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6. Philosophy of the ancient Greeks. Mention some of their absurdities and their systems.

7. Philosophy of the middle ages-astrology, alchemy

&c.

8. Conclusion. A noble study; but let it be well directed.

LITERARY SUBJECTS.

I. ON LITERATURE.

Introduction. Studies which increase our knowledge of human nature hold a high rank: political history, biography, poetry, &c.

1. Literature-the lasting monument of a nation's mind-closely connected with the history of a

people.

2. Indication of passing events-national excitement -revolution-religious or political struggles,

&c.

3. Various forms of literature: epic poetry-ballads history, biography, fiction, phi

— the drama
losophy, &c.

4. The abuses of literature; various merits of writers. 5. Every phase of a nation's existence indicated in the passing literature of the day journals, periodicals, reviews, &c.

ballads,

6. Ages of English literature, and what produced them.

7. A general knowledge of European literature, a necessary part of every good education.

8. Conclusion. The variety, extent, and advantages of this study.

II. ON HISTORY.

Introduction. Many forms of study, some more popular than others. History included in every sys

tem of education.

1. Why the study of history should be so interesting. 2. In what does its utility consist?

3. Something more than a mere list of facts. Causes, effects, motives, &c.

4. Show what moral lessons may be drawn from

history.

5. Mention other studies which are involved in the

study of history.

6. Divisions of history: for what purpose. Sacred and profane, ancient and modern, &c.

7. With what history should we be best acquainted? 8. Conclusion. The philosophy of history-advantages of this study.

III. ON BIOGRAPHY.

Introduction. Many forms of history-biography one: history in miniature.

1. Show the special uses of biography; private character, mental and moral.

2. How is biography less difficult to understand than history?— attention concentrated on the subject -less distraction.

3. A better example for a rule of conduct in private life.

4. Can we depend on the truth of biography?

5. What is autobiography, and what reliance can be placed on this form of literature?

6. Biography perpetuates the memory of great menmakes us emulate their virtues, &c.

7. Characters whose lives have been written: sol

diers, sailors, jurists, divines, poets, philosophers, philanthropists, literary and scientific men, &c. 8. Conclusion. Great variety-wide scope for imitation and improvement.

Introduction.

IV. ON POETRY.

Various forms of language. Two

great divisions - poetry and prose.

1. A distinction to be made between the outward appearance and the essence of poetry.

2. Appearance-verse, metre, rhyme, &c. (explain). 3. Essence-figurative language — whence does this

originate?

4. A natural tendency in the mind to believe that inanimate objects have the power to feel and act. 5. Imagination-the power of throwing expression and feeling into such objects.

6. Divisions of poetry - hymns, ballads, epic poems, dramas, lyric, descriptive, &c.

7. Explain the above forms of poetry.

8. Conclusion. Poetry deserves to be cultivated; it refines, elevates, embellishes, &c.

V. ON LANGUAGE.

Introduction. Many significations of this word; always implies the power of conveying ideas to one another.

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1. Two great divisions of language spoken and written.

2. The uses and advantages of each division. 3. How writing is an improvement on speech. 4. Every civilised nation has a literary language (barbarous dialects not to be considered as languages). 5. How a language improves.

6. At one time, no written language in Europe but Latin. Why?

7. Advantages derived from the study of various languages; their beauties and defects.

8. Conclusion. Our own language of most importance to us; but others must be studied, if only to understand our own.

VI. ON THE GREEK AND LATIN LANGUAGES.

Introduction.

Among the nations of antiquity, the

Greeks and Romans the only civilised.

1. Hence their language classical, because it produced such great writers.

2. Greek: plastic, strong, suited to all subjects; deep and powerful, yet light and airy, graphic and lofty.

3. Latin beautifully adapted to history-dignified, powerful in satire, impressive.

4. Difference in construction between ancient and modern languages (inflection).

5. The inestimable advantages of a classical education. 6. But no studies should be pursued exclusively. 7. The works of the ancient classics among the most wonderful monuments of human genius.

8. Conclusion. General advantages: always a source of delight; never can be taken from us.

VII. ON MODERN LANGUAGES.

Introduction. Among the various branches of education, modern languages are prominent.

1. Which are they? English, French, German, Italian, Spanish.

2. Various motives for studying these languages. 3. Advantages derived from them :- merchants, travellers, general students, &c.

4. Opportunities afforded of judging of differences in national character by idioms, &c.

5. Power of reading classical authors in the original - translations always more or less imperfect. 6. Classification of modern languages into Romance and Teutonic.

7. French, Italian, Spanish (founded on Latin) Romance; German, Dutch, English (Teutonic). 8. Conclusion. Interest and numerous advantages resulting from this sort of study.

VIII. ON VERSIFICATION.

Introduction. Two grand divisions of language, prose and verse (explain the difference).

1. Mention the essentials of verse.

2. What is meant by accent?

3. Difference between ancient and modern systems of versification.

4. Divisions of a verse: metre, feet, &c.

5. Iambic, trochaic, dactylic, anapastic (explain).

6. Mention in what forms of poetry the above metres

are used.

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