monarch, h eld up the exterior resemblance of liberty. It was the spirit of his policy to
r etain old names and form s ; and he steadfastly refused
to assume the title of dictator, whi ch Sylla and Cmsar
had rendered odious. He styled himself imperator
( commander) , in order to maintain Lis authority over
the army; tribun e, in order to rule the people; prineeps scnatus (chief of the Senate), in. order to guiue
the Senate ; aml snhrnitteLl to all the labors which them
high dignities rcrp1ircL1.
c. The means used by him to att:tin his high position s "·ere
·n ot at all bbmclcss ; lmt once in possession of · the
supreme power, he caused the p eople, by his mildn ess
and modera.tion, to forget that th ey had lost their liLerty, and even to consider him their best friend and
benefactor.

187

His 1·efo-rrns soon spreaLl ov er all portions of the
empire, and Iii:,; government proved truly paternal
and beneficial; for,
a. He restored the dignity of the Senate (which, on account
of the admission of unworthy indi viduals, h ad lost
much of its former luster), by selecting as senators
per sons of noted integrity.
b. H e placed the degenerate equ estrian order uncler a strict
censorship.
c. Ile was slow to grant tl1 e rights of Uo111:m <'itizcnship,
which in the latter days of tl1e r epnhlie l1:ul ueen lavishly bestowed upon the raJ>blc and upon notorious
profligates.
d. By effective bws he checked bribery, by which means the
purity of elections was restored.
e. H e showed great impartiality, and never interforcd in
rncttters of law and courts of justice.
f H e issued many useful decrees, and abolished many
abuses in the government; fo r,
I. He gave a new form to the Senate.
2. Employed himself in improving the manners of the
people.
3. Encouraged marriage, and r epressetl sen suality.
4. In troduced discipline into the army, anti, in a word,
did CVel')' thing in his power to SUUServe ihe UCSt
interests of the empire.
5. Adorned the city in such a manner, that it was
truly said by him, "He found it of brick, and left
it of marble."
g. By his n1ildness and comlcscension , he encouraged the
timid to approach him, aml in times of scarcity sold
grain at low rates.
li. H e patronized the arts a.nrl sciences: trul y may l1is
r eicrn
be called, "The lTOli
len a<re
of Roman literature "
0
b
0
(Horace, Virgil, Ovid, Livy, &c.) .
i. H e was besides a n excellent j mlge of composition, and a
true critic of poetry; so that his patronage was n ever
misplaced, or lavished on those whose writings might
tend rather t.o corrupt than improve the taste and
learning of the age.

188

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

J.

His court thus became a school of urbanity, where men of genius acquired that delicacy of taste, that elevati~n
· of sentiment, aml that purity of expression, which
characterize the writers of that age.
k. He established and re-organized institutions for the promotion of the public good.
1. Re-organized the police.
2. Established laws which gave greater security to
person and property.
3. DividPd the townR into ward~, placing over each an -~·-i!&

oYcr~rrr.

~

4. 01·dere11 !lie org>1 nization of companies of night ~iiiiiiiiiiii~
watcJ1J1H 'll, fol' llie bCClll'ity of the lOWllS anu the
µrev e11 liuu of cuullagration::;.
fJ. O nlen·d 1l1L~ d1·1·1H·11i11g aml e11Lirgi11g of the Leu of
ll1e TiJ,,. 1., tn pn"vent frequent inundations.
=::::::::~:;:=·
G. Ordcn·d I ht.0 buildin g or complcLiun of pul>lic roads,
partly at hi:3 own, and partly at the p ul>lic ex• ~~~E
pem;e.

III. Thns was

90.
PUBLIC SPIRIT.
I. Introdiwtion. -History

teaches us that nations
and empires have been ruined by the selfishness of
their public men, who, to advance their own interests, s;icrifi ced th;it of the Commonwealth.

II. PePsons who are not patrioUc.
a. Those who wish the destruction of their country.
b. Those who seek office solely to serve their private intercs ts.

c. Those who use improper means to obtain ofliee (l>riliery,
f:pcnt1ing money for ardr.nt spirits, &e ) .
d. Those who seek o!Iice without possessing the necessary
abililie;; to fill t.he station they seek.
e. Those who willingly assist any such persons to obtain

ab.~olnte rnmu.trchy cstabUsheil-~~~­

f

on the ruins of th e once proncl and mighty repu b-~~ii~.
lie of the ancient worlcl. But we ourselves, the
citizens of the great modern republic,
"Will raise on Liberty's broad base,
A structure of wise government, and show,
In our new world, a glorious spectacle
Of social order : freemen, equals all, ·
By reason swayed, self-governed, self-improved;
And the electric chain of public good
Twined ronnd the
"" private happiness of each ;
And every lieart thrilled by the patriot chord
That sounds the glory of America."
Mns.

189

office.
Those who, blinded by party-spirit, vote for a bad man of
their own party rather than a good one of the opposite

party.
g. Those who neglect to become acquainted with their public duties.
h. Those who suffer themselves to be bribed, either in offi~e,
or to vote for office-seekers.

III. Persons who are patriotic.
a. ·Those who act in a manner contrary to that of those
above mentioned.
b. Those who, by word and example, instill into the minds
of their fellow-citizens, especially the young, a love for
public virtue.

IV. How we

manifest our love for our
fellow-men.

a. In - always having 'the general · good in · view. Thus an
•'

· employer rejoices in seeing that· the interests of his
· employees-advance in _proportion to his own.

190

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

b. In useful inventions.
c. In good counsels (Franklin).
d. In the erection and support of educational and charitabl~'
institutions.
e. In laying on the altar of the republic life and property. if
necessary.
f In the highest sense, by seeking neither acknowledgment
nor reward for our services. 1 Cor. xii. 26.

v.

To love owrowncountry, we have only to reflect.
upon what it was and what it is.
a. By the exertions of our forefathers, freedom, after slumbering for centuries; once more revived, and assumed a
new glory, unparalleled in the annals of the world.
.
b. Even Greec~ and Rome were r epublics for the few, not
for the many; the majority being enslaved.
·
c. Our country is the first that has presented to the world.
the rare spectacle of liberty for all.
.
d. Here freedom has a base on which she may raise ab~
con that will cast its light over the whole world, before :
whose radiance superstition and despotism shall ,.grow
pale and vanish for ever.

91.
NATIONAL FESTIVALS.
I. Introduction. - Mention some of the
that were celebrated in ancient times, and
their purposes.
a. Social amuf;cn1c1; t.
b. Religious solemnity.
c. Commemoration of glorious events.

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

191

b. Especially those which present to the sight a cruel treatment of men or animals ; as the combats of the gladiators in ancient Rome, prize-fights, bull-fights, &c.
c. Those which are associated with shameless excesses.

"Who knows not the languor that attends every excessive
indulgence in pleasure? "
BL.A.IR.

B.

Festivals deserving of approval.
a. Those which relate to memorable national events; · as the
Declaration of Independence, the birthday of Washington and those of other great an~ good men, &c.
"Hail, Independence ! by true reason taught,
How few have known and prized thee as they ought I
Some give thee up for riot; some, like boys,
Resign thee, in their childish moods, for toys :
Ambition some, some avarice misleads ;
And in both cases, independence bleeds."
CHURCHILL.

b. Those which stir up the nobler passions of man, and perfect his taste for all that is beautiful and grand ; as
musical festivals, exhibitions of art and science, gymnastic sports,' and banquets. In all of these, however,
we should avoid intemperate excess, such as immoderate
eating and drinking, boasting, boisterous speech, and
. violent action.
"When we dip too deep in pleasure, we always stir a ·
sediment that renders it impure ·and noxious."
YOUNG.

c. Those which are associated with religious belief; as
Christmas, New-Year's, 'l:.hanksgiving.

·.~

.

Conclusion. - Public festivals, when properly conJucted, amuse and elevate tho mind, improve social
habits, and imbue society with . healthful vigor.

-

-4

'~

'

1.'~

II. Treatise.
A.

Festivals unworthy a civilized people.
a. Those which do not r elate to a memorable event,
serve only for mere pl'Stime and empty display.

' 1

192

OUTLINES OF· COMPOSITION.

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

- '

D.

92.

s:ubje~t

gives rise.

II.

Conclusion,- Reflections on the beauty of a ripe
old age, the crown of a virtuous life.

a. Rarity and affecting dignity of such a celebration.
b. Joy when coming near the close of a well-spent life.
c. Value of the occasion to the venerable pair, as well as to.
those who assist at the celebration ..

A.

93.

Rarity and dignity.

a. F ew persons attain such a venerable and happy age as
tL.is j uLilee commemorates.
-~~~i~·
b. T he mere i:;igh t of the gooJ olJ people iuspil·es us wiili

IS THE WORLD "A VALLEY OF TEARS " ?
I.

thoughtful emotion.

c. T'neir uuwearied care and love for their children duriilg
more than half a century fill us with love and venem.
tion for them.

B. Why this jubilee is especially joyful when

:J.lh ·is expPe~S'iO'l'i is frequently heard . Certainlv
there is much evil in the world : we often see the
good man suffer, and the had pro~per.

Still there is 1nore good than evil in the world.
III. Proof.
II.

A.

ing a well-spent life.

Nature, those of pure friendship, those we experience
in contemplating the progress of knowledge, and the
noble actions of men.
b. We are made to be happy : our senses, as well as our
mind, are susceptible of enjoyment.
c. "There -is more laughing than weeping in the world."
d. Man is attached to life : even old men do not generally
wish to die.
.

have lived so well ·for themselves and for their children?
b. Such a celebration bespeaks the influence which their
untiring zeal in every kind and gentle deed of d\ltY
and of love has .impressed upon the hearts of their
children and ·their · children'.s children. The present
occasion is a solemn acknowledgment of all ~he gOO<i
theyhavedoue . . _,·:r
-. · .'''
·••

I

~

!

•.';' Good ~~tions .crown ~h~~~elv~s. 'YJ~h l~ting bays."
.

_,

C.

..

'

' . ..

From our own feelings and experience.
a_ W e have many pleasures, - the enjoyments afforded by

a. Who is more worthy of a happy old age .than they who.

~ 1

Value to the children.
a. Gives them the occasion of honoring themselves in thus
honoring their belov ed par ents.
b. It excites in them the emulation to live in like manner
. that they also may celebrate their golden wedding in'
peace and joy.

A GOLDEN WEDDING.
I. Introduction. - Reflections to which this

193

' . ' ..

" ." . . .

.

.,

Hlu.Titi

Value to the revered father and mother.
a. Tt reca.lls th eir p:ist. life pleasantly t.o their minds.
b. Cheers th ei r irnuosL soui, in Lum; gathe ring a.il
descendants lovingly and joyously around them. · ~~~~;!~

B.

Many so-called evils are blessings in disguise, and
are the cause of much good.
a. They improve our character by making us, 1. More prudent.
2. }\fore mon il
b. Without them some virtues could not exist ; as patience,
meekness, heroism, charity.

.. ·.ff

194
IV.

OUTLINES OF COMPOSlTION.

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

Origin of the expression.
a. In the <lefects of man.
1. His selfishness.

·'

94.

" The selfish heart deserves the pain it feels :
More generous sorrow, while it sinks, exalts;
And conscious virtue mitigates the pang."

POSTHUMOUS PRAISE.
YOUNG.

2. His morbid sentiment, which often inc.lines him to
believe that evil exists where none can be found.
Fictitious writings have had much to do with this•.

' I

I. An old adage says," He who wishes to be
p 'r aised niust first die." This is especially
true of those who are animated with noble thoughts
'which they wish to impart to their fellow-men,
persons who strive to make their fellow-mortals
better and happier.

"They attack the heart more successfully, because
more cautiously."
l{Nox.

b. In the nature of pleasure and pain. Pain makes the ·
deeper impression on the mind. We therefore remember the evil rather than the good, especially if caused
by others. This also causes us to form worse opinions
of our opponents than they rightfully deserve. Evil,
like the foam on the surface of water, is easily seen j
an<l we believe it to be more extensive than it really is.

II. Proof.
a. History.furnishes numerous illustrations of this truth.
b. Daily experience teaches it.

UL

V. The noblest pleasures are not public.
a. Those springing from goodness of heart and deep religious feeling : the communings of the soul with God. ·
b. The pleasures of friendship, especially those of the family .
circle.
" Domestic happiness, thou only bliss
Of Paradise that has survived the Fall."
8. RICHARDSON.

Conczu·sion. - Let us, then, not consider the world ·
as only a valley of tears, but rather as a place
where man may enjoy a foretaste of the bliss that
awaits him wb~se life corresponds to his calling.
" This world is not s() bad a world as some would like to
make it:
Though whether good, or whether bad, depends on how we
take it."

Causes.
a. One generally appreciates only what he no longer possesses.
b. As contemporaries, we are led away by prejudices, partyspirit, arid personalities.
c. Death .brings about a change of sentiment. · There is,
· then, no cause for jealousy. The competitor, the man
·of noble aspirations, is no more to be feared. The ·
genius whom we wished to overcome has departed.
Now we go to pay him the tribute of praise. Such is
human nature.

"Raging waves of the sea, foaming out .their own '
shame."

VI.

195

IV.

Lessons to be drawn from these consideratioi;is.
. a .• Charity.

Be generous in your judgments of. the living.
Think how you would feel if they were snatched away
by death. Why not be just, and give to the living that
to which you deem the dead entitled?
b. Patience. . When your efforts for the common good ar~
misrepresented, be not uneasy, go on. in your good
work : your reward is sure, if not in this life, then
beyond the gr~ve. .

196

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

B. In favor of the custom. This custom must also
have had its advantages, else it could not have
remained in practice so long amongst such a
people as the Egyptians.

95.

a. Every one wishes, that, after death, his memory may be

THE EGYPTIAN CUSTOM OF JUDGING THE DEAD.

held sacred : it was therefore a means of hindering
vice.
b. Some of the ancients doubted the existence of punishment after death; hence the custom of passing judgment on the dead, that justice might be done.
c. The custom excited the sentiment of honor. Though
fear of shame and punishment is not a pure motive of
virtue, still the common weal gains when evil is prevented, whatever the cause of its prevention.

I. Introdiwtion.
a. The Egyptians were a most intelligent people of antiquity. They had no other pattern or guide than
themselves ; and hence we call their land "the cradle '
of science."
b. They were attached to certain strange customs, which
were never generally adopted by any other people; as
the embalmi~g of the dead, and the building of pyra- ~
mids.
'
·
c. To the Egyptians, also, belongs the custom of sitting in
judgment over their dead, even kings not being ex: ·
. cepted.

Conclusion. -This custom may serve to give us

III.

an insight into the character of a people who
walked in the light of their own unaided understanding. We are acquainted with purer and holier
motives of action than they could have known.
Let our lives correspond with the light which has
been given us.

II. Treatise.
A. Against the custom.

No other nation ever ·
imitated this custom. " To speak well of the
dead" was an ancient maxim amongst civilize4
people. This Egyptian custom must therefore
have been repugnant to them.

96.

a. It diminished the reverence due to the departed.
" Speak well of him who dieth,
For he sleeps, and is at rest ;
And the couch whereon he lieth
Is the green earth's quiet breast."

197

•

b. The dead· can not defend themselves.
c. Their judges could only examine exterior actions, not
interior motives : the decisions would therefore be often ·
unjust.
d. This custom did not promote virtue for its own sake: it
merely prevented evil for fear of shame, and encouJ.'o
aged good only for the 11ake of a.ppl~use.

AGRICULTURE AS A SOURCE OF CIVILIZATION.
I.

Introduction. - Every thing must have a cause
whose influence continues while the effect remains.
Man possesses within him the germs of his own
development; but some external, favoring circumstance is necessary before this development can
take place, just as the seeds of plants will only
germinate when favored with heat and moisture.

.

.
"

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

198

II. .Agriculture is one of the 0 riginal sources '

now behold it as it has been transformed by agriculture.

1

of man:s advancement in civilization.

··

a. It attached him to fixed habitations, thus weaning him_
from nomadic. life . .
b. It drew his mind away from rude customs, the passionate ' ~
love of hunting, &c., and directed him to turn the vast
resources of Nature to his advantage.
c. It accustomed him to regulate his activity according to
the demands of the season and the temperature of the
air. He thus became gradually imbued with the love
of order and r egularity.
d. It afforded his mind greater tranquillity, and a taste for
domestic life.
·
e. By becoming mo.re acquainted with the powers of Natur~, ·
he became more acquainted with his own powers.
"Nature is man's best teacher. She unfolds
Her treasures to his search, unseals his eye,
Illumes his mind, and purifies his heart:
An influence breathes from all the sights and .sounds
Of her existence. She is wisdom's self."
·

"In ancient times, the sacred plow employed
The kings and awful fathers of mankind;
And some, with whom compared your insect tribes
Are but the beings of a summer's day,
Have held the scale of empire, ruled the storm
Of mighty war, then, with unwearied hand,
Disdaining little ·delicacies, seized
The plow, and greatly independent lived."

Agriculture made it necessary for man to live according ' .to fixed laws, which gave security to life, person, and
property. The desire to have his o~vn rights respected
taught him to respect the rights of others.
"A man of law, a man of peace,
To frame a contract or a lease."

97.
ADYANTAG-ES OF COMMERCE.
I.

Wealth.
A. To the producer.

III.

Conclusion. - Thus it appears that

a. The farmer.
b. The manufacturer.

B. To the merchant.
· a. The wholesale shipper.
b. The retail dealer.

C.

g. Agriculture improved social habits; the forming of asso. ,
ciations for mutual defense against robbers, invaders, .
&c.
agricultur~

was at the foundation of all human improvement.
Even now, it is considered as necessary to the wellbeing of states, as well as the chief source of their
happiness. What material for reflection have we
in om own country! A hundred years ago, a mere
wildernesR, a hunting-ground for the red-man; we

'·

THOMSOY.

STREET.

f.

199

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

To those who transport merchandise.

.:

a . .Mariners, and owners of vessels.

b. Railroad companies.

c. Carters, &c.
"We have, as a first principle, laid down what we apprehend every one must allo~, - that gain, or the hope of gain, ·
is the mover of all intercourse or trade."

II. Industry.

FRANKLIN.

a. Disposes of merchandise.
b. Encourages, therefore, the fabrication of n ew goods.
c. Excites competition, thus calling forth the energies of
man.

'-1

,

200

III. Intellectual advantages.
a. Brings men together from different countries, thus causing .
an interchange of ideas, and an acquaintance with ·
each other's customs.
b. Promotes the study of languages.
c. Leads to discoveries in, 1. Geography.
2. Astronomy.
3. Natural philosophy.
4. Statistics.

98.
IDLENESS THE MOTHER OF VICE.
I. Introduction.
a. Idleness is a sort of continuous sin, as labor is an everpresent duty. Idleness is but the Devil's. opportunity
for suggesting unprofitable or dangerous thoughts.
b. Strength was given to man that he might act for th_e ;
·
promotion of his own welfare and that of society.

.

WATTS.

c. Negligence, which consists in not doing what ought to be
done.
d. Inattention, a fault belonging especially to the young, and
to such as are thoughtless, either by nature or through
their own fault.

B. Active or positive vices.
a. Man is so constituted, that, if not occupied in one way, he
is apt to be in another.
•
.
b. The attention of the idle is drawn to bad or useless books,
newspapers, &c., trash with which our country is
flooded.
c. Or he will form bad associations, from which result, 1. Drunkenness.
2. A passion for gambling.
" Look round, the wrecks of play behold, Estates dismembered, mortgaged, sold;
Their owners, now to jaits confined,
Show equal poverty of mind.''

GAY.

8. Revelrj.
4. Prodigality.

DRYDEN.

LONGFELLOW,

c. The proverb says that " He that loves idleness is in
ger of falling into many other vices."

Vices to which the idle are subject.
A.

"'Tis the voice .of the sluggard: I heard.him complain,
'You have waked me too soon; I must slumber again.'"

" Some fawning usurer does feed
With present sums the unwary spendthrift's need.''

. . Let us, then, be· up and doing,
With a heart for any fate ;
Still achieving, still pursuing,
Learn to labor and to wait."

II.

201

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

Passive or negative vices.
a. Slothfulness. The slothful never vary their pace : they · .
seem to have a physical impediment to quick motion • • ·'
b. Sluggishness.
Sluggards are brought into action with
difficulty: it seems natural for them to remain in · a ;
state _of stupor.

III. Conclusion. - Give yourselves not up to idleness,
waste not the spring-time of life in idle dalliance ;
i·ather plant good seed which will blossom in man~
hood, and bear fruit in old age.
"I will be true to my own spirit's need,
And treasure all my gifts as God's fair seed,
Implanted in my soul to blossom forth,
And bear a fruitage of immortal worth.''

202

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION.

·99.
IS EUROPE IN DANGER OF RELAPSING INTO
BARBARISM 1
I. IntToduction.

i.

Notwithstanding her smallness when compared with ·.
the remaining parts of the globe, Europe . has .· ,
attained a degree of culture never before pos- ·
sessed by a continent.
2. Some parts of Africa (Egypt, Carthage) and Asia .
(Asia Minor, Syria, the Indies, China) stood higher ·
formerly in culture, but have fallen back.

II.

May not the same dangers threaten Europe?
A.

They may.

R:asons.

a. It does not oppose the idea of possibility.
b•. History furnishes ·several examples of the decline of sin- .
gle nations (Greece, Macedonia, Italy, Spain, Portugal).
May not the same occur to all Europe?
c. History shows that the course of civilization has always
moved from east to west. America has been touched ':
by that course in a manner that now astonishes the ·
world.
,.
d. The present state of Europe.
'·
1. The similarity of several European nations to the
Greeks at the time of their decline, - a strong
.tendency to infidelity among a large portion of her
people, the great confusion in her different philosophical systems, the decline of poesy, the pedantry of the philologists, the many critical periodi- ;
cals which for the most part are imbued with the
spirit of skepticism.
2. The numerous privileges of· the nobles and others ·
at the expense · of · the peopfo; want of proper
representation, the centralization of political pow.e r, large standing armies, the growing evil of ·
monopolizing all branches of industry.

203

3. The undue influence of the State in the affairs.
of the Church, the identification of the Church
in some countries with .the State, by which the .
energies of the Church are impaired.

B.

Opposite reasons.
a. The means by which Europe was elevated to such a high
state of culture and power still exist. To these belong, 1. Her situation in the temperate zone, and her soil.
Both, it is true, supply· the wants of man, but by
his utmost exertion, mental as well as physical : by
these means his mind and body retain their state
of elasticity, whereas, in more fertile countries, man
grows effeminate, and inactive, - two main causes
of the decline of nations.
·
2. The favorable location, the extensive coasts, the
many navigable rivers.
3. Europe, for centuries, even under more unfavorable
circumstances than the present., maintained her
high position.
4. The spread of education among the masses of the
people seems to be one of the principal means of
preventing Europe from a falling-back into barbarism.
5. The growing influence of the United States will
before long produce a~ ~ntire re-organization of
her political systems.

of great events,
and is 'ripe for great changes : let us hope

III. Europe stands on the eve

that these changes may promote the progress of
the human mind, so that the European people, in
union with their American brethren, may propagate the light of Christianity and civilization all
the world over.
THE END.

\.

•

GREEN LEAF'S

G REENLEAF'S
t,

"

NEW PRIMARY ARITHMETIC,
AN EASY, OOMPREHENBIVE COURSE OP

FOR

PRIMARY

CLASSES.

MENTAL AND WRITTEN EXERCISES,
Upon the Productive Plan, for Beginners.
208 pp. 16mo. Price 50 cents.

96 pp. Price 25 Cents.

~ This new work has been prepared expressly to provide for
new educational demands. It excels : 1. In being thoroughly inductive, analytic, and practical.

fhi.s new work excels an other FrnsT LEsso:-;s in numbers :
1. In the interesting and attractive nature of the exercises.

•,'

•

2. In the judicious use of pi'ctorial illustrat-ions.
3.

In the practical methods of teaching the tables of

subtraction, &c.

4.

In the simplicity of the inductive processes.
In the number and beauty of its pictor'ial illustrations, which .

2. In combining mental and written exercises, and in applying
the same forms of analysis to both.
3. In comprehending the essentials of arithmetic, - the
Fundamental Rules, Fractions, Analysis, Percentage, and Simple

Interest, Metric

1-.~ystem

of We1'ghts and llfeasures, etc.

4. In especial adaptation to the want of pupils whose limited
opportunities require that they should learn much in the shortest
possible time.

(' lz CtJ

LDC~

5.
especially adapt it to the popular Object Method of instruction.
ti" This book is complete in itself, and, being cheap ana
6. In containing a sufficient number of easy Slate Exercises for ·>?:
oomprehensive, is, pre-eminently,
beginners.
A BOOK FOR THE TIMES.
0- In ordering call for Greenleaf's New Primary Aritl11netir.: ........-.'"'.
!l

