English style

Preface

It would appear a paradox that, though works on the English language are generally received with favour by the public, the study of composition lould make little or no progress in our educaonrl : titutions. But it is certainly true, that few _ ix grammar schools for boys have yet made English a distinct subject of attention ; and where it is admitted, the study is pursued in so desultory and imperfect a manner, that it produces but little fruit. In those ladies' schools, indeed, where any pretensions are made to impart sound general knowledge, English composition holds a more prominent place; but even there, it is not always regularly studied, and is frequently given only as an occasional exercise.

The recent exposures of the ignorance of candidates for the diplomatic service, in the very rudiments of their own language, and other branches of elementary education, would sufficiently war-

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IV PREFACE.

rant any one in the attempt to supply a partial remedy for such a state of things ; and, in the hope of contributing to the furtherance of so desirable an object, the writer offers the present work to the consideration of the public.

Contents

PART L

IDEAS, WORDS, AND PROPOSITIONS.

Introduction

Ideas , . ...

Concrete and Abstract Terms .

Abstraction

Generalisation

Common Names

Proper Names

Primary and Secondary Senses

Analogy-

Propositions .

Compound Subjects .

Compound Predicates

Complements .

Classification of Complements

IS

Complements of Circumstance

Complements of Time

Complements of Place

Complements of Manner

Complements of the Object

Complements of the Agent

Complements of the Person

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VI

CONTENTS.

Complementary Propositions .

Propositions used as Complements Analysis

Forms of Sentences Forms of Sentences for Imitation Examination Questions on Part I.

Part II. Definitions, Description, Narrative, Etc

On Definitions

Remarks on Definitions Description

Examples of Descriptions

Subjects for Description Narrative

Examples of Narrative

Subjects for Narrative Letter-writing

Specimens of Letters .

Subjects for Letters .

On Despatches and Reports

Subjects for Despatches

Reports

Subjects for Reports

Examination Questions on Part II.

Part III. Forms Of Argument

Arguments

I. Enumeration .

II. Contrast

III. Explanation .

IV. Cause and Effect (1.) IV. Cause and Effect (2.)

CONTENTS.

Vll

IV. Cause and Effect (3.) .

Propositions (Facts), the Causes and Effect: to be added

V. Experience . . -

VI. History ....

Propositions to be illustrated or proved by Historical Examples VII. General or universal Consent .

Propositions proved by general or universal Consent . . .

VIII. Proverbs ....

Propositions to be illustrated by Proverbs IX. Sayings or Quotations .

X. Analogy ....

Propositions to be illustrated by Analogy XL Eables .....

Propositions to be supported by reference to Fables ....

XII. Examples ....

Propositions to be illustrated by Example XIII. Interrogation ....

Propositions to be supported by Interroga

tion ....

Propositions to be maintained by several Arguments Examination Questions on Part III. .

PAET IV.

SUBJECTS.

Subjects for Composition On Avarice Moral Subjects .

I. On Anger II. On Idleness III. On Falsehood

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VI 11

CONTENTS.

IV. On Pride V. On Contentment

VI. On Affectation .

VII. On Luxury VIII. On Pleasure .

IX. On Mercy X. On Charity XL On Revenge XII. On Pear Intellectual Subjects

I. On Knowledge

II. On Order

III. On Mathematics

IV. On Reasoning .

V. On Attention .

VI. On Taste

VII. On Learning .

VIII. On Literary Criticism

IX. On Science X. On Association .

XL On Curiosity XII. On Philosophy .

Literary Subjects

I. On Literature .

IL On History

III. On Biography .

IY. On Poetry

V. On Language .

VI. On the Greek and Latin Languages

VII. On modern Languages

VIII. On Versification IX. On Fables

X. On Printing XL On Newspapers XII. On the Revival of Learning Practical Subjects I. On Money II. On Handwriting

CONTENTS.

IX

III. On Reading aloud

IV. On Exercise V. On Costume

VI. On Reading for Improvement VII. On Commerce .

VIII. On Travelling .

IX. On Agriculture X. On good Humour XL On Manners XII. On Government List of general Subjects for Composition On Double Subjects

List of Double Subjects •

Part V. On Style

On Style .

Purity .

Foreign Words .

Obsolete Words New Words Grammatical Errors Errors in Pronouns Personal Pronouns The Relative Pronoun Inconsistencies in the Use of Pronouns Another and the other Errors in the Use of Verbs Errors in the Use of the Subjunctive . Errors in the Sequence of Moods and Tenses Errors in the Use of Participles Errors in the Use of Adjectives Inaccuracies in the Use of the Comparative and Su

perlative

Errors in the Use of Negative and Disjunctive Par tides . . .

CONTENTS.

Page

Foreign Idioms . . •

. 170

Propriety .

. 174

Impropriety in Words

. 174

Impropriety in Phrases

. 177

Common-place Expressions .

. 180

Obscurity from Ellipsis

. 181

Obscurity from wrong Arrangement .

. 182

Obscurity from using the same Word too fre quently, or in different Senses

. 183

Obscurity from uncertain Reference .

. 185

Obscurity arising from too artificial a Stru cture of

Sentences . . . .

. 185

Obscurity from the Use of Technical Terms .

. 187

Obscurity arising from Double Meaning

. 189

The Unintelligible .

. 190

Precision ....

. 191

Tautology .

. 193

Pleonasm .

. 196

Examination Questions on Part V.

. 197

Part VI. On Sentences

Sentences .....

. 200

Simple Sentences

. 201

On Complex Sentences

. 203

Unity in Sentences .

. 208

Parentheses.

. 213

Strength in Sentences

. 215

Adjectives ....

. 216

Connectives

. 217

Important Words .

. 218

Insignificant Words

. 219

On Antithesis ....

. 221

Examples of Antithetical Sentences

. 225

Harmony in Sentences

. 226

Arrangement

. 235

Proportion ....

. 237

Examination Questions on Part VI.

. 240

CONTENTS.

XI

PAKT VII

ON FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE,

Page

Figurative Language .

. 242

Personification

. 245

Apostrophe ....

. 246

Hyperbole ....

. 248

On Comparison

. 251

On Metaphor .

. 257

Examples of forced Metaphors

. 261

On Figures connected with the Metaphor

. 264

On Allusion . .

. 270

On Climax ....

. 271

Anti-Climax ....

. 273

On Allegory .

. 274

Exercises in Figurative Language .

. 279

Examination Questions on Part VII.

. 287