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PARAPHRASING.

Paraphrasing, or rendering the sentiments of an author into other and more simple language of the pupil's own construction, is a most useful exercise for all advanced students.

Paraphrasing is of two kinds, namely:—

1. Paraphrasing prose, or turning it into a plainer or more simple form.

2. Paraphrasing poetry, or rendering it into clear and simple prose. In writing a paraphrase of a passage, the following particulars are the principal things that require attention:(a) Vary the expression, but let your words accord with the rules of syntax.

(b) Endeavour to give the author's exact meaning.

(c) Add any explanatory words which will make the sense plainer. (d) The punctuation and orthography should be correct.

1. Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways and

be wise.

2. The very hairs of your head are all numbered.

3. A reproof entereth more into a wise man, than an hundred stripes into a fool.

4. Thy Father which seeth in secret, Himself shall reward thee openly.

Paraphrase.

1. You that are indolent and slothful, consider the example of the ant; diligently observe her way of life, and thence learn the wisdom of a provident care, and most active industry.

2. The most minute circumstances that can concern your well-being, are under the care and direction of Providence.

3. A single check or friendly sharp rebuke will penetrate deeper to the conviction and reformation of a reflecting, thinking man, than a hundred stripes in correcting one that is stupid and obstinate.

4. Thy Father, though he cannot be seen by mortal eye, seeth and observeth all things; and will reward thee, if not in this world, yet certainly in the most public and glorious manner in the world

to come.

Original.

13. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

14. A wise son maketh a glad father; but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.

15. Take up thy cross and follow me.

16. He that spareth his rod hateth his son; but he that love thhim chasteneth him betimes.

Paraphrase.

13. If you be over-anxious to get wealth you will be a slave to the world, and cannot be a true servant of God.

14. The conduct of a sober, prudent lad gives his father most sincere pleasure; but that of a stupid, wicked one gives his affectionate mother intolerable pain and anguish.

15. Be ready to suffer hardships and afflictions for the sake of religion.

16. The parent who, from an excessive fondness, refraineth to correct his son's faults, in effect hateth him; but he that is truly concerned for his welfare, and intent to form his mind to virtue and to prevent evil habits, is most vigilant and early in his disci pline.

EXERCISES.

Write a paraphrase of the following passages.

1. Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant. 2. When thou givest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth.

3. He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it; but he that hateth suretyship is sure.

4. Which of you, by taking thought, can add one cubit unto his

stature.

5. My son, if sinners entice thee consent thou not.

6. Blessed are they that mourn; for they shall be comforted.

7. Give instruction to a wise man and he will yet be wiser; teach a just man and he will increase in learning.

8. Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.

9. The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.

10. Pleasant words are as an honey comb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

11. The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.

PARENTS' CARE FOR THEIR CHILDREN.

Before leaving the parental bosom, if hungry, you could not feed yourselves; if cold, you could not put on clothes. Parents judge by the voice, and examine the features of their children; their smiles create joy; their weeping grief. On beginning to walk, they leave not their steps; when sick, to sleep or eat are in vain; thus nourishing and teaching them.

A paraphrase of the same.

In infancy, when you hung in the tender embrace of your parents, were you hungry? you yourselves knew not to eat food; were you cold? you yourselves knew not to put on clothes. Your father and mother observed the features of your face, and listened to the sound of your voice. Did you smile? they were delighted. Did you weep? they were unhappy. Did you begin to walk? they followed you step by step. If you had the least degree of illness, then their sorrow was inexpressible; sleep had fled from their eyes, and even their food had lost its relish. They waited with anxiety till you recovered; then their minds were composed. Their eyes were intent upon you, watching your growth from year to year. You have no conception of how many anxious toils they bore, and how many painful apprehensions they endured, in nourishing and in educating you.

DESIGN AND NECESSITY OF THE CIVIL LAW.

The law of the land was first established in order to exterminate the wicked and awe the guilty, and likewise to protect the honest and just. It can never be supposed that it was to open a way for the villanous to involve the innocent in difficulty. Lawsuits are not desirable; but when a severe injury has been received, both reason and sense require that it should not be passed over; it should be reported to the magistrate, asking him to give judgment. This gives rise to legal indictments.

4 paraphrase of the same.

The national law was originally formed with the view of punishing bad men, that those who are void of conscience and delight in crime might be kept in awe; and also to secure protection to the innocent and upright. How could it be imagined that the public offices where law is administered, were established in order that the vile and deceitful should go there to injure good men! Lawsuits are the most unprofitable of all things in which men can engage; yet where extreme wrong is suffered, right indispensably requires that it should not be allowed to pass with impunity; but be laid before the magistrate, that he may give judgment and punish the offender. Hence there are accusations and defences, and these at first arose from necessity.

IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTURE.

ADDRESS OF THE EMPEROR OF CHINA TO HIS PEOPLE.

1. We have heard that food and raiment constitute the essential supports of a people. Food and raiment proceed from agriculture. If, therefore, a man plough not, he will very likely suffer hunger; if a woman weave not, she may probably feel the cold.

2. Of old time the emperors themselves ploughed, and their empresses cultivated the mulberry-tree. Though supremely honoured, they disdained not to labour, in order that by their example they might excite the millions of the people to lay due stress on the radical principles of political economy.

3. Now food and raiment are produced by the earth, matured by the seasons, and collected by human strength. To be deficient in labour, in what regards the fundamental employment, is the same as to sit down waiting for wretchedness. Therefore be diligent; then the farmer will have superabundance of grain, and the housewife of cloth; but if negligent, you will neither have enough to serve your parents above you, nor to nourish your families below you.

4. Do not love idleness and hate labour; do not be diligent first and slothful afterwards; do not, because of a deficient season, reject your fields and plantations.

A paraphrase of the same.

1. In the support of a people, the most essential articles are food and clothing, and both of these have their source and origin in agriculture. If you plant not the fields, whence will you obtain food? If you cultivate not the thread for the weaver, whence will you obtain clothing?

2. The emperors of ancient times, viewing agriculture as of extreme importance, went annually in the spring in person to plough in the fields; and their empresses to feed the silk worm. Now, consider, if these personages-the most honourable, rich, and noble-disdained not to engage in such labour, with the view of setting an example to excite the empire to activity, would it not be strange to suppose that you, the people, should not exert yourselves?

It

3. Consider that food and clothing come from the ground; therefore you must plant in spring and summer, and gather in the harvest. requires much toil to obtain from the earth the necessities of life. Influenced by these considerations, the diligent have their lands well cultivated; consequently their property increases more and more,-their corn is stored up in their barns; their cloth laid up web upon web; they consume neither the whole of the former, nor the entire of the latter. But the negligent and improvident have neither sufficient to nourish their aged parents, nor to feed their own wives and children.

4. Beware of sloth. Maintain to the end that diligence which you manifest at the beginning. Do not, because you may happen for once to have a scanty crop, lightly and foolishly give up your fields and colonies.