The subjects of expository themes are either Terms or Propositions.

1. TERMS.

Terms are expounded according to the following method:

I. The DEFINITION: state the subject distinctly, and, if necessary, explain it by a formal definition, a paraphrase, or a description.

II. The CAUSE: show what is the occasion of the subject, or from what it proceeds.

III. The ANTIQUITY or NOVELTY: show whether the subject was known in ancient times; in what state it was, if known; and in what state it is in modern times.

IV. The UNIVERSALITY or LOCALITY: show whether the subject relates to the whole world, or only to a particular portion of it.

V. The EFFECTS: examine whether the subject be good or bad; show wherein its excellence or inferiority consists; and point out the advantages or disadvantages which arise from it.

Exercise 95.

Write expository themes on the following terms:

EXAMPLE.

On Friendship.*

I. Friendship is an attachment between persons of con genial dispositions, habits, and pursuits.

*This subject, and those which follow, may also be proposed in the form of questions; thus:

I. What is friendship?

II. What is the cause of friendship?

III. What was anciently thought of friendship, and what examples are on record? What is friendship seldom remarkable for in modern times? IV. Is friendship confined to any particular rank in life, or state of Society?

V. What are the benefits of true, and the evils of false, friendship?

II. It has its origin in the nature and condition of man. He is a social creature, and naturally loves to frequent the society and enjoy the affections of those who are like himself. He is also, individually, a feeble creature, and a sense of this weakness renders friendship indispensable to him. When he has all other enjoyments within his reach, he still finds his happiness incomplete, unless it is shared by one whom he considers his friend. When in difficulty and distress, he looks around for advice, assistance, and consolation.

III. No wonder, therefore, that a sentiment of such importance to man should have been so frequently and so largely considered. We can scarcely open any of the volumes of antiquity without being reminded how excellent a thing is friendship. The examples of David and Jonathan, Achilles and Patroclus, Pylades and Orestes, Nisus and Euryalus, Damon and Pythias, all show to what a degree of enthusiasm it was sometimes carried. But it is to be feared that, in modern times, friendship is seldom remarkable for` similar devotedness. With some it is nominal rather than real, and with others it is regulated entirely by self-interest.

IV. Yet it would, no doubt, be possible to produce, from every rank in life, and from every state of society, instances of sincere and disinterested friendship, creditable to human nature, and to the age in which we live.

V. After these remarks, to enlarge on the benefits of possessing a real friend appears unnecessary. What would be more intolerable than the consciousness that, in all the wide world, not one heart beat in unison with our own, or cared for our welfare? What indescribable happiness must it be, on the other hand, to possess a real friend; a friend who will counsel, instruct, assist; who will bear a willing part in our calamity, and cordially rejoice when the hour of happiness returns! Let us remember, however, that all who assume the name of friends are not entitled to our confidence. History records many instances of the fatal consequences of faithlessness in friendship; and it cannot be denied that the

world contains men who are happy to find a heart they can pervert, or a head they can mislead, if thus their unworthy ends can be more surely attained.

1. On Government.

2. On War.

3. On Youth.
4. On Old Age.

5. On the Drama.
6. On Books.
7. On Travelling.

8. On Poetry.

9. On Painting.
10. On Music.
11. On Commerce.
12. On Gaming.
13. On Chivalry.
14. On Philosophy.

2. PROPOSITIONS.

Propositions are expounded according to the following method:

I. The EXPLANATION: where you show the meaning of the subject, by amplification or paraphrase.

II. The REASON: where you prove the truth of the proposition by some reason or argument.

III. The CONFIRMATION: where you show the unreasonableness of the contrary opinion, or advance some other reason in support of the former.

IV. The SIMILE: where you illustrate the truth of what is affirmed, by introducing some comparison.

V. The EXAMPLE: where you bring instances from history to corroborate the truth of your affirmations, or the soundness of your reasoning.

VI. The TESTIMONY: where you introduce proverbial sentences, or passages from good authors, which show that others think as you do.

VII. The CONCLUSION: where you sum up the whole, and show the practical use of the subject, by some pertinent observations.

Exercise 96.

Write expository themes on the following propositions:

EXAMPLE.

Virtue is its own reward.

I. Virtue consists in doing our duty to God and our neighbour, in opposition to all temptations to the contrary. Such conduct is so consonant to the light of reason, and so agreeable to our moral sentiments, and produces so much peace of mind, that it may be said to carry its reward along with it, even if unattended by that recompense which it generally meets in the world.

II. The reason of this seems to lie in the very nature of things. The all-wise and benevolent Author of nature has so framed the soul of man, that he cannot but approve of virtue; and has annexed to the practice of it an inward satisfaction, that mankind may be encouraged to become virtuous.

III. If it were not so, if virtue were accompanied with no self-satisfaction, we should not only be discouraged from practising it, but should be tempted to think that there was something very wrong in the laws and the administration of Providence.

IV. But the reward of virtue is not always confined to this internal peace and happiness. As, in the works of nature and of art, whatever is really beautiful, is generally useful; so, in the moral world, whatever is truly virtuous, is at the same time so beneficial to society, that it seldom goes without some external recompense.

V. How has the approbation of all future ages rewarded the virtue of Scipio! That young warrior had taken a beautiful captive, with whose charms he was greatly enamoured; but, finding that she was betrothed to a young nobleman of her own country, he, without hesitation, generously delivered her up to him. This one action of the

noble Roman has, more than all his conquests, shed an imperishable lustre around his character.

VI. Nor has the approbation of mankind been limited to the virtuous actions of individuals. The loveliness of virtue generally has been the constant topic of all moralists, ancient and modern. Plato remarks, that if virtue were to assume a human form it would command the admiration of the whole world. A late writer has said, "In every region, every clime, the homage paid to virtue is the same. In no one sentiment were ever mankind more generally agreed."

VII. If, therefore, virtue is in itself so lovely; if it generally commands the approbation of mankind; if it is accompanied with inward peace and satisfaction: surely it may be said to be its own reward. Though it must be acknowledged that it is frequently attended with crosses and misfortunes in this life, and that there is something of self-denial in the very idea of it; yet, in the words of the poet, is

"The broadest mirth unfeeling folly wears,
Less pleasing far than virtue's very tears."

1. Delays are dangerous.

2. Evil communications corrupt good manners.
3. Well begun is half done.

4. Perseverance generally prevails.

5. Necessity is the mother of invention.
6. Custom is second nature.

7. Honesty is the best policy.*

LIST OF SUBJECTS FOR ESSAYS.

1. History and character of Abraham.

*The Exercises on these subjects may also be written in the form of fictitious narratives.