bestow a larger portion of the ethereal spirit, than is given, in the ordinary course of his government, to the sons of men.' A very bad sentence this; into which, by the help of a parenthesis, and other interjected circumstances, his lordship had contrived to thrust so many things, that he is forced to begin the construction again with the phrase, I say: which, whenever it occurs, may be always assumed as a sure mark of a clumsy, ill-constructed sentence; excusable in speaking, where the greatest accuracy is not expected, but in polished writing, unpardonable.

I shall add only one rule more for the unity of a sentence, which is, to bring it always to a full and perfect close. Every thing that is one, should have a beginning, a middle, and an end. I need not take notice, that an unfinished sentence is no sentence at all, according to any grammatical rule. But very often we meet with sentences that are, so to speak, more than finished. When we have arrived at what we expected was to be the conclusion, when we have come to the word on which the mind is naturally led, by what went before, to rest; unexpectedly, some circumstance pops out which ought to have been omitted, or to have been disposed of elsewhere; but which is left lagging behind, like a tail adjected to the sentence; somewhat that, as Mr. Pope describes the Alexandrian line,

"Like a wounded snake, drags its slow length along."

All these adjections to the proper close, disfigure a sentence extremely. They give it a lame, ungraceful air, and, in particular, they break its unity. Dean Swift, for instance, in his Letter to a Young Clergyman, speaking of Cicero's writings, expresses himself thus:With these writings, young divines are more conversant than with those of Demosthenes, who, by many degrees, excelled the other; at least as an orator.' Here the natural close of the sentence is at these words, 'excelled the other.' These words conclude the proposition; we look for no more; and the circumstance added, at least as an orator,' comes in with a very halting pace. How much more compact would the sentence have been, if turned thus: 'With these writings, young divines are more conversant than with those of Demosthenes, who, by many degrees, as an orator at least, excelled the other.' In the following sentence, from Sir William Temple, the adjection to the sentence is altogether foreign to it. Speaking of Burnet's Theory of the Earth, and Fontenelle's Plurality of Worlds: 'The first,' says he, 'could not end his learned treatise without a panegyric of modern learning, in comparison of the ancient; and the other, falls so grossly into the censure of the old poetry, and preference of the new, that I could not read either of these strains without some indignation; which no quality among men is so apt to raise in me as self-sufficiency.' The word indig nation,' concluded the sentence; the last member, which no quality among men is so apt to raise in me as self-sufficiency,' is a proposition altogether new, added after the proper close.

6

QUESTIONS.

In the last lecture, what was consi- causes does ambiguity arise? How far dered the fundamental quality of style? has the choice of words been considerTo what, did what was said of this ed; and of what is our author now to chiefly relate? From words, to what treat? What is the first thing, here, to does our author next proceed; and be studied? But as the grammar of our why does he purpose treating it fully? language is not extensive, what folBesides perspicuity, into what does our lows? In what manner cannot the reauthor purpose to inquire; and why? lation of words in English be pointed Farther than what, is it not easy to out; and how only is it ascertained? give an exact definition of a sentence? Hence, what is a capital rule in the arWhat is Aristotle's definition? Why rangement of sentences; and of it, does this admit of great latitude? What what is observed? What, therefore, is the first variety that occurs in the will be necessary? In the position of consideration of sentences? What can- adverbs, what is remarked? What not be ascertained by any definite mea- example is given from Mr. Addison; sure? At the same time, what is obvi- and what remarks are made upon it? ous? Of sentences immoderately long, What example is given from Lord what is observed? To what must re- Shaftsbury? What does it literally imgard be had, in discourses that are to port; and what should he have said? be spoken? What is the effect of using What example is given from Dean long periods in compositions, where Swift? Of what different senses are pronunciation has no place; and why? these words capable? What will they, At the same time, what is remarked of in the first case, signify; and what, in short sentences? With regard to the the second? If this last was Dean length and construction of sentences, Swift's meaning, how might the ambiwhat distinction do French critics guity been avoided? Of such adverbs, make? What is the style periodique; as, only, wholly, and at least, what is and what is said of it? Repeat the ex-observed; and hence, what habit do ample from Sir William Temple's let- we acquire? How should adverbs, in ter to Lady Essex. Who abounds with writing, be connected with the words sentences of this kind? What is the which they qualify? On the interposistyle coupé? Repeat the example from tion of a circumstance in the middle of Pope's preface to his works. Whose a sentence, what is observed? What method of writing is this; and what instance of a violation of this direction subjects does it suit? What air do is given from Lord Bolingbroke? Here, these styles respectively give to com- about what are we left at loss? If the position; and what follows? Why is it latter was intended to be the meaning, necessary, in almost every kind of com- how should the sentence have been arposition, to intermix them? How does ranged? But, in the proper disposition Cicero describe these two kinds of of what, is still more attention required? style? Where must this variety be Why can we not be too accurate and studied, besides in the succession of precise here? What may be the effect long and short sentences; and why? of a small error? Where the meaning What remark follows? In this article, is intelligible, yet where these relative who has shown great art? What was particles are out of place, what do we observed of his style, in the last lec-always find To illustrate this remark, ture? But, what has he studied more what example is given from Mr. Addithan any other English author; and son? How would the construction here, why? From these general observations, evidently be mended? Repeat the seno what do we now descend? On what, tence in its improved form. Repeat the in every kind of composition, does much next example from Mr. Addison. What depend; and why? By giving atten- is remarked on the position of the word tion to the rules which relate to this which, in this sentence? What violapart of style, what shall we acquire; tion of the same direction is quoted and what follows? What are the four from Bishop Sherlock's sermons? properties, which are most essential to What are the remarks upon it; and a perfect sentence? In the first of how should it have been arranged? these, what ought, with the greatest Where is an inaccuracy of the same care, to be avoided? From what two kind found, in the writings of Dean

Swift? Repeat the passage. What is When one arrives at the end of such a remarked upon it; and how should it puzzled sentence, at what is he surhave been arranged? What passage is prised? Who affords us the next exgiven from a letter to a member of par-ample; and where is it found? Reliament; what remarks are made upon peat it. What are the remarks of our it; and by what arrangement might it author upon it? Where did Shaftesbube amended? ry's strength lay? From whom is the

To make what rule understood, are the next instance taken; and where is it instances already given considered suffi- found? Repeat it. What is said of this cient? Why have these three cases been passage? Of arbitrary punctuation, mentioned? With regard to relatives, what is remarked? To what rule does what is further observed? Of what one's our author next proceed? When may particularly; and when? Repeat the these have a spirited appearance? example to illustrate this remark, quoted But, why is their effect, for the most from Archbishop Tillotson. Of it, what part, extremely bad? From whom is is observed? When we find these per- the instance to illustrate this rule sonal pronouns crowded too fast upon taken; and what is said of his genius? us, what is the consequence? What Repeat the passage. Of this sentence, instances of ambiguity arising from what is remarked? To the use of what faulty arrangement, are given by phrase was he, consequently, forced; Quintilian, in the Latin language? and what is said of it? To preserve the What is the effect of having the rela- unity of a sentence, what is the last tion of every word and member of a rule given? What should every thing sentence marked in the most proper and that is one, have? Of what is it unnecesdistinct manner? To what does our sary to take notice? When is a senauthor next proceed; what is said of tence, so to speak, more than finished? it; and why is some degree of it re- What is the effect of these adjectives quired in every composition? There to the proper close? What air do they must always be what; and what must give it? What instance of a violation reign? This shall afterwards be shown of this rule is given from Dean Swift? to hold in what kinds of composition? What is the natural close of this senWhere is it, most of all, required; and tence; and why? How should it have why? When a sentence consists of different parts, how closely must these parts be bound together? In order to preserve this unity of a sentence, what is the first rule to be observed? What remarks follow; and what example is given to illustrate them? Of this sentence, what is remarked; and how may it be restored to its proper unity? Writers, who transgress this rule, for the most part, transgress what other? What is the effect of its violation? Than to err thus, what is a safer extreme? What is the first example given to justify what is now said? What remarks are made on it? Repeat the passage from Middleton's Life of Cicero. What is its principal | object; and what farther is remarked upon it? What example is given from Plutarch? Of this passage, what is observed; and in it what are found? What authors are apt to be faulty in this article? Of Lord Clarendon's sentences, what is observed? In later and more correct writers, what do we find? What instance is given from Sir William Temple's Essay upon Poetry?!

been arranged? What instance of the same fault is given from Sir William Temple? What word properly closes the sentence; and of the last member, what is remarked?

Sentences.

ANALYSIS.

1. The definition of a sentence.
2. The distinction of long and
short sentences.

3. Clearness and precision.

A. In the position of adverbs.
B. In the interposition of sen-

tences.

c. In the proper disposition of relatives.

4. Unity.

A. The scene should not be changed.

B. Distinct subjects should not

be introduced into the same sentence.

c. Parentheses in the middle of

sentences should be avoided. D. Sentences should be brought to a full and perfect close.

LECTURE XII.

STRUCTURE OF SENTENCES.

HAVING treated of perspicuity and unity, as necessary to be studied in the structure of sentences, I proceed to the third quality of a correct sentence, which I termed strength. By this, I mean, such a disposition of the several words and members, as shall bring out the sense to the best advantage; as shall render the impression, which the period is designed to make, most full and complete; and give every word, and every member, their due weight and force. The two former qualities of perspicuity and unity, are, no doubt, absolutely necessary to the production of this effect; but more is still requisite. For a sentence may be clear enough; it may also be compact enough, in all its parts, or have the requisite unity; and yet by some unfavourable circumstance in the structure, it may fail in that strength or liveliness of impression, which a more happy arrangement would have produced.

The first rule which I shall give, for promoting the strength of a sentence, is, to divest it of all redundant words. These may, sometimes, be consistent with a considerable degree both of clearness and unity; but they are always enfeebling. They make the sentence move along tardy and encumbered:

Est brevitate opus, ut currat sententia, non se
Impediat verbis, lassas onerantibus aures.*

It is a general maxim, that any words which do not add some importance to the meaning of a sentence, always spoil it. They cannot be superfluous, without being hurtful. Obstat,' says Quintilian, 'quicquid non adjuvat.' All that can be easily supplied in the mind, is better left out in the expression. Thus: 'Content with deserving a triumph, he refused the honour of it,' is better language than to say, 'Being content with deserving a triumph, he refused the honour of it.' I consider it, therefore, as one of the most useful exercises of correction, upon reviewing what we have written or composed, to contract that round-about method of expression, and to lop off those useless excrescences which are commonly found in a first draught. Here a severe eye should be employed; and we shall always find our sentences acquire more vigour and energy when thus retrenched: provided always that we run not into the extreme of pruning so very close, as to give a hardness and dryness to style. For here, as in all other things, there is a due medium. Some regard, though not the principal, must be had to fulness and swelling of sound. Some leaves must be left to surround and shelter the fruit. As sentences should be cleared of redundant words, so also of redundant members. As every word ought to present a new idca,

* "Concise your diction, let your sense be clear,
"Nor with a weight of words, fatigue the ear."

FRANCIS

so every member ought to contain a new thought. Opposed to this, stands the fault we sometimes meet with, of the last member of a period, being no other than the echo of the former, or the repetition of it in somewhat a different form. For example; speaking of beauty, The very first discovery of it,' says Mr. Addison, 'strikes the mind with inward joy, and spreads delight through all its faculties.' (No. 412.) And elsewhere, 'It is impossible for us to behold the divine works with coldness or indifference, or to survey so many beauties, without a secret satisfaction and complacency.' (No. 413.) In both these instances little or nothing is added by the second member of the sentence to what was already expressed in the first; and though the free and flowing manner of such an author as Mr. Addison, and the graceful harmony of his period, may palliate such negligences; yet, in general, it holds, that style, freed from this prolixity, appears both more strong and more beautiful The attention becomes remiss, the mind falls into inaction, when words are multiplied without a corresponding multiplication of ideas.

After removing superfluities, the second direction I give, for promoting the strength of a sentence, is to attend particularly to the use of copulatives, relatives, and all the particles employed for transition and connexion. These little words, but, and, which, whose, where, &c. are frequently the most important words of any; they are the joints or hinges upon which all sentences turn, and of course, much, both of their gracefulness and strength, must depend upon such particles. The varieties in using them are, indeed, so infinite, that no particular system of rules respecting them can be given. Attention to the practice of the most accurate writers, joined with frequent trials of the different effects produced by a different usage of those particles, must here direct us.* Some observations, I shall mention, which have occurred to me as useful, without pretending to exhaust the subject.

What is called splitting of particles, or separating a preposition from the noun which it governs, is always to be avoided. As if I should say, 'Though virtue borrows no assistance from, yet it may often be accompanied by, the advantages of fortune.' In such instances, we feel a sort of pain, from the revulsion, or violent separation of two things, which, by their nature, should be closely united. We are put to a stand in thought; being obliged to rest for a little on the preposition by itself, which, at the same time, carries no significancy, till it is joined to its proper substantive noun.

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 disgusts us sooner than the empty pomp of language.'

* On this head, Dr. Lowth's short Introduction to English Grammar deserves to be consulted; where several niceties of the language are well ointed out.