Higher Lessons in English Part 84

1. The moon cast a pale light on the graves that were scattered around, as it peered above the horizon.

2. A large number of seats were occupied by pupils that had no backs.

3. Crusoe was surprised at seeing five canoes on the sh.o.r.e in which there were savages.

4. This tendency will be headed off by approximations which will be made from time to time of the written word to the spoken.

5. People had to travel on horseback and in wagons, which was a very slow way, if they traveled at all.

6. How can brethren partake of their Father's blessing that curse each other?

7. Two men will be tried for crimes in this town which are punishable with death, if a full court should attend.

Direction.--_Each of these sentences may have two meanings, supply the two ellipses in each sentence, and remove the ambiguity:_--

1. Let us trust no strength less than thine.

2. Study had more attraction for him than his friend.

3. He did not like the new teacher so well as his playmates.

4. He aimed at nothing less than the crown.

5. Lovest thou me more than these?

LESSON 152.

PERSPICUITY--CRITICISM.

Direction.--_So place these italicized phrases that they will remove the obscurity, and then see in how many ways each sentence can be arranged:_--

1. These designs any man who is a Briton _in any situation_ ought to disavow.

2. The chief priests, mocking, said among themselves _with the scribes_, "He saved," etc.

3. Hay is given to horses _as well as corn_ to distend the stomach.

4. Boston has forty first cla.s.s grammar-schools, _exclusive of Dorchester_.

5. He rode to town, and drove twelve cows _on horseback_.

6. He could not face an enraged father _in spite of his effrontery_.

7. Two owls sat upon a tree which grew near an old wall _out of a heap of rubbish_.

8. I spent most _on the river and in the river_ of the time I stayed there.

9. He wanted to go to sea, although it was contrary to the wishes of his parents, _at the age of eighteen_.

10. I have a wife and six children, and I have never seen _one of them._

+Direction.+--_So place the italicized words and phrases in each sentence that they will help to convey what you think is the author's thought, and then see in how many ways each sentence can be arranged:_--

1. In Paris, every lady _in full dress_ rides.

2. I saw my friend when I was in Boston _walking down Tremont street_.

3. The Prince of Wales was forbidden to become king _or any other man_.

4. What is his coming or going _to you_?

5. We do those things _frequently_ which we repent of afterwards.

6. I rushed out leaving the wretch with his tale half told, _horror-stricken at his crime_.

7. Exclamation points are scattered up and down the page by compositors _without any mercy._ 8. I want to make a present to one who is fond of chickens _for a Christmas gift_.

+Direction.+--_Make these sentences clear by using simpler words and phrases:_--

1. _A devastating conflagration raged_.

2. He _conducted_ her to the _altar of Hymen_.

3. A donkey has an _abnormal elongation of auricular appendages_.

4. Are you _excavating a subterranean ca.n.a.l?_ 5. He had no _capillary substance_ on the _summit_ of his head.

6. He made a sad _faux pas_.

7. A network is anything _reticulated or decussated, with interstices at equal distances between the intersections_.

8. Diligence is the _sine qua non_ of success.

9. She has _donned the habiliments of woe_.

10. The _deceased_ was to-day _deposited in his last resting-place_.

11. The _inmates proceeded to the sanctuary_.

12. I have _partaken of my morning repast_.

13. He _took the initiative in inaugurating the ceremony_.

LESSON 153.

ENERGY--CRITICISM.

+Direction+.--_Expand these brief expressions into sentences full of long words, and note the loss of energy_:--

1. To your tents, 0 Israel!

2. Up, boys, and at them!

3. Indeed!

4. Bah!

5. Don't give up the s.h.i.+p!

6. Murder will out.

7. Oh!

8. Silence there!

9. Hurrah!

10. Death or free speech!

11. Rascal!

12. No matter.

13. Least said, soonest mended.

14. Death to the tyrant!

15. I'll none of it.

16. Help, ho!

17. Shame on you!

18. First come, first served.

+Direction+.--_Condense each of these italicized expressions into one or two words, and note the gain_:--

1. He _shuffled off this mortal coil_ yesterday.

2. The author surpa.s.sed all _those who were living at the same time with him_.

3. To say that revelation is _a thing which there is no need of_ is to talk wildly.

4. He _departed this life_.

5. Some say that ever _'gainst that season comes wherein our Saviour's birth is celebrated_ this _bird of dawning_ singeth all night long.

+Direction+.--_Change these specific words to general terms, and note the loss in energy_:---

1. Don't _fire_ till _you see the whites of their eyes_.

2. _Break down_ the _dikes_, give Holland back to _ocean_.