Is the interrogative form of the last
sentence better than the declarative? Why? Has the last observation
any close connection with the preceding portion? Can it be justified?

"Modesty is a lovely trait, which sets the last seal to a
truly great character, as the blush of innocence adds the
last charm to youthful beauty. When, on his return from one
of his arduous campaigns in the Seven Years' War, the Speaker
of the Virginia Assembly, by order of the House, addressed
Colonel Washington in acknowledgment of his services, the
youthful hero rose to reply; but humility checked his
utterance, diffidence sealed his lips. 'Sit down, Colonel
Washington,' said the Speaker; 'the House sees that your
modesty is equal to your merit, and that exceeds my power of
language to describe.' But who ever heard of a modest
Alexander or a modest Caesar, or a modest hero or statesman
of the present day?--much as some of them would be improved
by a measure of that quality."

EDWARD EVERETT: _Character of Washington_, 1858

8. Look up the meaning of every unfamiliar expression in this extract.
Is the quotation at the end in good taste? Give reasons for your
answer. For what kinds of audiences would this speech be fitting?

"The remedy for the constant excess of party spirit lies, and
lies alone, in the courageous independence of the individual
citizen. The only way, for instance, to procure the party
nomination of good men, is for every self-respecting voter to
refuse to vote for bad men. In the medieval theology the
devils feared nothing so much as the drop of holy water and
the sign of the cross, by which they were exorcised. The evil
spirits of party fear nothing so much as bolting and
scratching. _In hoc signo vinces_. If a farmer would reap a
good crop, he scratches the weeds out of his field. If we
would have good men upon the ticket, we must scratch bad men
off. If the scratching breaks down the party, let it break:
for the success of the party, by such means would break down
the country. The evil spirits must be taught by means that
they can understand. 'Them fellers,' said the captain of a
canal-boat of his men, 'Them fellers never think you mean a
thing until you kick 'em. They feel that, and understand.'"

GEORGE WILLIAM CURTIS: _The Public Duty of Educated
Men_, 1877

9. Describe the qua