expressed in simple terms, and divested of its accessory idea. By a well chosen figure, even conviction is assisted, and the impression of a truth upon the mind, made more lively and forcible than it would otherwise be. We perceive this in the following illustration of Young: "When we dip too deep in pleasure, we always stir a sediment that renders it impure and noxious:" and in this instance: "A heart boiling with violent passions, will always send up infatuating fumes to the head." An image that presents so much congruity between a moral and a sensible idea, serves, like an argument from analogy, to enforce what the author asserts, and to induce belief. The most important figures are, (31) Metaphor, (32) Allegory, (33) Comparison, (34) Metonymy, (35) Synecdoche, No human happiness is so tain any alloy. (37) Apostrophe, (38) Antithesis, serene as not to con There is a time when factions, by the vehemence of their own fermentation, stun and disable one another. I intend to make use of these words in the thread of my speculations. Hope, the balm of life, darts a ray of light through the thickest gloom. The scheme was highly expensive to him, and proved the Charybdis of his estate. He was so much skilled in the empire of the oar, that few could equal him. The death of Cato has rendered the Senate an orphan. Let us be attentive to keep our mouths as with a bridle; and to steer our vessel aright, that we may avoid the rocks and shoals, which lie every where around us. At length Erasmus, that great injur'd name, In this our day of proof, our land of hope, On the wide sea of letters, 'twas thy boast Since the time that reason began to bud, and put forth her shoots, thought, during our waking hours, has been active in every breast, without a moment's suspension or pause. The current of ideas has been always moving. The wheels of the spiritual engine have exerted themselves with perpetual motion. The man who has no rule over his own spirit, possesses no antidote against poisons of any sort. He lies open to every insurrection of ill humour, and every gale of distress. Whereas he who is employed in regulating his mind, is making provision against all the accidents of life. He is erecting a fortress into which, in the day of sorrow, he can retreat with satisfaction. Tamerlane the Great, writes to Bajazet, emperour of the Ottomans, in the following terms: "Where is the monarch who dares resist us? Where is the potentate who does not glory in being numbered among our attendants? As for thee, descended from a Turcoman sailor, since the vessel of thy unbounded ambition has been wrecked in the gulf of thy self-love, it would be proper that thou shouldst take in the sails of thy temerity, and cast the anchor of repentance in the port of sincerity and Justice, which is the port of safety; lest the tempest of our vengeance make thee perish in the sea of the punishment thou deservest." It is pleasant to be virtuous and good; because that is to excel many others: it is pleasant to grow better; because that is to excel ourselves: it is pleasant to command our appetites and passions, and to keep them in due order, within the bounds of reason and religion; because this is empire: nay, it is pleasant even to mortify and subdue our lusts, because that is victory. CHAPTER V. Violations of the Rules respecting perspicuous and accurate Writing, promiscuously disposed.* SECT. I. What is human life to all, but a mixture, (16) with various cares and troubles, of some scattered Joys and pleasures? (26) When favours of every kind are (12) conferred speedily, they (13) are doubled. He (18) will soon weary the company, who is himself wearied. (10) He (18) must endure the follies of others, who I will have their kindness. For the last years of man the first (17) must make provision. Perpetual light-mindedness (1) must terminate (10) in ignorance. In these, and in such like (2) cases, we should, (12) in our alms, generally suffer none (9) to be witnesses, but Him who must see every thing. The reason (10) why he is so badly qualified for the business, is because he (25) neglected his studies, and opportunities of improvement. * These notes refer to preceding Rules in Part V. That Plutarch wrote (3) lives of Demosthenes and Cicero at Charonea, it (23) is clear from his own account. I wish to cultivate your (9) further acquain tance. He may probably (23) make the attempt, but he cannot possibly (23) succeed. No pains were spared by his tutor, in order (23) to his being improved in all useful knowledge. In no scene of her life was ever (23) Mary's address more remarkably displayed. This was the cause which (9) first gave rise to such (10) a barbarous practice. He craftily endeavoured, (25) by a variety of false insinuations which he made use of, to turn the emperour to his purpose. The beauty (3) in the earth equals the grandeur (3) in the heavens. In (3) health and vigour of (3) body, and in the (3) state of worldly fortune, all rejoice. What passes in the hearts of men, is generally unknown (8) to the publick eye.. Many associations are united (9) by laws the most arbitrary. These instances, may, (9) it is hoped, be sufficient to satisfy every reasonable mind. By such (10) general and comprehensive rules as this, (3) the clearest ideas are conveyed. He determined not to comply with the proposal, except (10) he should receive a more ample compensation. There can be no doubt but (23) that health is preferable to riches. They declared (10) to their friends, that they believed the perusal of such books had ruined their (6) principles. John's temper greatly indisposed him for (3) instruction. Vegetation is (12) advancing constantly, though no eye can trace the steps (23) of its gradation. (25) The reason of my consenting to the measure, was owing to his importunity. I conceived a great regard for him, and could not but mourn for his (6) loss. The officer apprehended him, and confined him in his (6) own house. Charlotte, the friend of Amelia, to whom no one imputed blame, was too prompt in her (6) vindi cation. Men who are rich and avaricious, lose (8) themselves in a spring which might have cherished all around them. I should prefer (9) him to be rather of slow parts, than with (8) a bad disposition. As soon as Eugenius undertook the care of a parish, it immediately (23) engrossed the whole of his attention. The plan will at once contribute to general convenience, and add (23) to the beauty and elegance of the town. Together with the national debt, the greatest national advantages are also (23) transmitted to succeeding generations. Their intimacy had (12) commenced in the happier period, perhaps, of their youth and obscurity. His subject is precisely of that kind, which (12) a daring imagination could alone (10) have adopted. This emperour conjured the senate, that the purity of his reign might not be stained or (23) contaminated, by the blood even of (12) a guilty sen ator. |