PROMISCUOUS EXERCISES

ON THE RULES OF SYNTAX, ETC.

In the preceding "Exercises to be corrected," care has been taken to insert such examples only as can be corrected by the rule, or the observations under which they are placed, or by those which precede them. In the following " Promiscuous Exercises," no particular arrangement is observed. Every sentence contains one error, many of them two, and some of them three or more. Many of the errors, too, are such as are often made, and, on account of our familiarity with them, are not so readily noticed. Others are such as nobody would make, and of course will at once be detected. These are inserted, not so much to be guarded against, as to illustrate and draw attention to the rule which they violate, and to show that others which are not so obvious, and which are sometimes committed, involve the same error. For example, nobody would say, "Him writes." Some perhaps might say, “Here is the man whom everybody says is the writer of that letter;" and yet the error in both is the same, and violates Rule VI. In all these examples for correction, the object aimed at is to put the pupil in possession of the idea intended to be expressed-and the exercise for him is to express that idea grammatically, in the best manner. There can be no danger of imitating an expression which he is forewarned is wrong; while it will exercise his judgment to detect the error, test his knowledge of grammar, and be a profitable exercise in composition to put the sentence right.

ment.

wrong,

All these exercises may be first corrected orally-showing wherein each is and why-correcting the error, and giving a reason for the change made. They may then be written out in a corrected state. After that, each sentence may be analyzed as directed (658), and then parsed syntactically as directed (983). 1.-1. Too great a variety of studies perplex and weaken the judg 2. I called to see you, but you was not at home. 3. To act with caution, but with steadiness and vigor, distinguish the manly character. 4. The crown of virtue is peace and honor. 5. In the human species, the influence of instinct and habit are generally assisted by the suggestions of reason. 6. The train of our ideas are often interrupted. 7. They were both unfortunate, but neither of them were to blame.

2.-1. We arrived safely at our journey's end. 2. That is a matter of no consequence between you and I. 3. This should not happen between such friends as him and me. 4. Them that seek knowedge will find it. 5. Such are the men whom, we might suppose, know better. 6. Our welfare and security consists in unity. 7. The love of virtue, and devotion to pleasure, is opposed to each other. 8. Every leaf, every twig, every drop of water, teem with life. No oppressor and no tyrant triumph there. 10. All the world is spectators of your conduct.

9.

3.-1. Nothing is more lovelier than virtue. 2. His associates in

wickedness will not fail to mark the alteration of his conduct. 3. He is taller than me, but I am stronger than him. 4. Neither riches of beauty furnish solid peace and contentment. 5. The abuse of mercies ripen us for judgments. 6. John, William, and Henry's hats, were stolen. 7. A man's manners frequently influence his fortune. 8. Much depends on this rule being observed. 9. Such will ever be the effect of youth associating with vicious companions. 10. Give to every one their due. 11. It has been fully shown that neither of them are correct. 12. Every bone, every muscle, every part of man, are known to Him which made him.

4.-1. He writes tolerable well. 2. Three months' notice are required to be given previous to a pupil's leaving of the school. 3. That rose smells sweetly. 4. He employed another friend of his father to assert his claim-[whose claim?] 5. A soul inspired with the love of truth will keep all his powers attentive to the pursuit of it. 6. It is the duty of every one to be careful of their reputation. 7. It is remarkable his continual endeavors to serve us. 8. Whatever antiquities he could procure, he purchased them at any price. 9. I am not so well as when you was here. 10. It is three days yesterday, since you have promised that money. 11. This mode of expression has been formerly in use. 12. He promised long ago, that he had attended to that matter. 13. He was expected to have arrived earlier.

5.-1. Twice three are six. 2. Six times three are eighteen. 3. As two are to four, so are six to, twelve. 4. Five are the half of ten. 5. The half of ten are five. 6. Nine are not an even number. 7. One man and one boy is sufficient. 8. Two boys is equal to one man. 9. Two boys are less than three—three is better than nothing. 10. Two is better than one. 11. Two are an even number-three are not. 12. Two are twice one. 13. Two and two makes four. 14. Three fourths are more than one half. 15. Five men is too many for such a piece of work-three is too few. 16. Three shot was fired without effect. 17. The fleet consisted of six sails. 18. A drove of forty heads of cattle passed along.

6.-1. Molasses are thicker than water. 2. The measles are spreading through the country. 3. Wheat is being sold for a dollar a bushel, and oats is in demand. 4. The news by the last arrival is better than were expected. 5. We hoped to have heard from you before this. 6. Do you not think he writes good? 7. The wind blows coldly from the north, and the snow lies deeply on the ground. 8 James is as tall if not taller than I am. 9. He never has and he never will do so well. 10. He whoever said so was mistaken.

11. There are a heroic innocerce as well as a heroic courage. 12. He puts down the mighty and exalteth the humble. 13. Piety toward God, as well as sobriety and virtue, are necessary to happiness.

7.-1. Take care who you admit into your friendship. 2. I always understood it to be he, whom they said wrote that book. 3. If I was him, I would take more care for the future. 4. There is two or three of us who have been at Europe last year. Havre when the revolution broke out at France. Boston for a few days, and spent the time very is the man and the horse which we met before. 8. George was the most enterprising young man whom I ever knew. 9. All who were present were pleased with the entertainment.

5. We were in 6. I have been to pleasant. 7. That

8.-1. This excellent person was fully resigned either to have lived or to have died. 2. Between he and I there is some disparity of years, but none between he and she. 3. To be moderate in our views, and proceeding temperately in the pursuit of them, is the best way to insure success. 4. Enjoying health, and to live in peace, are great blessings. 5. Which dictionary do you prefer, Webster or Walker? 6. Though this event be strange, it certainly did happen. 7. If he does but consider the subject, he will no doubt change his opinion. 8. Ignorance is the mother of fear, as well as admiration. 9. Let him be whom he may, I can not wait for him. 10. We have no need for his assistance. 11. Among every class of people, self-interest prevails.

9.-1. Many have profited from the misfortunes of others. 2. Ma ny ridiculous customs have been brought in use during the hundred 'last years. 3. Is there no person who you can send on that business? 4. Little attention to business is necessary, if you would succeed. 5. A truth is virtue to which we should pay little regard. 6. Without firmness, nothing that is great can be undertaken; that is hazardous, accomplished. 7. The people of the United States enjoys a free constitution and laws. 8. That is a property most men have, or at least may attain. 9. The pyramids of Egypt stood more than three thousand years. 10. It is thought they have been built by the Egyptian kings. 11. When the nation complain, the rulers should listen to their voice. 12. Whom say the people that I am?

10.—1. They that honor me, I will honor. 2. He only got the money for a few days. 3. He was mistaken evidently in his calculations. 4. No man is fit for free conversation, for the inquiry after truth, if he be exceedingly reserved; if he be haughty and proud of his knowledge; if he be positive and dogmatical in his opinions; if

he be one who always affects to outshine all the company; if he be fretful and peevish; if he affect wit, and is full of puns, or quirks, or quibbles. 5. A good end does not warrant the using bad means. 6. A good end does not warrant using of bad means. 7. Humility neither seeks the last place, or the last word. 8. Either wealth or power may ruin their possessor. 9. Avoid lightness and frivolity; it is allied to folly. 10. Do you know who you are talking to? 11. Art thou the man who hast dared to insult me? 12. Oh that the winter was gone!

11.-1. We are often disappointed of things which, before possession, promised much enjoyment. 2. We can fully confide on none but the truly good. 3. You may rely in that. 4. The Saxons re duced the greater part of Britain to their power. 5. He was accused with acting unfairly, at least in a manner illy adapted for conciliating regard. 6. There is more business done in New York than in any city of the United States. 7. The same laws and the same constitution which belongs to one citizen of the United States belongs to all. 8. If there was better management, there would be greater security. 9. The ship Panama is early expected from Canton in the spring. 10. Every year, every day, and every hour, bring their changes. 11. Whom say ye that I am?

12.-1. Many a youth have ruined their prospects for life by one imprudent step. 2. No power was ever yet intrusted to man without a liability to abuse. 3. A conceited fool is more abominable than all fools. 4. My gravity never did no one any harm. 5. A constant display of the graces are fatiguing to a sober mind. 6. These coins of compliments and flattery circulate everywhere in society: the true is of gold, the base is of brass. 7. Expectation and reality makes up the sum total of life. 8. Music, the love of it, and the practice of it, seems to pervade all creation. 9. All soils are not adapted for

cultivation. 10. The vain abhors the vain. 11. The author dreads the critic, the miser dreads the thief, the criminal dreads the judge, the horse dreads the whip, and the lamb dreads the wolf-all after their kind. 12. The intellectual and moral censor both have the same ends in view.

13.-1. I was engaged formerly in that business, but I never shall be again concerned in it. 2. We do those things frequently which we repent of afterward. 3. Not to exasperate him, I only spoke a few words. 4. Shall you attain success without that preparation, and escape dangers without that precaution which is required of others? 5. That picture of your mother's is a very exact resemblance

of her. 6. The winter has not been as severe as we expected it to have been. 7. In reference to that transaction, he deserved punishment as,much or more than his companions. 8. In such circumstan

ces, no man, no woman, no child, are safe. 9. Every one of those pleasures that are pursued to excess, convert themselves into poison. 10. Thou, Lord, who hath permitted affliction to come upon us, shall deliver us from it in due time. 11. The sea appeared to be more than usually agitated. 12. By these attainments are the master honored and the scholar encouraged. 13. The temple consisted of one great and several smaller edifices. 14. Whether he will be learned or no, depends on his application.

A LIST OF IMPROPER EXPRESSIONS.

SELECTED CHIEFLY FROM PICKERING'S VOCABULARY.

Improper.

The alone God. The alone motive.

I an't; you an't; he an't, &c.

Any manner of means.

He was walking back and forth.

His argument was based on this fact.
The money was ordered paid.

I calculate to leave town soon.
A chunk of bread.

A clever house.

He conducts well.

He is considerable of a scholar.
His farm was convenient to mine.
He is a decent scholar, writer.
Her situation was distressing to a degree.
A total destitution of capacity.
The United States, or either of them.
Equally as well; as good, &c.
Mr. A B, Esq,

I expect he must have died long ago.
These things are in a bad fix.
Will you fix these things for me?
What do folks think of it?
Talents of the highest grade.
Do

you love play? I guess I do. We may hope the assistance of God. A horse colt; a mare colt.

It would illy accord.

When did you come in town?
A lengthy sermon, &c.

Why don't you strike like I do?