...reason these familiar histories may perhaps be made of greater use than the solemnities of professed morality, and convey the knowledge of vice and virtue with more efficacy than axioms and definitions. Quite parallel with this extension of the book page into the form of a talking picture of ordinary...

..."familiar histories" of today "may perhaps be made of greater use than the solemnities of professed morality, and convey the knowledge of vice and virtue with more efficacy than axioms and definitions." Not that Johnson lacks respect for the solemnities either of morality or of public life; rather, he...

...reason these familiar histories may perhaps be made of greater use than the solemnities of professed morality, and convey the knowledge of vice and virtue...more efficacy than axioms and definitions. But if thepower of example is so great as to take possession of the memory by a kind of violence, and produce...

...Dr. Johnson observes, histories which draw the portraits of living manners may be made of moro use, and convey the knowledge of vice and virtue with more efficacy than .axioms and definitions. Mr. Massey does not undertake to write in any detail the history of India and Ireland, of America,...

...understanding and the heart. Such fiction " may do more good to many minds than the solemnities of professed morality, and convey the knowledge of vice and virtue with more efficacy than axioms arid definitions." On this ground it was, no doubt, that the infinitely wise Author of our religion...

...morality, and convey the knowledge of vice and virti.c with more efficacy than axioms and de-.' finitions. But if the power of example is fo great, as to take poíTeífion of the memory by a kind of violence, and pro« duce effects almoft without, the interval-,...