Exercise 87 i.

Ex. 8. "Now from the golden east, the Zephyrs borne,
Proclaim'd with balmy gales the approach of morn;
And fair Aurora deck'd her radiant head
With roses, cropt in Eden's flowery bed."

9. "Still o'er those scenes my memory wakes,
And fondly broods with miser care;
Time but the impression stronger makes,
As streams their channels deeper wear."

10. "Pleasures are like poppies spread,

You seize the flower-its bloom is shed."

11. "How sweet the moonlight sleeps upon the bank!
Here will we sit, and let the sounds of music
Creep in our ears. Soft stillness and the night
Become the touches of sweet harmony."

12. "Child of the Sun, refulgent Summer, comes,

In pride of youth, and felt through Nature's depth :
He comes, attended by the sultry hours,
And ever-fanning breezes, on his way;

While, from his ardent look, the turning Spring
Averts her blushful face, and earth and skies,
All smiling, to his hot dominion leaves."

Exercise 87 j.

13. "Oh, that those lips had language! Life has pass'd With me but roughly since I heard thee last; Those lips are thine-thy own sweet smile I see, The same that oft in childhood solac'd me; Voice only fails, else how distinct they say, 'Grieve not, my child; chase all thy fears away!' The meek intelligence of those dear eyes, (Blest be the heart that can immortalize, The art that baffles Time's tyrannic claim To quench it,) here shines on me still the same."

14. "Knowledge and Wisdom, far from being one,
Have oft-times no connection. Knowledge dwells
In heads replete with thoughts of other men ;
Wisdom, in minds attentive to their own.
Knowledge, a rude, unprofitable mass,

The mere materials with which Wisdom builds,
Till smooth'd, and squar'd, and fitted to its place,
Does but encumber whom it seems to enrich.
Knowledge is proud that he has learn'd so much;
Wisdom is humble that he knows no more."

Exercise 87 k.

Ex. 15. "Like April morning clouds, that pass
With varying shadows o'er the grass,
And imitate, on field and furrow,
Life's chequer'd scene of joy and sorrow
Like streamlet of the mountain north,
Now in a torrent racing forth,

Now winding slow its silver train,
And almost slumbering on the plain;
Like breezes of the autumn day,
Whose voice inconstant dies away,
And ever swells again as fast,

When the ear deems its murmurs past;
Thus various, my romantic theme,

Flits, winds, or sinks, a morning dream."

16. "Orpheus' lute was strung with poets' sinews,
Whose golden touch could soften steel and stones,
Make tigers tame, and huge leviathans forsake
Unsounded deeps to dance on sands."

Exercise 87 1.

17: "Can storied urn, or animated bust,
Back to its mansion call the fleeting breath?
Can honour's voice provoke the silent dust,
Or flattery soothe the dull cold ear of death?"

18. "O, unexpected stroke, worse than of death!

Must I thus leave thee, Paradise? Thus leave
Thee, native soil; these happy walks and shades,
Fit haunt of Gods!"

19. "Like a coy maiden, Ease, when courted most
Farthest retires- —an idol, at whose shrine

Who oftenest sacrifice are favoured least."

20. "Lord, what is man, that he employs thy care?
Dost Thou for him this little planet tread ?
For him in human weakness veil Thy head?
And deign for him to quit th' empyreal sky,
For him to weep, to suffer, and to die?"

VERBAL CRITICISM.

Exercise 88.-LESSON 88.-p. 184.

Directions. 1. Study the Lesson in the Grammar. 2. Ans. Quest.

Usage, the Law of Language.

585. VERBAL CRITICISM is the art of judging, by determinate principles, of the correctness or incorrectness of a writer's expression, both with regard to the choice and arrangement of his words and sentences.

586. LITERARY CRITICISM extends to the examination both of thought and taste, as well as expression.

588. Language is the utterance of intelligible sounds, and forms the medium by which the mind communicates its thoughts. It is either articulate or inarticulate. The former is confined to man, the latter is common to other animals as well as to man.

589. Inarticulate language consists of those instinctive sounds or cries by which animals express their sensations and desires; as, the neighing of the horse, the barking of the dog, &c.

590. Articulate language is that system of expression which is composed of simple sounds, variously modified by the organs of speech, and combined into words as signs of our ideas.

591. Words, though closely connected by frequent use with the things signified, have no natural affinity with them. Thus, the word fire might have denominated the substance which we call ice, and the word ice might have signified fire, &c. It is, therefore, custom only, or the tacit consent of a people, that affixes to certain things a certain word or sound by which it may be known. 592. We learn from the Scriptures that Adam named all creatures; hence we infer that language must have been the gift of heaven. 593. Articulate language is either oral or written. Oral language is the expression of our ideas by intelligible sounds or words. Written language is the representation of significant sounds by letters or characters.

As language is composed of arbitrary words derived from various sources, and subject to numerous modifications and combinations, the necessity of uniformity of expression, in order to be accurately understood, would naturally suggest itself to every reflecting mind. Hence we find among the Greeks and Romans, attention was early paid to a systematic arrangement of those modes of expression which seemed best calculated to convey the meaning intended. The system which professes to unfold and illustrate the rules and principles by which uniformity or accuracy of expression is secured is called Grammar. Those principles which are applicable to all languages constitute what is termed

Universal Grammar; while those which are confined to any one language are denominated Particular Grammar.

593. A Rule, in Grammar, is an established mode or form to which a large number of particular things is subject, either in inflection, concord, position, &c.; thus, it is a rule in English that the plural of nouns should be formed by adding s to the singular; as, book, books.

596. An Exception from a rule is a deviation from the mode observed by the larger collection; thus, the plural of beau is formed by adding x instead of s; as, beaux; because it is thus formed in French, from which language it is derived.

597. Both the rules and exceptions of a language must have obtained the sanction of established, or, as it is generally denominated, good usage; and this usage must be reputable, national, and present.

598. By reputable usage is meant that mode of expression which has been adopted by authors distinguished for combining extensive knowledge with the talent of communicating it.

599. These authors may sometimes differ from one another as to certain modes of expression; nay, the same author may, perhaps, be inconsistent with him. self; but these discrepancies will be carefully noted and exposed by the judicious critic or grammarian; and, thus, irregularities will be avoided.

600. This usage must, in the second place, be national;· not confined to this or that province, but must form the language of the nation, and be every where intelligible.

601. In the third place this usage must be present.

602. The usages of written, rather than of oral language, determine the rules of Grammar; because the former exhibit not only present, but national and reputable usage.

Questions. Explain Verbal Criticism. What is Language? What is meant by inarticulate language?- by articulate language?- the organs of speech? Have words any natural affinity with the things signified? Illustrate this. State the origin of language. What is oral language?-written language? Show the utility of grammar. What is meant by universal, and what by particular grammar? What is meant by a rule?-an exception? What sanction must rules and exceptions have obtained before they are considered obligatory? Explain reputable usage — national-aud present. What usages determine the rules of grammar? Why? Mention some words that are imitations of sounds. State the influence which conversation has on language.

Exercise 89.- LESSON 89.-p. 188.

Directions. 1. Study the Lesson from the Grammar. 2. Ans. Quest.

Canons of Criticism.

603. As Good Usage is not always uniform in its decisions, unquestionable authorities being found for different modes of expression, it has been found desirable to draw up certain Canons or Rules of Criticism, by which the student will be enabled to decide to which mode of expression the preference is due.

Canons to determine the choice of words; —

604. Canon 1. When usage is divided, as to any particular words or phrases, and when one of the expressions is susceptible of a different meaning, while the other admits only one significa tion, the expression which is strictly univocal should be preferred; thus, "To speak contemptuously of a person," is better than " to speak contemptibly," as the latter term signifies that the manner of speaking deserved contempt.

605. Canon 2. In doubtful cases, analogy should be regarded; thus, contemporary is better than cotemporary; con being used before a consonant, and co before a vowel.

606. Canon 3. When expressions are in other respects equal, that should be preferred which is most agreeable to the ear.

607. Canon 4. When none of the preceding Rules takes place, regard should be had to simplicity. On this ground, accept, approve, admit, are preferable to accept of, approve of, admit of.

Canons to determine the disuse or rejection of words or phrases ;— 608. Though no expression or mode of speech which is not sanctioned by usage can be justified, we must not hence suppose that every phraseology sanctioned by usage is to be retained. In such cases custom may be properly checked by criticism, the province of which is, not only to remonstrate against the introduction of any word or phraseology which may be either unnecessary or contrary to analogy, but also to exclude whatever is reprehensible, though in general use.

609. Canon 1. a. All words and phrases particularly harsh, and not absolutely necessary, should be dismissed; as unsuccessfulness, wrongheadedness.

b. A word is necessary, when there are no synonymous words, in the event of dismission, to supply its place. 610. The following Criteria will enable the student to determine what words are considered objectionable:

Criterion 1. Terms composed of words already compounded, the several parts of which are not easily united; such as, shame-faced-ness, wrong-headed-ness. Criterion 2. When a word is so formed and accented as to render it of difficult utterance; such as primarily, peremptorily.

Criterion 3. A short or unaccented syllable repeated at the end of a word is always disagreeable, and should therefore be avoided; as, holily, sillily.

611. Canon 2. When the Etymology plainly points to a different signification from what the word bears, propriety and simplicity require its dismission. Thus, the word beholden taken for obliged, and the word to unloose for to loose or untie, should be rejected.

612. Canon 3. When words become obsolete, or are never used except in particular phrases, they should be rejected; as they give the style an air of vulgarity, while their general disuse renders them obscure.

613. Canon 4. All words and phrases which, analysed grammatically, include a solecism, should be dismissed; as, "I had rather go." for, "I would rather go."