HARMONY OF STYLE.

Exercises, p. 105. Grammar, p. 174 to 178.

Questions. Define Elegance or Harmony of Style. What does it require? To what property of Style is Harmony subordinate? Under what circumstances is it to be rejected? What rule is given with respect to the choice of words? What words are frequently selected by the poets? What rule is given with respect to the application of these principles? Quote the rule for the arrangement of words, the length and construction of the members,-the close or cadence of the sentence, the variety of structure. What rule should be observed when in the act of Composition?

Whether are long or short words the more agreeable? What kind of words and abbreviations should be avoided? How are harsh sounds described ?sweet and soft sounds? How is slowness in operation indicated?

The following corrected-"A true union'' should be "a true friend;" "No course of joy can please us long;" better thus-No course of enjoyment, &c. See Gram. p. 177.

Exercises, p. 103.

1. With respect to the choice of words.

Sobriety of mind suits the present state of man.

As supporters of unlawful assemblies, these people were seized and punished.

From the kindness with which he was at first received, great hopes of success were entertained.

They conducted themselves craftily, and ensnared us before we had time to escape.

2. With respect to the arrangement of words.

It belongs not to our confined and humble station to censure; but to submit, trust, and adore.

The solace of the mind, under all its labours, is hope; and there are few situations which exclude it entirely.

Tranquillity, order, and magnanimity, dwell with the pious and resigned man.

Idleness, ease, and prosperity, have a natural tendency to generate folly and vice.

By a cheerful, candid, and uniform temper, he conciliated general favour.

I had a long and perilous journey, but a pleasing companion, who relieved the fatigue of it.

The speech was introduced by a sensible exordium, which made a favourable impression.

The commons made a warm remonstrance against so arbitrary a requisition.

The truly illustrious are they who do not court the praise of the world, but who perform the actions which deserve it.

I

3. With respect to the length and construction of the members. By means of society, our wants are supplied, and our lives rendered comfortable; our capacities are enlarged, and our virtuous affections called forth into their proper exercise.

By the experience of distress, an arrogant insensibility of temper is most effectually corrected; as the remembrance of our own sufferings, naturally prompts us to feel for others when they suffer. But if Providence has been so kind as not to subject us to much of this discipline in our own lot, let us draw improvement from the harder lot of others. Let us sometimes step aside from the smooth and flowery paths, in which we are permitted to walk, in order to view the toilsome march of our fellows through the thorny desert.

4. With respect to the close or cadence of the sentence.

As no one is without his failings, few also are void of amiable qualities.

From disappointments and trials, we learn the insufficiency of temporal things to happiness; and are taught to seek it in religion and virtue.

Promiscuous Exercises under Harmony.

Providence delivered them up to themselves, and they became their own tormentors.

To use the Divine name habitually, and without serious consideration, is highly irreverent.

We reached the mansion before noon. It was a strong, magnificent, Gothic edifice.

Life cannot but prove vain to them who affect a disrelish of every pleasure, that is not both exquisite and new; who measure enjoyment, not by their own feelings, but by the standard of fashion; who think themselves miserable if others do not admire their state.

DIFFERENT KINDS OF STYLE.

Questions. Enumerate the different heads under which Style may be considered. (Gram. p. 178.) Define the Forcible Style. (Gr. p. 178;)—the vehement Style. (Gr. p. 179.) What constitutes the difference between these two styles? (Gr p. 179.) To what subjects are these styles adapted? (Gr. p. 179.) Explain the feeble and languid styles. (p. 179.) What are the defects of these styles? (p. 180.)

What does style with respect to the Number of words comprise? (The Concise and the Diffuse.) Define the Concise style? (p. 180.) How does a writer of this style employ ornaments? (p. 180.) How are his sentences constructed? (p. 180) Explain the Diffuse style. (p. 180.) Of what are writers of this style very fond? (Ans. Of Magnificence and Amplification.) Point out the defects both of the Concise and Diffuse styles when carried to an extreme. (p. 180.) What style do discourses intended to be spoken require?

Why? (p. 181.) What style is best adapted to written compositions? Why? (p. 181.) What style is suited to description? (p. 181.) Upon what do the strength and vivacity of description principally depend? (p. 181.) When is it best to be concise and when diffuse? (p. 181.) Mention the authors whose writings are considered to be specimens of the concise style-(Locke)—of the diffuse style. (Addison and Burke.)

What does style considered with respect to the degree of Ornament comprise? (p. 182.) Explain the dry or barren style? (p. 182.) Under what circumstances only is this style tolerable? (p. 182)

Define the Plain style. (p. 182.) State the particular difference between a plain and a dry style. (p. 182.) Mention the writers in this style. (Swift and Locke.)

Enumerate the characteristics of the Neat style. (p. 182.) What subjects are suitable to this style? (p. 183.) Mention some of the writers in this style. (Smith, Middleton, Blackstone, and Berkeley.)

Enumerate the characteristics of the Graceful style. (p. 183.) What is said of the words selected in this style?-the members of the sentences, the arrangement, the thought,-the metaphors, &c.? (p. 183.)

Enumerate the writers in this style. (p. 183.)

Define the Florid style. (p. 184.) How are the faults of this style to be corrected? (p. 184.) In what subjects is some degree of luxuriance allowable? (p. 184.)

How is style with respect to the structure of the sentences divided? (p. 184.) Define the Idiomatic style. (p. 184.) Quote an instance of this style from Paley. (p. 184.) Shew the difference between this and a less idiomatic mode of expression. (p. 185.) Upon what occasions is this style to be varied? (p. 185.) What caution is given to the young writer in aiming at the Idiomatic style? What writers are celebrated for this style? (p. 185, Goldsmith, Addison, Swift, and Paley.)

Define the Laboured style. (p. 185.) What directions are given for the correction of this style? (p. 186.)

What is meant by the Natural style? (p. 186.) Give the illustration, (p. 186.) What does the term Naturalness of style signify? (p. 186) Illustrate this. (p. 186.) To what subjects is this style adapted? (p. 187.) Quote the rules to be observed. (p. 187.)

What is the characteristic of the Elevated style? (p. 187.) Mention an example of this style. (p. 187.) In what does the Dignified differ from the Elevated style? What is the character of the ornaments introduced? (p. 188.) Mention a specimen of this style. (p. 188.)

What style is characterized by impressiveness of manner?-Ans. The Forcible. By want of strength of reasoning?-Ans. The Feeble.

By brevity of expression ?-Ans. The Concise.

By fulness of expression?-Ans. The Diffuse.

By the rejection of all ornaments?-Ans. The Dry style.

By the admission of only little ornament?-Ans. The Plain Style.

By the correct choice of words and graceful collocation of them?-Ans.
The Neat style.

By its possessing all the beauties of ornament without its defects.-Ans.
The Elegant style.

By its correctness of structure and great perspicuity? Ans. The Idio-
matic.

By its appearance of labour and effort?-Ans. The Laboured style.
By its rejection of every species of affectation?-Ans. The Natural style.
By its combination of great originality and calm but powerful feeling?—
Ans. The Elevated style.

Mention the style of Addison? Ans. Diffuse-Graceful-Idiomatic.
Of Johnson.-Ans. Dignified.

Of Paley.-Ans. Idiomatic.

Of Robert Hall.-Ans. Elevated.

Of Locke.-Ans. Concise-Plain.

Of Goldsmith.-Ans. Idiomatic.

Of Pope.-Ans. Graceful.

Of Washington Irving.-Ans. Graceful.

Of Burke.-Ans. Diffuse.

Of Swift.-Ans. Plain-Idiomatic.

Of Middleton.-Ans. Neat.

CORRECTIONS OF THE VIOLATIONS OF THE RULES UNDER STYLE PROMISCUOUSLY DISPOSED.

Section 1. See Exercises, p. 109, 110.

1. What is human life to all, but a mixture of some scattered joys and pleasures, with various cares and troubles?

2. Favours of every kind are doubled, when they are speedily conferred. Or, when speedily conferred.

3. He that is himself weary, will soon weary the company.

4. He that will have the kindness of others, must endure their follies.

5. The first years of man must make provision for the last. 6. Perpetual levity must end in ignorance.

7. In these, and in similar cases, we should generally, in our alms, suffer no one to be witness, but Him who must see every thing.

8. The neglect of his studies and opportunities of improvement, is the reason of his being (or, that he is) so badly qualified for the business.

9. That Plutarch wrote the lives of Demosthenes and Cicero at Chaeronea, is clear from his own account.

10. I wish to cultivate a further acquaintance with you. 11. He may make the attempt, but he cannot succeed.

12. No pains were spared by his tutor, to improve him in all useful knowledge.

13. In no scene of her life was Mary's address more remarkably displayed.

14. This was the original cause of so barbarous a practice.

15. By a variety of false insinuations, he craftily endeavoured to turn the emperor to his purpose.

16. The beauty displayed in the earth, equals the grandeur conspicuous in the heavens.

17. In the health and vigour of the body, and in the flourishing state of worldly fortune, all rejoice.

18. What passes in the hearts of men, is generally invisible to the public eye.

19. Many associations are formed by laws the most arbitrary. 20. These instances will, it is hoped, be sufficient to satisfy every reasonable mind.

21. By rules so general and comprehensive as these are, the clearest ideas are conveyed.

22. He determined not to comply with the proposal, unless he should receive a fair compensation.

23. There can be no doubt that health is preferable to riches. 24. We believe, said they to their friends, that the perusal of such books has ruined our principles. Or, ruined your principles. 25. John's temper greatly indisposed him either for giving or receiving instruction.

26. Vegetation is constantly advancing, though no eye can trace its gradations.

27. His importunity was the reason of my consenting to the

measure.

28. I conceived a great regard for him, and I could not but mourn for the loss of him. Or, for the loss which he had sustained.

29. He was confined in his own house, by the officer who had apprehended him. Or. He was confined in the house of the officer, by whom he had been apprehended.

30. Charlotte, the friend of Amelia, to whom no one imputed blame, was too prompt in her friend's vindication. Or, in her own vindication.

31. Men who are rich and avaricious, drown themselves in a spring which might have watered all around them.

32. I should prefer his being of rather slow parts, than of a bad disposition.

33. As soon as Eugenius undertook the care of a parish, it engrossed his attention.

34. The plan will at once contribute to general convenience, and to the beauty and elegance of the town.

35. Together with the national debt, the greatest national advantages are transmitted to succeeding generations.

36. Their intimacy had probably commenced in the happier period of their youth and obscurity.

37. His subject is precisely of that kind, which only a daring imagination could have adopted.

38. This emperor conjured the Senate, that the purity of his reign might not be stained by the blood of even a guilty senator. 39. It is a happy constitution of mind, to be able to view sucsessive objects so steadily, that the more important may never prevent us from doing justice to those which are of less consequence.

40. This activity drew over to Virginia,'great numbers of enterprising men; who came either in search of fortune, or of liberty, which was the only compensation for the want of fortune.