SECTION III.

THEME WRITING-continued.

Write Themes according to the following Method.

Third Method.

I. INTRODUCTION: Make a few preliminary remarks applicable to the subject.

II. DEFINITION: State the subject distinctly, and, if necessary, explain it by a formal definition, a paraphrase, or a description.

III. NATURE: Give such an account of the subject as may serve to determine its character.

IV. OPERATION and EFFECTS: Show how the subject is manifested, and in what manner it affects the individual, or society.

V. EXAMPLES: Adduce examples in illustration of the subject.

VI. APPLICATION: Show what our duty is with reference to the subject, and how we may profit by an examination of it.

MODEL.

Patriotism.

Introduction.-In the Essay on Man, Pope has employed a happy simile to describe the operation of those sentiments which tend to unite man in his various relations to the whole of his species. Like the undulating circles produced by the throwing of a stone into the water, the affections, says the poet, emanating from the centre of self-love, radiate successively towards family, friends, and country, the utmost circumference of sympathy finally embracing all mankind. Thus while the duties of patriotism naturally succeed the

claims of kindred and friendship, a common origin and a common destiny form a basis of union for the whole human race. The vast fabric of society is thus maintained in equilibrium by the co-operation of a variety of kindred sentiments, all exercising their own peculiar influence, and yet, at the same time, all tending towards the same result.

Definition.-Patriotism is that sentiment which consists in an ardent attachment towards one's country.

Nature. The love of country is essentially amiable in its nature, being by no means incompatible with a spirit of universal benevolence. There have been men, indeed, who, like Cato the elder, seemed to believe that the demands of patriotism required the destruction of their neighbours; but with such an odious propensity that honourable sentiment has no necessary connection. Patriotism may exist in the greatest intensity without involving the slightest emotion of envy or ill-will towards any other nation. The patriot who defends his native soil against foreign aggression must not be confounded with such ambitious men as would aggrandize their own country by the subjugation of others.

Operation and Effects.-Patriotism inspires men with an active desire to serve their country on every necessary occasion, and to promote its welfare to the utmost extent of their abilities. Devoid of this ennobling sentiment, the statesman degenerates into a mere candidate for power or applause, the warrior loses all title to the respect of mankind, and the measures of both have generally a dubious or pernicious tendency. The true patriot, on the other hand, esteemed even by his enemies, is held in veneration by his countrymen ; and his efforts are seldom unproductive of lasting benefit. An eloquent writer of the present day, who will not admit the possibility of virtuous exertions being fruitless of their due results, observes, with regard to the struggles of Wallace in behalf of his country, that although they could not prevent Scotland from one day becoming a part of England, they yet secured for it the

recognition of its right to be treated with on fair and equitable terms. The example of an illustrious patriot, in the display of an unconquerable spirit of resistance towards oppression, is thus one of the noblest legacies that can be transmitted to posterity.

Examples.-History abounds in examples of men whose patriotism has secured for them the admiration of the world, and the undying gratitude of their countrymen. Such, in ancient times, was Aristides, whose purity and integrity of conduct in the administration of his country's affairs, obtained for him the appellation of "The Just ;" and whose total disregard of personal aggrandizement left him so poor, that his property on his death was insufficient to defray the expenses of his burial. In recent times, the history of Washington furnishes a similar example of patriotic devotedness. His military triumphs having placed the destinies of America at his disposal, the dazzling temptation presented by success and absolute command could not induce him to take undue advantage of his position. Resigning his authority, he assumed the rank of a private citizen; and, elected President of the United States by the free voice of his countrymen, he extended and confirmed, as a statesman, the benefits which he had obtained for them as a warrior.

Application.-A total indifference to the duties of patriotism, which are to a certain extent incumbent on all, is certainly inconsistent with the character of an estimable man and a good citizen. Circumstances which require the undivided exercise of this faculty, are, it is true, of rare occurrence; and few, besides, are gifted with those endowments which would render it important to their country. But in this, as in every other instance, it behoves us, when occasion requires, to show that we are living members of society, and not insensible to those impulses which have been implanted in the human breast for wise and beneficent purposes.

SKELETONS.

Friendship.

Instinctive aversion of our nature to solitude and its associations-The mere presence of our fellow-men gives cheerfulness-How much more friendshipWhat is true friendship, and what is included in it— Acquaintance not friendship-Distinguish it from its counterfeits-Its characteristics-It is rare, like every thing of true value—It is limited in its objects, in accordance with the laws of human nature-It is not bounded by any distinctions in rank or civilisation among men-It is unselfish-Its effects-It largely contributes to the happiness of the world by the sympathy and aid which it offers-Reference to this in Scripture -It purifies and elevates the nature of him who cherishes it-Ardour which may pervade it-Examples from history-David and Jonathan, Damon and Pythias, Achilles and Patroclus, Douglas and Randolph, Wallace and Graham-Application-Advantage of cultivating it-Necessity of caution in selecting friends, from its great influence on our character and prospects-Constancy in friendship when once entered into.

Anger.

What is anger-Not in itself to be condemnedThe testimony of Scripture-Occasions for virtuous anger-Advantage and duty of manifesting it-Quite consistent with the character of meekness-MosesUnjustifiable anger-What constitutes it-Its intolerant nature-Its weakness-Its effects-Tendency to dissolve the bonds of friendship-Misery of all exposed to it-Consequences often irreparable-Its vicious influence on the mind and body of him who indulges it— Examples-Application-Our duty to guard against this passion-Its beginnings specially dangerous.

Ambition.

Some of the passions commonly condemned are implanted in man for good ends-Mention instances, and

show their propriety-Ambition one of these-Not necessarily bad-Define it in its good sense-The end it seeks to attain-The means it will employ-Its beneficial operation both on the subject of it, as involving the exertion and expansion of his faculties, and as raising him to a higher sphere of influence and happiness-And on mankind as experiencing the happy results of all this-Extent of its benefits from the universality of its operation-Every man in every occupation who has raised himself to eminence an example of it-Ambition in its bad sense-Its characteristicsFor example, its exclusiveness and consequent inhumanity-Its unscrupulousness, insatiableness-Show how these necessarily spring out of it-Its effects— Makes the subject of it the unhappy prey of contending passions, and withdraws him from the true end of his being-Its effects on the world-Endless misery, mental, moral, and physical-Examples from civil and ecclesiastical history-Cæsar, Alexander, Pyrrhus, Sextus V., Wolsey, Henry VIII.-The hollowness of its attainments often reluctantly testified to by conscience— Anecdotes of Napoleon-Practical inferences from the foregoing.

Avarice.

Like many other vices, arises from the abuse of a right principle-What that principle is-Whatavarice is -Its characteristics-Its effects on the subject himself -How it tyrannizes over and degrades his spirit, contradicting the nobler feelings of nature, such as generosity, charity, and stains it with other feelings equally hateful with itself, such as jealousy, hatred, deceit The moral and physical comfort of which the avaricious man deprives himself, and the dangers he is exposed to-Its effects on his family-On society, as he contributes nothing to promote its interest-Examples— Dissuasives from this passion-A picture of the avaricious man sufficient to disgust us-The object of it fleeting and contemptible compared with the true end of man's life-Dictates of nature, and precepts of Scripture