distinctions, intricate points of law, and the narration of facts, which require the graces of speech, and delicate strokes of elocution..

Lady L. How does Rhetoric make people eloquent ?

Ment. By enabling them to express their sentiments according to the rules of art, and to adorn them with the figures of speech called tropes, metaphors, allegories, hyperboles, that are nothing more than mental ornaments, on which the internal beauty depends, as much as the external does on dress and exterior decorations. As they neither of them produce an happy effect, if they are not properly disposed, the one should be blended with truth, the other with simplicity and nature. I shall now explain the extensive and useful science. of Arithmetic.

Lady M. We learn that of our writingmaster, and therefore know what it means.

Ment. What he teaches you is a part of simple Arithmetic. This science comprehends, the use and properties of figures, and consequently is part of the Mathematics. The four first rules, namely addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, are very necessary, parts of our education. If you are defective,

in these points, you would not be qualified to regulate your affairs when you come to years of maturity.

Lady L. You say we are taught Simple Arithmetic: what other sort is there, my good Mentoria?

Ment. The more abstruse part of the science is called Algebra, in which letters are used instead of figures, to solve the problems, and ascertain the product; which is of great importance to Mathematicians.

Lady M. What are the other sciences?

Ment. The next that will engage our attention is Geometry, which is also a principal branch of the mathematics, and includes whatever is capable of mensuration. Geometrical problems are very entertaining; they teach rules of proportions, and the use of various figures; such as circles, ovals, angles, triangles, quadrangles or squares, octagons, heptagons, hexagons, pentagons, parallel lines, cubes, &c.

Lady L. What are the meaning of these words, and from whence are they derived?

Ment. From the Latin and Greek. The word Circle signifies round, and is derived from circus, a ring; Oval, from ovum an egg,

as

as it bears that form; Angle, from angulus a corner, as it implies the meeting of two lines; Triangle, from tres, three, and angulus, a corner, as it has three sides; and, consequently, Quadrangle from quatuor and angulus, as it has four sides. These are all derived from the Latin.

Lady M. The others take their different derivations from the Greek.

Ment. Yes, my dear Lady Mary; the word Octagon means eight sides: I believe the Heptagon has the same etymology, which has seven sides; Hexagon, which has six; and Pentagon, which has five. Parallel is taken from the Greek, and means even with each other, yet cannot meet: hence it is parallel lines imply being an equal distance. The word Cube or Square is also derived from the Greek, and signifies a die, which is the singular of dice, as it is the same length, width, and depth, and on every side forms an exact square. I have drawn a sketch of the different figures, which, I hope, will be of future service to you, exemplified in Plate II.

Lady L. I should like to learn Geometry ; it seems very entertaining.

Ment. It is not a part of female education; neither can you form a proper judgment from