From whence we may date likewife the rivalship of the house of France, for we may reckon that of Valois and that of Bourbon as one upon this occafion, and the House of Auftria, that continues at this day, and has oft coft fo much blood and fo much treafure in the course of it.

Letters on Hiftory, Vol. i. Let. 6. Bolingbroke.

It cannot be impertinent or ridiculous therefore in fuch a country, whatever it might be in the Abbot of St Real's, which was Savoy I think; or in Peru, under the Incas, where Garcilaffo de la Vega fays it was lawful for none but the nobility to study-for men of all degrees to inftruct themselves, in those affairs wherein they may be actors, or judges of thofe that act, or controllers of those that judge.

Letters on Hiftory, Vol. i. Let. 5. Bolingbroke.

If Scipio, who was naturally given to women, for which anecdote we have, if I mistake not, the authority of Polybius, as well as fome verfes of Nevius, preserved by Aulus Gellius, had been educated by Olympias at the court of Philip, it is improbable that he would have reflored the beautiful Spaniard.

Ibid. Let. 3.

If any one have a curiofity for more fpecimens. of this kind, they will be found without number in the works of the fame author.

A pronoun, which faves the naming a perfon or thing a fecond time, ought to be placed as near as poffible to the name of that perfon or thing. This is a branch of the foregoing rule;

and

and with the reason there given another concurs, viz. That if other ideas intervene, it is difficult to recall the perfon or thing by reference:

If I had leave to print the Latin letters tranfmitted to me from foreign parts, they would fill a volume, and be a full defence against all that Mr Partridge, or his accomplices of the Portugal inquifition, will be ever able to object; who, by the way, are the only ene mies my predictions have ever met with at home or abroad.

Better thus:

and be a full defence against all that can be objected by Mr Partridge, or his accomplices of the Portugal inquifition; who, by the way, are, &c.

There being a round million of creatures in human figure, throughout this kingdom, whofe whole fubfistence, &c.

A Modest Propofal, 3c. Swift.

Better:

There being throughout this kingdom, a round million of creatures in human figure, whofe whole fubfiftence, &c.

Tom is a lively impudent clown, and has wit enough to have made him a pleasant companion, had it been polished and rectified by good manners.

Guardian, No. 162.

It is the custom of the Mahometans, if they fee any

printed

printed or written paper upon the ground, to take it up, and lay it afide carefully, as not knowing but it may contain fome piece of their Alcoran.

Spectator, No. 85.

The arrangement here leads to a wrong fenfe, as if the ground were taken up, not the paper.-Better thus:

It is the custom of the Mahometans, if they fee upon the ground any printed or written paper, to take it up, &c.

The following rule depends on the communication of emotions to related objects; a principle in human nature that hath an extenfive operation: and we find this operation, even where the objects are not otherwise related than by juxtapofition of the words that express them. Hence, to elevate or deprefs an object, one method is, to join it in the expreffion with another that is naturally high or low: witnefs the following fpeech of Eumenes to the Roman Senate.

Caufam veniendi fibi Romam fuiffe, præter cupiditatem vifendi deos bominesque, quorum beneficio in ea fortuna effet, fupra quam ne optare quidem auderet, etiam ut coram moneret fenatum ut Perfei conatus obviam iret.

Livy, 1. 42. cap. 11.

To join the Romans with the gods in the fame enunciation, is an artful ftroke of flattery, becaufe it tacitly puts them on a level. On the other hand,

hand, the degrading or vilifying an object, is done fuccessfully by ranking it with one that is really low:

I hope to have this entertainment in a readiness for the next winter; and doubt not but it will please more than the opera or puppet-show.

Spectator, No. 28.

Manifold have been the judgments which Heaven from time to time, for the chastisement of a finful people, has inflicted upon whole nations. For when the degeneracy becomes common, 'tis but just the punishment fhould be general. Of this kind, in our own unfortunate country, was that deftructive peftilence, whofe mortality was fo fatal as to sweep away, if Sir William Petty may be believed, five millions of Chriftian fouls, befides women and Jews.

God's revenge against Punning. Arbuthnot.

Such alfo was that dreadful conflagration enfuing in this famous metropolis of London, which consumed, according to the computation of Sir Samuel Moreland, 100,000 houfes, not to mention churches and stables.

Ibid.

But on condition it might pafs into a law, I would gladly exempt both lawyers of all ages, fubaltern and field officers, young heirs, dancing-mafters, pick-pockets, and players.

An infallible Scheme to pay the Public Debt. Swift.

Sooner let earth, air, fea, to chaos fall,
Men, monkeys, lap-dogs, parrots, perish all.

Rape of the Lock.

Circumstances in a period resemble small stones in a building, employed to fill up vacuities among thofe of a larger fize. In the arrangement of a period, fuch under-parts crowded together make a poor figure; and never are graceful but when interspersed among the capital parts. I illuftrate this rule by the following example.

It is likewise urged, that there are, by computation, in this kingdom, above 10,000 parfons, whose revenues, added to those of my Lords the Bishops, would fuffice to maintain, &c.

Argument against abolishing Christianity. Swift.

Here two circumftances, viz. by computation, and in this kingdom, are crowded together unneceffarily they make a better appearance separated in the following manner:

It is likewife urged, that in this kingdom there are, by computation, above 10,000 parsons, &c.

If there be room for a choice, the fooner a circumftance is introduced, the better; because circumstances are proper for that coolness of mind, with which we begin a period as well as a volume: in the progrefs, the mind warms, and has a greater relish for matters of importance. When a circumftance is placed at the beginning of the period, or near the beginning, the tranfition from it to the principal fubject is agreeable it is like ascending,