wt the United States of America. 451 
questionably, a rule of this sort, adopted in the course of our educa: 
‘tion, (extending, however, to two or three of the best authors,) would 
be the most effectual method of acquiring a good English style. And 
surely if Fox found no necessity for any other words than Dryden had 
used, those authors have little excuse, who take the liberty not only of 
using all the words they can find in the whole body of English au- 
thors, ancient and modern, but also of making new terms of their 
own at pleasure. Who shall have a right to complain of scarcity, 
where that distinguished orator found abundance? Such standard 
authors, therefore, should be made the foundation of our English ; 
but as our language, like all others, is constantly though slowly 
changing, we should also, in order to perfect our style,fas we advance 
to mature age, study those authors of our own time, who have made 
the older writers their models. Every word in the writings of Addi- 
son, is not now in general use, in England; and many words have 
been adopted since his time, and are now sanctioned by all the best 
Writers of Hid emeesiats wench, guzitcrs, terior, as well as their il- 
i sht to be dilig d; for we should always 
remember, that in spears as in the fine arts, we can only attain to 
excellence by incessant study of the best models. 
VOCABULARY ; 
- or, a collection of variouswords and phrases, which have been supposed to 
b¢ peculiar to the United States. 
ACCOMPLISHED. Dr. Witherspoon thus notices a peculiar use of this word, 
which he places among his “ Americanisms :’? “ He is a man of most ac- 
-_compilished abilities. A man may be said to be of distinguished abilities, 
or great accomplishments, but accomplished abilities is wholly new.” With- 
ersp. Druid, No.7. No American at the present day would make use of 
this extraordinary expression. I have never found any person who has met 
with it in American publications. 
