lence with temperance and fortitude,) must form one complete and entire system.

Dissimulation obscures (28) parts and learning; degrades (28) the lustre of every accomplishment; and plunges (8) us into universal contempt.

Confident (28) as you now are in your assertions, and positive (28) as you are in your opinions, be assured (3) the time approaches, when (25) things and men will appear in a different light to you. (27)

In this age of dissipation and luxury in which we live, how many avenues are constantly open that carry (8) us to the gates (28) of folly!

Through extravagance and idleness, and (3) vain inclination (28) of emulating others in the splendid show of life, many run (2) into charges exceeding their property.

Objects are separated (10) from each other, by their qualities: they are distinguished (8) by the distance of time or place.

Clarendon being a man of extensive (10) abilities, stored his mind with a variety of ideas; which circumstance contributed to the successful exertion of his vigorous capacity. (8)

SECT. V.

The most high (29) degree of reverence and attention should be paid to youth; and nothing (23) that is indecent or indelicate should be suffered to approach their eyes or their (23) ears.

He who is blessed with a clear conscience, in the worst conjunctures of human life, enjoys (13) an elevation of mind peculiar to virtue, as well as (23) dignity and peace. (26)

(16) The hand of industry may change, in a few years, the face of a country; but (16) to alter (28)

the sentiments and manners of a people, (12) requires often as many generations.

When the human mind dwells attentively (26) and long upon any subject, the passions are apt to grow (26) enthusiastick, interested, and warm; and the understanding which they ought to obey, (26) they often force into their service.

Some years after, (10) being released from prison, by reason of his consummate knowledge of civil law, and of military affairs, he was (14) exalted to the supreme power.

The discontented man (22) (as his spleen irritates and sours his temper, and leads him to discharge its venom on all with whom he stands connected,) is never found without a great share of malignity.

We cannot doubt but (8) all the proceedings of Providence (13) will appear as equitable, when fully understood and completely (23) intelligible, as now they seem irregular.

All that great wealth (12) gives more (8) than a moderate fortune, generally is, more room for the freaks of caprice, and (3) privilege for ignorance and vice; of flatteries a quicker succession, (25) and a larger circle of voluptuousness.

The miscarriages of the great designs of princes are recorded in the histories of the world, but are of little (4) use to the bulk of mankind, who seem very little interested in (9) records of miscarriages which cannot happen to them.

Were there any man who could say, in the course of his life, that he had never (13) suffered himself to be transported by passion, or had ever (23) given just ground of offence to any one, such a man might, (16) when he received from others unreasonable treatment, have some plea for impatience. Christianity will, at some future period, influence

U

the conduct of nations as well as (3) individuals. But this (3) (13) will (12) be, though its greatest, probably its latest triumph: for this (4) can be only brought (2) about (12) through the medium of private character; and (3) therefore will not be (3) rapid in its progress, and visible at every step; but gradual, (3) and visible (8) (12) when considerable effects only have been produced.

The British constitution stands, (13) like an ancient oak in the wood, among the nations of the earth; which, after having overcome many a blast, overtops the other trees of the forest, and commands respect and veneration.

SECT. VI.

What an anchor is to a vessel (29) amidst a boisterous ocean, (17) on a coast unknown, and in a dark night, that is the hope of future happiness to the soul, when beset (8) by the confusions of the world for in danger, (28) it affords one fixed point of rest; amidst general fluctuation, (23) it gives security.

Our pride and self-conceit, (22) (by nourishing a weak and childish sensibility to every fancied point of our own honour and interest,) (26) while they shut up all regard to the honour or interest of our brethren, render us quarrelsome and contentious.

If there be any first principle of wisdom, it undoubtedly is (13) this: the distresses that are removable, endeavour to remove; (28) bear with as little disquiet as you can, (25) the distresses which cannot be removed: (16) comforts are to be found in every situation and condition of life; having found them, (28) enjoy them.

Instead of aspiring farther (8) than your proper

level, bring (13) your mind down to your state; lest (13) you spend your life in a train of fruitless pursuits, by aiming too high, and at last bring yourself (12) to an entire state of insignificance and contempt.

Often have we seen, that what we considered (13) as a sore disappointment at the time, has proved (13) to be a merciful providence in the issue; and that (16) it would have been so far from making us happy, if what we once eagerly wished for had been obtained, that it would have produced

our ruin.

Can the stream continue to advance, (8) when it is deprived (8) of the fountain? Can the branch improve, (8) when taken (8) from the stock which gave it nourishment? (12) Dependent spirits can no more be happy, when parted (8) from all union with the Father of spirits, and the fountain of happiness.

Prosperity is redoubled to a good man, by means of the generous use (23) which he makes of it; and it is reflected back upon him by every one whom he makes happy; for (17) in the esteem and good-will of all who know him, in the gratitude of dependants, in the attachment of friends, and the intercourse of domestick affection, (26) he sees blessings multiplied round him, on every side.

Whoever (8) would pass, (16) with honour and decency, the latter part of life, must (14) consider when he is young, that one day he shall (14) be old; and remember (13) that when he is old, he has once been young: (16) he must lay up knowledge in youth for his support, when his powers of acting shall forsake him; and (16) forbear to animadvert in age with rigour, on faults which experience can alone (10) correct.

Let us consider that youth is of no (8) long duration; and that (16) when the enchantments of fancy in maturer age shall cease, and phantoms no more dance (13) about us, we shall have no comforts but (26) wise men's esteem, the approbation of our hearts. and the means of doing good: and (23) let us live as men that are (13) to grow old some time, and to whom (17) of all evils it will be the most dreadful, to count their years past only by follies, and to be reminded of their former luxuriance of health, (13) by the maladies only which riot has produced.

APPENDIX.

CONTAINING EXAMPLES, TO ASSIST THE STUDENT IN TRANSPOSING THE PARTS OF SENTENCES, AND IN VARYING THE FORM OF EXPRESSING A SENTIMENT.

CHAPTER I.

On transposing the Members of a Sentence.

THE practice of transposing the members of sentences, is an exercise so useful to young persons, that it requires a more particular explanation, than could have been properly given in the preceding work.

A few of the various modes in which the parts of a sentence may be arranged, have, therefore, been collected; and they are, with other matter, produced in the form of an Appendix to the general Exercises. By examining them attentively, the student will perceive, in some degree, the nature