given with equal clearness and beauty in English phraseology, and there is certainly an excellence in preserving the simple and unmixed character of sentences. To those who are unacquainted with the Latin and French languages, the introduction of phrases belonging to them, can only cause perplexity and disappointment; while those who are acquainted with them, must feel, that sentences in general flow much more smoothly and pleasingly, if confined to a single language.

II. All low and vulgar expressions should be rejected. Of this character are the words "pell-mell," "somehow;" and the phrases, "to shift as well as one can," " to leap from the frying-pan into the fire." Such proverbial expressions as the last here adduced, greatly disfigure a composition; and if they call forth a smile from those who are pleased with vulgarity of illustration, they excite feelings of disgust in every refined and cultivated mind.

The reason of the rule before us, must be obvious to every one who reflects on it for a moment. When an individual writes for the perusal of others, or when he delivers his sentiments for their instruction or pleasure, he is naturally expected to exert his powers of mind in the combination of ideas, and in their suitable expression; and the use of phraseology, which is condemned as low and vulgar by persons of education, shows therefore, a mind regardless of the just expectations of those, who are waiting to receive the statement of its opinions and feelings.

III. The words employed in a sentence, should PRECISELY and CLEARLY express the intended idea. The subject of Precision, as it applies to single words, deserves the close attention of the student. There are many terms in English, nearly synonymous, but having some points of difference, an accurate observance of which is intimately connected with elegance of style. The term pride, for instance, simply denotes an undue self-esteem; and it must be distinguished from vanity, which intimates a desire of applause. Between the terms wisdom and prudence, there is a very obvious difference. The former is a general term, embracing a reference to exten

sive knowledge, acute discernment, and a right application of this knowledge and discernment to the purposes of human life; the latter has a more limited reference, simply pointing out that skill in action, by which evils are avoided, and good is secured. A distinction exists between the words, eminent, distinguished, illustrious, though all three have the same leading import. The first, which owes its origin to the Latin verb emineo, "to stand forth," "to be prominent," suggests the idea of a person taking the lead among others, or possessing acknowledged excellence and superiority; the second, which etymologically means, "marked as separate," or simply, "separated," "placed distinctly from others," conveys the idea of acknowledged excellence, but does not so forcibly express decided prominence, as the former word; whilst illustrious, derived from the Latin adjective illustris, the primary meaning of which is "filled with light," "encircled with light," conveys the idea of high reputation and excellence, under a different view from that in which it is placed by either of the other terms. These examples will suffice to illustrate the advantages of attending to the exact import of every term, and of discriminating between words which have a general similarity, but which are yet marked by several minute differences.

A precise use of words must obviously depend, in a great degree, on precision and accuracy of thought. The first business of every writer, is to think with propriety and distinctness; and then to inquire, whether the terms which suggest themselves to his mind, do exactly express the ideas which he designs to convey.

It is of great importance, that Clearness, as well as precision, should be regarded in the choice of words; and that every expression which would render the meaning of a writer unintelligible, or involve it in partial obscurity, should be avoided. Several words have two or more meanings, not only distinct from each other, but, to a certain extent, opposite and contradictory. Thus the word mortal generally means liable," or "subject, to death;" while in some passages, it means "'occasioning death," "deadly," "destructive." The assertion,

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"Man is frail and mortal," in which the term occurs in the former acceptation, involves no obscurity, because the connexion sufficiently shows its import; nor is there the slightest obscurity in the statement, "He received a mortal wound," for every one must understand the term "mortal," in this passage, as conveying the import of 'fatal," "deadly." But were we to say, "That animal is noxious and mortal," this use of the last adjective would be injudicious, because when we speak of animals being mortal, we usually understand this term in the sense of liable to death, and never assign to it, unless the connexion forbids every other interpretation, the import of destructive.

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A regard to clearness will naturally suggest the impropriety of using the same word in different significations, in the course of a single sentence. The word charity," for instance, sometimes expresses general benevolence towards mankind, founded on a devotional regard to God; but in familiar conversation, and in writing, it is frequently employed to denote almsgiving. Any sentence, therefore, in which this word should occur in each of these acceptations, would be chargeable with a want of perspicuity, and would not present that easy and natural flow of thought, which is one great ornament of style.

The observance of clearness, in the selection of words and phrases, will guard a writer against the unsuitable use of technical terms. There are certain expressions peculiar to every science and profession, and understood only by those, who have made that science or profession, an object of special inquiry. In relation to the sciences of anatomy and medicine, for instance, terms are used by those who write professionally, which are altogether unintelligible to the majority of readers. The following sentence affords an illustration of this remark : "The eruptions assume an erythrematic character, running into each other, and do not suppurate kindly, but contain an ichorous brownish matter; the swelling of the face, and the salivary discharge commence earlier, typhoid symptoms make their appearance, and often petechiæ are observed on the skin." In treatises on particular

sciences, technical terms are evidently proper; because when their meaning has been clearly explained to the student, he is enabled to attach to them a definite idea, and their use obviates the necessity of circumlocutions which would be awkward and wearisome. But in writings not designed for persons of a particular profession, every unnecessary deviation from common phaseology is censurable, because it has a tendency to perplex the minds of general readers.

IV. The words employed in any composition, should be suited to the subject treated of, and to the designed character and effect of the composition itself.

In illustration of this general principle, let us first take the case of a narrative, designed to instruct and to please. Now it must be obvious, that the words employed in such a narrative, should be plain and simple, and should intimate a comparative want of effort on the part of the writer. The parable of Nathan to David, presents a fine example of interesting simplicity of narrative. "There were two men in one city, the one rich, and the other poor. The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds: but the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up; and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter. And there came a traveller unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock, and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him; but took the poor man's lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him."--In this relation, there is no apparent effort, but a simple, unadorned statement of the supposed transaction; and yet this statement insinuates itself into the mind, and powerfully calls forth the sentiment of pity for the poor man whose rights were trampled upon, and whose feelings were outraged, and the emotion of indignation against the rich oppressor.

Let us now take a beautiful example of an instructive and persuasive address, characterised by simplicity, and yet possessing great dignity of style. "Behold the

fowls of the air; for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns: yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you, by taking thought, can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment ? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin; and yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory, was not arrayed like one of these.” This passage is convincing, without presenting any attempt at powerful diction; and the words employed are suited to the simple majesty of the Saviour's character.

An example of a different kind may now be adduced, from a theological writer, enforcing with great sublimity of thought and language, the greatness of that display of the Divine love to man, which is afforded by the scheme of redemption. "Go to the heavens, which canopy man with grandeur, cheer his steps with successive light, and mark his festivals by their chronology; go to the atmosphere, which invigorates his spirits, and is to him the breath of life; go to the smiling fields, decked with verdure for his eye, and covered with fruits for his sustenance; go to every scene which spreads beauty before his gaze, which is made harmoniously vocal to his ear, which fills and delights the imagination by its glow, or by its greatness; we travel with you, we admire with you, we feel and enjoy with you, we adore with you, but we stay not with you. We hasten onward in search of a demonstration more convincing, that God is love;' and we rest not till we press into the strange, the mournful, the joyful scenes of Calvary, and amidst the throng of invisible and astonished angels, weeping disciples, and the mocking multitude, under the arch of the darkened heaven, and with earth trembling beneath our feet, we gaze upon the meek, the resigned, but fainting Sufferer, and exclaim, 'Herein is love,'-Herein, and no where else is it so affectingly, so unequivocally, demonstrated, not that we loved God; but that God loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins!""-In the perusal of this passage, the mind is impressed and overwhelmed; the beauties of nature are