Better thus: and be a full defence against all that can be object. ed by Mr Partridge, or his accomplices of the Portugal inquifition; who, by the way, are, &c, There being a round million of creatures in human fi gure, throughout this kingdom, whofe whole fubfiftence, A modest propofal, &c. Swift. &c. Better, There being, throughout this kingdom, a round million of creatures in human figure, whofe whole fubfiftcnce, &c. Tom is a lively impudent clown, and has wit enough to have made him a pleasant companion, had it been polished and rectified by good manners. Guardian, N° 162. It is the cuftom of the Mahometans, if they fee any printed or written paper upon the ground, to take it up, and lay it afide carefully, as not knowing but it may con tain fome piece of their Alcoran. Spellator, N° 85. The arrangement here leads to a wrong fense, as if the ground were taken up, not the paper. Better thus : It is the cuftom of the Mahometans, if they fee upon the ground any printed or written paper, to take it up, &c. VOL. II. E The The following rule depends on the communication of emotions to related objects; a principle in human nature that hath an extenfive operation: and we find this operation, even where the objects are not otherwife related than by juxtapofition of the words that express them. Hence, to elevate or deprefs an object, one method is, to join it in the expreffion with another that is naturally high or low: witnefs the following fpeech of Eumenes to the Roman fenate. Caufam veniendi fibi Romam fuiffe, præter cupiditatem vifendi deos hominefque, quorum beneficio in ea fortuna effet, fupra quam ne optare quidem auderet, etiam ut coram moneret fenatum ut Perfei conatus obviam iret. Livy, l. 42. cap. II. To join the Romans with the gods in the fame enunciation, is an artful stroke of flattery, because it tacitly puts them on a level. On the other hand, when the purpose is to degrade or vilify an object, this is done fuccefsfully by ranking it with one that is really low: I hope to have this entertainment in a readiness for the next winter; and doubt not but it will please more than the opera or puppet-show. Spectator, No 28. Manifold have been the judgements which Heaven from time to time, for the chastisement of a finful people, has inflicted upon whole nations. For when the degeneracy becomes common, 'tis but just the punishment should be general. general. Of this kind, in our own unfortunate country, was that destructive peftilence, whofe mortality was fo fa tal as to sweep away, if Sir William Petty may be believed, five millions of Christian fouls, befides women and Jews. God's revenge against punning. Arbuthnot. Such alfo was that dreadful conflagration enfuing in this famous metropolis of London, which confumed, according to the computation of Sir Samuel Morland, 100,000 houses, not to mention churches and stables. Ibid. But on condition it might pafs into a law, I would gladly exempt both lawyers of all ages, fubaltern and field officers, young heirs, dancing-masters, pickpockets, and players. An infallible scheme to pay the public debts. Swift. Sooner let earth, air, fea, to chaos fall, Circumftances in a period resemble small stones in a building, employ'd to fill up vacuities among those of a larger fize. In the arrangement of a period, fuch under-parts crowded together make a poor figure; and never are graceful but when interfperfed among the capital parts. I illuftrate this rule by the following example. It is likewife urged, that there are, by computation, in this kingdom, above 10,000 parfons, whofe revenues, added E 2 added to thofe of my Lords the bishops, would fuffice to maintain, &c. Argument against abolishing Chriftianity. Swift. Herę two circumftances, viz. by computation and in this kingdom, are crowded together unneceffarily they make a better appearance feparated in the following manner : It is likewise urged, that in this kingdom there are, by computation, above 10,000 parfons, &c. " If there be room for a choice, the fooner a circumstance is introduced, the better; becaufe circumstances are proper for that coolness of mind, with which we begin a period as well as a volume: in the progrefs, the mind warms, and has a greater relish for matters of importance. When a circunftance is placed at the beginning of the period, or near the beginning, the tranfition from it to the principal fubject is agreeable it is like afcending, or mounting upward. On the other hand, to place it late in the period has a bad effect; for after being engaged in the principal fubject, one is with reluctance brought down to give attention to a circumftance. Hence evidently the preference of the following arrange ment, Whether in any country a choice altogether unexceptionable has been made, feems doubtful. before' before this other, Whether a choice altogether unexceptionable has in any country been made, &c. For this reafon the following period is exceptionable in point of arrangement. I have confidered formerly, with a good deal of attention, the subject upon which you command me to communicate my thoughts to you. Bolingbroke of the study of history, letter 1. which, with a flight alteration, may be improved thus: I have formerly, with a good deal of attention, confidered the fubject, &c. Swift, fpeaking of a virtuous and learned edu cation: And although they may be, and too often are drawn, by the temptations of youth, and the opportunities of a large fortune, into fome irregularities, when they come forward into the great world; it is ever with reluctance and compunction of mind, because their bias to virtue still continues. The Intelligencer, N° 9. Better, And although, when they come forward into the great world, they may be, and too often, &c. |