summarizes in the last. Its only new feature is the kind of material used.

MODEL

In his [Burns's] parentage, deducting outward circumstances, he had every reason to reckon himself fortunate. His father was a man of thoughtful, intense, earnest character, as the best of our peasants are; valuing knowledge, possessing some, and what is far better and rarer, open-minded for more; a man with a keen insight and devout heart; reverent toward God, friendly therefore at once, and fearless toward all that God has made; in one word, though but a hard-handed peasant, a complete and fully unfolded man. Such a father is seldom found in any rank in society, and was worth descending far in society to seek.

– THOMAS CARLYLE, Essay on Burns.

The following quotation illustrates another of the paragraphs of the outline in section 261; namely, the topic, "Friends." It is an account of Burns's Edinburgh patrons in their relation to the poet :

The Edinburgh Learned of that period were in general more noted for clearness of head than for warmth of heart: with the exception of the good old Blacklock, whose help was too ineffectual, scarcely one among them seems to have looked at Burns with any true sympathy, or indeed much otherwise than as at a highly curious thing. By the great also he is treated in the customary fashion, entertained at their tables and dismissed certain modica of pudding and praise are, time to time, gladly exchanged for the fascination of his presence; which exchange effected, the bargain is finished, and each party goes his several way.

from

It reflects credit on the manliness and sound sense of Burns, that he felt so early on what ground he was standing; and preferred self-help, on the humblest scale, to dependence and inaction, though with hope of far more splendid possibilities.

2.

DIRECTIONS

I. The first sentence of each paragraph should be short, should characterize, should contain the mention of but one quality, should be interesting-not commonplace. The last sentence should point back to the thought of the first; should summarize or give a comment, either general or particular; should be made strong by an image, a comparison, or the use of the concrete, or any of the other minor devices mentioned in the study of description.

3. The other sentences elaborate the general statement made regarding the person's parentage, education, etc.

CAUTIONS.-Do not use "he had" or "he was" too often in this theme. Do not attempt to make transitions between the successive paragraphs in your first theme.

263. Subjects for the Biographical Essay. Theme-model XVII. gives us an opportunity to write very fully about those whom we know well either by personal acquaintance or through our reading, as is indicated in the list of suggested subjects given below. Odd, impossible, or merely imaginary characters should not be chosen for the biographical theme.

Exercise

Write a theme upon one of the following subjects or upon any other of the same kind which may interest you :

I. Give a biography of some member of your family, or some friend whose life will furnish abundant material for this outline.

2. Give the life of some American author, some English author.

3. Write your own biography.

4. Give a short biography of an author, one of whose works you have read this year. In this do not devote a paragraph to each topic. Sometimes two or more of the topics given in the outline can be treated in one paragraph.

5. Give the biography of some statesman, soldier, or philanthropist.

6. Write a biographical sketch of some well known character in fiction.

264. Narration, Description, and Exposition in Nature Studies. We have seen how these three kinds of composition - Narration, Description, and Exposition-may be used in writing about places (Theme-model XV.) and persons (Theme-models XVI. and XVII.). From a study of a few of Bryant's poems we shall see how they may also express thought about minor objects in nature-a flower, a bird, a stream. The motives for which we shall find material in the following poems are: The situation; description of personal appearance, character, mood, and place; retrospective and anticipatory narrative, and the general reflection.

Exercises

I. Give a prose reproduction, oral or written, of each of the following selections, according to the outline for each. In the reproduction repeat no expression found in the poem.

I.

ROBERT OF LINCOLN

[This sketch shows character development.]

Chapter I.

Situation. (Stanzas 1 and 5.)

Personal appearance of Robert of Lincoln. (Stanza 2.)