139. "The city council objected to him (232) receiving so high a salary."

140. "She was a cold, calculating, scheming, selfish, unlovely woman." (213 and 224.)

141. "The onward march of religion has swept away the clouds of unbelief that enveloped (227) for a long time the early apostles in obscurity.” (224.)

142. "Entering upon life with scarcely any knowledge, (200) Lincoln strove against every difficulty."

143. "The Earl addressed him in a most contemptible (201) tone."

144. "This kind of a country must of necessity produce (200) some fine scenery."

145. “Would you then permit (200) our youths the right of franchise at eleven years ?"

146. "It is time to stop and see if these demonstrations are as strong (200) and thorough as those of geometry." 147. "This was the star that led him on through years of discouragements." (212.)

66

148. "A man that knowingly ruins himself by using any form of alcohol, must necessarily have a weak mind." (200.)

149. "Many firms have been (217) bankrupt because some of their employees have stolen from them."

150. "At this time the provinces of (223) Frauce and England were separated by a wide forest."

151. "His sight was remarkable for a white man, and rivalled even (223) the natives themselves."

152. "He thought some (200) of entering the ministry." 153. "Their chief desire is to learn how they may enrich (200) their own pockets."

154. "The ship that will survive a hard thump (202) may be sunk by tiny insects boring into its timbers."

155. "Of course, every one will be there, and for the edification of those who are absent a full report will be found in our next paper." (218.)

156. "Three of our number comply (200) joyfully to the inviting zephyrs."

157. "Though the greater difficulties are now accomplished, (200) still the greatest dare us on."

158. "It is here where (200) the Methodists hold their annual camp-meetings."

159. "Many now test their ability in feats of strength and skill, as well as in running and jumping." (224.)

160. "If the above facts (200) be conceded, ought not the office-holders to pay the expenses of the campaign ?"

161. "As the heat becomes more oppressive, a longing comes to one who has been reared in the country especially (227) to fly to the country." (224.)

162. "If we look to see what classes are striving for a social union, we will (205) find the bulk of the foreign element a minus quantity."

CHAPTER IV.

PURITY.

PURITY requires that only such words and constructions be selected as are warranted by good usage. Campbell's definition of "good usage," approved by all subsequent writers, makes it to be that usage which is reputable, national, and present. Usage mainly determines the laws of syntax. That is, most of these laws were determined, originally, by observing the usage of the best writers. Purity, therefore, requires the avoidance of syntactical

errors.

SUGGESTIONS.

233. Avoid coining words, or using those newly coined. The language that contained words enough to express the ideas of Shakespeare and Macaulay surely contains enough for us, excepting, of course, terms that have come as the necessary accompaniments of new inventions and new conditions of life. The language of a country has been well compared to a grand national monument. He who deliberately warps a word to an unwarranted meaning, or coins a word to express what might be as well expressed in one already existing, is as culpable as one who should deliberately attach some excrescence to a great public monument, or chip a piece from one of its corners. If the monument is to be remodelled in any way, let the work be left solely to the great sculptors-the great writers and critics. Even these are very slow to make changes. In all his dictionary work, Noah Webster is said to have coined but one word. William Cullen Bryant, perhaps America's most judicious literary critic, was very conservative on this point. While

editor of the Evening Post he placed the following words and expressions upon the proscribed list, directing all writers connected with his journal to avoid them:

Rôle (for "part")

Rougns.

Rowdies.

Secesh.

Sensation (for "noteworthy

event").

Standpoint

(for "point of

view").

State (for "say").

Talent (for "talents" or abili

Taboo.

ty”).

Talented.

Tapis.

The deceased.

The United States as a singular

noun.

Transpire (for "occur").
Via (for "by the way of ").
Vicinity (for "neighborhood").
Wall street slang generally
("bulls, bears, long, short,
flat, corner, tight, moribund,
comatose," etc.).
"which

Which (with a noun, as
man").

Wharves (for "wharfs”).

Would seem (for "seems").

Original. "His religion was originally Lutherism."
Improved. His religion was originally Lutheranism.

ور

234. Avoid unwarranted combinations of old words and syllables. This is a more common fault than that of original coinage. Such expressions as "go-ahead-i-tiveness, "never-to-be-forgotten," etc., are but the pitiable makeshifts of a writer who is either too indolent or too ignorant to select proper words.

Original." He was a man of great narrow-mindedness, and yet by his sharp-sightedness he attained reasonable success.

Improved. He was a man of decidedly narrow views, and yet of sufficient acumen to attain reasonable success.

235. Newspaper usage is not to be taken as a standard. "A new word," says Blackley, "almost invariably becomes general in conversational use before it appears in literature." While such words as "boom," "crank," and "wire" may be good English fifty years hence, they are to be used now, if at all, only in conversation, and not in dignified composition except as quotations. Of modern newspaper abuses of this character the too popular term "donate" may be taken as an example. Such a word violates all laws of derivation. If "donate" (to give) can be derived from the legitimate word "donation" (a gift), then the word "collation" (a repast) should similarly give to the verb "collate" the meaning "to eat."