low, than to say,

not one, &c. &c.

"I cannot see none;" no,

Lady L. I will observe in future to keep strictly to the rules you have described, as essentially important to constitute good language.

Ment. The Preposition is put before Nouns and Pronouns, chiefly to connect them with other words, and to show their relative affinity. The name of this part of speech is derived from the Latin words præ before, and pono to place. Prepositions are so numerous, I shall not attempt to specify their dif ferent classes; they are usually placed before the words to which they relate. Example: She came from London, and went to Greenwich, &c. &c. The Conjunction is that part of speech which joins words and sentences together; their quality is implied by the etymology of the word Conjunction, which is derived from the Latin words con with, and jungo to join. Conjunctions are of se veral kinds, the principal are copulative, which join; disjunctive, expressing oppo sition; concessive; casual, denoting a cause; conditional, exceptive, and suspensive. The Interjection is the last part of speech, which evidently expresses some emotion, or passion of the mind; and is used to denote the sensations

of

of pleasure or pain. Examples: O! Oh! Alas! The word interjection is taken from the Latin, inter, between, and jacio, to throw ; as they are frequently put between different parts of sentences in our discourse, to enforce acute feelings of various descriptions.

Lady L. I am sorry you have finished your account of the different parts of speech; which I now understand more clearly than I did, previous to your instructions on that useful subject.

Ment. The parts of speech, when properly arranged, are the constituent ingredients which form the compact of elegant language; and their misapplication produces a vulgar, incorrect dialect, which exposes the ignorance of those who adopt it. As the means of preventing your being subject to any imperfections of a similar kind, I shall subjoin a few general observations, on the more flagrant and common errors of speech. The first I shall enumerate, arises from what is called false concord, by which is to be understood, when the words in a sentence do not agree in case, number, gender, or person. Examples: When they was there, the children looks well, &c. &c. In expressing our ideas to any considerable extent, this defect would seem too gla

ring to escape your notice; yet if you were to analyze the conversation, or writing, of persons of illiberal education, you would perceive a variety of such grammatical faults as those I have mentioned. It is also very wrong to use the imperfect tense of a Verb, instead of its passive participle, yet this frequently occurs in a number of cases, as it is common to hear people say, it was wrote by such a person, instead of it was written; and also, the likeness was took at such a time, instead of observing it was taken. You should also avoid substituting an adjective for an adverb, as what can be more absurd than to remark, that the child reads careless, instead of carelessly; or looks beautiful, instead of beautifully. There is

another distinction I will point out, relative to the properties of a noun of multitude, which implies a community, or body, such as the army, the navy, the clergy; though the rules of Grammar allow they may have the Verb and Pronoun, agreeing with them either in the singular or plural number, yet the propriety of that depends on the signification of the word. Example: The assembly was very numerous; it was a very large congregation; the people are rejoiced.

Lady L. I have very often heard some of

my

my friends make use of the wrong expres sions you have specified, which I will carefully avoid.

Ment. I shall feel much internal satisfaction, if the observations I have made prove advantageous to you: as the best means of effecting this desirable end, I will recommend your accustoming yourself to parse select sentences; at first this may appear difficult, but it is the only certain mode to be an adept in Grammar, and to understand the principles of language by systematic rules. If you wish to excel in any Art or Science, you must be careful to attain a solid foundation, which can only be accomplished by uniform adherence to the rudiments of its radical source.

Lady M. Which is the next Science you mean to discourse upon?

Ment. Logic, or the art of reasoning, is an abstruse study, but of infinite use to divines and lawyers; as it enables them to explain mysterious subjects, and reconcile seeming absurdities.

Lord G. That must be a difficult task: how can they possibly do it?

Ment. In tracing consequences to the cause which produces them, however remote and imperceptible to common observers; by which

neans they refute errors, and convince the unbelieving.

Lady M. This science must be of great

use.

Ment. Yes, my dear, particularly in all theological and divine writings, learned arguments, and deep researches.

Lady L. What is the next science, my dear Mentoria?

Ment. Rhetoric, or the art of eloquence or persuasion.

Lord G. Are Logic and Rhetoric alike in any respect?

Ment. Not in the least. Logic investigates the truth by axioms, or self-evident principles; but Rhetoric, by a fair assemblage of words, and well-turned periods, often causes us to view circumstances through a false me-dium, and consequently induces us to applaud what we ought to condemn. The powers of eloquence and flowers of rhetoric are irresistible; and when they proceed from a good heart, and are exerted in a good cause, are highly deserving of our praise and admiration. This quality is indispensably necessary for all public speakers, but more particularly so to lawyers, as the success of the cause they undertake to plead, frequently depends on nice

distinctions,