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A violet by a mossy stone

Half hidden from the eye!

He

Fair as a star, when only one

Is shining in the sky.

Exercise.

'Poems on the Affections."]

of all their number, had sufficient resolution to declare him

self ready to proceed immediately upon this expedition.

When we heard what was proposed by the opposite party, all our friends exclaimed loudly against the proposition, and declared that the last arguwas sufficient to shew the weakness of their cause.

ment

one more circumstance remains to be mentioned, which will shew most clearly what were the intentions of this designing man, and how much we may congratulate ourselves upon having escaped from his clutches.

This circumstance

is sufficient to prove the utter worthlessness of the criticism; and shews us how careful we should be not to admit the theories of enthusiasts as sound evidence.

I shall speak of facts, without making any comment upon them; and shall leave you to draw your own conclusions on this extraordinary affair.

On mentioning the fact, and questioning them as to their knowledge of it, they all denied it excepting one - -, on whose countenance I could

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That which is begun and approaches its completion is almost done; that which is on the point of being begun is nearly begun. A man is almost killed who receives so severe an injury that his life is despaired of; a man is nearly killed who narrowly escapes an injury which is sure to cause his death. It is almost twelve o'clock when the greater part of the twelfth hour has elapsed; it is nearly twelve o'clock when it is just on the point of striking twelve. The idea contained in almost is incompleteness; the idea contained in nearly is imminent action. Nearly regards the beginning, and almost, the end of an act.

I have

[Chor.

the fixed sentinels almost receive

The secret whispers of each other's watch.

Since light so necessary is to life

And almost life itself, if it be true

That light is in the soul,

She all in every part

Henry V., iv. Chorus.

S. A., 91.

How beautiful is holiness!—what wonder if the thought
Almost as vivid as a dream, produced a dream at night.

WORDSWORTH. 'The Poet's Dream."]

Exercise.

finished writing my letters; as soon as I have finished

them, I shall be happy to accompany you to your friend's house.

On their return from India, the vessel in which they had embarked encountered several severe storms, and on one occasion she

foundered.

I had reached the end of my journey, when, driving through a dark lane, I heard voices as of men conversing together, and who seemed to be walking in a direction towards me.

The night was so dark, that I could not see a yard before me, and I had driven over him before I even caught a glimpse of his figure. met each other; for the one had not left my

The two rivals had

lodgings five minutes before the other arrived.

He was so excited on the receipt of this news, that he was

his wits with joy.

The sailor was so weak when taken out of the water, that he ed from exhaustion.

out of

faint

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Also means as-well-as; likewise means in a similar manner; too means in addition. Likewise is one of those words which are fast disappearing from our language. It is seldom used in written language, and still seldomer heard in conversation. The strict distinction between also and likewise is, that also classes together things or qualities, whilst likewise couples actions or states of being. Thus Milton-"In Sion also not unsung," i. e. as well as in other places. He did it likewise, i. e. in the same manner as others. He did it too, would mean, "he did it in addition to others;" also is now generally used for likewise, but not always correctly.

[Fals. —not in words only, but in words also.

Rom. I bear no hatred, blessed man; for, lo,
My intercession likewise steads my foe.

1 Henry IV., ii. 4.

Rom. and Jul., li

Jul. Some say, the lark and loathed toad change eyes,
O, now I would they had changed voices too!

Id., iii. 5.

For God is also in sleep; and dreams advise
Which he hath sent propitious, some great good
Presaging

P. L., xii. 611.

That Cross belike he also raised as a standard for the true
And faithful service of his heart in the worst that might ensue
Of hardships and distressful fear, amid the houseless waste
Where he, in his poor self so weak, by Providence was placed.
WORDSWORTH. 'The Norman Boy.'

Have I not seen-ye likewise may have seen-
Son, husband, brothers-brothers side by side,
And son and father also side by side
Rise from that posture

The smoothest seas will sometimes prove

To the confiding Bark, untrue;
And, if she trust the stars above,
They can prove treacherous too

"His chamber

Exercise.

'The Excursion,' ii.

'Inscriptions.']

bears evidence of his various avocations; there

are half-copied sheets of music, designs for needle-work, sketches of landscapes indifferently executed, &c."

"All the duties of a daughter, a sister, a wife, and a mother may be well performed, though a lady should not be the finest woman at an opera. They are consistent with a moderate share of wit, a plain dress, and

a modest air." "Let us only think for a little of that reproach of modern times, that gulf of time and fortune, the passion for gaming, which is so often the refuge of the idle sons of pleasure, and often the last resource of the

ruined."

"And Jesus answered and said unto them: I

will ask you one

thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things."

"In these two, no doubt, are contained the causes of the great Deluge, as according to Moses, so according to necessity; for our world affords

no other treasures of water."

On this account

his style is highly exceptionable.

"But as some hands applaud, a venal few!
Rather than sleep, why John applauds it

"Your brother

must die;

Consent you, Lepidus ?"

At last at length.

What is done at last is brought about notwithstanding all the accidents or difficulties which may have retarded its accomplishment; what is done at length is done after a long continuance of time. In the former expression, obstacles or obstructions are the causes of delay; in the latter, the nature of the thing to be done, or the quantity of labour expended upon it, causes it to occupy a long space of time. He who has had many difficulties to encounter accomplishes his ends at last; what takes a long time to do is done at length.

[Grif. At last, with easy roads, he came to Leicester, Lodged in the abbey

Henry VIII., iv. 2.

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Rising in clouded majesty, at length

Apparent queen, unveiled her peerless light

And o'er the dark her silver mantle threw. P. L., iv. 607.]

Exercise.

By means of working day and night for many weeks, the task was completed, and presented in time for the approbation of the judges. The bridge, which had occupied many years in its construction, was opened with the usual forms and ceremonies.

after a long interval of anxious suspense, we received news that the vessel had been seen off the coast, and was expected to arrive in port in a few days.

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all your wanderings and dangers shall again enjoy the pleasure of your society and conversation!"

after a siege of ten years, the city of Troy was taken and burnt to the ground, and its inhabitants carried away into slavery.

After many fruitless attempts, in which he experienced much vexation and disappointment, he succeeded in bringing his invention to

perfection.

"A neighbouring king had made war upon this female republic several years with great success, and overthrew them in a very great battle."

66

being satisfied that they had nothing to fear, they brought out all their corn every day."

Between-Betwixt.

The word betwixt has become almost obsolete in colloquial language, where it has given place to between. As long, however, as it is used in writing, the distinction which it is undoubtedly entitled to should be maintained. Betwixt connects two things that are at a distance from each other; between, joins two objects that would be contiguous but for what separates them. What fills up the whole intervening space, is between two objects; what is placed at an equal distance from each of two objects, and yet does not touch either of them, is betwixt them.

"Hard by, a cottage chimney smokes,

From betwixt two aged oaks."

MILTON, L'Allegro.

The number seven comes between six and eight; the number four is betwixt one and seven.

[Bru. Between the acting of a dreadful thing
And the first motion, all the interim is
Like a phantasma, or a hideous dream.

Jul. Cæsar, 11. 1.

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Behold! the mantling spirit of reserve

Fashions his neck into a goodly curve;

An arch thrown back between luxuriant boughs

To which, on some unruffled morning, clings

A flaky weight of winter's purest snows! WORDSWORTH.

Self-stationed here

Upon these savage confines, we have seen you
Stand like an isthmus 'twixt two stormy seas
That oft have checked their fury at your bidding.

"Friendship requires that it be

Exercise.

'Dion.'

'The Borderers.']

two at least; and there can be no

friendship where there are not two friends."

66 'Hovering on wing under the cope of hell,
upper, nether, and surrounding fires."

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