Exercise 16. Our pleasures are purer, when consecrated by nations, and cherished by the greatest genii among men.

The negligence of this leaves us exposed to an uncommon levity in our usual conversation.

A letter, relative to certain calumnies and misrepresentations, which have appeared in the Edinburgh Review, with an exposition of the ignorance of the new critical junto.

To engage a private tutor for a single pupil is, perhaps, of all others, the least eligible mode of giving literary instruction.

But you are too wise to propose to yourselves an object, inadequate to your strength.

It was due, perhaps, more to the ignorance of the scholars, than to the knowledge of the masters.

No man had ever less friends, and more enemies.

He has wit enough to make him a pleasant companion, was it polished by good manners.

They form a procession to proceed the palanquin of the ambassador.

Without having attended to this, we will be at a loss in understanding several passages in the classics.

It would be injurious to his character, to suppose, that he would demean himself so far, as to be concerned in those anonymous pamphlets.

In order to have this project reduced to practice, there seems to want nothing more, than to put them in mind of our plan.

Exercise 100. - LESSON 100. -- p. 223.

Sequence of Sentences.

Directions. 1. Study the Lesson. 2. Answer the Questions.

Questions.

695. How is a Composition divided? How are Paragraphs separated? What sentences must each paragraph contain ? 696. Quote the General Rule for the Sequence of Sentences.-697. Quote the Rule for the Connection of Sen

tences.

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Different Kinds of Style.

698. Name the heads under which Style may be considered. STYLE WITH RESPECT TO ARGUMENT.-700. Define the Forcible Style. Describe the arguments employed in this style. 701. Define the Vehement Style,—the Feeble Style, -the Languid Style.

STYLE WITH REGARD TO NUMBER OF WORDS. 704. Explain the Concise Style. How in this Style is Ornament introduced?-the Sentences constructed?-705. Describe the Diffuse Style.-706. When may the Concise Style be employed? when the Diffuse?

STYLE WITH REGARD TO ORNAMENT.-707. Name the kinds comprised under this head.-708. Describe the Dry Style. Under what circumstances only is this style tolerable ? - 709. Describe the Plain Style. In what respects superior to the Dry Style?-710. Describe the Neat Style. In a neat style what attention is paid to the choice of words?—the structure of sentences? the figures employed? How is this style always regarded? 711. Describe the Elegant or Graceful Style. What is said of the words employed in this style?—the structure of sentences? -the thoughts, metaphors, &c. ?-712. Describe the Florid Style.

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STYLE WITH REGARD TO STRUCTURE OF THE SENTENCES.— 713. Name the kinds included under this head. - 714. Describe the Idiomatic Style. How should this be varied?-715. Describe the Laboured Style. Mention its defects in construction, &c.· 716. Describe the Natural Style. Explain the term Naturalness. To what subjects is this style adapted?-714. Describe the Elevated Style. What is said of the sentences employed?-the thoughts?-718. Describe the Dignified Style. What is said of the Ornaments employed?

Recap. Directions on Expression and Composition.

Directions. 1. Study the Lesson. 2. Answer the Questions. Questions.719. What forms the proper foundation for all real advancement in Composition? What results from only a partial knowledge of the rules? When only will rules influence our expression ? 720. In what manner are models for imitation to be studied?-721. What is said of the practice of Composition? What kind of exercises is reprobated? At what object should we chiefly aim with the earlier exercises?

Hints preparatory to Original Composition.-722. Before attempting to write, what is the first object at which the student should aim? By what means will a degree of interest be excited? During the Act of Composition. 723. What plan is recommended to be followed during the act of Composition ? What plan to be pursued after you have finished?-724. Enumerate the six particulars to which the attention should be directed in writing.

725. What plan should be pursued in revising your Composition.

Directions for Studying Style.

726. State the plan recommended with respect to the meaning, -the arguments — descriptive pieces. - What is said of the order of the sentiments?-727. What observations are made with regard to the choice of words?—the number of words?

728. Quote the observations on the structure of sentences, position of clauses, — cadence, — sequence,· - connection. 729. Quote the observations with regard to the Ornament employed.

Specimen 1.

SPECIMENS OF STYLE.

The Means of Strengthening Faith.— ADDISON. Exercise 102.-LESSON 102.- p. 231.

In studying this Specimen the following Mode must be adopted:

1. Enumerate the leading points, sentiments, or principles which the Author appears desirous of developing or enforcing.

2. a. State the kind of Arguments which he adopts to establish his position; -or the particulars which he selects for the exposition and illustration of the subject.

b. Notice the order in which the arguments, facts, or senti

ments, are introduced, whether easy and natural, or abrupt and irregular. -c. To what class does the Specimen belong?

3. a. Notice the choice of words, whether Saxon or otherwise. b. The number of words, and what impression is produced by this. -c. State the class.

4. Notice the Structure of sentences, whether idiomatic and natural, or laboured and artificial ;· the position of the clauses; -cadence · sequence — and connection of the sentences. Classify the specimen.

5. State the degree of Ornament employed, and the advantages gained by this mode.

6. Reproduce the specimen from recollection; and institute a comparison between the two.

In studying this Lesson follow the Directions given under Exercise 102.

Spec. 3.-A Thunder Storm in the Highlands. — PROF. WILSON. Exercise 104.- LESSON 104.- p. 235.

Directions for studying this Specimen the same as given in Exercise 102.

Specimen 4.- Seriousness in Religion indispensable. — PALEY.

Directions for studying this Specimen the same as given in Exercise 102.

Spec. 5.-First Landing of Columbus in the New World.—IRVING. Exercise 106.-LESSON 106.- p. 238.

Directions for studying this Specimen the same as Exercise

102.

Specimen 6. Inefficacy of Genius without Learning - DR. JOHNSON.

Exercise 107.- LESSON 107.

- p. 240.

Directions for studying this Specimen the same as Exercise

I. On the Attainment of Knowledge.

1. Habits which obstruct Knowledge. p. 243.

1. First Obstacle,— pursuit of too many subjects.—Show the disadvantages of pursuing many objects at once. Adduce an evidence of wisdom. What plan will render our progress certain ? What mode have eminent men adopted?

2. Second Obstacle, a multiplicity of books.-Why is an extensive library objectionable to a young student? What kind of knowledge and habits ought to be cultivated? When are periodicals advantageous?-when detrimental ?

State the disadvantages of possessing two works on the same subject.

3. Third Obstacle,— hurrying through an author. - Show the disadvantages of proceeding too quickly in your studies. Into what errors do rapid readers fall? What are the essentials for gaining real knowledge?

4. Fourth Obstacle, changing the books or object of pursuit. Point out the folly of changing the books. To what may individuals of this class be compared ?

What has frequently deterred some persons from being successful? What plan is recommended when unable to answer any objection? To what is want of success frequently attributable? Upon what do great attainments frequently depend? What is said of energy of mind?

5. Fifth Obstacle,- desultory study. ficial?

When is variety benewhen injurious? What is said of the temperate application of the mind?

2. Habits which contribute to advance Knowledge. p. 246.

7. First Auxiliary, a plan of study. In forming his plan, what should the student take into account? What course is recommended to self-instructors? State the advantages of beginning at the Elements. What is said of preparatory training? State the disadvantages of commencing with difficult studies. What principle is necessary for success? What erroneous views must be rejected? Upon what does high excellence depend? What is the crowning attribute of real genius? What will true genius obey?—what will it reject? Show the folly of rejecting proper restraint. Of what is Art the manifestation ? 8. Second Requisite, — an undivided attention. - Point out the disadvantages of allowing the thoughts to wander. What is the