the rising and setting of the sun, which is wholly made up of those different stains of light, that show themselves in clouds of a different situation.

There will be found a round million of creatures in human figure, throughout this kingdom, whose whole subsistence, &c.

It is the custom of the Mahometans, if they see any printed or written paper upon the ground, to take it up, and lay it aside carefully, as not knowing but it may contain some piece of their Alcoran.

The laws of nature, are, truly, what Lord Bacon styles his aphorisms, laws of laws. Civil laws are always imperfect, and often false deductions from them, or applications of them; nay, they stand, in many instances, in direct opposition to them.

It has not a word, says Pope, but what the author religiously thinks in it.

Many act so directly contrary to this method, that from a habit of saving time and paper, which they acquired at the university, they write in so diminutive a manner, that they can hardly read what they have written.

Thus I bave fairly given you my own opinion, as well as that of a great majority of both houses here, relating to this weighty affair; upon which I am confident you may securely reckon.

If we trace a youth from the earliest period of life, who has been well educated, we shall perceive the wisdom of the maxims here recommended.

CHAP. II.

Containing sentences in which the rules of Unity are violated.

Grammar, p. 267. Key, p. 126.
SECT. I.

During the course of the sentence, the scene should be changed as little as possible.

A SHORT time after this injury, he came to himself;

and the next day, they put him on board a ship, which conveyed him first to Corinth, and thence to the island of Egina.

The Britons, daily harrassed by cruel inroads from the Picts, were forced, to call in the Saxons for their defence; who consequently reduced the greater part of the island to their own power; drove the Britons into the most remote and mountainous parts; and the rest of the country, in customs, religion, and language, became wholly Saxons.

By eagerness of temper, and precipitancy of indul. gence, men forfeit all the advantages which patience would have procured; and, by this means, the opposite evils are incurred to their full extent.

Tias prostitution of praise does not only affect the gross of mankind, who take their notion of characters from the learned; but also the better sort must, by this means, lose some part at least of their desire of fame, when they find it promiscuously bestowed on the meritorious and undeserving.

All the precautions of prudence, moderation, and condescension, which Eumenes employed, were incapable of mollifying the hearts of those barbarians, and of extinguishing their jealousy; and he must have renounced his merit and virtue which occasioned it, to have been capable of appeasing them.

He who performs every employment in its due place and season, suffers no part of time to escape without profit; and thus his days become multiplied; and much of life is enjoyed in little space.

Desires of pleasure usher in temptation, and the growth of disorderly passions is forwarded.

SECT. II.

We should never crowd into one sentence, things which have so little connexion, that they could bear to be divided into trvo or three sentences.

Grammar, p. 268. Key, p. 12.

1

THE notions of lord Sunderland were always good; but he was a man of great expense.

In this uneasy state, both of his public and private life, Cicero was oppressed by a new and deep affliction, the death of his beloved daughter Tullia, which happened soon after her divorce from Dolabella; whose manners and humours were entirely disagreeable to her.

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 adorn 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 mayest be lodged in that lowly mansion which no storms ever touch.

SFCT. III.

We should keep clear of all unnecessary parentheses.
Grammar, p. 270. Key, p. 128,

DISAPPOINTMENTS will often happen to the best and wisest men, (not through any imprudence of theirs, not 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 offence 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 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. Grammar, p. 271. Key, p. 129.

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 flail, 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..