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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. 303 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 GreatBritain 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 sub

sistence of our affections after death, with greatbeauty 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 for ever?

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 tyrannical 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, when reduced to poverty, who was educated only to magnificence and pleasure?

It is highly proper that a man should be acquainted with a variety of things, of which the utillity is above a child's comprehension: but is it necessary a child

should learn every thing it behooves a man to know; or is it even possible?

When they fall into sudden difficulties, they are less perplexed than others in the like circumstances; and when they encounter dangers, they are less alarmed.

For all your actions, you must hereafter give an account, and particularly for the employments of youth.

SECT. IV.

The fourth rule for promoting the strength of sentences, is, that a weaker assertion or proposition should never come after a stronger one; and that, when our sentence consists of two members, the longer should, generally, be the concluding one.

Grammar, p. 306. Key, p. 134.

CHARITY breathes long suffering to enemies courtesy to strangers, habitual kindness towards friends.

Gentleness ought to diffuse itself over our whole behaviour, to form our address, and regulate our speech.

The propensity to look forward into life, is too often grossly abused, and immoderately indulged.

The regular tenor of a virtuous and pious life, will prove the best preparation for immortality, for old age, and death.

These rules are intended to teach young persons to write with propriety, elegance, and perspicuity.

Sinful pleasures blast the opening prospects of human felicity, and degrade human honour.

In this state of mind, every employment of life becomes an oppressive burden, and every object appears gloomy.

They will acquire different views, by applying to the honourable discharge of the functions of their station, and entering on a virtuous course of action.

By the perpetual course of dissipation, in which sensualists are engaged; by the riotous revel, and the midnight, or rather morning hours, to which they prolong their festivity; by the excesses which they indulge; they debilitate their bodies, cut themselves off from the comforts and duties of life, and wear out their spirits.

SECT. V.

A fifth rule for the strength of sentences, is, to avoid concluding them with an adverb, a preposition, or any inconsiderable word.

Grammar, p. 306. Key, 135.

By what I have already expressed, the reader will perceive the business which I am to proceed upon.

May the happy message be applied to us, in all the virtue, strength, and comfort of it!

Generosity is a showy virtue, which many persons are very fond of.

These arguments were, without hesitation, and with great eagerness, laid hold of.

It is proper to be long in deliberating, but we should speedily execute.

Form your measures with prudence; but all anxiety about the issue divest yourselves of.

We are struck, we know not how, with the symmetry of any thing we see; and immediately acknowledge the beauty of an object, without inquiring into the particular causes and occasions of it.

With Cicero's writings, these persons are more conversant, than with those of Demosthenes, who, by many degrees, excelled the other; at least, as an

orator.

SECT. VI.

A sixth rule relating to the strength of a sentence,

is that, in the members of a sentence, where two things are compared or contrasted with one another; where either a resemblance, or an opposition, is intended to be expressed; some resemblance, in the language and construction, should be preserved. For when the things themselves correspond to each other, we naturally expect to find a similar correspondence in the words.

Grammar, p. 308. Key, p. 136.

OUR British gardeners, instead of humouring nature, love to deviate from it as much as possible.

I have observed of late the style of some great ministers, very much to exceed that of any other productions.

The old may inform the young; and the young may animate those who are advanced in life.

The account is generally balanced; for what we are losers on the one hand, we gain on the other.

The laughers will be for those who have most wit; the serious part of mankind, for those who have most reason on their side.

If men of eminence are exposed to censure on the one hand, they are as much liable to flattery on the other. If they receive reproaches which are not due to them, they likewise receive praises which they do not deserve.

He can bribe, but he is not able to seduce. He can buy, but he has not the power of gaining. He can lie, but no one is deceived by him.

He embraced the cause of liberty faintly, and pursued it without resolution; he grew tired of it, when he had much to hope; and gave it up, when there was no ground for apprehension.

There may remain a suspicion that we overrate the greatness of his genius, in the same manner bodies appear more gigantic, on account of their being disproportioned and misshapen.

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