Through all eternity, to thee
A joyful song I'll raise;
For O! eternity's too short
To utter all thy praise.

The Voyage of Life.

Self-flatter'd, unexperienc'd, high in hope,

When young, with sanguine cheer, and streamers gay,
We cut our cable, launch into the world,
And fondly dream each wind and star our friend,
All in some darling enterprize embark'd.
But where is he can fathom its event?
Amid a multitude of artless hands,

(Ruin's sure perquisite, her lawful prize,)

Some steer aright: but the black blast blows hard,
And puffs them wide of hope. With hearts of proof,
Full against wind and tide, some win their way;
And when strong effort has deserv'd the port,
And tugg'd it into view, 'tis won! 'tis lost!
Though strong their oar, still stronger is their fate:
They strike; and, while they triumph, they expire.
In stress of weather, most, some sink outright.
O'er them, and o'er their names, the billows close.
To-morrow knows not they were ever born.
Others, a short memorial leave behind,
Like a flag floating, when the bark's ingulf'd;
It floats a moment, and is seen no more :
One Cæsar lives; a thousand are forgot.
How few, favour'd by ev'ry element,
With swelling sails make good the promis'd port,
With all their wishes freighted! Yet ev'n these
Freighted with all their wishes, soon complain.
Free from misfortune, not from nature free,
They still are men; and when is man secure?
As fatal time as storm. The rush of years
Beats down their strength;.their numberless escapes
In ruin end: and, now, their proud success
But plants new terrors on the victor's brow.
What pain, to quit the world just made their own!
Their nests so deeply down'd, and built so high!-
Too low they build, who build beneath the stars.

PART V.

PERSPICUITY AND ACCURACY.

First, with respect to single words and phrases.

CHAPTER I.

Corrections of the errors that relate to Purity.

Grammar, p. 250. Exercises, p. 139.

We should be daily employed in doing good. I am wearied with seeing so perverse a disposi tion.

I know not who has done this thing.

He is in no wise thy inferior; and, in this instance, is not at all to blame.

The assistance was welcome, and seasonably afforded.

For want of employment, he wandered idly about the fields.

We ought to live soberly, righteously, and piously in the world.

He was long indisposed, and at length died of melancholy.

That word follows the general rule, and takes the penultimate accent.

He was an extraordinary genius, and attracted much attention.

The haughtiness of Florio was very ungraceful and disgusted both his friends and strangers.

He charged me with want of resolution, but in this censure he was greatly mistaken.

They have manifested great candour in all the transactions.

The conformity of the thought to truth and nature greatly recommended it.

The importance, as well as the authenticity of the books, has been clearly displayed.

It is difficult to discover the spirit and design of some laws.

The disposition which he exhibited, was both unnatural and uncomfortable.

His natural severity rendered him a very unpopu lar speaker.

The inquietude of his mind, made his station and wealth far from being enviable.

I received the gift with pleasure, but I shall now more gladly resign it. Or-with greater pleasure resign it.

These are things of the highest importance to the growing age.

I am grieved with the view of so many blank leaves, in the book of my life.

I repent that I have so long walked in the paths of folly.

I think that I am not mistaken in an opinion, which I have so well considered.

They thought it an important subject, and the question was strenuously debated on both sides.

Thy speech betrays thee; for thou art a Galilean. Let us not give too hasty credit to stories which may injure our neighbour: perhaps they are the offspring of calumny, or misapprehension.

The gardens were void of simplicity and elegance; and exhibited much that was glaring and whimsi

cal.

CHAP. II.

Corrections of the errors relating to Propriety,

Grammar, p. 251. Exercises, p. 141.

SECTION 1.

I would as readily do it myself, as persuade another to do it.

Of the justness of his measures, he convinced his opponent by the force of argument.

He is not, in any degree, better than those whom he so liberally condemns.

He insists upon security, and will not liberate him till it be obtained.

The meaning of the phrase, as I understand it, is very different from the common acceptation.

The favourable moment should be embraced; for he does not continue long in one mind.

He exposed himself so much amongst the people, that he was once or twice in danger of having his head broken.

He was very dexterous in penetrating the views and designs of others.

If a little care were bestowed upon his education, he might be very useful amongst his neighbours. He might have perceived, by a transient view, the difficulties to which his conduct exposed him.

If I should have a little leisure to-morrow, I intend to pay them a short visit.

This performance is of the same value as the other. The scene was new, and he was seized with wonder at all he saw.

SECTION 2.

Grammar, p. 252. Exercises, p. 142.

Let us consider the works of nature and those of art, with proper attention.