The unity of this sentence is destroyed by the introduction or unnecessary length of the third clause; and also by the addition of the last clause. 2. "By soothing those inequalities, which the necessary difference of ranks and conditions has introduced into society, religion not only reconciles us to the highest eminences of life, but leads us to consider them as affording to the social world, that sublime contrast which the landscape derives from the diversity of hill and dale, and as sending down those streams of benignity which refresh and gladden the lower stations." This sentence is remarkable for purity and propriety of style, and harmony of structure. 3. "The usual acceptation takes profit and pleasure for two different things, and not only calls the followers or votaries of them by several names of busy and idle men, but distinguishes the faculties of the mind that are conversant about them, calling the operations of the first wisdom, and of the other wit, which is a Saxon word that is used to express what the Spaniards and Italians call ingenio, and the French ésprit, both from the Latin; but I think wit more peculiarly signifies that of poetry, as may occur upon remarks on the Runic language." This sentence is deficient in several of the qualities of a good style; and, in particular, it is so long, that before the reader arrives at the end of it, he has forgotten what was stated at the beginning. 4. "There are few personages in history who have been more exposed to the calumny of enemies, and the adulation of friends, than Queen Elizabeth; and yet there is scarcely any whose reputation has been more certainly determined by the unanimous consent of posterity. The unusual length of her administration, and the strong features of her character, were able to overcome all prejudices; and, obliging her detractors to abate much of their invectives, and her admirers somewhat of their panegyrics, have, at last, in spite of political factions, and, what is more, of religious animosi ties, produced a uniform judgment with regard to her conduct." These sentences are long, and embrace a variety of topics; but the statements are so clearly expressed, the different particulars follow each other in such regular succession, and the connexion of each with the whole is so distinctly perceived, that they are remarkable at once for perspicuity of meaning, unity of sentiment, and harmony of structure. SECTION II.-FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE. 1. SIMILE OR COMPARISON. Exercise 73. Rudiments, p. 120. 1. A virtuous man slandered by evil tongues, is like a diamond obscured by smoke. 2. The music of Carryl was, like the memory of joys that are past, pleasant and mournful to the soul. 3. An elevated genius employed in little things, appears like the sun in his evening declination: he remits his splendour, but retains his magnitude; and pleases more, though he dazzles less. 4. But hope and fear alternate sway my soul, Like light and shade upon a waving field, Now hide and now reveal the sun of heaven. 5. He who has no opinion of his own, is like a hut on the shore, liable to be shaken or overturned by every blast; the man of decision is like a castle on a rock, which no tempest. can move. 6. A life so sacred, such serene repose, Seemed heaven itself, till one suggestion rose: His hopes no more a pleasing prospect boast, So, when a smooth expanse receives imprest Swift ruffling circles curl on every side; And glimmering fragments of a broken sun, 7. The virtuous man, at death, is like the setting sun, which sinks serenely in one hemisphere, to rise gloriously in another. 2. METAPHOR. Exercise 74. Rudiments, p. 121. 1. The water of the lake was without motion. The waves were asleep on the bosom of the lake.* 2. He could not be seen on account of the darkness of the night. Night had shrouded him in her dark mantle. 3. The grass grows in the meadows in spring, and summer soon succeeds. In the spring of the year, the meadows clothe themselves in their beautiful green robes to welcome the approach of summer. 4. There are scenes in nature which are pleasant when we are sad, as well as when we are cheerful. Nature inanimate employs sweet sounds : But animated nature sweeter still, To soothe and satisfy the human ear. 5. The number of people who are alive, is small compared with those who have died. These examples of Figurative Language may be read to the Pupils, who should be required to write others of their own composition. E Thousands crowd the cities of the living; but millions slumber in the city of the dead. 6. Wise men may suffer hardships in the present world, and foolish persons must find trouble. In the voyage of life, wise men may be exposed to danger, but fools will inevitably suffer shipwreck. 7. Perfect taste knows how to unite nature with art, without destroying the simplicity of nature in the connexion. Perfect taste knows how to wed nature to art, without sacrificing the simplicity of nature by the alliance. 3. ALLEGORY. Exercise 75. Rudiments, p. 122. 1. Truth and Falsehood. Truth comes from above, Falsehood from below. Truth is the daughter of Wisdom; Falsehood of Folly. Truth, conscious of superior power, advances unassisted and unattended, except by Reason, who appears rather as a follower than a companion. Her march is slow but perpetually progressive; and when once she has taken her position, nothing can force her to retire. Falsehood endeavours to copy the mien and attitudes of Truth, and is often very successful in the arts of mimicry. She is attended by the appetites and passions, from whom she is often obliged to receive the law; so that her motions are sudden, irregular, and violent, and want steadiness and constancy. She often gains conquests by hasty incursions, but can never retain them by her own strength. In her conflicts with Truth, she calls in the aid of Fraud, Impudence, and Obstinacy, by whose means she sometimes gains a temporary advantage; but in the end, especially in close engagements, Truth always prevails.* * These are merely the outlines of allegorical stories, which the Pupils should be required to amplify, if they cannot invent others of their own. 2. Diligence and Idleness. Diligence and Idleness were born in the city of Industry. They entered life in very different circumstances, Idleness being the only son of Affluence, and Diligence one of the numerous family of Labour. The latter brought up his son to his own calling; but Affluence did not think it necessary that the heir of his possessions should follow any profession. The disposition and character of each of the youths were manifested, at a very early period, by the companions whom they chose. From his infancy, Idleness took as his bosom friend Indolence, who indeed was so like him in appearance and manners, that the one was frequently mistaken for the other. Folly and Dissipation were also among his favourite associates; and at last he married Prodigality, by whom he became the father of Want and Misery. Diligence, on the other hand, formed an early acquaintance with Constancy, Sobriety, and other companions of a similar character. At one period of his life, he was in danger of being corrupted by Applause; and at another he made a narrow escape from Covetousness; but he was rescued from both by Religion, who sent to his aid, on the one occasion, Humility, and, on the other, Contentment. By his wife Economy he had two sons, Knowledge and Competence, who proved the greatest comfort to him in his declining years. 3. Prudence saves from many a misfortune; Eubulus and Superbus were brought up under the guardianship of Discipline. When their education was completed, it became necessary for them to choose their path through life. One day, while conversing on this subject, they wandered to a considerable distance from home, and, becoming wearied, sat down on an eminence which commanded a view of an extensive plain. Their attention was soon drawn to two females, who were seen approaching them, and whom, from their appearance and deportment, they recognised to |