PRECEPT IV.—­Do not introduce parentheses, except when a lively remark may be thrown in without diverting the mind too long from the principal subject.  Example:  “But (saith he) since I take upon me to teach the whole world, (it is strange, it should be so natural for this man to write untruths, since I direct my Theses only to the Christian world; but if it may render me odious, such Peccadillo’s pass with him, it seems, but for Piae Fraudes:) I intended never to write of those things, concerning which we do not differ from others.”—­R.  Barclay’s Works, Vol. iii. p. 279.  The parts of this sentence are so put together, that, as a whole, it is scarcely intelligible.

SECTION VI.—­OF STRENGTH.

Strength consists in giving to the several words and members of a sentence, such an arrangement as shall bring out the sense to the best advantage, and present every idea in its due importance.  Perhaps it is essential to this quality of style, that there be animation, spirit, and vigour of thought, in all that is uttered.  A few hints concerning the Strength of sentences, will here be given in the form of precepts.

PRECEPT I.—­Avoid verbosity; a concise style is the most favourable to strength.  Examples:  “No human happiness is so pure as not to contain any alloy.”—­Murray’s Key, 8vo, p. 270.  Better:  “No human happiness is unalloyed.”  “He was so much skilled in the exercise of the oar, that few could equal him.”—­Ib., p. 271.  Better:  “He was so skillful at the oar, that few could match him.”  Or thus:  “At the oar, he was rarely equalled.”  “The reason why they [the pronouns] are considered separately is, because there is something particular in their inflections.”—­ Priestley’s Gram., p. 81.  Better:  “The pronouns are considered separately, because there is something peculiar in their inflections.”

PRECEPT II.—­Place the most important words in the situation in which they will make the strongest impression.  Inversion of terms sometimes increases the strength and vivacity of an expression:  as, “All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.”—­Matt., iv, 9.  “Righteous art thou, O Lord, and upright are thy judgements.”—­Psalms, cxix, 137.  “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.”—­Ps., cxvi, 15.

PRECEPT III.—­Have regard also to the relative position of clauses, or members; for a weaker assertion should not follow a stronger; and, when the sentence consists of two members, the longer should be the concluding one.  Example:  “We flatter ourselves with the belief that we have forsaken our passions, when they have forsaken us.”  Better:  “When our passions have forsaken us, we flatter ourselves with the belief that we have forsaken them.”—­See Blair’s Rhet., p. 117; Murray’s Gram., p. 323.