may retire into them with safety, and find in them such a satisfaction as a wise man would not blush to take. Of this nature are those of the imagination.

The army was composed of Grecians, Carians, Lycians, Pamphylians, and Phrygians.

The body of this animal was strong, and proportionable, and beautiful.

There is nothing which promotes knowledge more than steady application, and a habit of observation. Though virtue borrows no assistance from, yet it may often be accompanied by, the advantages of fortune.

The knowledge he has acquired, and the habits of application he possesses, will probably render him very useful.

Their idleness, and their luxury and pleasures, their crinal deeds, and their immoderate passions, and their timidity and baseness of mind, have dejected them to such a degree, as to make them weary of life.

1

I was greatly affected, insomuch that I was obliged to leave the place, notwithstanding that my assistance had been pressingly solicited.

I strenuously opposed those measures, and it was not in my power to prevent them.

I yielded to his solicitations, whilst I perceived the necessity of doing so.

For the wisest purposes, Providence has designed our state to be checkered with pleasure and pain. In this manner let us receive it, and make the best of what is appointed to be our lot.

In the time of prosperity, he had stored his mind with useful knowledge, with good principles, and virtuous dispositions. And therefore they remain entire, when the days of trouble come.

He had made considerable advances in knowledge, but he was very young, and laboured under several disadvantages.

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.

I HAVE Considered the subject with a good deal of attention, upon which I was desired to communicate my thoughts.

in

Whether a choice altogether unexceptionable, has, 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 Great Britain 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 great beauty 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 nó 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 unri

valled.

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 utility 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 lon ger should, generally, be the concluding one.

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.

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,