The following are arranged somewhat in the order in which the student is
recommended to begin his efforts. About the more elaborate ones, which
come later, he may use his own discretion as to which he will try first;
but he must previously have had some training in the simpler
compositions, with which we deal before all others. These form as it
were a kind of palæstra of folly, a very short training in which will
suffice to break down that stiffness and self-respect in the soul, which
is so incompatible with modern poetry. Taking, therefore, the silliest
and commonest of all kinds of verse, and the one whose sentiments come
most readily to hand in vulgar minds, we begin with directions,