following extract from Webster's speech. State by what rules they are made harmonious.

NOTE. The small numbers denote the different periods.

LIBERTY AND UNION.

1 While the Union lasts we have high, exciting, gratifying prospects spread out before us, for us and our children; beyond that I seek not to penetrate the vail.

2 God grant that in my day, at least, that curtain may not rise; God grant that on my vision never may be opened what lies behind.

3 When my eyes shall be turned to behold, for the last time, the sun in heaven, may I not see him shining on the broken and dishonored fragments of a once glorious Union; on States dissevered, discordant, belligerent; on a land rent with civil feuds, or drenched it may be, in fraternal blood!

4 Let their last feeble and lingering glance rather behold the gorgeous ensign of the Republic, now known and honored throughout the earth, still full high advanced, its arms and trophies streaming in their original luster; not a stripe erased or polluted, nor a single star obscured; bearing for its motto no such miserable interrogatory as "What is all this worth?" nor those other words of delusion and folly, "Liberty first and Union afterwards," but everywhere spread all over in characters of living light, blazing on all its ample folds, as they float over the sea and over the land and in every wind under the whole heavens, that other sentiment, dear to every true American heart, "Liberty and Union, now and forever, one and inseparable.”

II. EXERCISE.

Read some extract from a good orator, and investigate in a similar manner the harmony of periods, observing by what rules they are made harmonious.

III.-EXERCISE.

Form compound sentences; connect them into one or two periods, and give them a harmonious sound, according to the preceding rules.

ARTICLE II.

OF THE CLEARNESS OF THE PERIOD AND HOW IT IS OBTAINED.

1. Clearness of the period consists in its being free from obscurity and ambiguity.

2. Clearness is obtained, first, by the use of suitable words, as we shall observe on the subject of style; second, by not crowding members with phrases, clauses, parentheses, and too many adjuncts; third, by placing near each other words or sentences that are related, the relative

Q. In what does clearness of the period consist? (1.)
A. In its being free from obscurity and ambiguity.
Q. How is clearness obtained? (2.)

A. First, by using suitable words; second, by not crowding

members with phrases, clauses, parentheses, or too many adjuncts; third, by placing near each other words or sentences that are related; fourth, by avoiding the frequent repetition of pronouns.

pronoun especially near its antecedent; also, all adverbs and pronouns near the words to which they refer, in order to avoid ambiguity; fourth, by avoiding the too frequent repetition of pronouns.

3.

Clearness is a quality so necessary in a literary composition, that without it, it would almost seem more profitable not to write or speak at all.

I. EXERCISE.

Read the following extract from Blair; examine how each rule of clearness has been faithfully observed. Make your observations on one rule at the time.

NOTE. The small numbers denote different periods.

MOTION AS A SOURCE OF BEAUTY.

1 Motion affords another source of beauty distinct from figure. 2Motion of itself is pleasing, and bodies in motion are "cæteris paribus," universally preferred to those at rest. Only gentle motion, however, belongs to the beautiful; for when it is swift, or very powerful, such as that of a torrent, it partakes of the sublime. 4 The motion of a bird gliding through the air is exquisitely beautiful; but the swiftness with which lightning darts through the sky is magnificent and astonishing. 5 Here it is necessary to observe that the sensa

Q. Is clearness necessary to a composition? (3.)
A. It is indispensable.

tions of sublime and beautiful are not always distinguished by very distant boundaries; but are capable in many instances of approaching towards each other. 6 Thus, a gentle running stream is one of the most beautiful objects in nature; but as it swells gradually into a great river, the beautiful, by degrees, is lost in the sublime. A young tree is a beautiful object; a spreading ancient oak is a venerable and sublime one.

NOTE. In the same extract, clearness has been purposely destroyed, so that the difference between the two pieces, and the absolute necessity of the observance of the rules of clearness, may be more apparent. The words in italics indicate where an alteration is made, hence:

II. EXERCISE.

Point out the places where clearness is violated, and prove it by the rules.

Motion affords another source of beauty dissimilar from figure. Motion is pleasing in itself; and bodies which are in motion, are " cæteris paribus" superior to those at rest, universally; and gentle motion only belongs to the beautiful; for when it is swift or very powerful, such as that of a torrent which partakes of the sublime. The motion of a bird riding through the air, is exquisitely beautiful, but the swiftness with which lightning darts through the sky is magnificent and sublime. Here it is necessary to observe, that the sensations of sublime and beautiful are not always discerned by very distant boundaries, but are capable in many instances of meeting each other. Thus, a gentle running stream is one of the most beautiful beings in nature,

which as it swells into a great river, gradually, the beautiful by degrees is swallowed up by the sublime. A tree which is young is a beautiful being, as an ancient oak, which is spreading, is a venerable and sublime one.

III.-EXERCISE.

Correct the above piece, without looking at the original; afterward compare your correction with it.

IV.-EXERCISE.

Read some passage from a different author. Examine in the same manner how the rules of clearness have been preserved, and if violated, point out the rule and make a correction accordingly.

V.-EXERCISE.

Form compound sentences at option, combine them into periods of two, three or four members, observing the above rules of clearness.

ARTICLE III.

OF THE UNITY OF THE PERIOD, AND HOW IT CAN BE OBTAINED.

1. Unity of the period consists in the close connection, and reference of the members to a

Q. In what does the unity of the period consist? (1.)

A. In the close connection and reference of the members to the complete expression of a main idea.