Tenth. When the imagination begins to grow cool, you must heat it again by farther reading some classic author; this is also necessary, in order to give rest to the mind, which is apt to be exhausted, as well as the body, by excessive labor. Eleventh. The work of amplification of every point being finished, rest a while: then, begin the critical examination of your composition by the rules of analysis laid down above. First, examine the logical connection and development of ideas, and next their proper expression in language, according to the rules peculiar to the subject and species of your composition, and make the necessary corrections. Twelfth. After having once or twice closely examined and criticised your composition, if you cannot discover any more defects, lay it aside for a day or two, and when the mind is fresh, review it again in the same manner; and then, if you cannot detect any defects in language and sentiment, you may regard your composition as correct; but in order to be certain, you must submit it to the criticism of another competent person. 3. We shall afford a practical illustration of this praxis on the subject of historical narrations. 4. We have minutely given the system which beginners should follow in writing a composition. Persons who are skillful in the art may, of course, dispense with many of the above directions. PART II. OF STYLE-DEFINITION OF STYLE. 1. The word style is from the Latin stylus, a pointed instrument like a pen, used by the ancients in writing on tablets covered with wax. Hence, it originally meant a peculiar mode of writing, and subsequently, a peculiar mode of conceiving and expressing ideas in language. Style, therefore, may be well defined "a certain peculiarity of thought and language of a writer or speaker." 2. We shall expound this subject in two chapters. In the first, we will treat of the different kinds of style, and their rules. In the second, we will examine the National, Laconic and. English style and language, together with other subjects relating thereto. (1.) What is the derivation of the word style? Give the definition of style. CHAPTER I. OF THE DIFFERENT KINDS OF STYLE, AND THEIR RULES. 1. Like the subject of composition, so also the style may be divided into three classes: First, high or sublime; second, low or familiar; third, middle or intermediate. Again, style may be divided into National and Individual. 2. In this chapter, we shall consider in six. articles, the Sublime, Low, Middle, Good and Vicious style; also, the rules for the proper selection of style in accordance with the subject of composition. 1. ARTICLE I. OF THE SUBLIME STYLE. Sublime style is "that which contains lofty ideas and words." The following reply of Alexander the Great, to Darius' embassadors, although proud in sentiment, is an example of the sublime style : (1.) How may style be divided? (1.) What is the sublime style? Give one or two examples of the sublime style. "Relate ye to Darius, that to tender thanks to an enemy is superfluous; that what I have done, is due to my nature, not to his friendship; it is not my custom to wage war with captives, or women. He, whom I hate, must be well armed." Also the following poetical address to Columbia, on account of its lofty ideas and language, is an illustration of the sublime style: "Columbia! Columbia! to glory arise! The queen of the world, and the child of the skies: Most fruitful thy soil, most inviting thy clime, 2. All dignified language which inspires respect and veneration, properly belongs to the sublime style. Such is that of President Lincoln's last inaugural address, which well deserves to be engraved in living characters of love and gratitude in the heart of every American citizen, being the farewell words of a dear father who died for the preservation of his country: “It may seem strange that any men could dare to ask a just God's assistance in wringing their bread (2.) To what style does language which inspires respect and veneration belong? Have you any special example for the illustration of this? |