KEY ΤΟ RUDIMENTS OF ENGLISH COMPOSITION. PART I. SECTION I-SPELLING. 1. CAPITAL LETTERS. Exercise 1. Rudiments, p. 10. I. The love of praise should be kept under proper subordination to the principle of duty. In itself, it is a useful motive to action; but when allowed to extend its influence too far, it corrupts the whole character. To be entirely destitute of it, is a defect; to be governed by it, is depravity. How many clear marks of benevolent intention appear everywhere around us! What a profusion of beauty and ornament is poured forth in the face of nature! What a magnificent spectacle presented to the view of man! What a supply contrived for his wants! II. Restless mortals toil for nought; Never wanders. Mortals, try; III. An ancient heathen king being asked what things he thought most proper for boys to learn, answered: “Those which they ought to practise, when they come to be men." A wiser than this heathen monarch has taught the same sentiment: "Train up a child in the way he should go, and, when he is old, he will not depart from it." IV. There lives and works A soul in all things, and that soul is God. These are thy glorious works, Parent of good! V. Our fields are covered with herbs from Holland, and roots from Germany; with Flemish farming, and Swedish turnips; our hills with forests of the firs of Norway.' The chestnut and the poplar of the south of Europe adorn our lawns, and below them flourish shrubs and flowers, from every clime, in great profusion. Arabia improves our horses, China our pigs, North America our poultry, and Spain our sheep. VI. We left our home on Monday morning, arrived at Liverpool on Tuesday, went to Manchester, by the railway, on Wednesday, and reached this place on Thursday evening, Blessed that eve! The Sabbath's harbinger, when, all complete, The VII. The first monarch of Great Britain and Ireland, after the Revolution of 1688, was William the Third. reign of his successor, Queen Anne, was rendered remarkable by the victories of the Duke of Marlborough on the continent of Europe, and the Union between England and Scotland. VIII. Bacon, the author of " The Advancement of Learning," says in his " Essay," entitled "Of Studies," that Reading maketh a full man, conference a ready man, and writing an exact man." When the good doctor is going out to dinner, he always reads Selden's "Table Talk" for an hour or two before starting. IX. I am monarch of all I survey, My right there is none to dispute; X. O Solitude! where are the charms Than reign in this horrible place. The hope of future happiness is a perpetual source of consolation to good men. Under trouble, it soothes their minds; amidst temptation, it supports their virtue; and, in their dying moments, it enables them to say, "O Death! where is thy sting? O Grave! where is thy victory? XI. Oliver Goldsmith was B.A. of Dublin, and B.M. of Padua or Leyden. Though Southey left Oxford without his B.A., he was made an LL.D. before he died. The Queen was accompanied by H.R.H. the Princess of Wales. 2. RULES FOR SPELLING, Exercise 2. Rudiments, p. 15. I. It is no great merit to spell correctly, but a great defect to do so incorrectly. Jacob worshipped his Creator, leaning on the top of his staff. Our manners should be neither gross, nor excessively refined. II. In the names of drugs and plants, the mistake of a word may endanger life. The fin of a fish is the limb, by which he balances his body, and moves in the water. Many a trap is laid to ensnare the feet of youth. III. In all our reasonings, our minds should be sincerely employed in the pursuit of truth. Rude behaviour and indecent language are peculiarly disgraceful to youth of education. A judicious arrangement of studies facilitates improvement. Wisdom only is truly fair: folly merely appears so. IV. Everything connected with self is apt to appear desirable in our eyes. Errors are more excusable in ignorant than in well-instructed persons. We were made to be serviceable to others, as well as to ourselves. An obliging and humble disposition is totally different from a servile and cringing spirit. Our natural defects of body are not chargeable upon us. reason. V. We should subject our fancies to the government of We shall not be the happier for possessing talents and affluence, unless we make a right use of them. The year is dying in the night. If we have denied ourselves sinful pleasures, we shall be great gainers in the end. We may be playful, and yet innocent. Shyness may win friends slowly, but slyness loses them quickly. When we act against conscience, we become the destroyers of our own peace. VI. When we bring the lawgiver into contempt, we have in effect annulled his laws. By deferring our repentance, we accumulate our sorrows. We have all many failings to lament and amend. There is no affliction with which we are visited, that may not be improved to our advantage. VII. Restlessness of mind disqualifies us, both for the enjoyment of peace, and for the performance of duty. The arrows of calumny fall harmlessly at the feet of virtue. The road to the blissful regions is as open to the peasant as to the king. A perverse and wilful disposition is at once unamiable and sinful. VIII. The vessel is a total wreck: the goods which have been saved will be exposed to public auction. Can you name the twelve signs of the zodiac? Ransack the drawer for my stock. The man of true fortitude may be compared to a castle built on a rock, which defies the attacks of the surrounding waters. IX. A man who has once been deceived is apt to be suspicious. An honest man acts up to his belief. Many a clever man is spoiled by conceit. Mischief is more easily made than mended. Some are born great, some achieve greatness. Amid the roses fierce repentance rears her snaky crest. Still to relieve the wretched was his pride. SECTION II.-PUNCTUATION. 1. THE COMMA. Exercise 5. Rudiments, p. 19. I. Self-conceit, presumption, and obstinacy blast the prospects of many a youth. Plain, honest truth needs no artificial covering. To live soberly, righteously, and piously, comprehends the whole of our duty. Vicissitudes of good and evil, of trials and consolations, fill up the life of man. Health and peace, a moderate fortune and a few friends, sum up the elements of earthly felicity. II. In spite of repeated warnings, we are still unmindful of death. The path of piety and virtue, pursued with a firm and constant spirit, will assuredly lead to happiness. Peace of mind being secured, we may smile at misfortunes, To say the least, they have betrayed great want of prudence. Notwithstanding the efforts of the crew, the cargo was entirely lost. III. Continue, my dear child, to make virtue thy principal study. To you, my worthy benefactors, am I indebted, under Providence, for all I enjoy. Come then, companions of my toils, let us take fresh courage, persevere, and hope |