alytical practical grammar - Toronto Public Library

ENGLISH GRAMMAR.
LETTERS.
1161. Oue of the 8implest and yet most useful spe('ies ~f COll~position
is letter writing. This species of composition may be practiced elt~er by
way uf real corr~spondence l?etwcen ~hose. pursuing the same studle~, or
it mny cOllsist of letters wrItten to Imog.l~nry con:esponden!s. The followil,g
nre a few topics adapted to composltwn of tbls latter klDd;-
L,tter 1.-Write to a friend at a distance. State to him tbe ohject. of
yOlll' writin:.:. Tell bim wllat studies you are pursuing, and bow you lIke
them. Men"tion bow yourself and friends are. Give an account o~ so~e
of the alteratioos which have been lately made, or nre now maklDg 10
\'001' neighbourbood ; and conclude by expressing your desire either to see
him or henr from him soon.
Letter ~.-Write to a companion an account of a.long walk whicb J:ou
lately had. Tell bim whether you were alone or In company. ':\Iellt~oll
what particular things struck YOIl by the way; and enumerate all the 10-
cidents that occurred of any moment.
Letter 3.-Write to a friend who is suppose!l to have sent you n present
of books. nu,1 thank him for such kinrlness. Tell him the use you intend
to make of them; and inform him to what particular books you are most
pnrtial. Conclude by giving some Rccount of those you have been lately
reading, nnd bow you like them.
Leiter 4.-Write to a friend supposed to be going abroad. Describe to
him how you would feel if called to leave your friends and your native
country. Express your regret at losing him. but state your hope that you
will not forget each otbcr when seas roll between you. Request him to
write to you frequently; and advise him to be careful about his health and
uf the society he keeps.
Letter 5.-Write to a friend at a distance, and give him an account of
a sail which you lately had in a steamboat. Mention what places you
visited, and state the objects tbat most delighted you. Tell him how long
you were away, wbat 80rt of weathcr you had, and what were your feelings
upon returning home.
Letler 6.-Write to a friend an account of the church you were at last
Sabbath. Tell who preached. Mention the psalms or hymns that were
Bung, and the portions of Scripture that were read. State the text from
whiclI the minister preached; and give your opinion of the different
sermons.
~162. These have been given as mere specimens of the subjects upon
wh.Jeh the st',ldent who bas acquired a knowledge of grammar may be reqUIred
to wl'lte. The prudent Bnd skilful teacher will be enabled to mul.
tlply and vary them at pleasure to any extent.
REPRODUCTION.
1~63 .. Anot~er method ,?f exercising the minds of pupils in composition,
consIsts 10. readlDg: some SImple BtOry or narrative, till such time as they
~re a?qunlOted WIth the facts, and then directing them to express these
~n theIr own words. A shll further, and perhaps even a simpler method
IB, to take adv~ntage of a young person's having ~iven some account of
w~a~ he has eIther seen, heard, or read, and deBne him to commit to
wnhng what he has stated orally .