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EXPLANATORY MONITOR.

SELECT SENTENCES

DILIGENCE, industry and proper improvement of time, are material + duties of the young. The acquisition of knowledge is one of the most honorable occupȧtions of youth.

Whatever useful or engaging endowments2 we possess, virtue is requisite, in order to their shining with proper lustre.

Virtuous youth gradually brings forward accomplished and flourishing manhood.

Sincerity and truth form the bas183 of every virtue.

Disappointments and distress are often blessings in disguise. Change and alteration form the very essence of the world.

True happiness is of a retired hature, and an enemy to pomp,4 and noise.

In order to acquire a capacity5 for happiness, it must be our first study to rectify inward disorders.

† Material, corporeal, ime portant.

2 Endow. of nature. ments, s. gifts

3 Basis, 8. foun dation, bottom.

4 Pomp, splen-
dor, ostenta-
tion, parade,
pride.
ability, power
5 Capacity,
of containing.

Whatever purifies, fortifies also

the heart.

hold in the 'hand, to gripe, to seize, to catch at.

From our eagerness to grasp,6 6 Grasp, v. to we strangle and destroy pleasure. A temperate spirit, and moderate expectation, are excellent safeguards of the mind, in this uncertain and changing state.

There is nothing except simplicity7 of intention, and purity of principle, that can stand the test8 of near approach and strict exami nation.

The value of any possession is to be chiefly estimated, by the relief which it can bring us in the time of our greatest need.

No person, who has once yielded up the government of his mind, and given loose rein9 to his desires and passions, can tell how far they may carry him.

Tranquility of mind is always most likely to be attained, when the business of the world is tempered with thoughtful and serious retreat.

He who would act like a wise2 man, and build his house on the rock, and not on the sand should contemplates human life, not only in the sunshine, but in the shade.

Let usefulness and beneficence not ostentation4 and vanity, direct the train of your pursuits.

7 Simplicity, s.

want of cun. ning. 8 Test s. trial, examination.

9 Rein, s. the part of the bridle which extends from the horses head to

the rider's or

driver's hand.

Tranquility, s quiet, peace of condition. mind, peace of 2 Wise,a. judg. ing rightly, skilful, prudent.

3 Contemplate, v. To studdy, to meditate. 4 Ostentation,s. outward show, ambitious dis play, vain

show

PREFACE.

Although selections of excellent matter made for the improvement and instruction of young persons are numerous, and many of them executed in such a manner as to reflect the highest honor upon the authors; yet it occurred to me that a school book on the plan of the following pages might be of service in the great business of educating youth. Having in a long course of teaching school, observed in many instances the inattention of my scholars to the subjects they were perusing, on account of the definition ofterms, and that many of them who were called good readers retained not any, or at most but very few of the ideas that were

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suggested in the composition they had been perusing, I became persuaded that a work containing the definitions of the most important words, would in some degree remedy that defect. The pieces chosen for this collection are such as paint virtue and magnanimity in the most conspicuous manner, and by frequent perusal, are calculated to instil those principles into the minds of youth; at the same time they display an abhorrence and detestation of vice.

No expression or sentiment, that might gratify a corrupt mind, or offend a chaste car has been permitted to find a place in the following work.

To lead the young mind in the path of virtue, and to aid in

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