ELEGANCE, which is commonly confidered as another property of expreffion, as far as it is diftinét from the general result of the properties already enumerated, arifes chiefly from a careful exclufion of thofe terms and phrases, which general opinion and taste have pronounced vulgar; and from fuch a regulated variety in the structure of fentences and periods, as prevents every appearance of negligence. Such words or phrafes as are excluded from the conversation or writing of people of good breeding and polite education, and fuch flovenly modes of expreffion as would imply a want of refpect for the reader, can have no place in elegant works of tafte. That kind of elegance which arifes from metaphors, and other figures, though commonly confidered as belonging to language, is, in fact, not fo much the result of the writer's manner of expreffion, as of his turn of thinking.

THE fame remark may be applied to feveral other properties of good writing, fuch as Simplicity, Vivacity, Strength, Dignity. Thefe and other terms, made use of to express the excellencies of Style, are, in reality, characters of good writing, which depend upon the thought, as well as the diction. When, on the contrary, it is faid that a writer's ftyle is vulgar, feeble, obfcure,. dry, or florid, the faults, which these epithets are intended to exprefs, arife from certain defects in the writer's powers or habits of thinking, which have an unfavourable influence upon his language. his language. An author's ftyle, is the manner in which he writes, as a painter's ftyle is the manner in which he paints: in both, conception and expreffion are equally concerned. No one is able to

write in a good style, who has not learned to think well, to arrange his thoughts methodically, and to exprefs them with propriety.

THESE and other properties of Thought, Disposition, and Language in writing-concerning which, as well as upon the peculiar characters of the feveral kinds of literary composition, many writers have treated at large *—whilst they afford ample scope for the display of Genius, also furnish an extenfive field for the exercise of Criticism.

THE clear refult of the preceding remarks is, that young perfons should be early introduced to an acquaintance with Polite Literature, in order to exercise their imagination, and form their taste. Selections from the best writers may at first be of use, in directing their attention to fuch paffages, as are most likely to make a ftrong impreffion upon the fancy, and are beft worth being committed to memory. But it should be recollected, that such selections are intended to excite, not to fatisfy, juvenile curiosity. Great care fhould be taken to introduce young people, before the first impreffion is vanished, to an intimate acquaintance with the Original Authors, and to give them a relish for the regular perusal and study

of their works.

*See Kaims's Elements of Criticism; Campbell's Philofophy of Rhetoric; Blair's Lectures on the Belles Lettres; and, Critical Effays in the Spectator, Rambler, &c.

THE

THE value of a tafte for this kind of reading is much greater than is cominonly perceived. In folitude, the elegant entertainment which it affords is an effectual fecurity against the intrufion of idleness and spleen. In fociety, it provides innumerable topics of converfation, which afford ample fcope for the difplay of judgment and tafte, and which might, without much diminution of focial enjoyment, fupply the place of certain fafhionable amusements. By furnishing the mind with elevated conceptions, and refined fentiments, it renders it fuperior to grofs and vulgar pleasures. In fine, whilst science enriches the understanding, the study of polite literature cultivates the tafte, and improves the heart; and both unite, to form the Accomplished and Happy Man.

BOOK

BOOK I

SELECT SENTENCES.

T

CHAP. I.

O be ever active in laudable purfuits, is the diftinguishing characteristic of a man of merit.

THERE is an heroic innocence, as well as an

heroic courage.

THERE is a mean in all things. Even virtue itself hath its ftated limits; which not being strictly obferved, it ceases to be virtue.

Ir is wifer to prevent a quarrel beforehand, than to revenge it afterwards.

It is much better to reprove, than to be angry fecretly. revenge is more heroic, than that which torments envy, by doing good.

No

THE difcretion of a man deferreth his anger, and it is his glory to pass over a tranfgreffion.

MONEY, like manure, does no good till it is fpread. There is no real ufe of riches, except in the diftribution; the reft is all conceit.

A WISE man will defire no more than what he may get justly, ufe foberly, diftribute cheerfully, and live upon contentedly.

A CONTENTED mind, and a good confcience, will make a man happy in all conditions. He knows not how to fear, who dares to die.

THERE is but one way of fortifying the foul against all gloomy prefages and terrors of mind; and that is, by fecuring to ourselves the friendship and protection of that Being who difpofes of events, and governs futurity.

PHILOSOPHY is then only valuable, when it serves for the law of life, and not for the oftentation of fcience.

CHA P. IL.

WITHOUT a friend the world is but a wilderness.

A MAN may have a thousand intimate acquaintances, and not a friend among them all. If you have one friend, think yourself happy.

WHEN Once you profess yourself a friend, endeavour to be always fuch. He can never have any true friends, that will be often changing them.

PROSPERITY gains friends, and adverfity tries them.

NOTHING more engages the affections of men, than a handsome addrefs, and graceful conversation.

COMPLAISANCE renders a fuperior amiable, an equal agreeable, and an inferior acceptable.

EXCESS of ceremony fhews want of breeding. That civility is beft, which excludes all fuperfluous formality.

INGRATITUDE is a crime so shameful, that the man was never yet found, who would acknowledge himself guilty of it.

TRUTH