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own feelings, but by the standard of fashion; who think themselves miserable if others do not admire their state.

By the experience of distress, an arrogant insensibility of temper is most effectually corrected; as the remembrance of our own sufferings, naturally prompts us to feel for others when they suffer. But if Providence has been so kind as not to subject us to much of this discipline in our own lot, let us draw improvement from the harder lot of others. Let us sometimes step aside from the smooth and flowery paths, in which we are permitted to walk, in order to view the toilsome march of our fellows through the thorny desert.

As no one is without his failings, few also are void of amiable qualities.

Providence delivered them up to themselves, and they became their own tormentors.

From disappointments and trials, we learn the insufficiency of temporal things to happiness; and are taught to seck it in religion and virtue.

CHAP. IV.

Corrections of the errors that relate to Figures of Speech.

Grammar, p. 287. Exercises, p. 170.

No human happiness is so pure as not to contain any alloy.

There is a time when factions, by their vehemence, confound and disable one another.

I intend to make use of these words in my following speculations. Or-in the course of my speculations.

Hope, the cheering star of life, darts a ray of light through the thickest gloom.

The scheme was highly expensive to him, and proved the gulf of his estate.

He was so much skilled in the exercise of the oar, that few could equal him.

The death of Cato has, if I may be allowed to say so, rendered the Senate an orphan.

Let us be careful to suit our sails to the wind and weather; and to steer our vessel aright, that we may avoid the rocks and shoals, which lie every where around us.

At length Erasmus, that great injur'd name, -
(The glory of the priesthood and the shame,)
Stemm'd the wild torrent of a barb'rous age,
And drove those holy Vandals off the stage.

In this our day of proof, our land of hope,
The good man has his clouds that intervene ;
Clouds that may dim his sublunary day,
But cannot darken; even the best must own,
Patience and resignation are the pillars
Of human peace on earth.

On the wide sea of letters, 'twas thy boast
To crowd each sail, and touch at ev'ry coast:
From that rich deep how often hast thou brought,
The pure and precious pearls of splendid thought!
How didst thou triumph on that subject tide,
Till vanity's wild gust, and stormy pride,
Drove thy strong bark, in evil hour, to split
Upon the fatal rock of impious wit!

Since the time that reason began to exert her powers, thought, during our walking hours, has been active in every breast, without a moment's suspension or pause. The current of ideas has been always flowing. The wheels of the spiritual engine have circulated with perpetual motion.

The man who has no rule over his own spirit, possesses no defence against dangers of any sort. He

lies open to every insurrection of ill-humour, and every invasion of distress. Whereas he who is employed in regulating his mind, is making provision against all the accidents of life. He is erecting a fortress into which, in the day of danger, he can retreat with safety.

Tamerlane the Great, writes to Bajazet, emperor of the Ottomans, in the following terms." Where is the monarch who dares resist us? Where is the potentate who does not glory in being numbered among our attendants? As for thee, ignobly de scended, since thy unbounded ambition has subvert ed all thy vain expectations, it would be proper, that thou shouldst repress thy temerity, repent of thy perfidy, and become just and sincere in all thy transactions. This will secure to thee a safe and quiet retreat; and preserve thee from falling a victim to that vengeance, which thou hast so highly provoked, and so justly deserved."

It is pleasant to be virtuous and good; because that is to excel many others: it is pleasant to grow better; because that is to excel ourselves: it is pleasant even to mortify and subdue our lusts; be cause that is victory: it is pleasant to command our appetites and passions, and to keep them in due order, within the bounds of reason and religion; because this is empire.

CHAP. V.

Corrections of the errors in the chapter of promiscuous exercises.

See Exercises, p. 173.

SECTION 1.

WHAT is human life to all, but a mixture of some scattered joys and pleasures, with various cares and troubles?

Favours of every kind are doubled, when they are speedily conferred.

He that is himself weary, will soon weary the company.

He that will have the kindness of others, must endure their follies."

The first years of man must make provision for

the last.

Perpetual levity must end in ignorance.

In these, and in similar cases, we should generally, in our alms, suffer no one to be witness, but Him who must see every thing.

The neglect of his studies and opportunities of improvement, is the ground of his being so badly qualified for the business. Or is the reason that he is so badly, &c.

That Plutarch wrote the lives of Demosthenes and Cicero at Charonea, is clear from his own account. I wish to cultivate a further acquaintance with

you.

He may make the attempt, but he cannot succeed. No pains were spared by his tutor, to improve him in all useful knowledge.

In no scene of her life was Mary's address more remarkably displayed.

This was the original cause of so barbarous a. practice.

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By a variety of false insinuations, he craftily endeavoured to turn the emperor to his purpose. The beauty displayed in the earth, equals the grandeur conspicuous in the heavens.

In the health and vigour of the body, and in the flourishing state of worldly fortune, all rejoice.

What passes in the hearts of men, is generally invisible to the public eye.

Many associations are formed by laws the most arbitrary.

These instances will, it is hoped, be sufficient to satisfy every reasonable mind.

By rules so general and comprehensive as these are, the clearest ideas are conveyed.

He determined not to comply with the proposal unless he should receive a fair compensation.

There can be no doubt that health is preferable to riches.

We believe, said they to their friends, that the perusal of such books has ruined our principles. Orruined your principles.

John's temper greatly indisposed him for giving instruction. Or-for receiving instruction.

Vegetation is constantly advancing, though no eye can trace its gradations.

His importunity was the reason of my consenting to the measure.

I conceived a great regard for him; and I could not but mourn for the loss of him. Or for the loss he had sustained.

He was confined in his own house, by the officer who had apprehended him. Or-He was confined in the house of the officer, by whom he had been prehended.

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Charlotte, the friend of Amelia, to whom no one imputed blame, was too prompt in her friend's vindication. Or-in her own vindication.

Men who are rich and avaricious, drown them

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