being; because he must render to God an account of all his thoughts, words, and actions. He is, at the same time, a sinful being; for, although he was at first made like God in "righteousness and true holiness," yet he soon disobeyed the divine commandments, and is daily transgressing them in thought, word, and deed.

7. The body is constructed upon a frame-work of bones, termed a skeleton. These bones are covered with a fleshy or muscular substance, in which resides the power of voluntary motion. The surface of the body is pervaded by fine cords, called nerves, which convey the information of the senses to the mind, and transmit the commands of the mind to the muscles. The senses, through which the mind thus communicates with the body, are five in number; namely, sight, the organs of which are situated in the eye; hearing, the organs of which are situated in the ear; taste, the organs of which are situated in the mouth; smell, the organs of which are situated in the nostrils; and touch, the organs of which pervade the whole body. The other parts of the bodily frame are the vessels for circulating the blood, and the digestive, secretory, and excretory organs.

8. The mind is one and indivisible; but it is usual to speak of it as consisting of distinct faculties. These are possessed by different individuals in various degrees of power and activity; and hence arises that diversity of talents and dispositions, which is observed among mankind. The mental faculties are divided into two classes; namely, the intellectual faculties, and the moral faculties. By the former knowledge is acquired; by the latter the conduct is regulated. All the faculties have been given to be cultivated; and they all yield gratification by being exercised.

9. Solomon was the son and successor of David. Immediately after his accession to the throne, the Lord appeared to him in a vision, and offered to grant him whatever he should ask. Solomon requested wisdom; which so pleased the Lord, that he made him, not only the wisest, but also the richest and most powerful king, who ever reigned in Palestine. To this monarch belongs the honour of having built the first temple for the worship of the true God. He erected many other magnificent buildings, carried on an extensive foreign commerce, and was held in high esteem by all the surrounding sovereigns. But his prosperity did not continue uninterrupted till the end of his life. He committed many heinous sins, by which he brought trouble on the latter part of his own reign, and entailed difficulties and dangers on his successor.

10. Alfred ascended the English throne in the twenty-second year of his age. He had already acquired a high reputation for talent and valour; and these were called into exercise for the defence of his crown, almost as soon as it was placed on his head. Notwithstanding every effort, he was defeated by the Danes, and driven to seek safety in concealment. After some time, a partial success over the enemy, gained by one of his generals, encouraged him to issue from his retreat; and he was soon surrounded by numbers of his affectionate subjects. He obtained a complete victory over the Danes, and reduced their leader to the necessity of accepting whatever terms he thought fit to impose. Alfred then devoted his attention to the civilization of his kingdom. He compiled a code of laws, and, by his patronage, but especially by his personal example, promoted the arts, and encouraged learning. After a glorious and useful reign, he died in the fifty-third year of his age, leaving behind him a reputation, which rests on the sure foundation of intellectual, moral, and religious excellence.

11. The sun is the centre of the solar system, all the planets revolving round it in regular order, and deriving from it light and heat. It is upwards of one million three hundred thousand times larger than the earth, and is distant from it ninety-five millions of miles. The sun is not perfectly spherical, but, like the planets, is flattened at the two opposite points, termed poles. It revolves upon its own axis in a little more than twenty-five days. This is ascertained by observing the motion of the spots on its surface, which are seen to appear regularly on one side, move eastward, and disappear on the other side. The sun was long thought to be a globe of fire; but it is now supposed to be an opaque body, surrounded by a luminous atmosphere. By means of a telescope, a number of spots and streaks can be observed on its surface. The cause of these is not well understood; neither is any thing positive known concerning the source of the sun's light and heat.

12. The moon is a satellite or secondary planet to the earth, round which it revolves, and with which it is carried annually round the sun. Its mean distance from the earth is about two hundred and thirty-seven thousand miles. It performs its revolution round the earth in twenty-nine days, twelve hours, and fortyfour minutes; and it revolves upon its own axis in the same time. In consequence of the period of the moon's rotation on its axis being the same as that of its revolution round the earth, it always presents the same side to the earth. That side is never totally dark, being illuminated, during one fortnight, by the direct light

of the sun, and, during the other, by the reflected light of the earth. The other side has alternately a fortnight of sun-light and a fortnight of darkness. The changes which take place in the moon's appearance during its revolution, are termed phases. The attraction of the waters of the ocean by the moon, is the principal cause of the tides.

13. The air or atmosphere is the fluid which surrounds the earth. Though invisible, it is a compound substance, being chiefly composed of oxygen and nitrogen gas. It is by the air that life is supported in both animals and vegetables. The former inhale it by the lungs; the latter absorb it by pores. Air serves many other important purposes. It is necessary to combustion, the diffusion of light, and the communication of sound; while its elasticity and gravity make it one of the most powerful mechanical agents. Wind is air in motion.

14. Water, when exposed to air and heat, is gradually converted into vapour. This vapour is at first invisible; but, as collects in the atmosphere, it becomes observable in the form of mist and clouds. When clouds come into contact with a stream or mass of air colder than themselves, the heat which kept the water in solution is abstracted from them. The particles of vapour therefore coalesce or draw together, and, becoming heavier than the atmosphere, fall to the earth in drops of rain. Thus the moisture which had been carried off by evaporation, is restored to the earth in a manner most beneficial to both the animal and the vegetable creation. 15. The earth is the name given by astronomers to the planet which we inhabit. It is the third in distance from the sun, and the fourth in size. The circumference of the earth is nearly twentyand its diameter about eight thousand miles. It is not perfectly spherical, but is flattened a little at the poles. The earth has two motions, one round the sun, and the other round its own axis. The former produces the seasons, and measures the length of the year; the latter causes day and night. The surface of the earth consists of land and water. The word earth is frequently used to signify the soil or ground; and it also designates one of the chemical divisions of bodies.

five thousand miles,

16. Wood is the substance which composes the body of a tree and its branches. Trees which yield wood or timber grow in almost every part of the world, and are found to be wonderfully adapted to the soil and climate of the countries in which they grow, and to the wants of the inhabitants. The wood of trees differs greatly in quality, and is applied to an endless variety of useful and ornamental purposes.

IV. STRUCTURE OF SENTENCES.

SECTION I.

VARIETY OF CONSTRUCTION.

Rudiments, p. 44.

1. A sober, righteous, and pious life is required of all men. 2. Immoderate grief shows weakness.

3. Death is feared by timid men.

4. A rational and well-informed mind does not entertain any doubt, that it is our duty to be just and kind to our fellow-creatures.

5. The cultivation of piety towards God, the exercise of benevolence towards others, and purity and humility of mind, are the sure means of becoming peaceful and happy.

6. The observance of truth will command esteem for you.

7. It belongs to Providence alone to change times and seasons, and to remove and set up kings.

8. Virtue is greatly supported by seeing a good mind maintain its patience and tranquillity under injuries and affliction, and cordially forgive its oppressors.

SECTION II.

VARIETY OF CONSTRUCTION (continued).

Rudiments, p. 45.

1. He came now to speak upon what, indeed, he would have gladly avoided, had he not been particularly pointed at, for the part he had taken in these proceedings. It had been said by a noble lord on his left hand, that he likewise was running the race of popularity. If the noble lord meant by popularity, that applause bestowed by after-ages on good and virtuous actions, he had long been struggling in that race: to what purpose, all-trying time could alone determine. But if the noble lord meant that mushroom popularity which is raised without merit, and lost without a crime, he was much mistaken in his opinion. He defied the noble lord to point out a single action of his life, in which the popularity of the times ever had the smallest influence on his determinations.

2. The decemvir then began to excuse himself, saying: "I am willing to give liberty to all deliberations upon the question, but

I cannot bear an oration, which, leaving the point in debate, only seems calculated to promote sedition. My colleagues and I have received an unlimited power from the people, till the great work of forming the laws is finished, during which we are resolved to act to the extent of our power, and will then be answerable for our administration. I therefore demand, that we shall have a power of levying and commanding the forces that are to be sent against the enemy."

3. With regard to his poverty, the king had, indeed, been justly informed. His whole estate consisted of a house of but mean appearance, and a little spot of ground, from which, by his own labour, he drew his support. But if, by any means, the king had been persuaded to think that this poverty rendered him of less consequence in his own country, or in any degree unhappy, he was greatly deceived. He had no reason to complain of fortune: she supplied him with all that nature required; and if he was without superfluities, he was also free from the desire of them. With these, he confessed he should be more able to succour the necessitous, the only advantage for which the wealthy were to be envied: but small as his possessions were, he could contribute something to the support of the state, and the assistance of his friends. With respect to honours, his country placed him, poor as he was, upon a level with the richest for Rome knew no qualifications for great employments but virtue and ability. She appointed him to officiate in the most august ceremonies of religion; she intrusted him with the command of her armies; she confided to his care the most important negotiations. His poverty did not lessen the weight and influence of his counsels in the senate. The Roman people honoured him for that very poverty which king Pyrrhus considered as a disgrace. They knew the many opportunities he had had to enrich himself without censure; they were convinced of his disinterested zeal for their prosperity: and if he had any thing to complain of, in the return they made him, it was only the excess of their applause. What value, then, could he put upon the king's gold and silver? What king could add any thing to his fortune? 4. "We have failed," said Pericles, "in nothing of our duty, as we gave orders that the dead bodies should be taken up. If any one is guilty, it is the accuser himself, who, being charged with these orders, neglected to put them in execution. But I blame nobody. The tempest, which came on unexpectedly at the very instant, is an unanswerable apology, and entirely discharges the accused from all guilt. I demand that a whole day shall be