CRITICAL LESSONS AND EXERCISES. HERE are many "faults" of style which the young writer must guard carefully against, and he will the more easily do so if he understands fully and clearly the reason why the error is a fault. Errors against grammar it is to be supposed no one who has learned a very little of English grammar, or who has been in the habit of reading books or of living in educated society, will ever make. But there are many errors in even good writers which arise either from want of thought or from want of knowledge. Those which arise from want of thought are faults of tautology, of inconsistency in the same sentence, or of defective reasoning. Those which arise from want of knowledge, display ignorance either (a) of the use of words, or (b) of the English idiom. The writer who most frequently commits the offence of tautology is Sir Archibald Alison, and many of his tautologies are of the baldest kind. Such phrases as "a grant was granted," "its external appearance appeared tranquil," "the states were divided by divisions of religion," are extremely common. In the following exercises, the pupil will correct the tautology, or alter the sameness, and, wherever it is necessary, recast the sentence altogether. SAMENESS OR TAUTOLOGY. Ex. 1. 1. The circumstance which ultimately brought about the contest, was the success with which Cardinal Richelieu succeeded in destroying the rural influence of the French nobility. 2. It would seem as if in the very disposition of the seats, it had been intended to point to the intended union of the orders. 3. Crowds of all classes daily came to Versailles to encourage the members in their courageous resistance to the measures of the court. 4. Lafayette, who was employed on the frontier at the head of the army, employed his immense influence for the same object. 5. Cradled in snowy mountains, and habituated to severe habits, the Swiss peasantry exhibited the same features. 6. The troops which the chiefs commanded were divided into three divisions. 7. Another striking proof of the consequences of disorders consequent on popular ambition was. 8. Contrary to all expectation, and in opposition to what might have been expected from the previous energy of their measures, he. 9. We may see in its history what would have been the fate of all the northern nations, if their fierce and unbending temper had not been tempered by the blood of a more advanced civilization. 10. The cities of Italy have been celebrated since the very infancy of civilization, from the marvellous celebrity in arts and arms which their inhabitants have attained. 11. Sir Sidney soon experienced the effects of that feeling, from the treatment which he experienced from his enemies on a reverse of fortune. 12. In the expectation of what he might expect from the probity of the English Cabinet, Sir Sidney was not mistaken.—Alison's History of Europe. Ex. 2. 1. By the Portuguese law every person is legally obliged to join the battalions arrayed in defence of their country. 2. The brave Switzers to the north of the St. Gothard evinced the distinguishing features which in every age have distinguished the nations of German or Teutonic descent. 3. It is impossible to doubt that Lords Grey and Grenville were right in the conditions which they so firmly insisted on as a condition of their taking office. 4. The contest in Catalonia during the whole peninsular contest was of a very peculiar kind. 5. To assist him in the discharge of his numerous and onerous duties, he was assisted by a great council, styled the Real Audiencia. 6. Wellington was anxious to be relieved from all anxiety in that quarter. 7. On one occasion, in the autumn of 1813, he had occasion to pass a place where seventy caissons had been blown up. 8. The peculiar political situation of their commander-in-chief rendered it very doubtful whether they would render any very efficient service. 9. It is not the points of resemblance between Canada and the United States of America, it is the points of their difference which require to be pointed out. 10. Failures to any great extent in the American provinces, never fail to produce stagnation and dis |