ADVERTISEMENT. THE want of a system of Rhetorick upon a concise plan, and at an easy price, will, it is presumed, render this little volume acceptable to the publick. To collect knowledge, which is scattered over a wide extent, into a small compass, if it has not the merit of originality, has at least the advantage of being useful. Many, who are terrified at the idea of travelling over a ponderous volume in search of information, will yet set out on a short journey in pursuit of science with alacrity and profit. Those for whom the following Essays are principally intended, will derive peculiar benefit from the brevity with which they are conveyed. To youth, who are engaged in the rudiments of learning; whose time and attention must be occupied by a variety of subjects, every branch of science should be rendered as concise as possible. Hence the attention is not fatigued, nor the memory overloaded. That a knowledge of Rhetorick forms a very material part of the education of a polite scholar must be universally allowed. Any attempt, therefore, however imperfect, to make so useful an art more gener. ally known, has claim to that praise which is the reward of good intention. With this the Editor will be sufficiently satisfied; since being serviceable to oth ers is the most agreeable method of becoming contented with ourselves. Conduct of a Discourse in all its Parts. Introduc- tion, Division, Narration, and Explication INTRODUCTION. A PROPER acquaintance with the circle of Liberal Arts is requifite to the study of Rhetorick and Belles Lettres. To extend the knowledge of them must be the first care of those, who wish either to write with reputation, or fo to express themselves in publick, as to command attention. Among the ancients it was an effential principle, that the orator ought to be converfant in every department of learning. No art indeed can be contrived which can ftamp inerit on a composition, rich or splendid in expreffion, but barren or erroneous in fentiment. Oratory, it is true, has often been difgraced by attempts to establish a falfe criterion of its value. Writers have endeavoured to fupply want of matter by graces of compofition; and courted the temporary applaufe of the ignorant, inftead of the lafting approbation of the difcerning. But fuch impofture must be fhort and tranfitory. The body and substance of any valuable compofition must be formed of knowledge and fcience. Rhetorick completes the ftructure, and adds the polifh; but firm and folid bodies only are able to receive it. |