First. What is called splitting of particles, or separating a preposition from the noun which it governs, is always to be avoided.

EXAMPLE.- "As the strength of our cause doth not depend upon, so neither is it to be decided by, any critical points of history, chronology, or language."

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Here we feel a sort of pain in being obliged to rest on the Preposition itself, which carries no significancy, till it is joined to its proper Substantive.

Secondly. Some writers needlessly multiply demonstrative and relative particles by the frequent use of such phraseology as this: "There is nothing which disgusts us sooner than the empty pomp of language." In introducing a subject, or laying down a proposition, to which we demand particular attention, this sort of style is very proper; but in the ordinary current of discourse it is better to express ourselves more simply and shortly: "Nothing dis gusts us sooner than the empty pomp of language."

Thirdly. Other writers make a practice of omitting the Relative, in a phrase of a different kind from the former, where they think the meaning can be understood without it: "The man I love

conquests we made."

"The

But though this elliptical

style be intelligible and is allowable in conversation

and

and epistolary writing, yet in all writings of a serious or dignified kind, it is ungraceful. There the rela tive should always be inserted in its proper place: "The man whom I love." "The conquests which

we made."

Fourthly. With regard to the copulative particle and, the unnecessary repetition of it enfeebles style. But when we wish to prevent a quick transition from one object to another, when we are making some enumeration, in which we wish that the objects should appear as distinct from each other as possible, and that the mind should rest, for a moment, on each object, by itself; in this case Copulatives may be multiplied with peculiar grace and advantage; as, "Such a man might fall a victim to power; but truth, and reason, and liberty, would fall with him."

The omission of the particle sometimes gives energy to a sentence, and marks that rapidity of thought which is the effect of agitation: and when several Substantives follow one another in grave composition, the Copulative will be omitted or inserted, according as the Substantives merit less or more the consideration of the reader.

EXAMPLE 1.-" Closing their shields together, they were impelled, they fought, they slew, they were slain."

EXAMPLE 2.-"The army was composed of Grecians, and Carians, and Lycians, and Pamphylians, and Phrygians."

4. Dispose of the capital word or words in a sentence in that place where they will make the fullest impression. For the most part, with us, the important words are placed in the beginning of the

sentence.

EXAMPLE."The state of Society, which precedes the knowledge of an extensive property and the meannesses which flow from refinement and commerce, is in a high degree propitious to women.'

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It seems the most natural order, thus to place in the front that which forms the chief object of the proposition to be laid down. Sometimes however, when we intend to give weight to a Sentence, it is of advantage to suspend the meaning for a while, and then bring it out full at the close.

EXAMPLE." On whatever side we contemplate Homer, what principally strikes us, is his wonderful invention."

In whatever part of the sentence we dispose of the most important words, it is always a point of great moment that these words stand clear and disentangled from any others that would clog them. This is very happily effected in the following quotation, in which

which the author is speaking of modern poets, as compared with the ancient.

EXAMPLE.

'If, whilst they profess only to please, they secretly advise, and give instruction, they may now, perhaps, as well as formerly, be esteemed with justice the best and most honorable among authors."

This Sentence contains a great number of circumstances necessary to qualify the meaning; yet these are placed with so much art, that they neither weaken

nor embarrass.

come after a

5. A weaker assertion or proposition should never stronger one; and when a Sentence consists of two members, the longest should, generally be the concluding one.

EXAMPLE." Gentleness ought to diffuse itself over our whole behaviour, to form our address, and regulate our speech." Better thus,

"To form our address, and regulate our speech, gentleness ought to diffuse itself over our whole

behaviour."

6. Avoid concluding a Sentence with an Adverb, a Preposition, or any inconsiderable word.

EXAMPLE.- "The other species of motion are incidentally blended also.”

'There are sentences, indeed, where the stress and significancy

significancy rest chiefly upon some words of this sort: in this case, they are not to be considered as circumstances, but as capital figures; and ought in propriety to have the principal place allotted them. EXAMPLE." In their prosperity, my friends shall never hear; in their adversity always."

Here the Adverb always, being an emphatical word, is so placed, as to make a strong impression.

7. In the members of a Sentence where two objects are either compared or contrasted, some resemblance in the language and construction should be preserved.

EXAMPLE." I have observed of late, the style of some great ministers very much to exceed that of any other productions."

Instead of productions, which bear no resemblance to ministers, the author ought to have employed the word writers or authors.

It is a still greater deviation from congruity, to affect not only variety in the words, but also in the construction.

EXAMPLE.- "There may be a suspicion that we over-rate the greatness of Shakespeare's genius, in the same manner as bodies appear more gigantic on account of their being disproportioned and misshapen."

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