He came agreeably to his promise, and conducted himself suitably to the occasion. He speaks very fluently, and reads excellently; but he does not think very coherently. He behaved himself submissively, and was exceedingly careful not to give offence. They rejected the advice, and conducted themselves exceeding indiscreetly. He is a person of great abilities, and exceedingly upright: and is likely to be a very useful member of the community. The conspiracy was the more easily discovered, from its being known to many. Not being fully acquainted with the subject, he could not affirm more strongly than he did. He was so deeply impressed with the subject, that few could speak more nobly upon it. We may credit his testimony, for he says expressly, that he saw the transaction. Use a little wine for thy stomach's sake, and thy frequent infirmities. From these favourable beginnings, we may hope for a speedy and prosperous issue. He addressed several exhortations to them suitable to their circumstances. Conformable to their vehemence of thought, was their vehemence of gesture. We should implant in the minds of youth, such seeds and principles of piety and virtue, as are likely to take the earliest and deepest root. A disposition so amiable will secure universal regard. Virtues so distinguished seldom occur. 5. It is easier to build two chimneys than to maintain one. The tongue is like a race-horse; which runs the faster the less weight it carries. The pleasures of the understanding are preferable to those of the imagination, or of sense. The nightingale sings: hers is the sweetest voice in the grove. The Most High hath created us for his glory, and our own happiness. The Supreme Being is the wisest, the most powerful, and the best of beings. 6. Virtue confers supreme dignity on man; and should be his chief desire. His assertion was better founded than that of his opponent; nay, the words of the latter were not true. His work is well executed; his brother's still better; and his father's the best of all. He gave a full and sincere proof of true friendship. Or-He gave the strongest proof of warm and genuine friendship. 7. A talent of this kind would, perhaps, prove the likeliest of all to succeed. Or-prove more likely than any other to succeed. He is the stronger of the two, but not the wiser. He spoke with so much propriety, that I understood him the best of all who spoke on the subject. Or-better than any other who spoke on the subject. Eve was fairer than any of her daughters. 8. He spoke in a manner distinct enough to be heard by the whole assembly. Or-He spoke distinctly enough to be heard by the whole assembly. Thomas is equipped with a pair of new shoes, and a pair of new gloves: he is the servant of a rich old man. The first two in the row are cherry-trees, the other two are pear-trees. RULE IX. Grammar, p. 166. Exercises, p. 66. Fire, air, earth, and water, are the four elements of philosophers. Reason was given to man to control his passions. We have within us an intelligent principle, distinct from the body and from matter. Man is the noblest work of the creation. The wisest and the best men sometimes commit errors. Beware of drunkenness: it impairs the understanding; wastes the estate; destroys reputation; consumes the body; and renders a man of the brightest parts a common jest of the meanest clown. He is a much better writer than reader. The king has conferred on him the title of duke. There are some evils of life, which equally affect the prince and the people. We must act our part with constancy, though the reward of our constancy be distant. We are placed here under the trial of our virtue. Virtues like his are not easily acquired. Such qualities honour the nature of man. Purity has its seat in the heart; but extends its influence over so much of the outward conduct, as to form a great and material part of the character. A profligate man is seldom or never found to be a good husband, a good father, or a beneficent neighbour. True charity is not a meteor, which occasionally glares; but a luminary, which, in its orderly and regular course, dispenses a benignant influence. The following sentences exemplify the notes and observations under RULE IX. Grammar, p. 168. Exercises, p. 67. 1. He has been much censured for conducting himself with little attention to his business. So bold a breach of order, called for a little severity in punishing the offender. His error was accompanied with so little contrition and candid acknowledgment, that he found few persons to intercede for him. There were so many mitigating circumstances attending his misconduct, particularly that of his open confession, that he found a few friends who were disposed to interest themselves in his favour. As his misfortunes were the fruit of his own obstinacy, few persons pitied him. 2. The fear of shame, and the desire of approbation, prevent many bad actions. In this business he was influenced by a just and a generous principle. He was fired with the desire of doing something, though he knew not yet, with distinctness, either the end or the means. 3. At the worst, I could but incur a gentle reprimand. At the best, his gift was but a poor offering, when we consider his estate. RULE X. Grammar, p. 169. Exercises, p. 67. My ancestor's virtue is not mine. His brother's offence will not condemn him. Lord. A mother's tenderness and a father's care, are nature's gifts for man's advantage. A man's manners frequently influence his fortune. Wisdom's precepts form the good man's interest and happiness. They slew Varus, him that was mentioned before. They slew Varus, who was he that I mentioned before. The following examples are adapted to the notes and observations under RULE X. Grammar, p. 170. Exercises, p. 63. 1. It was the men, women, and children's lot, to suffer great calamities. Or-It was the lot of, &c. Peter, John, and Andrew's occupation, was that of fishermen. Or-The occupation of Peter, &c. This measure gained the king's, as well as the people's approbation. Not only the counsel and attorney's, but the judge's, opinion also favoured his cause. Or-counsel and attorney's opinion, but the judge's also, &c. 2. And he cast himself down at Jesus's feet. 3. They very justly condemned the senseless and extravagant conduct of the Prodigal, as he was called. They implicitly obeyed the imperious mandates of him whom they called their protector. 4. I bought the knives at Johnson's, the cutler. * The silk was purchased at Brown's the mercer and haberdasher. The tent of lord Feversham the general. This palace had been the grand sultan Mahomet's. I will not for David thy father's sake. He took refuge at the governor's, the king's representative. Whose works are these? They are Cicero's, the most eloquent of men. E |