CHAP. II.

Corrections of the errors relating to the Unity of a sentence.

Grammar, p. 293. Exercises, p. 187.

SECT. 1.

A short time after this injury, he came to himself; and the next day, was put on board his ship, and conveyed first to Corinth, and thence to the island of Agina.

The Britons, daily harassed by cruel inroads from the Picts, were forced to call in the Saxons for their defence. These people reduced the greater part of the island to their own power; and drove the Britons into the most remote and mountainous parts. The rest of the country, in customs, religion, and language, became wholly Saxons.

By eagerness of temper, and precipitancy of indulgence, men forfeit all the advantages which patience would have procured; and incur the opposite evils to their full extent.

This prostitution of praise affects not only the gross of mankind, who take their notion of characters from the learned, but also the better sort of people, who, by this means, lose some part at least of their desire of fame, when they find it promiscuously bestowed on the meritorious and on the undeserving. Or-Not only the gross part of mankind, who take their notion of characters from the learned, are affected by this prostitution of praise: the better sort must also, by this means, &c.

All the precautions of prudence, moderation, and conde

scension, which Eumenes employed, were incapable of mollifying the hearts of those barbarians, and of extinguishing their jealousy. He must have renounced his merit and virtue which occasioned it, to have been capable of appeasing them.

He who performs every employment in its due place and season, suffers no part of time to escape without profit. He multiplics his days; for he lives much in little space. Desires of pleasure usher in temptation, and forward the growth of disorderly passions.

SECT. 2.

The notions of Lord Sunderland were always good. This nobleman, however, was a man of great expense.

In this uneasy state, both of his public and private life Cicero was oppressed by a new and deep affliction, the death of his beloved Tullia; which happened soon after her divorce from Dolabella. The manners and humours of this man were entirely disagreeable to Tullia.

The sun approaching melts the snow, and breaks the icy fetters of the main. Here vast sea-monsters pierce through floating islands with arms which can withstand the crystal rock; whilst others, that of themselves seem great as islands, are by their bulk alone armed against all but man. The superiority which he possesses over creatures of such stupendous size and force, should make him mindful of his privilege of reason; and force him humbly to adore the great Composer of these wondrous frames, and the Author of his own superior wisdom.

I single Strada out among the moderns, because he had the foolish presumption to censure Tacitus, and to write history himself. My friend will forgive this short excursion in honour of a favourite writer.

Boast not thyself of to-morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. For the same reason, despair not of to-morrow; it may bring forth good as well as evil. Vex not thyself with imaginary fears. The impending black cloud, which is regarded with so much dread, may pass by harmless; or though it should discharge the storm, yet, before it breaks, thou mayst be lodged in that lowly mansion which no storms ever touch.

SECT. 3.

Disappointments will often happen to the best and wisest men; sometimes to the wisest and best concerted plans. They may happen too, not through any imprudence of those who have devised the plan, nor even through the malice or ill-design of others; but merely in consequence of some of those cross incidents of life which could not be foreseen.

Without some degree of patience exercised under injuries, human life would rendered a state of perpetual hostility; offences and retaliations would succeed to one another in endless train.

Never delay till to-morrow what reason and conscience tell you ought to be performed to-day. To-morrow is not yours; and though you should live to enjoy it, you must not overload it with a burden not its own.

We must not imagine that there is, in true religion, any thing which overcasts the mind with sullen gloom and

melancholy austerity; or which derogates from that esteem, which men are generally disposed to yield to exemplary virtues. False ideas may be entertained of religion, as false and imperfect conceptions of virtue have prevailed in the world,

CHAP. III.

Corrections of the errors which respect the Strength of a

sentence.

Grammar, p. 297. Exercises, p. 190.

SECT. 1.

It is six months since I paid a visit to my relations. Suspend thy censure, till thy judgment on the subject can be wisely formed.

The reason of his having acted in the manner he did, was not fully explained.

If I were to give a reason for their looking so well, it would be, that they rise early.

If I mistake not, he is improved both in knowledge and behaviour. Or-I think he is improved both in knowledge and behaviour.

Those two boys appear to be equal in capacity.

Whenever he sees me, he inquires concerning his friends. The reason of his conduct will appear in the conclusion of this narrative. Or-His conduct will be accounted for in the, &c.

I hope this is the last time of my acting so imprudently.

The reason of his sudden departure, was that the case did not admit of delay.

The people gained nothing farther by this step, than to suspend their misery. Or-nothing by this step, but the suspension of their misery.

I have here supposed that the reader is acquainted with that great modern discovery, which is, at present, universally acknowledged by the inquirers into natural philosophy.

Few words in the English language, are employed in a more loose and uncircumscribed sense, than fancy and imagination.

I intend to make use of these words in my following speculations, that the reader may rightly conceive the subject upon which I proceed.

Commend me to an argument like a flail, against which there is no fence.

How many are there, by whom these good tidings were never heard!

These points have been illustrated in so plain a manner, that the perusal of the book has given me satisfaction.

However clear the conduct which he ought to have pursued, he had not resolution to set about it.

I was much moved on this occasion, and left the place full of serious reflections.

They are of those that rebel against the light: they know not its ways, nor abide in its paths.

This measure may afford some profit, and some amusement. Or-both profit and amusement.

By a multiplicity of words, the sentiments are not set off and accommodated; but, like David equipped in Saul's armour, they are encumbered and oppressed.

Though closely occupied with the affairs of the nation, he did not neglect the concerns of his friends.