The sun approaching melts the snow, and breaks the icy fetters of the main, where 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, whose superiority 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; and my friend will forgive this short excursion in honour of a favourite writer.

Boast not thyself of to-morrow: thou knowest not what a day may bring forth: and, for the same reason, despair not of to-morrow; for it may bring forth good as well as evil; which is a ground for not vexing thyself with imaginary fears; for 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.

We should keep clear of all unnecessary parentheses. DISAPPOINTMENTS will often happen to the best and wisest men, (not through any imprudence of theirs, 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,) and sometimes to the wisest and best concerted plans.

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

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

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

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

CHAP. III.

Containing sentences, in which the rules for promoting the Strength of a sentence are violated. Gram. 15th. edit. p. 297.

SECT. 1.

The first rule for promoting the strength of a sentence, is, to prune it of all redundant words and members.

IT is six months ago since I paid a visit to my relations. Suspend your censure so long, till your judgment on the subject can be wisely formed.

The reason why he 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 because they rise early.

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

Those two boys appear to be both equal in capacity. Whenever he sees me, he always inquires concerning his friends.

The reason of his conduct will be accounted for in the conclusion of this narrative.

I hope this is the last time that I shall ever act so imprudently.

The reason of his sudden departure, was on account of the case not admitting of delay.

The people gained nothing farther by this step, but only to suspend their misery.

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

There are few words in the English language, which are employed in a more loose and uncircumscribed sense, than those of the fancy and the imagination.

I intend to make use of these words in the thread of

my following speculations, that the reader may conceive rightly what is the subject upon which I proceed.

Commend me to an argument that, like a flai!, there is no fence against it.

How many are there, by whom these tidings of good news were never heard?

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

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

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

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

This measure may afford some profit, and furnish some

amusement.

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

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

Whereas, on the other hand, supposing that secrecy had been enjoined, his conduct was very culpable.

Less capacity is required for this business, but more time is necessary.

He did not mention Leonora, nor that her father was dead.

The combatants encountered each other with such rage, that, being eager only to assail, and thoughtless of making any defence, they both fell dead upon the field together.

I shall, in the first place, begin with remarking the defects, and shall then proceed afterwards to describe the excellences, of this plan of education..

Numberless orders of beings, which are to us unknown people the wide extent of the universe.

His extraordinary beauty was such, that it struck observers with admiration.

Thought and language act and react upon each other mutually.

Their interests were dependent upon and inseparably connected with each other,

While you employ all the circumspection and vigilance which reason can suggest, let your prayers, at the same time, continually ascend to heaven for support and aid.

SECT. 2.

The second rule for promoting the strength of a sentencé, is, to attend particularly to the use of copulatives, relatives, and all the particles employed for transition and connexion.

The enemy said, I will pursue, and I will overtake, and I will divide the spoil.

While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, cold, heat, summer, winter, day, and night, shall not cease.

A man should endeavour to make the sphere of his innocent pleasures as wide as possible, that he 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 criminal 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.

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. 3.

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.

Whether a choice altogether unexceptionable, has in 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 platonie philosophy, so far as it relates to the soul of man, into beautiful allegories, in the sixth book of his Æneid, 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 educa tion, may be, and too often are, drawn by the temptations