Exercise 92.—Lesson 92.—Pars. 638 to 642.—p. 227.

Precision.

1. Questions.-638 to 642. Define Precision of Language. Name the first fault to be avoided. What is Tautology? Give some instances. Name the second fault to be avoided. Explain a Pleonasm. Give instances with the corrections. When is a certain species of Pleonasm allowable? Give instances. Show how the rule "Never introduce words which convey more than what was intended" is violated. Give instances and the corrections. Explain the origin and meaning of Synonyms. Show the use of Synonyms. When are Synonyms advantageously employed? Give instances.

2. Exercises to be Written.-639. Violations of Rule 1 to be corrected. It is six months ago, since I paid a visit to my relations. Suspend your censure so long, till your judgment on the subject can be wisely formed. The reason why he acted in the manner he did, was not fully explained. If I were to give a reason for their looking so well, it would be because they rise early. Those two boys appear to be both equal in capacity. Whenever he sees me, he always inquires concerning his friends. The reason of his conduct will be accounted for in the conclusion of this narrative. I hope this is the last time that I shall ever act so imprudently.

The reason of his sudden departure, was on account of the case not admitting of delay. The people gained nothing farther by this step, but only to suspend their misery. I have here supposed that the reader is acquainted with that great modern discovery, which is, at present, universally acknowledged by all the inquirers into natural philosophy. There are few words in the English language which are employed in a more loose and uncircumscribed sense, than those of the fancy and the imagination. How many are there, by whom these tidings of good news were never heard! These points have been illustrated in so plain and evident a manner, that the perusal of the book has given me pleasure and satisfaction.

640. Violations of Rule 2.-If I mistake not I think he is improved both in knowledge and behaviour. His servants ye are to whom ye obey. I intend to make use of these words in the thread of my following speculations.

641. Violations of Rule 3.-This great politician desisted from, and renounced his designs, when he found them impracticable. He was of so high and independent a spirit, that he abhorred and detested being in debt. The human body may be divided into the head, trunk, limbs, and vitals. His end soon approached, and he died with great courage and fortitude. He was a man of so much pride and vanity, that he despised the sentiments of others. Poverty induces and cherishes dependence; and dependence strengthens and increases corruption. This man on all occasions, treated his inferiors with great haughtiness and disdain. There can be no regularity or order in the life and conduct of that man, who does not give and allot a due share of his time to retirement and reflection.

Exercise 93 a.-Lesson 93.-Pars. 643, 644.-p. 228.

Synonymous Words.

Questions.-643. Distinguish the Synonyms in the following series:

1. Abandon, forsake, relinquish,

desert, give up, leave, quit.

2. Abdicate, renounce, resign. 3. Abate, diminish,

lessen, relax, impair.

Exercise 93 b.—Lesson 93.—Par. 643.—p. 233.

Synonyms continued.

1. Questions.-643. Distinguish the Synonyms in the following series :

Quote the advice given to the student with regard to expression in general.

2. Exercises to be answered in Writing.-Violations to be corrected. He is our mutual benefactor, and deserves our respect and obedience. Galileo discovered the telescope; Hervey invented the circulation of the blood. A fop is a risible character in every one's view but his own. An action that excites laughter, without any mixture of contempt, may be called a ridiculous action. It is difficult for him to speak three sentences together. The negligence of timely precaution was the cause of this great loss. All the sophism which has been employed, cannot obscure so plain a truth.

Promiscuous Exercises on Precision.

1. However clear and manifest the conduct which he ought to have pursued, he had not courage and resolution to set about it. They are of those that rebel against the light: they know not the ways thereof, nor abide in the paths thereof. This measure may afford some profit, and furnish some amusement. Although he was closely occupied with the affairs of the nation, nevertheless he did not neglect the concerns of his friends. Less capacity is required for this business, but more time is necessary.

2. Commend me to an argument that, like a flail, there is no fence against it. Were he a gentleman he would confess his mistake. He has improved his errors and corrected his life. Whereas, on the other hand, supposing that secrecy had been enjoined, his conduct was very culpable. Such equivocal and ambiguous expressions mark a formed intention to deceive and abuse us. The combatants encountered each other with such rage, that being eager only to assail and thoughtless of making any defence, they both fell dead upon the field together.

3. By a multiplicity and variety of words, the thoughts and sentiments are not set off and accommodated; but, like David dressed out and equipped in Saul's armour, they are encumbered and oppressed. I shall, in the first place, begin with remarking the defects, and shall then proceed afterwards to describe the excellence of this plan of education. His cheerful happy temper, remote from discontent, keeps up a kind of daylight in his mind, excludes every gloomy prospect, and fills it with a steady and perpetual serenity.

Exercise 93 c.

Promiscuous Exercises on Purity, Propriety, Precision.

Directions.-1. Correct the Errors in writing. 2. Underline the word rectified, and place over it the numeral of the rule violated.

1. It is difficult to discover the spirit and intendment of some laws. The disposition which he exhibited was both unnatural and incomfortable. The gardens were void of simplicity and elegance; and exhibited much that was glaring and bizarre. He exposed himself so much amongst the people, that he had like to have gotten one or two broken heads. If his education was but

a little taken care of, he might be very useful amongst his neighbours. He is impressed with a true sense of that function, when chosen from a regard to the interests of piety and virtue. True wit is nature dressed to advantage; and yet some works have more wit than does them good. He will be always with you, to support and comfort you, and in some measure to succeed your labours; and he will also be with all his faithful ministers, who shall succeed you in his service. It has been said, that not only Jesuits can equivocate.

2. He was willing to spend a hundred or two pounds rather than be enslaved. By the slavish disposition of the senate and people of Rome, under the emperors, the wit and eloquence of the age were wholly turned into panegyric. The refreshment came in seasonably, before they were laid down to rest. We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen. They shall flee as the eagle that hasteth to eat. The wicked fly when no man pursueth; but the righteous are bold as a lion.

3.

A creature of a more exalted kind

Was wanting yet, and then was man design'd.

4. He died with violence; for he was killed by a sword. He nad scarcely taken the medicine, than he began to feel himself relieved. No place and no object appear to him void of beauty. When we fall into a person's conversation, the first thing we should consider is, the intention of it. Philip found an obstacle to the managing of the Athenians, from the nature of their dispositions; but the eloquence of Demosthenes was the greatest difficulty in his designs. A hermit is rigorous in his life; a judge, austere in his sentences.

5. A candid man avows his mistake, and is forgiven; a patriot acknowledges his opposition to a bad minister, and is applauded. We have enlarged our family and expenses: and increased our garden and fruit orchard. By proper reflection, we may be taught to mend what is erroneous and defective. The good man is not overcome by disappointment, when that which is mortal passes away; when that which is mutable dies; and when that which he knew to be transient, begins to change.

STRUCTURE OF SENTENCES.

Exercise 94 α.—Lesson 94.-Pars. 645 to 653.—p. 235. Structure of Sentences.

1. Questions.-645 to 649. Define a Periodic Sentence. Quote and explain the example. Define a Loose Sentence. Quote and explain the example. State the advantages of the Periodic Sentence, and to what kind of style this is most suitable. State the characteristics of the Loose Sentence, and in what species of Composition it ought to predominate. Show the necessity of variety in the structure of sentences. What is essential in the structure of all sentences ?

Clearness.

650 to 653. Say what Clearness in the structure of sentences requires. State how Relatives and other Connectives should be placed in a sentence, Give the example and explanation. How should words be placed which express things that have an intimate connection with each other? Give the example and correction. How should words be placed that have an obvious relation to each other in point of time, &c. ? Give the example.

2. Exercises to be corrected in Writing.—Violations of Rule 1. -651. This kind of wit was very much in vogue among our countrymen, about an age or two ago, who did not practise it for any oblique reason, but purely for the sake of being witty. Hence the impossibility appears, that an undertaking managed so, should prove successful. May not we here say with the poet, that virtue is its own reward? Had he died before, would not then this art have been wholly unknown? These are the master's rules, who must be obeyed. They attacked Northumberland's house, whom they put to death. He laboured to involve his minister in ruin, who had been the author of it. It is true what he says, but it is not applicable to the point. Not to exasperate him, I only spoke a very few words. The works of art receive a great advantage, from the resemblance which they have to those of nature, because here the similitude is not only pleasant, but the pattern is perfect. It may be proper to give some account of those practices, anciently used on such occasions, and only discontinued through the neglect and degeneracy of later times. If Louis XIV. was not the greatest king, he was the best actor of majesty, at least, that ever filled a throne. By greatness, I do not only mean the bulk of any single object, but the largeness of a whole view. There will be found a million of creatures in human figure, throughout this kingdom, whose whole subsistence, &c. Thus I have fairly given you my own opinion, as well as that of a great majority of both houses here, relating to this weighty affair; upon which I am confident you may securely reckon.

652. Violations of Rule 2.-The embarrassments of the artificers rendered the progress very slow of the work. He found the place replete with wonders, of which he proposed to solace