Q. What is the best and most general rule for all the figures of speech?

A. It is, never to make a deliberate search after them; use them only when they rise spontaneously out of the subject; never pursue them too far; and let them always be such as enforce and illustrate, as well as embellish a subject.

CHAPTER XXXIII.

Of the more General Rules for Composi

tion.

Q. On what, from all that has been said, do you consider accurate composition to depend?

A. On the selection and arrangement of words proper for expressing the thoughts which we intend to communicate.

Q. On what again do these depend?

A. On a knowledge of grammar in all its branches, and an intimate acquaintance with the meaning of words.

Q. What renders these so essential?

A. The circumstance that without the one we cannot select, nor without the other, arrange with propriety.

Q. And how are these to be obtained?

A. Only by reading and study, combined with constant attention to the mode in which we express our thoughts as compared with that of others.

Q. What is farther requisite ?

A. An intimate knowledge of the subject, upon which we desire either to speak or write. Q. How comes this to be so necessary?

A. Because no man, whatever be his knowledge of language, can either speak or write well upon a subject of which he is ignorant.

Q. How is this knowledge to be obtained? A. To all knowledge there is but one path, and that is, constant study, and attentive observation.

Q. Is any thing further necessary?

A. Yes; for, in addition to the requisite knowledge, we must have great practice before we can compose well.

Q. What proof have you of this?

A. Men possessing extensive information can often speak well upon a variety of subjects, but yet, from want of practice, can write well upon none.

Q. On what subjects should a person write in order to gain this practice?

A. Upon such subjects as he perfectly understands; beginning with the more simple, and proceeding gradually to those of greater difficulty, according to the extent of his infor

mation.

Q. What will be the consequence of a per son writing upon what he does not properly understand?

A. He will write a stiff, affected, unnatural style, such as no person will either hear or read with any pleasure.

Q. What are requisite for attaining eminence in composition?

A. Genius and taste; the former to prompt, the latter to correct and polish.

Q. How is ease in composition best attained? A. By writing fearlessly and boldly; but, at the same time, guarding against every thing

like extravagance either of sentiment or man

ner.

CHAPTER XXXIV.

Of Different Kinds of Composition.

Q. What are the principal divisions belonging to literary Composition?

A. They are those of prose and poetry. Q. What do you understand by prose composition?

A. The common and ordinary manner of expressing our thoughts, whether in speaking or writing.

Q. What do you understand by poetry?

A. Lively and striking combinations of thought, expressed in language arranged, for the sake of harmony, according to certain rules.

Q. In how many things then does poetry differ from prose?

A. In two; partly in the nature of the thoughts themselves, and partly in the selec ́tion and arrangement of the words,

Q. What sort of poetry may then be considered the best?

A. That which, without violating nature, differs most widely from common prose.

Q. Which kind of composition is supposed the most ancient?

A. Poetry; for, though, in refined society, few express their thoughts in verse, compared to the numbers that do so in prose, yet history informs us that the most ancient species of composition, among all rude nations, is poetry. Q. To what is this to be ascribed?

A. To the circumstance of imagination, on which poetry chiefly depends, coming earlier to maturity than reason or judgment, the main sources of prose.

Q. For what purpose was the earliest poetry used?

A. Either for the promulgation of laws, the celebration of great martial achievements, or for the purpose of being set to music and sung. Q. Under what heads may prose composition be included?