A

SYSTEM of RHETORIC,
In a Method entirely New,

CONTAINING
All the TROPES and FIGURES necessary to illustrate

the Classics, both poetical and historical.

ELEMENTS of ORATORY,

Briefly stated, and fitted
FOR THE USE OF THE SCHOOLS

Of the united Kingdoms of
GREAT-BRITAIN and IRELAND:
Illustrated with proper EXAMPLES to each Figure, and a

Collection of Speeches from the best

Englith Authors.

By JOHN HOL ME S.

DU B L I N;

PRINTED BY ALEX. STEWART, 86, BRIDE-STREET,

1

897 S881

THE

ave

1806 PRE P R E F A CE,

IT would enlarge this Preface beyond its due

bounds, to attempt to prove the advantage of e Rhetorical System in general, in order to a right understanding of the classics. I shall therefore only briefly acquaint the reader, what laws I preferibed to myself, and have Arictly observed in this com position, fofar as it is my own, (the Latin definitions being mostly Parnaby's); and then the particular manner in which I use it.

First, I determined for method's fake in the Engr lifh System, to allow a distich for every figure, which in the Latin is generally explained in one line, and fometimes less : because our language being not to concise as the Latin, could not in fo few words give, in an intelligible and easy turn of expression, a full and exact definition of the figure, its nature and use; with such observations, as is fometimes equally necessary with the very definition.

Next I resolved, that the name of the figure should begin the distich, or have only a monosyllable before it: because, had it been placed in the

middle or end of the first, or any part of the second line, it is certain the memory, might not be able immediately to ree collect the beginning of the definition : whereas now,