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1. He is asleep.

EXERCISES.

2. The fire has been extinguished.

3. The shadows caused by night pass away.

4. The air is so soft that we are induced to take a walk.

5. The sun cannot be seen through the clouds.

6. He who is pleased with natural scenery, can find instruction and entertainment in every object which he sees.

III. Personify the following subjects in the third degree :

EXAMPLE.

Contentment.

Contentment! thou parent of felicity! thou faithful companion of hope! if thou shouldst take up thine abode in my bosom, in vain may fortune wreck me on inhospitable shores.

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Apostrophe is that figure by which we turn from the subject, and address the absent or dead, as if they were present or alive, and were listening to us; as in the following passage :—

'And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept; and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom! my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!'

The principal rule to be observed in the use of apostrophe, is, that it should not be loaded with studied ornament, nor extended too far.

Introduce apostrophe into the following passages :

EXAMPLE.

I knew him, Horatio; a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy; he hath borne me on his back a thousand times. Here hung those lips that I have kissed I know not how oft. Where be his gibes now? his gambols? his songs? his flashes of merriment, that were wont to set the table in a roar?

Here

I knew him, Horatio; a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy: he hath borne me on his back a thousand times. hung those lips that I have kissed I know not how oft. be your gibes now? your gambols? your songs? your flashes of merriment, that were wont to set the table in a roar?

EXERCISES.

Where

1. I cannot but imagine the virtuous heroes, legislators, and patriots of every age and country, are bending from their elevated seats to witness this contest, as if they were incapable, till it be brought to a favourable issue, of enjoying their eternal repose. Let these illustrious immortals enjoy that repose! Their mantle fell when they ascended; and thousands, inflamed with their spirit, and impatient to tread in their steps, are ready to swear by Him that sitteth upon the throne and liveth for ever and ever, that they will protect Freedom in her last asylum, and never desert that cause, which they sustained by their labours, and cemented with their blood.

2. Strike the harp in praise of Bragela, whom I left in the isle of mist, the spouse of my love. Doth she raise her fair face from the rock to find the sails of Cuthullin? The sea is rolling far distant, and its white foam will deceive her for my sails. My love will retire, for it is night, and the dark wind sighs in her hair. She will retire to the hall of my feasts, and think of the times that are past; for I will not return till the storm of war is gone.

3. Thus passes the world away. Throughout all ranks and conditions, ' one generation passeth, and another generation cometh ;' and this great inn is by turns evacuated and replenished by troops of succeeding pilgrims. The world is vain and inconstant. Life is fleeting and transient. When will the sons of men learn to think of it as they ought? When will they learn humanity from the afflictions of their brethren; or moderation and wisdom, from the sense of their own fugitive state?

SECTION VI.

HYPERBOLE.

Hyperbole, or Exaggeration, is that figure by which an object is magnified or diminished beyond its natural bounds; as, 'I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth; so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered ;' 'He possessed a field of smaller extent than a Lacedæmonian letter.'

The following rules ought to be observed in the use of hyperbole :

I. A hyperbole should never be introduced in the description of any thing ordinary and familiar. II. A hyperbole cannot be introduced with propriety till the mind of the reader is duly prepared. III. A hyperbole should be comprehended in as few words as possible.

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An interesting and impressive speech.

His speech was so deeply interesting and impressive, that the very walls listened to his arguments, and were moved by his eloquence.

EXERCISES.

1. The brightness of a lighted room.

2. The splendour of a dress ornamented with jewels.

3. The number of persons in a crowd.

4. The quantity of rain which falls in a shower.

5. The thirst of an individual by the quantity of liquid he con

sumes.

6. The size of a country by the rising and setting of the sun. 7. The affliction caused by the death of a distinguished indi. vidual.

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SECTION VII.

ANTITHESIS.

Antithesis, or Contrast, is a figure of arrangement, by which two objects or sentiments are represented in opposition; as, "If you regulate your desires according to the standard of nature, you will never be poor; if according to the standard of opinion, you will never be rich.'

The principal rule to be observed in the use of antithesis, is, that it should be introduced sparingly, and only when the points of contrast are obvious and natural.

Represent the following subjects in antithesis:

EXAMPLE.

A wise man and a fool.

A wise man endeavours to shine in himself; a fool to outshine others. The former is humbled by the sense of his own infirmities; the latter is lifted up by the discovery of those which he observes in others. The wise man considers what he wants; and the fool what he abounds in. The wise man is happy when he gains his own approbation; and the fool when he recommends himself to the applause of those about him.

EXERCISES.

1. Pride and humility.

2. Temperance and exercise.
3. Cheerfulness and mirth.
4. Discretion and cunning.
5. True modesty and false.
6. True honour and religion.

SECTION VIII.

CLIMAX.

Climax is a figure of arrangement, by which every succeeding object or circumstance is made to rise above

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