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presentation of it, if this idea and this sentiment were constantly present to them; but these moments of inspiration do not last, and even in these happy moments, who dare flatter himself that he may not be deceived? Genius, then, even the most exalted, needs a sure rule to guide it.

20. This rule it finds, as well in the works of the best authors, which serve to it as models, as in the precepts of the Belles Lettres, which are founded upon the observation of what is beautiful, of what pleases and displeases generally, as well in the works of nature, as in the productions of art.

GENERAL PRINCIPLES.

21. Every literary composition depends upon two elementary principles, namely, the thoughts and the words, the connexion between which is so necessary that the one cannot exist without the other. "Quum omnis ex re atque verbis constet oratio, neque verba sedem habere possunt, si rem subtraxeris, neque res lumen si verba semoveris."-Cic. de Orat. III. 3.

22. The first duty, then, of every writer is to think correctly, and the second to write correctly.

We shall, therefore, in the first place treat of the thoughts, and then of the manner of expressing them, that is, of style.

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PART I.

OF THE THOUGHTS.

23. A thought is an assemblage of ideas upon. which the mind forms a judgment (sententia, yvwun). 24. An idea (dew, video, scio,) is the representation which the mind forms of an object.

25. If this object, whether material or spiritual, is presented to the mind under a sensible form, it is called an image.

26. If this object is pleasing or displeasing to the mind, if it excites in it an emotion of love or hatred, etc., the thought which expresses this emotion is called a sentiment (affectus, naonua).

CHAPTER I.

Of the Qualities of the Thoughts.

27. Every thought should be true, that is, it should. represent its object such as it actually is, without attributing to it what does not belong to it.

28. A true thought, in whatever light it may be considered, is also a just one.

Example of a thought which is both true and just:

"Our revolution had its origin, not so much in the weight of actual oppression, as in the great principle,—the sacred duty, of resistance to the exercise of unauthorized power." Hayne.

« Ει δε Θεον ανης τις ελπεται τι λασεμεν ερδων “αμαρτάνει.”

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Pind.

"Homini natura rationem dedit, quâ regerentur animi appetitus," Cic.

Example of a just thought:

"Infelix Dido, nulli bene nupta marito,

Hoc pereunte, fugis: hoc fugiente, peris."-Auson.

Example of a thought which is not just:

"Might constitutes right."

"La raison du plus fort est toujours la meilleure."

Example of a false thought:

"Nature in herself is unseemly, and he who copies her servilely, and without artifice, will always produce something poor, and of a mean taste.”

"Du devoir il est beau de ne jamais sortir,

Mais plus beau d'y rentrer avec le repentir."-Volt.

29. Every thought should be clear, that is, it ought to represent its objects and relations distinctly to the mind.

Example of a clear thought:

"Embarrassed, obscure, and feeble sentences, are generally if not always, the result of embarrassed, obscure, and feeble thought.”—Blair.

“Μηδενι συμφοραν ονειδισης κοινη γαρ ἡ τυχη, και το μέλλον αορατον.”—Isoc.

Example of an obscure thought:

"From harmony, from heavenly harmony,
This universal frame began;

From harmony to harmony,

Through all the compass of the notes it ran,
The diapason closing full in man."-Dryden.

"Une creature disloquée ne saurait être recousue."

V. Hugo.

CHAPTER II.

Of the Character of the Thoughts.

30. Besides these general qualities, the thoughts have also particular characters, and, according to the objects they represent, the sentiments they express, and the manner in which they are expressed, they are common, simple, naïve, new, graceful, refined, ingenious, lively, brilliant, bold, noble, strong, or sublime.

31. A common thought is the representation of an ordinary truth in that manner in which a man of good sense would express it.

Example.

"Death spares no one."

"La tristesse ne dure pas toujours."

32. A simple thought is the representation of an object, neither lofty nor mean, such as it actually is, without the appearance of art or labour in the expression. Its chief merit consists in its justness. Example.

"The reward of virtue is peace and happiness."

"Les delicats sont malheureux,

Rien ne saurait les satisfaire."-La Fontaine.

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“ Ουκ ενι αυτον αργουντα ουδε τοις φίλοις επιταττειν υπερ αυτου τι ποιείν, μη τι γε δη τοις Θεοις.”Dem.

33. A naïve thought conceals, under an ingenuous and artless exterior, a certain point and delicacy of expression which does not appear to have been studied.

Ex.-"True patriots we,-for be it understood,
We left our country for our country's good."

"Henri IV. à bateau passait un jour le Loire,
Le nautonnier robuste, homme de cinquante ans,
Avait les cheveux blancs

La barbe toute noire.

Le Prince familier et bon,

Voulût en savoir la raison.

La raison, pardi, Sire, est toute naturelle
Repondit le manant qui ne fut pas honteux,
C'est que mes cheveux

Sont vingt ans plus vieux qu'elle."

"Quid nemora, O turtur, querulis singultibus imples? Heu! fidi mortem comparis, orba, gemo.

-Nonne times ne fraude pari te funeret auceps?
-Si non aucupio, victa dolore cadam."-P. Sanadon.

34. A new thought presents a known truth in a new dress and under a pleasing aspect.

Example. The rising of the sun is a common object, but Thomson renders it a new and even a magnificent image in these lines:

"But yonder comes the powerful king of day,
Rejoicing in the east.-"

"Death spares no one," is a common thought, but it becomes new and beautiful when thus painted by Horace.

"Pallida mors æquo pulsat pede, pauperum tabernas Regumque turres."

35. A graceful thought is the representation of agreeable objects, which are either pleasing in themselves, or are so from the manner in which they are

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