again, "In (rhetorical) Antithesis, we may recognise the same general truth. The opposition of two thoughts that are the reverse of each other in some prominent trait, insures an impressive effect; and does this by giving a momentary relaxation to the faculties addressed. If after a series of images of an ordinary character, appealing in a moderate degree to the sentiment of reverence, or approbation, or beauty, the mind has presented to it a very insignificant, a very unworthy, or a very ugly image; the faculty of reverence, or approbation, or beauty, as the case may be, having for the time nothing to do, tends to resume its full power; and will immediately afterwards appreciate a vast, admirable, or beautiful image better than it would otherwise do. Conversely, where the idea of absurdity due to extreme insignificance is to be produced, it may be greatly intensified by placing it after something highly impressive." 87. (a). Antithesis is used by scientific writers, both to give greater precision to definitions, and also to secure economy of words.

(b). Antitheses are used by general writers to give
vivacity and impressiveness to style. In this case the
figure should be sparingly used; its constant repetition
tending to weary, and consequently to disgust, the
mind of the reader.

(c). Antithesis gives beauty and force to many of the
most common proverbs in all languages.
(d). There is a secondary kind of Antithesis, used to
contrast objects that are not direct opposites of each
other, but are merely different members of a very
general class. In classifying objects the mind has to
observe the similarity, in certain respects, of objects
that differ in other particulars. Shortly expressed,

this means that the mind recognises both similarities and differences of objects. Thus, while the direct opposite of Liberty is Restraint, we may also contrast Liberty with Plenty, or Health, or Honour; all four terms belonging to the class of worldly advantages. For an example of this kind of Antithesis see the comparison of Dryden and Pope (both members of the class "poet") given below.

38. The following examples of Antithesis may now be studied by the light of the above remarks. (36 and 37);—

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Though grave, yet trifling; zealous yet untrue."
"Ignorance is a blank sheet, on which we may write;
error is a scribbled one which we must first erase."
"Me Miserable! Which way shall I fly

Infinite wrath, and infinite despair?"

but

"On this side, modesty is engaged; on that, impudence: on this, chastity; on that, lewdness: on this, integrity; on that, fraud: on this, piety; on that profaneness." "Caesar died a violent death, but his empire remained; Cromwell died a natural death, but his empire vanished."

The lamb gambols alike through the green pastures or to the place of slaughter. Up to the last flutter of her wings, the bird ceases not to trill her matins upon the air. But the only immortal being upon the earth lives in dread of death. The only being to whom death is an impossibility fears every day that it will come." "The infinity of worlds, and the narrow spot of earth which we call our home-the eternity of ages, and the few hours of life-the almighty power of God, and human nothingness-it is impossible to think of these in succession without a feeling like that which is produced by the sublimest eloquence."

"In the animal body, vegetable substances are brought again into contact with their beloved oxygen, and they burn within us as a fire burns in a grate. In the plant, the clock is wound up; in the animal, it runs down. In the plant, the atoms, are separated; in the animal, they re-combine.” (Tyndall).

"Cowards die many times before their deaths;

The valiant never taste of death but once." (Shakspere "The evil that men do lives after them;

The good is oft interred with their bones." (Shakspere). Oh, it is excellent to have a giant's strength;

But it is tyrannous to use it like a giant." (Shakspere). Dryden is sometimes vehement and rapid; Pope is always smooth, uniform, and gentle....If the flights of Dryden are higher, Pope continues longer on the wing. If of Dryden's fire the blaze is brighter, of Pope's the heat is more regular and constant. Dryden often surpasses expectation, and Pope never falls below it. Dryden is read with frequent astonishment, and Pope with perpetual delight." (Johnson).

"In peace, there's nothing so becomes a man

As mild behaviour and humanity;

But when the blast of war blows in our ears,

Let us be tigers in our fierce deportment." (Shakspere). "What can be more extraordinary than that a person of mean birth, no fortune, no eminent qualities of body, which have sometimes—or of mind, which have often-raised men to the highest dignities, should have the courage to attempt, and the happiness to succeed in so improbable a design, as the destruction of one of the most ancient and most solidly founded monarchies on the earth?" (Cowley on Cromwell).

40

EPIGRAM.

89. (a). An Epigram is a short saying with a hidden
meaning which contradicts the literal signification of
the words used. Hence, Antithesis generally enters
into Epigram. The force of Epigram lies in the
pleasant surprise caused by the perception of the real
meaning. Examples of Epigram ;—
"Solitude is sometimes the best society."
"He that's convinced against his will
Is of the same opinion still."
"The child is father to the man."

"When you have nothing to say, say it."
"More haste, worse speed."

(b). Sometimes the Epigram consists apparently of a
mere truism, or an assertion in which the predicate
is a simple repetition of the subject. In this case we
find that the words used admit of two meanings.
Examples; "Facts are facts."

"What I have written, I have written."

"His coming was an event."

(c). Other Epigrams appear at first sight to be meaningless or nonsensical. Thus ;

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Where snow falls there is a freedom." (Emerson.)

HYPERBOLE.

10. Hyperbole is an exaggeration of the literal truth, so as to make a statement more impressive. Hyperbolical expressions are of frequent occurrence in common conversation; we often say as cold as ice, as hot as fire, as white as snow, in all which phrases the quality is exaggerated beyond the bounds of truth. Their frequency is to be attributed

to the imagination, which always takes pleasure in magnifying objects. Hyperbole is much used in poetry and in oratory. This figure is used under the influence of strong emotion; it is often employed in argument, to show the fallacy of an opponent's opinion, by imagining it to be carried to extreme lengths. Every strong passion magnifies whatever concerns it. Love, Fear, Hatred, exaggerate their several objects in proportion to their intensity. Thus Fear exaggerates danger;

"I saw their chief, tall as a rock of ice; his spear the blasted fir; his shield the rising moon; he sat on the shore, like a cloud of mist on the hill." (Ossian.)

41. The following examples of Hyperbole are to be stud

ied ;

"All armed in brass, the richest dress of war,

(A dismal, glorious sight) he shone afar,

The sun himself started with sudden fright,

To see his beams return so dismal bright." (Cowley.) "Aumerle, thou weep'st, my tender-hearted cousin! We'll make foul weather with despised tears: Our sighs, and they, shall lodge the summer corn, And make a dearth in this revolting land." (Shakspere.) "So frowned the mighty combatants, that hell

Grew darker at their frown." (Milton.)

"There was such silence through the host, as when
An earthquake, trampling on some populous town,
Has crushed ten thousand with one tread, and men
Expect the second." (Shelley.)

42. In using Hyperbole, the following points should be attended to;

(a). The Hyperbole must be novel, grand, and appropriate.

(b). It must not be eyond the comprehension of those