PART III.

EXERCISES IN SYNTAX.

CHAP. I.

Containing instances of false SYNTAX, disposed under the particular Rules.

RULE 1.

A verb must agree with its nominative case, in number and person: as, "I learn ;"" thou art improved;" "The birds sing." See Gram. 15th edit. p. 139.

DISAPPOINTMENTS sinks the heart of man; but the renewal of hope give consolation.

The smiles that encourage severity of judgment, hides malice and insincerity.

He dare not act contrary to his instructions.

Fifty pounds of wheat, contains forty pounds of flour. The mechanism of clocks and watches, were totally unknown a few centuries

ago.

The number of the inhabitants of Great Britain and Ireland, do not exceed fifteen millions.

Nothing but vain and foolish pursuits, delight some persons.

A variety of pleasing objects charm the eye. So much ability and merit are seldom found. In the deportment of Philip, a degree of awkwardness and dignity were blended.

He is an author of more credit than Plutarch, or any other that write lives too hastily.

The inquisitive and curious, is generally talkative.
Great pains has been taken to reconcile the parties.
I am sorry to say it, but there was more equivocators

than one.

The sincere is always esteemed.

Has the goods been sold to advantage? and did thou embrace the proper season?

There is many occasions in life, in which silence and simplicity is true wisdom.

The generous never recounts minutely the actions they have done; nor the prudent those they will do. He need not proceed in such haste.

The business that related to ecclesiastical meetings, matters, and persons, were to be ordered according to the king's direction.

In him were happily blended true dignity with softness of manners.

The support of so many of his relations, were a heavy tax upon his industry; but thou knows he paid it cheer. fully.

What avails the best sentiment, if persons do not live suitably to them?

Reconciliation was offered, on conditions as moderate as one consistent with a permanent union.

Not one of them whom thou sees clothed in purple, are completely happy.

And the fame of this person, and of his wonderful actions. were diffused throughout the country.

The variety of the productions of genius, like that of the operations of nature, are without limit.

In vain our flocks and fields increase our store,
When our abundance make us wish for more.

Thou should love thy neighbour as sincerely as thou loves thyself.

Has thou no better reason for censuring thy friend and companion.

Thou who art the author and bestower of life, can doubtless restore it also; but whether thou will please to restore it, or not, that thou only knows.

"O thou my voice inspire,

"Who touch'd Isaiah's lips with fire.”.

Accept these grateful tears: for thee they flow

For thee that ever felt another's wo.

Just to thy word, in ev'ry thought sincere; Who knew no wish but what the world might hear. The following examples are adapted to the notes and obs servations under RULE 1. Gram. 15th edit. p. 139 — 143.

1.* To do unto all men, as we would that they, in similar circumstances, should do unto us, constitute the great principle of virtue.

From a fear of the world's censure, to be ashamed of the practice of precepts, which the heart approves and embraces, mark a feeble and imperfect character.

The erroneous opinions which we form concerning happiness and misery, gives rise to all the mistaken and dangerous passions that embroils our life.

To live soberly, righteously, and piously, are required of all men.

That it is our duty to promote the purity of our minds and bodies, to be just and kind to our fellow-creatures, and to be pious and faithful to him that made us, admit not of any doubt in a rational and well-informed mind.

To be of a pure and humble mind, to exercise benevolence towards others, to cultivate piety towards God, is the sure means of becoming peaceful and happy.

It is an important truth, that religion, vital religion, the religion of the heart, are the most powerful auxiliaries of reason, in waging war with the passions, and promoting that sweet composure which constitute the peace of God. The possession of our senses entire, of our limbs uninjur ed, of a sound understanding, or friends and companions, are often overlooked; though it would be the ultimate wish of many, who, as far as we can judge, deserves it as much as ourselves.

All that make a figure on the great theatre of the world, the employments of the busy, the enterprises of the ambitious, and the exploits of the warlike; the virtues which forms the happiness, and the crimes which occasions the misery of mankind; originates in that silent and secret recess of thought which are hidden from every human eye.

* The examples under each rule are regularly numbered to make them correspond to the respective subordinate rules, in the Grammar.

2. If the privileges to which he has an undoubted right, and he had long enjoyed, should now be wrested from him, would be flagrant injustice.

These curiosities we have imported from China, and áre similar to those which were some time ago brought from Africa.

Will martial flames for ever fire thy mind,

And never, never be to heav'n resign'd?

3. Two substantives, when they come together, and do not signify the same thing, the former must be in the genitive case.

Virtue, however it may be neglected for a time, men are so constituted as ultimately to acknowledge and respect genuine merit.

4. The crown of virtue is peace and honour.

His chief occupation and enjoyment were controversy.

Or won to what may work his atter loss,

All this will soon follow.

Whose gray top

Shall tremble, him descending.

RULE II.

Two or more nouns, &c. in the singular number, joined together by one or more copulative conjunctions, expressed or understood, must have verbs, nouns, and pronouns, agreeing with them in the plural number ; as, "Socrates and Plato were wise; they were the most eminent philosophers of Greece;" "The sun that rolls over our heads, the food that we receive, the rest that we enjoy, daily, admonish us of a superior and superintending Power." Gram. 15th edit. p. 143.

Idleness and ignorance is the parent of many vices. Wisdom, virtue, happiness, dwells with the golden mediocrity.

In unity consist the welfare and security of every society.

Time and tide waits for no man.

His politeness and good disposition was, on failure of their effect, entirely changed.

Patience and diligence, like faith, removes mountains. Humility and knowledge, with poor apparel, excels pride and ignorance under costly attire.

The planetary system, boundless space, and the immense ocean, affects the mind with sensations of astonish

ment.

Humility and love, whatever obscurities may involve religious tenets, constitutes the essence of true religion. Religion and virtue, our best support and highest honour, confers on the mind principles of noble independ

ence.

What signifies the counsel and care of preceptors when youth think they have no need of assistance?

The examples which follow, are suited to the notes and observations under RULE 11. Gram. 15th edit. p. 144-146.

1. Much does human pride and self complacency require correction.

Luxurious living, and high pleasures, begets a languor and satiety that destroys all enjoyment.

Pride and self-sufficiency stifles sentiments of dependence on our Creator; levity and attachment to worldly pleasures, destroys the sense of gratitude to him.

2. Good order in our affairs, hot mean savings, pro duce great profits.

The following treatise, together with those that accompany it, were written, many years ago, for my own private satisfaction.

That great senator, in concert with several other eminent persons, were the projectors of the revolution. The religion of these people, as well as their customs and manners, were strangely misrepresented.

Virtue, joined to knowledge and wealth, confer great influence and respectability. But knowledge, with wealth united, if virtue is wanting, have a very limited influence, and are often despised.

That superficial scholar and critic, like some renowned erities of our own, have furnished most decisive proofs, that they knew not the characters of the Hebrew language.

The buildings of the institution have been enlarged; the expence of which, added to the increased price of