The  subject,  however,  should  always  be  such  as  is  not  above  the  ca-
pacity of  the  person  who  is  desired  to  compose,  or,  if  it  is,  the  whole
benefit  resulting  from  the  exercise  will  be  nullified.
A  theme  is  a  regular  set  subject  upon  which  a  person  is  required  to
write ;  or  the  dissertation  that  has  been  written  upon  such  a  subject
Some  of  the  simplest  subjects  for  themes  are  those  drawn  from  natural
history,  or  natural  philosophy.  At  all  events  they  should  not,  in  the
first  instance,  be  drawn  from  subjects  of  an  abstruse  and  abstract
character.
The  following  may  serve  as  specimens  in  this  department : —

Theme  1. si.— The  horse. — 1.  Describe  what  sort  of  animal  the
horse  is.  2.  Tell  some  of  the  different  kinds.  3.  Mention  the  various
ways  in  which  this  noble  animal  is  serviceable  to  man.  4.  State
what  would  be  the  consequence  of  wanting  him.  5.  Mention  the
treatment  to  which  he  is  entitled,  and  the  cruelty  of  ill-using  such  a
creature.
Write  themes  upon  the  cow,  the  do«r,  the  sheep,  and  upon  poultry  ;
and  follow  the  same  plan  as  that  which  you  followed  in  writing  upon
the  horse.
Theme  2d. — The  sun. —  1.  Begin  by  stating  what  the  sun  is.  2.
Tell  all  you  know  of  its  size,  figure,  and  distance  from  our  earth.  3.
Mention  the  effect  it  has  upon  the  earth,  and  the  benefits  we  derive


§  97.  COMPOSITION.  187

from  it.  4.  State  what  would  be  the  consequence  if  the  sun  were  ex-
tinguished ;  and  what  our  feelings  ought  to  be  toward  the  Supreme
Being  for  such  an  object.
Write  themes  upon  the  moon,  the  stars,  lire,  air,  and  water;  and
in  all  follow  the  same  plan.
