of life which could not be foreseen,) and sometimes to the wisest and best concerted plans.

Without some degree of patience exercised under injuries, (as offence and retaliations would succeed to one another in endless train,) human life would be rendered a state of perpetual hostility.

Never delay till to-morrow, (for to-morrow is not yours'; and though you should live to enjoy it, you must not overload it with a burden not its own,) what reason and conscience tell you ought to be performed to-day.

We must not imagine that there is, in true religion, any thing which, overcasts the mind with sullen gloom and melancholy austerity, (for false ideas may be entertained of religion, as false and imperfect conceptions of virtue have often prevailed in the world,) or which derogates from that esteem which men are generally disposed to yield to exemplary virtues.

CHAP. III.

Containing sentences, in which the rules for promoiing the Strength of a sentence are violated. Grammar, p. 271. Key, p. 129.

SECT. I.

The first rule for promoting the strength of a sentence, is, to prune it of all redundant words and mem

bers.

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.

If I mistake not, I think he is improved, both in knowledge and behaviour.

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.

I intend to make use of these words in the thread of my following speculations, that the reader may conceive rightly what is the subject upon which I proceed.

Commend me to an argument that, like a flail, there is no fence against it.

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.

However clear and obvious the conduct which he ought to have pursued, he had not courage and resolution to set about it.

I was much moved on this occasion, and left the place full of a great many serious reflections.

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.

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.

Although he was closely occupied with the affairs of the nation, nevertheless he did not neglect the concerns of his

friends

Whereas, on the other hand, supposing that secrecy had been enjoined, his conduct was very culpable.

Less capacity is required for this business, but more time is necessary.

He did not mention Leonora, nor that her father was dead. 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.

I shall, in the first place, begin with remarking the defects, and shall then proceed afterwards to describe the excellencies, of this plan of education.

Numberless orders of beings, which are to us unknown, people the wide extent of the universe.

His extraordinary beauty was such, that it struck observers with admiration.

Thought and language act and re-act upon each other mutually.

Their interests were dependent upon, and inseparably connected with each other.

While you employ all the circumspection and vigilance which reason can suggest, let your prayers, at the same time, continually ascend to heaven for support and aid.

SECT. II.

The second rule for promoting the strength of a sentence, is, to attend particularly to the use of copulatives, relatives, and all the particles employed for transition and connexion.

Grammar, p. 274. Key, p. 131.

The enemy said, I will pursue, and I will overtake, and I will divide the spoil.

While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest; cold, heat, summer, winter, day and night, shall not cease.

A man should endeavour to make the sphere of his innocent pleasures as wide as possible, that he may retire into them with safety, and find in them such satisfaction as a wise man would not blush to take. Of this nature are those of imagination.

The army was composed of Grecians, Carians, Lycians, Pamphylians, and Phrygians.

The body of this animal was strong, and proportionable, and beautiful.

There is nothing which promotes knowledge more than steady application, and a habit of observation.

Though virtue borrows nó assistance from, yet it may often be accompanied by, the advantages of fortune.

The knowledge he has acquired, and the habits of application he possesses, will probably render him very useful. Their idleness, and their luxury and pleasures, their criminal deeds, and their immoderate passions, and their timidity and baseness of mind, have dejected them to such a degree, as to make them weary of life.

I was greatly affected, insomuch that I was obliged to leave the place, notwithstanding that my assistance has been pressingly solicited.

I strenuously opposed those measures, and it was not in my power to prevent them.

I yielded to his solicitations, whilst I perceived the necessity of doing so.

For the wisest purposes, Providence has designed our state to be chequered with pleasure and pain. In this manner let us receive it, and make the best of what is appointed to be our lot.

In the time of prosperity, he had stored his mind with useful knowledge, with good principles, and virtuous dispositions. And therefore they remain entire, when the days of trouble come.

He had made considerable advances in knowledge, but he was very young, and laboured under several disadvantages. SECT. III.

The third rule for promoting the strength of a sentence, is, to dispose of the capital word, or words, so that they may make the greatest impression.

Grammar, p. 277. Key, p. 132.

I HAVE Considered the subject with a good deal of attention, upon which I was desired to communicate my thoughts. Whether a choice altogether unexceptionable has, in any country, been made, seems doubtful.

Let us endeavour to establish to ourselves an interest in Him, who holds the reins of the whole creation in his hands. Virgil, who has cast the whole system of platonic philosophy, so far as it relates to the soul of man, into beautiful allegories, in the sixth book of his Eneid, gives us the punishment, &c.

And Philip the fourth was obliged at last, to conclude a peace, on terms repugnant to his inclination, to that of his

people, to the interest of Spain, and to that of all Europe, in the Pyrenean treaty.

It appears that there are, by a late calculation, upwards of fifteen millions of inhabitants, in Great Britain and Ireland.. And although persons of a virtuous and learned education, may be, and too often are drawn by the temptations of youth, and the opportunities of a large fortune, into some irregularities, when they come forward into the great world, it is ever with reluctance and compunction of mind, because their bias to virtue still continues.

Were instruction an essential circumstance in epic poetry, I doubt whether a single instance could be given of this species of composition, in any language..

Some of our most eminent writers have made use of this platonic notion, as far as it regards the subsistence of our affections after death, with great beauty and strength of

reason.

Men of the best sense have been touched, more or less, with these groundless horrors and presages of futurity, upon surveying the most indifferent works of nature.

He that cometh in the name of the Lord, is blessed. Every one that puts on the appearance of goodness, is not good.

And Elias with Moses appeared to them.

Where are your fathers? and do the prophets live forever. We came to our journey's end at last with no small difficulty, after much fatigue, through deep roads and bad weather.

Virgil has justly contested with Homer, the praise of judgment, but his invention remains yet unrivalled.

Let us employ our criticism on ourselves, instead of being critics on others.

Let us implore superior assistance, for enabling us to act well our own part, leaving others to be judged by Him who searcheth the heart.

The vehemence of passion, after it has exercised its ty rannical sway for a while, may subside by degrees.

This fallacious art debars us from enjoying life, instead of lengthening it.

Indulging ourselves in imaginary enjoyments, often deprives us of real ones.

How will that nobleman be able to conduct himself,