Such are, 1, those things and 2, the sentiments of a

presented to the mind. which flatter the senses; good and honest heart.

Example 1.

"Now the bright morning star, day's harbinger, Comes dancing from the east, and leads with her The flowery May, who from her green lap throws The yellow cowslip, and the pale primrose."-Milton. 2. "Fortunate senex! hic inter flumina nota, Et fontes sacros, frigus captabis opacum. Hinc tibi quæ semper vicino ab limite sepes, Hyblæis apibus, florem depasta salicti, Sæpe levi somnum suadebit inire susurro; Hinc alta sub rupe canet fraudator ad auras; Nec tamen interea raucæ, tua cura, palumbes, Nec gemere aëriâ cessabit turtur ab ulmo."

"Incipe, parve puer, risu cognoscere matrem."-Virg. 36. A fine thought is that which gives only a partial representation of its object, leaving the rest to be divined by the reader. It is principally employed in satire.

Ex.-"Not to know him argues thyself unknown."

"Ci git Piron qui ne fut rien

Pas même academicien."

"Nemo me impune lacesset."

"Se solum Labienus amat, miratur, adorat:

Non modo se solum, se quoque solus amat."-Ovid.

37. A delicate thought does not fully express the idea. It is employed in eulogy, in requesting a favour, or in offering consolation.

Example.-"Soli omnium contigit tibi, (Trajan,) ut Pater Patriæ esses, antequam fieres."-Pliny.

"In solis tu mihi turba locis."-Tibullus.

38. A lively thought presents the idea or sentiment in few words, and makes a rapid impression.

Ex. "I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay-tree. Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found."-Psalm xxxvii. 35,

36.

39. A brilliant thought presents the object under images which arouse or excite the mind.

Ex.

"O Night,

And Storm and Darkness, ye are wondrous strong,
And lovely in your strength, as is the light,
Of a dark eye in woman."-Byron.

"Nitor smaragdi collo præfulget tuo

Pictisque plumis gemmeam caudam explicas."

Phæd.

40. A bold thought presents the object or sentiment in so extraordinary and striking an aspect as to appear to exceed rule or propriety.

Ex.-"Thou feedest them with the bread of tears; and givest them tears to drink in great measure.”—Psalm 1xxx.

5.

"Post equitem sedet atra cura."-Hor.

"Etsi fractus illabatur orbis

Impavidum ferient ruinæ."-Hor.

41. A noble thought expresses the idea or sentiment in so dignified and worthy a manner as to elevate the soul.

Ex." And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind."-Psalm xviii. 10.

"The boast of heraldry, the pomp of power,

And all that beauty, all that wealth e'er gave,
Await alike the inevitable hour;-

The paths of glory lead but to the grave."-Gray.

"Audire magnos jam videor duces

Non indecoro pulvere sordidos!!”—Hor.

42. A strong thought presents great objects to the mind in few words, and in such a manner as to make a vivid and deep impression on the mind.

Ex. "I know not what course others may take; but as for me-give me liberty; or give me death."-P. Henry. "Et cuncta terrarum subacta

Præter atrocem animum Catonis."-Hor.

43. A sublime thought expresses an idea or sentiment, the greatness of which ravishes, transports, and elevates the mind above itself, and at the same time makes it sensible of this elevation.

If the thought which thus elevates the soul is one purely of the intellect, it is called the sublime in thought.

Ex. "God said, Let there be light, and there was light."

If it is an image, it is called the sublime in image. Ex.-"Qui respicit terram et facit eam tremere."

"Annuit et totum nutu tremefecit Olympum."-Virg. If it is a sentiment, it is called the sublime in sentiment.

Ex.-"Quid times? Cæsarem vehis."

44. The sources of the sublime exist,

1. In what is metaphysical or supernatural :-The Deity, his attributes, his works, &c.

2 In what is moral:.

(a.) Man in his relation of superiority over nature, or his fellow-men, in point of genius, virtue, power, &c.

(b.) In the sentiments or actions that spring from exalted virtue, heroism, energy of mind, contempt of danger, of death, &c.

3. In what is physical or natural:-Objects which are great, exalted, profound, venerable for their antiquity, terrible, &c.

And in that which is artificial, or which imitates nature; every work of art or composition which exhibits a superior force or power in genius, or in execution.

45. The same thought may have several different characters, often, indeed, it must necessarily do so. A fine thought, for example, is almost always expressed in few words, hence it must be lively. A strong thought is always a lively one; an ingenious thought is lively and graceful, or bold and noble, and vice versa. A sublime thought is almost always at the same time lively, strong, brilliant, or noble.

46. The rule to be observed, in the use of these different kinds of thoughts, images, and sentiments, is that they be suitable to the subject, as well as also to the character and situation of those who speak, and those who are represented as speaking.

47. A thought, an image, or sentiment, which is thus suited to the subject, or the character of the person speaking, will at once appear so natural, that we are surprised at not having been before conscious of the same idea in ourselves.

CHAPTER III.

Of Defects in the Thoughts.

48. Often, as Horace says, decipimur specie recti; and thus it frequently happens that the simple and naïve are confounded with what is mean and trivial, the fine and delicate with what is refined and affected, the brilliant with what is showy, the bold with what is extravagant, and the strong and sublime with what is inflated and exaggerated.

49. To avoid these defects and excesses, we ought to reject every thought which is deficient in truth, clearness, or propriety.

50. Mean and trivial thoughts ought to be rejected, because they present low and insignificant objects to the mind, and therefore violate propriety.

Example.-"A burnt child dreads the fire.” This thought is ennobled by the turn given to it by Ovid in this verse,

"Tranquillas etiam naufragus horret aquas."

"La mort devore tout d'un egal appetit."

51. Affected thoughts ought to be avoided, because affectation is simply ridiculous and always misplaced, especially in the expression of the senti