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"Give her to

Here A rope to the side! Lower Lady Raffles. me," says one. "I'll take her," says the captain. Throw the gunpowder overboard. It can not be got at; it is in the magazine, close to the fire! Stand clear of the powder! Scuttle the water-casks! Water! Water! Where's Sir Stamford? Come into the boat. Nilson, Nilson! come into the boat. Push off! push off! Stand clear of the after part of the ship!

2. Moderate.

Some of the greatest philosophers, in all ages, have been engaged in the pursuits of active life; and he who, in whatever station his lot may be cast, prefers the refined and elevating pleasures of knowledge to the low gratification of the senses, richly deserves the name of a philosopher.

3. Slow.

O for a lodge in some vast wilderness,
Some boundless contiguity of shade,
Where rumor of oppression and deceit,
Of unsuccessful or successful war,
Might never reach me more!

GENERAL EXERCISES ON EXPRESSION.

EXERCISE I.

RULE 1. Language, unattended with strong emotions, as most narrative, descriptive, and historical writings, should be read on the middle pitch, in a natural and conversational tone, with smooth utterance, moderate movement, and varied inflections.

INDIAN SUMMER IN NEW ENGLAND.*—J. STORY.

Descriptive Narration.

1. It is now the early advance of autumn.

What can be

*In'dian Sum'mer, in the United States, a period of warm weather late in autumn. when, it is said, the Indians go hunting to supply themselves with the flesh of wild animals for provisions in the winter.

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more beautiful or more attractive than this season in New England? The sultry heat of summer has passed away ; and a delicious coolness at evening succeeds the genial warmth of the day.

2. The labors of the husbandman approach their natural termination; and he gladdens with the near prospect of his promised reward. The earth swells with the increase of vegetation. The fields wave with their yellow and luxuriant harvests.

3. The trees put forth the darkest foliage, half shading and half revealing their ripened fruits to tempt the appetite of man, and proclaim the goodness of his Creator. Even in scenes of another sort, where Nature reigns alone in her own majesty, there is much to awaken religious enthusiasm.

4. As yet, the forests stand clothed in their dress of undecayed magnificence. The winds, that rustle through their tops, scarce disturb the silence of the shades below. The mountains and the valleys glow in warm green or lively

russet.

5. The rivulets flow on with a noiseless current, reflecting back the images of many a glossy insect, which dips its wings in their cooling waters. The mornings and evenings are still vocal with the notes of a thousand warblers which plume their wings for a later flight.

6. Above all, the clear blue sky, the long and sunny calms, the scarcely whispering breezes, the brilliant sunsets, lit up with all the wondrous magnificence of light, and shade, and color, and slowly settling down into a pure and transparent twilight, fill us with peculiar delight.

7. These, these are days and scenes, which even the cold and indifferent can not behold without emotion; but on which the meditative and pious gaze with profound admiration; for they breathe of holier and happier regions beyond the grave.

QUESTIONS.-What is the rule for reading narrative, descriptive, and historical writings? What is the character of this exercise? What is meant by Indian Summer!

EXERCISE II.

THE BOSTON BOYS IN 1775.

An Historical Narration.

1. The British troops which were sent to Boston, previous to the commencement of the Revolutionary war, to keep that rebellious town in order, were everywhere received with the most unequivocal marks of anger and detestation. During their stay, the very air seemed filled with suppressed breathings of indignation.

2. The insolence and indiscretions of some subaltern officers increased the ill-will of the citizens; and vexations and quarrels multiplied daily. At this period of public exasperation, the boys were much in the habit of building hills of snow, and of sliding from them to the pond on the Common.

3. The English troops, from the mere love of tantalizing, destroyed all their labors. They complained of the injury, and industriously set about repairs. However, when they returned from school, they found the snow-hills again leveled. 4. Several of them now waited upon the British captain, to inform him of the misconduct of his soldiers. No notice was taken of their complaint, and the soldiers every day grew more and more provokingly insolent.

5. At last, they resolved to call a meeting of all the largest boys in town, and wait upon General Gage, Commander-inChief of the British forces. When shown into his presence, he asked, with some surprise, why so many children had called to see him.

6. "We come, sir," said the foremost, "to claim a redress of grievances."

7. "What! have your fathers been teaching you rebellion, and sent you here to utter it?"

8. "Nobody sent us, sir," replied the speaker, while his cheek reddened, and his dark eye flashed: we have never injured or insulted your troops; but they have trodden down our snow-hills, and broken the ice on our skating-ground. We

complained, and they called us young rebels, and told us to help ourselves if we could. We told the captain of this, and he laughed at us. Yesterday our works were a third time destroyed; and now we will bear it no longer."

9. General Gage looked at them with undisguised admiration; and, turning to an officer who stood near him, he exclaimed, "Good heavens! the very children draw in a love of liberty with the air they breathe"; and then added, “You may go, my brave boys; and be assured that, if any of my troops hereafter molest you, they shall be severely punished."

QUESTIONS.-What is the character of this exercise? How then should it be read? What trait of character was exhibited by these Boston boys? How did the British general regard them?

EXERCISE III.

RULE 2. Didactic and argumentative compositions should be read with a firm and impressive utterance, the pitch, movement, and inflections varying with the emotions.

SINCERITY.-OLIVE-BRANCH.

Didactic.

1. If there is any quality which excites at the same time our confidence and love, it is sincerity. Other traits may dazzle us for a time, and excite admiration by their brilliancy; but this has something which continues to interest, long after superficial attractions have ceased to fascinate.

2. Says Pope,* "An honest man's the noblest work of God." This truth finds an echo in every breast. Watch such a man in his dealings with the world. See him as he pursues his path straight onward, in spite of the many intricate and devious ways which might lead him more speedily to fortune's goal.

* Pope, (Alexander,) a celebrated English poet, was born in 1688. He died in 1744

3. Other men, deviating from perfect honesty, become suddenly rich; and they look with compassionate interest upon their new neighbor, who sacrifices wealth and honors rather than obtain them at the expense of his integrity.

4. In business transactions, the shrewd knave laughs in his sleeve, as he thinks how much better and quicker he can make his fortune than the honest, plain-dealing man, who would as soon overreach himself as his neighbor.

5. But what cares he for the laughter of fools! He knows that he bears, within him, a jewel worth priceless gold, the jewel of a clear conscience.

His

6. Nor is this all. Mark with what feelings the honest man is regarded by his acquaintances. Wherever he goes, he possesses the confidence of all. look of perfect sincerity opens the avenue to every heart. The icy barriers of distrust and reserve melt away before he glances of that eye, and the smile on that unwrinkled brow.

7. Say, then, is this regard of your fellow-men of no value? Is it a light matter to possess the confidence of your fellows, the approval of your conscience, and the approbation of your God? Wealth, honors, and fame! what are they compared to these?

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8. Will gold purchase the esteem of one heart? Can honors bring happiness, or fame secure content? No; none of these things can be purchased by aught which wealth or fame can offer. But sincerity obtains, unasked, these treasures. Happiness within, respect from without, are its sure rewards.

9. Were this the only life, this world all, still would we say, be sincere and honest in all your words and dealings; for nothing will insure more lasting esteem, nothing bring more entire self-approval, than the constant practice of sincerity in wcrd and deed.

QUESTIONS. What is the rule for didactic and argumentative compositions? Which does this exercise illustrate? Who was Pope? What trait of character is strongly recommended in this exercise?

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