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5. But from this immovable stand, he utters a voice which the elements hear and obey. Such a man, with respect to other men, is neither planetary nor reflective, but fixed and self-luminous. He pours a light abroad from the living fountains of his own intelligence. Who does not envy power like this? It is truly the only power worth desiring or possessing.

6. What true dignity and sublimity encircles the brow of the mighty ruler of mind! Olympian Jove, shaking the material heavens and earth with his nod, and hurling his thunders upon the aghast and discomfited giants, does not, with half that kingly majesty, dilate our strong conception, as a simple man, swaying to and fro a vast multitude of intelligent minds by the breath of his lofty eloquence, and demolishing the citadels of error by the might of his irresistible logic.

EXERCISE III.

The Primary and Secondary Accents.

Besides the primary accent, which has been illustrated in the preceding exercises, there is another kind that usually occurs in words of more than two syllables, called the secondary accent. It is less forcible than the primary, and is marked thus (";) as in com"po-si'tion.

In this exercise, let the pupil point out the words having

QUESTIONS. What kind of accent has been illustrated in the two preceding exercises? What other kind have some words? How is secondary accent distinguished from the primary? How is it marked? What is the design of exercise third ?

both the primary and secondary accents, and the syllables on which they respectively fall; as in class"-i-fi-ca'-tion, &c.

THE PRINCIPLES OF CLASSIFICATION.-ANON.

1. Classification is a process of mind with which all men are in some degree familiar. Yet few, perhaps, are fully aware of the importance of its results. It produces system and order among the objects of our pursuit, and imparts regularity and method to the manner of pursuing them. If we analyze this process, we find the first act of the mind to be a comparison of objects with one another; a viewing of things in connection or juxtaposition.

2. This comparison is followed by a perception of resemblances. The attention is arrested by a similarity of qualities in objects, and, according to the points of resemblance, the mind naturally groups them together. The arrangement, or distribution thus produced, is termed classification.

3. In every such system, if it aspires to be a philosophical one, the order of resemblance should be the governing principle; and, in applying this principle, the essential qualities of things should be clearly distinguished from those that are only incidental. The former should be first assumed as the basis of distribution, and the latter would properly form the ground of a subsequent subdivision.

4. An analysis conducted on this principle, which should distribute the various branches of knowledge into appropriate classes and subordinate divisions, and exhibit truly their connection, dependence, and relative importance, would be a most useful auxiliary in the prosecution of science.

5. It would not only facilitate the progress of the inquirer,

QUESTIONS. What words in the first verse are thus accented? Which syllable has the primary accent? Which the secondary, &c.?

but would give an additional value to his attainments, by rendering them more available for useful ends. Nor, indeed, is this all the advantage that would result from it. The very action of the mind in studying a complete and comprehensive system, in tracing its relations and proportions, the fitness of its parts and the adaptation of the whole, is a most useful exercise, and constitutes one of the best kinds of mental discipline.

6. The habit of classifying is attended with a two-fold advantage. Its influence is exerted at the same time upon the mental faculties, and upon the objects to which those faculties are directed. While it simplifies science, and renders the subjects of knowledge easier to grasp, it also invigorates the intellect, and increases its power of grasping.

7. Though all men resort, more or less, to this process in the ordinary affairs of life, yet the manner and degree in which it is employed, vary as widely in different individuals, as the qualities of the mind. A propensity to classify is the attribute of a reasoning mind. It both implies and confers mental energy, and, when strongly developed, is a highly intellectual. endowment. The process is, in fact, a method of analysis. It is an instrument of thought, penetrating into the nature of things, and investigating their relations, reducing chaos to order, and bringing harmony out of confusion.

CHAPTER III.

SENTENCES.

A SENTENCE, says Dr. Webster, is a number of words containing complete sense or a sentiment, and followed by a full pause.

1. Sentences are of two kinds, simple and compound.

QUESTIONS. What is a sentence? How many kinds of sentences are there, and what are they called?

2. A simple sentence consists of one subject, and one finite verb; as, Trees grow. The sun shines. Man's days are numbered. 3. A compound sentence contains two or more subjects and finite verbs; as, Be sincere in all your words, prudent in all your actions, obliging in all your manners, and men will commend you.

SECTION I.

SERIES.

A SERIES, in elocution, denotes the members of a compound sentence; and hence, it is a succession of particulars, consisting of words, or clauses, connected by a conjunction expressed or understood.

Mr. Walker introduces and illustrates the series under the following general heads: A Simple Series, A Compound Series, and A Series of Series.

1. A SIMPLE SERIES.

A simple series is a succession of particulars, consisting of two or more single words in the same construction.

EXAMPLES.

1. Time and tide wait for no man.

2. Pride and vanity are twin sisters.

3. Humanity, justice, and generosity, are noble traits of character.

4. Stage actors counterfeit love, anger, fear, and aversion.

2. A COMPOUND SERIES.

A compound series consists of two or more phrases, or members of the same sentence, succeeding each other in such connection and dependence, as to render the sense of the whole complete.

QUESTIONS. What is a simple sentence? What is a compound sentence? What is a series in elocution? How many kinds of series are here illustrated, and what are they called? What is a simple series? Give an example. A compound series?

EXAMPLES.

1. A good moral character, and a sound education, with habits of industry, qualify men for eminent usefulness.

2. The temper, the sentiments, the morality, and, in general, the whole conduct and character of men, are influenced by the example of others.

3. A SERIES OF SERIES.

A series of series consists of two or more simple particulars, connected with two or more compound particulars, and all so united, as to form but one sentence, complete in sense.

EXAMPLES.

1. Those evil spirits, who, by long custom, have contracted in the body habits of sensuality, malice, and revenge, and an aversion to every thing that is good, just, and laudable, are naturally seasoned and prepared for pain and misery.

2. He, who pretends to great sensibility toward men, and yet has no feeling for the high objects of religion, no heart to admire and adore the great Father of the Universe, has reason to distrust the truth and delicacy of his sensibility.

NOTE. The several series, as above illustrated, are, with reference to their position in a sentence, called Commencing or Concluding Series. 1. A Commencing Series.

A commencing series is one which begins a sentence, but does not, of itself, render it complete in sense. It is shown by brackets.

EXAMPLES.

1. [George Washington, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson,] were the first three Presidents of the United States.

2. [The splendor of retinue, the sound of titles, and the appearances of high respect,] are, indeed, soothing for a short time.

QUESTIONS. What is a series of series? Give an example. What is a series called when reference is made to its position in a sentence? What is a commencing series? Give an example.

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