assist him to be told that the definition is to be just such an explanation, as he would put after the word if he were writing a dictionary.

Rule 5.-Let the definition be clear and plain.

Rule 6.-Let the definition be short, having no superfluity of words.

Rule 7.-Let the definition be peculiar to the thing defined, and agree to that alone.

Rule 8. Let the definition be an explanation of the thing to be defined, and not consist of synonymous names.

The following are examples of definition.

DEFINITION.

SUBJECT.

Prudence,

Flattery,

thought before action.
false praise.

Temperance,

Justice,

Pride,

Punishment,
Crime,

Affectation,

Contempt,

History,

Adversity,

Improvement,

the restraint of passion.

the principle of rendering to every one his right.

an inordinate opinion of self-superiority.

retributive suffering.

the violation of established princi-
ples of conduct.

the assumption of false manners.
a feeling of disgust and anger.
the continued account of public
events.

a consciousness of severe priva-
tion.

advancement toward perfection.

Rule 9.-As the object of all reasoning is to prove the truth of some opinion (or, as it is called, judgment); observe what your own opinion is, not only that it is good or bad, desirable or dangerous, but that it is so in some particular manner.

The following are examples.

Rule 10.-If the discussion be intended for practical utility, an inference or practical application may be raised from the judgment. This will always have allusion to future time.

The following are examples.

Rule 11.-Ascertain and state the two chief reasons upon which the judgment is founded. These will be the propositions, or leading arguments, by which the judgment is to be proved.

For this purpose the student should ask himself, "How does 'thought before action' conduce to safety?" that is, how does the subject, so defined, produce the judgment stated? The two most comprehensive answers to this inquiry, will be the propositions for which he is seeking. It is necessary however to mention, that these two propositions must be so comprehensive as to include every other consideration which occurs in answer to this question: so that each other proposition will go rather to prove one of these two, than to give direct support to the judgment.

The following are examples.

PRUDENCE.

Definition.-Thought before action.

Prop. 1.-It foresees consequences.
Prop. 2.-It makes suitable preparation.
Judg.-Prudence conduces to safety.

In reasoning syllogistically, the form would

stand thus:

PRUDENCE.

Def.-Thought before action.

Prop. 1.-Safety is conduced to, by suitable preparation for exigence.

Prop. 2.-Prudence makes such suitable preparation. Judg.-Prudence conduces to safety.

Def.-False praise.

FLATTERY.

Prop. 1.-It creates an unjustifiable opinion of excellence.

Prop. 2.-It produces a persuasion that improvement is unnecessary.

Judg.-Flattery paralyzes exertion.

TEMPERANCE.

Def.-Restraint of passion.

Prop. 1.-It preserves the faculties of the mind.
Prop. 2.-It preserves the powers of the body.
Judg.-Temperance leads to happiness.

JUSTICE.

Def. The principle of rendering to every man his right.

Prop. 1.-It preserves the rights of each individual. Prop. 2.-It preserves the rights of the community. Judg.-Justice secures the peace and interests of so

ciety.

PRIDE.

Def.-An inordinate opinion of self-superiority.

Prop. 1.-It raises the mind above the level of familiarity.

Prop. 2.-It exacts undue humiliation.

Judg.-Pride destroys social endearments.

PUNISHMENT.

Def.-Retributive suffering.

Prop. 1.-It conduces to reform the culprit.
Prop. 2.-It affords admonition to others.
Judg.-Punishment restrains crime.

Rule 12.-Ascertain and state the two chief reasons upon which the practical application is founded.

These will be the propositions or leading arguments by which the practical application is to be proved.

For this purpose, the student should ask himself, " Why should thought before action' be exercised?" that is, why should the subject, so defined, be applied as stated in the practical application?

The two most comprehensive answers to this inquiry, will be the propositions for which he is seeking. It must, however, be observed with care, that these two propositions must have an express future tendency. Each proposition must state, that the subject will have some effect for which the practical application should be adopted.

There are two reasons for this reference to the future: the first is, that although the future