the fure method is, to place first in the consequent member fome word that cannot connect with what precedes it.

If by any one it fhall be thought, that the objections here are too fcrupulous, and that the defect of perfpicuity is eafily fupplied by accurate punctuation; the answer is, That punctuation may remove an am biguity, but will never produce that pecufiar beauty which is felt when the fenfe comes out clearly and diftinctly by means of a happy arrangement. Such influence has this beauty, that by a natural transition of feeling, it is communicated to the very found of the words, fo as in appearance to improve the mufic of the period. But as this curious subject comes in more properly afterward, it is fufficient at prefent to appeal to experience, that a period fo arranged as to bring out the fenfe clear, seems always more mufical than where the fenfe is left in any degree doubtful.

A rule deservedly occupying the fecond place, is, That words expreffing things connected in the thought, ought to be placed as near together as poffible. This rule is Qq 2 derived

derived immediately from human nature, in which there is difcovered a remarkable propenfity to place together things that are in any manner connected *. Where things are arranged according to their connections, we have a fenfe of order: otherwife we have a fenfe of diforder, as of things placed by chance. And we naturally place words in the fame order in which we would place the things they fignify. The bad effect of a violent feparation of words or members thus intimately connected, will appear from the following examples,

For the English are naturally fanciful, and ve ry often difpofed, by that gloominefs and melancho ly of temper which is fo frequent in our nation, to many wild notions and vifions, to which others are not fo liable.

Here the verb or affertion is, by a pretty long circumftance, violently separated from the fubject to which it refers. This makes a harsh arrangement; the less excufable that

See chap. I.

the

the fault is eafily prevented by placing the circumftance before the verb or affertion, after the following manner:

For the English are naturally fanciful, and, by that gloominefs and melancholy of temper which is fo frequent in our nation, are often difpofed to many wild notions, &c.

For as no mortal author, in the ordinary fate and viciffitude of things, knows to what ufe his works may, fome time or other, be applied, &c. Spectator, N° 85.

Better thus:

For as, in the ordinary fate and viciffitude of things, no mortal author knows to what use, fome time or other, his works may be apply'd.

From whence we may date likewise the rivalfhip of the houfe of France, for we may reckon that of the Valois and that of Bourbon as one upon this occafion, and the house of Austria, that continues at this day, and has oft cost so much blood and fo much treasure in the course of it.

Letters on hiftory, vol. 1. letter 6. Bolingbroke.

It

It cannot be impertinent or ridiculous therefore in fuch a country, whatever it might be in the Abbot of St Real's, which was Savoy I think; or in Peru, under the Incas, where Garcilaffo de la Vega fays it was lawful for none but the nobility to study for men of all degrees to inftruct themselves in those affairs wherein they may be actors, or judges of those that act, or controllers of thofe that judge.

Letters on biftory, vol. 1. letter 5. Bolingbroke.

If Scipio, who was naturally given to women, for which anecdote we have, if I mistake not, the authority of Polybius, as well as fome verses of Nevius preferved by Aulus Gellius, had been educated by Olympias at the court of Philip, it is im probable that he would have restored the beautiful Spaniard. Ibid. letter 3.

If any one have a curiofity for more fpecimens of this kind, they will be found without number in the works of the fame author.

A pronoun, which faves the naming a person or thing a second time, ought to be placed as near as poffible to the name of that perfon or thing. This is a branch of

the

the foregoing rule; and with the reafon there given, another concurs, viz. That if other ideas intervene, it is difficult to recal the perfon or thing by reference.

If I had leave to print the Latin letters tranfmitted to me from foreign parts, they would fill a vofume, and be a full defence against all that Mr Partridge, or his accomplices of the Portugal inqui fition, will be ever able to object; who, by the way, are the only enemies my predictions have ever met with at home or abroad.

Better thus:

and be a full defence against all that can be objected by Mr Partridge, or his accomplices of the Portugal inquifition; who, by the

way, are, &c.

There being a round million of creatures in human figure, throughout this kingdom, whose whole fubfiftence, &c.

Better:

A modest proposal, &c. Swift.

There being, throughout this kingdom, a round million of creatures in human figure, whose whole fubfiftence, &c.

Tom