And first as to the qualities of style. Amongst these, some are general, that is to say, they are essential, whatever be the subject treated on; others are particular, that is, they vary according to the nature of the subject. To render my remarks as intelligible as possi ble, I shall now direct your attention to the essential qualities of style only; the others may be considered, if necessary, when each kind of composition is noticed. The general qualities of style are

1. Clearness.

2. Precision.

3. Simplicity.
4. Propriety.

You will readily perceive that of all the qualities of style, clearness is by far the most essential. Our aim in speaking or writing is simply to produce an impression on the minds of others; we desire either to instruct, amuse, or persuade. Now whatever may be our end, we are certain not to attain it if we do not know how to make ourselves understood. More than this, it is not sufficient to be merely intelligible; our' ideas should be expressed so as to be capable of being seized promptly and without difficulty; of being read fluently, without obliging the reader to return several times to the same phrase, and to make of it a kind of study. And this remark applies with even more force to spoken than to written language; for when the subject of a narrative or letter is interesting, it may, should it contain obscure portions, be read and re-read several times; but what a speaker fails to make at once intelligible to the hearer, is completely lost to him. To know how to write is a great point towards knowing how to speak; study then, my dear boy, if you wish some day to speak fluently and without obscurity, to acquire a style of writing that is at once easy and clear.

Clearness depends on three things: (1) On grammatical correctness; (2) on propriety of terms; (8) on the construction of sentences.

Grammatical correctness, as you know, is an exact

observance of the rules of grammar; in this study I am pleased to learn from your master that you are making tolerable progress; and you must still persevere in it; for although the grammar of our own language does not present so many points of difficulty as that of a language abounding in inflexions, still the proper study of it is of much more importance to youth than they are apt to imagine.

I will now give you to amend a few sentences that are incorrect from want of attention to the rules of grammar. In your next letter I shall look for the corrections.. I am, my dear boy, &c.

EXERCISE.

1. The man who is a gentleman only when he chooses, as more than one boasts he can be, is merely a polished hypocrite.

2. Every climate produces those objects which are most necessary for the comfort and convenience of their inhabitants.

3. The colour of the plumage of birds, like that of the hair of animals, change with the season in many instances.

4. The influence or caprice of those mercenaries were often no less fatal to their friends, than their valour and discipline was formidable to their enemies.

5. Much has been spoke and wrote in favour of both resolutions.

6. Neither of these men seem to have any idea that their opinion is incorrect.

QUESTIONS ON LETTER I.

1. What has been the aim of the First Series of Letters? 2. What is the object of the Second Series?

8. Name the four general qualities of style ? 4. Which of these is the most essential?

5. For what purpose does a person speak or write? 6. How will he be sure to fail of accomplishing his purpose?

7. Is it sufficient for writing to be merely intelligible? 8. Why is it necessary to be even more particular on this point when speaking than writing?

9. Name the three things that clearness depends on.

LETTER II.-SERIES II.

ON THE SECOND REQUISITE FOR CLEARNESS: PROPRIETY OF TERMS.

My dear Boy,

The second requisite for clearness in composition is, as I told you in my last letter, Propriety of Terms. You must have observed how nearly allied are the meanings of large numbers of words, yet it has been said that there are not two words perfectly synonymous in meaning; that, in a language, each expression has a determinate value of its own, which prevents it being confounded with any other expression whatever. This assertion is strictly true. Thus to a person perfectly acquainted with the English language, and the different languages that furnish the elements of it, especially Greek, Latin, and French, there are few words that have not a well marked and precise signification; still there is found a certain number whose shades of meaning are sufficiently delicate to render it difficult to seize upon the distinct meaning. But this intimate knowledge of language is the lot of very few; the greater part of Englishmen know only their mother tongue, or have not studied the ancient and modern languages so thoroughly as to be enabled to draw from them philological deductions. As

an example, let us take the first word found in a dictionary of synonymes, viz., abandon, which is akin to desert, forsake, relinquish, give up, &c.

The shades of difference existing between these terms prevent the one being used for the other; but those shades do not strike every eye; these words are to the great majority of persons veritable synonymes. The choice of a term can hardly be decided by the definitions of even the very best dictionaries. I advise you therefore never hastily to adopt an expression that at first sight resembles another, but to remove your doubt by consulting the works on synonymes within your reach. The study of synonymes not only prevents our being mistaken as to the real meanings of words, but also greatly contributes towards giving a delicacy and penetration to the mind, and moreover is to him that attentively studies them a substitute for the learning ordinarily acquired only by a long acquaintance with the dead languages. Strive then, my dear boy, in writing as in conversing, to employ only those terms of whose meaning you are perfectly certain; to verify in the dictionary such as cause you any doubt, and in the works on synonymes such as you are in danger of confounding with others. This you will find an excellent exercise for. some time to come; and if persevered in, your knowledge will insensibly increase, habit will come by degrees, and at length you will be able to write fluently, with purity and elegance.

Without further insisting on this point, I think you will agree with me, that the choice of appropriate terms must greatly contribute towards rendering the style clear and intelligible; before closing my letter I will however just remark, that we should endeavour not only to make use of terms strictly appropriate, but also to make each single word express with the greatest exactness its different shade of thought. It has been said by an excellent writer, that what is well conceived is

clearly expressed; that words are supplied without difficulty for the expression of a clearly conceived thought. This is true; still it is true only of the writer that understands the exact value of words.

You will now have a few exercises on synonymes to test your discrimination; after which we will proceed to consider the third essential to clearness in style, viz., a proper construction of sentences.

I am, my dear boy, &c.

QUESTIONS ON LETTER II.-SERIES II.

1. What is the second requisite for clearness? 2. What do you mean by a synonyme?

3. What studies are necessary for obtaining a clear insight into the meaning of synonymes?

4. What is the example quoted to show the slight differences existing in the meaning of kindred words? 5. What is the best plan to adopt in the case of doubt about the meaning of a word?

6. What are the advantages of the study of synonymes? 7. What should be our aim in the use of each single word?

We abandon those that are entirely dependent on us for protection and support; we desert those we have entered into coalition with; we forsake those we have been on terms of intimacy with. A soldier deserts his comrades, forsakes his friends, and abandons his children.

D