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to the larboard; we may construct the shelves without haffets.

Q. What is the next rule?

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A. It is, not to use the same word too often, or in different senses; as, "The king communicated his intention to the minister, who disclosed it to the secretary, who made it known to the public." "His own reason might have suggested better reasons. Q. How would you rectify these sentences? A. Thus: "The king communicated his intention to the minister, who disclosed it to the secretary, and the secretary made it known to the public." "His own judgment might have suggested better reasons.' Q. What is the next rule to be attended to?

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A. All words that are necessary to complete the sense ought to be supplied; thus, instead of "This acion increased his former services;" we should say. This action increased the merit of his former services."

Q. What rule have you next to give.?

A. Avoid all equivocal or ambiguous expressions. Q. What do you mean by equivocal or ambiguous expressions? A. Such expressions as are either susceptible of a double or a doubtful meaning.

Q. Can you give an example of this?

A. "I can not find one of my books;" which may mean either that there is one of my books which I can not find, or that I can find none of them at all. Q. Have you any farther rule to give?

A. One, and but one; avoid unintelligible and inconsistent words and phrases; as, “I have but an opaque idea of the subject."

Q. What word ought to be used instead of opaque in this case? A. The word confused or indistinct, which signifies not clear, while opaque means not fit to be seen through.

Q. Can you point out the errors, and make the necessary corrections in the following sentences? I had as lief say a thing after him as after another. I need say no more concerning the drift of these letters. What is it but a sort of rack that forces men to say what they have no mind to? These persons know not what to make of themselves. Our friend does not hold long in one mind.

A. I should like as well to say a thing after him as after another. I need say no more concerning the purport of these letters. What is it but a sort of rack that forces men to say what they wish to conceal, or do not wish to communicate? These persons know not how to employ their time. Our friend does not continue long in one opinion.

EXERCISES.

I. Correct the vulgar or technical expressions in the following sentences:

1. He is not a whit better than those whom he so liberally condemns. 2. The meaning of the phrase, as I take it, is very different from the common acceptation.

3. I exposed myself so much among the people, that I had like to have gotten one or two broken heads.

4. He is very dexterous in smelling out the views and designs of others. 5. You may perceive, with half an eye, the difficulties to which such conduct will expose you.

6. It fell out, unfortunately, that two of the principal persons fell out, and had a fatal quarrel.

II. Supply the words which are necessary to make the sense complete in the following sentences:

1. He is engaged in a treatise on the interests of the soul and body. 2. Some productions of nature rise in value, according as they more or less resemble those of art.

3. He is impressed with a true sense of that function, when chosen from a regard to the interests of piety and virtue.

III. Correct the improper use of the same word in different senses, in the following sentences:

1. An eloquent speaker may give more, but can not give more convincing arguments, than this plain man offered.

2. They were persons of very moderate intellects, even before they were impaired by their passions.

3. The sharks, who prey on the inadvertency of young heirs, are more pardonable than those, who trespass upon the good opinion of those, who treat them with great confidence and respect.

IV. Correct the equivocal or ambiguous expressions in the following sentences:

1. When our friendship is considered, how is it possible that I should not grieve for his loss?

2. The eagle killed the hen, and eat her in her own nest.

3. Solomon, the son of David, who built the temple of Jerusalem, was the richest monarch that reigned over the Jewish people.

4. The Divine Being heapeth favors on his servants, ever liberal and faithful.

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V. Correct or omit such words and phrases, in the following sentences, as are unintelligible, inapplica

ble, or less significant than others, of the ideas which they are intended to express :

1. I seldom see a noble building, or any great piece of magnificence and pomp, but I think, how little is all this to satisfy the ambition, or to fill the idea, of an immortal soul.

2. The attempt, however laudable, was found to be impracticable

3. He is our mutual benefactor, and deserves our respect and obedience. 4. Vivacity is often promoted by presenting a sensible object to the mind, instead of an intelligible one.

5. It is difficult for him to speak three sentences together

6. The negligence of timely precaution was the cause of this great loss. 7. By proper reflection, we may be taught to mend what is erroneous and defective.

CHAPTER XIV.

OF PRECISION.

Q. What do you mean by the term Precision?

A. The using of no more words to convey our meaning than the sense absolutely requires.

Q. To what does precision stand opposed?

A. To that looseness and vagueness of style which arise from too great a multiplicity of words.

Q. What tends most to produce precision?

A. Clear and accurate thinking. We must perfectly know our own meaning, and thoroughly understand the words we make use of.

Q. What is the evil of employing too many words to express an idea?

A. It distracts the attention of the reader or hearer, and prevents him from forming a correct conception of the subject under discussion.

Q. Is want of precision a common error?

A. Perhaps the most so of any that can be named as many, not content with one word to express an idea, are apt to subjoin another, which, conceiving it to be of the same import, will, they think, make the thought much plainer.

Q. What is the best rule for avoiding this error?

A. Select the word that exactly expresses the idea intended to be communicated, and use that and no other for the purpose.

Q. When is precision most apt to be violated?

A. In the use of what are called synonymous terms,

or words which are considered of the same signification.

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Q. Are there any words perfectly synonymous?

A. On this point there is great difference of opinion, out many are reputed synonymous which are not so n reality.

Q. Can you give an example of this?

4. Courage and fortitude are generally deemed of the same import; but the difference between them is considerable. Courage braves danger, fortitude supports pain.

Q. Is precision alike necessary in all sorts of composition?

A. In all it is important; it is the very essence of poetry; but in novels and romances it is much less necessary, than in works which inculcate truth, or teach some art or science.

Q. Can you correct the following sentences in which precision has been disregarded? James desisted from, and renounced his designs. He abhorred and detested being in debt. This lady was a pattern of piety, virtue, and religion.

A. James desisted from his designs. He detested being in debt. This lady was a pattern of piety and virtue.

EXERCISES.

I. Omit the superfluous expressions in the follow ing sentences:

1. The human body may be divided into the head, trunk, limbs, and vitals.

2. His end soon approached, and he died with great courage and fortitude. 3. There can be no regularity or order in the life and conduct of that man, who does not give and allot a due share of his time to retirement and reflection.

4. His cheerful, happy temper, remote from discontent, keeps up a kind of daylight in his mind, excludes every gloomy prospect, and fills it with a steady and perpetual serenity.

II. Correct the tautology in the following sentences: 1. The birds were clad in their brightest plumage, and the trees were clad in their richest verdure.

2. The occurrence which the sentinel told the sergeant, he told the captain, who told it to the general.

3. Notwithstanding the rapidity with which time passes, men pass their lives in trifles and follies; although reason and religion declare, that not a moment should pass without bringing something to pass.

4. He used to use many expressions not usually used, and which are not generally in use.

5. The writing which mankind first wrote, was first written on tables of

stone.

6. Our expectations are frequently disappointed, because we expect greater happiness from the future than experience authorizes us to expect. 7. No learning that we have learned is generally so dearly bought, or so valuable when it is bought, as that which we have learned in the school of experience.

III. Correct the following errors in the use of words Commonly employed as synonymous:

1. The secretary left the place of trust he held under government, gave up his party, quitted his parents in affliction, and deserted the kingdom forever.

2. A patriot acknowledges his opposition to a corrupt ministry, and is applauded; a gentleman confesses his mistake, and is forgiven; a prisoner avows the crime of which he stands accused, and is punished.

3. A hermit is severe in his life; a casuist rigorous in his application cf religion or law; a judge austere in his sentences.

4. The earl, being a man of extensive abilities, stored his mind with a variety of ideas; which circumstance contributed to the successful exertion of his vigorous capacity.

5. By the habit of walking often in the streets, one acquires a custom of idleness.

6. Philip found an obstacle to managing the Athenians, on account of their natural dispositions; but the eloquence of Demosthenes was the great difficulty in his designs.

7. He is master of a complete house, which has not one entire apartment. 8. An honest man will refrain from employing an ambiguous expression;

2 confused man may often utter equivocal terms without design.

9. This man, on all occasions, treated his inferiors with great haughtiness and disdain.

10. Galileo discovered the telescope; Harvey invented the circulation of the blood.

11. He is a child alone, having neither brother nor sister.

12. A man may be too vain to be proud.

13. The traveler observed the most striking objects he saw; the general remarked all the motions of the enemy.

14. I am amazed at what is new or unexpected; confounded at what is vast or great; surprised at what is incomprehensible; astonished by what is shocking or terrible.

15. He died with violence; for he was killed by a sword.

CHAPTER XV.

OF PERSPICUITY IN THE STRUCTURE OF SENTENCES. Q. What is the first requisite in the structure of sentences? A. To be careful to make them neither too long nor too short; and not to have too many that are either very long or very short following in succession.

Q. What is generally the effect of making sentences too long? A. It tends to confuse and fatigue the reader or hearer, and consequently prevents him from distinctF

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