This little bay, a quiet road That holds in shelter thy abode; In truth, together you do seem PART III. ORIGINAL COMPOSITION. THE various kinds of ORIGINAL COMPOSITION, in which the preceding Rules and Exercises may be practised, are Narrative, Descriptive, and Miscellaneous Essays.† SECTION I. NARRATIVE ESSAYS. NARRATIVE ESSAYS relate events, which should be recorded in the order of time; and facts, which should be mentioned in the order of place. Write narrative essays from the following detached sentences: EXAMPLE. Cincinnatus. Cincinnatus was chosen consul, He had for some time lived in retirement, cultivating a small farm. He regretted that his assistance should be required. He resolved to side with neither the patrician nor the plebeian faction. Having restored tranquillity, he returned home. *The Teacher should direct the attention of his Pupils to the figures which occur in the course of their ordinary reading, and occasionally prescribe Exercises upon them after the manner of the above. The Teacher may occasionally vary the Exercises in Original Composition, by making his Pupils write them in the form of LETTERS, which ought to be composed in a more easy and familiar style than regular Essays. An assembly having been appointed for choosing another consul, the senate fixed upon Quintius Cincinnatus. This noble Roman had, for some time, given up all views of ambition, and retired to a little farm, where the deputies of the senate found him holding the plough, and dressed in the humble attire of a labouring husbandman. Preferring the charms of country retirement to the fatiguing splendours of office, he appeared but little elevated by the dignity which was offered to him, and rather testified a concern that his aid should be wanted. Having taken a tender leave of his wife, he departed for the city, where he found the two parties violently inflamed against each other. The new consul, however, resolved to side with neither; but, by a strict attention to the interests of his country, instead of gaining the confidence of faction, endeavoured to secure the esteem of all. By his moderation, humanity, and justice, he at length restored to the people that tranquillity, which he so much loved himself; when he again renounced the splendours of ambition, and returned with increasing relish to the enjoyment of his farm. EXERCISES. 1. Cincinnatus was chosen dictator. He was the only person on whom his countrymen could depend. As before, he was found labouring in his field. He was astonished, but not elated, by the unbounded power offered to him. He nominated Tarquitius, another poor man, his master of the horse. Cincinnatus delivered his country, and resigned the dictatorship in fourteen days. He was content with temperance and fame. 2. The city of Falerii was besieged by Camillus, general of the Romans. A schoolmaster decoyed the children of the principal citizens into the Roman camp. He told Camillus that the possession of these children would soon make the citizens surrender. Camillus replied, that the Romans loved courage, but hated treachery. He ordered the schoolmaster to be whipt into the city by the boys. The citizens immediately submitted to the Romans. 3. The city of Troy was taken by the Greeks. The conquerors permitted every free citizen to choose any one thing which he valued most. Æneas carried away his household gods. The Greeks gave him permission to take what he valued next. He raised his aged father upon his shoulders. The Greeks then gave him leave to carry away all his property. 4. Damon was condemned to death by the tyrant Dionysius. He was permitted to go home to settle his affairs. Pythias offered to submit to death if his friend did not return. Dionysius pardoned Damon, and begged to be honoured with the friendship of two such worthy men. 5. Calais revolted from the English, and was retaken by Edward III. In revenge for their treachery, he ordered them to choose six citizens to be put to death. While all were struck with horror at this sentence, Eustace de St Pierre offered himself for one. Five more soon joined him; and they came with halters about their necks to Edward. He ordered them to be executed; but his queen pleaded so powerfully for them, that he pardoned them. The queen not only entertained them sumptuously in her own tent, but sent them back loaded with presents. 6. David was born at Bethlehem. He was sent to the camp to inquire for his brothers. He was provoked to hear the Israelites challenged by Goliah. He slew their champion with a stone thrown from a sling, and the Philistines fled.* SECTION II. DESCRIPTIVE ESSAYS. DESCRIPTIVE ESSAYS give an account of persons, animals, places, objects, &c. *The Teacher can be at no loss for additional subjects of Narrative Essays. After his Pupils have had some practice in original composi tion, he may discontinue giving them detached sentences, especially when the narratives are taken from Scripture history. Write descriptive essays on the following subjects: EXAMPLE. Nice. A description of Nice; the extent of the city and county; the situation of the city; its appearance and fortifications; scenery and productions of the adjacent country. It is bounded by I am at last settled at Nice, and have leisure to give you some account of this very remarkable place. The county of Nice extends about eighty miles in length, and in some places it is thirty miles broad. The length of the city does not exceed two miles, nor is the breadth of it, in any part, above one. the Mediterranean on the south, and wedged in between a steep rock and the little river Paglion, which descends from the mountains, and washing the town walls on the west side, falls into the sea, after having filled some canals for the use of the inhabitants. The city of Nice is built in the form of a triangle, the base of which is towards the sea. On the west side, it is surrounded by a wall and rampart; on the east, it is overhung by a rock, with the ruins of an old castle, which, before the invention of artillery, was reckoned impregnable. When I stand upon the rampart and look around me, I can scarcely help thinking myself enchanted. The small extent of country which I see, is cultivated like a garden. Indeed, the plain presents nothing but gardens, full of green trees loaded with oranges, lemons, citrons, and bergamots, which make a delightful appearance. EXERCISES. 1. The apostle Paul; his birthplace; by whom educated; in the opinions of what sect; on what occasion first mentioned in Scripture; for what then remarkable; his conversion; subsequent history; for what distinguished. 2. Julius Cæsar; his family; his great rival; his conquests; his great power; his death and character. 3. Jerusalem; its situation; remarkable localities in the city and neighbourhood; when first mentioned in history; to whom originally belonged; when the citadel taken by the Israelites; by whom made the capital; the most famous of its public buildings; how many times taken and plundered; the most remarkable events in its history; by whom destroyed; by whom rebuilt; present state. 4. Rome; by whom founded; on what built; most famous public buildings mentioned in history; extent and population in the time of Augustus; present state. 5. The elephant; where found; size; appearance; food; habits; utility. 6. The seasons; appearances of nature; operations; amusements, &c., at the different periods of the year.* SECTION III. MISCELLANEOUS ESSAYS. MISCELLANEOUS ESSAYS may treat of any subject which is interesting or instructive. Write miscellaneous essays from the following heads: EXAMPLE. On Amusement. I. It is a great mistake to suppose that amusement should form the business of life. II. The original meaning of the terms amusement, relaxation, and recreation, may convince us of this. III. That which is made the business of life ceases to be amusement. IV. Rich and poor must be employed, or be unhappy. I. It is very often taken for granted by young people, that amusement is the principal object of life; and this opinion is frequently carried to so great an excess, that pleasure seems to be the ruling principle which directs all their thoughts, words, and actions, and which makes the serious duties of life heavy and disgusting. Such an opinion, however, is no less absurd than unhappy, as may * As recommended in the preceding note, the Teacher may discontinue giving hints, when his Pupils have had some practice in writing De scriptive Essays. When they have a competent knowledge of geography and local history, narration and description may be combined by making them write imaginary excursions, travels, &c., either in the form of Essays, Letters, or Journals. |