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is half a meeting. 6. We may read much, with is necessary at all times. 8. Little boats should out understanding much. 7. Presence of mind, keep near shore; great ones-may venture more. life, there is hope. 11. He attains whatever he 9. I confide, and am at rest. 10. While there is aims at. 12. A good story, is none the worse br being twice told.

230. Orthography-relates to the right | Proverbs. 1. Reprove mildly, and correct placing of the letters in words, and Orthoepy with caution. 2. Let us creep before we walk, and -to the right pronouncing of words, accord-walk before we fly. 3. One book, well read, is ing to the sounds of the letters, the former worth twenty skimmed over. . The greatest -respects written language, and is addressed wealth-is contentment with a little. 5. A letterto the eye; and the latter, spoken language, and is addressed to the ear; the first supposes the second. We may infer the perfection, which the ancient Greeks attained, in or-thoe-py, from this fact, that when a public speaker-even pronounced a word incorrectly, the whole audience simultaneously hissed him. Whence did they acquire such accuracy of Anecdote. Dying but Once. When Ceear? Doubtless, in spelling by the sounds sar was advised, by some of his friends, to be of their letters, instead of by their names. more cautious as to the security of his perWhen we adopt this method, which nature son, and not to walk among the people withand science dictate, we shall attain like excel-out arms, or any one to protect him; he lency in pronunciation, and our language will then be found to contain more power and sweetness than any other in the world.

231. Pronunciation-is orthoepy, or the right utterance of words; i. e. pronouncing words according to euphony, analogy and custom, which constitute the standard. The principal rule is, pronounce in the easiest and most effectual manner: and, when words are introduced from other languages, they should be pronounced according to the principles of our language; that is, they must conform to the genius of the English language, as foreigners do to that of our constitution, when they become naturalized,-abjuring foreign, uncongenial influences and principles, and submitting to ours.

232. Our Orthography and Orthoepy. Many foreigners and natives find it difficult to speak our language, in consequence of the great difference between its spelling and its pronunciation, and the various sounds given to the same letters in similar, and in different combinations; and, although, for the last two centuries, our orthography has remained nearly stationary, yet our orthcopy has been very much changed; which may be seen in comparing the Bible, translated under James I., with the common edition. Different perBons have proposed different means, for overcoming these difficulties, and nearly all without much success; which is the less to De regretted, when we consider how little the voice and ear have been developed and cultivated, and thereby prepared to meet the exigencies of the case. It is now seen, on a faithful analysis and synthesis of their labors to revolutionize our language in these respects, that each reformer's system is found to be very imperfect; but the good work is going on slowly; and, in process of time, it will be accomplished; very much to the disappointment of book-worms, and to the gratification of that spirit of the age, which looks more to the uses of things, than to their books.

BRONSON. 6

replied," He, who lives in the fear of death, every moment feels its torture; I will die

but once."

Laconics. A life of deceit-is one of unmitigated torture—a living hell, which should deserve our pity for the unhappy beings who submit to it.

Varieties. 1. Are not the unity and trinity of God, the elemental and fundamental principles of christian theology? 2. Character, based on goodness and truth, is a source of eternal happiness. 3. We are made what we are, by what is from above, within, and around us. 4. God gives to all, the power of becoming what they ought to be. 5. A full persuasion of our ability to do well, is a powerful motive to excellence, and a sure pledge of success. 6. It is our duty, and our happiness, to feel for others, and take an interest in their welfare. 7. The actum of life, is desire; as is the desire and delight, with its consequent actions, such is the life.

THE GOODNESS OF PROVIDENCE.

The Lord-my pasture shall prepare,
And feed me-with a shepherd's care;
His presence-shall my wants supply,
And guard me-with a watchful eye;
My noon-day walks-he shall attend,
And all my midnight hours-defend
When, in the sultry glebe-I faint,
Or, on the thirsty mountains pant;
To fertile vales, and dewy meads,
My weary, wand'ring steps he leads,
Where peaceful rivers, soft and slow,
Amid the verdant landscape flow.
Though-in the paths of death-I trend,
With gloomy horrors-overspread,
My steadfast heart-shall fear no ill;
For thou, O Lord, art with me still:
Thy friendly crook-shall give me aid,
And guide me through the dreadful shade.
Though in a bare-and rugged way,
Through devious-lonely wilds I stray,
Thy bounty-shall my pains beguile;
The barren wilderness-shall smile,
With sudden greens-and herbage crowned,
And streams-shall murmur all around.

Proverbs. 1. The conduct of men 18 22 3dex to their hearts; for by their fruits ye shall know them. 2. In arduous and trying circumstances preserve equanimity; and in prosperous hours, restrain the ebullitions of excessive joy. 3. Those things that belong to others generally please us; while those that are our own are more valued by others. 4. Attach yourself to good company and you will be respected as one of them. 5. The most distinguished men, of all ages, have had their imperfections. 6. Cutting jests, when the satire is true, inflicts a wound that is not soon forgo

233. Pronunciation—should be so systematic, as to render it capable of being studied from its elementary principles, and become an object of methodical acquirement. Every thing involved in producing sounds, in the conformation of the organs in articulation, the application of all that belongs to accented, half-accented, and un-accented vowels, and every principle of melody and euphony are included in pronunciation, and tends to its perfection: but the ancients included also Emphasis, Intonation, Inflecten. 7. Nothing is more disgusting, than a lowtim, Circumflexes and the other essentials of delivery.

234. If the great object of pronunciation be, to produce the designed effect, in the best manner, we shall find it necessary to attend not only to the preceding principles, and their application, but to watch over useless innovations, and inclinations to senseless changes, desires to be what is called fashionable-regardless of reason, and ambitious to shine as a leader in some peculiar pronunciation: then, our language will bear a rigid comparison with any other, either ancient or modern, when ends, causes and effects are taken into consideration. Let us not, then, deviate from established principles, and rules, without good and satisfactory reasons.

235. Action and Reaction. Have you ever particularly noticed, the reciprocal action between the voice and the mind, the tongue and the heart? Well might the apostle exclaim, "How great a matter a little fire kindleth!" The tongue is full of power for real, or for wo, according to the state of the heart, that impels it to action. What is there, that cannot be talked up, or talked down by it? It is full of blessing, or cursing-love or hatred; and oh! how it can sting the soul, when it has been dipped in the gall and wormwood of hell; and how lift it to heaven, when fired with celestial love.

Notes. Always infill, perfectly, the accented vowel, and more so, in proportion as the word is important; i. e. shape the vowel sound completely, Ly the appropriate organs, and give it all its necessary power, filling it full of the influence of the mind, in the proportion as you wish your ileas to be impressive and abiding. Mind possesses a magnifying power over words, making them mean more than they naturally do: which will be perfectly obvi ous in the specific practice of the principles which we are gradu. ally approaching.

Anecdote. "I suppose," (said an arrant quack, while feeling the pulse of his patient,) "that you think me a fool." "Sir," (replied the sick man,) "I perceive you can discover a man's thoughts by his pulse."

If all our hopes and all our fears,
Were prisoned in life's narrow bound;
If, travelers through this vale of tears,
We saw no better world beyond;
Oh! what could check the rising sigh?
What earthly thing, could pleasures give?
Oh! who would venture then, to die,

Or who would venture then, to live?

bred fellow, when he suddenly attains an elevated station. 3. Either never attempt a thing, or accomplish it. 9. Fortune-favors the bold, and abandons the timid. 10. Acts of kindness, shown to good men, are never thrown away. 11. War-is death's jest. 12. Of two evils-choose the least.

Varieties. 1. If you make a present, give what will be useful. 2. Do not the wings, that form the butterfly, lie folded in the worm? 3. Language-should first be learned by imitation. 4. One of the greatest obstacles, in the road to excellence, is indolence. 5. Humility-is that low, sweet root, from which all heavenly virtues shoot. 6. Acquire a thorough knowledge of all your duties. 7. God-is an infinite abyss of wisdom: which is not comprehensible—either by men or angels, as to one millionth of its parts: of its infinite store, they are to receive fresh supplies to all eternity. THE MOTHER'S INJUNCTION, ON PRESENTING HER SON

WITH A BIBLE.

Remember love, who gave thee this,

When other days shall come :
When she, who had thy earliest kiss,
Sleeps-in her narrow home,
Remember, 'twas a mother-gave
The gift to one-she'd die to save.
That mother-sought a pledge of love,
The holiest for her son;
And, from the gifts of God above,

She chose a goodly one

She chose, for her beloved boy,
The source of light, and life, and joy,
And bade him keep the gift,-that, when
The parting hour would come,
They might have hope—to meet again,
In an eternal home.

She said--his faith in that would be
Sweet incense--to her memory.
And should the scoffer, in his pride,

Laugh that fond faith to scorn,
And bid him cast the pledge aside,

That-he from youth had borne;
She bade him pause, and ask his breast,
If he, or she, had loved him best?
A parent's blessing on her son
Goes with this holy thing;
The love, that would retain the one,
Must to the other cling.
Remember! 'tis no idle toy,

A mother's gift, Remember, boy!

236. The only way that provincialisms, | foreign accents and brogues, can be removed, is by individual attention to the first principls of our language, as here exhibited, and, at the same time, following a teacher who can give the true English pronunciation; for sounds can only be learned by imitation; and this is the way in which Elocution and Music must be taught. Our language has suffered, and is suffering, greatly, by being improperly taught by foreigners, who cannot pronounce one half of our words with propriety. But a teacher may be able to pronounce single words with a good degree of correctness, and yet be unable to deliver sentences, in a proper manner. A few minutes every day, for a few weeks, devoted to the study and practice of these principles, will enable almost any one to discover and amend his errors and defects in articulating our forty-four sounds, and pronouncing correctly, the words in common use; and if spelling by sounds and by sight, be faithfully practiced, one may secure another rare excellence,that of writing our words with correctness and despatch.

237. Every thing in the universe, both of mind and of matter, exists in reference to certain fixed principles, which are called laws of order, originating in the Great First Cause, and thence emanating throughout all creation, animate and inanimate: and so long and so far, as these laws are obeyed, we are shielded from all evils, physical and spiritual: hence, if a man suffers, either in mind, or body, from within, or without, the cause of the suffering is an infringement of the Laws of Life. Such, then, are our constitutions, and relations, that we cannot will, think, or act, without obeying, or violating, these laws of Life, of Being, of GOD. Oh the lengths, the breadths, the heighths, and the depths of the wisdom and love of Gon, as manifested in the creation, redemption, and

BALVATION OF MAN.

nor

Proverbs. 1. Neither great pove great riches will hear reason. 2. Wine-is a surncoat; first a friend, then an enemy. 3. Diet and exercise are the two physicians of nature. 4. There is many a good house-wife that can't sing, or dance. 5. Love-can neither be bought, nor sold. 6. He, that is a wise man, by day, is no fool by night. 7. The society of ladies-is a school of politeness. 8. An enemy to beauty is a foe to nature. 9. When a man's coat is threadbare, it is easy to pick a hole in it. 10. The study of vain things-is laborious idleness. 11. No trade. 13. All is good that is useful. mine equal to saving. 12. Dependence is a poor

CONTENTMENT-produces, in some meas ure, all those effects, which the alchymist usually ascribes to what he calls the philoso pher's stone; and if it does not bring riches, sire of them. If it cannot remove the disdoes the same thing, by banishing the dequietudes, arising from a man's mind, body It has indeed, a kindly influence on the soul or fortune, it makes him easy under them. of man, in respect of every being to whom he stands related. It extinguishes all murmur, repining, and ingratitude, towards that Bethis world. It destroys all inordinate ambi ing, who has allotted him his part to act in tion, and every tendency to corruption, with regard to the community wherein he is placed. It gives sweetness to his conversation, and a perpetual serenity-to all his thoughts.

Varieties. Is it not strange, that nations of men could ever have admitted into their creed, the idea of a plurality of Gods; when the whole of Nature bears on it so distinctly, the impress of ONE MIND? 2. He is not the best reader, who speaks his words most rapidly; but he who does justice to them, by pronouncing them correctly, and effectively. 3. If a person delights in telling you the faults of others, be sure he intends to tell others your faults. 4. Never be a minute too late. 5. Avoid loud talking and laughing in the streets. 6. The moral and intellectual man, seems to mould and modify the physical man. 7. We are filled with the life of heaven,

Anecdote. Pity. A would-be orator, of very moderate abilities, after a long haunque, asked a real friend, if he did not ex-just so far as we are emptied of our own, and ite much compassion. He replied, "most ertainly, you did sir; every one of the autience pitied you most heartily."

"The way was leng, the wind was cold,
The minstrel was infirm, and old;
His wither'd cheek-and tresses gray,
Seem'd to have known a better day.
The harp, his sole remaining joy,
Was carried-by an orphan boy."
We-let the tender office long engage,
To rock the cradle of reposing age;
With lenient arts-extend a mother's breath,
Make languor smile, and smooth the bed of death;
Explore the thought, explain the asking eye,
And keep, a while, one parent from the sky!

find in us an utter inability to do good, with-
out divine assistance.

A cloud lay cradled-near the setting sun-
A gleam of crimson-tinged its braided snow;
Long had I watched the glory-moving on,

O'er the still radiance-of the lake below.
Tranquil its spirit seemed-and floated slow;
Ee'n in its very motion-there was rest,
While every breath of ere, that chanced to blow,
Wafted the traveler-to the beauteous west-
Emblem, methought, of the departed soul,

To whose white robe, the gleam of bliss is given,
And by the breath of mercy--made to roll

Right onward to the golden gates of heaven;
Where, to the eye of faith, it peaceful lies,
And tells to man-his glorious destinies.

238. Pronunciation, as has been observed, Proverbs. 1. Endeavor to improve in conhad a very comprehensive meaning among versation. 2. He who is wise in small matters, the ancients, taking in the whole compass of will be wise in large ones. 3. Never say a fooldelivery, and involving every thing we see ish thing. 4. None can speak so feelingly of an and hear in modern elocution: it is now con-advantage, as he who has suffered by neglecting fined within narrower limits, and has refer-it. 5. Let not the sun go down on your wrath. ence only to the manner of sounding words. 6. Our minds are moulded and fashioned by the It is much to be regretted, that there is not books we read. 7. Better be good, and not seem more agreement, even among literary and so, than seem good, and not be so. 8. A pleasant scientific men, with regard to this important journey is dearly bought, with the loss of home. 9. He, only, is a man, who governs himself. 10. branch of our subject: but when we reflect, All have power to distinguish between right, that not one in a hundred, takes it up syste- and wrong. 11. Turn a deaf ear to obscene matically, and masters its principles, it is not words 12. All things are proven by contrast. surprising that there is so much discrepancy. Good Sense. It will preserve us from cenThis consideration of inattention to the sub-soriousness; will lead us to distinguish cir ject should put us on our guard against fol- cumstances; keep us from looking after vislowing their examples in every respect, and ionary perfection, and make us see things in of yielding implicit obedience to their whims their proper light. It will lead us to study and oddities. There is so much self-love and dispositions, peculiarities, accommodations; pride of intelligence, as well as passion for to weigh consequences; to determine what novelty, prevalent in the world, that the stu-to observe and what to pass by; when to be dent in elocution, as well as in every thing else, should cleave to acknowledged and well established principles; and regard what is most useful instead of what is new.

immoveable, and when to yield. It will produce good manners, keep us from taking freedoms, and handling things roughly; will never agitate claims of superiority, but teach us to submit ourselves one to another. Good sense-will lead persons to regard their own duties, rather than to recommend those of others.

Varieties. 1. Is not a true knowledge of the Divine Being, the foundation of religion, and the corner-stone of the church? 2. Every improper indulgence of the passions, increases their strength for evil. 3. Few seem to be aware, how much depends on the culture of our social nature. 4. It is a great happiness-to be free from suspicion; but a greater, to be free from offence. 5. To be without passion, is worse than a beast; and

239. There are general as well as specific rules, for pronunciation: a partial idea of which, may be obtained from this manual of Elocution. The author has been engaged, for many years, in compiling a Dictionary, on an entirely new plan, so arranged, that when one has learned the definitions of a few hundred words, he can accurately define as many thousands; and with the use of his perfect alphabet, he will know the sound of every letter, the instant he sees it, and how to pronounce each word, without re-spelling, with the same facility. All things are governed by fixed principles, when they are in true order; and when the principles of Pro-to be without reason, is worse than a man. nunciation are properly developed, and applied, they will be found as simple and effective, as those of Elocution and Music.

Notes. 1. As the voice is often affected, by a derangement of the respiratory and articulating organs: a few observations are made on some of their causes and remedies. 2. Colds and Coughs -are the effects of sudden exposure to a cold atmosphere, by which the pores of the skin, (which is an exhalent surface,) becomes constringed and obstructed; which obstructions may be removed, by restoring to the skin, (which is the safety-valve of the system,) its usual offices. When one has taken cold, the mucus membrane of the lungs, and air passages, (which are also exha lents.) emit a new fluid-to compensate for the interruption in the office of the surface of the body; and, as this new secretion consists of buniors, which can be of no further use to the system, it excites a muscular effort, called a Cough; by which it is detached from the surface of this inner skin, and expectorated. One of the best remedies is a Vapor Bath, with an application of cold water, and fiction immediately after.

Anecdote. A parish clerk, having, according to custom, published the banns of matrimony, between a loving couple, was followed by the minister, who gave out the hymn, commencing with these words-" Mistaken souls! that dream of Heaven."

Reason gains all men,-by compelling-none.

6. The refined pleasures of a truly pious
mind, are far superior to the coarse gratifica-
tions of sense. 7. God gave no faculty of
mind, or body, to men, but those which he
meant should be exerted, and honor him in
his design; the perversion of those faculties,
and acting from, in, and by them, contrary
to God's design, makes the evil, disease, and
death.

THE DAY OF LIFE.
The morning hours-of cheerful light,
Of all the day-are best;
But, as they speed their hasty flight,
If every hour-be spent aright,
We sweetly sink-to sleep-at night,
And pleasant-is our rest.
And life is like a summer's day,
It seems so quickly past:
Youth-is the morning, bright, and gay;
And, if 'tis spent in wisdom's way,
We meet old age-without dismay,

And death-is sweet-at last.
Oft, the cloud, that wraps the present hour,
Lives-but to brighten-all our future days.

Proverbs.. 1. A bird is known by his note, and a man by his talk. 2. There are many, who glory in their shame. 3. A good characteris a badge of excellence, that cannot long be concealed. 4. Never more, or less, than enough. 5. Some rather imitate greatness, than goodness. 6. There is misery in want, and danger in excess. 7. Good sayings, belong to all; evil actions only to their authors. 8. A knowledge of the good part of the journey. 9. If we go wrong, the farther we go, the farther we are from home. 10. Reform yourself first, and then, others. 11. The fool-wanders; the wise-travel. 12 Words are wind; seeing is believing.

way.

is a

240. PAUSES, are indications of silence; bey were introduced with the art of printing; and it is questionable, whether they have aid ed us much in learning to read or speak: for if there were no pauses, we should be compelled to exercise the mind, so far as necessary to understand the author. Pauses in speech, are analagous to rests in music; and there are seven different kinds in each art; all of which must be thoroughly understood, in their essence, to read, write, or sing correctly. The true principles of notation, or pauses, are found only in the measure of speech, which is based on the philosophy of mind, Inadequacy of Language. Words involving the exercise of thinking and feel are poor weapons. The most beautiful verses ing. The use of pauses is to aid in making-are those which we cannot express. The the sense clearer, and should be only just long enough to answer their end.

diction of every language is insufficient; and every day, the heart of man finds, in the delicacy of his sentiments, and the imagination discovers-in the impressions of visible na ture, things, which the mouth cannot embody for want of words. The heart, and the thought of man-are like a musician-driven to play infinitely varied music-on an organ, which has but few notes. It is sometimes more advisable to be silent than to speak. Silence-is felt by the soul, and appreciated by God; and that is enough.

241. There are TWO KINDS of pauses, Grammatical and Rhetorical. Grammatical pauses are distinguished by characters, and are addressed to the eye, as well as to the ear. The shortest pause is called a comma, () which indicates a silence of one second. The teacher is recommended to count, at every pause, while the pupil reads; the same as is done at the rests in music; this exercise, is the surest to accomplish the object. Ex. 1. Do to others, as you would they should do to Varieties. 1. Is not the doctrine of the you. 2. None can be a disciple of the graces, divinity, and humanity-of the Lord Jesus but in the school of virtue. 3. Be armed Christ, the touch-stone, by which the chriswith courage, against thyself, against thy tian church is to be tried? 2. The life of a passions, and against thy flatterers. 4. Every christian-is his walk; Christ is his way, teaf, every twig, and every drop of water, and heaven-his home. 3. A coward in the teems with life. 5. The colors of the rain-field, is like a wise man's fool; he does not bow are―violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange and red.

know what he professes; but a coward in the faith, is like a fool, in his wisdom, he does not 242. Examples to Illustrate the Pauses. profess what he knows. 4. Virtue-consists The three grand degrees of all existences are in the faithful performance of our duty, from -what is natural, HUMAN and DIVINE. love to God, and love to man; and vice-ir. The three grand divisions of all natural the neglect of our duty from a love of self things are-earths, waters and atmospheres. and a love of the world. 5. The heart of a The three kingdoms of nature are-the min-worthless man-is as unfixed, and change eral, the regetable, and the animal. The three divisions of the mineral kingdom arethe soils, the rocks, and the precious stones. The three divisions of the vegetable kingdom are-grasses, plants and shrubs, and trees. The three divisions of the animal kingdom are-into those that creep and walk on the earth, those that swim, and those that fly. Each of these divisions is divided in trines; according to which, all things exist, and subsist.

Anecdote. An agent, soliciting subscribers for a book, showed the prospectus to a man, who, after reading-"one dollar in boards, and one dollar and twenty-five cents in sheep,"-declined subscribing, as he might not have boards or sheep on hand, when called upon for payment.

The humble man, when he receives a wrong,
Refers revenge-to whom it doth belong.

able, as the fitful wind. 6. The tongue may
speak the loudest; but the heart-the truest.
7. Look at the form, consider the desire, and
act, and mark the end; for thereby you may
know the nature of all created beings.

This world's not all a fleeting show.
For man's illusion given;"-
He that hath sooth'd a widow's wo,
Or wip'd an orphan's tear, doth know
There's something here of Heaven.
And he, that walks life's thorny way,
With feelings calm and even,
Whose path is lit, from day to day,
By virtue's bright and steady ray,

Hath something felt of Heaven.
He, that the christian's course hath rua,
And all his foes forgiven,
Who measures out life's little span
In love to God-and love to man,
On earth, hath tasted Heaven,

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