PREFACE. THE success that has attended the author's First Course of English Composition' has induced him to prepare a Sequel to it, written on a somewhat similar principle, and combining theory with practice. Notwithstanding the numerous treatises on English Composition that have lately issued from the press, there is still felt the want of a book likely to beget a taste for Writing; one holding a place midway between mere Introductions and the more advanced works on the subject. This want it is hoped the present treatise will in some measure remedy. By far the greater portion of the book is devoted to the Exercises, and great care has been taken to render these as varied as possible, as well as to indicate the manner of their treatment. In the execution of this part of the work the compiler has unconsciously carried out the views of an experienced writer on this subject, whose words he may here be allowed to quote.* * Preface to Professor Bain's 'English Composition and Rhetoric.' "To obtain suitable exercises for practice in writing English is a prime consideration with the teacher. The composition of Themes involves the burden of finding matter as well as language. For an English exercise, the matter should in some way or other be supplied, and the pupil disciplined in giving it expression. Another exercise is the conversion of Poetry into Prose. Much value is also attached to Abridging or Summarising; and this might be coupled with the opposite practice of filling up and expanding brief sketches." The general arrangement followed is that adopted in a French school-book entitled 'Manuel de Style,' by Dr. E. Sommer, to whom the compiler would express his great obligation for much of the preceptive matter and for numerous exercises contained in the following pages. LEAMINGTON, May, 1868. CONTENTS. LETTERS PRELIMINARY. The necessity of reflecting well before attempting to write. Abundance of ideas not difficult to acquire. Probable effect of writing from inspiration, so called. Ideas acquired not from On forcing from a subject all the ideas it is capable of suggesting. The manner of doing this illustrated by the subject 'A quill pen.' III. On the Choice and Rejection of Ideas. The necessity of choosing some ideas and rejecting others shown IV.-The same subject continued. What ideas should be sacrificed. Irrelevant matter not to be V. On the Use of Ideas Appropriate to the End Breach of Propriety illustrated from a letter written by a youth to his friend. Want of classification pointed out; as well as want of a judicious rejection of ideas. Abruptness to be guarded against. These faults avoided in an amended letter. P. 14-15. VI.-On Forcible and Feeble Ideas. The great importance of being able properly to express one's ideas. Feeble ideas to be rejected. This illustrated from the youth's previous letter. Not needful to say everything that can be said on a subject. VII.-On Common-Place Expressions. Explanation of the term common-place. Every subject has its Ideas of a kindred nature to be linked together. One class of ideas to be exhausted before passing to a new one. Advantage of this method to the reader. The strongest idea to be reserved till last. A similar gradation to be observed between the different series of ideas as between the ideas of each group. P. 22-23. IX. On the method of Passing easily from One Series Harshness produced by a too abrupt transition. The two sorts of transitions explained. Brevity in transitions to be observed. The kind of composition that may dispense with formal transi- |
