2nd. The Composition of Prose, is the joining of two or more sentences expressing various ideas on any subject, without reference to long or short syllables.

Yes; and the writing of a letter, however simple, to a friend, might be termed a composition, although the term is generally applied to the writing of an essay, theme, or set discourse. But have I not sometimes met with the term Rhetoric as applied to this part of our subject? Yes; but the term Rhetoric, which means to speak fluently, from the Greek word, rheo to flow, should rather be applied to the delivery of a speech, or, as it is sometimes called, an oration; for the art of writing or composing a speech is one thing, but its proper and effective delivery is another.

Might not a speech on any subject, if not previously written, be called a composition ?

To make a good speech on any subject requires much previous thought, and the unwritten speech may therefore justly be said to be composed in the mind, and would be subject to the same rules and arrangement as a written one.

You say the effective delivery of speech is a different thing to its composition?

Yes; for in the effective delivery of a speech much depen1s

on the tone of the voice, its elevation, its depression, the rapid or the protracted utterance, the emotions depicted on the countenance, the expression of the eyes, the position of the body, the action of the arms; these, and a variety of other minute but impressive points of delivery, all help to unfold the inward feelings of the speaker, and to impress those feelings on the hearer.

NOTE.-We must refer the pupil who wishes to pursue these subjects to such works as treat of the art of public speaking, and to the thoughtful observation of the attitudes and manners of the best orators.

In the meantime the pupil will do well to remember, that in suiting the action to the word, the word must also suit the action; that is to say, must be so like nature as to appear as if it were nature.

You have spoken of the delivery of a speech or oration, but what about the composition?

There are several things to be considered, because a good speech or oration consists of several parts; but we had better first consider the Rules of Composition.

Well, let us consider the Rules of Composition, will you proceed to state them ?

The Rules of Composition may be stated as applying, first to words and phrases, and secondly to sentences, without reference to their grammatical construction.

Give the Rules as to words and phrases.

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The Rules of Composition as applied to single words and phrases, may be taken as referring to three things:First, as to Purity; second as to Propriety; third as to Precision.

Explain what you mean by Purity.

By Purity is meant the selection of such words and with such constructions as belong to the idiom of the language, avoiding the use of obsolete, far-fetched, or ungrammatical words and phrases, also words and phrases from other languages. Hence we draw this— 1st Rule:-Words and phrases must be pure as to the language.

Explain what you mean by Propriety.

By Propriety we mean

First, "words fitly chosen"; that is, the employment of

such words as usage and experience have sanctioned as being best adapted to express the ideas, in opposition to words ill-chosen, not adapted to the subject, or not fully expressive of the sense the author intends. Second, the avoidance of all unintelligible and loose expressions, ambiguous or equivocal words, the injudicious use of technical words or terms of art, and the exercise of great care not to use the same word too frequently in one sentence, and certainly not in more senses than one: and thence is drawn this-

2nd Rule :-That our words and phrases must be proper to the subject.

Will

you now proceed to tell me what you mean by Precision in the composition of prose ?

By Precision is meant the use of such words and terms as shall convey to our mind the exact idea in the mind of the writer as faithfully as a picture by the sun, leaving out nothing that is there, but leaving out all that is not there; and thus is drawn a

3rd Rule:-Words and phrases must be precise in defining the idea.

Is it not rather difficult to be precise?

It is rather difficult, especially for the young or inexperienced writer, to be precise, yet it is very important, because the mind cannot clearly and distinctly view more than one object at one and the same time. Can you explain why it is difficult to be precise?

The difficulty of being precise may arise from one or more of three things:

1st. The words used to express an idea may not do so, but some other idea, which only in some way resembles

it.

2nd. The words chosen may express the idea, but not fully and completely.

3rd. The words employed may express the idea, but with some other idea appended thereto.

I suppose the difficulties you have named arise

from so many words in our language appear

ing to be alike in their meaning when they are not so ?

Yes, and such words are said to be synonymous; but they frequently differ in important particulars, and possess many nice shades of distinction: and hence the more we attend to the meaning of words, the more precisely and forcibly we shall write.

Now explain the Rules of Composition as applied

to sentences.

The Rules of Composition, as applied to sentences, will come under five divisions: 1st, as to Length; 2nd, as to Clearness; 3rd, as to Unity; 4th, as to Strength; and 5th, as to what are generally termed, Figures of Speech.

LENGTH OF A SENTENCE.

Well, what have you to say as to the Length of sentences?

As to the Length of sentences we may note three things, and draw three Rules:

First, As long sentences require much attention to perceive the connection of the several parts, and both writer and reader may mutually misunderstand each other, we draw this conclusion, or—

1st Rule:-That sentences should not be very long. Second, As short sentences are apt to break in upon the sense, and weaken the connection, or otherwise interrupt the flow of continuous thought, we draw this conclusion, or

2nd Rule: That sentences should not be very short. Third, As all subjects cannot be treated alike, and a long continuance of any set form of expression leads to monotony and stiffness, not forgetting the advantage of variety, we draw this conclusion, or—

3rd Rule:-That a long and short sentence, may occasionally be mingled with considerable advantage.

CLEARNESS OF A SENTENCE.

What have you to say with respect to

your

second requisite in a sentence, namely Clearness?

The Clearness of a sentence will very much depend on the

order in which the words are arranged; and as some words in a sentence are more nearly related together than others, it has been held a good rule

That in a sentence the words or members most nearly related, should be placed as near to each other as possible, that their mutual relation may clearly appear.

UNITY OF A SENTENCE.

Explain what you mean about the Unity of a sen

tence.

First, The term Unity implies oneness, and some one object must always reign predominant in every sentence, for its very nature implies that one proposition is expressed; and though the sentence may consist of parts, yet those parts must be so closely bound together, as to impress on the mind but the one object, and not a variety. Hence, then, as in every sentence, there is some one governing word; and, further, as every change in the governing word is a departure from unity, we draw these three conclusions

1st, That the person, the object, or the scene, during the course of the sentence, should be encumbered as little as possible.