tribute to the vivacity of the latter would greatly disfigure the former. Those violations of decorous propriety that are sometimes allowable in conversation, oratory, and letters are called colloquialisms.

As to the extent to which a writer may indulge in colloquialisms in the lighter forms of literature, no definite rule can be given. All that can be done is to lay down the requirements of propriety with regard to all forms of serious and dignified composition; leaving it to the good sense of each individual to prescribe how far he may, in familiar discourse, deviate from those requirements.

§ 63. All violations of decorous propriety are called vulgarisms, and they are separable into three classes; viz.: 1. Familiar abbreviations;

2. By-words;

3. Low expressions.

§ 64. Familiar abbreviations should not appear in written discourse, except in dialogue, where the object is to give an exact representation of life and manners.

Such abbreviations are the following:

$65. But, on the other hand, many abbreviations, proper in writing, must, in oral reading, be expanded to the full expression. For example: A. D. must be read "Anno Domini," or "in the year of our Lord;" inst. must be read instant; ult., ultimo; Co., company, etc.

§ 66. But let the pupil observe that when any one of the cardinal or ordinal numbers is to be introduced into the body of a sentence, it must be written in full, and not by the Arabic figures, unless the number exceeds one hundred. Thus we write, "Nouns have three (not 3) cases;" "There are twenty-four (not 24) hours in a day;"

"It is half-past ten o'clock," etc. 10 o'clock is allowable only in notices, advertisements, etc.

§ 67. By-words are those expressions that are frequently uttered from the mere force of habit. They seldom appear on paper, but the rules of Expression condemn them even in ordinary conversation.

§ 68. Low expressions are words or phrases which, on account of some quaintness or spice of wit contained in them, become current among those who affect vivacity or smartness in their style. They have all a certain grossness about them that betrays their low origin. Good taste strongly condemns their introduction into all serious, dignified, or elegant discourse.

§ 69. The style of many newspapers, both in their editorials and correspondence, is exceedingly reprehensible in this particular. Many of the scribblers who put themselves in print seem to have learned their language in the bar-room, at the race-ground and cock-pit, from circus clowns and negro minstrels. Let all people of good taste and pure morals set their faces against such degradation of the language.

§ 70. The following list is humiliating to every person of good taste that loves the English language.

Acknowledge the corn-all to pieces-anyhow you can fix it-bark up the wrong tree-like blazes-blow out at-brick in the hat-can't come it over-cave in-choke off-not a circumstance to-the clean thing-get one's dander up-deadhead-to be death on-to go one's death for-dyed in the wool-in for it-set by the ears-see with half an eye-cock-and-bull story-a mare's nest-wild-goose chase-throw into one's teeth-have a finger in the pie-go the whole hog-stir one's stumps-thrust one's nose into-fingers itching-like peas on a cowhide-beat him all hollow-one-horse concern-keep shady-keep a stiff upper lip-done up brown-bred in the bone-a nobody--runs in the blood-let her slide-stiff as a poker-as sure as you are bornfull tilt-knock under-sing small-take a peg lower, or a button-hole lower-take the starch out-play second fiddle to one-have a screw loose get the hang of-know the ropes-on one's own hook-in a horn-cut out (for be gone)-draw in one's horns-cast sheep's eyes— lean as a May shad-Hobson's choice-give it the go-by-old as the hills-be on pins and needles-turn one's stomach-fork over-cock of the roost-in clover-go to the dogs-poor as a church mouse— poor as Job's turkey-ride a high horse-dog cheap-cracked up— wet one's whistle-pop the question-let the cat out of the bag— catch a Tartar-cut up shines-the main chance the gift of the gab-under one's thumb-mum 's the word-ugly as sin-set up a hulla-balloo-smell a rat-plain as the nose on your face-rain cats and dogs-make no bones of-give one a puff-blow one's own trumpet-spread like wild-fire-worm one's self into-keep one's eye skinned-face the music-give one fits, or particular fits-not by a jugful-go it blind-go it with a looseness-he's a goner-good as wheat-sound on the goose-get the hang of-dry up.

If the teacher desire to do so, he can give exercises in the correction of such slang, but it is probable that quite enough will occur in the utterances of the pupils themselves to practice them in its correction.

EXERCISE.-MISCELLANEOUS BARBARISMS AND IMPROPRIETIES TO BE CORRECTED.

I got in such a botheration that I made the box all crank-sided, and shackly at that.

Nathless, for her behoof these self-same hands shall labor so long as life's ruby current courses in their veins.

If your theme be affectuous, do not attempt to dissimule your own interest on it; but never adopt the style sophomorical in order to rouse your auditors.

We traveled all day vis-à-vis, and I saw not the least faux pas in all her deportment.

As soon as I alit from my critter, I seed that I was not welcome. Her natural powers of intelligence are of no ordinary gradation. Do not be too fastidious to condescend with honest people in humble rank.

My horse has too much ambition for me to use a spur, and I have learned him to go the faster the more I pull upon the bit.

He's a regular whig, dyed in the wool, and he'll go his death on the nominees of his party.

He is encroaching into my lot, and I will have to go to law before I prevail over him to do the fair thing. I'm of a great mind to sue him to-morrow.

Suppose you leave your plunder here, but carry your buggy to the other side of the branch.

I had no conscience of being in pain while the tooth was drawing. The verbiage of the letter is correct, but its tone is offensive. Samuel made out like he was an A No. 1 performer.

I set on pins and needles the whole evening, and was scared of the whole company.

The gal is smart, but she has too much brass to be lovable.

If you yield to the dictates of passion, you will demean yourself even in your own esteem.

An affected fop is not only a risible, but a contemptuous character. These words do not convey even an opaque idea of the author's meaning.

I disremember the cause of his hurryment, but it had some strategetical end in view.

In two contagious sentences, he has repeated the same observance. In sleep we lose all conscience of surrounding objects.

The gals went up stairs to primp, and I trampoosed to the stable-lot. Erst we all had bread enow, but sith the war be waging, many a wight doth go to bed lacking his supper.

I am afraid I will be much difficulted about the matter, but if you stir your stumps I will succeed.

He's done made a big speech, and if he don't go it with a rush you can take my hat.

He was always fast, and often got tight; but I did not think he would chisel a green one out of his bottom dollar.

CHAPTER VII.

SYNONYMS.

Before proceeding to discuss the third essential property of good diction, which is simplicity, it is proper to learn the nature and use of synonyms.

§ 71. Words that are exactly or nearly alike in meaning, so that in some cases one can be used for the other without impropriety, are called synonyms or synonymous words. Instances of these are remarkably abundant in our language, owing to the fact that it has derived its words from so many different tongues. This quality of the language is called its richness, and it has justly been made a subject of admiration and pride. It is highly important that every student be initiated into the capacities of his vernacular to express every shade of thought.

In Appendix No. II will be found an alphabetical arrangement of the most common synonyms grouped together. That appendix can be advantageously used as follows: Let the teacher select some piece of composition, say one of the selections in the reading book used by the class, and require each pupil to write it off, with as many of the words changed into their synonyms as he may be able to change, without destroying or perverting the meaning of the original. Let this exercise be repeated on different selections in every variety of style, until a considerable degree of facility in it is acquired by the pupils. The teacher will find it to be an exceedingly improving exercise. The following is given as a sample.

EXTRACT.

He who is best educated for the world to come, is best educated for the world that now is. I would not displace any book necessary; I would not substitute the Bible for every thing else, but I would have it the groundwork and companion of the whole course. We talk of the expansive power of other studies, of their discipline, scope, and elevation; and true it is that the mind grows dwarfish or gigantic according to the subjects with which it is familiar. If, then, you