1st. What is the most important word or phrase in this sentence? 2nd. Can I, without stiffness, place it at the beginning of the sentence? 3rd. If not, can I throw it to the end? In all cases, of course, the rhythm of the sentence should be preserved. EXERCISES. NARRATIVES, WITH OUTLINES AND PHRASEOLOGY. Ex. 1.-AVARICE OVERREACHES ITSELF. A MERCHANT in Turkey lost a purse containing1 two hundred pieces of gold. He had his loss proclaimed by the public crier, and offered half its contents to whosoever had found and would restore it. A sailor, who had picked it up, informed the crier that he had found it, and that he was ready to restore it on the proposed conditions.2 The owner having thus learned where his purse was, thought he would try to get it back for nothing. He therefore told the sailor that if he wished to get the reward, he must restore also a valuable emerald which was in it. The sailor declared that he had found nothing in the purse except the money, and refused to give it up without the reward. The merchant went and complained to the cadi, who summoned 3 the sailor to appear, and asked him why he kept the purse he had found. "Because," replied he, "the merchant has promised a reward of one hundred pieces, which he now refuses to give under pretence that there was a valuable emerald in it; and I solemnly declare that I found nothing in the purse but the money.” 4 The merchant was then desired to describe the emerald, and how it had come into his possession; which he did,-but in so confused a manner that the cadi was convinced 5 of his dishonesty. He accordingly gave the following judgment:-"You have lost a purse with two hundred pieces of gold and an emerald in it; the sailor has found one with only two hundred pieces in it; it cannot therefore be yours. You must then have yours cried again, with a description of the precious stone. You," said the cadi to the sailor, "will keep the purse during forty days with |