imperfections which at first escaped our observation. It is then the season for pruning redundancies; for examining the arrangement of sentences; and- for bringing style into a regular, correct, and supported form.

In the third place, we ought to render ourselves well acquainted with the style of the best authors.

It

In the fourth place, we must beware of falling into a servile imitation of any author whatsoever. fetters genius, and is likely to produce a stiff manner. No man will ever become a good writer or speaker, who has not some degree of confidence to follow his own genius. We ought to beware, in particular, of adopting any author's noted phrases, or transcribing passages from him. Such a habit will prove fatal to all genuine composition. It is much better to have something that is our own, though of moderate beauty, than to affect to shine in borrowed ornaments, which will at last betray the utter poverty of our genius.

In the fifth place, those who are ambitious of attaining a beautiful style, ought to study with attention the works of the most eminent poets. From this source is often derived a more delicate and elevated mode of expression, as well as of thinking. In the sixth place, it is an obvious but material rule, G

that

that we always study to adapt our style to the subject, and also to the capacity of our hearers, if we are to speak in public. When we begin to write or speak, we ought previously to have fixed in our minds a clear conception of the end to be aimed at. This end we ought to keep steadily in view; and to it we ought to adapt our style. If we do not sacrifice to this great object every ill-timed ornament that may occur to our fancy, we betray a want of judgment.

In the last place, attention to style must not engross us so much, as to detract from a higher degree of attention to the thoughts. To your expression be attentive; but about your matter be solicitous.

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PART III.

SYNONYMY.

Acquirement, Acquisition, Attainment.

WE say moral or literary acquirements; acquisition of fortune; and attainment of our salvation.

Amiable, Lovely, Charming, Fascinating.

We say an amiable character; a lovely complexion; a charming singer; a fascinating orator.

Bliss, Happiness, Felicity.

The first is nearly discarded from conversation as too sublime, being used only in a solemn sense, with allusion to eternity."

Brook, Rivulet, Stream, Current, River.

These words are nearly synonymous, so far as re

lates to particular use, &c. but are thus separated by nature Springs make little rivulets, and these united form brooks; which coming forward in streams, compose great rivers that run into the sea.

Clear, Pellucid, Transparent.

When applied to water are strictly synonymous; but we must use only the first if speaking of air or weather.

Clever, Dextrous, Skilful, Adroit.

The word clever approaches to vulgarity, and should never be applied to things high or serious. We say to manage adroitly; to be skilful in some art; dextrous in manual exercises.

Close, Secret, Private.

Henry VII. was so close that even those who were admitted to pass private hours with him, never knew any thing of his secret counsels, or could pretend even to guess at his future intentions.

Close, Stingy, Parsimonious, Acaricious, Covetous, Niggardly, Penurious.

Close and Stingy are strictly synonymous, and stingy is a mean word; close should be used instead

thereof.

thereof. To be parsimonious is to be excessively unwilling to part with money on necessary occasions;

to be avaricious or

desire to obtain it.

covetous is having too eager a

We say a man is niggardly in

giving; and in spending penurious.

To Confess, Acknowledge, Arow.

To avow, supposes the person to glory in it; to acknowledge, supposes a small degree of faultiness; to confess, supposes a higher degree of guilt.

Crime, Sin, Vice.

Are by no means synonymous. The first alludes to a breach of human laws; the second implies offence against God; and the last a depravation of the will. Thus, forgery is a crime; infidelity a sin; and gaming a vice.

Definition, Description.

Definition is the description of a thing by its genus and difference.

Despondency, Hopelessness, Despair,

Form a sort of climax rather than a parallel. The last implies a settled melancholy.

Discourse, Chat, Talk, Conference, Conversation. These, if not quite synonymous, are at least very

closely