Avarice and cunning may acquire an estate; but avarice and cunning cannot gain friends. A taste for useful knowledge, will provide for us a great and noble entertainment, when others leave us. 3. His crimes had brought him into extreme distress, and extreme perplexity. He has an affectionate brother, and an affectionate sister, and they live in great harmony. We must guard against too great severity, and facility of manners. 4. His reputation and his estate were both lost by gaming. This intelligence not only excited our hopes, but fears too. His conduct is not scandalous; and that is the best can be said of it. 5. He is temperate, he is disinterested, he is benevolent; he is an ornament to his family, and a credit to his profession. Genuine virtue supports our benevolence to be strengthened, and to be confirmed by principle. Perseverance in laudable pursuits, will reward all our toils, and will produce effects beyond our calculation. 6. The temper of him who is always in the bustle of the world, will be often ruffled, and be often disturbed. We often commend imprudently as well as censure imprudently, How a seed grows up into a tree, and the mind acts upon the body, are mysteries which we cannot explain. 7. Changes are almost continually taking place in men and in manners, in opinions and in customs, in private fortunes and public conduct. Averse either to contradict or blame, the too complaisant man goes along with the manners that prevail. 8. In all stations and conditions, the important relations take place, of masters and servants, and husbands, and wives, and parents and children, and brothers and friends, and citizens and subjects. Destitute of principle, he regarded neither his family, nor his friends, nor his reputation. 9. Oh, my father! Oh, my friend! how great has been my ingratitude. Oh, piety! virtue! how insensible have I been to your charms! RULE XXII, Several alterations and additions have been made to the work. The first proposal was essentially different, and inferior to the second. He is more bold and active, but not so wise and studious as his companion. We hear the sound of the wind, but we cannot tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth. Neither has he, nor any other persons, suspected so much dissimulation. The court of France, or England, was to be the umpire. In the reign of Henry II. all foreign commodities were plenty in England. PART IV. EXERCISES IN PUNCTUATION. COMMA. The tutor by instruction and discipline lays the foundation of the pupil's future honour. Self-conceit presumption and obstinacy blast the prospects of many a youth. Deliberate slowly execute promptly. To live soberly righteously and piously comprehends the whole of our duty. The path of piety and virtue pursued with a firm and constant spirit will assuredly lead to happiness. Continue my dear child to make virtue the principal study. Peace of mind being secured we may smile at misfortunes. He who is a stranger to industry may possess but cannot enjoy. Beware of those rash and dangerous connections which may afterwards load thee with dishonour. SEMICOLON. The path of truth is a plain and safe path that of falsehood is a perplexing maze. Modesty is one of the chief ornaments of youth and has ever been esteemed a presage of rising merit. Heaven is the region of gentleness and friendship hell of fierceness and animosity. COLON. Often is the smile of gaiety assumed whilst the heart aches though folly may laugh guilt will sing. There is no mortal truly wise and restless at the same time wisdom is the repose of minds. PERIOD. We ruin the happiness of life when we attempt to raise it too high a tolerable and comfortable state is all that we can propose to ourselves on earth peace and contentment not bliss nor transport are the full portion of man perfect joy is reserved for heaven. INTERROGATION AND EXCLAMATION. To lie down on the pillow after a day spent in temperance in beneficence in piety how sweet it is. |