1

THE

METHOD

OF

TEACHING and STUDYING

THE

BELLES LETTRES,

OR,

An Introduction to LANGUAGES, POETRY, RHETORIC, HISTORY, MORAL PHILOSOPHY, PHYSICKS, &c.

WITH

Reflections on TASTE; and Instructions with regard to the ELOQUENCE of the PULPIT, the BAR, and the STAGE.

The whole illustrated with Passages from the most famous POETS and ORATORS, ancient and modern, with CRITICAL REMARKS on them.

Designed more particularly for STUDENTS in the UNIVERSITIES.

By Mr. ROLLIN, late Principal of the University of Paris, Profeffor of Eloquence in the Royal College, and Member of the Royal Academy of Inscriptions and Belles Lettres.

Translated from the French.

VOL. II.

The THIRD EDITION.

LONDON:

Printed for C. HITCH, at the Red-Lion in Paternoster Row. M. DCC. XLII.

JOTDECA

Of Compofition

ARTICLE I. Of Themes

7

ibid.

ARTICLE II. An Essay on the method of forming youth

for compofing, either by word of mouth, or by writ-

ing

1. Encomium of Cæfar's clemency

15

16

Cæfar's clemency in pardoning Marcellus, is much

more glorious than all his victories

A Subject in writing, for a French Theme

ibid.

20

The foregoing subject as treated by M. Mafcaron, in

the funeral oration of M. Turenne

The fame topic taken from M. Fleckier

DESCRIPTIONS.

21

22

I. The retired life of M. de Lamoignon in the country,

during the vacation

25

II. The modesty of M. Turenne. His private life 26

III. The

III. The honourable reception M. Turenne met with from

the King, upon his return from the campaign. His

modesty

IV. The Queen of England's escape by fea

PARALLELS.

Page 27

29

I. Parallel between M. Turenne and the Cardinal de

Bouillon

30

II. Parallel between violent and languishing diseases

ibid.

III. Parallel. The Queen ferving the poor in the Hof-

pital, and sharing in the King's glory and triumphs 31

ibid.

32

IV. Parallel between a wicked and an ignorant Judge

Common Places

CHAP. III.

Of the reading and explaining of Authors

SECTION I.

42

ARTICLE III. Of the mediate kind

66

ARTICLE IV. General reflections on the three kinds of

ARTICLE I. Of Argument and Proofs

Explanation of a speech in Livy

ARTICLE II. Of thoughts

The combat of the Horatii and the Curiatii

Different reflections upon thoughts

Of shining thoughts

113

I. Conference between Demaratus and Xerxes

II. Seneca's reflection upon a saying of Augustus 117

III. Another thought of Seneca upon the scarcity of

fincere friends

119

ARTICLE III. Of the choice of word's

122

ARTICLE IV. Of the order and disposition of words

130

EXAMPLES.

135

A fecond method of order or difpofition

ARTICLE V. Of Figures

137

140

Figures of Words

141

1. For ornament

145

2. To heighten low and common thoughts

3. To foften harsh expreffions

The Antithesis, Distribution, and fuch like Figures

146

ibid.