17. From whom was that information received? To whom do that house, and those fine gardens belong?

SECT. VII.

Exercises on the eighteenth, nineteenth, twentieth twenty-first and twenty-second Rules of Syntax.

18. He and I commenced our studies at the same time.

If we contend about trifles, and violently maintain our opinion, we shall gain but few friends. 19. Though James and myself are rivals, we do not cease to be friends.

If Charles acquires knowledge, good manners, and virtue, he will secure esteem.

William is respected, because he is upright and obliging.

20. These persons are abundantly more op pressed than we are.

Though I am not so good a scholar as he is, I am, perhaps, not less attentive than he, to study. 21. Charles was a man of knowledge, learning, politeness, and religion.

In our travels we mw much to approve, and much to condemn.

22. The book is improved by many useful corrections, alterations and additions.

She is more talkative and lively than her brother, but not so well informed nor so uniformly cheerful.

SECT. VIII.

Promiscuous Exercises in Syntactical Parsing.

PROSE.

Dissimulation in youth, is the forerunner of perfidy in old age. Its first appearance is the fatal omen of growing depravity, and future shame.

If we possess not the power of self-government, we shall be the prey of every loose inclination that chances to arise. Pampered by continual in

dulgence, all our passions will become mutinous and headstrong. Desire, not reason, will be the ruling principle of our conduct.

Absurdly we spend our time in contending about the trifles of a day, while we ought to be preparng for a higher existence.

How little do they know of the true happiness of life, who are strangers to that intercourse of good offices and kind affections, which, by a pleasing charm, attaches men to one another, and circulates rational enjoyment from heart to heart.

If we view ourselves, with all our imperfections and failings, in a just light, we shall rather be surprised at our enjoying so many good things than discontented, because there are any which we want.

True cheerfulness makes a man happy in himself, and promotes the happiness of all around him. It is the clear and calm sunshine of a mind illuminated by piety and virtue.

Whatever views of interest, and prospects of return, mingle with the feelings of affection, sensibility acts an imperfect part, and entitles us to small share of commendation.

Let not your expectations from the years that are to come, rise too high; and your disappointments will be fewer, and more easily supported.

To live long, ought not to be our favorite wish, so much as to live well. By continuing too long on earth, we might only live to witness a greater number of melancholy scenes, and to expose ourselves to a wider compass of human wo.

How many pass away some ofthe most valuable years of their liv, tost in a whirlpool of what cannot be called pleasure so much as mere giddiness and folly.

Look round you with attentive eye, and weigh characters well, before you connect yourselves too closely with any who court your society.

The true honor of man consists not in the multitude of riches or the elevation of rank; for expert

ence shows that these may be possessed by the worthless as well as by the deserving.

Beauty of form has often betraved its possessor. The flower is easily blasted. It is short lived at the best; and trifling at any rate, in comparison with the higher, and more lasting beauties of the mind.

A contented temper opens a clear sky, and brightens every object around us. It is in the sullen and dark shade of discontent, that noxious passions, like venomous animals, breed and prey upon the heart.

Thousands whom indolence has sunk into contemptible obscurity, might have come forward to usefulness and honour, if idleness had not frustrated the effect of all their powers.

Sloth is like the slowly-flowing, putrid stream, which stagnates in the marsh, breeds venomous animals, and poisonous plants; and infects with pestilential vapours the whole country round it.

Disappointments derange, and overcome vulgar minds. The patient and the wise, by a proper improvement, frequently make them contribute to their high advantage.

Whatever fortune may rob us of, it cannot take away what is most valuable, the peace of a good conscience, and the cheering prospect of a happy conclusion to all the trials of life, in a better world.

Be not overcome by the injuries you meet with, so as to pursue revenge; by the disasters of life, so as to sink into despair; by the evil examples of the world, so as to follow them into sin. Overcome injuries, by forgiveness; disasters by tortitude; evil examples, by firmness of principle.

Sobriety of mind is one of those virtues, which the present condition of human life strongly inculcates. The uncertainty of its enjoyments, checks presumption; the multiplicity of its dangers, de mands perpetual caution. Moderation, vigilance, and self government are duties incumbent on all; but especially on such as are beginning the journey of life.

The charms and comforts of virtue are inezpressible; and can only be justly conceived by those who possess her. The consciousness of Divine approbation and support, and the steady hope of future happiness, communicate a peace and joy, to which all the delights of the world bear no resemblance.

If we knew how much the pleasure of this life deceive and betray their unhappy votaries; and reflected on the disappointments in pursuit, the dissatisfaction in enjoyment, or the uncertainty of possession, which every where attend them; we should cease to be enamoured with these brittle and transient joys: and should wisely fix our hearts on those virtuous attainments, which the world can neither give nor take away.

VERSE..

Order is Heaven's first law; and this confess'd
Some are, and must be, greater than the rest,
More rich, more wise; but who infers from hence,
That such are happier, shocks all common sense.
Needful austerities our wills restrain;

As thorns fence in the tender plant from harm.

Reason's whole pleasure, all the joys of sense,
Lie in three words, health, peace and competence,
But health consists with temperance alone;
And peace, Oh, virtue! peace is all thy own.

On earth, nought precious is obtain'd
But what is painful too ;
By travel and to travel born,

Our Sabbaths are but few.

Who noble ends by noble means obtains,
Or failing, smiles in exile or in chains,
Like good Aurelius ler him reign, or bleed
Like Socrates, that man is great indeed.

Our hearts are fasten'd to this world,
By strong and endless ties;

But every sorrow cuts a string,

And urges us to rise.

Oft pining griefs in rich brocades are drest,
And diamonds glitter on an anxious breast.

Teach me to feel another's wo,
To hide the fault I see ;
That mercy I to others show,
That mercy show to me.

This day be bread, and peace my lot:
Allelse beneath the sun

Thou know'st if best bestow'd or not,
And let thy will be done.

Vice is a monster of so frightful mien,
As, to be hated, needs but to be seen:
Yet seen too oft, familiar with her face,
We first endure, then pity, then embrace.

If nothing more than purpose in thy power,
Thy purpose firm, is equal to the deed:
Who does the best his circumstance allows,
Does well, acts nobly; angels could no more.

In faith and hope the world will disagree,
But all mankind's concern is charity.

To be resign'd when ills betide,
Patient when favors are denied,
And pleased with favors giv'n:
Most surely this is Wisdom's part,
'This is that incense of the heart,

Whose fragrance smells to Heav'n.

All fame is foreign, but of true desert;
Plays round the head, but comes not to the heart
One self-approving hour whole years outweighs

Of stupid starers, and of boud huzzas :

And more true joy Marcellus exil'd feels,
Than Cæsar with a senate at his heels.

G