will be not rapid in its progress, and visible at every step; but gradual, and visible when considerable effects only have been produced.

The British constitution stands, like an ancient oak in the wood, among the nations of the earth : which, after having overcome many a blast, overtops the other trees of the forest, and commands respect and veneration.

SECT. VI.

Key, p. 150.

WHAT an anchor is to a vessel amidst a boisterous ocean, on a coast unknown, and in a dark night, that is the hope of future happiness to the soul, when beset by the confusions of the world: for in danger, it affords one fixed point of rest; amidst general fluctuation, it gives security.

Our pride and self conceit, (by nourishing a weak and childish sensibility to every fancied point of our own honour and interest, while they shut up all regard to the honor or interest of our brethren, render us quarrelsome and contentious.

If there be any first principle of wisdom, it undoubtedly is this: the distresses that are removable, endeavour to remove; bear with as little disquiet as you can, the distresses which cannot be removed: comforts are to be found in every situation and condition of life; having found them, enjoy them.

Instead of aspiring farther than your proper level, bring your mind down to your state; lest you spend your life in a train of fruitless pursuits, by aiming too high, and at last bring yourself to an entire state of insignificance and contempt.

Often have we seen, that what we considered as a sore disappointment at the time, has proved to be a merciful providence in the issue; and that it would have been so far from making us happy, if what we once eagerly wished for had been obtained, that it would have produced our ruin.

Can the stream continue to advance, when it is deprived of the fountain? Can the branch improve, when taken from the stock which gave it nourishment? Dependent spirits can no more be happy, when parted from all union with the Father of Epirits, and the fountain of happiness.

Prosperity is redoubled to a good man, by means of the generous use which he makes of it; and it is reflected back upon him by every one whom he makes happy: for, in the esteem and good-will of all who know him, in the gratitude of dependents, in the attachment of friends, and the intercourse of domestic affection, he sees blessings multiplied round him on every side.

Whoever would pass, with honour and decency, the latter part of life, must consider when he is young, that one day he shall be old; and remember that when he is old, he has once been young : he must lay up knowledge in youth for his support, when his powers of acting shall forsake him; and forbear to animadvert in age, with rigour, on faults which experience can alone correct.

Let us consider that youth is of no long duration : and that when the enchantments of fancy in maturer age shall cease, and phantoms no more dance about us, we shall have no comforts but wise men's esteem, the approbation of our hearts, and the means, of doing good: and let us live as men that are to grow old some time, and to whom of all evils it will be the most dreadful, to count their years past only by follies, and to be reminded of their former luxuriance of health, by the maladies only which riot has produced.

CONTAINING EXAMPLES, TO ASSIST THE STUDENT IN TRANSPOSING THE PARTS OF SENTENCES, AND IN VARYING THE FORM OF EXPRESSING A SENTIMENT.

1.

CHAPTER I.

On transposing the members of a Sentence,

THE practice of transposing the members of sentences, is an exercise so useful to young persons, that it requires a more particular explanation, than could have been properly given in the preceding work.

A few of the various modes in which the parts of a sentence may be arranged, have, therefore, been collected; and they are, with other matter, produced in the form of an Appendix to the general Exercises. By examining them attentively, the student will perceive, in some degree, the nature and effect of transposition; and, by being frequently ex ercised in showing its variety in other sentences, he will obtain a facility in the operation; and a dexterity in discovering and applying, on all occasions, the clearest and most forcible arrangement. By this practice, he will also be able more readily to penetrate the meaning of such sentences, as are rendered obscure and perplexing to most readers, by the irre, gular disposition of their parts.

The first and last forms of each class of examples, are to be considered as the least exceptionable.

The Roman state evidently declined, in proportion to the increase of luxury.

The Roman state, in proportion to the increase of luxury, evidently declined.

In proportion to the increase of luxury, the Roman state evidently declined.

I am willing to remit all that is past, provided it may be done with safety.

I am willing, provided it may be done with safety, to remit all that is past.

Provided it may be done with safety, I am willing to remit all that is past.

That greatness of mind which shows itself in dangers and labours, if it wants justice, is blamable.

If that greatness of mind, which shows itself in dangers and labours, is void of justice, it is blamable. That greatness of mind is blamable, which shows itself in dangers and labours, if it want? justice.

If that greatness of mind is void of justice, which shows itself in dangers and labours, it is blamable. That greatness of mind is blamable, if it is void of justice, which shows itself in dangers and labours. If it wants justice, that greatness of mind, which shows itself in dangers and labours, is blamable.

He who made light to spring from primeval darkness, will make order, at last, to arise from the seeming confusion of the world.

From the seeming confusion of the world, He who made light to spring from primeval darkness, will make order, at last, to arise.

He who made light to spring from primeval darkness, will, from the seeming confusion of the world, make order at last, to arise.

He who made light to spring from primeval darkness, will, at last, from the seeming confusion of the world, make order to arise.

He will make order, at last, to arise from the seeming confusion of the world, who made light to spring from primeval darkness.