THE

ELEMENTS

OF

ENGLISH COMPOSITION.

CONTAINING

PRACTICAL INSTRUCTIONS

FOR

A

WRITING THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE WITH
FERSPICUITY AND ELEGANCE.

DESIGNED, IN THE PROGRESS OF EDUCATION, TO SUC-
CEED TO THE STUDY OF ENGLISH GRAMMAR, AND
OF THE LATIN AND GREEK CLASSICS.

BY DAVID IRVING, A. M.

PHILADELPHIA:

PRINTED BY THOMAS L. PLOWMAN,

TO THE REV.

THOMAS MARTIN, A. M.

DEAR SIR,

I HAVE always entertained a hearty averfion to thofe unmanly and fulfome ftrains of panegyric, of which dedications have too frequently been compofed. Human nature feldom appears more unamiable than when it stoops to such self-debasement. At the shrine of adulation I intend to offer no incenfe. And although I were fo mean as to adopt a different refolution, it is to be prefumed, that your good-fenfe would prevent me from carrying it into effect.

Let me however be permitted to declare, that small as fuch a favour may be deemed, I should never have thought of infcribing this little work to one for whose character I did not entertain a moft cordial esteem.

I remain,

Dear Sir,

Your affectionate friend,

DAVID IRVING.