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All true and substantial discussion must be founded upon reason. Imagination may assist reason, but cannot supply its place.

Rule 19.-Let every discussion be commenced with such general observations, as properly and naturally lead to the particular subject about to be investigated.

If prudence were about to be discussed, it would be suitable to begin by remarking, that the means by which evil may be avoided, are equally deserving regard with those by which advantage may be obtained. This would immediately lead to the consideration of prudence, and the student would then proceed.

It should be distinctly understood, that the skeleton is only for the use of the student; and is not necessarily to be stated. This structure will enable him to keep a clear view of the subject in his own mind, and likewise to pass from the investigation of one proposition to another, without any dread of being obliged to invent a new topic. It is, in truth, the key to his own thoughts; by which he unlocks the stores of intellect and fancy, taking from each only as much as suits his present convenience; without any apprehension that those resources will overpower him by their number or confusion.

Rule 20.-When a proposition is offered for discussion, consider first, whether it be completely intelligible; and secondly, whether it be in a form convenient for investigation.

Thus, if it were stated that "the assumption of false manners incurs a feeling of disgust and anger," it would not be easy to collect, discriminate, and arrange the arguments by which this proposition would be proved. But if it were stated that "affectation incurs contempt," the points of attention instantly become clear of ambiguity and confusion.

Rule 21.-Let every proposition consist, if possible, of two substantives, and an intermediate verb.

The following are examples.

Praise encourages merit,

Beauty incurs danger.

Beneficence demands gratitude.

Virtue obtains reward.

Religion diffuses happiness.

Perseverance subdues difficulty.

Rule 22.-If the proposition should relate to some future action, the intermediate verb will generally be in the subjunctive mood.

The following are examples:

Punishment should be commensurate to crime.
Modesty ought to receive favour.

The African slave trade ought to obtain abolition.
Law should evince impartiality.

There is scarcely any, perhaps there is no proposition, which may not be reduced to this form: because a proposition is nothing more than an assertion that one thing does, or ought to,

act upon another: the names of those two things are the substantives. Every kind of action is expressed by verbs; and therefore the action between the two substantives will be expressed by an intermediate verb. It will sometimes happen that the subjects cannot be compressed into one word, as "the desire of fame leads to glory;" but even in those instances, it will be but one substantive in idea.

Rule 23.-If the subject proposed be a question, answer the question according to your opinion, and in the form of a proposition, and let that answer be the proposition.

Rule 24.-When the proposition is reduced to correct form, let both subjects be defined according to the rules already given.

Rule 25.-When both subjects are defined, place that one first to which the proposition states that the other leads.

Thus, "temperance leads to happiness.” In discussing this proposition, happiness would be placed first. But in those which are stated without any distinction of time, as" punishment should be commensurate to crime," there is no reason for choice.

Rule 26.-State, in two propositions, the most comprehensive causes of the first subject and in two other propositions, show that the second subject is one of those causes.

Thus, if the proposition were that "affectation incurs contempt," the reasoning would stand thus:

Contempt, a feeling of disgust and anger.

Prop. 1.-It is excited by weakness of intellect.
Prop. 2.-It is excited by any effort to deceive.

Affectation, the assumption of false manners.
Prop. 1.-It betrays weakness of intellect.
Prop. 2.-It is an effort to deceive.

Therefore, affectation incurs contempt.

As some occasions will occur in which each part of the skeleton must be discussed at considerable length, it will be prudent to attend to

METHOD.

It is not merely a clear and distinct idea, a well-formed proposition, or a just argument, that is sufficient to search out and communicate the knowledge of a subject. There must be a variety and series of them, disposed in a clear and connected form. The art of making such an arrangement is called method. It is method that must secure our thoughts from that confusion, obscurity, and mistake which must unavoidably attend a wild disordered effusion.

The method necessary to correct reasoning and efficient eloquence, may be defined to be, the disposition of a variety of thoughts on any subject, in such order as may best serve to find out unknown truths, explain and confirm truths that are known, and to fix them in the memory. It is by method that persons are able to range

their own thoughts in such a system and scheme, as to take a large and comprehensive survey of every subject and design in all its parts: by this means they can better judge what to choose and what to reject: how to manage the whole scene before them, so as to attain their own ends with greater success and applause.

Rule 27.-Let your method be plain and easy, so that your hearers or readers, as well as yourself, may run through it without embarrassment, and take a clear and comprehensive view of the whole scheme. To this end the following particular directions will be useful.

1. Begin always with those things which are best known, and most obvious, whereby the mind may have no difficulty or fatigue, and proceed by regular and easy steps to things that are more difficult. And as far as possible let not the understanding, or the proof of any of your positions, depend on the positions that follow, but always on those which go before.

2. Do not affect excessive haste, lest you be too soon involved in several new and strange ideas and propositions, which cannot be well understood without a longer and closer attention to those which go before. Such sort of speech is but a waste of time, and will constrain you to take many steps backward.

3. Be not fond of crowding too many thoughts and reasonings into one sentence or paragraph, beyond the apprehension or capacity of your readers or hearers.

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