The business, however laudable the attempt, was found to be impracticable. He is our common benefactor, and deserves our respect and obedience. Vivacity is often promoted, by presenting a sensible object to the mind, instead of an intellectual one. They broke down the banks, and the country was soon overflowed. The garment was decently formed, and sewed very neatly. Though learn'd, well bred; and tho' well bred, sincere ; A fop is a ridiculous character, in every one's view but his own. An action that excites laughter, without any mixture of contempt, may be called a risible action. It is difficult for him to speak three sentences successively. By this expression, I do not mean what some persons annex to it. The neglect of timely precaution was the cause of this great loss. All the sophistry which has been employed, cannot obscure so plain a truth. Disputing should always be so managed, as to remind us, that the only end of it is truth. My friend was so ill that he could not sit up at all, but was obliged to lie continually in bed. A certain prince, it is said, when he invaded the Egyptians, G placed, in the front of his army, a number of cats and other animals, which were worshipped by those people. A reverence for these creatures, made the Egyptians lay down their arms, and become an easy conquest. The presence of the Deity, and the care which such an august Being is supposed to take in our concerns, is a source of consolation. And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and had sat down together, Peter sat down among them. By the slavish disposition of the senate and people of Rome, under the emperors, the wit and eloquence of the age were wholly turned towards panegyric. Or-wholly employed in panegyric. The refreshment came in seasonably, before they had lain down to rest. We speak what we do know, and testify that which we have seen. They shall fly as the eagle that hasteth to eat. Now haunts the cliff, now traverses the lawn A creature of a more exalted kind, Was wanted yet, and then was man design'd. He died by violence; for he was killed with a sword. He had scarcely taken the medicine, when he began to feei himself relieved. No place nor any object appears to him void of beauty. When we fall into conversation with any person, the first thing we should consider, is, the intention of it. Galileo invented the telescope; Harvey discovered the circu lation of the blood. Philip found difficulty in managing the Athenians, from the nature of their dispositions; but the eloquence of Demosthenes was the greatest obstacle to his designs. A hermit is austere in his life; a judge, rigorous in his sentences. A candid man acknowledges his mistake, and is forgiven; a patriot avows his opposition to a bad minister, and is applauded. We have increased our family and expenses; and enlarged our garden and fruit orchard. By proper reflection, we may be taught to correct what is erroneous, and to supply what is defective. The good man is not overcome by disappointment, when that which is mortal dies; when that which is mutable begins to change; and when that which he knew to be transient passes away. CHAP. III. Corrections of the errors which respect Precision. Grammar, p. 282. Exercises, p. 179. This great politician desisted from his designs, when he found them impracticable. He was of so high and independent a spirit, that he abhorred being in debt. Though raised to an exalted station, she was a pattern of piety and virtue. The human body may be divided into the head, the trunk, and the limbs. His end soon approached; and he died with great fortitude. He was a man of so much pride, that he despised the sentiments of others. Poverty induces dependence; and dependence increases corruption. This man, on all occasions, treated his inferiors with great disdain. There can be no order in the life of that man, who does not allot a due share of his time to retirement and reflection. Such equivocal expressions, mark an intention to deceive. His cheerful, happy temper, keeps up a kind of daylight in his mind, and fills it with a steady and perpetual serenity. Secondly, Perspicuity and accuracy, with respect to the construction of Sentences. CHAP. I. Corrections of the errors which relate to the Clearness of a Sentence. Grammar, p. 287. Exercises, p. 180 SECT. 1. Hence appears the impossibility that an undertaking so managed, should prove successful. May we not here say with the poet, "that virtue has its own reward ?" Had he died before, would not this art have been then wholly unknown? Not to exasperate him, I spoke only a very few words. The works of art receive a great advantage from the resemblance which they have to those of nature; because here not only the similitude is pleasant, but the pattern more perfect. It may be proper to give some account of these practices, anciently used on such occasions, and discontinued only through the neglect and degeneracy of later times. Sixtus the fourth was, if I mistake not, a great collector at least of books. If Louis XIV was not the greatest king, he was at least the best actor of majesty, that ever filled a throne. These forms of conversation multiplied, by degrees, and grew troublesome. Nor does this false modesty expose us to such actions only as are indiscreet, but very often to such as are highly criminal. By greatness, I do not mean the bulk of any single object only, but the largeness of a whole view. Or-I mean not only the bulk of any single object, but, &c. I was formerly engaged in that business, but I shall never be concerned in it again. We frequently do those things, which we afterwards repent of. By often doing the same thing, it becomes habitual. Most nations, even the Jews not excepted, were prone to idolatry. Raised to greatness without merit, he employed his power solely for the gratification of his passions. |