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inculcate this habit on us—It is regular in all its operations, so that we place implicit confidence in their performance-Most of those whose talents have raised them to eminence illustrate the truth of the proposition -Exemplified also in every-day life-Testimony or quotation-What the above considerations should teach us, both with reference to ourselves and others-Danger of allowing trifling excuses to induce a violation of the habit of Punctuality.

Virtue is its own reward.

What virtue is-Its tendency to procure worldly prosperity-Such a reward is not without value in the eyes of the virtuous man-Yet virtue must be pursued for its own sake-Whether its legitimate tendency be realised or not, it is of the essence of virtue to reward him who practises it-The nature and excellence of this reward—Reason of this to be sought in our moral nature—Vast influence for good of this appointment, as virtue is often unrewarded, sometimes persecuted, in this world-Sufficiency of virtue's own reward-Singularity cannot shame it-Oppression cannot crush it— In such circumstances it only shines the more-May be compared to a fragrant flower when crushed, or to beauty amidst suffering or in tears, which appears to us with additional charms-Every virtuous man feels the truth of our proposition, and is an instance of its truth-History furnishes abundance of examples— Aristides, Phocion, Fabricius, Sir Philip SydneyMankind spontaneously testify to the excellence of virtue-This testimony universal-Quotation-What the proposition teaches us-Virtue the highest ornament of character-What hopes its connection with happiness authorises the virtuous man to cherish as to a future state-The grounds of this expectation.

MISCELLANEOUS SUBJECTS FOR THEMES.

1. The Microscope.

2. The Art of Writing.

3. Emulation.

4. Poetry.

5. Sculpture.

6. Custom is second nature. 7. Never too late to learn. 8. The Cotton Manufacture. 9. The Silk Manufacture. 10. Geography. 11. Painting. 12. Benevolence.

13. Affectation.

14. Knowledge is power.

15. Necessity is the mother of invention.

16. Piety.

17. Hope.

18. Astronomy.

19. Mechanics' Institutions.

20. Charity.

21. Frugality is a great revenue.

22. Evil communications corrupt good manners. 23. Aërostation.

24. Well begun is half done.

25. Politeness.

26. Independence.

27. Self-denial.

28. Self-esteem.

29. Example is better than precept.

30. Deserve success, and you will command it.

BOOK V.

ON THE ESSAY.

INTRODUCTION.

THE Essay, as it has been already observed in the preceding Book, differs from the Theme, inasmuch as the treatment of the subject is not regulated by any prescribed rules. The writer, being thus unrestrained as to selection of topics, or method of illustration, is confined by no other consideration than that of maintaining a mutual dependence between the different parts of his discourse, so that the main idea may not be lost sight of. In order to prepare the pupil for the exercises upon which he is now to enter, he may be required to analyse the four Essays subjoined, in imitation of the model furnished. This exercise will tend to familiarise him with the nature of the Essay, and will at the same time show him that, however variously the subject may be treated, coherency of statement is invariably preserved throughout the discourse. Taking into consideration the experience he must have acquired in his progress through the previous part of this work, he will thus, it is conceived, find little difficulty in producing an Essay on most of the subjects prescribed. The Essays submitted for analysis will at the same time serve as models of composition.

ANALYSIS OF AN ESSAY BY ADDISON.

On Discretion.

I have often thought if the minds of men were laid open, we should see but little difference between that of the wise man and that of the fool. There are infinite reveries, numberless extravagances, and a perpetual train of vanities, which pass through both. The great difference is, that the first knows how to pick and cull his thoughts for conversation, by suppressing some, and communicating others; whereas the other lets them all indifferently fly out in words. This sort of discretion, however, has no place in private conversation between intimate friends. On such occasions the wisest men very often talk like the weakest; for indeed the talking with a friend is nothing else but thinking aloud.

In this paragraph the writer introduces his subject by a general reflection, which, in the next sentence, he illustrates by a particular affirmation. He then proceeds to show how discretion exhibits itself in conversation; and, in the two concluding sentences, qualifies his previous remarks by explanatory statements. In this paragraph the author confines himself to a single instance of the quality under consideration; that is to say, as it is exemplified in conversation.

Tully has therefore very justly exposed a precept delivered by some ancient writers, that a man should live with his enemy in such a manner, as might leave him room to become his friend; and with his friend in such a manner, that if he became his enemy, it should not be in his power to hurt him. The first part of this rule, which regards our behaviour towards an enemy, is indeed very reasonable, as well as very prudential; but the latter part of it, which regards our behaviour towards a friend, savours more of cunning than discretion, and would cut a man off from the greatest pleasure of life, which are the freedoms of conversation with a bosom friend. Besides that when a friend is turned into an enemy, and, as the son of Sirach calls him, "a bewrayer of secrets,' the world is just enough to accuse the perfidiousness of the friend, rather than the indiscretion of the person who confided in him.

I

The whole of this paragraph consists of an amplified illustration of the remarks with which the author had just concluded in the first. Both of these paragraphs may be considered introductory to a more comprehensive view of the subject.

Discretion does not only show itself in words, but in all the circumstances of action, and is like an under agent of Providence, to guide and direct us in the ordinary concerns of life.

Here the author, by extending the signification of discretion, and showing that it is applicable to all circumstances, prepares the reader for a more 、 enlarged and systematic treatment of the subject.

There are many more shining qualities in the mind of man, but there is none so useful as discretion; it is this indeed which gives a value to all the rest, which sets them at work in their proper times and places, and turns them to the advantage of the person who is possessed of them. Without it, learning is pedantry, and wit impertinence; virtue itself looks like weakness; the best parts only qualify a man to be more sprightly in errors, and active to his own prejudice.

Discretion is here viewed with reference to its influence upon the other qualities of the mind, and its value demonstrated by a series of illustrations showing that the most brilliant accomplishments are deteriorated by the want of it.

Nor does discretion only make a man the master of his own parts, but of other men's. The discreet man finds out the talent of those he converses with, and knows how to apply them to proper uses. Accordingly, if we look into particular communities and divisions of men, we may observe, that it is the discreet man, not the witty, nor the learned, nor the brave, who guides the conversation and gives measures to the society. A man with great talents, but void of discretion, is like Polyphemus in the fable, strong and blind, endued with an irresistible force, which, for want of sight, is of no use to him.

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