EXERCISES.

The whole race of man except Noah and his family is recorded to have perished by the great flood.-The whole race of man Noah and his family being recorded exceptions perished in one great flood which changed the state of the globe that we inhabit. The whole race of man we all know that Noah and his family were saved perished in one great flood which changed the state of the globe that we inhabit.-Henry the Second of England except in his celebrated quarrel with Thomas à Becket was a prudent and prosperous king.-Henry the Second excluding perhaps his quarrel with Thomas à Becket was a prudent and prosperous king.-Henry the Second before I complete my assertion I must perhaps exclude his quarrel with Thomas à Becket was a prudent and prosperous king.-My friend had not a book except the Bible in any part of his house.-My friend had not a book I do not mean to say he was without a Bible in any part of his house.-Five years of scarcity with the exception of one average season were followed by ten of plenty.—Five years of scarcity I know that one of them might be called an average season were followed by ten of plenty.The world says Shakspeare is still deceived with ornament.Shakspeare warns us that the world is still deceived with ornament. He said that they had quite forgotten the truth.The words he used were these They have quite forgotten the truth.-Bacon tells us that knowledge is power.-Knowledge is power says the great Lord Bacon.-Take care of the pence says some noted economist and the pounds will take care of themselves. Some noted economist advises people to take care of the pence for says he the pounds will take care of themselves.-Oh save my country were the dying words of William Pitt.-See said Addison on his death bed to a profligate young nobleman see in what peace a Christian can die.-Socrates on being asked what man approached the nearest to perfect happiness answered That man who has the fewest wants.-When Socrates was asked this question What man approaches the nearest to perfect happiness he pronounced in favor of him who has the fewest wants.

LESSON LIII.

SENTENCE-BUILDING.

Starting with the two words, Themistocles persuaded, a long sentence may be built upon them by various enlarge

ments.

Themistocles-Add an appositional phrase: Themistocles the AthenianModify Athenian: Themistocles, the distinguished Athenian-Themistocles the distinguished Athenian general-Add a participial clause: perceiving no hope-perceiving that there was no hope-perceiving that there was no longer any hope-Add a prepositional phrase: of preserving Attica -Prefix a prepositional phrase: after the arrival of the Grecian fleet-Add a prepositional phrase: at Salamis-Enlarge the predicate by adding an object: persuaded the Athenians—Add an infinitive clause: to betake themselves-Add prepositional phrases: for refuge-to their ships-according to the interpretation he had formerly given-of the oracle-of Apollo-Add a relative clause: which promised them safety-Add a prepositional phrase: behind their wooden walls.

The sentence thus constructed becomes the following:

After the arrival of the Grecian fleet at Salamis, Themistocles, the distinguished Athenian general, perceiving that there was no longer any hope of preserving Attica, persuaded the Athenians to betake themselves for refuge to their ships, according to the interpretation he had formerly given of the oracle of Apollo, which promised them safety behind their wooden walls.

Another example:

Veneration gave influence.

- Modify the subject by an adjective and an article: The high venerationModify the subject by a prepositional clause: in which the Delphic oracle was held

Modify the predicate by an indirect object: gave its directors— Modify the direct object by an adjective and article: a large shareModify the object further by prepositional phrases: of influence-in publie affairs

Modify it further by an appositional clause:—an influence which they sometimes exerted in a most commendable manner

Modify this appositional clause by a prepositional clause: in sanctioning and furthering the schemes of the statesmen, legislators, and warriorsModify further by a relative clause: who undertook to improve the politi cil systems, reform laws and manners, or defend the liberties of Greece.

The sentence completed stands thus:

The high veneration in which the Delphic oracle was held, gave its directors a large share of influence in public affairs; an influence which they sometimes exerted in a most commendable manner in sanctioning and furthering the schemes of the statesmen, legislators, and warriors who undertook to improve the political systems, reform laws and manners, or defend the liberties of Greece.

EXERCISES.

Write out, in a similar manner, an analysis or process of construction of the following sentences.

1. It might indeed be shown, in a great variety of instances, some of an indifferent, and others of a moral nature, that being accustomed to a thing, induces, for the most part, such a settled habit as is aptly denominated a second nature.

2. An account of these disturbances reached England early in 1774, but it only incensed the government so much the more against the colonies, and made them so much more resolute in the determination to punish them for their insolence.

LESSON LIV.

SENTENCES VARIED IN STRUCTURE.

This may be effected in several methods.

1. By changing a verb into a participle; as,

When the mail arrived, I received a letter. The mail having arrived, I received a letter.

Sentences containing two or more assertions which are connected by the conjunction and, may thus be advantageously varied; as,

The boys may study for an hour, and then take a recess. The boys having studied an hour, may then take a recess.

2. By using a noun in place of an infinitive; as,

He sought to be learned. He sought learning.

3. By using the infinitive mood in place of a conjunctive clause, or a conjunctive clause in place of an infinitive mood; as,

It is important that one be prepared for all events. It is important to. be prepared for all events.

4. By changing a verb into a verb and an adjective, or partici ple; as,

He runs. He is running. He fears death. He is afraid to die.

5. Adverbs may be changed for adverbial clauses, and the reverse; as,

He recited his lesson correctly. He recited his lesson in a correct manner.

EXERCISES.

Vary the construction in the following sentences according to the methods just stated:

He aimed to be wise.-There are two modes of establishing our reputation; to be praised by honest men, and to be abused by rogues.- When the procession reached me I was highly gratified. The ship advances towards port.-The girls may learn their lessons and then take a long walk and enjoy the society of their friends.-He expects that he will be sick. -Gladly and heartily did he receive my gift.

LESSON LV.

SENTENCES VARIED IN STRUCTURE.

Other methods of varying the structure are these:

1. Change adjectives or participles into relative clauses, and the reverse; as,

The wise man prepares for future events. The man who is wise, prepares, &c.

2. Change adjectives into prepositional phrases, and the reverse: The pious man loves to pray. The man of piety loves to pray.

3. Change transitive sentences into the passive form, with a prepositional phrase; as,

Milton wrote Paradise Lost. Paradise Lost was written by Milton. The reverse, also, of this process may be practised.

4. Change adjective or participial clauses into adverbial; as,

The man, blind to his true interest, disregarded my counsel. The man,

since (or because) he was blind to his true interest, disregarded my counsel. The sun rising, the clouds disperse. When the sun rises, the clouds disperse.

EXERCISES.

Make these changes in the sentences that follow:

The good and upright man detests fraud.-The patriotic man scorns a bribe, and is faithful to the interests of his country.-Campbell wrote the "Pleasures of Hope."-The artist, intent on securing a high reputation, shrunk not from the severest toil.-Clay was rivalled by Webster. A man of genuine wit is not often found.

LESSON LVI.

SENTENCES VARIED BY ABRIDGMENT AND OMISSION OF CLAUSES.

Abridge the following sentences by omitting such clauses as are least important, and by abridging the form of others, according to the following methods:

1. Change the adverbial or conjunctive clause to an absolute or independent clause; as,

When the teacher arrived, the class engaged in study. The teacher arriving, the class, &c.

2. When the subjects of a sentence are the same, omit all but one, in changing the adverbial clauses into participial; as,

When I came to the place, and saw the desolation, I was pained. Coming to the place, and seeing the desolation, I was pained.

3. Clauses may be abridged somewhat, by using the verbal noun, or the infinitive, instead of the conjunctive clause; as,

He affirmed that he was sick, and that this was the cause of his absence. He affirmed his being sick as the cause of his absence. He expressed a wish that he might have a vacation. He expressed a wish to have a vacation.

4. Relative clauses may be abridged by changing the verb into the participle; as,

The man, who approached the house, excited terror. The man, approaching the house, excited terror.