226. Revisions. The great practical im- Proverbs. 1. Never repulse an associate with portance of this subject, demands a passing unkindness. 2. Love one another with a pure remark. In revising, we not only gather up heart fervently. 3. The morality of the christian the fragments, but refresh our minds with a religion, is not national, but universal. 4. Prureproduction of what we previously had dence says-take time by the foretop. 5. A bird in learned. By reviewing our studies, we often the hand, is worth two in the bush. 6. The dilifind the materials, with which we can over- gent soul, shall be made rich. 7. Knowledge-is come difficulties, that seem almost insur-power; ignorance is weakness. 8. An egg to day, is better than a hen to-morrow. 9. Worldly mountable; hence, revisions frequently serve reputation and sensual pleasure, are destructive to as a key, to unlock the casket, that contains virtue. 10. The history and wisdom of the world, invaluable treasures. And we must guard can only be known by reading. 11. We are to Le against thinking of the principles, as being saved from our sins, not in our sins. 12. Whatcontained in the book; unless they are un-ever is worth reading at all, is worth reading well. derstood and felt in the mind, and by the mind, and through the body are reduced to practice, they are, so far as we are concerned, valueless and dead. Seeing food, or thinking of it, will impart no nourishment to the body; it must be eaten, digested, and appropriated. Anecdote. Afraid of Work. A person once said to a father, whose son was noted for his laziness, that he thought his son was very much afraid of work. "Afraid of work ?" replied the father, "not at all,—he will lie down, and go to sleep close by the side of it." 227. Now repeat all the sounds of the let- Right Views. The more we ascribe all ters, in their alphabetical order, as found on goodness and truth-to the Lord, the more page 63; omitting those that are duplicates; will the interiors of the mind, be open tothen give the vowels and consonants, by them-wards heaven, the only source of happiness: selves: afterwards, give the short vowels, for by thus doing, we acknowledge that nothand the long ones by themselves, and reading good and true is from ourselves; and, in several paragraphs by vowel sounds; after which, give the vocal consonants, and aspirates, by themselves: then the single, dinble, and triple ones, and analyze words, spelling them by their sounds; also, raise and fall the eight vowels, according to the diatonic scale, in article 64; then revise the two modes of making accent; practice on the changes of its seat, and realize the important use of every exercise. 229. The pre-con-tract pre-con-tracts the pre-fix which is pre-fixed to the prelude, with which the speaker pre-ludes the present pres-age, that he pre-sag'd the man would pre-sent. The pro-l-uce of the land was such as to pro-duce a pro-ject to pro-test against the man who pro-jects the infamous proi-est against the rebel that re-bels against the law. I re-fuse to re-cord either the ref-use or the rec-ord, or re-tail them by wholesale or re-tail. 229., A Dandy of some use. Let the pupil impress on his mind the absolute necessity, for awhile, of keeping his shoulders thrown back, so as to make the breast as round and prominent as possible: and then, after a few days, or weeks at farthest, he will feel very uncomfortable to sit, stand, or labor, in a bent position. But, says one, "I should look so much like a dandy." Never mind that, provided it be right; and if you can make this much use of so superfluous an aricle, it may serve to show you, that nothing exists in vain: think of the wisdom and industry of the ber. This smooth discourse,—and mild behavior, oft proportion as this is heartily confessed, the love of self-departs, and with it-the thick darkness, which arises from that which is false and evil: thus it is evident, how onebecomes wiser than another. As the exhalations from the earth-rise and form clouds, more or less dense, thus obscuring the atmosphere, and preventing the clear light of the sun; so, do the exhalations of self-love-arise and obscure the light of Divine truth,-of that Sun, which rules the world of mind. Varieties. 1. Does pain or pleasurepredominate in human life? 2. Welded life, says a happy husband, is a perpetual founfain of domestic sweets. 3. Drinking water neither makes a man sick, nor runs him in debt, nor makes his wife a widow: can as much be said of ardent spirits? 4. He, who peeps through a keyhole, may see something to vex him. 5. That gentleness, which is characteristic of a good man, like every other virtue, has its seat in the heart: and nothing but what flows from the heart-can render even external manners, truly pleasing. 6. The Lord came to seek and sure those who are lost: and he saves all who are willing to be saved. 7. Love - principles and genuine truth, respect each other according to degrees of affinity: and the greater the effinity, the greater is the attraction between them. Morning-hath her songs of gladness, Gives its own sweet fancies birth, 9. I confide, and am at rest. 10. While there is 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 9. The greatest ing to the soun is of the letters,-the former worth twenty skimmed over. -respects written language, and is addressed wealth-is contentment with a little. 5. A letterto the eye; and the latter, spoken language, is half a meeting. 6. We may read much, with and is addressed to the ear; the first supposes is necessary at all times. 8. Little boats should out understanding much. 7. Presence of mind, the second. We may infer the perfection, which the ancient Greeks attained, in or-tho- keep near shore; great ones-may venture more e-py, from this fact, that when a public spea- life, there is hope. 11. He attains whatever he ker-even pronounced a word incorrectly, the aims at. 12. A good story, is none the worse b whole audience simultaneously hissed him. being twice told, 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 per• When 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 replied,"He, who lives in the fear of death, will then be found to contain more power and every moment feels its torture; I will die sweetness than any other in the world. 231. Pronunciation-is orthoepy, or the right utterance of words; i. c. 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 stalimary, yet our orthcopy has been very much changed; which may be seen in comparing the Bible, translated under James I., with the commom edition. Different perms have proposed different means, for overcoming thee difficulties, and nearly all without much success; which is the less to e regrettel, 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 disappointinent of book-worms, and to the gratification of that spirit of the age, which looks more to the uses of things, than to their looks. but once." Laconics. A life of deceil-is one of un mitigated torture-a living hell, which should deserve our pity for the unhappy beings why submil to it. Varieties. 1. Are not the unily and trinity of God, the elemental and fundamental principles of christian theology?, 2. Charac ter, 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 sur pledge of success. 6. It is our duty, and our happiness, to feel for others, and take an interest in their welfare. 7. The action of life, is desire; as is the desire and delight, with its consequent actions, such is the life. THE GOODNESS OF PROVIDENCE. The Lord-ny pasture shall prepare, 233. Pronunciation-should be so sys- Proverbs. 1. The conduct of men is an brtematic, as to render it capable of being stu-dex to their hearts; for by their fruits ye shall know died 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, Inflection, 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 en ls, 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 inhill, perfectly, the accented vowel, and more so, in proportion as the word is important; i. e. shape the vowel sound completely, by 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 ideas 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 oes 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, Or who would venture then, to live? 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♣ ten. 7. Nothing is more disgusting, than a lowbred fellow, when he suddenly attains an elevated station. 8. Either never attempt a thing, or accom plish 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-cither 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 SO■ WITH A BIBLE. Remember love, who gave thee this, When other days shall come: She chose a goodly one She chose, for her beloved boy, She said-bis faith in that-would be That-he from youth had borne; 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 principles 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, oy 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 stu ly 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, animale and inanimate: and so long and so fur, 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 Gon. Oh the lengths, the breadths, the heighths, and the depths of the wisdom and love of God, as manifested in the creation, redemption, and SALVATION OF MAN. nor Proverbs. 1. Neither great pove great riches will hear reason. 2. Wine is a curacoat; 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 dry, is Lo 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 threedbare, it is easy to pick a hole in it. 10. The study of rain things-is laborious idleness. 11. No mine equal to saving. 12. Dependence is a poo: trade. 13. All is good that is useful. CONTENTMENT-produces, in some measure, all those effects, which the alchymist usually ascribes to what he calls the philoso pher's stone; and if it does not bring riches, it does the same thing, by banishing the desire of them. If it cannot remove the disquietudes, arising from a man's mind, body It has indeed, a kindly influence on the sout or fortune, it makes him easy under thein. of man, in respect of every being to whom he stands related. It extinguishes all murmur, repining, and ingratitude, towards that Being, who has allotted him his part to act in this world. It destroys all inordinate ambition, 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 haangue, asked a real friend, if he did not ex-just so far as we are emptied of our own, and find in us an utter inability to do good, with ite much compassion. He replied, "most out divine assistance. ertainly, you did sir; every one of the aulience pitied you most heartily." "The way was long, 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." Weet 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! A cloud lay cradled-near the setting sun- O'er the still radiance-of the lake below. 238. Pronunciation, as has been observed, had a very comprehensive meaning among Proverbs. 1. Endeavor to improve in conversation. 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 8. A pleasant more agreement, even among literary and so, than seem good, and not be so. journey is dearly bought, with the loss of home. scientific men, with regard to this important 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 obscens 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 cirject should put us on our guard against following their examples in every respect, and of yielding implicit obedience to their whims and oddities. There is so much self-love and pride of intelligence; as well as passion for novelty, prevalent in the world, that the student 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. cumstances; keep us from looking after visionary perfection, and make us see things in their proper light. It will lead us to study dispositions, peculiarities, accommodations; to weigh consequences; to determine what to observe and what to pass by; when to be 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 teller, 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 effecfire, 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 re the afects of sud len exposure to a cold atmosphere, by which the pores of the skin, (which is an exhalent surface,) becom.es 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 Len's) emit a new fluil-to compensate for the interruption in the oth of the surface of the body; and, as this new secretion consists of humors, which can be of no further use to the system, it excita n.uscular 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, atal 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 pinus THE DAY OF LIFE. It seems so quickly past: gay. And death-is sweet-at last. |