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The corrections should be particular, relating to ortnography, capitals, proper division into sentences and paragraphs, as well as to sentiments and alleged facts. Yet the corrections should not extend to the alteration of the style of the writer, unless very faulty; lest originality be sacrificed to accuracy or polish.

The compiler will consider himself well rewarded for his labour in preparing this work for the use of his young countrymen, if it shall find its way extensively into their hands; for, if properly used, it will secure to them suitable instruction, while at school, in the indispensable art which is here set forth and recommended. His strongest desire, in relation to the literary management of schools, is, that a radical change may soon be introduced in the course of instruction, both in common schools and academies, until it shall embrace, and secure the art, of the ready and elegant communication of thought with the pen, as well as with the tongue. A change like this will contribute greatly to the diffusion of valuable thoughts that now vanish with the breath, or even vanish without utterance; it will add much to social and individual happiness; it will advance the improvement, and increase the na tive vigor of the human mind.

Black River L. and R. Institute,

Watertown, Jefferson Co., N. Y., August 1, 1844.

Teachers will please to notice that the First Part consists almost entirely of Exercises to be written, and will find it expedient, therefore, to use it by degrees, in connection with the folllowing Parts, which consist of matter for recitation, except a few chapters, which also embrace exercises for the pen. It is recommended to teachers, accordingly, to require a written exercise almost daily in connexion with the recitations, and not to require the whole of the First Part to be written before the Second is entered upon. The mode of using the book now recommended will be found more agreeable both to teacher and scholar than the other method, which some teachers have i udiciously pursued.

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PRACTICAL EXERCISES IN THE USE OF WORDS-IN THE
STRUCTURE AND ARRANGEMENT OF SENTENCES

INTRODUCTION.

COMPOSITION IS the art of expressing ideas in written language.

To compose correctly, it is necessary to have a practical knowledge of Spelling, Punctuation, the Use of Words, and the Structure and Arrangement of Sen

tences.

To compose with perspicuity and elegance, it is also necessary to have a practical knowledge of the various qualities of Style, and of the use of Figurative Language.

To be able to write with facility, it is farther necessary to have considerable practice in Original Composition.

I.-SPELLING.

SPELLING is the art of expressing words by their proper letters.

Letters are of two forms, capitals and small letters

SECTION I.

CAPITAL LETTERS.

CAPITAL LETTERS are used in the following situa tions:

I. The first word of every sentence.

II. The first word of every line of poetry

III. The first word of a quotation in a direct
form.

IV. The names of the Supreme Being

V. Proper names, and adjectives derived from
proper names.

VI. The names of the days of the week, and of
the months of the year.

VII. Any very important word, as, the Reforma

tion.

VIII. The pronoun I, and the interjection O.

IX. Generally the name of an object personified

EXERCISES.

Correct the errors in the following passages:

I. The love of praise should be kept under proper subordination to the principle of duty. in itself, it is a useful motive to action; but when allowed to extend its influence too far, it corrupts the whole character. to be entirely destitute of it, is a defect. to be governed by it, is depravity. How many clear marks of benevolent intention appear every where around us! what a profusion of beauty and ornament is poured forth in the face of nature! what a magnificent spectacle presented to the view of man! what a supply contrived for his wants!

On whom does time hang so heavily, as on the slothful and lazy? to whom are the hours so lingering? who are so often devoured with spleen, and obliged to fly to every expedient, which can help them to get rid of ⚫hemselves?

II. Restless mortals toil for naught;
bliss in vain from earth is sought;
bliss, a native of the sky,
never wanders. mortals, try;
there you cannot seek in vain,
for to seek her is to gain.

III. An ancient heathen king, being asked What things he thought most proper for boys to learn, answered: "those which they ought to practice, when they come to be men." a wiser than this heathen monarch has taught the same sentiment: "train up a child in the way he should go, and, when he is old, he will not depart from it."

A celebrated philosopher expressed in his motto, That time was his estate: An estate, which will produce nothing without cultivation; but which will abundantly repay the labors of industry.

IV.

There lives and works

a soul in all things, and that soul is god.
the lord of all, himself through all diffused,
sustains, and is the life of all that lives.

these are thy glorious works, parent of good.
almighty! thine this universal frame!

V. Our fields are covered with herbs from holland, and roots from ger many; with flemish farming, and swedish turnips; our hills with forests of the firs of norway. the chestnut and the poplar of the south of europe adorn our lawns, and below them flourish shrubs and flowers, from every clime, in great profusion. arabia improves our horses, china our pigs, north america our poultry, and spain our sheep.

VI. We left home on monday morning, arrived at liverpool on Lesday, went to manchester, by the railway, on wednesday and reached this tlace on thursday evening.

Blessed that eve!

the sabbath's harbinger, when, all complete,
in freshest beauty, from jehovah's hand,
creation bloom'd; when eden's twilight face
miled like a sleeping babe.

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VII. The first monarch of great britain and ireland, after the revolution of 1688, was william the third. the reign of his successor, queen anne, was rendered remarkable by the victories of the duke of Marlborough on the continent of europe, and the union between england and scotland. VIII. I am monarch of all i survey,

men.

my right there is none to dispute ;
from the centre all round to the sea,
i am lord of the fowl and the brute.
IX. o solitude! where are the charms
that sages have seen in thy face?
better dwell in the midst of alarms,

than reign in this horrible place.

The hope of future happiness is a perpetual source of consolation to good under trouble, it soothes their minds; amid temptation, it supports their virtue; and, in their dying moments, it enables them to say, . o death! where is thy sting? o grave! where is thy victory ?"

SECTION II.

RULES FOR SPELLING.

Correctness in Spelling is to be acquired chiefly by attending to the practice of the best modern writers and lexicographers; by frequent copying from books; and by writing from the dictation of the teacher, which should be pursued till perfect accuracy is attained

II.-PUNCTUATION.

THE POINTS used in Composition are the Comma (,), the Semicolon (;), the Colon (:), the Period (.), the Point of Interrogation (?), the Point of Exclamation (!), the Dash (—), and the Parenthesis ( ).

For Rules of Punctuation, consult Grammars.

No instructer, or intelligent pupil, can read the following remarks on Punctuation (extracted from the "Young Ladies' Own Book"), and not be thoroughly convinced, and that in a manner the most amusing, of the ne cessity of acquiring a practical knowledge of this art-the art of so pointing our sentences as to convey our meaning without ambiguity.

PUNCTUATION IS A MATTER OF THE UTMOST CONSEQUENCE IN EVERY SPECIES OF COMPOSITION: Without it there can be no clearness, strength, or accuracy. Its utility consists in separating the different portions of what is written, in such a manner, that the subjects may be properly classed and subdivided, so as to convey the precise meaning of the writer to the reader; to show the relation which the various parts bear to each other; to unite such as ought to be connected, and to keep apart such as have no mutual dependance.

The same words, by means of different modes of punctu

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