EXAMPLE. The Scots, who advanced to York, ravaged the country with unsparing fury. The heart of Robert Bruce, which was preserved in a silver case, was consigned to the care of Douglas. CHANGED. The Scots, having advanced to York, ravaged the country with unsparing fury. The heart of Robert Bruce was preserved in a silver case, and consigned to the care of Douglas. EXERCISES. The king, who was taken prisoner, was put to the sword. James I., who was one of the wisest kings that reigned over Scotland, was assassinated at Perth in 1436. The song of woe, which the poets have attributed to the nightingale, is entirely fanciful. A man who is intimately acquainted with the nature of things has seldom occasion to be astonished. Men of great talent are not always the persons whom we should esteem. There are many peculiarities in plants which excite the greatest interest. Many things, which, in the days of our forefathers, were considered as useless, are now regarded as great benefits. 2. Vary the construction of the participial clause in the following complex sentences. EXAMPLES. Zeal, tempered by discretion, is irresistible. The sea, having spent its fury, subsided into a calm. CHANGED. Zeal, when it is tempered by discretion, is irresistible. The sea, after it had spent its fury, subsided into a calm. EXERCISES. The ocean, rolling its surges from clime to clime, is the most magnificent object under the sun. Man, considered in himself, is a very helpless and wretched being. Having obtained all the money that he could, Richard departed for the Holy Land. The people, seeing so many of their townsmen fall, were exasperated beyond all sense of danger. I yesterday passed a whole afternoon in the churchyard, the cloisters, and the church, amusing myself with the tombstones and inscriptions that I met with in those several regions of the dead. The minutest animal, examined attentively, affords a thousand wonders. On learning the defeat of Pembroke, Edward marched with an army towards Scotland, determined to be revenged on Bruce. 3. Vary the construction of the independent clause in the following complex sentences. EXAMPLES. The wind being fair, the vessel put to sea. The door being opened, the people crowded into the hall. CHANGED. The wind was fair, and the vessel put to sea. door was opened, the people crowded into the hall. EXERCISES. When the Order being obtained, the member addressed the House. In Palestine, the cold of winter not being severe, the ground is never frozen. The olive tree is from twenty to thirty feet high, its branches being numerous and very widely extended. Perkin's affairs being altogether desperate, he embraced the king's offer without hesitation. The battle having been concluded, the commander-in-chief ordered an estimate of his loss to be made. The rain having poured in torrents, we were prevented from setting out. Lord Cathcart having taken the command of the troops, they were landed near Copenhagen without opposition. The fortress having surrendered, the king held a council within its walls. 4. Vary the construction of one or more of the connective clauses in the following complex sentences. EXAMPLES. The colonies now eagerly prepared for war, and took the necessary measures for raising an army, and at the same time issued a large paper currency for its payment. Alfred, on returning to Athelney, summoned his faithful subjects to meet him in arms near Selwood Forest. CHANGED. The colonies now eagerly prepared for war, and took the necessary measures for raising an army, at the same time issuing a large paper currency for its payment. Alfred, when he returned to Athelney, summoned his faithful subjects to meet him in arms near Selwood Forest. EXERCISES. And David put his hand into his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it and smote the Philistine in his forehead. Their intentions were good; but they wanted prudence, and missed the mark at which they aimed. As the Armada advanced up the Channel, the English still followed and infested the rear. As Becket approached Southwark, the clergy, the laity, and men of all ranks and ages, came forth to meet him, and celebrated his triumphal entry with hymus of joy. A general assembly of deputies having been summoned, Philadelphia, because it was the most central town, was fixed upon as the place of meeting. Patriots have toiled, and in their country's cause bled nobly; and their deeds, as they deserve, receive proud recompense. David, on reaching the army of the Israelites, found it in great confusion; for a Philistine giant, of enormous stature, had paraded before it during forty days, challenging the bravest to single combat. 5. Vary the construction of two of the clauses of the following complex sentences, changing their position as may be found necessary. EXAMPLE. Sauntering out to view the city, he happened to meet a regiment of infantry returning from parade. CHANGED. As he sauntered out to view the city, he happened to meet a regiment of infantry which was returning from parade. EXERCISES. Alfred rebuilt and fortified the city of London, and also employed himself in strengthening the other positions of his kingdom-a salutary precaution, for the severest struggle was yet to come. Notwithstanding the industry and general wealth of the country, every ninth person in England, it is estimated, is a pauper, the number of those receiving relief being nearly two millions. Leisure and solitude, the most valuable blessings that riches can procure, are avoided by the opulent, who, weary of themselves, flee to company and business for relief. After surveying the rich and far stretching prospect, Moses closed his eyes in peace, with no one present to witness his departure. Frederick the Great, king of Prussia, having rung his bell one day, and nobody answering, opened the door where his servant was usually in waiting, and found him asleep on a sofa. In the reign of Valentinian I., the Picts and Scots are said to have pillaged the city of London, carrying off its inhabitants as slaves. 6. Vary the construction of three of the clauses of the following complex sentences, altering their position as may be found necessary. EXAMPLE. Thomas à Becket completed his education abroad; and, returning to England, entered the church, where he rose rapidly to the grade of Archdeacon of Canterbury. CHANGED. Thomas à Becket, having completed his education abroad, returned to England; and, entering the church, rose rapidly to the grade of Archdeacon of Canterbury. EXERCISES. Elated with this wonderful deliverance, the people would have invested Gideon with the sovereignty of the land; but he modestly refused the tempting honour, declaring that Jehovah alone was king of Israel. When Calais, after revolting, was retaken by Edward III., he, as a punishment, appointed six of the most respectable burgesses to be put to death, leaving the inhabitants to choose the victims. After advancing as far as the Moray Frith, Severus returned to the borders of the civilized provinces, and built a stone wall with forts, nearly in a line with that raised by Adrian. William was passionately fond of the chase, and converted into a hunting ground a tract of country in Hampshire, measuring ninety miles in circumference, and containing thirty-six populous parishes. He expelled the inhabitants without any indemnity, and destroyed all the churches and monasteries, changing the whole country into a desert. 7. Vary the construction of the sentences in the following passages as much as possible, altering the position of the clauses as may be found necessary. EXAMPLE. There are many harmless little animals, such as flies, snails, worms, and frogs, which some people torture and kill whenever they see them. We ought not to do this; because it is wrong to cause unnecessary pain to any creature. Besides, from being cruel to little animals, we are led to become cruel to our fellow-creatures; and thus, in the end, we may do very wicked actions. When we are tempted to hurt or kill any such creatures, we should consider how we would like if any greater being than ourselves were to do the same to us. CHANGED. Many harmless little animals, such as flies, snails, worms, and frogs, are tortured and killed by some people whenever they see them. This ought not to be done, it being wrong to cause any creature unnecessary pain. Besides, the being cruel to little animals may lead us to become cruel to our fellow-creatures, and thus, in the end, to do very wicked |