And spangled heav'ns, a shining frame, Soon as the ev❜ning shades prevail, Whilst all the stars that round her burn, What tho', in solemn silence, all PART II. EXERCISES IN ORTHOGRAPHY. CHAP. I. Containing instances of false Orthography, arranged under the respective Rules. Grammar, p. 35. Key, p. 1. RULE 1. Monosyllables ending with f, I, or s, preceded by a single vowel, double the final consonant; as, staff, mi ̄\\\, pass, &c. The only exceptions are, of, if, as, is, hi is, was, yes, his, this, us, and thus. It is no great merit to spel properly; but a great fect to do it incorrectly. Jacob worshiped his Creator, leaning on the top of his staf. We may place too little, as well as too much stres upon dreams. Our manners should be neither gros, nor excessively refined. RULE II. Monosyllables ending with any consonant but f, I, or s, and preceded by a single vowel, never double the final consonant; excepting only, add, ebb, butt egg, odd, err, inn, bunn, purr, and buss. Grammar, p. 35. Key, p. 2. A carr signifies a chariot of war, or a small carriage of burden. In the names of druggs and plants, the mistake in a word may endanger life. Nor undelightful is the ceaseless humm To him who muses through the woods at noon. The finn of a fish is the limb, by which he balances his body, and moves in the water. Many a trapp is laid to insnare the feet of youth. Many thousand families are supported by the simple business of making matts. RULE III. Words ending with y, preceded by a consonant, form the plurals of nouns, the persons of verbs, verbal nouns, past participles, comparatives, and superlatives, by changing y into i; as spy, spies; I carry, thou carriest; he carrieth or carries; carrier, carried; happy, happier, happiest. The present participle ing, retains the y, that i may not be doubled; as, carry, carrying; bury, burying, &c. But y, preceded by a vowel, in such instances as the above, is not changed; as, boy, boys; Icloy, he cloys, cloyed, &c.; except in lay, pay, and say; from which are formed, laid, paid, and said; and their compounds, unlaid, unpaid, unsaid, &c. Grammar, p. 35. Key, p. 2. We should subject our fancys to the government of reason. If thou art seeking for the living amongst the dead, thou wearyest thyself in vain. If we have denyed ourselves sinful pleasures, we shall be great gainers in the end. We shall not be the happyer for possessing talents and affluence, unless we make a right use of them. The truly good mind is not dismaied by poverty, affliction or death. RULE IV. Words ending with y, preceded by a consonant, upon assuming an additional syllable beginning with a consonant, commonly change y into i; as, happy, happily, happiness. But when y is preceded by a vowel, it is very rarely changed in the additional syllable ; as, coy, coyly; boy, boyish, boyhood; annoy, annoyed, annoyance; joy, joyless, joyful, &c. Grammar, p. 35. Key, p. 2. It is a great blessing to have a sound mind, uninfluenced by fanciful humours. Common calamities, and common blessings, fall heavyly upon the envyous. The comelyness of youth are modesty and frankness; of age, condescension and dignity. When we act against conscience, we become the destroiers of our own peace. We may be plaiful, and yet innocent; grave, and yet corrupt. It is only from general conduct, that our true character can be portraied.. RULE V. Monosyllables, and words accented on the last syllable, ending with a single consonant preceded by a single vowel, double that consonant, when they take another syllable beginning with a vowel: as wit, witty; thin, thinnish; to abet, an abettor; to begin, a beginner. But if a dipthong precedes, or the accent is on the preceding syllable, the consonant remains single; as, to toil, toiling; to offer, an offering; maid, maiden, &c. Grammar, p. 35. Key, p. 3. When we bring the lawmaker into contempt, we have in effect annuled his laws. By defering our repentance, we accumulate our sor rows. Whe pupils of a certain ancient philosopher, were not, during their first years of study, permited to ask any questions. We all have many faillings and lapses to lament and recover. There is no affliction with which we are visitted, that may not be improved to our advantage. The Christian Lawgiver has prohibitted many things, which the heathen philosophers allowed. RULE VI. Words ending with any double letter but 1, and taking ness, less, ly, or ful, after them, preserve the letter double: as, harmlessness, carelessness, carelessly, stiffly, successful, distressful, &c. But those words which end with double 1, and take ness, less, ly, or ful, after them, generally omit one I, as fulness, skillness, fully, skilful, &c. Grammar, p. 36. Key, p. 3. Restlesness of mind disqualifies us, both for the enjoyment of peace, and the performance of our duty. The arrows of calumny fall harmlesly at the feet of virtue. The road to the blisful regions, is as open to the peasant as to the king. A chillness or shivering of the body generally precedes a fever. To recommend virtue to others, our lights must shine brightly, not dullly. The silent stranger stood amaz❜d to see RULE VII. Ness, less, ly, and ful, added to words ending with silent e, do not cut it off: as, paleness, guileless. closely, peaceful, except in a few words: as, duly, truly, anful. The warmth of disputation, distroys that sedateness of mind which is necessary to discover truth. All these with ceasless praise his works behold," In all our reasonings, our minds should be sincerely employed in the pursuit of truth. Rude behaviour, and indecent language, are peculiarly disgracful to youth of education. The true worship of God is an important and aweful service. Wisdom alone is truely fair: folly only appears so. RULE VIII. Ment, added to words ending with silent e, generally preserve the e from elision: as, abatement, chastisement, incitement, &c. The words judgement, abridgement, acknowledg ment, are deviations from the rule. Like other terminations it changes y into i, when preceded by a consonant: as, accompany, accompaniment ; merry, mer riment. Grammar, p. 36. Key, p. 4. The study of the English language is making daily advancment. A judicious arrangment of studies facilitates improvement. To shun allurements is not hard, To minds resolv'd, forewarn'd, and well prepar❜d. |