2. THE OLD MAN AND THE BUNDLE OF STICKS:

The sons the disagreement-the death-bed—the meeting—the advice- the bundle-the command — the failure—the single stick-the moral.

3. "DON'T GIVE UP THE SHIP!"

Challenge of the British ship Shannon-the brief fight-the dreadful slaughter the surrender Lawrence's memorable words.

V. Biographical Sketches.

Write short biographical sketches from the following outlines:

1. GEORGE WASHINGTON:

Founder of the Republic of the United States-born at Bridge's Creek, Va., 1732-education, simple and meagre early taste for military life—becomes public surveyor to Lord Fairfax-adjutant-general of the Virginia militia- encroachments of the French-his first campaign-campaign under Braddock—marries and settles at Mount Vernon-outbreak of the Revolution -appointed commander-in-chief, 1775-(two or three general sentences about Washington's conduct during the war)—elected first President-re-elected-dies-his character: simple, truthful, sincere, patriotic-patient, persevering, disinterested — his influence on the young republic.

2. SIR WALTER RALEIGH:

Birthplace education-his first voyage-other employmentshis appearance at the court of Elizabeth-his accomplishments -anecdote of his readiness and tact—the queen and the velvet cloak-his promotions and rewards—his next voyage to America—the importation of tobacco and potatoes into England— the colony of Virginia—his arrest for treason, and imprisonment in the Tower-his release after thirteen years-his expedition to Oronoco, and its object-circumstances that led to his execution --his character, moral and intellectual.

CHAPTER VI.

ON STYLE.

46. The manner in which thoughts are expressed constitutes style.

The term "style" is derived from the Latin word stylus, the name of the instrument with which the Romans wrote. The change by which the word, from designating the instrument, came to denote the use made of it, is similar to the transformation in the meaning of the English word pen. Thus, "Swift wields a caustic pen"=his manner of writing (i. e., his "style") is caustic.

47. The excellence of a piece of writing depends primarily upon that of its separate sentences. Now, the excellence of a sentence depends upon two things:

1. Language, or the choice of words.

2. Construction, or the arrangement of the parts of a sen

tence.

I. CHOICE OF WORDS.

48. FIRST REQUISITE.-Accuracy in the Use of Words. Accuracy is that quality of language which consists in using the "right word in the right place.”

I. Accuracy in the use of words cannot be acquired in a few easy lessons. All that can be done is to put pupils in the way of thinking about the words they employ; and this habit, once gained, will gradually bring about correctness in the use of language.

II. Particular care should be exercised in the use of prepositions, conjunctions, and other particles.

1. There never was such a quantity of animals at any cattle-show.

A "quantity" means a single mass, and hence this term cannot be used to denote many different animals. It should be, "There never were so many," or, "There never was such a number," etc.

2. The attempt was found to be impracticable.

An "attempt" may be unsuccessful, or futile; but as an attempt implies some effort made, it cannot be said to be "impracticable," which means impossible of doing.

3. I find no difficulty of keeping up with my class.

This should be," in keeping," etc.

EXERCISE 27.
A.

Substitute terms of correct signification for the italicized words:

1. A child is educated in the grammar of a language, and instructed to speak it correctly.

2. He spoke most contemptibly of the man.

3. The veracity of the statement was called in question.

4. His apparent guilt justified his friends in disowning him.

5. I do not want any cranberries.

6. By the observance of the habits of the lower animals we may learn many interesting facts.

7. I have persuaded him that he is wrong.

B.

In the following sentences correct the wrongly used particles:

1. Poetry has the same aim with Christianity.

2. Scarcely had he uttered the fatal word, than the fairy disappeared.

3. We should always be ready to assist such poor persons who are unable to obtain a livelihood.

4. I find great difficulty of writing now.

5. The Italian universities were forced to send for their professors from

Spain and France.

6. He drew a different conclusion from the subject than I did.

7. Favors are not always bestowed to the most deserving.

MISUSED WORDS.

49. There are in current use many words employed in a sense that does not properly belong to them. A few of these are here given: they should be carefully noted, and their misuse avoided.

aggravate.....for irritate: as, “He aggravates me by his impudence." allude...........for refer. To allude means to hint at in an indirect way. balance.........for remainder: as, "The balance of the people went home." calculate.......for design or intend, or as an equivalent to likely, apt: as,

"Sensational newspapers are calculated to injure the

morals of the young;" they are not "calculated" to do so; but they are certainly likely to do so.

couple..........for two: as, "A couple of ladies fell upon the ice yesterday." A "couple" means properly two that are coupled. demean ........for debase: as, "I would not demean myself by doing so." To "demean" means to behave in any way, and has no connection with the term mean.

emblem........for motto, sentiment, or meaning: generally applied to flowers. "The emblem of this flower is, "I live for thee."

In this case the flower itself is the emblem: "I live for thee" is the meaning given to it.

expect.......for suppose, or think: as, “I expect you had a pretty hard time of it yesterday;" for I suppose or I think you had, etc. Expect refers only to that which is to come.

inaugurate....for begin, or set up. To inaugurate is to induct into office with solemn ceremonies; thus we speak of the President's being inaugurated. But we cannot "inaugurate" a thing. married........often wrongly used in announcements: as, "MarriedJohn Smith to Mary Jones." It should be, "Mary Jones to John Smith," as, properly speaking, it is the woman that is married (French mari, a husband) to a man.

name............for mention: as, "I never named the matter to any one." predicated....for founded, or based: as, "This opinion is predicated on the plainest teachings of common-sense," meaning founded on, etc.

witness........for see: as, "This is the most splendid bay I ever witnessed." We may witness an act at the performance of

which we are present, but we cannot witness a thing.

50. SECOND REQUISITE.-Simplicity of Words.

We should ordinarily avoid all such words as require per'sons to consult a dictionary, provided simpler and easier words can be found to express the meaning. We should also avoid pompous expressions and high-flown words and phrases, because the use of these is always a sign either of half-learning or of vulgar taste.

It is well to remember that large words will not increase the size of little thoughts.

sembled to behold the spec- A great crowd came to see.

tacle

The conflagration extended its devastating career

The progress of the devouring

element could not be arrested One of those omnipresent characters who, as if in pursuance of some previous arrangement, are certain to be encountered when an accident occurs, ventured the suggestion However, the edifice was totally consumed, notwithstanding the most energetic efforts of those noble men who, on such occasions, rush to the call of duty

The fire spread.

The fire could not be checked.

A bystander advised.

But the house was burned to the ground, in spite of all that the firemen could do.*

*Bonnell: Manual of Composition.