are full in the eye of one looking northward from the bridge, as I did this afternoon. But behind the building and at each end of it is an encompassing forest of living green, as if the enormous structure were actually reposing upon a mass of foliage. The effect is extremely pleasing to the eye.

Another conspicuous object is a brown-stone dwelling-house, standing near the river, on the east bank, and not far from the bridge. This house, like the Asylum, is embosomed in the foliage of large forest-trees, not so closely as to exclude a view of the building, but just enough to give that air of softness and repose which was remarked of the Asylum. The house is built in the style known among architects as the Norman, with a flat roof and a high square tower on one corner. The hard, angular character of the building is softened to the eye by the mass of foliage in which it seems to repose. Along the same bank, and still nearer to the bridge, are several other new buildings, with pretty Mansard roofs. On the western bank is a building standing back some distance from the river, and so unusual in its shape and appearance that I could not determine, without going nearer, whether it was a dwellinghouse or a barn.

Among the natural objects that attract the eye is a pretty island, standing midway in the river, about two miles off, apparently, and beautifully green on all sides down to the water's edge. The river itself, however, is quite as pretty as any of its surroundings. At this season of the year, particularly when swollen by recent rains, its current is broad and full; and there is sufficient descent at this point to give to the water that steady, gliding motion which is always pleasing. On the right bank, close under the bridge, was quite a large collection of row-boats, kept there apparently for pleasure-parties. Two or three lazy boatmen were lounging about, as if waiting for customers. I suppose these men keep the boats for hire. There were fifteen of these boats, all light and trimlooking, as if made for service, but none of them gay or fanciful in style.

When about half-way across the bridge, I noticed a fine echo on the other side. A dog was barking, and his barks all came distinctly repeated by the echo. The bridge does not appear to be very firmly built, as it vibrates considerably every time a vehicle of any size passes over it.

The bridge has not escaped entirely the assaults of the advertisers.

On one of the beams, near the middle, is a big placard with the inscription, "Buy your Goods at Clark and Sanderson's." This is nothing, however, to the small bridge over the canal, on the other side. That is completely covered with advertising placards. Is it right to have our streets, and fences, and buildings of every kind thus turned into an advertising medium? It seems as if the whole face of the country were becoming one big advertising sheet.

The view from the south side of the bridge is less picturesque than that from the north, and is proportionably more varied and exciting. The descent of the water becomes so great as to produce several rapids, and there are many projecting rocks, giving a very different aspect to the stream from that which it has above the bridge. A large part of Trenton lies in full view. Among the principal public buildings in sight are the State-House, the First and Third Presbyterian churches, Taylor Hall, the State-Street Methodist Church, the Court-House, the Second Presbyterian Church, and the First Baptist Church, two or three large rolling-mills, and last, but not least, the Old Trenton Bridge. This last structure is said to be a very solid one. It certainly has done good service. But it is about the meanest-looking concern one can find in a day's travel.

OTHER SUBJECTS.

1. A Visit to a Picture-Gallery.
2. A Description of a Rolling-Mill.
3. Sights at the Railroad Station.

4. A Description of the Girard College Buildings.
5. A Description of a Snow-Storm.

6. A Description of a Factory.

7. A Description of the United States Mint.

8. The View from the Chestnut-Street Bridge, Philadel phia.

9. The View from the Top of the State-House.

10. A Description of Independence Hall.

MISCELLANEOUS SUBJECTS.

In the exercises which have been given thus far, the subjects have involved, 1. Objects Simply; 2. Transactions; 3. Qualities; 4. Imaginary Subjects; 5. Personal Narratives; 6. Descriptions.

When pupils are once thoroughly familiar with the mental steps implied in these six classes of composition, they may proceed to write upon any theme of which they have a competent knowledge.

The Object. The object of the exercise, it should be remembered, is not to add to the pupil's knowledge, or even to test it, but simply to train him in the art of hunting up and setting in order the thoughts he may have on any subject, and in expressing those thoughts with rhetorical propriety. Invention in any other sense, in the sense at least of investigation for the purpose of adding to one's knowledge and scholarship, belongs, not to Rhetoric, but to general education.

Historical Narrations, though often recommended for introductory exercises, are unsuitable for that purpose. They are, of all subjects, the ones least conducive to the development of the power of Invention. So far from making the pupil inventive, they almost inevitably beget in him the habit of copying. Writing out from recollection what one has read of any historical incident may be a good exercise for the memory, but it is a very poor one for teaching composition. Writing critiques upon historical characters or events is an excellent exercise for advanced scholars, who are already versed in the 29 * 341

art of composition, and well read in the history which they undertake to criticise. But such topics should never be undertaken by beginners.

No examples are needed under this head. Instead of examples, a full list of subjects is given, which will aid the teacher in assigning, and the student in selecting, topics for compositions.

MISCELLANEOUS SUBJECTS.

8. Importance of a Habit of Clean- 24. The Character and Writings

31. Habits of Economy.
32. How Pride Displays Itself.
33. Duties to Schoolmates.
34. A Good Heart Necessary to

Enjoy the Beauties of Nature.
35. Power of Music.
36. Respect to Superiors.
37. Affability to Inferiors.
38. Importance of Perseverance.
39. Never too Old to Learn.

40. Does Climate Affect the Char

acter of People?

41. A Sail up the Hudson.
42. A Journey from New York
to San Francisco.

43. Innocent Amusements.

44. Skating.

45. The Trials of a Scholar.

46. A Mother's Influence.

62. Chaucer and His Age.

63. Aristocracy of Wealth.

64. The Invention of the Cotton
Gin.

65. The Art of Pleasing.
66. Habits of the Dog.

67. Good Effects of Ridicule.
68. Description of a Valley.
69. Habits of Courtesy.

70. Taste for Simple Pleasures. 71. The Education of the Senses. 72. Street Beggary.

73. Is there Reason to Suppose that other Planets are Inhabited?

74. On the Multiplication of Books.

75. Comparative Advantages of City and Country Life.

47. The Necessity of being Able 76. The "Fast" Man.

to Say No.

48. Dreams.

49. The Influence of Fashion.

50. Is it Expedient to Wear Mourning Apparel ?

51. Over-Anxiety.

77. Is Labor a Blessing or a Curse?

78. Should the Truth Always be Spoken ?

79. One has only to Die to be Praised.

52. Are Women more given to 80. It is Hard to Swim Against Revenge than Men?

the Stream.

53. Was it Right to Execute Ma- 81. Love Begins at Home.

jör André ?

54. Is a Lie Ever Justifiable?
55. Rome was not Built in a Day.
56. Is Childhood the Happiest
Period of Life?
57. Early Rising.

58. A New Broom Sweeps Clean.
59. Was the Fate of Sir Walter
Raleigh Deserved?

60. On Parental Indulgence. 61. Influence of Cromwell.

82. One Learns by Failing.
83. A Ride Across the Prairies.
84. Opening of the Mail.
85. The Ever-Varying Beauty of
the Clouds.

86. The Occupations of the
Farmer.

87. Live Within your Means.
88. No Pains, no Gains.

89. Poor Workmen Find Fault
with their Tools.