PART V.-ORIGINAL COMPOSITION.*

SECTION IV.-EXPOSITORY THEMES.

1. TERMS.

Exercise 95.

Rudiments, p. 157.

1. On Government.

I. Government is established authority in a state. A nation may be considered as a family.

II. Government has its origin in the nature and circumstances of men. The wicked require restraint; and all need protection and security.

III. Government has existed from the earliest times, as we read both in sacred and in profane history.

IV. In every part of the world, and among even the most barbarous nations, some kind of government is found to exist. The three principal forms of government are Monarchy Aristocracy, and Democracy.

V. The effects of government are beneficial: indeed without it society could not exist. Each of the three great forms of government has its advantages and disadvantages. The best form seems to be mixed or limited monarchy, like that of Great Britain.

2. On War.

I. War has been justly styled the scourge of mankind. II. It has been sometimes undertaken merely for selfdefence, or for the repression of injustice and lawless power;

* When his Pupils have any difficulty in writing Essays on the subjects prescribed, the Teacher may assist them by questions and hints, which they should note down in the class, and afterwards write out, arrange, and amplify at home. The Author considers the detached sentences in Exercise 44, and the heads in Exercise 94, sufficiently ample for this purpose: he here adds similar outlines for Exercises 95, 96.

but generally it has originated in ambition, pride, avarice, or revenge.

III. We learn from the Scriptures that, before the flood, the earth was filled with violence; and the subsequent history of mankind is little more than a description of battles and sieges.

IV. In every quarter of the world, war has raged; and there is no country which has not, at one time or another, suffered from its ravages.

V. Just wars have sometimes been attended with beneficial effects; and even out of the worst, Divine Providence brings forth good: but generally wars have been most injurious in their consequences.

3. On Youth.

I. Youth has always been considered the happiest part of human life. It is certainly one of the most important.

II. In youth the world is new, and the difficulties and sorrows of life are unknown. At this season must be sown the seeds of future happiness and usefulness.

III. Both in ancient and in modern times, the duty of training the minds of the young has been acknowledged.

IV. Among barbarous as well as civilized nations, more or less attention is paid to preparing youth for the duties and pursuits of manhood.

V. Innumerable evils flow from neglecting to improve the season of youth. The most beneficial consequences generally follow its improvement.

4. On Old Age.

I. Old age matures the mind, while it weakens the body. II. By the law of nature, bodily infirmities, after man has passed a certain stage, increase with years. The longer he lives, his mental powers acquire the more experience.

III. In all ages, the infirmities of age have received the sympathy, and its wisdom the reverence of mankind.

IV. In some countries, the aged are left to perish; but generally, even among the most barbarous nations, care is taken of those who can no longer support or protect themselves.

V. The infirmities of old age diminish the pleasure of living. But age has also its peculiar enjoyments, arising from its exemption from the temptations and follies of youth and manhood, its experience and wisdom, and the respect with which it is treated. These, however, are only the enjoyments of virtuous old age.

5. On the Drama.

I. Dramatic entertainments are representations of the actions and passions of mankind by living performers.

II. The amusement which these afford, originates in the interest which men naturally take in striking incidents and animated conversation.

III. The ancient Athenians and Romans were very fond of dramatic entertainments; and they are more or less enencouraged amongst civilized nations in modern times.

IV. Even the most savage tribes have something like dramatic entertainments, accompanied by songs and dances.

V. If properly conducted, dramatic entertainments might be made the means of doing good; but it is to be feared that generally their effects are injurious.

6. On Books.

I. Books transmit knowledge from one portion of the human race to another.

II. Like many other discoveries, they had their origin in the necessities of mankind.

III. At a very early period, men began to communicate their thoughts in writing. Since the invention of the art of printing, books have multiplied beyond all calculation.

IV. The art of writing, and consequently of making books, has been confined to comparatively civilized nations.

V. By books, useful knowledge, virtuous principles, and religious truth are diffused; but they are also employed to disseminate error: hence care and judgment are necessary in the selection of books.

7. On Travelling.

I. Travelling is generally a source of gratification. II. This arises from the principle of curiosity, and the love of novelty.

III. In ancient times, philosophers travelled to foreign countries in search of knowledge. In modern times, facility of communication has rendered travelling much more com

mon.

IV. All parts of the world may be visited by ships and other conveyances.

V. By travelling we correct our prejudices, and increase our practical knowledge.

8. On Poetry.

I. Poetry is generally, but not necessarily, expressed in verse. It is the language of the imagination and the feelings.

II. The pleasure afforded by poetical composition arises partly from the melody of verse, and partly from the nature of the subjects of which poetry generally treats.

III. The earliest written compositions were in verse; and a taste for poetry prevails almost universally in modern times.

IV. All nations, whether barbarous or civilized, have their poetical compositions.

V. Poetry is sometimes applied to bad purposes; but its effects are generally beneficial: it is agreeable to the ear and the taste; it is easily retained by the memory; and it is well adapted for expressing heroic, moral, and religious sentiments.

9. On Painting.

I. Painting is the art of representing objects by colours.

II. The art originated in the natural desire of having pleasing objects preserved in a permanent and movable form.

III. It is of very high antiquity; and, in all probability, preceded writing by letters. It has been carried to great perfection by several modern nations.

IV. Painting has been practised in almost every age, and among the most distant nations; but it has not been universally cultivated.

V. This art, like every other, has been abused; but for a great variety of purposes it is useful and beneficial, and therefore deserving of encouragement.

10. On Music.

I. Music consists of pleasing sounds arranged in melody or harmony.

II. A taste for music seems to be inherent in mankind.

III. It was cultivated by the most celebrated nations of antiquity; and it is universally admired and practised among modern nations.

IV. Even the most savage nations have a relish for music, and perform their dances to measured sounds.

V. Music is not only an agreeable amusement, but it has a beneficial moral influence, and forms an important part of religious worship.

11. On Commerce.

I. Commerce is the exchange of one thing for another: it is the giving of what we can spare for what we want. II. It has its origin in the wants of mankind.

III. Commerce is as old as society. It was carried on very extensively by several ancient nations; and in many modern states it is the great source of wealth and prosperity.

IV. There is no part of the earth which has not some kind of commerce.

V. Commerce is not unattended by evils; but its effects