ere, _steps_ along through the verse in a measured pace.

All poetical feet consist either of two, or of three syllables; and are
reducible to eight kinds; four of two syllables, and four of three, as
follows:

DISSYLLABLE. TRISYLLABLE.
A Trochee - u A Dactyle - u u
An Iambus u - An Amphibrach u - u
A Spondee - - An Anapaest u u -
A Pyrrhic u u A Tribrach u u u

A Trochee has the first syllable accented, and the last unaccented; as,
Hateful, pettish:

Restless mortals toil for naught.

An Iambus has the first syllable unaccented, and the last accented; as,
Betray, consist:

The seas shall waste, the skies in smoke decay.

A Dactyle has the first syllable accented, and the two latter
unaccented; as, Laborer, possible:

From the low pleasures of this fallen nature.

An Anapaest has the first two syllables unaccented, and the last
accented; as, Contravene, acquiesce:

at the close of the day when the hamlet is still.

A Spondee; as, The pale moon: a Pyrrhic; as, on the tall
tree: an Amphibrach; as, Delightful: a Tribrach; as,
Numerable.

RHETORIC.

GRAMMAR instructs us how to express our thoughts correctly.

RHETORIC teaches us to express them with force and elegance.

The former is generally confined to the correct application of words in
constructing single sentences. The latter treats of the proper choice of
words, of the happiest method of constructing sentences, of their most
advantageous arrangement in forming a discourse, and of the various
kinds and qualities of composition. The principles of rhetoric are
principally based on those unfolded and illustrated in the science of
grammar. Hence, an acquaintance with the latter, and, indeed, with the
liberal arts, is a prerequisite to the study of rhetoric and
belles-lettres.

COMPOSITION.

It may be laid down as a maxim of eternal truth, that _good sense_ is
the foundation of all good writing. One who understands a subject well,
will scarcely write ill upon it.

Rhetoric, or the art of persuasion, requires in a writer, the union of
good sense, and a lively and chaste imagination. It is, then, her
province to teach him to embellish his thoughts with elegant and
appropriate language, vivid imagery, and an agreeable variety of
expression. It ought to be his aim,

"To mark the point where sense and dulness meet."

STYLE.--PERSPICUITY AND PRECISION.

STYLE is the peculiar manner in which we exp