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PE 1402 Bi 1852 527858

Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the year one Thousand Eight Hundred and Forty-Eight, by W. E. DEAN, in the Clerk's Office of the Southern District of New York.

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ADVERTISEMENT.

THE want of a system of Rhetoric upon a concise plan, and at an easy price, will, it is presumed, render this little volume acceptable to the public. To collect knowledge, which is scattered over a wide extent, into a small compass, if it has not the merit of originality, has at least the advantage of being useful. Many, who are terrified at the idea of travelling over a ponderous volume in search of information, will yet set out on a short journey in pursuit of science with alacrity and profit. Those, for whom the following essays are principally intended, will derive peculiar benefit from the brevity with which they are conveyed. To youth, who are engaged in the rudiments of learning; whose time and attention must be occupied by a variety of subjects; every branch of science should be rendered as concise as possible. Hence the attention is not fatigued, nor the memory overloaded.

That the knowledge of Rhetoric forms a very material part of the education of a polite scholar must be universally allowed. An attempt, therefore, however imperfect, to make so useful an art more generally known, has claim to that praise which is the reward of good intention. With this the editor will be sufficiently satisfied; since being serviceable to others is the most agreeable method of becoming contented with ourselves.

The arrangement of the questions, as in this edition, is evidently more convenient, than the plan of placing them at the close of the lecture, the end of the book, or in a separate pamphlet.

LECTURES ON RHETORIC.

LECTURE I.

INTRODUCTION.

A PROPER acquaintance with the circle of liberal arts is requisite to the study of Rhetoric and Belles Lettres. To extend the knowledge of them must be the first care of those who wish, either to write with reputation, or so to express themselves in public, as to command attention. Among the ancients it was an essential principle, that the orator ought to be conversant in every department of learning. No art indeed can be contrived which can stamp merit on a composition, rich or splendid in expression, but barren or erroneous in sentiment. Oratory, it is true, has often been disgraced by attempts to establish a false criterion of its value. Writers have endeavoured to supply want of matter by graces of composition; and courted the temporary applause of the ignorant instead of the lasting approbation of the discerning. But such imposture must be short and transitory. The body and substance of any valuable composition must be formed of knowledge and science. Rhetoric completes the structure, and adds the polish; but firm and solid bodies only are able to receive it.

What is requisite for the study of Rhetoric and Belles Lettres? -What must be the first care ?-What was an essential principle among the ancients ?-What cannot art do ?-How has oratory been disgraced?-What have writers attempted to do ?-What will be the result of such imposture ?-Of what must the body and substance of any valuable composition be formed?-What does rhetoric do ?-What bodies only are able to receive it?

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