RHETORIC:
A TEXT -BOOK,
DESIGNED FOR USE IN SC II OOLS AND COLLEGEti.
AND FOR PRIVATE STUL'Y_

}1y REV .

E. 0 . HAVEN, D.D., LL.D.,

PJtf:t:HllE!'iT OF TJJlC UNJVF.RSlTY (11'' .Ml\J UIOA !'I.

lmago Animi Senno est.- S1rna:cA.

NH l V YORH :
Jr AH l' EH &

I! H 0'l'llER1',
F H A

~

IC I.

rN

P U BJ, IS Jl E J{ S,

S lJ U A H

'

I.

I-~ .

l k G !:l.
,;;.·
p.
I

lifl?I VllRD COL LEGE Ll flhh li \
Glfl Of
GEOftGE AH 111 UR PLIMPT~
J~NU~RY 2 5, 1924

CONTENTS.
INTROD UCTION.

WO R D::! A.l\D T llE

~L\ 'J'EIUAL

OF E Xl'l tF. >' '!OX.

CuAP'r r. n

I. Ge ne ral

E:xpr{· ~ ~ ion

of Tho11ght and F"-' e lin ~ .

I[. The Orig i11 aml U:-<e of

Entered, acco rding to Act of Congress, iu the yc:tf 1869, by

llARf' E R & BROTHERS,
ln the Clerk's O ffice of the D is tri ct Co urt o f th e Un it e<l S t'1tc s fo r the

So uthern District of New York.

Lan ~ 11 a g...: ...

Tf'I. I Io w t o ac11 u i rn th e Kuv\vl cdt;e of \\ 'vn.ls .• .
l V. Short ;\ll fl cxprcs, h·o Words .
V. L ong " ~ordt<, and Direc t io n s 11pon the C ll oiL:c vf \\ ' ( 1 rd ~ . . .
VI. H ow t:o ol 1t a i n a g ood Vv..:al1ulary .
' TTJ . Di s<' riminat ion in the u ~l~ of \ Vvnls ..

V J fl. 'Faul ts t.o he avoi Llc<l ..
I X . Vu rt her Dircctio ris 11po1 1 th e Chu ice vf \\' vnb . .. .
X. Further Dircct. i on s-co11tinu e ~l. .... . .. ... . . . . . . ... . . . .

:\7

.1:.
·1'.l

:.:;

PA.HT II.
}i' ! (;[; Jrns

OF Hl ' EE C IJ

.'

A.\.'ll 'l'Jl(J[;(;ll'J'.

I. Tro1ws . ..

IL Compari, ons . . . . . . . . . • . . • .
. ..... . . . . ...... . .. .
III. Allusions . . . . . . ... . . . . . . ...... .. ... . ..... . . . .. . . . . . . . . .

~I
~1 :)

10'2
l V. M c tn p hors . . ... .. .. . . . . ...... ....... . .. . .. . .. .
J]: ;
V . An t itheses . . ....... . . . .. . .......... . ....... .. .. .
VI. All egories anLl Fables . ... . ... .. . .. . ... .... . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . 1~~
VII. H y pcrl.Jofos, or Extravagant Express i o n ~ . . . . .. . . . . • . •..
1:;1

VIII .
l X.
X.
XI.
XII.

xm.

Irony .
. . ..... . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . .... .. . . . . . . ... .
Pcr•onifi cntion and Prosopopooia..
. . . . . . . . .. .... . . ... .

"

1 :; ~

11 .-.

Apostrophe ...... ... . . . ..... . .. .. .. .. . .. . . .. . . .. . . . . . . . . . J r.i ;
Scrmocinatio, or lJialogue .. .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . ... . . . .. . . . . J ~ i!

Vi , ion..

.. ............ . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . .

Wit . . ....
. . . . . . . ... ... . .. . . .... ... .. .
XIV . Wit-conli11w:d . . .... .. . . .. . . .. . .. . . . .. . . .. . . . .. . . . . .. .

l fi ."1

17'.'.
JHll

.·•

!;;~""

\'1

<.; U.\'TL'XTS.

PART JU.
CO~IPOSITIU1'1

AND sTYLE.

CuiP'J'Tm

l. Combinations of Worek .
I I . Propo!'i tio ns . .... . .. .. .

Irr. Sc111C·nc<'> .
IV.

\".
\' i.
\°11.
V l Ir.
lX .

J,(10f.:C

f't·n tc ncw:.i nwl Peri ods . .

I 1 1le rro;.;at i u n~ 1 J·:xcb111;itiull:-1, Cli11111x , J:cpi-tiLivn .. .
Til e ~l c l ody or Sc-11t c11ccs ..... .
Style . . . ........... . ... . . .. ... . .... . . . . ... . .
Jd ioms and PnH·cr!,:-; . .. . . .. , . . . . . . . . . . .. .. . .
l !ow tu acqu ire :L goocl Stdc . ..... .

X . Styl e :i daptcd to prodncn i.:m~1ti ou.
X r. Ta s tt~, and it!S Cu1th·at.iun.

Xll. S1_vlc mud i!i0d liy the X 11 t11 rc of tlic r•r11d11ctio11 . ...
Xl l l. 1\ddres~c~ 1 Lec tures, Oratio ns, ~c rmu11 s.

XII' . Epi,tol:try C<irnp o> it.ion ..... .. . . ... .
XY. lli,t •lri ca l \\"riti11 g ......... .
:XYI. l«·p rcsc ntativc \\' riti11;; nm! Fiction . ... . .. .... • .. . .....
:X\"ll. P oetry ..

XVIlI. S]'ccics of Poetry . .. . .. .. . .. . . . ..... . . ......... . .

PART IV.
INVENTION.

T. Nntnrc oflm;cnt ion, and

Ro nie gcncrul Rules . ..
. . . . . . . Ml
IT. Inn~11tio 11 in Df'~ Cripti o n ... . ... . . . .. . . .. ... . .... . ..... .
HJC
11 r. lr1v1· 11fit1n in Narration~ .. . .. . ....... ... .. . . , ... ... .. . . .
n·. 111\·r ntinn in nl••t. r,1 ct Sniojrct s..... . .... . ... . . . .... . .. .
V. ln\'(•11tion in f)j .. cw~'-inn:: . . . . . . . . . .... . . . .. . ... . .. . . .
VI. ln\'ention in mi t<c.-.llan"ons Produ c tiow~ .. . . . . .. .. . . .... .

P :\ltT V.
T·:L Ot:UTJO N .
Proprie ty of th e Stu<ly or 'El oc11 1ion . . ... .. ... . ...• , . ... . . :)[; J
rr. The mrehn11i c: tl Eh~ mn11t~ nf E locutio n ... . .. ... . . ... ... . .
I II. I111 t:Ifect111d and mora.l El l' 1n e 11t~ 0 f El oculio11
3GG
J.

!)(DEX.

· · · · · · · · · · · · · ·. · · .......... . .. . . Hi!i

PREFACE .
nnl· III~ work rnay be s:i.ill to Lave grown, r:i. tl1cr .tl1:cn
to nave been w rit.Le n for the purpose of ili:1k11i,c:·
a book. Ilavittg l\S( '.(1 ill tlt c cla:-<s-room, in :ic;1ckmy
and college, many of the Ll:xt-books on J{lidoric, :lit ·
cient and modern, foreig n and Am eri can, a1 td l:a1·i11 g
instructed some dasscs without u:oin g a Lext-b<1ok,
I lin.ve been most satisflcLl with t11c resnl~ w lic 11 tl t•:
method herein presented l1as been p11 rsucll . fl'ltis
book is therefore the res ult o f actual e:.xpcrirncnl.
Abstruse argumc llts about style and oratory, aliou l
t11e confli clin g tlieorics of t.aslc a1 "1 ltc:tnt.r, ~tl J(•llt. (' Ui1 ·
viction antl persuasion, am1 the hws of mind, a11.l 1l1n
pltilosopliy of langu:igc, arc :i.11 gooc1 :i.nrl v~l l11aLlc in
their place; bltt a student may r ead ancl I'('pc:1t them
with but little more cifoct on Lis own ha.hits 0f s ;w :1 kin g or power to write well, than he wolll11 I't'u:in·
from an equal amount of study in ma.thcmi ttics, mcdt·
cine, or law, or any other subject.
At the s:i.mc t ime, mere exerci ses in compos1t1on,
on a series of topi cs prcsente1l, with a f,~ w outLn cs :l1 1d
d irections, are too supe rficial to produce the \k:-:in:oi
resn 1t .
\\That the student needs is an orderly and pcr>'pic u·

\'Il l

l 'Jlb' Ji'.1 CE.

ous presentation of the tbco ry , with illustrations and
di rections bow to profit by it.
Examples both fo r imitation and Ji sapprovul, in
this work, have been draw n from 11 t0llc rn as well as
ancient writers, American as well as fore ig n-from
soine not wi dely known, m; well as from tl1 c most celcbralc<l.
J\ s it r ·gards tbc best use to be made of the book,
I woulcl respectfully suggest to teachers that stud ents
of 11hetoric should al ways eomb i nc practice with stu<ly,
and should be required to prod uce either ori g inal or
selected examples of every figure of speech, of every
k ind of composition, and of every style described.
Once a week, perhaps, the class may present in writing
specimens or illustrations of wl1 :-it has been stuJi e<l
durin g tbc week, and tlJc exerc ises s uggestec1 in Pa rt
IV. sbou]J all be fairly wrought out after tlte prcviou::;
par l-i have been stlll1icJ. In this w:1.y the sci ·nec:rnJ
art arc so welded togethe r in tl1c memory as to be
of pcrm:i.ncnt value.
It is al so :i,n excellent exercise for a stnd ent to be
req ui reel to present written cri ticisms of some pror,luctions, well-known or other wi se, acco rd in g to tlic prin cipl es statell in tl1 e tex t-book. It is comparatively
easy for a student to write when a definite subj ect is
suggested to him. Hhctoric, like music, is eminently
pract,ic:i.l; :rn d wh i e theoretic study is indispensable,
persistent, careful wo rk is demanded .

I NTRODUCTION.
IIETORIO is both a science ancl an a rt. In ~h~ ~
respect, it is like all othe r subject:; wL 1cl.t cm bi ace
practice, founJccl upon rules that grow out of certain
facts in the nature of th ings : such as O rnmm:cr, / \ r ·
chitecture, Music, Painting, :Med icine an<l ~urgcry,
Land-su rveyi ng, E ng ineerin g, Navi gation.
vVith reference to all snch subjceL'l tl1erc arc t\rn
classes of perso ns : tlJOsc who appreciate and ar1wo \· 0
a proper study of the theory as a 11:1sis of actual work ,
and those who in sj st that native genius alo1 1c is c»111 ·
petent to rcaeh- tlrn desired result.
. .
Tbc occasion for tl1is <livcf8iLY or o p 1ul 1n : lrt ~ i ·~.
from th e fact that there arc n1 c11 wl10 l1av1: c:tudi ,·· 1
carefully prnctic: d sciences, lrnt l1avt' 11uL Leen al.J c tci
achi eve eminent success in actual work; a11<1 tl 11·rc

R

1

a.re also men who bave not studie<l the theory, wlio
are still r emarkably successful. Tltc two extrc111 '. ·s
may be seen i11 some profound studen ts; pcrk1ps teach·
ers of elocution, for instance, wl1 0 can not rn :Lkc a n
effective extempore speech , or of l1l1ctvric, \\· 110 c:1n
not write n pop ular book o r essay; [tm1 in .so1r1c \':l ie:
have ncv<' r studicl1 the theory of' tl1t,ir pro lcss1on , an• 1
arc yet eminent as " natu ral pa illters," "natnr:d 11i ll ·
sici:ms," ::rnJ "n:.itural bouc-seticrs."

,. .

PART I .
RHETORIC, AND ITS RELATION TO LAKGuAGE .

•

RHETORIC .
CIIArrl'ER I .
GEN ERAL EXPRESSION OF 'fIIO UGIT1' Al\"JJ fEELI;\G .

1. Definilions. -H.rrnTORIC is th e sci1.oll CC and art or
expressing th o ught an<l fediug uy bngu;1 gc in tli c
best possible manner.
Aristotle dcfill c<l Rbeto r! c to be "the faculty c\ l.
perceiving all th e possi b le: rncn.us of pcrs u:Lsion 011
every subject." The object of a !Opcakcr or wr ikr i;;
sometimes, however, not to persuade, o ut to in~trnc L
or to amu se. Quintil ia n d esc ri bes Rhetoric as ti1c
" science of speaking well;" a conc ise :wd bc:i.u t i ful defi niti on, if it be u nde rstood al so to include writ-

ing.

•

Speech is primarily uttered , but rnuc1i is now \\·ri tten to be printccl am1 rcall,°pcrhaps sile ntly, aml Hl1ctoric emb races the rul es by wl1ich l:rn g 11:1gc, wli r: <.11cr
u tter ed or written, may be the most cffcctiv1'. It is
i m material, generally, wlJ ctJ1cr , in the tliSCll:-'S i On of
t hese rul es, the prim:1,ry attc 11t.io1 1
dircctcc1 Ui spc:1 king or writin g . 'vVlic n Ll1 c 11 at urc ol' tl1<~ sn Ljn;t

uc

lti

I.'II HTO lU U.

allow s, both arc inclu ded, thou g h but one 1s mentioned.

2. Natural La11.'711a,7c.-'11 l10ught, :111d emotion may
be commnnicatcd b.Y on e p erson to anoth e r by signs,
such as motions of th e Li and,.;; by inarticulate sounds,
such as g ro:ms, shouts, s ighs, ancl Ly toLJch. Many
anirnaL tl1us co mmunica te with each otllCr. 'I'liis is
call ed Natural Language.
Some of tLc methods of natural language arc hi ghly cu1Livatcd by men, a11c1 the use of some kin ds or
communic::ition witho ut langu[lgc is often c111plnyccl
to ndd cfTkic11cy to utte red spccc:h . 'l1 li c practice of
impress ing otl1cr minds by motio11s of tl1 c limbs, the
eyes, and t.hc conn tcnancc, kts b ee n so p crfi!CLcd as to
becom e ::t good substit ntc for lan gu age in tlJc trnnsaction of impor t-nnt bu siness.
Navi gators arc gu ided into proper clinnn cls, a nd
warned ag ainst unseen rocks an<l oth er dangers, by
lights of difl(~rcnt colors aml sl 1ape. The movem ent
and si/\c nnd in te ntion of armies arc eom muni catccl by
the w:win g of flags of di (forcnt fo rm or color, as prcvion s ly agrccJ upon . Trumpets, steam-whistl es, and
w liatcver nukes a no ise, may be used to con vcy thought..
'I'clcg mphy m[ly e xi st wi t liout tl1c nsc of wo rds.
3. T!i ou.r;ht 1'n dr p enrlcnt ~f L a'll:JIW.rJ"· - From the
above, it is evid ent that thought and emo tio 11 c!l n exist without langn:ige. 'rbosc who lrnvc asse rted t.ltat
mnn c::in not tlii nk \vi thout tl1 c use o f hnguagc e ither
have not comprehended the subject, o r they l1 nve
g iven to the term lani:; u:igr a meaning more tl1[ln proply 1Jelo 11gs to it., and made it embrace all sig ns of

1'1.LU U U111'

11'11'HOUJ' LANO UAIU.'.

J\)

thought and feeling. The very brutes feel a nd tlii11k
Mankind can not be inferior to th e m.*
4. Lomguag" necessar!J lo ilwrnu:;h m11/ comp1·cl1 e11sfrc
Thought.-But witboutarticubtc langn:ige th e tlioughts
of men would be scanty and imperfect, and tl1eir emotions would be und evel oped and untrained. 'l'J1is is
clearly ::iscc rtainecl from facts.
'rhc deaf and dumb (s peechl ess because th ey can
"'Lord BHcon t hus ]•resen t' li is Yi cw of tli~ possihilit_v c•f th1>11i;lit
witliout L1n ~ 11agc : " T'hc notes uf thin~~, tlit:!l1 1 wliich (·arry a :-.il-!: 1iifi cadon wi th out the l1 c lp or int crv cnt i(Jn of w<n-d :-:, •He nf '":o kind:-; :
one,

( :.1:

co119n10, wh ere the 11ul e l1as :-;umc co n;,..:r11 i1y wi th the· rtiodi u n,

the other, ud 11llf ..:it 11m, \\ hl'rC ii.

i =-- :1du1Jtnl n11d ngn_
' tJ UJHJ;l ;it 1· l1·:1"ure. Of th e for111f':r ki11d nre lii r. nigl_qd1i t's and g1 •_..;f11rc~, pf tl1t Li tter, tlic r e al c!i;trad.c rs nhove Jll f • l d iuncd. Th e ll SC or l1i{' f• )g !_qd1ic:--:

is very o lJ.

* * *

\\rhc.: n

J\·rinnd<."r~

ht·ing-

COll~lllit.;d !1ow

tn

11rf'-

SCl'YC a tyrnnny , badn tli c n1c ~ :-;engc r follow liim , n1HI "·cn t i 11f ,1 !1i .-;

gnrtl cn nn l1 LuppcJ tl1 c

l1i ~ li1·st

flu w<.'. rs, 11it11i11g at

tlir~ (';ilti1i g

off uf

the nob ility, Ji u mnd c tl f:C \)f ;t lii crog-ly pliic j11~t as 11111<·h as if he !:nil
<lruwn it on paper.
In tli c; rn~nn tirnc iL i ~ iilain tl 1:Lt lii <·1·oglyp!iil · ~
a.nd g-est11rcs lutv c always sonic simili;uJc to 1he thing i- ig JJ if\.:d . nnd

nrc n kin•.l of cmhlcms- wh c nce I l1nrn cn ll ctl th em n oks u!' tli i"g'
(At1 vanrc rnc11t. or Lc:nn ing-, hook iL chap. i. ) .
Sil- Willinm Tfnmilto11 style~ tli c nssc rtion tl 1nt man <'an nnt think
witho11t lan g ua ge "n p:-:ycliolngieal h_q )othesis in rcganl to the nhsolu ie dependPnrc of the mc ntnl fa c11l1.ies on language, uncc and
ngn.in refuted" ( E d. Hcv. vol. cxv. p . 208).
The a r t of pantomime, or of expressi ng charnrtrr, t hot1 .'.!'.h1'~ nn11

by congruity

II

action by attitudes, ge~tn rl' s, anLl moiions, was highl y eulti\' aied liy
the Ron1ans in th e ir th eatre:-: . S <1 m f' tlf t.hc th o11 g hi th11:-o en nvc·y C' rl
wns in struc tive and en1111bli ng, hu t often it was dcgnHl iri~ and i1H1e ccnt, an<l th c rcfurc p11l1lic p:1ntomi111ic performanc e-~ we re sc ,· r r('i_Y
de nou nced by the e:1rly CJ1 ri stLl n preal'i 1r.rs.
J\'fa<"ro!1in s, who l i Yr1 l
in the early pnrt of the fifth cc n t11 ry af1er Christ, rchtfc~ t !1nt Ci('ern.
the fi- 1mou s or:-1tnr, 111a1 Hu-- ('i11 ~ , n. fa 1n o11s net1ff, would {1!"1 ·11 try t•f1

get li c; r to asccrt:.1i 11 w l1i d 1 could exprl'SS a tl1011gl1t lite

111nre

r·l(•qncnt-

ly, the one by words, n11d the other by gestures and rnntio11.,.

20

RJJETOJUC.
UHlUIN Uli lu1NU U,1UK

not bear), bowcvcr ad vanccd in years, never have
m::t~y thoughts till tliey learn lan,quage. 'J'l1cy have
no 1dea of life and deatb, of cause and effect, of reward
:m(l p unishmen t. 'l'l1at beautiful system of in structing them, devised in modern times, and which itself is
a great honor both to mode rn science and to C hristiani ty, shows how indispen sable words arc, as t,h c instruments of thought ; for those mutes, who have never
hc:.ird a sonnd, must learn wonls before they can possibly rccei ve abstract ideas, s uch, for instance, as are
expressed in the Lord's Prayer, or in tlic Constitution of the United States. 'l'hcsc words they learn, as
they learn to tliink, not imperceptibly, :.is Len. ring pe rsons do, through articulate language, but slowly and
laboriously.
No instance has yet been known in tbc whole history of the world of a human bein g wl10 was taught
to equal the average of children often years of age, iu
thought and emotion, without a knowledge of words.
'1··11
11cre h ave b ecn poets ancl orators, learned mathematicians, astronomers, land -surveyors, an cl rnacb i nists
without si g ht, skill ful artists without hands, but 110
men of tbougl1t who could not understand and use
words. \Vcll did Quin tili an cx:chim, "Ilow littl e docs
man's divine mi nd avail him if speech is denied !"XvVords a re the signs of thou gh t.
c learn the
thoughts of others by words. We store up thou ghts
by • the memory of words, or by writinrr
them , to be
b
compared, analyzed, and classifi ed at our leisure. 'rhe.
basis of Rhetoric is a knowledge of words.

"lv

"'De f11 , 1it11tionc Orntorin, lib. ii. cap. x vi.

CIIAPTER IL
THE OTUGIN AND l.iSE OF LANGUAGE.

5. Th e On:7in of L anr_1uage.-'l'trn origi 11 of la11guage can not certainly be ascertained Ly inv csLigation. The Holy Scriptures represent man as l1avi 11g
language from tlic bcginuin g_ 'J'he theory tl1 at Luman beings were once a mute and almost tbou ghtl ,:s:'
herd, like the brutes, is a figment of the imagination
not based on historic evidence.
The various views of those who liavc e11'1eavorcd
to account for the origin of language may 0(: rc1lucccl
to these tli rec tlieories:
(1.) I t was communicated to man oy th e C r,~atu 1-.
(2.) It was tlic invcution of man, prcvions to wl 11l;li
the race may have Jivel1 without it, like dogs or c;attk,
hundrells and thousan ds of years.
(3.) Man is so constitu ted that it is as inst.inc:ti\c:
for him to speak as it is fo r a beaver to co11st ru d a
dam, or for a bee to store up honey.
'l'hc first and thinl views do not conDict with cacl 1
other, and may both be correct, but the second is w li ol ly imaginary and unphilosophical, and all who demand a basis of fact for their opinions to rest upon
should d ecline to recei ve it.
It has e ven be1;n conjectured Ly some tliat if a com -

:U.

Rl1Wl'UR1l'.

ll"UHl.J -1'.t l .\' 'J'/ .\- i:.

pn.ny of lrnm::n being,; could be ld'L to grow up together from cl11lclbood witliout hearing :-t wonl uttered by
any oth0 r pe rson , they would n:i.turally tbclll s<.:lves construct a language. 'l'li i::i, howev e r, i::i 011] y conjcct u re."*
'TLcrc is a wonderful uniformi ty in many of the
languages spoken by men, and many pl1ilologists beli eve that all arc variati ons fro m one o riginal common speech.

proueJ by Spccch.-So essc11tia1 is speech to th e tlinroug h culture of tl1c rui11ll that it may be doulJtcd
whctl1cr natural lauguage itself is n ot rcmlcrcJ lJ.Y it
more cfficiellt than it possibly coulcl liavc been w1 t l1out the cultivation scc urcJ by tLc use of wonk 'l'lic
paintings and hicroglypl1ic,,; of sav;igcs ::in; i11dccLl
superior to the b est pictorial illu sLrn.tions that co ulLl
have been produceJ by human be ings w1 w11y \1c:-;t itute of lang nagc; liut how far sl1ort do tl:c p i ct urC'~;
made by savages fall of the paint in gs o[ a Haphael, o r
the illustrations that acco1npany rnoclern sci c n tilic
works!
7. H'unl -p uinli111 . -\Yonl-painting, or th e rcpn· scntation by langu::igc of what may UC SCCll uy tl1c
eye, often proLlllccs a more dcfl11itc and vivi J p i ct. tll\~
of tltc obj ect tlian can be prcseutcl1 by sculpture o r <rn
tL c canvas, because, in :vldition to 1lcscribin g tl1.:: 111«n:
supcrl1cial appcn ra11 cc, some \l'Orlls are usell w li icl1 su ggest the feel in gs aucl tl 1ouglits botl1 r,f the ol1j1·ct s <J ,•.
scribed, if th ey l.1avc a11y, and or tl10 ohscrvcr. Take,
for in stance, tlic [ul lowing dcscri ptiu11 or a dying glad iator, as ll cscribCll by Dyron in Childe llarolJ, c:wtu iv .
stanza 1-10 :
"I sec before m e the gladiator lie:
H e leans upo n his l1and- hi s manly l.H-r>w

G. A Variety of n rords necessary.- \Vitliou t w:i.ndcring far into the field of conjcctnrc, we can conflclcntly assert tliat words arc t he necessary vehicles of mature :-tnd various tliouglit. As tho skillful painter
must have on his easel materials for every color, and
oven e very delicate sLaLlc, as tl1e accom pl isLcl1 organ ist must liavc an in strnmcnt well-fun1 isl 1cd wit l1 11otcs
and stol's, so must tli c speak er or wr iter kt\·e a copi(~ll s snpp l)' of these airy yet pcrma11 e11t rcpresc11t;tt1vcs of mental and moral action - words. \\Tu nh arc
:vingc<l messengers, without which tliougl1t::; slu 1n hc r
rn n silence that can not be dist in guished from clcatli.
\Vitli out bnguagc, the body would be little better
tl1an :i tomb fo r the soul.
7. J\ 'citural Lan:71wyc i·r.,Jj not din11"111:~1u:d, 1)(/l i 111 -

*

ne,·.

Horncc Iln>hncl l, D.D. , in his work entitled " God in

Christ, wi.th n Prcl imi11 nry Di,.;~erlation on Lnngungc," puhliHltcJ in

IInrtford 111 l 84 V, rcfot cs an instance of two twin boys in Co nn ecti cut who const ruc ted a langi.rngc fur each other in ; 11 r,;nc\" nnJ wo uld
not
use. their
mothcr-r0ng nc . Unfu rluna te lv
one of t hen; ~Jin... {J, " ..ltllI
.
.
.
with 111m died, never to be spoke n n ~;l in, what , l1cy ond anv rcnsoll for
doubr., wns the root of n new ori;!" i11al Ji,·er>i1y of hnmn~ spccdi-n
nc\~' ~ong11c .. , The instnncc is not gircn \Yi th suOic icnt fulln<:ss nnJ
dcfm1tenc s~ to produce con Yi ct ion.

Consents lo death, hut conqncn:i ngo11y 1
.A nJ his Jroope<l head sinks grn<lu11 lly low .And throu gh his s ide th e last drops, ebb in g slow
From the red gflsh, fall hen,-y, one by one,
Lil(() the first r,f n thund cr-$howcr; and n ow
The arcn:i swim s nroml'l l1im-hc i.-; ,;one,
Ero ccnsc<l the inhu111an shout wl1i ch haile<l the \HCtch w h•1
won.

..
·~~~4:-,~~~~~~~;

:H

RJ/ R.TU JU U.

'This beautiful descriptio n of a statue con veys more
thought than the best executed specime n of sculptu re,
vr even the actual facts presented to our senses, unkss
our o wn mind s were capable of or ig in atiug the rcOcctions suggested to us by the writer.
S. Cumparative P ou.:a of L anguu;;e anrl tlie imita.·
tivc Arl5 ·i n Dcscriplion.-An unprofitable controversy
bas arisen upon the "Uestion
w hetbcr J::uwu::i,erc
or
' .l
0
0)
painting and sculpture, which are call ed tl1e "imita·
tive arts," can affo rd the most th oro ur;h a nLl vivid description of an object. James Darry,'"' in a lectu re on
painting, delivered before the Bri Lish Royal Acmlcmy,
says: "'l'he l\fodiccan Venus tlrn F :uncsc liere ulcs
'
,
and the Fightin g Gladiator also, what is tlic re in p o·
ctry (d escriptive) thatcou!J supply the loss of them?"
Ile adds: " \ Von ls, after all, arc but words. 'l1 hcy
arc bu t symbols form ed fo r the eye ou t of twenty-four
arbitrary scratches, called lette rs, and ce rtain vibrations of the air occasioni ng certa in irritations in o ur
organ of h earing, which by . national co mpaets arc .
made to suggest the idea of existin g things, with th eir
several moJcs and degrees of rela ti on ; and though t li c
communic:ition of all tl1is m:ilber of co mpact is more
or less perfect., according to t he degrees of ou r education in it, yet how very imperfect it is, even at the best,
will soon nppcar, o n attempti ng to desc ribe in mo rn
words any individual com pl ex fo rms, as the portrait or
l ikencss o[ any man's face, and n um bcrl c,;s ot.bcr 111 atters which need not be mentioned . However, what
lang nage want.si n precis ion, is abnndantly eompcnsatcd in the facility alld cxtc11t o f wl1at it docs com mu-

NEGES:;JTY OF' TII OUO J{T.

25

nicatc in tl1e whole range of cl 1aractc rs, manners, pas·
sions, sentiments, and intercourse o f society."·:+
No naked descri ption, by words, o[ a tLiug seen ,
can equal in vividness a correct picture, but it may
contain much more informati on than can possibiy be
received directly through the sense of sight.
9. R elation of L ang1w;;e lo J.k11lal Culture.- \Von1s
h ave many sbaacs and degrees of signi fication, varying
with the mental cultivatiou o f those wl10 crn1 iloy :u1d
bear them. A wcll-::;torcd mind mc:tns more 'uy tl 1,;
same terms than an ignorant one, nml rcc..;i ves 1110 r c
meaning from the words of others. rr bc 1.Jl':"t authors
can not be appreciated except by p ersons cq ua11y
learned, for the worJs arc clotbcJ with assoc iations,
a1lusions, and suggestions tl1nt are wholly invi sil.Jlc
to the uneducateJ. .1'. procluction, wriLtcn or spo],cn,
that conveys abundant valual.Jlc th ongl1t, ge1wraily
evinces thorough culture.
Many animals can be tau ght at lc:tst :t srn:dl part
of the signillc::ttion of several worJs when atldre.'sed
··to them . Some animals can be taught to artic11iate,
but never to use language :ts a v eh icle of tLouglit
A student may become thorough ly acquainted witl1
the ar(of elocution, and yet be an in efficient speaker,
for the want of knowledge and mental di sciplinc ;gooJ
elocutionists, so called, arc often in efficie nt origiml
orators, because they ha ve feeble or unculti vatccl
minds, or scanty information, or l ittle gcnu in e fccli11;;;
while writers tbat vi olate tli e funclam cntal principl es
*Lectures on I'ainting. i>y the Hoy1\l Acndcinicia.n>, llnrry, OpiP,
nncl FuseIi (Lo1H.lon, p. 11 G).

R

·,.
:, ...
. "·

·.rn

A.CIJ Ul SITJO.V OF

JIJFE T O!U C.

of llhctoric will be read, :u1d speakers th:-it tr:-insgrcss
elocution and even g rarnm::i.r will be Ji ·tcncd to, si11q1 ly
from th eir abnnthncc of thought and power. On e acquainted witl1 the rnlcs of llltetoric 111 ~ty be in competent to write ::i. v::i.lnablc ess:1.y, or eve n a gooL1 lcttcr to
a friend, fo r the want of mental ability. H.lt cto ric can
not supply the place of intellect and li c::i. rt, but onlv
shows how to use both most cfll.cicntly. J\ 11 abl,c
speaker or writer needs thought, emotion , and b11guage.

l\' OJ'UJ S.

.,- I

CIIAP'J'EH UL
H OW TO A CQU illE TJIE K?\ <J\\' LEDGE OF \\'OI:l •S.

10. L ru 1;; l(l(ij l'. z,.,lflil'' lit1 Cl1ilill1 w il.- 'l'11i::. fir,;L I'<''!·
ui siLG ol' Hl 1ctnric is to a<.:cpiire :1. know lcJciG vr \\'O J'l.l~.
'l' li is k11owkJgc is obtain cJ , to a grc:1t cxfl'1 1t, in
ou r <.:hildh "oJ fr1Jlll onr parc11t s a11 Ll early crn11p:t11i•i11~.
\Ve bear wo rd s pro11ou 11 ccJ , w0 lll ark tl1 r· ir si.c:11 iil cancc, we imprint tl1 e111 upon vur rni11 Js; t.l1cy tliu ,.,
become vcl1i c1cs of tL011glit fu r 011r ow11 tt:'l '. \\' !,..
m::i.y b:l.vc uttered those won1s flr;::t is of nu pr:tet1c:1!
consequence to u:::. Some of tlic:n may l1:in: ]), Tn u,.:L·d
by the Homans two Lbousand yc:-irs ago, :rn cl th c:"t·\.)r0
s:l.id to be clc riv cd from the L:itin; oth«rs n<:t1·
hav e been useL1 hy th e GrcC'ks; others 1iy tl1e "\orrn::i.ns; others by the modern Fn' ncl1; ot ll('r,.; rn:1v
li::i.v c been ::i.lways used from th e creatio n of' 111:i11 till
now; but whoever used tlH'rn hcfo re ns, t.li•'.'' :i re now
words of our l::i.n g uagc, :1.nd w0 Jt.arn tb ei r si g11iiicanc•'
and pow er by hearin g them pronounced.
11. _lrmg 1wgr! ru·'l.1 1/rcrl l1y /11•11ri11;; m u{ n·nrhn:r-nv
the sense of hearing :ilonc it is possibl e to :-tc(111 ire aL
extensive anc1 choice vocabulary, ancl to beconw 1\ ·aily
:-ind ex pert in the use of lan g u:-tgc. 'l'ltcre h:wc bcc1 1
rn:l.ny eloquent speakers who h:1.vc thn s acq11ir0d :i ll
the ir kuow led ge of language. In past :1g<·s, and :u non !-'.

uc

,... · ·t~·

._;,vii.

28

JJfE1'Jl01JS OF /,FJ .-1 UN / NU

R111'1'01UU.

ll"Ul!D.'i.

guagc.- Tbcrc arc t wu inctlimls of learning tbc m<~an­
ing of words-the natural aml tbe artificial.
The natural method is to listen to the words wli cn
uttered, anc1 to observe what from tLeir connecti on
and from the appearance of tbc speak.er, :ind from t11 c
consequences tbat foljow, mu::;t be tbcir n:c:rning, an 1l
then oursel ves, when occasion calls, to use tl1c same
words.
The artificial mctboJ is to study the meaning of
words by the use of lexicons, g rammars, :i,ml other
books th:i,t define words, or to l1ca r them cx11l:ti c1cd
by a teache r.
Doth methods must be practi,~cd to obtain so ex·
tcnsi vc a know ledge o f wo rds as gooJ scliohrsh ip r<'·
quires. Doth m::ty be coml>i ncd by reading bo(•k~
written in a gooJ :=;tylc, antl by rn.:vcr pa:=;sing uv cT ari
unfam ilin.r expressi on wiLl1out obtaining a con. ·c t 1•1c::t
of the author's meaning by consultin g a dictionary or
some other aid.

ignorant people, undoubtedly there b:i.vc been many
able orators who coul<l not 1vritc their names, and
who could not read the alphabet. Dut the most cfll.cicnt aid of tii~ bearing now is tbc ]Jrin tcd page.
Many obtarn their knowledge o r all bllt a fl' Wcommon
words from uook:o. The wur<l::; used in good uoob
:nc more choice and correct, and more numerous than
arc heard except from tbc best speakers.
12. 7.'hc N1t'lttbcr r:f 1Vorcls in u:~c.-T'lic number of
words hca_rd and understood by cliildrcn and youth
generally is small. As the b oundaric.:s :ind tl1c minuteness o f 1,bcir investigat ions c1il argc, tbc number
of words used must increase, to cxp res::; tl.1c new objects :ind _rebtions di sco vered , anll th e new tbou glit:;
antl emotions aw:ikcned. Our kn owledge is proportional to th~ number of words t11at we . unJer:-t::uid,
each conv_cyrng a difforcnt thou ght; and our power
of producrng thought and feeling in others d epends
on t he number of words that we can properly antl
promptly use in our addresses to tlicrn .. Ilow can one
who unclcrst:rnds 011 ly a Ji undred worcls make an cloq ncn t speech on a complicated subject, or wri te an instructi vc essay?
'l'b c numbe r of i11Jcpcndent word s in the Encr]ish
languag? is csti~1atcd 1.o be about forty thou s~n<l;
thou gh if we countccl only those in ord i11ary use by
well -ed ucated speakers and writers, we sho ultl find
not balfso many; but if we reckon all th: 1t ) 1ave been
used by writers within the past two bundrcd years,
we sl 1onld linc1 many more than tl 1at nn mhcr.

J '3. Nu!,11ru/ nnrl Arti/i,./a( Jll ixlr:s '?l Twt rflin1 f, r11 ,
t
~;

·,.··'

:su

S/lU!f'I'

JULL'l'U HJU .

31

1r 11h'/J:<.

oratory, poetry, or onlina.ry spccc1J, tl1 cy p roi1ucc 1q 1011
the people their fu 11 cllcc t.. 'rho power Lo a L)lJl"Cl:iatc
them is enj oy ed by all, w11ilc some p e rsons du not
fully understand so me o.f tlic lon ger and less familiar
terms in onr bn g u::tgc.
The exact mcani ng of t11L'SC com1cn scJ te rms should
be carefo 11 y studied , :tnd tlic laws of thci r com bi nation be cx:i.rnincd , for a m astery over t11cm giv es
great power to a, writer or spc:tkc r. Tl1c J\nglo-~ax­
on clement of ou r langungc bns not b een s11ilicic 11 Lly

CII.AP'l'ER IV.
SIIOHT AXD

l~Xl'HESSffE

WORDS.

H. DY examining the English hngu::tgc closely,
we observe th at tlie most of its words arc short con. .
'
s1sting of one sy lb Lie 011 ly or two. 'I'bc most of
tli ese short words were used by those early i111taLit:111t.s oC England tl1at migrated tliitli cr from parts of
e:Jcrmany , ::tnd were calleLl Anglo-Saxo11s, a11Ll have
been ckrivcd from tl1c An gl o-Saxon la11 g uagc. Nearly all tli c p rimi tive Ji..11glo-Saxon wo rds we re short,
and the longer words in tbc lan g u::tgc were eornponncl
terms. 1fany of tl1c .Anglo-Saxo n words :i.rc no lonuer usecl , and m:i.11y other terms simihr to tli crn in brc~­
ity and force l 1::wc 1Jccn i11 troduccc1 from otl1cr sources.
Inc.lcc cl tbcrc see ms to ]Jave been a g reat tcnc.l c11 cy i11
the formative ;i gcs of the Engl ish la11 gu agc: to r edu ce
long word s to shorte r :tnll more c:-isily remembered
tc r :ns.
A b rgc stock of" tl1csc o:l10rt wonl s :-ire u1H.1cr;; toocl
by 11"'\carly :i.ll wh o spc:ik the Enn·lish
h 1in-uauc·
"lll ll
Q
0
( 0
arc l1rs t lc:i.rnccl hy chil<.1rcn, and hy all wl10 beco in e
::tcqua in tcd with tl1 e lan guage by :<ctu:<l UiiC. TJ 1e
mosL com mon o~ j ccts h:tvc slwrt n:tin cs. 'The 1n 0Ht
bigl.ily cc1ucatcd p erso11s, :ts well :ts ot.licrs, employ
tlicm. 'l'h c rcfo rL~, if pmpcr ly anL1 skillfully used i1 1
L

•

studied in our school s.
\Ve g iv e a few cxtr::tcts to sl1ow the cxprc~ ~ in:: 11v~s
of words of' this kind . Th e first ex.tract i;; :i. s1 1l·c inw11
of excellent composition, though tra.nslatccl Crom an other lan g ungc, in which it wa::- uttcrf'<l uy Hirn" \dw
spake as never m::tn sp:i.kc "-tl 1c Par:i.blc of the Prodig:i.1 Son :
"A cc r t:1iu m nn had tw o sons.

An1l the youn ~Pr of thc ln sn iJ

t.o ] 1is father, G ir e lll e t loc por tio n o f J.'.OOLb tl1at fa ll<:th to 111l'. ,\ ;it\
h e JiviJcJ u nto them hi s li ,·i11J.'.. J\ml n ot m1tn y dnys ::f1cr, the
youn (rc r so11 ~ntlicrcd all together, and tuvk lii s jn11rut '." i1 110 a f!r

~onn~·y , n1Hl

tl H.:re wn s tl'd l1is s 11l1st:t11cc \Vith rioto11 .., l ir in j.-". .

Aud

wh en lie ha J spen t all, tli c· re arose a rn igh ty fnnii11 t: i11 tln1: l:tnd;
nnd h e bc).'.!a11 to he in want. J\1111 l ie Wl'lll and _jo ined ltim self h.l ;i.

citizen or tlrnt, cou ntr.v;

:\llll

he sent liim into his fields to ft.·e\l swine .

An ri he w o ul cl f":iin haYC fi lled hi s l H·lly \rith tl1 c li11>k' tha t the
winc lliU cat: awl no rnan g fl\'C 1111 1.l.l hi111 . Ai11l wl1rn he \' ;1rn c to
8
liirn8df, he sniU , ll uw man y l1 i re11 se rva nts of 111 y

'I

enou~h nnd to Rpn rc, and I pcrisl1 with hung er!

l1an: lJW;ld
1 will ari :-:c nnJ.

f;tt !it r· :-i

go to 1ny fatli e r, a11\l wili s:ly unto hi1n, }'all1cr, I l1avD l'}i 1111 c1l ;q..i; :lin::-t
heaven, nnd be fore tli ('(\ nrHl nm no more worthy to lie calle<l ti1 y
:-;on: m:1kC 111e ns n11c of th:· hir(';cl R(·n·nn t...:. An d ht~ n ro ~f' :ind
""me to hi s f:ith e r : But wh e n h e wa s yet n J.'.reat ''°"Y
s aw him, and h:t ~l cv w p;t ssion. nnJ ra n, nnll fdl on

,,ff,

hi s f111h c r

hi ~ n<'c k :1n i
1

~

l

(.

JUIN1'0li! U.

.11 UN IJS Y J,L ,-l l i / / ·s .

ki,sed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I h a Ye sinn erl
ngain st heaven, nn d in thy s ight, and am no m ore worthy to be called
thy son. BuL the fat he r said LO his se rvan ts, H ri11g furLl 1 th e best
robe, nnd put it on him; and put a rin g on hi s I.and, and shoes on
his feet: and bring hither the fatted calf, n11tl kill it; 1111d le t us ent
and he me rry: F o r 1his m y so11 w:is dr ad , n m! is aliv e ngn in, he was
los t, an d is fo un d. Ami they began to uc me rry . "

-".And he divi<lc<l unto t hem h is [i,./ 11;;," mca11i11::;
his prope rty. And "wasted hi s s u b"tan ce '' itL1 riutous livi"ng," or m:mner of life. Careful w rite rs av oid
the use of words in different mcani11 gs in the s:un e se ntences, or so near to each other as to k:i,l1 io conf1 i ~ion
of th ought.+:·
Th e foll owin g poem, wri tten by P rn 1~;~so r .J. ,\ d1li son .Alexande r, D .D., sh ows how rnucl 1 rncanin;; 111:1)'
be conveyed by tl1e skill Cul use of monosylbbic word;;
alone :

~12

Eve ry word in thi s b cn.uti fu l story is such :is a child
comp rehends. rr be whole nnrnbcr o f word s in it is
one hundred and forty -one, n.ll of which but p erktps
rhu1.di:d, citiz1'11 , and co1ilpassion, may b e dcscribc:d as
short, fam iliar wo rds. Some of tb c otLc rs arc indeed
d erived from tho Latin, such as ziortiu11,j1Jun1cy, suu·
stance, spt 1tl, joined, JHTi1:J1;. ; bu t tL esc words h::t vc almost antl, in some in s tan ce~ , 11nitc s11ppl::tn tcc1 tbcir
An glo-Saxon equivalents, and arc to tl1 c present gen eration of E ngl ish-speakin g p eople n.s fa m il iar :is any
words of Saxon ori gin. I t is a characte ri stic k n dc ncy
of th e E ngl is h lang uage to clip an<1 s horte n words
from other lan guages, and rc<l nee th em to tb<: ty pe of
simplicity and energy in whi ch it <l cliglitR. It is not
necessary for th e speaker to know their ori g in, that h e
m:i.y app rccin.tc their force, any more than it is to kn ow
the orig in of gr:i.ins or fruits in order that tli ey may
nou rish the body o r please th e pahtc.
Thon g h tb c above specim en of composition, the
P rodi gal Son, has less than on e hundred and fifty diffurent words, it repeats so me of tbc simpl est o r th em
many t imes, so as to b n.ve more than tl1rcc l1undrcd
utteran ces. And is repea ted m ore t han th irty times,
lie, to, tl1e, have, n.nd o th er s uel1 word s, m :i.ny tim es.
Tbc won1 fr1;i11!1 is used in two different s ig ni fi cation s
~

" MONOSYLLABICS.
"Think n o t thnt stre ng th li es in t.l1c h ig ronn d word.
Or thnL tltc bri ef and plain Jnll!' L need s lie Wc'. a k .
To whom can thi' be true who once l1as l1cnrJ
The cry for help, the tongue th 11t a l l m e n spenk,
Wb c n wan t, or w oe, or fear is in the throat,
So th:1t C:1 Ch Wf1rd gn!<pc1l 01 1t is ~ i k c ~ ~J 1ri r k

Pressed fron1 the s<,rc heart, or a ~tran g c, wi ltl note,
Su n g hy some f:i y o r fi e nd? Th ere is n sl re ug th
vVhich dirs, if stre tch ed too far O r S j>t tn LOO fin e,
\.Yhidi ha s more w0i glt1. tltn n li re ndth, more d r p 1h t hn n 1"ngtl:.
Le t but Llti" forc e of t.honght. ancl "]'Cech he m i11 0,
Aud he tha t will may tak e the sl eek fn L phrase,
\Vhich g lcnv s nnd burn s n<.r, tho ugh it gl ea m n111l oh ineLight, len t no heat- - a fins le , lm c n ot n blaze !
*I t ni n.r he in te res ting tn 11 o tc t. lrn t, wli ik in th e Engli sh o t' tli c
Prodi(l'al s :.n aho 11t on e hundre d 11ntl fifty diffe re nt wo rd:-: nrr e nq dny o
.
I -!. '
I
ed, th e or ig i1ial Grct·k rnakr·s 11 :-;e ut Je,.;.;:-; tli au <11H · . 1unu1 t.:'i : nuu
w hile in E ng l i:; li the re a rc m v rc:. t h:ln t lircc l11 111dre!l utrc ra11 • · 1~:-:, i 11
the Greek th ere m e less thnn two h undred nnd fif1 .1· . <tnd :-c·l lu,11i

cover about the sam e f'p:tcc, o r require tlt c Fa m e ti mt· f11r l·cpr• 1iti< 1IL
T his i ll ustrates th e fa<'t tha t in E11 g-l ifll 1 :-:hPr tC' r w<>rd:-: :i re 11 -:t.:d :in ·I
n1o rc fr c qnr: n tly l'C'j1 t: :-1tcll, while tl1c G n..:ek v~u ic s n nd cvrnpvund :-. it"
original words more.

n2

Ii If lc'1'0 JiI U.

'' c;-or i' it m ~ rc strength lh:1t the sho rt wo rtl hoasts ;

lt. scn·cs <•i° """"'

light or storm to 1<'11
The roar of waves thaL cla s h on rock-bound ;oas is,
The c ra sh of tall trees when the wild winds swell ,
The roar of g un s, tl 1.c groans o f m en that die
On hlood -,rni11cd fields. It hns a voice as well
For them that far off on their sick beds li e :
For them that we ep, for t l1c1 n that mourn th e <lead ;
For l he m that laugh and tl:rnce, nnd clap tl1c !t:1111l;
T o joy's quick ....rep, ns well as gri e fs i-:low tre ad.
The s weet plain w or1ls w e l earnt at first keep tim e.;
And th o u ~h the th e me he s:11l, o r i.:ay, or grand,
\Vi tit c adi, wi th all, th ese ma:· lie rnadc to cl1ime,
In Lllu11g:ht, or spccd1 1 or :-;on~, or prose, o r rliy me."
t li:in

I11 Li1 c :tbovc rcm:crkal1lc pro,1nction, cons ist ing of
two hurnlrcd aml cigh
tv
syll nlilc::: ' each lx:inrr
a word '
........
.J
0
o ne liun llr«\l a11cl sixty-s ix \lill~: rcnt words arc e mploy·
ca, ~Ji ,; 1nost oftliem occurr in g o nl y once. 'l' l1is serves
to sl1ow tbc great power of the monosyllabic part of
our hngnagc.
It docs not at all detract from the forc e of the
composition th at, while nearly all of t he words arc or
Anglo-Saxon, or at least 'l'cutonic orig in , some arc
Celtic, a11cl some arc Latin, and some Greek. A cl1ild
never ask.· Llic or igin of a. word that h e l1 cars; lrnL
if it is s h o rt, :rnrl c xpn'ssrs a thought o f frequent oe·
currcncc, it is easily rcmcmbc rc11. R1 · /~f: rolltul,press,
;;!range, Ju rec, mere, sr-r rPs, slu /11, ·c11/ce, 1·/i /111e, })ruse, a rc
from the Latin,pl1msc and t111' i/ll' arc frnn1 t.hc Greek·
llllt th ey arc as fllrci blc :-is slrci1:;tl1 , help , spr>uk, an d tl1~
other:> of An g lo-Saxon ori!.!i1 1.
Many of tl1c mos t l1i g lil y cstcc mccl wr iters of tlic
.English language cmj>loy mostly sl1or t, si111plc, aml ex-

!"OH <.: le' OP S1l0H'l'

11"0 Ii /J8 .

press ive words. \ Ve give anotl1er hricf s pc<.:i111 c 11 L"
illns trate the pown of wonls of this 1'i11d.
EXT JiACT FJ(Q~l A:\ ADPI U-:S~ ll'l JH:\IU. \\TBST l•: rt TO
f\0 1.Dlt-:l(S OF Tlll•: I:J ·: YOl. l 'TIV:<.

:'0:111 : Af<L P

"Vcncrnlilt! m en ! You li aYc eomc dow n to us from n. l'o n 11" r
gc n cm tio n. Ifo,11·c n hns Lou n teously fe11g1.lie11ed out your li1·c s 1lia1.
you lniglit bc liul\l thi:; j1Jyous day . You arc 11 <,w wh ere y1111 ~1t11•d
l\fty y ca r.:-1 ngo, th is \'<.'I'_\' hdur, \Vitl1 yo ur l1rnth crs and yuu r 1H:igl 1hors, ~hou ld c r to sh< nt1d cr, in the ~trii'e fur your t'OU11try. Ht·liold.
how :.tll cr cL1 !

The ~a111c 1H•.:1\'C:tl::> n re ind eed

O\'('.l'

you r he:nls; th~~

sa1ne ocean rol l.-; at you r f<.'cl; hut ~lll else, l1uw c.:l1angcU !"

Tli e simplicity ancl :cpprnpriate 11css of Luc la11g uag1:
of this ad,li"<'SS \Yill be appreciated a11J aclrnirell b_y a ll
persons of' gooc1 t:1 s tc.
\ ViLl1ont c:nicatnring Ll1 c OJ11h)Sitc k im1 of st_yl«,
we will t ran slate the ahovc i11t.o bnguagc s1 :d1 :1 ,;
many more pm11pou,; liut fl·dilc spC:tkGrS \.\"OUlll Jiavc
crnployc(1, in orcl.~r t h:tt tlic f' lllH :rior meri ts uf" t. hc~
simple styli', at lcas L for s11cli an 01..:c:csion as called
forth th e aliovc, mn.y be ol.iscrvcd.
"Vcn c r:lblc g-cntkmrn ! ) '"1H 1 l1n \·c tkscrndcd to us from :111 nntcced c nt. ge11er;lli 11 n. lf ,·:n«'n has h(lnntcon:--ly prol (Jll ~t.: d ynnr <:<1rcc r, 111:\l yo11r vi:->i o11 mig!1t e111hr:H·(~ this cx1 d:a11t q1od1.
·y t1t1 :uo
now wh e re y o u :-o. to 1Jd h:llf a n ..•n 1nry ago, nt thi s ve ry i 11starit, with

you r fratl'rn:iJ n~:-: o('iat P S n1Hl inti 111:1fc n1 ·q11:iinfn11cc:-, sh .-111ldcr to

sl1011 ldc: r in tli e contest. for your n:i.tion. Bcliuid, l1nw tran~forrrwd '.
Tb c ~a m c firm:1mcnt i ~ indeed <n-cr yo nr hc:ld :->; tl11..: ~alnD uccau
rolls al. yn ur feet; Lut nll othe r thillgs, h ow tra11 ,fo nn eu !"
1

or

The WCi1.k11c c:s :uu1 fht11css
tl1csc long \\·on1:;;,
compared with the ncrvons orig in al, 11u11c can fail t,;
s ec.

15. /l lill.ndant Tlwu:;l1t 1w11w1te to render rl si1J1 ;ii··
Style ugrcc0Ur'.-A t. t\1c S~lnJC tim e it sliotdd 11 ot hl' rnr·
gotten that one (1uality is esse ntial Lu a style in wliid1

3G

JUlE'l.'Ul.'.IC.

tliese sbo rt and fornili:u wo rds abou 11d, to make the
production irnprcssi \· e and v alualile, alll1 that is, ab undance o[ though t and feeling, or both. \Vi tbo ut tl1is,
the production is not only uninteresting uut puerile.
It is only writers i;-,·bo auound in tl1 ouglit tbut can
sa fl:ly employ :l s illlple sty le.
l G. :ici,:11!(/ir· Prorlllc/ions i11 P o1iu lu 1· Lrw~;ur1:r-­
Scientilic produ ctions u suall y employ trch ni ('al te rm s,
uut nl:J.llY of late have b ee n writte n i11 pop11lar language. P rofesso r A gassiz, tlwugh lii s n:r tivc b11 guage is li' rench, employs a styl e in Engli sh, that m ay
be r egarded as a model of sim pl icity, p ers pi c uity, anJ
force. \Ve give a b ri ef specim e n:
"l3cforc th e ;·cnr 1800, men hnd n ~ ,· c r s11'pcct cd thn l th e ir h o me
hnd Leen lc nirn lcd in p n% lime>< by n set of bei 11 1'(S lo lnlly dillc n.:m
from 1h ose ti.at i11h:tbit it now; si ill farthe r wn s it fro 111 t h e ir thought
to inrng inc tl1at crcntion n f!L· r <.: rea tiun liad followed citl'li otl a_·r i11
succcss i,·c ngcs, c ,·cry one stamped witli n d 1pnwtcr JH.'(• 1tli11.rJ_v its

o wn. Tt was C uvi er who, arousrd to n e w lnb o ro liy th e hint be rccci,·ed from Jlfo ntmnr tre, t o w h icli 1dl his vnsL knowledge o f Jj,·in g
nnimnls gnYe hi m 110 c l11 c, csta b li;d1ed . by m enn s n f m ost lal>o ri o 11 8 i11 vcst i g-rt t i o n~ , th e n~t.onndin g co n c lu ~ i on that, prior t.o I he c xi :-< tcntc

of the nnim:ils n n <l plants n ow livin g, thi s gl o be had hcc n th e th c ntrc
of nn othcr SN of lwinl'(s, e ve ry t rn cc of wl1 n m hnd Ynni s h e d fro m th e
su rface o f th e earth . * • * T he Mlii• I c ru st of the c 1u·th ga rc np
its Ucad, nnd rrnni the SJ10 W~ or ~ li 1 C'ri:1 . from tli c soil uf l111l y, fr o 111
<';-lv cs o f Cc ntrn l E11n pe . fr om 1ui 11 C's , from th e r e n t s i d~~ :i of monntni ns nntl from th ei r highest l'•' aks, fro m th e co rnl -1.cds of nn cic nl
occnns, t he nu ieLl animals that h:Hl posscsse<l t h e ea rth ages before
1nan was crcu.tcd :.;poke to us o f the pn~t. 11
1

'11 hc ha.sis of th e above style consists of plain a!l1l
purely En gl i::;h \rnnls, whi le th ose o[ late r origi11, :-llld
derived fr om tlw Latin :i.11 <l otlie r lan g 11agc,; 1 :tr..; r;p:1rin gl y used, when prcci:;ion aml clcga11cc scc1n to re(j u ire ti 1ern.

Uf,'/UJS

IJF Till:' J,U N <ll-)H

IVUJUJ S .

.,

.

v i

'·

·.:'·
,~;'

CUAYl'l-i;H V.
LONG W OHDS, AND lil HECTl O'.\S UJ'ON TilE CllOlC'E
OF \\'OHIJS.

17. Br.s rnEs tl1c sl10rter nlld, o n tlic average, most
express ive words, tl1crc arc many 10 11 gc r OlH.:s w l1idt
Lave been i nt roducccl from t.l1c Latin, Greek, and oti icr lan g uages. T l1ese ccm::;titute al,vuL u11c -founli uC
the tenn:; foun <l i u Eu gli ::;li L1ictio11ari es, uut very ::;c· l<lom r each so l1i g li a i1rui'urLiu11 in tl1c la11 c; 11:1gc vi'
any autl1 o r. Surne of tl1c 111 :ire t l1c only si11gk Lcnns
in the langnagc tu cxpn.::-;s Ll 1c: t.l1ungl1ts f(n \\·l 11cli L\11,y
stand, :tllcl tlicreforc must Ji.., used w l1e 11 th o:;c tl1o ug1it.:;
arc to be expressed ; otl 1ers lJea r 11 c:nl y tltc s.arnc
meaning as old er and :-;hortcr worJs, but :ire ge nerally
estccmeJ :i.s m ore elegall to r sonoro us, o r i 11J icat i vi.; ui'
hi gher euhnrc, aml arc tl1 c rc·f.,re of'tell prdcncJ .
T!Jc c:nl ic r wri ters ol t.lie Engl isl 1 h11 g ungc, w lieu
it b::td fai rly supplan tc1l the A nglo-Sax o n Lu1guage,
were for the 1110:,;t part farn iliar with tli e Latin , an11 i11troLluccLl i11to tl1c ir writ.k n co 111p u~. i t i um; man y wC:r,1:-;
tbat th e people Lad uot bee n accu:;tomcd to hear.
The worJ::; were mostly E11 gl isl1 in fonn, Lati 11 111
fact. It was p ositively nece::;su ry ci tl1c:r t haL tl1cy
sl1oulc1 introduce snch worrls, o r tL1at tlil·y slioul<l com bin e tl1e fotniliar .An glo-Saxon wonb illto new corn·

-.='

',"

Ji JI /;' 1' 0 iii u.

TJJE J())J ,VSIJXf.·l.V S'f') ' LI·:.

pound terms, for new id c:is were aw~ik c n c <1 whi ch tl1 c
olt1 simple words would not exp ress. ]\f:u1y cn 111pou nt1
words we re formed, and many we n.: t.ransl\;n-...: 11 to our
language from the Latin, and subseque ntly frl)li1 the
Greek, and from other hn g un;;cs.
Botl 1 :is a ckscriplion, :i111l, h > s1)mc e xten t an illustr:i.t ion, of tJii,:; pr:lcLic\', the fuJJowing (' Xtr:Wt fn1rn a
w1>rk ofL11n1 Bacon i;; g ivcn, e11titktl 1' '!' lie Pn>fit:ic11ce
an d Ji tl vanccmen t of Learning," pu bl ishcd first in

for w ords arc b11t tlic irn:tgcs uf m att er ; and except tlicy li: lY t· li fr <J f
rcnson and inYcnli\111 , to foll in love with tli c 1n is all o ne :1:-: tu foll

lGOG :
u T h(' rro f ~rc w n~...;n in n dcli~ht in this ma nne r nf Rtyl c nnd 11hrn"'c,
an1l :1 n a.Jin ir:Hi un of th:lt kinll of writin g- wJ1ich was l ll ll t.' li f11rtl1ercd

nncl prcc ipitatcll by th e cnrnity a nd 01 1p0:--itio 11 thn t th e propo1 1n d<.:rs
Of tliU SC J' l"i lllitir e, lrnt:;;CC Jllillg llt:W op i 11i(J ll :' 1 l1:td n gai11 ~ l tlt e Sd lOOlnH'll , w ho were generally of tlic con u·;\ ry part, :lnd wli11 sc wririn~s
w ere nl togct.hc r in a difft·rcnL ~ ty le n1Hl forrn, t:d ~i ng liberty to co in

atHl

t'r:1nH~

J\ C\V tPrm s of nrt to

C'xp rcs~ th e ir

ow n se nse, n11d to avoid

circuit of ~jlt..!Ct'li, wit hout r ega rd to the 1111rc 11 cs ~, pk·n ~:111 t11 r· s:-: 1 nn<l,

us l m:ly l':dl it, l:twfnln c::s, nf the phra se or word.
And agai 11 1 becansc tlt e great lal1or t.hc n wa s \\' itlt the people, for the \\'in11 i 11 ~ n n tl
pcrs 11:1d i ng nf tit cm , there ~ rc w of ncccss i ry, i 11 ch icf pri ce and rccp1 c~t,
cltH jlH!ll CC a11tl v:l ri cty of tliscoursc, ns t.lic fittt~ nt Hllll forcib k::-'t access
into the cnpncily of tlt c rulgn r sort; so that these four cn 11 sc s co nt.' ll rri 11 g. 1 hr• ad rn i ra t ion nf a ncic n t :in thors 1 he lin tc f•f rl :c ~d 111nl - n1 c- 11 ,
tlw <':\:u·t :-: tudy 1ir l:u 1gnn 1.:" C". nrH l tho C'flic-a1·y of pn· ac l ti n ~, d id l1rin g
in nn :dl~·c r(·d ~t1H l_r or clv! p1 cnce rrn<l co;n:a of speech wlii eli thc11 be1

gun 1u ll \1t1 1i:;l1."

1\ f'Lc: n1·ar1 l, on tliis ::;:i.:ne su lij cct, D:1con adds :
"How is it pos, ihlc h ut t hi• shi111l<l lt:wc a 11 ope rati o n to d isc redit
l e arnin g~ CYCn w ith Ynl g:1r cn. pa ei ti c~, wh c 11 they Hee lc:irn ('cl m e n·.~
w 1Jrks, li ke the Grst ktt<!r of n p<>tcn t 0 r lim ned boo k, \\'ltirli , tlt o 11 ;.:h
it hath ]:lrgc flo11ri , hcs, ye t it. i;; hnt '' lctlc r ? It see m s to m e that
l ' yg mnlio n's fr cn?.y • is a goo1! c nil 1lc m or portraiture of th e ir vnric ty;

• Pygmalion. a chnrnclcr dcsc rihcd in G rec ian Rtory, wh o i' Hn iJ
to ltnYc rnaJc a statue 1rnd fall e n in lo ve \\'ii Ii it afte r it was cuJowcd
w it h li fe .

in lo ve with a pi ct ure."

vVritin g::; lll which Jong an<l sonorous lt:rJJ IS abou11'1
:ire so:nctirncs said to be in tl1c "Julrnsr)Jtian sty le,' .
from tb e din.r::ictcr of the prm1uctions of S:unucl Ju lin son, LL.D., the :1.utl1or of a" J)ictionary or Ll1c E11~lisl1
Lan gn age," w l1osc voe:tbubr.Y was c.xtC'1 1si V<', :t11d c· ~'­
foctivel y crnplv.fu"I. 'J'l1 c lvllvwi11g sc 11tc11i:1,; ill11s·
trntes bis sty le :
"Th:t t aillu cnec rind 11owcr, r1.1h·an tagcs e x trin s ic and :1d n.:nti1in11s,
nn<l , thercfun.:: 1 ea sily st•p:1ral1l c fr,,m tli(Jsc IJy w ho 111 tl 11._·y ar1·· 1 ·0~ ­
scsscll, sh o ul d Ycry ufte n flatt e r th e min <l wirh CX}'('rtati o11:"i 11 1" ft·lici t.\·
whic h they can 11 o t. girc, rai:;c:; uo a sto ni.-; hrn e nt; bnt it :;ec111~ r:1 1 iunal to hope that iu tcllcc tual gr c n.tnc:-;~ shuuld prod 1H'C IJ(·tll' r t·ffc cr."" ;
that n1inds qna!ili crl f1)r great :ltllt illlllCnt s td1011 Jd first c·n dCa\'Ot' to
sccn rc their o\•: n lJcncfir ; :lnd tl1 t1 t tli <·y wh o t\rc 111 0:-'t nhle t n l t': t('li
others the wny tu li•lJ ,J'i ncs:; :;huul d, with n1ost ccrt ainry , t'i 1lk1-.,· it

thcm se l\'CS. n

1fr. Maca11h.y, critii: i,.;in g J ul: nso n's styk, s:1_1·:-;:
"\iV l1en he t:tlkcll, lie elothc<l l1is wit :rn11 hi s "l'I:"<..: in
forcible an d 11at11ral expressions. As soon as i1 e 1.l)CJk
his pen in l1 am1 to write f<> r Ll 1c 111 1l1l i<', Iii;; :-;t.yl•· be·
came S.fslernati call y v icin 11 s. 1\ 11 J, i:-: Looi;.~ ~m: 1n111 '·1 1
in a learn et1 l:t11g n:1 gc-i11 a hng11 :igc wliicli noLud y
l10ars from his motltc:r or l1i s nurse - in a la11 g1 1:1g•.: in
wh ich nobody e ver quarrel:-:, or chives l>argainc:, or
makes love - in a b11 g u:ige in whi ch nubvdy ever
thinks. It is ckar that Johnson him sel f di<l nut
think in the dialect in whi ch he wrote. ·:+ "'· ·Y.·
"His constant practice of padding ollt a sentence
wi th usclc;;;s epith ets till it became as stiIT as t!1c bu sL
of an exquisite; l1i s ant.it.hctical forms of exp ress ion

.

,;:,

JUJE'J.' ORI<.:.

constantly employed even where there is no apposition in the things expressed ; Lis uig words wasted on
little tltings; his har sh inversions, so widely different
from those g raceful and easy inversions wLich give
variety, spirit, and sweetness to the expression of our
great old writers- all these peculiariti es L:i.vc been
imitated by his admirers and p arodied by Li s assailants till the public bas become sick of the subject."·:<Ilis definition of "n et-work" in his dictionary illustrates this sty le as follows : "Any thiDg rcticulate<l
or dccussatccl with i nterstices at cq ual distances between the intersections."
18. lV!ien the Jolmsonian Sl!Jlc 1':; ullo1caDlr.:. -·when
th e thought is val uable and im press ive, tL e use of
ponderous and majestic words is eminently appropriate. 'l'hc a<lv:intagcs of learnin g arc now so widely
d issem inated that a much larger pwportion of the
public appreciate such lan guage. Certain minute
shades of thought may be exp ressed by it alone, and
th ere arc occasions wLen good taste pronounces it appropriate and indispens[l.b]e. 'l'hcrcforc [l.]] sch olars
sh ould obtain a mastery over it.
19. L1. Yaricty in this 1l£attcr to be cultivated.-Thc
best writers employ a great variety of words, not con .Go ing th emselves to the Angi o-Saxon or to the Latinizcd style. 11ucb depends upon the n:lturc of the
subj ect, tb c cb:lractcr of the audience addressed, and
the purpose of the author, whcther to instruct, con vince, o r amuse. T he most forc ible expressions in
,. l\!ac:-.ulay's 111isccllancous Writings: articl e, "Boswell's J,i fc of
~To hnsoo."

Jc A.U Y A.V}J

liJIU.1/ .1 "/'11 ' .8,\l 'f(J;':;:;/(J.\' S.

41

the lang u:igc arc sho rL am1 JirccL; lougl: r won],; arc
often mo re h:trn 1011 ious antl elegant.
U pon the prop ri ety of using worJs derived from tl1e
Latin and Greek, a gre:it cliffc rencc of opinion is entertained. A rnoclern writer of som e notori ety b:is
said:
"OLU g reat schobrs have corrnptcd tb e E ngii ;;l1
language by :ij argon so uncouth that :l plain n1an ca;i
hardly disc ern th e real lack of ic1c:is whic;l 1 their h trbarous and mottled d ialect striv es to ltitle. * ·x- -x- Th e re
can be but li ttle doubt that the principal re~1son 11· hy
well -c<l ucatc<l women write a11d c011vc rsc in a p urer
style than wcll-ccluc::tte<l men is bcc:tUfiC they ktvc
not for med their taste :icco r<.l ing to th ose a11 c1011t
classical stan<lards, wl1ich , ::tLhnirablc as tbey arc in
th cmsc.:lvcs, sho uh1 ne ver be introd uced into a st::tlc
of society unfi tt.ecl fo r them. 'l'o th is may he ::tL1 t1GLl
that Cobbett, tlic most racy and iJi omatic of all our
wri ters, :Erskine, by fa r the grratcst of ou r fo rL'n sic o:·::ttors, knew little or noLliin g of n.ny ao cic11t lan g uage,
an d Lbc same obse rvation :tppli cs to Sli ak;.;pc:w,,."·*
T he style of Er:;kine w:ic; also complim cntC'd hy
the fam ous om.tor, Rufu s Cho:ite, wbo in conversation said : " E rskin e got ;d ong not by wide scope and
reach of ri ch allusion ::tncl thou ght, bnt by ::t beantifnl
voice, emotional temperament, and th e ri,·/,, ._,, !~'11 ;1/ ;.,.;,,
taken from Shakspearc and Millo n." i'
T he following cx tr:1ct from a s pcrch of ;.rr. F.r;.;]; inr
+ Hi sto ry of C i1·ili z'1tio n in Engla nd. J~y H enry Th 1>11101' ll11!"kk
l s:,7, rnl. i . p. 7H ).
t R cmi11i :-:i·e n ces nf H11f11 :-i Choate , tl 1c (;rl)!lt A 111,.ri c;i11 i\· l r • H':\1 1~ ­
Ily Edward G. l'nrk cr ( n oslo 11, I ~ GO, i' · :,!1:::; .

(Lond on,

..

'-;/

WJ l 1lTHL )"'S

.1!// R'/' IJJ>' / 1' .

is a good specimen of bis sty le, and shows that lie was
not by :my means limited to common aml colloquial
terms :
"Gentleme n , I can n ot conclude without cxp rc~ s ing the deepest
at nll attacks upon the C hristian religion l•y authors who prot'l' ss tn J>!"Onlotc the ciYil Jihc rti es of the world. 1-'or unde r what
1.. •tl1cr a11~.q1itcs rlian Chris tia11ity hnvc tl 1e l~ )~t and s11l"·CrteJ liLerti 1.·s uf 111anki1Jd i11 fo rm er ages hccn renssl'rh..!d ( U11dl:r what other
r~ g rct

Bnncrions, eve n in 0 11 r own

day :.: , linvc

l iiJCl't)' and

Jirq1pi11ess been

spreadi ng lo th e nt.tcnnost corners of the earth? \Vli at work of
ci ,·i lizat.ion, wl1 at cumrno n\\·eal th of'grcatncss has tl1is 1.rnld rel igion
t•f nature crcr cstctulishcd ?"

Careful study will :-;how tl1at the cornl'limc nts upon
the style oC Ersk ine arc extrav;1g;t11L IJ 1s wo rds were
few, :u1c1 not tlic best chosen, an•1 a wide r ranQc of
;;tutly, tl1ongh lie was evidc1.tly famil iar witl1 Latin,
woulJ ktvc much itnprovcl1 LoLl 1 bis tl1uugl1ts and

sty le.
Dr. .Johnson l1i1mclf ga ve pcrktps the best defense
of hi s own style that can be gi ven, t li ongl1 i11 liis earn ·
cstncss lie seems to have deviatc<.1 fro111 it., wl1 cn be
said, '.'B ig tli i11 kers Tequire big won1:;,"·X·
'!'hose wl10 recommend the exclusive cmploy m<' ll t
of l'it.l.cr Llic simpler or tl1c more complex wor<1s 0f uur
rich English bnguagC', both err. 'l'h e sl 1ort simple
wonls u ndou btcd ly mak e· the clccpcst i rnpression,
wliilc tlie longer won.ls co11Lrih11tc to cop ionsncss, c1eg:1nce, :end accnracy. 'J'li c stndc11t sl1oul<1 olit.ain a
1n:1sl<'r_y 0vcr liotl1.
Of th,; J"olt. nsoni:1n style, Dr. \\~hatc ly s~i.ys : "It

,. l ' /i/'l' LCIS.11

II/-' JIJJ/,\"SUY.

happens, unfortunately , that J"l1n,;011':-; sty le is particu larly easy of imitation, even Gy writers utterl y dcsti ·
tute of his vi go r of tlwugl1t; and sueli i111i t:Ltor::; :m:
intolerable. 'I'h ey bear Ll1e same rcscn1lJlancc to thl'lr
model that tbe armor of the Cl1inesc, as clcsc ri l>cc1 li.Y
travellers, consisting of thick r1uiltecl cotton covered
with stiff glct.ZC<1 paper, docs 1.o tktL of t.lic: ancient
knights: ccimdly glittering a1Hl b1tlky, lm1 lkstitutc
of the temper and urrnness wl1icl1 was its sr,],. :1•h :111·
tage. At first sight, imlccc1 , t11 is kin cl nf style :ippc:ir,;
far from easy of attainment, 011 accoullt (Jf' it.,o; be i11 g re·
mote from the colloqu ial, :Lml ktvi11;_; an clalioratcly
artific i:t.I appc:1ra11cc; but in reality tlwn~ i;:; 1t n11c k""
difficult to acquire. 'ro str in g togctl1e;r s11/1slu11/in ·s
con nectcd by conj unctions, w 1i icl1 i::; tl1c cl1araetcristic
of Jolrn son'::; style, is, in fact, tl1c rn11est a1Hl cl1rn1;o;ic,;t
mode of expressing our tl1011glits : we have u11ly to
find Jil1Tfu: s Cor our ideas, and t.l1cn put. tl1v1.11 tog··t.11.(' r
by connectives, i11stc;1t1 of' i11Lc·nv<'avi 11 g, o r mt11cr}/ting them together, U}' the at11nist11rc Of' V(']'l>,;, j1:1l't icipJcs, prepositi011s, etc. Su Ll1at tl1is way uf' \\' ri ti11g, :1s
contrasted wit.Ii tl1 c other, rn:1y l>l.: likened t.o tl1c pri:1 1·
itivc r mlc carpentry, in wlii ch 1.l1<~ materials were
united by co:Lrsc external implcnwnts, pins, nails, anc1
cramps, when cornparcd with tl1at :trt in its JnllSL i1n ·
proved state, af'Lc·r tl.ie inve1t.1ion o f' dove-tail joi1.1t;.;,
g roo ves, and mortises, w hcn tlt.c _j 11 netio1 1s arc dlcctcd
by fo rming propl:rly tlic cxt 1«:rniti ··s of' tl1c J•i<'CCs ;o
be j oined , so as at once to con,;olitlate :111d con<x:t.1 t.l1c
juncture . "~:-

*

Sec Loni Hrnu1,:ha nlo• ll11etorirnl .Di'"e rt a1iot1:l ( L ont.lon Et.lition, i s:;c, p. 200 ).

*

" 7Ji ately's Hhctoric, ]'art iii. cltn}'. ii.

~

8,

llflETU/U1: .

JU,;Jff!,',J!BHANUb'

(JJ1'

WOJ.:IJS.

45

On this subj ect R:-ilpb IV:-tldo Emerson remarks:
" In P arliam ent, in pulp its, in theatres, when the
speakers rise to thoug ht and passion , th e language becom es idiomatic; the people in the street b est under·
stand the best worc1s. "·X·

* Emcr;on 's

En glish

Trnit~,

p. 104.

CIIAPTER VI.
llO\V 'l'O 01.l'l'AL:N" A GUOIJ VOCABFLARY.

n/ .Jlf,";nio ry £n /(, ·fotinn 111 Lm1:;11u.r;c. is a great Jilforence u ctwccn s uch a kllo\\'ledge of a word as enables a J>crso11 to Ullllerstaml it-;
meanin g wl 1en it is ciLl1cr l1 ca rd or rca<l, alld sud1 a
maste ry o ver it as e nalJks t l1c person to co1 nrn ::tncl it
either in speech 01· r:t]>ic1 writing. 1fany person s can
understand t he m ost of wl1:c t is uttcrcLl to them in
. familiar conversation in a foreign l:wgnage wLo can
not express themselves readily and correctly in that
langu age. 'rhousands of scliolars can read foreign
. languages who coulcl not write a page of them accu rately. A speake r wl10 uses many am1 elegant worrls
will often interest :11H1 dL"ligl1 t; a11 a11dit.ory of 111111/rrcated pNSOJ1S, not one of wJ 101J"l could ll SC the wo rds
which li e hc:i.rs and understands, aud some of which
perhaps be never beard before.
21. A nol!Jsis rif Jlh:mury.-The faculty of memury,
when anal yzed, is found to embrace acqui sition, retention, and reproduction. Fi rst, tlw knowledge must
be acquired j secon<l, it mnst be retained, an<l, finally,
it must be r eproduced when necc1cc1.
Each of t.l1 ese d <:partments of the memory can be
strengthened on ly by attc 111i o11 and exercise. Eacli
20. D c;;rer·s

TllEHE

47

RIIET OR ! C.

GOJlJJl 1lND OF , l V0(',llJUL.lR1".

particular <lcp::trtment must be spcci::tlly exercised.
'l'he acq ui sition of words c::i.n be secured by a sL ucly of
dictionaries, hy :cecnrately observing every n ew term
th :-it is heard or seen , :111<1 particularly hy 1.r::tn sl::tting
from one hn g uage into another. It sho uld bc 1J t:cr1ed
by the stud ent th ::tt ::i. familiarity -wi tl1 "·ord s can not
uc sccurc11 act..:ide ntally, any more tl1a11 :cny other valu::tbk power.
I11 like m:rnner words, once comprchernlcd and
stored in tl1 c memory, must be cmpfoyccl fn''} 11en t1y, or
tli cy will not be ready to do th e biddin g 0f' thci r master when nccllcd . '11 be fi\;(l ucn t a!lfl carcfo 1 usc of
the p en is a great :cid to th e rn cnrnry. 'I'li e of't-quoted
npotll cgm of B:ccon shonl<l be rrg:ll'cl cr1: ".Rc:-td in g
maketh a fo 11 m:rn, conference [co nversation or use J
a re:-tdy man, :-tml writing :rn exact man."
22. Adcir:e o.f JJacon .-'l'lie following advice of this
illnstrious author, tbougl1 co mp rehending mo re than
<lircctl_y appli es to the prese nt suhj cct, is all pertin ent
to a study of Hhctoric:

This illust rates the cl1angcs in tlic meanin g anc1 use
of words gradually i11trod11ccLl i11to the lan guage.
23. Ji'u rili cr Adi·ir:1: on C11ltic11ti":J r1, H '1i1 r111!1r'Ii i('<'
of TVords .-To o1>tai n a kno wledge of won1s ;u1<l a r:1.cility in their employment, it is a comrn emh1Jlc }Jracticc never to pass ove r n word in r0ading withottt a
thorough pe rcept ion of its ineaning, aml tu c1nploy i11
speaking or wri ting as g reat a v~tricty o l clH11 "" ~i111
appropriate term s as can be comrnan<kd, ]'r11vid1·d
that non e arc used supc rDu ously . ,1\ lso, wh ile: it is
proD taulc Lo st.u1ly careCu lly otLc r bn gn :1 gcs, no p•.: rson shonl<l prc~urnc to consi1k r l1imscl l'wcll cduc;tkr1 ,
without La vi11g spent rnucl1 1.i11w, not onl_y in tlic
study of the g r:rn1m a r, uut in tl 1c speci al ancl severe
study of the words of' IJi s O\rn language.
24 . .Adu ice of GluJUte on C/1.oice of 1Vim1s. - i\fr_
Cho:cte, w hose opinion on the sty le of Eri-;kinc k1s
alrc:-idy bce11 c1n otc<l, w:cs l1imscl[ the rn ::tsLer o l' a
ri cl1, copious, and l1i g lily - ornamcn1~<1 s tyle , w!1ll·l 1
co nk1 not. 11ave hrc 11 :iC'. r1nirc1l witl1out tl1c )l'.1.ii,; 111,
study ol "·o n ls. lli~ opi11i ot1 Oll this :-;1.il0 1;d i;; wurtby of not. ice :

"ff n mnn \\Ti TP lit11e, he hnd n eed hllvC n gr.-,nt mem nr)· ; if he
<·n n fo r littl e, !i1· lind need h a n~ n prese n t wi 1. ; nnd ii' lie re:hl li tt le,
he 11nd need 1 rnn~ n111cli c1rn11i11g, lo ~ecm tn know t11:tt lie doth not.
Jlistori cs tnak c nif'n wise; por·ts, witty; til e rnnfhr-rnatit.-., ~ 11l11il e;
nnt 11ral 1.J1il osopliy, deep, moral, grni-c ;
to contend."

l o~ i c

flJl(l rheto ric, able

In th e above cxtr:cct, th e carefol rca<lcr \vill note
that sevcr:cl wo rds arc used with n sig nifie:t tion that
is now eithe r obsolete or not common. 'I'l1 cy are,
" !11 u l 11r'e1 I !1• ! 1·1' " (, 1r 11r·1•17., /f) !111 cc, "1·011/; 'r " (; ir cr1111"r-r sr,
"r·111winq " for sl.-i/L, "l/111!" for l/111/ 1nliid1 or u•lw t.

1

" The cu ltt1 re of r.r117·cssinn sho11 Id he a .<:/1f'r- ijfr
froin thi; inventi on of tlioug-lit:.

st1i(~11 1

q 11 it c (1i"'i1 if't.

J_,nng 11nge and i ts el1.: 11w11ts, w ord~,

nrc to be mn.:-o tcrcd by llircct, earn e st labo r. A spcakt.• r n1q..::lit 1l.ii!1.1
to exerc ise mid oi,- his voca bnlar_,., and nbo to nd ll to n.nd c11ri c! 1 it.
Translati ons shonhl Le pursued witl1 tliC'f' C /ll'o ol~/cds ~ to l 1 r i: i ~ up
to the mind a.nt! cm]'loy :111 t.l1c wnrJs you nlrcnJy 111r11, :111.J t.o lHx
a nd lnru1ent inr c1 t:iun and di:".' cn n·ry, and the very d <·epe!'it mcrn o r_v,
for sHlditionnl, ri c11, an1l ndniirnldy-t'xr1re:-: s in·~ word <.: . 111 tr:i11:-ohting, the st nd ent. f' hould nql. i111t 110\\·n n wurd till lie has thougi 1t nf
at least si.r. s.1r11 0 11.'1111s, or var iet it\" nf e:-q1n~:-: . . ion , f'111· th e id <' :t.
l)i~~­
tionn.ric~ nrc ,,f gn: :Lt. ~rn·il'C in tlti:-; fillin g up und fertilizin g of dir-

48

SY.N UN l "Jf (Jl! s

JUIETOJUV.

H'(J / UJS.

ti on. Yon do not want a di ction gathered from the newspapers,
cnu ght from th o ai r, comm on nnd 11n s11 ggesri,·c; lint yon want one
whoso cYcry word is full freighted with s11gges tiv11s arid associations,
with l>ciluty an J power ."*

The last suggestion will be folt by every good
st udv11i. A strc:im c:in not risu lii ghur than the
fo u11 L:ti11. T hose wlio rc:id only i11furi or p rotluetions,
:tnd fo;tcn only to poorly-c<lucated sp eak ers, will imb ibe their i mperfect sty le.
Every stULlcnt sho uld
1·c:ic1 the books of cbssic reputation in his own Ja.ng uagc, ancl Luhoriously ancl cliscrimi11.ali11gl.'} select words
wh e n a ttempting to ex press hi s own tho 11 gl1ts.
rrb c youn g \Y ri tc r shoultl de vote ti111c and stucly
to the :-irt of composition, and sho uld write :-iml rcw rill: 11 is procl uctions carefully, nn<l rc:ul an cl repent
th em frcque n tl y , to :-icr1 ui re correctness, copiousness,
:-ind readiness in expression.
* R emini scences of H.11fus Chuntc, Pl'· 2·18,

CIJAP'J'ER VII.
DTSGlmiUN ATION IN 'l'l.rE USE OF wonns.

:l · l~I.

...

25. S.1j11011ym01.1s
TVi.iri/s.- rl'l lE E1 iul
isl1 Ja11 0.. 11 ;,.rc
1s
•
0
b
rcmarkauly rich in wortls. A s it rca,lily n :ccivcs a11d
assimilates te r ms from any other la11 g un gc \ri th whiclt
it comes in contact, it crnj>loys inany words tlird, ]1:-in:
nearly the s:-imc signific :~tio 1 1. \ Von1s havi ng precisely the same sig 11it]eatio n arc calleJ ;.;y110 11y mous
words, and tb c te rm is somet im es c:xtcllL1cLl so as to
embrace words th:1t diner but sl ightly in m c:llling.
Swiftness and 1:cTocity, urutl1u -!y a11J jl·atcrnal, y('1 uly
ancl annua l, slay an d eu11li1111c, rd1irl<- ancl ;·nll(1i11, !1i1it
and SV[/!Ji:s l, 1crff r: a1H1 hill1,1r, arc specim ens of \Y onls
th:-it so closdy rcsc rnule cau11 otl1el' in signi ficati on as
to be call ed syn o nymo us. Tnf,~ ri or aml careless ::-:peak ers r ecogn ize no d istinction i11 tli c mc:1ning or such
words. If we con sul t ou r dietionari es, we find tbat a
large maj ority o f the wo rds in tli c lan g uage nrc defined or explain ed sim1,Jy l1y the use of other si11g1c
words th :it :-ire s upposed to l1cnr a menning nc[lr]y
identical w ith the words defi ned.
26. S lir;lrt D ire1·sity 1·1i !li e J/Con i!l:J nf S1;n o11y;nrJ11s
TtVorrls. - Careful scrutiny wi ll sl 1ow that in all instances -these words really diffe r i11 me[lnirw th o twh
v
som etim es by a sli gh t. :;had~', impcreepti1Jle to nn u11•

cc1 ncnted min ,1.

t))

/ \ c. 1l 1c nrn s ieal car is trainC'd tn d i ~­
('

~

.

50

R Jf]!,"l' 0 JU C.

criminatc between similar sou n<ls, :i.ml the eye of a
pain ter to distinguish similar colors, so :i.n c<lucated
mind will recognize :i. difference in the r:i.nk or com·
prchcnsivcncss of words cal led synonymous. Correct
and elegant writers and speakers r ecog ni ze and observe these fac ts, and eve n igno r:i.n t reaLlcrs are
cli:ume<l by th is discrilllination an<l :1Ce uracy, tho ugh
they know not the origi n of their pkasu rc, :rnll cau
not themselves commilnd such po wer.
S wiftness, for instance, is a pure E11 glish 11·orcl, com·
ina down from the A nglo-Saxon, and universally uno
dersLood. I t is the exact opposite of slow ness. Ye·
locif!J is from the Latin, :rn<l is more ckg:i.nt, but less
forcible, an<l m:.y even apply to oujccts movin g slowly. vV c may say " a slow v elocity," b ut not " a slow
swiftness." An d yet i·elocil!J is used to denote the
very greatest degree of swiftness ever cxl1ibitecl, ns
wh en we speak of the velocity of :i. cannon-ball, or of
liahtnina
or of the celestial bo<li cs ; 'celoril!J is tL crcb ·
Ol
fo re much more comprchcnsi vc than swift1 wss. S uch
facts cfln be 1carncd only by very careful and discriminatin g rcatl in g, which is n.id cd by :i. study of other
ln.ngnagcs, an cie nt and mod ern ; bnt :i. close attenti on to the practice of the most approvcll au tbo rs in
ou r own langn age will la rgely supply tl1e want of
acqnaint:.ncc with th e An glo-Saxon, Lnt i11, Greek,
and oth er lan g ua.gcs from wh ich the English is derived . Broth crl!J anclfmtcn wl arc almost exactly th e
same, the forme r bein g An glo-Sa x on , and the latter
Latin. H they differ :1t all, it is in t11 c sligl itly su re·
rior dennitcncss and force of the fo rm er. llorsc nnd

THCllNICAL TRRMS.

Gl

'<'steed diffe r

in rank. JJ,n·sc is th e common wonl, s/, .,,,z
is the poetical word. Jl,~1:; means an inferior ltu rse, or
one spoken of famil iarly, as of li ttle esteem.
It is :i. pr ofitable exercise to scr n ti 11i 1:c wo n1s <.Josc:y,
nncl to note the diffcren t effect of :i. sen ten cc i r a il;w
words-are cx ch ::rn gcd for otl11'rs o f a similar meanin g .
. 27. '/.'ccimi'cal '/. lnil.S.-· IVIan y tcclu ii e:tl tcrinc;, or
words used in a v e ry p recise sense, in tl1 c d0sc ri pt i1li1
of the sciences and art!', l1:i.vc been introch1ce1l i1:to tk:
E nglish I:i.n gnagc, mainly from the .'.ln cie!I t l:rn g 1 1:1.~c;cs .
In tliis W.'.lY our speech l1as been g reatly cm id 1c'1 .
No science or :i.r t c.'.ln b0 stm1ic<1 , or even tlioro:igl.Jy
UDdCrStOOd, -wi thOll (, :'\, kn owJc<lgc or its tce;Ji 11 ica] terms.
'The common English words nc:ncst in signiflc.'.ltion 1.o
them are too elastic .'.llH1 cli:i.n geahlc in tl1cir signific:.tion to answ er th e pu rposc or Ll1ose w bo arc \lcscri lJi n:.;
the arts and sciences.
Thus, Gramm:w l1:1s snch tcclrn ic.'.ll tcrrns as Ji"rt idple,prosocl.'J, sul:/er-t, prcdicolr:; Geography such as /11/itude, longit!ldc; A stron omy snch .'.lS ?10c[, s, 7ior11U,u,
transit; G eology snc]_i as sil11 1·i,m, f'Clr!Jonur''' i?i.'', r!o)i ,Metaphysics su ch .'.lS s1d1j- ·r·lin ', olyidii:e, 110m iw1(i,m , re·
azi·sm ; Medicine, L .'.lw, Tli eol ogy, Tcacl 1in g, P:iintin '.'-,
Sculpture, N:.vigation , '\\'.:1r, B uil di ng, :Min ing, :1nd all
sciences aml all p ractices, make 11sc of a ccrt.~1i11 S··t oC
terms res pee Li vci y, employed in a d cfini tc sign ifi,:a t.ion,
and wbicb, wlJCn used on other sul>j ccts, l1avc gcncr:1lly :i. wider or looser s ign ificati on tktn wl1 cn cmployc'<l
tech nic.'.lll y.
23. Onjin <!f Tccluu·c,1! J:'f'l!ls.- \VJ. i le: th: lccL n ic:1;
t erms of tl1 0 11:tt11ral sc;i,;nccs arc mo:-:tly 1:tk··11 fr-o:'

,•'

l '..t lfU/'i'Y Ii/"

RIIL' TnR I C.

D2

the Greek, those of w:i.r arc (1 c rivcc1 brgcly from the
F rench, those of music from the It:-ilian, am1 m:wy others are from o th er bngungcs, :rncicnt :t11llrnodern. In
some instances, an Engl ish ,,·orcl is selected and closely ddin ccl in :i. trc:i.tisc, nnd tliu s becomes technical.
2(). Jluw 11srr1. -No one should presume to write
npon any p:ntieul:u sci c llce o r :irt witl 1o ut :i n accw·ute
knowlcLl gc
its tcclinie:i.l terms; :ind it is well even
in u nscientific o r popular p roductions to use such
terms accurately, if at all. An excessive or u nnecessary use of them, cYen in scienti fic writi ngs, am1 still
more so in tl1osc d esig ned fo r general readers, appears
pedanti c, nn<1 shou hl be avoided.
30. J\~ · 1 1 1 w ;,nls.-From time to t im e new words
SJll'i11 g up in tl:c hn g n:ig c, nnd oll1 wonls d ie out or
become obsolete. Tlw scrutini;;:ing ohscrvatio11s o f'
m ode rn sc ience nrc con;:.:to ntly <1 isc o\'(~ ri ng new ouj ccts,
wh ich must be n:i.m c<l, and therefore sc ientific terms
:ue eo11 stantly added to tl1e lan g 11 :igc. So new cornbi n:i.tions o[ men, new :ie1·io11:::, or cirenm tanccs nri sc,
whi eli dern:u1d either nn olcl tP.rm used in a n ew signifi c~ti on or :i. new term. Su ch worcls :is r·r111c11s, locrllc,

or

rlonu f,', 7u·c-cm; ll, im1,,iyr111i l,

sle1j;li, and many otl !(' rs

s1.·r·1/1uldlr>,

/cff';Jl'0111,f ·csl1 ct,

nscr1 first i 11 J\ 1nc rica, nnt1
some of them arc st ill co 1iri111' d 1o Amrrica. lVijwam,
tomalwwk, originated among t li c aborig in es of North
Americ:c; taboo, tattoo, came fro m the P:iei fie [;;lrrnds.
These arc b ut specimens of the fo reig n words continually admi ttul in to our lang ua ge.
llforc will be s:ril1 herrnfter :i.bout th0. proper use of
new words.
\V C'l'C

WUHLIS .

CIIAP'i'EH VTII.
l" A U L 'f S

'.J.' 0

BE

A V0 I DE 0 .

31. 'l1rrE faults to Le avoid el1 in the use of \\·ords
are as follows :
(1). P aucily. - To cmle:wor to speak or write wilhout a gooLl supply of won.l s is as absu rd ns to cmlcavor to till the earth 1rit!.JO uL the necessary im plt.: 11 1e111s
of agriculture, or to bu ilL1 a lrnuse without suilleicnt
material. \ Ve nee11 not rcs u1uc the inquiry wli•:tl tcr
tl1on gl1t can exist w ithout hngu:i.ge, f'or all will all vw
that 1Utctorie L1l:mam1s \\' Ords. .A writer rn ay l:Ud1·:L\-or to make a. fow won.ls express mueL tl1uu g iit, and
fail citLc r to d evel op l1is own tl10ugh ts i11tu follttcss
and accuracy, or to rn:tk c nny uut tlte rnosL iw-1isti11cL
and u nsatisfrtctory i n1iir~:ss i o n npun others, f;_) r tlte
want of a. suflieient copiousucss
words. 111 ::;uch a
case, the same wonl , on the same page, or in one pro·
ductio n, is made to b c:i.r more than one meaning, su111c·
times several m ean in gs. rl'lte cmphnsis aml gcstnrc
which rnight indicate the d iffe rent mea ni ngs wi1cn ut·
tered, can not b e d cnotct1 on tl1 c silent, passion le.-;,; page,
and the r eader, uninstructed and confuser], pronounces
the w rite r un;;killcd am1 feeble, and probauly t11ru\':s
the bool-:: do\Yll in di sgust. Speakers wlw Lav e l)l]t.
few words cau not iu tcrc::;L s·~11 siuk lic:arcrs a. 1011g

or

.

,-.~

NJf8TOR J t:.

fl /"'I' le''!' f 'l' I 11 .\ · .

1i111c. A ilvays empl oy words cnong h to con v 0y yonr
mc:-u1i11 g folly a11Ll perspicuou sly, :uicl anJid Ll1u 11sc
of Ll1e same wonl in different significaLion:-:.
rp]1c following may he regarded as cx:u11plcs of a
violation of t,]1 is rni c :

expressed i11 a ki11 1l uf sLilLeJ :;impliciLy . \ \' uu l1l iL
not b e more ch·g:-u1L anJ eve n i1 11prcssin; thus '?

'' 1\ ri.1;/it :ictiou be in .~ one con funn cU to tl1c lnw, we mny riglilZlf
say 1h c acto r h:1 d a ri!J ht tn perfor m it , i. , .. , th e lnw g ircn laid it

sonb of such n1 cn often scc1n to li:.tYC strin:11 tu rise just C1Jo11gh to
demon strat e th eir in1hC' ei1ity . 1I cnr·e tlic ir r cst1 es~ n e~s r1ft 1' n , in
their ahoni,·c cffnrrs to e:-:ca i1c frorn l11('ir c n ~l:lYCm e nt to th e ih•:·dt.
I-Ic ncc dram -dr in king, sm<1king nn 1.l cl1C\\'ing or tr1b ncco, nn<l all !-.O r ts
of vicious nnJ dl~ :-: tru ct ive lu sts RO oft en appelll' 1<1 n1 <1t:k nw l de riLl C
those me n who profc~s to lie :ittcmpti11 g liy study to t.rain up th eir
sonls in pO\\'Cr nt\l...l frectlom in olirdicncc to reaso n, as th e Yc ry end

;).j

upon him as !1 iluty.
An d tl111 s we come nt once, ~::; it \\'<•n•, a\Jr11pt.
ly to 1l 1·1'1hi. clclinit.ion o f duty, i. c., :1 thing d 11 (', whic h 1111101. i•e done
-w i1i ch th e l:lw r equires m e to d o. Tl1118 we reach tl ie doctr iuc
tl1at rights and dutie:; arc ,.C,.iJJrOl'(t!. u

'l'L1e abo ve is confuscL1 am1 obscu re, if not illogical.
l3ct,ter t h us :
"J\ ri ght action being- one co 11fnrm cll to the law, we 1~1.1 _v 7 1ro1 1cr~'/
say that tli c n1·tor l1 a:-; a ri;.d 1t. tv ]11.~rfvn n it ; ant.I if tlw law - g i\'l:r de .
n1n 1Hls nc tivi ty, lie has i 111111>.-:1·d it ns a d111y upo n tl1t· m:l• Jr. 'Til us
w e co m e n L o u r0 . a nd nlirn ptl.\·, to n cr1rrrd dc fi11 itin11 c1f duty: it
it is an octiuu dt1 l', or tha t rnw;t Uc done; or, in 01 lic r w1Jrd~, wli icl 1
tile 1nw requires an OfJClll l.n Uo. Tilu s we re ach Lhc co 11 cl11::;i vn tbat
rigl1t:; an<l Uut ics nrc re<'ip l'ond. .,

The following pass::igc is
prov emcnl :
''And y Pt, with

~o

rn·g-cnt 1t

HC'('tl

s usc~pli\Jk

of g reat

to l lr free from c\·cry

1111-

i11 tl·111prnll.t~

stain :u1d wen knl'8:-i, i"' it ll0t almost, }1ror erlJially tru e !liat , in the
r:rnk~ of noniiiwl i::tnd c nt~, 11i crc- seem s to he :in c~pC'c inl liabil ity to
f:1!J into some fo r m o r nnutl1 er flf ~ i t· kly :rnd c n!-'laYi 11 g indld g(· ncc;

it scc 111 ti ofr cn ns tl1 011gl1 tli c ~0 11 1 i11ad l. . j11 ~t <:ffnn en ough to ri ~ca n d
b e strong t o ,J1ow its we :ikn e,;: . Jlc11cc their rcslk>S ncss oftc utimes
i11 tJ1ci r SC'c ming attcm 1•t of dinm·e fr0111 the flc '-' li; he nce drnmllrinking an d sott ish c:tting (i( 11rerious good thin .'!s ; ~ hcntc smoking
nnd ch e wing-, and nil sorts of Yi cious and f•onsurninJ! 111 :-;t.... , so uft en
nppcar , its it w~rc~ jn YCry 111 01.:ke ry :u11l dcri :-. ion (I f 1li c pruretisc d n 1t l' I11}'t ofst w li o us n1cn tu tra i11 1q• tlwi r ~0 11 1 ..: i n J!iJwcr a11tl freedo m,
in rcotson as on ~ with th e end a11d s 11 h ~ t :uu: c uf thr ir no hle l1ci11g. 1 '

SLrong

a~

tl1c alJOvc

~< · 11 t im c 11L

is, it seems to be

"Au el yet, wit h so urge nt n n ccc~s i1y uf Lci11g fr~e fr v1n every stain
nn1l cnfct...:lili11g in011cn cc of int.ernp crnncc, is it not alm ost pro Yc r binllv trne t hat mnnv wh o c nll thcmsc h es stud ents nrc cspcc i11lly
pro u.c to fall into son;,~ e nfceliling nn<l enslav ing in cl ul ge n ce ~ Tl•c

and cOfllJ'l e ti o n of the ir no l1l c r Lcing. "

It is clifll.cult to expose this defect except b_v re·
writin g ancl :tcllli ng to Lh ose productions in wl 1icl1 it
appears to be exhib ited. An alJ11ntlance of worcl,;,
properly usc<l, in dicates fthundant tL ougl1t.
M:111 y speake rs arc doo1ncd to i11 fcri0 r i1 1nucncc,
many liouks pa::;s rapidly into obli vi on, from tlie •vant
of a ~1dTi c i c ntly c:x.le11siv c voc:-tLul::iry.-xA t tl1 e same time, the frc<1ncnt repcLiLi on of' a. worrl
m tl H~ sa11rn l1 iscourse, or c vc1i p:tr:tg rapl1, is a.llow:tlilu
for crnpl1a,.;i,:, as j,.; il lu ,.;t,ralc<l by tl1 u 11sc of 1.li e 11·orrl
h yp1ill11·s 1's in tl1t: [ollow ing extract from Profcc;sor
Thomas II. Huxley :
"Do n o t nllow y ourscff to be mi s lccl h.1· the co mm on noti on tlJ:\t. a

+ Jt ha s been ~ai1l tlint i11qniricti 1nntie hy tel e graph co mpanies iu
E n<rln nd hare a~r.crt.ainc1l t.liat tlie n1tn1Ucr ofwor<l:' in ordin :1ry use,

in 1:i1'incss matters, ;, only about three

ll1011snnd. Many speakers
a n <l even wr iters e rnpl ny cYen fewe r wMd ~ than that, whil e i\!ilton
usc<l n ot m o r e th a n six tl1011 :o; a11tl .

The JH11nl1e r of dilf e rcnt word :-:

in the J-:n gl i,h Tiil1k i' aho11t nine: tho usaml.
more

tl1:1n

twe nty thous a nd.

Sliaksj'c:HC 11'l' d

l !lll:J'l'O JU C.

/( I,'f) l ! XD. I ,\' I' Y.

J1y pot h cs is is un t ru stworthy b ecause it is a l1ypotl11•,- is . 11 is ol"le n
urgc<l, in respect to some scie nti fic concl us ion, th:Lt, aftf·r al l, i t is
only a hypo thesis. B ut w hat more have we to g u ide us in ninetunths of the most impo r tant nffltirs of t.laily life than hy potheses, nnd
uftcu very ill -ba sct.l ones ? So tha t in sc ie nce, wh e re th e cviJc ncc
of 11 hypoth esis is rnhj cctcd t o the m ost r igiLl exa m i na tion, we may
rightly pu rsnc the snnic course. You may li:nc h_,·pothescs and hyJ•othcscs. A man rn:iy say, if he li kes, that the mvo n is made of
g reen cl:ccsc . th at i~ a li ypotl 1 C'si~ . Bllt. a nothe r man , w ho li as <lcYOte1l a grl':-tt deal of tim e :1n<l ntt c·nti un 10. 1li c ~ nhj<:cl, nnd aYa ilc<l
lt in»df oft ll<) most powerful telescope s :u Hl the rc>' n lis uf t lie nusc rvati un;; o f others, declares tl1at in hi:; OJ> ini on it is 1•rul w l.Jy cornposc<l
of ma tcriuls very si111il:u· to th ose vf which our cunh is mat.le up: ancl
that nlso is a hypothes is . "

designed to be prc,.;c r vc,J aml stu<liel1, all redundan cies shou ld be o m i ttcd .
vV e appc1Hl some examples.

5U

(2.) Halwula11.cy.-Tbis is tile exact oppos ite of
raueity; and cons ists in usi11 g more won.ls tuan arc
necessary to express tl1e tl1ougliL. It is the most
common fault of poor wrili11g,.; and in ferior speeches.
Vigorous aml able wri ter:o not sdLlom fall in to tuis
error.
It sometimes arises frorna want of tliou g ht, lead ing
Llrn autl1 or to r epeat over a nL1 over :cgain the littk mod icu m of sense or feeling which he is uulc to eommam1. It th en leads to lcwtulug!l Somctimcs it ari ses from :c parrot-like facility in rernern bcring words from their sound, wi Lhout nrncli attc n tion to their meaning. In such a case th e productions soon weary rnen of good sense.
Sometimes it arises from an case in expressin g the
same general tb onglit in two or more dill"crent ways,
equally correct, :rnd all irn prcssive. ln s ueh :t c:csc
r ccl unclancy is not :clways a lJ!cmish in speak ing, nor
in writin gs that : tn~ 11 l'signed t,J l)c n ;:cd lJut 011cc, aml
rathe r carel essly, like daily 11 cwspapers; buL in books

c

~

"'

- "I felt truly so rry for t his youJ1g mfln. I will not rtsscr;. th :1t iic
i:.:howcd (W!J cxt l'aonl in:i.ry (1111ou11t o_/qu ickncss or Ueptl1 <•f in:cl lcct ~
but h e has (l-ft ud1:r1uatc amoun t r!f ta len t, nnJ 61'.J nua:h real s en ~iJ , jJ j ty
a ru..lj"e~li1lfj, tliat he co ul<l no t. fail to gn.in fr ie nd s in nny country l rt
ilte1curld. I ;1if!Jhim; fu r , :uni 1lt his(·a 11111/c1c dcarth ofcn1 1gc 11 i :1\ ~!l ­
eicty, it will Le wumk rful in <lce,l if lie clot:s not become" true lllabgascy al last."*

B etter thu s :
" I fe lt trnl y sorry fo r tit is you ng mnn . I \r ill not assert tlr:it lic
showell cxtr:iord ina ry (111ickne ss or depth of intellect; l int 111; li;ts
talent enou g h, :lnd so n 111cl t sc nsi !1i lity th nt lie co ul d nut fail t<i g:\in
friend s in any country ; hut. amid 1!ii; 'k:ir tii of congenial sucicty, iL
will be womlcrful if he <locs not beco me n t rue Malng:isey."

More tLan thirty per cen t. or t11e wo nb arc thus
S:lVCl1 , and tJ1c force or the cxp rcssiOl\ increased.
'(Th e Egyptians usc 1l 1n use my rrh , ~pice~, ;\nd nitre for cml1n.ln 1ing the dc:n1 l Lollies o f the .J cee:tscJ ."

It woult.1 seen• in ercllihlc tl1:1t a mau or sense would
employ so niany nsclcss words as in the :cl.Jove sentence. It shoulc1 lw', "'l'lic Egypti :m s were :-iccnstn rncd to use spices :tml niLrc fo r embalming llcad hocJi<·:-;_"
'' lly ;\ lllllltij>Jicit)' (IW / r rtr it''.IJ
nrc not .•w f
equ ipped iu

Qf WOl'J~, tl1 e t.Ji (i llght s

mul

P01fiff/«.'1/S

1~(! run /

an· o 111rn o 1btc 1l; hut, likt: l ) jt,·id if, ·1'."st:,f not 111ul
~:wl's arm o r, th ey nrc c11 cmn1Jc red •1.ml u;•11,"c..,·.<.·c1i. ..

'T he sentence is greatly strcngtl1cncc1 Ly omitl in e:;·
the italici%cd words.
A lecturer on :nt wlio strove to use a correct style
speaJ..:S or cc i111.np rd:-ttiOl1S or ft j1:l~ S:1 ge lJ_y ill<: lc:trllL' cl
*

Id~1.

l 1f'ciffcr's Yisil to i\ladagnscar.
c~

RJIBTOIUU .

W JI NN DIF l"U SJ~',YRss JS A /,f, !J H'Al!LE.

Gesner, by Sohn us, :Lnd R citzi us, which arc laug hably
absurd, and ridiculous !"
vVou1cl not the follow in g passage from an el egant
and inst ructive writer be i mproved by strikin g o ut th e
it:tlicizcd worc1s?

and control tl1c attention better tlian diffo sc o nes. 'Tlw
importance of this subj ect rcq1 1ircs d iscrimi1uti11 g
study. In some instances diffuse ness, ancl \\" li:i.t rniglit
be call ccl t:tutology, i,; necessary, ::ts wbc11 :1 subject is
difficult to be un 1lcrstood b_y th e perso ns addrcssl·d, o r
when i t io di sagreeabl e, :tn<..1 mu s t l>e circnitou ;;Jy :ind
slowly approached. A word o[ m:~ n y sylbl ik>', s1 ol': ly
uttered, rn:ty :sometimes l>c more efficie nt t1 1:111 a s11ort ,
sharp exp ression. "Ile w:ts trcrn cndonsl y ahn1 11:• l,"
is more i m prcss ivc than n ::-hortcr c xp rc:s>'io11 wou lcl lw.
W hen the :tutl1or wi sllC'S :t sul~cct to be tl 1o ugh t
m or e than it " ·ill b·~ ,,·itli on e, even tlic very ]Jest expressio n, h (~ may 11sc more words than :trc Rtri ctly nee.·
ess:try. Every 01w sl io ulcl Le al>lc at plcasnrc to 11<;•_:
a clc:tr, sh:trp, lacon ic sty le.

fi 8

".A 11J is th ere 11othi11µ; :111nlogn11s to th is i11 t he sot ia l ll"Orl,J ? l s
not rl1 e wlt nlc fr nmC- \\'Ol'k of ou r present fiOCia l f')'S t1•m fo11 11th·d'o n the
f'ler11 u l l!J uncliangcalil c law uf the .o:.u&u1·rli11al ion a 1/f l ~ u h:-e rvi c 11 cy ufvnc
liurnn u o rga ni sm to nnotl1 cr? Jn (11"d 1·r to be li nJ• JIY, tnau mu st hJ
free to t1 e,· clop h im se lf. n ut iwlivid11al freedom mu st 11cressaril!J cngcn l1Cr i nequality :'O lon g a s one lrn111a11 u rgnnil' m lins 1u orc li fc-c nP. rgy th:ln Ctnother. We sec the r esults or thi s prin cij>l e (i11rq1wli1.~ q/
11a tural !Ji_/l) in a rommon schoo l, w her e a1I are platc<l in t!te srw1r r irnn11 slanccs and on nn cqunl foot i nµ;. \\" hnt n r cmnr k n1.lc diffcrcnc·c in
the aptness of boys for pnrticulnr brnn c li cs of st 11Jy ! \ Vith wh :it rap idi ty a11d a;•11m·c111 case so me get. through th e t:"ks nl1011 c<l them!
Jlow Blow a nd wcari i"ome the pro~rc~i:: n1aJc l1y ot li crs ! Undo11l it Pdlv th u dili ge nt and f1U"111ii·c s t11<ll"nt is i::e nernlly , nt th e end of t he
icrm, the rn ost nth·an <·cJ in his cl:i " . B i: t even i n n u·e/l.1·1·.'Julated
sch ool, wh ere imlll>tri o 11 s l1:1hi1s :ire cnrc foll y r nltirnt cd , wh(")"c tho
~tr i ctcst d isciplin e i:-i rigidly enfnrc('tl, antl ,,./11'.1 ·1~ 1t!I w ·e 11 0 1 011 /!J exJ>Ccl cd Uu..t acl uall!J 1nii.de lo stud!/, th e re j .. th e s :un e ,·:1ri c ty in the natnr:ll c np:'lc ities of tl 1c ~ehob rs, the ~am c i::trik ing divc r~ ity in th e ir in1cller·/11ol pro~re ss. \\" lie n refere nce i' rnndc t o the stnndi ni.: or cnc h
at tlie cn111mc11cc m cn t· nnd then nl tlw c lusc of th e ~c ~s i o n. ~o m c boys

[)!)

vr

·,_

gnf'. far nhend of' t he other~ in 1li c ~:unc hrnn('li, n o 1wi1h ~ ta11tli11 g:
who \ia,·e l1nd l lH· mi~fnrt11nc to fall Un <' k i11 llwi1 · r·l11ss Ji n,·c n0 t
u nfrcq1H•ntl y r ef'(' iYf' d the grcatf>st ~h are <1f t. li c 1in1 r: nnr l utl f'11 l io 11 of
J1nvc

th11~ u

t.lici r tf' nelwr .

T h11~, no tw itl 1~t:u1clin g-

tlw oft-cited !'lay in g of Euclid ,

' Tl 1erc i ~ 110 rn,·:d ro ad to lc:tn1i11 :~ . ' it i.-: 11 1Hle11i:t l,J c that l herl) is
i-:nc h f\ th in~ n~ 1~n i 1111at0 or wrturu l i111dlcrlflu l am { 11101·ul StlJ icr iorit y

of cnpacity

pos~ t·s...:c d

by

OllC

11\a tl o ,·c r

:n1 u thl'r.''*

32 . Discrimi1111lin11 on th e 11mpcr

J.Y 11111l1a

rf ll"ords

nf'erlcd. -It is poss ible ti1:1t som e persons m:ty not con ·

sider Lh e above extract improved by :111 11n11 ing the italicized words, but it should be observed tk1 t co11c1sc
pro<1n ct.i ons, if p r, rspicn on~, plc:1se cnlt iv:ltril mind s,
• \Vh:it mny Le L r nrn cd from n T ree.

Bv lfarlnllll Cu 11 lt:1, , l'· 7 1.

.,...

•

(j\I

1; /IP TOR[! ! .

CIIAPTEH L\.
FURTTIEit DlHECTIO;\S UPON '.l'J!E CJTOJCE OF WORDS.

33 . .Parity rf Wunl.>.- Trrn Englisli l::mguagc is
brgely m::i.<lc up of \fords tl1:i.t 11ave been i11trolluced
from oth e r lang uages, ::tnc.l t11is proel:ss m:i.y yet con tinu e; still it violates good taste to use foreign terms
i1cec1ks,;ly a11<l excessively. 'l'l1is practice s:wors of
pedantry. It all'cc ts to dispby lcarniug, but often betrays vanity. It frequent] y indie:i.tes <ldi ciency rather
tban proficiency in scliobrsLip. Hipe scliolars can affoi·d to confine themselves to one language at a time,
nnd use foreign expressions in thci r eomposi ti on only
w lien th ey wish to express a sb::i.dc o f tl 1o ng h t th:i.t
can not be conveyed in the idi om of the English b11.
gn:igc, or when tl 1c_y wi sh to avail themselves of associat ions co nn cc1c<l wi th so111e forei g n e-" prcssion,
or wh en they wish to make a direct (1uotatio H from a
prmlnction in anothe r hngnagc.
Let a young wri tcr rcmcrn bcr that tlH) profuse use
of hackneyed foreign terms, usually foun<l in a list at
tb.c close of our spelling-hooks and dictionaries, such
as prima j acic, 11N"l/f. ·idea 7, [, ·!;io trmcms, 1Jonri fide, is not
so much nn indi cntion of schohrsliip as either of carelessness or pedantry. '\Vlicn such a phrase is em-

Ji'O R .EI (IN

'l' !·.' !.' 11/S S 0 .JI H 'l' f 1lfl.; s

/' /,' IJ I' Hit.

Ii

i

ployet1 by a truly learned writer, there is an a11 t11ess
or reason for its use, that can not well be co111prc·
bended except by a pe rson familiar witb the buguagc
from which it is taken. A show of erudition, witlt
which to astoni sh the vulgar, may Lh.; o1J1.ai rwd from
an encyclop::edia in half ::i.11 hour, 1Jnt it will nevL'I' ik ·
ceive the learned.
3±. T/1 c U0e uf}11°c1j;n ll"'unls s11·n1cti111cs prn;ic1·. --J\L
the same time it must be allvwccl t11at fvrcig11 \\'Orl\,.;
may sometimes be used with good cO.l:cL. IV"li r 11
those ::i.Jdres:;c(l may be presumed to und crstam1 tlicl!1,
·when they arc clothed with fomiliar associatio ns, w lien
they serve as a cloak fur i(lc::ts that won],] lJL: lc»':agreeablc in a native Lln:ss, or wlicn they cx11rL·~s
what a native word Ciln 11ot, tlicy may prvpcrly Le
employed .
rrLius \Val tcr Scott., spc::i.king of American s, says :
"They arc :Jllvaneing in tbc: lists of our lltcrnturc,
and they wi ll not be: long deficient in tl1e p etite ?110 ·
rale, especially :JS they h:wc, like: ourselves, tlic rage
for travellin g." The word pol iteness miglit be stiJ_,.
stitutcd for t he Frcncl1 wo rds in the abo\·e, but
would not be so specific; "the amenities of soeial intereoun:1c" would li:wc: 1.Jccn too long, aml ncitl1c r
would have suggested tbe thought, that a noted
French writer has termed social manners "tlic minor
morals."
Prescott, reforri ng to a defense of the anacli ronisrns
and poems or Sbakspeare by an over-ardent German
admirer, :Jdc1s: "Tl1c old bard, couhl he rrti sc: his
head from the tomb, where none might llisturl> l1i ,.;

G1

Rlfl:TORIC.

OBSOLETE 'l'L'UNS.

bones/ would exclaim, we imag i1ic, " 1\Tun tali cmx -

;,,ord-demoralizc; a n<l iL is an indication or Lis SOUll(l

1'/io."-f-

judgment, both that he attempted the enterpri se only
once, and that he then su ccccc1ccl so well. Tbc rn o:-:L
that hn vc stri vc1 i to man 11 focturc wonl:o ha vc fai icll tu
make them current. It is not an easy matter to induce
a people to substitute llCW standards of m easure o r ol
money for the old. Stil I, new o1 ijccts, 1ww ch~si fic:i.tions, anc1 ne w :ictions, rcmlcr n ew wonls n ccc:-"~1 r.\·.
Us::ige itself must ]Jave a Legiuning, :lll<l tl1is slio1t1 11
not be left wholly to the ig 11 orant. \\r c l1a \·c ~ts gou11
a ri ght to n ew won1s, or to olc1 worc1s wiLl 1 ll•~W 1t1c;u1 ·
ings, as we have to n ew thongl1Ls.
37. 1Vl1cn Allu11.:alilc.- Ncw terms mu st he i11Lro·
duced Ly wrilcrs 011 science :rnd art so ofte n :is an y
new obj ect or law is c1 iscovcrcJ. TL cy slioulcl be i11 trocluccc1 naturally and from necessity, not caprici ous·
ly and p resu mpt uously. V enders of quad~ mclli cin cs,
and othe r pretenders to scicn.cc, arc con t inually at·
temptin g to in trod uce new words to ticscrilH; tl1 cir
nostrum s or notion:-, such as so;:urfont, u.111·a1·1{(!(1/,m , :tn <1
thousands of otli cr,;, not one o f wl1i ch 11as p:1sscd i: il o
r eputable us:igc. 'l;l1c startlin g effect proclu ccd l>y :-t
new wonl is generally soo n lost, nm1 followu1 by di,.;.
approbation, as a person arrayin g l1im sc1f in nncon th
garmen ts may attr:-tct attention for a m oment, Lnt will
not b e ndmittcd illtO good society.

G2

It is not best to :cccomp:1ny fore ig n words with a
tr:1n slation, unless they arc ci t.ell :i.s autho riti es or
proof.s g iv en in the original to secure accuracy, but
tr:i.11 s btc11 fo r Llic j II rorrn:"ttion or all.
3:). A1h-icc n/ Br!Jlf11 /. - \Villia1n Cllll cn Dry:rnt, an
clc'g:rnt A111 (; ric:i.11 \\'rii.cr, \1·h osc pro:-;c writ i11;;,; arc
not inCni or in st.rlc to 11is justly-cclcb rat:ccl poetry,
wl11~ n rcqu cste1l to g ive his opinion on an arti cle l1:u1cl cd to him by a young m:rn, to be printed in l1i s ne ws·
p:1pc r, said : "My young fri end, I obse rve that yo u
h:w c usc,d several French express ions in your article.
I th i11k that, if yo u will st1H1y tuc E11gli sl1 lan g uage,
y ou will flllll it c:ipablc of e xpress ing all the idc:1S
th:i.t yo u m:-ty k1.vc. I l1:-tvc always roum1 it so; :incl
in all tbat I liavc written I do not r ecall :en in s t:rncc
i n which I w:1s inclined to nsc :1 foreig n \Y Ord, but
tli:1t , on searching, I founll :1. Getter one in my ow n

bn g n:1gc."
Foreign words arc seld om ncccl ccl except fo r orname n t. A wcll-cultivatc<l tnstc is necessary to dircet in
tli <' ir use, or tl1 cy will offcml more tlwn th ey pl ense.
3G. 1Ycw ll ~1J'i7.~ slu1ulil 1)(1/ z,c rcrklcss1!J l i1trud1ux:1l.-It was rcmarkci.1 by Dr. N oah 'Webster, tl1 c lexi cographer, that h e 11a<l never vcn tu red to coin but one
,. In these "· orcl s is nn alln,ion to tile epitaph O\'Cr Shakspcnrc's
griwc .
t A quotntion from Virgil (11-: nci<l, libcr ii. vs. 52 1, li22) :

( The ocrnsion <locs uot nrc 1l s uch help, nor such <lcf, ·nd e r>.)

38. Obsolete aml 06s1Acsccn t ·11 'urds should :r1 11'nd! 11
be cwoidcd.- The fact tbat they arc obsolete, or imlccd
obsolescent, ind icates either that they :ire u seless, O i'
thnt for some r eason they have b een dispbec,1 liy
others. Attempts to revive the use of n forgotl cu

- --'!-..

IUUo'T!Jlt f U.

word arc usuall y failures. "Tho u shalt d estroy them
that speak leasing" is not un<lcrstoo<l by the people,
lying being now substituted for lcr1si"r1r;. " \ Vot" for
knew, "took up our carriages" for took up ow· lug:;age,
and some other expressions, are instances of t erms in
the common t ra nslation of the Dible that are now obsolete. 'l'hcy can not easi ly b e rcvi vccl.
In personating a character who is s upposed to have
lived in a preceding age, it would be proper to represen t him as speaki ng the lang uag e common in his
time, or •'i.t lc::tst to use many cbarncteristic term:::, to aid
in t lJe ill usion .
Thus Thomson, in bis "Castle of
I ndolence," imitating the style of S pcuse r, introduced
m any obsole te terms.
T he attem pt by some m odern poets to revive the
use of fo rgotten words will be nu gatory. As " revolu tions seldom work backward," so the tide that ucars
a word towarc1 oblivion seldom has an cub.
30. ll ord0 should llsed £n th r:ir Jl[udcrn N ecw ing.\Von1s that have changed their sign ification should
be used in th eir modern meaning. I 'l'ci;c11t once signiflcLl go before; now it bas a meaning that no otl1cr
wonl cx:-tcLly expresses. L et is no longer n eeded in
the sense of l1i1l(l1 ·1" :ls it was once employed.
'10. Dc;;cncr,.1c:1 rf 1Vimls.-?.fany 1rnnls have degenerated in val ue, and it is impossible to r estore them
to t l1cir fonncr ho nor. rrLrns by-and-b!J once meant
1'mm cdiately : "'IVb icb of you, kwing a servant plow·
ing o r fcetling cattle, will say unto bim l1y·aml-by, when
he is com e from the fiel d, Gv and ~ it <lown to meat?"
(Lu],c xvi i. 7).

uc

l.VOltD8 CJ.l .. !XUH J N

N H:I .\'INll.

Prescntl!J abo once h all the sa me rncanin g .

Tlilis
Shakspeare wr ites : "1fy lorJ, tlie queen woulll spea k
with you and presently "-meaning now ; am1 tlie n>
ply is, " 'l'hen w ill I come to my m other li!J·awl-by"
(Hamlet, act iii. scene 2).
Though words do thus cLangc their nsagc, in some
instances d egen erating in value, and in o t hers ri sin g
in importance, goo d schol::trsh ip is ofte n cxl1ibitcc1 l.iy
rcstrietiug a wonl, as far as possi1Jlc, to its ancient
meaning. Dy th is mark a ,;pcal\: c r ;:;killed i 11 tlt c :u1 ·
c ient langu::tg<;s may oft.en be clistillguisucd f'rorn one
ignorant of tlicm .
vVorcls have a history, and so me of t11 cn 1 a rich
h istory. J o vi al was once "sui table to J o ve," it is
now clcgraL1ecl to 111 c1T!J .: saturnine was 01 1 cl~ mys te ri ous and profonn<l, now it j,; :;lwrny; ": u1irnai spirit,;,"
" humorous," and "vapo rs " .-;u ggcst a tli cory of phy s·
iology long si nce tliscard cd , lrn t \1·orll::; often sLtrv i 1 ,_.
tlie tbcories th at inve nted tlicm.

.,.,,

.....

:

(j(j

V t r J, 0 ,-tJU s :II s.

JUfBTOJU C.

CIIAPTER X.
FURTIIER DillECTIO:'.\S Cl'OX TUE CHOICE OF

W011DS-Continucd.
41. Provinciahsms. - PnovrKCIALIS:MS should be
avoided , or sparingly and discriminatcly employed.
Some words arc used in conl111c(l localities, and are
unknown elsewhere. If they arc substituted for other
well-known wonls in tlw h11 g uagc, they sLoulcl be
discarded. If th ey express olJjccts or customs peculiar to that :ocality, they should be tolcratccl and rendered respectable. TL1crc is no particular reason wby
a waistco((t in England shoulJ be callccl a i:Cst in America, or why trmcsers, r aillcay, crntwnn there, should be
styled bcrc respectively pantaloons or pants, ra ilroad,
full:.;,. and yet so numerous is the population in
America tkit her peculiarities of speech promise to
become permanen t mHl the rnlc, wliilc in some instances the olclcr an(l p crl1aps purer Engl ish will become obsolete, even in J<:ngbnc1. 'l'bc word clever in
Engbncl signifies intelli ge nt, intellectual, a11d able to
succeed; in tltc United States it is often used to mean
. generous, [tmiablc.
42. Americam:mis.-It is often assnrne<l that Amer·
* Used occ;i,ionnlh· in Scotlnncl (sec
Camphcll, vol. i. l'· 200).

Bcnttic's Lifll uf Thomas

(j/

·, ic:ms use many provincialisms, wl1icl1 L:tvc bcc1 1 c:dl·
· -.ed "Americanisms," thougl1, in fact, no people use
. so few. Many of the in accuracies tktt Lave been
· f:ltyled .Americanisms have been imported, but l1avc
: here obtained larger currency tLan at home, and arc
here oftener seen in print. 'l'Lerc are of course some
,·. peculiar expressions, and al ways rn ust be, of nati vc
>origin. Tbc constant tendency
in la1wuao-c
_
a
o to clian"l'
· is introducing new forms of expression, all of wliicli
_, arti provincialisms at. first. From tbc rnnllituac of
· newspapers in this country, all(] the case \Nitli wl 1icli
.almost any one may "sec him self in print," coll oc1;1ialisms a nd slang terms \Yhich fi11ished scholars wou itl
never repeat, [lJ"C frc <1ucn tly printed. .A 11 snch corruptions of language sl10ulJ lie discountenancl:d. 'l'J1us
, ca.Zculatc is sometimes uscc1 for ·i 11hilf, rccic-un anJ )'re·
sumc arc substituted for tlti111.· by persons wlio seldom think doscly, or tl1ey wonlcl use worJs more ac·
· curately.
43. Vu,lgarisms.-Vn lgarisms arc words :rncl phrases
which, from their origin or general nsc, li[lve a tendency to excite low anrl mean associations. "You can
see with half an ey e," "Go it. blind," arc in stances.
Similar to these [l]'() hackn eyed wo rds or pl1r:1su\
sometimes c::iJlc<l catch -worc1s, which arise in p[l1ticn lur places where a company of persons pmsuing tl1c
same course [ll'C [lSsoci:itcd together, such as army pbrases, collcgc-worLls, s:ti lo rs' ex prcss ion ", a11 of' w l1 ich
should be sedulous!.)' excluded from tlignifi,:d ~t<lclrc'SS·
es or writings.
44. ~Vorcls usc(l erroneously .for Otl1us sir11 if,, r m
~

'

.... --...
'

JI JfHT U H f I '.

,SiJw1tl.-C:i.relcss speak ers and ev en writers sometim es mi stake a word for nnotl1cr similar to it in
so und; but more or less widely different in n'l.eanillg.
Lm1ierous errors me thus made by ig uorant persons.
'l'lrns it would not s urprise us to b ear that" the ob·
sr:rrntion of Cb ri stmcis as a hol ilL1y is commendable,"
wl1ile obscri:rw rc is evidently meant. Consciousness
m ay thus lie usctl fo r co11sc ie1tce, ::tlld rn:wy errors of
tliis kind arc often heard from unc(h1catcd or careless
speakers.
4.6. Amu1!p wus .E.1pressim1s. - ./\. m bi gno us words
should be ::woi,kc1 . \Vorr b eap:i.lJle of ki.ving two or
more mean in gs, or so ep1pl oy cd as to cidrnit of diverse
interpretati ons, sho u]J never lie use(] unless it is the
dcJibemte intenti on of the cin tlior to leave the matter
un dcc idcJ and un certain.
" Solomon, th e son of Davi d, wh o built th e Tern·
plc, was the b est King of Israel." It is not stated in
thi s sentence who built the 'l'cm plc.
"Lysias promised to bis fath er never to :i,lxrndon
his fri ci1 ds." I t is impossibl e to decid e <d wsr· fri ends
arc mc:tn t, wh 'tltcr those of Lysias or of li is fatl1cr.
l'\o hngnagc more abo nn<ls in a mbi g ui ties than
tl1c Engl isli . I llllcell it may be doulitcd whether any
a mbigu ity C:-t n be fo und in a11 y h ng u:1gc tl1at may
11ot uc t r:uislatccJ in t.o E ngli sh. Ccrt:1 illly it rni gl 1t be
imitated cind parallclccl in our bn g nage. For this
reason, grc:tt care shoukl be 1:1ken to avoid it, but
even after the utmost care it wi ll so m c t i ~1 cs occur.
I n :-i.ll lcg:-il <l oe um ents, su ch as cons ti tu ti ons, b w;;,
fr C'a1 ics, con tract;-:, w i J ls, bonds, alld dcetlf', :cm b ig ui ty

A N BJ (I I.J U t: s

L\ /'/! i:,' SSfU ,\"s.

~·

(,!)

spec ially guardecl :tgai1 1st, for it l1:ts oil c11
led to heated conte ts, li tigation, aml oven to war . Le·
gal enactments bavc u ccn r cnd erc(l in opc r:1liv c by ,,
single ambiguou s expression : constitu tions ]1:wc l1ccn
perverted from thci r ori g inal desi g n, :11Jd crc\'ds L:t \'C
been made to tc:i.cb precisely the oppos ite to \':l1:tL the ir
:.m tbors bclievccl. I n rrnch p:ipc rs cv eq otl 1cr gr:-i.cc
of composition ongl 1t to be s:tcri fiec d to pcrspic 11 iL_y,
which c:i.n be :cttaiu cd only l>y using tl 1c ri gl1 t word
i-n th e r igh t place.
'l'he o racles of tlic li c'.1ll1cn in·icsts we re µ···rwr:il: :,,
cnpablc of seveml intc rprct:1t iolls. 'J'l1ns wl 1,·11 1\rrbus applied t.o tlie p ricstccs, of Tkl pl 1i to :-1:-;c·ert:1 in
wli cthc r he sli ou lt1 be succcssf'u1 ngai 11sL t Le I{um:ws,
be received the reply : " 1\ io le, l~:-ic id :c , Hom:-inos vi 11ccro, posse"-" I s:-iy tl 1aL }O il, 0 Lli oi t son or Eacus,
the Romans circ :i.blc to eonq ncr." I \- lie LL er li e slwn1<1
conq uer, or the R.rJ 11 1r111s, \'>: 1s st.ill u1Hlcc idcl1. Hi .~
self-love prom pted h im to itllopt the for mer m 1':rninc:,
and, when overcom e, tl1 c friends uf' the p ri cstl'sschi11 1·
cd her infa1Ji liil it.y, cis iml ic:i.Lc(1 hy tlic httc r 111l':111i11g.
" Lovest thou me rnorct11a11 t1 1e,.;<. : 't'--tlic r1111':,tiu11
of J esus to P eter - is, in ou r tr~111shtio n of tlic DiliJ,.,
ambiguous, :is it may mc:i.n, "Lovcst t,]1 ,m 111c rn11l°<'
tbnn thou lo vest th ese "?° ' or "LovC';;t tl1ou 111 c 1111 irc
than th ese clo ?" '11 li c b st rnc:rning is cvi lknt1_y t.1 1,' ••IW
intended .
In spc:i.ki ng, ambignily m :ty oftC'n he prcvcntc1l b y
emphasis, and , in wri tin g, by a j mliei ous inmc;L1wt inn.
In scicll t irte ]Xtper;;:, it is i11tlio']l('11s:tb lc tk1L ti 1.: ri~J1t.
words sl 1onl1l be c1n[>l• )y1 ·11. N •1 rv:tJle r \\'i <lw~ t· •

'1

.'

,.
.,.l,..'

-.1):1 :~

'

•

...

.;-,··..

70

~11

jJf OJULJl'Y OF COIUIL'CT WORD/i.

JUIE1'UJU !/.

waste his time in stu dying productions wh ich may be
eonstrue<l into se v eral uncertain rnca 11 ings.
4G. l itlen tioi1al Amb1gui'ty.-Am l>igu iLy m::ty b e in·
tentional; ar:d if it can be mornlly justified, it furn ish·
cs ample scope for ingenuity. rralleyrnnd, a famo us
French d1}i10/l(ut, is often cre<li tecl wi th th e p roverb,
"Language is intended to conceal, not to reveal
thougl1t."
\V. G utliri c, E~ch in tl1 e preface to his
Lrnn sl:.ttio n of Q uin ti] ia n, pu hl isl 1c: d 1770, says: "Dur·
in g such a state of the public, the business of rhetoric
w:ts to tcacl1 men no t how to express, but li ow to con·
ccal their thoughts." As an i nstance of ambig uity in
playful composition , t::tlic tl1e rcrn :nk of th e poet,
'l'Lorn::is Cam pLcll, to a friu1<l: "rl'liis is v ery sl1abby
of you, after t lic sublime nn<l p athetic ode which I ad·
dressed to you - a com positi on 1111icl1 1,. ifz re111({ i n -in
t/1 e JiJli:;lish lang11u:;e 7.wlil ii i.o fo r:;uttc11 !" A s uffici en t
number of specimens of inten ti onal nm b igu ity could
c:tsily be gnthcrcd from the writi ngs and spccdi es of
dipl omatists :ind politici ans.
47. lVimls symboli"cally Emplo,ijcd. -T hose who are
accustomccl to thi nk closely ·wi ll obi-;crvc tl1at words
arc ofte n employed, even by tl1c :1Ll es t of speak ers,
as al gcb rni s1.s employ s igns an cl sy rn bols, without a
conscious nml full p erception of tl1eir rncanin g, by a
sort of manip u l:l.tio n or coml>ination, and nrc fi11allJ
thought out in the eonclu s ion.
In a treatise, fo r i nstancc, o n lrnivcrsitics ,commerce ,
war, agriculture, or any ot.l.1 cr su1Jject, it is by no
rn eans tnw tlrnt the nutlwrcw·ry time tl1at li e uses L110
word lias a f'1tll cu 11cl'pLi o 11 of' it; but ncvcrthclc.~s b o

correctly, and his conclusions arc so far just

as they ::ipply to the worcl in :tll its proper si g11ilica·
tions. The gcnui nc scl1ohr, w he 11 ci Liter spcaki ng or
listening to a good compositiou, rni gl1t with propriety
sny to an unskilled audience,
" I sec n hnncl you ca n not sec,
I lt(!ar a voice yo n can not bear."

48. Tiu: JJ /;Jmldy and

Vi1f11 ~

1/ cJ:ucl

E1pr<'ss io11s. -

i::; an i11tiinalc counccLiou between wurLL
the moral character. It has lJCcn wittily saic1,

~u1 J

"Words lead 10 thin gs : n scale i~ ni orc prcci~n;
Conrse speech, bad g rammar, s wearin g;, drinking, Yi ce . ''*

An eloqu ent writer fo rci bly remark s:
"VVonl s nrc i n~t rnrn cnfs vf m us ic; an igno rnnt man nsc s them fnr
jargon; Li11 t wlt cn n. m:l ster touches tlie 1n they h:we uncxpcttcJ. life
nnt.l sonL Some wo rd s :'Ollihl out li ke drunis ; some breath e mernorics swee t n ~ flute ~ ; soni c <':ill l iken chricmet; i-.ome shont. a c l1a r~c
like t ru mpet~ ; t'ome nrc ns S\\'t'C"I". as diildren':-1 talk ; otlt c rs rich ns a
mother's answer ing hack . Tl 1e word:-; wl1i cl 1 have u11 iv1·r ~ al po\\' t•r arc
those that have bee n keyc<l antl clwnktl in the grc·at ordi(· stral 1..:l in m -

bcr of tho liumnn heart. Some word s t1rnc1t as nuu1 y uotc :-: at a str1ake
ns when nn orgnni :-:; t st rikes ten fingers upon n key- bnnnl. The re rrrc
single words wl~ld1 co ntnin lifo-!1isr.o ri es ; nn d to hear th em .~ po ken is
like the ri11 g i11 g of eliillles . Ile whn knows l1im' to 1011ch and linndh:
skillfully the hom e-words of liis motli er':; tun :; uc nccU nsk
style."t

i1v t l1ing

of

On the val uc of abu mbn t an cl app ropri::itc wcml:<,
:f!r. J. G. IIolbncl h:1s written tlie following bcauliCul
verses:
"Th e rolJin repP nts l ii s two l1cantif11l word s,
Tltc m e adow-lark wlii.-;t.lcH liis one re fra in;
And t'fl'adil y, over awl over ngnin,

Th e s:imc song swells fr(Jm n liunt!rccl binls.

.

"'O. IV. Holme s.

t

I 11troducti CJ1) to

Ti1 ton, E~q.

l\fr.... . Hrow11i11 g ':-; Last.

ruC'lllS.

1~y Ti1(•od'Jn'

J.:J[f;''J'UH ! (;.

72

"Tioholink, chick :1dcc, l1lnckbinl n nd j n_,. ,
'l'hra'.'-hcr and woo<lpeckc r, cuc kou :tnd wrrn,
Each sings its word, or its phrn sc, :u1d tbc 11
I i !i ns Bothi n g fur t her t o sing o r say.
" [ n to th at word, or th:tt sweet 1i ttlc ph rn:;c,
A ll th e re m:iy l.1e of its life mn s t e1-.nn l ;
A 11 tl low nnd ]i<pii.J, or hon rsc :-tnd loud,
It brc:11hcs its b urdc11 o f j oy :rn cl 11rni se .
"A li ttll' child !-ii ls in his fat ht:r's doo r,
('li:1tLing and ~inging with c1t n. ~ k ~, ton g ue ;

A tlllHbantl. n-111 sical 'vo rd s arc s1111 g- 1
Ami h e liulds u1111 tlerccl a thnu san cl 111 urc.
"Wo rd> measure power; a n d th ey mca>me thin e·;
Grca:er :1rt thuu in lhy ch ildish years
Than all th e bi rcls of a hun d red 'Jlhcrcs ;
T it(·y arc J,rutcs on !;·, IJ1tt tl1 ou art di ri n e .
" \Ynnl~

mc:lsurc dc!'l inL l'ow cr 10 dc(' liirc
Jnfi11 itc ran g:cs of pa ~s i u n and tl 1011 g!tt

Ilul<ls w ith th <' infi11i1 e o nly it s lot-I s o f ete rni ty on ly th e h e ir .
"\\~ or11~

mcnsu rc li fe, ath.1 they mcns 11rc i t~ jc1.\·,
T!ton has t mo re j oy in thy c hild i>h y~ : 11·>
Tit an t lt c l>ird s o f 11 h11 11<l rctl t 11n c·f11! • plt c rc~ ,
So-s i11 g with the J.ca tt tifu l birds, my boy!"

Dut notw it.hstan<1 in g the vn.l uc of word=-', it sl1 onld
lie 1'Clll CfflUC l'Cl1 tk\t it is only intellect ::t11d ClllOtion
t ktt make tl1cm vn.l11:1blc. "Ln.ngnn.g<'," as Professor
Goh1win S mi th forc ihly sn.ys, "is 11ot a musical instru·
mcnt. into which, if ::t fuol lJrcn.tbes, it will make mcloc1y."
•HJ . Sum mr1ry r:f !Jircdiliils.-Tl ic d i rcctions to be ousc rv cd i n t.hc Hsc of' "\Yn r ds m:-iy he surnmc11 up as fol lo ws : E111ploy \l'On1s of the En gli sh bn g u:-igc, r~j cct­
ill g fo r c i g 11 \1· onL exce pt :-is quo tations, o r wl1 cn more
cxprc:o:siv<0 i.l tan na tiv e \\·on1;;, accomp:-inyin g tl 1crn by
a tran shti(l 11 if' t.l 1cy a rc li:ll>lu lo 1)(' 11 ot u11t1crstood;

SC NJl! A I< 1·

IJ F

]JI /,'/c't' J'l() .\'S .

:-ivoill obsoktc words, 1w w te rms, a11t1 a pro fu sion of'
technical terms, except \\' hen treati ng upon t.lic su1Jjccts to wliich they cspcci:dly apply, and tl1cn use tl 1cr~1
nceuratcly ; av oid vul gari s1n ;.:, cakh -wo rcL, provin ci :tl·
isms, unl ess tlie natu re of' yo ur corn positio11 j ust ifl,·:;
th em ; use no wonb u1111ccL·ssarily, espec ially in di! ~
[erc11t sl1adc::; uf' mca 11i11g; i-<Lnt1y to olita i11:1.,;1 ·.xtc11si\· c
a vocabuhry ~1;.: y unr t.l 1011 gl 1t.,; rc1111irc, a11\1 :d1r ;1y s to
use t11 c bL·st won1.-; i11 tl 1ci r p1·n1wr plac<'S.
Let no one snpp nse t.l1at ton 1n11c1 1 :1Uc11t.inn kts
been given to this snl>j cc t.. \\'unL arc tl1c y,;li if"!.: 1·C
tbougbts. T hey im1icatc li<1tl 1 the i1 11l'lb.:t.u:d : 11~d t]: c
moral character. 'J' he su re;; (. r roo f of ,.:cl1ular,,l1i1 " uf
disci pl inc, of ,.;t rnng tbuugl1 t, is tlJc ri gl 1t use of 1ro nk

D

·;.

PART If .
FIGURES OF SPEECfI AND TTTOC"GllT.

Jt_.,-.,

...
FJUUJi ~lTJ

1·L' H.\i'J<i:S .'JJUAS.

CilAP'J'EH, I.
'l'lWJ'E::i.

~till consiclC'ring the rna trri:1l \Yl 1ich i:; Pmploycd to
thoug l1 t and feeling. H will lie aSl'l'rt.ai nt•l tl 1at the
li:·:;t and true mf' : min~ of \V<lrd s by no means cx.hau:;t;; this
pow(•r wlwn in ac:lu:tl use. Fig ures of ~pccc:li cmlJraCc a valu:tl1lc part of' Hli<-toric, :11Hl will a111ply rl'pay ca reful a na lysis
and nwt11 od ini examination.

Wl' arc

co11Y",\'

1. L£teral a11d Fi;;11n1/icc J/,.w11·11'./.- THE rn e:w1 11 g
first give11 to a \rnnl is callc,l its literal nKa11 i11c:;.
T hus tile literal meaning or lmut is that part u1· 1ii c
body con ta in i ng tl1e Lrain . 'l'i1c l iteral rn c:rni 11g vi'
body is the w ho!c pliysical structurc of :w allirnal.
A meaning dillcrcllt from the first, arnl yct s11ggcste<l by tlrn fin;t on account of a siniibri ty, is called ;1
figltratice mcnning. 'l'Lus. the wor,l li cwL inay inean
n, commanurng man i11 a cornprtny; it may 111ca11 tlic
first object i n a collect ion, as tl1c first in a colu11111 uf'
fi g ures, or tlie sta1·t.i 11g-pbec of :1. f()11Jlt.:1in or strc:un .
'I'hc l1 c11d oltl1is cl1ap\.r'.r is" Tropc·s." J]1J1l_1; may n1<•a11
an an 11y, :t co 11ven t io11, :i. parliament., l11e princip:il p:trL

of a discourse or of a structure. S()lil 1n:1.y 11w:111 tl1c
purpose or the idea, ns tl•c s1ml of tl• is c11tupri sc is
p ersonal a mb ition .

2. T he Fow11l({/iun rif Tn!J!l'S.--Tl IC flgnr::t1.i vc llS<'
of words is always founded upon a si"'i!urily 1Jc1.wc~c n
t he two objects, or t11c two tltonghts, wl1icl1 the same
word is employc<l to expn.:ss, so that :l. p...:rson w1io
un<lerstancls tltc lite rnl meanin g ()f the wurcl will abo
rea<lily perceive tl1c figurative rnca1 1i11g, Ll 1011,'.:l1 lie
never hcanl it. c1 11ployc1l in tl1at sc: 11,;c l)d\1rl'. '!'Lu~

78

HllRTORJt'.

in the exprcssio11, " 'l'lie President is the li carl o('the
Govl!rnmcnt,'' any one who knows tli c meaning. of
words will sec the sense to Le, "'!'he l'res iclc11t sustains a relation to the other men in the Government
Ii kc tlie relation of a hcall to tbe other ii:ut:o of the
body-more conspic uous and cornma11di11g."
3. 1Jrjiniti1111.-rl.'ropcs arc single wonls, used Ggur·
ativc1y or not, in their literal meaning.
'l'hc word trope is from a Greek word which signifies turni11;;, and indicates that the word, cnllcd a trope,
is turned around out of its first position or meaning.
Tropes arc divided into two clnsscs- Synecdoehes
and ::\fotonyrnics.
4. ,\!;11cc11rJcl1cs.-J\ Synecdocl1c is a t.rnpc in wl1ich
a word is u sed to express a tliing tl1at Llifl(~ rs from its
original meaning on) y in degrf'c, and not 111 l.·il/(l.
"Gi \·e us our daily breurl." BnYul licrc means foocl;
but bread ori ginall_y lias a vut of tlie mcnni11g of' food
-ccrt:1in killltS of food being called Lrca1l "Jle bnrt.cre1l l1is soul for gold"-gold licrl! :;Landi ng for 1ccallh,
of wl1icli lite rally i t is only apurt.
D. J1fc11,11.1;111ics.-J\ :\fc.tonymy is a trop <! in wl1i1J1 rt
won1 is used to CX]Wl'~s a Ll1i11g tliflering fru111 ib original meanin g i11 !.-ii/II.
"Adrl1:c;on \1·as smooth, bnt Pre0colt smoother."
IIerc Arldison means t!w 11Tihi!!l-' rf .Arlrhsur1; smooth
· mc:rns pfcosi'n;; to tli r: e111'. Doth words arc mclo1tymies.
"Always respect o/,l 11:11;"-a metonymy for nyr'd peozJle. " ·wh e n ~peaking in a deliberative assembly, always address 1/,,, c111ri1· " -a m e tonymy fur tl1 c man
who, as presiclrnt, occupies the principal scat, as the

USNFIJL.VHSS OF J'l!Ol'HS.

president's chair.
l\Ictonymics are, it will bt.: seen,
a litt.l e holc1cr than Sy 11cccloehcs.
6. Fre2w;11cy of '1'1·rJ11cs.-Tropes nrc of frc1111v11L Ot"
currence in all writings.
Sometimes tLc llamcs of animals arc used for men,
as "Go tell that }1.1 !" How mudi more expressive
than "Go tell that a<(/l!J ?1w11 .'"
Oue inanimate thing is n1ac1c to stand for ai1olher.
"vVe arc surrounclcd uy a cluwl of witnCSS('S "-- -~ \ L:tl.
• is, they arc so numerous as tu suggest a cloud wliicli
shuts out the light of the sun . "'J'lw city was ov e r·
whelm ed in a r.Lcl 111c of' fire."
7. Trop('S must
E111plu,1rd.-'I1ropcs arc :tlJ::oulutc·
ly ind ispensable ns fl part or the malcri:tl of every
author. If won1s were co111lued to tL1cir fir::;t mean·
ing, they would be .Gil' too few to express tlic tboug11ts
of men. If every ic1ea hall a word, no morta1 rnemory
could commant1 suflkiellt material to express tl1e
thoughts of a cultivntc<l mind. \Vorcl s, like coins or
money, mus t be made to r ep resent sl1cccssi vdy diiler·
ent objects, for 011r co11vcuienec.
If we examine alrno:Jt any writLc11 prnd11cLiun, we
shall find rnan_y tropes which call 110L be rc1J1ovct1 wit1·
out leavjng \Vb:-tt rcrnains :t useless bc~p of' ruins. IA~t
us analyze, f'or illnsLration, the opening sentences olthl~
Preface to lhlicroft's" Hi:-;tory of the Unitcl1 State::;:"

ue

"I ha1·e .fonned the d es iun of writing " History of tl1c United
Stlttcs from the disr:01:e1·y of tl1c American Co ntinent to the p rc,cnt
time. As the n101ncnt a1-rit:i~ S for publishing fi portion c;f tlin \\"urk,
I nm impressed more strongly than ever wit.Ii a sense of the. grandeur
an<l vastness of the s11 l~jcr:t; n11tl :\111 rc ;tdy tu cl 1:1rg:c 111y sd fwitli pre·
snrrlption for venturing on so lJnld n11 enterpr ise _''

.. ...

,_

L' il//'f, (l l ".1//-,'.V'/'

JULL'TUJ! /('.

All Llic worch; iL:1lic:i t.c<1 i 11 ll1 c abuvc cxLract (and
ind ccll se veral o tb ers) a1·c tro pes. J- :,r111, in cant originall y to sl1:i pc, as with a knill; or oLlicr in s trument.
The slwc rnak c:r form s a sh oe. D c.> iyn 1nea11L originally :t pb11 0 1' 111 :1['; di.w:(J l "Cl'!J w as tJ1c prnCCSS of W I COU r'1'i 11:J, :1S p o taLOCS arc llllCOVCJ'Ccl to be taken from tho
g round; i"1;11·r·sg r/ o i'i 3 inall y m can l prcsscll upon, as
tbc g rou nd j,.; p ressc:d upcrn hy a fallin g s to ne ; sulject
is somethin g pfru·l'f/, ltrnr'!l!/1, as :i. mat to st:u11l t1pon ;
zi1'f'SU/ tljd io11. is tbc act of t:tbn g tOO SOOn, as pJn c:kin g f rnit befo re iL is ri pe, o r t:ikin g an uhj cct ucfore
our turn , or th e ti inc allotted to us ; :111 c11f,.1pri.se is
s01 11c tl 1i11g nmlc rta kc n, h:is no lifL" and e:rn u ot be
buld.
TC we firnl so many /, ·or 's in a few lines of nnimp:cssi o 11 cd p ro SL', wLtat may \\·e e xpect in pocLry?
"So Ji,·c, tb:lt whe n thy .~wnmm1 s r o111c s to ju in
The in1 1urn c raUl c CLU '<Wwt ll:at 11\UYcs
To tlia l rny~ t c ri o 11s rr:dm , w l1C.: rc e ach shall take
ll is cfwmlre,. in th e sifc11 t lutfls of dc11tli;

Thon go not like
;-.\1· 0 11rg<' d f u

J)y

tl10 'lll:\rry

sl1tvc

nL ni~ht,

li is d un geon : l1t1t s11 sta i.111:d

u11d sou t /11 ~<.l

:'!JI w~ tltltr rin_q tr n ~t,

Lik e on e \\'ho

\\Tflj\S

A round hin1 , and

np11ronch thy grnve,
1 ltc d r:q lery of li i ~ Ci 1uch

lie ~

Jl1wn tu pleasa nt Jrca111s.' 1

L e t c:cch of t h e i t.:cl ic won1s i11 the al>o vc h e c::trcfo1ly
cx:tn iin c<1, aml t lic litcr:tl :ull1 lig urativc meauin gs be
co rn pa red.
8. '/; .,.))IS fr ; (' JP /'''·'' .l/r11 !11f (!11<1/i/i,s ((If.I/ A ctions all
'f'ro1ics.- lmlcc(1 iL lJl'co mcs e vide nt, l)y c:treful exam·
i n;i.Li o n, 1l1 :cL 11 c:nl y if nut 'l1 1i tc all th e bngn agc cm·
p1oyc'1 to <k sc1 ·ib1 ~ t.lw mi11<1 and n1e11tal ac tion is

or

(Jf"

T/,'U / 'F S .

c; j

figurative.
'l'hc stock
worlls first LIS\'11 Ly l l l:ll l
was s mall, :1J1 l1 J cscrilx-11 u 1il_y 111 u /e,·ir1 l u lij ,~ cl...; :u11 1
changes ancl pl1 c no1ncua.
As men gra1h 1: tll _y a11·
vanced to consiJer a11ll e xplain mental oLj ccls a lJ(l
action s, instead of i1weri t i11 g n e w word s to e-"11ress
them , tl1cy u sed old terms in a new sense. 'l'li c.y
were enabled to 110 this l>y the f'aet tl1at. th e re 1s :i,
myste rious ana logy uetw ee n m:dtc r an tl rn i11 t1 , :11 1d
between mate rial :u11l r11c11tal opcr: 1Lions; a n :u1al•1,e! }
adrnirabk , a11<.l t hat c:rn not u c acc icl c 11t:t l, w l1h.: li
sh o ws t1iat Gull li as !llack llla tc rial and sp iriiu al
thin g s to c xi,;t togeth e r and i 11 usLra t.e. <·ach ot ]11_' r.
N eith e r e:tn 1Jc prope rl y untlastood wi1 l1v11t s t ullying
the ot her. L:rnguagc l i 11 J.:s tlicrn togeth er. P l1 y s ics
mus t always preced e rnetapl1ysies. Hhctoric cznuraces
the prcscnt:it ion o f botl1.
9. Tll(' ot'l':Ji11 al )fn 1//i11:; o fn iany 'l't-c1p1·s fusl.-?\ car ·
ly if not q uite all o f t l1c te rrns 11uw u,;cll to c :q 1n · ~s
men tal prope rties a11c1 a t.:Lio ns w e re ori g in:d !y eo11·
:fined to material objects and operations. Bnt in as much :is tl1c E11 g fo;l 1 h ng uagc is a rnodn11 l: 1 ng ; ; ~g 1',
and is mad e up larg ely of' words l1·u11.'fr.'i"n,1( from uL i1er bngu:ig cs, tbe most of tlic words used to c.ksc ri bc
ment al L ets and action s 110 r e 11 et"cr l1ct1l 11Y <l i11 ti" ;,.
literal m er111i11;; h i tl1c z~·11;;1i.,/i lo11g1111;;c. Tbc first
meaning of tlic words lcarnctl by those who speak
only tbc E 11glish langu:igc is tl1:lt wl 1i eli tl1cy now
bear, tho ug h tl1cy were once employed i11 other Li11gnngcs in a lower se nse.
\Ve g ive a few s rccim c ns of tl1is ki1 1d of won k
Reflect , literally , to tlirow h: 1ek, as a mirror r1·fJ..c1 ~
J>2

:._

JUfR 'I' ORfl) .

C LA:::> S JFI Ccl T IUN Ul" THUJ'.A'S.

tLc rays of ligbt ; ftgur:Ltivcly, to loo k nt a subject on
both sides, o r to consi de r or meditate. E duca te, liternlly, to lcal1 out; figurntivcly, to in s truc t nnd train.
D1jcst, litcrall_y, to bear awity or t1isso lvC', as water
d isso lves sngar; fi g urn.tively, to refl ect upon a[J(l
stud}', :-is to digest a book. Oth e r words of this cba r:lctcr arc~, assrw/u{r', cu111;mrr', i11tcf/,·ct, si11 r·r·n°, cu11s11lt, 1·e·
marl.·, cuncludc, and bu11<lreds rnore. Ma11y tru pes liave
become so common tli:it t lic second ary ::;c nst.: Las actu:i.l ly s upe rseded, :ind in some cases wh olly s upplanted, the prirn:i.ry signification . Rilplt ·\Valdo Emerson
ltas well s:i.i(l, "As tlic lim e::; to11 c of tl1t.: contin ent
con sists of infini te rn:isscs or t.lic s l1 c ll s or animal c ules,
so l:tngna.;r. is made up of im:iges, o r tropes, which
now, in th eir secondary nsc, have lo ng since ceased to
r cmim1 ns of their poe tic o ri g in ."
10. New Tmpr:s.- l\. s t.hc rc:i.lm of natu re is more
wiclcl_y and acc urately explo red, and as inventions arc
rnult.iµliccl, new tropes arc i11trnc1uccd . 'l' lJ t.: ma te rial
fo r t li c expression of mental action is i ncrc:1scd . Such
words ns m1/1T<>N1i'11g, strata , du.'f11 0 TCOt!Jpc, in tl1eir
tmpir:ol or ligur:1tivc sense, arc of' co urse m o re r ecent
t bnn th ey a rc in t11 c ir scic ntili c se nse.
11. A1/ron/u:;cs 1f T1·ozJ('s.-'l'he ndvant:igcs o ftropcs

sense, tho memory is not b urd ened , and tlic imag1; 1:L·
tion is ple:-ised. \V c can not aff0rd a nt.:w worJ fur
every t hought.
(2.) Tropes give new power and be:rn ty to lang uage.
A sentiment /r(lp i"c((l!!J expressed is mueli rnore
forcible, and uf't1;11 much more beau ti ful, tlian lilcr:dlv
expressed .
"

82

:1r\'

grf' ~l t.

(1.) 'l'h cy enable us to e xpress mitny th o ug hts by
a fow word s. Our b est wo rds hav e seve ral sig nilJcat ions-a 1i tcral sense an <l two or more fig nr:i.ti vc senses.
.A n ew tropi c:il sense or :in old wo rd is crp1 iv:1lcnt to
the add ition o r a word to OU r Jangnagc, W h iJr. if the
tropical sense is natnmlly suggested hy the primitive

83

"'J'hc moou climl,s u;1 the sky.''
"\Yitl ii 11 thi•.watl of" fl esh

'rlicrc is a soul. "
"\Vliich a"9'"Y ticlcs cast up ou <lcsert shore ."

"Th is is a tfrou:sy ni ght.,.
"Let hi m keep tl1e keen, J eep, and preciou s l111trccl, set
·hell, alive if he cau.''

011

fi ,..,

,,f

12. Classification (If J'ropes.-Tropes kwc been c:crc ·
fully cbssificd by grammarian s, thougli no grcrit pr:u:tical benefit in speaking arises from a memory of the
classifi cation .
SYN EC ll OCHES mity be cl ividell into four classes:
(1.) Using lite ,\jJcr:ies for tl1e Oenus.-"Givo us ou r
daily l1rcwl." Dread, t ho lower or n arrower cbs;o, is
used for t he bighcr and bro:u1cr class, jo1Jd.
"1 k
beareth not tho s1conl in vain ." Here S \\"Onl is usecl
for all the means a mag is trate b:is to exceu Le j us ti cc.
It produces a sharper i mpression to use li mitt·d,
definite words, rather t.l1an broader, and co n seq nm tl y
flatter expressions.
Omtors spontaneou sly emp loy
this kind of trope frequently .

. ,,.

JUIL'T (J Ji' 1 U.

,11

(2.) .Aulonomasia (a trope of tl1c same 1'i11d), vsfr1g
the 1Yame of an fur_lin.dnal fJI ' th e Class lo irludl lie uclo11;;s.- " Ile is th e scco11cl \\Tasl1ingto11 ;" "A Daniel, :t scconc.l Tbnic:l , come to judg rnent." Ilow much
more forci blc tl 1:111 " A "·ise in tcrprcter of law come
to ju(1gmcntl" 'l'hns a traitor 111ay be callcc1 a Catiline or :i. .l:Ju1,,dir'I .·I rnnf, 1. A m ere stick k r fur polite
form s is, in titc f,;Jlow i11g se n tence fro111 Lorc1 Hrough arn, called a Cbcstcrfidd :
"$h o ul ti yon fod mu c h rnothctl by li r nrin g thnt. some opposi1iolJ
Ches terfield li:ul taken nl:1rrn at th e w" n t of politrnc's nrnong l1is
brethren, and nlt crccl the words, rctninin g tlll:ir om.:: n:-;irc sen se ?"

·when a sharp irnpre~s i on is to be nud e, use the
most defin ite terms possiLlc. In stead of war or con ten t ion, nse battle or fi gl1t.; in stead of passion, use anger, fear, coveto"tisnco:s-rts the crtsc may be. This
principle is invol ved in sueli tropes :<s the following :
"J\ll lwnd;; take bold," in stead
"All 1//'' n lake
hol d; " "I,cast among ih c l11r11 rl1·crls of J 11d:1li ," i11,.;tcacl
of" rl'he small villages of Judah ;" " A fl ee t o f flfty
sa il," instc:-1c1 of' "fift.y ships;" " 'l'lic debt was 1micl
in ;1rr1·11 -fiflr!.:s," i nste:<(1 of" in paper-money, co11 sisting
oi no t.rs wi1h g r\'c11 h:.cks." 'l'l1c DiY inc On e is, on .
this principle, (ksi g nat.e d l >y one o f bis attributes,
"th c J\lmigli1 y, " "the.i\.ll -scc ing," "the Jud ge." Man
may be called "the erect :11J irnal," "the governor of
.t h e world;" the 1ion, "the kin g of bc:.sts ;" the ocean,
"tlt c g rc:<t ckrp." That 'l'liicl1 insp ires passion m:ty
he calJ,~ (1 by tbo name of the pas~i<111, as," my love,''

or

"rny d','fi-11s"."
(D.) [!,i'11fJ 1/,r· C!em1s }1r l/1 c /,/ ,,,r·i'cs. -Of eourse,

8To y

i · ,1r r

r:s.

'./'1'-

I

wben tbe object is to so ften an impression, a p rcci s1~ly

opposite figure rn~iy lJc crnplnyecl: nami11~ a liroackr
class, or genus, for the narrower ch,;s, or speci es.
Ii1 steac1 of say in g th at a man was c.rr:c ul· d, ll' e rn :1y
say that be "lost bi s life-," or "cspiat1.xl llis cri!IJC: 011
., . the gallow s." lnste:<cl of clcatlJ, we m:.y use 1.l1e wortl
sleep. ' 1 Ile row:.nli:tl hi s officers with honors," illstead of ' 1He 1n ~Ht c l1is general s l'ri11cc·,; a111.l kiilgs."
This is often c:i.ller1 E11pl1c111isni.
('1.) U.si11;7 i/u; C'ullCl'l' l r:. Joi' t!fi: ..-11,,,-1,·11cl.- J\ s ill the
following instance : "\'\Th en tlic rn:1gi ,;tJ'atc \\· as co111 pellecl to pronounce conc1cmn :. ti,J n 11prn1 hi s O\\'ll son ,
the father ·was sn bon1 i natcc1 to tl1 e ju1l:r, an d tl10 en 1p rit foun<l no mercy. " ~fo re" tlic father" is put fo r
parental :i.ffccti on, a11J "tl10 judge" for tlie Ju ty of a

-~,

jnJge.
'l'hc phil osopl1y of th is fi g ure is, that
pressions a rc 1norc furcilJlc tl1a1 1 i1HlL·finitr .

dc ~\11it c

ex-

11 is1n<1rl~

impressive to s:1y, "Ti1rcc-runrtl1s o r ni11 r.. k 1itlis "i'
the people dcman(1 th is chan ge," than to s:1y, "A
large m:·1jority d c"i rc it." l ·~vc:1 1 i11 i11 s t:<11c:c::< \\'i: 1' 11·
enumeration is irnposs i\Jl c similar ter111s arc e1 11 pln_red for tl1 c sake ofa vivid impress ion . "Nine Ly -11i111·
h u ndredths of tho prosperity of this people is c1uc to
thf:ir religion."
METON YMIES al so may be cl:tssiflcd as follows :
(1.) Th e Sign for tl1 e T!u'n:; si'rJ1nfirrl.-,\'1rorrl, for
war ; tbe TVh1.le ]l ouse, for the office of President ,,f'
the Unitcfl States; tl1 0 ezmu 1ets, for milita'y office :
red tapc, for tl10 <1iffi cultics in obtai11in g the com p1"t ion of a work that mn sl. p:1s,.; tl1 e i11 :<pccLinn of sev er-

'

'

oli

(.' ONPA I! 1 811.VS.

l.'/I J.::J' (Jflf( ' .

al ofll cc rs ; a pr·n, for li terature. " 'l'hc p e n is mightier
th:tn ti1e swon1."
(2.) Tl1e Omlaillcr f or the Thin.'! con tained.-" The
r;o11.nlr!J is jealous o[ tl1e cil,'J." " 'l'Le rmn!J yielded,
but the ·11 u1'.'I r csisteJ ." "'l'be 111 01mtai11s may fail ,
but the prnirics wiil pou r out their wealLb."
(3.) A Cu1w: 111r1y I.Jr p11t jH u n l~{Ji'r·t, r111•l on Effect
for ci Cause.- " 'l'lie s(lra;r J csolatio11 of w:tr." 'l'he
cause o[ the desolat ion is :i. savage spirit : here it is
tran sfrrrcJ to the effect.
In an opposite tr;i.nsfcr cncc, we m;i.y spcrtk of pale
dcatb,jo!f.fll l heal Lb, :l 7n·0111 1 testimony . rl'Lis is SO IJl C·
times crtl led tLc /l't111.{u-rc1/ CjJ1ili cL
(4.) A .1.l / 1u, ?ll(f!J
11"1111·1(.fJ,. !us Hrl)I s.-Tbus we
speak of" Shakspcrtre," meaning Lis wri t in gs, " 13lackston e," meani ng ·h is work on law. 'I'l1 i' is akin to
perso nificati on, to be ck~eribccl bc rc:tftcr.
Notice the trop es italicized in the following sen·
tenccs :

uc

"Ye yrm,,/ i1wcnti onR of nn cic nt. hnnls ! ye .'!ny crcntio ns of modf' r n fan cy! ye bri gii t visions ! ye jf.,.v irl nn tl im11n ss io11 cd tho11 gl11s I
H·n·c y r~ nll fo r no hNt<T p11 r po~c tlw 11 tho pas time of n s in g le l1011r?
A Ii ! n ot so ; not ~o . It, j.,. yours to sli1 · to tlin l1otlom the d ull n1lll

Ye t' nJJ r rt n ·,'I mnn mJf o_/ l1i 111sc(!; nt1d rnnkc him fl'cl
his kindrrd wi th l ii ~ wl1nle rnc('. Ye ('an lf•1w h lii m to look hc,·ond

.'i fuyrirv 1t SO\\l.

cxt.cr11nl n nrure fHr l'llj1•y 11w n1.
O f SCllSC , '1'ili ...;f~

Yu rouse hi m from the c/f'tjJ /c1iun:<J!J

him HlH,\' C tJiC W Orl JiJC!'S thin _q W C H rC 1 fi ll J f'(•V Cfl l
lti11 1 b is capat·i1y fo r purer p ur po se~, a n<.! n. noolc r sta te of be ing."

(0

Comp:iri ,;ons a nd :1\fct:i.pl1ors :lrc nearly ak in to
Tropes, and, nfler thC'ir examin ation, fort. h er dirce·
tio ns u pon tbc use of the m all will be g iven.

S7

CHAPTE R II.
COJ\Il:'Agl S ONS.

13. T he Founclalio1i cj' Cumpurismi s.- 'l'rrn Gr::;t re·
sult of careful tbouglit i::> the class itkation vC ol>jcclc;
according to thei r co111mon n:-tiurc, and karni11 g t:I('
meaning of those wo rcls c:-tl lcd c o; w1w11. 11011 11 :::. 'l'li C'
child arrives a t tl.1 is k nowledge gr:1 Ll ual1y, rtnd fo r a
time is i nclined to call all men "fa ther," and if li 1»
happens to have become rtcquaintccl fhst w ith a l1 or"'"
to call all qu:-i.drupcds "ho rse." As knowkcl gc 111 ·
creases, cl::tss ifi c:-tti o n b ecomes more minute. 'rhus
man is divic1c(1 into Cauc:1sian, 1'hhya n, A Crican.
By an exerc ise of the s:i,mc kind , tl1c mind t.nk ,;s
notice of tl1c d~/7;.ri.:11ccs o[ i n Ll ivi1ln ~tls tl1at can not he
classifi ell togcLl1cr, rtn Ll of tli e " i111iffl,.i/i. ·s <1[ i11 1l iv 1du·
als in som e respect", tli :-tt rtrc yet so clillc rent in oth·
er respects tktt tl1 cy can not be classified tog<'tl 1cr .
W hen the altention is called to L\YO obj ects that :t rv
both alike in so me particula r, and un like in oth er:o<, :u1 1l
the liken ess is pointed out, ::t. comparison is made.
14. D <jinilion. -Comp::i.rison is the l ikening of on e
obj ect to anothe r, from whicl1 it also <l iflc rs in so 11w ny
other qualities to wliid1 tlic :cltc nti on i~ not direcL·~ d,
th :lt i t can not propnly be s:·tit1 to udoug to the same
class.

90

lUIBTUI.' /('.

p::i.risons are also used to elevate our estimation of an
object, or to degrade it.
Byron, describing Ilcnry Kirke \Vlii tc as losin g his
life liy cxcc::;sivc study, uses" curnpari::;o11 that gives
an exalted couccptiou of Lis cLaractcr:
"Oh, whnt a 11ulilc !1enrt wns here undone,
'\'lll'll ~( ·iclll'C :O:<.:lf t.h.:~ troyc<l. ht r fav orite son !
"f"·as ilii11c own gC' 11ius gaYc the f111nl bl ow,
J\ nd h elped to l•lnnt the wonnd that Jn id thee low.
So th e strnck eagle, stretched upon the plain,
No more through roll ing clouds to sol\r ngai n,
Vi ewed his own feather on the fatal dnrt,
\ Vhich win ged the sh aft that quircre<l in his henrt:
K ee n \\'ere his p:ings, but keene r fnr to feel,
He nursed the pinion \\'I: irh impell ed the s teel;
\\"J1ilc th e same plumngc that hnd \\'arm ed hi s nes t
Drunk the last lit'c-Jrop of his lilccdini; breast."
1

1

Comparisons u:-;ell to degrade nrc a very efficien t
wenpon with wliich to attack error and folly.
" X - - w oulcl he a powc i·ful p rr n ch c r if he tl id n ot drn\l' n his
th o:ight in a U cnd Se:i of won!,. Yon don't want" droYC of oxen to
drag :1 cnrt-l o!td of potatoes o n a sniouth ro:id."
"Skepticism in nn h onest mrd th o ughrfnl yonng mnn is like tho
chickcn-pox -ycry apt to co me, 1J 11t not d:mgc rous, and t'!Jj ) ll over,
leavin g- l1otli complc·xio n nnd constitut ion ns good a~ e ve r.''
"To cu n;;o rt wit Ii 'uch com pany is like pl:iying ll'ith ]>ilcl1; defile-

ment is sure to fullow. 11

Pope, wishi1i g to undervalu e 1n an's power to uuderstau<l God or his \1•orb, wrote :
" ~npcrio r

be in g;:, wh e n r.flntc th c v snw

A morLa l man unfvld all nature'...;. law,
Admired s nch wi,do m in nn ennhly shnpe,
Awl ~li o w('(/ a JY f'wto n us we show (Lft rr1u» "

17. rompru-i."i11 s !J, ..-,~1 1 1 r:d si'1uply tu 1,,1,·rest. -Comp:tri::;ons arc used si1nl'ly to interest nnLl please.

All a UN HXTA. 1'1 v /;'

/ 'AH rs U1' S .
0

/ ,' ().If

91

They enl iven sober crnnposition, and re nde r impressive a1Hl pleasing truth tliat is already umlcrstood,
' ;:ind which wi ll Hot be dellicd. Sir \-Vi lliarn Jones
said: "Ignor:u1cc is to the rn i 11d w bat extreme darkn!lss is to tl1c nerves: both cause an uneasy scnsati o 11 ;
and we naturally love knowledge as wc love ligl1 t,
even when we have 110 Jcsign of' applying either to a
purpose essentially useful."
Prescott says : "The ocean, strctcbccl b etween us
and the Old \Vor ld, has tl1c effect of' time, and extinguishes, or at least cools, hot and an g ry feelings."
. Such comparisons interest, tbougl1 th ey may not
instru ct.
The relations of' Compariso n to ~\Tit a1Hl to Antitl1esis will be ::;hown und er those topics respectively.
18. A.r(1111111·11/11ti1·,, (',,,,, j1r1,.,·,,r111s.-Co mparisons arc
among the most efficient weapon s in tl 1c armory of
the debater. Scarcely ev er doc:-; one find hin1sclf'
earnestly Qltempting to pnwc a propos itio11, without
bringing to hi:-; :-iic1 illustrations eitlier to proclncc conviction or to show more imprrssivcly his ow11 meaning. Tl1u s Fronrlc, in l1is "Hi:-: tory of' England ,"
makes alit111<hnt use of' tl1i;; fJgrrn: . \ Ve g iv e a s i1 1t;lc
example from.hi1n
a comp:wisun Jwclt upon aml
amplified:

or

"There nrc mn.ny ~cencs in Ji11m:1n l if'c wl1i cli 1 ns n grent pnc t.
tonchcs u~, are cit lier sa d or he:iut ifnl. d1 ccr l c ~~ or refreshing. af'('orilingto the direction from which Wl' :lppron c·l1 tliC'm.
If, on a- m1.r11i11 ~
in spri ng, \\'0 helioid the ridg es <1f :-i frc:-;li-t nrned plowe d fidd Cro111
their northern sid P: 011r C'ye~: ratcli in g only !h t~ sh:.i1lowC'J !'lope~ 11f
the success ive fnrrow s, sec an expanse of \\'lii1.,-, the unmcltl· 1l n~­
rnnins of th e ni ght's hail Ho nn nr tiic lioflr-frP:o: i. of tli l: d awn . \\' c
make a. circu itt or we cros"' nv\·r and it1o k l1C:l1i1nl 11~ , and un the rery

R UI, J.; ; ..; IJ.V CO J fl 'A 11' l8 U XS.

1Ulb'1'0 JO I' .

02

~nmc gro111hl there is not 11m
· g lo '·oc scc1'. lint th e ri c h lirow n soil
:; welling j 11 the :--un:-:l1 inc, warn t with prum1 sc, :llld <·hcd.;.cr_cd p1.! rh1tps
he re an<l t.hcrc wi t Ii :t gree n Ulndc lrnrtiti 11g tl1rougl1 tli e ~ 11 rfacc .. .Uuth
·
. s ~1,.0 trnc
to the f.tctso
f 11at11rc. lloth pi c .t11rc"
a rc created by
1mngc
.
·
.
real o lijel'ls really exi st i11}.{.
Tlt c p lca s:l 11 t c1.' r t.Jt1111 y, 1' °."'c\· ~r~ re-

wi th u8, that the \Vintcr j s pa~~ i11 i; away an 1l s un1 111 e r ts co m rn.g;
. ·c v f th e fut ure is· 11 flL with th e ice n11d lii c olcct, iJuL w.i.lt
t Iw prv1 11i::ina ins

lli e

~ u mdi i nc,

w ith g ladnc~::,; and hu11c . n

1a. P nu·l ir·cd JJirccl ,.,,,, .~ OJI i/11' c,,. u/ (~JJll /l<l i 'i°SOllS. It would uc easy to gathe r rn a11y fault.y compa ri sons
to warn the stuclent against prev::tlcnt <: rrnrs. Let the
following di recti ons be observed :
(1 .) T bc objects compa red must be :clikc in some
rcs]}ccts and diffo rcnt in many other::;, a11<l tlic g reater
bo;h tLc li keness and di ffe rence arc, tl1c more pleasing will Ll1c comparison be. Let it uc i;aitl tl iat "Napoleo n, like C l'sar, w:i.s a great co11 rlucror, :1ml tbe
mind is not plcasc<l. Napoleon :1nd C;e::;ar we re too
nc:i.rlv alike-both gcneralf', hoth empe rors, lmtl 1 con q ucr~rs. Du t let it be said F lorence K igli tingal c'. Ii ke
Cu.:sar, wns a g reat conq uc ror; he co nq ucrn l I1;1t1 ons.,
sl1 e 1 m~j11(1ic c :i.nc1 :i.p:itJ1y; li e s:lc rincctl, nncl sli c ~:1.v ccl
tl 1c ]jq~,; Ol t.Ji u1tc::t11ds, ::tllll tJi c prnpri cty of t]1t.; COIJ1 ·
pari:;o n jg at onc:c see n.
.
(2.) Tlic objects wi th \Yb ich tlt c comr:in~o n
m:l<lc must u..; well known, :i.ntl if :u1~ expla 11 :i.t10 n is
needed, it m us t not be so lon g, or so intL' rcsting, as to
divert the mincl from the princip:i.l p urpose of tbc
author. \Vl1 c11 the li ke ness is remote, :111t1 req uires a
rrrcat deal of ~ t udy to lie: pcrcci vcd, it is said lo he fa r·
fe tch eel , and 111 ust be very i11st ru cti vc or )'k :tsing, or
it will Lt) c011,lt:1n11e<l.
'I'Lc fol lowin g frorn .Jc:1 1t Panl Hi el1ter, lik 0 m:i.ny

:s

others by tl 1c same author, :i.rc f:tr·fctc1Jc11, and y c1.
thei r impressiveness wLcn UtHk rstoml 111akL·s tl11 111
ple;ising :rnc1 :1llo\\' al1k :
"Li fe, like th e uli,·c, i' :1 J,it tc r fn 1it; tl1c n grn.' p i>o1 h \\'it li 1lic
press, nnd they wi ll a fforu the swccic> t oi':
.. "J)ocs tl1 e h1 ·fn-C 11 of o ur ex 1 s r cnc1~, lik e tlic Llu e on e o,·cr 'l11 r

llcnds, co n si~ t tJ f 111 c r e cn1pty air, w l1 i ch, wli cn n tn r l l1 , and i11 li:1h•
1
is only ::i. t r aH~p:lre n t 11otlii11g-, anJ w liid1 0 11 ly in t li~ Jistmu:.:1: 11.wl i11
grasp becomes I.ii uc ctlier ("

(3.) Cornp::n i sons rn usL be eln'at.ing or degrnr1i 11 .u,
according to tl.ici r purpose, ''"hc thcr it be to l1 011or 01·
debase.
The foll o wjng from Jior:1ce Grcclt:y 11 tters :t 1k ·
grce of con tern pt fo r tl1c clrnrgc w lJ ic11 it repels :
" None of them r 0g;nrdcd !h e ri g; ht of n Sta te to secede from I he
U nion ns m ore 1kf,·1 "i lil 1· :l1a1J tltc rigltt of n stare lu secede fro111
tho cnsk w hich it helps 10 t'c1rn 1. "

(4.) Corn p:1riso ns sliould not uc so fr\' q ll c nt ;1 s t 1)
we:i.ry the rni ncl; for, like :tll (Jtlll' r gooci tl 1i11 g", tl1t·y
may by supcrnhunrhncc become d cfonni ti ~s.
(5,) Com1xi.risons Rliould 11 ot be made s1111ply f'n 11 n
habit, where tlwy :i.dll lll'itlicr i11 forrn :i. lio11 nur 1111·
pressivcncss to wlJ..'lt l1as :i.lrcady bee n s:1ic1, or 1n:ty h,,
better s:i.id, wi tho nt t.h0m .
Comm on as th is fi g1tre of speech is, it is not a litt],,
remarkable that m:i.ny em inent :1u tliors k iv0 111:1•1t· 110
use of it whatever. In t11c cclebrntcd or;1tion of D·:·
mosthenes upon th e Cnnvn , t he only well· m:trkcd
simile is th e follo win g : " Like :i. win ter storm, tl1i~
whole affair c:i.mc clown u po n the city ."

JUJJ:.'TUJU C.

.1 /, f, U.'il O.LS,

,.,

E:XEHCISb: .

Let the student examine the fol low ing compariso ns, :w<l decide whetuer they nrc correct or faulty,
:i.ml whether th ey were probaul y used to illustrate,
cmbcllisb, el...:vate, or degrade.
"I hnvc v(' 11t 11 rcd,
Like little wa nton boys that swim ou Id adde r:;,
T!1is many summers in 11 sen of gl ory . "
"At fi 1·e sh e had to attend her collen gne, a hat e ful old ton<l -ent cr,
ns iii ite rate ns a cl1nmber- mnid , as pro ud ns a who le Ge r ma 11 chapter."
"The project of mcllli ing a bou world , hy teaching pco1ilc to gi1·e
ne w nam es t o old th in g,, reminds us o f \Valte r Slinn•ly'.< sch crne fo1·
compen satin g the loss of his son':; nose by ch ris:e ning him T rismc-

gistu s."
" The pu bli c mind in onr country rcscm\Jlcs the sen wl1c11 th e tide
is ri sing. E ac h snrcessi1·c wnvc ru shes forwa rd, bre aks a nd rolls
back; bu t the great flood is stead ily com ing on."
"Trnc nrt ha' n othin g to do with s uch cphcm c r:< I :rn J local nffnirs
ns Poor Laws and l'oor Lnw Bon ni • ; nral wlt c nc 1·c r nr t t ri es to
,cn·c su ch a do uble purpose, it is lik e a 11 egg wit h t11·0 y olks-neith er i.< ever hatched. "
"Curses, like chickens, always come home to roos t."

" Sho 11C \"Cr told her love,
B11t let co nccnl mcnt , like a worm in tl 1e h11 d,
Feed o n her cln m ask check . f'h c pined in thong ht.,
,\111.l with n green a n d yellow mclnncholy,
She s:u, like Patience on a monun1cnt,
Smilinp: nt grief.' '

"True fri endship is like sou nd hea lth ; the value of iL is seldom
known n ntil it is lost."
" The mnsi e of (;arryl, like t he memory of joy~ t ha t a rc past, wns
]'lcns~nt nn .] 11tournfnl to the soul."

CfL\. PTF.U II I.
ALLUSIONS.

20. Dcfini'tion. -AN Ai lusion is an implied Com parison . Any fact, character, object, or el1oice expression, supposed by a speak er to be well know n to
his hearers, may be alluded Lo, without 1.icin g foll)' described, in su ch :i. 'rn.Y ns to a<lL1 f,lJ'cc or bc:i.nty to
the thought which he wishes to express. Thus allu sions arc illimitable in number and v:i.rieLy in mockrn
literature.
Allu sions rn:i.y vary in persp icuity, from sneh ck:Lr
.statements of l ikeness as to be alnwst li ke r·u rr:::tl
comparisons, to such in<listinct references as to bl:
noticed only by persons of rptick percep tion wlio :i.re
tboro ughly fami liar with the subject a llm1cd to.
21. S c:riptural.Alfusz'rms.- 'I'be most frC<JUClltly uscci
·me Scriptur:i.l nll usions, or refere nces to some ]Xlsge, description, or thought in tLe BiGlc. A modern
ritcr rcbtcs :i. fanci ed drcnm in \\'hich t 11c Bible was
;tmihihted; such an annibibtion - if it shoukl carry
.1 Scriptur:i.1 qno1ations a,ncl :i.llusions with it-v.-ou ltl
ake fearful chnsrns in the books of ali modern n:i.~ions;
odeed, except a few works purely scientific, it woul<l
arcely leave a complete book in the Christian world!
Patri ck H enry, in hi::; o ft-q 11oted e1oq11ent speccli.
excbimcd: "Gentlemen may cry Pca,ce, Peace, wh en

' ·' ~

..

~: . ~

'

IUJ L''l'UJ~

1l 1crc' j,.; no peace! ''
lw ktll oflcll l1c:il"ll
11::tve l1e:t1c\l ::tbo Lh1.:
['le "li.'..'.lttly , :-:tying,
j ll

f(r';

C f,A .'iS t r: .1/, .·1/, f,/.!S !u.\"S.

/I_' .

\''{:1s 1.c not tl1i11k i1 1g
from clcrc111i:tl t \I. 1-1---'"rlicj
b1nL of' Ll1c J:tugl1Lc:r of my poo/',_ur"" J>,,i"'', 1r/irn there ·is

bugu::tgcs. l \ s t111;::>c: lt::tYc fur some e" nln ri c,.;
,~on stud ied l>y Jc::irnc<1 men, iL is ::is:::11111 cc1 tl1:iL :tll
i:t~lolnrs arc famili :tr w ith tlil·111, nml tlius fact;; ::iuJ
~p ressi ons arc used as illuslraLions, or

) '1
•

'1':1k L'

"'fo poi nt n. n1 ornl or adorn a talc~ . "
:111 ullu~ r

l'X:111tplc fru11 1 tl 1c \\'r ili11 gli ofaclcr- ··

"Tho iou n ll:ltio n <1f lawk:-:-.; 11H\\'l'r ," :-;aid

H<1IH· r t lf 1lll , "nf11· r
E11 gl:u1ll; at~l l we :1ru rx:1(·1I:: 1
1
.'f..tl')!t critically \d:H:ed in the 1111ly H\ 1\.' r tur~· wlw1:\'. it. C;\11 be :-. 11 : ,_·L:>~­
~~Uj l'cpcllc<l , in lit e 1~1t c1·111 r11 1.'J/,, <!/ t fttJ 11111L·c rs c.'

ring the res t. o t' E11ru}'e,

'' Eili:lt 1111c i:-; ~f'lll tn 1r :-wl 1 ti." :-:om ct l 1i11g-, :1nd :di lt1gctl10r ti icy hnYe

i:-. lw_r o 11i\ ilw J•tl W;'r 11f ;111y 111 l t.::nd 1 alull\'. But i(
tlic·y c irnH~ t11g(' tl1 er, we :-;lin1tld l1n.:ak d 1J\\"ll , a11J lea rn noLliing. T~
s111r1!. ·1u9 j lu.c would Ue put ~Hit."

a l L':0:.~(111 wh ich

TI"fcrcnec here i.~ 111:1dc td an C' X)l!'<'ss1o n
·-" 'l'l1c :-;rnol;111:; fl: 1x s l1:1ll l1 e 11<lt 'l1H·11,·l1."
'· ~Ji :-t 'r}'," ~ ; \_Y ~ (; 1Jl.'d 1v , "lH'L'OlllL'' :1~ }11'l1." :Li 1._· :\Jill fami}ifll' tO ffiQ

il'f g " rny idea, nod will
wre ~th: \\i th til l' 1111k lHJ\\ ll an ge l, •.:n.: 11 :-;liuult! I halt upon rny tl1 igh.'"'
:1"'

!17

111y n'' 11 li1 ·ar1 Ii. l •nf

111 ·\ · c n lwi 1 · ~:-;

l i[.,

Jl1 >t

Tliosu \\·110 rcnh·rnlJc r tl 1c story of .fal'Ob am1 the
a11gcl, :1s rchtcll in 1h0 tliirt.y-Sl'l'<l11<1 cl1:1pk r of Gene·
si~ , }H'l't:1·i \· c t.l1 G iu1\·c of this all u:- inn.
'J'l1 e Bi\;]u is :u 1 i11 exlia11 ::;Liblc fou11t:ti11, not only
•ll ll1flug l1t hu!. u l ('XJ >l'<'ss io11s, wl1icli 111:1 y be cm·
]il "yed ll'itl1 a gn·al. \·:i1wt.y <Jl si g 11ilil·:i1i(J11 , :ltlllc<l to
1!1c as:-oc iat.ions of 1l11· ir "rig i11 al rne::t11i 11 g, :t1Hl of the
titnl'S a11•11,J:ic1',.; i11 wl11cl 1 tli ey l1 av0 1vvn lt canl. IL
i11dic.atcF<, l1nwcvc r, :t jlu<> r anll dqwavec1 t:lslc to use
SnipLnr:1! :ill11 sio11s in such a w:ty :1s to clothe Bil lo
ln.11 g u:1gc \1· i tli i ll C011g rn ous :ts,;ul' iatiou:<, (l l' to offend
religious !~·,·l i ngf'.
22. Clr1ssi'1 ...il A 1/w /,;,;s.- \Vlrnt arc e::tl led classical
all11F<ions ::ire common ill writcr:0 \\'!10 ktvr, or pretend
lu !1:1.vc, re:lll carcf'1 1lly ti 11; best. works i it tlt,; Greek aml

t li re:lh' ll :-O

'Who has not h carl1 of' the b rave L co ni,bs anc1 th ·'
three l1u1Hirct1 Spartans wi1l1 lii1n, wl10 aL tl1c 11ar1< >W
defile 0 [ 'I'licrinopyl:c r c:-: islcll, till th(~ h,.;t· one k·li,
be torrents o[ Persians wl10 atte; mplcd to !orcc a p:ls·
~go throu gh '?
"The rnihl':tV nr. 1l t c:k~ >'" l'lr, " "" Y" Dr. J). D . \\'hr don. " "r"
~Jt"Cnking tip 1.hc 11t 1'1 1ile dc111:t1T;1 t in11..; wl1id1 u.llCG d.i \· id\·d :111d , ~11ilRntod rnan ki nJ -(l/H.l so u·l11!/:/f1oll·d J.lfr1·<"u1·y ·1s fl:ririii!J 1111 old 'J' ,._
0

Mercury was the rn css::tg•; -h:arc r, or (' rr:u 1d -l >(\_\" .
f the orrods ·' 'l'c rmi1rn,; '11.:l'c 11d1·11 "Ll1c: ::tnci1 •1it. Ltt1tlmn.rks wlrich tl1c fai.l 1c rs !1 :111 :-..t."
There is a c1 :ts" ic:: tl :tll11,.;ion in t11c fnllo\\'in.[! gn,,,l
ndvice given to Gil B!:ts, 1ly tl1c ingenious :i11tlwr or

that work:
" Y ou tnny meet witli p~· 11plc in{'linr11 to d\,·crt t11rrn~dn· s with
rour •~ rcd ulit.y , but don't li e Ll1q ic d, n1 ;r lt\·li1·,·e yourse lf, tli o11 gl 1 tli 1·.Y
;boulll swear it, ll1c ri:;ld!t ll'Ondr r r~( tl1c H'or/ 1."
1

This evidently nll11 •ks to a f:tvor il c 1wtion of tlir:
ancients tha.t the world ktll only seven g rc:tt wonders,
which they e nnmer::ttcd.
23. ~fiscdhui cous , \ llr1s/1;11::: . - Go0l1 spC':·1kc rs nrnl
writers often make nll u,;ions to w ritin gs which C\'C'I')'

JU S < F /, LlSFU L'S .-l/J, C .'> l'.i .\'S

Kif I .'J' f/ I: IC .

well-i1 il'cmrn.:d [>l'l'SO!l is 1n c:-: u1 nc1l .lu li a ve read, sut:h
:ts "l'i lg ri1u's ] 'rug 1·L':3:-;,' ' ·'. l-'. ,;ul'·" F: d d1 ·,;," "'_L' lw Ara·

Li:tll :l\ig l1 L:-/ E11 lc rL:1i111 11enl:i," "Pl 11t:t n.:h's Li ves," anJ
tlic kad i1 1g c\·c11ts of 11 i.~ Lo ry .
A ll u;-; iu11,; n1:1y l;c rnadc to cu;: tu11 1:-:, t.o pltrnscs, to
s( 'i L·11cl·, lo :1]111 .. :-< L1·\·,·r\· k 1io11·11 011. iccL u [' tl 1() ugli t, and
ul'u.: 11 tl1L'J' arc 111 1de r;:; LuvJ u_y u11ly a few wuu Licar
LlJC IJ l.
D r. Busl 111c! J, in a k clm0 l1dur0 a l1·arn cd assc111bl.)', said :
_" T l1c

11n i rcr:::i t i i·~

wi ll he

fi ll <~ d

witl 1 n 1·rr1f(Ju nd :-:pir it of religion,

a11 d th e Uc11e uru ssc will Le a fun u tai n ul' i11 :-: 11ira1iun. "

\ Vl10 e() uhl umk r:- ; t:111d tli:·1t wlio <l id not know
t hat Lutl1cr':- ; fa vo rite 11H1tl<) \ 1':1S " n l' ll U urassc est
bcnc s~ u (lu i ;-;s. · ;" t l1at is, "To l1:t1·e p rayc1l wel l is to
ha n~ c;t udicd 11·1 ·11('
Full e r, in d csn ili i11 ;..'.: an el ('g:mt wri ter, says :

F ew nccll to b e in formed th:tt one IIerocl cauc;cd
lk: ~!ikh c m, comrno11ly
c.'lllcd '"l' lie Shugl1tcr of tl1 c I rn 1oce 11 ls ;" a!H>Llll' :·
Herod died a mi se ra ble dcatl 1, 1Jci 11;.; "dc 1-·u m ed l•y
worms ;" and all sec how bcau t.iCully tl 10 poet l1as
given a new meaning to tLo::;c expressions.

, to be slau gh tcre<1 tlic l.1abcs ol'

7

"'VllCn I t1 1i nk , '' Sf'l)"S C:-irlyl c, c i tl1:li ~ f n , ic is co n tlc mn c ~1 to lJC•
Jllnd, o.nJ to bnr!l he rse lf on such a f111 :·· r ;1\ }!i! C, yn 11r celes ti al Pl )crahousc g rows dad~."
·

Ilc rc all usion is rna<lc to tlr o oll1 1li 11 <1 00 c11 o;t<•11 1
Suttee, Ol' of tJ.1e vol Untary bu rn i 11g or tlic \V iduw
on tl1c fun eral p ile or her lrns]J[ll] r1.
Ilow plc:1sanL is tl1c alln sion t\) D r. Fran J, Ji1 1's
disco very or t.!ic id entit y of elect ri cit y n.ml ligl1 t1 1i11g
by Th om as ITooll, i11 :i J10l'. l ll 0 11 t.l1c l' k :i:m rcs of cl1i i<i hool1 ! I L s. ·,·111s a l.~o tli :tt i11 cl1i ldli ond he "wrutc
compositi ons :"
Of

" ~ ry 1.: i te- i111\\'

" l {c w a ~ cx eclk 11t a t tl1c lia r li :1n d c1f rli c turic, w h ie l1 g ires r:l.thcr
Llia n b l o w ~; 1111 :, he <'vtdd 11 111, IH.'. i\tl hi s fi st 10 di :-iplttc ."

\Vli i l ~ '.

11: d .s

11

:t

r,1 q

,o.; n rt o f

a n( .. f:1r it fl i0s !
Fra 11k li n, dn1 w

~l y 1i! ca :- 1 111T fri nn t he ~ ky

Tl:is h: Ls SJ1L·ci:1 l furcc Lo one rc1nii1 lk<l uf' the re·
mark of Ci ce ro, i l1:tt /;er10 corn pared H lic to ric and
Log i 1.~ respect i v"l.Y io t.l1c fi:iL hand and tlic; fist::t
S orn l; :dlu:; ions :trc cxc<'L'<lin gl y hc:111 Lif1il , l.Jccausc
Ll1cy c;11µ·gcst a ne\\" mea nin g tu old e:'J;re,.::; ions. 'l'hus
Longlello w, <kscr ib ing a lr:i<.:t of co11 1it ry trou bled
wi t,lt insects Gccause t he pco pk had killed the birds,
:;a_ys :
" D c\' 1Jun:d liy worm:-;, l ike fi erod, was tli c
fkca 11 sc· 1 li ke lf t·rot l. it l1 :td nttl dcssly
,O:.:.Jau gli ten·d tl ie J1111 u cl ·111 :-= • . ,

t(i wu,

'Twas pnp(' rt·d o"t.:r ,., i1h

!

s t11di 1 111 ~ tli e rn cR,

Tli e t: 1sk :-; l '''l"U!l'-lll .V p rr~ ~e 11 t drl' allls
\ Yill 11 eYer suar so li ig li ."

So grave a l1 i:- ; lorian :i s Merivalc draws :Lil ill 11strntion from pu g ilism wl1l' ll lie rcprcseuts Ho111 l' :ts
" squarin g wi L!J the \Yo rl<1-" -J-:·
"Webster, in h is beautiful descri ption of the B1111kcr
' Hill Monnrn ent, says :
" N o r Jocs Ll1c ris ing sun c ~u se tunes vf rnu ~ i c to iss ue frl)rn it:-

'*

l\f<•riv:d c\;

ll i~ 1~11 · y

18G2, ml. l'ii. i" ::.'< 11) .

uf 1!1c H u111:1u s undr:r th e Empire ( Lo11 d1;1:.

,f•

'. ·'·>·'

100

],' /t/c"/'IJ Ii' [I '.

Who would snppose tl1at the snn wou1d cvok

music out of a. pile of sto n<' , lt:nl he not. heard of the
f':irn ous statue o f :\[cmno11 in E gy pt, ut which llcrod<>- ·
tus rehtcs tl1 at th e rays of tl1 e 11 w rni11 g sun evoked
111 nsic from tl1c rock?
But \\' C inust end tL ese illust rations, for we find
tl1cir snpply
"Th ie k ns tlir :111tum n nl kn\'CS tli at. s t re w the brouks
Of Vn llu inhnJ> '.l."

2-:1.. Tl}(: l mmcnclo. -What lins been called Innucn·
do, or Insinuation, falls properly 11m1cr the li eau of
Al1• 1sion . It is holl'evc r g\:11c r:tll y r·rJ11fl 11ctl to ob·
~cnr1.· :tllu;::ions to objects or facts tl1at. L1 'ml to lower
1i1 1r estimation of the person o r si::11timc11t wh ich wo
:H1: ,] ,·;:;eri\J in g.
Thns Durke, in his eekbr:it.<·tl speech 011 American
taxati on, des ril.Jctl General Co11\\':ty :ts having be·
friended .L\ meric:ins by q. mot ion in f' :uliarn cnt, but
in tinnted tl.iat be was now l.Jctray i11g tl1cir ca.use f or a ~,

J,' {l/,/c'S

US .l / , /,l'..,/<J _\' S .

JOI

2G. Practical Di(lxtioris . - 'l'hc following practical
directions on this subj ect sho ulJ lie observcll :
(1.) L et the a.1l11 sio11 sl' rin g up spo11t:1n co11:cly f'r1>:11
tbougut in t\10 minll, a11d nuL lie blion<>u~ly ~"11;.;:tit
'by consultin g a cyclop:L·Lli:L si 111ply . fo r the occ:1,,1• ii i.
(2.) L et the al lnsiLm be approp nate, aml really :tlld
force or b eauty to tl1e sentiment.
(3.) Let it lJe suited to tltc occasion , am1 be drawn
from sul.Jjccts famil iar Lo Ll1 e persons_ :i.c1L1rc~,;nl, :1'.1c1
not degrade no r 01cvatu the scntl!ncnt 111~ppropn : ttc·1 _\ -.
(-1.) If it is obscure, interpose a \\'OrLl of c~q 1l:tna·
tion so t11:i.t it may be uml ,·rstoOll.
.
Abumhnt i.11 fo rm :i.tion, ~L prL·rl'quisite to g('n11111>·
eloquence, wi·l\ 1.:xl1i\.Jit i L~c·lf' large ly in cPt11p:ui:' 1 >11~

nu<l a.llusions.

l1rilu'.
" A ll F.n i:land, ni l Amrrir:i j<• i11r1l in lii-; n1 •1•l:11•' "· 'Tfnpc cle·
Yatcd, nn cl .i •1."' lirigl t1 0 nrd hi:-> crest.' I i-. t1Jt1d iw nr liitll; n11d his face,
to u..:e 1hc \·;-.;prc .. ..:iu n of tile ~ c ri pt u n• of th e ilrst 1u arty r, 'liis focc
wa s as it !i nd hcr1 1 th e face of' f\ll a 11 }!;~ l.' l d1) uot k 1H1w lww others
f~~t·I, lm t if l ii:l1l !'tnod in th ;H :-il nat inn, f lJ (•y 1•r wo 11 h\ lmvc CX.·
clia11 gcll it fvr all th 11 l l.·111:.;s in tit, ir Jl r<'./ l1 siou cuuld l1 es tu111 . "

'l'lic eoYert rn e:-tni ng of tl1 c last exp ression is evi·
dent.
2:) . p ,,,lr111/1r /t /l/l ~ i'l)n .<. - Some all nsions nrc so
lcarnc<l :ts to he j11~tly tcrmcll peda ntic, un less tl1rrc
ioi go0<1 rc:1'-0n to bL·lic \·e that the persons all<l resscd
:ire familiar with t.lic snlijcct.

...

•·'\

1 O:.!

.N.J 'J'l ," J!/o' UF .\1/-.' J'.l / '/JOI!.'-

H JJH'l't111 ru.

make a1ncnc1 s for tli e p oison <if liis st i1 1g, so 1!1 <· l'J..a.-' ·
ures of sin will noL rl·co1 11pc 11se f'v r it s p1rni sl111w11t.

28.

CI1APTEH IV.
>TEL\ PJT OHS.

2 7. .Dcjinitirms rm cl F.m111/'l':s.-- A Mi.:-r,\l'HOR is an
impliell compari son. One great sunrcc of t!Je power
of :i metapho r is its con<lcnsation.
Every t rope may be regan lcd as a rnet:tphor, but
tl: cre :i.re nictapliors tha Lcan not b e cal led t ro pes. A
trope cons ists of a s in gle expression, :i. 11H;tnpl1or may
con sist of rn:i.ny won1s.
In :i. rn ct,;1pl:or the words-- wh eLLe r used li terally
or not- actually sng·gcst a conception different from
their ori gin al signification. In a trope «111' 1ronl is
used i11 afignrative sense; in :t nwtapl1or th e id ea e:xprcsscll !1:1 //((; 11·/iolc .w:11tc111·c is to Le um1crstood in
a fig11rative sense.
'.l'li e senten ce" Sin, thongl1 sometimes sw<'ct, is al·
\\':1ys lJitkr," eP1 itain s tw o tr0pcs, s 11 ·N·/ n1H1 /,iilN bcinousc\l out or Llwir n:ttur:Ll s1'11,1'. Hut I >r. South, spcal;.
in g oC sin , says: "Sin is bitt cr-swccL : tl1c fiue colors
of the serp1'11L hy no l!l Ca ns niak e :un~mh for tLc poiso n ofliis stin g. "
This l:tsL s1>J1t.cncc, t.11011 ,l'. h true literall y , is also
true figuratively, :w<l it is tl1c fi gu rati ve sc· nsc attach·
c<1 to it, that m:tkf's it. a rn f't~1 pl1or. In t.!ti s sense it.
lll ('ans t.l1a t, j11:-t ns tl1;_• fin e colo rs of' a se rpent will not

1Jfi:lupl1"i'S "J'r's1J1'( r/1/, , iu/11 ( ~uu ;111ris1,11s.- J-:1• l' I')'

metaphor may be rcsoh·cd i11to a com parison, but tl1c
use of a metaphor docs not alw:1y,.; imply a clear con·
ception of the co1n1 1:uison.
'l'!tc nna1oC!: y or likc11 css lictwccn two tl1i11t2:s o r a•: ·
tions m av be - ~o :-L!'iking t!taL t11c h:igu:1gc w lii d 1 l<l·
eru!./!; ll e~eril>cs LL•; llr;-;L, may :tl;-;u su~;:;• ·sL tl1e SL'v.u1111.
and a man rn:i.y use t.l1c l:u1 µ; 11:1g1: tu d,?,;criuc Lill' M'c·
ond, withou t having any tliouglit. of tl11; fir,;t. \\" !11::1
one snys, "The sun has rclin::ll to J'<'SL for the lli gli1, "
the h eare r rnay uot tliink tl1:lt, "as a weary 111:u1 re·
tires to his h '<1, so tl1c sun l1:l,; <1i:-:appcarcL1 i11 tL c
west, " 1JuL lie \\·on\11 ~inqily t11i 11 k-t11e su n k 1s "sc t.
nnci 1·nt. k arni11 g."
11 Pctr:ircl1 re:li !.th1.t'11 t.lie torc.li
Herc is prese n t.cit the idc:i (>!' :t rna11 lightin g a 1ord 1
that had b ee n cs ti ngu is\11 .. l : as it is :t "ton:l 1 o f :u1·
cicnt learning," \1·e tl1i11 k of P ctr:trcl1 :ts studyi:l~! ,
cc1iting, [tll\1 pnhl isl1ing tli c writin gs o r tl1l: (i l'\;ck aml
Ro1nan aull1ors, wl1i cl 1 liar1 hccn l~1r sn:111 ' ti 111C fv rgnLten till l ie urOLwlit th c: 111 once 111or•' l.o ]'ublic 11 oti e1·.
'
.
;:;
Generall y, wh cll a mctapl1o r is usc<l, Ll1(: rn c:rnin ~
of it is easily p1;rcc i1•1:'1 wiLl1011t Ll1c necessity ol' n:su lv·
in g it in to a [;Jnnal co inpari :::•m , :1rnl witJ1ouL an y l-. .n1·
seionsn css tl1at it im pl ies a co11 1parison.
An illu ,;tralio11 of' tl1e com1c· 11sation or :I. conq1~1ri so n
into a rnct.ap11 or is g iven by Spe nce', as follow:>: "/\s,
in passing t.l1ro ugh tli l: c ryst.:1.l, bc:un,.; of wbi l.u li g li!
arc L1 ccompos1•11 int.o tlie colors uf Lhc r:ti11bow, rn, in
· traversing t.h c sou l of thr~ jl<ICt., t.l1 r. eulorkss r:ts s ril

or

:·•·.

h';lll'L U J' N I,'.\"'/'

IU I

LJ ·utl1 arc transfo rme d i11 lo brig li tly -tintcll poetry.'
1
Condc: 11 sc11111to :t 1nctap lt o r, it u ct.:omt.:s : "'l'lie white
11gL1Lof trnth, in 1:r::i.1·c rsi 11 g tl11..: m:u1y-si1kl1 transparent
sou l
L~1 e poet, JS rcfraetcc1 iHLO iris-l 111 ul poetry."
2fl. l..1 ·11 1i1 ;,f,.- 1{ Jf, 1,,,,/11,,·0.-Tl.tc follow ing is rrnrn
t.! 11: "Jlc1:t.:l1 l.J' Da11 id \\'cb;;tc r at tl1...: layi11 gu!' Lhc cor11 cr- sl1'1Jc uC B unke r J fi li :\l u1JL1111e1it , <J 1111 1: 17, 1825:

or

, "\\° l1t'll t_ Jic hn. ll Je of l;unkc r JjjJI W;) ~ f1•ll gf1 t, !lie l::--..i =ilCl\ t:C o(
1·i\·il1 "l'
< l ,,., 11·11l . 1'1U IJI. C (Il)\\'11
'·

:---;1111
11! ,\ 11
h·nra • w:t s ,~fi l1Tl'l\·
felt in tl 1c
•
•
•

'':' r o lu111 :1a s n\..1111..:;nt .10.11 , mr111 0 11oly 1 n11d !.i gutry , th u~e reg ion s of the
:d''"'t! the li or i1·' 111 • B 11 t 111
· utir
t Iay there
ha:-'
l n!C'll, :: :-; tt w c rc, a 1u~wcrv
:ll i o 11 ·
Ti- 1l . :-. " 11ti 1c.111
. I 11..· 111bp
· I1erc· cmcr.
_ . ..
•
1

!':) 0 111!1 Wt..' I'(' l1ard
ly
,.1:--il1h.-:
.
•

g1 ·.s t~ u rn t l:e l'Ca.
l t~ lcd ty 11 11 1111 11ai11 s l1q.: in tu Ji fi, th c iu~elvcs into
tl1 c li g ht of la:a,·cn;
its brn:ld a11J l't.: rtih.: Jihi
ns •Si r I.:.1,.'- 11 0 11 t Ill
· IJCll.UI.\'
• • . •
'

to 1. 11.1..· f·.n~ uf u ,·i\11.: cd man, :rnd :1l l11c 111 ig l11y l1id din g
i1u li uc: tl lilJl'rt _'" tl1 c wa te r:' or d ouk11 c:-~ rd irl'. "

uf

tlicroicc of

'lJ1t.: fullu w i ng is :1 good metaplw r frorn tl 1c writ.inrrs.
0
of t1 1e i: c· \-. l Jr. B1;tliu11 e :

11 / .'

,1/ F '! '. I /'If 0 /;' S

1u;,

30. '[li e Ol~jcct of .11[,'/(/11/,,,,., , u/1( 1 1r/i 1·u th r'y _,7, ,,,,f,/ /,,
. 11ployccl. - 'J' be ul )j c(;L uf' 111da]'ii o r,; i,; tu l' '')JI''' "~
thouglit that plain language c:u1 llUL exp rt.:::;:;, :tn t1 aL1)
to express th oug1 1t aml emotion rn<:rc Jorei l Jl y awl
iroprcs:oivcly than li L.cral Luiguagc e.:u1 CX)'rcs,; tlt('l11.
Mctapl10rs shuul Ll lie suitcl1 1.Jotli in frcr1ucncy :111,\
cb ar:i.ctcr to th e natul'l~ of' the s u11j ct.:L Lrca\ctl . Jn
:\strictl y di1het.ic or scieutir1t.: wri li11 µ;, tl 1c fn·11ul: 1;1
use of metapbors w u u\,l \)..; i111t1rupe r :cml o l1'< ·1" i\'< '
In such a work as "L11ck c:',; }".:-;,-:,.y u11 tli, -. 1l 11 11 1:111
Understandin g " i1v :-;t riki11g n1t;l:q•l11J1:-i ar,: :: 1111111.
while th e tropes c 111['k>y cL1 :tr.c u,;n:tll y tl 1 u~c \1·li ic\1
haJ U CCOJ11C SO COl 1\l llUll a,; J1 0t to altr:·1ct al\l'll li o11 :1,;
fi gurative language. Sl:tlllll's, <1ceds, \vil b, a1 111 :il l
lcg:tl document::;, in wl 1iGl1 prcei si0 11 i:; of li11: 11l !i\l •:-'L
consequ ence, sl11 Hil<1 :t\·oi c1 rn ct:q1i11>ri 1·;i\ h11:~; 11 : 1~ 1 : .
In the D eelarati o n ur· l11 d1·1w n1lt: 11eL·, 1l1e sh·k ,,c
which is c111i11 cn1ly suitc<1 \ 0 it,.; f.':1·:1\'iL\· :11111 \': t1111-, :i
fow comm on t.ro p1 ·,.; uc-.,_:11r, 1111t 111>i :1 :-- il1 .::.l1· 111» i:1; •L <ir.
Md:tpl 1nrs in sut.: h a p:q>te r \\·u1il d 1"· 1ra y a '.\ :111L ,,[·
lii a lt eu lt11re a1lll ul(;OiTl'd t:1,.; t1: i1 1 its writt:r.
0
In narrat.iv,·s t.11 .cy :en: pt'l•pt: r, parl i,·11 l:irl y \\· i1l' 11 :111 .\·
thougltts of !1101'C 111:111 urt1inary cn11,;c1plt 'l lCt.: :ll'C )>I\'·
sentcd , or w iJ1;n c x uiLL: mc1 1t or pas.~ i o n i,; l'L' [•J'L':0<·11l1"1 .
ll istori:mR use t.lt crn to irnp:ut viY:-it.:i Ly l 1• 01.yk .
A striki11g conception is thus p1Ts.c nlet11j_y (; iL\Ju1 1:
"Instca U of a

:-;f n.t 11 e

c a~t in

rt

:-; in ;. .:; lP

111 0 11 Id

l1y t lie l ~ and <•f

;l 11

j..,t the works of .J11stinin 11 rt'JH'l'SC! ll l a f l!ssvl lat l'd 11a ,·1..:rne 11 t pf

arr:tll·

t.ic;ue n.1H.l costly frag:n1cnt:;."

Tbc follow i 11g is a gnocl rnci:cphor f'rorn lh1 ll'. rorL·:-i
+A JHLr d
11 0 1 ('ra :·w t!.

1111 c11 t wrin 1..: 11

'J'"'r
1Ii t: !H..:cn rh l t1· 111 c , wit Ii tlic lirst writi11u
....
'"'

"History oflhc U ni kel St:ttcs :"
E2

I 11\j

/: / 1· 11 .\' !-.'., s

I: II FT r I/,'/ I'.

··I t wa~ i11 :-:df-d~fc n ~c tha t l'11ri t: 111i..;rn in .. \ rn c ri C' a l1e~n 11 tlio!'c
trall:-. it'll t J! Cl':-:t!C ntions Of \\'hicJ1 tiu.· (· ~ 1·c:-...; :--l1aJI li11d ill JJl (; 110 npolo~j ... l; :lnd \Yh icli yrt wc rc n o n1 11n· il1a11 :t train uf lll i'."'>I:-' !t u,·c ring, of
:t11 :rntntnn 111 <1rnin,!!, nn~r th(' <'l1an 1h' I .,f :1 line ri q·r, tli:1t Ji!l'll scd
frc sl111 cs-- nlld t't T!ili ty \':la:n;,·c r it w11u11d."

;; L. .!/; !11;1!1·,,·s ,-,, (J ,.,,1,,, ·.1; .- I 11 o ra lon· , \\'li en tl1c
ulijt·n C>f' tl11• s peaJ;,· r i;; 1.•J i11 k r1>t :u1<1 cxcik emotion,
rnd;q1l1nr is pcc11liarly :tppropri:Ltc. ll cre it Lrcatl1cs
its 11:t1i\·c :-tir, :rnd l111rrics the l1L':1rcr wi1l1 it thrnugli
lw :rnt if'ul h11dsc:-<pi'", :111(1 amid v:-<rious tn' :1 sm cs. 'l'iic
most edcl1r:11.ed or:i.tions in :-< ncicnt and modern times
prod need mncli
tlieir effect hy tl1 c j11dicious use of

or

I ll C (:ljlii O r~. -:·:·

Dcmoc:tl 1c11 c:- ,
cxcla i111cd :

111

one of Lis or:i.tio11s ag:ti m;t Philip,

" I le i; th e deadly cnc 111y vf t.IH• whulc

it

ei1y,

and a/ 1/ie rn y .?ro1111d

II J> _I//·."/'. I /' /111 Ii ·' .

lu~nr:-;e anll li cn(1 1ong- in ny1·n,· l1rln 1i11~ i11 n.:f'tin\ 1•r i. ·. lid ~·:-: nwlc1di.q1-..
in 11 arl'ntivc :-tntl dl'..;eri1·tiun , Pr f-j'r<:::td....; i1...:r lt' <1111. :-- hi11i11 :. ". i11 iJ!11 . . ir:tii1rn, its cour:-:c i...: e n·r •inward and c111irc-nen: r ~ 1·atkr bl , 11 c\ •·r
1

6tng 11 nn t , l1 l:,·cr slu g-g islr. ' '

rr \1is

is :111 r:-;Lr:1V:1 g:111t. Si:1i<' l11f~1i1 , \>11i. :t l~ 1n·i ! ,[, ;
met.ap11or.
}.[mlcrn far s11 rp:1'o:sc,; :1l1('ic11t. •>1':-tlury in al, 11 1Jti:11 W('.
nppropri:tlenc:;:s, :111d ri0li11cs;,of 111ct:1pl1 o r.
Tiow exprc:;:~iV l', f,, r i11sla1H'l', wast 11 1; l:rng11 :1!..'.·;'. (I!'
Gr::ttta.n in plcatlin g fo r Trish ri :.;l 1h !
1

"l wi sh rill" n oth in ~ h11t t (J lin.• ntl i c ill t h i.. .; our i-.. l:ll1 1 I. in V 11 1lllllllfl
with my fr ilow-:-:i11Ljcci:- , lh e air of iiL12r1;·. I ll l' n · r will 1 1' :--: 11i-..1 i~·d
1

:-io lung :1.~ 1lie n1 r·:i1wf' t C'C,ft; 1g0 r in lr,·l: 111d l1a~ fl li 1d" 1·1!' tl1P l~ri 1 i-..ii
chui n d:u1king- 1n l1i:' r:1 gs. 'J'l1011~h gn·at nH.: ll :q .u -.. 1:1ti 1.! '. y1·i 1!1c
C:\U SC w ill li\'C; a!H.l tlinu~li t!tt: p1ildi1..· speaker :-li111tld d il·, y1·: i )1L·
jminu rt nl fire shall i)utla ~ I 1111..·. nr;:~:1n wl1i( ·!1 con \·c -.n:d ii. :ind 1!1· ·
lJrcn.th u f' 1ibcrry, like I !1 C wnn J of tl1c hul_v ll t:lll 1 wi ll ll u!. di e \\'ii Ji I i1e

pro11hct, but s tln·ire liirn."

:;fu11d...; Oil . ''

"City " 11 cre is :\ trOJ•C for lh e i1 ill:11.Jit:llllS o r tlic
city, a1111 "t.l1c v er.Y g rouml it. ::;t:i.1111,; on ," suµ·gcsts
tl1aL l1i s L:i.trcd was so intense :-rnd u11rc:bo 11al1l1· t.k1.t
lw woul1l tlc·sl.rny ::t!l tlic people, irrespect ive u l' their
i11di\·id11:-tl ('l1a r:1c1n.
HnJ11gl 1:u11, s1 1c:1ki11 g or ::1.11eie11t orntory, descr ibes
it. lic:t11 t. ii\tlly l)y a 1111·t:1pli or:
" T he 111i g- hr_\' flocrLl nf ~p1•('d 1 r11ll:-' on in a elinnn e l f' \·p r full , hnt
whi.·h nr·,·er on: rilnwf:. \\¥ lic·t l1tT it r11 :-: ht·:-: iu n 1o rr1·11t (•f all11:->iu11=', or
lll U\'l'S a long in n. rnajt; ..; tic ~ ·:\pO:-- i tio n of e nlarged 11rirn: i1il {· ~ , desce nds

* T /ii...: j.., 11 ot :-:0 frt11· <1f :1n1 ·ir11i :i..: of mrnl t·rn o rnt ion" 0 11 tlic nYcrn.ge, a 11 1l is n11 t !-'n tr 111· nf l >t·n11,.. 1Jw111.·s a:-; of( ' iccrn. 11 h:t -. lif'c n :-;;1id
th:lt ])l'lll n ... tli.·nc-. nc n .: r n . . cd li !..'.; 11res. Tl1i c.; i..: JlllL Rlri 4·tlr 1r11 e, lint.
it is cvidt· ll t tli:lt l1 >g ic n11d cart1 C :' tn c~~ 1 n ut pol:l ry, WL"r<;. r hc t:liil'I'
1·l f' nu' nt ..; of hi ..; p <1 w1·r.

Notice :tl"o O ll C or 1.l1 e CXJ''"'oi:' iO!lS ul' lh11i1 I \\' d1·
steron nnnkcr ll ill :
'·T h :l t m11ti rn1k:::s :--li:\f! .. r: l11• 11H11llllll!'tll] " will 111.' t lic ll l""'! J••) \ \crftd cir~ 1 w:,k r r :-:. . lts f'Jl<'~ · e\1 will !.t~ n!"c i,·il 1111.\ n ·li gi •HI." lil"Tt~·· lr
will ~pt·:\k or 11:lfrioti...:1n H11.J nf ('1111rag1•, lt wi\1 i-J wak of tlH' 1J1 11 r:d
i lllJll'<.ff(·llH'lll n11d dvn1ti P 11 uf n1;rnki 11 d.
l>t·cr1'j 1 i i. a .~·· \'; iii !1 ·: 111
nvain:-.t it;-; lJ:.1 :--1', ari.l i 1 11.~t·11u d 11 ~ yn111 l1 gatli1·r r ou11·l 11. and ~JH':1k r·•
ei~ch other of' th e ~ l n r i n ns e\·0nh wit Ii wl1icl1 ir. i;-; \~oU I H'etcd, :in d l' :'\-

clnim, ' Thunk ()vd, 1 :d:-:o arn an An 1(..' ri 1:a11!'"

32. 1ffi•lr 11 1!1 •11·s 1/111/t i1J1; //11' ,1/,,111i11(1'' rJ' ll '11n/,, l\fotaphQ rS, like t.ropr·,-, 1n \\'l1it:\ 1 1l1 ('y :ir1: as cl •\'... Jy
:illicd in principle, m11ltiph· tl11' 1111'a 11i 11 :,.::s (,(' won1 .-<.
A la.n g 11agc, t.h c r0 !~1 rc, wl1icl1 crnhrnC('S lJ11t. f~·\1·
terms mu st alionn r1 in 111e!:1phn r;;:, if Ll1c spc~1,,., .,_ attempt to cxprr·:;:,; a grc:-<t varii·l.1· nr tl1011 ;.c:l 1h. ;_J,·1:1 ·
pliors tlrnt ari se rrum pnvnl.v of' words an· not "''

,._._.

IOH

niuc:h ornaments as an i11dis pr ns:i11k p:irL of composi·
L1011, and , by frequent rq >ctit i"11 , !1>:-:1· all tl1ci r figurat11·c po\\'er. 1i' i1is is Luc reaso n wl11· :-:pcakcrs nmon"
1111 uu !Livaicd, nn r i\·ilizc<l people!-!, 11~ :\kc' frequent us~
of rn ct:11•hor;.:, 1l 1ongh tliry :nl: al \\'a1·s funllJ to be
alJ:<oJ 11 lt'ly few nm1 often repeated .-~:- 11'.l1u No rth Ameri<':llJ J111li:t11!", fvr i 11sta1-.~c, l1aY c a ;-;mall Humucr of
111ufapliors, \\' l1 ic11 they fn·r1 nc11Ll )' cmplo.y, bcc:nisc
t.l1 C)' arc ig11 1 >ra11L of words tl1aL would ddi11iLcly ex·
press Ll 1ci r thnngl1 ls.
~B. r:1 11rir111 ., "!1011 rf, ,,, f ~,., . rl )f,·t·1;1/1,, 1._,.-T'ue following cautions on tlJis subject will lie fou11ll uscful t»
writers :

( J.) T lie s1•nsc should not h 0 !"ac.riilcr:ll lo tlic sounil
in tli · ll!-'C uf 11wt:<pliors. 'J'l1is is a co1111non fault of'
fccl,k \\'ritc·r."', 11·lin di,1il:1y<1lll'll m11cl1 t i1 1sc l :rn<l litLlc
tlion.~ht. 'J'li c f,>JJ0 1Yi11 g i ~ an l'X :ll ll]•l":
"H i ~tw!in dnl"j' C'lairn ki11rlrr1l with E 1.t-1,i1·l , i lir ~C'n' rc•, tltc mystic,
1111.l:i 1}i(IJl):.d ill', tl1 e lun e ly , wli u:-;c l11!f, l111rrii:d l1rt•:dli we frc l ap1.1roa~l 1111 1; us l il.;.c llH: Lrc al li of a.fun1;11..:c r l \Thaps t l1 c e;ig lc mny,
1<'.r Iii ~ eye wns :i s kee n nnU fierce [IS l 1ers . Pc.,. h:q·~ 1I H! lio n 111 ay, f~r
111:-: ,·c11('<·, t~•P, so und e d ,·ast and linllow ( HI th e wild f' l'li'' " ~ w i nd.
Perliap.., 1h c wild nss rn:1y, for Iii~ :O: fl'jl \\'<lfl, like: la.: r~ , 111 H·oi 1l rul/;d ,h L The
ro.111 pnri ..:011 .<Jf a. 1·omr.r, ofrC'n .w•:d, ~f~tH' r ally wa~tc:d , is ~ lriking l y np11'11,::tl.Jlc I tJ 1·.zt:k It' I. ~ lin.rp, di;.;{ IJJl't, ~·ct n('irn 1 0 11 ~, :->\\ j r1, s wvrd - ~ lrnpcd,
llJC

*"The 1ll('I HJ•!1or nrn~ c <b CYid ently from rt l!'t irit y ufC'o nccp1iou1 as
f~l C j 1 kona:'ll~ fnim t l11.• WH!lt vr wvnl:i . Th e firs t ~ itnJdl' :1 ges, un cnl-

fl \'tlfl!d, n11d 1111111rr~e d i11 ~1·11..: t ': cnnld ex 111.,·:·::-: their rndi· ciincqit.ions
of :d, .. 11.1 <·1 idr.t', and file Jt· fh:x op<•1.111011s of 1!i t• ni11!1l on ly h.',

l!!ll\ g'C':-- , ."hw h: ~o :1)'j1lit•d . h i'(': llll t ' u111 u ./,11rs.
'l'lii~,·an~l
1
11 ot 111 ~ w:trw!h Pl a 11ortd nnd irn11 rnn.· d i':uw:·. a" i ~ cumrnm il r st1 pJl~~<·:I , '~· : 1 " .'. !'e. t. ~·1w .,r ~l-!i r'.:d <·I'. fiL:ur :11irt! f' X / il'C...,:- iun " (,\rcl1 i1i~li op
\\ .,11, l1~ 1 11~.111 .... 1)1 \ 111~· l. q.,:- ;ll11,;i t i l :'\i11."i<·~ . honk i\". ~'' l'f. ·I ).
I l11 s fa c t wa..: :-.fated a l.. ;
I!\·
. ( 'i •'l'ru ( I>. l' p ra1 u r1·, c·1q111 L xx i v.),
and i..; l!Ow 1111i,·,·r:-:ally :11·k11·w:l~ · d;.:i· d.
1i1.lit•1 i , d

11

1(I~ I

NBTAl ' /111/! S . I .lff' f , /Ff /-.'/1.

/(jf}-,''f'()/.'fi' .

Qtoo<l-rr.d, lie lii"u1 ~~ i11 tliC' (>Id 'l\:-.:t:u11 c n: :-: ky , r n t hc r bu ruin g ns a
portent 1.l1an s lii11i11;; a..:

:t

11ru11lil.: t."

A continued s11ccc::;s i1)11 ui :1w1.:tl'l1ors is \\'>_':u-i.•<>111<'.
They arc a dinner m:1l1c up wl1 ully or :-;picc>'. T l11.·\·
re pompous cercmoni:t!s l'111J1kl_y ct1 i11 crery-tby Ji:('.
'fhc ablest writers alld stro11gcst speaker;:; 11.~c t l1c111
iiplrin gly, and often give us hou rs ul· "Jil':tking or .1n:1 11y
pngcs of wriLi1 1g, wi tl1out a11y 111cl:tph or,; 'uut orll1t1 ~uy
tropes.
(2.) Mctapl1ors sliuuk1 11ot gc ncr~11ly lie llll' clL 1q 11 11 1
long, anJ run out i<ito cornp:1ri;;u11~, or tvo 111i11ULl·ly
11mpl ificd .
Lonl Brougham illnstra tcs, uy !ti s 01n1 fa qlt, tl11:
prncticc of umluc ampliflc:1tion, wl1ich he con1ll'11111::; a .~

~,

follows:
"In n oth in g, not c,·cn in l1ea11t.'· (.r c•dl·'r ntion ruhl l1:Hrnon:· o f
thy thrn, is tlie v:1st super i11 rit.'· 111' rli e rh:i:-:.t 1\ vi :;or1111 ~, . manly :--1y:e (i f
\ho G reek or:ttur:-- and wrilt.:1':'.i ni o n.· ('1111:--1i1c 11 1111-.: 1l1a11 111 the :d1 .... 11n e 11t
use of their p r n 1 li.~i,111 ~ pow1·r"' of 1· =' 1•rt·:-" i•111. .1\ :-- i11 ;.!lc 1d 1r:1:-: (·- '" nw timcs n \vo.r d-a11d tlie \\'i •rk i ... . [q nv: 1111' d ··~ i1\·d iuq •n_:-.;:-i1111 i ~ 111n·! 1·,
ns itwe rc , wi th one str11ki..', there l 1~·i11g 111 1tl1 i11 f,!; :-: 11 pt: rt!w 11 1-; i111t·rp "·1··l
to wen ken t.l ie lJlow or l1n·:1k it ~ fa! I. T he cu 111111a n di rq.~ id ·a i-. :-i11gl l
"" ont· i t i ~ rn:l<lc to stand 1'11\'\\'ard ; all u11xili:11·it'" a rc njn:ll'd : a :-1 1l1t·
E miJCJ'Ol' :Nnp1il!..!Oll st.:lc etcd 1>1IC p11 i111. in ll H· l11·ar l of l1i ~ adq·r-.:ar_v';..;
atrcn~th, nnJ. brvu µ: ht nil Iii;-; 11owe r to \,1 ·:1r npoll tlrnt, c..:: u·t·k~;-; ut' tile
other points, w h ich he wa-; ~ 11 re f(1 l'arry if" lie \\ 111 1 1 li r- n·11Lre, a ~ ~: nrn
to h n\'C carri ed in ,·:1i11 if li (! krt t!11~ <·r ntr•· 1111 ~ nhd11ed. Far 01lwrWi:io <l o inudern \\Titer;.; make the ir vn~et.
Tl1ey rt:-- t: lll l·k 1J1 q"' t'. c ; \111 pnig ner;-; wh o fit out L\\'C.:lll)' litt le C:\ IH"dit ium• a t a ti11 w,
a l:iu J,.:11ing ..~tock if tl 1cy f:lil, an d u~ek..:s if th0.y ~ IH'f' t·C'd ; o r 11 t hey 1.l o :11 tack in thC ri gh t place, ~ ll dJ\'idtJ !ht"iJ' r Pl'l' l.'.-.: 1 fr 111lJ th(~ drl'.:l. d t i! li ·.;1'."";n~ a ny one pnint H11 as:-; aikd , that tli1 ·y j·:11 1 in;d-..1· 11 0 :->c11..:ilil1'. 1:np rcss i n~ wlierc al one it a ,·aiJ..; tlic 1n 10 \, ~ f1·lt.
J.1 scc1 1h t lti· J•i-1 11
(' iplu of such ant Jio r:-; th'\"Cr tc> h·:tY1 · :111.'· t liJJt ~ t 111:-: a1d Ll1a 1. c11 1 i 1· '< \\ ii
on any 011 c tHpir ; tu run lh1wt1 t·r4·ry i,! ,·a !11t·y ~t:t rt; tu IL' L ll.'•t li'.ng
)'f\:'iS; to li·are lH 1tl 1illg 1., t h•· r 1. .: ~1d•·r . 1111 \ l1ara-.,:-. l1 in1 "·itli an1 i c 1pal 1t1~ .
ovc ry thing that. cou ld i 'o~"1bly ~ 1nkt· l1i'" 111i11tl . ·•
11

1

1

1

'.':lie

1

••

........

,.

I 10

Ii II !-.' TI/ I! I i '.

•
J fa, 1 tl 1c orn Lor om i1.tcr1 >:u pcrn uous c x p~·cssioni':, he
11·Cinl<l liav e im ilntcll w!i :iL lie c1ilogiz1'd , :111<1 g iven us
the subsi:<m:c "f' 1l1c :tbovl: in less tkw 011c-f~ni r Ll 1 of the
words. 1l'l1e 1w:tuty, linwen'r, <Jf l1is own \'Xprcssions
sl10 \l's that not. al 11·n_p i1is :1<lviec, but s0111etim cs bis
l'Xa111plt', sl1ould h,: fullo\\'r1l .
S<)mcti1111_·s a 111ct:q1lior lll:1_1· hi; dll'<'it npon n11d :lmplifi,_;ll with gorJc1 dl~'Ct so as to rcse111 bk :111 :tllcgory,
f'rom wl1i cL it diffe rs tl 1en only in tl11: t'ad tktL tliein- •
tcrcst is confinct1 to the m ctaplt ori c:il idea. 'i'l 1e folh>wing is :tgood ill uslraLion from tl 1t; p t.: 11 o r Professor
Peter lby nc :
i .~no raner , man i ~ imJ'>1'11,-.d liy an impeknow . ':-) L:1 ·k , 1 w ll i ~ pc r :-> a voi(T in !11:; sotd, 'n nd
tl11-J1t sha ll li11tl ?, I ft. :-:ee k:-;, lie ol ,:-;t• n·e...:, he i11q11ir\·s . I I t.~ asc·e1Hl:;the
JJ1()\llltai11 of kn11\\ l··.! :..: 1·- r u.~g 1 :d, 11rv1·ipilon.-; ~ li e <·l111ilJ.-i \\" i l/i d1Jli.eulty fro1n cr: 1g tn l"1";1g; nn tlic l• 1J!fll P:-- t peak, 1n tl1e (.·lear cr.:rning
Of Hll i 1Jt1•IJecti1HJ Jifo, Jiu bciw}d .~, TI Ot I lie ~tcrilc b(!l l lldari es Of [l Hlli \·C r ~e ~xpl11 red, lnit ~111 ocean 1Jf kn pwled;...o:e y1·t. tn l;e trnYc rscd-a
.J ' acdi1 · of rnnh stn 1tL'li i11g on :111cl on into 1hc J1'1!ps of 1: !f•rni1y. The
i°:1 s<' i11:ui 1n1 r.f th:1t pla cid ~plcnd0r i ~ ns g reat. 11 11011 hirn ns whf·n he
!irs t. n:-:11i n ·d to kn ow. J le yea rns to he):!i11 a lll"W \·ny: 1g('. Jl c look8

"Horn intn t l1n world in

rin11s in ~tinc:t iD

in!n tlH· l.'._\'(~ S ur Iii:-; 1;·!!11WS witl 1 fl' dnml1 s11r mi sn ' of t.' 11 dJc..;s prog ress,
and ii 111i! l1·.-;..; n11anir111'1H, nn;l hop\~ s11bliino . Tli c prn111i ."c - w hi ~pcr
or Iii:-' i11f111wy l1as !ltd t!ccc i 1·p1l liim; ltc Jitl~ upon earth rnndc r'Ollle
Oll\\'a rd slt•p-.: , :ind tas 1c 1l c1f tlil~ c 1· ~ f:I S \' .-11' knowl edge; h i-1 f•yes ha. \'C
hef'Tl npened, :111d ]if~~ h:ls t:111gh! l1 i: 11. t11at th ere is :u1 infln ire to be
know n.
/\ nd now tl1nt t rfl 11 <.:pnrrl11 h wl1i ...:pc r >S onc1~ more at. Ids car,
, .\ Vliat 1/io11 know e:-;t not now th nu .1-:h :dr know lt c r ea(11: r.' 1\liud,tlie

ange l o f tliL: 11nirersc, ready tu soar 11 11 t of th e mi s1s

t1f

tl1 0

earth,

pn 11w s li er wings fu r C\"C.~ r!a:-;tin g ili:_:!i t. The in -i ti11ct wh it'li forbids
lier lo 1"!1)SC lH~r pi11 i1)ns nnd 10 di e ha.-; l1ccn Yl:r11cio11:j fu r tim e, and
it i;-; j11::-:1/y 1n1stl!d !'o r ctc ntir y.''

Such \H ·ll -,;11:<1ainc1l 111 rt:1pl1n r~ nre often 0xccedingJy he:t11til'1il :i11t1 imp rcss i1'<', :u1<l t i, wo11ld be indeed
hypercritical to condl' 11111 tl1 cm.

JJl/.\'J-.'JJ

J//o' 'l'.l /'//l)/o':-i.

111

(3 .) Incon gruous rn etapl1or:0 ~110111<1 Jl()t.1w \'tnpl• •J-

ed, except wlicn sL rnng p:1s:'io11 will j11stify t.! 11_·111.
It has l>een 11iai11Lti11cd Lktt. 11" 111..t:q1l1<)J' sl1oulil L<·
used th:tt is n ot cap:tl,J c of' lJL·i11g prcscuLed rn a pieture. 'l'bis is loo rig i11. Sli:1k:-;pl::trc, in one of Lis
most cclcbmicll passages, has tL1c following :
" 'Vhethcr ' Ii > 11oblc r in the niiml

10 s11il'c r

r.rlw ~ tin~s a11J arrows uf out rn ;;:c1111 :-: f 11 rtunC',
Or to 1ake arms ng:nin~t :t sef\ nf tr unblcs,
And , Uy oj1p1Jsi ng, end the m r·'

1'1.ic "t:tking arms ag:1i11~L _a sc:t" k1s lwf' n co 11c1cmned by some wh o \\'ere loo euol a11d l1 _;-1 1crniticnl to sec the real lJL:anLy ant1 furc ·.~ of l11c cxprcss iu11.
Uamkt wns rep1-csc11lc:l1 as alunc~ 1rl1c11 li e u Ltcr1'< l tL c:
words, with no11 c to critici:0c:, and so cxeitul a;; 1.., lit.:
querying witl1 l11111sclf whctl1er lie li:-u1110L lJcttcr cc,111mit su icid e. JI 1s h rai n was 011 fire. Tl 1ougl 1h clias<;d
·ach other thrn ugl1 his rniml !"O fa,.; L tl1: tt 11,.. \1· :1s 11 ut
able to fmic'li one bcfurc lie :1llcmp1<'•1 trJ C:\J•tTs:-; :1;1other. Uc tlt on c: l1t. of " t:iki11g arn1s" :1g:1 i11st trllul1les tb:i.t scc 1:11·<l in 1111ill1L11clc :uid [lill\'<;r like "a s1·a,''
and of u:-:i11g tl1ust.: ar rnc:, uuL ;i gai 11sL tlic Lrn1t1Jics, lrnt
again st himself, aml tbu\ lJy c11°li11g l1is own JifL,, to
end tli cm. All Lltcse t1iougl11,; :tllll mure forcc<l tlwrn selves tumulluousl_y into a ;-;i11.~lc ut.lerancc. ( \,:11.1 a
more nervous expression be; dc,·isell tlian tliaL 11f tl1<·
great poet 7 'l'L1ose w Ito cornl1.~m 11 it expose fc:clJk11cs,.;
in th ernsclvc;;, 1101. in Sliabpl':tr\'.
Shakspearc al1otrncls in :-:uclt "111ixcd int·L;t]'l: or~."
when tlie c i1 ·e 11m s t:trn~cs ju::;t1Jicd Ll1crn. ll" 11:1d 110
occasion to r esort. Lo mcLapl1ors from a pau(·ity ur

.~.

JUI ET fi Ii' I

112

I '.

•

Lcrm s, fo r li <~ usc(l mm'c Lh an twenty Ll!OUsanrl words
-111 <Jre pcrl :;q•s t.l 1an ::t11y olj ll 'I' \\'ri te r in th e E 11glish
la11 g11 a:;c bcl.,__l rC or si nce.
And yeL his writings
::tbouml in md:iphors .
Gcnc rall y, i 11co11grnous metaph ors sliouJ,1 he avoid·
crl. "'!'li e C1rn1cr-stone o r tJi is crl iii cc: will SOO!l foll
pro:-; tralc to the· e:utl1,' ' is \" <'lj' :tusu 1·,l.
1\hn y l1 1,licro11s 111ix cd 11 11 ·t:ql l1o r,; arc t11rown off
by im:1g in a t.i1·c Sj'C:tkc·r.~ 11·liiclt art~ ofrc11 sivc Lo good
taste, u11k;::s tl1c ol,_jcct is t o :111111sc· liy their cxLmva·
g::11cc. 'l 1 i1c f0llo 11·i11 .~ arc; spcc i111cn s :
"T!it:

ap 1 ~ lt~

nC di s1·rH·d

j.;;

1w w f:1 irl.\· i11 nnr rni1l ~ t , antl if not

11ip1wd in rl1e lind it wili ln1 r.o; . t f11r1h i 1t!01 !t \' 111dl:lg r aiio 1J whi ch will
Jel11 gc 1l1t· :-- ea uf 110Ji1i r .-. wi rl 1 an cartliq 1rnk1.: of lit.:n· sit'..'L 11

"Thi :;

tinnlc:-<:4

tif the j1ir:·, w11lk s i 11 10 <·(Hirt like n. moclonk of li y 11or ri sy in lt is 111 q 11t\1 , nntl is at Jnr.!!t' <uk ~ ''Il l {,f rn.\· f'l it· 11h ' 1•ockc t~. 11

111 ;111) µt ·11t l t ·111 c n

~ l ;ilt H\ wi11i tli t~

t cmptin~ 11 1

f.ifT1'\ \ '

tl1 r1·t ~

"Jl ,,;·lu wa.< th<> fathe r u f cli<: 111i st r;· ,
Co r k ."

an1l

Lr u t he r to tlw Earl of

A t Ll1c s:une t inw, on ll1 i,; ;::nl~j1·ct :1'4 011 otli crs, it
is p n:-:sil>le to use t bc pn111 i;1 g -knik [iiU seve rely.
J\la1 1y crni1 1c11 t, \Hitcrs l1:wc hcc n c1itir,·ly d1 ~sLi tuto
nChol •l mcl : qilwr.~, lrnt :i.1 ak nt f1) l'l11J'l<ly tl1 c m shonld
b.: c1iltiv:ttl:t1 li_y obse rva tio n :1m1 c·xcrcisc.

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CTIAP1'EH V.

34. T li c Jlhwl notices liui/1 ,\'/,,1/{111·///r·s // !1 1! [J l1( ·r
enccs r:/ 01:/ccls.--Wl'. li:lVG rcm:t rkc:d 1111d n ( '.>111 1•: 111
• son that. it is a hw of the 111 iml lo ulJ:-:c·rv c t.l 1c ;-; 1111 1·
larity of objccls, iit 011e o r more part ic11brs, tl1aL t1iJl~T
in other r esp ects. H is also a law of tlw rni11,L; act iu11
· to obse rve the LliJlc rcnces of ol>j ccts, in one or lll <>rt'
p:irticulars, Ll1aL are :i.likc in all 0Ll1c r rcspcd,;. ( li 1
the action of Ll1csc Jaws t1uc:s tl 1t: 111 i1 11l ,)"l'u1d f'1> r th:
classificaL ion of facts a11,) o1>.i ··r: t.;-;. J'ro111pl.i1111!" a: H1
powcri11 Lhi,; cx c rci,.;c cktr:l!:lL' ri z,; t11 c ;; t. rv11g«;.;l 111i:1t1:' .
35. })1ji11 ifi11/1S Il l!'{ fl/11 ,</ (111/11!1.<.- - ,\ 11 t. ii.J 1c·:'i:-' 1:_!'1·11:11
the Greek "'"r' , u:/'1 /11 ,-1, a11l1 nlJ11111 , !•1 ;1/,11·1-) i;-; tii e collocation or two objects togctl 1"r tl 1at. d ill<' r tli;-;ti11cUy,
at least iu on e pa rtieul:tr, and ai; n·c in otl ic r,.;.
Th e simples t. a11tilh cscs an; t.b11sr· in wl1i t:l1 11"' :11·
tenti on is ca llc(1 to Ll 1c d i!T,;1T 11 cc lJl:twccn two CJl '.i'""h
of the same ki11cl f0r tlitc J>lll[•USc of' ,J,./i11it i1)ll. l·'"r
instance," Th e br ig is a s,1uar.. -ri ,l!·g"' i 1· ,., ,,,J with tw o
masts; the sloop is a fo rc-:1 11d-afL-ri,',!;c;1·il vcssd \\ 1Ll 1
one m ast an cl :t jih - ~t:i.y."
"'['b e Ol t1 no1nan ]1acl :111 '. !'[ lliiine nOSl', I.lit' \.tJ\'c'J;,
il nose long and strai g l11."

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l' l/J.,'i'A I J'.\' 1 /'.'

H 11 FT Cl I! I< '.

'T'ho :rn ti l.l1csis hccomcs more stri kin g- and pk:is·
ing if tu c contr:tst cxi,.;f s in 111on:: t.krn one parti u·
l:ir, wl1ilc the likeness i11 oth e r p:-i rtieulars remains.
'L' l11rn, "Caesar 1l ic1l a Yiolvni. 1k;1tl1 , hnt l1is empire ·.
rc m:t inc<l; Crom11·cll l1i ccl a 11 :-ilural tl catb , but his cm· :''
p il'i· 1·:1 n i,.:llf'll ."
A 11tii.lil'sis 1;; the 11ninn of oh,iec ts h\' 1hcir
(:nccs, :111(1 cxl1i lJ if,.:1 kit. r ower of 111ind witl1011t which
tl": 1 \~ can he 110 correct gencrali z:tt iu1 1 nor accurate
:t11 :tJr, is. It. sli1mld tli cref'orc lie :1ssidu ously eul tivnt1:<1 . rt sl 1arpe11s t.li c outl in e of tl1 c ol:j ccts, whether
m:tte ri::i.l or rnen1:1l, wli ieh arc a t. tl 1c sam e tim e compared a1H1 co11Lr:1sf1' d, a11c1 m:ik1's :u1 impression of
tlll'ir r elat ive characte r more vi1·i d tl1a11 could otl1erll'i ,.;1· ], ,~ prm1uc1·11 .
'!' lie l1 ig li1' r <'\ 1'rci~c of tl1i:.; pow('r is exl1ib itecl in
d c1.ccti11 g :111 d I1r, ·s1·11 t.i ng di fl"·n' necs l"'L11·cen objects
Lli:1.1. sr< ·111, to a c:i,.:11:11 nl;sc ncr, 1o lw :di k<'; bn t the
l1i g l1cst ol' al l is the pr1'S1:nlati0n 1Jo il1 uf' diJl'0rcnccs
and of' 1-<irnihri li<'s ::i.L th e :"amc tim e bct\\'CC 11 obj ect~
t.l i:tt \\' Crc ne ver chs,, ifl ctl 1.ogtt.h c r before. Upon the
d l'g rcc in ll'l1 icl 1 tl1 c~c co n1p:ncd :ind co ntraqed points
cx is l, :rn<1 the Yi1·itln r >:: \\' illi "·l1ich they arc express·
ell, tl cpc11 1l 1li e fu rcr :in •J hc:i. ut.y o f the a11titlicsis.
"J\rcli,.:s:i, like 111e be•\ g;1tlir:rs honey from every
11·1.'c d; wl1 ik Ar:icl11w, like t.lJi' s pide r, su cks poi son
f'rn 111 lh t: faires t. Oo 11·1m< ." J 11 t l1is i11 st:111cr it will lie
,.:re n that ).J,.Ji ,.:.'a :111d ,\ r:1('l111c an_' :tlik" i11 nearly all
n·c:prc f;;: , h1'ill.'.t liotl1 ,c: irl.< L1 1!. tl11 '.\- dill'1·r in 1.ll'o' rcs111 'Ch : :\f1·ii""" .L':til1l·rs i11 .-:11·111'. f1" 11 :1-: tli 1; hl'c gatb crn
l1 oncy, wl1il,, 1\ r:i,:l 111 e .!.:·:1tl1 ,•r,; li:1d i1 dl 11<"11cr·s :1s tl1r

IJF J .\" /'/ J'l/FSf .'

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th crs r·ioi son . an<l M··li ss:L ,c;a\l ll'l'S l1c'J' i11apiacr g:t .
.
,
' . . . 'S " \\'CC l1" " \Y u ill·
. struction from unCtvor:1l,lc s0u1c<.'
- ' - .. -.,
. A - 11·1' cr:i,tlicrs li er uacl 1uDue11cc::; frolll gooc1 S0 l11 Ct.. ,
.p..JaCl C b '
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"tbe fa irest flowers."
I . t1 hrl • tl-1(' ~f'rt'".- 11 p:1s turcs
o r to i!H·
"Tl chmhgamhob r11i'k c L1tO
_
1 1JI..! II.
l T tu thu lnsr il uik: r til. her w ing:-:, tic
1
l'!.ACO uf slaugl
1
rc
I ..
ti
c
·tir
H1tt ihc ,, 1.iy imm o r tal
·
t tril1 li er Hl 'ltitls upo n J '
•
•
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~;_;;; 'Ct~CS '~1~~11 ~ii ~ ~:ntli Ji,'.c~ in drl'ad uf ~kntl 1. Tl_iu c'.11\y l1ci11~ l P
lic1nl( I
.
.. -1·1". 1"· r · c,·c ry J,lY thaL i t mil come.
.; WbOm tluatit IS an JnljJ U>>lul 1>) c.l '
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-, ·111''L"'li:l'
t.hc hmh ::i.ml the bin1
, st::i.m1
i11g
I 11 •l
c llS
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.
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for :i.ll l1rute animal;;:, arc con1 p arc1111y :111\.1tl1c:o1s ~\·1:1 1
.
Dot.h c\a,.:s1'S :ire ali ke, 111 lic1 11g c :-; puscd iC•
ronn.th but Lhc L1i!1'1 •rnnccs ::i.rc, 1. '11l')' :\r1· i1 1u ""ll
·1·
." , '1'
i " • '·
I :J. '
.
,
.
l w . tl i') ' do Jt lJL

once mort:i.l ::tllll rnnn o1't::t1' arn ao,u11, '
fi·n.r to die t.liou gh c1 \'at.1t cm1s tl1crn; lie dues fear f.,,
, 11\V \10 11ues not
<l"e, tuoLwl1' c1cat l1 docs not cm
i1rn.
.
ic,
o
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ri
o1li
rn
or"ili
\.v
::i.1Hl
irn111
o rl:t\1ty n, rc
llCC t.lmt 1. JC l l l':t u1 1 ,
1. . .
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rcmk re(1 more vivi11 11y s11('l1 :u1 :111 t.1t11(':"1,.:?
"1T <' rr~ li es llie grr:lt - J.';d ..:<• m:nl1k , wli crc?
Nutldn p; hut sordid Ju~t Ii ~·:; ltc re !"

'l'lie :i.ntitl11:si,.; in thi s co11si,.:Ls in tl1 c t11·0 pidnrrs
. ·l it Sll"'"'eSL
tbn.t the rn n.rulc rn on n mc11t 1111g
_cb · • of tl1e 111:111,,
whose body is bnri e1l be ne:Ltl1 it-either" tlt ~'grcat"
ns llC WflS. w·'nen i·1vi1w or " tl1e so rd1 c1 dnst, wl11c11
tb e boll y is no w.
.
.
,
. Many excellent :opcc imcns or an~1t1 1 rs 1 s :trc .~Ul l ill'.
in tl ic H oly Se riplurcs. It \vas oftc n crnpl oF d b_\
the Sav i o n~ in Lis r11~ ccssarily cn nl1cnscc1 C:\prcs:-<1<J11s,
in whit:li t he ..-r,·;Lf.(';-;t po,.:siul e :u110 11 11t. (,r il1< >u .~hL \\':t:i
CJ JI r , l ., •. ,.·,~t1\'J'[ll.i i 111 ,.:,
"JT,: t.li:1t l1 atl1,
st.orcc1 up fur :1. 111" 1 1 -."'
lie •hat.
l1al11 n0t., Crom J.i111
0
t.o 11 i rn sli8.1l b1; b{r .11"·11
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sl1:d l lie Lak cn tl1at wl1iclt ]it; liatli," is antitl1ct.i c:ll,
eci.uivalcnt to, "lfc that n ·ull.'! lint!t (or improves
wliat he k1.s), shall have more ; wLi ie lie tl1::i.t does
not r1·1111.1; ki.vc: any tli in g (tl1at i;;:, cloes not -improve
: my tlling), sliall lose wb:i.t li e h:i.s." Tlic principle
o f this :i.nlill1 l'Lic1tl expression is utterccl in the prov1,;rb, "Hivcrs run to the sea."
rrlir prcvakncc o [ anti thesis ]. so g rc:i.t in good
cornpo,.; it io11, :1 nd it is so mi nglctl wi tl1 the various
figures oJ' s1wceh , tl1at it is. exceedin gly <lifficnlt in
s1>111c i11sta11ccs t.o tktcct it, or to c1isc ri1 11i11atc between
it a1l\l e0111pa ri ;;:o n ancl me taphor. '1.'li c follow ing r~s­
sngc umlnuhtc11ly owes mrn:h of its imurc;;:si\·encss to
t.l1c: :rnti Llic,.;is of it:; tL0ugl 1ts.
'' T lH• i11fini1y of w1wld=- nnd the na r row ~ po t of ea rth wli ich we
<:: d! 11ur lionw - i! 1 l~ 1:t1.: rni 1y 1Jf a g-c~, and th e fe w li u11r:-1 of lift.!- thc
aln1 igliiy ].if, ,\·c r of Gud, nnd h11111:m no tlli11g n e,1;;~ -i t is impossible to
tl1i11k o f lhesc in ' 11eceS' i1111 witho11t" f<:cli 11 g like that whi ch is pro.
J11ced by the subli1n est clu11uc n cc."
1

It. \1· ill be see n in the :i,l)ovc thn1, fl rst, "the i11fini t.y of wurlds " and "t.lic narrow sp0L vf r; rt.1 1 called

l10111c" arc stq•pnsl'll lo Le alike ;i,.; "!""''" bttt :i.11 titl 1etic i11 si1.c 011iy .: tl1L' l1 "ctcrnil.y " :t nd "the few
11ou rs" :i.rc alike a:; •l11m/i J11, antithet ic in extent or
amo 1111 t.; ";1lmigl1Ly po\\'cr" an<l " Im man notlii ng·
lH;S:-i" arc :\li]; c <I S r11ru, fvr l.1 y "ll OLhin g nc~S " is
r eall .y mca11 t 0111). ";;,Mc11rss' but antitl 1L·,ti, c i1~ tkn-rcc·'
antl tl.l(:sc :u1lithL'sc,; :trc .iustly prn1 1u11111.:t:d i1llprcssivc.
BU. l)h-t
.:I ulil/1"""'· -Scic 11 Liflc: slak mcnts ac·
quire precision f'ro1n :tnti1liesis. " Tn tl1c auimal
1J<)L1y," says Tyn•l:i ll, in hi s " ll c:tt :-rntl j\f,)tl r of j\fo.
1

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Jl 7

J'lt' U I ' F /,• J:s.

tion," "vcgcta1>lc su Ls lan ces arc l irrrn gl1 t agarn i 11to
contact wi tL tl1cir bdon·<l o:-;ygcn, :u1tl tll\'y l>1 1rn
within us ::is a fire ])urns in a g rale." 'l'l1i;: is a c11111 ·
p:i.rison. But lie :i.dds : 11 I11 Llic pbnt tli c elock 1s
wound np, in tb c :uiirnal it nrn s duw 11. J1t tl1c ]>hil t.
t.he :i.torns arc sep:tral c:J, in tl1c aniuial they rc·cv1nbinc." 'rltis is :111titl1 cs is.
Almost ever.)' vi.viLl and irn prcs~ivc auth or m akes
n,judiciou s use of a ntitheses. 'l'ltc wr iti11f:;s of ;,he·
:rnlay, D:111croft, a1Hl of many, t.hon.'.,;h not :~ll otl1cr e1n1 ·
ncnt li isLo ri;111:::, anc1l'n t :u1Ll mm kn1, sp:trk 1e w 1Ll1 t 11<'lll .
"'l'li:i.t tl 1crv arc rll'Ly thonsa11Ll tl1i,:vcs i11 Lo11<1< n,"
s:i.yi:; }Vbcanhy, " is a ycry nwb 1d11>ly f:tct. J:ut. )<1 .. k·
c<l at in one poinL 0f vi ew, it is :t 1T:ts011 fur cx111t:t·
tion . .b'ur wl1at 0Lhc r cit y c0ultl m:ti111ai11 filty t l1 ou snnd thi e ves?" Tl1 c anLiLli c;:i,; consists l1cl.\1· cc· n Ll1G
first view of a city l1 aYin g .fir'ty tl1 ousam1 thieves :is a
place of crime :i.n Ll \'Hc t e l1 cll11 <'C'~, nnLl tl1c scc.crnd Yil;'.\'
oftb c sam e city as a place a1 1lc to Sll]>porl J1ft._y t\1 011sanJ tl1i cvcs \Y itl1out. iw rccpt. ilily 111.J tm11 g its pros·
1

1

pcrity.
.
.
.
.
,
37. A.ntlt/1r·f/c,,/ /',.r, r1 ·d1s.- /\ nt 1tl1es1s g ives Ul':tll!y
and force to many of tl1c most co rnrnon prov crlJs i11
all languages.
" '.l'Lc: rc is th:i.t scattcrct.h, an d yet in crc:tsct.11 ; :u1'1
there is tLat wi tul1 ol •l ct.\1 rn nrc 1ktn is 111cct., lJut. it.
tcndcth to poverty. " "'J')1 l~ Wick ed nee W)JCll 110
m:111 pnrsu cth : 1ut tl1r, ri gl 1kv11 s ar1.: ns lJ(/1c1 :1s :1
.
lion ." " Open re1Jll I;c ·is 1u•:t
kr tli1an "'·er,· t.. jI l l \'l' .
"'r1 1L,rc is lrnL a skp lrr1111 t11.: s1 i1Jl i11w to tlw ridi c11·
Jous. " 'l'lic :i.11tit.l1csi;; i11 ihis h-;t prov\' tli c 1 1 11 ::: i ~ts i11
11

•, .;

118

/,'I/ ! ;'TON fr'.

. l.VTJTJU; .'ih'.S .i .\'JJ

pe rcc1v111g both ft strn,n~e likeness ~1ml unl ikeness in
exp ress ions Ll1n,t \\' Ou lcl he e< np pose.J to l1ave nothi1 ~g in common-nearly allkc in cx tr:i.1·agancc or dive rgc1 1ce from on1 in:uy thougl1t, totally un like in
th ci r nature and clkcts.
3S . . l 111i1Ji,·t1>11( )J,··" "oi ili1,n-'.- Tt is an exercise of
Ll1ougl1t closd_y al\ in to a11titl1cs is, and may be rcg:HLlccl :ts ft dqla rll ncut. o[ t l1i:-; rli etori c:il Jl g nre, when
see min g ly inco11 g l'l! ous or wi dl'ly difl(: rent; 1111 alitics
:trc p rc,.;e n Lctl :ts l.!L'Ju11ging to Ll1c s:un e olij 1:ct. 'I'l1is
prndicc c:d Is th e :ti k11 I i<J1t not tu I 11· 0 ulij, ·els :1l ike i11
1n:111y ]'oi 11t:-; a11il tli fk rin g in Oil •' or 11 Hm', but to
1 1
11 r1l i 11>s hot.Ii c1ill'nt.:1 1Lam1 :tlik .. , i1 1l 1,·ri1 1g i11 Ll1c same
ol;j1·cl . 'l'l:11s 1'<>1111 g .-;:1y;;; vf lik :
L11·0

"J. if1 · !1:1s ll1) ,·al11 0 as :in f'nd . hilt 1;1 ean s ;
An c· n ·l, d' 'p lor:t lilt~ ! a l!h·n 11 " . d iYi11 e !
\V!i e n 'ti ~ 0 11r ull 't i ...; 11p f/1i ny : wu r..;f• rlian nnug l1t;
A l\C!'\t of pa ins ; wh en hel d :ls uotl1in_r1, m ur·k
11

nu I wer s:tys,

r any
1;u l 110 n·.< p,•ct 1or
of.h e r enltivation of' Lhc rnim1 tkm tliat. wlii eh pro·
d1 1ec<.1 hul 1l lllCn :t1Hl sJ 1ort sentences." ":--:part:i be·
c:11:ic :t n:t1io11 o [ m i ,.;,,1·.~ p rec ise ly liccausc it. t.:oulll not
liL'C•)ll1e a natio n of' ;;pc11 dt.Jirith.".:;.
'L'l1is ki11,] \lf' IJio11 .!.!:i 1f. and C\:jll"CSS iOll j,.; ortcn Cm·
ployed l>y cs,;ay 1s l;;, hi"'1orialls, :rnd o r:t to r;c;. It is apt
Lo dL·gc ll c r: ttc int o a mannerism, and, liLL' nll autith ·
cs i;-;, sl 1oulcl be spa rin g ly nscd. Tl1 c cxccssi\·e use of
it rn:t,v be see n in tl1 •) writing,; of' Seneca, in such
works as C1dlo n'.s " Laco n, " M\111tc ~r1uil'u 's "Spi ri t of
L:t ws," l•:nwr:~on ' ." "F.<<;n·"·" :111.J 111:111.v ot l1ers. Vic"'"1·
1 ll' ..._.'pnr t ans

J

1: u .lf f' . i /,' / S t 1.\'.'i.

,], ·~c ri lJL ' S

tor llugo thns an tjtlu:tically

11:1

\\' ,·ll i11 glu 11 :11 111

·.. Napoleon :
"Na.po1co n and \Yl· lli1 1gtu 11: tlwy :tr· · n1.•t (· nc·rnie:.:: tlt c·y n. rf' 11p j 111 t ·i tes . N1.::; ver has Gvd, who iake:-; pl 1 :1 :-. 11rc i11 nnrit lil'.:-- i c-;, I:iad e :t Jll u l'\ '
1

CO ll t l":lSt :1nd :1 11llin ~ C~:'\ t r aordi 11:1ry l!ll'.l' ii11 g .

strik ing
.~

( )n O ll t.' s idt\
JH"CCision, fun::-:;i g- 111-, gL' •HlH_'.try, 11 nH l1:1 1cL\ n: t rca t :i:-;s nrcd, rcsc r rc~
(J(!O llot'lliz1..:d , ulJ:·.;ti11atc ~·utt1po .;, 11rc, i11t ] •t' rl1t 1· l1 :t l1l1 · JJ1t.: LIHJ d , ~(r;lf1.,)..: y t 1
profit. Uy th e g ru u11d , t:11 ·1ii -.. .; tu \1:1L11 11_·t · l1:1 t t:d~1>11:-; , ''' '. rn;1 ~c d r : t ~\· 1 1 :o
0

tho lin e. w:tr d ircc1ed wat1_· h i 11 l1;1 nd , ll•Jt1 111l ~ ki t \'l11u n 1:1 n ly tu
chaocc, .;u1 cient cla:'.:i. -.it (' 'rn ragc, alt:-:o lnte <· v rr\Tlll l'~ :-i : vn the 11tii c· r
hnn d, i11tui1i 0 n , i11 :-: 1•i rati u 11, a 111ili1:1ry m:1r H• l. :t ~ 11 11er l1111n_a11 in stinct, nil:1 s l1i11 g gL uw L· , a 111 y:-;tl' ri1_11 1:-: -.: 1~ 1 n1·1l1in:~ wlii( ·li µ• 1 1.~ · -.: 11k 1· tlH·
cnglc nnd s t r ik e;-; like tlH· 1li11 11 tkr!1u l1; p r11d i:..:: i".11 "' .:ir1 in di_ :-- d:u1 1 f1d
impetuosity, :d i i!w 111 _\ ... 1c · ri1·:-; i ·f :1 .i .. 1·1 · :-- 1·:i l_. 1n 11rn:t 1' _\· \,-~_1! 1 j )( .,
tiny rive r, Jilai 11. f,11 ·1·. . r. l1il l l·1 Jin11 1:111d t··I, :tn·l i11 :-;1111 )1' ."'11rt li•rt"l' d r. 1

obc ):, t he
faitil

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! Jill

di . .: !uJ'JJ-

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30. / 111!/t/u -.. .; 1..,· 11111! ( ~''"i"1, · /s1,,, ,. ,. 1·1°ud11·11,1 /. - ~:\ 11Jill1c­
SCS a re so11 1cti1ncs 111 1iL<:tl w iLli c1111qi:tri .'-'.onc; :11 1'1 1': 11·
extended, ill tJ1c port r:1i tU l'C Ol f\VO si111 i\:tr a111[ dicc·
si111 ihr cl1ar:1c:tc rs, or"[ t wu similal' :1 g,:s, or i:!·u 1·,·rn mcnts, coun Lri 1':", nr 111 '.j cds oC ;1 11y ki11\l 1k1 t ll'ill :id, rni t of s neli :t d1·sc ri1 iti<1 1l.
S11,:l 1 ]"• nr:i it 11r1·s :tr•·
usually labo n:1l :1.11\l 11·1·:,n :-;u 111 c; :111 1l a1111 111 g t!w 111 111y
that have bct' ll :1Ltl'in i' t1·1I, il1 1L kw :1r" .~at i ,.oi:1 • :i •>1'1'.
O~e of t.l1e rn nst 11o t1 ·1l is t.J1< , t'o11q1~1 ri so 1t ol' I >n·d1· 11
aild Poiw, :t'4 ]'O•·t s, J,y f>r. ~a1111 1 ,·\ .J.,l 111 srn1. \v' 1: g iv1 ·
two or tlHce SCllLCllCl' >i :\S :-;p('e i111 c11.c.:
"Dryde n kn ew m ore of mnn in Jii:-: ~encral n:~tnrr, and I' 11 pc jn
liis 1uc:.d n 11una·rs. TJi c not inn -.: <•f lhyde n Wt 'n.: lorlll~~d hy curnprclieusivc s 11ec nlati1JJ 11 and thu"ie u!' l'u1·~~ J,y 111 i11tlf 1'. :1t len! i1J11. T l_1crc
i:-; m ore d ign ity i 11 th e kn o\\'kd ~e oC D ryikn ~ a 11d 111 u r 1.~ c e rt a 111 1y
in t li itt o f ]' !1 }1~ . * * * Dryd(.'.11 i:; "-dd!l t' l im 1·:-: Yt.:hellH.: nt 11111,.l r:q 1i d ;
i•upe is :d \\'a _y ;-; ...: 111r11dl 1, 111iir11n11, a n1l g. ·nt\f' . ·r)r:;d 1111'!'\ 11: q~ c: i-.: ;\
n:i.tnrnl fi el d, ri :;i11 g i 11 1q in c qnaliti l·~. :111d di n: rsi!i ed l 1y tlw \ ' :11 i···l

1 20

li'J lf:' Tt i /,'fr ·.

L' L'L G JI .Lll, "LYJJ J L L l'.~ Tit' .! TI O.\' 8 .

c- x11 bcr an cc of nlrnn t1 :1111 Y<'~Cta r ion ; J\ 1 pc\ i..;; a Yfl l n ;I lnw11 , 8horn

" [ heard tl1 y far e, lun!d fr iernl, n11d d ro1 J•pNl a tear;
Ru shed on n1y lni nd th v s<·c 11 cs uf 111a11 y a y('ar ,
\Vli nn on o nr elia t s un afte r sun we nt dv w11.
Bu t. tlw 11 ha st lung l1cc 11 dm•t - tli y days a r\; tl ow 11 !
Yet still ill y ::;u ngs s un·i,· c; no r th e:-::c :-:li all l> ~',\ 1111,
All-s po iler lt c, with " ·i1lieri 11g to uc h <.: 011 : -. u111 e.

l1 r tli c :-;cythe, :rnd JcycJh.:d Uy tli c rullt: r. • * • lf 1111! lli gltts of
l >r.,·d1; 11 , thcrl' for c, arc J1 ig hcr, P<•pe r<J n ti11111.•.-: hlll gc r o n the wing.
1f of D ryd<' n 's Ore t li c J.inzc is h r i ~htc r, of l'OJ•C's th e heat is rnoro
l'Pg 1il n r and ro 11 st a11t.
1>rydcn c f'tc11 ~11 rp :1 .-.~0:-; expec t 1Hi o n. and Pope
11 c1·cr fa JJ, l1clow it. D ry<l<' n ;, read wi rh fr c•iu cn t nsto nishment,
and l '"l'" wirl1 pcq•etu :il del ig ltr ."
1

Snclt :cntithel ic:al cornp:lrisons of two or more simi h r d1ar;1c tcrs ''"ere ofrcn made, ci:;pccially lJy writers
in tho eigltkc11th ccntr1ry, lrnt, too f'rcq ncntly the
wri tl' r i::; ciLl 1cr tcmptecl to sL rai :r tli c trr1 Ll1 for the.
:-:aku of the eonl rnf'I, or to make it mo re verbal than
real, wl1 ile the ostc nt:i.tious Ji:<pi:ty o r art in tl1 e style
will displ ca;.;c, unless both tlie sou nd :i.nd sense ::ire
11111 >l~ j l'C I ionabl <'•
.J I). ,\ '/,,,11/,/. I 11tit/1tsi, ;,,. n1!11> r!f,, f?-.A s it regards
Lhc c1tlt i1·atio11 of' tlr is llg nre o l' Lliong hL :1.1rd speech,
it ln :l.J be obse rved 1J1at ft.: \ \ ' ll SC it c ni ci<' tltly, and
tlrnt wl1e11 well used it is cxc1'cd i1r gly pk:i:-:i11 g and
imprcs::; ive. IL u11doubtedly 1w1ni rcs p:i.lie nt study.
Jt i:; a characleri ,;tic of tlie mo:;t c11ltivatcd :igcs :i.nd ·
:i.u tl1 or.s. L ike the most. advn11ccd 111u;.; ie, it is appreci a tl'd fully oi ily l>_y tlic Li glr ly edu cated. 'l 'he habit
of c1npln_yi11g iL \\' Cll sl1onlc1 be :i.cr1n ircd.
·l 1. 'l'lu' l~/11~;r'rm . - 1\ 11 titlies is ge nerally gives point
to a n Epig ram . 1\ 11 Ep igram proper is a se ntence
111 prosr, or a short poe1 11, Ln·ati11g only of ono thi ng,
a1 1d cml ; ra<~i n~ some ;;tri k in g or i11 gcn ions 1J1ongut.
L s11al ly 1lie thought i,.; :rnt itli <'I ic:1 lly r xpr<':::.c;f"d. One
of the ol<ks1, Ir:u1shll',l rrrnn 1l 1c G rn·k nr C:i.ll ima1:1111", on llru de:1Ll1 of' l1is fri cl! d H e1:i.cli:.u s, a poet, we
.c;i1:e ns follows :

l:! 1

'l'bc epig r:tm is llO W rn m1c Lo eu1 l> ncc
expression of a star tling Llio ught.

ally

l>r icf '

"Sile n ce is I he most c tl'cc ri \·c clo11'lf'l1 <'C ."
"ltid a.:s c1111Jty the suul n11J the }HJt 'k('.l. ; po\"c rty n·pl c11i sl1es

lio th ." 'o<I s n\' ~ . " I fow (Jfrcn is a hal f ~ rc at c r t IJil l i t JI C• " · J10 It.:· '. ,.
IICS!
" "• ' .
\\'
l 1· . "
"He dcsi...:ribl: d tl 1e wh ole wurhl-- :u1d :d:::o tli e
est. Il l i e:-,.

Such cxprcs,.; i,i 11 s :tre ali in 1 to wi l, i 11 wl1icl1 a11liLl1·
csis is orw ll c rn pioyed.
42. F urlli•:r· 1~~ 1·11 111 ;,/i•s, mrd C1111-I 11 s1;J11 ·
"Is not wil d ~ h a k:-:pc : ire thin e nntl nat ure's boast'/''

"Il e that's con ,·in cc d again--:t his wil l
Is o f th e sa me op in io n Hil l."

".1.\. fuoi wi th j ndhcS; am o ng fnols a j u<lgc."
"Better to rl'i g n in li ci l d 1a11 ~cr v c i11 he a ven."
J

Dr. Cam pbe ll j usLly remarks: "'l' bc ex cess its? lr,"
in the u:;e o J' an t.iLl 1cs 1,.;, "in to \v l11 ch scJ 1ne Wl'IL<.: l'S
have fallu11 , i:; an evid ence or its v:i.l ne-o r tli e .]us·
tre and crn pbas is which :i.nti thesis i.s calen hted to
give to thu e x prc~siOll . 'l'be rO is 1! 0 nsk or lllf <'l !l\H'I"
. ] ]ias ll""' l. l ]1 "'P l' Sjliri L ll(JJ'
nnce in u::;ing a liquo r w l11l:1
flavor."

An :i.n titli ct ic: Ll f11 ·111 of ex press ion, wl1 cn ll1 crc is
no contmst i ri tlic tl1•)11 gl 1t;.;, is .H 1u1 c a11d displeasin g.
F

.: (•··

'

1:.: :;

Iii} Jo" /''-'/; I I· .

,, ·~'.;,;; ....
~-~.::±,:.·

·~ .;:t

Fort un::i.tely we lJav,' jn sL such an in st:tnee rn t\ 11.;
eigh tieth P s:t1m.
'' Th ou hast
docs not

·n .

A LLJ:C(ll:H:S A \"ll F ABL ES .

4:1.

1J~fi 11i't r'u11 , 11111! Jl/11 ,/mfi,,11s . - J\ 11

All egory is a
f!d iLi ous n:-~rr:i.t i\' e or desc ri ption so cu11:-;t rncted as
Lo suggcsL tlwugl1t:' :u11l fad"' ent irely ,Jifk 1·c11 t from
those \dii t li it ap[•C:ir,.; to J\·htc . Tl1 c w< 11\l is derivcLl rrn111 tl1c ( ; l\ ' C: k u AAo•;, UJ1·ii/ll'1·, :JJ1l) "Y"/'H1w /O
'/'1·11!.·, nu d 111,::rns lite ral ly 1cl111I "!'" 1/.-s 1111,, f/1,.,. 1/,/11g,:l1 :1 L i:-:, it c:11L':tk s 01 1e t1 1iug, :111<1111•·•111s :u1o tl 11•r. ·
'l'l11e 11aLlll'l: " ['i t \rill lJc: Ul':iL :q>prcc ia lcJ l;y sLudyi11g S0111C CX:tl il[•k,.:.
In tl1e prophesy or J1osc:t, cl1:1p. x . \'( ' !'. 1, \\"C read,
"Israel is ::cu c11111 ty \'inc." 'J'l 1ic: is c:dlnl l' iLIJ cr a
mctapl1or or :t Lropc, bcc:n 1se "vine" is nsed in a
liJ-:.' lll':Lli\' c Sl' ll SC r,w a "na1ion" preserv ed l J_Y Jcho·
1·:ti 1 as ::i. pT:l]'•'·\·illc is cared fo r by a gardcllc r. It
11·i ll lw ob:.:L· n ·cll ll1:it ' ~ Tsr~lc l " is 1111·11 ti« 1111 I, :-:0 that
110 i11 gc 1111i ly i,; rc(p lin•d on tl1e pa rt of' th e read er to
dete rmin e wl 1:tt. tl1 e wriln mc:t11s. Now let ns snp·
pose that tl1c word " .brae] " 11·:ts not me1Jlio11ed, but
i hat the wri te r slwuld desc ri be ::i. "vine," lrnt vet so
d c~cr i u1.; iL t ktt 11 11.: re:Hkr sl1ould soon pcrL'l'i,;c tbttt
LI I\' ll"ri le r '""' 111 /u /111 ,., , /1i1J 1 !/"'"!.· 11/11/11/ 11 1111li1u1, wh ich
li0 \\'as (k-.~nil . i11µ u11•l1·r li1 c Ji,!C·11rc ,,(· ::i. \'i 1w. 'J'li i ~
\YO ll]rJ 11e :lll i\ lit'g<• I') ·

a

Yi!lc Vilt

vf l·:t::YJ'I. ''

[ Olisen·e 1 tlt c wr iter
Jf

111'

or Jil~ 111 ig !1t. 11:-'\.' ~ I t11 ('l 11;if1n r·,
hu t he ie:LV C~ it to ou r d i:-><' r i111in:1 ii• 111 to ]'l· n ·c iY C that 1l1 u u.:...:!i lie :- :1.\.-.:
u Yinc," he nv:ans f..;ni·I J '' T!ieott h;1:-f c:1:-. t 1>11 1 tin.: lwatlil'11, a111!
plnn1 ed i t. n [rt \\'(J\l !d h:tn~ l1C'C ll Il\ 111"1 ' (If/, _1;u1·i, ·u lto ~·: ay, Th ou hn:--t

djJ RO,

ClL\ PTEH

l1rou g l1 t

j11t'u n 11 11 ~ Ll1at Yin e n.: p1T :if•11t s ll1 0 uati 1111 <11' . J ~ r :n· l.

}10 W OHld l wgill ",\· i t\1

roote<l up the wild

;1 1'0/llj ' l fl ·;stlll 1

Yinr :-:: , :1.lld

j•Lt11ted it. ]

1

· '1'11011

1 1 n~11nn · d:-t

rt l0111

fo r it , nnJ did :-.t. cn. 11 ~t.! it tl • tak\: dct·p ruor, nn~1 it lil!c'. d 1\w b11 1 !.
The liill ::i W(; J' C C<J n _·r1·d \\"i tli tit <:· :-;h:ld 0W or il l :111d t ill· 1~ (H:gh..; th(·1"~: 1 1 :'

were like the guod l\' rc:dar.o.;; ~ be :-:( ·Jlt ou t li 1·r h n 1q..o; l1 ~

1lit:

1111 1<1

H ' <!,

and lier bra11 <'i 1c."i 11;110 the rin. .·r . \\"Ji~· li:1:--1 t l 1n u 1l 1t: 11 l1n1kc11 d <fw11
her hed ges, ~t) 1h:t1 all tlicy wliid1 J·:i=--: liy di' 1·lilf'k !ir•r 7 Tl11· l·1111r
out of the w vlld doth \r!l:-:te i t ~ :lil t! t\l(· "·i\d i 1 l~ n~1 1·r t hl· !it"J,\ d~·th devour it.

hcnv('11 ,

Jl<_. tll l" ll 1

~u 11l

\\'\'.

l1 t·;-,t T (']1 tlH·(·~ (._) (; ~,d

uf iiuHS) luuk d l \\ ll fr Jl! I
1

1

\Ji.·li cJ ld aud \'i '.' it th is ,·in L·."

rl'Liis is :i. lx:u1tir1 1l allq;ory, :rn c1 tl1C' Bible li:1 s scY-

er:i.l more gool1 spc1.; i rn c11s.
Tlic p::i.ralJk o[ tl1c J'1<'<l i."·'l ~"11 i;; :i. p11r1· a1kc•;<iry.
No key lo its real nwa1 1i11g i,; 2:in'11, l,11t ·· \·,·ry r.·: 1e1 ·
er of gool1 S<' J1 s1e J.:n<J\\'." 1l1:t1, it ic: c1cs i~; 11 1c <l l•J C<lll \'•· y
:i. meanin g c nt irvl y 1lif1'<'1\·11t f'r•Jfll 1l1c; liLL:r:tl sig 11 ;l i·
"' cation of' tl 1c wo rd:.:. 1.L is so with al l tl1 l' pa r;ihks
of the Saviour, all lll' in g al l".!f n ri e:1 l. ] n tl1c B(wk
of Provcrus, cl1ap. ix ., a111 l Ll1l' Ji rst. ,.:ix \'l'l='1.;", a sl 1ort
All egory \Yi ll be fo11nrl.
44. Tl1c l l1!,/,., (111• ! I f/1i,/(11f/,,11, .-'I'lH: 11· on1 f 1/,/,, is
dcriv<x1 fro m Ilic Latin },/,,1/11, :11 111 lll•::lllt or igi1 1:·1l l_v
nearly tlJ c snrn c tl1in g :ts n11 :1l k,2o r.v, :t llct ii.ion s na rrative. Dn t ~is it ic: contrary to tl1c g1·11ius of t!tc L-: 11 g1i sh b 11 g1 1:1g<; t0 11:1\·c tw •.\ word .~ 1 11c~rn i 11 g p n·c i:-:t·ly
the s::i.rnc Lli i11 g, CtlJl< ·, i ,.,. us:1g·,., ]1;1c: :lf'ljllircd :t d ifh·rrnt sl1adc <'f' c: ig 11i1·1 ,·: 11i· 11 1.
A Fable is :1 fiet iti«1 1.· sl0 rY, 111 it ~ 1 · lr i1np r0hal1l1 ·.
1

.:!-

!

~

l

l

.:.;l' ll c rn.lly impossihlC', li11t; JH'Vf'l'ihdess convey ing or
i I l11s trati ng some moral i11stn ictioll, o r sonw op ini on.
TL llilfo rs from a n Allegory, ftrst, in b ein g illlprobal >lc and necessari ly rict.iLi ous, and second, i11 convcyi11g generally one s imple mor:tl kssoll, o r op inion,
witl1011t exhibitin g nn mcro us points of' ~irnih ri ty, as
tl1c Al lego ry dr> c~, bct\\' CC n t.l 1c Ll1i11 g ,kscriucll anJ
t.l1 c i nstrn ct.ion rn r:tn t.
fo the Second Hook of' Ki ng~, cl1 :tp. x iv. ver. 9,
IYC rc:td :
'''fhc thistl e rh:1t was in Lebano n s<' nl to tlic

f'C 1l :i r 1l1 :i. t

was in

thy dau gli 1cr lo m y ~o n to \\if,.: 1\ll J Lhcre
l""'cd by n wihl beast 1 l11u \\' H S in LdJ:111011, a nd trud e d uwn tho

L rl,;111011 .

s~1 yi11 g- , Ciq~

llii :- il1 '. 11

Thi s ur co m sc could not bn t.n1e, ancl it 1,.; there·
llll'C :t}1M·1 1111t tlic meanin g o f it \\':ls \\' c] l ulllk 1·stood
wh en i t was first nt Lcn x1 .
No better !ables hav e c \·c r !..>1·1· 11 writlt'n tl1an the
f:11rJ Ol1S pro(]uctio11s COrJ1 111 () 1l lj ca lled I.Iii : l;al1l cs of
./J ·: ~n p, which h:we prohah ly 1Jc1·11 \1·ro1 1.~liL i11 tn their
pr,.se nt express iveness and lJcauty by 111 :111 y di fli:rcnt
n1i 11ds.
-1:1. T/i r 7~1·r r:f / ;i/,[(.,, .-F:1l )]('~ :trr srldn1u intro·
dn ceL1 i11 lo :-.:obcr cornpos iti<111 l <l il] 11:-;trate; a11d enl()rcc
t. rn lh, o n acco un t of t.l 1c dillic.11l t.y of' cnnstl'lletin g one
t.li:1t sliall be :Lt tl1c sa nw t.i1J1 l' di.~11ilil'll :llld ap propri-·
:1te. 'J'li cy :trc ;.:cnrrally co1n1 H>sl:d hy \n itns wlio
l1:t \' C a W~ llillS f\1 r thl' ll1 1 0 1' \\·!Jo study t.o produce
1l 1<'lll , and t li l'y al'( ' uf'tcn a ll11d1·d to nr r111 ot.1•Ll by
" tl 1<• r wri tl'rs. A11w11g tlw :u1 c i('1 1t. At.ii (: 11i :111 s iL w :1~
:1 commo n amuseme nt. f'o r :-.:0 111 (' 1111 c aL a dinn e r-table

~.-,

to relate a fabk f'•H tl 1c g rat ifi c:1 t.i m ,_,r l1i,: l'ri1:11d" .
Roman l1i story prcsu1 ts an i11 sla11ec: i11 11·l1 icl 1 a l':d1i"
was inv c ntctl :mcl r1 ·l:1t<:11 w i th go1x1 df.... 1. T l"' l'I•:·
beians were in rchcll ion ng:ii nst th e P atrir ·i:11 1s, \d1en ,
to appensc th eir Yi ulcncc, f\f cnc11i us J\ )..'..TiJ'l ':l is :-:aiLl
to have r cbtell to tlic pcopk tl1c folio\1·i11 g LtlJk: :
0

"Once 011 "1irn c :1 11 th e mcmhr; r.; of' t.htc l10<h r c ,·,,lt"<l again st tl1 ~

Belly, bec an ~e it rc ce ir( ~ tl

eYf' I)' thi ng a11d 1...:n111rili11t1 d 111itl iin g. :--:.u tl iu
ll nud sai il it. wu11 l+l t h> l u 11 ~··r e;lrry f~H>d 1t1 tli e \ i 1. 111 h; 1li r• ~I 11 11 t h
sa id it w o n Id n o J.i.mgc r rcn·in; ii ; and the 'J\·1.'ili ...;: 1id tlw) \\u11!d 11u
longer ch ew it . TJwy all dt'«iarcd 1\11·y wnn ld 110 l1. 111g tT :-Lt,·I' . :.l';
thcv had <lu ne, Cur the l; 1zy and u11 µ. ra11·f11 l lh· lly . :--;.,, 1l1L°y rt•:--(: Ill
i1t:-5;llTCCti u 11 . l in t, Jn'. wliil1.· ! lie n· l l{' iil~· 11..:. rn 1·111l1c;r.: . . i111~·ld iu 111:1lish the llelly , they l:u1g ui:.: ln:d a11tl puni .": l1cJ tli t..: m :--<..:h1.·s . """
1

0

4G. F"t'f/1,. ,. I //11 ., /,.lflin11s 1:[ llff' , \ 11" !'"'!/·- ;\ li .. g,l ri cs
are mnclt rn o r,~ fr vqllc ll t.ly c rn1 •l\ly• ··1. l L 11·( \lilo.I Le
ea~y to c:ollcet a Yolrn11 e o l' t.!tc 111 Crum the Lie~!. au1,l1urs
in the E 11 gl i,;li h1 1g n:<gc.
Plato, in o ne o[ hi,.; p ro fo und Dial o.'.j 11 cc:.'\' d•::::e ril.1cs
nn umlcr -gro u11d c: 1\·c, li :wi11g a11 opc11 i11 g l•)ll':tnl tlic
Ji ght o [ :1. g rc:tt. LJJ't', ]'('n plt;l! h_y p1·J'~t)l1S w \.11> _l1:t1·c
worn cl 1:1.i11 s on tlwi r k g,; :u1 11 necks :di Ll1,.1 r l1 '" ""·
Betwee n tl1 c [i re a11l1 the 1ni;;c ralJ lc l:n·:1 l111\·s is a :-••:1• I,
and th ey arc :trn11;; i11 g tli c1nsc·Jvc,.; ~1·i th J,,.,J.: i11:c; :ti . Lh·ir
own sl 1al10 \\'S on ~Le opposite wall ~wLl Ji,,Le11i11g to
words 1.l1 aL seem to co lllc from tl1 L~ i111:1 .l_\•'s, b11t :tre
Ol1J)' ccl10l:S of their OWll VOlc.eS.
'flll' <lcser ipt1un 1:-'

*

This ~ to n·, rcl:i trll in H11 rn:1n l1 i;-; 1nry, h:1 . ; lict· n n' pra! <. . d 1,,.

many ; :1Jll •fll ~ · <it li er ..:: liy !'. \1:1k:-: 1H'a re i11 Ct 11'i 11 l:t n11 . . , ar t i. :-.c·v 1w I.

wlio hn.:-; e::·q•a i11 h·d it wi1li1 111 1. i 111J 1rorl'!·11 c·n1.

The apn..:tlt- l' an l

11: 1:->

prcse 11 red tli c sa 11 JC i ll11:-l ra1i11n, i11 tli e ftJ nH t·,f a :-:uppo:- iti 11 II. Y1..:ry

for ci ulv in I ('"ri11tl> i:l n> xii. '.:ll.
t 'l;lic H e 1oul1l il', liuvk ,·ii . t:l111J•· i.

l ·-' -'

l.' U J:'T()/( /1_ .

carrin1 011t i11t.o sevcr; il r ages, ;l Jl(l i" n11 :ill ,·gory descri 1-1 i11g t.lie mi serable conc1it io 11 of m c 11 i 11 t l1is world
'
as iLscc111c1l to P h to.
Oft.e ll wliat. may p r0pcrl y he co11"id n n l :rn :tllcgory is i11troduccd by a fc1r \rnnls o f' L' x p l n11a ti0n t!Jat
l'llL tlic rc:tdL·r 11po11 tlie rigl1t track, an d ma ke it easy
J ~ J r liim to unucrslaml Lhl~ a ntlw r's n ·al 111can ing.
'l'lrn s Coleridge, in liis " Hi og r:tpl1 ia J.i tcraria," pro·
poses an ::i ~soe i a ti o 11 of' lc:irn u l rn e11 lo cx a n1i11c all lit·
1;r:n y produ (;tio11s ::is th ey npp ~1 r, a nd' dl'c itk upon
thc i r meri ts. He c:tlls tu is p ropoo:c1l : 1o:~oc: i ati o n a
" c11·.f 1c:ll mac1l 111c.
. " 'I1 Licse w on,;
l sc1 ·1n l• 1 l1 avc sug·
gestcd to hi m s uch corrcspomlcn ecs l>e: tween · the
worki 11 gs of a cri tical assol'i atio11 ::i 11d a rnacbine :is
11 :tlur:tlly sl iaped tltc msclvcs i n to :tn allq ._r;o ry, llrns :
" :--=. li unld auy litl'rnry (211 i x.ttc* li 11 d 1! !111 :.. t·ll· pr•. r1d, 1·d l1r i r s ~i illlH.l~
a n d n ·gn lar 11111\. l' III Cll l:-:, 1 :-ilionld adn111ni:.l1 lii lll , '' itl 1 ~a i i .e h u l' anzil

~illni, but n w i11dn 1ill ; 1 lir"r<.~ it :.t: u 1d-. llll i 1..; u w n p lar~
own lit llPck, ncvcr_ gucs c11.1t uf it :-> way lu n11ack any OllC', and
to no ne n. nd frum none cllhC'r g m ·s CJr a ~ k !" 11 ... :' i.-,1: t1 wt'. " rhcn tlic
p11l 1li c p rC' :-:s h: 1s poured in any p11rt, of its pr c1d 11 r e lw iwt.•r· n j fs rn illsl onl'", it gr.i rnls it 110"1 one n1:11 1·s sack 1li e ~ 11tt1 <: ll !-1 ai11 1l lie r , and wi th
11 li:ue vcr m11d mflY the n l1:1 ppc n Io lie Llo wi11 ".
A ll Ih c two-nmltli ir ty wi nd:; _arc ;iii.kt· it;-; .rric11d.. : . Of th e wholl' wide arm osphcrc it
t li il.I

_it

:lnd

1t.s

i s no

l.0l 1 1c~ not _.1,':-: 1rc :1 ~111gll' l ll ~f.!''r-hr c:t1! !11 m o re rl1a 11 wli; 1t i:; n cc·c~s:iry
fo r I t!-' ~nil..: to t 11 r n roun d 111.
B ut tlii . : ~p a cc n1 11" 1 lw ld"r free nnJ
111 ii 111 pct! f' d . (;nal:-o , l1l' t' tk:-: , \\" :t ~ , ,~, li utfl C'- J li c~, n11 d rli l' \\' l11 il c lriiJCOf
ephcnll·rn l:-: nnd in ~ ig nili c :1 n: :-: , m ay Jli r i n and o u t a 11 d Let ween. mnv
1
hnm. :u lll bnzz , :utd .iar; nm.\· :-.h ril! t! w i l' till .\' pipe:-, a nd wind thetr
p u n y l i. 1r11 .'. lllll'h:t:' t i:-; t..: d

t•f

l a r j.!1• 1:

illld 11 nn o 1i1.T d .

:-.i~ • ' ~ t ll d pr;.l11dc r :-:Jipw

scJ•; c..; w 11l11 n 11... sw1'l'J1 .

. * l ~~: rl! rri1 1 ~

1 1~

1 ) 11 .11

1' 111 d 1

\~11 i.xn1 c , ":}111 i:-- n· r1n ·:o:e 11 1·rd n ~ a c rrizy knig-hr 1
\r L1i J1t 1i ll , vf \\ /1i 1..: l1 fa \' L lu~ i s infon11 c•d

II\ 0 11 C 111:-. l :\ ll l'l' h g/it J ll J ~ \', 1lfi :t

by

liranldocs
t!J ry pf:l('C thcml!·:-s n 1:1y 1licy JWi'sinw : l o I:ty hands
H 11 1 idl ers and

lll ll SI IJL'Wa n • !t pw

h is ~l' r Y:111t S:1n cho l•anza .

.. ·1 :' •lie stn.·n·vth of which i" nC'itlH'r gn.~ a1cr nur 1.. ~-..
on t I10 :'},\I
:-- , '-'
·
- r-.
.

th:u1 a..:
.
I .
thn wind is whi ch d rircs tli C'. lll runnd. \ \ l1 u111-;t w. \·~.r tl ic r f• 1 1n · ~ ._l. v~~
.
l t•t cw \rh ir\ :-; ·dnn<" w i 1li it in tlH' ai r, li l' 1':1:-0 111111~...:lt
nrm sI 111 hS n 1J ,
· •
,...,
.
.
.
Ul·trnc . t\ w ugli ,, lt 1· 11 Ll1 1: sa me n 1 t H th r1 n\ -.. h1111 f 10 111 11 11
nl one 1o .
,
,
1· .
r I . . r· II .,
will m ore o ft e n d o uld e t li nu l.rc:d. t l1 e u1n : " ' " ,, .

'.

ri c:> b:tv0 lJc ,~ 1 1 ca lkd ccrnti nucrl 111d ;v
S uch a11 ouo
0
.
,
l
pliors, but inco rrectly . A 11wt.:q1h or 1::; a cuI1uc 11.s•:11
single compa ri so n lJet\1·cc 11 t '.ro ohJect:;, hitt llu,, ;,; a
series o f co m p :n isOII S o r st.r:i.ng•\ ] I kCil (.'~Sl'S bct\'• .1.'<~ll
two diffe rent 0 1J_j ,;d s. K d 1 itc 1J\ i1L the clc scn11~1 .. 11,
for irn;t:wee, of t l1 c a\Jovc critical wi.11cl111ill , h:is s<1I11c·
refe re nce to tl1c d l\.:ct 1,hat th e asso(;i :1tio11 1wao;1 11 cd

mirrh t hav e.
Some good ="r·ce irm·1 1s or allcgol'i «s . Lr\', :. Ti1r; 1-:111pirc o f P oc·try, " , by l'untc11t:ll c ~Lr:ui shtc'-1 l'r0111 Ll1 c
French) ; " '1 ' l1c JTi il 0[S,; Icne'-·, ' l_,y Dr. A ii;cn . and
"'rlie Mo11ntaiI1S or ~lf isn i cs·· (:1ml sc n·r:ll othc:·:'. Ill
1
the .Spccl:i.Lor), by A ddiso n; " '1 \ie Pi l:,:r i'.:1:" l' r' •<..:; ress," by Hun y:i.11; "'l'liv c .Jc,;t i; d H:1il r•1a •l, 1,y 1 L1w thornc, an<l t.l 1c " Urc;t111 of t. 110 J) c ,; t. rucL1 0 1t ul Ll1 ·· i;ible," by R oge r:>.
47. ,'i'/,o ,-/ , l //,:1ri,-r'r ,·. -It 11111sL 11<>\. be 0: 11ppo:-:c·il tli:1L
:i.llcgor ics a rc n<'cc;.:sarily lu11~ . T lll'} arc o 't··:t hr it:f'.
'l'hus whe n Q 11int ilia11, plr:1d i11 g f'o r a p0li:-d1 ct1 ;.: '.yk
of writ.i n!.!: rn a kl's use u l' Lli c f'ul lo1\· i11 g c·~prc,;:'iun", ], ,_,
real ly ep;{,loys :lll :1llego r_y, ::tl tll s1tclt al lcg()r ic,; arc
commo n.

"r shou kl prc-fc~ r n l 1IOC' k of 1':1r i:lll

the hand, ,[ n. J'r:'l xi rrk"'

11 1\I

•1f

m:i rl1le 10

:i 111iJl ... 1(•111 · ;

fl

~t:iltH\

I'!\[ ! ' \ . I' ll

lllll w•·I\' 1111· "': 1rn1·

. ,.""'...' ,..,;

.'

. :i. .•

liy

rna~ ­

tcr to poli sh tha t \ 1l fw k, it w 111 1l d l1..:eo ;11 e 111 • •re i1r\· 1.: iv11s, tltru1 1g h 111."'

nrt., t.lian its o wn vn lll l'. ''

O
... ui nt.i lian l1 c r1' d i, \ 1101 int.c11•l p ri1 11arilv t.11 cx 1•r" ""

+ Co l cri tl~e's Co rn pl l~ f c \ \'vrk~ ( :\ 1·\\" Y ork 1 l ;-\ ." 11 ) , ''J I. iii. I'· \ :, t.

·"

H 11;,·1"u HJ

1_· .

a ny opinion abo ut the C•>mp:nativc valu e M marble
and coarse stones ; but wh ile li e used Lhosc wo rds li e in·
tc11 c1e<1 tl1at liis reade rs sho11l11 u11dcr:-;tarnl tl1aL a good
tl1011gltt J•<lurls expressed (:t l1lock of rnarl>k roughly
hc\\"!:ti) is UL·Ltcr tl1 :t11 a poor tbonght r l1etoric:1lly ex·
Jll'L':'scd (a staU1c in:tdc of a 111illstu11c li_y Praxi teles) ;
!Jut Li1at lie \1·uuld prekr tl:e good tliuugl1t beautifully
eX)ll\."SSCLl (LJ1c lll:trlJJe uloc k \\"J"OU g]JL up and poJ.
is!tcd).
Il:1p py is the aulhl)J· l\·110 can judiciously il lustrate
a11d orna111e11t liis productions \\" itu tl1c uu.:asional use
of allq:;•• ry .
-J .'::\. f», 1111/.,,1 r/ .-111,.:;•10; ,., .1L·t.- Tl1 e i •rin eiple of
Llie Alkg•.>ry is the fl>l111Llatio11 vf , large ckparLmcnt
of tlJe \\"Or's of :trl; 'l'clll pcr: u1ee is rq1r\"sc ntcll as a
11·m11a11 ll'itl1 a Lridl...:; .Virzn11css as a \1·u111a 11 k::rning
agai11 s t a pillar. ITopr', Couragr, \ \rar, P eace, Com·
111c rcc, L if. ·, n,':tLh, :d i have tl1c ir appnipri:ite emblems.
j \ II c111lJlc 111 :t1.ic painting max Le int ri1 1sie: 1lly lJc:wtiful, am1 also striki11 gl.Y illu strate so me pas;; iu11 or the
rcs1ilt or sor11c c11,.:to1 n, or some law of lllind. '11hc
" \ ' u1·:tgL' orJ~ ife" bas been :tlkgorical ly prc::;e nted iua
se ri l':-; of' J•ietUJ\''.'. 'l'l1c ca reer uf a ga111lJl 1·r, a l1runkanl, :i.1 1 :1111l1i tinu ,; 111a 11 , a ( 'l 1ri;;tia11, 111i ..l1t he repre·
,;c ntc:t1 iu :t se ri es uf" pa i11Li11 r::s o r sl:tl11 c·s. l·:v:cn archiJccture <1crin·s an i11lcrc·st f"rnm tl1 e pri11 ciplc of tbe
/I. Jl,·gnry . T he hv:tvy r ;oLl1it.: ,;tyle i,; lclt l\) :-;y mbol izc
111yst<'ry. prof111 dit _1-. and In :t \Y:tl;:L'll re n ;re11 cc, :in d is
llit·r..f~m· s11it•' <l to a lions1' n1"1.1·1nsh ip, \\"]1ilc th e lighte r
C.: r('e ia11 s tyl\"s h ;lt)k,·11 r:11hn 1·l1 1'Prf"1il11ess and soc ial
p/.-<tSll l"l'. i\r:tn_Y o[ i ii l'se Sil,L'.t:;l·;;t io11,.,; m:ty he deemed

I:.:'.>

fonciliil, but it ll"i ll lie f'oun ll tliat a!J,•µ-ory is nry
· 11
,. t era t ure :1n
. ' '1 ··tn ' a11d
. tk1t it,; 1n11 1ci1•ks
p rcvalcnL m
will ri chly tkse rve c1rel u I attc11 Lio11.
. .
40. Hfrm euls r:f I/ !!"'"{ ,·I II• :;•10;.- 'l'luce <1ual1 lies arc
dernun c1eL1 j 11 e very \\" riLtcn al lc:.;0 1)' :
(1.) 'j'] 1c rnu-r:1 Li vc mu st lJt..: su cu11strn cLc<1 as lu
please and in te res t, even if' tl1t..: real k,.:,;o n dcs ig 11 ec1 l<'
be co iw cyet1 is ovnluokcc1.
(2.) 'l'li e real lc:--:.:ou o r ol1jc<.:t of t l1c 1\ 1kgory s11011 ],
be easil y seen; and if Ll1erc \1·0u ld be :t 11 y_ dunl> t :1l.u>1t.
its being umlc r:.:Lot•cl, ld a few \\"0 1\],; of cx pb11 :tli«l1
be prclitecJ .
. ..
.
(3.) Dud 1 mean i 11 gs of tl 1c 1\ l kgo ry sl1uu ld , 111,,,:.:s1ble lJe valual1k-.
~\ stri d a<lltcn.: 11cc to an <m1N (Jf' 11:tlure o r Lic h
in ~ Jong alk.:.:ory, so tl1:1t c 1·c:ry tl1i11~ :.::1111 ,,[ 1\,.;
sceonchr v s111.j«cL sl 1oul11 il!11st ra k so111c trntl>, 1,.; 111°L
n)ways ]l~l:i:' iJ, i,., ;111<1 t.J1 t> \\"J" ik r or :tl l alk:,..'lll")' <II" j>:ll"nb)e is alloll"eLl to c:omlJi11<..: ine1d,· 11 ts 111 :u1y w:1 _y tl1 :1 t.
imag iii ation, gu il1cll by reason, secs co ll dt1e1v<..: Lo tlie
end in view .
EX A .\ !l'l. I·:,; CW Al.LE(; (1 i :Y .

Inasinu e11 a~ t.l1is fi.~11rt..: is 111 llel 1 1111,n: rrcq1w11 t1y
· 1·:; l Iian l i :i,.; lr•;c i i us11:tlly~
ernp1uy ctl 1Jy so 1n c µ:001 1 \1"!"11.1'
sup posed, , 1·c g i\-c. :1. f'ew 111 •11"\' "l •ee 11 11e11s.
'l' he first two an; from ;_lae:i1il: 1y:
a-.
· u.r J"l1 1c1·t .\" •·ir t • wi !'!·1lo• m, m oder
"'l'he fin:d and l 'crm :int' lll f.rn1h
_
tion n11tl lll Pl'l'\" . lr s irnni ed i;ll C t"!l'<·\'i:-- arc of[(! ll atrn1·1011s t·~ · 1111 c"·1
~ull l,l i c1in ir Prr,: r:-> ~ k t'j1tit' i ;-, 111 n 11 J•'•i nts i. hc 111 0:- t cl c::u·, d· 1~ 111:1 t 1 .. 1n '.111
poin ts th ; ni o~t 1 ~ 1 y:-it.t: rious . l t is ju:-t al 1l 1i~ ~-ri:-;_i s lii :lt 1t" c·11 t •J11 H·:"i
love t o "xlt ilii1 i1. Tlt cy 1'"" d u w11 the 'cn fl n lJ 1u ~ lro rn t.l1c· lt:o ll-

J·'

~

.

...;',.

..
''

,.:

Ji' 1I1,· /'fl I! I

l:)J

ii )' J'Fh'Jiul.F

<. ••

lini,hcd ed ifi('c ; thl'y po in t to the !lyini:; d11st, the falling bricks, lho
fl f' 1l1 c wl 1olc appeara nce,

1·1 , 11 1rortlc ...;:-; rt11) 111 ~, tlic l'ri ~.dllf11l irrC'~nl:lrity

:ind tln!ll nsk in !-=Co rn wh ere the 1 1 r0 111 i~cd !' Jil c11 dur and cornfort nro
to lie

l'LllllH.I. ''

'' J\.

.....

p1•dc!-it r i:111 nia.'· ~Jim,- :I:\ 11111l·ll 111u s c·td o1r vi go r Oll f\ trend-

rnill :1 ~ on tl1t · liighwny road . H11t <lll rl1c r o :1d h is \· ig{l i' will ns.
s11rt:'dly C'ar ry lii11 1 fur\\"a rd; un tl 1c 1.rc·nd -111 ill he wil l no:. ndnrn ccan
i1ll·l1. The anci ent pl1il11..,.,pJi y w:1 s a t n..·:1\l - n1ill, nut a 1iat li. 11
" T li•·ri · :-: t :u1d~ n11 a 11c ir11 t nrcliitcrtural 11il 1" with l{1ke ns of it !\
Yc11 cr:d1lc a ~c coq;ri11 µ: it from its co rncr -s t1Hll' l1J it~ tuf•ll WS L tur-

ret : :L11d "ornc i r11:tgi11e 1lic.:e to he tukl' ll :-i 0 1· d 1..·t.·: 1y, wl lil e tu others
tl 1t'\' i11dic:lt1·, Ii\· the y1· :tr:-' 1li cycl1ron id l', a rna ~s ir~·n f'~..; tlint ra11 r L
d\.:f~,. nrnn· ti...:nt;1ri c" ~han it !ins wcathc1"1.:d .)'L':\r:-' . It:; fo und11ti o1~ is
{J11l"il ·d in tl1C :HT!llllltlatcd tnO!liiJ Hiid t·J11~li'JT.\ Jlla:-::-il'.' Of lllHll J' JjC ll ·
t~r:ttions.
li s \\':ll l~ :1rc mantlc•l and hidtll'll b.\· }•:tl';t:--itic rin cs. lt s
:tpartmrnt s arc some of thrm d:1rk nllll cn ld , " " it' 1 heir ,·e r.'' cement
were dis,ol 1· i11~ in cliilly vapors. Otl1c r"· l!lliit r11::ain st tlie w1tll;,
wt• r e llCYl'r

framed i n111 t lic1n; and 11 ow t IH· ir

Cf·ili 11 ~~ nrc

broken,

t l11·i r f\111\l':O: are 1111c\·l·n n:-' the ~ ur r:1l'l! <if a J,iJ!11w, tli c·ir tiinbcr:"i s• ~c m
11·:-."' t•• :-1b[ai n n 1h.· a11c.1licr titan to brL':\k 11nt: a111 1thrr':-1 fall. Yo11
dig a way the Tll!Jllid , an d 111! tlH· f111111d:11i~,11 w:1-; lai I lw no mort al
l11u1d; it i~ pr i111 iti,·c nwk il1 nt :-tr i k1· ..: it -: r11111:-; .i .. w11 nn .1tnfa1h ornnl1le th·pt li int n 1 li<~ solid c:irt.h, s11 1!1nt 1H1 fr11 .. 1:-: cH 11 lt r·: t,.t.: it, 110 convul,,.ir111"' slwkc it. ~ 11d 1 n11 cdilin; j .... ( ·1iri:ilia11i1y" ( Ur. A. P. l-'cah0Lly's C hri ~ tianity Ll1c nclig ion uf ~at urc ).
1

CUAPTEl{ Yll.
I1YPEJ1J30LEs,

()It

E:\TlL\ \' .\!: _\;\T E'\:l'fcE!:'SlO'\O:.

GO. D1ji 1i i/,"11 11 .-1\ \ cxp rco<si1.•11 wl1id1 , liL•;rally 11n1.1crsluoc1, rn ca11o< 111<> 1·1 ; Llia 11 ll1c author n·:ll ly i1 it ·11°i :-;
to utter, is c:l1kd a 1ln >c rl>vk . 'l' l11: wurc1 i,.; d .. ri 1· ,., \
from Lwo Greek wonb wlii cli si g 11il)· l•> lf:t',,11· ! /"' '' 1.
Um1c r the inrlt l t'llCG or o<ll'vll_!.,'. C ltl CJti011, tlii s j,; tl1<.'.
mosL n:i,lurctl :1t1t1 tll\.: rno:oL cu11111H111 li .s111·L' u:· "JK'•'c ·l1.
It abounds in cunvcr;::i,tiun, u r:tlury . pol'Lry, in '1cs1·1·11 •·
tions of pcr~o11 s 1 )' lace:-:, :u"l l' \· c~ 1t1:-;, at1 1l i11.\ ·c·d 1-<
found in al1111J:-: L en:ry s11cc i el l. cu111r 0,.;itin11 .
'l'hc last verse of' Lhc.: Ge.qi•_·[ acCCJ rdit1g tu :-:-t. .Jt1l111
inrorms n,.;, " AtH1 th ere :uc :d,.;• • 11 1:u1y "tlwr t l1i 11: ·>
which J es tis <liJ , tl 1c wl1 ic:h ii' Llwy ,.:] lf11tld 11°' 1•:ritt <·11
every OllL', I o<ll['[H •-<• · Llt:LL (·1·,·1 1 tl1c· 11·,,1·i·i i1 , ,·[i' ,.,, 1tf I
not co1 1Lai n tlie lJ<10J.:s t l1at sl10nJ,] lJ1: wr iu., ·11." 'l'l1i:-;
can n ot be ~llJ'J10:'cl1 to ].,; U1<: l ikr;1l, :1ri t.l 1rnL·tical
cnlcnhtion of li": writ e r, buL iL is a l1ypc r1,,,lic:1l \1·: ~ y
of convcy i11 g tl1...: tl1t111gltt tl1at what. li e lta<l writL<-11
was but a sc:i.11Ly lk,.;eript i• )I\ ul' tl1c d cc·tl,; :u11 l 11·u 1·.J ,.;
0

1 1
' .

1

0_·:;

1

0

of Llic c y e11tful lire o f .Tcs11s. Tlicr1; :H<..: b1!1. a l~·w
passages of tl1c BilJk rn11ln11lit r•.Jly liy J.'l:l'l>,,liv:tl.
fi l. .f8 .1J_,11 ,1:r/,,,/, · 111111·11 !! 1; Jr,·.,,1:1.1 -- :-;u111c ui t.1 c,; :1 11 1
1
1nuralisls l1a1·1· 11· ii<>lly di .-':tj•j•l'ul'•_"l c.>I ' it,.; tlo'" . •'1.t ''I
1
pcrsot1:; aru l1yp1; rc 1itical, if. tl•)L l1.1·1i ·r\11. \i, ·.il. ,, ,,.1,
1

. ).

._

./ill F T U!!/1 '.

l ·J · )

1'111·,' 1'} /J /, llSl/ l ' /ll'

Hpo 11 :t ll :t rr""'·, 111111iscrimi n:.I i11g l.:is is of' 11 1oral ity an1l
tas te, would rolJ llic worlt1 of' t l1 c 11 1os t ,,f' its l1t•n lLl1fo l
p:t>'s io n arn1 poet ry . On c of tl1c cl 1i cf clc1n c11 ts of cJJ\,;iC'1 1cy i11 or:'\tu ry , :cnc1 Oll C of tl1c c] 1i cf cl 1an11 s of' poei ry , is l fyp\' rbok. L:1n g u~ gc is no t a1w:cys to Le underslond lill' r;'tl i y, or :icco rd i11g Lo \\' I1:1t tl 1c wo1\1s would
mean if c11qil<>y<'d without p:1:'sit>11 :-rnd \r itl 1 scicn tilic
p rec is ion, lrnt :1cc<1nl i11 g lo \rl1 :1t. th e s1w :1kcr 111:cy be
properly s np posctl lo mc:cn wh en he nscs it. rr.'he
li ca rcr is p r1 ·snmcc1 lo be aL!c to rn:ckc all du e allow ance for strnllg emotion, :l.lll1 tl 1erc is a p k:.,;nre in
fccl i11g tlic i 1owc r commu n ica ted lo tli rngh t 1'\·c11 by
cxtrav:. ga nt. 1 ·x prc~s i o 11.
Man y ul' Llic c01 nrn on cxprcc;,; 1n11 s n:-;ctl in co nvcrs:ttion :tlll1 i11 q1 i,- ft)b ry wri ti11gs :trc not tl1 •<;ig11 cd to
be con:-trut"l \\·i Ll1 1itcr:.I exac t ll e,;s.
\ \' :1><1 1in gton ,
wh en clcct1~1 l Comrnandi; r-i11 -elii d' nf tli e Am erican
rorccs in L77fi , wro te tu li is \\' ir,, 1lllls : " .I ,;l1 01 il d enj oy ?1w ;·1· ?'r'u l /;111'; 1i11r•ss \Y ith y o u at born e tl 1a1 1 l Lave
t!J c most <l ist:i.nt. p rospect. of fl1 1d in g :1hror1tl , if my
st:1y \V1: 1·c 11> Lie sc\·cn ti 11ws sc ,·1 ·11 y ea r."." l·:1·i1li;11tly
l ie rn c·:rnt ;.:i1111>l y to l;t; n nt1 erstoo11 tl1 :1 t it 11· a,.: a great
sac ri JicG l<> I' Ji1111 to yi, ·JcJ tlic pk:tsl1\'('S o f cJ orn cstic
lirt.', to rr:-:po111l to tlic call of' lii s enu11 Lry . Many
years :L ll<?l'll' :m l, t l1 o u~h li is 1Hi 1in;c;s ;"Jn ' gc 1wrnlly
very coo l anti Cree frum cx t r :t 1•;1~~: u w r , ii c wrolc to
an ot.l1c r l:td1· tli 11:-; : "i\011c of' \l·l1iel 1 C\Tn t;;, l1 owcvcr,
nor a ll of' tiH'\11 to;ctJicr, Ji :11· c l.1c1· 11 :ilJk Lo eraLlieatc
from rn .1· 111i11.1 il1< · J'\'L"Uil.'ct io 11 o f' tl1 ose l1:1ppy rno1rn·1 1t~ , t/1» /,,, 1.1,;'. ,1,,/111:1 fir; , \<·li 1ch J lia1· c: c11joyct1 i11
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])r. Frankl in, wri ti11.'. !· 111 ll:1 1·i,l l f1111 1r 1t.l H' l1 i,.: t111 i:111,
sail1: "·vvc arc to ld 1\1 :.t. h''l d :11111 >' il \'l ·r i11 ~. , i .. 111"1' ·"'
ti me '.-V ere so p le nty , a,; to Li; , ,f' 110 n1 u rc va l1 1t: i1 1 l1is
country Lh :'Ln t hi; sto11 c;.: i1 1 tlic st rcl'l. ·yl) l\ li a\.<' :t t.
present j ust s ucli :t pk nty-of ll'i sdo111. " 11'l1 is 11·:1s lh •L
dcsig nc<l tu be flatte r y, lJllt it ,,·a.s a sl. ru11g· ,,.,1.1· L1f' L'X prcss in g his cst i111:1tion of the aecu 111 piisl11 1"·111:i •,['
H urne a ml l1is f'ric11ds.
Ev e n a sc.ie11 tific wr itt:.r, Gau ssc n, s pc:1k i11g ol' tl:c
effccls Ol spri 11g Oi l V\',~d :t t i o 11 , sa_y s : " 'f'/1,. 11-f,,,/. ,.,., aliun " (:itcr:tlly, of co urse, ine11 1tli 11 g d ca1l Liii1L1cr.
Slone:;, t l1..; sta r."' , aml all :t11i1n:tl:-<, :l.llgL·l,_;, ~u 11l otl11J 1·>. istcnces), ":1s i (' raisccl from a t.urnL, is jll'l ld ra tcd \\' it.i i
life, :md pubati:s \1·it.l1 j oy." No on e co ultl be ~o i11 considc ra tc as to s u1•po~ ·..: tl1at " th e "·! 1olc c n ·:1t.iu: 1" in
the above sc 11kncc 1nca11s tl 1c:o:t n1c a::; i1 1 t.!1,; lullo,1·i11g :
"'l'hc wl 1ule c re;Llion, L:1ken l• >,c;<" tlw r, i' n111 :-< u11 •: .!. '.: 1·: 111 1.
con ncete11 sy:-< tcm, tlic sl\hlim 1· Co..: 111 1J:-: , litly «xl111 1L·
in g th e pown :u1d wi :;d1l111 o l' ( ;ud."
52. 'J /11: / '/11'f,,su; 1/11; ·{ / / 111"'.;,, ,;,._-- Ji. i s a 1:1 \ \' o l'
the rni m1 Ll 1: tL wl1:1lc1·1·r o t' l'. llJ' iL·s t.h1.· :1 Ll<'ll tio11 a l. [•l'1·sent sl 10ul1l ass u rn c a \l isp ropPrtiu11:t!.L' r•·i:1ti l'l: 1n:1;: 11 itu<le ; alll1 if others surrcmkr tl1 L" \11 sc ln·s Lo t l1e i11iluencc of th at mi 11<l, tl1cy 11 aU1 r:tlly, a nd g<:11c rally u nconsciously , expect to rccc iv •• i1 np rcs,.;ions a11<1 tl 1•>u ;,: lli s
that arc r eally mag ni fl ct1 Ly t.Le e1110Lioll :1rn.1 i 11tcrc~t.
of the nutli o r. Th u:-;, i11 : L t reatise 011 Pli ysi1 1lv..:.1· .
Chemistry , A st rono my, J\ g ri 1.1ultur,» P:1i 1lli 11.:o . or :111 .\
other suhj cc t, 1n; eXJ H'C L lo sec iis el:t i111,; sl't l;q·tli i11
\Vh at woul ll Le a 11 u1 11 l1 1e pru 1n inc n<;i; ;r· we \\'<"re 11"i
int.r:lli g\' 11'. e110 11 ,'..!·l1 i•l c:• 1111 1k 11 11 ·11t lll<' i1if'•1n11 :1ti1 >11 :11,.]
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l'lil•)ti•rn tl111s a<;< _11 1i rcd, by the sncCC:-':-' i1·c exam ination
ol' uLl1c.:1· slll~j <.:ct.:.: . Eacu subjc<:t i,;, in iL:-; tLtrn, hypcruol ically prcscnkcl .
u3 . I 'n · ·ulnu·, · ·:/.I l.'//'''1·hn/,., n11d } ,'.,.,, 1111,f, ·s.- From
this fact, l1ypcr1Jolu ahounlls in se rrno11:', orations,
and eloque nt :1<ll1rc,;;;cs ol' every ki tH1. 'l'ltc eccentric
orrtlor Ha llll olpl1, in one of his spccclws i11 c. rngrcss,
cxcbim cd: ".\11d wl1at , sir, is dd•t '? J 11 a11 iml iviclt1·
al iL is :--l :tve ry. lt is sla 1·c ry of tl1c ll"<Jl'.~ L so rt., SU!"
p~L':is i11 g tl1at oC Ll1c \\' c:' L In1li:-t Isl:t11<1s." Could he
l1rtv e J1H.::1nL Lo be nmkrstooJ litera lly'?
Ilon . H uflis Choate, (kscrilii11 g \\'kt L li e co nceived
Lo 1Je tl 1e ev ils of electing judges by a popula r vote,
exclaim ed : "Sn no111i11alc<1, tl1 c c:lll.Jidatc; is put
throu gh a \' iulc:nt r1ccLi 1rn, alrnsc<l hy tl1c l'r,_·:.:,.;, abused
on th e :illlmJ', acc us•.·(l :t tl1ou s:rn d ti 1n c:-: 01·c1· with being vc.:ry little nC a bll'ycr, a11 1l a good dc:ll o f' a kn:we
;rn l1 :1, uoo r: and , :-ifl cr bein g ICJ:'"< 'l1 O il tl11,.; l\ i11d oC a
1Jl:u 1kct fo r so me unc:isy mo11 tl 1s, is c.:l1u.~c 1 1 li_v a ma·
.i o1·ity o[ kn \'OLt·s 0111. of a l11 11 1<ln:.1 tl 11111":·u1d, and
<..:O ll lf'S into Cl) llJ'L l;rc :itli k~s , tcl"l·iii1 ·<.l, \\'ii.It pc1'.s piration
in drops nn his hrn w, wo11dc ri11 g li ow Li e eve r got
thcrc, to l:1k1: l1i,.; :'c'al un ll10 b,;11el 1."
II(l\\'C\T r un h1.:cu1nin g Lhu cx1.:c::::-< ivc use; oCHyper·
bole m :-i,y ]Jc l'l'g:n'l1c·,l, 1t is c vi df.'llt 1!1at, rn:u1.Y of Lue
bl'st c rc:i.t inns of' :-i,ncic nt am1 modern t.i :ncs would be
sadly m ut ihtcd a1H1 em:1:-:c ulatc11, we re all ltyperbolic:ll <'X[ll'L':-::' iuns :rn 1l sen timen t:; cxpu n.;cc1.
Of'icn \\'rikr:-; :u1 'l "1wak c r;; :1s.surn c :L sLylcofcxtrav·
:1 :.~:lllt. t·:q >l'f>'."1<'11 11 l1i.·l1 i,.; e1·i.1 ,·1 itly 11t >I. 1111\'nil•:<l tv
h~ u11d cr.~V><>d li tl'l':i ll 1·. 1J1JL n 1• v1·ri.lwl<' .~,.; is f;:Jt to be

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much more convi11ci11 .~ :u11 l J:1n.:1Lk Ll 1:111 a11 "x:1t ·l
statement of' ll'l1at tl1•.·y rc:dly d" lwlic v1: 11 ottl d 1J, ..
Thus an J1:11gli::;h ll'rikr dc,;crilJ1;:-; tl 1c 11o rLi1 · ca~\
wind:

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" Ilorcns is a. n1 fli an :1.nd n. bu llv, l111t tl ic n •J rl h- ~ a ~t i:-; n r:l ... cal. It
wi thers lik e an c\'il eye; iL ld igh ;s lik e :t. parent':, c ur~c : unkin dl' r

thnn ingralitlld C ; mnrc biting tl~ an l' H"f.:Oltr11 l 1L'l 1tfl t..;. lt. r o mc~ with
sickn ess on jt:l w i n~:-: , an11 r1.j <> ic e:-; only tli c do('!Pr ~1n ll the ~extntL
\Vhilc it re ig ns, nu !ire l1 c: 1t...:, 1H 1 r:ti1 11 c nl t'OTllfort:-:, no w:dls 1ir~1~ C d.
It defl owe rs t.li e cnrih, :u1tl it wnn~ tlie :-:ky. T hi! g l1a :- 1li 1·..;t, td' l1n•' .. .;
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overspread s th e f;ice of thi ng.:..:, and 1..:011:11 :-. :n g 1\atu re :-:ct.:Itl ~ C')\ J•irin g
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of cholcrn."

U 11 Llonbkt11y many critics won1l1 prf\IJvt11wc.: tl1c
above cxlra\·:1g;1111, as im1cet1 1·yc ha\·e "·•·•·ll in so111c
trc::tliscs on H!1clo1ie so111 0 uf' tl1c rn usL i111j >l'l::-:::; i1'C l1ypcrboles oC ;..; J1 :tb'l'carc a11c1 otli c r write rs Lu rn out <>l'
their co11 1wcLiu11;-:, :-1m1 :1 ftcr tlic: lii~"li!ood li as nn1 u11t.
oftl1cm, p1·on i.1t1nccc1 cx tr:L1·:1ganL :u1t1u .:c1y 1 T li e 1111' 1'·
it of sucL1 cx111'C>':< ions ,]q\clld,; 1nncl 1 upv11
and moo(l ol' tl 1 l~ l1carcr.
5-1. 11/111-!1 " ·"'' ,I i" I ',,,_ fr _'!, Ii ·;1, .1,.:1" "' ''"', 1:tc .-·1'nd·
ry of CVl' I')' k i11 t1 :d10111 1ds i11 l l_q•v1l "
as 11·1· :-;\1:ill
show· wl1<..:l1 \\· e come lo t rc:lt of it. \\'it also ll:-'<.' S il
as its most .:;fl ic.:i •.:nt :iid, :u1d iL j;-; nu L ll":L11t in~·, t.ltu11 :,.; li
it is gcncr:cl ly "ll t. o!' jil:1ct" i11 tr.::Llis,·;.; 011 sc ic11cc.
1Iypc r1Juk j,.; o l\c11 cmpl•',)'C•l i11 :L1',~ ll111 c nt, to ,,]10·,\·
the incon:-:islL'nC\· of :tll O['PiJ11 C!1L':-: t•u:-< ili•!ll , l>y 11 11:1.!.'·111 ·
in orr it to 11e c:u~·i L·cl ouL i11L0 L'X l l'l:111c 1\.'!-< lllh : tl1e l'i 'fccts of alcol1 0J ic (1r i11k:-:, f,,r i1ht:1.1 1c1', if' :-il l ~1 1 .. ul ·l
drink; t1i c l· f1'1 ·ct~ oC ~ti ildt'l ily: if' 1rt • )Ll 1(·1 -.--: :ll1ll 1.J1i i~lri ' l1
ll li(l :ill othr •r...: , \. l') 'I' !r; 11'.t\' (: l Jt) [';L il lt ill ( ;, d l.
;:.\ji_:;l "
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use 0CJ[vjh::-rl)ol1_·, t11ll\l~· l1i t1l_'a( l:--'. L1 1 \li· ~

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ga nt conccpti011s, is jusliibble, it' kq)L ll' itliin lh e lirni ts o[ a co rrect logic.
r octic:tl 1[,: 1w rbolc is :l,ll ex::in·crc
ca r:i.tio n i11Ju lrrecl
o · 1°11
simply for Lli0 pleasure of cx crcisi11 g tl1 c i111: 1gination,
a ml is as prope r ::tllll licaltlif11I :is :lily otl1cr 111c11 tal ex.
crcis(', co11!1111. .. l to it.sown ](':'.. 6ti1n i1cc t.c rriLorv.
"
:):). (/u1r//ri1/s 11;1uJJ 1111· / ",..,·1· r:/ "/ l.'//1 ·1·/Jf,/, ., --Sc vcrfil
et1 1ii\>ll;;, liuw(;n :r, sliould be: vlJ:;crn:d i11 it:> c1n ploylll en t.
(1.) Let it, LH; used sparingly. Like otLc r spice, if
cxcc:-:si vc, it Lccorncs J is:1grccablc.
(2.) J~cL iL never be employed " ·lien a pcr.oon of ordi11ary liiscri111i 1(1t ion woul1l nuL be :tl >lc to um1crstan<l
its real nw:wi11.t.::, o r wh c11 the Llll g1 1:1gc woul11 be lialik to 1c li tcr:tl h· co11"truc11, ::rnd if so, \1·01tlcl convey
injnrio11s or pernicio us sc·11ti111cnt.
(:l.) Let. ii, 111>!. be 11 s1·d i11 :my prn11uctinn wl1cre scicnt i_li c l'_rcc i s i~111111i g l1t.jn:-;1 Jy l_1c cX j •cclL'd , o r upo n any
s1tl>jl'CL Ill wl11 clt cxl ravaga11cc· \\·01i!Ll l'l''•Pc rly be considered i11cong n1 01 1s and ofi'c· 11 sin'.
(-!.. ) J,ct it 11ot be rn ng l11 , lrnt. be empl oyed only
w lien strong fi:c l i11g n:it11r:tll y p r01 11 ph it.
.
C•.) Fi11a lly, kt ii llOL lie r, irgul.l\'1 1 tl1:tt the common
an 11 cn:tr~c r ki 11 1b uf Hyp crlJol-e arc c.;ktr:1clc rist.i cs of
ig111ir:rnce, n11d ;no m" rc ;1nt1 mc1n• dis1::tnlt';] as tlie
11 1i11d Lcc01 nl·:s di"ci1il inc(1 by c:ud'11l tl111ught and to
:1ccu r:tlG cxprvssi1111. 1L is 01ily Ll 1e nndi "c riminat.iurr
""110 prn11crn rn·1· Slllll(' 1hy i 11 C\· cry succ:e.~s i vc s nmmcr"'
111.': l1 11 tL~·,.:t Ll1l'y en:r k11l:\\', a11d s1i1 11e 1l:iy in every
w11 1lt'l' l.ltc <'11] .J"" I, tl11 · h ,.: I .!.:°'' ".! :-'<' l'ltlO li 11 1" 1· lil·: tnl
ilw lh··,.;I , :111d \Yl1 11 :1r" <'1111,.; ta11tlv 11.,; i11 g 111 ,. s1q.;nlative
4

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deg ree. Convci·sa tioni,;ts ufLliis kiml soo n cc::isc [,,lit:
crcL1 itec1 by tl1 eir iu ll'lligc11t f'ri 1·1 1d,.:, and spc:ib·r" :111<1
writers wli o a1Jo11nd i11 l1ypc rbolcs :tn.: scldo1n l"lJ1L1i: 1r
long, or if so, arc uot l'uiiy bc:li1;\'l:d e\·c11 wl1 «11 Lll\'y
tell the trnth . Tl,Ypcr1ok, cxt 1·av:1ganLl_y used, dc·c:c11 cratcs i u to Born b:1st.
· 5G. L 1J.1 ir1l<'s.-'L'li is is prec isely tl1e reverse of Il_y . perbole. It is a form of tho11gl1t l>y which, in ,.:i:L'lll·
: ing to lessen, wo aetu;t1ly in cre:1s<~ tl1c fon:c: 11!' :111 1·:-; prcssion. rrLns, \\'h en WC say, "' l'l1c·sc arc not. ti1•.)
words of a c.:l1ilt1, " \\"C mean "Tli,_·"c arc tlic \1·cn-.\;-;
of a wi se ma11.'' "1 can not eulogize suc.:11 :t man,''
means, perh:1p'-', I desp ise bim.

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CIL\PTEH Yfll.
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G7. 1J1/ill ilion .- I1w:.:Y i;; s ue/1 a use of' bngnnge
n.s will c:onvcy to an i11Lclligc nt l1c:n. 1-..' r :<meaning pre·
cisc1y op1•ositc 10 1y\1nt the b11 g u~1 gc, lit.L:rnlly nndersLooll, woul \1 ex prc;;s.
\\'hen tbe prn]_Jltcts of Daal \\"e re st r1v111g in vmn
l1y c;rics to induce ~0111c d(' 111011st rali,,ns ol' tbc pres·
c11 c1.' :tm1 po\r e r 0r tlicir gfJd, Eli.i:tlJ, tl1...: prophet of
.Jcl1u1·:il1, l:111111i;1gly ,;;ii,1 t•J il1c·111, "l\y al,rnd; for be
is a g1)d ! Lit licr lie is t:tlki11,u, o r hc: is pnrsuiug, or
he is in :t journey, or p erallvc11L1uc he s k cpctb , an<l
rnnst. be awakctl !"
GK. I [, ,,,. f;1 11i1·0!1•1l.- OC cou rsc. i 11 tl 1c use uf' Irony
tl ie i 11 t1111 :lLio11 of LlJc voice rnuC't 1>1: sucl 1 :1s will indi·
c:tlc Lli1~ .~pc:1kc r's real m eanin g . l n \\Titing, the
p1111ct 11:d.io11 ,;\i(111lil . :is r:i.r :1s po",;ililc, lie 1n:1dc to aiJ •
tl1c 1wrccpt i,111 of' tlu~ rc:1dcr. So1 11eti111 cs tl 1c intentio11 or :-t writer lo ue im11ic:tl is not pnec ivcd Ly tLc
r, ·;id"r, :in<1 unfortnnat•·ly t!it! autl1or is 11 1lllcrsLood to
:Ul'inn .iusL 11·h at be 111 c:rnL (1J 111 :tl;:i..! :ippcar so ridic11l oqs tl1at. no one w11 1dd l.Ji.:]i,;\·c it. Some bavc
t.l1rn1 gli t tl 1: 1L tl1c l'~[lt\·~:-: i .. 11 of' i.l1c .i\1 iostle ] 'anl in 1
Cu 1i11Llii:11i:> x ii. 11:, is i 1·1 111ic~il, a 11 1l s lw uld Le prin tcLl
i11 Lli is wa_y: "Nuvc 1·Ll1cl ,.:-:s, lw i11 g c rafty, Tcaughtyou

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g ui k !" 'l'liat i,.:, "Huw ,,1_,,;1 1111 Lu H l)'!J c>,;1:, 11·
wh:tt I liavc ,;ai1_l is Ll'llC' 1 t.l1:tt I coultl l1avc u,;cd cr:1!'1
>tnd guile!"
50. '}_'fi e Pf1i'/11s"1'f'.'/ 1/ /ru1111 . -'f'li1~ J>liil1YO)'ii.1· !Jt'
- jt seems to be, th at rnme t11u11gl1Ls 11·!1iclt tl1c: :lllt l1c1r
wishes to repd n.re ~o m:tnifc,:ily f:ilsc: that tl1cy 11 cc11
only to l>e di st inctly 11 Ltcn;l1 t.o 111:1kc tl1e 11carc r sec
their i:tLiLy an1l r«j cd tlte111 111tlt i111li ;c:1 1ity. Or, 11'
tbe iro1 1y is phyf'ul, tl1c hc:rn.:r is plc:i sul 1viLL tlte in·
gcnuity o[ L\10 a11Ll1or, 11·!io C::lll l' XJ i n ·,.: ,;, as i [' !.l'll1',
such alJstm1 i11ca,;. 'l'Jie aGsurLlity al:io uf di e c,c·11ti ·
ment is clc:t rl y exposell .
'l'L ercforc, lru11y l1as t11·0 onlces: to expo;;c: false·
' sentirnc11L l•y assnti11g it. c;u l1:ddly as Lu 111d11c0 0LL1 .. ers to sec its t:tl:::i ty , a11Ll tu r1:-c:0c1 1L Judi cruLl.oly 111consistc11L a":'c)ciaLi u11s ~1::; il1c•li'.Oi' t;-111.., li:il i1 1 ,;::1: 1 1 :1
_way as to ~un11sc and lwrli:qis i11,;I ru cL tlw l: c·:11'i'l'.
It is an eJlici1:11L cxposcr or fab:li1Jo11, tltougL it :LCL:i
itself Ltm1cr tli e g ui~ c oC fal,;1;ho1.h l (ill 11 st raLi11g tli1.~
mnx im 11 Ll 1at it tak e.-; :·t rng uc to c.:t1_rJ1 :t l'<J,0;11\; ·}
'l'lrn s Sli:d"')ll·a rc rq •r1.>c1its ~!:ire J\ 11L1_111y ;is aL·
., temptin g ar1J1tlly 10 i11na:11c tl11' l~1•111:u1 pcopk agai 11st
Brutu s uc<.:au,.;e lie 11:1'1 stablin1 C;1.:sar; aml ever a111.l
~n on, wliell r1lloti11 g th e wo rds of nrntu:-', lie ac11ls,
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",\ 111.l Brutu s is an h onornl1le m a n !"

The proJ>cr inlonation i11l iinalt·s tl1at Brnl11'; 1;;
very disl.tonorahlc. rnan, :111ll ll1c raL1,lc :trc rqm.>c1 1tcJ as soo n unLkrst:11ll1in g tl1e speaker.
1:[r. Fox , i n Parli~t111c1t!, rc."j10 11d 1·11 Lu ;1n O)'l"~,111:11!.
, in a p::tc;s:1gu Ll1at l1as uftc11 l.Jcu 1 <J Ll0Lc11, a11 Ll is a g1Jull
specim e n of Iron y :

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" 'n nt we rn 11~ 1 p:lll f.: <"' ~ - ..::1y~ t lie hn11 oral ill f.! t' lll lemnn.
lf a m:rn
WC'rc 111·t.':--l·11 t 1111\\ ' at tlw li dd of t-. buglitl·r, :111 .l ,,·,.re 1. ~; inq uire for
wl1 11t I heJ wcrl' fig lit i 11 g, Fig Iii i 11µ ! ' wti11 Id lit' 11 1~· un ;;; \\'C I' ; 'tl 1cy m·0
no t li g ht ing; tiil'y arv p:111..; i ni.;. ' \ Vlt y is that Jllali ex11ir iu g 't \Vhf
is tli: 1t (If li e r writhin g ,,·i1li ago n y?
\\' hat llH'; llt s thi s i11 (·x1di c11Ule
ft1fy ': T lic n n ~wc r rnu ~t IJe, 'Yv1 1 arc qu ite wro ng, ~ ir ; yo n dcc:ti\'U
y1111r ~1.· ! :· : tht'y :ire notliglit in µ- : do 11ut di:-'111r b fiH·tn; 1hcy arc 1ncrc·
J_,. ;•1111., i '1 .'/ ' Lnnl iit: l11yo u, ~ ir, rliey a re nor a1 q. ~ ry wiili ~J il l: another;
1

1

tlt t· y 11:1\'(• 111 ,,,.
thl..:rc :-li v uld he

no
:l

c; 111 :-;e o f

q11arrcl ,

!Ju t tli c i r cu 1111 try

thinks thut

p rws1· .' ' .,

·

Hy such cx prc:--:s ions as t l1 0 ahon', Mr. Fox ridi·
cukd tli c idl' :~ diaL l1rnl bee n ::idv:rn ced , tl 1at tlie great
c\·e1 1t::; tl1L·11 occurring \\'ere simply a" pa Ltsc" in l1is·
Loi'_;- .

ll 1·. .Jul111so11, ill l1is i n.li gna nt. lo·llc' r to Lon1 Cl1cs·
1.nl lc-i d, rd 'u:<i11g !1is Ji:ttru J1 : 1.~~,; a11 d bni r ll'!1itJ1 were
11o>I. olk rc:d till li e h'.t. ; :t1 1 lo ht; ]WjHilar :tlHl did Dot
11 ectl a:::~i::;la11cc, i1 1quin:s : "ls 11 0L ::i patron, my lord,
o ne w 110 luuks \1·i Lli u11conc<.: r11 0 11 :1 111a11 st ruggl ing
fo r lil~~ i11 tl1c \r~tcr, ~ rnl \l:lic11 lie li :1s r1·:icl1 ct1 grou nJ,
c11 co t111tcrs l 1i111 "·i Ll1 l1clp ?., ()1' co1 ir:<l~ .J oli11 so11 Joes
J1 ot. ask s 11cl 1 :1 q11csLio11 fo r i11 f<in 11 :L1 io11 , h11t intends
L>y Ii i,; '[llL·Hion l.o i 11t i1 naLe prceis,_·l y tl1c U]>posiLc idea
:1s t.lic Ln;tl1.
~li:i\;:-:pc :1rc, lk1t g r!';it lll~r sk r of' alinosl. eve ry p~s·
::;i,rn, ol'tc1 1 c 111 ;iloy:-; lru11y . 111 Kiit .~ J,c «I', Co rdcli:i is
n:pn'SL' ntctl :1,; r i.l icu ling a bl u11L plai11-:-pcaki ug rnan•

as coarse am1 r ude, tli us :
' ' T!ii.c:

i ~ ~n m c

fellow,

:';111n·

roui.:hn l':-...: : nnd

Q ui l l..' l'rn111 Jij.: 11;1!11r<'.

~· 1 1 1 /r 1111 • ,, f 111inrf

fl

~ · I n l/1;_1/ ll'i/1111/.-1

1·•i11..:1r:ti11..; t l1e

//, ('1111 1111 ! .f/•1!11 r . /, .. _,

11d ;.f11in,

it

;.: ark

/11 · 11111sl

s;ir

11/.·

su ; ~/ 11rJ f 1 'ti s 11/. 1/11. 1 '

I r11l /1:

! : I

Th e words prinll:c1 in it: 1lics arc ::i T«'pv1 itinn Ly
Conluli a ur wktL tl1c rough lil: l ll IS s11p pu:->cd LO say
of liirnsulf c rn f't ily . Sl 11: r ql•· :tl.s t.l w1 11, t•> :-;J iu\\' t1" ·1r
fal sity, simply l;y ~t p•.·c1il iar ,·111pli :1,; i,.;. T Li" Li11d of
iron y is oft.en : ·ro1 111>t ·d l>y a11gn .
60. f !'(11U/ /11 ( ;,, ,1,.,,, .,.,."!J. - l'u1 1Lrun.. r.-; ia i i.'il,.; f'Unl•_' ·
times resu 1·t tu .lru11y tu l·xpo::;c Llic ri ..l icLtluu:-;ncss 0 l·
the errors wl1icl1 tliey 01 1pusc. 'l'l111s Il1·n ry J\, ign<".
iron icall y asks c1 1~ i:-;l s t" \.'.Ul lSL J'll <; l. :t !Juo k ~:-; i11 g('11in11c;
nnd poworCLd a:; tl1e Hililo. ]Jc li e~:; of tLc' lll, "J ln
not let you r i111agi11at.ive fun11s he so '·'''J11/,;;, ::,; L·i
' make rn ankim1 Lik e l11cn 1 f;ir ge11 11i11,~ l1i,.:t N _1· ·· i :1 .'
they hav e taken tl 1c J}i! ;k]; "<.10 nut , I 1'.' :trn yrn 1, s<>
trnnseencl 1.lo 111 e r a111l S li :tks11<:are, as Lo m: tkn jl<'<>J>i •·
fancy y ou r hlik ravL ! Ur t•lsc ll (IL (!lily \Y1ll _l t•I J i': 1ii
of you r obj c<:t, but \\'ill !1:tvc :ul,lctl 111 1. ·xp('ctcdly :11 1other to tl.1e many lii stnr ieal rcl 1g iu11 sJ"
Tl 1is is e-' r111i;.: ite Tr, 111y , :1s is tit<' wl1<>lc J.. til'r f'r,>1t1
·. · which it j,; takl'n . ?\0 11 e can d t' n1· t.l 1e cffa·i <:11c·y <iC
p rnpcrly \1:->•:tl , \'ill1t' l' to c .':)'•>S•~ error, or m e:u111 e:-;:-:, 0r i .!{ 11or:t1l ('L', o r Y1c1'.
Arcliui,;Jiop l i :t rl"°(· l1as a lu11g arg1 111ll'lll , in tli c
· form of a JeLl.() r, lo tl i.'i:-; ua1 k yo un g cle rgy men fr um
study in g tl 1c Bible',;.:,) writ.Len :\;;lo sl 1n 11· tl1:1t ;.:111·11 :i
neglec t a s iL prel1•111l,; 1o a<h·i s<; \\"<l tilcl lie cow:1r.\!y
and gu il ty . ;:.;11 cli ironical writing, wl1c n well d. 0111»
is exceed in gly clftcic'11t.

'_,';

1

\\. ho 1 h:win.Q hf'f'll pr:1 i..;rd l~ J r \il1 1 11t1J {'~...:, d otl 1 affect

A

C <JXT/llJ l 'L./!S L

"'The
n.

G. II.

Cr c Y ~o 11

~1 · l l· r ti 1111.;; fron1 tli \"• f'01Tc' :-;J1i>llil1·n 1·•· 1,1t '
l·:rl ikd liy II 1..·11r.\· Hng1 ·r:-i ( !111 ~ 11 )11 1 J .....-.-; i. p .

Lctt pr.. : :

Grc·y ~on , E :-.1 1.

42~ .

t Ti re

\Vnr b

,,f l >i- . F r:otic i< l l aro' , !,.,rd Bi ' l"'i> .. r C-\1i..J1 ··-lr:

(Lon<l on, ·1;H> ), vol. ii . p. I :;,.; ,

~-

H :2

(l l. ! 1·ou1; i11t•wf., /

t I::

HI!/·,' J'I) It It '.

lo .

I 11111"•'.-Tli c li;;li ter nsc of

Irn11 y, "i11qlly to amuse, nuy he St'l' ll l'ri11 cipal ly in
l1umor0Lts prolluclions. Some wl!Oic: \·olurncs haven
vei11 of iro ll.)' runn ing th rough ll1 c111 ; :tllll wl.1il o to
sup.;rli. ·i:Ll reader,.; tli cy ::tppear to Le sol1cr, ::trc rcaily
ri diculin .~ ,.:nine tlicor.v or prnc ice. rJ'l1i s r:uvcrt, gen·
tk iron1·, it io:, tkt t gi 1·cs s1H;l 1 a11 i n c :q• rcs.~ i Lle charm
to sut.:h \Yorks, as " Don Qu ixote:," tli c " Vicar of
\ Vak cll.·ld," :•n ll many ol' tl1 c writin gs or Dean Swift
:uHl Sy ,] ney Srn itlJ. \ Y nsli ingto n Irv it 1:-;, ill li is " Knick·
cruocker's LI isl<Jry of'K CIV y vrk," l1as g1\' C ll ll S sotnc
or tl 1e best spcci111cns of Ll1 is k illll oCirolly. We have
roo 1n 11nt fo r a single p::ts,.::ige : .
'' 01' I he Cl'I':\! ion of lh e world \\'C i t:\l'C It 1.Ji011,n111J .:ontrndi elOI')'
nc cv 1111 t...; ; nnd llit1ll~ h n v1·1-y s;1ti..:factn r.\· one j..; fn rn i~ h cJ ns l1vdi ..
Yi ne n·,·c L1tit111, .'·e t e rcry ph il11-..nplw r ft:L· I-; hi111...:.t·ll° i11 lz onor bou;1d to
f11rni:"li 11-; wi1l1 n li{'tt1..•r .
A !-! 1\ll irnpn nial Jd -;111 ri a11 . T1·1111:.:iJcr it mv
dnty to 11 oi i rt~ thr·ir :-; 1.: \' l•rn l the 111 i1..·!', by wl.it li tn ank irn.1 lia vc Uccn ~
cx <'ccd in gly ed i li1..:Ll and in .. .:. trnctc d ..,

au·

\V Ji o docs not p crcc i Ve i11 th is fl. rid ic1tl c of tJi c
,, ur1l Ll 1eori cs o f th e origin of the wo rld tltnt have been
pm 1111 il ;.::atcd ?
011•] of Lit e most snccrss rnl spr·r irncns of ironical
\\·rit i11g i,.; n p:tm]'l1kt ll'ritkn hy th1: ll'it t.y Iri sbm:rn,
:-:ill'il't, cnt itl,·11 , " A '(.fnrle.~t P ropos:il to llic Public for
prevc11 t. i11 g th e Cl1ildrc11 or Poor J\:oplc in Ireland
fro1 n ue ing ::t Bur.lc 11 1o tli ci r Coll 11 try, :u 1d for making
th.:m B cncfi,:ial to the P ubl ic? " Tl1 c "modest pro·
pos;il " j,; Lli:1t the li tLlc cl1 ildrc 11 be f': l!tc ned and used
for food! J k c 1 J!1: 1·~ into g r: tvc st:it i;;Lil'al calculati on~
n[ tl 1e J'L'C' !t11i:1r.1· pro lit. ll s1 1cl1 :t co1 1r,.;e, wr iLLcn wi th
:' ucl1 :11 1 :1 pp••:1r:t11 r:1' nf' e:t11d o r a nd <:no l l>rnL:1lit.y, that
1

it is sni11 n. cont(·mpor:iry \1·ri k r in Vr;111 cc \\':ts :wt 'l:t1·
ly dcec iv ccl tiy it, :111,1 tlc t11Ju11ccd iL :1,; l1unii.l .Y i11i 11 1. . 'l.' Lie <·1,_•,.; 1.g n (> r ,...,\\'t
c·
f'L 11·ns to c1:11 ,; 11n: 1·.11g1
' , ' ;111 11
._.,rn:<n
fo r :tn all egc<l di s 1 -..,~anl for the ri g lit.s uf' tl 1<_: h !:il 1
people.
llenry \Yarcl Dcct.:l1c r C()m111cl!lls fishing tlrns :

""'r,.,..

"A lns ! tl1f1t :t world :' li ould lie :-:n kn l1arn 11 s n~ to co nde mn 1 )i ..:1·:·1t1 • ~
ry spori s so l ong as tl1 ·y c1 m t ri ln1 t i:: to cxc rc i ~c l :ls te, sc n1i1 1w11 t, n11d
1

moral enjo_ym c11t; :1nd tliat. all ~ , l1j t·c t i •) ll C(' ,' t ~c· s wht·Jl a !11:1n L 1n 1,rq\'t.:
that b t~ l:tl1ored fur li is 111 0 111/i ;d.. 11 1~ . It i.. ; al l ri gl 1t , ii' it \\'a:-: 1·:1!ing
thnt he h;Hl i11 lllin tl . Tl1 1: fry inµ;· ]i :l n l ...; i11 un i,·,·r:--al fan1 r. Tl1 i" i ...
that C.: ll t!uw11 l'rorn l1C' :lYC11, "l :i,·! 1 all 111t· 11 i1 .ild

In tli e :tbO\·c, :i.11 idea. \Yh icl 1 tli 1· :rntl1or dis:1ppron·~
Tt is th en rqw:tkd i11 otlin
.fo rms again arnl :1gain, till t.11·~ \· ery strength ol stai•"
ment begin s to make it ri<1 ic1tlous, a nd the 111 intl recoils from :i.cccpting it, wl1 cn it becomes lro11_1·. l~y
tho pn nctuaLioll 1l 1e autl1o r i11.l icitcs tk1L tli1: h.:L ~··n·
tence alon e is ironical. \\T,; tl1i11k t.l1c t wo J'l'< '( '•;.!i 11g
sentences sl 1011hl lJe pnnet uatcll i n Ll1 c sarn1_~ \\' :1.y.
This g r;lcln:tl si i1 l i11 .'.i i1ito ir1i11y is com11l0ll \Yi tli (':t l'll·
t, eloqu ent contro \·crsiafo:ts wlio l1n1·c a.YCin of wit
in their natu re.
02. l i·onira7 Qw,,1io11s.- Trony 18 of'tc n Cnrcibly ex·

; ls first; soberly s talcc1.

. pressed in tl1c forrn of qn esti o11s:
" Can g r:iy ha.irs render f.,Jl,I· \' •'ll Cral•k ?"

Ilon. Mr. 1 1 \·~~c 11d <' n, in t.1 1•.' ;.J, ·n:i ti:, in.-1 1\ire<l:
"A.re we not me n of :- 11nic dP~ l'N" <11 !'1·n :-:c nnrl di:-:rT( ·tin n ? A l" '
-.. .e sent here , sc nat rJ r ~, cl10..,e 11 men uf f.:t:H c~, ff'J1rr:-c 11 1; 1\i\·e ;;.; . t li1~ :-- 1· -

• ~ t nr - Pnpers; or ·1,>.q)f' rit ·rit·t ·:-: <•f An nnd N11t urc.
Wnrd B eech e r ( N'ew Yu rk, I k;,,·; ), I'· ~:\>i .
1

B\' llt_. 111·_,.

,•

]4-J.

RJIE1'0Hl!.:.

J'I:U8U,\111"/l/. 1 'J'/tJ.\' .

1 l 'J

lr c tm c n of th e people i n the sc,·cral dist ri ct~ , without. anv idea wh&i.

ev'-'r of n. correct co iirsc of proccedi11g in this matter? )' ~

So II on. Mr. Corw in r cpresc n lcLl tLte people
Mexico as saying:
P

mr- n?

of
CHAPTER IX.

II nYc yo n not room in your own conniry to bul"y your de:!a
If yon come into mi1ic 1 we ,,·ill ~/l'i:tl yv u-with bloody hnndf,_

n11U wef,·0111r yon-t o hu ~pitn Lle g raves! ''

S ucl1 r111csLions arc not asked breause th ey req ui~
an ans wer, but because the very oppositc to what tbev'
suggest is trnc ; they arc tL crefon; Jrnny.
•
63 . JJin'Cli011s upon tli e U'c o/ [,.r" u;. - 'L'hc folio\'\'•.
ing directions on the use of'Irony sl101 11<1 be observed.
(1.) T~ct it b0 suited to tLtc s ubj ect and occasion . .
If light am1 humorous, let it not be associated wi th
gTave in ,,truetion, or the earn es t exprl'ss ion of feel·
ing, so as to aw :ikcn :l se nse of' i11co11 siste ney. H se·
verc an<l sarc:ts Lic, be Slue tl1at tb e uceasion willjusti·
fy it.
(2.) In oral productions the intonations of' the voice
sho11ld a l\\'ays indicate Iro ny wlic11 it. is employed;
in writ.ten productions be card'nl, e ither by giving'
so me in t im:iti on or your purpose, or by tbe punctna· :
tion, to enable the reader to p erce ive you r meaning, '
so as not to mistake Irony fo r tlic direct expression .
of sentimPnt., nnlcss, indeed, it he your sober pnrpose
l.o li·avc your ex p ress ions obscure , o r to test the men·
ta1 :1hiiity of' your read er.
(:3.) Do i1ot n eglect to enll.ivate tl1c use ofso"effi.
ci cnt a wcapo11, but bear i 11 1nind t.l1at tlic frequent
iis(; of fro11 y is nnplc a~a11t to a wcll·0ultivated taste.

PERSONIFICATION A N D PJWSOPOPCEIA .

64. Dejinitiu11.- \YnE'.\ ;\ lifdcss object is n·pre~cnt·
or addressed as tbougli it haJ life, it i,,; sai1l to bi ·

rsonified.

· 65. Philosophy <f it.-Personiflcat ion is a natnral
~"\pression of stroIJ g feeling

c01111eetccl with the obj·-·cL
personiJied . A child wi ll often vent his auge r upon
n, stone or stick by w 11 icli be lrns been strnck, :tnd
der persons w Lo have not yet passed out of the
ildhood stage oC 1kvc·lopuwn t arc so111ct.irnes betrayinto sim ilar fully. Many wl10 woul Ll not strike all
'nRcnsibk obj ect may often fc·el a n irnp11lse to L>1:11nc
t. V°Vh en we CC USllre or praise a scnsckss tJ1 i11 g, WC
ncy it for the time endowed with life. \ Vliat seems
nrcasonalJlc ill j 1.S rtH.Ji ll1Cltta ry man i fcstatiOllS may,
done i~1 a eultiv:.ttcd m all ncr, pleas0 Luc ta::;te aml
k: the highest mental energy .
. 66. J?irst D'':.;r·cc u/ p,,,..,n11jicati,;;1 .- P0rson i(lc.ation
exists in three degrees. fo Personif'tcation of the first
. degree tlie obj ec t is presentul ns Lav in g some ft1i:tl1tics that p roperly belong only to l iving erl':.ttures.
Th us we speak oC an of1,,/r', ·11l s1.1 ip, or say tlw.t n
· house lif:/i·iemls a weary travelle r. 'J'liis deg ree nl'
. P ersonification is rno~t. frl'r1ucntly exl1ilJilc1l hy Lli1:
of some appellative that strictly applies 0111,v 1n
r;

I .J lj

l! 11 F

·r (I Ii I

' '.

Ji \' 111 g lJci11g,.;. In many i 11 sLtn cc·s th is k1s become so
<..: 01rn11011 , :tnc1 in many vth1·rs iL tl'l[llirvs sv liuk effort
ol' tl 1c irn:tgi1wt io11, t.liaL it is sca r.:L:ly 11ut.i<.:cLl . 'l'rces
a rc c:tllcd "'"i· ·stir" rivers o r lJrt·<..:zes !}"11/!1·, tl 1c spring
is s:1id t u s111 it•., an\1 winter is tcnn cd ji·•lf,.iling, with
no C• 111 s<.;J<JU S vs1·1 tc 111c n Lo r c·xt raordi11ar.Y dfo rt'of tho
111i11d .
Cl. ();i"1 ,-,,,/iru/, ,/ 11:; //, ,. { ·.-,, 1:f' f 'us1J l/ll/ P/'Onouns
l1rrri111; (,'1·111/, ·,·s.- 'J'liis dc;.; rc•; ul' ['c rso11ilic:tlion is oft·
en cshibiLet1 liy si111ply using the mase uli11 c or fomi·
niue pronoun instc:1d of tl1c 11 cuter. Tlrns a boat is
rep rese nted :1s a female, w:ir :is a 111ak, in tl 1cse ex·
prcss ion s : "rull a. strok e or tw o--away wi tl1 /1 crinto
dn·p \\':t lc r ;" "IV :t r tlien sl1 0\r ell /1 is 1lr' \·:1 s!.ations."
I n :t wcll-writLc11 rev iew a r t.i e lt~ \\'C r<':td:
': J, ilic rnli sm wu s risi ng stendily un al l ~idc~ .

hf' n Cilllr<'h , to f1ppose l1 ur ndn\nci11g c11 cmy , tu t.:urse liim, to bare
nu term s with him r"

J11 tl1 is senten ce Lil.>er:tl ism i.~ :-pnk\' n nf ns a man,
or a m:1scul in c en e my, tl1c Clinrch (ns ol'tt., 11 i11 the Bi·
blc) is :-pok<"n of :ts a. w0111'.l11. 'J'lic r<' vi1·wcr nclds
:-inoth"r sentence, in whi dt lie brgi11s wi th the same:
perf'lrn ifJ ca.t.ion, but abs nn1ly rni x<"s l1i s rnr.t.apbors,and ·
metam orphoses tl1 c woman into a sl1 ip, th us:
"Or wn< slrr [!hf> C'liurcl1J to let lri111 [ Lil 1<' r:1li,m ] in, to bcromc A
irw n· ,., ,·r1dru .f• f,H ~ c,: t f: . n1Hl grndnally dri:fl n.w:ly with tlic li l>cnU
t i1k f nJ111 li er ol•l onhodvx m ooriui;s ("
1

Rev. Dr. Iliteheock, in spc:tkin g of tl1c cil'ccb of
old age, says :
"The n1in d, too, d1·pen 1..k nt on hod ih· organiznti on J,,. 11n~dt e r a l 1 l c
,lnws for i ts free cx erci:-c·, ~ymp:11lii zt ·s i~1 th e dcdin1• c1I: tlie pl1_\:: iral
powers. Th e proud lt c igltl s wlti ch ,Jie o ucc ' cakd can n u lu11hcr ii<·
rencli ccl; the l1caYy lil owo which i' hC once dealt o ut can nn J,,, ,,!.'.l'r lie
gh•c n. * * * J'irst of all, the memory fccl.s th e eh:·1ng-<'. nnd r~' c · I -:.
1

nnd stn.ggcrs, and l'> ink:-; 1111d l'. r lier cl1arhc .

Next , tli c· jud!.'.;11w111 be -

gins to wave r; and, Inst uf all, the ima g inati on
tho cnrth . "

<:u111 L· ~ lin1 (eri11 g t'l

Rev. Dr. Bellows, rn a se rmon, ti1t1s rq)rc:::cnt;.:
truth :
"Truth is :i.~ ji..: al o u~ , c: npri 1· in11 r.: 1 nnd s1iy n. mi .. \ J'('"S :1~ 'Y:1 s (·Yv r
wooed . She cl1uh::o; li l ' l" luw~r H S ;t l111111 (' d J1.· er li er Jt ll r ... 11('r. lll·r
1·otnry mn st follow l1c·r in all the l · ir1 · 11 it~ nn tl i 11Y t1 l11ti 1' IL" nr lii·r
1light-now douulittg on li e r track. now makin g th e l\ .. rtlt :-:1ar, n11d
:now the Sou thern Crrn.. :-: lier IJcacon-n ow 0 11 tl1c cnrth. Il <J \\. in ,,·nu·r
·. 'Qr wood, n.ntl ag!l in iu ilic :::k y: L u t :i. hvay s harin g it for li C' r p urJ 1(iS C
to lend her wn oc r t h ro ng lt c,·cry pa mll el an rl point of la 1it11 1k anJ
longitude in J1 C' r domni11, tha t 11t• rnny \'i ~ w l11 :r <l!ltl he r 11n.:s.·:-:.'-i1111s
from fill qt1flr t.C J"~ t.if' tJi e tt1 11r:l l (" 1!Tll p : 1S ~l and St~ • · l tel' fnJl S\i: l jlf ' :tJlli
ll'holo fortune-:i.11tl r-:0 l~e !li r. rn11n· it t iuYu witl1 l1 i-; holy, l 1e an:11ly
bride, his d cst in c1l pnrtuc r fur e ternity.•
•Somet imes Wl' 111 cet with J,, ,,. n11tl /,;..., in :-: t(' nd (• r its in tli( '. J ·:n ~~ i is h
n11r il· nt lJ1,qk:-: wl1t ·11 110 pvr::oni(i l'nti n1 ":1 ~ in~
ten<led ; for it s, the 1·0<.:..-es:-: iYr e:l"C of' i't, is a mod ern word, n11 d l1cgnn to be ui'cd o nly nl .r111 t. tli c rnid <l le uf tli c lCtlt cc n111ry , and d i,(
not beco me eom 111on till rn:1nv yC' :1rs nfr cr. Jn : nch c:xprt·~si o n :-: :t s
•'It shall l 1r11i :-:c 1liy hc· nd , :1;1c1. tl1n11 1-; h:tlt bruise his her-I:" "Pll t
up thy sworJ int o Iris pl:tct\ '' in th1 ~ Hil.J,., rh r rc is 110 Jie r ;-;onitic:1tiu11,
bocn11Rc the neu1cr Jiir·::-:c::~ i\'c l 'r o11ou n it ... w:ts n o t tlil'n 11..;(.' d. Fruin
40 ignor:1nce of tlii..- f:1ct, 1h .. J:uni.· .... (1 11 , in Iii -. l:i ll'fnrir, wrongly
clrnrgcs :Milton wit It 11; ing a fabc :;c utl er i11 tl1i ' i''''sa gu:

Dible, nntl in othe r

:1

It. \rnnhl lie st rangr: i11 1lc1;d to
:1way from li er rn pori1112·,;'("
1\ 11 cl111 11ic1il writC' r :-ay,;:

rt11.\',

t NST.IN () i:,'S UF l'L'H SU XJFf i,' .I

1

1

Jfo1 l n11l J. •- L all/,. •,· •· t· ii-•i11:1 I
N ~1 r

::'\filton did

nppf' al \ _
'd Jr,. ., t !i :w

n ot wi :-, !1

! (1

caso~.fun111t,

n1 in cd. ''

11 ;-;12 its, \\' l1i d 1 wa~ tli \·11

deed he c1npl oyed it unl y 1wo

In thi s

" ll i.1 ii_;n11
:'.",

l 1 r i ~ lt1ll•

:1rd1: 1 11 ~ 4·I

a

in-

r1 n vcl w onl;

t.inw:-: i11 Iii ..;" l'ara di-..(• 1,., ._ 1,"
()i e Lati1 1 w11rd fur form , J,c• ing- fc:mi11 i 11 llf'
f1r tlir1' l'

1

••

lillL'TUJ;!U.

148

P erson ification by the u se or nppcllativcs is vcry com mon; by the use of personal pronouns indicating
gender it is less common, anc1 care shoukl be taken
not to em ploy it so frc r1ucntly as to lJetray a manneris m, nml oilcrn1 goot1 taste .
t.iS. Pi r.y) 11 i;it.·11(i1111 r/ tluc 8 .v·n111l /J. ,:;n'I'. -The sec011tl d egree of Pcr;;nn i ficati o u is the rep resentation
o r an object as :1cting, o r mani fest in g emotion, liken
t\1 i ng of life.
"Dcc:iy st:rnd> \\'ilh lol tr r in g limbs nn cl f1• f' hle breath, arnllispslO
us, wi1h dying !if\.·, th at Wt' draw 11i gl1 rli e g al ~s ."
"'Vt.> 1lwn J•ri..'<!C('Je<l south , wh ere the i-ix g igant ic colunmsrcar,,,( th ei1· l1 catf;; nbo,·c tlic ruins. 11

Ifow mm:l 1 mor e forcible is th is t km to say, " 11 l1e six
gigantic col umns cxtcnc11.:cl up\\":<rcl al.Jove tbc ruins.11
l'rcscott, in pbin nar rati vc sty le, ~ays :
"A rive r, n clini n or n1 0Hntain:::, nn irn ng in<\ ry line crcn, parted
th c1n [ n ut i u u ~J as fa r n.sun<l~ r as if ocea ns r ollt.:d l>et wccn."

Cowper expressed. the sam e tl1 01 1gl1t far more forci·
bly by person ificatio n, when lJC said :
"L:tn1ls in tc r >cctcd li y a nrirrnw fr it h
A hl1o r each orl 1rr.".

"Th e g ren.t watc b -stnr:-:," sa;·s Ercrc tt, ":-: li11t 11p !l1cir holy eyes.''

If' tlit: stude nt can.fully rr:-uh tl11 : b est authors, he
will find Ll 1:tt pcrso11irl1.:ation o[ thi s <l c!.frcc is much
Jess comt11oll than t li c first d l'grrC'. J1111c~,L1 many vig·
o rous wri ter:-< a1H1 el\l1p1c11 t o rators 11c v1• r employ it.
t · lio~e

p o~"<':.:.~ i re

f':1!'"C r nlli cr tl1 :t 11 Iii.-. . I ts is fonnU in
:-0 111i: c1•p i(·., "r tl t1..· E11~l i -.. h B i1ilt~ onn-., ir1 Lt· ,· i1 i < ~ " ~ xx,·. 5-" rlwt
w Jii .. [1 ~ ruw c tli or i ls own fl t (·un.l j 11 lmt tlie trausintors even bcre
1>r i ~ i11nll_,, use d t!1c 'vorJ ,f

"·

lu·1· fnr the

l'.ER SONJFJ C .-l 1'10.V FUii

If used

' " J .\°l ' /SF S l·.'.'iS.

l -l~I

too frec1ucntly, Lbc style appears afl'ectcll aml

stil tccl.
GO. Somct imr'S l'11iplnyr:d}.1r Conr:i,·e14t.'>s If/I ll (:;111 ·1°nie11ce only.- 'l' li en.: arc, 11 owc vc r, per;-;01 1i ticati ons ul' tl1i~
kin<l, which arc cmpluycd not as ex pressions c•f excited fooling, but as con vcnicnt co nd cns:ttio11s, tu av u i•J
circuml ocutions, aml tlw frequent r epetit ion s of long
descriptions. Tb us the ·word "nature" is useli as
though it were tbc name of a p crso 11 , wb cn evid entl y
the author docs not in tend to p1.:rsou ify any Eu1c i c.~l
being or powG I", but it is more convcnic11t t~ u::;,; tli::1.t
appellation than so1nc sucl1 express ion as " tlic pl:tn
accordin g to wliich inat:crial thin gs act," or "the prop·
ertics wbich tlti::; su~jcct lias ;" antl it is more con vc 11·
ient to r epresent j t :1s :i, J !.' 1'Sl)/I LL an to speak or Luc
phenomena desc ri bed as si mple 1
:0;!'/-<.
" Nature prese rves a woncl c r r11 l kt rm on v :1 m0n"
the an im:-i.1 a,nll vegetable king(1oms.' ' 'J'l1;1.L is, L1 1c
plan on wl 1i cli LlH.: universe is consLru ctcd is sucl1 tktt
' t1, wonc1crful l1ar rno ny is preser ved .
ProC,:sFo r rryn ·
<lall, in his trcati~" on "n.·at., :i, Mod e of :\f"tiu.11,"
speakin g of the cliilli11g ~rnd frcL·z i 11 g uf'Lli c sur1:1c('. uf
a lake, :i.nc1 Ll1c s i11 k i1 1g of' tl1c cohl water to tl1,_, hot·
tom, says:
1

" Supposin g tlii :-: t i) cnntinur, t h l~ i1~c would sin k as it \\·n1.: fl)rnw d.
wutild n •t. ccn:-: ~... 11 nri l the 1·11ti rc w ate r of Ll w Lib·

nnd the prot.:C!":.i

1

wo1dJ be l::iol itli fled .

D r•a1 h 1o (·\·(·ry

bo the co nscq nene c.

H11t

jn;-;t wlien

l i vin ~ tl1i11~

in tl1c \\' :lkr w01t!d

m:lt l e r... hC' co1 11 c c ri ricd~ ,\ Pu llin '

~l<'J >S aside.f~·ofl/ lier unlin·u·.1; 11r111·1,Pdi11_11, ca11 :->es tlic wal e r fl ~ e .xpa11d liy

coo lin g, nnd tli e ('1 ;J d WHIC r swi111 s iik c a ot..: un1 un the surface uf
wo.rmcr w:i.tcr nndern cnth. ,,
~

tli c

Tliis nse of the word ll[tture is so comrn011 tl1:\t

l :')ll

I! If/;'

'/'I!

:111othcr illustrftt ion m:i.y not be i 11 ~1ppropriate, taken
from a serm on lJy Hcv. Dr. llu11ti11 gt011.
N :tLure, itc says:
. ".fost wh en s/u) discloses lo our percepti ons any of lier grnntl c.11
p1rturcs, she sh uts our lips . '\" hcncvP r ,lie si irs ou r se nse of the su~· ·
l1nie, she slcrn ly tells ns, '~Iy ch ilJrc n, lie duiulil' "

'I'bis is genuine Personificat ion. Dut oflcn, as in the
former in stances, th e \Yord is u::;cd as a co nvenient sin·
glc term or sy mbol for "tbc pla n o r ex istin g things."
Ir the word God is used i nstcad of J\atu re, i L expresses
ft diikrcnt idea, tlirectin g tlu.: a tte ntio n lo an inle]Ji.
gent., powerfu l p e1·sr111; Ullt the \\' Or\l "llallll'e" simply
rm1H;atcs that t i.J c system of 111aterial tli i11 g:; is such
tliat tb e resu lt must fo llow.
In tbc sa me way \\'flr, pc:i.cc, co uun crcc, govern·
mcnt, bw, ct1uc:i.tion , in dustry, orde r, tempe rance, vir·
tu e, vi ce, evcr_y particub r pa ~s i o n, and al most every
complcx :1gc 11 cy, m:i.y l1e pe r:;o11il ictl, or reprcscntc<l
as wtim;, :rn Ll prod ucin g f' ffe<:ts, wli('n th e :i.utbor docs
ll O t. ·intend to express UJ1 \\" 0lltel1 ClllOti on, Olli. simply
fiu ds it th e most con vc11 ic11L in tl1i s \\':! .)' to express
hi:; vielYS Ol titc innucncc of the t!tiug con :;idercd.
"\\'e sul0o in :i few inst:rnces :
"l. o~ i c d oe~ not, like phil (1'nph y, rnnn l' iat c nny pnrlicular truths,
h11t lc achc...: tli c }'rin ciple s ur llJli\'l' rs:d rca ~o 11i ng- . "

Strictly :-1w: 1kin g, tl1 is is T\' r:-;011ificali on, which is
used to avoill some sncl 1 circu1nl ocut io11 as tl1is : "lu
treatises l)J\ log ic, p up il::; arc 11ot t:i.ug lit," etc.

" ur 1/,,

l_,'() ,\'r ' / S /~'

lo' I t'.

·"'" 11i'rl," i11stcad of'" procli.iecd b_y war."

/'/•,' /{.\11.\ ' /Ffl ' . l 'J' /U.\' .'.

"r>hu tog: r api 1y prCSt.TY Cl:i fo r us tl1c li1n ·a111 C: llh o f ou r Jpn·d

til!f''-'

long s ince dcpartcLl. "

Such an exp ression n1iglit arise fro111 s t. ron .~ c1 11 n·
··; t"ion, :i.nc1 a dc::;ire to eulogize pl10t og rapl1 _y , :t11<l llligli;,
bo employed as :1 co nvenient si11gk: term instead ui·
nrnny,whi ch wo nltl he sc ic11t illcall_y more eor reet.
Often by a little stm1_y a wri te r rn:i.y <.:•>11Llcnse l1is
styl e, and a t the same ti111 c rend er it mon.~ v i ~orous,
by this kind or pc:rso11i fic:i.tio n.
\Vasl 1i ngto11 g ives 1rs ft µ;ooc1 i11 st:1wl· of' tl1is ki11·l
of pcrso n ilkation , wl1i ch cYc11 ri ses in tu tl1 ·_; lii gl 1<:1' an·I
gcnninc fi g nt"<', when in his l ir~L I11:tu gur~1l i\d drc:,.:.~ a:-;
Presiden t he 8:1ys :
"' [was S tllOlll ( Hh.'.ll fig my cn1u1t1·,i1 wft1 ,se 1·oicc / 1'1tfl ne1·fr IH 1u· b1 1t
with vcn crn ti o n an d l11n·, from a rerr1·a 1 whid1 I. liad ch• )-5en,w i1 l1 tlw
fon<lcst pn.:diledi1m nrnl in my tbtLvring li o pt· ~, witltnn inuuu ta Lk decision, ns the nsyl 11m of 111y dc(' li11ing years."
1

1

Ilow much mo re striking is tlw [o\ln\\" in~ tli:i.n i1
would uc if f~)l" gr nius, as a person, wcru s nlJ~tit 11 \•:<1
the m:i.ny wol'l1 s n eccss~1ry Ll> ex press the s:unc idea
scien ti llc:a\l _y :
"Ge niu s h:is ~1 11To 11 1 11l e d y our li 1)mf·:-; wil\ 1<'1111 1fo rt, Jrn s ~in~ 11 you
control nf th e l)l inil fnn·cs of n:\lnn· , and made tlic. llowcr:-; uf pa r:ul i:-:t_:.
bloon1 in tl1 e pour rnan' s ~ :nd l' n."

Ilow much tl1 011gl 1L is conc1cnsc<1 inlo tl 1is vigorou,;
express ion o [ \V<~ 11 dcl l l' l1il lq>,;: "T li l; l'rc;.;s say:,:, Tt.
is all r igl1t; tl1e Pu lp it cric~, Anwn !''
Is not :i. pl1 i losn 1 )liil~:t l tr 11 tl 1 11 Cl'l'•li 1sly cx1) r1 •sse(1 l>y
these wo rds : " \\'li en F~' c:J i11 g co 11 1c:; i11 at. tlk' ,j.,., r.
ncason li:ts J111tl1i11 ;,; tu ,1 u liul to j1 1111p out l>y tli<; \l'i11·
dow ?"

.

~

..

NllHTIJH I <: .

J,ct tlic stud ent carefully notice the prevalence of
this figure in good writiu g,,, and cndl'avor to ascertain
wl1dl1 cr it is resorted to as a result or stron rr emotion
an J a livL·ly fancy, or from mere economy ~f speech
;UH~ tli •l~"lnd_s will naturally improve his own style.'
• 0. { ·" '' ' t/I .A 11.-;J'lrt; s, wul i11 1{1111/li/'u11s .Pmdw:tion.i
--It i;; s<.::trecly necessary to a~JJ tl1at i11 all egoric:sPer:
so11ifieatio11s arc :ll rnost alw;tys employed, a11J that in
humorous proJuetions ofte n nations or national char·
actcri sties arc rcprcsentcJ as persons. "Jolin Bull "
rep rese nts E ngbm1, or ru1 Eng li sl 11nan; "Brother Jon·
atkrn," tLc United S tate.~, or an American . 'l1he an·
e1..; ll ts, 1.ro m tnc1 r nu1ncrou s idul s and complicated
w ytl.wlugy , coulLl employ a killll of persu 11i1ication of
this iinlLlrG more tl1an the moderns.
J~n in st:-i nce in which P erso nification is extended,
~nt'. is by some c::tllc<l an Alkgo ry, is affon1ccl by John
QLt111cy J\ d:-ims in his c1cscr ip tio1 1 of E:l(!fj Ltcnce:
.

{'

l

•

. "J\t th_c rc YiY~ l of lct.tcrs in mo.tern E11r1>pe, Eloq11 cncc, together
:~1th li e ~· ~ 1 -.:r c r mn:e~,. awoke !~nd ~ l1 oo k the pop pic:; fr om her brow.
l311 t t!. c·1 r lt 1rpor s:-:till l111gercd 111 li er rein~. Jn rli c intcrvnl Jicrvoicc
w:1 ~ ~nnc : l w r C1 r q rir.-~ l:u1 ~ 11a gc•s \\'l're e xti1wt.; li er 11q.~: t11 ~ wcro 00
f"n g-rr attlllh' l t•) linrmony nnd he r hra rc rs {'0 11hl no J.J11 gcr lllHlecrs r au •~ lie r SJ1l'l' d1.."" ~ * ~ he n:-:cc nded the trilH111a l!" CJf ju sti ce; thcro
she l111111d lie r rliild. 1'1 ' rsi. 1 a~i <111, m1111n«lcd nnd pi11i o n1..:ll by the Jette r of thn ln w '. tl\('rc ~he lH:l 11•ld Ilic it11a g-c of lier;'\df, tit.n m~ 1 cr iu g in
1

1

barliartt ll B Ln.11n, atiid i:;tng-gc ri11 ~ und er tlic lumber of n thousand volllllh:F> . !I

'I1 !1i.~ lon g <.1cscription , of which we have given only
a sinall p;nt., is 11ot :i.11 ,\ll cgn ry, as it docs uot suggest
to 11s :-in y ot:lter mca11i11g tlia1 1 1.liat \rhi ch lies on it.~
surf:1ce. Tt is si1nply ;111 cx f1 ' 11d(·•1 ['t ·1»:011ifleation of
the scco11t1 tkg rcL'. Sncl1 lo11g·draw11·01 1t pcrsonifica·

'l'lllJUJ

U.lc'UJ!f-,'lc'

/JI-' /'/c' lt:i(1.V/J.'/l.'.I TflJS.

Ui:~

tions must be executed wi th g reat skill, or tl1cy \H.::ny
without in strm:li11g. Prupcrly \\'ruuglit, tl1 ey r,:l icvc
Ji~lactic writing.
71. The '.Th in l D 1.;;1·1'r. 1:f f•,.,.s,,111//1'11//011.--·'l'i ic t l1irr1
dcgrlle of Pcrso nifi c:ttion i::; seen wLu1 all .,J~jcc t is aLl uressccl as if alive, and li,.;tcni11g to tLc speaker.
\Vhen the mind i:-; sufllc:icntly :uousctl, this bold est
kind of P erson ific:-it ion is prc-e11ii11 cn tly fu rcilJk :\11 (1
beautiful. rn1 us Ell wanl l•:v ert:tt, at tli c c011<:1u,;ii111
of an essay on co mets, having awake11 c,l fl gn'at i11\\: rcst in tl.ie sul ij cet, aml llcserilJccl glu\\·i11 g ly tlic 1J<.«Ll tties and sulJli111ity of tl1·~ sl:ury L t':tvc11~, ;;111Lk1ily
makes the follo wing ad (hl'ss Lo Oll e then \·i,cilil1: :
"Return, thou my ~ t c ri o 11 :-; tr:1n·l k r, l o tlie df· ptl1 s of the hrn\·en . . ,
never again t1J lie ~ec 11 by t\1 c eyes 111' 111 en nu\\' liYi11 1; ! Thon li:t ~t
run thy ra ce with gl o ry; 1J1illi u11s <Jf eyes li an~ g:1z1:d 11p1111 tl 1t·c wi1lt

wonder; but t Ji (·y

~ !ia\J

l)C'\'l.! l'

Jnok

l!Jl ( 11l t 111•(! a g1 1i11.

~in ce t l1y \a ~l

n.ppcarnncc in rliC' ~e l(Jwc r :-:k ic.-.:, ernpircs, la11 g 11:q.:,e!'..:, and r:\c vs ot' 11 ll' n
hove pnssc<l away . * * * IJ:q.Jy when, wl11:~·lin:.:: Ill' :1 g:1ill rr1 )!1l lht
celestial ahr•~e:-:, 1hn11 :1rt onn: 111 i 1n~ s(·en l1y thed\\T lkr :-: ~ · n 1·artl1. 1!1e
lnnguagcs W t ~ SJt(•:\k ~ hall abo Iii..: fo rgiil:ti·n , and sr·i1' 110?_ .•.J1 r1/ / /, ,: 1'•' ;/fl/ In
thc . nttcrn1 os t t:11 rn c r~ of th e t.· artli. But C\'f'll tl1 e n : il1 :-; !ta11d~ !ha t
now 1narks on t d1y w 1rndrfl11S «i n:uil, slia\ 1 :-.ti ll guidl·. thy '· onr M·, :ind
then as now //1'."'/'1.,. will s111!'/.: at thy HJ 11irun.c!1, aud J' t n.:f1U'11s , ir ·iJ/l lu .,·
1wns, rf'..joice at thy corning ."

'I'lic student \\'ill obser ve th:-it the pass:-igcs it:-ili ci1.c•1
in the above i ndicalc also l'crso11i fieal.i0 1ts o[ t11 c scc011 d
degree.
72. lV!i c11 mrn; lliis /h;o•c i11• 1•m; 1l1.1.'/'"l?-Pe rso11ifi·
cation of tl1is kind 11 c,:1l noL be co1ili11cd to th e sulilirn·
est suhj ccts or to or:1toric:tl writi11g. Tl, is 01ily 11ec1l·
ful that the cin.: nrnstaucc:s sltoull1 rc1111cr iL app ropri ate. \Vhc11 Hobi11 son C rnsue is n·presc:llkll as ,;i1i11 ·
(j·

i

: ·.~· / ..

I ;, .1

l!llFJ'UN/1 '.

1n.; c:k 1~'1

and crist on tl1e dc:::ohtc

HL' f, t·:s 1).\' 1·r:1,- s .u)' t f"J1 ·.1 ·r111.I'

i ~l:tm1,

::i.11\.l as linding

some money , the n::uT:lti vc ti rn s p roeccd:-; :
"I smiled to my,clf

[It

t.hc sip;h t (>f th i., mnn1·y .

claimed, '\rlia t art t. h o 11 ~~ocal for 'I

'O h, drn g !'I ex-

Tll o tt n rt n ot worth to 1110, no, not

tli c tak inp; ull' the p; ronnd ; on e of th ese kni n ·s is wortl 1 ni l thi s hcnp;
l lrnrc n o m ;\lllll! r of 11 se fo r th ee ; e \: 11 r e 1n ain where th o u art, and go
to the bott.0111, as a crcat un.; nut wort h sa vin g .' "

'I1J1 is is natur::i. 1 :rn r1 impressive.
7:3. J f,, 1r 1111 u/1 ( ~, , ,/ . ·-- It wou!,1 be easy to fill this
volume \\' ith bc:n11if'ul specim ens oC Pcr.~onilic::i.tion .
E,;11cci::i.lly l1ocs it abouml ill poetry. It is also often
fo ulld in or:tlory. Y c:t ma11y c111i11c11t orator,; never
use wlt::i.t we c::i.11 I'crsollification o f' tL1.: Ll1 ird <lerrree
tl
'
:rnd yon 11 1ay read l1 un d rcds of' volu111cs in prose with·
vt 1t a sin gle example. Many clcga11t spea kers have
llcvcr cmployc\1 it on ce.
H ow su blime is :Milton's oft -c1uotcd address to
L ig ht !
" H a il! l1o ly L ii:ht. nn,pr in g 0f li cn,·cn , first-l>orn,
Or of li> e Etcrna I, co-e te rnal l,catn ,
l\hy I cx prc"s tlt ec 11nli l: t111L'<J -- , i11 <·c Goll is li g ht,
And never hut in r11rnppr(l"r:hl:d li ght
])welt fro m c 1crn it_,., dwc·lt 1hou in tli l'f',

Il rigltt cill uc uec o f l>right csseJJ cc i11 nca te ?"

l\ot less snhl imc is Byron's address to the Oceao
'
hcg i11 11ing tl1u s :
1
'

Hull on1 tlio11 dC'cp nnd dark lil11 c o<..:cn n, roll!
Ten tl 1P 11:":t11d ll··ets swct·1 1 u vc r tlil'e i11 \'a iri:
J\fnll 111 :1rk:-; l he f'arth with r11i11; lii s c11n11·u l
~ tops wi1Ji th y sl1 o re; t1 po 11 th e wa te r y plain
Th e wn~c k s :tr\' ~di thy Je1· d, nor d o th. 1-c 11rniu
J\ ...:.had11w ,,f 1J1:111 's r:t\· :\!.!e, :-:a ,·c Iii ..; uw n
\\'lH 'll, !~11· a It1Vrnl'.ut, like a d ru p o f rain ,'

lit• :--inl . s into t11y ~1t· pt! 1 :-; 1 with l111hl.Ji11 g ~ roa n ,
' Vi tlivttt a graY C, uuknelled , u1H.:ofli ut..: U, and trn known."

Oftenti111cs Lltu s hy p<'l'o-'•J11illc:1tio n 111 11 «li t!tn11 cc l1t.
and instruction c:cn 1;1; c•JJlV('} C.J, umk r tl1<: µ·111.~ •.: l)l'
referring to th e qualities :lml circu111st:rncc,; o!' till' oL·
ject addressed. 'l'ltus S liakspc::i..rc s:tys tu S lr'"l ':
"Oh , thou dull p:o<l ! " '!ty liest tlto n witl1 tl: e vi lr ,
In luadi so me bcJ s, nnd lea.Yest til e ki11 gly conc h
A w~1 u : Ji . c· ase, or :t cum mun 'hnnm- bcll ?
\ Viit tho u , u pon th o hi g h and g icldy m a s t,
Sc:1l up the ship-boy ':-:; eye:•, nnd r ock ii i::; lirain:-::
Jn (Tndlc o f t.l 1c nHk , i111 pe rio 11s s 1:r µ:~? * · *
Ca11 ~ t tlion, oh, partial ~ Je e p! i,.: ; iY c 1\ ~y rc pn...:c
'l'o tl1 c wet sea-hoy in :t u l10 1H :-:o rud e,
J\ nd, i11 th e e a l 111 c~ l anti tla.: :-, li llcst nig ht ,
\Vit!i all 1q1pli:1lH' C':; nnd lll C a ll !" t(J liuv t,
] ,e n y it tun ki11~? Tli e 11 1 l1a p1•Y, low, l ie down,
Unc;.1sy i::l tlmt hc aJ that wean; n. t: rown.''

This fi g ure is of'ten nsccl in \ Vit and Du rlcsqn c.

74. D

i!'1'cli1111s

()ii,

[ T,,.

1/ l )NS0 11 1jiru/ii/u .

(1.) P crsoniJl.cation o[thc lti gL1cr <1cgrccs sliol\111 he
used sparin gly, or tLe style will ::i..ppcar too arLi sti c to
please th e t:lslc.
(2.) T bc occasion sho uld al ways j nsti ly i1 s use.
(3.) Let. it not be <1 wc!L upon loo lo ng, am1 t.l1 c i.Jca
of personal ity \.Jc carricL1 ont so fa r as to \\'Cary o r .Ji.~·
please the hearer.
75. Pms''/'''Ji":1·,1.--Pcrson ilicali1Jn is :·omctirncs term·
ed P rosopupu.:ia, uut, st ri ctly spc: thn g, Prnsopupt• ·i :1
is more general, ~trlll in cl !l<lcs all k ind s of' spcaki11 .'.j°
in which Ll1 e ~pcakcr rqwesc11 ls fo r 1l1L~ ti1111~ ciLli cr a
personified thi ng or a person ahscn t ur dccc:bcLI. lt
therefore incl udes botl1 Pcrs.;n iile:ct. ion ::i..m1 /\ post. ro·
pli e, which is more full y cxpb in cll in tb; nc:xt ch:1p·
. tcr.

/( 1J f.'J" U /(JI'.

J .VS'l'..t N<"NS

CUAPTEU X.
A l'OS'J'HO J'l!E.

"i fi . !Jji11i!1"'"' ""'! E:m;111 1/,.s .-J\ sud<l cn turning
away f"rum tl1c ClllTl' ll t of tl10 11 gl1t LO adJrc::;s another
pnsv11 <1r p:1r1.r, o r an :1b:;c11 t or deceased person as
tLou gl1 prcs,~ 1 1 t and :i.li vc, is cal b 1 A post rophe.
'l'liis fignrc of speech is often co111! JincJ or :.sso·
ci:-itcd with Pcrsouification. IL exhiliits in tense fi.;cl·
i11 g, a1i d, if tuc occas ion j11stifl es it, is i1J1 l' rcssivc and
cfli<.: icnt.
'J' l1c follow in g, from :< pri;;,e css;iy on .Edue;ition by
Dr. 1Ja1lli lton, is a speei1ne11 of an impressive style,
:i.m1 eont:i.ins an A postrophe :
"'.!~ho natu re of m an is th e >hon l o n whi ch nll infide l ph ilosophy,
nnd , ' ' 1t ca n he, 1111 1nfi tlc l bcnc r olcncc, nm wreC" kct!. Tli cso can
nr >L ~... xplain him. They mark rontrnsts in hi 111 wl1id t tliey cnn not
rccon.- il c. Th e g reat. :i ncl th e lit tle, the s lronµ and the wen k tho
div i n ~ nn •l th e i1ilc·rn:1l , t. l1 ry ca n n ot nd.in st. Ii i; urigin th cv' cnn
not dcd 11 cP . 11i s rcl·o,·try tl 1e,v ca n noL na.: di tatc·. Th ey maj.· cxpl on : nil secr"t s, :1 11°1 innstc r all diflic11 lt il's l111t thi .' . Ch ristinni ty
n~1111 c ~1:1k :·s. it 1dai n.
~ l ar 1 i.; g rea t, but fallt• 11; is :-- trong, bnt 8i n.
n1ng: 1s d 1nn e, lint d~ ·l1 a ~1·d : t!1 c rl..' forc i:-- lt L' f'J1 irit11ally little wcnk
i11r1·rnal. 1t l1 rin g..; him l ~avk h) i-:11irit 11 a l gn. .: 1\l.IH·."s , s 1rc1w~h nnJ
di,·i r.iity. I t .~di uw:; .l 1im ni l tl1 11t he w:1 ~, i ~, n.11d sl1a ll be. l t ~X J:lnins
t.l.c 111t t·1·mrd111te singes nm! l""'"r.<,cs . l t ncco 1111 ts fo r a ll. J.fan /
t,1 11ylit /,.'/ tl1is ,., '1~1 1i 1 111 . / 1·c1n ql,/101· tl1 1'f', drnul fht·1•, re 1·ercnce tliee, be~
m1Htn t!11 ·t', s/11rn 1/,, ... J! 1tJ t/1e1• !
/ Jut oli,jCw:Jit!, 11l!JSleriou.'I /Jcin!J, /
CUit nut ;.;{i9!1t tltCf' /"11

* T l1c [n s1 it11tio11s , ,f l'u1111l11 r bl11c:1 ti un.

J\n E ssny to wh ich the

Ma11d 1cstrrl'r izt: """ adjuJµ ,.,I.
lly th e Itel". Hidiarll \ Vi utcr Hnmiltun, D.D., LL.JJ. ( l.u11 dc>11, IH·I.->) . ]' · ;;~.

I ;, 'i

U1" .I / ' CJ.) "/'/;'IJ / '/I /·'

i\ll c:-in sec Lli :1L turning fro m tl 1c • 1c .~ni pti \·(' cm ·
rent vf Lliongli L tu :-idc1rc~::; rna 11, at1cb gn::-it c:i cr;..::y v,
the passage.
'l1he foliowing ch :nactc ri st ic 'lllolat.inn from C:w
lylc's K ;say on Sir \ Valtcr Scutt cxbi li its tb c : > :unc
fi g ure :
l' Tu omit rncrc pn1ri rnt s u~c cpt i\· iti c~ th !1L r c•s t on \·:tc 11urn, 101,J.. :11
poor By r1HJ, w h11 really !1:l d rn 1wlt f'11li-; fnt1 C't: i11 him . :--;i11i11g li 11T1 ·
in Jii :-1 :Jcif~1·_'\ilt~, with n prn11d IH·;1rt ;-; tri Yin~ tn J1cr:-:.11ad i1:--cl r t k11 it
Ucs pbcs tlie e11 tin~ c- n ·att.: d 1t1 1i v\:r .... j:; nn d Lir u tl'. i11 r.. ggy 11.:. l._\ \ 1 111 1 \1·1
noypltifu! kstwhip . . ri·r dra\\' 1· t·1 1 u 11 !ii111, you r 1i1·.,1 td 1: yr1J1t ''r iiJ 1,·:-. i 11
0 •

to rture, n)"j

if

th e 11itif1 tl wli i11:-- tcr \\"t ' l' L~

vuni c wire sln it ·k i11tt> Hyron':-\ s11iJJa l

:i.

111 ;q.;ici11n 1 o r Iii~ 1w1 1 a )...' :d

m :uT1)\\'

~

L :1n1c1!1 1d1l (·, d"~1 1 i

cnLk·, one li:ul ra th .·r l ie a ki1tf· 11 :.unl <·ry mt:w ! () !1 , :--oi 1 ,,r .\dal!l,
grcnt ur li1il e, actf> rdin g :ts tl1v1t nrt luralilt" d11,:-.e tl 1u 11 liH::-. t \\ itli
wi ll love tl1ce !"

TL1is is :t fi g1:rc lrNp1cntly employed by C:ulylc i11
bis di sjoi11lcc1, j erking sty le. Tak e an otu er S]Jcci1ne11
fro m tli c same css:i.y:
"The most fam etl mnn , ron11 1l wh o m nil the world r nl'tnro11•ly
huzzahs a nd ,·cncrntcs, ns if his like Wf'rC no t, is the sa me 111; u1 \\born
nll tho wc>rld wa s wo nt to jiJsth: into th e kt~ 111a: ls; J")f a clia11 g•:d 1 11:1n~
but in ever y l\l;re uf liin1 tin..\ ti alll C man . Fooli:'lli wurld ~ w hat \\'l'llt
yo ou t, to s~c ? A 1n11 kard sco urc· d l1ri g ht ! A nd i1:, rh cn~ 11 11! Ii ", uf
the sclf-:·rn mc pewt e r, wli<ik barro'' fuls vf t a11karJ~, t1HJuglt !Jj' wu r:-iO
fol'Lun c all iu till: sarnc sta te "t"

T bc f'1 w 111rncy wilh wl1i ch tl1is fi g nrc is cm1>loycll
.in impassion ed oratory will justify tl 1e prcs 1~1 1 ta tiv11 uf
other illustrations or it. Ell ward .Everett, in :i. eulogy
pronounced on La Fayette, introduces tue followi11 g
apostrophes :
"You have now asscmhletl wi th in th ese sn crcJ wail s to pe rform
the last duties of respec t. and lor r , un th e Lirthday o f your Lcnct"11c tor, hen e:i t.h tlrnt ruuf which has resou nded of old with th e m astcrvoices of A1ncr ien11 rt: now n. Lir;tc n, A111erira 11 ~ , tu the lc~so n :; "!1 ic h

;.; I ' I·.' /! I.,"/' l'

Ii II l e' '/' IJ Ii I< ·.
:--l'l·n1 borne to us on tli c rc ry :-ti r Wl! hrl' a lliL' , wliil e we pe rf...>rm dH!SO

dutit'nl r it~:-: .

Ye wind :-: , tha t wafted the l 1 il g r i 11 1s to 1lie la11 d of prom·
1
i ~~, r: u1 i11 tl11..: ir e liil JrL' ll S lii.: a rt s tli e lo Yc ot' t'n-vdn 111 !
Bl vuJ, which
on r fathe r's shed , c ry frn1n th e grt)l1nd ! E clio i11 h a rches of tl iii; rc-

1101rncd l1al l,

wlii>1ier h:<ck 1.1i., YO ices ur other d ays ! Glor ious WilAh- ·
tli..; lo ng- silence of 1l 1at \' ot in! 1·:111nh : speak, spei1k,
lllari>le Iii'.-, tca d1 11; the loYc u f li l;c r1y 1• rotcctcJ liy law. "
i11 g 11111, hr~· ak

Nothing hut intense focli11g in Ll1 c spc:ckcr, sbared
by the :rnd icncr, won la j11sLify sa<.:lt an al'pc:tl, notsur·
p:1ssc1.l 1y any tliin~ in :u1t.:ic11t or rnuL1 crn oratory;
!Jut tl1c occasion c1 i1l jn st.ify i t, aml wl1 en Everett uttered Ll1 ose words, the aml i,:nce, sw:lycd 11x l1is power,
scc rn cil , whil e in perfect sik11ce: tl1cy l~1ll•1wnl the gcst·
urc oi' tl11; orator, antl ga7.cd li r,;t upon Llic portrait
nna tJicn 11[1011 tJ1c Sl:li lle of' "\\' :tsl1i11g1u11, to expect
ev,:ry i11 s1 :·11 1L1<">liL·ar 1l 1c c:u1y:ts o r Ll w 111arbl e speak!
7 7. l /. ·111u,./, ·, 1'.'/ ;.:,-, ,., !I"!"'" .·l ;i isl1" '!'/'".-Somc cxcclkt1 t rc111 :t rks upr11t tl1i.o.; li g 11n; or Hl1 cto ri e arc given
\1y l':d\\' ard J•:vcrdL i11 l1i,.; rc1·i,.w ,j[' tl1 t~ speecbes of
\ Vcbstcr.-:'· S1'c:1k i11g or a 11 orato r, lw say,; :
"I11 tl1 osc porLiuns or h is discou rs<.; wlii<.:1 1:ll'Cpurely <1id:te tic or 11arratiw , he will not be :tpt tu rise-he
w i II 11ot kt I' <' occ:tsio11 to ri se-above !1 is note,;, though
even l1crc new Lu.:l,.:, illu s Lrat ions, arnl s uggestions will'
spr iug up bel01\; l1im as li e moves on. H ut \~he n the
topic ric:cs, a11 tl tl1 c strain bccorncs loftier and bolder,
the tl 1i ck-colll ing fancies can not he repelled; the
whole sto rehouse or the 111cmory is unl ocked, its most
hidden shrin e,; lly ope n- all that l1as been seen, heard,
read, !'ell, rdurns i1 1 mo:-<t v ivid col or,;- tl1e co ld and
premeditated tcxL will 11t> lo nge r sullice for the glow1

* ~cc

.l\ nrtli J\ 11 1(:ri en11

l {i; Yi ·wt

vol. x ii. P!'· :::n - 2!'il.

~

I JN

• I 1' U .'i '/' I!

11

/'II ;.;

iog t.boug hL- llie sLtLcly -lJah11 cn1.1il1r: '. s1.: 1", IVCS place·
to so tn c fresh nml g r:lul 1ic c:-;.prcss101 1 that r usl1<'" 1111bidclc n to tlte lips-Ll 11; 11 1d0r1;scc11 local1Ly or i11cicl .. nt
furni sltes an apt n11ll :-<pcak i 11g i 111 :1ge-- :t1 1cl t.l 1c' \I' I 1ok
• disco urse, lJy n kiml of llllC0 11s<.:iuus i11sLi11d, li':l iiO'·
poses itsel f int0 a ki1Hl vC l1iglicr kcf. A s tl 1c .1c·st i i·
lustration of ou r rcm:crk, nn cl proof o [ its J tl>"'liC C', \\· c·
subjo in one o f llt1e ll1t>SL clur11 1cnt pass;1gc·s tl1:1L n ·u.·
dropped lrnm tlte: lip,; o[ 111an, tl1e :tll,\rcss \ 11y 1b111 "1
Webster] to tlt e sn r viv urs ciftl tc l>atlku[ B u1 1J.::Lr l lill,
and tltc (fl '"·'',."pf,,; to \\Tar n;11. 'J' l1use \\° L'l'c tu11ies ol
course too olJ,·ious and css011l i:tl , i11 an :-tL111rc·:-:s 1J11 l:ty·
in"' the co rner-stone o[ the mo11u rn 1;1 1l, lu L:t\'C ]) .. cti
or~ittcd iit tl1c orntor·s 11 0Lcs. H1 1L tl1c 11ian 1rlto :-; 1pposcs th at t1 1e apostrnpl 1c to \ Vanc11 \\'as cLtbo r: ttcd
iu the cl0se t anr.1 co1 1111ti ttcL1to1 11crnory, 111ay k11uw a
great dc:tl :"tl>0ut co11Lin;,;c nt rL~ 1nai1ll1cr:-;, 11ut. iii.,; l1 cart
must be as drv and ltard as a rc111:1iml,,r lll"c11 1t. 1le
k n OWS notJ 1i 1 1~ of dU< [ l lG IJCC 1 1)1'" 11 11; pl 1i lu"U Jii l)' of lltc
hlltn::ill Jt1i1tiJ. \ \Te CJIHllG it., tl1c J':tt.l tL'I' LJCC:1t!Se ill t\11:
slight gr:u 11111atical i11 :1ec1H:tey, 11rnrl 11ecLl by pas:-;111~
from tile third person ttl tl1c sccu nd i1 1 tl1c sa 1:1e ,;1·11 tence, we pcr1;c (v c n. t 01 1cc one of tli e rn us L 11:1Li1i'al
consequences, aml a most u neq ui vocal proof of the
want of p rcmcl1i tati o11. \Y l1c n tlte se11tt.: 11cc corn ·
menccJ 'B ut- alt! l1i111,' it w:-is ev i,lc11tly in ll 1c mi 11cl
of tbe ~rator to close it by say i11 g, 'l10w sL:tl l l cu.mmcmornte hi m ?' B ut i11 the prog ress of Ll1c ,.;c11tc111_'.l\
fo rget[u1, uncon,;cious uC the wo nb, 1u L g1011·ing n1ttl
meltin g with the tlio11 gl1t.; l>cholJi ng, as l ie stooL1 near
the spot wh ere tli e l1 c1u ldl, l1is bdovt.:d a11d uc~t11l11

. '

~!

I LiV

j(

II HTUJ( 1 I' .

ful ill1 age ri sing up from l)c nc:ili1 the sod 'with th
rose of bc:w cn u po n h is cli ce k allll tl1c flrc of liberty
in l1is eye'-' tl 1c blood of l1 is ga1!:111L licarL still pour·
in g from liis wou11L1'- li e 11 0 longer c:-in spc:tk t!(liim;
h e 111 11sl ;:peak 11, liim. rl'l1 e g l1 u:; L of' ~a111ud diu nol
nrn t\! L1 is Li 11 d .ly r ise before ::)au l titan 1lic i m:ige of Wnrren sto<)<l fprLit Lo tlic lll l'l1tal l''·req1ti()11 <. 1f tl1c 01·ator,
.1lc 11<> l"11g,·r fltk in pts lv ll'll l1i s a11d i1·11ce wliat War·
l"l' ll \1·:1s, u nt p:1ssi 11 g f r n111 tl1 c t.!1ird lh'l":iu11 to LiiCS(,'C·
011'1 1 li e c:111 011ly o;:1.y , 'How sl 1all l s1. rn gg le wiLh tho
CllluL i1)J1,; L] i:1L St ill e Lite ULtc r:ll lCC of//,_,/ 11a1nc!' 'l'ho
so rri est pc<hnL al o ne \\" oultl l1:iv c t urn cd ftway from
th:tt to uelti 11g :1 ppcal to \Va1T1' 11 lri1n s" lr, p resent, visi·
bk to tlt L\ 111i11 d \ eye, on th e s p1)t w l1 c1\; lie foll , be·
c:wse he h:Hl co 11111a'11ce<l th e se11t c11 cc in the third
rer~u ll.
B11t. we fJlltl 1C tl 1<.:: who],; pa ss:lifl" :
" ' 13 nt, al as, y on arc not all h ere! Time and tho
S\Yorcl h:wc tlii nncd your ranks. P1\"'eott, Putnam,
Sta rk , B rook;;, Hearl , P omeroy , Bri dgc ! Our eyes
SCL'k f\>r y011 in vain ami\l th is brol«·11 h:tnd. Yun are
g: lll1 nl'tl l11 y1111r f;t Lh<T:', a11tl li\'e 01dy to } Ollr COllll·
t ry, i1 1 l1 n g r:llo.f1il l°l' lll t'11 ilJ1":t11 cc a11d y our own Lright
cx: t1 11p l<'. H11 t lcL us 11 \\t too m11 cl1 g ri ,;vc tl1at you
ha\· c 111cL t!1t' cn m111 011 f:1te of 111<'n. Y o n lived at
least. lun g c11011.'..'.l 1 to kn o w that your work liad been
nobly aml su ccl'!'s f1t! ly acco1npl isl 1ctl. You liveu to
sec you r con 11 Lry's indcpcnd e11ce establi shed, and to
sli ~:ttl1 c ,-onr s wo rd~ frum \1· :\r. On th e l igh t of liberty, you s:i.w ari .·c t!Je lig ht of pcacc, like
1
"

"

.An oth er

Hi!-ien on mid-n oo n ;' "

[(;I

.-l l 'U:i"l'HUI' ///,".

tll OrH

and the sky on wliicli you d o,;cd your eye was cloml-

less.
Dnt--ali ! Dim! t.l1 c first gl't at. m:nty r 111 11 1is
great cause! Jli111 , tl1 c _l'l'Cl1laLU l" C victi111 o f' iil.'i 0\1" 1. I
self:Jcvoting 11 cart! li1111, tl 1c he:ul uf vur co u11 c1l:-,
nod the c1e~tine1l lc:H1cr ul' our mi litary ht11d s ; \\·l1()1 1t
~otbi n r1 l..>rou gl1t liiLli e r 1J11L the unquc11c11a1Jlc fire o f'
his O\\~l spi rit.! Hirn, cuL off by J'rovidc11cc in t11 c
hour o f' overw hclin i ng :rn xict.y a11<l U1ick g1 0<1111 ; t': tl 1,- ing ere be saw the star oi' l 1is co11 11 t ry rise; }")uri1 1,!. :
out Lis generous lilood like "\Yate r bc,[01-..; lie k 11 0'\'."
whether it woul d fcr Lilizc a l:tllll of ln::eLl01n or u! ·
bondage ! How sliall I stru g;:;k with tl1c c 11 1ot 1<> 11 :-;
that sti (le the u Ltc rancc of tl1y name ! Ou r poo r \1·urk
end
ure I· 'l'lti:; rno11111n1;nt
· ]1, but tl 1inc •slt·1ll
may pens
•
.
may monlllcr away; th e sul1ll g ro u1Jd it r c,;t,; ll['"1 1
. may sink down to :c level wi th tuc sc:L; liuL tl1y lll L'lllory shall i1 ot fail! \Vh c rc~oc v c r :i. 1110 11 ~ 111 t·1'. a l1car L
shall be fournl that h eats to t11c tr:111 ;.: pvrb uf j •:t l /'ltl\ ·
ism and liberty, its aspirations sklll he tu clai111 k111·
dreJ with th y ;;piril !'"
.
78. lV/11"11. a ~1,,,uf, L l1·: 1~·111 1 J".'/'' '· - -\ pn~ ll"\) j J1 1" 1"
seldom appropr iate cxCcJ>l in i111 p:1ss ioncLl or:d•H} :u1°l
poetry. It sli ould lie u::iell sp:Hi ugly :rncl wnl1 d1 ;-;crimin :i.tion.
"<

0

/(II f; 1· (}I! It'.

S l.' I ! .I/

u 1 'J .\· ,.1 '/'I I1.

l\j: ;

,,,.os

what i:-; tl1i:-; g •J(\d f'nr? - -' l t '/1.'/· i:11/i,.iil1111/s
l)(!r mid ,r;ct r ic/1.. · -.i\11 d wl 1nl goqiJ d t11 'S that. du? 11 kn.: :!1 1; dia lu;:t1 1•
tn<ls.] I i;liou lJ i n:-:ult. t lli~ a11d i1.·11<·c !1y nltcl llJtfin g !q 1•rn\·( · t li :1t a
rich man , as s ueli , i:-: tH.:ir!te r l>t'! te r no r l1ap pier tl1;1 11 a }'v •Jr <111 1.·
(He rc it is res um ed.] ' /J il l a" men ~;rnw 1·i,·l1 , t!u'.'J /i 1·.- lw t frr.1· --- 1...,
there any gootl in this s tuppi11g !Jere~-· liut tlt £"'if' i1111d 11ct.' 111crd ::. in ('Ttase the 11op1datio11 . '- Au el what i;vvd docs tb 1tt J o?"

CIL:\ P'l1 l·:n x r.
SETDWCIX A'J'I O, Ort liL\L OGUE.

70 . ./Jji 11 iti'" 11, 0111! 1~:1·11111 ;1!,·s.- J\ L \ ::\C:IED dialogue
carried on in tlic lllidst o f a spcc<:l1 or other pro<luc·
Lion \\' :1s called by the G ree k rl11.:to ricia11s simply a D~
11./11!fll'', and by tu c Latins ,'\. ·1·11 1ur· i1111/i1,."-·
We lia vo no si11gk E11gl islt word to
c1;m1nun fi g mo of,.,peceli, \\'l1i<:l1 is " i1 11ply an imagined
cu11\·cr<":ttion. It may lw c:1.rri L·d on witl 1 a person ified
olJ.icet, with a p crsclll al>::;c11t or t1L·ceas1;J, or witli some
[Wr::;on in the amlic11 cc \\'lio i,.; r;,1H:icd to conve rse with
tlic spct1.kor.
'l1 l11 1.s i<;rlwanl .Everett, i1 1 a spf'cch u po n th e Dun·
h'l' Ifill :-ru11unw11 t, f:uic il's a11 111>,j('clor r1 rg ui11 g against
ii. \ \"L' [Hl11cL1 1atc tir e ext ract ,;o as tu sl1uw the dia·
loguc clc::i.rly, italiciz in g wl1at tl1 c ol.j cctor says :
"H11t l :ll11 rnd wj!l1 tl1e ul•jceti• Hl , IJ ''/1ut ;1ou l will tlw 111011m11 ent
du! * "" * J)uc:-' n rctilroad tir :t ca na l dog11q d ? ( }f1'8.'- A11dli ow?
1

- - ' ff _r;11 ·//i /1((i'S i11/, 1·1•11tll'S•', lijll11S 1W11·f. 1•f ,.;,

* ·· 1\ e s11n t 1111i1la1n, 1p1i

( flt'/

i111Tl'1lSeS t./l C WClllt fl

of

h:l."'i d~ · mn111 ";7 1 11 1 rr i .1;;-11 .7r1i r1~· dicant, in 11 tii~

!1 11 :- 1: 1 <·orp~ ~ ra 1•t ,·r rlia fi1 q.!" i11111:-:; ~t · r111011r ·;-; ho111i 1111n1 a ~s i 111 nlat.os 1U.
c(•r c 1 1u L l. or u 1 ·~· 11 1:d111ll , 1jl1utl L at i 11 o r11111 q11idn 111 dix cnmt, ser111ocina.
l i11111 ' 11 1, n

"Bnt !' OnH· - w!i1) <.::111 t.li.• li ~ 11r0 ;11·1's")''-'I'" ia w l1t•11 \ \ 'O irn ngino
!10th 1.h e pt..•r.-. on and tl 1t~ i-:111.:cr l1-- pr1·f<"r ff1 ca l l irn: 1gi ncd specr hc:-! din.
J,,~ l ll' '· which t he Lnti11-; denv111 i n:1t e ~e r111 u e i 11ati1> '' ( Qui 1uilin 11 , Jib.

ix.

~'

:) J ) .

A speech is very much enl ive ned lJy th is llgurc.
The conve rsation 111ust be 11atural, anc1 wcl 1 rq11\"
sonte<l in the vuice nml manner of tl1c S] •t:akn . 1t
adds m uch Lo tL c cfl'cct if the auth or rq>rL·"c1it s tuc
cha.meter of tlic prrson co rrectly wlium 110 tl1us su111mo ns up before l1irn. If Ll 10 fan eicJ l'erson is a pl1ilosophcr, he m ust talk lik e a p!Jilosophc r ; if a cl<iw11,
~ like a clown . The audience will lie dispJ..:ts1·:.J iC
any unfairness is shown . A" m:rn o[ straw ,'' o r ]'(' I'·
souagc rep rese nting baseless ohjcetions, 111u,;t nol lJL·
called up.
vVe often med t.J1is figmc in SC' l'l llOllS 1 <'"ll<'('ially i11
· ' tbe form Ol Sll[l['Os in g >'0ll1 C a11J1itur t» nl'.j1 ·1·t t ( J 11 11'
pcnker, or to co nverse \\'ill1 l1i1n. '!' lie J( 1il<>\\'111 g i.-;
a specimc11, sligl1tly ;tlJbr'-·vi:i.kd, from t11 e ~ c nn 1 >1 1 ,.: oi'
John \.Vcsky : "I a:-k, "\\'liat ca11 make a wi<'k c: cl 11 1:L11
bnppy? You ;rns11'c r, ' //,· l111s ,';11i11n{ !Ill' ,,./,,,(,. 11·,,,.f,{,'
' - 'vVe 8,]low it; an rl wl1at tlocs Ll1 is i.1npl y '! - ' ff,. /1,1s
, gaiiwl
t/iol 11n1 !'./i'-' 1111· ,)i'// SIS.'--'l'rue; 11111 C:il l 1·:1l·
ing and cl rin1'i11 g m:tkc a m:i.1 1 klJ 'l'Y? 'l'l1 i,.: i,; tn 1>
coa rse fooll for an i1nmorlal sp i ri L. - ' I/,. !1r1s 1111 111/, ,,. ,., ..

au

so·11rcC-r"IJ1jJf1111sf', ;;f11 !' '/ .
1w1 >J1!1

.1 1111 / 11·/ll

?'- It wi ll 11<'11; l'or li e can

iii/I

n '1t

!/,is 11111/.·,· /1i111

Le :1ppla11 llnl by

nil men; no 1na11 ever wa:-:. rt is cc rt:ti11 ,;ome wi l l
blame, aud li e tl1a1. is r·,_i11ll ui' appL1.1 1sc will 1;·c l rr:"r· ·

•,

lt.i ->

j(/ff.'J'(j ](/1"_

Vl.':il UX.

p:u n from tho censure of the O !i e , tlian
the praise or many ."
8U. (],r n( 1;,,,:, F1i;11rc. - 'l'o exce l in the use of thil!.
fi g ure, re11 uircs gr eat skill :w cl in c nl::tl culture. 'l1h
pri1 1cipks ::t tll1 di rcctio11s g iv e n i11 the cL1aptcr on Rep•
rcsentatwc \Vr iting arc nearly all applicable tu it, and
slioulcl be carefully studied.

l GG

CHAPTEH XII.
VISIO?\.

81. D efin£tion, c/ln l E~·r@pfos.-Trrn r cprcscn lati on
of what is p:i.st, Cu tu re, or alJscnt, or of a f:rnci1:<l oce ur·
tencc, as tl10u gli it

\\'::lS

presen t, is properly called Yi :i·

ion.

Under tho influence of a vivid im::igination a ~11·::-1k ·
or fancies wl1at lie is desc ri lJ in g as now pass ing kt~Jrc
him ; and if he can succeccl in 1vm1m:ing t l1c same km ·
por::i.ry illusion in his bearers, tho impression matl c by
his descrip tion is much stronge r tl1an it w o uld u tliu·

wise be.
In the dcsc ri ption of a mnn1 cr, Daniel \ Vcl 1:-<tc r em ployed this flgn rc in a passage of grc:1t po 11·cr. J\rtcr
using the sim ple narr:-ctivc :-<t_ylc i11 tl1 e 1Jeg i1111i11 g of
the desc ri pt iun , :i,s tliou g h tl1 c e vent li:t1l long si11 c•:
~ happen ed, stating tl1:i.t th e " d eed 1cas excc utctl 1ntb
self-possession;" "deep sleep lltlcl fall en o n t11 c vi ctim ;" "lii s s1 ccp 1ras sweet," etc., lie imm ccl i ~ttcl.Y
changes hi s narrativ e in to tl1c prese nt tethl', as tl1n11 g h
· the .thin g ·was ]1appc ni ng 11u 1r, in the prescl!CC of tl tc:
ju tlge and j nr_y, aml s:-cys :
" The :-t~s:1 s~ i11' rn rcrs, tl1r() ngh the wirnlow n1rc:v1 y pn·pn rl'd . i11 10
nn 11n occnpi t·d :1paru11 c 11L. \\'i llt l lHi:-1·1e:-.~ fdol. he 11arc:-:. tl1 t' lt 1w ly
hnll, half liglit('J hy tl1 e rn uon; J1l~ wi 11 l{s \\)i tlte a~C C lll ur tl11· ~tair" ,
l\Od reaches tlic <l no r of Ili c cllf11nl>cr.' '
1

llili

'f'Jllo'

A f'1•_·1· u,.:ing the prcsc'nt :,•1i.~e fi,r :i. few minutes,
11..: rdurns to tlie 11nrrativ ..: styk, :tnd ,.:nys:
I

•

".'Tli c ~·0 11 m. 11'((S lllH'l)n~f'io 11 ~ J.v n p1\ 11 to I he admi ss ion of light.
J he fal.'.e vi t/J c 11111 occ11t :-k'qier u·,,s 1ur11eJ frv1n the rnur<l crcr, ,, etc.

/II ST !I IU <'. I /,

I' li/-.".'i /-." _\/" .

the v e ry l:tst, \\"l1t ' n, in tl··~criLing tl1e fj,,],] 1~/i, ,· tl1<~
battle, li l: :i.Lnq.ilv liri11g:-; it Lcf,, re u s a,; tLuu c, !1 11·L·
could sec it , say i11 g :

'

1

'1 li c11 Lie rcs nm cs tl1 c vision :
·•I •

''The fat ed Llow is .:.:i1·c,, ! nncl th•'Y ictirn p n ~ses wi thout n t •
.
·
,. .
.
,
s rug

,... 1 0 1 m 11t 1u11, 11 0 111

th e r1 ·po~c

uf ~it-Pp tu tlt c

rt'tiosc of Jcatli !"

l f011· mrn.:11 more imprcs,; i\'e is tL1i s t itan tlt0 cold
11n.Ha ti v0 styk !
Hre1111cnt trnnsit.i011;-; f'rom the past to the present
:ire e01rn11011 in cxcitecl n:nrn.livc, as tl1 c uat ure of the
c1:1·11 ls dcserihccl often rer3u ire tl1 0 na rr:it ivc style, and
w1ll 11ot. a<l 111iL of' be ing J"t.:fl l'L'SC 1i lc<1 i11 \ ' ision.
Iii tl1 l~ \rvll·known description or tl 1e oattle ofWat.-rlou uy ~1.n.rn, tl1i s fi.t.:"llJ\_; i;-; i11trud1iced with great
,·fl ccl. \\' e l1:11·c room rn1ly for a f'c w lin es of it. It
11·ill be p crccin' d tii :1t it lx·g ins in t l1 e li1 ii to rical style:
011L the bst l1ue of tbc fl rst ::;tanz:i employs the fi •Yurc
of Vi sion .
b
' ' Tlic r(' wn~ n ~onnd of rr v<'l ry I •.\· n igJit
1
:\11 d f h·l .~ i: 1rn' ..; c:1pi1:1l had garl11· r1·d 1lif·rc
,1 ~t ·r he:u1ty arid li er d 1in\l ry i a 11d li r ig li t

l lie la1111 1:-: :-: li u11 c orcr fai r w111111.: n and bra ve men ;
A t!io11~a11d lit-•ar l ~ hca1 lin ppih·; and " lie n
i\ft1 ~ i c :ll'nsp w i1li its \ '<1 h q 111 10 1;;-; ~w<: ll,

~<>ft <'." ":-: lu<>ked lure tu ('yes 1li :1l SjJiJkC nga in,
A 11d all 11·<'11t m t rn· ns a m ar ri nr;~ l•c ll ·Dut liu ..;f, .' fi nd· -' '' clv'/: suuw L s t1·ikts like a :-isi ng knel l."

The next stanz:l dcscr iLcs the c011stcrn ation of the
comp:i.11)', in l"i siu11, as tl1uug li prcsc1 1t, and t hen the
. past rc ·lurn,.: lu t.l1c 11arr:,1in: si r lc, and docs not re·
:-;u mr, tlic prc;;c 11 t t.c11sc agai n in tli c: wh o1c desc ription

u Th e ear th i ... eo\·C'rc d tliiek ,,·it11 otli1·r <:lay,
\ Y hi t Ji li e r ow n cl:1y sh(,// ('ilYt· r , lu:'IJ't'.d an d 11cI1t,
Ri tlc r ! Lll <l hv rsc-fri t.:11d, fl1e - i;1 011c l'L"d l1t1 rial lilt.:JJI '. "

Such a prnc1uctio11 sl10ll":-i i1s th e prnvcr of Ll1i s fig·
urc of' spcC'cl 1.
82. '/ 'l11 · f/ist-m"r" tl J>r e;·>'11!. -'l)o <'OlH lll On l :-i iL 111
historical writi11 g,,, tl1 :tl Ll1..: u:;e n!' tl1c pr~·::;,·11L 1<"11 ~ •·
·of verbs f.J r t.l1 c p:t" L tc- 1 1 ~..: is hy sPrn e gT:t rn111 :1ri:ui:<
called "the lii:-;toric:tl j)l"Csc11t." :'l !<Jtkrn wrill·rs dn
not use it so f'1·c<J ne11tly as tlit; :uwie11L wri lcrs. 1t.
should Le c111plnycd ·' /'m·i11:1l.1;, and r)IJ!y i11 c.\:citcd
.- narratives, c,r it wi ll c:oo n !0:-;e all its dll.·ct.
rro sl1 o w it,.; Crer1nc11cy and JlOll"('l', \\" e bricflv n·l;·r
to a few cxn.mpks.
Even·lt, in :Lil oration Oil t.l1\' r il g ri1ns, h :1s :i. \"<'l'I"
cloquen t pass:.gc:, lJ('g i11 ni11 g 11· i Lli LI 1esc 11·urds :
/' 1\1etli inks I sc r· it no w : that onl: s11li1 :1ry ruh·1' 11 l 11 ro11 s vc·:..:~t·I.
tbc 1'{ayJI UWL'. I' (1f :\ f'Hrlt11'1] l!Hjl(') fri·i~lif1·d w i tl1 (}W jJ J" USJlt.:CI...; to!' ;t f11 tUf(! st~tc, anJ btJlllld across t! 1e 11nk 11 vw 11 sen."

T he whol e pa~ sage is one or th e sulJ1imc!-'t. (lescrip·
tions in tli e E11 gl isb b11 g 11 ~1 gc. At ll 1c c lu:-;c: uf" i1.
tbc stm1cnt 11· ill observe also nn exce ll en t spcci11 1e 11
of the :ipostrophc, uegi 1111 ill g :
"T cll n1c, man of military scic11cc ! in ltuw rn:rny l1J olllli s 11 ' •' r 1'
t;WC p t nff 11.v tlJI' tliirt:i: ~a\' : t gc t ril1f• :-; l'J 1 U J1l(~ rated w i 1. !1 i ll tl1t ·
cnrl y limit s o f New E 11 gl: 11 Hl? Tl'll me, pfditician ! how I o n ~ ,/ir/
the ~hnd(JW of n rt, J\ 1n .v , uu wlii cl1 y1, 11 r 1·.. 11 ve 11 t i vus an d t n..: a t j c:; l1: 1d
not smil ed, hrn g ui ' h on the d i,;tan1 .. o ast ?"
1

they nll

.Ii' II l."J' (l/ .. /

J/()

I ii

t '.

'~

shon lcl hi: well 11 011•' . T he 1lcser ip: ions mu sLLe spir·
iL,·ll a111l :·wcuraLc. L'11i1 11 porta1 lL parlic1il ;u·:; or JeaL·
un.:s inu st 11ul u1.: 111e rl1i t' IH'11. 'J'li...: d csn ip Lion must
11 ot u...: 10 11 '.!. or it \\' ill uccorne wcar iso rn c, a1Hl the fig·
Lire 111u~l noL L•c: Cll1pluyc1l 0Clc11, o r it wil l Lli:;plcase
a11tl ,li,.:r;11st Ll 1c li1·:m·r,.:.
1-:s 1-:1:1·rs1-> 1:-: r1c:n:1-:s.

P oint 011t a111l ll:tl Jl(.: t.l1c; Ltriuus lig urcs 111 the fo].
lo win g extracts:

"E,·en th n in ~ tn1mc· 1 1t 1,r 1n11rdcr i" ali't·r,•d-tii·· :-.til1·t!o lifl" ~nnl.
into n pe n I Hl oud i.-. \'11l gar ! ~ :al1 11qt 1iil· l1u 1! y, 1~u1 r 11i 11 t he d1:L rn.ctcr !''
"I wot1l\l n ut di.-..:-: u :1d(~ ;\ ~ t. 11dl•flt r rq!Jl tl1 C(; q11i~ ·~ ical i11q11i ry; nn
the cont r ary, I \\'0 11\ d e111k;l\'(l[' to j ll'llllH1lt! tlii..: 1lt· :-- in· 11( 1·11t 1 ·r i 11 ~!: l!J 1l 1! I
trnch ~ 1d.1.k c 1 s; lH1 t I w11 11 ],l f'ore warll l1i 1n , when Ii i· t•11 1kaY n r:' tn l1111k
down h is uwn tli rua t \\ iili a c: 111 J lc i11 hi :; !ianU, [<)take c are tlia1 111·
doe:t not. sc.;L Ii i=' lil':1d v n fire.
\'I can seem lu ~ et · 1 ao.; tli:1t hard nntl d:nk ~rn~o n \\'n : :. 11n. . ~ in g
nway, a tl im i11i :,l 1cd f1t'Ol:t.:.'-" i11 11 o f 11\e:-;C l1i!gritn~ foJJow i nh a1111tilt'J' ,
<lcnri y ]Ol'Cd :1ll l1 lH;ll'i )' de a d, t o ti>:ll h :111k o f gl':tl'CS. Ju 1'1111 1·i"''."
the ~1n.yfl u wt'r i:' ri .lin g: at an t.:lir1r . Th . .· l <JI1 es 111' tl1 e vc11t· r :lt •_·d l'itl ~.
cr'6 ro i ~c is full of t r ust. 'T hi:-: ~ 1 1()f.' l ie :-::ty:-:, 'i:-: n n"· d1•:1 r t11 11...: .
, nd g:ruws d u u\.: r dai ly, fro m til e 11n.• t:itJlb Jn:-t c 1) ll 11J1 i1 11...:d tu it:-:i l 1u 1

'

!iOOl. ' ',

"l l ~ r YOicr· is but th e shn1luw uf a sound ."

'·Far :1l"11g.
F rom pea k ! 1) J•C·ak . tla• nt1rli11:1 t'l'a ~s
/, 1 't1;1.~ 1 lie iin; 111 [l ll d\'I' . .,

"ncsl l'll <'linn nn1l lk:1th '")', " '" l1n1 c heard th e f:lm c tl1crcof
w il ii Oll l' C.:;lr:-. ."

'' T lic :1s11\.111u111\·r 111 r 11s lii :-: g l :1~s tu tlic l 1e:t''l' 11 ~ , a nd fix es three
I it t l e pui 111:; o f t iii' c1 n11rt 's r11u r:-:1·, nud :-: •) find..:. :t ..: 11 1:d I :trl' i,f i ts t:urvr.
Fru11 1 tli a L an: li e ('a11 J•r··dict tl1c w l11d,•_ . : \ 11d ~n fr11111 wli:\t we han'
·l on e y cs tl'rd: 1.\', tin• tL1.'· l1~fvn..: ;·t·:-11· rdny 1 :ll lll hJ- d;1y, pt> rltap uur
lifc-p:llh rna:· (,,. ,011h .. I."
• 1 \\ ~, . :in· ripa r i:1111i1·11pr i\.•f<• rq dw1·lli11;.: 011 n liril1· hil of d1 i: ~horc,
1
n11d l o•1ki11~ Pllt on :l ~ mall porti o n of tl1t· sen wl1i \·l 1 li ail tl':; all conti-·
Jll.!111:-: . ll

"The J..:"i ft nf ~ pt'c " li is to all Jn f' ll r n mrno11 , to m :in pcc1di ar, pro,·in).! !11al 1\lllll i-: of' f"\llt '. J1Ji H11J. 111 '( \\'t 'f'J\ w )11 111 1 :\ ll•l 1111 • Yrry Jij g-}H'sl Of
1he m:t111·u.c·1·rt'hral Jll: t m111:di:i. 1\yrn1! :111/( i s.fi.1(',/" (1\ llusion, Mda·

ph o r ) .

"Th" lii . . 1nri(·[d eri1i1· wli1) (':in pr•i.;tl'n n"' t ll<' n il1l1 · to l\ [n. nctho
11
s 11rcl,r 1111fs /11'111sf'(( oil/ '!I° r· ,,itr/ 11n p11rr· ly lift'rary gr•urnd.
" ( )11r t·on~c i t.! l ll'C is t!t e Ly dia n ~ t o 1 1<.: liy which we must try thu
gold of t rntli . . ,
" For tliy ~:lkl·. ·1 ". b;1 Cf 'l}1 r
\\p1 111 l· l .111 :111~· t hing: 1~11t dit · '. "
1

"1'::1t'h 1·lu11d-c-~ p JtC' •I mo1111tai n i-= n holy altar,
,\ n 11q•:111 l•n' alhe,,. in c\'<' ry g- ro \'C;
,\ 11«! tl 1v !'111 ! h 1•:1rt'...: n l ';..;: 1111·1".
1:i4· !1 i11 .!t·1·p liy1 1111 " 11f 1:r:11i t 11.!(1 1111d l11n·."
'' ~: 1·a111

h:1 .;, 111 :1rri1.:d

il 11· t·1111ti1 tl ' lll~ . . ,

.

nmo11,!.!',

d Thu11 g- h t ltt..: lil ood of a 'Y:dl:u·v h ~irl fail ed tn J!l lrt'liH sl' l'l't'•-' d 1H11
fur hi:; country; t)1 u11gl1 :li 1• :-.liuri -lin·d ll: 1me "l1i1 ·li l111r:--t fr1 1r11 tli1 ·
cutlrnsiasm of' c·r ,,1nw~·ll h:1·i only dnrk· ·nt ·d t l11 · ~\\(' 1' \ ' l·dinµ: 11 i;..·li1 :
th ong h tlic Y ie 1 ·~ <1f :\ :--: 1u:1rt li;1d 1·rod11('<·d 1 lik i• 1lw 1w :--1 ill'ntial ,..;1,il .. r
Egypt, swarm-.: t> f d t· \·1111ri11~ luc 11:'!:--, ;:il.\\.'d \\i!l1 1itlP' nt' J1 L1hili1.\· , tlw
bn tt lcs11f

S:ir:1l·1~n, '.\l1 111m1n 1tl1, 11 11 •!

\'111kt•1w11 1• r1H'lai111t:d, ·.\ II

nrc horn (·r111 :1 I. ...
" ¥ 0 11 fly lo :1n11 s ; 1 11tli g 11a 1:on 11a ... Ja· s fnn n ca 1· !1 cy(•;

l ~ t · \' 1 · r1 J.!'! '

g nnsli cs he r irtt 11 1e1· tl 1 ; 1111\·1·ri11 g F11rit· .' dark1·11 al l t!w n ir.

"The

Jc.op;1rd

l';t !l

llot 1·l1a11g1· l1i'\ :-)"-!'" , 11111

\\·1·

:rn·

!11

111 °· 11

1
'

tr:111 .. f11n11

oursch·c!", lJntly :111d ::-.oul, tu ~:1\·e 11ur 11r11111•l'f y 11tt il lin·:-; ~" ( :\ ll11 .. iP11,
Compari snn, f n•ny ) .
" 'I' li c Cl111rd 1 of C od :Hh·:1 1H·e;-; 11 n h 11rt a11iid ri 1d:;:; nnd d111 1i,tcons; she Ji a..; (·n k rf'd f1:il.\·, an d :q11·e:1r ..; lwt'urc the wal b <•t' 1111'
li:tcrnn.I Ci1 y; idida try l'nl l."' pro, 1r:\l c~ :tt lwr n1 i1•nlad 1: her l' H:--. ig n
floats i11 tri11111pl1 o'\"(T tl1c.: t:qiital; :-: li (· l1as p lnccJ 111 10 11 lie r L1ruw !1 11~.
di:tdcrn of tli u Ca« or> . "
" \\ re t'liarg c i1i111 with li:n·i n g l1rok1·11 Iii..: ' '" l'u tin1i.,11 -oatli, a ;id
we arc tuhl 1l1at lie kL"pt hi :; m :lrri:q.,:-c-n1\\. ! ,,~v :i e1·11..;c• li im vf li:t\'ing gi\'Cll llJ' l1i:; J•('('Jth: !1J t h1: lll L:rl'il \.'"=" inf:il'!iuth of th e rnn:-:t l111tht•ndca a11d li;1rd .11 (' :! rt1··l <if 11n·l:1f('!-'. :-rn.J !111• 1 !1· !'c· 11 ~e i:-o, that ! 10 t 11cik
l1i ,'i l it t.lt '. :'i o1l 11ll !ti ..; kn r1• and l.; i:-:'-(·d l1i111 !"
"B1 11· 11 i 11f q tl1t· \\'i 11·l i\ i;1 i ~: 11 1Jr; 11w {· 1 111:111 i.-. i11q ·i :lk d Lynn i 11q-•

rivus i 11 sl i11 tl t11 k now.

· :-'11·i..' wli i:' jli' I' =' a \'< 1 i n~

i 11

Ii i -.; ~, 111 1 1.

1

it111

1

'\

l•llXTl; JU C.

172

th(ltt shalt ft nd. • !Tc ' ceb, It~ obsc n·c·,, ltc in r]ltircs. H o nscrndr
Llie mnunt ~ in of knowlcdgc-nq.~gl! d, prec ipit ous i he climbswith dif.
fit.:u lty fr,"'m cr:i g to crag:; o n the topm ost i ·cak, in the dear C\'Cnln•
of an i11t c• ll cc l1tal !if•', lt c bc ltnl•b 110L tlt c 'l e ril e bo11nJ:1rics of a uni.
verse cxp\ or eJ, \Jiit ll ll oce:m of knn\\'Jc.J ,c;c _l'l'l IO lie traversed, a Pa-

cific of ll'll t lt strC!Cliit1 g Oil :ll\d Hll i11 tu the
.t

dcl' itS v r c tf:l'll ity.

11

~find , the an gel of th e 1t11in.'I"~\; , rl' ad y tu ~ua r l) ll L o l' tho m' ti

of 1·:1rth, pr11 11 L·~ lier winhf' fn r C r d· l a:-:. ti11~ !li ght. Th e inst inctwhlch
f, ,rJ,i.J' lt t'I' tn clu>c he r pi11i nns nm\ lO J ic !ta~ bee n rnrncious for
ti1m· 1 a11d i-; ju:5 tl_v tru slcd fur dcr 11 i1y.''
'"Tii...: llo wc r tlu:t i:-i o ut of rl.'a<'lt i!'i tkdij·:tlt'd t•~ (:oll !"
"\\'ho d oc~ not tlc"pi~c a :-:i h· e r ~)'-li ppcrl ·tl rr-\ igion ?' '
"In sp urring the nrJ or uf yi>uLl 1 to :-.tudi.. ll'i 1· x1.."rtion, il is com-

Cll.AP'r En XIII.
"'IT.

mon to rqieat th e I fom c ric 111axim, · To '"l'l.J"nt en·ry one dsc, nnJ
011 lirst.' Th o stimuhti11 g effect i ' 11 11d•111l>tcJ ; iL is strung
rheto ri cal brnndy."

s1 and

" Pa rting Jay

])i e< li ke rt dolph in, wh e n e a ch p:1 ng i111l111 cs
'\"itl 1 :1 nPw c c ~ l o r as it ~:1~rs :i.w:-iy,
The !a' t "ill love li es t, t tl l- ·tis gonc-nn.J all is i;rn)'·"
\!\'l(<JS.

r1h nn l he Grct>k] lt:I' li\"Ctl ~() I on ~ nnd died go
pang, c nch with n. dl)l p l1i11 <..: vlur. "-:'\1 H S . BH OW/1\1 :\0.
"The a t l t..' lllJH. nf infi de li ~y to do a wny w ith th e g re at doctrine1
of rcl igi011t is th e prowrss o f n. <lwnrf mu11 11ti11 g vn a ~iauL's shoulders to pu t o ut l1is eye."
"If tl1e spi rits nf the ill11 strio11 s t1 cn1l pn rl if·i patc in t.hc cnrr.s o(
" l\o oth<'I' hng11ngc

ltard, pang

l1y

th ost' dt•ar In 1!11·111 in llii s tran sitory Ii!(·, oli, 1·\·c·r d{· ar and \'Cncrnted
~ liadl·

1Jf 111y
"A ma11

n. :;kin

0 11

l°H tl wr, loo k d<1\\'ll w il11 StTllLitty 11pun y o11r i.;on

i1.''

tit' cap:tcity

!"

u11 th.:n.: h1ped i-; 1111 <•rg :wu:c d Jay-dream with

-

SG. D cjiliitio1; . -1\T ll' 1Jri11gs lo6cth cr tl10u:.;l1t,.; in
uncxpccteLl :lssociatiu11,-, \\'l1id1 a w:tk..:11 a pec ulia r l'cci·
ing of plcasun;, C; tl\t.:ll tltc) (' IllULio11 of' t\ic Jud icl'<)llS.
87. 'J.'l1e P l1if,,«l•1il1:; 1f .ll"i'1 .- TL1crc is a pruj>cr uI"
dcr or Ll11; parb cu111pusi11g a11y rn ak ri:tl stru c;l.l l l'c ·, :l1 1•l
there :tre c:er t.ain rcasuna\ Jle aml cu rrcct a,;sociatiu1 1s ui'
thoughts aml fcd i11 gs. 'J'li c g rati(iG:ttiu11 ;m al,c11\;d lJy
perceivi ng a11y sut.:1 1 sy1111ndry is pl1il":ou11l1i•::ti a1111
pcrfoct. A \\' Cll·fl>l'll lcll l111111:1n \Judy, :w t.:>::tt.:l ,;p1 1nc
or scir1:trc, or otl1cr 111:tlt:rial l'u nn, a11 accuratc-ly·:iil.j11,:L·
Cd system o[ rn:1clii11c~ I'}, :d\ g 1·:·ltif~y the \'.)' C; :ll ll1 ,.;o
n. wcll·co 11 Lluctc\l :trg utnL:11Latiu11, :t rncth o1li c:11l y·ar·
rnn ge\l t,rl;ati.~c· , or pol' tt1, (J r o rat.i1>11, or <:.:\'C tl :t 111 ccly ·
roundc(l peri od , or a tl1un ~ l1 t i 11 atty w:1y pr<111c rly·
cxprcssc <1, pleases th e mi llL1. 'l'Ltc reaso n is pleased
with on.1cr.
It mi gl 1t be supposer1, from t.l1i,.: racl, that all 111Cl)\l ·
gruous associations, or as,.;uc iat i011 s i111possibk in f:tct,
would pain the rninc1. ~o they clo all 111i11ds ~j{' a11y
ti UCl1 tli crc arc) i11 <..: ap:i.h le o!' :1pj1rcc iating \\'it.
'rhc.: n) is .~•m1 L'l i1 1l c'S ·i n di sunJcr a s l r:111 g<', Ca11L:\:-; l i, :
rcg11hrity wlii clt l 'l":1 0;1·s ; s• >111,.Li1 111:,.; tl 1t: 111 1l':-:1wcit'.\
assoein.tic111 ul' j,k:1s ilalit:rs our own scll-L·stt:<' 111; S(l!ttc·

l

7,,

/( II ;.: 7' (J }! I

Li1nc:i it nwakcns an ac1mir::tlio11 of tlw
s u•0.-0ncsts un new
\\'it; so: nctimcs it even star tiinu-Jy·
0 .
•
truth; anL1 in some or ;\!] or ll1c:;c ways it prc<luces
:l. pee id i:ll' p leasure Lktt renders \\'i t a very eilicient .
\YCapo1 1 111 Ll1c L:l!!ds of a speake r o r wri Lt.:r.
·
Ti'.us ll11) pidure 0[ a s_y lllrn clrieal l1u man body
g ra t1ri c·s u,;; bu t let :111 artist give to tli c picture of 11
l1u111an 1:1ce asillin c cars, o r a llog';; 110sc, or any other
d1::;to rL1011, ::tnd so fo r frv111 tl1e di.~g 11st t.l1at pliil osophy
rn1 glit Jinn~ nntici pakd, a st ra11 ge ['i<-:is11rc is excited.
rl'J 1is is the foumbtion Of' tlJ c \Y]tOJe ;;1·ste m vf C::trica·
lurin g . Gestu res, n1:wn cr, scntirn e 11t~, tl1 ongh ts, can
all lie c:l.1'1(;;\ lureJ. It C:t ll lie so do11 e :1s lo surro-cst
00
0tl1c r 1.l1()U _l.(l il, a 1l\l LL·cu111e tlllls a Ll ifl ic nlt :i.ml a re·
fi11cL1 art. H iLis <lone i111p ro pl'!'l y, u 11j 11:-<tly, it olfon<ls ·
ou r se nse of' pro11r il' L.Y a11d ri gl1t, ftl1 <1 tl1\' pleas ure that
wouhl be prod 11ced by tl1e 11· it is 1u111 il1ilatt.:d, or ovcrpowcrccl by in<lignati o11.
SS. !Ji(Jir·1 1fl!J of ilfus/mt ·i11y 11·,-1.-\\'itLil'.i,;msgcncr·
;illy 011·c much of the ir (·fleet. to tl1 e ot.:casion which
prvdu cC's tl 1crn, :incl Lh c rd: 1rc, like voht.ilc vapors,
11·h cll \\' e attempt to :tn :-tl yzc tl1cm tlJC'y cv:iporate.
'1" l1e g l 011·-11·orm ec;isc,; t•J sl1in c ·when sul.1j eetc<l to
,_fo,; ceLio11 . Still wu sul'.jo in :t f..;w to illustrate the
theory .
SU. Rr·r 1111;11 •s. -A pl1y sicia1t \1':1 s snmmonccl in
g reat li:1stc, in fl da rk and :-< tormy 11i g bt, to visit a pa·
t1c·11 t g rl'atly alanncd at a suddt.: 11 accid ent. On arriv·
i11 g, :u1t1 fi11ding the m:111 111ure fri g liLcncL1 than hur~
l1t: t11rnc d f.o Ii i,; :1llt.: 11rl:rnt :u1d requ1~,; tl~ d l1irn to run
\rit.11 g rent k1stc a nd g et a cerla i11 rn cclit.:i11c. "J
1

I'. I fl IJ .\" 11 .1 / . I .'i I . I

I_'

hope," sL:1ii1111erc\l t,l1,_; p:tti,- 1i1 , " tl 1at tln: r•· is 11<> 1111111<' ·
diate <l:inge r ?" ".l1 1.1,-,•d tl1erc i\ " s:1id t.lil'. d\1d1 JI':
uiiles:-i he rctu n1s as suo11 :t:i lie c:111, y<>11 \•;ill lw
_ wholl y well liefore tlie 1nedi1_; i11 t: 1_;01 11t.::-; !" 'l'l1 e i11eu11', gruity co nsists in o ll'eri11g a::> :l rca::>u n wktt rc::>c111l -lc-.<
. n reason in form, hu t i[ real ly so eo11::;1dc rc:d \\'Ot1ld c;\ ·
1'

cite only contempt.
"Can y o u rc:l.\.l (j n:L·\;," iu11ui rc11 a g\: 11 Lkrn: lll o f
one w1 10 was gcLtill g llcl: i11Clll_y Lhc 11ctll: r ol' 11im in :1
tbcologie:1l a rg urn eut. " 1 du not k1Lo11·,'' ll\' rq1i1L·d,
" I have ne ve r tricL1."
Sir Doyle Hoclie saiL1, ");u 111:u 1 e:-L1 1 Lc in L11·,,
places at O ll CC 1-.1-c•'/1/ /i •· l;c r<. f,,", ·J"
_
_
_
\JO. I'amiu•1111 1siu.- \\'it J1 1<1J L1\: d11' 1clcil 11 1Lu 1·ari ·
OUS k inLls.
rl'J..ic most l:Clllllilull sp1_;eics of' \\"i l, :liiil
the ]owesL in merit., is Paru11 01nas i:i, or tl1c .Pu11 , wi11 d 1
consi;;ls in t.l ic usc of a 11·or,1 "r cxpress i, 11 1 \\' l1iel1 \\·ill
bear two rn c:t1 1i11gs, in s1 11:1 1 a 1na1rn er as to su :,:-:.:.->'l
both mean in gs :iL o nCt', w\H )ll tl1 c i11 <.;11 11 g r11i ty "f' tli"
two illcas pruJlll:CS an c111otion of the I11c1 iernu ,:.
Thus Cu rr:J..ll was \\':tlking wiLl 1 :-t fri\;11d wli o \1·: 1s
punctilious in th e use of l:-w g 11:1gc. 1lc·:u i11 g a per·
son say" eurosity ''fo r c1 1riosity, li e ex<.;la1mc1l, "J lu \1
that man ?i11mfri-., t.l1c l:w g Liagc: l" "Not quite ;11urdcrs"
rc11liccl Cu rran," lll; only kn ocks :rn i (l~yv)
011L''
)
.
•The two rn e:-rn ings of tlw ll'n rd pronou 11 ee11 ?, a11r1 tl 1"
fanciful con11 eetiun of' kn ud.:i11 g a11 eye 011 L witl: mm·
J er, COl\StitULC\1 tlt l: \.'..'\ jl lC::i:-;iv11 :l k i11 L1 o f' L1uul..Jlc j1Lll J,
and made tl1 e n·ply tl'lll _y \\' itt.y.
Pu11s abo un11 i11 :-ill l:w g11:ig\'s. M:u 1y ]H' rsun;; ,,i,.
tain :i g reat. rq1n tat.i1111 rur wit s, r01 11 11kl\ u11 ly l'>ll tl1c

.. ·-·~

I 7ti

/.' ll/o' 'l ' U / ! I <'

l'rcq uc11 L nsc of them . 1Iu 111 oro 11s poetry o vcrDows
wi Ll1 tl1 c1n.
'l' l1c wr.i Li11 l.f,.; of lluod Laml> Saxe
._ ,
'
'
'
U olmc:::, a llll many o thc:r::; auo u11 <l i11 Ll1 ern.
~0 111 c:ti1ncs Lli ey se01n wru 11gl 1t o uL ;1Jl(l gathered
Logd l1,·r Sll as t•i j•l'c:< enL Ll 1<.: fo nn vr :1 hLowu treat·
111v11L <Jf a sul~jvd.
'l'lie fvllvwi11 g S[lcci1ncn of n
:'f c atecliism on Gculvgy" i ll u,.;tra tcs Lili;:; practii.;c :

F .\ . I J f/'/, /;'S

/ '..t l .' U .\'l /J / .I S / . 1.

( !]•'

hrg nn LO hurll o ur 111w111.; an.I m11rd c r <111 r J•CH! •k . 1,1.1ok 111
hnnds ! Tlicv arc 1-il: 1i11 1· d " i 1l 1 :l1t· IJ]i it•d uf .' j11 1r n·l:1tl••ll .... ! \
11

I were lullg f1:icuds .

Y v 11 ure

11t1 \ \ "

111 y l:11 c 11 1y -

alld I

" ) ~u ur ... ,

B.

1.n

Yi•11r

•<11 :1111l

:l 111

F 1:.\ :"\ l\ J.1 ;..- ."

'l'hc d ouble m ean ing oC ' 1yo u l's" 11· ill be i1n1 11nli ·

ately pcr ccivcLl .
92. A 0/111 ,.w/.·,.istic D·J711i'li11i1 .- 1'1ic pun li :'ls licc·n
cliarnctcr1;:;tic:tl 1y lkfl 11 ed aml i11 usL l'all'. ll as fullo\\'::> :

\Y h:ll j..; i~':,, J llgy? T he ~c i e n t e of Orc: 1ki11 g st v 11es. \VhL•rc nro
ii..: 1 rnf1.·""' 'r-: rn o:--.L 1111m c rcJ 11 ~ ?
In St :tt c-- pri . . u 11 . ' rl1at is :t ~cvlo.
.:: i'l's .::ipi1 :d ~ A J"l,· kct fri ll of rucks. \\' lw1 k i11d of ,tone J1as '"'''n
111t sf :-:nnglit fltr"? 'J'l11! pliiluso11lier·:i :-: tfillt'. Ila<.> il c,·11 r bee n found?
1

" , \ p 1111 ':; :\ 11·on1 th :ll 's

'

1

A11rl 11 :1-.; :1 do1tl1l1 !
B111 wlwn

1

' Yh~re? I1 1 a l 1a f.
F n111 1 wliat d1.......:s it }Jl'!JCC(•tl?
< ~11artz.
\ \'h ere dc·cs gr!111i1c li 1..· ': 11 1 l1c·d... . \\'hat is n strnlnm?
A l:iyPr <•f any tliillg. Can yo11 rn e ntiu11 Hll.' (
Y l·s; a he n. M en~
1i~111 a 1111tlll' r . A ,-.hip: !- In: l:l_r:-; 111 ( 111P) . \ \" ltaf. i-; a 11 :,:· i' A rn i:-;p r ':-> li c: a r f.
(':u 1 yo n l1n ·ak it t
Y v~.
ll 1J\\'? Upt.: 11 Ii i:-; 1.:lte..::t.
\ \' Jm L i:; cli:tlk
Tl1c 111 ilk uf l111man k i nd11t·.-.:-0 ."

l

I

~ :\ _" a

d 11 11 't nt l':l n

piayt·•l llJ •<• l1 ,

sl'IL'>t' :

t1u11 !de s~'HSf',

donhk

,.t·uts.

Yt.:S ; f1'l ·•p1t·n 1ly .

r

ti L. .<.yu11·i11:1'.'I ll ," ,/ i11 ,,,,/,1.1· / ',·,,,/111·/,".,""· --P uns arc
so111cLin1es useil spa ri 11.c::l,r i11 cli~11ili, ·d 1niti11gs.
rrhus, i11 a bliorvtl :1rtick u11 Cl1ri ~ 1i:111d vct ri nc, 11~
11 1L·cL LIJC expressio n : "Tu Llic a \·t·r:tg\; :q iprd 1cnsion,
al l llli st.y sc11ism is 11 1ys 1ici:;rn. " :::l1J I ,:111do r, speaking
11f" ,,J,sli11:1Lt: 1111· 11 , says : "~Lil l' 11\'cks :-ire di,.;e:isc<l
Ollt'S.
( li1 c of' L]1c 1Jl'SI jlllll::l Ol LJ1i ,; cl1:t l':tCLL'r in tho
l:u 1g 1w.!f• ' is SC('ll i11 :t ldt l'J' adtl1\ ·ss,'ll li1· F r:111kli n in
.I uly , l 11:1, i<i :1 111c rn Le r uf tl1<; H riLi ; h ]':irli:uncnt
wl1 0 011p 1)scil th e J\ 1r1 cr ica11s. Tt. \\·:1 s 11 0L inLcrnlt.:d to
t_'.'\ (' i[C J:1 11 g ]1[C J', 01" t Ji c L'lll Utio JJ O f° l i1 1: J1 1d ic1'(JllS, but in
a n ·sp,·r·tf'ul , a11d yeL se v nc \\':1)', l•> c·xp rcss opi 11ions,
:t11 <l 111:t1· ht) I\'gard 1·<l a,; ill1 1st rati 11.:.:· sa rcasm , wLidt 1,;
:1 " I'' l'i•'" ,,f' ll'it.
It \\':ls :1s 1;,Jl\lll'S:
· · '11:.

~1r:'1 1 \ ' · - Y 0 n1 :1t't•
1\ l 1 ~ ( ·h l1:1;o;d 1J1 11111.:d

i !it! 111 ;1.i 11 ri1y

:1

rni·1trf 1tT of I ':1rli :11r14' 111, and one of
t·u 111irry l<J d i ·:-i in 1,·iiun.
Y uu lia n~

11l y

' ' J\ ::;

1li11s:

A

l1: lf :d 11 11 11 a n)Om

~ot l11ll h ag-t> I krn.: \\·
' l\• 11•1: he c :1 11;:l1t n tl•f . 11rn l 1li~n

F/1-,,:

1q 1

!lie d 1im 11 t.·yj/,,,.,"

!) 3. l'11;1s s11:;:;• sli11:; /11 ·,, J,,,11:1•11r:;·s. -

S111nl'Li 11 1° ·,,

very i nLL: t\ ·st i11g [lll 11 s arc 1n:ttll; U.)' !lit: i.;0111Li11:lli l!1 1 .,1 ·
two ] aug n ~tgcs . '\\-vrlb arc usc1l i1 1 Lite funn ot' 11w•l:ttions, or :ts o ri gill:tl C); p rc;.:sio11s f'nirn 1l1c t•tl1cr lan ·
rru ~ '"C whi ch c iLl1 cr s0 uml like wo l'ds in 01 1r u11·11 1:111·
0
"b "'
.. .
gu ag 0 Ll1 :1t c:;o nn:y , i11 tli 0 f'cnl.l· 11t:c: 11sctl, a lu t11c 1'(J\IS
mc:111 i1 1g, n r \\'l 1c 11 Lra11 sblt·t l pn·,.; ·11 t. a p11 n. !-'11 cl1 in·
stan ces of / ',1n11u1111 •1 ., i11 al't', •of c:u ursc, fc\\', u1 ;L < ,f.1<"11
to those wl11) u mlcr,.;ta1111 tl1 i.;rn a rc very j1 l1· :\~i11;.: .
'rhu s Slicrid:rn s uggcsk t1 Lo a n ig 11 o r:-i11 L :\!ill w1·:tlt l' .'
tobacconi st tl1 c fo ll owin g 111 ott.o to he 11l :1ztl 11l'<1 <11 1
his C:tJ'ri:1 µ-c· : (! ui• l ,. ,·, /,.sf Jn J•:11 g li sh, "()11i ll " (a l11bacco q1 1i ,l) ri•ll's,., in l~:-it i11 it me:u1,; "\\'hr llu y1•1 1
laugh '?" ~n wli <·n a n<1lt'i1 111:"t 11u f:1et11rer of' ;.: c:tl, ·:uscll f.,r 11·c·iµ·l1i11g 1k,.;in.: d t.o oh tai11 :l f 11 it:t11k 11 1"11 1 •
t.o in ~cri li 1 · 1q1.i 11 tl11· 111, 011c s11;c·gc·stcd :t iJll• >l :11in11 1'11>1 11
th e d('scr i1i1in11 o l Ll1 c k vi: 1tl1:1 11 i11 tlw \\.,., \; .,(' .1 .. i.
11 .,
1

0

I<I! !c" /'llR I 1;.

"fl is sntlcs :Lrc bi s prid e !"' lrnt :tn ot.l1 er more wittily
s uggested tli c followi11g L:itin n1 ot.to, "J / ;1 11sli'at v-iwn;"
literall y," It shows tl1 c way " (1 n · 1~1/1).
Sometimes tl 1is ki11J (/['wit i:-; usccl in a familiar
s tyle: tu e11lo rc;c tL ough 1, as in tlic fullowipg:
*' l\ .J nT

w:\ . . lC nr µ; nn w nt ~ on pr i) Jde -\\'ho do not know logic from
wh i<-1 1 i,: th e c:i;,· with li11!f th e f,, Jks wl10 liko disputation.
Till~ lll'' L n:1ily to a ~tolid duhni ntist is to ~: ly , 'C'ert niuly, no <loubt
nr ir , ii j_..; :\:-\ c k:tr HS rnnd .' Let t!1c Wl'i\Tl gk r l1aro his way. I..1CllVO
li i111 tu J,i111'eli", and h0 will lc:ll·c yo 11."
l o~ w oo d,

!JJ. flJ11111·cled 1r itl1 ,\'.1rN1s 111 .- Tu 11 s arc frequently ·.
11sct1 to g ive point to rq lal'LL'cs, apotheg ms, and cpi·
g r: uns. 1.' lins, one \\':1nl , :i. flipp:rnt l'arliarncntary
<> r:Ilur wl10 11s,'U to w ri t<~ out a11J co mmit. to mem ory
l1o n1l>:1stie spcccli es 1 h:l\·in g severely critic ised Rog·
N s's p<>L'll1 c nt itlnl "1 t:tl y ," t.11 1' pocLt.0C1k l1i s revcngo
in wri tin g Ll1 esc few lin es, wliieli were soon widely
ci 110tcd:
"\\Ta rd Jin~ no 11 c:lrt, !1 1c:y f' n_,.; li11t I dC' ny it:
11 e lins a lt<:ur l, and !ff'fs l1i : :o SJ1f'fl11l '." /,.'/ it!''

S 1wlt 11nns :we used lo g in: p11 11.~" 11 cy to
o f tli ong ht. '.l'lllls : "F1 1gl:u1ll is n brilliant
pcrf01rn er, Lnt l.Ja\1 t i m i .~l ;1' in wl1 ieli m usical terms
a rc used lo ill ust rate the a11 t.l1or's idc:L o[ England in
it s trc:i.tmcn t o [ olb cr 11:ttions. Sucli a pu n is similar .
10 a trope.
fJ;) . P uns >1s11rdl.1; U1i!m11sla tu /,/1'.-A pn n, from the
nat ure of the Crt S\', of't,'1 1 c:rn llOt Tii: t r:·t11 slatccl into
a11 01l 1c r l:i11 g u:i .cc:<~ . l\'i1 1i cisms are oftc11 uutranslat.'\·
1.1lc. Thi s rn:1 y l1e ill11 s lr:t l.t d !1y t l1<: ,.Jl;1rtofEdouard
LalJ01tl ny \', a J.'1\:11 e li aui.11ur, Lu J\:laLe tlic say iug of
pr e.~s io11

J•r.rxs,

l'/( l !l "J-,'/U!., , 1-.' l'/ ll /(U IS .

F nu1 k lin Lo l1i s assuc ia tcs ll j1111 1 s ig11 i11 g Ll1 1: J> i:c·b1:1·
tion ofindcpcncle 11c1.'. I f 1; say s, a:; li lcr:tlly lr:u 1,; b tc' d
from the FrcncL, " \ Vl1e11 tl1 L')' lJc:g:rn to si g n, 011e ol'
those wlw were aliouL ln afTix tl1L·i r n:111 ws tur11 L'Ll to
Fr:wk li ll and saiJ : ' \\' ell, w ith t.l1is tl1L: l•:11glisli (; u 1··
crn rn cnt c:tn ltnvc us :il l lttt11g togctl11 ·r '. ' '\Vl 1y,'
said Frankli 11 , 1we can 1J 0 liu11 g sep arately .'"
'l'herc is nl:itlicr wi t nur sc 11 SL~ i11 tl1c abun\ sl1ow ing that LtlJoulaye Llill nut u11 1le rst:1ttLl tl tc p1111 .
·w hat Franklin diJ actually say \\'as cliaraclL:ri ,t. ic·
ally wiuy. Ilancock of J\hssa<.:l1u sdt.s rem ark ed :
11
vVc mu st be una11imou s; t.l1 crc mu st Le: no pt1l l111.:.c
<liffercnt way s ; we must al l fu111;; 1• 1:1•1/,, ,.." ' · Y L
·.<'
repl ied Fra11klin, ' 1we rnn sL i11dcl'11 a ll /1u 11:; ' ''-'/"1/1, ,·,
or most ass uredl y we sli:tll all /11111;; .,.,j Jl// '11 /·hf.'' 'J'l1c
tWO mca11i11 gs or Jillil:J an: l l Ll W V<'l'.Y clea r, ~tll.1 lJO t\ 1
the wit a1111 the logic of t.l1c pli iluso1·1ic r's reru:1rk :tr• :
very cvi(l cnt.
96. Co1111c1·h·1l 1oit!1 P1·r1 1:i ·rl1s u111 I F;11i1r11111s.-).l:t11y
proverlis owe tl1eir f.1rc1> pri 11cipally to tl11 s kind of'
wit. The rollnw in g r:u11iliar V•·r., ilication of' a co 111·
prov e rb Ly Dr. D(lll1lr id gc i 11ustr:Ltl.:s tit is fal'L:
"'I.Jee "·hi le yo n /i1'f' 1' l lH ~ f' Ji if' 11rc wo1dd sn y,
And seize th e pl easures oft.lie prc>e lll. dn:· :
' IA.r e wh i/£' .'l'm ./lc1\ ' :lie sacred l ,reaclHT 1-rie',
Aud gi,·c tu God each 111om,,nt as it tlics :
L nrd, in my ,·i c w le t IJC> th u11it cd be:
1 lir e to pk:as11rc wil ( ll r l ive to tlu.:c. ' '

/ ' . i / !IJ/J/FS,

JUI FTU}(/"U.

ll"iJ

Is I

J:l'/!/./·,' S!/1 1 /':." .

1'hus :1. wri ll'r, 1·nu1 111·rali11g "t.l1e mi~1·ri l·s rof lif',., ..
desc ri Lies one ns k.Jlvw:s : " ' l\ 1 cl i 1J1 Li i 11 lu a benl 1 i11
n riv er stca111-Lionl k11owi11 g tl1al, sl 1·1:11y :ts yu11 a n·,
you may louk forward tu li stcni11g Lu tli e trn11q ii11 ;c; .,1·
that crazy race on 11cck ove r yo11 r l1 ea11, wl1 0 J.,uk al
view s, wi t.L iu an i11el1 o r two of yuur 11 0,;1.·, lv1· tlic 1 «·~t
\r IT-

( 'u 11li11111

t/.

of the moulll igh t 11i gl 1t.
t\io tq. _;Jil , :\S J1 e h1 1lJ ll\\'t d lii:-; ll:llTH W l1l·d,
AnJ 111 11 1tl1l·d Ill' hi :-> nwag n; pil lo w,
]f f •\\' tli f· fvL· a11d tl 1l' ~ lnl11 ,_;:l' r :- l1°it1\d trt' ;ld u\.: r l1i ~ hl a1l,
.As li e spc1..l on Iii ..; way u'e r thl~ Lil low.'"
1

" ' } [ l:

D7. Wit i11 'f'h u11:1!1 t.- Wrr of tb e l1i gliest kind ie
cxl 1ilJitccl witl1 out :lily pl:ty upon w o rd.~, but by pre·
sc11ti11g im:ongruuu:; aml yet l':.tu tastically arranged
tliou gli ls.
~1 ::-; . 'l~ 'ill·, st.1; .-Trn.vest.y , one s pec ies of witty pro·
01uct i011", cu11,.:i,.:ts in rcpr rs1.'11li11 g ,.:0 1111·Ll.1i11g ns much
111\m' Y:tlu:dJk tkt11 it n ·ally 1,.: 1 :t1 1d t!JUs ironic:11ly
ridic1ili11 g it.
H .A ~

n~·rccyn tlii:1 .

\\'hil l' lu:r c.ff. . pring \ ' i C
the 111 01hc r uf till' :-ky,
!-' 1 1 n·p_r~ nro! 111d ht:r i11 th e l1 h·:-.t aiJ•hlv
A li1111drcd ~ o n s, a11d cn:- ry s<111 a god;
J\'ot \\'itli IL' ~:-; g lo ry mi1
. !'i1 1y J)11Jli1e·ss t'l"tlWllC·1l,
~ha l l 1:1k1· tlir •1 11gh ( ;rnl1 :--;1rcd lll'r ll (T ll ~ to1111 · d ro1111tl,
J\ 11 d lwr I ':1r11; 1..... 11 ..: , gla 1u·ing <• 'l' r Ht (1111 ·t·,
B e ho ld hl' r '11111drcil M• n:-: 1 a nd l'<u.: h a dun ce .''
] 11 li11magc to

rrraYesty ic: ,!.jt'lle r: tl l_v ~·'cn rcr1 Ly <1 d1as ing cornpar·
isons, tl1011gh Lh1•y ma.r 11 (1 t. !>.· fo rmally mad e.
\J\) . f'r1ro•f.•;. - lt i:-; :tl,;o )ll'l'S<'li! ('\) surn etim es iu J)::tr·
rn1y, wli icl 1 is :i. compo~i1 iri11 "i11 1i h r in ~n uncl lo nnoth·
e r, :u1L1 }l'L co11\·1·yi11g :rn c· 11tir1·ly dill'n1;nt meaning.
Parndi, ·,; arc nut 1 1 • 'l: •·~" :Hily willv , tl1un gl1 they gen·
rr:illy :1n: !11.]i, ·r1 •:i ,.: n n :1 c•·10111 1! 1if' 1!1< : :1",;oc iali1JnS cou·
ll l'CL•·il wit. Ii tlll' pnHl11 dio 11 1•arn<li,·d.

'I'li is verse is a p:trocly on .a ,-1:1n z:t i·11 tl1:1 t h·:1 11ii ·

ful poem writte n 011 tl1._; Luria! ul ~ir ,J ,,1111 :d uu:l· :
~'\V e tl1nu gld 1 :I '\
And ~111rn •I l1 ··d

W L'

li:ill •)\\'l' d Iii ~ narrow l)ed,
i;-; 111\\ ly pi;Jo\\' ,

dow11 l1

~tr a ll gl· r w111d,sl
J\ nd we, f:lr :l w: 1y u·..::: r tl1 ~ l1illuw .··

Tllill t he f'ue..: !\I HI til l!

tread o'e r

lii!'i

}1 c:a d,

100. /J11rl··";11c.-Hu rksr1ne c<rn ~i,; tc: in uci11;.: l1i :.:l1·
sou ncl i11g cpitl1 eb :11 1ll :u 1 app:m ·ntly 11 ig1i ili1 ·1l ~1yl 0 ·
to do:sc rib0 unw o1tl1y t 1l1.i• ~c b. H11rk,;q111· t.ra 11,d:1ti 1>11 ,;
of tJ1 C I!iaU of JlvlllCl', :t11\l OLltL'I' C1.'Jl:lJ ratc1.1 Cu lllj •ll."i·
tions, bavo b cen wr itk11 uf°L< 'll witl1 a purpose to ri dicule so me me n or 1nea,.:1 1res.
Burke, "J1l':tki1 1g uf t.!1e re r olutio11ish 0C Lis ti1:1 l·,
who 111aclc a g n.:;1t m1i sc n.ml l'frcct.ccl bu t li ttle , ~:1i1I :
"Hcca11sc hair a doz1·11 g rn:-:..:liu pjiC r:-' u111lt-r a ft.:rll make tlit• li cl.I
ring with their importu nate 1· l ii 11 k , wliil t: t11011~and ~ uf gn·:1L i'Httk n· ~
. vosc ill the sha<le nn t1 arc '.'-ilent, pra y d11 nut suppn:-iC tha t t ho :-;t· \\. 11 11
make the noise ar c tl1 i.: on l v i1d~al·it:1nt-- i·f th e lidd; or tliat , :d 1..i·
nil, th ey n.rc otlicr than till· .litt le 111 Lag n..: , l1111111i11 g , tho ug h luwl au d
troulJ\cso rn e in ~ei.;t~

uf tli e hou r. "

':i.1l1 c wri ti11 µ:s o {° J'op<' jll'<.'Sl'l\L lll:Jl>.Y i11 s l:tll C\.' ~ u!' t ill'
burlesqu e, as t,l1 c f'vllowi11µ:

I tl2

Nlfi.'Tl//!/I ' .
'· Th e11 fla ~ li('d 1l1c lu rid ligli r11i11 g: fru111 ht•r t'Y l'Fi ,
.l\ 11d :-:1..: rea111s 11 f horrnr r1: 11J t li e i dl'ri ~ lskd sk ies ;
J\'ot lo 11der ;-;lir i e k ~ tu pityin g l l cn,·c 11 arc ('a st
\\' li e n hu;IJ,1uds a n t! whc:11 l:tl'dugs Lirc at lll.: thei r last."

1n1 . fi',su11/'l'n 1f Wil.- \\'it uses i1\) 11y, caricatLtrCi
l1y pc: rliolc, :111<.l cxtrav :tga11cc of c \· e rv kind.
J\ s a spccim c: ~ of' ext ra\·:1g:u1cc 1 t;~l;,_; tlic fvll ow ing
dcsc r1pt1 011 uC :t 1a11kec1rritlc11 lJy ru1 1\.mc: rican poet:
' ' 11 1·

W• >uld Id s..

\\'itl1 l1is

:l 1111 (·t' ll

till l1 e'd rai s<: n l.Ji ~ r c r

ru11 11 d lie r nec k an,! l1is old fel; hut on Sal11t e a kin~ w itl 1 th e title v f rni stl!r,
'
.i\n L1 a:-.k li in 1 th e prirc uf di e t!if·on c he ~at on."
11rn1

Tlie \\'iL of Llic folluw ing is very vvi,1cnL: Voltaire
u11ce p:·ai ,;l·<l a eddm Llccl aulli o r lo :t LlJir<l person.
" 1 t i,; vu y st1·:1ngc·, " \\'a:; tl 1c rep ly, " tl1:1t you think
so wvll of' l1im, fo r lie :::ays yon are a charlatan."
" 1\ !1!" rqJlieLl l 'oltairv; " 1Jcrliaps ll'e are both mis·
takc11!''
102. J/i1Jw11-. - ITu1n o r is :i. n1i ld :t11l1 qui et
of wit, assoeiatc<l wi1l1 c;uod-tc 1n11r. r, aml designed to
eo 11vey tl1ou gl1i, in an :lf.:;r<.:c:tL>ic W:l\'. J\ humorous
wri tn of'LL'll c.:11l i~· c 1 1s l1i,.; dcsc ri 111.io11~ \\'itlt a j oke, or ·,
a sir:1 11ge :t.':-:\J<.:iation .. r idc:1:-:. :--;<>111cl imcs the whole
s1il .j1 ·1·t. i,; j>l'1 ':'\' 11 tc·• l i11 :1 luclicrous 111ann cr. Tts na·
tun; cL:1 u11ly lJc :1ppree ia tcd liy n.: adin g tL c prn<l uc·
t1u11 s oi s1 1elt \\'l'llcrs as Add iso n, Syd ney S mith, Lamb,
lfoud, ln·iil g and Holrnes.
1U3. ,'l(u ·1·11s;11.- ~are a s 1 11 1::; wi t
co nte mpt a1111 ;:;eo rn.
10-l. Slliffs.- Satircs arc product ions in which foJ.
lies :uH1 Yi1;,·s :nu 1i1l ic1iled, so1111e ti111 es lrnmorously
an d with g'•H><l- 11at1m·, srn 11 di1ni·s seve rely and in rlig·

nnntly, often c111ploy i11.:j th e Liltc rl'"t ,;:11\;;1 s11i. :-;incc
the days uf 1Iumcc, J uvc11 al, :u 11.l J\ · r~i u ,;, tl1i,.; lia,.;
been a common form oC \\'l'i tin g. S:ttircs lll :t} Ll'
written in podr_y or pros1.\ a11d s:1Liri cnl passages :H•'
m et in or:ition:<, se n nons, css:1_y,.;, revi ews, a11 d c \ 'l' ll
histo rical ,.., ri tings.
105. ·1\'it Ll1u l 1/()l's 11r1I L· ·111 { lo 111ni1.·1'/i L, 171y/i1, 1·.'W it is often prul'crly u:;ctl tu i11crcase an i11 ll'rl'"t i11
the subj ect trcaLl:ll-, :tlll1 to ridi cule erro r, 1,y sl1 u \111 1~
. its al.Js urd cousc1-iu c11 ecs, a111l l iy lulli crnu c; a11: tl" c; i1·,;
and cornpariso11s, aml tl1ere is rnucl1 wit tha t 1.lol·,; ll'it
tend to pro<lucc lau gh ter. Tl1 e fullo\\'i11g il l11o;traks
th isk iml oC wi t.
'l' lic do~1 ue 11 L prcael1cr Su u1 111 1.· rli1.·ld, i11 a11 a1hl 1 "L· o;~ ,

said:
"A boa~tinµ; inl'idt:l once wr oH·, in t:ln:- i1 q.:: an ass:tnll HJ" 1 11 tl1i:•
Dible : 'I han! g L•lh ! t.l1rv1q.;h t lit...: Hi l,\ c a ~ n n1all wn11\ 1..l _~u t lir1Hq..:li
tho woo <l~ fellin g trrcs ; here tli l')' lif', :u1d the 11ri 1..·:-,t:-:, JI 1liey t:ln,
may r epla n t tli em. T he;: rn:1y ~t i.c k tl 1r 111 in th t' 7rv 11nd, l 1at tli•,- y

will never grow.' •Si r ' l> nid S111ni11crfi1.·ldl ' tl1 (' 1.1 n c ~ 1~ ·~r(' nut ~_11cli
1
:- fools us to s iqq io~c tl iat :-i ti c ki11 g- tl 1e d1 :-i:--:t •\'P rnl l111il_1.-i u~ a tr ee 1n t•
the gronntl ""'w ill inake tli,·m grow, al!li1111 g h ,~. ~~ _ l ia\· c 1 n~p1n · d 11ntl11J1.·ity for snyl n j!, T licre i H \i u ii c of n tn'<', ('\' L: ll d it J,c c ut d n.\\'11, tl 1al 1!
11
will spr ou t ngHill. :ui .I tha t. t\ it; t t' 111l c r lir:11u: l1L'S. tl1 t·.1T u l ' ~lia .1 1 11 1

ccnsc .
onc tree

touclt1~d

B 111,

:--i r , di1l li e l·;il do\\"11

nl\

1l w

s n.: t·~ r.

J\o,,:-- 1r.

l liL"1t·

\\a =--

Jiat he n t'\·e r to11d1t··I; n11d I w o 11l11 lu ( , o_il t ha! lil' /,oil
it fur it wuu ld h; t\"l! g i\ vll a new a11d 11 u1'!e r 111 1p'.tl sc to nil
i

hi s effort'~ .

l m e an the 'J',.c.:

1:/ } ,if.:, which is in the n1Hl st uf t l1e

None can fail to feel th e power of tli e wit i11 tli L·
nbove, but few \l' ouk1 Ccc l moved to bu gl1 k r U} iL.
~ ,. is tl1 e emol ioll a w~1kg rntc [u 1 !llll1 \1nppy c'>'t11·1>1·1· ...Ov

A
cncd by sucl1 wit..
In th e use of' thi s l; i111l ,,['\\'ii. T,nn1 H:1cu111·:-;.ccllc1l .

'

.

j ,'< .j

h'/! HT()/i'!I'.

i'Jt . l C'f' fr '. 1 / ,

:.r:-ic:rnhy s:i.ys o r him :if (( 111 wi t, if by wit lie rneaot
lbe j)01\'C l' o[' pc r\.:civin g a11a] ugics b etween tu iugs
wbi c!t :tp]l<~::i. r to have 11u tl1ing .in co mmon, he nevor
h:id :rn cq 11:il- not even Cow le.y--not e ven tlic ::1.L1thor
of JI uiii!Jra;.;." 1\ 11d y et, \l" e ln:L.)' ad l!, pcrJiaps not a
si1 1gl(: ' '"J'l'<.':'Siun tl1at woul d excite lau ghter can be
f; 1u :1 ll i 11 all 11i:-; 11·ri tin g:-:, cx cqit so1 11 c witti cisms quot·
c<l f'1·nm Ll1 e a11 cic 11 ls, a11 d u11e very p ou r pua quoted
fro 111 J<: r:1s 11111 s.-!·
l OG. , J/,_" 111·1· uj ll'iu1: -i:,·111., i11 ·"'"'''• u/((l its li.dr 1e.No \1·i u ic:is1 ns arc found in tl1 e v rati uns of lhuiel
\ Vcbsk r or in those of E 11w:rn1 J•:vcrdt, tltough oc· ~
casionally a ,· c ry sul>d11eL1 hu 111or a 11L1 sarcasm ap·
p ears. 'J'l1is is tr11 c of many cmi11 c11 t :tntlwrs.
'J.'l1e frcq 11 e11 t ll Se of l\'ii, rath e r \\' cakvn~ t Ji c repu·
! :ti ion Of :l 1nit1.:r Ill' Sj1l'a ke r fur S\llJri<:l._y o f \.:itaractcr
:u111 sonn 1.1 .iuilgin c1it; :11u1 yl'I, \\'l 1e rv it is entirely
hcl, i11g, it is f~·I t tl 1at :1 g r1.·at el<"1 111 ·1 1t or power is
w:1 1!1i11g. .l' rnf,·ssor (; "l' l II' i 11 ~11 1 itI 1 !ins wel 1 said:
"1\l1r1!t is :t rc:1l p:11'L u l' our 111 or:il 11:11111\', ~nin ca1 1 t
as 11·cll :1,; tl1" i' l'Sl. 'I' ll(' g rt': tl. 111i11i ~ ti-r,; uf' 1111 1\J a11d
g ··1 1ial 111irll1 , Ccn·a11l.1·~, ~l1:tl\,; ) H.: :tn ', '.d' 11]i ,'- re, l1avc ful ·
Ii i!,.,[ a mu r:tl n 1 i~si1>11of 11wrc1· a111l j11s li cc, :is well as
Of p{easnre IO l11:L11ki1HJ, :U1t] Jia1· e t.11 1.· ir pJ:tec Of honor
i11 l1i .~ lor_y 11·i1.li I.li e <ii lie r great hc111."hctors oftl1 e race.
,\ 11il, 01 1 the 01. l1cr l1:u11l, tl1 c atte111j>Ls tr) expel mirth
*

:iT:1 r :tnlny' ;-; > T i..:r1 1 ll: 111 ro 11~ \\-ri ti11g:" 1 al'liL· I L~ Bacon, p. 281>.

t •· T
/ ) , ,·;·111

l1l'1 1:

fl/lft•IS

Iiil Er ; 1 . : 1 1111~ takt·
• '()f(S/llllJl ·'i

ill

ot: <·:i :- i11 11

'· :1· 11 /11
1

ro

( '/,., ., .,,,,, ,,

111 akc

thl' si·o flin g cclw:

:t11d tl1 c

t~e li o llllS\\'Cl'C<l

'0 111'.'.
T i1i -; 111 :1y ltC i 111i1:1i1·.J in 1·: 11 gli:-i li 11 111 . .: : " l Ji n\'~ sr~ 111, Ion
ye ars 111 rea•lin}.! ('i n·r11'~ ,,·r it i 11g-, -- a pu 11 d~·ru 1 1 s 111:.l:; s, and the ec ho
'!

~\I l ~\ \'L' rcd '.· 1.-:s.'"

U S!-.' iJF /U/ 1 /1 '!; /,J·.'

'

from bnm::i.n life :rnd ck1.racte r 111:L'1e liy ecrl.:tin a11 :-;terc scets have rcsultcLl noL <mly i11 m oroscnc::;;-;, li ut
in actual d cpr:wity."
107 . .ls li1-,L1>11 /,. r/1,. 'l :st r:f '/'m tli I - Jt li:ts bi·vn
olaimc<l th:it " Hidi c ulc is Llic test of trutL. " 'l'l1c (1 11ly
. proper sign iri ca Li un of Ll 1is assertio n wuulJ Le Ll 1at
whatever is true will 11uL cxeil.c rnirt!Jful cmoti u11, a1 11 l
therefore can not b e mad e to :1ppcar l'i d iculu us. ] 1·
truth rne:-i11s s irnul y f:icl, tl1is c::i.11 11 01. be rna i11 bi1H·tl,
for somc}rd' :trc tl1c1nsclv c,; hll1i c rnu s. A l'oni]« )US
mnn, in tli e 111 idst (,f :1 g reat di,.:pby, 1necls \1·itli a ,.:u,1den acei<lc nt, :111'1 tl1e bu g1Jter of spcctnt.o rs i,; ,._,1;1t l'<l .
Tho sim ple narrative of the fact ~ witty. J; 11t 11' L.r
.truth is rnc:t11t phi losoph ical or moral truth, it may be
claimed that it is not ridicul ous, arnl w 11:-i.kvcr a1 1 pc:irs
so can no t lie trn c. But no truth is incapa1Jlc of' ]h'l'·
Th e Hil>k J1 1ay bc slightly c: ui c:1!11 r1d :11 1d
appc:1 r rit!i c ul o11 s. 1;1.·;-; 1,, ·ct J'(>J' j>:1r.. 1>1 ;-;, 1.i·
!\11)' other goo•1cl1:1r:wk ri ;-;tic,1 11: 1y 1H~ 1•n·s"1 i11·1 [ j ,, :t
ridi cu lous l igl1L. l ~idi c ulc is 11tJL Ll1< · r1 .:f~rn; 1>1 :1ctically
n. tcsl. uf truth.
Di d ic11 lc, lik e le>g ic or rlwlc> ri c, 111:1y lJc pcn ·c rteJ
to a,1 vocate crrvr.
108. f Jln·r/iu11s 11 ;10 11 its } ,'11111/u1;ii1( 111. - Tn 111 1; 11<.'Cl'>i ·
s1.1ry div isio n u[ l:tlior t11:1t prc va ilri in civili zed soc ic-ty, th ere will ]JC l1l:1ll} \\'lio, f'r.,111 Ct>lt stil.uti o11 orcJivi C<' ,
will c1il 1i 1·:1tc pri 11ciu:1lly " ·it . S11d 1 11erso11s sl 1011l11
avoid its i11 1pro] !l;r lJ:;c'. 'I' ll<')' sl 1uuld chc1i:-:l 1 a tc11der r cga rLl f(J]' tlt c f'L·cl i11 gS OJ.' otll('J'S 1 :11\d S ;d. iri ZL~ (> 111 .)'
fal:>e li n<1,] ~11Hl J~ ·lly , aml c<lio111.1 :1v1• ill ail co:1.r;-;1 ·111·:':0
antl irrcvc:re11e•', to wl1 icli l" uk·sscd wits :111; l1:1l J ...
1

0

l .'< ti

/ ! 11 FT U .Ii I

1 '.

'l'licrc arc many ,,·110 hav e no arnbition to be rcgar<lcd
as wits, who ncvc rtli clcss wi sl1 ~o use properly and
11· iLh discri mination so cikctiv c a weapon . They rcmc111bcr tki.t the greatest ph il usoplicrs Lt:i.vc not bcelJ
1lcstit.utc of it.
Let such pc rsom rcac1 the bes t p rod uctions, study
the best :.:pcci111cns, :rncl acqu ire :is extensive a stock
of' knrmlcdgc as po.,;;i l1l e, and tl 1c m:-iterial will not be
\\'antin g '':l 1c11 occasiun c:lils fur it:s use.

PAn.T III.
(: O :'>l P 0 SIT i O N ,\ i\ ll STYLE.

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-.:§-:=ff

UL'.\'L'/i.l/,

r:J<.Lll .11 l I< .

CIT APTF.H T.
··-~

CO)fl\l:'\'ATIO:"S OF wo1rns.

1. '/'h e Oro11pi11!1 1:( !\';Jnl.-:.-\Voiws, to :effect tlw1r
urposc, must b e groupcll togl:thcr accordi11g tu t l1<·
ws of bnguagc. A s the t\Y e11 ty ·six lette rs of tl1c ;il phnbct :ere c:i.p:ib lc or form i 11g It \I ml reds u[ tii ou,.;:-i.n ds
Df distinct words, so tlie tl1i1ty or f1)1ty ti 1ou::::i.nd "'' mi s
of our lan g uage may be arranget.1 i 11 to lJl ill ions of di lll-rnt combi11:itions, c;tcli co11vcyi 11 g a diJforcnt tlio11gl1t.
The flcxiGility a11t1 J'l'SOlll'CC'S or tl1c language of a cul ·
iivated people arc incomprclicnsihlc.
2. Nataml J,i," it /u l/11 : l ~,,.,,/, ,,f"1·y. -Thcre is a limit.
beyond w 11 ich tlic m 1d ti pl ieati(ln nf' ,,.,,,.J, wo uld cc;1 s1~
contribnto to tlie e fli<·i<'11cy of a hn g 11:1 ,!::;e. Tlicrc
is a sense in wl1icl1 tliu11gl1ts :i.n· coin 1111u 11d, :i.11t1 require to he c:-;prcsser l l>y cornpu11 1Hl \\' Ord".
T\ 1,·
common chss i l:e:i.tions of words reprcse11 t ord ers :i.11 ,1
- classes of ol>j<'cts, q11:-ilities, lll()l.io111', proccssc:::, c:u1svs
. nnd effects i11 t he 0utwa rc1 worlt1, :end tli<rn .!::d1ts, fee l., iogs, experiences i1t tl1c; soul of rn:ui. 'l 'licn~ m11sL
therefore b e cbsscs of \\·orc1s, to correspon d wit.Ii tl1L:
actual classes of obj ects and :-i. ct.ions.
3. Oc: W'!'01 (/,·,1i1l111ru .-'l'h cre is a kintl of general
gr:\.11 ima.r con 1Jn(\J I to all l:rng11:1.!.!:CS. !·:very l111 rn:111
bein g u[ fair 11w11L:tl ahility is alJ\o to karn :rny \;u1-

:. '

1!111

•

r·n

H II /;"l'I U! I (,' .

g uagc, a11<1 II' ill b.: aid ed lo do so by :l fam ili ari ty wi '.
l1is inotlwr- lunguc. 1\ ll Lt11 gw1gl'S arc transcripts of
t.l1c l1rn 11 a11 1ni1111.
'l' hc:y n'st..:1J11Jle; each other lik~ _
pl 1oll•g r:q1lis oC tl 1c s:-imc obj l'l:t tak e n in different de.c;rct·:-> or Ji s ln, :lll(t f'rvm difl~·re;11t poi11ls of' view.
.f. CJU')"' m tice I 111pn!'I" '""' <:/ 11 ~11·rls. - ·whether
w.1111s u1· , , ,.;,, :i r e tLc more; irnpo rla11t, it m:-iy be im·
poss ible; tu cl1:ci,lc. 'l'lic pri1 nit.i 1·e; lan g uage probably ,
l1:ul a fi.:w of' hutli, or it. 111:1y ue Ll1:LL th e first few Ut·
l.\.T:t11ccs of' 11 1a11 co rnL1i11cll tlJt..: nature of botli n nu ~
a1H1 H'rhs.
IL i;; Jll1:-:,;il1k that ;::i1 1gle ut tcr:t11('CS, 1n:i,tlc bv one im·
tHtl:-;e; ol' th G YOil.'.c, exp rc:->sed c:1cl1 :1 proposition, such
:1:->, '/'/" · ·" ' " s/11·11 ,.,, 'l'l11· wi!ld /, (.,,rs , '/ '/"· !lj'jile 1~1 ripr.·
11· it ll'as :-;o, a g rnclual impru1· c111 c1 1L i11 d iscri1n i11ntioo ·
lllJl ;; L li:we Jed to th e conf111i11g o f th ose tc rni~, SOODCT
<lr l:1lcr, to a rc·prcsc11tatio1 1 eitl1er uf tl1c oujc(;(!J, Q
o f tl1 c as"e rtions matk, :ln<1 otl1 cr 1.cn ns were :111Jcd
to cx p1·ess th e \\'li ok tl1uu g l1 t. '.l'l1us tl1 c pri111i ti\
wo 1·.J,; lw i1 1g r,~ \I' , m:i,y kwc h cL·Jl Lrukcn up, so ttr
c: pl'ak, into 111:11 1.v, or l1nn· g:Li 111"l i11 1li sti11 ct.ncss whr.t
tl1C\' los i11 e1 inip rcli c11,;i n .: 11css. 'J.' l1is process is now .
con11111rn, e,.:pcc:i:tlly wl1 c11 a r mlc pl:o pl e arc r~ piu ly
.: i1·ili zc.l, and end<':\vor to ex press tl 1cir new tLought.6
by 111 odi f1 in.r.;· tl1 cir old l:lll g 11 agc.
G. ( '/,11 Ii.'/' ' i11 tin• ( ~l/ll/l/'1 ·/1111 s i11// 1;( 11 ~Ol'(ls.-On c or ·1lie rnnst. common cli an ;:,ffl'S now h«oi 11 0•1 on iu la1wun.m•
0
'"0 ...
i,; seen i11 lhl' rc ~trit..:Lion -of wonls to narrnwer mean
111 gs . 'J'l111 s 111''"1 once mea nt :tll J, i11 1b of food; soldier
<lil<'<' nw:111i :111.v 11,. 1·:-;1i11 l1i n ·rl (i'l«llll s1,/1 l11 !11s ); Jl (lW it
111<':\11s mw l' 11 q >l•1_1-. ·il, n r c \·<· 11 \"1•l1111Lt'l'l'i11 g, for mi li·
1

.1 1 /'11 l ' Y /1

11'11 /!

/1s.

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111e:11 1t n11v ;;<' n·:u1t , llc>11·
i11 p<•p11hr l:rn g1 1 : 1.~· ', <'<>1if i1 w.J tn tl: :tl
of 111 c11 wlio cu:1;:e 11t 1.u sc n ·e tl1,· ir f~lln11"- 1111.·11
, . preach e rs Ol t.!Jc (;u,;p1·I, :11H1 l1:tVC l ll:t •k tlil·ir S<'n·-.
!co an honor: dJ!c prof:::0::;io11, o r tu cJ,.scril.Je :rniix1,;.":t·
11 rs sent to rcp rcse;nt :L n~1tio1 1 lJt'fure a fu1« ·ign Go1·l!Tn mc:11t. 'l' lic cx:tctly oppos ite Jiroecss o f cxlL'11 di11.:.;·
o comprchc: 11sio11 o[ word ..:, ::'u a::> lu cniLrace 111 01«'
jccLs, (locs also snrncti1ncs tak t: place. Thus .JI',/,
Cinco sig11ifi ctl l)nly pork; l11·c((d is s01 11ctimcs tF \., ] t<>
mean all ki 111b of' }·1;1/, ns in tl1c pl'liti•Jll, "( ; 11· ,. u:.:
our dai Iy l11·M rl."
i11i'111·.. 1, ,.

6. Guinpr11111• l

• lll< ' I'

·11~ ,, ·J, . - \V,>nls :11\~ or1 .. 11 COlllj1<l l ll l.l ·

J, or C011111i11cll, tu

l'Xj>l"c·;:s

oughts s11~gl~· .'tt..1 11 !Jy

ti.\·i)

Cd l llj!Ollllll

or

uLjn·L-:. : 1,;

ca n;-.;c:-:.

1;Hirc

1 ;:; ::---;

nm ::r nJ bo:tL a1«; cor~1Liincc1 lo pro•luec slc:tm-bn at.
compouJl(l 1Yunl 0:1 ."l1t 10 tll'll<>I>' •>1 11' ;.1,.:i . ,1;rr. 1·
t from that wl 1ich wouli1 he cx pn ·s""'l liy tl1.· 1 •:11: ~
ken sejla raLcly.
'J'Jic [<:n gJislJ la11 g u:1g•: Is C\ll ilj ':t r:if in:ly rioo r i1 1
tivc cnrnpo111H1 \1· 1 11·11.", :i111 l t.111,.; I." 1111 •lo11l>i<-·1iy <J11• ;
its most scrio11;; ,].-·feet,;. :\f:llly 11·nnl,; tl1at. nrr n ::l compourn1 in otl1L~r lan'..'.· 11:igc.~ a rc t.r:111~r;:rrcd lL ' nilr
ngtrngc ns simple \';on];<, n11.1 tlt :1s tl 1c ]'('< 'pk :i1"L:
mpcll crl to lcnrn 111:1 11y more i1 1tlt p1·rnl e11t 11-c11-.l,;
an tl1osc 1r lio spcnk la11g11nges wl1iel1 baYc f~ · \1n
·':primitive mi<l mo re componrnl te rm ;<.
Such won],; :i,; tf, 11111 1':1·- s/",."'' I/,,,,,,/, f ·1),,u,/, 11 ·ifi)1 afl, ('(1J' //11;1rrtf l' , 1/.1 .,.-/11 1/11 //,', S/1'1ll"-J./u11" 1'11'.Jlii"·ff ff' ' ' '!',
1

1

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r· f } ('(l) '( ' / ", Si'f'l ' j/ · :d1 111 .f1· , ·,

rr;11_ilr-;_11r(•'1') ll('t •< I 11 0 (·:\ ; 1] ;· 1~1 ::

(;;~ lf". ll Oi :1 pi1y lii:lf. \\" 1· i t :1\ · ~· :-.::1 1·1 ·ifir ·,

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RllE TU./.'J (,' .

ANALL'iIS OJi' l'HOI'0811'11JA8.

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words rrs ('u;·th -tylth (c:i.rtli-tillngr~), hrn1(l-cloth, an rl oth·
crs, tlrnt mad e tL c motbcr An g lo- Saxo n so much more
v1goron s tli :tn the <laugh tc r Engl isli? It may y
.bcco rn c fasLi onal>l c to r einstate many old compound
words now forgotte n.

CITAPTEH II.
P It 0 I' 0 SI 'I' l 0 NS.

7. Dqfinitirm, (/)lfl E .1"(()i7jil1s. -ANY coll Cf.'.1i1rn or
words makin g complete SCllSe is a l'ropositi1>11. J\
, Proposition in tl1 0 Engl ish bn g1rngc may con sist 01 ·
only on e or two words, and it may eovcr ::-:cn~ ral
pages. In stances:

..........

"Grnss grow~. ''
"Every thin~ uhout him, hi s cont, hi ~ wi g, hi::> fig: ure, lii s fac e,
his scrofula, 11is St,. Vitu s's dance, Iii~ rulli ug walk, Iii ~ l1li11hi11g l')'~,
the outwanl sig ns whi ch too dear ly 1narkc1l l1i s apprubati 11rt of !ii:-;
1linner, lii s in rnt ialilc nppct ite fv r fi , h- sn11 c(' :1nt! n:: aJ -1,ie with 1·l11n»,
bis incxting11i ;.;h alil c th irst fo r ten~ hi :-; t.rit·k of t.011 ehi11 £:?: tl1 (' 11ust s :b lie
wnlked, his 1n ;:~tcr i o 11 s pru.r..t ice of t r c:1 :-: uri ng: up ~c rn1 1s uf on1 tq.:.·c-pt:l' I,
his morning !-.l11111l1c rs, hi:-: 11iiilni J.!:ht, di :'11 11 tativ11 s hi:-; eiHll1 •rl i1,11...:, Iii :'
tnuttcri ng:::, lii:-; gn111tiiq:~s, hi s vi gorn 11 :-:, nc 11 tt·, mu1 read)' cl nq11cn e1\
his flnrcnsti c \vit, hi ~ \' e ii c nH ~ ll<'<', hi :-; i11 ~ ol P 11 ce, l1i l'{ fi1 s uf l ernpc:-; ln ons rng c, liis '111 ec r ill lfllllC ' ( old l\ l r. _L,,,·ctt 11nd blilld ~Jr , . \Vil .
linms, th e cnt Uo<l ~1"', nnd the n e~ro Frnnk ), 11\l nrc '" famili nr to u s
_- as the objects by whi c h we have bee n surro nn1letl fro m chil1ll> ood. "
1

8. T he Elc1;11• 1 d.~ of

Pi'"J''Js iliun.-T o every Pr(lposition there arc tl1rcc parts : tltc s ulJjcct trcat.c1l of':
the assertive word or word s; arnl t.11 c copula wlii cl1
. connects the two tog:• ·t.he r. :-;.,111et.irnl's tl11: cn111il:t
hns no separate worLl , lint it is 1·xl' res::-:('1 l liy :t PL'L'.!!l io.r form of tl1 c vcrl>, or :1sscr1 ivi ·. wo nl, and in f' Oll11·
languages a sin gle wonl oft.ell c1nbrnccs all tl1 0 tl1n:1:
(l

':
·:

; . ~ '·. :L,,.,

.;''

VillUJiJT Y

RliNTORIC.

clements of tb c Proposition.
prop osi tion having tli c three scp:i,ratc part&
.flffls is a p roposit ion in which raill is tho
.frfl, is th e assertiv e word in its tru e form ,
ad ded :::c rvcs as a copLth to co nn ect the two.
~! . l 'J,,. Onf,.,. 1.f //11· T n11s r:f '" Proposition.- Th
111·:tl o rcl1~ 1· oC th e \\"Ords in a proposition in our'
g1 1agc is, first, the s ubjec t; scco11d 1 the prcdi
el uc1i ng tlt c coptt h; or second, t h e copula ; and
tli e predi cate. J /(111 sto"ccs, is a proposition in
man is the su hj cct., stri ,.1·s is the predicate and
together. 'l'b c word slo.ri11:1 would exp ress tho·
catc :clo ne, :-ind is woulcl form the copula, thus:
is sfril"i11;;.

li11 -.'. a m1u1, is an o tLcr fo rm of the p~ ..
A ;111111 1u·co.
Jn some instances tl1c n:-itu ral order or words .
p ropositioll may be ck rn gcd. " U c loves my fri
"Lo ves be my friend, " "My fricml he loves," all
e x p ress th e s:-imc tl1on g ht.
10. l (1,.,·1·/ 1; of 0111 s/1w ·ti1u1. -'l'hcrc must be
l>cst. o rd e r o f words for e very on e shade of thou
'J'h,_~ rc is a slig ht diffe rence b etween t.l1e meaning
" a b ro:-id :rn t1 t1ccp se:-i," all\l "a sea deep un<l bro
ln tl ie fo rm e r we ha ve to rc tai11 in Lhc mind tho id
o r tJ1 c qualit ies "broaL]" am] "deep" Until WC beu
Lil e wonl "sea," aml t h en we connect them. In the
la tter, " se:c" g i vcs us at once a conce pt.ion of a thing
aml as soo n :is _we L1 ..:ar tl 1c \YOrd "deep" we join i~ .
to tli 0 co 11cept 1on " sc:1 ," a nd tl1 cn rnltl the furth ~r
rinalili cat.io11 "dcq>." \\.I I.J en sc vcml adjectives arc
.

'/'/1•' /'C

t1 011

OF' UO.YS'fl! UC 1' !ON.

'

belonging to one noun, it is frequently b est to

Joy them after th e noun. It is '\\;el l so to use
s that each succcedi ng cbn sc, anc1, as far :-is pos- , each succeec1ing word, m ay give an at1ditional
gbt to the bearer.

. .

•

.

.

ue St11diul.-It 1s idle to rnarntarn
the forms or sente nces that l;xpr~ss

1. A Viuiety t,i

nny one of
' ous shades of meaning is the best, or most to uc~
'vutcd. In some h11guagcs, in tl1e u se o[ a tran"i. verb with both sulJjc;ct aml obj ect, it is customary
present the obj ect firs t, i.n others th e s ul1j ect fir:; t,
sometimes t h e verb is presented firs t. \Ve can
our own lang uage say , ]1,'uliur mun a 1l i11 i'n s; bn t
. to A\'0 :,l am1Jiuni t\-. we arc cn:npd leLl to
ucrully , · ·• ' ·
"' .. ·
ervc wbat from baLi t seems to us to lJc the natonlcr tbns: J/((11 a rl111in ·s 1111 /1 1n~. But wh e n a11y
l
. .
er :crrangcm cnt of the part s o[ a prnpos1\.1on c:-in
made without r crnl crin g th e propos iti on arn l;1g oiLcn vivacity all(l e nergy rnay
us.. or mcaninrr1css,
..__.
'
thus SCClH CL1. rrhus : "Loud :trnsc the sl10ut al.Joye
e hum of bu sincf's, am1 irnrn clliatcly bnshcd was
very brc:ctli," is much more c xprc:-;sivc th:-in (( 'Ib c
oud sbon t arose above th e 1i um of bu s111css, arn1
• ery breath was hus11 cd imm c,liat~ly." _'l'lic snp,c:'or encro-y of the form er ex prcss1u11 ari ses p:ut.1y
u.
'
)
from its nov c1ty or unus ual form, :i,m1 partly lroin t1 1c
interest excited at once b y th e won1 " lo uc1." O the r
'instances arc the followin g : "Great is Di an:c of tlie
-Ephesian s ;" " 'f urn \1·e now to tl 1c holier imp\ll scs
of our b ei 11,.-." This last propositio n m:t_y b e express..cd various!;: "Now we turn to t1JC holier impul ses

,

lOG

,,r our bein g; "

RJIBTOJUC.

"Now turn we to the holier impu
.
b
.
;,
•)[ o ur cmg ; "To the holier impulses of our bein
now we tu rn."
It is evident that even in tbe English lungu
simple pro1)ositions wi ll :tL1mit of a g reat variety irt .
the :t1T:t11 gcmc 1J t of their words.
12. f>lu•'•' of ,.1dj- rtin·s, /t rlrrr/,s, onrl allier TVords .....
'l'hc natnral ord er ill ou r lan guage is for the adj ective '
to precc t1c th e nonn th e sig nifi cati on o [ which it lire•
its ; bu t, fo r variety a nLl Yi vaci ty , tl1i s on1 cr may oft.. ·
e11 be vari ed. "'11 hc reports of' tl1 e .!.!: uns, loucl, sh:u-p,
const:tnt, pro(1 uced a st:lrt1i11g effect."
Adverbs sho uld generall y be pbecd
befo re or a fter the words whi ch they limit, but may .,
so111et i11ics be placed at a g reat Lli ;.; lance from the1ni
a111l 1hus become more Clllph ati c. rJ'}1U S WC may S<'\j'1
"Slow ly li e tru (lgcd along, si1 1gi11 g, amid all hist-Oil
:t11ll care, merril y."
In the use of qualify in g wor<l >', clau ses, and phrasc.e,·
:ti\ author may show g r at :'kill , both in securing
v:ni ety o f cx pre"s ions, an(1 i11 atbpti11 g liis style to
tlie cli:i racter of the tl1o ugl1t wl1i c: li li e inlcn<ls Lo ex·
press.
I t become:> a c1i :::~p; rcc·:il ll c rnan1 wri sm wb cn mi au·
tlio r Ll1!\' iaLL'S const:rn th', in 01 1!' par ticular way, from
tl1 c ord i11 ary mc t11 ml o r :nr:w g in g words.
13. : I ·1~ 1 o>ty cf n.11 st,·11cti•111 ft.i /,, . ,\rJ11gl1t.-It is an
excel lcn t practical excrci:se to select so 11ie cxprcssiv
sen tence from a gooL1 aHtl1 or, an d :1scertai11, by n.ctunl
tri al , in how rn ~t11v
. 1lif1~· r•: n t way s 1l w sam e words may
he arran ged wi thout. 111ateria lly l·han gin g th e rncan·

V, LUIHTY

117"

l)IJ,\'S'l'J.'l,'i! TJIJ.\ '.

ing. Then let the wonb a!Hl c: x Jirc><sions \Jc ckrngu l,
J:;till preservin g the sense. 'Cl 1en let all tl.1 t!" tun11s be
scrutini.11ed, a nd the <li ffc rc1 1t L1 eg rccs of iurcc a11Ll
. benuty be no ticed. In tl1i s w::ty :1 writer wi ll gu:ml
ngainst monotony or uniformity of mctl 1od in con structing sen tcrH.:cs, allll L.:ll l Li vate a vancty uf ex p res·
sions.
Take,_ for in:sta11cc, th e followin g sim ple stakmcnt
of W ebster:
"'Vhcn puLlic l1 r1d il'S :tl'C tn 111~ :Hl( lr CSS l~ d O il Il\ O l ll~ Tl lC 1 11 ..: ''.''l'a alous wh en fl'l'C a t in:cre:-:t.'i arc :1 t ~1 1 1k «"\ an 1l strong 11n ~~ 1 011:; ~· x t;1.1~· d,
nolhi,ng is v~l n nhle in ~pec> . .:h fa rth~ :· tl1an it is co nncctn l wll.h 111 gh
Intellectual and 111 ur11 l c11dowmc11 ts.

~·

.

.•·

Y.

This ma.y 1c rcnJcrcd:
"\Vh cn g rc:ll iu lc n~> l s 11rc nt st:<k c, nnJ strong pns>.io11s arc ex dted n.iH.l p ublic hudi 0s are tu be ndd n:ssc\l , n o il1111 g 11 ~ :-: ptN:l 1 1..;
fnrth~r va lua li k thau it i; cv nn cctcd willt hi g h moral a ml 111 Lcllcc t ul\l

cnJow1ncntt5 ."

Or it mi ght be :
"\Vhc n strong passio n ~ nrc ex cited, n11ll g i:cn t intcrc-:o::t<:. :1 1:c :1t
stnkc , nnJ. publi c \1odi l's nrc to be n1ldrcssc1..l on n1 ~ m cn:o 11 r..:. occ.: a ..:Hrn~.
nothing in speech, far1h c r than it is co nnec te d with h1 i;l1 111 tellcct 11 al
nnd moral cndo ,v1ncnts, is Yal 11ablc ."

1'fany other forms co u1(1 he co nstrnctcll, bu t . no 1'.c
fully er1na.I to th e ori gi11a1. In tl 1at the attc 11 llu11 1s
first callc<l to a l1cmam1 for goot1 spcnkrn g, wl11cli i;;
evidently t he leaJ in g i!t('a; th en we have a n id(·n o[
"momento us occnsions," gc: 11c rally expressed, eo1ilin n·
e<l by" great intcrcsls arc at :-;t:tke ;" :; till farth er, by
"stron cr 1)ass ions arc c xc it•~ll ;" tl1 e11 we liavc a v ery
0
•
1 ..
<rencrn1 concl usio n, " nothin g is val ua1lc rn spccc 1, ·
immedi ately limiteL1 by "fart.li er tl.1 :rn it is l:nnncck'.l
with hi"b
i11 LL~ l lcc tual and moral enJowtn c11 ts."
0

,.'

l!l ti

JUI 1:'1' UJU l'.

S l JJff'L J,) .J. NJJ

1,'<J _UJ'i1 U .\.JJ

SL'.\'TF.\'l ' /c'S.

l !) !)

Some sentences [l.rc so uc:itly expresseJ
clrnugc of a single word woukl injure them. 'l'n
the follow in g from E,lward Everett as an instance:
"On one occasion n pe rson introduced himself in the follow!cj;
mann er: 'Yo u sec bc for<: you a fath e r who hns c,lucutctl his IQi
ag ree ably to th e p rincipl es in your / c'mi /e. ' Ho usscau's reply w~
' ~o mu ch the \\'O r sc fur you antl yo ur ~u n ! '"

l ·l. Pm cti1·11 ! !)/,., «l i111 1 s. -l~lem c nt:try treatises on
g ra1n1 nar may lJc stll\licd with gn:aL profit to asccr·
tain tl1c bes t di rcelions for tli e location of adverbs,
adj ectiv es, th e infi nitive mode, a1H.1 oth er clements of
speech, bu t a careful write r will need only to obscrvo
tl1at iw r;;:picuilj' and force arc primarily to be secured,
:m<.l Lli at :L varir'tj' i11 the co nstruction of sentences
should bl: i'Ougl 1t.
Abo g u~trd :i.g:i.inst a u sc·le,;s rxpc1H1i turc of breath
- : t snpcrabumfancc of vocau]r.;::;,
::lcaLLcriug shot do
Ji ttlc cxccu ti on.

CIIAP'TER III.
SEKTE~CES.

15. D(:fim"tion, 11111l J~'.10111p/' "' - - SENTENCES may l!l'
simpl e or cornpo um1. A simpl e se nte nce kt,; lJ\IL <Jl 1•·
subject, and o ne 1lniLc vcrh fo ,;t:1nccs:
· " 1V[nu i:-> mortal.''
"To n.n /\ meri c:ln vi s i tin~ EurOpl\ tlio lo ng voyage li e has to
m11kc is an cxeell c11 L l"' l' l "'rnt i n~ . "

A cornpo un1l 8c ntcncc l1:1 s more than 0 11 G f111i k
verb, and is capable of being d ivi (ll:Ll i11to t\VO ur 111 o r c
proposition s.

Senten ces d ifT;.:r much in lcng Lh . "Bc:tuly 1:< Y~ll1 1,"

is a short scntc ucc.
Th e followi 11g is longer:
~'Our imme nse extc ll t ur fortilc te rri tory ope nin g an i;1cxh:u1 :-: tible fi eld fu r suc cc :-sful c: nte rpri:;e , tl111~ fl~ !' urin g lo i11dn :-; 1ry :l certain
reward fur it.s laJ ,0 r.-., and prc ~(· n· ing th !': lanJs fo r (' l' ill nri c~ to cv me
from t.hC mnnifoid l.·Yi l :-:; or all 0\' CfCl'U\\·ded, and ('Ull :" C~j\I C ll!I )" degraded popuLt1 ion; on r ma gni fice nt ~y:-;tcm ol' i\·llt-Ll.lt: tl r l' p11bli c:-:;

cl\rryi ng out and :11•11lyi11~ tl1 c 11ri11 l·ip\I- :-; ofrr11rl':-:(:lllat 1\·e d ~ 11l ( 1 1 · ~· : \l' )'
to an extent 11 cn·r ht 1Jie1 l or irn: 1;! i11 e•l in the l1v ld 1::--t t hv un,' :' Pl i !1•:
old speculat ire rcp 1d1lic:111 plil l<1"' 'Pl u:r:-; , t.lie l L1rri 11 µ: to '.l> ~yd ni :y:-: ,
nn<l l.. ockcs of foni n·r t.i rn (·-; ; th n r(·:11,..: tio 11 of o\· L" r - p11l1 11 ca l :-:\·:-;tt'. 111
upon ou 1 <.: O< i.d and d <)Jllt''-' l l c c olH l' l ll .... , !11 i11 t.; 1ng tli L' 1nll11 l' 1u l ' <ii

popular fc clin ~ an d pnbli e 0 11 i11i u 11 111 l u~ ar UJiOH nil tliv :1!1': 111 ~ 11 f
li fe in n. de gree lii t l1crt o wh olly 11 1q1rel·t..: dc nLcd ; tlie 1111 co11 :-tr :u11 vd

rnngc of frccll r•m of 011inio11, of ~pC'r>c·li , :HHl nf 1l1 e pr~:':-;, and th ~· l i :~ ­
hi tu n.l an d d:1rin~ exerci :-;c of tl1;1t libc:rty upon tl1 c l1q. .:\1L.::-:t :-qi\iy···t:--;
the aLscncc uf all ~e ri o11 s i11 C'quality ul' f'ort111h; atlll ra11k i11 tlie l' 1J11 -

!:i l/ 0 1!.'l' SH.VTHN U l~·s.

J.'11H1'UJ.'/( '.
ditiun of o ur cit i zen~; 0 11.r c]j,· i:.: ions into inn11mr ral1lc rc1igions 8 ~
:tnd the e ~ tl ~t.: qll C Tlt CO-CXlSlC'llCC 1 ll l!H.! r l1t'l.tJ !"C rega rded as }JOSSiblo, of
111t c 11 ~c rdq.~~v u::; zeal wi ~ lt :Ldeg ree uf tulerat ion iu fee l ing anJ pcr(eet
C([ ua lny of ng:lit:; o ur 111t11'.1a t~ ('u ll ll1 T ti 1111 with tli nt eld er worl<l be>
yoiH~ tli c A tl:rnl _
1c, co mrn11111 t.:: \l 11 1g tu 11 s, Lli ro 11 ~ lt tlic prc::;s nnd cmi..
~r at1011 , 11111 c: h ol good a11d ll)t1 Cil o f evi l nut u11 r ow n, liiglt sc icuco, ro.
lined :1 rt, an ,1 tl1 e 1, c~t knowled ge uf uld cXJ>ericnce, 11 ; well as prtju.
die<' " and ln:-;: unc..:, YI C'~S an d cr1111c s 1 su di as co uld not have been CX·
fit:cted to ~pri n g up in tl11 r Si) il fo r n ~c=--; nil litl' SC, eotnUiuc<l with uu..
111 cr11 t1 'i _ 1t li c r 1n:1'.11liaritit.:s i11 !li t· i11 ~niu 11i u 1 1 :-:, a11d in the m orn l, civi~
and social t·ond 1t1un of th e Arn cril·n 11 pt·o11 h· har1 · g i ven to our soci . .
1

1

cty, tltru 11 gl1 all its rcln tiun!'l, a rlwn1ct c r t:x du : :. i\dy its own."

H i. ·1(iri,,ty 'f J:1.-t': 011 t/1 i:~ ,\,,/:/•·( 1.-Somc vigorou
and clea r wntcrs confine tli cmsL· h· cs almost c11tircly
to short sen tenecs. IVri tin gs of a Lli dactic character
son: ~ times consist of a success ion of i mkpe uclcnt prop0:;1 Ltons na turally expressed In sLort scntc11ccs. Somo
·\\' ntcrs present us ll'i LL all alm ost unbroken succession
of Jong scntc 11ccs. Ei ther practice as a llxrcl babit is
l"p rcLcnsilJlc. A continued su ccess ion of either short
or long scnt?nccs \\' Caries the 11 :wcr or reader.
Short se ntences arc more fo rcible and lively, but
\\'Cary ll1c car ancl mincl lJy monotony, Ull!css relieved
by the occ:isirrnal intr·rpos ition nf' :t Jo 11 g sentence.
J,011 g scnk11ccs r.·rp1in' a mo re eo11 ,.;t:u1t att.enti o11 , and,
howL: \·c r wel l eonstructcd an,] t' x p1·cssivc, soo n cease
tu el1arm, u11lcss t!tc a tLe ntio 11 is reli eved by shorter
expression;-;.
Jt is eYi<lcnt tl 1:1,1 ]ic w ] 10 nf·vc r co nstructs n long
sc 11l c11cc ca n not rcaeli a great IH·i"·l1L in eloquence
Llivugh imlccd ortcn l11c slro 11 gv;;t ~moti ons and th~
most hca,r l·st irring appeals arc evuel1cd i11 sim ple Ian·
guagc aml ;;J 1ort sentences.
'J'Lc tl1r illi 11g d..:se ripLi o11 of a murder given by

\iVebstcr in on e of bis pleas :ts a lawyer JS
lustration o [ the po wer uf sho rt se11tc11ccs.
sent a. brief 0xtr::tct to ill ustratc tLis faet :
"Deep ~ l cc p li a<l f, dl c n <>n t he d c, tin cd victim,

'21JI

t

:l

1u H I 0 11

gooL1 il pre·

·w c;

all bcnr '1lh

}ii:; roof. 1\ l1c:dtl1ful uld m an, to who m ~lee}' was swcc l, tlie lir."l t
sound sl 11rn l"'-·rs of the 11 ig lit lic!J 11im iu t!t eir suft 11ut :;1 ron~ l'lllLracc . 'l'hc a s:-- a :--~i n c 11t c r~, th rough tli e w iu dow alrea dy prq,11rt:d ,
in to an un ucrupicll ;tpart 111t..: nl.
' Yit h nui::;elc:-:s fv11 t li e l':tl' C:-' t\1 c

]onl:l y hall, h alf li ~litcd hy tlic moo n; li e wind ,; np 1he a <rcnt uf the
stairs, and re aclH':; th e Lluor uf di e d1a 111\Jc r. Of thi s li e m nYl':- t!te
lock, by so rt an d ("Oll t i 1111 t.: d i1n.::-i:, lll'l' , Lill it turn s IH I it~ l1 ill ~l' S; n11d
he enters, nlll l 111..: lw ld .'i lii s victim Uef•HC liim . T lic roo m w a~ u11 comm on ly upc n to the admi.:S:-: ion of light. T lic fu cc uf tlw inn1 \ct1tl.
sleep er was tnr nc<l fro 111 Il ic rn nnl e n~ r ; a 11 Ll th e J ,ca 111~ 1 1f the JJ H1P11,
resting o n the ~ray loC' ks or Iii :< "~cd 1cm11le , s ho1,. cd l1irn "'!".,." 111
strike. The fata l blow is g irc n ! aud Ll 1e Yi c1 i111 Jiil "'t'' , wiiho11l a
stru ggle o r lll Ol ion, fr ulll the l'CJ •O:iC o f Slc<" (' to til e rcpu'e v i' dcatl1!"

In tl1 c \\'ho1c o f tl1c pka from whi ch tlw :thu\·,· i:-:
taken, occ11py i11 0· hours i1 1 it.s <lel ivcr_y , 110L :t sin~k

lonrr scntcnee is fonnL1. On t.\ 1c othe r kl ll ll, SC>lllL.: or
0
tlr e most :-:pkndiL1. or:ttion,.; of a,n ciL' ll t an<l 11 1c><l( ·rn
times a,boum1 in Jung sc11Lc; 11ecs. TL rcr111irc:'l a l11 .~l 1 l_y ·
cu1tivateJ 111im1 t.o collsLr11ct a l011g se11te11e,: l'u ll ul'
tL.ouglit., c<rntai11i 11 g 110 s1q lc r0 11ou s p:n rs, :1.11d >'V :u··
raugcJ as tu i11tcn;st tlie 111i11 L1aml11vt ulkml tlte ear.
I 2

Hl/HTUJ.'J('.

LUUSJ.: S l c'YT/-.'.Yl'/•.'S.

CII1\ P1'En IV.

Loosu scn Lc nccs arc vl'L.- 11 d(vi.\ .. ll 1.1y the wri te r
p:1rl:>, a11 1l p1111 cLuaL,;d :to-; S•'j1:1r;d.u
.~ ontcuccs ; alll1, 011 Ll 1u vtl1cr l1:u1d, :-;01Hu \1·n tc r,s ;-;u
punctuate their wri ti11gs as Lo appl·:tr to wri lG y,·1-y
long sc11tcnccs, wlticl 1 ;u·u rual ly 011ly a n11i1.J11 uf .~l1 •Jr t
ones.
Occasion :Lll yr a few co11nccLi11 g wonls arc 01nill•··1,
so th at it is pos,; iblc lo u11it.c sliurl :;u 11 tc11ecs l.1"• ;.-Ll:,J
into ouc long ;\ml loose sc1 1te11 uc. 'fl1 c L)llvw1wc; !'ru111
Banc)'(JfL's "lii:-:1to ry o[ Lli1; lJ11iLL~cl :::) Lalus " iliu ,.;Lr: ik,.;
'thi8 pr::tcticc. By tl 1u insul'Liu n o f' ;L f'cw wo r.ls i11
brackets, we :-:1l 1ow ]1<)11' it 1ni g li t li:we lJee u u1t up
into sevcr::tl short se11tenccs :

SEXTE'.:\ CEs rn ::i.y be frtrtLtcr <liviJc<l into
SenLcnccs autl Periods.
17. !,oos1: S ·ntewr's.-J\ loose sen tence consists of
pa rts wl1id1 may be separaLcd from each other with·
out destroying the se nse. Sometime::; the l::ttter part
will make coin]'ktc scn;;u :·tl.-1r1c, ft!1d so metim es it is
ncc:css:t1j' to repeat ::i. few wu r,1;; f'uu 11.1 in tli c former
part..
F.:XA~ll'LES.

tlH·

"It f:Ccms! .t:t•n t.l c· rn rn . tl1:1t tlti " i . . nn ngc of n· nsn n;
1wrso11 l1nvc HI. ln ~t :Hri"cd that arc to di ss ipa te I li c errors of past

:q.;l's."

A C11ll pause con], ] be rna(lc after" rcnso11," tbc foJ.
lowing \Y ord conltl lil'gin \\'ill1 ::i. C:lj •iL:il letter, anJ no
cli:tn ge would lie rn~uk in tlie scuse. 'l'Le whole is
ti 1crcfore ::i. loose f: • ~ll ten cc.
"Il e n'] •i red

lo

J,,. the hi hhc't; nli<wc th e pe ople ; above the au-

th o ri ties ; nhovc t lic laws ; abor t.: his co untry. ' '

'J' hc al.Jove sentence could close witl1 either of the
wor(ls, "h igl1cs1.," "people," " nutb oriti c;-;," or" laws,"
a11\l 11iakc cornpl ctc sen se. It. is tl1ercforc a loose seu·
ten cc.

"Antl m:u1 , the ocr 11 pant uf r1 1c so il, \rn i.; wild a s th1· ~:1Ya .::c
ccno : [ H e wa-..] in h:U"mony with t!it: r11d1..: ll •Ll 11rc J;y whi1·l1 lit · w:L..;
surrou nded : [ I le w:1 ... J a ,-:i gra nt o\·vr 1he c o 111iw;1 i t. in 1·1111:-:ta11t
wnrf;U'(; with Iii ..: f1·llow -111an; :->trinp;...; nf ~1 1l· l l:-. r\\'1' 1'i'l hi:-1 Ol'llilllll ' lll ,
his l'CCO l'd , ;l !ld hi;-: Cui ll; tl1 C ba rk o ( tJ it · liin:ll l \\'a:--j liis C l ll<i(' i t\:c
rOO lS of tJ~ e f',q·,· ~ f rw \"1·1·-1atll(J!I~ Jii:-. r f'~ll \ll' C(JS f11 r f 1111\l: !1i'i kll11\\] Cdgc ·i n a1 T hil L'(:t 11r c ["\\" :1 :--J t-1 1r p:1'-~cd hnt l1 i1 1 s 1r1~ 11 .!! tli a nd d11r:d 1ilit\'
by the skill <Ji" 1l 1e l1\·a,·1·r; 11e 11d1 :il i-;a pli 11;,!;:-j I ,,·1 ·reJ till ~ 1~1~ an1.-; of !ii"
house; I la.: ill'a11l'!J('sa11il rin (l qf' tn·c !" [ '\'v r· · I i1 :-' r1111l'; 1lr i!'t.i.; <1!" l'.in· :-. t lcn.vc~ (w\ '.l'l'] Iii.-; (''>lit·!i ; 111 :tls H f l111lr11.i.; \ie-.; [ w~·r1 ; J lii s 1.i··.t.1· cti1 1n
o.gn.in st t.l1e wi1 1 te l' '~ t:old; Iii:-; r (· li gio1 1 fw a . . J rill~ 11d .. r"ali111 111r 111d11r1·;
his n'lural...; [ were] th e J1r11IJ1j 1li 11 g-;11f t111di :-1·i pl i11 1.'. d in ~ 1i1 1 ct: [ lh: \\'n..;J
<lispur.in g wi th I l 11~ w oln:... :rnd J,c' ar~ th ~ 1 !(1r1blii p o!' 1li e soi l. a1 11i iliriding wi t.I i the s1p1irrcl the \YilJ fruib with wl1it:!1 tl1e uni\'l·r:: a1 \\' uud -

lfln<ls nbo undcd."

'rLtus it is see n tklt tl1 c ;~]Jo v e sente nce co11,;1s1s (J i'
least fourLcc11 p :nL><, at the Clll1 of c:1ul1 of wlr icl1
the sense is co1 nplct.c, :tllll l':1Cl 1 cit \\'l 1i cl 1, by ti1c acl·
dition of a wonl vr two to snpply th e place or th,:
punctuaLi011, \l'• 11r1 J 1JJ:Lkc :c'1.·11 eou lJy ih1.·lf.
1'1laayr writers wl1u alJ0111111 i11 lon g- scntenecs, 11 s1~

.-..'·•'

01ily loose sentences, arnl mi g ht punct uate their writiugs so :-is to see m to use only short ::;c11Lenees.
'rhcre is a g reat variety of form s in which
se ntences rnay be con str uctcll , w L1icl1 tL1e careful stu·
dent o[ Hhctoric in l.1is ge neral rcaL1ing ought to ob·
sc rvl'.
l S. Pcn.11ck-A l'criod is a compound
_nvt mak ing full S l' ll SL' Li ll closed.
EX A\U'L E~ .

"Fa vo rc J c h ilJ of nn ng c o f trial a n J s tru ~~ l e , care full y nur,i;.-d
th ro u µ; h a l•l·rivd of hanl ship and a n xi e ty, cndl! we d at Lhat time by~
the ol,latio ns of m e n like J Ian-an!, s 11 stain l'cl fr 0 111 its lirst founJ111iou '·
J,y tli c pat ernal :nm of the co111m on wl •;dtl1, l1y a l' 0 11 stant stieccr;sion
of 111nnili cc nt b c qn es t~, anJ by tl1c J>rnyc rs of all ~o oJ me n, the Unlv e r~ity a t. C anili ri dgc now invites o ur li o11Hl ge, a s tl1c mos t ancient,
tin~

mo::;t i llll'l't:sti n g, nnd the nwst important ~C Ht uf lcan1i11g iu the

lnud.

11

'l'h c J~1llow i ng scnLc11 cc from the writin gs of Rich·
an1 Ilook er, a cclcbratcc1 divine of' the 16th century,
is :1 good !'pecirn e n or a pe ri <JL1:
"Now, if N nturc :-;hould illtr rmit he r cot 1rsr•, antl lcav c alt.ogetho.r.
tlin ngli it. Wl'rt ~ but ft>r a w liik, th e o l 1s t·r Ya t i 11 11 <1f lwr uw n ln.wsj if
thPS C pri1H·ip1d a11d 111 o th ·r 1..~ lcnH·nts o f th e wurld, wlH" rco f all things
in t his IUll'l'r world are made, s ho uld lose th e <prnli1ies which now ·
they hnvc ; if the f'rnm c of tliat he1H e 11ly arc h e rec ted over our hcndJ
sh o nld loc"t'll nnd <.li .,,oh·e it •e lf ; if c·clcstial Sj>h e rcs should forget
their wont ed motio11s, nml by irregu lar ,·olnl1ili1 y t nr11 tlicmselvcH nny
way as it 111ight hapJ iCll; if th e 1n·i11ec of lli ~ li g lits of heaven wliich
no w it s n. gian t tl1 1t'1 r1111 hi:; Ull\\'1.: aried c1J 11rsr, sh ould, as it were,
th rough a langui :-l ii11 g l'n i11t1u::-; ::; , be g in tu sla11d anJ to rest liimsclf;
if t l1 l ' n1 0 1i l1 ~ 11 o uld \Yn111kr fr o 111 hur lw a l l 'll \\'a\·, lii e ti 111 cs aud sea~
~uns qf Ili c y<• nr h! c 11~l th e 111-.:1 ·J q~s hy di s1J rdcn..: 1i an d cot1!'11sctl mixt~
11r l' :-:', t h e wind s Ln·utl1e Ollt tli-.; ir la ~ t ga:-.p, tl1 e el(J 11d s yielt.l 110 rain,
tli e eari Ii l11~ 1!t·f\•a1ed of ln!a\'C 1ily i11fl111..: 1H.:e, tl1 e fruits of the earth "'
pin e awa y a :-0 <'hildr<.: 11 at t l1 e wi 1h1·rr1 l l ,i· l' a !-i t ~ of tli r ir mothers no
lPll J.!. t.: r alJl t.: l u y id<l tl a:lll n..:l i1·f : \\ l1a t wu 1thl Lt·cum e ul' tna11 himself.
w lium tli e~ e thi11 gs n(,w Uu nil s1.: r n' ?"
1

20 5

l'lc' Iii U./JS.

l!JJJ-: TuH f l..'.

:.!O ->

10. Ya.lwJ r!f I'<'rioJ, .- - G rcai orato rs li:L\' (; [\l"<>d need
the ir sublimest irnprcssi o11 lJy tl1c uc:e o r t.l1e pcriucl.
Let no student s uppose that h e ca11 e0m111auJ tl10 ngli ts
,\vo rthy of such a Jress witho ut m uch stud y , ur clotl1 c
11isI worthy thorwhts
in s uch n statch" · bn·a rb 'ri t.li oll t
b
"much c::ircCul practice. Lonl Dron gkun, o ne of tl 1c
most success ful orators of mo<lern tim es, stales Llnt
he composcl1 the perorat i<J n of a certain speech " tw t· It·
ty times over at least, fLl1 L1 it ce rta inly sncccccl,:cl in :-i
- very cxtraord in:Lry degree." rro sl1o w what kiwl u C
8 entcnccs vvcrc th e rcsnlt o[ so Ill ueh blJul" \ 1· e g1vc
.the peromtion to wh ich he rcf;;rn.: L1 - thc d os<; uf l1 i:-;
spe.ecb in beh al f oCQueen Carolin e :
' '-My lu rcl ,;, l pray yu n t o p1rnse . [ Jo carnl'>'i. ly lw>ccch you to
tnkc hccll ! You arc :5t :u1 din g upon th ~ l,ri11k uf a prce i11icc- t!i e 11 lie.It will g o fort!1 y o ur j11 d~m c nt, if sen1c111· e ~liali g o ngain :-;t
tho queen. B u t it will he t li e only jud g 1n e ut yo u cn~ r 11rono111H:N l
which, instcn<l of reac hing

i ts o bject, wll l ret urn rrnd l1ou11d l1ack

upon those who f. ,6,·c it. ~n.v c t1 1c C'(1 1111t.r y , my l 1 1 r d ~, fr (Jln the hc .•rrors of this c n.ta~t ro ]'h C . SaYC yn ur:-:; el \' cs fru tn tlii :' 1wril ; n ·:·w ue tl rnt
eountry, or wl1icl1 you nrc thn l) J'l\:llll l 'lll !:l , hut. i11 wl 1id1 y o tl \'!tl l n. 11 11' ish

11 0

longe r, whe n

!"(' Y(.' H'll

fr o m tilt'

J>Ct)pil', tlll\ll

CUt off front Li1 C rout~ al\!l tl11 : !'i l Clll o f" th 1.! lr t: f~ .

that you rnny co11li n11 c to adorn it.

tlu.' JiJ 1v••"Olll

:-:.i1,·1·

wli ...: ll

tl ut! c o 11 11t ry,

:--;H\'C t.ho C r<J\n1 , \\ lii f' h i ~ in

jeopardy-the Ari stocra"y, wl1ich is sh a k e n. Sa1·e tlic Altar, whi c l1
must stagge r wiLli the b low th n t. remb i ts kindred thron e ! Y o u hn 1·c
snid, my l o rd s, yon hare will ed - the Cl 1urc h nnd !he kin g haYC w il led-th at the q 11 c c n sh u ul cl l>c cl c l'rirncl of it~ sole mn " "·,·i ce. Sli e
has, inste ad of th at solc nrnit y, th e hcnrtrelt pray ers of t he ]'C" p lc .
She war1ts n o prnycrs o f mine. lin t I clo lie n · po ur fu r 11 1 m y humble
supplicat.io n s at th e Th ro ne of ~lercy, th:tt th 1't m c r ey rnay Lt> puuri' d
down upon the peo ple i n a. la rµ;c l' m e a:-- ure than 1!tc nH:rii,s of its rulers may d ese r ve, arnl that y u ur h e art s may J.c turncJ to justice ."

It will be ouscrvcll Lhat it consists of a successio 11
of shor t ::;e; ntc 11 ccs, witb an pccasional lon ge r :tm1 louse
sentc1tce.

() f,I)l[A U 'J'E'JU U l'R JUOJJ.

H II F'/' 11NI1:.

:ZO.
;1lucc1l

'!'!11 · 11111s/ ,.,,, 1,/l( rlic II ~ ,,.,/,,

wul

'l'ltouuhl,~

shoidd

wdl-eo11strncted period,
<>nly i,; Lhe sc11 se incoinplclc: till the bst clause is
nonnec1l, hut Lli c 111ostc1111ihatic aml importantLh
i.s i 11 tl 1e hst c.x p rc~:; io11.
\'i·' l) s11 l i_j oin :w cliJfI u en t per i<Kl from the eulogy
Hu[11 ,; Choa te npon D:u iid \\r1.;l;stcr:
1i/

ll1t: c/ m•.- l n
1

:i.

,. And ~d.: !', if on :-'O Juc day, ns that SC•lso 11 "[his co11cgc life] H
drawin g t i1 i t:-- ('l o:'c 1 it l1:1d h1...·1! 11 fdrct o ld to liim th fLt l1cforc h ~
prolonged tn l ittl e m o r r. thrin tlH< ' e - ~tore year:; and ten, sh nnld
he sh u 11hl sec t.li:lt cu unt.r_r, in which Ii ,:, w f!s com inp; to net hi s ~
cxpamlccl a c ru>S a continen t; the thirteen Stat es or l 80 l mult ipllJ
to thi rty -on e ; t lic te rr ito ry o f t l1c No rth -we s t nn.J t hc g rcnt Ynllcy ~
t ween sown full of th ose sta r s o f e mpi re; th e i\liss issippi forded,
t he S:ll1inc :1wl ltio Gran1k, and tltc N ucc.:es ; t il e po nderous gatrt
tli c n nt ky ~\l n 11ntain -; opened 10 s hut 11 0 lll urc; tl1 c g reat tr:.tlllj\lil
Uccornc o ur st•;1; h er area ~C\' l: ll tim es l;lrg-e r , h e r people five titft,(%j
nwre in nu mbe r: tha t 1I1ro 11 gli al l expe ri e n c e: ~ o f trial, lhc m nd~
of party ) th e iuj11:.;tic-12 (J r fo re ign puwt.:rs , t he rast e nlargement ofh
[1(J!'d e r" 1 !h e : t lltll;!O lli ...;!ll S <if i!lt t"·r ior in terf· ~ t :t11d f\:ding, the Spirit of
n:ui un:il ity w o 11l1 l ~ row ~t ro 1q..{1T still and 111 11rc pl n:-;t.ic; thnt the tiJ&
uf A111 c ric:lll fet~l ing would n111 c r c 11 fuller~ 1li at lier agricultu.rt
wo uld g ru w m o re ~ci c ntifir; lier art s m ore ' ' !1ri t 1ll f:i nnd instructirc.
and h e tter rcw : 1rd ~d; her co nrn1 c r cc wi11 g"d t o a wider a nd still wider
ili !' ht; that th e part. "he wo11ld ]'lay ill l111man nf!'11i rs would grow
n u !d c r ~: H! l' , :lnd in o rl' rrcog n izf·d ; tli:1t in 1 Iii:-: ,·a:-- 1 gro wth of national
grl.' :l!Hl' :-;"- ti111 e would !11' i~n111d fur 11!1: lii g li l' r IH 'L'C."i:s itics of the soul;
that he r po p11!ar :1 1HI her h i..:hcr Pd11 c :ui1111 wo 11ld go o n advnneiogi ·
tha t h e r drnr i1i cs and all he r Cll te rpri s cs c,1· Jdiilnnthropy would go ·u n cnl:t rgin g : that li er a ge u C lettt.: rcd g lu ry :-. h u 11ld find it :; nuspicioui ~
d:t wn-ilnd tl1l!n it hi\ d been al s o fon·to lll lii111 tlial c n~ 11 1'0 1 with her
g r owtli nud ~ trc n g 1 h , shou ld hi s fume ~ r ow, and be established and
ch c ri,h ed , tl11,rc where sh\! sh.,1ild ga rner np hi s h cnrL; that, by long
~ rada t i o n s of :-;r. n ·i (' e and bliur, li e sho uld ri :-;c to l>e, bd'orc he should
ta ~ tc oC d e ath ~ of th~ pccrlc s~ :llllfin g lil'.r ~1T:1t o rw~ i th at Ii~ sl1vuhl
w i n lh l~ donh k . honor~ and w1·n r tlii..; doulil e wreath o f professional
nud pnhli c :-;1q 1re 111:l<'."; tl1nt li e s l1 ou ld 1.>cr.o m e her \vi scs t to counsel
anJ he r moBt d o qur-111 10 pt•r,11<1dc; that h e s h o uld come to be called
the D c kudcr of th e Cumtitu1 io n, fi nd th e· !'rese r ver of honorable
peace; that the' a ustere g lvry <>f sulkring' to rnve the Union should

.
f
,
.
the v ~ r 1 ~c of :i
,
\
j · .. Jr. ot}l nt t.hC S UlllllHt 0 gn..:1t ll C'S!", 0 11
, e
}115 • t int 11> c """ ,
·
I I
I . t I ti ·1 " at
' l
. . 11 <· ·-vrc sh o 1t1 li. be dlst. in g u1sli ct t;SS 1) ic . g:-.
flill v c11c1 al ~ , I? ' •
•
.
I . . 1 1l . •i11h.
a n :tnJ lake , less hy the tn111utt·-µ; ll11, c:-i:; 'Y I• J
... OJl\Hl. on occ

.

.

. ·1 ~ ilo('l'v

tlrnn b)' s u J~1cn pal t ·ne~~

.. ·ion ·1n<l the app0111HJ Cl r ... '
,
._
l
. ·j.
t " lr , hy "Url' O\\' till>U g l1ltll\ , }i(Jt\Cn,d in <r all f1\Ces, iy gu~ llllJ.!: l • :--, . . ...
~r
i° sense of J c!::o1atcness, ns If re nown iLHd g 1,1cu .\\t: J ~
· ti e ,,rc ·tt 'ul1t11de
1lent, t.ie
·
.1

fQCCl:l!'i

i

, ..

,

,

•

•• •

·r th e Ii untc rls path, and t.hc ~n.1 or:-', i u i l"'> ~ .,
.-dns 'e ss 01· "0 Cf\ lic 11c t..fl1 n n1.nl w e re in ore lonely or 1 ~ss_ safl..' tlian
11 crn ·
I l I . 1 t h·lt l vr ' '
1 ~1 this predi ct ion hc:cn wh i :-=.pC rl~ d 1 l1 ow t:;\ m y .1.n. , , . ' n
1
e-. '" . . · _, J llt it all a siJc as a pernicious ur ulk Jr\!ulll !
9obncty o1 ll1ll tu

'

JUJ L'1'0 1UV.

/ ,V 1'F li'J Hl' 'l' I u ,\'s, 1_'L Ll/.L\.

•

CHAPTER V.
1!\TEUHOGATIO:K" , EX Cl.AJIATJOK S, CLL\IAX, REPE·
Tl'J'l());,

21. l1 1!1·n·o;r1tio11s. -'I'IIE pritnc design of a question
is to ask fur i uformatioll; but as a ([ ll l'stion naturally
arrests t.lw attention as if to <lcrn:111d a reply, it is often
resorted to in excited feeling to expr,·ss :m assertion,
by ;1 ssurniJ1g tb:i.t no otlicr reply eo ukl be given tb:m
tlic 01Jc whi ch the spc:lker Lch:vcs to be correct.
rrlicrdc>rc in orator.>' the q ucstion is often used with
great effect.
rl'l1is fi g 11rc is so natnral and so common t.lwt we
need not illustrate it large ly. \V c suldoi11 a fow spcci.
mens cnllcd :i.t random frotn good antliur;;:
t.:

(;an g rny hairs rend e r fully Vt'fl(•rnhlc ('I

"J..,. tlic wor ld to g-nze i n admiration
t.11 c;

and Hl't'' we ro l1u ll)l d

1li:1t

0 11

t!ii;-; fin e Fpcctaclc of\'k-

the lki11 g wl1() g-n,·u s nch faculties to

(Il le ol' iii." cJiiJd r\' IJ. :tlld j>rtJ Yid L':-< il1 C til(_•afre (or tlJ1 •ir CX(~rci.-iC, thntthO

Heing whu l:alkd t!Ji.s moral .•:c<:ne int o exist~ncl·, antl gnvc it all i~
beauties, is tu ht: fo rg-1· 1.te n nn·i nrglcctt~ d, nq of 11 0 co11scqnencc? 11
"f.-i tnlt:nt. or gen in s confined to tlic rid1 nr pow erfu l ; or is lt
\..!O nforrc d i1J d ise rirninrlf ely on poor nnd rith, un wc:11 k and powerful?"

"lfedn1ll\'s 1}1(' lil.r; f<' c•d, tile cl ove,
The 111!·a111.:st ins ect f1·c·ls hi s ca r e
And sli11ll nut t1u111 confcs~ his l<wc ?-1\lan, hi s o ff, p rini~, and hi :; heir!"

/\ Grcnt.

p:1T1.

of' the ~pc:ll-: i n.~· [lnd \\' ritiog of e~ln i-

~0\J

.c;t men is in the form uf i11 le rrug:dury. He wl1u 11,,,.,.,
· ot occasiorntlly use it, cve11 wlien cxpecli11g 110 n111y,
has reason to s uspect Ll1at l1is feelings never rise above
a dead level of placid contentment. Tl1e only caution
needed upon tLe subject is to avoid so frequ ent or
·constant a use o[ tb is f<:mn of' speech as justly to expose one to a c11:t!'g('. or m:1.nnc;·isrn.
. .. .
.
. 22. hJ:tlw1u1t1-,)11s.--Exclamations arc: s1nular to interrogations, a11L1 sometimes ca11 scan:;ely \.Jc d i~ti1:­
guishecl from them.
" .A.u<l n1 rry the di .-::c i1Jlcs of \Vnsliin gton thus ~ee , as we nnw s•' 0 ,
· the flag of tli~ Union fl(>ating ou tlie tr.111 of llH· C;q• i t.(Jl; ;tnd _ L~n·n,
ns now, 111 il.y tlic snn i~_lii s conr~c Yi~it , ~1.0_ ;:~rnl rnorc frc:l'. , murc !i:tpPY more lv,·ely tl1an t:11;-; onr O\'.n cuu~.i. I} ·_
.
'"Oh that I possc:::: sct.l the talent of c11iogy, anLl d1at- _I wi_~ltt lH~
'permitted t<; indulge tlie tcnden1c':"s cJt' Cricnd:i!1ip i!1 pn.~·in~ 1_1_1e .. '.:.i.-st
tribute to iii .> u 1c rnory' Oh d1at I were capable ot placll1g tl1h b' c.1t
man before yon !"

23. f 11 1r'tjcc!ions.-rrhc frc r1ncnt uc:.c o[ intei:i,ect.i,;ns,
-such as oh! a11 ! abs! gi1re an appcara11cc of aii 1:d:ttion and frigi cfay t.o sty le. and sl 1onld lJc a vuidcJ.
24,. C1iu1![,,..-f11 tltc

arrn.11 _-c;~: 1nc11L

ur Ll1on g lil:-<

and

expressio11s, a peculiar furcc is comniandcd by sccurrn g
a gradual i11cn::lsc of interest to tlic last.
Let the
feeblest expression come Jlr;;t, tl1c stro1Jgcst last. Such
an arrangement is called a Climax .
Somctltinu like a g r:v-1u:i.l i11crcase of assc1ticm apo
.
.
-· .,
pears in tl1c fol low rng sen ten cc from DancroiL:

'210

Ii' JI Jo"l 'Ul!J ( '.

l! H l '.£'1"1 1'1 u.\'.

•

; <:111bl cd to siug their psalms ; andji·0111 1/, c co1111try andji·om Jk.
fro m the com!Orrnlilc homes of wealthy merchants, from 11 004o
an 11umblc pcn:.:antry, from the wo rk s hops of arlisitus, hun<l111d~
1l1u u>a nd_s of m en ro;e. up, as with o ne hea rt., to beur tcstiIDQ!lJ
t he rn c1clens1blc, 1rrcStsl! hie n g ht to freedom of rnind . "

'rl1 is sentence is pkasautly climacteric, and
plis hcJ rhetoricians often use t.lii s style. A good ·
oJ is usu:-tl Iy n cl i rnax.
20. A 11li-c!i111(/ 1·.- An Anti-climax is somctimca
sortccl to, Lo belittl e n s ulJjcct.
Il;i,wthorne spr aks of n custom 1 which
to ridi c ull:, as "bcfilti11Q" t l1 c C hristian, the good
zc 11, th e h o rtic11 ltnrist, nm1 th e gentl eman." The
l01Yillg from Shnks pcnre is very beautiful:
"\\'lin t m u:;t th e kin g clo now ? rnu s t he submit?
The king 'hall do it : m11 st he !.c <foposcd?
Th e king ~ h,.JI he con1e111ed: mus t lie lose
Th e 11 1ur1c of king ? let it go !
I'll gi \" c my j e w,•ls f" r n set of be:uls ;
My gorgeo us J•a lncc for n he rmit.age;
l\Jy gay Hj •pa r rl for an nlmsm:rn's go wn;
J\!_r ilg 11rc<i go l,Jcts f"to r a d islt <•l wuod;
1\Ty ::;eep tre f'll r a pal11111s wa lk in ~- s t. all';
J\ 1y ~ 1 1 hject s f1Jr a 11a ir o f cn rv ctl sni11ts;
1\ 11d Illy l:irge ki11 gdo 111 furn little gTa\·cA lin/1 ·i li1t/(' .'Jnlt' c- an u!J sci, n : :1rw;i: .'' '

In the n:::c: of tl1c-sc lll"o fo rm s o f expression, C4l
s hould be take n to a\·oi \l an nppc::trance of art. It '
th e liigh cst arL to co11 ccal arL
2G. !t'rp:li"i1011 .- -nq ictitiun may b e resorted to wi
o ut tautol ogy wl.icn tli c oljcc t is to d eepen tho im~
prcssiou, and the m:ig 11itude of the theme will ju •, •·

fy it.
'.'li e nspirc d to the hi glie't l above t he people!
thonttcs ! nbovc the lnw s ! auo1·c his country!"

'2 l 1

The p ccufosity of re pc Li ti u11 is to seize u pun tlil:
t pro1nincut thought alld lwi ll tlie ::tttcntion upo11
. :a long time. If the ntt.::HLion is not wcaricLl, tLc
prcssion is greatly clecpenccl.
Pope, to awaken cornp::tssion fur the fate of an un
tunate lady, says:
" T~y

forei g n !tanlls t l1y dyin g eyes we re closc tl,
By fo re ign hat1 <b thy dece nt. li111 us composed,
By foreign hand s thy l1umll k ~rav e. ndor11cd
lly strauger::; honorctl, and l•y ~t ra11 gc rs 111uurncd."
1

Paul emphn.Lically urges l1i s arg nment in th e form
interrogatori es with r cpeti Li o1t, th us :
"Are they Ilcbrews ? So nm I. Arc they hrnelitcs?
they ministers of Chri st? 1 am more."

So nm T.

f::· '·'

He ad<ls

to thi s still another se ri es of climacteric
etition s, 2 Co rinthians xi. 23. Observe how tl1e

pression of the value of scirnr.:c is incrcasccl 1Jy tl 1<:
lowing repetition of tLe word in S p encer's abl e
rk on education :
'"fhus to th e qu est io n wit.It whi ch we set o ut- - ,Vl.at kunwledgt:
Tl.is i.'i 1 li e veron nll the co1111tf4. F o r d in.:i.:L !'lelf- prest.: r n ui on, or th e mnintmce of li fe and health, t.li c all · i111 po rl 1~ 111. knowlcdg-c i:-;- Sc ierH'f'.
r that inJircct ~ elf-p n·scrvut io11 which we call ga ini11 g a li''(·l ili ood,
knowledge of greatest valu e i ~- ~ l'icncc. F or 1.li c du(· di .-:cli:irge
pnrcntul fun c tion s, the proper guidarn·c is to L1~ fn11ud 011l y in ~cncc .. For thnt i11 tc rprctati0n uf nut iu11al lire, Jia:-; L a1id 11r~s{'111,
tbont which the c i1 izc n cn n not ri ghtl,v reg ulate lils C()J1d 111 ~ t, t lit..~
ispcnsable key is-::icicn cc. Alike fu1· the most pe rfect 1.i·r,d11etiu11
d highest enjoyment of art. in all its form s, the w·elll"ul prc1•aratio11
-Science.
And for pnrposcs uf discipline-imellcctual, moral,
igious-tltc mos t cflicicnt stucly is, once m or e, 8cie11ce."•

f most wo rth ( --· 1 li e uniform rt ply is- St·i e 11 ce .

• Educat ion, Intellectual, l\Iorul, and l'l1ysical, uy llerlicrt ::ipca(New York, 18 Gt ), p. !13.

~-.

.'

'r · ·

Rlf YT JIN.

]!/lt.'1'UH /(' .

·T•.,

It wou1L1 be impossilJle, were the attempt
to express all the forms in wh ich thought an<l
ti on may clothe thcmscl vcs. Careful observnti
whe n reacl iu g or liste nin g to speak ers, will enable ~
stmkn t to sec ure a great variety in his own exp
::i l<JllS.

CTI.APTER VI.
'l' JT E j\f!.: LO DY CH' S l<'.NTENCES.

27. R hytlim .---IN wlint may lie c;1l lc<l the o r:ttorfonl style, a ;;Lyle particularly pkasi 11g wlil'll pr·i nouncecl, a pcc nli:n b:i.h ncc of s·· 11t1·11c:cs is of't.,·11 preserved. Prnsc kts its rl 1ytl1rn :ts well a,; poc:try, 011 ly
it is less rcstra i11ctl, less artifi cial, nnd mure v:tri t.c d.
A rl1 ytl1111 is oftc11 Sl'e1 1rc1! J,y a 111·opcr at!111ixture
.f long sc11lo'nCl'o-i a11i1 ,.;)1c:>rl , Joo,.;c. sc11t <_>nc:cs :t1Jtl J•<_:ri' s, int.cr:::pcr,;\:d w i LlJ variu11,.; J~>J-1ns of cxp r cs,; io11,
ch as in Ll'n uga l io11 s, cxc h1natiu11;-;, re pc tit i1>11s, an tI
s1Hgl 1·

lun _:.!,·

~c 11 tv1u_'.1_~ 111: t\'

li:t\.l'

1'

A~ w e ]'f'l"Ct · irt: 1!1c ~liail1 1 \\. l o Jinrf.' lf1t\\"t •d ;tlo11g tlil' di:tJ - 1, Ltt 1',
did n uL Jwrt·i·irc it 11111,·in~ i ;1 n d it :i;ipl'ar.-; that tl ic g ra .ss iia:-i
rown, tl1 0 11 gh n ol1ddy eve r :-uw it l~ l' O \\' : ~ .. 1!1t~ nd\' n.1H·e:-; w1'. maJ.::,~

but
in

know l c d~(· ,

~blo

a 'i th<"'Y

co n ~ i ;-; t

of :-:. 11 c h rni11ut.e s teps, :trc u llly 1wrce iv-

by 1}1<, di , lan c:e."

"And th e ki ng \\'fl~ Inll rlt nH.•\· (·d, and ,,. l~nl n p t<J th l' r hallll,l'r
the g ;t l(' , i1 \ J1l WL']'t ; :Lll 11 :l:-1 }11• \\.1.'H\. 11)1, tlitL-., Jt t~ ;....;1i,! : () 1:1\'
n Ah:-; al o m. 1ny so n , my Sc\rJ ..-\l 1-.; alE1m ! \\"ould lu (iud l l1ad died

()VCf

rthee, () Alf:-; tlorn, my ~nil, m y so n !"
"TL i:'l ~f\\\' ll in <·01T1 qdi1111 ; it i...; r:t i:-;l'd in i1wurn 1pti o n. It is ~u\\'11
-nn. tu ral l1tidy; it i:; r:1i."'"e d n S/ tiritu :tl l iotly."
"The O('e;u1 1nay rol l it :-1 ,,.;H't'S, the wn rri11 g wind s may jiii111!11_·ir
rec~, til e th1111dcr m;1 _
;: ~ Ji,d1.1 · tl:c ~Lil·~. a; 1d the l i gli111ing~ !i:L --."
iftly from c loud t o cloud; hut not the forces of tlte c leme nts com-

TllE SOUND OJi' SBNTENCf.'S.

JUJEJ'OJO<.:.

:!l·l

liin c.J , not tl1<' 'otrnd of thunde rs, n o r of many seas, though
1111itc1l in one peal, and <lircctc<l to one point, c;rn shake tho r;o~

of tlic ton1b."

28 . .hluwtagcs (1 Rhvtl11n.-Not only <loes
harm ony of a sentence please the ear, hut it
manL1s at ten ti on, aid s the memory, and deepens
.
.

11nprcss1on.
It will be olJsc rvcd in the chapter on Antitb
tliat t.li c use of thi s fi g ure or speech is almost inv
bly accornpa 11ied Ly a balan ce of words, correspo
i11 g wi tlt tL 0 contras ted tLou g l1ts.
"Gold can not. make a man hnppy, nor rngs render him m·
Ide."
"\Ve c hnrgc 11im wi1h having broken hi s coronation-oath, nnd
arc to l·l tha t he kept his m n rri :tge vow! \Ve nec nse him of ii•
g iven up his 1•cr1pl c to th~ merc iless inflictions of the 1n ost hot-h
"d an,\ hnnl -hcar tcJ o f prelat es, nncl th e dc:Cc11sc is, that be twk
littl e so n o n hi s knee nn<l ki ssccl him!"
"Tl1 c first se nte nce whid1 J,rukc the nwfnl sil e nce wns n
ti on fron1 H.o usscn11 : 'So<'rnf('!-1 cli1 :d lik e 11 pliillisophcr, Lut
C:lir ist-likc a God!' Ne ver be fo re diJ I coniplctely urnlcrstnnd wl
Dcrn osthcncs rl1C•lllt Ly laying suc h a stress on delivery ."

20 . /?011gh cunl 8111 00 /h /fu1111 ds . -Some writers
Rb ctori c Lave rccommcnclctl a particular attention «I
tl1c drgTcc of ron glrn ess or smootl 1ness of tlie sound$,
of vari1>us worcls, a1H1 to reject words that are mad~
up o f SC \'Cr:i.l consonan ts in succession, such as wf. .
j url:r1!1 n>t!t; to avoid the immcc1iatc succession of
\·u\1·,;I:\ such as in hur·ul, '!'l'UJ>J !l'rrr, and to
lt:-ippy cotnlJination or SO tlltils. Such rules
fini cal than wise. Us l~ wonls to ex press
~. n<.l prr,11011 nee tlH'm d isl i nr: tly .
l t rn ay
well, however, to observe that

uc

secure n·
are more

thoughts,
sentcnCCli

215

osing with unimportant 1vonls, :rnd p:i,rticuhrly will1
succession
u11accct1!.cd syllables, snch as i11w 1uli il' incompu liiiihi_y , arc not pleasing to tlie car.
Sentences that interpose expressions bdwecn a
reposition and its object arc of'tc11 di sagreeable.

or

"He was greatly indd1tcd l o, nncl lrnd rccciYed many favors ji-0111,
d finally was imlu ccd to repay, h is friend," is awkward.

Detter recast the sentence thus:
.''I-Tc \Vas g reatly in de h1 cd to lris fri end, having rcc e ir ~ d from
·m many fa.vors , arnl was i1n1Lll'. CJ to repay him."

Sometimes r1ualify in g phrases arc inserted, as rn-

eed single :u1vcrbs aucl adj ectives al so arc, out o f
heir proper place.
"They dctcrrnin cd to rel.cl against a nation of wh ich th c v con"tut.ed a part, n1Hl to ll'iii c h rl1 cy had sworn fidclit.y not oniy, but
o to erect a bastard rcpuLlic in its pince."

" The "n ot oil l!J" sh on Ill be he fore ",-,}ii{" S uch
lecisms can be tolcratcLl occasionally, bti t w l tc'll sccin gly from a fon\ln css for the sounJ :t speaker l1:ts
· peculiarity of thi s kind, it is an offensive man-

30. Ilow flu should 1111: ,\:11ou{ (!/ ,5;;11/r: nccs lw rcgonl?-Tberc is a pow er about the mere sound of words,
:and when a valuable iLka is clotbccl in a rnclodious
expression it lin g ers lon g in tlic mcmorv, and is often
· peatccl. "The ol<l 1t1an (,]oqucn1.," '~ t11e alrnig l1t.y
dollar," "rnasLcrly i11ac:tivity," "111astcr of tl1e sit.1w· ·1011, " "I_Jl; t us
· l i:wc p1;acc, " arc cxarnp1cs. 'J'l
·
. 1crc 1s
also such a thin g :ls a l1arrno ny
the sound w ith th\;
sense. Scorn hi~ scs, an ge r j erks its words outahrnptly, love ch ooses srnootli al!([ Ji,1t1id expressions. ]\ft,.

or

JUJE1'0JUO.

21G

Tfl.8 ENG L!Slf L.-tNO U.-i OH.

tion also may be imi tated.
l>y many in poetry.
Dut litLlc attention shouh1 be giver! to this subj~
except by the way of rejec:Ling c1isagrecable cornbin11r
tions of so und s, espe<: ially when revisin g a production.
IL li:1s l1ccn ,,·ell remarkc cl l>y .Jol111 Stuart Mill, of'
the an cient writers, who arc supposed to hav e booa
very critical:

smoothn ess. Byron, eulogiz in g the Italian language in a rather loose stanza, uufavor;tl>ly contr:tsls
"1ith it the English ton g ue.
"I lov<' the languag e, t hnt soft bast.ird J,at in ,
' Vh ich me lts lik e ki sses from a fem al e mouth,
And sou nds ns if it sho uld lie writ on satin,
' Vith sy llnblcs wl 1icl1 l1rc11thc of the sweet ::>uutl1;
Arn! gcntk liquit!s i.; liJ in g nil so pa t in,
Thnt nnt a sini.;le acrc nt seems 11ncoutli,
J_. ikc our harsh N"ortl1 cr n, wli i..;;t li11 g, gruntin g, g11 tt11rnl,

" The an cie nt s, in th e gnod t i mcs oft he ir litcratnrc, won Id ns ~
hare t.li o 11 ~ht vf a c ·iat in tl1 c all!"t rac-t , a:- 11f :--iy le in the alistrnct: the
rn ~ · r :· uf ,; ~ tyl e , in their C'yes, wn ~ 1 tl111t it. \ 'X a('tly fi u cd the thoug'
Tll 1.: ir fir st aim w:i s, by the n ~~id u o 11 ~ f'tn dy 11f tlu~ ir subject, to see~
to th c m ~e h cs thoughts worth expn·s~in g ; t licir :1ext was to fin<l wo?'dt
wli ic h wo 11 id convl'y tl1osc tl1 ouglits wi th the 111111 os t. degree of nieetf~

\ Vhicl1 we're oL!igcd to hiss, a11d

\\'b ctbcr "the ::incicnts" dill tl1is or not, ::ill oug
to do it "·bo seek perfection i 11 sty le. Probably 1 _
hrge r portion of th e modern s than of tlic :tncicntti
s ucceed in tl1i s effort.
31 . / , rh c E11;1lisl1 /, 11,;:111o:r rn11;1!1 m- s111oolh ?-Tbli
E1wlislt
was ori.,·inallv
rotH., ...d 1 and Larsh ttl
b
- Jannn:1''0
o
a
n
J
th e cn.r, :encl tli c cli snsc or 11 cn.rl y nll the old AngloSaxo t1 var in.tions of (lcclcnsiv11 ::rn r1 'conjugation, nnd
tli c rn.zcc in g of so mn.ny polysyllables dow n into mon· ·,
osy ll:-thlcs k1vc, in so me in stances, mn.de tb e cnuncia·
ti o11 still more j l' rkin g nn d 11 :cr:-: li. But at the samo
time rn:rny gntt.nrnl so un ds h n.vc Lee n dropped ou~
as from the wo rds r1u,11;;/dl'1·, l(wr1/,1,,,., n.nd some smooth•'
so umli1 1g wor1ls anJ terminations have Leen adopted
from th e Fren ch n.rnl otli cr so urces, so tbat tlrn Jun•
g u:\ge 11 ow co mmand s a g reat Yar il'ty of rongLncs.\
~t11arl ~[ill',; D i ,~c rtn t io11 s ,

\•ol i. p. li\7.

spit , nm! sputte r all."

On account of the prcvn.lenco of tli c
¥

allll on ly when t.!1i" wn s rna•le sh rc cli,l th 0y think of ornament."•

* .J.

21 I

l1i~s ing

sound

of s in our hng un.gc, those who spcn.k it kt ,.c Lccll
ed by fo reigners fl. nn.tion of serpents. rr11is sound
much m ore p revalent in some spen.kers th::in in otliThe lw.rslrn ess of th e lang un.gc is n.lleviated by the;
trocluction or mn.n y long an cl mcloll ious words from
·the Latin anL1 other langun.ges, and our wonls m::,y lie
combined sons to prcsc11t a snccc ~sion of rc: 111 ark:1bly
melodi ous sounds; :.1so tLc most of the olJ guttur:il
pronun cin.tions baYc been dropped.
32. E lw;ticit,1; ':f tl1c A11:;1,:,;, La11:;11rt:;e. - The cl:istic·
ity of the English lan g n:igc is great. It combines
., harshness, meloJiousncss, bs:-; ituJc, ::tml streng t!1. P assages in it ::ire as smooth as n.ny in tl1c ancient Greek
or modern It:il i:in ; ns majestic ns a ny in the ancient
;, Latin or mockrn Spn.11i;.;l1 ; n.s strong as the German,
ns precise :is the Fren ch. Still there n.rc certain particulars in wl 1ich ncarl_y every language is superior to
any oth er, but it. lllfl.J' be doulJted wl 1cthcr th ere is n.ny
speech, anc ie11t o r 1110tl(~ rn , whicl1 combines so mam·
[(

.

218

OXUJl .11' 0f'Y .

RllE'l'OJUC.

opposite cn,pabilitics as tbe English. Any ambigu
in :i,notbcr language m:i,y be cli1'cctly expressed, or
alleled, in tho Engl ish, mi cl at tbc s:i,me time a thou.
may be so definitely onuncirttecl that none but
willfolly blind or perverse can mistake it. Thou
can be conclensecl into a few short wor<ls, or sp
out over n,n almost interminable surface. The
Ii rncst emotion m:i_y be n lterecl, and tLc most deli
feeling ru1d appropriate dress.
33. 011011wlc!/'Y·-On ornrttop ce ia, or Onomn,topy,
the name given to tl1e figure or s peech in which
souml of the word imlicates e ither an rtctual sound
n, moti on, :-is nrb·u-rlub-duD, for the sound of a dru
l1 i8s, cruslr, rz 1l frk, l(l:.1;.
Some believe th~tt the fl rst words spoken were ti
onomatopoetic, and tlrnt g radually, on that nur
foundation, tbc whole superstructure of' language
been b uilt up. If so, a natnral in stinct is gratified
011ornatopoetic exprcssionc:, aml by harmonious ass
::ttions of words and thou g ht. '1'l1us, in the dcscr'
ti on o [ so[t plain tive musie, :i. sueccssion of smoo
son nds, easily utte red, would charm at once the scnso:
rtm1 the .i 11dgmcn t. A battle, or :i. storm at sea, or an"
c:n1l1quak e, \Vould requ ire a different dress. Perhupii
every R li etoric in the English language published .
since Milton wrote h:ts h:t<l the two following exam·
pies from the Paradi se I.ost. Tlie first describes the
opening of h ell's gates:
"On ll "''lclrm open fty
'\'"i th in1 pP tnn11 ~_ recoil. nn d jarring sc11 1nd,
Tlic i11!'crnal doors; 1111d crn their hin gco grate
1larsli tliunder.'
1

21

!1

Heaven's lloors sw in g open more srnoollily , tltus:
"flf•an·n 011cn ('d wid e
JTcr cv c r- <luring gate~, liarmo11iou:; su urn.l,

On gulden hinge ~ I nrnin g."

Motion also can be i 11 d icatec1 by the souml of 1rnrL1s.
ope excellccl in this r efinement.
'' 'Vhen Aj;tx strives some rock's vast wcip:ht to throw,
The line too la.Lors. nnd thr: 'rord~ move slow .·'

Contrast tlii s slow 1no vcment with t.hc r:1pid
which follows:

011c

"Not so whe n sw ift Carn ilb srours Ilic plain,
l"lies o'e r t}iu un!Je n<ling corn, and skin18 al ong the main."

That bcautifnl poem of Bryant, Tlia11:1tol'si s, sl1ot1ld
be read aloud to exhibit i ts me rits, not tbc lca~t of
\Vhich is tlic fitness oC tL c so U11cl to tl1e soot11in g :wd
triumphant 11opc which it. exp resses. Observe the
music of the concllll1 i11 g lin es, and its corrcspo nJen1,;e
with the quiet close of a goo(l lifo:
,Ii

"So liV<:', t.h :tt. when thy summons comes to join
The innnm c rnhlc c:nantn, thnt mo\' e~
To tl1at rn ys lt.'rio11s rc11lrn, wlie rt: each s hall tak e
II is c h nrnbcr in th e sile111. hall.; of death; '
'.fl"·n gn nut like the q11arry Bl:wc at night,
Sconrgcd fo hi-.; du111::~eo n, !Jut, ~u:-:rnincU. aud ~oo thcJ
Hv nn 11nraltcrin g trust, appronch the grave,
Li.Im one who wrnps the drnJ'c ry ol' hi s conch

About him, nnd li es down to pleasant dreams ."

34. Cbndus1"rm .-It is very c:1s_y to carry attention
to the sound of sen tcnces to an exce::>s. In the heat.
of composi t ion, oral or written, it i:-: well to g ive but
little tbougl 1t to it, bnt in revision it sho11ld not h i·
wholly neglected. In thi s way appropriate li: LlJi h
will be forrnccl.

V.·Jf{l b'T11"8 l .. V S'.l'YL/c'.

JUJ.b'TUJU C.

CIL\.P'l'EH VII.
S'J'YLK

35. D1:finition .-'1' 11E peculiar mode of expression _.
usually employed by any person is c:-tlleJ his style.
Styles diJicr as mueh as lrnman countenances, SCI
tb[tt though milli o ns may exist at on ce, no two are
l'rcci sely alike. Still tLtey may be; classified in a few
general groups.
'rberc arc many different methods of cxpressin
the S[tmc thought or feel ing, each of which may
callcLl [t different sty le.
·
Tbc most of au th ors h[tve [t sty le tl1at is eithcrnn
nr[t[ or b[tbitual to them , so tl1at l1 aving read a~
of their wri tings, you come to expect that wbatev ·
you read froi11 them l1crc[tftcr w i11 hear [t certain si
ibrity to what yo11 have read . C[treful critics will
oll.c11 llctcct tlic prodn ction vf a favorite author in
wri Ling tliat docs not bear !tis nam e. Ilow pcculinr
l
fc)r 111st~tncc, arc the styles of Samuel Jolrnson, Addi·
son , Dun_yan, D c:111 Swift, Carlyle, 1\fornulay, Daniel '
W ebster, El1W~\l'Ll Everett, and CIJ[tr]cs Dickens.
3(}. IVl1ui)'i'Od11ccs Viui i.1J ? - Pcculiarities of stylo
arc the outgrowth of an author's nature, or the effect
o f' l1i s hal)it:::. If n11[tuthor11as no peculim' style, but
seems to ·w ri t(~ ef1ually wel l in so g rcaL a vari ety of

a

<

10

22l

· methods as to ha vc no sty le of his own, be is 1ikcl v to
be weak in all bis methods. "l{on omncs omnia p~ss1i­
mtlS "-"Every body can not do every thing."
Each
man should choose his weapons or l1is tools, and learn
to work cfftciontly with them. Fortunato is lte who
chooses tool s suited to his constitution and l1i s genius.
And yet it is well for a student to practice for a time
many differcn t sty Jes.
37. Sume l (u·ictfrs i'n Stvle.-Somc of tlJc varieties
of style are the following: '1' hc Saxo n style;, in wliic:i1
short words, mostly deri vcd from tlic .A uglo·Saxo11 or
the mothcr-lauguagc, arc principally employed . Tlic
Latin style, in wl1i clt the 1011g worcls mostly derived
from the Latin language arc abundant.
course
. there may be an cnc1less V[triety of styles on this m~,t­
ter alone. T'he abrnpt style, made llj) entirely or
principally of short sentences. 'l1hc flowirw
a
.
.
made up of long sen tences. 'l1hc loose :-;tylc, us in g
only loose sentences when long ones arc c111pluvcl1.
The periodic sty le, abounding in pcrim1s. 'J'L1c "ary
style, which is destitute of figurative expressions, of
wit, and of every thing to pl ease tbc r:u1ey or interest
the mind, except the naked statement ~f facts and
opinion s. 'l'lic Jlori ll style, alJonnding in trop('s, rnetaphors, [tnrl other figures. 'J'here may be several subordinate styles nndcr this lica•1, as the tropi cal style,
, the m~taphori cal style, tlJC allegorical style, the hy perbohcal style, aml rn[tny otl1ers. 'ri1 e irliom:tt ic
style, abounding in idioms, colloquiali sms, allU proverbial expressions. Tl1c scholastic sty le, in wl1icli
the sentences arc :tll artifl.cially co11~;lructctl with

Of

;,\"le,

.

)

RllA' TUJUU,

g reat care, so as not to offend tbc severest gramm11ti;
c:il rules, and in wLich the wonls arc used with
pecial rcgarcl to thei r etymological meaning.
Jogicnl s~ylc, in which the nuthor frequently argu .
1ntroclucrng syllog1sms, or presents conclusions, p
ceded frequently by such words as" hence,"" then~
"tLcreforc," and "wherefore." 'l'he witty style, 0,
w~1eh there rn:iy be many classes. In some, pll ~
quirks, s111gular combinat ions of words or thoughta ·
arc sou g l1t.
Yari ous applications of :iny o f' the particular princl·
pl cs illu strated in the prcccdi ng p:-ut of this bo~-k will ·
en.use Y:tricties o f sty le.
38. 1(1n.a tio11s i'11 ,\~.')le iilnumr·mUe.-1 tis lillD CCCS•
sary to consicler all 1hc possible styles, and every in·
tcll1 gc11t >:tndcnt pcrcei \'Cs that tl1 cy are rnnumcrablo .
ancl indcscri Lablc. 'l'bc on ly practie::t! questions WOJ'i<
tl1y of consider:ttion arc: ]If ust every style, to be com,,
mencb.blc, embrace ecrt:cin qualities? I1 so, what are
they '? \ vrhat faults sboulcl Le H\'Oidecl? What is tho:
best metholl to obtain a good style'?
,

3D . Xu ow S1.'11t: c0 11 !.Jc pro11 01111 ccd 11cst.- It would ;·
be :: se rious fault ill a H.l 1ctoric to r ecommend any
pnrtlcular style :i.s esse ntial ly tl1c best. No teacher
docs so much harm, in H.h ctoric or Elocution, as ono
who indn ccs all l1is pnpils to strive to adopt one par- ·
t1~ul:tr fas.hi on of writing or spcnk in g . Trees may 00 '·
t.n rnmcd into tl1c same sl1apc, L11t. they will not re· ·
main so 1111 kss tlrey :trc dead. No two leadiiw
minds
.
b
111 t.l1c world C\'er l1 ad th e satne method of expressing
or cnforcnw
u thou..-Jit
b

l'8ll 8Pf1; U 1'1' Y

2:.::i

There arc certain qualities that should alw:i.ys be
aimed at, which we will mention.
40. Pcrspic·uily. -Pcrspicuity is an essential clc:mcnt
· f o. good sty le.
"Thus let me drop in to c.1cl1 nuthor's ear
A piece of cou nse l: Keep your mean in;; clear,
Your statements lucid; for of this be sure,
That dull .1css only 1.>vcr is obscure."

This has already been recommended in the cx:cmi·
nation of words:'" It sho ukl also be rcrne1111Je1«:J in
the constructi on of sentences.
41. SIL011ld 1t al 1 ruy~ !.Jc p arlic11larly 8J11~1/1! ?_'f!Jc
writer may consi c1cr for wbom be is writing. If for
profound scl1olars, he neeJ not express his tl1ougl 1t
more than once, and that in as few words as possilJl e,
nnd may use illustrations and allusions which to other
minds woukl be unintelligible. If he is wri ting for
people unfamiliar with the topic presented, he may re·
peat his thou ghts in new words and with 11 ew illus trations, till he is sure tl1at. it is understood. Great e:irc
will be rec;ui site to liit the hflppy m ed ium uctwcen
too great brcvi t.y anJ too great diffuseness.
It is a ehar:-tcte ri~t ic of the sty Jc of tlic best ad vocates and pleaders before juries, that tL1cy dwell upon
and r epeat their thoughts till they arc sure of having
made an impression. 'l'cdiousness is however to 1Je
avoided.
42. P rc-rcr111i8ile lo P aspiwity ..-It is an infallible
pre-requisite to perspicuity that a m:tn should tlio:·
oughly undcrst:i.ml and clcar]y p erceive what h e ts
• See pp. G8-70.

·2 :u

U;VlTY.

1!11E' T OR1 U.

trying to state. Muddy thoughts naturally cmp
uncertain words. 'fhcrcfo rc the profounuest th.l
crs, the best speakers, tho ablest writers, are gen
perspicuous.*
A writer may oCtcn improve his style in this
s pcct by reading his productions to otlicrs, and
fully notin g the express io ns whi ch are misinterp
or not mHkrstoo<l, abo by r end ing his own prod
tions a long time :cfte r they we re written, and by n
ing wbat appears to Liirnsel f obscu re.
43. Pcrsziiwity 1.:1dutcd so1n elim.1:0 by P arentJieses.
P erspicuity is often violatccl by the too frequent UJO.
of prtrcntlictical clauses or sentences, which, by dive~
ing the attention from tbc main point. in vicw,confU$t
:rnd bcf0g tlic heare r. Eve n some of the most ele·.
gant write rs in the language err in this respec~ nN.
ing from tl1e fact, undoubtedly, that their productio
were in tcn<lccl to be read, and not to be spolcen. '11h
follow ing sentence from Thomas De Qnincey, whOS6
sty le l1as been much commended by some, is an ex·
arnpk :
"The fn cr. re ally wns, thnt the llllmnn i11tcll cct had been forsomflo
tim e outgrow ing its foul r eli gions; ela rn orott:-. ly it l>cgan to <lcmtind
so me <' hange; !Jilt how Ji tt le it was nl,Jc tu effect th at chnngc for it.11elf.

is e vid e nt fr om no cx:11! 1J.1 c more

tl1a11 that

of Plato; for he, wbi~

di ~ n1i :;s in g as fables som e of tl1c grosse r 1n onstros iti cs which tho

f:lA-

gan l '.\nthcon otlered , loaded in effect that d eity, whom he made i
conc urren t pa rty to his ow n sc hemes for mau, with vile qualities quite

* "The greatest tl1 inkers ancl writ ers tl.~ world 11 ns yet soen lm1'3· ·
not been (Jbscurc; they may g irn so m e t ro uble som etimes, hut their
rn enn i11g for the most 1•nrt is plain cnrn1gh, and, witl1 n little exll'$
diligence, eYcn th eir dilli rnlr passages liccurn c so" (ltcv. H enry Rog.
crs R Grcyso11 Lc tr crf', p. fi71).
1

llB degrading as any which 110 removed; nml in effect . so mucl1 the
wo1'sc, ns rcga.n.1c<l tl1e r~:-; ul t, L ec au ~ e, wa 11 ti 11g- t In..: l:l1ild 1sh Jll Ult:::itrus1 -

tles of the m ytho log ic legcud s, they l>a<l
goric i.ntcrprctations in tli c back groun d ."*

110

licncfi t from nuy alk -

44. Unity ].J,ji11 u l.-'l'lic uni Ly of a 8cnte ncc is violnted in long, cOinplicatcJ , and confused parngr:ipl: s.
Such a style is not adapted to public speaking , or to
be m1derstoud from Lli\.: u tkrancc. O ne can only comprehencl it w ith the bouk before hi m, allowi11g him
frequently to review what he bas read.
U nity re·
quires that a sentence shoulJ have a leadin g sn1Jjr:ct,
aroun d which all tlic subordinate parts natura lly cluster, an d tbc predicate shoukl clearly bi::l o ng to tli c
leadin g suhjcct alon e. If this is viulat.::d a "};c ntcncc
becomes a mob ·without a leader, instead of all army
in a stately march.
Still too much regard must not be paicl to this at
all times, or the sentences will have an appearance of
· uniformness and stiffness.
, 45. P er:-:picaity may l.J ,; l iitcntio1wtly T'iolotri l. - It
~ bas b een taken for granted, in the rcco1nnH:11dauoi1
of pcr!'p ic ni ty, t.hat tl1 c o liject or L!Jc a11t.l 1or is to ('()!Ivey informa ti on ; i f li e bas miothcr ol dcet., l i:-: sty le
must be adaptctl to accomplish h is purpose. He may
. intend to conceal thought, or simply to pass away
time, or to excite fe eling, or to suggest more tban lie
. says, or to astonish by a strange use 6f language ; a11J
' in ·such pro<luctions pcrspicui ty may be of' no val uc,
nnd may be even a 'ulcmish. This thought naturally
suggests another clement of a good styl e.
1

• De Quim·c.(o Hi storical :rnd Critic-al E " ays (Boston, l R;;3 ), Yol.

i. p. Ul5.

K2

.A

1U11:.'1'01U <.:.

46. Style should be adapted to its Pui:pose.- A
Hty lc is always adapted to tlic purpose ill view .
If an ndclress is made to cl1iklrcn, such langung<H:t
t11 cy c:1n be expected to appl'C\.:iatc is employed. TQ;
use recondi te terms, long involved sentences, nrgit•
111 ents r equirin g cl ose :-ittention and careful rntiocin&tion , in a11 atk1ress to cbil<lrcn, woukl be very absun{
·wittic isms in a fun e ral oration, short, abrupt ~
pressions in the d escription of a b0autifol landscapa.
poetical terms in a scientific treati se, quotations from
tbe Bible in a burlesqu e performance, would all offend
a man of g ood sense.
'I' li e sty le will correspond with the thought if tbl} ·
writer is a m:rn of po\\·er allJ culture.
sons, h e ·will use a clear, log ical style; when he pers uades, he will repeat and enforce his views by many
illustr:ltions, accordin g to the abundance of his in··.
fo:rma tion and the vi go r of hi s min<l. Sometimes be
will use mrtny short sentences, sometimes perhaps ~
flowin g p eri od; som etimes Le wil l question, some..
t im es comrnaml. Som etimes l1i s collnccted tLough t.s
\Yill fl ow on t in ::t i;tre:un t,l 1rtt would, properly print;.. ·
eel , form ::i p:tr:1 g raph co vf'r ing many p:1gcs, and sometim es the t,ho11 g lits will tln(l tl1 c ir most adequate ex·
prc~ s i o n s in di sco1111 cc t;'t1 se nt ences, each a paragraph. '
47. A Yariely •slw11 l1l lie so 11;;1it.-If a yo ung writer
i'incl s 11im sclf fallin g into :l monotonous style of ex·
pressing Jiis thon glits, he should make assiduous ef·
forts to break it up . The best of sty Jes wearies us if
a spc:tkcr o r write r allrnys uses tl1c sarnc. Even such
a work as Gi bholl 's "Dc:e li11 u and Ji'all of' tuc Homnn

.Sl'J·,'U / F f U :-i'l'l.LR I'VUI! .

Empire" would be more interesting if its style was
more v ar ied.

.
0 11 t h IS

SU

. ;l·
bJ"cct Mr· IIcrbcrt Spencer has well s:M .

r.. ,t

• n s ccific stvlc is to be poor in speech. If we rcm cmast ;nen haJ. only nouns and verbs to convey
I liat from then to n o ~v the growth has been tobcr tl~nt rn the ,
1hci\ idc~•Se'.~t'.'.:.\,~~~J,cr ,o f impl ements of though t, and consequently
wnr( a gi ~ ...:
1 "I and var ie ty i11 the ir cumb1n:H.10ns, we
•
•
1 I
1
r l ""renter conq• c x1 Y
I
'
' To

own

L

1:~" e

..

'"'

. -

,

~ ·n our use of bCtHcuc·.c:;, llHtl;

w iat t ic

i

inf"r th 'tl w e a11,; no\\, I
.
.
'l~1 wn ~ ln his use of wo rJ s; and that a (' 01\tlllll ~\TH~c

m~y . . ,e

pr11nll1\e in .

!'."''

, .

.

-

-.

f

''.

··t 11rod 11 cc hi.:ter0 !.!(~ 11 c 1ty iu

the process
ha s h1il1<;,no gone on mn"
our modes oi ex prcsswn.

.

J! II Hl'U lU U.

ANU / /;'NT JJ1JU Jl/S.

CIIAPTER VIII.

book," wou lcl gcn cr:-il ly 1i ave s:-iiJ "'l'o me is n llou k "
(rni"hi est Zif.,t,r). The Gree ks, tliou gl1 very critic:d in
. the use of words, still :i.llowec1 th eir b est speak ers to
· use two n egatives in o ne expression wi LL out destroying each other, s uch as, " Ile \\':lS not alil e nci tLi cr tu
. speak nor to :-ict," rn c:i.ni 11 g , as we should say, " l ie
was able n eith er to speak nor to act. "
50. f,_{i1;111s ((buu11d i11 Ulll ' m1 ci c11 l l·c~I n-,. i//11;;.'.- 'l-:11 glish icliom s auo unJ in our oldest autl1ors. W e s11\>join a fo w : " Gd yo u gone," fv r "BL'g<)l1r, (J r bk ,·
yourself away ." "Yo i t ku1 b est," or" Y u11 were llest,·'
for "It wouk1 b e b est fo r yo u, " as

I.DI O ~! S

Ai\.U l ' HO \ 'EIHlS.

CmTTcs often cbar:w tcri ze some p[lrticub.r author
:i.s e1nplvy i11 g :m idiomat ic style, b ut what is properly
incan t by tli c phrase has p e rhaps never been accu•
ra tely defi ned.
48. D :fl1u'!ion .-An 1<1 iom is a coll ection of words
j ustil1e d by' custom, n.nd ye t usecl so peculiarly thM
other wor:l ~, rncani_ng nearly or qu ite the same thiug,..
can not w1t 11 p ropn cty be used 1n tlie same way. It , .
is al so ap pl ied to expressions in wl1icb the strict rules
of general g rn.mmar a rc not obeyed, so that they can
not be tr:tnsbted literally into a11otl1 cr language and
b e umlerstoOll. "Not al all " is an Ill iom. S ubstitute
ncd/11.: r J ~l r 71(,/, n.n<l th e phrase "n either at all" be·
comes unpleasan t, tiiou g li perhaps in some combina··
ti vns it rn igbt b:m:ly be excused . Substitute
"<t {l " CV ci
' ·y· 0 nc, a11(l " not at every one" becomes
~bs un1; n or c:rn " not [lt all" be tran slated li terally'
Ill to :i.ll)' oth er lan g uage.
And ye t this uneonstruable
ex pression is so com·e ni c11t nnd stronrr tbat we can
nut ut u1~ tl1ink of sp:win g it from ou r l~nguage.
40. L eery ~cm:; 1w:;· · lt as p eculiar Idioms.- Every
~ an guagc bas 1ts O \ Y!l stock of itli oms. The Lat.in8i
rn stcad of saying wi th their own words "I have a

fo;

"Answer CYcry man directly,
Ay, nutl Lrnly , !J UU icert Lr..s t. n

"The on set was so terrible tl 1:1.t th o solc1icrs co nhl
not slallcl tl1r:ir g;-oancl." S ubstitute fll1 iclc fo r" stand, "
· or place for" g rouml," aml obser ve :ti. o nce th e a nomaly of th e ex pression, an d y et shall "s Uu1<1 y o ur
groun<l " be b rrn islied f!'vlll o ur lan g uage ?
The "Pi lgrim's Prog ress" contains 1n:rny su(;li
, idioms flS "holll me to ii," " b e of' gorxl eli ecr," " :d l
this while,"" come to a p oint," " yo u lie at th e cat,,;l 1,"
. c say s,
. " 'J' v
"let us m cm1 our pace, " e i c. "[
l\ on t a1gn
lcnow iv licw·t is not to know," in whid1 "to know by
'heart " means m erely to ktvc in the memory, m1 cl not
to think out as an ori g in al thou ght. "He is n.n r1 ul
and oi(t gentleman ." "I will come 11y-aw l-l1!J," wl1i el1
used to meun i'1111nedluicl,i;, but now m c:i.ns so me 1ittk
time hence. In Mattlicw xxi. 13, we reflr1, " \ Vb en tribufotion or p ersecut ion ariseth llecausc of th e word , 11•1/"
and-by :1c is offended," mca11in g ·/111 1111:diu tdy. 'f b ·

JJJ} (l.l/S , LV/1 l'li U l' L' JiJJS .

JUIJ-:TUHJ C .

signification bas degene ra ted to "befo re long." So
c:trcful a wri.tcr as l\Ltrnl1, when wri tin g ou the E 11 gliah
lan g ungc, s::ml, '"l'l.ic proj ect took air," for the projoo~
bcc::un c public. " Get out of tli c way," "Made over
hi s property;" " Il e sin gs a g ooJ so ng ," fo r he sings
well, "Our Jcbts au<l ou r si ns nrc generally greater ,
tlum vr· t/1 i11/,· }H," arc ex p rcssio ns that we cull from
t11c class ic wri lc rs of th e En•,.lish
h1wurwe
"A good
n
(. o • o ·
c li nractc: r sho uld be crnpl oycd as a means of doing
gooll ," instcacl of(/ mean
d oing goocl, th ough sllch
a write r as ~i r 1\Ti lliam IIa111iJton, alll1 many others,
have lately rev 1 vcd t he old cus tom of using 1nean for
·01 cr111s in ;-;imilar expressio ns.
"T11 ou r milh t " is an
?xpress io n .i 11stific<l by li onorabk usage, bu t the prun·
lll ,:..( and hn >e rcritic: tl spirit of mod ern times begins t.o
di scard i t. Co1Ypc r wr(J te, "I fwd much rather be my·
self th e shv0 ;" am1 Sliakspcarc wrote, "Had you
rath er Gcs:n were Ii Ying, and di e all s laves, than that
C:-csar were d ead, to Ii 1·c rill fr ee men ?" A modern
Amc1·ic:m would wri te, "\Vould y ou rather choose
tl1at C:l'Sa r sl1011 hl livl', rtncl yo11 al l d ie slaves or that
C:esar ::;liunlLl die, an(] yo u all li\·c freemen?" But
wbi1;h is tl1c rn o r0 ner vo us? "As i t were" is used ,
fo r " if yo u w il l rillow the expression o r though t."
" I Vbc n :-:aw \\"c th ee a h11 n:;crcd, and f\:J Lbeo 7" "No
11wlla what fi elds rirc dcsolatcJ, w liat fortresses sur·
rcnll crccl ," etc. Th e phrase no mailer is uo English
1Ll1 om,.forcibl c, :ln(1 t h :i ca n no t b e spared. "},fethinlcs
I sec it nnw," said Evc r\"tt., in introducin g a vision of
th e ~f:tyflowe r, \Yitl1 it.scrirgo of Puri t:ms, usin g an old
A.11 glo-:::iaxo n iJiom, lllcaning :-;omctliin g more·than I

or

thioJc, ancl similar to" it occu rs lo m e,"" it ri :-;c,; i11\·o luntarily to my sight."
"'l'bc rn o1-..; li e k11011";-;, the
. more he is l1cs irous
knowillg." (( 'l'li u wonb l•Jll/,·
effect." "\Vho is as oCte n out in lii s cncomiu1us as i11
bis cen s ure," sriys Si r \ Villiam Ila1ni ltu11.
Observe tl1c id iomatic s trcngtl 1 ol" the follo\\·in g
·fro m a justly admired passage
~lilt.o n ~

or

or

Tliuiq..; 11 all the \Viud s of Uuctrin c we n.'. I· ·! lu u.'>e, to p!:ty upon t lie
· cartla, sv Truth Ue in Lil e fidd, we J(j i 11jurio11sl!J l1y li cc n:-=. i11 µ; a11d prohibitin g li er. T,et li er :11Hl F:1lsel100J graJ'pl e. \\'liu e\"er knew 'l'rntl1
·' put to the 1corse in n free am! open encoun te r"/"
' 1

Tak0 another rnucl1-admirel1 p:tssag\.: from tl1e sam0
author:
"A s r1oodnlm ost kill a man as kill n Look ; wh o kill ~ n ni nn, killw
n rcnso 11 nl 1I~ c rc :1t11rc-God '~ imn~e ; l111t lie wh o (ks1 roys a gnuJ
pook kill s reaso n itsel f; kills tile im:.ige o f GuJ, as it tcel'l', 1·11 th r C!J''·"

51. An l dioinalic Slyle.- A wri te r wl..i o 11scs frcdy
and nrit urally t.ltc i<li on1 s of" tl1 e En gl i,;li l:tn g u:tg ·; 1nay
with propri ety lie tcrn1 ct1 an idi o1natie w ri te r. l t wi ll
be fou nd, h owev e r, that th e ol<lest writ.crs in tl1e lan guage n sc the m o,;t of' tht'1n, am1 tl1at hs grarnlll:t tic:tl
cultivatio n is a ttem1ct1 to, tl1 ere arc mon.: of the w riters
. who, eitl1 e r from rt fea r of cr iticism o r from disi11cl i11a·
- tion, sel1 lorn or nev er use a good, strong, h\.':tl thy i<liom. rrlici r exp ressions arc toilet] dow n to Sllt.;h grani matic::t1 accuracy that they cou l1l b e li te rall y transbtcd
into any other lan g uage withou t exciting any m ore
atten ti on than th ey do in th eir ow n!
52. P ro1"1"1-l1s.- But, Ut.;s idcs idi o111s, tli crc arc prn\··
crbs, rnan y of whi ch arc l'ceu li a r i11 st.yk as wel l :1><
in th ouglit. .A proverl1 is a sc11tcntiomi cxprc,;siun,

..,i

:l32

J: l f!:.'TURI C.

weighty in meaning, and which is frequ ently repeat®
without rcf~~ rcncc to its origin. 'IV c s:i,y an exprcssicm
has "passed into a proverb," when it is often quoted
as common prope r ty. Suc h proverbs as "Iloncst is
the best policy," "Live while you live," "Givoynn
rnch, and lie will take :i,n ell, "" 'J.'hcrc is but a step
from tlie suLl1rn e to the nd1cnl o us," arc well known.
Some pron.: rbs arc r ecognized as vulgar, others arc el·
ovated anLl 1wLle. One book in the Dible is entitled
a " Book of ProvcrL~,' ' and contains some which aro
m common use, though the verba l beauty arnl fo.roo ,
of a proverb arc gcncmll y destroyed by translation frorn . .
o ne language to an other. Each language has its own . ·
there :lrc but fow comm on to two or more languages. .
Lnnguagc~, like other clotbes, vary in fashion. Ches·
tcrficld, who was more finical than wi se, and who had·
not merit eno ugh to acl1icvc h igh s uccess as an authot
~id10ut_thc peculiar adv:i,ntagcs of Lis hereditary~
s1t10n, d1scon ntenunced the use of proverbs, simply be- .'
cause the un cdnc:itcd use tb crn . The fact that tbcRO
rcr 11 :~ i lori cs of t.i1 011g ht nnc1 wit arc i11 tl1 c possession .
of botlt the unlearned a1 1d thu learned, rcnllcrs them
doubly v~:lr1 :1 blc to one who woulJ address ::t general
ancl1e11ce m speec h o r wri ting. Such writers as Cob·
Lett ~nd Jl cnj nmin F ranklin never shrink from a pop·
uhr 1cJ 1o m or proverb.
53. l\(w I dioms n1111 Pro rcr11s. - It should not be
forgotten tlwt both new idio ms and new proverbs
arc co nt111ually arisin g. A strong mind often throws
out a new verbal \'Xp rc"s ion o f pcrh:ips an old, per·
uaps a new tlion,i.;lit, so foli citous that it is canght

.II U }J f ,'.J: .V

l 1J I () .1/ :i

up at once, aml eilhcr cinhtln1 c<1 as a proverb, or !'n:qucntly crnpl oyec1 as a new idiom . 'J.'l1c power uf'
originating fon.:iLlc or LcauLiful expressions i,c; u rare
gift, aml h e who ex ercises it well is a pul.Jic belle·
factor. S uch writers as \ Vaiter S:wngc Laudor a nLl
Ralph \Valdo Emerson hav e thus enlarged tL.c verbal
machinery of a peo ple. "::-r unlcr wi 11 out" is a mod ern proverb. " 'J' bc su m of all villai n ies" was originated by J ohn
cslcy. IV bat may be term eel modern idi oms arc man y of t11 crn m elaph o rs clr:mn l'rom
occupat ions, customs, or moL1cs of action commo11 in
these times, and, in proportion to their cbaraeter aml
use, may be rcgar L1cd as c1cgradcc1 or b onuralilc. J\.
. few ins tances will illustrate our meanin g.
So critical a wri ter as Tlio111as de Quincey, in an
o.rticle on "Homer a ml tl1c IIomcrid"c," writes : "As
· if it were possible that a coarse, clm11sy lrnlk l ike tlic
· ship Argo, at Tihicb no p uss1Lle J\T<:u:custle C11lli, ,. f,uf
·would l1 rll'c sncr:::.cd, coulc1 obtai n an cvcrhsti ng memory in the starry h eavens :"
So th e 11e v. YD . 1\lanricc, an accnratc and vi go rous writer, u ses s uch expressio ns · as, " Il.c l1 as i1 ot ~L
right to say th a t b e has fo und a man tl1at will /'IW -in
the sai11 c /,-run wi th S ir \Vi ll i:im IIamilton ;" "You a nd
I are not school-men, we arc rou ghing it in tbc worlL1."
, 54. 1 !0 11J ir/11 c h sl1 oulrl //1 esc / 1hums and p,.01:au0 u~
einplu!Jed ?--'rhc taste must not Le cultivated to such
a squcam isL ncss as to sacrifice all stren gth of tliougli t.
Jefferson nrnintain cd that g r:immatical accuracy mi g ht
be surrcnc1ercL1 fur ill(lcpcndencc and v igor. Jt. t;an
not be dcuicL1 th:-tL ~o rn c mod ern grnrnrn::trians \'> Olllc1

·w

:;-

I.'.

~.:

.

JtllETU HJ U.

JlJ/ () JJA l'IC

refi ne all vigor o ut of speech. vYc can not ttflord
ost racize all the iJ iorns an d proverbs and ncrvo116
press ions of our mother-tongu e, and we should nO\ ·
shocked at new ones.
.

An anecdote illustrating this subj ect is related
.Tcffcrson, <lcscribing the criticisms t lrnt were mad
lii s o riginal draft of the D ec laration of I ndependo
l>y tlic Co ng ress of 177G, whic h J ebated three
before adopt ing the p aper.

ulgarity, such as to "fhsh
·takes," to " iizzk: ou t.," to
hich gradually take p lace
nte amo ng those i;\°lio arc
' d prececlen t.

(' JJA ,V U /c'S .

i11 c\1 0 pan," to "pull up
"c:0Lto11 -" 'l'li c cl1a11 g•·s
in language u sually ori g least trnmmcll cJ by law

56. '!'he ·i wltjinulil1· il/ir))nr!l ir-

C l101·urlu r:f' r' 1·rn;

L1111 -

yuage.-Evcry language l1as noL o nly a p eculiar stoc k
'()f idioms, Ullt al SO its 0\Vll peculia r way of CX!J f'l'~" i1 1g

. "I was,"sa ys Mr. J e fferson, " "itt in g by Dr. Frnnklin ,wbo ~
ce ivccl rh a t I w as not mscns1ble to th e mutilati ons. ' l hnre
it a rule,' said Dr . Fra nkl in , wh enc \'Cr in my power, to n"oid
rnmi11g I he clra:tsrnnn of pape rs to l>e rc,·ic wcd l,y n pulilic body.
!Ouk in y lesson from an mc1Jent wl 11 ch I will relate to you. W
was a j <~ ur n <'yrnan pr inte r, one of my con1pan ions, an npprentwc
fer, ha \'Jng sc rvccl out lus tuu e, was al.iout to open shop for hltll
lli:-; fir~ I er11H:r rn was to l 1n vc a hn.nd so nrn sig n-board , wiLli n
in,cripl io n. Ire composed it in t hese wo rd s : "John Tlt0mpson,
~nal.·es and sf'//.• fiats /'or r erl{ ('J 11ioff t!J , ''wi t It a figure of a hat sub
ed. Il11t he thought h e \\'Ou!d subm it it'to hi s fri ends for their nm~~
mcnt, . Tl 10 first h e sho\\'eu it to th oug ht. the word hattc,. tnutol~
becanl'c follo wed hy the words m al.:rs l1((fs, wh ich 8J1 owe<l he,,...
'"'.llcr . I t was struck ou t. The 11ex t ouocnul t.hat th o word lllllbf
m1 g l1 t ns \\" Cll he ~~· nittcl1, heca11 sc lti s c11 storncrs would Hot core wbf
mad" I he ha l'; Ii ~Oo<l , allll to their niintl , they would buy. TI.
:-: 1n11.: k i i 011t . A tli inl ·~ a i d lie tl1 0 11 g lit tli c words for rcad!J ~
~\:ere 11...; ··lt'"", n ~ 1t \\:ts 11 01 the t ll :-- tu m 1.., f the pl.tee to sr ll on crcd
I hey we re Jtar tcd w11!1. TJi e sig- n now stoud; "John Tliomp~on
lu.1/ s ."
/')f1 //.~- hat :-: !" say s his ne xt fr icnil; " wliy no hocly will ~
pcct y ut! tu g ive tlJ c n1 away ; what 1.!1<.·n i:s t l1 c uso of thnt wordr''
It .'\':lS ~ r ri d.;:c n nut , nnd th en " l1at s" fu ll owcd, ns th ere wn11 ono•
: ),;111ir t• d .~ '.11 lit (· l 1n:~ rd._
~ " h i s in!'l' ri!1t.i un wns reduced ult imntc.11
.fo/111 l l1u1111 1su11, w1th tlie figure uf a hat s11!1joincU."
1

'

CG. ( i nr//l Tt1 s{1: shrill Id !H: 0 1()" G uidc.-Goocl tasto and
sonnrl j11,l .c;m r nt will be r c11nireJ to teach when to us
if r: vcr, ti1e vignro1rn <'xprcs;;io ns o riginatin g amow
t11e peop le wl 1i cl1 fo r a Jo ng time wear the garb

or

t hought; wherefore to tran slate a fo rcible am1 id1 ••111• tl·ta production in to an oth er lau g uage is v ery Jilli c ult.
It is seldom t h a t o n e rnan obtai 11 s an e x te11si\· c cv111 mnnd ov e r tL e iLlio rns o f more tl1an unc bn gu agc .
57. Cltru1g1·s ·in L w1;;1wyc.-As we have s!JO\l'll , in
., our examination o [ wonls, lan g uages arc const:\ll t ly
hanging. A write r in the \\TL'S tmi11stc r Revi c 11· \1·ell
remarks : "Dict io nari es con tain o nly scleet.ions fru111
.the bngu::tge ; the irnmbcr of \\'o rLl s in tl1 em 1Jy 11 0
ineans r ende rin g the m worLhy to b e cou siJerc\1 col ,i cctions C!f the bn g uage. Tl 1c l\ngl isli of g r:un m:trs
· A~d schools is l>n t a clioscn po rt io n o f a n ex ist.i ng
whole. Ill f: tc1 , t11r• F u:;1isl1 (1111;;!1"!/C, [18 learn ed l_,y
.::: 'foreign ers, is h y 11 0 mc:rns t/, r· (1111.r;uo;;c 1:/ } ;11;1!1111
That is Lrn e ; am1 s t ill m o re fo rcibly m ay \\' \'. s:1y ,
that th e E11 g li sl1 hn g nn gc , as lea rn ed out of a kw
elementa ry b ook s, is not tl1c lan g ua ge of tl1 c U 11i tc•l
States of Am e ri ca. 'l'li c p eople of ;\1 J1c rica wo uld be~
no b ette r tli a n cle::tLl 111 c n if tl1cy did 11 ot c:krng<~ tl1 c
·Jang uag e wl1i cl1 t.h 0y use. \ \Tl1;i.tcv c r is :i.l ive g ro ws,
nnd tliro ws off d l'c te m atte r. A l ivin g hngu:1gr grow;o:
in ic1ioms arnl fi g nrcs, as w ell as i1t \\'Ord:-, and \li~­
- cnrds wh at is u seless. A ml ye t 11 0 soone r L1oes a Yi '.'.
1

{ . "

,.

lUil:-' 1'UJU U.

0rous original writer in Am erica appear, than
foreign critics, and their Arncrican imitators, c
him with us in g "Ame ricani s ms;" as though it ·
an offense. Ile docs u se Americanisms, or he bol
to tlte cl:tss of imi tators-always a feeble and
Lcm11tiblc class. TL0 E ng li sh writer should USG
g lici :-;ms, :u1d the Am erica n wri ter Amcricanislll!li
CVL' t')' man shou ld speak out wLat is in him in a.~
aml illllcpend c11t manner; tlrns showing that"the
max o f po wer is not yet reached, :rnd that those
now live arc n ot mere echo r ep eaters of the p2ty
o f each othe r. A s ltas Lee n well said by Buil'on :
"To wri te_ we ll i ~ at o nce to think wcIJ, to feel rightly, lUl.d
de r ln·0 perly; 1t is to !i aY c , nt the same time, mind, soul, taste.
" IJ'i" '~r·s th u rcllni on nn,\ th e exerc ise of all tl1c iutcllectuul fac

'J '/,e sty/1 is tli c 111an."

SucL1 :-ire the fast wo rds of Buffon's "Maxi
Southey speaks of th e same s ubj ect in the follow ·
passage, from one of l1is familia r letters :
"A man wi th n clcn r hcnd, a ~ood hcnr t, nnd an honest u
Rtnndin g, will always write wel l. It is owing e ither ton muddy
an evil h ea rt, _or a su1 •li i.,ti•·a1 c.I i11 tell cct t.liat men write bndly, ,,. ·
i:; 111 \ 1th'.' r ag.an~ ~ t rcn..;011. or goo d11 c~s , or si 11 ccri ty. ~rhcrc m*I ht
secret:< 111 pa1111111i.:, hu t there arc no ne in style. \ Vhen I hn-ro
nskcd tlie fuo li;h qucsti 0n, wliat n yonn ~ m a n sl1 ould do who
to .nr 111 ir0 a _gnud :'tylc, rn y answ e r has bee n, that he !:ihould n
1!1111k ahnut 11, h11 1. sny wl1:1t he has to say ns pe rspicuously as he
·~
and a s lm d ly :1s he ca 11, n11<l tli cn the sty le will take care ofitaelt;ll
1

1

'l'b o ]:1s t direc ti on is a littl e too swooping for a Sf.I{. ·
cknt. Still it is tnw that a man can not write vigorously unl ess he fo rgets tbo rul es of style in the fuva
ur strong pas~ion of com pos it io n. 'I'be time to
rn c m bor.
_rn !vs is w li en jorrn i1¥g habits 9f style, rmd ·~
when ~rtt1c1s10g and amendiug productions after th fJ. "·
arc wntten.

t!)•:

]'()

t;fJ JIJLL\ ' /! .I

liUUlJ s:t r l.1:'.

'.! ~17

CIJAPTER IX.
now

'J'O A CQUlUE A GOOD STYLE.

58. Gencml Pri11r:1j1{,..-IF a youth of ordinary 111 lligence were ask ed how in Lis opinion h e rni ~:;l 1t
akc himself an accompl isl1 eLl rnecban ic, o r macl1i11·
t, or paiute r, or sculptor, he would promp tl.)' an:-:wcr :
By stL1dying tlic science, Ly r ece iving in stru.cti o1 1
om expert p racti tioners, l>y tlrorouglily cx:unrn1n g
the b est sp ec im ens o f workmans1-tip, and Ly continu :tl
· careful practice." Thi s is felt to b1.; trn c, an<l it is
oi;ily by suclt ::t process tha t any one can 1Jecornc :i. good
speaker or writer.
,
.
,. Some p ersons have a natural f1u cncy anu case rn
communicating tl1cir thoughts, b oth by sp eech and
by writin g. Tl1 c p oets l'upc and \V:i.tts, a11d man y
others, wro te v e rses w 1t ilc th ey we re yet, aecon11 ng
' to com m o n Jaw, to be regarded as in fants. Otl1crs,
~ho have b ecome equ:'tlly emin ent aftc rwan1 , wrote
at first with g reat chfTtcnlty, ancl not till tli cy li:Hl
reached matnrcr years. 'l'hc b est writers am1 ablest
. speakers h :wc d e voted great labor (consciously or unconsciou sly) to the im p rov ement of th eir style.
59. E})urls of G /J,1,un lu com111w11l a goo 1l Sl!Jlc.Tbat ripe scholar and profound histori :-in , Gibbon, tlw
~ author of the" Decline a11L1 Fal1 of tl.1e Roman E111 ·

n f,'

[(JJ 111'0 I.' I U.

pirr,," dct:lil::; in hiR rrntobiogrnpliy the caro and
rnense study wiLh whieL lie forme<l his style;
wL en, in the prime of his lifo, he came to write ·
fi rs t vol urn e of Li is g reat work, he says:
"Tile sty le o f an n11thor shoul d be an imaRe of his minrl, hat
choice an 1l co111I11 :1111l of 1:rn;;;:t11\gc i:-i the fruit uf exercise. 1'fan
1
1•eri111c11 t:-: wl're m a de l>t: fore 1 coidd hit the niiddle tone betw
J11l l ch r u 11i ck~ a11 d a rli t· tnricnl ded:uuaLinn: three lim es did I
pusc th ~ lirs L cliapl cr, and twi ce tli c SCCOHL! anu third, before I
to lc rald y satislic J wit h their effect. " *

'l'Liis, too, was after be was already an author ofwri
in gs both in the F rench and En g li sh languages thM.
had elicited commcncbtions from tl1c best jud
J\Iany have writte n hi story with Jess care, but ho
fow rc:lll tLcir prod uctions, compared with the ren
ofGil.Jbon!
GO . .6'.rumplc o/ I'tesr·otl.-Presco tt's histories~
been !J iglily eulogizcJ ns models of good style.
in structive to learn tliat after he was twenty-five yel
old, he resumed the study or ltl1 ctori e with assicl u
pcrsc ver:tncc, and t hat W li en he ucgan LO write for
puuli c, li e examined and rc-cxami11cd his own p1'0!i'
d11 ctio 11s with great, cnro. Some of liis earlier ch P'
ters li e re-wrote several times, always striving to illh
prove them. Uc says of himsel f, after lrnvingwritwn
several chapters of bis "FcrJinand and Isabella," "'

mu

"Tll"o or three fault s of ~ty l c occ ur to me in looking ovor
form e r co1111 •os itions . T oo mnny ntlj cctivcs; too many couplc!4 ci
subs lnnti,·cs as wc·ll as ndiccti \"('S, and perhaps of verbs; too set;
tcuccs tuo mu c h in tl1 c s:unc mould; too formal periphrasis iustea4
• ~fi scclhnrn 11 .s \\"o rks of E dward Gibbon, Esq., with MemoiD
of h is Lire :uhl Wri1i11gs.

Q U LVUE Y 11 .VJ) II" J-: 1187'1': /.'.

c ·1·ur.' srnt
e nrc
. . halan1'.CJ b ~\· cu uls, l1ut.~·, a11J se rni culon. s ; Luo1
i3.ffil l
~ ~
· - - ·
Rny precise , empl1ati c 11ronou ns , ns tla•.>fc, t husc: , wl1td1, 1,,;l c., llH~Lo.:,<lu
the pnrti ClCS t/1 P, a, ( • t(' . "*

After he liad fully f0 rrn cJ l1i s sLylc li e l>ccarnc less
' nrticubr. rI'hi s is natural. 'J'h c Lim e lo be p:Ht iu 1·
ar is when yo nng, nnd wl1 en lial>its anJ pow ers vi"
e:i:ccptio n arc both funning f<lr ii f;, _ .
61. L'.nffu; nf / ).- (j11/11,,1·.1;. - lk Qurnc•2y , a lll:lskr
~fa style; wl1i cl 1 lias lJcc n Li g ltly eulogized, .even tu
the last persi stc,l i11 n2vi si11 g :\ll,] 1 ~ ve11 re·\1·11t 111_c;_ 111,.;
productions ,,· ith g n'aL care, l>eforc Le \\'o ulcl ;: llow
them to o' '0 befo re t.h c pn hi ic. Suc:lt abo
i:; tl1c pra(;.
.
tice of Vidor IJu 0..·o a11d rna11y utlin cu11 11 c11t 11·11 t•.·1,:_
- 62. l\ ~:usll't' us u 11 F out1)'!''.-'l'l1 e sty le o C Jh11icl
.ebster was very terse and vi go rous. Cl e11 crall y
'mpl c, but oc<.::ts ion'.tl ly l1i gLly o rnnrn entccl, and re·
arlrnblc fo r cxprcs:oing· strong tl1 0Li gl1 t am1 c:rnw:-;t.
feelin n- in what. "''' 'i ns 1.hc best. p,1;;s1Lle n1:i1:111.'.l'. "\fL
Webs~c r, in a co;1Ycrsation with f1·i c11ds in 11 is u!,] : 1!.'.1\
while moLlcstly la111c11ting liis c_> 11·11 i_~c: 110r:1111· 1 ', ns it.
'seem ed to l1i111, \\"li en li e loo k<'11 o nt upon tl1 c 1Jot1 11d less fic],] of tJ1u11 g J1t, CXjll\':'SCd :t fear tl1:it ]J l:i Style
would dl'gencrale, alld added:
1 /,·

"l\fy s tyle wns n ot fnrmr\l wi1ho11t g rrn.t cnre, nnd en rn rs~ s tud y
au t hor:-;,
I }i;\H! Libo n·d hard llj 1(J T1 it , fur r earl y kit the
ilnporLarn'.c of expression Lo tho11ght. l l1:1v c rc- wr_ittcn :-;: 1111·11co
nftor sentence , and pon1J er t 1l }qng 11pon f:a c h alu..: rnt1 0 1i. 1' 01> 1 _lrpcnd u pon it, it i s wi t h n11r tlHll q.!,lit~ n s with n nr p 0r son s-the1r 11.1 · trinsic valllc ls m ost ly und (· n·nln cd, u11J c.-;s 011lwar<lly rxprcs:-w d in
'nn nttrneti\'C i,!Hrh.
L 0ngi1 111 s ti-lb 11...; t lin t tli i' m os t Slll.Jimc pa~~ a g<·
· to be foun<l in any lan~1111~ c is 1l1is in the Bil,lc: "Let there 1"'

or the best

• Lif~ of \Villia rn Ilickling l'rescutt, by G cuq;e Ticknur (l\Pslu11 ,
1864), !'· ~l!l.

2 -W

101E1'0R J U.

I! ..t Tr: () P

light, nm! there wns light:' the greates t effort of power in the i
and fewes t word s-the comm an cl nnd t l1c record one exortloli
thought. So sho uld we nil nim _to express things in wor<ls.' ...

After such examples, it is superfluous to r
mend to young writers g reat cure uncl study in
ing their style.
G3. A ,C::..'t 1 l.11 cf y 0•1rl A u//,,"·s 1'ecommended. - .P
miliurity with the best authors is ind ispensable. ·
g 11ag<.: . :i.nd mann er arc hrgcly learned by unconsci
urn tat1on. I t is not well to 1vastc time in the sooi
of in ferior writers, and Ji ::; tcni11 g to inferior speak~
Alw:cys choose the best yoLt can command . Pr
the decisions of tli ose whose position entitles th
to au tbo ri ty, to your ow n. A. book that pleases yfiU
much m:iy be very fanlty . 'l'l1e st:tndard English rm{}
Am en ca n authors ::;J1ould be reall thoroughly. R~ ,
much, rather than m:iny Louks. Discard in ferior ~
too ofren ill.it~rate ll C\\'SJXllWrs, and select for your i11fo rrnat1 on u srngle newsp:iper of Ligh literary merit;
a11cl ;;pcncl the rest of your t ime devoted to read" ·
witl 1 tli e best Looks yo u c:i n cornman d.

ro

1 1

., Ii 1. T rrn1sf:1tions f; ·oii1.

0 11 1;

lt111u 1u1ge i"nto Another.-

] >rcc1ncnt

tran shtioll from :111 otl1 cr language, ancient
or m0l1cr'.i, 111to T<:n glisli, or th e tran slation of eboioo
passages rn om lan gu age into some other languagtt
1
a11d th en hack .aga 111 in to .E nglisl1, with a comparison~,.
of tbc rcsnlt \1'1 Lli tli e orig inal, is a good exercise.
Gi'5. P ro1 11r111 . n 1111;10<;itirm.-Write ns often as yon
can, :tnll, 11 poss1 hlr, somc tl1ing every day, at Jeast e··
. • TTnq .01.·'.< Xew l\ fonil>ly J\fa~nzin c (New York) vol x" '

Tl

.

. 10 sc11trn 1<)11l. u
auovo.

""! ·

f I
, . , " '· p. •• •
, 0 11gin11 ; is not quite 11ccuratcly stated i I''· .
II ""

.

r: () JI I ' Ii s

l TI () Y.

week. \ Vhcn cn :r :111 l'l'l'Or is det.ectccl, \1·l1 c1.l1 er
from a c ri tiei,.;m of a11 otlic r p c r~u n or liy ynur U\111 i1 1·
creasing farnili:Lrily \\'i Lh bn g1 1:1g c: :tllll tl1 0 11,!. !.l1t, di.-;C,'lrd it, and never repeat it.
66. 8lu w111·s' cuul N•111/,/it:;r:/ OJ)) 111ositi•m .- l\·rli:q •"
the most· valu:iblc clircetio n is tl1 e favor ite nwltu • ii
•msrnu s, " J,: .sli1111 /cn/1 • 11 - -" LlA ~TES s 1.nwr,y!" \\'-rite
.low ly at llr:-;t, ,.;t11d 1u11sly 1 tl 1ong l1tf1illy . A gou11 sl11·t1ent shonltl write a t least one exerc ise, all(1 it 11·u1ilil
be well if he \\'O ul ll write scvcr;i,l cxe n~ is L·s , u11 :111 tl 1,·
different ki nd,; o f com posit ion n ·q11ired, fo r i1bl:tlll' C,
in .P art IT. of tl1 i,; book. Ali er suc l1 c;i. rc l't1l cx1·n ·i,,·
it will be prope r fo r l1im to writ e r:ipiclly, :i nd ll'itli
littl e 0 1' ll O tJ 1tllJ g l1t alJ01 1I rnJc·s nf JlJi eto ril', a 11 d ll'it J1
l.ittle revi sion.
67. D/w·lfo l I 111i/,1/i,,11 .- '1':1kl' 110 \l'rikr l'l' "]'c':1k1•r
fqr your muL1d. II so, yrn1 will lJe likL·ly to ~11q 1 :1 ~~
him in l1i s faults, an (1 fall lJl'low l1i111 i11 l1is lll l' ri h .
tentionally i111ital.e 110 011 <', (':\l'l ']'L it r11 ay IJc f;,r :i
.,,) 'etori cal p:1 stim e, 1o ;.:en wl 1at }tlt t <.: an lln. T11 yo1 1r
.$lnuine protl1wti o1 1s, wril e fr t>1 11 yu 11 r u\111 JJ1i1 11 l :1 1J(l
heart.
Prescott well s:iys on th is su hj l~ C I :
:

1

"In t.lccJ , it is irnpo:.;~ ihh~ tn scpar:lt c la11 g 11ag{'. from tl1 0 11 g l11 in
thnt dclicn tc lJl c ndin~ of ! 10t h wlii('h i:-; ca llt-d sr:·l<·; 111. kast, it i'.-' i111 possiblc to pro d11ec tli c :-;arn e r.ffi·c:. wi1\ 1 1l1e <,ri g in a l l>y any <·c·py,
however literal. ' Ye nm,- irni tnt<~ 1lw s tr11d1ire of a scnrc 11 1·t·, l111t lli c
idens whi ch g:H'C i t, its p~cn li :1 r pr1)11rit"fy w1 · <::u1 not imitatt!. '

, I

1

-'::

Lessi ng well s:iys tl1:11. "F.ve l'y man shonld l1:wc
lil~ l1 as hi s ow n nose."

· Jis own styl e ns

• Tiiop:rnpl1ic:l! ;ind C: ritic:i l ~ 1i .<c1·lla11ir>, li_v ' Villia111 JI. l'r·· s1·"11
18G I), p. '.!71 .

<Bo~ton,

I.

,-•·

! ·.

J: II /;"/' OJ! f< '.

(i,'::i . 0;1i11i1111 1:( Cu rl!Jl,; '" ' t/11: Jf;,,f,· 1:( w qniri119 a
vuorl Styf1:.- C:1 1ly le, whose sty Ii.; is very labored, but i4
.
-, Ien.c1ge' s tes t- {( Ull•
very cx cell c1Jt , :\econ 11ng
to Co
t ran sl:ttil> lcncss in wo n1 s of til e sa111e lan guage, with•
on t i11jn ry to tlil· mean i ng "- l1:1s given some excel·
le n t. athi eL' on r:q•i l1 1l"l'iti1 1g. l ie say s :
"T he ndroit, ~ n11 11 d - 111 i 1 1d n l

\V iii clldl ' :l\'U l' t o SpenJ (Jll eatk
it tk ::i c l'\'l'.S i fllld Wi th I\ Cfi.Q•
~l'il'll<'e v ui· l of ,, ff1·11<.:1' \\·il l di:-- n1 i~:-i it 1h« n - An d _v et) on tlio oibtt"
l1;l11d , it :;hall nut le:---> h ut 1111ff1.,; :-it rl· 1111 11 nsly LH: i1wulca tc d, ll mLin t.b¢
wa y ot' \ \T i tin g', 11P gr1·:1t l lii11g w: t-; en ·r, u r will c \' c r Le J one wilb
'" ' " '• li u1. wi1\i d ill il'lli l_v . L l'I n ·"d r \\"r i1c1·s , with an y fac ul ty in thc:i\
Jay t li i,; f<) he:irt. \ "irg il nnd 'J.'aciu., , were tli cy ready writc!Jf
'l'!i c w l1o l...: / '1u1 1/111 ·i r'.'> (!r' l saill ft ar c llut c<pllll in t:X t\! llt to thi& Qb. .
wvli of a H 1: \· i ~ ·\\' .\ rt id l' .
~lt a k : .: p c arc , we may fan cy, wrote wlJJa
r:q .idi1 y , l1n l. 11 01 1ill h" h:11l 1l11 •11 g lit \\" ith in1 c 11 s i1y. No cnsy writer·
i ll', or li e l1"<l " ' rv·r hcc 11 a :--:1, a b pt' :nc. Neit her was Milton O!t;
ti!' thL: 111 11 IJ uf 1. :y11 tJ,.111 1·11 t1 1:l t w ri te wit h c a ~e ; lie ,\id not att-1-;
~hak :> J i f' :t rt.:':-; r. 1t.:i \i1y, OllC j H · f C• ·i \· (· ~ , o f (' \ ' Cll Wri t in g fn :;t r~(ltr J
prt·p:t r:uiun, l;ut :-t r ug b k 1l wl 1ilc lie \\T11 t e . Goeth e al so tell s U!S .
'l 1.u l notli i11g':'e n L h i1n i11 hi;:; !->le~ p,' no page of his Out lie kllC \'
!1 ow iL "" " "' t li err . 1t is rec ko ned to he tli c Les t prose, uccor<llnal11- ,
111 : in,

Ji 11:-' i11 ·-:---; 11J • J 1h1 ~i111:tt ~·l y \\ Ji :lt v f J•:ti n..;

H. 1 /,' . \" F S TX 1-: s s C' ()Jf ,1/ 8.VJJ F JJ.

glass, so clea r as 110L tu be; 11 uli cL"'1 --L1 1t 11 () \\'
<liJTicult it 1n11st bn to p rOL1uce pe;r ft:ct ly i: tulllcss g lass!
70. l utcr1i11catio11s lo l1c A 0 11d« l.- 1\ ft.t 'r, how1~ vcr,
good habi ts of co mposition arc .formed, much i11terli11 cation am1 c11 angc of wo rc1s ou gl1t, if puss ilJk, tu Ln:
avoidec1 . \\rritcrs wl1 0 di sciplin e tli emsel vt.:s tl1e 11 w.~ t
severely aL li rst, generally a rri ve at the l1 ahi t o f' ready,
and co rrec t, and appropri a te wri ting. rl' li e sa111e p ri11ciples nls<J apply to extcn1por:rn e(JUS spt:ak in g .
71. l,'u m i;.-;{11c00 J{cccssnl'!J.- I t sl1o ulc1 also be rcmemh crcll tl1 at e:i.rn estncss is a p rim e <.:xc1 lll'll t:l ' i11 a
spenk nr o r writer. rrlt ough we li:i. ve al n·:11ly ' Jl i< lkd
· Carlyle in tl1is cl1nptcr, y et l1i s :ulviec is so npp ropr iate
on this s11Lj ect t!J aL we present it:
" S weep nw:1y utlerly all frothi 11 css allll fnl scl1 ood fro11 1yo11r l11 :ar l;
stru ggle un\n ; a ricJly to ncq nire wl in t is pos:-; iLlc fo r e Yt.; ry I :11.\ -1..Tc i tcd mrtn, a free\ ope n, h umLl c so ul: s11ert/_. not at rd/, h l 0 11.1/ wist', t ill
you have su 111c 1e l 1r1t to s11N1k : (';\r C n ot fu r the r 1' n ·11r 1/ () f y 1 ,u r s 1 1 cakiu 1~.
but simj'l_I', and witli ut 1<!i vidt.:<l rn in<l, fnr th e t rut h uf yo ur speakin g. ··•

t hat l ~ a s btt; !l writ tr n hy :1 ny m o d e rn. ,, *

GD. F 11i"!l11 ,- /\ 1lric1·.- Sud1 al so is tlw opinion l.lf
11 rou,.J
1:t111 , :tn d in11ecd oC nc:-1rl y if not qnite all me •·
0
cni n1 wk 11t tq j 11•lgr of t he su1 1j ee t. Write carefully o:
t lll" 11. l ~· ·11 w 11 1 b1: r t he l'X arn pll: o f' sneh men as Pln! .
whvsc st.y k the a ncien ts th ougl1t worthy to bo c11ll)·
,1 i1·ine, anil \\' ho, it is s:cid, wrote the beginning of hm
"H r p1 1bl ie " many ti1 ncs in a g reat vari ety of W!
befo re h e was s:1t isfi1·11, anu y et th e word:;, us thoy no
stanc1, sr'c m very ~im p l c, and th eir order the m~
11 :1t. ural t.l1 :i.t coul1l he chosen. 'l'bc best style is like ~.
• C ritical :rnd ~ !i scc llnn co n R E ssays: coll r.cl ed
ii_v TUu111as l ':irly lc ( Bq::;ton, 1SGO), vol. iL JJ. ~ ·~~.

*

Carlyle'::;

~li :; c c.: ll:111i l':l ,

r ul. iii. 11. <i7.

".'"

,~

~

'

~.·

"'·

~f.;
·-'!i : t ~ ~-...~

~ (<;~

2H

}{ ll H'l'OJU C.

CilAP'I'EH X.
STYLE AD,\.l'TJ.:l) TO EXPRESS Ei\IOTION.

72. 1\ 't1tu r c <f l ,'11wli m, wal it:; P lace 1·11 Rl1ctori'c,,..;.
"'\Y .E hav e dcfl ncd Hh cto ri c as tli c sc icu ce and art of
pn·ss ing tlw uglit and cmolion by lan g uage in tho
111:u111 cr. E1n o ti o 11 is ::ls cssc.;n tial as thought, and h
its 11 \ 1·11 b ws, :<ml its own mod es of expression.
Mv1 if :1 l pl1 ilosopli crs kL \· c diffe red in the terms
1

pl oycll to descr ibe that pnrt or our nature exc~
fr cl emotion s, UUt aJl persons ::trc COllSCi~
ol the meaning oi s uch word s as sensibility, appetitt,
j [·ction, and desire ; nor is it nccess:ny, for the pur
,.
of a Hli cLori c, L11at we sl1ould be rn inu te in the cl~· ·
fi c.; a t ion of th e passio ns.
All :11l~·ct ion is prcccr1ed b,Y som e degree of thong.bi.. '
73. A :·-X·nsc· 1:( D 11f_1;. - 'l'bc noblest aflecLions
th ose g rowin g 011t Ll rtli e ide:i of duty, or the reco '. ·.
ti o11 o f th e ri gl 1t. (lr \rro ng of some act. No man cau
plc:tcl wi th peculiar earn estness to produce convictioni
nn lc~s lie li :ts n ot only :1 firm ueli ef bimself in tbetro.•
tl ic propo~ it i o n wliicli lie is endeavoring to estnb.
lisl1, lrnt also tl 1:<t it will lead to jnst action, and i
prevent i11justicc. Uc then becomes zealous for th<;.·
rig l11. A 111 :1 n may b1) 7.<'al ous fo r truth nlonc, bot •
wJic' ll \\' C

or

:

: / . / . /.'

I !/

.'-: /. \ I Fl . I J' }

communicates zc"sL to !1i s arg 111 1\('J1 h :u 1d l' lcad1 11 :-.:-c1 i1·
he udi cves tl.1:tL tl1 c est:1uli sli1m· nL uf tlic trn tii 1·. i: :
lead to right act ion.
74. Gui one plcwl jur ri l·1t01r11 f ;1/s1 -l111r"l ! ---- /\ 111:111
. can not plead fo r ::i. k11 0 \\'11 fabL· l1ood L'xcq >L l1ypun1 1.ically, or hy prod 11 ci1 1g i11 l1i1n,;clC:l t cl lif' O !'al'Y r:ll ."'L' L·>
lief. 'l'hc 11atural i11dig11atiun
tlic licaltli y 111i 11d
nt such n con rsc wcakcli s a 1nan , an cl i [ ex posed, l1ri 11 gs
upon him cens ure and co11tcmpL. It is tlH; tru e J'111 1c·
· tion of Rh etori c to overcom e and d1;st. roy crr(J r; :L1 1d
though fal sc Lood nuy use iL a s ~\ w1 •apu11 , iL i:; ei 11h· hi'
n perversion of its tnw ]J! HpOSl'. A 11dl.· 111k r ul' ll'l1:il
is beli cvcLl tu uc trntli 11·ill "11d 1·:ivor t u L'XJ" O'" liy·
pocrisy or di slHm csty i1 1 an O/>po1 1c 11t, and a\\':1 k1· 11 111
him sl1:un c aml rqJ1; 11!:<11 cc, a11d in 0Ll1crs to1Yard liim
indignati o n, censu re, pi t_r , or con te mp t. '1 1 li c;.:1" h s t
passions, if persisted in, :rnd i i Llll'rc is n 0 a1>:rnc10 11ment of the wrong by its l1c tl' lll1 c rs, will :m el l into
anger nm1 l1atrc11.
75. All E1i 1ulio11s ri;;M-Al l passiuns arc rig lit , 1o a
certai11 l1cg rce, wh1;11 tl1 c occasion d cmamls tli c1n, and
the ornLor 111ay pnlpc rly c11l1cavo r Lo excite any 1)1 1c
of th e m.
7G. l'u ss /1,,1 s o/ AJ'f'touul.-'I'hcrc arc passio1 1s <Jl
npproval, as wl..!ll :1s disapproval. ]~ovc in all its \·ariou :=i fOnn s mu st l1avc an i11 Lcll c1;Lnal basis. lt J>rn·
cee<ls f'rnrn tl1 o ngh t. 'rherc is th e l01· c of ma11 , as
mun; the p een liar love 0f the virtuous and 11obk; am1
a love of tl1osc wh o cxh i bit some good trai Ls, such a::;
generosity, brnvery , t.rntlif'11ln css, patri oti s1n , Ll1 u11 g li
they may be (1 efl cient i n 0Ll1cr good r1ualiti cs, :111d evell

or

;_ -."-

:; I

"'~--:~ ~t.
'

'"'

I

• J.:.J

Jtll 8TIJJU I '.

pu:-;:;c::;:;o r:; of soml: injuri ous :tlll1 <li :sag reeablc traits of
clia racLe r. ']'lius Ll1e affcctio1is csc iLt.:d by the por·
tra itu re of' clia ractcr, or the dcsc ri ption of actions, o.ro ·
often very complt:x, blendin g approval an<l d isapprov·
al, love am1 L1atrcd, illllig11:uio11 and sympathy, ex
cratiun a11L1 j'i ty . 'l'lw flcltl, tl1 c1\;fo rc, of the orator
i:; bro:Hl , and tl1c Lrngu:1gc of pass ion almost infinite.
77. llu1c tu u1i;((kcn .ilpp rurnl.- 'l'o awaken approvo.11
tlJCgvucl (1ual iti,;s of tlie :tctiun or tlic cha racter mu t
be dwelt upon, :tncl vividly lirou gl1t befo re the mind.
Men in:; tinetiv cly love j ustice, especially wLcn main·
taining itselL1gainst strong tcmpta Lio11s. \Ybat seems
to lx~ dis i1 11.ercstcd benevolence cxc itvs tl1c warmest
ap probati on . In stinctively al so we sy tnp:1Ll1i zc with
tl 1osc wl1 0 sl ru ._o
l'.o·lc :w:tin
st \l'J'Oll"
even thOLwh
tl1cy
a
rJ'
b
yiL·ld :1L l:1st, :rnd th e e111otion of sy mp:1tliy may ho
awakc11 ed by a p resentation of tlic extenuati ng circumst:rnccs g rowing out of temptation, or ig norance,
or wron g c(1ucatio n, or dccqJtion.
S1 10(·ri 11g 011 d urctl hy t.l 1c i1111oc(; n t o r helpless awak·
ens sylllpat.liy, more o r less i11 lt.:11sc, according to tho
degree of tlic su ffering. If tlii s is conj oined with
good posit.i ,·c qualities in the sufferer, such as paticne-0i ·
1Jc ncvolc11cc, tli:;intcrcstcd affection, cam est truth, the 7
l iv(;! icst corn pass ion is awak ened.
'iVhat a vast flchl, tl1 en, li es open before th o orator
\\'l10 eitl1 cr describes focts, or ca ll s upon hi s imaginn·
ti on to i111·c11 t com lli1 1ations of characters ancl events
surpa,s i11i-'.-, iC po;;s ilJlc, any realities in i nterest and
COllljlk .\ ity .
7.'J . / /,,11· /o ru,.ul.-r'll 1Ji'011111"·r,1·1t1. -So emotions of

v .1 1:111r ·s F .lt11 'f' /11.Y s -

·r 11F 1·1 ·1.1 ·1·r

tl isapp rov :1l t.· 11l:i1·ge tl1i,; li e· Id. J 'i ct11r\'S ul' tyra1111y,
whetl1c l' cxc rci scll uy a so 1· crcig 11()\'(; !'a 11:ttio11, ur tlic
hea<l ol' a lamiJy, or tli c master oCst.: rva nts ; cun·tu11s·
ncss, k·:H1in g to tl1c vi,,J:tti on of' r ig l1 t., and ul ll:tlu r:1l
uffcctioll; malice, slca,1ily lrn11t i11 g duwn :111 i1 111uc,·1it.
victiu1; envy, l1a ti11 g :u1d ::;Lu1d(;ri11g an d Lllstroyi1:g
the i111 1occ11 t si111 ply Ul'e<tllS0 they l'rospu ; tl1 c :-'t.·lfi,;l1,
ruini11 g tl1c virt11u11s f<> r p c r.~onal gratific:t1i"11, :111i111~tl
or mclltal; :un1 :tll ki11Ll:s of injustice, cxc ik :1Lhone11cc,
and <leLes tation a11d revcn;:;c. All t.lwse c11 or(h :1rL·
to be touclicd, sorncti 111cs f'ingly, som<:ti11 1<s 1n :lll.)' lo·
gcthc r, sometim es l'J'0(1 uci11g l1:1nnony, a11<l s11111cti111c,;
inten ti onal di :-;conl, by tl1(' skillf'iil "r:1to r.
7D . .:1p1,Tic1i/ir!/I /u t/11' ! i/1r/,,ri1· 1f //": / 111l11it. -- Tl1 i.l 1is
fact l ies the lioundlcss po wer ol the o ratory of tl 1c pulpit. 'l'l1 c preache r o r n·li g iu11 ck: 1]::; wit Ii a 11 act 11al
human cl1aractc r. IL is l1is lJ U :' i11 , '.~S to cor11 1nc11(l :iil
form s o f virtlll', a nd to sl1t111· tl 1c •l l'l.t:staLkncs,; of' all
forrn s of vi cl'. In atl1l itio1 1 to all 1l1: tt i,; 11u111:Jll, ]t,;
bas al so tl1c s11pcrnal c111otio11s <•r tl1L' S11pn:1111; .1;,·i11g
towar<11n:rn, t11 ..; i1111 11ac11hte ckir:1ck r uf' tl1 e :-::t1·i"111·
in hi s relations to rn :rn, 1.o port r:ty. Hi s :;1 1lij ,•1 ·t,-, ii'
th ey lack t11c vividn ess of t.l1c :1 ppcab made 1J_r tl1t.:
lnwyc r, t;n '''' ing on t o f prescn t :tn1l pcrson :1l ci rcum sta1 1cl's, an\! if t.l11•y arc not. so d irect :is tl1 c appeal s of
statcsnw11 on snlJj ccls tl1 at c:tll lur imm ediate pol it.ic:1l
action, still t:1kc 11 uhl nC tl10 l1 igl1c,;t :11Hl dea res t inter·
cs ts of man , :rn(l nr.' :tl JS1J l n tcl y l JOI 111Ll less in t.l IC'i r :-;cu pc
and v:trict.y.
80. ]) 1:;r1·· s 1:/' J-:1111;//,"1 cu 11s /rl, ·r1·•l, 1,.il/1 //,} 1·111 c·· /,,
F1j11 n1ii'1·, L 1111:;11u:f". - -To :111-:11'<·11 g<·11tl c ct11•11i1•11,

.,_·

l!JJ L'l' u J.'1 C,

1ilcasi11g or pai11 [nl, it is 011ly lll'cdf1d lo scL ucf'ore LUC
111i11J pcr::;pit.:uou:;ly the cL arac:tcrs, fads, or ac:ti1.ms, or
thoughts that 11aLurally produce it. 'l1he fancy mny
ornamcn t the t1cscri ptiou, aml fl g u r:i.ti vc hnguage jg
:1p propri :1lc. Eve n a hi g hly ornamented style mny
11uL i11 terfcrc 11·ith the i11 1prcss io11. But when Llie passion, p:ti 11f1il o r pleas ing, Lceu111L'S stro 11g, Luc langu:igo
mu st Lcco111c lll OJ'C <li rccl. O rn:u11 c11Ls will Le dis·
carded. Fig ures 011 ly tl1c mosLalJru pL a11J conJ cnsc<l,
:rnd perl1:1ps not strictly correct accord i11g to severe
rule, will L0 suggesteL1- 111ixcd 111et:q•l1or;;, if ever, nrc
a llowauk-fl11cl tuc sc 11 tc 11ccs :1rc short :i.ml strong.
P:tssi on Ji sea nls sn per fl n iti l'S fln<l 11 ict:ties of c :-; 1n·es.sion.
SLru11g p:i.ssiun loses sd f'- cunsciousncss. \ \T lien a mun
l1as ti1nc to ''''!J thaL he is an g ry, o r is in cli ned Lo think
wl1 ct lin li e: is a11 ,'.j ry or nr; t, Li s p : 1~siL1 n is l!l ore senti·
men ta! than refl. I.
81. T!uw fur l';f'Jlis!iro/ l 1\ /i'1'"t1 c''" u t'Cp mpcr.- Quiet
emotion, hckl und er contrul liy tl 1c. intellcet, i:o moro
C'C I r-c onsc:inns, and ofLc n leads to egotistical exprcssi o11 ,;. Thlls H enry Clay Sflill in :in eloque nt speech,
pn>pcrly cnc1 ca\·uring to proJuec cmul ion tliat should
k:tJ to action :
'' l !i:n·e i: <1 de·-. ire for ofYit-c, not ercn tli e higliest. Tltc most ex~
nl u ·d i:-:. 11111 :L 1°r i:- 1 11. in \\·hid 1 th e iw·a n.: e r.llell iucurnLent dnilv l'e"'
1·1 ·i \'t "-i Iii .; , c1>ld . /1 {' :l rl! e:- s Yi~i1a nt :-:, rnar ks h is wea ry huurs, nud i ~ ('lJl
,,ff !"r 11111 1111 · pr: w 1it"a l \' 11_i11_r 1n e111. ,,f all 1h r. Jdcs!"i in gs of' ge11u inc fret-~
.\11111.
1, a:-- :-- tl1i ... l1ill, a11d I nm willin g to g u home, :t1 1d rcncnrncc pu b1

l ir · :'l' n-i1· e fnr C \'C I' . n

So Da11icl \\Tcbsler, i11 l1i s g reat speech, fnll of •mot.io n lii1n sclf1aw:i.kc ncll un sellisl1 appreciation of' merit
:rnyw li crc', a11d producccl :t co11 te111pt for Li s opponent,

'.! l'. 1

1ug :
"'\'IH'H I :-:li:ill hp founrl 1 ~ ir . in 11 1y 11L1 et~ li e rc i11 t lit· :---:.~·1 1a tu or
t1J :-;11eer :l! 1.id i\i c 11 1vri1 l 11·'·:11 1 -.. t ~ it h:1p1 11.: nvd , ,, :-/'ri 1 1 ~ 11p ! 1cyo ntl 1li1,; l i11k li1 11i 1;-; 1. ( 1t1yo\\l \ ~1: 1 11' 11r t1l'i .i.: ltl11 1rl1 11< 1( !: w!:l'n l r1·f11--1 •.
for a u y :--ta·! ; t'Hll :- e, tir f,1r a11y <·a 11 ... 1'. 1la..: l1u 111 ag\..' due 11, 1\ 111 t ·1· i1·:1r1
ta lc111, 111 ch.~ \" : lf t.: d pat r i1i1i:-.1n . l o :-- i11ce rt.! d1·\·111iw 1 fo li!1erty :11 1d !111•
COU!lll'} - jf f ."l.'. C t 'Xllaordill:tl")' 1·:q 1a\·iry Hild \ ' irl n e ill :t ll)' ;-1)1 1 ,.f !lit.!
South- a11d it ~ 11 111\ c\ l hy hical 11rrjndi1·e , u 1· ga 11 g re 1 1t.·~l l1y .""'ILtk _j v.tl ousy, 1 g-ct 11 1' li en.: 10 :1hate tl1L' ti 1lie \I r a l1:1 ir 1'1·11111 \,i :-; .i11 ..-.1· cl1:11·a vtcr

clscw lie re,

tmd fo rn e, tnay

111 y

t1111 E 111...:

cka\'C l•.1 Ll 1e 1·u1 11' uf

111 y

lll Outl1. '·

· llow de ep tl1c crnol ion in tb0 speech of th e Ji i,;J 1m:i.n E111mL'Lt, wl1l' ll :i,lJ•>Ut lo rceein.: l1is sc11tc11c..: oC
deatL fo r \\'l 1a t 11·as callccl Lrc:t:so11 !
"l l1an•. lJ11l :l fe w \\'Pl'd" more ft ) :-: ay. r am g-1J i11g t n 111 y coli/
1mtl sil e11t g ra,·e ; 1n y i<ln1p e>t' li fe i:-: 11 t•ar ly Pxr i11g-11i .- ;lied; 1n_r r:u ·e j..,,
l'llll ; 1! 1~ · g r :1,·e " i ll'! I " 111rl'l'e i \"l~ 111 e, a1 1d I s i11k i111u it s lio:-10 111.
l h~1 \· e
bu t Ollt ' n.•q11 1•...:1 t•1 111:ike ni 111.'· d( !p :1 r111re fr o lll !Iii :-: \'. '11d d: it i ~ il 1e
Chll.rity or ii::: . . . ikll~.'L! ! J.el l lD lll:tl l \\'l' il e Ill.\" l'jtif;1pJt; f111' ;1" 1!1' Jl\ ;: I\
who knows 111y rnntiq:s dal'C n1• W \'i11di<·11 1e 1h l' lll , le t. n o t prl'j 11d i( ·e or
ignoranr· c a~pcrsc th crn . Let 1li c- n 1 nnd 111 0 re po:-:c in c.\1 -. n1rity :111d
penC'e, and my tnml1 r e1 11 fl ill ttni11 :--i·ril1t d u111i l utl1 e r t in 1c .. ; a1td 0 !1 11.: r
m e n l':111 dn j 11..:1i l'e to 111 y cl1;1 r ;1 1·!t':·.

\\'li ~ n

rny

(·1111 111ry t; :kl' " li ~ r

pln cc n1111111g th e nati•>ll :-i 1d' tlie eart h . t he n, and 11 ul 1ill tl 1e11. k t rny
epita1·h IH.! \\Till l..! 11. l llll l dvne."

82. P utl1 ns.- \\.l1 at is co 1n1no1 il y c:illccl Patl1os in a
speaker <>r writer is an emot ion of pity or dee p intl'rest fl.wak ened hy tl 1c s ufferin g of otl1crs, generally nssoc iatctl \\'itli :i, rcs11cet f'()r tJ1 eir morfl.1 cli :nael<:r, and
pcrlrnps a ln1·c: of tl1c:m fur some extnwrdi11ary cxcd leucc. IL i:-; :t symp:ttl1ct.ic: pain, 11 ot wholly wiLlionL
plcaSU l'l' . \ Vasl1i11 g t11 11 lrvi11 g's dl'SCripti on of t.l1e
death of tl1c: wife uC 1':111nwt1. 011 acconn t oC li er gri ef',
aml l1i s dcs<: rip:i,, 11 of tl1c lJ11rial uf :i. motl1l'r, an : f1ill
of patlws. 1>i ek L'lls's cl cscript ion of' th e (l catl1 ol' Liuk
L2

IOI k"l'O NT U.

l\dl, in the" Old Curi osity Shop,'' is <let:pl y Louchi.n •
Pathos is a great clement of power in the pulpit.
It might be suppose<l that in asmuch as the pru ·ion ·
must exist before i L can be expressed, an<l that if it
exists it will naturally clothe itself in appropri tc
L111g uagc, no m ks of Hhctor ic will co in pass it or help
tlic ural.ur. But if its powur is known, and the best
ux:unplcs of its expression arc sLudieLl, its appropri."
ate t:.xpn.::ssio u will liceomc more natural and easy.
S3 . . 1 c1111w1.on F ault. -Tl1 c g reat fault of man·
wri k r,.; is an :ittempt to express paLbos that th ey d
not feel, and parti cularly to overl oad their procluctiol!l .
with emp ty declamation <.d10ilt pass ion, in stead of l'I· .
comaging the true feeling wl1 crc it sl1011ld exist, lllld
CXjll'l'S,; i11 g it in sim pl e 1:111g 11agc. In s11 ch a c:rno th ·
s1 l(" :1k cr dckats !tis own l'urpose, arnl excites only
.J isgu st.

'l'. I S 'l' N.

",!;j

J

CU.APTER XI.
T,\STE, AXD ITS (; UL'l'I V AT fON.

8,1. Drfi11 ili1111, and l l!11slrulioils.- '11 AS'l'E is t11 c suscepLiliility to i1leasurc frolll works of art.
rrh c Jileasurc, ho we ver, whi ch is ::l\l·:tk(' J1C'<l l,y th:
utility or a work, is not priniarily attrib'l k<l t<J ti1c
'l1astc, b11 t parti (;1 1hrly tl1 c g ratificat iun ari.-;i1 1,:; fro111 ih
beauty, or from tli e r1u:tl i t i,~s w l1iel1 see Ill d c.~ i g11 c d pri marily to plc:1se. A l1 ouse may be stro11 g, duralJl<',
in a healthy location , eo11venicnL, and ib crcrure please
our jmlg 1ncnt on account of its utility ; buL it may 11c
at th e s:un e time ill-sh al'cn, of a cfo.:ag1«'cahlc culu r,
anJ so placud, wit.11 refe rence to t11 c strcds aml tlic lo. calities aru11rnl, as to offoml our se nse of' tl1 c /it11 c:.:s (ll"
thin gs. J 11 such a case we say tl1at., thoug h usc rul, it
is built in poo r taste.
A wri ttc: n protl nctio n orspeeeh oug ht to please ns ir
it accornpli sl1es its eml, and so it docs in tl1at respect;
but ir, in addition lo a(;cornpl ishiu g its main p 11rposcwhatevcr that may be-it pleases us liy its beauty, np ·
propriatcness, and co nformity to what we think is fit·
ting and proper, it is pec uliarly cornmcn rbblc.
N or is that all : wliatuvcr exhil>its goocl taste is
th ereby so mucli tl1e mnrc likely to receive atlc nlion ,
antl to cxc rL it.-..; !"till [:Jrec, perhaps i11d cccl mv1\; Lli:u1 it

,-

..

~

.

.\

'

IUI F.TO It I

t ' Ii'

•

ly, but

I '/' Ir ' Is .I/ .

~L

in:u t 1c1:i.y be so su pcrn nously critic:tl vi
l\,; a ll1:lttc r vi ' 1:1ct,
·severest c ritic,; arc oft c11 fcclJlc pcrfu1111crs. 1L i.;
'er to dcstrny, o r lu find f:1ult w itl 1, Lklll to lit1i ld .
88. Jl(iw C'f'ili,·ism 0fw11ld 1w pnu:l/, n /. - ln tlic· cr it iof a pro<lu <:tion , we ::;uo ulcl Jlrst ascertain its o\J~ an Ll approve or lli":lJ'[>l'OVc; tl 1aL accor.li11g lu (Jllr
clgmcnt . \\-<.; ,..;]wuhl 11cxt com; i<l cr its gL'Jt,·ral dril.l
ch aracter, it,; st. 1.. ·11.'.jtli •>r fcc1Jk 11 ,·c;s, a1td ll'lil'tl 1n ,,r
t it h as at.Lai11<:d its p1 1rpvsc. 'l'\1 1· 11 it i11:1 y \J, \'\.;mined with 1\.: f<: rc11cc lo its g,~ 1 1nal :1p1 1r11 1;iiatl'1 1<·:- <
style-of tho ugltL, of la11 <>ttag•: , uf' il lu ,; trali(l11, l.I'
ptatiun - allll, i11 fa ct , witl1 1\;[~· re 11cc lv a uy ad 11 :il
desir:-tlJlc c1 ual i Ly . Honest cri ti ci~ 1 n s a re v:d u:il •IL-.
<l to cri tic ise csklll sliv cly i,; :-t rare art.
89. 'l 'l11; ('fl11i1·11 liu11 1:/ 'J (1 s!l'. - 'l':1 stc 111ay uc culli~.ted by E11ni lia ri ty with procluclions tha.l li:1n.: 1Jonw
e test of cx:i.rni11:1ti on, a11 ,l arc ge ne rall y :1p1nu\·1·.J,
readin g c ri ti cal \\' ri tings, hy ma ki11g l.'.riti c i ~ 11 1s, :11 1d
1 ri gid ::tLlhL' rc ncc; t.o ru les in ou r own prrHlw:l.in 11s.
00. A ir ] ','.n11t171{1· o/ «i·ifi1·ls111 .---\ \Tuul d i t l! ()L 1·1 1umbcr tlt is U<J()k lo o br~cly, S()l lJ (; Sj>Cci111 c11s ur 1<•1 1.!. '.
productio11s ,,·011\d here uc i11 sc r! CLl :lll <l cri t ici ~c d, Lut
perhaps si1acc may uc s:L \'CLl by sckcL111g some Louk
with whicli ::ill :m:: 1;111\ili::ir. 'l':tk c, t.l ir 11 , tl 1c Dook of
Job in tho B ib le, a11d c;x a1ni11c it si111pl y :is a lil.crary

ers as to in tirni(htc him self.

•locn mcn t.
What is its u1jc< 1'? ·Ev iLkiit ly to pn:scnt tl1 e lik

und character of J ob.
But why prcsr1 1t hi s life? Ev idently lwcausc it
. was ve ry cxliao rcli11:uy, illnstr:1 ti11µ· 111 ost. signall y tl1L!
~

- "•'

,i
154

JUI k"l'O I t J <.:.

l/, J, /Jl81!.l I. U JU'l'l UJ 8 JI .

luct Lhat a guoJ man may suffer iu t.onscly ~
long t ime, :tnd yet, if he preserves his in grilJ;
end he will be delivered, an<l his integrity ti)
rrhe obj ee;t, then, is good, th e theme is sub
It being in tbe form of a portraiture of c
and several otLer p erso nages to be introdu
con vcrsaLions, a poetical or cl rnmatic sty lo ia
c bosen.

Dr. \ Vktldy w:1s rc:dly l uu stnJllg a \Vl'i lc r lu J'L:rt to s uch extravagant and illog ical slatc111 u 1Ls :1s
}his.

OL:-;e rve the sim plicity of th e intro<luctionI
.
c1scness and r::ipicli ty of the nn.rrati ve awnk
tense interest. Wh en other cliaructers com
troducccl, observe how each preserves his own l
al sty lo, aml tliat at the las t, prev ious to th clilld.
of the narrative, th e th oug hts and cxprcssi t1 at
utecl to Goel aru tltc sublimest over u ttered
I
th e mosL :tppropriatc ph rase.

-'I

Criticis m is o ften u napprcc i:t Li vc and sn pe rli cial,
ven when it ass u111 es to be profound :tnd m:ig istc- rial.
•A mere m ath em:<Lici:tn can not prope rly cri ti cisL: a
s.0 1110
paem, n or a mere book-w orm an o~·at i on.
speakers will attract large nuc11 cnces m spite o l Ll1 c
violation o r 111any rnl cs of elocnti o n, and so me writings will press tl1 cmscl vcs i11to extreme p op1ilari1 _y in
spite of coll(lc111 nat ion :<n11 r:L1ie1dc b y tl1L'. eri tiL::il profession . A tr uly wi ::;c c ri ti c wil l LlisL:e l'll tlic Lrnc vlements of powe r in s uch c:iscs, a1111 rn ak1 · l1is (·:-.1,\1~1 11\;
of the l11lll ! ' ('. e~sary ll1·f; c h ~\ll(l 1Jlu11i sl1cs so lll llL: h tlt t:
,, more in slrucLi vc :tnd c llicient.
1

. Thi s criticism is indeed entirely eulogi i¢i
farntly expresses the opinion of every compo n j
of the Book or Job, simply as a rhetoric.'\! p tt

Gl. Rmgr;cration a common Fattlt.-.A oorum

n 1.4!

in carn :st writers is nn ovcr-stntomcnt of
•oil»~
wl 11 ch sL1ouldcspccin.llybc avoidcd in delibem ' i,\
lie r ~rocl uctio n:<s. W e think that Dr. Wba ly l!I
,
lo thi s charge 111 the second parag raph of Pnrt. I ., itJ!
L1is Hhcto ri c, o n Elocution. Ile says:
.
'.' J'rohnl1l,1· n 0t :1 s ini:;~c in stance could ho found or nny on 1'tM
nli<1rncu, hy the sln cly M '."'Y system. of instruction thqt hu bit
u1:1•c;,nc1l, :~ rc:dly gnn1l d:J1vcry; but ~horo nre mnny-prohnblf
ns Ill.Ill y ns /J n, c r111ly tn ctl the cxpcnment-who hnvc by tliif
hce n to ta lly spoiled; wh o have falle n irrecoverably into ml
~Iy l e of -'J•Ollflli.<J, worse, m a ll respects, thnu thoir origi nal iu0<.lo f ',
hrery."

," !
•!

_.[JJ.·1 /'"/' . I 'l ' /IJ.\ '

t!ll 15TOlt i U.
Abo\'C

U!-" .'i'J' l Lie'.

twenty n\Ct:tpli1)1':; - all t~·11di11g to dar ken tli c su l.jc1·1, 11l :--ay

·_ng of 1)octical (1nu L1ti u n:; \\ i1!1 0 11t. 111 e rcy. "*

Dis raeli well n.:n 1arks tl1at ::;ucl1 writi11 g,; all 111it o['
oma1m.: 11 t, 1..iut till.: attc nli o11 l!I:cy Le rc·lic 1·c·d
intro<l11c ing oth e r tl1 o ugltt~, s ugges ted Ly as:-:uci :i·
n. As a goOL1 e xa1nple of t.lti s, he r efe rs t.o :l 11'l 11k
Dr. Arlrntlrn ot o n " Coins, \ Vcig li ts, and Meas1 m ·s,"
ich he has rna11:1ged to 1n:1 kc intercsti 11 g as 1v ell as
ructivc, by :rncl 1 r e 111;1rk s a s that" t he puliLc: J\utus, tli e empe ror of the world, li:tl1 ll citlic·r :111 1·
in hi s winclo\\' s, no r :l sl1irL lu l1is b:ll'k."
Lord S t::rnley , Pres id ent o[ the Statistical ~ect ic111
tbe Driti sl1 Su ie1it.illc _,\.ssoc iati o n, rcmark u\1: " \" u1:
all s:i,y 11"l1:i,t you have lo :0:1y ill a [(;w \\" or.I.~ iC
will t.liink it over Ldoreli and. In ad1lrl·.-;:-; 1n:_:;
illl. educatcc1 aud ie nce, a good c1cal lll:ty lie la kc·n l(J r

t little

CIIAP'l'ER XII.
;.;T YU ~

MODlFTED llY 'l' Jl

t;;

NATUlU;

DUCTION.

02. 1'!1e Fuui· Ol~jects of H'?·iters a11d ,1'/111.m!i'hil"""
the olJj cc ts of autbors may b e r duccd to
to i ns truct, co11vincc, persuade, nnd amu
ductions may lie Jesigned to nccotnpli h ~' ·
these objects, some o nly one ; but neru-ly l
Jc[.u]i ng p nrposc, belon gin g to one oftb
f!
83. Didwtic P mductions.- \ V ritingg, tUQ

j ect of wLi.clt is to instruct, may
sucl1 as text-books J cscribing any
bouks, sci en ti fie treati se!-<, cycloprodi
travels, g11i(lc-1ooks, rep< rts of inv
tees, deeds, and rn:-t ny other legnl pll
writin gs pl.:rspieuiLy is particularly
mc nt is generally superfluous. Lord
on tliis sulJj c<..:L:

c

1

· muted ."
94. L ogir:al p ,.01[11('//o us.- \V llt.'i l th e o11j1 ·cl. <>L tl1c
.l\\'l'iter is to c01 1vin ce, tl1 c n1 1us ol' lug ie 11111:-' t. lie· " ],.
.::&irved, am1 tl1c g r:u:c::1 of' style 11111 st Le sulJonlin:1k Lu
engtb ~wJ co rn:cl 11 cs::1 of' tl 1uugl 1l.
: . R eports of co111n1i ltuc;-; 1 pi ca;-;, co 11lrovcrsi :1l a rticl1·s,
.~lefenses again st d1 argcs, a11 (l otl1er ]JLmJy arg rnn unt.:1 ·
.~ive produet.i o 11 s, b\J o ng

to t!t is class.

95. Per.> uusi1,,1 . -Pc~rs uasiu n, wh ich is l1c;-;i .c:: 11c·d to
.dd to con vi1.:Lio11 an i1np ulse lowa n1 ac:tio11, ll1:1y 111:1kc
\1$0 of all tlic g races and arts of co1npu:->iti o11, auc<l1'>1fog to the ability a11a judg 111L;11t of' tl1e aut.ltor. i\ 11..

H Tl ETOJ!l I/ .

L1 rcsses, serm ons, orations, essays, ill 1strntions
killl1s, and alm ost every species of composition.

lJ,: ck voted to th is purpose,
90. l \Tritings dcsiyned simpl!J to A 11wse.-IluL .
Ll 10 above-mentioned oLj ccLs, mnlly prutluot,iu
designed simply to amuse. 'l'his obj ect, in its
i::; as laudable as any other. Not ou ly many h
ow; and witty p roductions belong to tLic; class, but
rna11y essays, <loscripLions, discussions, and oven
dresses seek to i11tcrcs t and entertain, not by p
ing new inrormation, not by showing the rightful
of any opini on o r course of action, but simply by
pressing thougl1ts i11 such a way as to occupy
111 irnl :tnd pl ease the read er or l1 ca rcr,
D7. A m i.red Olject.-lt should also be noticoo
few productions arc purely didactic, or logical, or
tatory, or · amusing. In some all tli cso purposc.1
Ll eml ed, and few arc destitute of more than ono
1.l1 l' m. It is s upcrfln ous to enumerate nl l th \Inn
kinds of productions, but a few of the lcadjug cl
will be noticed.
DS. Jfuroli't.11 rf W1 ct0ric. - One principle ough~
however, to be umlcrslood by every wri ter. It L ~
a \YOrthy o~j cc t simply to produce a good spooim
of composition or an y killcl . R hetoric is not tm :r.d,
b ut a means. \Ve c1o not write that we mny m ,~
hooks, nor speak that we may pronounce orations, l;r~
to produce tl1011ght and feeling in others. \Ve ,q
neve r properl y appreciate Illietoric unless we und •
st:.m1 il.s Lr11 c.; aim . \Vhilc, l1owcvcr, it is n m eans~ .
exc rli11 g ill fluc ncc on other miriLls, it al so tcnd&i ~ '

.lf IJ !{.I /, I 'L" )'

IJ I•'

/,'I! /-,' TI!/,'/

1'

floxive1y, Lo st rcngt Ji,·11 :t1ll1 ,1i;-:,_·i1ili11 c.; tlic 111i1 1d of 1111,·
ho stm1 ics it am1 ulwys it::> pri11 ci J>l cs. It is a 1"giti rnate and p rope r tl 1i 1;g fo r 011c rnim1 Lo i1d1u cncc :111tber. It was by rh etoric as well as lJy lug ic, tli:tt
such men even as I':rnl, aml A11 g nsti11c, and D: 1(·.,11 ,
and Newton, created so g reat an imprcs:; iu11 1qio1 1oLlw r
minds. But tl1 ey >'j10k (' :rn•l \\'rot!', llt lL l.11 lll:th.: guud
oompositious, but Lo i1d I uu1G1: tli1.: ir l't.:11ow ·lllt.:11.
.,"

:'

..

-;

.,
i

~:

/.

'

-~

! .

A.DIJ/i'/c'S.')/,'S SJfU C /,JJ JJF

Ji' 11 H1'U /( I (: .

~ti

l\°li1T1' 1-.'.\".

I

IIDCe; a11 t1 if :lil y arg11rn e11l nr ,.;\alv1111:nt.11i' 0p i11 ions or

CIIAP'l'ER XIII.
ATlllHF:SSE:S, LECT liJrns,

OJL.\' l' J O:->~ ,

08. D1jinition aml Description.-SrF:AKINO p
writin g, n.nJ tb crcfore n. consiJcraLion of aol"d:lli?~
na tura lly takes tho fi rst place.
A11y expression of tbou g bt or feeling by
rnn.y be called a spcecl.1. Conversation i8 u scrl
spcccL cs. Any one who can converse nc urn Q\
tcll igcntly , and readily, c:in, by cxcrcist., speak
in public. The daily prn.cticc of conversing
bys a Lrnad :ind sure foundn.tio n for succe&si bo
wri Li11 g and in public speak ing. All th prio
of llhetoric m:1y l>c morn or less npplicd In con
ti on .
·
Ad t1resses arc of an nlmo~t intlni
length, s ubject, ch:~racte r, and sty! , It i difficult.
Jn.y down :iny general rules for th eir conslrtlC!
stiIl some consi<lcrations on tho su hj cct may be
prn.ctical value.
100. i1drlrcsscs sl1 01dd ll(we s1{(/idm t ltfatrrial.d rcsscs are ofte n de ficient in fact an<l se ntiment.
most common fa11lt in them is too g rcat<liffui; n ~
stvk a1H1 rcpctition of th ought. 'l'h e intrO\luctio ,
li rst j>:11·t uf' t!Jc :Hldrcss, sJ1 ouJ1l hu HO COllHlrU tcd:
irnt ura ll.)' to c1ilist tl1 0 favorable atll'nl io11 of tho

L1ots is nccess:1ry , wl 1id 1it i,; t litJu gli l lll:ty h : u 11i 11 l.crc,.;l~ng or distastd\1 l, it ::;ltc.i uhl lJc g i vcn aftc:r tl1c at tc:11lio 11
imdgood -\Y il I() r lhc :t11d i1: ll CC a re COlH'i 1iatcd . ' l'i II° 1·()11 '0lusion of an a11d rc;,;s ougli l l<) be f;nciulc . 'l' l11'rt.; i .~ f(lt)lll
oftcll r1)r wit , ill 11str:ttion, :trgu1nc11 I, :u1d the d i,:pl:t.1· •.i·
tiJmost every J..: i11 d or p•m C:r of t!Jl)U ght a11d i'c.Ji11 .'2;, i11
this ki 11d or cn11 11 )( 1;:i t iun.
101. Sf,, ,u/,/ /,,. l\'r·i//, ·11 .- Jt is a1 1 excel k11 t l'r;1 (·[ice:
for youn g speakc:r,; lo \\'rite out the ir a1l1hc·;.;sv:i 111 \°1111,
1U)dCOl11fl1 iL lJ1CJlt lO nt e1110r}, t\i11t1gl1 , al°tvr ~t ll lll' j>l';W°tlCC, it wi ll uc c:1sy l.1) prP11ou11cc: t lic n.1ld r,·,:,; :t i'L<'r
hnvin g mc111 0rizcd 01ily 1l1c o rtl1 ·1· c, (' tl1c: ll1n•1 .'"·l1t",
,frust.i11g 1.t) tli c :tulivi ty ur tbc ini11d at tl1e ti111c~ to
, 1mggest proper wo rds, :t1 1tl even ad di lion al i l1011 g lit "·
Fi nally, on L' m:ty often speak efficientl y witl 1011l pr\' ·iously \l"ri li11g 011 ll1C snljt•uf, tl11llt;.J1 Y C n· r1•\\' j'•·r-·
$ens ca n cxc1·l :1s spc:1kns wl10 du ll1)t write 11111cl1 ,
,-'and often wrik t11 cir s1 •1 'c:cl 1vs.
· "· 102. 0111·11 io11 1 / n,.,,,,:;f,,,,,,. 111 1 t/11°., ,'-.',,/~;°- "'· - T he
opinion o·f' tl1at s1wccssful u ratllr, J ,11 1d J: ro11 g ku11, 011
, tbis .snl.ij cet, is wo rthy o r C<J11si1kra tion. 111 hi s fn:1 11 . · gural Di o:cotll'SC', wh en elected J_,orrl rcclor or tl IC l" II irersity of Glasgo w, tlclivcrcd to th e st.l1l1cnts, li e said :
"I i-:l1 nu ld };1 \ ' it d11wn :i..:.: n '"nil e, :ul1 11i tti 11 µ; of no t'X l'C' J1!i1111 1 i\1:11.
A mnn will !-'p1_.•:d,.· well in p r • )j1t11 ·1i 1111 fb h1~ li :1..: wr i11e11 1111 wl1. a11 d 1h:11.
with cq 11;tl t:1lt..!1ll:-. . lH' will lie• t l1 ·· li n l':- 1 l' Xlt ·m 1,.1re ~pt• : 1 kl'r, wlie11 rn1
rime fo r prcp;1ri11 µ; i .... all11\\l'tl, \\li11 11 :1:-; 1Jn·p:1r•·d lii111:"'l·lf1l 1e 1111 1~ 1 :-··d ulously wli<•1 1 hi.: ha d a11 qJ 1pt1r1111ii1y o f dcl iH·ri1 :g :1 11r1·111\:d it;1t1·il
11pccr h. 1\ll th e t'Xn:1J ti o n ...: wltic ·li I !1: 1 ,· \~ l'\·c r heard t"itt•d 111 tlii-;
print: ipl c

:tf l '

rcw

nf

111 (' 11

tion;

i11 110

;q •pa n·nt

tJ111· :-: "11\.\· :

1·n '' i 11 g

r:lrl' j.!"t• llill ... li :l\.l' l iL' l't•llH.!

!It 1t l 1i 11_g- 1111 t r P I !1:111

111: 1! :--111111·

~l"l':ll ~ pv: 1k 1·1·..; \\ i1 Ji1 111l

w ic.1..• . . Ji nwi11g 1hat \\it li pn•parati on

t!1 l'y

\llt ' j •:il':l

wo1ild 11

1

11

11.1\t·

",t

.J.'

f.

;~,_ '·

it IIH1' 0 JU U.

1°l:a ·l1t·d n. 1_n11c li _Jiig hc r pitch 1d' cxcdlcucc.
1

( j // ~- l

Tliu ntlmhtt)d

d the :rncu.~ 1 1ts rn all oratoric:i l :tf' h1 111 pl i ...:l11rwnh i ~ tho be.». ,,..
H1 y po:-;it ion; fn r ll1 t·ir {':lr cftd preparat ion i .... 1111 Jouiahlc. rAr-:•
111 0:-: il1 cncs (of \\' liurn Q1iint.ili rt 11 : -:.llys rh 1tt Iii ~ ~ ' 'It• in:Hr-

1

r1111 f ·..: 1

;fl.

\\'lf h ,·,1n:1:11111 H :111d ma11if'e:5 t t1 J11 ciH.i rn e nt.

_.. I m11 :1uw r.eq11i ri11g 11 ot 111 crcly g rcn 1 pn_
,. 1i 11 ra tiun \'.·hilo th.
lv; 11'11111 ~ lit...:. a it, , hot ;i f fe l' li e lut;-; il<To nipli .-; hc..·d hi~ ctl,.. "

::· 1s

111,· ' .1, ool ' JJJ c'l 1d1d cllo1t nf the m u'L n1:tt 111 "<, o rnt u r
f111 e r !or 1,e111g J1 l'e\' 1u11 s ly c labon :tcd " ·iih Jntwli (' nr·

will L.e

.t

' ' S1 1l'l1 prepar:11iv n is qu i1c co n si sre11t wi i h th~ intrr,.di.;,pf"~
pn :-:sage.':i jlh 1inpr ctl l 0y 1lie uccn:-iio11, 11 or will t li e trnn !'i tion (;.;;,;:
tJtl C tu !lit..• lll!t..:i' l.Je jiUrt.:Cp! i/,Jc ill t/i u UXCt' ll l i o n Of a ll UCC(tftjtl

m:tstcr. I ki,1·c know n sk illfu l m nl n1 1e111i vc hearers 'OIDj:~
<·eil"~:d in t his_tn rt! l.~ r, :11111 fukin g fur c xfern rHll'nn cous pa
"'
pre\· 10 11:-;Jy. c'\ 1....;tc jl HI l itt~ rn :1 1111 ~cript, Hil l! \\'cru j>rvw.1uU.l~~
til e n 1nalH111 t.i f a parikle or pau se."

103. Man uscript.Addresses.-Thcsc direction.!! nro
plicaLle ill some cx t.c11 t ev en to tl1usc wh o habitnn~ use the m:innscript when addrcssi 11g nn nudicnco,
the re arc carel<'ss hab its o f writiug as well ns of 8
i11 g. Hut it i ~ to be reg retted tli nt so mm.1y puhf. ·
speak ers :i re bin u111g t11cmsclvcs to this slavish ha '
'!'lie mc 1:n0ry sl1 oukl be t rain ed till li who nB}.lil'tlS
:-iccompl 1sh tl1c g reatest effect can d el iver easily ~I·
li e l1:1s p rev iously wrought out, and a<ld eflioi ntl
wl1:1t the inspiration of tl1c hpur suggests.
, 10±. L cctw·r•s.- A Lecture is ge ne rally a writl:(ln p
ducl1u n u pon some parLic ular topi c o f va lue, design~
to Le rcacl Lefo re an a udience, though foctu.rcs sometim es given from m emory.
T,eel.11rcs ma.y be very vari ous in clJaraeter, but
crnll y t.l1 cy s lwu kl preserve unity. Some ono oon

I ./ • \

.

111«·,;,•11l1:i i 111 a i .. d111",

1

11n· 111l·d iLui ,11 1 11'.: i n Ci L·cro':'.:i) \\" O can Lra n.~, l•y tli ~ n,K'IU"ro
:-;: 111J c p:i... :;-;agc, w11.h progrc:-:s ivc imp rO \'i'mP 11ts, in d ifferent
lww 11in!ly lie puli:..;Jicd the more ex qui site Jia n s o f J1j,. ('om
T. «P1dd 1.•( in t v:J! .fo \·u ri :c p;1~:-;•i,C"cs, occ11rri11g n..: nfr en n! r@. -

j, j

t il e r:;

111: 1y

LI...'.

1Ill1\) (lt 1t ·· i \ l-(J 1·

: tlid

il:11..;1 r:1; 1•.111 1

: ;; ]

Li1u11:·L
>11·\: 1. • ,

pe cn.rcCul iy \l'r 1lk 11. u;·1;·1;,; . ~,; :1 g:1111 >t. .1c r: t111 1:1:cr. " '
styk, or even gn•111 t:1:c;k, ~d.L' 11 ul c.\cu:.::1Lk 1:1 a i•,·d·
ll 1·1 11' l':tliy, :1 .'...':1111t1

iccLLll"c'.

\\·i i!

lie:

f"ll<lllli lcJ C\Jl1.c 1,; '·!·

the f;ii!111r111:::: ]i:tl"! S : :11 1 111l 1"<;i\111:1i.,11, :t ,.: L1k11w111 .,1·
the s11l1.i1·cl , a ili .< c'il:<< i•111 111· l'iili ' .\.LiL 1ti ,,11 ,_,f' l:"_· :. .t urcr's Yi•·ws n11 tl](' s11l1j,·ct, :11,,l :1 1'•> 1wl 11,.: i·>1 1.
'}_11\C

\1i '...!l 1 1 · ~t

ki11 d <1\°
~l >~

h

i'l()tt\l1 ' !! \ ' \ '

111.d. t!)

j, , .. I <

it...; (i1ij·cL i~ ~-iti : 1· 1· t1i 1·i1:~.- 1
lH~ r.-.:1t : u.1~:

11r

111 1 · \·t~~ t"

i, '

1

1

~rl' :: ·

1111 1111··i1: i! 1·

l11 :t,.:111 11. ·l1 :l~ I.l ie 0r: \l i.1n 1:-: :-; i111i l:11· lu il1,• :. ·,·111 1-.·,
-mucl 1 of 11:lial i...; said 1111•>1 1 Llw l:itkr \\'ill :tl.c" :q• j•ly

.i\.11 o ratio1 1, tq h :t\·, : i L.; .~T1'a ~ ('.-. ; : .

,·Jr, c l , :-. 11111; !11

i 1 ~>L

be r c:1 d , 1J11l prn11rn111< '1 "' l witl1011l 11i:u 111sc ri11t, :1111! fr1<111
afull l1 ca rt. ] !,; ,,J,j ,.et. i..-; 11< 1\ 1i1 i1 11:uily to i11.sl r1wl,
for, a i 111 i1 1.~ :-1 L t.l1al , it 11·u1il11 lA; :1 lcd 11 1«.;; 11u r :.:i11'i'l.1
to p ru1•c a l'r11 11os iLiu n, fu1· it \1'11 1il11 Ll 1L:11 Ll, L11L a ii: ut
of a d i...;c1 1s:-; i01 1; 1;11 1. to :irn11s" t.i11; i11 L1:i kc t, Lu li1,, 1l1c'
be:-ir t:, o f'L c11 to 111 01·(' t• ) acli1Jt l.
IL 1...; c·l'id,·111 t11at 11u lw:t111.\·, <> 1· «kc::rncc, or ~: 1,111«'. •'
of powe r i111 ·xp r1·ssio 11, i.s i 11 :i ['p ropr i:1tc in a11 o raL1 n11.
1'h c most r.0111h:11s 1:c1 a pnll 1l·g1 11 , t.lic lll <Js l sta rt.li 11g a11tith c:-:is, t1 1c; 111,,:-; L,.:p: 1rki i11g wi t., t.1 11_; 11 1<>st. l~ i1« :i 1. l " 1'1J 111p:u·i su11, Ll1c l1olckst 11wl;q1l1or,.;, L11e 111(1:-:l chl i"r: itc ] "' -

/,'If A' 1' () Ii I

....

I ·.

ri od s, t.h e g 1·eatest
the oruti.on .
Still the orator must not forg0t. tli nt hiii p~ .
is desi g ned ror th e car, anc1 nnt for tl1 e priqt~ ~<-.
n11cl 11<; shoul<l never f~)rgr~t t hat nn oh•curil~ ~~
would 11e p;mloncd i11 ;rn es~rty will c0ndem!'; !'If!
t ion, an cl li e sl1oultl 11 ot ncg !PC't tl10~0 :vla
style to the l1abi ts rtnu foclings of hearers .;.,ht~
tesy and good taste will suggest.
An :iratio11 bas Ll 1c sam e pa rts as n. lecture..
tktL tli e concl nsion is usually call ed tho pero~
Nu ru l(:S call l.>c giv0n fo r tho construction qf
oration wliicl1 are to be univnrnnlly followed. Th#
t roducLi<rn sliould nsually b e plc:tsing, p reci$f,.,
lJri(' r. L ong int roclu<:Li01 1;:, :u 1d t. lit~ f~ • r111al py,,.;..:,t.,.
ti o n of' a su]~ jcc t :1JLcr ~ 1waki11g a few
.
t.o <1 1splcasc tlic hc.1rcrs.
The m:i.in subj ect o [ the orntion mnv be ~!!:'.;.
upon with or without a fo nnal cxplicatio~ i bu.H f
is mad e, it ;.;li o ulJ be. perspicuous.
__
'l'h e p eroration sl 1oul (l be as forcihlo and im
i ve :1.s tl1e or:1.tor can rn:tke it. It need not bo l.im.l
o.r ex cited ; .i t m::iy be patl1ctic an<l snbdu d; it m y simply cleci clctl, or 0.on g rn.tulato ry, or definn t, but '
slinnld be earn est, n.nd e xp rt~Ss some pnssion just!··
cited in both speaker anrl people. ·without thiift
o rat.io1~ will b e pronounced a fai l ure.
lOG. ,);Jm c spPr.;i°m. cn Omtiu11s. - 'l'h erc nre rnlU1
speech es wl1i ch we re delivered as pleas, or for the ,t.
tai1 1mcn t o r. spce'.flc pnrposcs, whi ch arc dignifi .
t he n:crn e of or::iL1o ns, on account of th eir g reat exocil

bf

• ce, SLH.:li :ts the" Or:ttions ol'lk1110:-;tl 11·111·< ' .!,· ~.1g1ted
stimu late t.!10 J\ tl 1c11 ia 11:; agai11 ;; L l' li ili1• , Llt< : "Ur:1bns of Ci1:1:m,' ' \Yliicli ll'c'l'c ··itln: r 1• l<':1 -; "r J">l 11 1«:i !
ecc1it:s; l1ut tlie ;1 p 1wl Lt11(i:1 1.~ 11 :·1,t wr;y t'ti:.Ji11 · \l t "

:

·,

~'

.,_·,'

: t~ a1l d ri ':. .:.:--:( ·.-. ])J't1 J 1 L1 U~ 1L·_1_· d :1 1 i li 1.. · 1'1 t 11\·r;, : -

tch f:Pt'l'\·lit _·:-;

eminc1 1t lil•'ll , t!i<: iw::11111111_:{ 111· cCJ I1 l/•kLi •Jl1 ,,[ c "I :, •
eat el l t ~ . 1·1 ' !' I ~ I 1 l i c : li 11 11 \ ' c r :..: ~I I"\' 1· :-:-u l l I ~ ' J 1 l ' 'l : I i ' ' ! "
.ent, or s~J1111_: <x<::lsion calculat.cLl Lo a\\'a k1·11 d,.,_. ,,
otion wiLhuuL cx ciL111g t1iil.crc1 1ccs or iir. ·"ti lity •,\
'lin gs. 'l'ltc : u ldrc~sc,; ·if\Y ,J ,c t.' r :t1;o1F11·1,·: : ' l\''m
e rwniv cr,;ary of Ll1<~ L:1mli11 g ul tl1 c l ' 1 \;c 1 11 " ~, • •i
ossu Ll 1, Llic. 1[u ng aria11 r c·[11 gc·c, U) iO rt :1n1\ 1i;g :11
Jew York,
Chnak ll ]lU ll tl 1c <1c:1Lh of' \\',_'IJ"ll'r, ul
impsc n1 u!l tl10 Llcall1 ,_,c 1\ 1-•r:il1 :1111 l .i1H"•l1 1, :11·· · 11 1:i >
i)

' !

j\

or

: 1...:. (_·1 f' ( )1.1'.i1 •i1 .-. .: .
11/ /

l1 ( ·

•/ !

: . - --'1 ' 111

Ii i \

il '\I ii

1; .

,., .

the p n · ;·1:l 1·:L i 1· H i 1 ·l' : 1l1 ( ·1 ·: 1: 1( •: t 1. :: <·L·. t· 111 11 L i - :;1!1 · 1 1 ; ~ · ·
fthe tlt enw; {;w, tl.u11~1t 110 s~il ·j c:c.L 1.~ 1« \,,. \'' ' >• 1: > 1i
nd fonn:llh· a r!.!ucLl. th ere 111 usl Lc i11 1_\ c: rJ t• l: tt1 .. 11
nc pi~c dnm i~ 1a111~n\ij~cL ui 1111 lli '-'. l1L \\' l 1icli L1 t \11: 11; !.!..' !, L
f th e or.11n r i,.; tu lA: c1>11~tru d c·tl i:1t•• :1 Lc-11:11 lc-, 1'.· ; ; i1
1.
all tli r. prcJpcr dc:curalium; am1 "1 11r• 'l il lll lll C:,·' ·
T!J o ug lt it is dc::;i g11ccl to lx "l"'LL·11 a11,I 1," 1 11 ·:. ,I,
et it shoukl l.0 card'u lly 1nitl<'1 1. TL i;; Hltlkud_,lc
hat man y if i10l all o i' Lhc m11:;1. spkmlitl u rali1 11::c ,
both of anc.ient :u 1tl modern t i111 l's, l1a n; LL·.: 11 wnt.lc' 11
Iv L ,· 1~
·" clt .11<'·
out prev1·uus to L1c'11 ·11·cry . l'.:L ,.•C•J
., ,"L ~~i"- ~'
. servin g th e nalllG LH'<'l1 pro no u11 c:cd wi1.\ 1uuL lia v111 g
been w ri tte1i. A ..lcl rt· ss.;:; !Jave been gi vc n i11 tlcl.i:Ll<..:
or ~nd c r st.rn11g cxc:i l\' 1nent, cqual i1 1 f'orc't' ant\ l,,·anty
oratio1t ::>, Lul oraLio11s ]iruper prcSllj 'JlOc.e i•rqi: .

;_r

.,

lGG

8 l: NJ! (INS.

](flRTORIC'.

r:itio n. Aml yet in the noblest exhibitions of o.
the spc:ikcr is not confined to the previous prod
of' the pen or of l1is own mind. Memory is atte
by reason :iml im:1gination. Nc\v vi ews, new im
11cw foclin g,; may ari se ancl dcm::i.n<1 cxprcs..qion, ~
spon taneously clothe th em selves in the 111ost npprop-n•
a k g;nu, :in ll Lhu::; Ll1c uralor corn1Jitics JXlSL and
c11L e nergy to produce the result.

!Jl'
·

103. P/eas.-P lcas arc a specific kind of add
var.) i 11 .~ \\'i t.11 tLc alrnost infinite diversity of subjc
upo n wl1ich lawyers arc c:i.lled to ad c1rcss, somel.i
Llic j 11dg c, sometimes a jury, a nd sorneli mes both .
gcthc r. Ordinary p1cas, designed to produce oniy
tcrnl' orary effect, aim simply :it perspicuity anfi f\ .
Pl e:i.s made u pon very exciting occasions, such as c
nal Lri <ds wl1ich awaken great attention, or leg:tl
put.cs in whieh great interests are at sLake, P• ·
more of the nature of :i.n orntioo, modified iutl1Jf.!tl, l.
:i.cl rnitting a nrict_y of sLy lu arnl Lhc highes t ck>quc ·
100. Sc;·,n"ns.-Scrrnons arc often orntion1t; thvu
" ' •11w Li nws lee Lu res, :i.nd sometimes simpl y addre&"-'~ -­
T l1r·y :1d111il. every concciv:i.11k v:i:rict.y nf st:lr, de---=-=-'°'
l' '·mli1 1g upon circ rnnstanccs. Su111c arc di ,lactic :mJ
l'. X•:gc; L:c;al ; some arc controversial; sor:nc ::tro dcsig~ -to :tw:i,kcn :l p:i.rtieuhr passion, and some are genu'
ora l inns. 'l'hc p:u·tieubr characteristic of a sermon _,

by ability, should not be cxposc cl, aml whatever
tench> to witli clraw attcntJon from the sul>jed to tl:c
't~peaker sl10u1Ll bu cspceialiy avoided. Mauy uf tu1;
·best specimens of tLc oration arc sermons, sueh as
~omc of tlic (li:::co mscs Clf 1fass ill o n, Hobert Ifall ,
'Edward Irvi11g. ~ldvill, Masou, Olin, Beecher, a1H.l
-- otuers.
.Fartbcr views upon this sul>ject will .be presented
when wc come to treat of In ventiou , a nd Practical

'.LU S

RHETORIC.

CIT.APTER XIV.
EPISTO LARY COlfl' OSITION, 'ESSAYS, ETC. 1 ET(l.

110. L elters.- VJm Y few arc the persons wbo <It
no t more or less freq uen tly attem pt to express
·r
tLonghts and feeli ngs to others by writing letters. I
is :il way s r cg arde<l as a di rect proof o f ig norance whcu
an epistle v iolates th e rules of grammar, or is glaringly
inconsis ten t wi th the primary prin ciples of rhotorio.
A letter sho uld, of course, be p roperly dated, !:<
d ressed , sig ned, and s uperscribed, and tho lnngu
sh ould b e correct. P erspicuity is essen tial, for nm '
gu ity is v ex atio us to the recipi ent, a nd unpardoonb i.:
in th e writer. No person s ho ul<l presumo to writA}
letter who has not learn ed to write his name o.ud oth•
er worcls so that oth er pcr;ons ca:n rend them.
111. Ji'wniliar Lctters.-Lcttcrs of fri endsh ip mllj"t
of course, be written in a earc1ess, confiden tial styl~ ,
p:trtak ing much o f the character of the conversati u
com mon b etween tb c parties ; but ev ery scbolnr ahouhl
rcg:trd it as u nbecoming to write what, so far ns
fo rm o f th e composition is concerned, he would bi- ..
unwi llin g to sec printed for the public eye.
112. L cl/crs .fui' the P ublic. -L etters are sometirn• '-'
wri tt~n fo r the p ubl ic, and ma<le the vehicle of C3
ful, methodical t hou g ht. Such letters, though p

'!ler vin g Lh c [\)r m of ::t p crsou::i.l ::tL1 J rc ~ s , and uf'tc n ii1 tcr ·. spcrscLl \\' i tli' rnc1\;Iy p erso nal m alters, :i.rc nrn clt Iikc
e8says, an (1 rn:ty be wrillcn in tl1 c; lll OSt l'lcv atc1l :1 11t1
]abo reJ sty le. Su c li arc 111a11y of tl1 c k tl<.: r.~ o C.Jvi1 11
Foster. M a ny ui og r:1pl1i cs abo nn d in tli e lctr.-rs of'
the p erso ns w h ose cb:u actcrs a n; cl cscri Led. 'l'b 1: letters of' G eo rge IV:isl1 i11 g ton are w r itte n i n :i 11 11l ilc
· cbssic:i.l s ty le , :ilrnost invari abl y correct in expn:ss ioll ,
and al ways d ig 11 i fl ed :irn.1 perspicuous, tl1 ough o f\c n
' wri tten in g rea t h :tste.
· Corrcs pomk n ts of scic11Li flc aml otl 1cr socidic:s oft1:11
· embody t hei r v ie ws upo 11 so me s ul>j cct i11 t l1c· fr,r111 of'
a letter Lks ig ned to be reaL1 to tli c w !wk socidy, o r
printed in the ir tr:tll s::tctioll s. S 11 c l1 wri t in g~, tl1oug h
. carefo ll y p rescrvi ll g the fo rm o f lette rs in tLc fill dress an ~l sig na ture, 111:ty lJe w r it.te n in th e st.Y le of
didac tic w ri tin gs, aml ye t a<lvautag c m :ty b e l ah ' 11 <1 f'
tbc lctk r form to c:-; p rcs s m ore p cr,;o na l fc cl i11 g tl1 a n
wonld b e p ro per in a n css:ty.
Co n l'Sj)l >llL1cnts o f n cws p:tp crs o ft.e n employ th e
form u C ll'ttn-wl'i ti1 1g in t h is way. '!'li e 1Jnl k t. i1> s of
_:miliL:lry al1\111:i. val o fllccrs arc ge ne rall y in Lli c fol'l n of
letter s. lb ppy is th e cornm:111Jcr wh o, i n :1dditi o 11 to
efficiency :tml s uccess, can cornm :i.11\1 :t l>ri d :111<l v ig orous style. Na poleon was as su cccs~ f'nl with tl1 c pen
as with the s wo rL1. T l1e n·po rts o f \V ~ts l 1in gto 11 w(' l'C
such as mi g ht h:ivc b een c.--; p cctcLl from l1i s <lig11i fie 11,

,.'

noble ch :n :icter .

. 113. ,\j11'r i11 lCil l 1·/lct' ; ;·mn TYriti11ys of H"us11i11!tlo11 .
" - Th e fo llow in g jll'ivate letter fr om \\T :1slii11 gto 11 to
Franklin may n o L b e out of place as a 8p cci1m.:n. 1>r.

, I ~

t " !/ .~

Li' I [ ET(J JUU.

2 70

Frnnkl in, in the 8<.l:th ycn.r of his age, wrolc a lot~r
to I'rcsiJ cnt ·washingto n, in which he· spoke of h"
ow n excruciatin g bod ily pain , but congratu lated t
Prcsi(1cnt on the success of bis administration, nud
:w c: 1TL:L1 Llin.t in whatever state he rni gl1 t lie in a fut..u
life, lie sl10111L1 retain esteem and affection fo r Lim,~
\\'lii cli \\Tashington thus replied:
New York, 23 September, nrs:.
II

" I >1 :. \ R ~ r H 1 -' rh c a1foetion11 le con g ratnla1i o11s un the rccuve,ry a(
rn_v li t·alih, and 1h c wn n H c xprcssium; uf personal fri endship wi1
were contnin cd in you r lefter of the I Ut h ins1a111 , claim my grut!LUda.

J.l"'

1\ m l
<·on,: ide r:ttion 1hat. it mu; wril tc11 when yo 1; were nfllicieJwl
a. J•ni1t f11 l 111 al; 1d_y, greatly inc rca.scs n1y obl ig11 ti o11 for it.
" \\', ,11ld to G od, 111y dear sir, that I cuuld <·<mgrn1 11lntc you ui:1hc rcmo rnl ,,f thnt ex crn ti:ct in g pain u11tle r 1rl 1i c h you l11liur, nnd th
your cxi:->tc11ce 111i ght clu sc with as m11 d 1 case to yo urself, us iL'l
ri111111 1J1"t' l"i s h(•Cn benefic ia l to our co1111try 11ml useful to mankiuJ ;
o r ii" 1h e 1111 i1cd ll" i:<hcs of a free peopl e, joined \\" ii.Ii tho c11rncst IJl""l\Y
of ercry fri c11d to sci ence and humn11il.y, could rclicvo 1he hudy frot
pain ~ (I I' i nfir11iit i c~, thn t you could claim an exemption on th is scor'tl.
H1111 l1 is can 11u J. IJc, nnd you l1a vc wi1hin yo 11rscl f"thc 011ly reso1trcot
11"iii1·h ll"e cn n <·011 fld c ntly '1 Jl]'l y fur rnli c f", "ph ilosophi c min d.
" I f" to hn ,·c11 crntcd for hc11crolc11c.:1.!, if t1 > !,c ndmirc<l for tnlcntc,
if I n 11 0 C'1Ct'll lCd fo r pnt.rinli sm, if 10 J.o uolovcd f; i r J1hilnuthropy 1 call
g-r:11i(r 11 11.! l1 11 111 :1 n nti11d , yo u mu :-i t have tli c pl ensing consuhuion to
k11 0\\" !h at .'" " " ha ve not ]ired in rniu. An ,] I flnttcr m v<elf 1h 11 t it
will 11 11 1 l 1e rankl~ 1 l :un onp; th e lc:1st grn tcf1d 1H·e11rrc11ccH <1f vo ur Ji (o to
lie n ~..; ured , tl1:ll", su l t>n ~ as I rctn in n 1y memory, yuu wiil L>o reool·
kr1 cd wi1h rcs J>rr l. ,·cnc rati o11, and affec li ou hy
"Y tJ ur since re fr ie nd ,
G 1·:01tGE 'VA B HING TON.~
0

ESS AYS,

'J'HEA'I'I8l~ S,

DJSSER1'A'J'IONS, R EVIEWS.

Dilhcti c produ cLiom; not design ed to be prouonnccd
by th eir aul1 1ors, but written for the press, claim nt.
tcnti on. l~ n clcr this l1 cac1 must b e classed Essay~
'T'r:icls, Di ssc rLatio11 s, :rnd ki 11Jrec1 productions, vnri·
011 sly styled views, thoughts, etc.

1: .1 I"/" !·." / (

(//-"

/ c'S S. l

r s.

114. ] ,\_,,,.'J'.- ,\ 11 E :<s:1y is a p ro tlu t:tiu 11 ulh11;di11:J
to prc:;c nt any suhj cct \\" l1atc: Vc.' r to t.li e r1::tdc: r. :-) \i, 1rl
produ ctio11s, liku 111a11y arl ll:ks i11 11 u w~l' : '! H:rs, :111.\
like tbc papers ill .Addisoli '::; "~pt.· C tator," Ll1 c " -'\ tl:t 11 tic 1\f"nLlily," a11J s imila r pe rivdi cab, a rc css:1 y,.:.
So1ndi1ncs tlic n:lln e is g iven Lo a l011 g :t11d lauorc.·t.1
wriLi11 g. rri 1us L oc:ke lll Olk slly sLylell l1i s irnmo rt:Ll
work n.n "Ess:ty on Lite Il11111~lll U 1 1d e r~ La 1 "li11 .!..!: ,"
thou g h in lad it is n. Lrc:tlisc.
J\ ,; cs.~ay .s \":try in k 11gtli, snbj cct , :tm1 \\J"<°lc'1ici,.>11 1
few gc11,;rai nd1'S nn tl1c.·ir s ty k c:u1 u c g i\·,· 11 . ~ < •11 1c
of tl1 c bcs L spcci11ll' ll " o f' 1':11gli sl1 \\"rit.i11 g arc in tl11:;
form. IL \\·a,; i11'1 eL:t.l hy tl1is k i11 1l o f \\"r it i1 1g tl1at a
taste fu r rc:1 tli11 g \\·as fir.st c ulli va kd a1J1n11 g tl 1c 1wo ·
plc, :llic.1 so111 c of the cadi csL ess:ty:;, s ucl 1 :IS tliu.-'c'
fou ml in Ll1e" ;-;l'L:cl:1 to r," "Tb111l J] ,·r," ck ., al\; _ju :-Lly
rankt'• l a1n ong tl1 c E11 gli ,.:h cl: t;-;sic:,.:. 111 i\11.: 11\ l:tr;c··ly
our Lu 1g u:1 g1; v:: 1,; red 11 c:~·\l t' ' g r:u 11111:1! ic; t! ' ., •!Tt.:ct 1w~;.;
an c1 rl1 du ri c:tl k>r1x ; :11111 1l" >ugli tl w\' :tr<; (J l"!t.-11 11,,\1·
ovc r-1':;li111:t tc1l , :u"l 1•1· 1·l1:lj l:-i s11r11:1 :-< .s1:1l, yd iL sl1t>11ld
not lie furg•ill< 'll 1l1:1L 111:1 11y oJ" Ll 1e al,J ,',; l ]' n "\1 1d i<111:-'
arc i11 tl1i s fo rm. Edi lo rial ,; 111 otir l>c:sL ]'Cri udicab
arc ofte n auk c:-<s:i.ys.
A11 c ss:L.)' sl 1u1il.1 µ;1·11<:r:tlly l1:t\' c: 011L' k:1di11 ;~ s ul) j cct, o nt · pru111i11 l·11L t\111u :::;l1L or fa<:L I" :;l:1L<', u r c rrur
to c:o11 t ru \·,·rt, or l'll•l to :wc:u 111 pl d 1. '!'Ill: s l_\·le sl1()1tltl
corrc;.;pollll \l"itli it,; j • lll"j'<l"~· , :u1."I lll:L.)' \·an· Cru1 11 Ll1t'
sin1lJle :i11c1 cull •J<11ti:d to tl1 c most c<rndc1i s1·d , al.is l 1·11 sc,
and prnf~> urn1 . ] t :--l 1oulcl 11 0L u c so dirl:L;L :1s i11 ill<" :1d drcs,.:, a11 tl 11,;q:iJl y tl H: tl1 inl J><' l'S•Jll ,;]1»uld h · 1·111}'l1iy··d
in prcCerc.· 11c;e l.u tl1 c: li1A 1ri ,.J,·notL: t\1c :1111 l1 0 r ; 11r ii"

...

!">·

;

}(fl Wl'UH

I

I) .

Ll1e O.rsL person is prefo rrcLl, Lli c plural number i11 pttf.. ...
ernblc to the singular. In this way th e clrnrnctcr
imp L~ rsonal i ty is prcse rvccl in th e auth or.
115. Neuicws.-Rcvicws arc a speci es of essays Ill
k wc :-:p rnng up in modern times. 'rh c fl rsL publiCttli
f~>rm : Lll y devoted to this kincl of wr itin g was tb 11 :&f.. ,
i11burg li Rl. ! view,'' established in 1817. 'l'bis speoi f
writin g see ms to have grown ou Lof a desire to x
e1sc a ki11d of li Lcrary and rnor:il censorship over t
press, by which to stamp as cu rrent works truly v
uaL1 c, aild thus to i11troc1uce tl1 c1n to puLlie favor, all\l
to condemn to obl ivion tl1e unworthy. A lso Lh y aim ·
ofte n to give an :ibst r:ict or the most val u::tble thoughi.t
of tl1 c various works publish cLl, and to prcst: nl oth r
opi1ti o11 s upon the same subj ec ts. 'rhis ccnsonihip hM
ofwn cx crtccl a great power. Some valuable worka
l1avc been for a long time doom ed-to neglec t., nnd in·
fcrior works pufl~d into und eserved noto ri ety l>y revi ew:". 'I'bc yonng poe t K ents was so nff·cw 1 by lh .
c0111l,:1nn:ition of liis wriLi1 >gs by the" Edinburgh]~& ' ·
vi ew" Ll1at it, i:; saicl his death was ha..'l Len od, whit u
tl1c oth er hancl Byron, when receivin g li ke tr ntm n\
rcto rtct1 so violc11Lly in his "E11 gli sh lh nls aml. cote~
Hcvicwc rs," as to humble th e rev iews a11d pcrrnnncnf...
l.\' weaken tb cir power.
or htc, as tl1c publ ic have -beco me more intcll ig u .
:tl ltl Lln.: number or in depend ent reade rs has in crc:11'Cd,
111n11y :t work comlemncd by reviews l1 as nchic ed
g rc:tl pop11hrit y , :1nd many worlrn higl1l y comm ·nded
h:iv,: rnon su nk l.o mcri Lctl oLl ivio n. Stil l n111 ch of
tl1e hl..!s L writin g in th e l:Ln g ungc is in
view;;.

T"' [; A '1' I S/}.)- TH A

r; rs.

llG. ])i.;;s,,,-f11 li1 1ns a111l Tn!ulis1·s. - Di sscrtatio11s arc
essays Oll speei fie suuj e<.:tS. 'J' n.::LLiscS :1re more ltl(Jf ·
ough, rncthodi<.:al, aml exLc ncl cd. More cl evatccl tkL11
the essay, tlt cy asp ire ti> more than a temporary i11Jluence. S uch works as "JJ:1con':; Organon" and ".Ed ·wards on tl 1c \\Til l" arc trl..!:tti ses.
'l'hc styli..! of such u work shoukl be di g 11ificd aml
strong. 1\..!lusiOllS to Lclllj)Ol'a l'y pl 1a:;CS of f;L:;l1 i011,
unc1 cvc1 1 Lo CL1rrc11 t l1i sto ry, sl1oul d uc sparin g. The
writer :;l wul d divest l1i111 st.:lf' of tl1 c pn juJi ccs nf 11i s
time :1IH1 place, :llHl Juok i11 lu L]1c COllll1 \U ll ]wart. uf
human nature, :iml p resent th e perman ent i11 slL'all 01·
the trnnsi1 ory, th e pure rn et:i.1 without tlro:::s.
117. }iw·/s. - A Tract is li tl:rally fl. \rritin g ,/m /1"11
out, ·or tli orou glily prcse11Ling tlil: subject co11sid,~1«·d,
like 11i1 ton's " 'J'rw tu le 011 Ed 11cation ;" t.li nngl 1str:rngc·ly eno11 gl1, in rnuJc rn Li111 cs, th e ten >l is chit· ily 11 sel1
to denote :t bri ef presentation or a snhj cct 011 on e or
two prtC(CS, nsnally prin t1•Ll al one on a si1 1gk sl1 ee l nl'
paper. Nc:-il11css :rn<l l'.ornpl de ness, and point a1lll
power, sl1ouk1 be ai1n cd :1t in sueli p rodu cLio11 s.
M2

,,

''

..

H 11 H'l'U JU l'.

CIIAP'l1ER XV.
JJIS 'l 'ORI CA I,

WRI 'l'I NG .

118. .J necdotes. - 'l'm~ simpl est form of history
the An ecdote. An anecdote meant ori gi nally a fi
11ot puLlisLcd. 'rhc incident was called Ly tl1 at nrunt
Lcc:wse it was consid ered either too tri vial to becom
a. part of d ig11 ificd history , or of s uch a character ti~
it ougb t not to be gi vcn to tbc pu Ll ic eye. 'l'h e word if
now nscc1 to denote any particular fact or incitlent t.h t
may lJe detach ed from its co nn ection with other foci3,
and related either to illustrate a principle or to amQl!1.l
the hearer.
An :rn ccdotc ~l1oul<l a.lwn.ys bnvo a point; or ~·
press a. <lell ni t.c arnl sing ular fact, and should be 8()
rclalc:Ll aR to br ing out that central thought clearly.
All cxt r:i.nco ns matter and un intcresLing incident
should be omiLtccl. If an an ecdote clai ms to be t.ru°*
it should have Lh:i.t character, otherwise it becomes fi
111crc supposition or fancy sketch. Many so-call~
an ecdotes arc sim ply founded• on truth.
It is a happy art to relate :i.n anecdote well.
most cli g nill ctl :1.(ldrcsses will admit them> if they
appropri:1 tc :i.rnl well told .
"A s rory should , to please, at let1st seem trite,
Ile aprop os, well told, concjse, nnd new."

.l//·.". 1/ (/II< :; . I .\' fl

Iii

I/

II"" . II' ////:'.).

:!·; :,

A statcn1 c11t of a C:ic: L l~>r illusl r:-tLi on m:ty lw t"nn·
ed an an ecdote. 'l' h1 1,; \\' :irlJ1 1rL011, in a " JJi ~t:r 1 11 r~G
again st Fn·t:-Ll1i1 1kc: r,;," a f'Lc.; r ;1llc 1111• Li 11 ~ tu sl 1•J11· Ly
argu rncll L tl1aL all th eir cflurt,; l1ad i11 11 rc1l t.o Ll11..: :td vantagc of Cliristianity, c:ont:l udc;-; m L/J tl1 c f~>llv\\'111;;
anocdotc :
"lTerud1)!11:; tdl:; 11...:, that nt whiiL time tl a·ir deity , th o ;\ ii(·, rl' ·tn rns in tu h i:-> :111('i;,:11t d1:rn 11d, :11111 i lie l11 1:-i l1a ud 111an l1 a1li 1· 0 11 1111i 1ted
the goo d :-:.et~ d '" th u u p e 11i11 ;.; g l 1.:l~t:, it \\";t !'i th e ir ctt ~ 1 0 111 l u 111 n1 -in
whole dn .,·.. _.:; 111' s11·i111: tu r:111 g t· , lo lra11q1lr~, root 11p, ;111.I d 1· -.. 11 11y :it
plcnsurc. •\ ntl now lldl lii ng appr ;t 1"1.'d \1111 d l·:-:11l at io11. wl.. il1..· ll1t· L t ' :1 .:. .'. ·· ~
of the ob .~ r·erh! h e rd l1a.t kill ed excry d 11.;1,_·rf11 I li oj •L' "'. f11!t1r1 · \ '!1·11! .' ;
when , o n th e i ... ..;11c. ii wa:-; C:L' t ' J\ tl i:ll al l tl h· ir 111...·n·cr.. . iiy a1 1d d1r1: u . . 1,•
1md elltxtcd w :1:-- qJll y tli i" : d1a f tlie sr·.. / 1.. 11 1-.. lit:tkr r1 H 1!. i111·qq .. .i:1!nl
more ki 11 dly wi1ll tl1 c l"ioil , and a t le11 g1 1l :"l l1 u l 1111 i11 a 111 11 r t! 111>.. u ri •.ull
nnd a..Luudan t li arrc:H .. ,

110. Jt f u;1oit's wirl 711-,1ym1Jl11>s. - l\Ic111oi 1·s arc :L
bran ch of iilrrat.urc cxtc1 1si\· cly e1iltiv:tk 11 i11 111 r111c·n1
times. 1l'Ji c_y arc i 11 rorrna) alll1 j I I CU ! tlpkt e, :t1 1r'J SCJ llt<:timCS u11 m1·Lhnili cal rceol kc tion s :l!l 11 ,1.- ~e 1ip tiu11,; " !'
remarkal 1lc person,; or cve nb. rl'li c orllc r :u1d di ;..:; 11it y
' of r cg11br l>iog rapli y or uarrativ e arr~ 11 0L rc.; 1111i rL" I.
Biog rajt l1ic:s arc mo n; tl1 o r1 111g h :u1d 1ni11 ul.e 111:11 1
Memoirs, uc in g Lleseri p liornJ of tl1 c lives al! d cl1arae·
ters of im1i vidu:i.l s.
1
r o write tb c li fo of a remarkaul e person well i3 :t
very difli eult ma.1.lcr, aml require;-; a l1 i ~l1 ord er or talent. 1I'l1c b iog r:i.pl1 cr mu st he aL>k to ap11 1·1..:eiat.c the
actions a11d mot ives of tlie p,; rso n wli osc: lit0 li e: i,.; clclin eatin g, bcs icl,.,., l1 avi11g tl1c: power to Ll e;-;c ri lJc correctly :i.ml viv itlh-, 0111 it t.i 11g all Ll1at i;-; un ucec,;:;:try o!·
unin structiv1' . Ho;.; well',, "T,i ft: of Dr. S:u1111,·I .f uli11 son" li as been cx travaga111.ly corn rn cn<leLl by j\\a,; :l tt -

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l.'11 W l' Ol.' / I '.

lay, wl 1u expressed b imsc1r on Lli is sul0 cct as usunl bf
a11 antitbes is : " i\fany of tlte g n.:aLc::>t men tLat e
lived have written b iog r:1phics. Doswell was ono f
Llic l:itn:tllcst men that ever Ji vec1 , and Le lrns beaten
tlie11t all." H is sentiment Lias been repeated by man
ot lt crs, who ft ncl it conv enient to echo wl1at a groat
writ.e r li:ls carck::>sly cxp resseJ . Uis work partak
rnore of tl1 c cl 1arac:tc r of memoirs tl1n.11 of a genuin
l1i ng rapli y, :rn d is val uabl e fo r the simplicity and frOU>
I l<~ss witb wlJl(.:lt it cl cscri bcs th e very words and actio
of it::> l1 cro. !:::iparks's "Life of v\Tal:ihington " woul
li av e bee n more valu au lc, volu111in ous as it is, had Ur - '
ucc n more free and un restrained. rl'h c lives of v ri·
ous A mcricans w ritten by J ames P ar tou , Esq., are OX·
eel lent specimens of tl1is kiud of writin g.
120. A utolJiogmphies. - Au tobiograp hies are Mc.
moirs, or more com p lete Diograpbi cs, wri tten by tbo
incl ividual s themselves whose lives arc portrayed.
T hese :i.rc apt to be parti al, proli x, and unfair. Still
th e}' rrnt}' abound i n gossip, and they may revenl
sc:c rct.s of action an d of cha racter that no second person co nl1l learn . 'l' li erefo re so me of the best speci•
nwn:-; of thi s kind of wri ting have been very popubr. ·
C:1;ocl tasLc: will Le requ ired to avoid offense by nn
cxl 1ih iLion of umlu e self-estee m.
12 1. .J;1 11n;11ls rwd D /an'es. -J ourn als or D iaries nl'(t
a Sfh'c:ic,; t f' 11isLorical cornpositi oll, usually not written.
fo r the pnh li c, am1 yet whi ch in some instances hav
uccn p 11bli ,; hec1, :rncl have sbcd great lig ht upon COil·
tcm poranco11 s liisto ry. 1l'l1 c sk ill an<l power of rt cul.
t.i vatcd man will Le seen i n !J is daily notes and nte~

TN..! VR L S -

fl! S T U RY.

oram1a. A si1lc f'ru1>1 ,;L ri <'L ac·c: 11ra".J' i11 1htc:- am1 f:tcb,
wL1ich mor:cl ity \\·oulcl 1'< ·•1 11i1" ·, ·1.l11: styk should ],,.
correct, inasm uch as th e l1 auits botl 1 c•f spc: 1ki11 g :ll >•l
wr iting, i nclulgctl in private, \\'i ll uc su re to cxJ,i l•it
tbcrn,.;clves in pnhlic.
122. B ur,/,.,, r:f T mn1. -- Book::; of r11 rav cl arc arn011;;
the ll1 V:il al1u nda11t ul' \\'l1 al may uc rankcll as t.11,;
fu gitive p r0l1ud ions uf the <bf. 'I'he V C' l'J' bl·sL ' ,1·
them arc likely soo n to luse tli l' ir p(J p11hrit y a11d li"
supersedc:1l liy otl1crs. 'J'li c 1nost oC tl1e111 an~ ulkl\sively 1ni11 utc, des1,; ri bing <JUj "ds wl 1icl 1 l1cn1 t" lJl'
actuall y seen in order tu uc ap1•n_:ciatc<l , or c11tv111'.~
clis:1g rccal Jl}' in to 111altt' l'S of 110 i11tcrcsl LO J'l':tdns.
Some uf the m, lion·cvl'l', l1old a !1igh nu1k arnong i11 strlll:ti\·c Gooks, ns " L·~uLl1c11," Ly Alcxancl cr \ V. King
lake, "'l'ravcls i11 G reece," lJy J olin _L. ::ll<' j>l1c11s, and
several ones by Bayard 'l'aylo r, l•:,.,q. Hcv. n t\·i,l
Li vingsto11c':=; "Rcsearch•'S in Arri ca" is a mockl \1·urk.
Skill in this 1'i n<1 of \\' l' iLi 11g i,.; c xl1i l>it.cd 11(':1rly a.~
much l>y omittin g tl1c i1-rclc va1 1t, as liy prcsc ntiug 11·ktL
is really i11strn eti vc or a mu sin g.
123. I fi:,"1r!J I'n 1w1-. - 1! is tory proper t1 crnam1s tli e
bigli cst tale11 t. Mere a11n al:-:1, or co l\d enscJ eli ro 11 ological sbtcrn cnts o[ c1·cnb, rc(p1 irc a li :ll'l'Y d i:.:cri111i11ation , by whi ch n ni1 11po rt.anL dcLa ib sl1a ll lie' omittccl,
and the r ig11 t dcgn·c of prolll i11 cnec be gi vc11 t.o i11 1po rtant events. A nd wl1c· 11 tl 1c l1 isto ri an seeks tu r ise
above :i, mere chron ological rcc iLal of faGLs, :i.ml tu
l)rcse nt th e character a nd acti ons of any age vi vitlly
and correctly bcf.Jre the reader, tl1crc is no li rnit tn
tl1 e ali iliLy t.l1at can uc cfo;playc<l. A true l1isLori:i11

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H IJE"l'ORIC .

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rng in tl1is world, of course anachronisms must
avoid ed , as 011ly those wbo lived at the same time and
place could be supposed to hold convcrsation'wiil~
each otl1cr. In order to bring together marked char•
actcrs of different llations and ages, the scene is often
bill i11 another world, as in Lol'll Littleton's "Dia.
logucs of the Dead," an excellent Look written in the
cigli L\;e ll tli century. So me of tl1e dialogues were be·
twce11 cu11tcmporarics wbo had lately llicd , and others
between rem arlrnbJ u personages or past tim es, witl1ollt
rcg:ull to their na tio nality, language, or age, and yet
e:te l1 spoke on suhjccts in whicli li e mi g ht reasonalily
b,: JHes umccl to be interested, and in a sty le correspond·
i11g witl1 his known cktracter. A f:u s uperior work
of tl1c kind .is" Imag inary Conversations of Literary
Men anll Statesmen," by ·walter Savage Landor, Esq.
In thcsr, noted men speak of the slll~jects in wLich
they were known to be adepts, and the dialogues arc
made th e vehicle of much valuable tLougLt an<l per·
so n:d op in ion of the :i.uthor.
. 127. Diu1o;;ues i1llc1Ulcd tn be R cdtcd.-Dialogues in(.,,nded to he committed to memory and recited, slioul<l
be more sp irited , and must not ofrcnd a sense of pro·
pridy by being unnatural or improbal.Jle. To tl.iis
class belong all plays, comedies, and tragedies, consti·
luting tli c litcraturn of the theatre. From the earliest
times, :rnd in nearly all languages, this kind of writing
h:1s hec 11 eom mon, and it includ es much of the ripest
tl1011ght nn<1 best l i tcrature in the world. 'l'o the dram·
atists of' Grrccc arnl H.ome we are indebted for the
most vivid portraitures which we have of the ordinary

.

11 J, [/, U I/ f I { F S .

life a 11tl though ls ur the peo ple ; aml Llwu gh u lldoubtc<lly the {\c;titious rcpresc11t:1tio11s autl COll\·er,a·
st ill it is easy f0r tl1c critic tu
tions are exacmcratcc1
OD
1
make Jue allowance 10r this, aml thus ol>tain inuch
valuable information tktt otLcn1·isc .woLdcl l1avc hec n
lost. In our o\\'n hn guagc we ncccl but mc11tio11 tlw
m:iny-sid e'1 Shakspcarc, whose vast range of' ub~n­
vatio11 and tlir)llght, :im1 k een analysis of p:tssion, a11d
portraitu re of nearly all possib le expe ri ence, :-c.: 111 almost snperl1uman .
128 . -l ~du t' rj' //1is ]1~iml r!f 1T'o'li1u;s. - \Yl1al cvcr
may be thought of the moral cfl'ccls of tJl<'atrical n prcsc11l.ati o11:::, tl1at lite rature of tl1is ki11d \\'Ill : il11·:1y.~
be written, and t.l1at 111ucb of it will be r ccikd, c·a11 11 ul
be c1ouhtcc1. Even ill Luc simplest forms of d1al<lg1 1cs
for school exhibitions rruicl1 skill can he sLow11. \V lic 11
the speakers are fi ctiti ous, each charactcr shou lcl 1Jc
consistent with itsel f. Sentiments or pa'";-;ions i1wrJ1 1grnons \Vi th c:icl 1 otl1cr, o r llc1· cr fuu 11d togcllwr i11 rc:tl
life, should not be cxprc·sscd hy th(' s: 1 rn1~ jll'rsu11.
'l'l1 crc is roo111 i11 s11cl 1 pro\lt1 ctio11s f(ir tlic gTc:ttc,:t,
possil.Jl c variety o f style, and fur tl1c wi11cst aml 110 ·
blcst ran ge of tli ongL L. Oare, 110\\'cvcr, sl11Jnlcl be ex·
erciscLl not to make th e prod net.ion tcdi uus hy loo lun,~
spceehcs, aml a stilted, arti flcial, nm1 bom bast.ie s ty le
sl 1onlc1 cspcci~tlly b e :woi(kd. 'l'l1c pod may draw
from his own fan cy; tl1 e sel10lar from l1is library; h11t
the proper study of tl1c dramatic write r, wl1ctlt c r ill
verse or in p rose, is rn ~w-m:rn , as h e exists in S()ci c·ty.
12D. 81)7il11111lics.-Sol ilo(1 nies arc tl 1c vocal C:'\] 'I'' ·s·
t.l1011 .'.0 l1t and passion by persons alone, snpp();-;cd
sion

or

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/{If/;' '/'(JJ(j

u.

tu be speak ing :i.loucl, Ull:LIV:tl'C of :L li stener, and per•
Laps u11wnscious of speak ing. 'l'Licse ca n not with
j•l"l)p ridy be i11troc1uccd excep t citLicr in dramati\: or
Ji1;I it ious wriLin gs. K011c wl1 0 rcaJ tl1c E 11 g]i:;Li Jan·
g1 1:1ge can 1011g r0m:J.in unacquainLcll wiLl1 some of the ·
11 1 1 1~ t. 11 >Jt •"l s"l il or111i cs u[ Shakspcarc, StH;h as th ose of
l ll"1try J \ ' ., Canli1ul .W obcy, arnl Hamlet's, 011 Death.
.Al111 ust equ ally well k nowll is Ll1at on lmm ortali ty 1
put into lLc mouth of Cato by Aclll iso n, commcneing:
" It

be f' O, J>Jato, 11 10 11 rea:-:o ncst wcHwhen ce thi s pleasing li o11c, Lhi:; fo nd Jcsire,
Tl1 i:) J1,11gi11 g after jrn111 ortali t,y ?"
11111 :; 1

E l ~c

1:30. Tl1 e. J'/,/"l.'G U11itic0.- It lws passed into a canon
of rnl(:.: loric, Llt:tt wl1 at arc callcLl tL c tLrcc U 11itica
sl10nltl, at lc.'lst in spirit., be preserved in dramatio
writi1t gs. 'l'h esc are the rn1ity of subj ect, Lli o uni ty
of time, aml the UHi ty of p lace. One main leading
s11 bjcct slioulcl be presented ; tbe time supposcJ to
clap;.;c i it tl1c course of the · representation slJOuld
11eit.l1n ljc so long or short as to offend a sense of
l'n11•ri ct.y, and the place sboukl correspond wiLb what
l:011ld l':1 :-< ily he eonceivccl to be fact.
.L:~l.. / Jiuf":I"'"-' i11 f !i.:;lo;·.'J.- In history, dialog ues be·
L1\" Cc ll tl1c i1nportant perso nages whose lives and nc·
Lions arc ]>Ort r.'\,ycd arc often introd uced, aull thus tho
narralivc is g rcaLly c11livencd . Some historians Lavo
i 11 vc ntccl these 1.l ialog ues, as well as addresses supposed
to lta\·c lx :cn pro11o unccd , alwnys endeavorin g to prescn·c a Y("l"i si 1n ilitllllc in s uch compositi ons, bu t in
rnocll' rn ti rncs i Lis considered irnpropcrtli us to minglo
history and fictio n, .'\ml few writen;i intro<luce auy

dialu,rr 11t _~ s

or a c1drcS.')1;s, \ ·Xci ·i ;t ,.. ; qt_·h a:) ,\· e r\·

. lUL t t: \1 ;\

uttc rcJ .

132. Ficlicm. - \Yorks o f" fidiun l1~n-c a }Jl"c111i:ir
cLar:1cll'r. T i1c brc;1; 1· l'urtiu11 c,J" ili1· L•uuL.-.; JH>\\ 1• 111,.
li s!J cll i'"l fo..: t 1Lious, ::tllll Lli..; brge r p:tn uJ" LUL' 1c::1ti1 11g
is of' fictiu1t . Tli c \YOrd sc~u"(;cly 11 ccds CXJ 1l:t1t:d 101 1.
W u rks ill tl1 c f;Jl' Jn Ol 11 an:1t.ioll , ur !Jll'lllOir,;, Liu.~ ra­
phics, lravcJs OJ" ]Jistorics, nu t ]>l"CSCnt in g facts, ULIL t\1c
imn g i11at.i o11s or tl 1c :rnt.l10rs, arc Fiction. ]·'1\;!11 Llic.:
earli L·sl ti1ncs s uch producti ous l1 avc been co 11111 101t.
Il isto rical ficti uns arc tl10sc i11 wl1id1 cl1ar:ldl'rs tl 1al.
real!.)' livcl1 arc ;nlroclncetl :J.s:1cting:u1t! ~p eak in!..'., :i11d
the antlw r prese rv es .i ust so mu cl1 Jid ci ity to L1ct :ts lit·
plc.'lscs. Many of tb c novels of \\! alter Seoll Lclu11g
to tl1is cl.'\ss.
Si1t1il: tr arc Ll1 c 1vork::; of' ficl ion wl1icl1 in tl1 c furm
of fanci ed tran·ls or corre~pu 11tl e nc c , l1l"sc r"ihc j11acv,;,
customs, aml rel igi ons, will1 more or k ss lidc:lity .
"'l'hc Tra\·els of 1\ nacha rsis" d cs1-ribc tl 112 a11 cic1\t
world :rnd its custo ms. B u l we r\; "Last day s of' ] 'urnpei i " prufcsscs to dcserilx: tln) c11ston1s of tl1 aL ci ly, a11d
the Yok:rn ic erll]'lion Ly wl1i cli it. wn s ov crwl1 t·l 111cd.
N< • wise 1n nn will depend upon works o[ fiet. ion for
hi s l1i sturi cal infun11ati o1t. lfc wi ll ratl1 cr g uard
again st ~ill ow i n g liirn scl [ to be inrlu cnccll in l 1i ~ i1istorie bel icfs by the reprcscntalions of nu tho rs w lwse
prim e aim is to please and alisorb tb e reader, ratlicr
than 1.o present fact.
133. F icliuu mt1.71c011n-y 11·11//1.- Fi ctio11 may be lLc
vehicle <1f l rnLl1 , b llt nut largely of l1i storic trntl1. Tt
should rall 1cr aim lo desc ribe pass ion concctly , ancl

Y.

IU!E'l'O JU<:.

FJ UTION.

8Lo w its legitimate conseq ucuces. It may indoo(l
range wid ely over the entire domain of science M\t
opinion, so fos as they can be illustrated in the nctio:t
a11<l con vcrsation and experience of fo.ncicd persona~
18·±. Viu-ict:; of Style app1·01;riate to ]i'idion.- All th!l!
rn lcs a pply ing to R cprcscntati vc ·writing apply to tbii
b ranch oClitcraturc. Imlecd th ere is room in it for
ex e rcise of every possible variety of style. 'l'bougl{
t he most of works of fiction arc transient in their lo•
flu cncc, yet as many of them secure permanent iaflu.
ence as, perh:-ips, of any department. In rater yc9.l't1i:
both the moral and intellectuQl character of fi ction
have grcally improv ed. The "Vicar of \Vakefiel<l/1
" Hou im;o n Crusoe," Johnson's "Hasselas," "Gu!Ji.
vcr's 'J'rav cls," will probably be r emcrnbcrell and road .
1011gcr tlian any other productions by th eir respectivo
autl wrs. "KnidrnrLockcr's lfo;tory of New York/'
a lJUrlcs111 c production, may Le remcmLercll as long rui
:111y veri table history written by "Washington Irving. ·
Tlic fictitious writin gs of Diekells have call ed atten·
lion to tlic wrctcl1cc111css of the poor and ig norant in
l1i s 11aLivc country, and led to efforts for th eir relief,
wl1ile th e 11Titings of Tbaekeray Lave laid bare the·
foll ies :rnd emptin ess of a merely fashionable life moro
cnic ic11t ly pcrk1.ps than cit.her essays or sermons could
hav e done. Coope r and IIawtlwrne have fill c1l out
mucl1 oC wl1at w~ s lacking in history, to complete the
pietu re of early American life. Fiction thus will always
lian: a J>l:1 cc in li te rature. It can not be relied upon
to clc v:11e the 1.on c of morals, or to enlarge the do·
mains of exact thought. It seeks primarily to please.

though secondarily it may profit. "Uncl e rro1n's
Cabin," by Mrs. II. 13 . Sto we, lrns p erl1ap; c;ireul:ttccl
more widely tl1Qn any otbc r book wriLte11 in t.lw lirst
haif of the ni11ctce11tl.t century, aud w ntributcll 111w.:b
to form opinion upon the nature of A1ncrica11 slavery
during the latest pcriull of its existence.
No special ruks farther than have aln:Ql]y bee n
given are needed upon this uranch of literature.

f.bt

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J/1'.'.1Xl.\ "I :

R11E 1'UJUC.

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ex te rnal lil ~ 1 , l1cy 4n 1d orir ! ~t i t',
And lie fill' 11 ew l 'r11111l.'lhc-1 1-: <·f new 111 0 11 !
Jh- . . ro\\ i11 g- fi r e fru1u l1ea\"l' r1, a nd il w 11 1 tH11 Lite
} ' indi11g the Jilt: a:--11re girt.; 11 l"t..' J•:tid wir li J 1; 1iri :~ · 1
~·\ t :lll

CIIAPTER XVII.
POE'I' RY.

J 3u. ])r:fi nilion.-'rrrn word poetry is usetl with $>
w itk a hLi Ludc of meanin g that few h ave attempted
to <letl nc it :tc:c uratcly, and very dive rse J csc ri ptio
of i t arc g ive n. It should b e considered, first, with
r efer ence to its substance, and, second, with r cfcrenott
to its form .
Snbi-;t:tntially, Poetry is thought produced by nn ox·
ci tell i111ag i n:i,tion, and desig netl primarily to please.
'l'l 1i,; ddtni ti on excludes narrative, tlJ e prime purpose of which is to r elate facts ; science, which e. ·
phin s the n:i,tnrc and causes o f things; oratory, designed to enlighten and pers uade, and all other merely
Ji llactic prud uctions. \Vit may or may not be a part
of 1.'u'-' t.ry, but i t bas a n cm pi re o f its own .
Sl1:tkspcarc presen ts a vivid idea of Poetry when
h e :-;: 1\·,; :
"The poe1":; eye in n. fine frenzy rollin g,
] )r,111g l;u11·c· from hcn1·cn to canh, from en.rth to heaven
And n ~ i11111 i:i11:it ion bodies forth
Th e fo r ms ,,f thin g,; unkn own, th e poet's pen
T m n> t hem to ' h"pc, nnd gives to ai ry no thing
A lvc·u l lial1itnti on an ll a n::une."

Another p oet (Dy ron) bas defin ed his own art
to create
From orerfeel in g, good or ill ; and aim

" l'nr wh nt is poesy, but

'" ,\II 1li cv
i .. .: :tll o'errn a:-: rc rin:.; 11uw 1:r ..
\ \ "l1id1 :-.f ill rccL1il:; t'ro 111 i1:-; t.!111·1111d ;eri 11g d ny
Or l igl11e 1b it lo ." J1 irit, w hal :'iue.e r
Th e fnrrn w!1id1 tlit·ir 1·n•:itiu11s may c ~:-: a.'· ,
A re l1:i rd . .: : 1'11~ ki11 dled 111a rldc'.-, 111 1:-:l m a\' \\"(•a r
1\ I 1 1l'\ : pnt•. . y u pu 11 if .. .; ~ i'L'.< il-. i 11~ lir1J W
..
T l1a 11 n i1g l11li.::-::-11h:111 rli e ll 1i1J1eric 1111g"l'. 111;1 y lic; tr ;
011 e 11 nl,J1: :-. frok {: wi rl1 th e\\ li1ile life tll :I\' g lo\\'
U r dcifr fi1c ea 11,·a '°' 1ill it. ~1ii1 1 c
·
'
\ \'i1h l1~a11ty ~11 sn rp:t :--:--in~ al l l 1t.:luw,
Th a r il it\Y wl10 kn eel [q id <J I..; ~ o di,·i11c
Hre;1k 11 0 c·orn ma11 d 111 e111, fur l1ig li li ea r ell is tl1 l'H~
' f' ra n:-: 1"11 .-;ed , tran :--. fi g 11nlted: :111d th e Ji1J c
Of p11e....:y, wlii1·li JH: 11J des hut !11 e air
\\"i1li 1lio11g l11 s a11 d hci11 gs of 1111r 1lw 11g li1. refl cc1cd,
\\ "IH1:'( ' inkl lc('I

i

thus:

•

Can J o no more.

11

Tb c oh.i<'ct of the poet, in tbi s sense of tl1 c word is
' .
not to in sl rn ct, n ot tu jl Ci':->uadc, nut si11111ly to :t llllls•',
but to allow a man to c11j oy lh c th oug hts \v liieli \rc:JI
up 111 l1 is ow n so ul.
1'31i. rl'l1 111u1·1• 1·•i111110!1r·11 s i1 ·1, ;l f i'1n1i11!; rf t /1 1' IN/II
~{'.tfry . -' l 'l 1 oug h this is t.!1c r1ri mc mca11i11g of" .l'udry,
it is not al ways used in so restri cted a se nse, fo r so metirn.es it em braces a nother objec t. b es ides mere grat iri. __ catwn, nt1l1 th ere fore we ktVc such divi sions as didac~ic, p:i,tri oti c, and r eli g ious poetry.
'rho poet is a make,- u r crc11lor, as the word (from
.11'01u.. ,, to 111uk 1 -) wouk1 s ig nify .
'11 he i maginatio n is
:;. the c reative faculty. 'l'ak in g the material s al ready
existin g in th e mind, and g athcrcrl by obse rvati on or
Jts own \'Xcrcisc, it constructs new fabrics, mental :u1tl
1

'

it JJ H T OJt

r u.

ui oral, or :tclorns okl t!J cmes with now g1ument.'I, ne·
corcli11g to its owu afrtuence of' thought.
137. P udJ".tj ·11111:; lie 1:11iplu,i;ed lo aid ·hi other j>rodUJ>
lt«J// s.-I'odry in this, its higl1 est meauing, may be em•
ployed :ts :tn ass ista11t in all otbcr k i11 ds of' composition.
TJ1,, pl1ilosopln.: r 111:ty clothe a11c1 illustrate the most re.
..:01JdiLe a11,J logical c1iscussio11::; with poctit5ul imagery, '
as J' la 10, Cicero, a11,l 111any since have clone. 'l'lte ora·
to r ur'Lc11, hy tl 1e aicl of ]'oct1'_Y, take1:1 L1i::; hearcrn iu tQ
r,·gions 111.,V('J' befo re vi sit.ell, a11c1 reveals to them obj ect::; womkrf'ul lo gaze 11po11. Ev en the sober historia11 borrows beauty frotn Poetry, to enliven tl1c <lull·
11 e~s of tbe tL c1J1c, :lml Sc: ic11cc <locs not altogc tlier disLlain li er aid.
138. P w to; 011c nJ tl1 e Fin e .11,-ts.- Poetry has been
eallccl 011 c of the Fine Arts. '.f'be sisterli oocl co nsista
of Painting, !:::>e ulpturc, Architect ure, M11sic, P oe try.
'l'l 1e prime oLjcct of each of tl1e Fine Arts is to
pl ease, to elevate the taste, to communicate a special
g r:·1t.ificat ion or its own.
P :i i11ti11g an d Sculpture mav be used to in struct;
/\. rcL1tccture 1IW!J be use<l to improv e buiklings wholly
i11 a utilitarian sense; but, as an art, it refers rather
to r end erin g them pleasin g to th e eye an<l the mind·
Music: 111 11y be usccl to alleviate pain, or to inspir~
patrioti s1n or n!li gio us feelin g, but its prime purpose
is to pl ease. So P oetry is de:-; ignc<l to produce its
own pcc1lliar g r:ttifl e:ttion.
lJU. J>,1l'lr.111'<1111 ;1<l!'r.:1L 1uilh J>ainting antl S culptai-e.Poet ry, in tl1i,.; it s ]>l'i1nitivc rn cani11 g, has often been
colllpared witb Pai11tiug and Sculpture, and much dif·

f'ilfc'TU V . l .\ ' /.J l' :t !XTl.\'1; .

foronce of opi11 ion kts lieon exp rcssc<l wi th l'•: k rc11cc
to tl1 ei r comparative valu e.
I ktvc alread y [l]lwlc,1 to thi s snl>j•:cL i11 1l1c l'.\.aminati on or tl1 e power of word", pp. 23, 2-l. 'l' l1c ,11s cussion is iml e ltnitc, and an exact dec isio 11 c:t11 li nt lie
reac:hcd . 'l' hc two p:trti cs mi suml erstaml eacl1 , .i l11' r.
In pictures, iiwol vin g only wl 1aL ca11 he see n, P:1i1ni1 1g
ancl Sc ulpture arc imml·a::; urahly superi or to J'ucl.ry.
Poetry call use 01ily won ls, ·at hc;-;L 111 cn' l'i.'lH"< ';oc 111ativcs of th ong! 1ls l iahle t o l>e 111i s111111c1Au1,, J. l)"i 11 t.·
ing can use l~> r111 a nd culo rs. ( \itn1J itw\l \\'i1li :-.:,·1111•·
ture, she e::tn rnprollu cc :tny sccnC', a1111 d<'J<ict Lc·a11t11's
and com lJi 11:1tions cxprc,;si11 g p:1,;sio11 , s11cl 1 ;1,.; c:i11 11ot
be described by lan g 11ng('. Hut Poetry l1:ts a r: 111ge
of her own. She can dcsc ril.Jc l! Ot only furms, and col ors, ::tllll sounds, hut :tl,.;o evc nh, e:-: pressc<.1 tl 1011 glits,
sllccessive ar:Liu11s, co urses, ::tnLl cfl'e cl", c;hif'Ling :-c:1·11cs,
and cmhracc in lier l;iclure ol,_j,·c:ls :lllll o,;L 1111 li111it1 ·<1 i11
number, ti111 e, :ln<.l space. rr1ic universe of' tl1 <J t1 g lit is
hen;.
P oetry, lik e hn sister arL", 11oes not res tri ct li c r~ .. Jf'
to IaQls, but co11strnct,; new crcat io11s. l'ain tin g occ npi es a low sph ere when she co11fln cs herst:lf to pcntraits of livin g perso ns or lo hndscapcs acluallysl:" ll;
she mu st prese nt ideal men, and animals, aml angel",
and ski es, and bn1ls, aml seas, more grand , :lll(1 v:1ri(··
gatccl, nnd hc:rntif11l tl1an hnman eye has see n. Tl1nl'
arc ohjcc ts i11trinsic:tlly hcautiful, aml even tl1 osc t!tat
arc sin gly ugly may he construelctl iu to com bi 11atiu11s
that will charm th e observ er. 'l'lic lx:a ntiful , tl1 (' 1n•' spi riting. t.lic soothing, thn patheti c, :il l I;. J1,11 g to 1lw
!\

..

~

llllET010 U.

realm of Poetry. She c1ca1s not only wiLh obj ect.s thru.
may be seen [l.lld folt, but even associates herself with
Mu sic, [Lnd represents sounds, and plays with overy
human passion.

110. P oe!l"!J suited lo all Grades of mental Der,'tl.lp- _
111 rt1f.-It h as bee n tho ugl1t by some that Poetry ex'.•
c rts its full power only over the yonng mind, and thM
ns the rc:ison is strength ened by disciplin e and hnrd
pr:iclical us[Lge, the pl easures of the irnn.gination will
be outgrown. This is a great error. Imag ination it
:.rn clement of the immortal mind. TJ_ierc is no mnxi.
mum of power for iL to r each. It may be dispropo:t iomtely indulged , or rather the oth er faculti es mny
be neglected .
S i1 11il :.n is the e rror, that the world, as it ndvnnOOI
in culture, will o utgrow Poetry. It may be true th®
Poetry is :ictually older than Prose. It i8 certai n that II.
di sproportionately large part of the most ancient liter·
aLure is poetical in for m. 'l.'his may be owing to the
g reater vitality of Poetry, which hns led it to survive
its we:.ikcr :cncl plainer associate, prosaic fact.
1-.l:l. Tfow P oefry 'is moclijied by &iencc.-B ut ns sci·
C11ee :cnd phil osophy nd v::tncc, Poetry has new themea
to w ork upo n . Once it was absorbed wiLh the do- ·
scri ptiuns o[ h eroes and their companions, of wnrs and
domestic life, of the rude gods and goddesses whioh
::rn ig nornnt age imagined ; but it has advanced now
to por t ray deeper passion, broader v iews, higher nspi·
r:itions, purer fai th , than the ancients knew. Its realm
is bon nc1 !cs:::.
To accuracy of the description of nature

Hull" 1' 111::1'.t.:Y JS .!JI ODl/<'.1 1:.' IJ.

pears to the uncultiva ted eye, in t he portraiture of t.l1 c;
ruder an cl stro nge r p~tssi o n s , in sweetness :.rncl purity
of vcrsi flcatio n, H omer bas neve r been cxcellc(1. In
that early age he stands on :< proml eminence al o11c,
thou g h prob:ibly man y poets preced ed him; yet can
ans candid cri tic deny tb:lt in Dnn te, Milton, and other
modern C hrist ian poets, arc found fields wL1olls unknown to the classic poets of antir1uity, equ al in their
new r eso urces, :tml stirri11g Lhe so ul even 11torc profoundly?
1-t2 . f 11rn;;i1wtimi sl1 ould be R cr11dute1/. - 'l'li r.ugh
Poet ry creates, it should not Le so willl n.111l fan 1:istic
in its creations ns to d i,;pl c:isc Lhc mind. Nature !1:is
l:i,ws aml li111it:ttions Lhat mus t not be v iol ath l, ev en in
fancy. Grotesq ue conccpLio ns, im poss ible in fact, can
be tolerated onl y in a lirnitcll d eg ree. Hepcated too
often, tltcy weary and displease. 'l.'hc b est poet is he
wbo irni Latcs m ost c1oscly tl1 e g re:1.t C reato r ; aurl
thou gh h e is alloweLl o n his ow 11 te rri tory to co nstruct.
new combinati ons, makes Ll1 cm so lrnrmo1 1io11s as to
charm and satisfy th e soul.
Pain, d eformity, c:1Jarnity, c rim e, ugly and horribk
conception s of cvers kind, mas b e presented bs th e
poet, bnt th ere sho u1d be such an unl1er-current of
sympathy with th e beautiful and the good, and th e
rou g hn esses and d eform iti es should be so smoothed
and sl1ac1cc1 off, :is to pl e:.isc the mind .
1-±3. P octi-y and Pru11ltecy.- Tb c poet dwell s m ore
in th e fnturc than in the past. If he pain ts the golclen age o f :rntiq nits, it is onls to promi se greater g lories to come. rrhc ~pirit of poetry is pre-cminent.l _v

RirR'J'ORJ C.

0
/

fl Lt ell to blend with Christian faith a nd hop ; Md ·
c ncc, though it may matc ri ali,,;c aml harden somo
:ire too exclusively devoted to it, only opens n w
w ider fields in which the creative im ngi nn~ion
ro:irn n11 <l revel.
1-1-1. Value and Prevalence of P oetry.- It would
extraneous to our obj ect to inqu ire i11 to tho p p ·~
o[ c nltiv::i.ting the poetic fac ul ty. God has giv•u
rn:u1. It is not to be wrap ped in a napkin nn<l bu~·
in the e::i.r tb. It e nlive ns 11istory ; it i11flni ly .
hrgcs our limited home ; i t directs science by nn~
patin g its d iscussion s, and p uttin g th o inv stigator ·
the rigl.i t track ; it g ui des th e legis lato r and tbo Ml~
It has its own separa te fun ction , aml is nn aid n.ll(} .
p leftsfl n t com pan ion in all tl.ic walks of li fe.
~
L ookin g only at the s ubstance of P oe try, we mq:
find it di:lfoscd throug h o ut a ll li terature : in omto
pliilosophy, science. Th e child is a poet wh n in Ul;,
ag inati o n it endows material things with coosci ·
ncss.
i\luch poetry, too, b as never been writlcn.
l:rng uflgc of Dyron :

fi'

' ' Many arc th e poets that ltnYe nerer penned
Their insp irntion, nnd pcrclrnnto th e l~~ l ."

Poetry flS above d escribed is the correlative, not~
Prose, bnt of Science.
•
1-15. T hr: peculiar Ji'onns of P oetry. - Dut P tn
"·
tc111ls to clothe h erself in a peculiar appropriate ~rb.
She wreathes language into new and ucauLiful fo~
acco1 11moch.ting it to Lcr own vari omi imagery a
non: l corn u inat.io ns o [ tho ug ht.

. l l ! . l l.LL' l , / SJ I .

14,6. Pu,,.altchs11i.-On c o f the earli est tn difi catio11 ,;
!Jf the n atural prosaic s L_ylc ft llopterl uy P oet ry i,; ca]] .
cd Paralleli s m, a nd is f~rnml in g reat p c rl;.;ctio n in H e. brew literature. P;Hflllel is rn co nsists o f [l dou ult: ve rse,
or stanza, in w lt ich tl1 c seco nd rncmucr rcpc:tt,; tlt c idea
expressed in t h e first -generally more specifi cally and
' forcibly. 'J.']J us :
" \ \"hnt is man , th nl 1hu 11 rcgard est him ?
( >r t li e :-;0 11 u f l!l;u1 , 1l1at thou \'i sitc:;t him ?"
" Th ou h n ~t 111rncd fo r m e my nwnni i ng ill to dan1 ·i11 g-,
'l'h o11 ha >L p11t oil' 111)· " 1ckclo1h, :111d girded me wi1h g la t.lncss.'"
" I w ill l1l c«;; 1h e l.c1rd :it :il l times :
}Ii; pr:ii:;e shn ll co111 i1111 a lly l ie in iny rn o111h. '"

In sobe r prose snc h expressio ns mig lt L Lie n•p·:udcd
•;, ns tan tolog ica l, but in ve rse th e repd i tiu11 was d csig ncJ
but to d eep en Ll1 e im p ressio n.
In th e; H ebrew th e l:rn g uage docs in some d egree
correspond in th e corrcbtcd m e mbers. rl'bi s Pfl rnllcl . ·ism is sometim es called" thou g h t-rli ythm. " 'l'h e rniml
."·· is pleasctl \\'ith it, ancl b c;i.utifol sp ecim e ns of it 1nay
_, be found in mod e rn poe t ry as w ell as i11 tLc BiL!c.
, ; Som e t im es tl1 c ~ ccoml se nte nce inv e rts tl 11: o rde r of'
the .first. \ Ve give some m ode rn iu s tftnccs :
•• Fam ine i;; in il1y

c.:licc k ~ ,

1\ccd and opprcs ..; iun

~t arc tli

in 1liinc eyes . "

" 1\ li ttl e l c!lrnin~ is n. da11 gerons 1l~i11 g :
])r in k deep, o r la '1c 11 0 1, tli e }'icri a n 'Pring:
Th e re ~ ha ll ow dr:rn g li 1:-; i11t 1)x ica te th e l;r;1i ~
And drinkin g l:irgcly suhe rs us nga i11 . ''
1
'

'l'l 1c11 pny t li e n.,: \·c r cr1 l·e of ol d day:":!
T o J1i ..: dead fo 111 c,
\\'alk 11.wkwnn l, wid1 :l\'Crt c d

J\11d h id e t la.:

.-.: li :1 111 1.' ."

g;1Z1',

'!. ~ ) . j

/' U }.' /'/ 1_'_.I L

I! 11 }:)'f'UJU l'.

1'17. Rhytlim.- Poctry also adopts the use of rh
mica! lan g uage, or expressions tlrnt lw.ve a mut!ical
sound. \V c sec the first elements of this tendency I.a
many of the oldest proverbs, such as " Man prop
GoL1 di sposes ;" " Easy come, easy go." .
U S. Llccent.-'11 he measuring of language by Poet> .
ry consis~s in the regula r recurrence of similarly !lCo • •
cl'l!lcd syl lables at short intervals.
HD. Vcrse.-A Verse is a limited number of sylla,.
l.Jl cs wiLh an csLablish cd orclcr of accents, usually wrU.
ten in one line, as :

"There i:; a ]Jl ens url~ i 11 th e p :1 1 li l c~s Wl1ods,
Th ere is a nq 1ture vn th e lonel y : :. horc ,
Th e re is soci(:ty where 111111 c int n 1dcs,
Hy th e dee p ::;ca~ nnd 111u :-.ic. i11 ii:; roar.
I. love 11<1t l\ Jan tl ic le:-i.-:, liut N:ttnrc n1orc,
JT'run1 th ese our i11tc rricw~, in wl1ich l ~ teal
]<'rorn a ll I m a;· lie , o r li al'C l1cc 11 Lie furc,
T u min g le w ith tl1 c 11nircrsc, and feel
\ Vliat l can 11 c"c r CX l>l\ !>S, yet ea n not all co ncea l. "

151. Pudirnl ;. ;.,./.- Any reg ular s uccess ion of sy l- •
]ables is called a fooL. 'J'bus two syllau\ .. ;; cr111all_y
accented in immediate s uccess ion arc cal kcl a s po11d ,·c,
but no entire v erse couhl b e rn:tllc up of spomlccs.
"]' ninf11lh h e rn l\e,J tlie stune
Jli;;h ,,,,· tli c hill .. ,

"'l'Jic curfew tolls, the k11 cll of part i11g day . "

V erses may vary in lcugth and acce nt.
oLbcr ~pcc i mens :

FXJ:"l' .

vV c give

"To n.rms ! they come! the Greek! the Greek!"

A sl1 ort or un accented sy l\a1)k, ancl fl long or accent·
ed syllal.Jlc imrn cllialely follow ing, maL c an i:i nihus.
An anapest con sisLs or Llircc sy Jlablcs, tli c lasL l.Jcrn g

"In your kingdo rn of vnni r.y, g ive him a pince."
"Take her up tenderly."

accen t, ·c1.
A trochee consists of two syllables, tLic r1rst lici11 g

'l'hc word ve rse is sometimes used to denote nil
forn1 s of poetry.
li:iO. St1u1 w:;. - - A collccLion of verses of a ce rtain
d efi ned nu mber and orde r is called a Stam:a.

acccnLct1.
A Llactyl con sists of three sy llabks, th e Lirst. l1cing

"'I'ho 11 :irl , 0 Guel , tl 1e life a n d ligh t
or al l 1 hi s wo11dro 11,; worl J we see ;
lts g l•Jw by d a y, its s mil e by 11ig ht
Arc h11 1. rcfl ce tio 11 s caug ht. fru 111 T hee:
\ Vherc'cr we t11 r11 , thy glor ies shi11e,
And all 1hing.> fa ir a n d b rig ht m e T hine."

.

St:1n zns v:-try much in the number of their verses
or lin es, abo in tl1cir len g th, acce nt, and order. Tho
most 11 ot..:1l k i m1 is perhaps tlw Spenserian stanza, of
wlii cli tl1\~ fol low i11g is n, 8]Wc imc n :

accen tcLl.
'l'h e iambus :i.m1 anapest may b e used prom iscuously, as they sound :1l ikc.
Also th e troc hee aml (lacty l may be interchanged
for cacl1 other.
A short pause is rcqurrcd b y tl1c car at th e close
of' every lin e of verse, if it is written propc_rl y,_ even
th ougl1 the gr:-tmmati cal se nse does not rec1 mrc 1t.
1\ ]so somewhere in fl long lin e, generally near tl1c
middle, fl pflu sc is required by the melody, cal \c(l a
C<,\' S ll l':tl

pa \l S('.

. I:

I .
.,

i
I'

'

:! !)()

•

101H1'0RJO.

Tf£_\ .Ll! E1'EB

All the principles of verso are J
trated in elementary treatises on grammv,
not ,leemed necessary in this work tQ dwon·
upon them.
152. Various Ii.incl~. of Verse.-Vorooiitdi
v:1rious kinds, accord ing to tho kind of
pally or sol ely employed. Thuswe havo iiun
chaic, anapestic, au<l dactylic verse.
The iambic meas ure is the most corm:non, nntl.
each lin e bas fiv e iambic feet, or nt m t fl .
a short syl lable added, it is said to be in
measure.
"ll im first to love, grea t ri g h t HIHI 1"CRson l!1,
\\'hu first to 11s our li fe and J,eing gnvc .;
An<l aficr, wh en we facCJ. !ind arni:itt,
Us w retches from tho second d catl! <lid sate."

An Alexandrinc verse consists of six
follows :

illtllb

"A needless J\ lexnndrinc ends lho sonq,
Whi c: h, lik en 11·01mtlcd snnko, dmwi It l!owlolll\h

'1 rocl1aie, anapestic, and dnctylio vets¢ tmitM:~iwl
ly, consist of tbcfoct indicated by the name.
specimens of the three kinds s ucccsgivoly:
1

' ' Co11nt me o'er cmth 's chosen heroes; they were souls tbnu10!id
\\'hile 1he 1nc11 tli oy ngon izcd for. lrnrlcd th o contu.mcUom f.~
:-;1 oud :;c rc1Jc, an d dow11 the foturo snw the golden beftrn l.ndhi ·
'l'o the oid c or perfect justi ce, master'<l hy tlu•ir fo.ith dinne, : ~;­
B_v one rn:111 ':< plain truth to m an hood nnd to God's auprQmnd~ · ,1 "'
" \\'h:11 a merry is this! \Vh nt 11 heavenly blial! I
H ow 11nspcaknlil y happy nm I!
Gal l1ercd i nto th e fo ld , with thy people enrollc.d,
\Vi t h thy people to li ve n1ul to 11io."
•

1" 8 1.' S1".

"(' Jin g to 1h c t' r tt c iti e d !
lli :< d eath; _, life tu 1l1 ec 1
L ifu f11r eter11it \· :
.lli :-: p:tin s th y J~a rdn11 ...;c;i I,
l li :-; :--:1 rip cs thy lnui ,..;t.:s h ea l,
lli ;-; crO.'-':' prod.aim ...; ll 1y pCal'e,
Hi~!:' every so nuw (·C:tse,
J l i:< 1,luotl i:< a ll tn t hec :
C ling tu the t n1 e ifi ctl !''

153. Vcuiuus 11l1·frcs.-rl' l1e rningling of t l1csc va r i·ous m easu res, aml ilw em pl uy rncnt of verses of vanons lengths, am1 stan zas varyi11g in tb c nu1nl.icr ul'
their verses, g ive us the u umlw rkss metres or ki11d : 1

. of versification actual and p0ss il.Jlc.
Many more arc cn1plnycd i11 modern tilll c::\ tl1 :111
were ];u own to tl 1c a11<.;ic11ls, anJ so111c tlrnt we re 11 11 H.: lt
used i 11 former tim es arc now almost wholly 111·g·
lectcd.
15,1. He:xamr:tcr rasc. ·-The li cx!lm ctcr versc, Il l
which tho Il iad of Homer arnl th e .11-:ne icl
\' irg1l
were written, w!ls th e ki 11,l most pr ized 1.Jy ilie Greeks
and H omans fo r tl.ic most (l ig11illccl, clcv:ilcd poet ry .
. For a Jon g tim e i.t was tltCJu g l1t to I.Jc in compatible;
wi th th e accent of the Englis h lai1gu agc, lrnt of htc
some good En glish h exameters have bee n writtc11 .
Still i t is in 1':11 glisli an exotic, ncit "to the rn:rn11n
born " and cxce1lt for slJOrt proclu ctions, not likely to
'
'
· 1r
·
' cornrnai1ll the interest of many readers. \v c give a
specimen from Lon gfell ow :

or

"E,·c n as rinllc r.s t\Y:1in. from di ~ tant and :-:cpn..rnt c so un'•es,
.
S e ein g e ach o th e r afo.. r~ as th ey leap fr u m the n_wks and p11r ~ u 1 11 g
Eadi one ii :-; d c \'ion :; pa.th , hnt drawin g ll C[ll'l~ l' a nd n e arer,
Hush together ut last., at their try:; tin g- placc in the furc s t ;

N2

J~JJ JJJJ.'Ultl

U.

~'' thc;e Ji,·cs that. hncl rnn thus far in ~c p:nntc chnnnc),,

<..'11111i1 1g in ~jg ht of each other, then swerving and t-Jowiug n1muJ r,
ParteJ hy Uanic rs strong, IJut drawing nearer and Hearer,
}{u,Jied toget her at last, and one was lost i11 the other."

1G5. 'Plw So1met. - Sorne of the most elegant and
labored short po1.:ms have b een in the form called n
Sonnet. 'l'he following is a good specimen, from J.
Blauco \Vl1itt':

A LL L 1'J~'}(cl 1'1 u .V-N L'./u~·

v HHSH.

so great 8.n c.-,;:tent as rhyme, alll1, c~c1:pL to
limited extent, it is rcgarL1cd as of no value.
frequently employed it, ns in this line:

:-t

\'1·1·y
l'opl:

"Up th e /1igh /;ill he I.cared a /iuge round stone."

Al literaLi o n was very common in the ok1 J<11 gli~l t
uallad:>. rrhc fvllowing v erses from ' 1'l'ln.: J\Lu1 i:1:::;c;
of Sir Gawain c " may be taken as a sp ecimcH:

"'~Iy . . tcrinn~

J\'ig-ht ! when ou r first, parent knew
'J'Ji, •c frulll report di\'i11c , <lllLl h eard t!Jy nan1e,
J lid he 11 ot. trc lllble for this luvely frnmc,
Thi; gl o riou ~ canopy of light and bl11c?
Yet '11call1 a c 1trtai u of translll(_:ent dew,
J\:1tli c1! in the r:i ys of the grcnt se tti ng flame,
11 cspenrn, with the host of hcarnn, came,
And lo ! c reation widened in man's view.
'Vh o co11ld ham thought s uch darlrn cos lay concenlctl
'Yitliin th y beams, 0 Sun? or who could find,
\ \'ltibt Jly, and leaf, anll insect s tood revealed,
Th::tt to such countless orl•s thott mncl'st us bli11tl?
\Vhy llo we, t.h cn, shun deat h with anxious s trife?
If li g ht ca11 thus deceil'c, where fore not lifo t'

"J\inge Arthur lives in merry Carlcilc,
A11d sccrn ely is to sec,
And tlicrc he iiath wi1h l1i111 Qnccnc G ucncYcr,
That 6ri<l c soc /Jriglit uf /Jh;e.

"J\1Hl tl1 crc lie luith \\'ith lii1n Q.11 ce1 1c G11 e 11e rer ~
That /irid c ::;.nc. /1r iglit. in l1u,•;re,
AnJ all Iii :-; bar o n ~ alJu 111, hi111 sr.oo<lc

'l'hat were Lo1 h s title and stown.'-"

Rhym es and allite rations are often rnin gkd iu rnollern poetry. rrhc following VCl':SC employ:> L>ull1:
"Three kin g_-; tl1crc are tu rul e tli c world, nnd 1ni gl 11il'l' 1111ne C:<Jllld be;

15G. Rhymc.-Rbyme is th e correspondence in the
sound or th e terminating syllabics of two lines in im·
m ediate s ncccssion, or not far r emoved from each
other. Sometimes certain other sy llablcs in tw o li nea
imm ed iately s ucceed ing each oth er correspond in
su untl, o r eonslit utc rh yme. This is by some said to
lJc a mod ern invention, simply because the ancient
Greek and I,ati n poets did not employ it, but it was
e mpl oyctl in the Sanscrit and other early Asiatic Jit.
c ra t11re lon<..; before the Christian era.
JD7: A lli/, rutio11 .-Allitcrn.tion, or the rcpctitio)1 of
tli c sa me so1 111tl nL Lhc bcg inuing o f successive words,
has bee n used as rm ornament in poetry, but never to

}fvwe'cr Ji e Striv e, ll U lll :tll a1i\·e 1 fr u lll tl1 L·i r ('11!lt roJ j:-; rret.:.
And one is ye ll1f w, n11d lin e i."' \.} ,p·k , and u11c i:-; \\ ltitc a~ s11 o w··-'l'lic yell ow (JJle is the elder 11110 , ln1t 11u t tlH..~ s frungt~ r 1l 1t1 11g l1 Dy tlic :-;c awl th e ir:; tlie w.,rld':; affair!'! ure ri g•1ru11 :-. l.\· c11 11lr.dl t~ d:
AnJ th e 11an1cs tl1csc 1ni g ltty JllU!lardb u~ar ar(! Cutt~Jll, { 'u;tl. HJJ(l

Gui el. "

lGS. lru "'' 1ci!lw11l fo rr: J>udr'!).-- \Vc h~i:r c spol:.211
of V crsc th us far as a l1ress rn;sumcLl by J'ot:try ; bu L
it is oftener employed when the tlwugltt exprcsscll is
not poeti cal. }.[cas urell bn g uagc is itself pl easin g to
tlic car, :i.rnl, espec ially wh en aceompanierl witl1 rli y nw,
is more easily remembered tl1:rn prose. his t.it c ri·l~ 1 re
1.:rn1ilo vc.:Ll su1n d ime:> to CXIJl'l\'-'.~ aimosL \;vc:i·y yarit;t.y
of tho~1gh t. V c rse is often used as a rnucrnonic, for

'11

~ .. f I
''

Jl) (I

RHE1'010C'.

the expr ession of facts wh ich it is couvcnicnt alwayt
to Lave at cornmanJ. Nearly all are familiar with t.b
stanza:
"Thi rt y d ays hns ~e p:.emuc r­
April , ,hrn c, uml No vember:
All the r est h a ve th irty-o ne,

Excepting February alone,
·which ha s eig ht above a score,
llut iu leap-year h as o ne m um."

Attempts h:we been made to express in verse the
ru les of grammar and logic, and th e leading factB in
geog raphy, but it is fouml t.liat a healthy memory re·
j ecls a large quantity of m ere j ingle, that adds ooth·
ing to tlJc naked facts.
150. Poctr.71 used as synonymous with Verse. - Still
Ly a ve ry natural m etonymy, the usualjorm of poetry,
verse, stands fo r the s ubstan ce in popular usngc.
"Whately says : "Notwithstanding all tbat has beon
saiJ Ly some .Fr ench critics to prove that a work, not
in met.re, may be a poem (whi ch doctrine was partly
dcrivc\l from a m isinterpretation of a passage in Aris·
tolle's poetics), universal opinion has always given a
con t.rary decision.'"*
Poetry, as usually understood, includes all literar y
produ cti ons wh ich are in the form of measured la~.
guagc or v erse, and excl udes all others.
lt is ev ident from tlti s definition tbat poetry nev·
er r eveals its full power b ut when read aloud, with
proper intonati on an d emphasis.
C!iildren t ake great delight in verse, showing that
tl1erc is :1 11atnral passio11 for measured language.
~ \\'ltatch"s Ul1 cl"ori c,

pnn iii. c hnp. iii. §a.

.VIJNSL':VS J () A /,

I" l;"Jt"S!i).

:rn I

"Moth er Goose's l\ fclodies," aml otl1c r juvenile liter:1
t u r e, i 11 ustrate tli is fact.

l GO. 1;,1po1·tuncc of correct Jl[,:asw ·c.-All wri ters of
correct Poetry in a ny fo rm of verse sboukl 0L:oc rve
faithfu lly tl1e bws of versification. Imperfect measure and fa ulty rhym es rn:1y indeed be found in sonw
gooJ poems, but young writers shoulJ not be cxe userl
for employing them .
l Gl. .:.Y o11<Jensico l Yerse.-One of the greatest fault,;
in poetry, so called, is the presentation of a body witl 1o ut any soul-a mere p1casin g comb in a ti on of"sonncl:-;,
with li ttle meaning. 'l'ltis kirHl of compositiou is well
ill ust ratcJ in the fol low in g l ine:; :
" JI ow

CY ri nc . . ccn L anU mnrinc
Arc thy t.: l 1aot i c 11plands :;een ,

O h, C\'C I" sulil a11sarinn rn oo n ;
A thousand vi a du ct>; of li g l11
\\"e re not so SJ•h er ically l>rig lit
Or n-.n tila.ted l1 11 lf ' '' suu lt.
"And now

:\ g ;1i11 111y

ha rk is to:;.t.

U111J11 the r:1g in 14 1i11l oea ust
( )f that H«i.!11 lat cd .'CH;
And di:q1asu11:.;, puurin g d ow n,
\Vi t l1 l11nar cau st ic join , tn drown

J\Jy t ranscenclenta.I cpopec."

Mueh so·callecl poetry has but little m ore sense
tha11 tl1is.
'·

l•Hl!J'l'UlU V.

CIIAPTER
SPECIES OF

XVIII.
POETRY.

1G2. i~ui011s Kinds of Poetical Composition.-Tm:RN
arc several leading kinds of poetry, among which may
be mention ed as mos t important, the Lyric, the Epi<Ji
tb 0 Dramatic, and the Ilumorous.
1G3 . L yri'c Pocli'y.-Lyric Poetry embraces a.JI that
is w ritten to be sun g , and which may be accompanied
UJ a mu sical instrument, as OLlcS, hymns, songs.
'l'hcse are usually bri ef, and each one should ex·
press at least one l c:i.ding thought, and inspire at least
one pnssion . They are not al ways written to be sung,
arn1 may be of such a metre that it would be difJicult
to :wco mpany them with music.
Amon g th em may be mentioned hymns, patriotic
so ng:-:, love-songs, and od es on almost all subj ects that
in sp ire e nthu siasm or unwonted emotion.
ll.rrn ns arc confessed! y among the most difficult com·
positi ons lo wri te. rrhe best examples in the world
arc some o f the P salms of David-psalms which in
\'ari ous lnn g u:igcs have b een s ung for thou sands of
yc:i.rs, and will n ever be forgotten. Some of the hymns
of Luth er, \\r :ills, Charl es ·wcslcy, and other Christian
p oet~, may b e r egarded as moucls. rr!Je hymns best
:t(laptcd to tlt c public worship of God are not highly

l'd '/ ' HJUl'JV J'ulc' J' f( Y.

irn agi nat i vc nm1 mctapl1 ori cal , but ra tli <: r in si mpk
language cxprcss i \'0 o r· LlJC appropriate; e mot io11. Extraon1inary sc11tim011 t am1 artiliL:inl expn;ss io ns tcIH1 Lo
become Ji spl casi ng by freq ucn t repetiti on. lien cc the
diffi cul ty of writing a hy mn that shall be both expressive am1 popuhr. rl'L1 e metre too should b e fa ulllcss .
\ Vhat is call cL1 reli g ious poe try is the mos t di ffic u lt
to write well. Ac1 orntio11 , p enitence, gratitud e, lo ve,
and other r eligious emotions, blend with and crnl'l oy
the im ag ination, but it is not easy to exp ress these
emoti ons app roprintely and forcibly, an cl at th e same
time not viob tc goou t:tstc. rl' lJ c hi glJ csl cul ture fi nds
here an a ppropriate ft clL1 for c xercis0.
Patrio tic so ngs nre n um erou s, bu t how few h:tvc b ecome popular l Gcncrnlly they are either too si1 11 ple
or too abst ruse, t oo prosaic or too artificial , to strike
th e l.1 cart of the p eople. 'l'Lt c "llfarseilks llymn"
in spires e very tru e ]<' rc nc11ma11 with 11:<tional 1'1iLle.
"G od s:1vc t.bc Kin g 1" sco rn s to express tli c f.;r vc11t
prnycr of eve ry En g li shman. 'l'ltc U 11itctl Sta tes lias
no patriotic song 1mivc rsally popular. "liail Cult1n1bia" is lii g lily cs tcc 1n<:d Ly many. '11 1.i c so ng bcgillning , "My Co unt ry , 'ti s of th ee," is a h y mn, an<l in
rh y thm ancl force of tl1 o ugl1t deserves n bi g h place.
"Hally ro und th e Fb g" is d escrv culy popuhr. "'l'lic
Sta r-span gled 13ann0r" is o nl y made popular by th e
b eau ty of tb c mu sic conn ected with it.
'l'b e geniu s of th e Am cri L:an people docs 11 ot seem
to exhib it itsel f in patri otic songs so 111uch as in hy mn s.
More of tl1c p eople nm1oulitedly call sin g se v eral of
our most popular religions l1 y 1n11s t!Jal! any patriotic

•!.1

, ,,'I

I'

,,

lll1B1'0Hl C.
41_:

so11g wkttcvcr. Though the tune of "Yankt_~; ~~~.;..--"
' i'l 1c k :Hi 1n g 1·:1 1ic i'oe111,.; 111 tiw 11·r.1lr1 arc: Jf,,n 1,. 1 ·,,
c11c" is known by a11, it yet :-i,wai tt'l a p• )p 11 hr imng, tf ~....._,. "Iliad," Yir;..:il',; "- Fl1C'id, " I l:t11tl'·s "T!i 1·i11:l ( "'Jrr t::r ·dia." C:111 1111 · 11 ·;; .. I .11.'1 :1.i ... T1 ''' .".-; '·. k111.,:cl.·111 11 . ,, 1 _
imkcc1 it is poss ible to co11struct a gourl c<u 11 g ilJ i•udt
0

e1\_'. d) " ~ u1d

a incas ure.

.\i;]\i}11'.""' "J>~u·: L ,11 .~' ~'

!11i<l ..

'J\1 1ij( ·_-..,_· 1: 1: 1\

Luve-songR cmbr:i.ce some of the most fl.uishoo MMl
~ perl1:-ips be alklt:cl the fa1<10us .. 1\i,·l>1·l 1111g1·11 l_,j,.,J,"
lic:Htlifnl cornpositions i11 the l:rng11agc. Fv n\' atti:'t'>
· whose :c11lh •1rsl1ip i:: 11nk11011,·11 , a 11rl 1'"11nk\ (. (',. 111 ,, , .
tiun of the Licart may be cxprcssccl in tlii .~ forr~i. Tr.·
oi' 'l'in1':.· tilr,q'._'·ii ;],,• k·n1"· r !' r• :1·! 1-111 l iuk 1· 1r1 .,:
dn·rl, Ly ri e Poctr.)' ltas l.Jcen more successfully cn h· -,;~ Gcrrna111·, :L11 d 1L,· i:tili~r Lii:1 i:1tir: c_\1:··11111y il 1u>•· 1.. 11·
vatc:rl blely tl1an :111y otl 1c r c1rpartrnent. 'f'h rrt• i11t~ -~;;;: pl c (r[' L11 _cc: L11 1r.I :1 11d Llic l ' 11i:nl :-)1:1.ks l':l1r1 p11,:< · 1;
good reason for tl1is. T he true region of p 0 .. ~rv ~'
-'~~' - Li;:li lr ::,r l : ' :-, :1 .. 1:< ,, 1i:irn ,,;.
clcvatc11 : L1Jo v cLl1co rclinary toncnftlJOllgl 1 t;mdfr~ -~~-'-'
:-Sv1 11··
1;•11'1 :·:11i'''''; ~:. 1\1> r. 111 1:w'·r ; .. :111 1
111g. '.l1lic more i11tcnsc tliu excitement, tli c 1<hnrttr t)I _ .. :;r· _ Poem. :in d 1:. ' 1:1 ,• :ii ],_·11<: 1· :1< · 1< ; 1· 1 111,.~ :: r ;,., tii · .,, :
t.l1u t imcLlnri ng wl1icl1it c:1.11 l.Jcs 11 st:til!cd. '1'h rb~ --"""'"_··. · w:i.v ol' 1ii11~tr:li1 01 1 :rnr.I 1·1 ·,1-;udr' :1 .~~Tr'at 1:11iti1· ""
p()cms, tl 1crdorr, :tre l.Jricf, a1H111c:1rly all brief !XX'!ii:>
----~-.:= tbcmc:; :wr.l "!111r:tc·;,·r-; lll;i\ 1_._. 11 1irr>rluc1·,_i. ( 1;';, 11.
th_: long to the lvric c1rrs.s.
~-- -..r_=~ wh aL i1:t.-: lice ii (':tlll·'1 '· 1n: tcl11 nt·ry.· (_JJ' :--:tlj i!'l' i: : ll : : 1·; 1]
Odes ernl.Jr:tcc nc:rrly all "liort po<'m,; except. tho~
-_;t_ - cli:u:11 ·t.:1', :11,· 111 :1t"i 11 :'r_·rl, :"1c:ii :1- "'"l' a11,[ ·~"·l1i, _, ,.,
l.:inrls :1lr<':1dy mcntionrcl . Tt \':0111r1 h<' Ynin t f) d~ --~"":'L by tli e l1cali1c11 pocl:<, a1Hl :Lll:..:r:l'3 ,;11d .11·11111\, r[ 'l'l tit :-;
scribe. 1l1cm. so cnnntlrss is t11rir vnrirt•:. \r rir::e.
~~·~ by Cii1!>'.i:t11 )"'l'c'. Ti1·: i' ' '' '~ ~.,,._, irr1;:; :., 1!1 ,· ill 1·
1

1

('.Ji_';1! lll'.· l,;••i•• ' •\".
tlliildl1 01r1lf
'fbc _l't_~ arc 1u: u1 \· lu1i'.-'.- 1\1'1, l11~ , 11 1d t': til ~ ·1l 1·1q1_', 1)i:1:
Colcrirl gc's "A<ldrcss to Monnt Rh nc," P oe's ;, St:>t1g
neve
rtuclcss arc c:i1nihr rn c:i1ar:11:i<' r. 111 all i»11,'._':
o f :l. Have n " :rnd bis "Song of the Hcll11, '' P.rvnnt'!'
po cn1~. s uch as '.Y°oLnu./ ~ {, ~i~-111 ' l 'llo11 _~~-l1t-..: 1 · : -\L1111"1\ 11tnm11:1l D :1y~. " T1on,c::fcll0w',.: "F. xc,.·l~i0r 1 ;' tn~,.y
\\.i1itti cr's " Cry ul' a T,rJ~t Soul," :111'1 m:u1y nt!w r j'P- -~--,:-~ ~ go111l.'ry·~" \\ ' 11r11i ;), l;q·(· ti1·· J··:u111i , ,( ' 1i\\· 1·11.' 1·'_-.. ; ·· ' i';t- l, ,··
· · H_y rc111 'c< '·( 'i1ild r· fl:ii·rrlrl. · i, .. l1 <c l; [j , ,.,.,. ·,, '· il 1:i1\:1ili:i ..
t111 cLio1 1s l.Jy these aud other popular pocts, bclou g ~
\Vo rd :-o\Y<• rtii·s "J<xc11r.cio11 ." <:tr~ , 1·xtr:1.onli11:11·v 1;11 ·1·.:1
t!i is class.
ll;L ]~,/,; I'udi·1;.-Epic P oeL ry, in it s pc-rfl'dio11 --~=;JJ.-..::__ is n ccc.~.-- :cry to c;11~t:1i11 1l1.- 11il'T, ·.-1. 111 ,J,., .,J. ].,,
1"7 pOL'!ll:..; l1:t\ · 1· L 11\ (.' Jl1 1j ::.r:lll\-1_·i _\- !1 ·s r, · :t 1l1·r .~) : LJi(l l : il·i ·,_·
u nl inccs (>11ly cc rL:tin ]011 ;.-; poems uf a l1i~tori e fi•rm,
_
-~:=---0:11 1 L1r_· l_,u~ i1it k· 1l11:1lJ t 1iut 1: n·11 tli t: )'/t.: :11 ''[iic·:; ul'
i11 \l'li icl1 t li c l'crso11~1ges whose actions nre d('scril)".'fi
:~""'
e1:Habi1"iicd
h111c an· 11 J(' 1·r: 1·11i"'._'Ft»I il1:i11 ····:,,\
~trc \1·l101ly or p:tr t.ly i rn~gina ry.
M:u1y pn<'ms h:1'tt-c
·:;
lwcn wriltcn in t.l1is fonn, but ncarlv all l1a1·1 ~ ~1 .. ·nil;,.
f:tll"n i11t n nhlivinn .
"
•

\\'Ul'LL ~ s "I1l L i 11i~tt.i«)ll~ vr T11\l !l ufta1it.y i11

0

l~.-!""

1

1

AJJ \' A.VT. I 1:1.'.'i 01"

IUIE 'l' ORI U

o n t bc stage. 'l'be laws p ertaining to thi s species of
co mposition have alreac1y bee n given in the cbapter
u11 Hcprcscutativc Writing. 'l'ragedy is noble in its
cliarac tc r, cnc1eavoring to illu strate some strong pus.
::; ion, am1 generally rep resents .ouc or more of its chamotcrs ::;tr uggl ing with difficulti es external or internal,
so1n ctirn cs conquering and sometimes overcome. I~
<lcab wi t.h the strongest passions, and presents the sub.
lime8t tbougL1ts. Comedy, on the other hanJ, is <lo.
signed Lo excite mirth , sometimes contempt, und sel·
clom rises to pathos or earnestness.
In a few instances both are bl ended in one compositio n.
A greater variety of m cnsu re is allow nlJlc in Dra·
matic tli a n in Epic Poetry , an<l sometimes some of tlio
cl iarnctcrs sp eak in prose.
Many poems written in the form of the Drama were
11 cvcr desig ned for the theatre.
1G6. Ifwrnoroas Poet?·.i;. - Humorous Poetry deals
prin cip~tlly with wit. Every species of wit mny be
cmplnyed by tlrn poet.
:::'iometirncs the obj ect of the poet seems to b e ouly
to p rollucc lau ghter, by th e strange combinations of
tLio ug ht presented . Sometimes the wit consists in
l uJicrous c1 cscriptions of laughable facts or groups of
objects. Sometimes the strangeness of the metre and
rhyme is itself witty. In tliis kind of writing tho
moJerns immeasurably surpass the ancients.
Some of the best specim ens of this kind of compos iti on m:-iy be fo und in the writings of rrhomas H ood,
0. ·w. Holmes, and Alfred Saxe.

IVJUTJ.\' ll

VFH Si.'.

~10 7

1!:7. 'l'/11' L; u· d1ould Dr:. /'/d//n1 icil. - 'l'lil! lancru::wc
0
0

.

>

of l'uetry is p rc-crniuen tl y addressed to tl1c car, a11d
therefo re to be fully appreciated it. sl1o ulJ lie r ead
aloud, wit.h proper acccn t and e rn plJasis.
1G8. A drn1llll!JcS ~/ ll'1·i'Li11.1 I e r,w:. - Every young
writer sl1oulJ exercise him self tli oro urr
hl y in wri t.i nc··
b
a
vari o us kinds of v erse. It is the b est kiml of gym nastics for writers. It leads to searchin g fo r proper
and expressive words. In all in stances p er foc t correctn ess in measure and rhyme should be songl 1t.

,i

I

·i
j1

.1

:I

'ol

,1

;I

'"I

'1,

PAll'l' JV.
f N VENTIO N .

''i',

·,

J

,••

,. r
t
I .V J! R.\ ' TtU ..\' D E FJX lc'lJ.

:; 11

CilJ\P'1'E R L
N A'f l' HE OF I N VE N'l'T O'J, A N 11

S O~ ll '

GE C'l'E HA L IU TJ. F:S .

1. /J1;/i uilio n. - l ~vr.:>:Tf ON in Hl1 ctoric is, pri 111: ll'l ly,
the p rocess by wb ic l1 a ll auth or ohtai1 1s tl1 c 111 at1·11 a l to
be uscL1 , a m1 d ev ises am1 pe r fects Lli c fon11 s wliic]1 li e
will crnpl oy to acco11 1p li slt l1i .· p11rp osc .
I11vc nt io n, scco nd :ui ly , Lcacl1L·s Low to c hoose s ubj ects npo 11 whi ch Lo s peak or write, lww to g atl1 c r 1JJatcri :1l, and h ow Lo e x ec ute l1i s purposes w itli it.
2. Jll i'll's TJ, >,, c1·1j 1ti11n of f u1·cuti'rm . - J oh n S t11a rt
Mi ll , in h is excell ent wo rk on L og ic,+:· statcs t.li c trntli
on t li is s n l~j cc L forc ibly, so fa r as it ap1.1i,_·s tti l 11d 11eti o n. Th e s:ime princ ipl e ap pli es to a ll lnv c ntio11 .
'' fn\·cnti on, th o11 g-h it cnn lie c·1i11 irated, f•nn nnt Jin rcdu l'Cd tu n de;
i..- no :-:c ic11 cc w hic:l 1 w ill enn l ol r, •l 11 \a ll to lie1 li ir1k hi111 ... 1·lf or t!1 nl
whieli wi ll ~ 11i1 l1i s p11rpo:-c. 11111 when he lws tl 1011 g ht 11f l'n mcdlin g-.
scie1H·c ll'il l tell l1i m " ·li ctlter 1liat \\' hicli li e !ins tlt ouglit ut' 1v ill :'ui t
ther e

hi s purpv:;c or not.

11

\V c m ay add h ere, that th ere is n o SC l l:tH; c whi d 1
will teach a man b ow to form a purpose. Jle mu st
have d 1at s pontan eously , or g rowin g ont of c irc ums ta nces- whi c h may be to p rove a tr utl1 , to di ~sc m i­
natc :i u octrine, to p roduce a convi ctio n, to lc:-"1 to o r
prev ent so me actio n, or to amuse, etc. Bu t wl1c n the
purpose 1 ~ for med, and wl1at will snit l1i s purpose ic:
* V ol. i. p.

a 11

( L ondon, 18:.'>).

,: .;
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1...

RflBl'ORI U.

31 :2

suggested to his mind, both 1T1ay be matured an<l p rrcctcd by science. Mr. Mill aL1ds:
"'J'he inquirer nr :irguer mu st he g uiJ ed by hi s own knowledge
and :-::1 .i_;ttrity i11 the <:lioit·c of l1i s i11dnc1io11 s out of which he will (·on:-:1n 1d bis arg- 11T11l' llt.
Hu t !li e va li dity nf the nrg11 1n e11t, whc11 con->lrt1<'tt'd, tlep<·nds ''" \'l'i11 c i1•les, nnJ mu st be trieJ by tests whirh ore
Ili c :-a111e fur

all inq uiries. "

Ac.:co rding to the same prin c iple we may add, that
the propriety of usiug any figure of speech, any pnr· ,
ticula r mode of composition, mu st b e deci<l cll, con·
sciouslj' or uncon sciously, properly or improperl y, by
the laws of Rhetoric.
3 . Rules can not rxhaust the S11bjrct. - It is plain ly im·
possible to lay dow11 rules upon tliis subject that shall
embrace it ent irely, for genius is e ver striking out new
path·. On this acco unt, probably, many treatises on
Rhetoric omit the subj ect of Invention entirely, and
others make n o attempt to p resent what can be of any
practical v alue.
\\Tc present a few general rules which sho uld guide
in Tnvcnlion .
'l-. '/ 'l11~ First Ru.le.-Thc writer or spcah :r sl1ould in
rd! cosf's, 711/orc pmcr'f!.din:; lo his work, f orm a d<'jinil,e
ideri 1?( 1rhot he intends to accomplish.
It. may be that bi s circumstances already g ive him
a specifi c purpose. Is be called upon to defend a ccr·
tain proposition, to advocate a certain proj ect, to de·
~cribe ::t certain olijcct, or to accomplis h any other spc·
cifi<.; end'? Hi s powers of inv ention will at once bo
:t rn11 0<cd an1l 1lirrck1l hy that act..
l I lit) k1s no d e finite end in vi e w except 11irnply tn

f'l,..t G f A !US .lf.

3 1 :1

write an artic.:l c or make :in :tdllress, the n hi s fir,.:t pur·
pose mu s t be arbitrarily lo d1oosc a tl1 c mc. L et l1im
decide \rh:1t object b e will ddc nnin e to accornpld1,
wh eth e r to in struct, to enco urage, to di ssuaL1c, o r to
amu se, o r p erlJaps several of th ese. r:l.'h en let liim
choo:;e a tl1 e 111 c. Ihvi11 g cl1oscn a th eme, kt him :tdhcrc t.n it and acco mplish l1i s purpose. Tl1 c wor,.:t
habi t for a speakl'r o r writer to Co rm, i,; tli c l1:1 bit of
retreatin g [1:c.itn t:1sk::; once entered upo11. 1J'l1un! is no
conceivable theme upon which a good article 111:1y n ot
be writ.Len. rI'l 1c choice o[ a snl1.i cct for :i spcci :tl jllll' ·
pose mayinucc1l be fan1ly, and if so shouk1 be cha11 ,'.:(r,l:
at the s:imc tim e more d c pcmls on tl1c gc nins, ~11 1 dy,
;in<l i11tlu s try of the author, than upo n tli e tl1,;111c.
G. '/'/,,. S ·cuJ//l H11lc. - Havin g d ctc l'll1in c<1 in wh:ct
general lo rm tl 1c s u lJjcctsl 1:1 ll lJc t1 iscussct1 - wh eth c r to
d escribe somc)tb in g, o r to prove somctl1in g 1 o r l\) rcl1nt
som<; falschootl , o r si111pl y to plc:csc- //11• 11 ·1'i/1· ,. s/11111(,/
col/cd i1f1,rn21t11"m, rrnrl lh 1J Wjl1t.s, 1{11d }ll'ls, 11111/ ilf11s/nt ·
tion s !1l'ari11;; 011 t/1!' s <d~j1•1 ·/.
Som e auth ors cc1111rnit. lo writin g th ese collf'clions
and pn~ p:crati o n s , rnatl c previous to the m:iin work.
Oth e rs simply im press the m on tbe memory. EiLlicr
practi ce may be carriecl Lonn cxtrrm c. If writing is
solely r d iccl upon, ilie m crnory is not cluly st rength·
encd ; \r lii lc , on tli,; other l1allll, tl1c pen, properly used ,
is tli e most e ffi cie nt ai <l o r tl1 e 111 cmory.
G. ·11 rhril ( ~~c lo ?11U!. ,. rf tl1 e 11cJ!'l.·s of r,//u•1·s, (111 il ['lr1:;i'un",111 .- -Tt is oft en a rn:itlc r o f <lini l' 11l1 _;· t.o a yr11int':
wri !e r t,o ,1dl' rrni1w w l1 c t li l' r or not 11<· sl 1uu l11 rl·ad the
product.ion s nfntlwrs n11 111 1· snl1j cctwl1 ic.l1 li e propoc:r ·'
()

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IU!E 1' 0R I C.

C1/ 0 I CE OF SUBJECTS .

to discuss. lflic r eads whatotu crs have written, it tends
to g ive shape ancl direction to bi s own thougl1 ts, and
it m :ly be dilEcult for l1im to avoid the suspicion of
pbgiari s m. Plag iari sm is th e s tealin g of the cxpres·
sions, :i.ml cspccirtlly th e writt...;n prmluctions, o [' an oth·
er person, ancl p:i.ssing th em off as ori g iual. No ono
can be g uilty of plagiarism and rnaintaiu a ny good
deg ree of self.respect. B esides, the practice must
weaken a writer' s confidence in bis o wn ability .
At the same time, thoughts first expressed by :rnothcr, facts related by him, and even arguments presented
by him, rna.y b e usell without pLtg iari s rn. Illustrations
inay s11ggC'st otbe r similar ill ustra.tions, arguments may
s ugges t ot h er similar arguments. rl'b ere may be an
ori gin al con17Ji;,ation and appli c:ltion of old material.
G enerally , tlic b est m eth od is to gatlicr material of
all kinds miscellaneously, b efo re b eg inning to write,
rn:i.king notes or m emoranda of tbe diffe rent thoughts,
r:1cts, :wd i11nstrntion s, that occur to the mind.
7. Tl1e T J,irrl N ale.-A thorongh plan or skeleton of the
1"11/, 11'l1·•l 1irml//{·iion sli oultl be drmun out, and amenderl till
it /, srtli.~Jl r cto ry , ronl th-is shoultl lie tal.:en ji;r a guidP. in
ro111 1,f, ·l i11;; the p1·ncli1ction.
'J'li c princip:i.l part of the invention will b e accom·
plislie\1 in selectin g th e s ubj ect, gath ering the material,
:1ml constructing the plan. After th is it will be eoml'ar:1livc1.Y c:i.:::y to co1npletc the structure.
8. R''iiimks on th e Choice of Su~jects . - The great
diffienlly which yonn g w riters have in choosing sub_j cC'ls 0f r.fo cou rsc, a ri sC's gen er~ll y fr om a noti on tlrnt
tk· 1:1ets :-111<1 cxpnierl\ -cs with which tlrny h ave be·

come familiar arc n ot suffici ently \li gn ificd and imp o rtant to serve as themes, a!lll th ey am tL1crcforc inclined to select some :-; ubj cct so remo te fron 1 th eir own
observation as n ot to furnis h an ad equate s upply of
material. No theme is too humble fo r one wh o exercises hi s power of observation and tLou ght. Cowper
wrote one of tL e b est poems in the English lnnguag<~
on Tb e Sofa, and ca.lled it, '"rhe Task." D:wlow wrote
an inter estin g poem on "The Hasty Puddin g." T o
a min d stored with th e r equisite knowlcclgc i t would
be as easy, :end prob:cbly more pl easant, lo write an essay on a piece o f g lass, or on a n old nail, as o u virtu e,
or v ice, or tho su n .
L et no wri te r be di scouraged at tlte difficulty, at
firs t, of gathering s ufficient material upon tb e chosen
th e m e. Tb is ·is a difftculty to be overcome by s tudy
and p ractice, and h:i.s often b een keenly fo1t in early
effo rts by those who have afte rward b ecom e p roli fic
writers and sp eakers.
rrhe power of continuous
thou g ht and expression is to be acquired only by
practice.
It is impossible to b ecome an able writer or speaker
without much s tud y .

314

3 15

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3 17

JUJHTOBll'.

ClIAP'I'ER II.
I.:IV ENTlON I N DESC Rfl''l'IO N.

I:; the form er p:-trts of' this book we lrnve noticed
va ri ous k im1s of compositi on, to some o [ wLiclt we re10r :1gain, sim ply to sbow how material is gathcreJ aud
used in actun.l composition.
'['l ie c:tsicst :i,ml most n:i,tnral themes a rc <lescriptive.
!). D j i111.lirJ11 .-Description is a presentation, in Jan·
g uagc, of some object as it ex ists, or is fancied to exist.
'l'hns, fo r instance, a mountain, p1ain, r iver, lake, isl·
:i,m1, house, town, state, may be described. I t is neces·
sary first to obtain full and precise info rmation about
th csul>jcct. 'I'h is may be obtained by seekin g answers
t.o su cl1 rtncstions as, vVhere is it? llow large? consi,1c rin g all the dimensions appl icabl e, as length,
hrcalhh, h eight., population, etc. For what is it pecul·
i:H '? 1'1 i L used fo r any special purpose ? Ilow long
l1 :1s it. ex isted, o r be en known? A rc th ere oth er thing!!
or Ll1 c k ind near it, or suggested to th e mind by it?
JT:is :-tnv g rc:i,t c\·cnt lrnppenec1 near it ?
10. ( '/,1., ,ijic11!1011 <{ /Lems.-Tlaving gathered all the
i11formati on within reach upon the subj ect, and perhaps
prc;;c rv ct1 tl11 ~ items in notes, or written mcmomnda,
tli e next. thin g req uisite is to class(f.i1, or ai·ranr;e the

ite 111s wl1id1 yo u wish Lu prcse 1il , iJJ 1.l1 eir iirvp1; r orde r,
aml tl1 cn proc,;ed to fill out the <l cse riptiun.
'J'!J e lll ind SOOll neq u i rl'S t.J 1c lJOIVCl't iJ US of desc ri bing
an obj cetjidl.'/ a11d cii i1ll!J. l\fony men travel 111u cl1 and
learn little; th ey read much aud rcn 1crnbe r little; all
for the want of method ically arrang ing the separate
ite ms wl1ich they sec, in th eir proper relations.
11. A1t L'.n111111lr: (f Descn/ilice l iicrnl1.011 .-Supposc,
for instance, that it was proposed to write a c1cserq 1tio1 1
of Greece. 'l'l1 c first l:rns in css wou1L1 he to colic-ct i11forrn :tt.io11 and tliout") 1ts, some of whicl 1 would J,c al re:uly in the rni m1, n. n<l some uf wliic li wu11l<l lw J(_,u11d
tl1erc only p:nti:tll y or i11co1nu letl'l.)'. Tl1 l'se tli onghh
sbou ld IJL: jo.Lkd dow 11 0 11 a picc;,; of pnpn, preparato ry
to l>ein g wrougl1t in to an outlin e, o r frame -\1'0 1-I-:, and
migl1t [' rese nt some sncl1 shape as t.11 i:;.
Grer1·c was a srn:dl l''J11 11try.
11

Wa:-'

lllO~t l y

:\

g rnup

ur j ~) a!ld :-i

athl

!l llarruw

CVHtil .

' Vliat were Ili c mai n U i v i :.; i o n ~?
It s 1' ii rnat c w11~ tcn1 pc rat c hut n 1ri0 lt s.
"J\ l o11111ai11 ::.:, ri rcrs , etc .

'\'t·rc t i>c•

JrCo pl e uf Ol> C l';\CC f
' l'lil'ir 11rirn i1i'e ('0 11 ditiu11 - ln1rUa ru us.

) \';1 s Urcc~:c u11e 11 a fi u 11 ?
'\' :1r:->-

forc ig 11 -

i11t e:;t i1 1e.

f'b\·1· :-: .
Th eir l1rn gn :1 gc, literatu re.
1 'hi lo:-: n p l 1er~ - ~1HT;ll c:o, Plat o. i\ ri srotl e.
1\ lililnry 111 c 11 - Lc1 11iida s, Ah.:il)iaJcs, etc .
(>ri1 t o r :..: -

I ) c 111 0 .") l l 1t.: 11 c~.

~parta 11 d111 r a c tc r.

I\ l od crn Greece, etc.

'l'l1 v:-<c th ougl1ts may now be syslc rnati c:illy n ,..
rang .. d, in n11 outli11l', thus :
I. Th e ~izc u11d l1n1n1da ries (1f Greece.
:!. I 't;1·1diar gcogr1q1hi ca l t liarad t~ r a nd di1uat e.

'1

I•.

a I t3

l' A J O.'

JUI E2'0H 1 U.

J.\· J .\' J' /:'.1( /11.\'.

:ll'J

.1\ J'oden1 Grreec i:-; nn i11ten!:o:li11 g country. Tlh: \ tl'HJllt· :ir\' 11 111 :-:o
strong and r1· 111 ark :tl1le a ... i11 :11wi l' 11t 1i111c:-., 11111 ilh'.' ... \'._·.1k a :--i 111il:1 r
l n 11 ~ 11 n g e . n11 d are H·ry 11ro!ld l1f t1 1l~ f;i 111 e o f il tl'ir atw t' :"l tur..:.
1\ !l the
r i ,·il i:r.1:d wur ld wotdd n :j11 i1·p tn :--t'C ll1 L' lll t.:' 111al a11d .-.1 11p:i..:..:, i f p11-- :-: i l1le, lllH.: ic11 1 Green! iu ii :-, paliui c:-i L day:;.

;; . C h11rncler of th e pen plc in e arliest times.
·I. J-lo m oi:;cn city o f peop le .
r,. DiYi si,J ns of people.
G. Th eir langu a ge a nd lite rature.
7. Th ei r hi ~ h c 11ltmc, philosop l1e rs, e lc.
8. 'l'hei1· c hant('lCr in
!J. ~ l udc ru Greece .

"·ai-.

'J'lJ en a desc ription cau be constructed: In uuitiug
the pa rts, ca re must be taken not to sLow tbc senm
too 1nueL, lrnt by tlJC use of co1mectiu g words nod
tl 10 11g lits, kt all be wcld1..:ll toge ther in to 011 c sy mmc~
ri cal prod uetion . Sometimes, however, the transition
be tween two thoughts is so abrupt th at a new parag rapl1 should be made. The finfll shape of the <lcscrip·
tion rni ght be sometl1in g like tl1i s :
( 1.) Grcet'e i.> a 11 nme g iYCll lo a , m ,dl cu untry in th e so 111h -01U1tcm
purr id. l·:11rupl', nea r A:-; i:t 1\tinur, f'arnu11 :-; i11 an c ient hi :; tory. h a
l 101rnd:1ril':-i l1 :l ,·c iw l bee n nlways th e smne, hu t it 111 11y pru1kj rly

lilo'l~l·J .) / 'I T

bo

said ill inclu de the wh ulll 111' that. pe 11 ins 11l1L bc twce11 tho E uxine 1\0d
th e Adri111 ie :-:ea~, nnd th o i :; J a 11J~ in t,he immctl.iute vi c inil y.
U.) f t i", t o a g reat extent., a m ou111ain o 11s coun try, und iH well
w1tte rc cl l1y sm all rive rs. The co11st is lin ed w ith goo1l lrnrbors, and
1hc l'rnl'lc lil'i 11 g in s 11ch a coun try mu st 11 lw11ys hnve been prnctiood
in 11 :1\·igal ion. Th e dimal c , t oo, i; clc lig hLl'ttl, n e ither excessively ht>t
nu r ,·old. n11d lhc soi l i ~ ,·cr y product il'e.
(:l.) 111 11tc 0arlicst ti m es the people arc said to hnvo been bnrha·
rons, (-1. ) l1 11 t they nil spoke on e l:c11g 11 age, or different dialec ts o f on
L111g-11ngc . an d l1ccu mc one uf the 1nost hig hl y civilizetl. pcoplos of an ..
1i'i11i1y. ( .-.. ) I t is 1111fort11na tc, h oweYer , t.h nt tltey w e re tl ividcd into
tril1cs or scc1i 1111 :-:, ~u 111 c 1i111 cs inte nsely h ost il e to enel 1 othe r. Thoy
11 c,·cr, in 1:,.. 1, ltce;111 1<: one n atio n till tl1e ir li!Jcrt ies we re hn11c l0.'lsly
lust.
( 1: .) Th t> :1 11 1·i c n t Greeb \\' Cre f':i111 0 11 s fo r th e ir lite mturo. Their
1:111 g 11a gt' \\a:-: ri1·h and lica111 if ul, a nd they have furnjs h ed to the worJd
rn111 1y 0 1· 1l1 t• 11 ld 1• . . . t pliil.):.;o pl1c rs m ul onttOl'tj. 'vVe n eed but m ention
Sunal l'.' , th e 11111r1.n, l 'lal•J aml Ari :;lot.l e, us philosophers, and Demost licne..:. Il ic 11 11, ;..: 1 f:1111rin :-; of o rators .
( I. ) Thi -. 1•,·11pl e. 1hu11;;h dwe llin g in so s111 a l1 a co untry, rnuinr.a.ined
t.he m ;ch·e> a ~ain s t. all foes l'o r m a ny centuries, fo r they were oxtraort.Hn ari ly l1r:1\' c 1uh.l :-: u t:l'C;j;.; fu l in war.

W e g ive thi s uri cf' anll simple spcei111 c11 tv:;l1 1>w tl.i c
procc:::sof'Inv c ntio11. I ts bw s an.: s i111 ple :t1J1l u11il orn1.

.,.

r

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~

12 . .·I 111J//11:;· Stu/1·11u,11/ ry' tli c f',·uc1·ss 1:f' / 11n·11/ i 1111 .-

Firs L th L·rc rn11 st b e a tlie11w, aroullll wl 1i...:l 1 tli"u µ, l1ts
will cln stc r. ~cco 11 d, th e tl1011g lits 11rnst lie ga1lit-n..: d.
ff already in th e 111i 11d, tl1 cy must l J<..: c11llatccl :tct..:u rclin g 1.u tl1 i.; laws of assoc iation , liy wl1i cl l i.11 •.: 111 \·11 1ury
works. J f nol :lll tl 1(; J'(', ll1 c11 tl1 t..: rl'\\' tl1 uugl1h 11·lii cl1
led Lo Ll1 c sclcc:t iv11 vf th e tl1u11c· 11 1u sl sl 1u11· 111...: w11kr
wh,:rc to gu, o r wl1 at. to \lv, tu (;ollt..'CL tL v11gl1h. (\ ,111·
p:1r isu 11 s, 111<..:t:apl.i o rs, allu siu11s, a1 1d al l otl1 cr Ji g un·s ut'
speech ari s iug, 1n11 st h e uvtice,1; i[ euu 11 L· ·c1 \\'111 ·1l1 y o r
al'p1·111•r i:ttc, tl1 i.;y should b e uscl1. l C11u1, kt ll1 c111 11c
rl'j cetcc1.
18. ! 11IJHii'/<111c< ' 1:/ 'l'/111ru11:1lu11ss in ,11 ··1J1ir111:1 /,~(, ,..
'lllal/1_111. - lL is wel l l\J U SL! thu pc11 t'r(;cly i11 g:dl1i.; ri11 g
i11fiJrtnation. Sorn<..:Li1 ncs fl goocl wri te r \Y ill ,.;pc11d
lio1 1r,.;, a11<.1 Llays, nnd e ven weeks, in culket i1 1g tl 1uu;..:; ltt,.;
and illust. r:lti o 11 s o n a subject, am1 Ll1c n spc1ll111011r,; i11
:wrang i11 g tl1 c111 iu to an outli11 c, n1111 fi 11a lly wr ite vut.
th e essay, or orati on, or uook, i11 fl 111u(;!t sLo ril'r t i111c
tlJ ;u1 was spent. co ll ecLi11 g tlw 111:L1.c ria.1.
'1'111; µ; rent. fault. of' yonng wrik rs is tl1a t tl1,;y clu n o t.
learn to in1·1,11/. 'l'l1 cy try Lowrilc< 11·spL'ak , wi1l111 0L l1·
i11 g lv speak ur write :dJu ll L. (: allie r :il11tll1h11L ni:d, ..
rial first. Do 110L say that tl1i s is impo:;sib le. 1L i:.;
not su.

I

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JUIL'1'UJU l'.

3:2 U

\ \Toulll yo u wri Le abo ut Lhe tow n or ciLy in which
you reside 7 'l'akc a noLe-uook and travel auouL the
town, aud make mcmoranJa of what you see. Reau
\\' ha totL1crs h:11re written auout iL, if you wi sh to. Seek
eompari::;ons, metaphors, etc., that you can aµpropriakly use. You will probably su rprise you rself, aud
yulll' fric11ds, by tLc abundaucc anll accuracy of your
in f\;n nat ion.
1-1. I ~due <f / ),·s1·r1j1li1 ·e H'i·ilinu. -DcseripLions nro
Lhc ki11 Ll or prod11 d ions upon wh ich tl1c young :;hould
wri te, u11Lil tlic:y :w11ui r0 fa0iliLy in the construction of
outl ines, aud in fill i11 g tliem up. Sometimes speeches,
lli:'l.lO;,jUcs, :rn J 0Ll1L'l' k i11 tls of co mposition r:ill be iuLrud 11ce11, i 11 tl10 111 i11st of Ll cscripLions.
lfi . ( iJ11111iu 11. J'/1(·111 es ?nu y be clw0c11 .- I11 the selection
of' TLi cnH.:;; it would Le wcll 1iot t.o slight common subj cds near n.t hand . An olJ oak tree, or any other
pa rLicuh .r tree; a street, or square, or botcl, or factory,
i1t tlic place where you liv e, would richly repay ex:i.in i11 :1Li un; :i.ml of course n Jong and minute examina tion 11111:<t. precede a de:;e ription. 'W hy do young
\\' ri tcr.-:, ur ind eed ::m y but the best-i nformed minds,
fi11 11 it. C'O lliJl\cult to describe LlJC ocean, spri ng, summer, ctc., tl1e sun, Lhe starry heavens? It is been.use
t. bey k11011· so little about them. \ Vby not select subj ects tli :tt they do unclerstanJ? No teacher of yo uth
cn.1t fail to l1:i.v e noliccJ many aspirin g yo un g men who
were vcr.1· nn xious to st.udy eloc uti on before th ey had
any th i11 (:! _to spea l{ :i.bo ut, and rh etoric, without laying
tlic prop1·1· r;1u 11dalion.
I G. I J11iui J118 r/ 11ucon upo1i lite proper Time lo study
1

11'1//o'.\' 81 / U l! LJJ ./:JLHTUH / (.' 111:' S1'CJJ J H JJ. 32 J.

R lu•fr11·i, ., - J,ord Tbco n, in 11is "A1Z,.o,1 rr 11u ul r:/' D ((nr·
":-)c; l1 o lar.~ i11 tllli vcr,.;it 1l',.; eo1 11 t·
too soo n a11Ll too 1111ripe tu Jog ie nml rl1L'lo ri c, arts Jitter
fo r g rad uates tlia11 eL1 illlrcu n. 11 ll 11oviccs; for tl 1esc t11·0,
rigl1ll y taken, arc tl1 c g rnvc::;L of sciences, be i11 g tlie arL
Jf arts; th e one fo r jutlg ment, the otber fo r orna111 cnt;
and th ey he tli c ru lcs :rncl llircctions bow to set fo 1tl1 allll
.ili:-poso matter, a11d tl1 crdure f0r mi)J(ls cmpt.y :uHl u11·
frau g l1t with rnaLLc r, :l!ld wl.1icli liav c 1tot.gat.l 1l'!'cd Lli:1t.
· wl1id 1 CieL·ro caJlctLt :>!flea aml sup('//,,,,., stu ff am1 \' ariet.y, tu lJCg in with tl1osc a.rt.s (as ifo 11c sl1011ld lt ·ar11 to
wcigli , or to rn casull., o r to pai11t t.l1 e wintl), dutl1 \l'(' rk
but thi s cff<.:cl, tliat. tl1t; wi sL10111 of tliu:oc arts, \\'l1id1 is
great a11Ll universal, is :d1nost rnatlc co11le11q itiLk, a1 td
is dcgcneratcLl in to eli iklish sop hi stry aml riLli culuus
afl:.::ct.ation."
It <l ocs not follow t.liat yo ung pnpils sl1oul11 not lie
trai11 cL1 to write ::ind speak. IL is an idle theory , and
porn icious i 11 i ls dl'ccLs, lo postpone all st mly of' rhetoric till the cont:lusio n of' edueali on-- l)Ut early sliuuld
a ll ll'ar11 the fac t., tl1:d. tin· rullr·r/1',m o/ i1~/ rn11ulim1, w1rl
of t!to11:;M, ,:~ lite ;p·utlcst a11d mus/ e!iSr;1llit1l 1cur/.; lj' 11.

i11u,'' H uuk 1., "ays:

I·'

'lCi'l°fr;· U JI!( S)J1·(l /.·e 1'.

17. T l1•'111 1:s in IJ,.,,cl'ljilio11 .-For practical exe rci se
we sul>j oin a li st of sulijects npon wh it.:11 stutll'nts may
exe rcise tLeir in gcinuity , and would reco rrnn e11d tli at
each person collect infor mati on anrl class if.y it in a11
outl in e or sk ctcl1 , and co mpl ete an essay on at least
two of th e follow ing tu ern es. IL would be wel l tu
w ri t.c nn :ill of th em.
l. i\. Description of my Native St.ate.

02

·,

JUJ L'TUH IC.:.

2. 'l'b o Great Am erican D esert.
0. rrh o Mississ ippi Vall ey.
4. 'l'bc Falls of Niagara.
5. Th e Wbite l\Iouutains.
G. 'rh o Gulf of Mex ico.
7. Re lics of Pre-historic Men in America.
8. Oa k Trees.
9. 'J' hc C iLy ul' \Vashingtou.
10. 'l' lic :::iuprerne Co urt o f the United States.
l l. 'l'h c hrgesL Hail way in tl.te Count ry.
1:2. 'l'h e B il>lo.
U . A Ilivc of Honey-bees.
1-L B eavers aml their Customs.
J Ci. An cit; nt I3::i.bylo n.
l G. A S l1ip of' ·war.
17. Tli c Steam En g in e.
18. '11 l1c Pyramitl s.
10. The Seven Vv onc.lers
tl1 e Ancient Worltl.

or

.L\" J' F.Y'l'/U _Y ! .V N.-1 /U ! ,1 T/IJ .\".

CITAP'rEH. III.
rNVE::\ 'l'lON I N N _.\.HHA'J'IONS.

18. ]).fu 1it1.'011. - NAH11 A'J'.lON S embrace hi sLori c::tl
vvriLi1w,;
Jr eve ry. r.rr. r:tele. '!'li e hi o•rl1cst ta k11t l1a,; fuun tl
n «
J'ull scop e in tl1i s kiml ofwritin g. lL11aL11rally J\1lluws,
it' imlectl it does not acco1npany , Dt·sc:ri 11 Lion,;. lfaving ckscril>ctl an oLj ect a:> iL is at o ne 1no111cnt, i L i s
natural to clescribe the ch an ges w l1ich it unclcrgocs.
N ar rntion d eals p rincipally with pe rsons, tl.rnu g!.J it
embraces only actions and things.
19. /,rues of f n l'rnl iuu 111i11licu&lt, l•J .i\ (t,.n!li1.11is.-Tltc
laws of IuventioH with refc rcnce to Nai'J':l,Lion arc, in
prin ciple, prcci :-;ely th e same as witl1 rcferc ucc to Desc rip tion. I11 botb, g reat ca.re mu s t.Le taken 11ot to
Ll wcl 1 too much Oll unimportant facts or object:;, and not
to neglect what is really essential. If a painter end eavor::; to crowd too much on the canv as, h e confuses
tlt c attention and spoils the picture. Great skill crm
110 acqu ired by practice in irntking a narrative viv id.
20. S •J11 W Pnt clicu l /Jirecl 1.u11,.- Jt is a profit:il'1 e exercise lo narrate occu rrenccs in 0 11 e's own Ii isto ry or
•rn clt)r l1i s own ol>sc rvation. Has tltc: seltool with wlti cli
li e is co 1111 cclL'1 1 li nd no hi story? Could li e not learn
a ;;erics o l' facts aho 11 t it, by stutlv , that woukl l>e i11-

; I

>: ; f , ' '
'

~I

/,'_\. .Ll[f' L N

!t.IUC'l 'U h' ! (:.

tercs ting to all? \ Vhy not wr ite Lli e hi story of tbc
town for just te11 years? It is well Lo !Call tl.n.: history
of w rn e person ag1.\ tuke abuml::w t noks, al\<l then write
uut a sketch witliout once consu lti ng th e book <luring
tl1c writin g.
In a previ ous part of the book we have Rpokcn of
tl1c H..:vcn.: lal.Jur of some hi storians in gathering mn·
tcri:tl al\<l i11 funn ing tlIL:ir sty le. Some or th em have
spc11t 11 1al\y _yea rs, al\J many tho usands oC dollars, in
what may be called the process of J nvcntion - in fiud ·
in g, not making, th e in fo nn ation, altd in originating
and preparill g the ill ustrations wh ich they employed.
T /11 · ;1r1!/11'!"i11;; 1!f ?1Wl1~ri1tl i"::i the most i·mporta11t p art of
l/11 · 11 ·ud· •:/ a 1critcf" or sp ea!.·1'!".

J 11 arra11gi 11g the mate rial be may foll ow the cbrono·
log ical order of' events, if be pleases, or be may arrange
w l.iat be bas to say so as to prove some o ne principle,
and neglect all the facts that do not apply to tbat, or
he may select some one pro mi nen t cLnracLer an cl mak e
all the events cluster about: him.
2 l. .-1 ,\j1cc imcn f!f 1iwc11.lion ·i11. Descr1j1tion from lJiac·
a11luy.- J.\s a specimen of li fe -li ke narrativ e, we give a
brief ex lr:iet from M·acanlay, in w bi ch he commences
tl1 e relatio n oC t!tc g reat trial of Lord llastings. ·v ie
hav e no 1nea11,; of k nowin g wh eth er be prev iously
f1.Jr1lll'<l :rn outl in e of this narrntive or not, but if not
wri t.te n, it must l1av c existed in lii s min d, in some sucl1
f.mn :-is tl1 is :
\\' 1"'1 l1:i d l11q1pc11 cd before ill thi s great hall.
'.!.. ~11nv 1111 dill g c in· 1 1111 ,.; t a11c· c ~ -- 1nilit:iry pu1np- 1J1 e peers-royalI . T !,. · J>l:i<"<' .

ty.

('f l'.

::. Tli t• g:d le rics- ludi cs- q11 ec11 , e tc.

PH (I .If ,[J..l (.' A II LA l ' .

4. TT O\V fin s1i11 g:-: lo<d..:cd- 1i nlc n1nn !), 'J'l 1e trial.

Bu rke 's

a gre fl l man , C'tc' .

~iiee4.:l1 - ib l'lrt.:(' I.

Th e i111 pead1mc11t.

\\Tc g ive now a r,~ w par:1g r;1pli s or Lord "\hc:tub_y':;
filling o ut of thi s s kct<.: 11.
"T he pl ace wa s \\'f1rd1.1 · uf sncli a 1rial. lt \\'il S 1be great l1:il l of
\\'illi a m Hnfn ,; ; th e l1all whi ch l1<1d resu n11d ed 11 i1h 1tcd1111a1i ,.11 ,; Ill
th e i11a 11 gurati on uf t.l1ir1y kin g.-;; tli c hall wh it h had wit11e:-;scd tli . .: ju:-; t
se 11Ll'n<:c of Baco11, a11d tli c j11 sL aiJsoltlli ou ui' Sorn crs ; the li:dl \\' here
th e c loqu enrc o f ~ t;1 ft'n rd l1 11d for ·a m o me nt awcJ and rn di cd a ,·ictoriou:; party i11fLuned wirh :t ju st r ese11 tm e11 t; t.li e h1il l wh ere ('l1arlc:-;

J1 ad co 11front cd rliu lii gli cuul'l of justice wit h tlie pln <.: id cu 11r:1 ge wli icli
h ns half redeemed Iii., li1lll e.
"~eit h e r milit:ny rnir t i\'i l pomp wn ~ wa ntin g:.
Tl1 e a n ·nu e;-; were
li11 cd " i 1l 1 grenadi ers. The :-:.trcc ts were k epi dear \,_,. (':1 ,·alr_L Tl1 e
pee r ...:, r1J i1('d in guld a11d c n ui11 e, were 1n ar:--lt:dll·d liy tli e heralds 1111d !.!r
tlic g arl er ki 11 g - a 1- ann !" .
'flit• j 11 d gcs i11 rli eir ,. L~:'!l m e 111 s o f ~! : lfe, at.te: 11ded t11 ~ i n~ a1h·icc 1111 p1d 111.-; 111' law.
N ea r a l11111dr(!d a nd :-iC \·c11r\'
l111·1b, 1liree- fu11rtli s 11f 1l 1e 11p11er h1111.-;c, as th e llJ 1per J1 111 1 ~e 1h c 11 \\H ;,
walked in sol enlll 11rd er fro 1u tli pir 11 s 11al pl ace v f a S:il~ 11ilJ !i11 g Lu th e

trilu111 nl. * * * *
"The g ra y uld 11·:tlls ll'Crc hun g wit h scarlet. Th e l1111 g g:ill c ri e ~
we re c rowded l)y s11 1.:h a n u11 Ui c11 i.;c as !ta~ rarely cx<.: il ed the fL·Hr~ or
th e cn 111 ln1i crn u f a n o rator. Th e re w e re g a1h cred toget her fr 1nn al l
pnrrs o f a ~ rea t , free, c 1ilig lit e11 cd , and pru:-.. 1•e ru11 ,-; rc:drn , gral'e Hild
f~ Jl)al e ,,,,·cl i n e;-;~ , w j t. and le:1I'll i11 g, t I IC reprcsc 11ta I j \'CS or e \'1;rv s1 ·i e11 cc

arn.i nf crcry ill't. Tli l' n.~ \\' t~ rc sea ted around tli c 'lucen tl1 t.! ti1ir-lwircd
da11 g ht ~ rs of the h u1bi..: 11 1' Bn111 sw it·k ."

'l'b en f'ul lows a long Ll esc ripti o n of R cynolcls th e
painter, :incl Parr t.h c classical scholar, a nd severa l
other notecl personages who were prese nt- all of
which slt ows the wond rous amount of inform ation
whid 1 Macaulay storcl1 np on a subj ect before he b c;;an t0 wri te abo nt it.. II"<.: tl1 en ailc1s :
"The

sc r g-c;l !ll s n111dL~ pr ol'la m :11io11 .

liar and l1e11t Iii :-' k11< 'C!.
gn ~at pre~e iw e.

Ha::: tin gs ndnu1 re<l to tl 1e

Tlrt~ culprit \\';is in deed 11 ot u11w11nli y of' that

I le !uni rul ed n.n ex tensiven 11J populu11 s cu 1rnt. ry , had
inaJ <: l:l\\'s nn d 1rc;t1i es, had sent forth a rmi es, ha d 'ct up i111d J>ulletl
d1)\\· 11 prinl'e~. And i11 Iii :; lii gli 11laee li e liad HJ borne lii111 ~ c l f tl1 :d nil

::~ti

/JI:

ii ad r.·ared him, t li rtt m ost h:ul lnvctl hi111 , a111l hatrecl i1 so lf con Id detIJ
l1im 110 title tu glory, except vi rtue . I-le look e1l lil.:;e n g-reut nrnn, nntl
11 .. t like a ha d m an . A pcr~ o 11 small and c irntt: iat ed~ ye t d cr iri11gt.lig11i 1y frulll a ('arrin gn wl1 ic l1, wliile it. i11dica1ed dct'e n ~ 11n! to lh t\ <'0111'1.

/ ' /( I \ ,\/.I .\ .. '

/' 1; I I I

j

I

rn ottv u11Jc:r vnG ul· Li;:; i11eL11rc,.; a l. ( '. a ki1tL1, a1 "l liw

\\'unls 0i' -Burke ia n1aki11g
(:;-;1. ·: 1]''- . \

i:1-< 1·\·1.

:lliil

:Lli

ti11; i11qi c : u:i1111~·11!-t 1rJ: i: 1 11 .~

;ll"\·

111:lL..: l 1:ul \ ·1 l 111

tl 1· ir l ''' 'l '' r

i!l di~ ·: t !t'd :1 1:-11 i1al.i111;d ... di'

1•n -..:_. : e ..: ...;i1111 all•l :-'.l' lr n .'"J1C ("t; a l1i;...'.l 1 1111 .\ i11
1vll1·!"!11;tl f; ,rl'l H«td, ;t l1 r11 w l•t·n ..: : i\"Ci h11t not g l1 ,omy , n ri11J1!1l1 1.1 f in
fl cx ilile tlcc i:·-i•J ll , n faee pale antl worn, Uut sc reuc, un whi ch waH writ·
1e11 , a ...; k gil.Jy as und e r the g reat pi cture in th e co11n f· il -dhunher, 'rl
111 i 11d 1·: 1li11 :1111id dillin d ties.' ~11d t \\' [t::) tl1 u as11ecl, witli w hi(; h 1li o.g-n;at.
l'r. w11 11--1d prt':-.(' 111t•1l lii 111 :-- 1 ~ lf 111 tl1c jwl ge~ .
"The 1·li:1rgc:-; :tllll th e :ui:-;wcrs of 1fasti11 gs were fir~ t r e1L(l
Thi ~
1'L·r(·1t 1111r y 01·r· 11pi1: d 1 \\ - ti " ·hole \.LL)':-l, and W•l" re.11dt<:t'e1l le~ s tcdi"u .;i
11I a n it ntl1crwi =-- n ,\.1)1dd li:l\·c·. l1 pe 1t l1y tlit ~ :-; il ve r vo i<'e n11d j11 J" t. <'mpJi11 ..
:- i ~ 1J f' Cuwpc:r, the clerk. vf tlH! c vurt, a uetu r e lati ve v f t\1 0 ill11 i11blc

~llC('C·<><l<' d nn h e f·t ,• r.

poet.

al;o 1·c .

lJ•"

,;c riptio11, wiL11 out !ir;;L g:1Ll1t:ri11g Ll1 0 111 aleri~d - lw
1vo u lc1 li;t \'1: cl1>11c ;i;-; L1:Lic 11-rit.crs gc111..:1 aily d", :111•;
~:~.

pruli1lc \\·i·jtc r hy

' ' On 1h(· t\1irrl 11:.y TI11rk<'\ rnse ."

After a lvng clc~crij>t i0n ofl 1i:-; sp ~' cd1 a11cl i l,; died,;,
tl1c ll~llT:l LLV C Luu::; c l1_"'-cc' :

111

:1

1~) 1l v\1,· i11 g the cn:ir~1..~

]'l_'<" .. !!:111 ·· : . ·1 1

.\

lci.Lnd:1Lt'1t c'\u1·. ~ , l j .-..'.l. 1·. 11 !\•.·111 ·1 !~1·11 ·

.1ai111 11 \·aughau, h 1.: g1\·c;-; 1i 1c l1•liu11111 ,!.:. ;1•1\·11_.,_·:
~~

2

-..u~·

" :\ t !1·11 !.0h dit• vr:!l11r 1'11il1:l11dl!11. · l~11i;-ill g i1 1:i \oi1 · 1~ !ill iht~ uld
11r1 ·L"- ,;r : -1 1 11:1k r ~ '·,d : 1nd··d. ''l'!11 1r(·fqr1 ·, ' ~ :1iil l 1\·, 'l1 111h !1 \\itli
all 1·u1!1id._·n('l' licen o rd1~n.>1I 1,_,. the ( ' nn1rno11:-: cit' f:rr· :1! Hrif:1in, rh nt I
irnpca1·li \Varren !lastings of high cr im e~ and. mi sde111 c1 u1vrs; I. im~
peat.: li liiu1 in tl1e n:unc v f t! 1e Cun1tuu11 s Jluu ~e uf l'arli1.I1uett l, \\LL1 0: 1~
Lrn , 1. li e Ii: " betr<tyecl. I i111 pear.h him in tile rn1111 c oi' 1.lic Enl.(lish
na tio n. wliu:-:e a1H.: i~~11t li uuor:-: lie l1a:;; 1-1 1dlied. l i1.11 pe1uJ1 .l1i1u in the

"\\.i1a1, I 1•;rn1iii

Li11 · 1c· l~1 1 ·c

l"«C v ::11 111 ::• i ;. , 1 • i: 1

tliat Lct(.>rc \·uu siL du\ri i Lu \V l'J lc uii :lli _\' ~lllJ. ll'C[

'.',.(J~i!•. l ;-.:. JlC'~i~i :--;. (J ;!h.;

d :ry :- ·

:tL tile S: Ull(' fi1111,'. iii

Il l

CUli~!dl 'l"! l~'-'·

l t. [

1

lt\ l !

I:' .

y· 1ll

". I~ · •\':ll

:-:l11 1 1·t l!illi~ , i'\' ~·r\· ti1ull.'....';! L

\': i 11··1 t

ucGur::; Lu yuu a;; 11ru11 1~ r to 111a k c; a j1;11· L ul· .11•1.: r i;;.
tc 11ci c tl jll\.'l'\.'. \\ .il t.' ll }"ll lt:L\'C Li111,; 1,J1t:i1::1 ·· i :, '"'' .
lcct1u 11 u !' tlic i.l1ut1_:....:·l11:---;, l'.\::llt1i1ic tl11·111 l ·:tr1· l.11 , I\ \\ 1:] ;

ll:lllll; of t l l t~ j)('11p\ e of !11d ia, \\· 110:-\U ri g ht.:-> lie /i a:-; ln.Hidu 11 llJld ' I" l~ml 1
1111d nl11, -.1· 1· 1it t1 11ry hr • 11:1 :-: lttr11cd iut u a (_k-.:ert.
Lnstly. ill the 11 : rn1l'
11f liu 1n :11 1 11n!lll"•~ ii ..;t•ll', in 111c 1li11ll 0 () ( h,qJi :-0('. Xt· ~. ill till\ ll ;HIJI' 11 f

tlt1s

li11,[ 11'i1i1:i1 1d tl11·111 1;; j1l1·) "' 1'1.' I !11 ! ... ·
i:1·.,:f LO Lil l; Ii1i11d u !" 1 ll\ " l" l ": t 1 ! l '/'; 111:t! it 1 ·. /)• :1 ,,:. .:

Vi l'\\" . LO

p r c~CllLL'd

11u;;;;1:s;-;c·.l ul" tl 11U, 111:ty Ix l1dk r d1~i' ' ' ·' •-··l lu 1·1 ·1 ·1·1 11:
wl 1aL yo1 1in lcm1 fu r Lli c: ;;cco nd; and thus I 11·ould l1a\·c.;

c\c1y a g 1• 1 i11 tlit ~

11:11ne of C\·· e ry ran k, l i111pca cl t 1.lio ,·urn1nv 11 e11c1.11y
a11d PJ'pn.:~-..11 r 11r nil.
l!

2~. l.'• 11 1wis 0;1

tlw ubove E,.eccmplc.- In cxamnnn g
ca rcl1 ll Iy Ll 1 is, one of the m ost i in pressi vc narratives in
the la11 gu:igc, olJscn-c tlte full 11 css of information garncrccl up I '.Y tlic Listorian. Ile weaves in numerous
littl e inc ilknts and fr1.cts, nml makes them all tell.
lio\Y 1n111.J.t 11,~ 1'1 1011·:-> alJout Lli t: 0kl l1 all t .J\ l1 wl:v
\l'c·n· prcsc111, Lucir pn:v ious lives, tl1t; ;; i;ou uC Llte gal ·
le ri c;;, Ll1c: dress ol' l111: ladies, the ap pearance uf 1l1n

'f'l,,. f ',·u 1·/i1 ·,· 1:/ /J,·. F1·u11U i11. -- I lr. I '.1·11.i :u11111
;t corrccL a11tl cl u< j lic·1d. :u iu

[<ra11 kl 111 rnadc: i11n1,,;cil.

you p11t :1, figure lJc fo rc cacl 1 tli o 11 ghL to ma rk its fot11rc
pb cc i11 your co 11q Jus it ion . }'<J1' :-:o n· ,·ry j'l'<'vd111g
cum]'C>:oitiuu 1Jl'c'p:u·i11g Ll1 c rnind f<>r Ll1at \1·Li\'li is lo
fullvw, and tbc r cac1c r uCLc n :rnticipa li ng it , be procc111s
wi t li c:1se a11 cl plc:1:011rt: and a pp ro l1al iv11, :'ts ~· ,~c 1 :11 1 1 .<c:
~";l1 l 1tiJ 1J;:1 :; \.;

' ..-:t~ .
~
-~
,-

[ , ·. llh·\ · l

li! ;-; (1\\"]I

i_) 1 1 .l l l ~ 1 1:-: .

l it

tl tl>· J1 \ 1 1 ·~L'

\-<111 l i :l\'<'" t · l1:111c(' (:: 1r : l Ji~~!'!;'C l p1 ·r i1!1:l·11 l 1l1 : l l t'Ca1i ~~ 1 · 1

t.l 1t ~ rn111d 11.Lt.c 11d111_c-: lir:; L Lu !.Lil' :-\;l11.1111,·11b ;1:•.icc" 111"', 1

~

.

BHJCTOJUC.

to the method alone, each part is likely to be better
pcrfi:.mned, and , I tuink, too, in less tirn c."
2-l. ,'.'11 fyi:cls fur E.1.:crci0c. -vV e subjoin a list of subj cct.s Cur practice in n::i. rrativc.
1. Tl1c Disco very or America by Columbus.
2. Th e I,:u1ding of the P ilgrims at Plymouth.
3. Tb e Detection, rrrial, and Execution of Maj or
A1 11lrc.
-±. '.!'li e Passage of the Det.:laration of InJepen<lencc, in 1'77 G.
5 . 'l'!tc l3:1ttlc of \ V::i.terloo.
G. 'l'he Dc:1th aml Funeral or Abmham Lincol n.
7.' rl'lte D:1ttle of 13 un ke r Hill.
S. 'l'hc Durning of Moscow.
9. r11 hc Di scuss ion between Hayne and W ebster
in t11 c ~\ mcri c:rn Senate.
lU. T li c Salem 'Wi tchcraft.
11. 'l'he Battle of N ew Orleaus.

.:llJ.'iTl!il. r; T SUJJJJ·.' l "1'8 .

I'

CHAPTER lV.

, 'I

Dn'EXTIO'.\' J .'r AB:-3T1L\C'I' S UBJECTS.

25. D (/fic11ll!J ·i n the I nucst1jatim1 of A z,,,/,.url Sul~/d'/s .
- \VHE-" we pass fro m subj ects that m:1y b e l1"11u111i·
natcll ex tc rnal, the fads co ucc nii 11 g w Lieb arc obt:ti 11<:d
uy Ull e xerci se of the SCllSCS, LO ti1 0SC uf :1 purely lll t.: 11·
tal ch aracter, \\' Ce nter a range of th ought wbid1 is developed later iu life, :1ml not very lal'gcly, except i11
tl1 o::;e wLoaequire n liucral cuucati un, cilhl'. r Ly :-:pcc1ul
effol'L O I' ns Lite r esu lt of th eir oec upaLil) ll.
2G. /("'f 11is il1 ·s jiJJ· f 1//:l'liliu11. 1111 .) 111-fr :\11l:;"ds . - 'Tl1c
g reat l'L·q11is ilc is elosc a11L1 eo 1111 cclcLl tl_1 c.rngli L llJ">11
tb e snbj cct ; aml the proper mctl1 rnls of' 1.lto11 gl1t :1rr;
tan g li t, 11ot in :t 11lil'Lo ri c, h11t i11 Ll1 c'. sc icncL·s J'(' ,~ jl('cl·
ivcly Lliat em brace tl1 i.; snLj ec t. H o w coulJ one write
or speak extens iv ely or vi go ro nsly 01 1 memo ry, 1111 ·11·
tal :tssociation , vol ition, or any such tl1 cmc, wl10 i1atl
not stu11i cd Mental l' l1 ilosopl1y? H ow c011](] 01w t rt ':tt
in a rna:-:k rl y rn:u111 c l' such :1 sulJjcet :1,.; clcct ri citv, J11 e·
cli:u1ical 111otio11, 01· 1nacl1incr.)', wl1() liad 11ot :-:l.1 1d i1 :1l
N·atur:ll Pliilosnpli y? Ho w C•!LllL1 one wri ti.; o r ~p1·ak
aLly upon fvorl, 110i:;t)11 s, 11 c:11Ll 1, 1li scasc, di et, wl1u 11 :111
not i11v c,:igak< l l'l1 y,;io lt)gy? !low l't111hl 011,; 1nii<'
an able 1li::;.<c rt [tLiu11 on in sanity, ur i1 l io1;y, wlio di ,]

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not understand both Ph ysiology aml Mental Philo' opl1y '? l gnor:.ui ce is th o g reat foe of efficien cy. A bun.
da11t knowled ge is the oxhausl1 css fo untain of a good
speake r or writer. That the fo untain sl10ul<.1 be ex·
hau stl...:ss,strcarns must r un in ward as well a:; outward.
'rlterc must Lo faithfu"J, constan t industry. Iuvcntion
can not create rmv materi al, and raw material is al wnys
usctl up lJy acl~1 al bbor.
27. )fo,-1: than !11/o rmation nece0sary.-Sti 11 tli crc uro
som e men, cncy clopxd iac in info rmatio n, wlto can not
cornmaml t beir resources and put thei r information
in to sLape, and tbis is often the result of not knowing
how t.o use i11formation, so as to bring it Lo bear on nn
end in v icw.
20. J>m clic((L Ui1·cclions.- In consideri ng a s ul~j ccti
iL is well to inquire first, wlu:re it resides, how Jirr it ex·
tcmls, lww lony it h:i.s cx istcc1. 'rlien, how g reat is its
pow er. l s it usefu l or perni cious? If botli, when
aml wl1y j,; it the one, aml when aml why t he other ?
Ts it ofLc11 co11rou11dcd witl.1 some otlter sulij ccl '? If
so, wl1at, and why , and how? lias it nny special ap·
plic:at iu11 to :i.n y crn1 y ou have now in view? Is it
co1111l'•:tcd with linman condu ct? Can you make it
ap1w:tr :i.ttractivo, or <li sagrceable, by nn y comparisons
o r ill ustrati ons ? I s tl1 crc any method by wlti cl1 you
ca n in tl1 c prosecuti on of the subj ect appeal to the pas·
sio11::; of' yo ur hearers ?
'l'Li o~e arc but :i. few of the m:i.ny questions tLat a
wri te r rnay bea r in rn iml wlien he is colleetin g iuforrna·
tio11 :1.11d tl 1tlt1 g l1t.-', aml :i.rrang in g tl1 crn, preparnto ry to
th e: c:o 11slntd io1 t of l1i s prod uction.

33 .1

29. E .campli.:. - L et tli c alistraet tl1 eme, pat ri otism,
fur i11 stan ce, Le ::ickctcll as the sulij l'.d or :ll l C::i~:ty, allll
exarnilled accorL1i11 g to the aliove r1u cstio11 s, aud a1 1
outline like tL e following could be com;tructcd .

: :1

: ;.;:

·~·

J' 1\ ' l'I :IO T! S~ l.
Pntri nt i ~ m , nr tlt c l oYC uf nnc's o wn c o nntl'y , is ne;trl y if n ot q11itL~
a t111i \'e r.-: al p a;.; _..: iu n.
lt. h :ts l1ce 11 111: 111 ifl!:-: 1ed fro m tl1 c e;1rli cst times [ Ilc l1re wf', Gr e(;i~u1 ~.
H om ans, Fren c h , ~wi :-:s, En g li ~ li , .Arn crican :-;-u r a ny 11 th cr:-;].
Jt:-; lH.1\\·e r , a s C\' ill <-Tll i11 wa r, in diplun1•H ·y. E\"cn a 111 011 g ~aYa gt.:s.

[Look np some in stan c.:cs i11 hi story to illu :;trnte th i;:; .]
] 1:-; gnod c ll'ccts in lead i11 g CYcry 11atio11 to try tu eXl'CL

:--;how smn c lxul effee ts wl icn not: re g 11L lt"C1..l. [C 1t :--a r cn1s:-.ing tlie
Tiuhi co11 . l\:q1ule1J11 's e:un pai g ns in )\11 ~s i a nnd Fgy pt.]
Tru e t•alrioti :' lll sl1t1tdd 11 o t lie l'O llfu und cd \ri1l1 w11 /;it irJ11, nor witl t
ntt em 11t 10 ex alt a ; wrl v f a nat ion o,·cr otl1er JHIYI:;. t\peuk () f rebl'ili o11 mid (' ivil wn r.
Cum1iarc it to lo rn fur mcmhc rs uf th e sa me famil y-to cuhcrcncc
of tl 1C p:1 rb (J f OllC :-;tTllt..:lHn.: tugctJi e r , 'flS o f a l1 0 11 se- tO t!t e llllioll
betw ee n ditl'cre11t orga n ~ of th e :mnie Lody- tu tl ie ldo11d 4·ireul at illg
tlirP11 gli th e body g i Y i11 ~ l ife to tlw w hole, cte.
Heil: r l o 111 otl!l lll e ll ! S erected l o l11111 o r l1ra n• pa! ri11h :ind tt:-.ct'nl
nH·11 :i nd wo 111 c 11 , l1 y n a ti un s.
Vind s11 rn 1', und g i,·e t l H· i 11st r ipti1J t1 S 0 11

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1w11<·c, as \r t ll
\\'a ...; Frn1;kli11 a !'Hl l'i(Jt 't \\ ' ;1 :-. lftt wnnl :1 11atri u1 't l°I(' .
C ID:O: L'. witl1 an iq1pJictlio 11 of tli c stil>j cc t tu present cin.: 111ustn1wcs.

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war.

30. 1'/ic l Vi ·iter sho1dd invent ?11; w }.fod1's £11 //u_· l'rescnl1l/ion ~l ,')'1d:jccts.- It is not well fo r a writer or
spc8.kcr to confin e himself to any model in forming a
plan of his producti on. Dut th e above will sho w
tL at the questions rccomrnernled will put the mi nd
upo n a track that will be likely to lead to :i. thorough
treatmen t of a theme.
3 J. ,·I /, isl rf /\'u!:/ecl::; fj; · P ractice. - ·wc subjo in a
br ief" !isl uf abstract SllUj eds in which the stur"k 11 t c:111

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exercise bis powers of inv ention . In all cases let a
full outl ine be prepared , auJ g ive much a ttention to
tL e collcc;tion of information and illustrations.
1. 'l'he Power nm1 Abuses of Faith.
2. rl'lic Effects of Labor.
3. A H,,;p ubl ican Form of Government.
-1. 'l'bc Invention aml Use of Steam-power.

5. :Moral Cou rage.

6. rr11c E 11 gl isl1 Lan g uage.
7. 'l'he Magnetic Tclcgr::tpb .
8. 'l' hc jyfissionary En tcrprise.
0. Tbe Power of Music.
10. Tbc Effects of W ::tr.
11. Ancient a11d Modern Oratory .
12. 'l'ltc Importance of Hestraining the Passions.
13. J..lcntal Hcfi nement.
H. Radicali s m.

15. Value of Ilcnlth.
P ower of Heat.
17. l\1 ilit:iry Ambition.

11).

Hi. l ~11Ll1u s i asm .

JS VE.VT JON I N DISCU/:18

r oss.

CIIAPTER V .
lNVE:--<TlON IN

DISCUSSlO~S .

32. I'ret:alcncc of D i.)Cllssi'ons.-l\I n·u

or tl1c writing

nrn] speaking of men in actual life is argrnnent:1tiv1:,

:i.rn1 a l:trgc part of tl1 is is di sc ussion in courl.'-', o r delibe rative o r legislative bodi es. Ev en when an :1d drcss is maL1c, or a se rmon is preacLecl, very f'requ en<ly
it is ::trg nrn c ntativo, :tttemptin g to prove wliat i,; kno\Yn
tu be disputed, and it partakes, th erefore, of' tl1c cl1a racte r o f ::t ui scuss ion, i11 wl1id1 o ne party 011ly is present.
It becom es a ma llcr of g reat importance lo k 11ow liow
m ost e ffi ciently to in vestigate a :-cubjcet Lli1u11 n·Licl 1
div e rse opini ons :i.rc entertain ed.
:33. '/'/,,• Fi1·st l/1r1111'., itc i11 a .D1:,,·ussirm.-In ::t di scussion, tl1 c first rcr1uisitc is a clea r understandi ng of tlic
r1u\'stinn at iss ne. Many questions are so loosely and
a1nlJig nou;ly stateu tl 1at no tboro ugli di scussion of
them is poss ible. Di sp n t.:·tnts, even d efom1 ing tl1 c s:t mc
s id e, m e not considering tl1e sam e subject., ~.n c1 may
t1i:u 11 ct ricall y oppo,;C'1l to c'.1ch oi li e r. ·w lic n duty rcquin;s the di scuss ion
:111 y s uel 1 p roposit ion, :rn dfort
s l1 011l d he made lo show tl1c ambi g nit.y or incolicrcnc'.y
of th,, tli cn1C', and to put. it into d efi nite shape, and c1ctcrminc j ust wLat y ou propose to affirm, and what yon

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propose to deny. A cri tically correct uso ofln.ngu
is essential to the proper statement and enfo
of trutb .
3-1. Discuss-ions nevert/wless p ossiU(', witli a ckq,.
1n1dustwaling of 'f'crms. - Somo q uestious nro •·
swe rcd by strict definition, but th ere nro mnny qu
tions upon whi ch a d iversity of opinion exist.~, (UJ<l
upon which there m::ty be proutable discussion ov n
though both parties u nderstand the terms in tho 11am
sense.
3G. Example. - S uppose, fo r instance, th o q UC8tion
:trises, as it often has before legislative, nnd ju\li i I
allll mili tary bol1 ies : Shull duelling bo regnrdod
mun1er? It is necessary first to dcfin o duelling ~
curnt.cly, so as to distin g uislt it from ordinnry qu!U"relli ng, even though with :-in intention to l ill ; from
assault and batte ry; from a malicious plotting 1:1 crelly
to t:-ike the life of another; and the clement of th
voluntary exposure of both parti es to death mu11t not
be left out of account. '1.1 hen mu rder must b ddinod
\Yilli equal care. If both parties can agree on th
d,)Ji11i tion:·, it is we11 ; if not, each party must cnden.vor
Lo show that his view of th e meaning of th e qu tion
is correct, and carry conviction on that point to bi11
hearers, if possible. Slionld an agreement exist on
th e meaning of the terms, there would still be room,
on th is subj ect, for a d iscussion th:<t wou ld involvo
111a11_y nice and profound investigations in mom)~
poli tic:-<, :-iml religion.
It is the provi nce of logic, not of rhetori c, to clns.
:-<i(y Llit ~ kinds of :-irg umcntaLion. To find or inv nt

R U LL':i

Tu JIL' U JJ SJ:' li VH/.J .

arg urnenls, 110 ru le can he g iven. IL is th e product
of pnrc tl io ugl1t. A u umkrstauding of 1h e subj,:ct
impli es tb cir r·:.:i stc.: nce.
3G. T he 8 ·1·mul l.' 1if, , iii l h0c11s;;ion 0. - 'l' lic secon d
rule in di::;cus;:; ion is tu c11dcavo r to s urvey, as \l"i lkly
anL1 thorough ly as possibl e, all t he arg uments you can
commarnl o n tl1 e r1uestiou, both fo r and against tbc
prupositi on wlJid1 yo u intend to maint:-tin, /,1fu1·c you
C01i S//°11cl JUlli' Oll"ll l)/·1«f, OJ" urder of W'!J Wi1f'i i/(l //1)// .
F eeule re:tsoncrs plun ge into a discussion before
th ey l1av c surveyed the other sid e. 'l'lw c:onscqnc.:nce
is tl1at. tll('y are often surpri;:;eLl :tm1 ccJ1JIOundc-d aml
OVCJ'll"lJ cilll cl1 uy OjljlUSiLi u11, wl1i c:J1, jf tJ1 c_y Ji:1L] ;tllticipatcd it and Ll1 o rougl il_y su r vey ed i t, rnigli t easily
!Jave uccn remo ved. It wonld be ~r cl l even to m:tkc
out a n 011tlinc of tlJc :-trgu 111cnts Oil both siLlcS of tl 1c
q11 cst ion, and the n espouse :tncl defend wliat );O u kn ow
to be ri g l1 t.
37. T/,e 1'/,ird R 11f
It is proper to t:-ike advantage of passion s, temperam ents, circum stances, and
even prcj udiccs, to coneiliatc the favor of oppon cnt8,
and to en] ist th e at.ten ti on of the audience, provided
that 110 f:tl;:;ehoo cl Le maintained .
A rg um ents, therefore, should be skillfull y and :-irti stical ly arran gcLl. U there is so me one consideration
that, though tru e nml weigh ty, your aud ience will not
listen to, or du ly ex am ine, keep it back till you hav e
con ciliatc<l th eir approval. If there is :-i feeble argument th at ncvcrtl1 clcss bas here supe rior influ ence,
brin .~ it. into lh e roregron ncl .
1n tl1e ge nera l, stron g a rg um ents sl1ouh1 be u ~cd
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fl rst, aml the very strongest perhaps last, to lcnve •
profouncl impression upon the mind.
If q ucstionable arguments nre to be employ
it be di stinctly understood that Lbc conclusion is n
lo he based on them, so that, if refu ted , the cnuse'
11ot, l0s1'.
38. '/'!/f~ B urdr'n of P roof - Tn nil practical discussions iL is well primarily to determine with which sid
"tli e lrnr<lcn of pro0f" li es. 1f a change in uction is
acl vocaLcd, Lbc bunlen of proof, or tho necessity of
rnakin g out 11is c::ise, lies with the affirmntivc; tho con·
teslant l1as notl1ing to prove but the falsity or weak·
ness of the arguments adduectl in favor of cbnnge.
Every man is to b e estee med innocent till sbo n
be gu il ty. r11hc bu rden of proof is with the complniO•
nnt. No one sbou1cl allow him self to be requir ~ to
prove w1iat need not be proved to sust(\i n his ~iu11 •
39. ,1lluwancc to Opponents.-In refutation, n truly
strong reasoner, who is confident of right, and cooft·
rknt of a mastery of bis subject, can afford t-0 nllow
:1.ll Ll1al. is nn<l cniably tru e in tbe statements of his op·
poncnt; hut li e wil l carefully separate the true from
th e frtl sc, and show tLat tbe acknowledgment of the
one clors not carry with it the oilier.
-±0. ]>1'/'so;w l Abuse.---:The personal abuse of nn op·
ponc11t, l1owcver common in feeble reasoners, 11.nd bow•
ever many examples of it may be found even of a
11i gh cli :nncter, ::; li oulll not be resorted to. It almost
nlways betrays a wnnt of eonf\deliee in the righ teouaness of a cause, ancl seldom aids in producing conviction. rr11 c habit of'offensive personalities in dcbnt;o

invariably weak ens tLc illflu enec ul' nn ora'1l. £1·1011111 of .l~n·1·11/i'o11 i" l Ji:w·l(ssioJ1. -·'l'v sl1ow
bow the lllinJ "·ork:s in i11venti ng argu 1ne11tat.i011 kt
us look at an actual in stance, inste:tLl of unclertakin 0•" a
tll•se ri pLiOll Of the tbeory. fo 1820 a dd_Jate a!'OSL' ill
the United States Senate, on a suhjec t upul! wl1ieli
opinio11s seemed to he nearly equally divided , a1111
wl1i cl 1 was postµo11cd witl t0ut dcc i:;io11, al'tcr ealli11µ
fortl1 sevc r::tl ahlc spccchl;S. L et ns JL otice l.iriL·ily 11 (•11·
t.l1 c senators" in ve 11 tcL1" or form etl al><1"n:u w.·d
,.., . 1Ji ,·ir
arg uments on tLis ot:cas io11 . 'l'li e q ncst io11 i 11 d i"J >11 tc
was, wl1etbcr a comm iLtec sboultl "i11t1uir0 i11tu Llw
expcdient:y of limiting for a period the sa les of puL lic
blllls to sncL as l1ad al really been oJli.;rc<l for sak, n11ll
of abol isl1ing the offtee of surveyor-general." Al th ough nearly half or tliu member,; p:nt.i cipatcl1 in thl:
<li ,;c ussion, and many days were spcnt upon it, tiic
chief interest eenLrcs in t.11c spcet:l1es of Senator n ul>·
ert Y. Hayne of Soutl1 Carol i11a, and Senator ]>a11icl
\ Vt:bslcr of i\fassnclrn sctls. Mr. ITay nc ad vocatcd tl.1e
proposed resolution hy w.;sc rti11 g, (1.) Tl1 e importance
of the pnblic land r1uestion-it dese rv ed in vestigation;
(2.) '.l'Li erc were two g reat parties in the country on the
. su l>jcct-onc favoring giv in g lands to ac:tual sC;t.Lle rs,
and tl1e otbe r desiring to make money by tbcir sale,
and thi s party oppressed actual settl ers; (3.) 'rl1 c 11:1tion hacl bee n too ni ggardly and oppres:oi vu to settlers
hi tl1erto 1 aml especially tl1c Northum Stales were ope n
to tl1is charge ; (·!:.) OLt.ai11in g a fu 11 d by the sale of'
lands would lL·ad to exLravagancc nm1 corruption; (fi.)
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Selling the publ ic lands would consolid ate the SW.
too much 't1nL1 d estroy the independence of the se~
rntc States; (6.) Finally, some way shou ld be ascorto.tn·
ed to arrest threatened evils.
'I'hcsc propositions were expanded into an imp

i ve speech of more than an hour:
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Mr. \ ¥ ebstcr, in reply, was :udcd in- bis rnv _nt19n
of arguments by the course already pursued,~ i t WM
his purpose to weaken the effect of Mr. linyne s nrgu·
rn euts. An abstrri.ct of bis speech may thus be dra n
np: (1.) A de nial ofthe importri.nce oft~e inquiry, ~
c:tu se all who needed land could purcbase1tcbenpl~. (2.)
A<lenialtbri.t ri.ny party had advocated n.n opp
1on<>f
n e w settlers. (3 .) An asse rtion that the lll\tion nsk
for its lands only enough to pay for the nctu nl xpe
of su rv ey in g th em and protecting th e settlers. (4.) A_n
assertio n that the present system led to the rnpul
growth of new and prosperous States. (5.) 'l'hnt th
w:1s an actual compact entered into by which the proceccl s or lancls sold were to be devoted to the pnym nt
of th e n:\tional d ebt. (6.) It was neces.~ary thnt tbo
n ation shoul<l be consolidated. (7.) A defense of the
cour:>e pursuc,1 by the No rthern States with reference
to the \ \Test.
'l' licsc a rg ume nts were expanded into an eloquent,
spccd1 or about two hours in length .
'l'o tl 1is :Mr. Ilayne r ejoined in a speech thn~ Vi tli o1wht :Lt the tim e to be over wh elmin g an<l unnnsw
0
a \,k . ,\ f 11 ch o f :L perso nal cli ar:wtcr wa8mi11 gl <l with
the t1cu:Lte, but the lead ing propositions of t he ape •b
we re as follows :

.'i l 'L' J-.' 1· 11

OF .l//i'

l\'F/ISJ'FI!

(1.) :'\n a,.:sNl. ion 1kl1. Mr. 'i\'1·lisl1·r 11:11 1 all1"ith
ch:u1g1:Ll Lh c s11 1 ~j,.c 1. of di:1Jat c, a11d Ji:1,! 111 :nk :1!..!'ai11;t
tl1(: Soutl 1 :l l:t l:-;,: cli arg1; or i1 1ju ,.;t icu Lll\\':trd tl1e '\'cq.
c rn St:ttc,; ; (~.) ' l'li at l1is 1•1\·,;c 11t <1 oe tri11c w:1s i1 1cu1 1si stc11 t wi th wktt h e l1a1l l~J l'lll c rly rn :1intai 11ul; c:.)
'Tb at l1i s d oc tri11e tl 1at tl1c wild bnd s \\'Crc tl1 c pr•·1'·
e r ty of the nation w:1s i11 co nsi s tcnt with Iii ,; \\·ill it l"·
0
ncss, clsc wl1cre sh o wn , to vote for giv i11g Jl" rtio11s of
th e rn fur tl1 e uuilll i11 g of roads, constrncti110: C:l11:\I,.:, <tl! U
oth e r i11tcrnal i111pro\·ements; (-1.) rl'hattl1~t'ri c 11d lincss
of th e Nortu witl1 th e \ V es t wa,.; tl1c n~sult
a co rru pt pol itic.a l barg ain; (i5.) 'l1 l1at tl1 e So uth e rn States
we re 1111j ust ly tra,lu eed; (G.) 'l'l1at ]ii ::; State l1 :id showr.
sin g uhr d evotio n to I.lie U1Jio 11, wl 1ilc m e n in l\!nssa ch usetts had pl otted :i ga i ns t the co untry ; aml (7.) T!J at
th e doetri nes w]Ji el1 b e prot.: lai 1neJ liaJ l>cen ach ·oc:ttcd
by th e fathe rs.
TlJi s so mew hat m eag re sk eleton \\':t s cluth1 ·cl w ith
sn ch c::trn es t, ferv id appeal and pro fu se ness of i 1lus t ra·
ti on as to create a d eep i rn prcssion. •
'1'1 I C r< ,j, Ji IHk I' o[ 1h11 id \\' dis I.e r is puJ 1:q1s t J1e
m ost clor111cnt , certain ly it is tl.1c m ost cele brated ora·
ti on e ve r d eli vcrell in th e A meriean Se 11 ate. Jt ran ks
wi tli the mast.er-pieces of or:ttory in ancient and mod ern
times. Like the o mti o n ofDe rnos tl1 e nes on tbc Crown,
its occasio n Sl'cmcd trivia l, but r eally it eml.irnccd i11
its ra uge the g re:tt s n hjccts of di ssension betwee n t b e
ri val syste ms of civili zation in this country. 'I'hc orati o n dese rv es to uc studi ed a::; a model. Tb e impress
of ge niu s is 0 11 e very paragraph . Tli e i11troduction
was no\·0! and st ri king :

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·· ~ In . l' HES ll)ENT. - \\' hcn 1l1e rn nrin cr !i ns been to ..e<l fur m11t11
days 1n t! 11d\. wc:1t. bc r, :Hal on un unkno wn sen, he nnturolly "'"&lM
h i111 sclr o f Ili c fir st ]"ll"e i11 t he storm, th e carlic•t glnure of tho IUD,
lu take l11 s Li lltnde, aud ''"ce rt11i n how litr 1hc olcmcntij hn\'fl driv
l1im fl'lnn his t rue en11r,(·. Lei ns i111i1 11 1" t his prud onco, nnd, bd<>n1
\\' (' li11at r:i nh cr O il Ili c W'1.l 'C" of lhi " dcl11tlc, refer to thQ po illt {i
11 lii.-1 1 we departed, tlwt ll'C rnay'at least 1,c 11blo to coujoc rure where
11"w ;i re. J nsk fo r th e rc:tcl ing of th e rcsulut.ion Leforu 1110 oonnt.e."

No su mmary of tLe argu ments wl1ich fvllow
woulL1 tlo justice to t11c subj ect. It was se verely nrgu•
1ne 11 tative 1 rhetoricn ll y beautiful. No t n pnmgmph1
not a :sentence, scarcely n word is superfluous. '1 bo
pero rat ion i:; one of tLe mos t eloq uent passages ever
uttered.
Th ough a sum mary of tl1 c leadi ng th oughts of th
" 1·atio11 <.;a ll give no adequ ate i11cn of its pvwer, y t t-0
s liow bow :;i mple nml y et logical tb e frame-wo rk wns,
upo n whi ch the sLructurc was buil t, we g ive tho lend·
ing thou ghts.
A ftc r tli c cxo rd ium, gi vcn al.Jove, nnd th r n<ling
oC tli c resolution, Mr. W ebstcr stated, (1.) Tho mnin
:; ubjcct hntl been neglected by hi s opponent, and all
w!to 11ad atlvocatcd the otb er side of tb e q uestion.
'l'b cy 11 :tL1 wa ndered widely, and brought in much that
was totally irrel evant. (2.) He repelled all persono.l
attacks on 1 1im~c lf; ill the course of whi ch he quoted
some rc111 ark,; of hi s oppon ent, an d used tbem so us to
sho \Y Ii is own real or assumed superiori ty of purpose.
(3. ) He then vi n<l icntc<l his section of th e country from
tbc charges rn~d c again st it, in t he co urse of which ho
ad ro itly u:;ctl some allusions made by l1is opponent,
;1:; to turn tl1cir fo rce against him . A long historiCA)

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arg u111.- 11t is lien: i1it 1«111111-."l .

( l. ) 11 ,. 1·.-1 ·1 ·]\,•,] :111.l d1.s-

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Lfo dcniv.1 any rm:jwli 1~c o r llllf:1irt1 l'~S lu11·:1r<l till·
Sou Lb. (G. ) Ile tl1c•11 arlvoeatcd a lil Jc r;ti pul ic:y tuw:nd
tlic new States, and cukrccl into a l1rng eonstil1:tio11:1l
argum ent tl 1a t call 11 ot wel l l >c comlcnscd. ( ;.) ll( :
closed witb a11 eloqucn t pk•t for tl1 c pc n na111:11cy of' the
LJ11 ion.
'1'l1is ad 111i ralJlc oration was not wri ttc11 i11 f'11ll til l
afte r it was pro11 orn 1ccd. It was, h owC\'l~r, tl1c rc:-i ulL
ol' lung :111 <1 carcf11 I st11,1y, 1.h c a1 1t.hor ha vi 11 g f'r"' 111l:1it ly
prcscntc<l :ill tl1 c a rg1lll1 ent.s a11cl fa<.:t ,; in prni u11s t11senssions, alll1 in eonv crs::tti on, :i11d cnul<l llL:Vc r liaH·
1JJ ~ c l1 itl\'C nted out by a lll:ll > t l1 o ro 11gJi! y co1 11·c: 1,;a11t
with tli e sn l>j cct., :rnLl one \vlio liacl d i,.;e ipl in1;cl l1imsL·lf'
to ;H.:euracy of tl 1011gl1t a11 c1 cx 11rcs:-; inn hy l1rn g and
se ver« practice. Besid es, tl 1c oration is i 11 st inet. wit Ji
gc 11i11 :-; i 11 a 11 its p:1rts.
4-:2. l.''.1 ·Nri°sl's i11 1;,re11/i1111 111 1Jisr·U.>.> i1 111 .- Dr:l\r 1111
an nhst ra1:t of' a rg u111 c11t::> on 1Jot l1 sid t·,.; of cacl 1 uf' tl >c
f(Jlluw i11 g (1 t1 cs1iv11 s, a1H1 arran ge tl w arg 11 rn e111.:; so as
to ma ke tl1 c strongest possibl e imprcss io11. 'l'l1t' n Rli ow
yon r rcaso 11s, in co nc:l 11sion, fo r p refe rrin g t l1at siclc
wliic·l 1 you hcl icve to he co rrect.
·w 11ich arc more v:i.lu a11e to a co un try, 11av igaulc
ri ve rs o r rail ways?
Js life in tl1 c city or country p referabl e ?
Sltoulcl tlic sa le of intox icatin g Llrin ks fo r a beverage be p rohi bited h.Y la w?
\Vas tl 1c p urcl1asc of' Ala:;k a lJj' tbc U nitetl States
., f /\ 1ncri ca a wise mca:;ure l

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\\'li ieh did the most for hi s eountry, Frallkl 1ll or
\Va ~ hin £I:to n

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Ha ve wars been prudueti VC or g rl'alcr good or '-'" il :l s tlic c1 \·iiizcd prckr:tlJic to tl1c· '':11·:1;:;i- '":•!• · ':'
U uglit tbc ri gbt ot' ;;ull'rage ill :t rcpu Lli\; lu bu
limited i.Jy an ed ucational provision?
Arc newspapers, on tbc whole, prouuuin.: of' goo<l

or evil?
I s a billy anll mountainous country preferable to
one that is level!
llav c we re~1 so n to expect as g reat improv emen t.'!
in th e usc ruJ arts durin g the next Jtuudred years fi.'I
clu ri11 g t.1 11! p:1sL hu111l rc<l (
l\T: 1s l k111ostl 1cncs tl1 c g reater or:i.tor, o r \\Tl'bter?
Ts tltc se nse of sight of more valu e to man tlrnn tho
sc n:->c: of' l1c:nin g ?

Jl u ,;:1\·:1gc JJ:Lt.i ons possess a. full ri g ht to th e so il?
ls t.li c workl advancing in mental and m oral clrn.ractc r?

\ Yliieli should tl1 c Governmen t encourage, commanufactures?

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s li <nL :11 1d 1·.ri" l'J', 11_1· :'l 1vc r rc.~" !11 1i o 11 11·nt.1· '°" 11w l•J11g
:11ld pc' ri od ic ,;l'11tc 11 ccs. LL'L Ll1L: writ., ·r wl 1< > l i11tl s Ll11!
l! SC uf' mct:q1!1 o r;;; n1 1n:lt11r:1 l, S<'ck o ut <;u nqi: 1ri~011,; and
j I\ \' t' i i\. J 111'1 :i 11l 1o rs, lJ O\\'CVC'l' tctlio11 s tl1 c cn(JJ"t.
4C. flu1u l 11cc·11/iu;, is W''Jlli,-ed. - 'L'l ic :-irt oC ]1 1vcntio11 c:< n 11 ot llc lc: arn c,1 from a 1.l'xt·book. Science
t.c:<el1 cs o nly how to use m:i.t.crial alrca<ly existing.
Th e sllH le nt who forms th e habit o f' rcadill g wi tli hi s
penc il i n l1a1 H.1, :1 ml wl10 frcq m·111 ly cxprl'sscs wli:1L
tli o ng li ts be has on pape r, will llut lon g nc c11 t o stml y
t.li c art or T11 vc n ti on. S e vere study :1n r1 a1;11111hn t prnc( n l c·ic11L

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34-l-

RHETORIC.

tice, with the special object of self-improvement;
indispensable to the highest success; but in the b\UtL
ness of actual life, when writing and speaking co~
be an end, but are employed as a means, then oneroUS.
be able to forget himself, to forget rule (except so
ns not outrageously to violate it), and aim only to
compli sh hi s main purpose.
4(). 1Vlwtely's Advice. - Dr. Whately bas wcltre·
marked :
" 'rhe safest rule is, never, during the act of compo-,
sition, to study elegance, or think about it nt all,
an author study the best models-mark their boouti
of style and dwell upon them, that he-may inae1C'
catch the habit of expressing himself wiLh el
and wh en he has completed any compo ition, h
revi se it, and cautiously alter any passage that i ~Wk•
ward and harsh, as well as those that are feoble ttn .
obscure; but let him n ever, whil,e writing, think of-an
beau ties of style, but content himself with such as may
come spontaneously."
The secret of efficient speaking is, first, to haveeorQ ·
thing to say, and second, to express it fully and exao
ly.
4 7. B olingbtolce's Opinion. -Though the sentimen
bas already been expressed, we give the opinion of ·-..
Dol in gbrok c, who illustrated in his own life the power.
of eloqu ence. "Eloquence," he says," has charms to
lead mankind, and gives a nobler superiority thanpowcr, that every dunce may use, or fraud, that every·
knave may employ. But eloquence must flow like tC
str(!nm that is fed by an abundant spring, and notsp<UJ '

:; U JJJ EC" l'S

f<' U H

forth like a froth y water on sorn c g:u11l y <hy, arnl remain dry tbc rest of the year. 'l'li c fornuus o rato rs
of Grecco aml Horn e were tlic statesme n an cl mill istcrs
of t hose commonw caltlJ s. The nature of Lliei r go vcrnmen ts, and tile humor of tbo::;c ages, mad e cl:ciJo r:ttc
orations necessary. They harangued oftener than
th ey dcuatcd ; ;rnd the ars dict 11di n q11ircd mor.: sl 1ul!J
and more exercise of 1ni11J, and of bo<.ly too, among
th em, tban are necessary among us. Dut as much
pains as th ey too k in karni11g liuw to c01Hluct tl.iL\
stream of cloq ucncc, th ey took mo re to e11 brgc tl1e
foundation from which it now\'d."
48. jfillon'0 OJ!inion.- \Vca<.lclafcw weig hty words
Cro111 ni ilLu1 1:
"'I' rue eloq ucncc I find to be none but th e se rious
and hearty lov e o f truth; a nd that whose mi ml soe ver
is folly possessed with a fe rvent desire to know good
thin gs, and with th e.dearest charity to infuse 1hc kn owl·
edge of these things into oth ers, when such a man
would speak, his wo rds, like so many nimbl e and airy
servitors, trip aLout him at command, aml in wcllonlcrcd fil es, as he wuulJ wish, fall aptly in to tl1 cir
own places."
40. E'..(,ample1;; f or Pra ctice.- ·vv e subj oi n a few sub j ccts, simply as specimens, to write upon. ·whate ver
subject be chosen, if, instead of the vain attempt to
write at once, without th o ught, suitable efforts be made
to collect informati on , an interest will be aroused which
will make it comparatively ensy to wr ite . .
L etter to a Friend describin g a severe Snow-storm.
Letter describing a severe Drought.
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RUETO.RIO. ·
::; U JJJA' C 1'S F'Ofl J NVA'NTJU.\'.

Letter describing a Fire.
Address to a Popular A.sseinbly ~ ·
Education.
.
Speech in Favor of a more
of the Sabbath.

telUIOnabl O

L ecture on the Art of Printing. .
., .~
All ni versary Address on the 4t]l_ of July.
Orat_ion on Washington, for Febl"1lAry ·ttd.·
Orat10n on Christianity in America.
·
An Anecdote.
.
'
Journal of a Week's Residence
Journal of a Week's Travel:
Description of a Presidential u•u~ '
A Review of " The Pilgrim's
.
•
A Book Notice of a n·ew Edition of
Crusoe."
·
'
·

't

. Utility of such a Book
Entertainments."

as "The AriibiAQ

. Letter to t~e ~· Y . .D~y Stm· (a nir~s~por)d~·
rng a Revolution m Mexico.
",;
·
Letter fr~m ?ne of a Party saved fron) Ship
Comn.rn~1cat1on to a Paper desoribing agrca( _
D~scn pt1on of an Accident on a Railway. ·
Dialogne between a Republican and a lfonllQ ·
Dialog ue between a Farmer and a Lawyer. ·
North and South America com.pared . .
An Allegory: The European Sisters (Natlorui). . .
. An Allegory: Contest between the Virtues and .
Vices.
·
Contra.st between Ancient Greece and
China.

Impulse and Principl <'.
Ne w En gland and Old E11 glantl . .
Efi'ccts of th e Diseo vcry of .America.
.
P roceedings of a Public Meeting called to consider
the propriety of building a new ~chool-house.
Report of a Committee appomtc<l to draft Resoluti ons at n. 1fc eti~g held to preve.nt Intc mpcr~nce.
A P cti tio11 addressed to the Leg islature of th is State
' for the enactm ent of a Law tb e more effectuall y to
prevent Gambling.
.
..
Hcport of a Committee appo.m ted ~o v1 s1t .tltc
Schoo ls of thi s State, an<l to cxammc th eir Cond 1twn,
and suggest what Improvements are needed.
R eform Schools : their Character and Usefuln ess.
'l'he Magne tic Needle and the Bible.
The 'rclescope and the Microscope .
rrh e Slavery of Ev il Ilabits.
Prospects of th e English Language.
'rhc Chinese in America.
Th e Effects of Music and Painting compared.
Socrates and Franklin compared.
Importance of Agricultural Colleges.
A Poem: America in the 19th Century.
A Poem: The Last Red Man.
A Poem: The Submarine rrelegrapb.

------ l' Alt T Y.
r~LOCU'TION.

- - - - - --~- ---

L'LOC U TION.

:1;) l

•

CIIAPTER I.
PHOPR1ETY OF THE STl'DY OF ELO CUTION .

1. .D1ji11itir111 .- ELOCU'l'lON tcacl1e:> Low w ost effectively to pro11ouncc !)!" speak a11y pr0Jucti011, ori g i11al
or uorrowecl.
In a practi cal Rhetoric we are compl'. llcd often to
observe the di stin ction b etween producti ons tl1at are
designed to be printecl and read , and those wlii ch are
. desi g ned to be spok en. 'l1 he form er must be written,
th e latter may be pronounced either with or without
having been written.
2. liow Lo mal.:e a Prodl(,ction i'mpressii;e.-An au' thor's interest in bis productions docs not us ually cease
with th eir creation; he desires to introduce them favorably. If they arc to be printed, much dcpeNds on the
vehicle chosen . Sb all they be publish ed as a book, or
in some periodical? Shall they be illustrated by pictures? Shall they appear in an expensive or ch eap
form'? A poor production may borrow a temporary
popularity from an attractive dress, or from u ncleserved
eulogy, ancl a meritorious work might sink into oblivion from an unfavorable presentation . Th e art of pub'•, lishing, howe ver, can not here be investi gated. But
Elocution, the art of speaking well, claims attention in
a treatise on Rhetoric, and is intrinsically valuable.
3. Oppos1"te erroneous Vi'l'ws on the Power of .Elocu-

.

J52

H l .UCUTIUN A

RHETORJO.

tion.-Before examining its elements,•it may _
to expose an unworthy prejudice against it; au
to g uard again st extravagant ideaa of its value.
Dr. Whately, in his Rhetoric, pronounces unq
fled condemnation on all practical treatises on the
ject~ an.d on all modes of instruction adopted pro'ri
to his time, and contents himself with reootnmendt
a "natur[l.l manner of speaking," to be oultiv
simply by private attention to 'the subject)
friendly criticisms. He expressly disoountotUUl
special efforts to cultivate the voice, and the r:ooit:audD,.
from memory, of the productions of others. , "' ·
On the other hand many seem to believe tq "' o
tory, in the highest sense, is easily within the ~h ·
all; that men unqualified by previous culture, wf
i'.arrow range of thought, need only to study and prnc;.
t1ce "Elocution," to make themselves attractive . and
succ~ssful s~eakers. Also many nlready engaged in
pubhcspeakmg, butnotmeetin gwiththesuccesswhi~ .
they anticipated, have studied Elocution a few weeJts.
perhaps under th~ direction of some uncultivated dog:
?1at1st, w~o promised to exhaust the subjeotof oratory .
111 fron.1 SIX. t.o twelve lessons, and not finding any iri.~
crease m ability, are ready to coincide with Dr. Wbat. ..,.
~y, in the o_p~nion that the study is practically u.sel~ · ; '
if not pern 1c1ous. Both these extremes are absurd. ·
4. Elocution 1·s an Art.-Elocution is, in fact, n com·
plcx art, based on inflexible science, and worthy: of •
c.areful an<l exhaustive study. Elocution is im~ "
s1ble, or :vo_uld b~ useless, without expression; e~·
pression I S llTi pOSSlble, Or Would be USeless Wi~bo~t .

ruo.ed

1

FINI·: .lf.'1'

thought. rarrots may be trai11 c(1 to :trlic ubtc, but
speech is valueless without inlellccl an <l heart.. Goo<l
dec laimers of the pro<l uctioll s of othe rs :ue often poor
ori g ill al spcak crn, becau se they lm ve nothin g vali1able
of tl1eir ow n to say. You can uot p ut t.lie polisl1 or
steel on iron . Genuine coins arc distin g ui shed from
counterfei t uy their ring. Y vung men can nut ex prct
to become good spe~lkc rs by th e st~cly of elocut ion
. unl ess their minds arc discipli ned and stored with
thou ght.
E loq uence dese rves to be ranked among the fine
arts. Like her sisters, Painting, Sculpture, Arcl1itcctu re, and Mu sic, sbc aims both to pleru:;e alld p rofit;
and as lier territory is the widest, so is she the most
uscfnl of tbe family. O ratory is as capable of cultivation ns any of the sister arts; and is as ri gidly subj ect to laws which can be invcstigatecl and obeyed. If
all men had a perfect elocu ti on, tl1 cir comparati ve ill·
fln cnce on others would depend solely upon th e power
of tl 1eir thoughts and emotions. 'l'h ere would still be
stron g and feeb le speakers. But in fact many clear
tl1ink ers and warm-h earted speakers produce but little
effect, on account of their defective and vicious elocu ti on ; wbil e some speakers, feeble in mind and heart,
ex ert superior influence, from th eir attractiv e and efficient style o f oratory. It is unreasonable and false
to assert that tbis grace, how ever subtle and mysterious its qual ities, can not be analyzed and mastered, and
cultiv ated .
5. Elocution, a.s an Art, can be culti"vated.-There is
no other art in which the good effect of study and

:}54

RHltJ1'0}{JC.

,1 }( 1'1CULA1'10 N.

careful practice h~s b~en so frequently nnd so ol~ly..
demonstrated as rn oratory. Comparntively few Gt ·
the greatest orators gave promise of their future~.
ccss in th eir first efforts at public speaking. O~to . ·
rcq u ires such a combination of faculties and ene.r ·
tl1 at only after much study and care as a usual tbiri'
.
I
~
can 1 t be s ucces~ fully practiced. If we select ai
dom a dozen out of the most eminent speakeJ'8 in
world, we shall probably find that, in a majoritv o.fl»~
stances, their earli est efforts at speaking were, the.i.
own estim ation, failures. Those who are so destic.ulo
of sensibility that they speak passably well with®.t.
effort scld~m improve much upon their jttvenil~

in

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A moderate, endurable style of speaking is ,
attainable, especially to a man of fair intelligenc&@cl
industry, but superiority is seldom manifested, ·iU>d
never Jong maintained without careful study.
· '.

355
'I

i·
CHAPTER II.
'l'UE :MECH ANICAL ELEMENTS OF ELOCUTION.

6. Articulation. -ELOCUTION is partly mccl1a11ica1.
·T here is a certain amou nt of machin ery to be em ployed
in th e exp ression of the language chosen to convey
thought a nd emotion. vVe must make use of' th e
worJs agreed upon as symbols of th oug ht. 'l'h csc
may be pcrfectJy or i11 co rreetly uttered. lu fact, o ut
a small mino ri ty of tbc people, thus far, arc in tlw lialJit
of utter ing properly all the sou nds belo11ging to their
own language. Some omit some sounds, oth ers other
sounds; and the hearer is compelled often to guess out
·a part of the meanin g of the speaker, o r to supply the
, blan ks by his own mental effort. Often whole words
are Jost, still more freq uently sy llables and parts of
sy llaulcs arc lost, ur in correctly pronounced.
A good articulation, or c11unciatio11, i.-; the first me·
chanical requisite of Elocution.
By a good articulation we mean th e actual audible
pronunciation of every sound that properly belongs
to the word, or coll ection of words, purporting to be
uttered.
7. Goocl Articulation often imperceptibly acquired, and
it,s Absence rften wmoticed. - Fortunate are th ey w bo
have enj oyed the advantages of goo<l society in chi ld·
hood, an d have thus impercep tibly acquired a correct

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pronunci[l.Lion; still more fortunate they who bav
cnjoyccl good, rigid instruction in early life, in th
L:lerncnts of correct speaking. In no art are the so
ices of a teacher more necessary. Not one pcrSot\
twenty, who has a defective articulation, seems to
aware of it, or p erceives it even after bis attention
Jirectcd to it. To illustrate what we mean we~
an extract from the Bible properly printed, nod
same extract as it would be pronounced by some pet· ..
sons who think that they speak the English languug ·
"To whom lrnst thou uttered words? und whoso spirit Clln\C fro.ti!.
th ee? D ead things nre formed from under tl1e wutors, and the inbllbitnnts thereof. H ell is naked before him, UD<) destroction ha.th noliQl'cting. l lc strcitcheth out the north over the empty plilre, ADd ~li'fl!IA'=
the earth upon nothing."

Many would read or speak the above thus:
"Toom 'sthnu 11ttered wuds? ndt.oo8e spi't came furn thoo?
things are fo'med fmunder th' waters, nd thnhnbitns throf. llel{'it
nnked beforem 'nd 'struction hath no coverin. Ho stretcheth out th.:
north o,·cr themty place 'nd hungth th' earth upon nutlmg. ''

Few, perhaps, would make all the errors indicnted
rn the above passage, but many would make some of
them, and many a tolerable speaker would be nston·
isbcd to sec his speech phonetically reported in prin.~ "'
8. 11 Cmmnon Fw.dt.-Defective articulation is tbo
most com mon fault of public speakers. Audiences are
obligcJ to g uess the meaning of a large part of what ·
th ey crn1cavor to hear, through the ignorance or care- .
lcssncss of speakers in this particular. Loudness of
voice v·vill not compensate for this evil. A man with
a cor rect articulation can be understood almost as far
as bi s voice can be beard. Nothing is more common .

J'/U C 1'1Ul:J JV AR1'I CU LA 'l.'JIJ X.

tLan for publie speakers Lo eolliplain ol· tl1c Jinl eulty
of Lci11 ,, \1 ca1l1 in ;t roo111 t.l1aL will 11uL hold tlt!lt\; tl1:ll1
b
froin fivt.: \1 u1tdn:J lo a tl1 uusa11ll 1J\:ople! 111 all ,;ucL
iru;ta11CeS t!t e speak ers udray tli L: ir Liekcti VL: artiL:ulatiOll. 'l'li cy show tliL:ir i11 L:ou1pdL:JJCY for tl1e prulcs·
sio1 1 t11cy lia\·e chosen. 'l'be average voice of a Loy
· twdve year;; olJ will make a tLousam1 people lw;1r
<li ,;tinctly, if all the syllables are co rrectly a11Ll eve 1dy
pro11 ou ncL:J ; aud any man who professes to be a puuhc
speaker ought to be able to mak e frorn tl1rL:c to five
tLousanu people hear without diffu..:ulty . l\kn :-;JioulLl
not lJrcsumc to adL1rL:ss a eongrcgatioll till tl 1,·y lia vc
t11ClllS(.;l vcs lcarnn1 Low to talk. . A stu<lcn t or lll usic
spe!lL1s 1ttucL Linw in playing or singing tl.1e scales i1t
all the kL:ys. IIc can never dcpcn<l on l11s aL1I11.y to
strike all the 11otes i11 a cornplicatL:d am1 rapid cornl.J i..
nati on uJtless he Las traitt ctl hinisdf hy tLis l''L:viuus
practi~c. So public speakers sliuulcl k eep tl1cir vo_cal
organs under control, by praetice in actually 111ak1n~
all the sounl1s in the lan g uage. If cornbrnaL1011s of
words o r sentences diflicult to pronounce, such as are
given in many elementary works on Elocution, are not
at han<l, the end can be attaineu by the careful loud
of mi scellaneous passages, witL special
rcferreadinrr
b
.
ence to this object. 'I'he practice of di ctatrn g a cataJorrnc 0 {' miscdlan cous wor<ls to another person some
go:d distance off, to be written, is valuable. Defective
or erroneous articulation can not be broken up wi thout
the most assiduous effort. If possible, every canclidate
for public speakin g should subject himself to n. trustworthy teacher on Lhi::; subject, to be sure that be rn

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358

RHETOltIU.

no_t Lli c victim of so me erron eous habits. With t
eflort, almost any lisp or improper articulation can
avoiJ ed or overcome.
·
. 9. Alf the Wo.rcl~ should be dzstinctly utterecl.-Upo
th is subject of distrnct speaking it should be obser~
t hat th e excell ency sho uld be exhibited througho
the cnt1r~ spcec~ . As no chain is stronger than i
weak est lrnk, so if a speaker is remarkably distinct i
s~m.e passages, and in a udible, or his syllables are U,th
d1st111 guishab le, in others, the good effect of tho"whol6 ,
may be marred. A hearer has a right to claim tbat·a ·
spc_ak cr shoL'.ld .u tter all his words so as to be heardt
Tlus first p rin cip le of Elocution is the one most ~ '
qu ently and inexcus~bly vi o~ated, and iftbestudy·o.f '
tl 1e _art ca~ ~ccomphsL_ n~thrng else, it can ce1'14inly .
attarn to d1 stmct enun ciat10n. On this subject Sheri·
dan well remarks :
·'

. "A good ~rticulation consists in giving eve~; Iette.r
111 a sy llablc its clu e proportion of sound, according to'
th e ~1 ost approved custom of pronouncing it; and in.
ma~rn1 g such a distinction between the syllables of
w_h1 ch words arc composed, that the ear shall, without·
difficulty, ac_knowledge their number, and perceive at
once to \\'. b1ch syllable each letter belongs. Where
these partic ulars are not observed the .a rticulation is
dcfccLive."

10. I'ropa R apidity of Speech.-After one is sure that
he can make all. the sounds properly belonging to the
l ~n gn agc, an d wi th sufficient distinctness, then he should
d1sc1.pli ne bi rnself to rap id speaking, and to a grnceftll
a nd md efi nable distribution of the voice upon the eyl•

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words, acconling to tl1<'ir r ch tivi: v~1l11 f' .
So111 c sp c ak1~ rs arc so caref'ul to sec ure a di:-;1111 et :trtieu btion Lli at t.Lic least v:i l unlJle sy llaLl cs ]1;t n : Luu
muc\1 allc 11 tion. Tli c pro11u11 ciat io 11 bceo111 cs artifi cial
a.ml ofl'c11 siv c. I t attracts tl1e atte n tio n of' tl1c l1 ea rer
as p1.: cul iarly precise, :rnJ thus defeats its own e11 d. It
is Lit e l1 eig lit of art to eo11 ceal art. 'l'b e best pro11u nciatio11, lik e tl1 ~ best style, is that wl1icli, like t.li e best
wi 11d ow glass, is least, noticed. But rap iL1 u Ltera11cc
sl1oukl ne ver be atte mpted till co rrec t uttera11 cc is pe rfectly mastered. Every speaker :;l1oul1l b e able, at
will, to speak with great ratii1lity, or to spea k g racefully, very slo\\'ly . Tit,: rate of sp eaki ng vari es !'rom
abo ut cigl1ty to 0 11 e liun <lrcd anJ fifty words, on the
av e rage, in a minute. Wh e re tlt e thoug ht is easily
app rehend ed and tl1 c feelin gs are excited, tli cre arc instan ces in wh ich the hi ghest effect requires that th e
words should be pomctl out in a torre nt. 111 some
in stan cl's the utte ra nces sho uld b e slow, and with long
p:t11 ses between .
11. Ru 11gc of Vui'cc. -'Th e mechani cal part of Elocuti on n ·q uircs al so a wi<lc range of voice, both in loudn ess an cl i 11 pitch.
12. Good H ealth required.-In this respect much
d epends on the physical constitution. No occupntion
" more requires good hea lth tlJan public speaking. 'I'he
lu ngs a11J th roat will not usually be h ealthy a nd stron g
unl e~s tlie whol e bod ily system is vigorous. The simple ex e rti on of standing a n ho ur or two is not small ;
but when to this are added the rapid and almost incessant articulation of words, in v arious degrees of

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loud1iess, and with various tones of voice, and the b-es~
turcs or movements of body which the expression
of thought and emotion suggests and requires, 11.nd the ex cn.;ise of tile Lrain and t11e nerves which thev
demand, we see Luat goou 8ound health is esscntiai;;
Pu lJlie speakers can not keep themselves in propt•r )
coudition witliont obedience to the bws of li fe in food 1 ----

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voice is Luo !'c·•cblc t.v n·:1cl1 li1iclll, i11 wli1ci 1 c: 1 ~u o,,·il'rc ..;pccl. :;]1" 11lcl cornp1·l t.li1·1 11 t1 J rci'usc Lu ~l"-' :tk . \ >('
jl•'rS"!h 111..;11.l: :1 hroc •' ]•:trl 1>1'

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:_u H.1 cluLL1ng, ;_u1l1 CXt..: 1\;.i:--1t~.
TLi ere a rc innate peculiarities of voice that can not , -

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be overcome by training. A tenor voice, for instan
can not be transformet! into a bass voice, nor the co
tr:-try. No one shoulJ seek to change his constitutional
pcc uli a1·itics. Oratory is possible with any voice thlit
can be heard by a sufficient number. If smooth, me• ·]odio us voices have at first an advantage, a rough voi<» m:<y be so modulated that all disagreeable impressions
from it may disappear, and it is likely, when well
trained, to excel a naturally smooth voice in compass,:
But every speaker may, by appropriate and persevcr-:ing exercise, increase the range and volume of sound
under hi s command, and also the power to make pre• .
cise and nice distinctions of tone, appropriate to the
various shades of thought and the kind and degrees of,'
feel in g.
13. Adaptation of Voice.-A public speaker should
adapt tl1c amo un t of voice, and somewhat the distii1ctncss of articulation, to the requirements of the ocoa·
sion. It betrays an intentional rudeness or a want of
.
'
sound sc11sc, fo r a speaker to address an assembly so .f'
as not to be Llistinctly beard. Many preachers betray -;,
their want of training, if not of good judgment, or }»- . ';

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to be bcan1 only by tltvsu i11 hi s iu1111edi: Ll u vi c u11 1,y .
'J'liis requirement of goo<l sense is violat1;(1 :-;o oi'tcn
tli:tl . :-; t 111L ·1 1 1....; 1 ,l\· l·:; •iCl11it1ll ;-;J1\JtJl 1J giv\..·- Jt t".. : i!'.,_.L(] at'--

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.1\ 11 rwr.~uliS sl 11 ) :-trC ill\'i l.L' d tu J1~:l1 ' i t 1 > ~!
pn 1Jl ic speak er I 1a VL' :t ri.~ li t to l' X p cct tl 1:tt cv.·ry v,·, 1rcl
will be uttered with snfficient di stinctness a11ll power
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to be heard by every on e or average alJility to hear
and a Cailun' to :H:C:•) It1)11-i~ l1 t11i ~ :-;11nws
t he S[1L'akcr not ouly to Lie incornpdc 111. fur Lis 11lacc,
but impcitiu cut.
H :. Too (oll( l a l'oicc. -'l'hc opposil.c extreme of' too
lou r1 a voice is not uncommon. Tlie co11:ocq uenec;;
are evil to the speaker, a ncl unpleasant to I.Le hearers.
Uniform or protracteu loudn ess wearies the lun gs, and
unfi ts th e throat for nice variations of tone. It is an
effo rt wl1ich nature intend s shouk1 be made only ra rely
and bri eOy . It degenerates usually, if prolon ged, into
a fal 8ctto screecl1, or a bowl. Only undiscriminatin g
s peakers make tb c mi:otake of supposing that a very
louu sound is needed for tb e g reatest effect. Deep
passion seldom so ex hibits itself. 'I'he engin e when
most noisy is not accomplishing the most work.
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362

RHETORIO.

Ji'ULL L UNGS -PRON UNCI A TION.

363

long sentence, and as for as possible keep them all the
tim e inflated. This practical direction is of great value
to speak ers. In an expiration the lungs are never enti rely emptied, but th ey may be so nearly so that it is
impossible to speak easily and loud. In such a case
th e muscles of the thrnat and th e upper part of the
.. chest do all th e work. Th e result is exhaustion and,
often, bronch itis_ Dut let the lungs be full, let the
p osition be erect, and let th e speaker pause frequently
enough to inflate his lungs fully-not usually throu gh
th e mouth, but through th e nostrils-am] th e voice
com es out easily, th e whole chest plays, and th e abdominal muscles, as a kind of reserved force, assist
the lungs in time of need; and thus a man, with suitabl e variations of ton e and rapidity, can address a
thousand people for several hours with out bodily
wearin ess, and repeat the exercise daily without harm.
Speak naturally, variou sly, and with fully expand ed
lun gs, thus using the abdominal muscles, and so far
from prod ucing bron chitis, public speaking will be
found to be its most efficient preventive, and even
remedy. This should not be called "preachers' sore
throat," but "poor speakers' sore throat."
··
18. A Correct Pronunciation.-It seems almost su·
p erfiuous to call attention to correctness of pronunci·
ation, as one of the mechanical elements of Elocution.
Sometimes, but rarely, does a mispronunciation of a
word-an error in accent or in the sound of a syllable
-mislead the hearer, but it always betokens that the
speaker is ignorant of the right way. If one pronoun·
ces many nords incprrectly be will be regarded as an

364

RHET<>RIO.

ignorant man; his opinion, especially on matters .~ ,,
require scholarship and attention to nice particu].a~,,
will not be so highly esteemed as though bif·we
habitually correct.
·
'
19. Proper Positions of the Body.-The bodily J>681.·..
tions assumed by the speaker have an influ.ence upon
the hearers, and, reciprocally, upon the speaker, :and
thus constitute an element of mechanical Elocut\oQ.
For the most part, the body should be naturally e~~~
so as to give full play to the lungs and thx-oattbu~.
not excessively and unyieldingly ..so, thus indi~ting.:.
hau ghtiness or· pride. , If the w~ght' is sup~0 •
chiefly upon the left foot, with the right foo~ ~liitlo
advanced, and right knee slightly bent, the body; is· .~
the best natural position to : furnish an ~asy pliy'.fot"'•'
the right hand in gesture. A similar resting ·u~n .•
the right foot is ·an equally easy position, furnishing:
an easy play for the left hand. 'Animated speaking
will naturally lead to an advance of the foot tb~t WaS ·
partially unoccupied, now resting the prinoipal y.:~~ght ,
upon it, and communicating to the person-an ap'peano
ance of deep earnestness. Any position not U!tOO~tb
or awkward, or too persistently maintained, is al1ow·
able. Speaki ng behind a high desk which conceals.
the most of the person, and is often leaned upon,·lendS
to pernicious habits of position, and often depriv;es:
wh at is uttered of a great part of its effect. Speakers
should not be separated ' from audiences by a fer>ce. '
If th e fence exists, let the speaker, as far as po8Siblei .

GE~URli'.

365

extent, be an element of natural lan guage. There are
gestures instinctively acknowledged to be significant.
.'.I'hc open band betokens generosity and favor; the
clenched han<l earnestness, sometimes defiance ; the
quivering band excitement and zeal. No explana·
ti on is needed of such gestures as pointing in any direction, looking upward or downward, striking with
the baud, or stamping with the foot. If by private
practice the student has disciplined himself to a variety of movements, not constrained but free ancl easy,
the motions that win be spontaneously assumed under
the influence of excited feeling will be the best for
him to employ. An impassive, immobile style of
speaking is the most reprehensible. The speaker is
not a machine to grind out words mechanically.
There should be some good reason why the people
would rather bear than read bis speech. If be bas
earnestness, or any emotion, it will show itself in the
voice, tbe eye, the position, the movements of the
hands, and arms, and fee t, and the whole body. The
body of an orator should be, for the time, an obedient
servant of th e mind. It should not be trammell ed by
any awkward habits, but yield itself to the expression
of thou ght and emotion.
At the same time excessive gesture is more disagreeable than deficiency. It soon satiates and disg usts. It reacts against the speaker, and calls atten·
ti on away from ·tl1e words uttered to the manner,
which is fatal to all genuine eloquence.

366

RHEN RIO.

CHAPTER III.
INTELLECTUAL AND MORAL
CUTION.

21. Inwllectual Character of Ewcution.-ELoorJ'
is far more comprehensive and subtle in its la-ws
powers than would appear simply ,from , tho~ :
chanical elements already described. : · It.iS' ·
nently ·intellectual and emotionai:.-, It 1is ttli
which mind and heart produce the greatest
mind and heart. It is almost inexhaustible in i
sources, and makes subservient to its purp~s.n
all modes of acting upon the .human soul. · '
22. Relation of Sound to .Thought.-Considet ft
relation to sounds. Some sounds intri~sically. ,
certain thoughts and feelings: It is !lO.t a,kma ·
association, but of intuition. Even a young .•
can distinguish between a call, and a .cry of ala
warning, made by its mother. rs ' a human. bein
feri or, in this matter, to a brute? Does a cbild
to be taught that the roar of a lion · or the barki~
a dog is disagreeable, that the hissing of a sna
hateful, or that the singing of a bird is nt~lo . ·
How early does an infant distinguish the mea,ni
the various voices of the mother I ~ In these fa~
see the germ of music, whose wondrous pow,e
been the theme of many an oration and poem.

l!JFFHU'l' ()Ji'

VARIOUS 80 UND:i .

:JG7

But, developed in a different direction, sounds made
by the human voice become significant, wh olly independent of th e meaning arbitrarily associated with
words. There is a certain amount of vocal language
without articulation. A man who speaks only a foreign language can communicate many ideas by his
voice. A new word invented for the occasion, or a
word of another language not understood, may be so
uttered, or intoned, as to indicate successively a re·
quest, a command, pleasure, pain, laug hter, indigna·
ti on, and scorn. Indeed were men co nfi ned to inar·
ticulate lan guage, it might, by culture, become no mean
vehicle of thought and emotion. It is said . that a
noted actor, by the repetition of the word Mcsopota·
mia, could make many of bis hearers shed tears.
Sounds alone, especially musical notes, can awaken,
or subdue, or modify passion. It is not a matter of
fashion or caprice, that public prayers are intoned , or
uttered in a peculiar voice, which would be ridicu
lously inappropriate in conversation or in a secular
oration. Th ere are peculiar ton es of voice appropriate to the expression, respectively, of plamtive emQ·
tion, entreaty, love; reverence, fear, anger, authority,
surprise, awe, instruction, suggestion, denial, resolution, and almost all other passions and states of the
mind.
23. Employment of this Principle by Oratory.- Tbe
accomplisbed orator uses these various tones and kinds
of voice, and blends their influence ~ith the meaning
of the words which be utters. A sentence uttered by
him means .little or much, as he desires to have it. It

368

llHETORIU.

J!li/,/c' .) S/c'F/J

may communicate a thrill of emotfon to an 1tuw
that can not be seen in the mere words spoken.=-- .
speeches of good orators, when printed, seldom shO'>"i'
the secret of their power.
24. Stides, Accents; Tones of Voi'ce.- In speech this'
power of impressing others by the voice is not,los.,. . -but should be legitimately exercised. TilTt'1§'':-- foundation of the various slides and stresses ari' rt
cents and tones of the voice, which are detected uitl'1~
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most efficient speaking, and are systematioally. ..:ct
·
scribed iu elementary treatises on Elocution. ~~ -:: ~'l111e voice, it is evident, must p:r.eseu.e.~pn_e;.Uii.i{q
mono~on e, or slide upward, or s1idedowl:i:w~ns. :.
In fact, when well employed,-' in th~ .uttQmn
thought and emotion, it maintains, (at , ~riterv
these three modes. Intbe use of direct questions, t "
can be answered by Yes or No, it properly n8sumcs t
rising inflection; but if the question is not desi~
to be answered, nor even to suggest any want of
formation or any doubt on the par~of~the sp.enk¢J.'~ :
assumes the falling inflection. Observe tbe v.erj di
ferent sentiment expressed by this question: ''.Wij . .
you cut down this tree?" when uttered first with tba~
rising inflection and then with the falling inflection:
25. Emphatic Pm.tSes.-The slides,. whether
or downward, tend to lengthen the syllable on whi
they are uttered, and are consequently followed by
pause, lon ger or shorter, according to their frequeno.
and the emotion of the speaker. Pauses of. suspe
sion, or wLcn the sense is not complete, or, in· a lqh
sentence, the last pause but one, and expressi?ns,

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E .lffl.{Rf!.-ISS.

ten•ler crnoti•rn , :1 il n:tt.11rally assume tl1c ri "i11g i11flcc·
tion. ] 11d1rcct rl11es Li<J11", t.\i,, cu11q1kti u11 ul' tl 1e se11sc,
a11 cxpres:oiun:i tl1at ,],) 11 1.oL s11ggec;t a co11t i11ua11c e of
c·x1 •r1·ss1u11 tu 1Jn11 g u11t t.l": tl.iu1q;l11, I\ <jllll\.: a Ldling
i11ilcctiu11.
lt woul,1 lie usclc:;s to present a tlwrou gh an:c!ysi:<
of tl1is snll.iect without ma11 y examples, Lut all \Yh o
pnrpns<~ t" 1•xccl ;1s puhltc speakers should tborou g1ily
practi ce tl 1< ~ vxa11q 1ks .<.; ive11 Ly some extcmkd \York
un tllls suLject, anLl tc c; t for tl1crnsd \· c:.~ t.Lc cil'cc: t 1.011
tl1ei l' O\\'ll rn j !Ill and heart ut' the d j n.:diu11s g i \" Cl\.

Practice is nce1l1·cl lo gi\·e cu11111a~s hi tl 1e \' (lice in its
intonations as wel l as in it~ volume, tvr if all tlie vari·
ous modulations of voice have bee11 oucc tLorough ly
made in practice, they will be likely spontaneously
to arise in actual work.
26. Atten tion to Rule .need not embmvrass a Speaker.Whately says that, a speaker's "attention being fix ed
on his own voice, the inevitable consequ ence would
be that be woul<l betray more or less his studied and
artificial delivery." Not at all. Apprentices are always awkward till t11 ey become familiar with th eir
tools. No man is a first-class speaker till he becomes
so absorbed in hi s subject as to lose all active selfconsciousness, but then, in the highest heat of earn est·
ness, he will act not only according to nature, but ac·
cording to previously-formed habits of position , voice,
intonation, gesticulation, and all other ~odes of expression. It would be well therefore to study and
execute a11 the variations of voice pointed out iii some
elementary treatise on the subject, repeatedly arnl

.Q2

370

RHETORIC.

IJ /'f .\' /IJ .\'S

th oroughly, tiil foe vocal apparntu s is rendered flex i·
bl e aml manrigeablc, and tb en, when actu ally speaking
an original produ ction, utterly to abandon all though r ::::::~
of intonation:x- 'l'hc great defici ency of many speak·
ers arises from the fact that they have never actuall ---~~
made all th e various sounds that full speaking re·
quires, an<l therefore when a passion is excited it has----:
no ad equ ate mode of representation. In this sense
many public speakers are partially dumb. Their vo:•
cabulary of intonation is narrow. .Their voice a~d
body are poor and inefficient machines. They ma .
have power, but. it is _concealed from othe;s, .perh~pll
from themselves. As gymnastic exercises, train-tb
body for any demand for exertion that ·~ay arise..,i n
practical Jife, so a rigid and thorough investigatio
and practice of all the various kinds and degrees of
voice secures to the speaker an exhaustless reservoi
from which he may draw as the occasion deman ·
It would b'e well even for accomplished and su~ful
speakers frequ ently to review the elements Of Elocu·
tion, and to keep themselves in practice, jnst as the
most successful musicians do in th eir art.
27. True E loquence requires a nob'le Oharacter.-But."
Elocu tion embraces an element still higher than the ..,·
mechanical part., and an intellectual appreciation , of '
the power of voice and manner. It is pre·eminentl
a virtue, and summons to its aid aU- modes ofleO'iti·
0
mate influ ence by which mind acts upon mind. ;:a
,.,

:

• Part I. of the "Fifth Render of the School and Family Series, b
Marcii.ls 'Willson," conrnins an excellent summary aml illustratio11 o
the elem ents of Eloc ution.
-

()/-'

HH/J S T E!i

Al\-/_J

_If/ / _ J' 11 S.

:J'i !

;-;pcak .- r lll'<:ds to ]Jc r cspcc tc1l l ·y i1is l1c:1rn ;; l; >r o;111 cc rity, abil11y , c:1r11•:s l1 1"s:;, :u1d 111•\l'<T . ll c 11 11 1st be,
or be bdicvcJ tu b1·, \1-li at li e seems. Otl1n\1'1sc lie
1s 011 ly an acLur, :md tl1• rn gl1 lie may he cl1Jr1111:n t as
su d 1, tire; p cup k a rc 111erl' (y anrn scd or c11 tc-r1 :1i:1c1l.
\YonJs spu J.:: c11 s ta1n mc ri11 g ly a11 <l aw kw anll y by a
rrl U!l uf' So Ji Lt Wurth Ji : tV C g n;at j! U We l' WU ic!J Il l! gr:tCCS

of enu nciati on can cornmu11i catc to a mall uf i11 tcllcctual imbc<.:ility or moral unw orll1i11ess. 011 t.li 1s sul;j cct
Daniel vVebster well said :
28. Opinion of lVebster on this Subject.-" Wh en pub! ic bodies are to b e a<.l. drcsseJ on momentous occasions,
wh en great interests are at stake, and strong passions
excited, nothing is valuabl e in speech, furth er than it
is connected with high intellectual and moral endowments. Clearness, force, and earnestn ess arc th e q ualities which prod uce convicti on. True eloquence indeed, does not co nsist in speech; it cnn not be brought
from far. Labor and learning may toil for it, but they
toil for it in vain; words anJ phrases may be mm:shalled in every way, but th ey can not com pass it; it
must exist in th e man, in th e subject, nnd in the occasion. Affected passion, intense expression, th e
pomp of <kclamation- all may aspire after_ it ; th ey
can not reach it: it comes, if it come at all, like the
outbreaking of a fountain from the earth, or the burst·
:ng forth of volcanic fires, with spontaneouR, original,
native force."
29. Opinion of .i1£ilton.-Mi1ton also, whose training in the ~chools was the best that bis country and
age could afford, eloquently says:

372

373

RHETORIC.

P R AC TICAL RULES.

,
"For me, readers, although I can not say thatT:
utterly untrained in those rules which best rhetoricii.
have given, or unacquainted with those exampl,
which the prime authors of eloquence have written .·
any learned tongue; yet· true eloquence I find to'·
none but the serious and hearty love of truth ;
that whose mind soever is fully possessed with a .fer
vent desire to know good things, and with the dearea
charity to infuse the knowledge of them into othe '
when such a man would speak, his words (by what
can express ), like so many nimble and airy servito
trip about him at command, and in well-ordered,Jir
as he would wish, fall aptly into their own ·Pl~~·'
30. £xtemporaneous Speaking.- Here may ·
proper place again to urge the value of extempora
ous speaking. Reading should not encroach upon .th,
domain of oratory. Good extemporaneous ·speakin
requires thorough preparation. It is welf, in the proc
ess of training for it, to write out, in full, passages, i
riot entire addresses, to be spoken, an\} thqrp,ughly commit them to memory. Soon .i t will be easy ~,
commit to memory the thoughts and facts, leaving th
language to be at least partly spontaneous, and alsq ! ' ,
interpolate entirely extemporaneous passages . . Thu ·
the art can be acquired by study and practice.
Extemporaneous speakers will be likely occasion~.
ally to fa il , and often to fall below their desires and ·•,.what th ey beli eve to be their ability, but the joys an( ..;·t
influ ence of success will more than compensate fo :_"
these di sappointm ents.
Too great facility in extemporaneous·

defeats the hi ghest success. N atura11 y easy speakers,
as th ey are termed, who extempori ze volu\Jly without
study, are usually narrow in th ei r range, sliallow in
th eir thoughts, and repeti tious, and bring a reproach
on th eirart. Speakers who discard the use of the manuscript before the audience should spend more labor
in preparation than would be necessary previously to
write out their addresses.
31. Practical Rules of Elocution. - The following
rules embrace the most valuable general principles
of Elocution:
Be thoroughly prepared for the work which
you intend to perform. If to read th e production of
another person, let it be stuqied beforehand, so that
you are sure of comprehending and feeling fully the
thoughts and emotions of the author. If to read your
own production, be as indepe ndent as possible of the
manuscript. If to speak from memory, let it be so
well committed as to require no conscious effort to recall it. If to speak extemporaneously, be sure that
you have an abundant supply of material on band,
with the general arrangement or order th oroughly at
command. Whoever faithfully obeys this rule, when
possible, will be ready to make an efficient speech,
even when he has no ' opportunity to prepare for it.
(2.) As far as possible be unwearied, and in good
physical and mental condition 1 and be deliberate and
self.possessed, remembering that if you have a ri ght
to speak , it is too late when on the fl oor to entertain
any doubts about the matter, and that self.possession
is a prime requisite of successful oratory.

'\q

374

i~JIETORIC.

(3.) Enunciate distinctly and loud enough, in
~.~-~;;;
you say, to be heard by all whom you wish - un 1-.
dress, an'd do not allo w yourself to sp~ak for a-Jon
time with such excessive energy of voice and Il)
as to react on yourself, and loosen your hold upon.
audience, and remember the advantage of speaki
with fully inflated lungs.
(4.) Be thoroughly in earnest.
repetitions, and seek brevity.
(5.) 'I'hough entirely absorbed in the· subject, an
uncon scious of rules, except only so far as to pre,v~l'it
you from glaringly violating them, still "persisten t?
'
oppose and break up any known e~il ~abit of
tion, gesture, or intonation.
-'-~-o-"

INDEX.
A.
294
Accent,
. Quinc_v, PersonificaAdam•, J ohn
tio11
, 152.260.
Ad<lt
esses,
Adj cct h·es un<l adverbs, place of, 196.
Agassiz, specimen o f sty· 1e o f , "3G.
Alexander, D r. J. A. , quoted, Monosyllauics," 33.
Alexnn<lrine Verse, 296.
.
Allegories, 122.
- - , person ilication used in, 152.
- - , relations of., to art, 1 ?~ 8.
Alliteration, 298.
Allusions, 95.
Ambiguity, 68.
- - , intentional, 70.
Am ericani sms, 66, 236.
Anapest, 295.
Anecdotes,
274.
Anglo-Saxon language, 30.
Anti-climax , 210.
Antithesis, 113.
__ combined with Comparison,
119.
- - connect.ed with Rh~· thm, 214.
Apostro ph e, 156.
- -, Edward Everett on, 158.
Argum ents, arrangement of, 335.
Art relation of, to Allegory, 128.
Artlculation, defined by Sheridan,
358.
- - , importance of distinct, 355.
Autonomasia, 84.

Bacon, Lord, on language and
thought.19.
- - on ~ tvle , 38.
- - : on tit;1e to st udy Rhetoric, 320.
__ wit of, 183.
Ban~roft, Geor"e, climax03from , 209.
- - , Loose Senten ces,~ ·
- - , Metaphor, 105 .
- - , Tropes, 79.
Barr)' , J nmes, on language and
painting, 2'1.
Ba_\'ne, Peter, metaphors quoted
from, 110.
Beecher, HenryWard, illustration of
Irony, 143.
Bethune, Rev. Dr., metaphor from ,
104.
Biographies, 275.
Ilolin:;broke, Lord , on Eloquencr,
8-14.
Bosw ell as a biogrnpher, 275.
J"fi
•
Brougham, Lord, on Amp 1 •cation,
109.
.
__ on an cient oratory, 106.
- - : on •tyle of scientific papers,
61
266.
- - on writing speeche•, 2 ·

I

--,' sentences Uy, wr itten twenty

times, 205.
Buckle, H. T., on style of educated
women , 41.
Butron on style, 236.
Burke, illustration of Burlesque, 181.
Burlesque, 181.
Bushnell, Uev. Dr. H., allusion from,

1--

98.

B

on a new language, 22.
·
Byr~n, Lord, description of Poetry,
Bacon Lord, ad vice of, on writing,
286.
C
.
46. '
- - , illustrates ompa rison, 90 .

j

376

Byron, Lord, illustrates Personifica- -, Vision, 166.
- -, Word-pait1tiog, 23.

c.
Cai n!, Rev. Dr., illustration of Com-

Didactic productions, 256.
Discussion, rules for, 83$.
Doddridge, epigram quoted, 1

E ..

puri&o 11 1 8~.

Calli111ucl1us, epigram from, 1'20.
Earnestness, 243.
Campi .ell , Dr., on Antithesis, 121.
Egotism; 248.
Carly le, Thomas, Apostrophe from, Elocution, advantage of practllie , ,
l ii7.
869.
.
" ""
- -, 0 11 earnestness, 243.
- - an art, 852. ·
•·
- -, on rupid writing, 242.
- - defined , 851.
• . ~
Chesterfi eld, Lord , on proverbs, 232. - - , intellectual character
3
Choate, Rufus, choice of words, 47. - -, mechanical elements of, 865,
- -, hyperbole, from, 134.
- -, opinion of Whately on, 86
- -, long sentence from, 199. ·
- - , opinion of Webster oo,
- -, p•'fiod from, 206.
- - , practical rulee of, 878.
- - , sty le of Erskine, 41.
- -, defi ned by Bolingbrokei
Choice of ; ubjccls, 315.
- - , Milton, 845, 872. ,
"
Cicero, fii.:urntive language, 106.
- - requires a good character, 870,
Clim a x, 209.
Emerson, R. W., on short wor<la,~.
Coleridge, S. T., illustration of Alle- - -, on Tropes, 82.
gory, 1:26.
:Emmett, Pathos illustrated, 249.
Com pari ~ons, 87.
Emotion, 244.
- -, combined with antitheses, 119. 'E mph atic Pauses, 868.
• ,.
Co ustru ction of Sentences, 195.
English Language, elasticity of,.217. ·
Corw in, il lustrntion of [rony, 144.
- -, euphony of, 216.
Coultns, II., illu strution of Redun- - -, not learned from dictiouari.,
d1mcy, 58.
235.
.
Cowper, illustmtion of Personifica- Epigram, 120.
tion. H 8.
Epistolary Composition, 268.
- -, illustrntion of ldioinatic Style, Erasmus, quoted by Bacon, 18*~
230.
Erskine, language of, 42.
Curran, illustration of \Vit, 170.
Essays, 271.
.
Everett, Edward, Apostrophe •'ex•
D.
plained, 158.
, ..
- -, Apostrophe illustrated · from, ,
Denf and clumh , l n n ~ uage of, 20.
157.
Defoe (Robinson Crusoe), quoted, - -, Historical Present illuetratea,
154.
167 ..
Demosthenes, simplicity of style, - - , chvice sentence from,
106.
- - , Personification, 168.
Dor zhnvin, comparison from, 88.
- -, Sermocinatio, 162.
Description , I nvention in, 316.
Exaggeration, 254.
Dialog ues, 279.
Exclamations, 209.
- - in History, 282.
Extemporaneous speakinit, 261, 266,
Diaries, 276.
872.
.
'

or,

198.

. ;: ·.

Fables, 122.
Fubehood, can one plead for ? 245.
Feet, in poetry , 295.
Fesscm.lc11, W. ll., quoted to illustrato Irony, Hi.I.
Ficti on, 283.
li'igurutive Language and Emotion,
24 7.
Fig ures, m.iscellu.neous examples of,

~

Health, importance of, to a speaker,

F.

tiun, 154.

,f. .

377

IND.EX .

INDEX.

! '

I

359.
IHoury,
Patrick,

170.

Prnnklin, Benjamin, anecdote of,
234.
- -, quoted to illustrate Exaggeration, 133.
- -, practice of, in lnvention, 327.
- -, witticism of, quoted, 178.
Froude, quoted to illustrate Argumentative Comparison, 91.

G.
Garrick, sensibility of, 354.
Gau ssen, quoted to illustrate Exaggeration, 133.
Gesticulation, 364.
Giubon, quoted to illustrate Metaphors, 105.
- -, 1111.Jors of, t-0 acquire a good
ot.y le, 237.
Goethe, quoted toillustmtc Alluijiou,

ii

scriptural allusion

I

by, 95.
ll exameter Verse, 297.
Hi storians, atyle of, ~78 .

~·

f,
''4

11 is torical Present, l G7.

History,

~7 7.

- - , Inve ntion in, 32-i.
Hi tchcock, Re \'. Dr., to illu strate

Personification, 147.
Holland, Dr. J . J., 011 value of words,
71.
Holmes, Dr. 0. W., on morality of
words, 71 .
Hood, Thomas, to illustrate Allusions, 99.
Hooker, Rev. R., a period quoted
from, 204.
Hopkins, l,lev. Dr., to illustrate Vision, 169.
Hugo, Victor, to illustrate Antithetical Comparison, 119.
Humor, 182.
I-Iuntin gton, Rev. Dr., quoted to ill ustrate Personifi cation, 150.
Huxley, Prof. , quoted to illustrate
Repetition, 55.
Hyperuolc, 131.

1.

Idiomatic Sty le, 231.
!JG.
Idioms, 228.
Grammar, general, 189.
- - , new, 232.
Greok lun!(uagc, 83.
Greeley, H., quoted to illustrate Imagination should be cultivated,
291.
Comparisons, 93.
Information, importance of, to a
writer, 319.
Innuendo, 100.
H.
Interjection•, 209.
Hamilton, Dr. R. \V., quoted to il- Interrogation, 2Q8.
Invention, definitions of, 311.
lustrate Apostrophe, 15Cl.
Hamilton, Sir Wm., on relation of - - , explana tions of, 319, 329, 848.
- - , in abstract suhjects, 329.
words to thought, 19.
- -, in descriptions, 316.
- - , use of idioms by, 230, 231.
Hare, Archbishop, ironical writing - - , in discussion R, 333.
- -, in miscellaneous productions,
of, 141.
843.
Hay ne., R. Y., speech of, in Senate,
- -, in narration, 828.
337.

fl

i.

:
'

i'

r:

i

"1

} ,

I

I

'~!

i

~

i.
~

~

l

~•

\ l

!:

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!

1

i.
l
11

\!;

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1·

I
Ii

11,:
.,,; I'
j·

lid
1:1j

!'.'
!

1,,)

I!:l
I"

!J/

l1J
H

·111:1

lu I

~l!I',l

I

Macaulay, T. B., specimen of In
tion from, 324.
Maurice, Rev. Ji'. D., illustrates Idi
matic Style, 233.
Memory,45.
Morivale. allusion from, 99.
Metaphors, 102.
- - , examples of, 104.
- - , origin of, 107.
J.
- - , Shakspeare's, 111.
Jefferson, Thomas, auecc.lote of Dr. - - , specimens, 170.
Mctonomy, 78, 85.
Franklin, 231.
Metres, 297.
Job, Book of, 253.
Mill,
John Stuart. on Invention, 3
Johnson, Sa mu el, quoted to illusMilton, John, number of words used
trate An tithesi.•, 119.
l>y, b5.
- - , quoted to illustrate Irony, 140.
Johnsonian styb, 40, 42.
- - , opinion of, on eloquence, 372.
Journals, 276.
- - , quoted to illustrat.i Onomat
Invention in styl e, 343.
- -, rules on, 312.
Irony, 138.
lrdng, Washing ton, quoted to illustrate Irony, 142.
Its, pronoun, when first used, 147.

py,218.~

L.

- -, quoted to illustrate Petl!oni6
tion, 154.
. -~ 'o_
Laboulaye, misunderstands an En- · J\fonosyllnbics, 33.
glish pun, 178.
IM orality of Language, 71.
Motley,tho historian, alluded to, 27!1.
Language, changes in, 235.
- - , English, 216.
- - , Greek, 33.
- -, how ncquircd, 27.
N.
- -, morality of, 71.
Natural
langunge,
is.
- - , natural, 18.
- - , ori~in of, 2la
Natural manner in speaking,
- - , Painting, Sculpture, and, 24.
862.
Lectures, 262.
Nouns or verbs first, 190.
Lessing on style, 241.
Letters, 2G8.
Liptotc•, 137.
o.
Longfellow, quoted to illustrate Al·
lusion s, ()8.
- - , quot e<\ t,o illu strate Hexameter Obsolete words, 63.
Verse, 297.
Oli11, Rev. Dr. S., to illustrate M
Lungs, .r rope~ inflation of, when
nphors, 104.
. ·
spcakrng, 3G2.
Onomatopy, 218.
Orations, 263.
Oratory, 367.
M.
- -, metaphors in, 106.
- - requires virtue, 370.
Mncaulny, T. B. 1 criticism of Dr.
Johnson 's style, 39.
P.
- - , quoted to illustrate Compar.
ison, 89.
- - , remark of, on Bacon '.e wit, 184.

I

379

JNDJ,'X.

INJJEX.

378

ProvrThs, An !it11eticftl 1 lli.

Pantomi111e, Hl.

- - , New, 232.

Parnule of Prodigal Son, 31.
Parallelism in poetry, 2 9~.
P;rentheses, 224.
Parodies, 180.
Puro11omusia, 175.
Pathos, 2·19.
Paucity of words, 53.
Pauses i11 poetry, 295.
Pauses, emphatic, 31)8.
l'e<lantic allu•ions, 100.
I\:riods, 201.
Personalities in debate, 336.

Provincinlis1ns, G6.

Pulpit, rhetoric of the, 247.
Pun~, 176.
- - , sugi;estingtwo lan.g uages, 177.
- -, untrtrn8lntal1le, 178.
1
/ l'urity of words, 60.
Q.

II

Quintilian, allegory from , quoted,
1~7.

I

PcrsonitiCution, 145.

--,quoted on Sermoci natio, ln'.l.
- - , quote d on vulue of words, 'LO.
- - sometimes employed for l'.011- \ Quince v, De, idiomatie ~ty\~ of, 2~:1.
i--, ~fforts to impro\'C hi::\ style,
ci aene~s, 149.
! 239.
Perspicuity, rift, 22il.
' - -, ou Peni!Jicuity, 2:!·1.
- - intcnlionnlly viuluh.~ d 1 2:2&.
Pla~iarism, 314.
I 'leas. ~G6 .
R.
P lato·, fable from, quoted, 125.
I ioclical F e.et, 1!):->.
l'oc trv and Propbecv , 291.
Ranrlolph, cp1 oted to illa slrate HyPoctr)', dctiuilion ol'; 28G, 300.
l berpuh\ 1:\·i.
- - , Vrumatic, 305.
ndlll!l!.lallt:)'1 f1G.
- - , Epic, 304 .
! l ~ 1·11l·Liti un 1 21 1.
- - , forms of, 282.
11~~- prtticulati...-u writing, 27~.
- - , Humorous, 30G.
Heviews, t.72.
- - , morlified hy science, 290.
Rhetoric defined . 17.
1
l I",-rne '-\ ~ t -8 1 0.'.. H1i.1
moralil.v of, 208.
- -, 011c ot· tie
.. v.
- - , Htiigious anrl Lyne, 302.
Rhyme, 298.
- - , species ol, 302.
Rhvthm, 213, 294.
Pope, to illustrate l{epetition, 211.
Hitiicule~.test of truth, rn5. __
Positions of liodr in speaking, 364 . \ Rnche 1 Sir Boyle, <]UOt.1: 11, 1,D.
Prescott, on imftation , 241.
l lfogers, Prof. H., quoted, Irouy, 141

- - of second dPgree, 148.
- - of third degree, 153.

I

1--,

I

- - , quol _".rl, Argumentative Com- I\
parison, ~•l.
.
RtY lc, 2'.1R.

"

- -: quoteu, Personifi?ntion, 148... i ~ar~asm, 1.;8, 182.
- - quoted use of forcl''ll wun1'. GI. Sul ires, 18-.
Prorli~alS01;, Pnmble of. quoted, :ll. Scientific productions, style of, 36.
Prono~rn s of Gender nnd ·Personifica-1 Scott, \Valter, use of foreign "_'Ori.ls,
ti on 146.
Gl.
Proph~t ic Vision, lG8.
Sculpture, Painting, nntl Language
Propu bi t iu1 1b, 1~);1.
\ · 24.
.
.
.
Prop.opopreia.. 155.
Senate, U . S., J1scuR~1on rn,R37.
ProvcrLH, 231 .
Sentences, loo!'Se, 102.

I

'

f·~
,'._:'.

L-:t- -

-

~fl~

. :l=~
::- ~

L;.--:,·:

8.

- -, lauors of, to acquire a good

-o'-_

- ....

380

IN.D ll.'X.

INDEX.

Sentences, short and long, 199.
Serrnocin.ntio, 1 G2.
Sermons, 2G6.
S hak,pcarc, his description of poetry,

Tilton, Theodore, on words, 71.
Tracts, 273.
Translations recommended, 240,
Travel, books of, 277.
28G.
Travesty, 180.
- - , mixed metaphors of, 111.
T reatises, 273.
- -, nu111l>cr of words by, 55.
Tropes, 77.
- -, <1uotcd to illustrate Irony, 139, - - , classification of, 83,
140.
- -, new, 82 .
- - , quoted to illustrate P ersonifica- - - tliat express mental action, 80.
tion, 155.
· Tynd all, Prof., antithesis from, quo.. - - , so liloquies of, 282.
ted, 116.
Sol il oquies, 281.
So n ~"• 30:3.
Son net, 298.
Sou nd, rela tion of, to thought, 366. Unity defined, 225.
- -, rough und smoot h , 214.
Unities, the three, 28~.
Sou t.h, Dr., metaphor from, 102.
South ey, Robe r t, on style, 236.
Speech, rnte of, 358 .
V.
Speec hes should be writt en, 261.
Spencer, H erbert, quoted to illustrate Verbs or nouns first, 190.
Repet ition, 211.
Verse, 294, 296.
•
- -, opi nio n of, on st.vle, 227.
- - , advantage of writing, 807.
Stnnley, A. P., metaphor from, 104. - -, nonse11sicnl, 301.
SUtnl ey, Lord, on style, 257.
- -, wi thout true poetry, 219.
Stirnzas, 29·1.
Vision, 165.
Stowe, Mrs. II. B., writings of, 285. Vocahulary, 28
Style, 220.
- -, how to obtain a, 45.
- -, nppropri ate to fiction, 284.
- - , na tural limit to, 189.
- -, how to acquire a good, 237.
Voice, accents, slides, etc., 868.
- - , idiomatic, 231.
- - , adaptation of, 860.
- -, opin ion of Spencer on, 227.
- -, peculiari ti es of, 860.
- -, • lwuld be adapted , 226.
- -, range of, 369.
- - , simple, r equires thou ght., 35. - - , relation of, to thought, 866.
Subjt·cts, choice of, 315.
- -, too loud, 361.
Summerfield, Rev. John, wit of, 183. Vulgarisms, 67.
Synechd oc he, 78, 83.
Synonymes, ·19.

u.

w.
T.
'l'nste, 2!il.
T ccbnical terms, 51.
Themes in nustrnct subjects, 332.

Warburton, Archbishop, anecdote
from, 27.5.
- - , on origin of metaphors, 107.
Was hington, George, a Jetter from,

- - in <lcscriptio 11, 1121.
- - in discm.;sion, 3·11.
- - in mi .<cellancous subjects, 345.
- - in narration, 3:28.
- - , what to write upon, 320.

- -, to illnstrate Hyperbole, 132.
- -, to illustrate · Personification,
151.
Watts, Isaac, referrect to, 302.

270.

I

W e bste ~, Daniel, quoted, Classical Wl.edon, D.D., class ical allusion by,
D7 .
Alluswn, 99.
- - , quoted, Metaphors, 1 0~, 107.
White, ,J. Blanco, sonnet of, ?DS

- - , l'atbo~, :! (1~ .
- -, Short SC! ntence ~ , 201.
- - , ~ impl c \V onl:-1, 35 .
- -, Vi,,011, 1C5.
- -, opin ion uf, on e10<1uencc 1 371.
1 remark~ of, on ~ ty l e , 239.

- - , speech of, i~ S enate,

itl~.

I\\

It, 173.
- - , dir('ctions upon use of, 180 .
- -, in th oll ght, um.
1 Women, wdl -etl uc:1tcd, style of, 11.
1\Vurtl!I change tlieir mca~iog, 1~0.
- - , df'gencrnry of, 64.
1
1

1--, compound, 191.

- -, sty le of, cnti c1scd by Everett, i - -, forft1~n 1 tjl.
158.
!- -,groupin g; of, lHO.
- -, t ra nsposition of u. sen tence of,
long, H7.
197.
: _ _ 'morality of, 71.
'Ve•ley, John, quoted, Sermocinatio,
n ew, 52. • .
.
1G3.
- - , nun_
1ber ot ,, 1n ordinary use , 5!J.
1
- - , m a~im originute<l h~~, 2:18.
i purity r.f, r.n.
1
\ YP:-11,·y. Chrtrlr·f<, n•ft· JTC' d to, ;-}0~ .
'.--, :--hnn , :~11 .

!--,

J--,

\V halt·ly 1 Arc ltlii ~ho p, exagbcration \ - - , f'yml)(di1·:dly ~ ·m 11loyC'd, 7U.
1
[ -- 1 5Vfl0 flYil1 0ll5. 4!).

l_n- , '.!5 1.
- -·, ou eloc ution, .3;)2, 369.
- -, 011 style, 344.

/ 'Yvrd-})ai11 tiug, 1;-.;:
Written addresses, 261, 872.

. i: ·..
~-~

.'

~ ·~

.,

;;'•

2

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