_The Third_ CLASS _to be taught_
Speaking properly and gracefully, which is near of Kin to good
Reading, and naturally follows it in the Studies of Youth. Let the
Scholars of this Class begin with learning the Elements of Rhetoric
from some short System, so as to be able to give an Account of the
most usual Tropes and Figures. Let all their bad Habits of Speaking,
all Offences against good Grammar, all corrupt or foreign Accents,
and all improper Phrases, be pointed out to them. Short Speeches
from the _Roman_ or other History, or from our _Parliamentary
Debates_, might be got by heart, and deliver'd with the proper
Action, _&c_. Speeches and Scenes in our best Tragedies and Comedies
(avoiding every Thing that could injure the Morals of Youth) might
likewise be got by Rote, and the Boys exercis'd in delivering or
acting them; great Care being taken to form their Manner after the
truest Models.
For their farther Improvement, and a little to vary their
Studies, let them now begin to read _History_, after having got by
Heart a short Table of the principal Epochas in Chronology. They may
begin with _Rollin_'s _Antient and Roman Histories_, and proceed at
proper Hours as they go thro' the subsequent Classes, with the best
Histories of our own Nation and Colonies. Let Emulation be excited
among the Boys by giving, Weekly, little Prizes, or other small
Encouragements to those who are able to give the best Account of what
they have read, as to Times, Places, Names of Persons, _&c_.
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