the constant perusal of an excellent dictionary, such as Webster's. A writer must have a clear idea of the exact import of every word; and this cannot be obtained, except by the assiduous use of the dictionary. No exercise is more profitable to a scholar, than to write often on a black-board, and define a certain number of words contained in the dictionary; to be selected and assigned as a lesson, by the teacher.

I. EXERCISE.

Prepare yourself well, with the assistance of the dictionary, to define and show the difference of each synonym contained in the above list.

II.-EXERCISE.

Find other synonyms, and define them likewise.

III.-EXERCISE.

Read a passage, or composition of some writer; and examine the clearness, strength, purity, propriety and precision of language.

If any violation of the rules occurs, point it out, and quote the rule.

IV.-EXERCISE.

Write on the board either a part, or the whole of your composition; and show how you have

Is it necessary that a writer should fully understand the exact import of every word?

What exercise is very useful to a scholar?

observed the same qualities of language, by citing each rule; or else, let another pupil criticise it by the rules.

SECTION III.

OF THE ENGLISH VERSE; AND OF THE MODERN ENGLISH AND AMERICAN LITERATURE.

1. The subject of English versification is amply expounded in English grammars and books of elocution, to which it properly belongs. To them, therefore, we must refer the scholar; and here we shall content ourselves by only giving it a brief notice.

2. Versification is the art of writing in verse.

3. Verse, from the Latin versus, a furrow, signifies a line in writing; and applied to poetry, it means a line consisting of a certain number of long and short syllables, arranged according to metrical rules.

4. Verses are of various kinds; as, hexameter, of six feet; pentameter, of five; tetrameter, of four feet, etc.; according to the number of feet in each.

(1.) In what books is the subject of versification amply ex(2.) What is versification? [pounded?

(3.) Whence is the word verse derived?

What does it mean as applied to poetry? (4.) What are the principal kinds of verse?

5. A foot is a metrical element of a verse, consisting of a certain combination of syllables, distinguished formerly by their quantity or length; and in modern poetry by the accent.

6. The principal English feet are, the Iambus, consisting of a short and long syllable; as, be-tray; the Trochee, consisting of a long and short syllable; as, hate-ful; the Anapest, consisting of two short syllables and a long one; as, con-tra-vene; the Dactyl, consisting of a long syllable and two short ones; as, pos-si-ble.

7. Whence, four principal kinds of verse or poetic measure arise, viz: the Iambic, Trochaic, Anapestic, and Dactylic.

S. Verse is again divided into Rhymic and Blank.

9. Rhymic Verse is that which has a rhyme. Rhyme is a similarity of sound in the terminating words or syllables of two, and sometimes more verses, succeeding each other immediately, or at no great distance.

(5.) What is a metrical foot?

(6.) What are the principal metrical feet in English?

(7.) Name the principal classes, or divisions of English verse, derived from the metrical division?

(8.) Give another division.

(9.) What is rhymic verse?

What is a rhyme?

For, rhyme with reason may dispense,
And sound has right to govern sense.

-Prior.

10. Blank Verse is verse without rhyme.

11. From the two primary divisions of verse, according to its metrical element and terminational sound, other secondary divisions and appellations are derived; as, the Heroic Verse, or the verse of epic poetry which, in English, German and Italian, is the Iambic of ten syllables; in French, is the Iambic of twelve syllables; and in classic poetry is the hexameter.

12. The object of versification is chiefly, to please the hearer or reader, by the harmony produced by the regular alternation of syllables; and in rhymic verse, also, by the correspondence of sound in the terminating words or syllables. Hence, great attention is necessary to poetic pauses, in reading or delivering verses.

(10.) What is blank verse?

(11.) Are there any other secondary divisions of the English verse?

Of what kind of verse or metre is the heroic verse com-
posed?

How many syllables does the heroic verse comprise, in
English, German, and Italian?

How many in the French and classic poetry?

(12.) What is the object of versification?

To what must be attended, in reading or pronouncing verses?

13. A poetic pause is a brief suspension of the voice in the utterance of verse for the sake of preserving harniony, as well as for obtaining a fresh supply of breath.

14. The poetic pauses are two; final and cæsural. The final pause is that which takes place at the end of the verse, or when the sense is complete. The cæsural pause is that which takes place in the middle of a verse for the sake of harmony. As,

66

The joys above | are understood

"And relish'd only by the good."

15. Verse may admit of two, and even three cæsural pauses; yet, they should not be too many; for, a protracted uniformity of suspension, will soon cause satiety.

16. Before closing this section on the English language, we are called, by the nature of the subject, to remark on the eminent writers in prose and in verse, who have excelled in modern times, both in England and America.

17. But here we must confess that our power

(13.) What is a poetic pause?

(14.) How many are the poetic pauses?

(15.) How many cæsural pauses may verse admit? (16.) To what are we here called by the subject?