were not fitted, who, when the moment for actio. arrived were obliged, in their ignorance and trepidation, to give to some inferior officer to some despised Plebeian the ordering of every movement. 4. I submit it to you, Romans,—is Patrician pride or Plebeian experience the safer reliance? The actions of which my opponents have merely read, I have achieved or shared in. What they have seen written in books, I have seen written on battle-fields with steel and blood. They object to my humble birth. They sneer at my lowly origin. Im'potent objection! Ignominious sneer. Where but in the spirit of a man can his true nobility be lodged? and where his dishonor, but in his own cowardly inaction, or in his unworthy deeds? Tell these railers at my obscure extraction, their haughty lin'e-age could not make them noble, my humble birth could never make me base. 5. I profess no indifference to noble descent. It is a good thing to number great men among one's ancestry. But when a descendant is dwarfed in the comparison with his forefathers, nobility of birth should be accounted a shame rather than a matter of boast. These Patricians cannot despise me, if they would, since their titles date from ancestral services similar to those which I myself have rendered. 6. And what if I can show no family statues? I can show the standards, the armor, the spoils, which I myself have wrested from the vanquished. I can show the scars of many wounds received in combating the enemies of Rome. These are my statues! These, the honors I can boast of! Not an accidental inheritance; but earned by toil, by abstinence, by valor, amid scenes of strife and carnage; scenes in which these effeminate Patricians, who would now depreciate me in your esteem, have never dared to appear, no, not even as spectators! Here, Romans, are my credentials; here, my titles of nobility; here, my claims to the generalship of your army! Tel me, are they not as respectable, are they not as valid, are they not as deserving of your confidence and reward, as those which any l'atrician of them all can cffer? PARAI HRASE FROM SALLUST PART III, AN EXPLANATORY INDEX OF WORDS MARKED FOR REFERENCE WITH THE INITIALS IN THE PRECEDING PAGES; ALSO OF SUBJECTS, NAMES OF AUTHORS, &c. See Notice on pages 76, 77 AB-BRE-VI-A'TION, the act of shortening. A letter or a few letters, used for a word or for words, is called an abbreviation; as is also an arbitrary mark, as $ for dollar. Among the principal abbreviations used in literature at the present day are the following: A.B., Bachelor of Arts; A.M., Master of Arts; A. M., before noon; Anon., anonymous; B. C., before Christ; Cal., California; Co., company, county; Conn. or Ct., Connecticut; Cr., credit; D. C., District of Columbia; D.D., Doctor of Divinity; Del., Delaware; Do., ditto, the same; Dr., doctor, debtor; Esq., esquire; Etc. or &c., and others, and so forth; Feb., February; Fl. or Fa., Florida; Ga. or Geo., Georgia; Hon., honorable; Ib. or Ibid, in the same place; i. e., that is (Latin, id est); Ill., Illinois; Ia., Indiana; Incog., unknown; Inst., instant, or of the present month; Ken. or Ky., Kentucky; L. or £, pound sterling; La. or Lou., Louisiana; L. I., Long Island; LL.D., Doctor of Laws; M., Monsieur; Ma., Minesota; Mass. or Ms., Massachusetts; M.C., Member of Congress; M.D., Doctor of Medicine; Md., Maryland; Me., Maine; Messrs. or MM., Messieurs (Sirs); Mme., Madame; Mich., Michigan; Miss. or Mi., Mississippi; Mo., Missouri; M.P., Member of Parliament; Mr., Master or Mister; Mrs., Mistress (pronounced Missis); MS., manuscript; MSS., manuscripts; N. A., North America'; N. B. (nota be-ne), mark well; N. C., North Carolina; Nem. con. (nemi-ne contradicen-te), no one contradicting; N. H., New Hampshire; N. J., New Jersey; No., number; N. Y, New York; O., Ohio; P. or p., page; Pa. or Penn., Pennsylvania; per cent. (per centum), by the hundred; P. M. (post meridiem), Lfternoon Pro tem. (pro tempo-re), for the time; Pro., in favor of, for; Prox (prox-imo), next, or of the next month P.S. (post scriptum), postscript; Q. E D. (quot erat demonstrandum), which was to be demonstrated; R. I., Rhode Island; S. C., South Carolina; St., Saint; Tenn., Tennessee; U. S., United States; U. S. A., United States of America; U. S. N., United States Navy; Va., Virginia; Viz. (videli'cet), to wit, namely; Vol., volume; V.P., Vice President; Vs. (versus), against; Vt., Vermont; W. I., West Indies; &c. (et cætera), and the rest, and so forth; 4to, quarto; 8vo, octavo; 12mo, duodecimo; 16mo, sexto decimo; 18mo, octo-decimo. ABERNETHY, JOHN, a celebrated surgeon; born in London in 1765, died 1831. He acquired great reputation as an anatomist and medical teacher. See his opinion on the cause of the majority of diseases, page 276. AB-JURE', to abandon upon oath. AB-STRACTION. We are said to consider an idea abstractly, or in the abstract, when we consider it separated from other ideas which naturally accompany it. Abstract numbers are numbers used without ap plication to things, as 1, 2, 3; but when applied to anything, as 1 foot, 2 men, 3 dogs, they become concrete. By "abstraction," we mean the act of separating, or of being separated. AC'CENT Remarks on, page 29. Exercises in, page 51. Misplacing of, page 59. AC-CENT'U-ATE, to mark with an accent. AC-COU'TRE (ac-cooter) to dress, equip, This word is spelled by Webster, accouter. AD-HE'SION, the act or state of sticking to. AD'JEC-TIVE, a word added to a noun to ex press some quality or circumstance. Its derivation is from the Latin words ad, to, and inctum, thrown on or added ments; contrast. The plural of this word is an-tith'e-sās, The derivation is from the Greek anti, against, and thesis, a placing or arranging. AD MI-RAL. A3 used by Milton, page 72, | AN-TITA E-SIS, opposition of words or senti this word means a ship that carries the admiral, or simply a grea ship. AD VERB, a word joined to a verb, participle an adjective, or another adverb, to qualify its meaning. It is derived from the Latin words ad, to, and verbum, à | word. AF-FINT-TY, agreement, connection. It is from the Latin words ad, to, and finis, an end, also a boundary or limit; whence the Latin word affinis, neighboring, or bordering. AKIN, JOHN, born in England in 1747; estab- The Tutor and his Pupils, page 92. AL'BI-CORE, a marine fish, noted for follow- ALEXANDER, SIR JAMES. The Falls of Niag- end. ALPINE, pertaining to the Alps, or to any AN-AB A-SIS (meaning a going-up, an expe- AN-TI-THETI-CAL, placed in contrast. ARE. This word is pronounced to rhyme ARTE-RY, one of the canals or pipes throu which the blood from the heart runs, like water in a pipe brought from a reservoir. When an artery is cut it bleeds very violently; and the only way to stop it is to make a pressure between the wounded place and the heart, in order to intercept the course of the blood towards it. AR-TI-CLE is the name given by grammarians to the two little adjectives the and an or a in our language; the former being called the definite, the latter the indefnite article. The indefinite article an is only a corruption of the adjective one, or, as our ancestors wrote, ane; and a is a still more violent corruption of the same word. Rules for, page 31 AR-TIC-U-LA'TION. Faults in, page 53. A-SIDE. In dramatic writing, a character is supposed to utter a remark asute when he does not mean that the other person or persons of the drama who may be present shall hear it. AS'PI-RATE, pronounced with a strong emis ATE, the preterite of the verb to eat. It is AV-A-LANCHE', a snow-slide. Pronounced AN-AL'O-GY, resemblance, similarity, pro-AVAUNT, hence; begone. The au of th..s portion. A-NAL'O-GOUs, having resemblance. ons. ANNEAL to heat in order to fix colors; to emper glass. A-NON, quickly; soon. A-NON.', an abbreviation of Anonymous. a name. word has the first elementary sound. See page 34. AYE (@) forever; continually. This word should be distinguished from ay (meaning yes). See T 48, page 24. AZURE, blue, sky colored. This wor I is pro nounced a'zhür by Walker, and azhu by Webster. BANCROFT, GEORGE, an American historiat author of a history of the United States The Pioneers of Kentucky, by, 152 BANE, poison mischief. BARBAULD, ANNA LETITIA, born in England | in 1743, died 1825. She was the sister of Dr. John Aikin, and wrote with him that excellent work for the young, "Evenings at lome." Mentioned page 150. A Pastoral Hymn, 110. BAR-CE-LO'NA, a fortified city and port of Spain, on the Mediterranean. Its staple manufactures are cotton and silk. BAR MEC-IDE. The descendants of Barmek, an illustrious Persian, were called Barmecides. Noble qualities seemed to be hereditary in the family. Jaffar is said to have perished in his thirty-seventh year, a victim of the unjust displeasure of Haroun, the reigning monarch. BARROW, ISAAC, a learned mathematian and divine; born in England about the year 1630, died 1677. As a theological writer he is much esteemed. Oa Industry, by, page 296. BARTON, BERNARD, an amiable English poet; born in London in 1784, died 1849. He was a Quaker. Farewell, by, 204. BAYOU (by'oo), in Louisiana the outlet of a lake; a channel for water. The term is also applied to lateral or side outlets from the Mississippi. BAXTER, RICHARD, a pious and eminent English clergyman; born 1615, died 1691. Quoted page 275. BEATTIE, JAMES, was born in Scotland in 1735, died 1803. Of his writings his poem of "The Minstrel" is now most read. See extracts from this poem on pages 133, 203, 255. BEAUMONT. Consider Both Sides, by, 133. BE-LEAGUER (be-lee'ger), to besiege; to surround with an army, so as to preclude escape. BERKELEY, GEORGE, Bishop of Cloyne, in Ireland, was born in Ireland in 1684, died in 1753. He was distinguished as a philosophical writer, and was the friend of Pope. Swift, Steele, and other authors of note. Having conceived a scheme for the conversion of the North American savages, by means of a missionary college to be erected in the Bermudas, he sailed in September, 1728, with his wife, a valuable library, and a considerable sum of money, for Rhode Island. He took up his residence in Newport, and for nearly two years devoted himself closely to his pastoral labors. The English government, however, disappointed him, and he was compelled to return to England. Mentioned by Webster, page 236. BE-SPRENT, Sprinkled over. BIG'OT-RY, blind zeal; great prejudice. BIRD LIME, a glue to catch birds by smearing the twigs of a bush or tree. BIVOUAC (Div web), the guard or watch of a whole army during the night. PLACKWOOD'S MAGAZINE, a celebrated monthly magazine, published in Edinburgh, Scotland. The Man in the Bell, from, y 224. BLANK VERSE. See T 197, page 68. BO-NI'TO (bo-nee'to), a large sea-fishi, wel known to voyagers for its persecution of the flying-fish. BOR'OUGH (burro), a corporate tewn. Until the injustice was reformed by Parliament ir 1832, certain old boroughs in England had the privilege of sending members to the House of Commons, although such boroughs had so fallen from their former im portance that the voters could not compare in number with the number required in other Parliamentary districts in orde to send a member to the House of Com mons. The boroughs thus unjustly priv ileged were called "rotten boroughs. See Sydney Smith's remarks, page 282. BossUT. Extract from his First French Grammar, on the Parts of Speech, p. 268 BRACH (brutsh), a female hound. BRAVO. Used as an interjection, meaning "well done!" the a in this word has the first elementary sound, as in father. When used as a noun, meaning a villain, or hired assassin, the a has its long sound as in hate. BRIGHAM, AMARIAH, a distinguished Amer ican physician, for several years superintendent of the New York State Lunatic Asylum. He was born in 1798, died 1849. Quoted page 276. BRONZE (bronze or bronze), a factitious metal, compounded of copper and tin. A color prepared for the purpose of imitating bronze. Bronzed, sunburnt. BROUGHAM (Broohm), HENRY, better known as Lord Brougham, distinguished as a speaker and man of letters; a native of Scotland. Consummate Glory of Washington, 228. BRUCE. A Chapter of Advice, 97. BURGO-MASTER, the chief magistrate of a town in Holland. BYROM, JOHN, a poet of moderate pretensions, but whose pure moral lessons have made him remembered when writers of more pretence are forgotten. He was born in England in 1631. died 1763. St. Philip Neri and the Youth, 122 BYRON, LORD GEORGE GORDON, a great Ei glish poet; hora, 1788, died 1824. The Ancient Heroes of Greece, 138. CAB'IN-ET, a small room; a closet; her ce, the select or secret council of a chief magistrate, so called from the apartment in which it was criginally held. CA-SURA (cæ-zura), a pause in verse, introduced for the sake of harmony, and dividing the verse into equal or unequal parts. The word is derived from the Latin cado I cut off. See T 195. CA-STRAL, pertaining to the Cæsura. CAI-RO (kiro), the capital of modern Egypt The population is reckoned at 240,000 in habitants. It still maintains the reputa tion of being the best school of Arabic literature CALLOUS, hard; insensib e. CAN'ON (căn-on), a dignitary in a church. CHAL-DEE (Kal'dee), an inhabitant of Chaldæa, the name of the south-western portion of the Babylonian empire, extending along the river Euphrates, and as far as the Arabian desert. Astrology was much cultivated among the sages of Chaldæa. CHALLENGE, to call to a contest; to accuse; to object to. In law a party is said to challenge certain jurors when he objects to their sitting in trial upon his cause. CHA-MOU-NI (Sha-moo-nee' -the a like the a in father), a valley to the north-west of Mont Blanc, on the boundary-line between Savoy and Piedmont. The village of Chamouni, which is nearly in the centre of the valley, is three thousand four hundrd and three feet above the level of the sea. The mountain pinnacle properly called Mont Blanc is fifteen thousand seven hundred and thirty-two feet above the sea. See Coleridge's Lines, p. 246. Caд-os (kalos), a Greek word, signifying that confusion of things supposed to exist before God's creating word called forth harmony and order. CHAMBERS, WILLIAM and ROBERT, eminent publishers in Edinburgh, Scotland, and also known as writers of much ability. Presence of Mind, 87. Falsehoods of Exaggeration, 200. A Genuine Hero, 280. ARLES II., King of England, son of Charles 1., was born 1630, died 1685 He did much to corrupt the morals of England, and was a profligate, worthless fellow See Lickens's account of him, page 233. CHATHAM, LOR, &'so called the Eari of Chatham, received from his father the name of William Pit, and was born in England in 1708. he was one of th greatest of English orators, and opposed in Parliament the course of the English government against the Americans, which led to the war of our Revotion. Lord Chatham had a son hardly les reconed than himself, and who was als é William Pitt. Lord Chatham ara 1J 1778. Speech against the American War, CHILDHOOD AND HIS VISITORS, 301. CHIVAL-RY (Shiv'al-ry), knighthood, vale the body or order of knights. The word '3 derived from the French cheval, a horse. CHRISTIAN MARINER, THE, 302. CHRON-IC, relating to time; continuing 2 long time. The word is derived from the Greek chronos, meaning time. CICERO, MARCUS TULLIUS, a celebrated Roman orator, born 106 B. C. He is sometimes called Tully. Cicero passed some time in exile, and wrote upon many subjects. He was killed 43 B. C. CIRCUM-FLEX. This word is derved from the Latin circum, round, and flecto, I bend. Concerning the circumflex accent, see ¶ 176, page 62; and for examples on the circumflex accent, page 73. CLASSICAL, CLASSICS. The Romans were divided into six classes; and classici was the name given to the first class; whence the best Greek and Roman authors have been, in modern times, called classics that is, first-class writers. CLAUSE, in language a member, or part, of a sentence. The word is derived from the Latin claudo, I shut up; so that it literally means an enclosure. According to Webster, a clause is a subdivision of a sentence in which the words are insepar ably connected with each other in sense, and cannot with propriety be separated by a point. CLERK. This word is pronounced klack (the a as in father) in England; but in the United States the preferred pronun ciation is very properly klerk. The word is derived from the Greek klērikos. CLEV'ER. In England this word signifies adroit, skilful, expert. In parts of the United States it is often used as signifying good-natured, obliging; though the word is often used in its English sense in this country. CO'GENT. The Latin word cogo, I drive together to one point, I compel, is the root of this word, which accordingly means urgent, pressing on the mind, not easily resisted; as, a cogent argument or rea son. COG'NATE, related in origin; of the sam family. The word is from the Latin cog natus, allied by blood. Of letters allied in the manner of formation or utterance. we say they are cognate. See T 24, p 17. |