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6. The practice of beginning sentence after sentence with "he" or some similar word, is an inelegance into which young writers are very apt to fall.

7. A poetic metaphor should not be used to illustrate a prosaic subject; as, "Consols soared to 944."

8. Incongruous statements should not, in serious composition, be united in the same sentence; as, “He was a loving husband, a tender father, and a good shot."

9. A literal statement should not follow immediately after a metaphor; as, “He was the father of chemistry, and brother to the Earl of Cork."

EXERCISE XLII.

FINE WRITING.

DIRECTION.-Express these sentences in language better suited to the

thought.

1. Those individuals were eagerly hastening towards their parental domicile.

2. That institution was inaugurated under the auspices of a most distinguished personage.

3. Previous to making a sudden transition, you should execute a survey of your surroundings. (Look before, etc.)

4. In recompense for his splendid munificence, he was made the recipient of many grateful acknowledgments.

5. The house that was lately in process of erection, has been destroyed in its entirety by the devouring element.

6. In the intensity of his passion, he indulged in minatory expressions.

7. His parental relative was a gentleman long identified with the building interest.

8. Please convey to me that dissecting instrument.

9. A petrified body of rotary motion has no affinity for gramineous matter. (A rolling stone, etc.)

10. Pedal teguments artistically illuminated and lubricated for the infinitesimal compensation of five cents per operation.

II. One of those omnipresent characters, who, as if in pursuance of some previous arrangement, are certain to be encountered when an accident occurs, ventured the suggestion. (A bystander.)

12. While pursuing my esoteric cogitations on the empyrean atmosphere, I was approached by an erubescent damsel, who informed me that the nocturnal revelries were about to ensue.

13. I opine you adorn the bountifully furnished table of the excellent lady who provides so liberally for the company that assembles around her hospitable board.

14. When the luminary of day had driven his chariot behind the mountains, the eminent agriculturists began to discuss the succulent bivalves.

15. After attending divine service, a vast concourse congregated to behold the victims of unbridled passions launched into eternity.

16. After being the recipients of multitudinous favors, and participating for some weeks in the hospitalities of their host, they took their departure.

17. The friends speedily called into requisition the services of the family physician, but the disease had taken so firm a hold of his system that after a few hours of agony his spirit winged its flight into realms unknown.

18. The remains of the departed author of my being were placed in a casket and conveyed to their last resting-place.

19. Before she was led to the hymeneal altar, she had charge of the culinary department of a prominent hotel.

20. The patrons of husbandry, having thoroughly examined all the inventions of genius to be found within the machinery hall, retired to an adjoining apartment to partake of some liquid refreshments.

EXERCISE XLIII.

KEEPING.

DIRECTION.- Correct the violations of the rules of Keeping. Give a reason for each change.

1. All verbs agree with their subject.

2. The fairest of her daughters, Eve.

3. The first project was to shorten discourse by cutting polysyllables into one.

4. We are at peace with all the world, and seek to maintain our cherished relations of amity with the rest of mankind.

5. In the construction of the Act, "teacher" shall include female as well as male teachers.

6. That author approaches the subject from an unusual standpoint.

7. The brain needs rest as much, if not more, than the rest of the body.

8. He looked very unnatural after he had received that unnatural treatment.

9. He successfully avoided threatening evils, and steered the ship of state into a safe harbor.

10. An anxious face opened the door and led us upstairs.

II. The chariot of revolution is rolling onward and gnashing its teeth as it rolls.

12. I was sitting at the table enjoying a cup of coffee, when a gentle voice tapped me on the shoulder.

13. In the beginning it was intended that all men should marry but one wife.

14. He was a firm believer in the immortal gods who are now dead.

15. Shakespeare was the sun among the lesser lights of English poetry, and a native of Stratford-on-Avon.

16. He guided the people from the quicksands of protection into the safe harbor of free trade, and saved the country several millions.

17. They were refused entrance into, and forcibly driven from, the house.

18. I was sailing in a vast ocean, without other help than the pole-star of the ancients and the rules of the French stage.

19. The truth is that truth and error are blended together. 20. In a house like this the inmates resemble a knight in an enchanted castle.

21. At the news of a Russian war, the price of wheat instantly soared up to a dollar a bushel.

22. He had sense enough not to use that word in that sense. 23. If the loss of temporal gain be the gain of eternal good, the reverse of fortune is the reverse of misfortune.

24. The farmer gave orders to his son to order the hired man to put the reaper in good order.

25. When I was there, there were friends of mine there also.

EXERCISE XLIV.

GENERAL EXERCISE ON ELEGANCE.

DIRECTION. Reconstruct these sentences so as to correct all violations of the laws of Elegance.

1. We are a firm believer in keeping pace with the times.

2. The scene is laid on an inland lake.

3. He was tired with his journey and sad and dispirited.

4. He never seemed to be capable of it.

5. Generally speaking, a prudent general will in the face of odds avoid a general engagement.

6. Shamefacedness may recommend many more than money.

7. The essayist could not find a trace of some of those worthies of whom the world was not worthy.

8. Everybody knows that that knows anything at all.

9. It was in vain they reached the other side; such fate does 'ate assign us.

10. Thou strokedst me and mad'st much of me.

II. You know, when you don't know where you are going, you generally take a rather slow pace.

12. Though generally scrupulous, he did not scruple to do that base act.

13. After describing so interesting a meeting concerning the rival parties contending for supremacy, the speaker paused.

14. They found that at an inroad of the Indians he had been taken prisoner.

15. As we approached the church we met crowds of respectable people hurrying towards it, as if afraid of being too late to obtain a good seat, or even admittance, etc.

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16. She always displays a cheerful temper and pleasant humor. 17. Tediousness is the most fatal of all faults.

18. He attempted to express the inexplicable pleasure he felt.

19. Moral faults only, and then only extremely rarely, should be corrected by ridicule.

20. Boys are sensitive, and to ridicule more than anything else, especially where both sexes are taught in the same room.

21. Though virtue borrows no assistance from, yet it may often be accompanied by, the advantages of fortune.

22. It is hard to make good the pretence of a good quality. 23. He refused taking any further notice of it.

24. It is in my power to refuse you, and since I have the power to do it I will do it.

25. They directed their course in the direction of their father's house.

26. The night which descended upon her was the night (or the darkness ?) of an Arctic summer.

27. A man of his sense should have a higher sense of honor. 28. I am acquainted with a certain man who has a certain income obtained from the investment of a certain sum.

29. He was also known to, and visited by, Sheridan.

30. The devouring element consumed the edifice before its progress could be arrested.

31. He abruptly turned to the left and left the house.

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