hand, as the herb to the brute, every sauntering clown might possess it. 3 The study of grammar, thus far, has been nothing more than a preparatory step, designed to exhibit the connexions and relations which necessarily exist between the words employed in the formation of ordinary sentences. To render this preparation practically useful, it will now be found expedient to make frequent and deliberate trials at composition. 4 Writing composition is nothing more than the arrangement of the ideas which pass in the mind on any particular subject, into sentences, paragraphs, sections and chapters, agreeably to the foregoing rules of syntax, and the most approved mode of applying them to the construction of senten ces. 5 A few simple precepts on this subject, illustrated by examples and observations, will be found of some use in directing the first essays at composition. But when all is done, the learner must depend principally upon his own talents, and reject the idea of calling in help, or of apeing others, as totally unworthy an independent and ingenuous mind. SPELLING. LESSON 5. Words of three syllables in double columns, accent on the first, pa trē-ut vowels long. rā pē-ĕr ra-ta-ble rā tā-bl Alex. What', art thou the Thracian Robber of whose exploits I have heard so much'? Rob. Alex. I am a Thracian' and a soldier`. A soldier'!--a thief', a plunderer', an assassin'! the pest of the country'! I could honour thy courage', but I must detest and punish thy crimes`. Rob. What have I done of which you can complain'? Alex. Hast thou not set at defiance my authority', viola ted the public peace', and passed thy whole life in injuring the persons and property of thy fellow subjects'? Rob. Alexander! I am your captive;--I must hear what you please to say, and endure what you please to inflict`. But my soul is unconquered'; and if I reply at all to your reproach es', I will reply like a free man. Alex. Speak freely. Far be it from me to use the advantage of my power to silence those with whom I deign to con verse'. Rob. Then I must answer your question', by asking another. How have you passed your life? Alex. Like a hero! Ask Fame, and she will tell you Among the brave' I have been the bravest; among sovereigns, the noblest; and among conquerers', the mightiest`. Rob. And does not Fame speak of me too? Was there ever a bolder captain of a more valiant band? Was there ever-but I scorn to boast'. You yourself know that I have not been easily subdued'. Alex. Still', what are you but a robber; a base', dishonest robber? Rob. And what is a conqueror? Have not you too, gone about the earth like an evil genius, blasting the fair fruits of peace' and industry'?-plundering, ravaging, and killing, without law and without justice, merely to gratify an insatiable lust for dominion'? All that I have done in a single district, with a hundred followers', you have done to whole nations with a hundred thousand. If I have stripped individuals', you have ruined kings' and princes. If I have burned a few hamlets', you have desolated the most flourishing kingdoms and cities of the earth`. What is the difference then', but that', as you were born a king', and I a private man', you have been able to become a mightier robber than I? Alex. But if I have taken like a king', I have also given like a king.-If I have subdued empires', I have founded greater. I have cherished the arts`, extended commerce', and encouraged philosophy`. Rob. I, too, have freely given to the poor', what I took from the rich`. I have established order among the most ferocious of mankind', and have stretched out my arm to protect the oppressed. I know', indeed', little of the philosophy of which you speak', but I believe neither you nor I', will ever atone to the world for half the mischief we have done'. Alex. Leave me. Take off his chains', and use him well`: Are we then so much alike'? Alexander like a robber! Let me reflect'. FELLOWSHIP.-LESSON 7. NOTE. Double fellowship refers to those commercial connexions in which the respective stocks are considered with time. RULE 1. Multiply each party's stock by the time, during which it was employed, and add the products. Then,— 2d. As the sum of the products, is to each particular product, so is the whole gain or loss, to its share of the gain or loss. Thus: (1) Three merchants trade in company. A put in £120, for 9 mo.-B £100 for 16 mo. and C £100 for 14 mo. and they gained £100; what is each man's share? $120X 9=1080 100X16 1600 100X14 1400 -=4080. Then, as, 4080: 1080:: 100: £26-9-4 3 A's share. as, 4080 1600 100: 39-4-3-3 B's do. 34-6-3-2 C's do, Proof £100-0-0-0 (2) L's stock was $88, for 3 mo. M's $120 for 4 mo. & N's $300 for 6 mo. and the company gain $184;-what is each party's share? Ans. L's $19.09; M's $34,72; and N's $130.19. (3) Three merchants form a com. A supplies $120 for 9 mo. B's stock was $100 for 16 mo. and C's $100 for 14 mo. They gain $100. How is it shared? Ans. A $26.475, B $39.115. and C 34.41. REMARKS, &c.-LESSON 8. 6. In entering upon the exercise of writing composition, adopt the resolution of attending to it at a given hour, once or twice in each week, and let no trifling occurrence divert you from your purpose. 7. During the first efforts, be careful to engage no difficult or abstruse subjects, or such as are above your course of reading and train of thinking; but select the most simple and familiar;-a morning ramble, a holiday anecdote, or the description of your setting room, or sleeping chamber, furniture, &c. with such moral reflections as may chance to rise. Choose those topics only which lie within the reach of your examination and range of ordinary observation. 8. When you have selected the subjects, pause a moment and revolve it in your mind. Find a beginning, a middle, and an end to it; then examine the collateral and relative circumstances, select such as will improve or embellish your story, and fix the points at which you mean to introduce them. 9. In the next place, consider the best manner of treating the subject; that is, whether the most prominent incidents shall be first brought forward, and the contingent circumstances reserved for detail, or whether the most interesting parts shall be held over to the close. Both modes have their advantages, which however can be properly balanced only by comparing them with the nature and range of the subject. Scene between Macduff, Malcom, and Rosse. Mac. Stands Scotland where it did"? Almost afraid to know itself! It cannot Be called our mother', but our grave'; when nothing', But who knows nothing', is once seen to smile'; Where sighs, and groans, and shrieks that rend the air Are made', not marked; where deepest sorrow', seems A modern ecstacy`;-the dead man's knell', Is there scarce ask'd for who'; and good men's lives', |